Emeka Okafor, college basketball's defensive player of the year out of UCONN, tells the media he doesn't care if he goes number 1 or not in the June 24 Draft.

On the other hand, Atlanta high school star Dwight Howard believes and openly proclaims that he should be the number 1 overall pick.

Okafor is only 6-9, so even with a big body, it will be difficult for him to man the pivot in the NBA.  Howard measured in at 6-9 too but he?s still growing and could surpass the 7-foot mark when his growth finally stops.  

"No offense to Emeka," Howard said, "but offensively I can bring more to a team. I think my game, as far as what I can do with more polish, as far as I'm a lot quicker and handle the ball like a guard, I think I bring a lot to the table."

Howard is a good defensive player but not in Okafor?s class.  Okafor has the potential to very quickly establish himself in the NBA as a force at the defensive end.  Also he is mature at 21 years of age and ready to win now, with many college basketball successes under his belt.

"I don't know what goes through the mind of a GM. But when you have a guy who's been through college, it just brings experience and maturity and a different viewpoint," Okafor said. "I was pretty mature at a young age, but I think of my mindset back in high school and my mindset now, and the way I've grown socially, in addition to basketball-wise, having gone through college, and I think that it could be of great value to have a player like that."

Some talent evaluators, however, believe that Howard?s ceiling is very high and that in the long run, he?s the better pick.  

What about a little one-on-one to see who should be the top pick?

"He played in college," Howard said. "I've been playing basketball since I was 2 years old. So there's a lot of stuff I know. Kevin Garnett didn't go to college, but when you step on the court with him you wouldn't know that. I'll say one thing he has over me is he's a lot bigger and stronger, but you're not going to win a fight because you're bigger and stronger."

Okafor?s previous back injury may have raised some doubt and opened the door for the current debate on whether Howard could possibly be chosen ahead of him.  But the back has not caused Okafor any problems at all so far.