At 19, and sporting an immature body that jiggles slightly from what we'll call baby fat, James Lang is hoping to fulfill his NBA dream.

"It was a big dream ever since middle school," said Lang, who is skipping college and jumping straight from Birmingham (Ala.) Central Park Christian School to the pros.

We've seen this many times. Guys who don't have grades for big-time college basketball but have lots of talent listen to whispers from those around them and decide they have what it takes to get to the NBA.

Such is the case with Lang, a cousin of former Duke standout Antonio Lang. His "family and friends" advised him to turn pro, he said. And he's already signed with an agent, thereby forfeiting his amateur status, so there's no turning back.

The problem is the 6-foot-8, 316-pound center might not be ready for the NBA.