Headin' back to 2004

Let's travel in the trusty ol' time machine back to 2004 in order to determine just who in that year's northern California basketball class has made the biggest impression in professional basketball?

Call it a lean 365 days.

2004 was a big time for East Bay hoops, what with Antonio Kellogg, Quentin Thomas, Tim Pierce and DeVon Hardin. Kellogg began collegiately at Connecticut but transferred back to USF for one season before going pro, Thomas became a four-year North Carolina Tarheel, Pierce spent a season at Arizona State before moving over to San Jose State University and Hardin chose to become a Cal Bear.

Now Demarcus Nelson was in the Bay Area for most of his high school time before moving up to the Sacramento area and then Duke.

This quintet was the Fab Five, if you will, of northern California prep hoops circles.

Since then:

Kellogg played in Sweden, Poland and Mexico -- not sure what he's up to now.

Thomas was a journeyman during his time in Chapel Hill and apparently is working on entering the music industry.

Pierce has played here and abroad.

Hardin has been on the court in Greece, Turkey, Argentina, Venezuela, Israel, Qatar, China and now Brazil.

Nelson, out of Vallejo High and Sheldon High, was the most honored 2004 prepster and he made it, albeit briefly, to The Big Show with the Golden State Warriors. Nelson has since consistently played here and abroad.

But who out of all the candidates looks like he has garnered the most attention as a professional?

Our submission is Josh Akognon, out of Casa Grande High, Washington State and Cal State Fullerton, with Nelson as his closest competitor. Akognon began professionally in Estonia and then then spent two financially lucrative years in China. He was with the Dallas Mavericks late last season and his rights are currently held by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Who would have proposed him as the one back in 2004?