Like JWill, I'm a white boy. Which means, among other things, that when I step to the playground in my 'hood, I always have a little more to prove.

It's not just my skin color. It's my size and shape. I look more like Eminem's balding brother than a baller. I've been called just about everything over the years. Refrains such as "Give it up, Ainge" still get under my skin. You can insult my mother all day, but likening me to Danny Ainge? That's cold.

Not everybody has a body like KG or Kobe. You know, the kind of guy who -- even before he touches the rock -- looks like he could flush it from the foul line. Some of my pale brethren look more like stock clerks than shot-callers. So I thought I'd give an early season shout-out to some of the best white guys in college basketball. The usual suspects -- Kapono, Jacobsen, Murphy, Dunleavy, Recker -- are not included. We know what they can do. And these aren't the "scrappy guys" TV commentators love so much. All these guys can straight-up ball.

1.Kirk Hinrich, Kansas point guard - More than held his own against Omar Cook at MSG, forcing him into 4 turnovers. He's got 'tude too. When I asked him where he got his handle, he looked at me like I was crazy.

2. Brian Scalabrine, USC forward - If there's a better red-headed player in the land, I haven't seen him. This guy does everything for the Trojans -- score, rebound, pass, run the floor. Lute Olson compares him to white guy hall-of-famer Detlef Schrempf.

3. Brett Nelson, Florida guard - Yeah, his jumper is spotty, but he has the onions to keep hoisting. That gets him on my list.

4. Michael Bradley, Villanova center - I always felt Tubby didn't get him enough touches. He dropped 28 and 8 on the Blue Devils.

5. Gonzaga - Dick Bennett might still be in the game if the Bulldogs were his squad. These white boys (plus Anthony Reason) took it to Arizona. I mean, they actually played offense. Casey Calvary is awesome down low, UW transfer Dan Dickau could play anywhere, and frosh Blake Stepp can drill it from deep. We'll see who let the Dogs out come March.

6. Steven Blake, Maryland guard - One of the best interior passers in the country, this 6-3 beanpole can handle the ball and pick you clean.

6. Lucas Johnson, Illinois forward - Speaking of clean, love the dome! What coach wouldn't want this guy? He's a rugged, take-no-prisoners defender who can nail the three.

6. Kevin Frey, Xavier forward - Thought I'd forget my boy? No way. This guy brings it every night. A credit to the Chicago public school system.

6. Archie Miller, N.C. State guard - This little dude somehow figures out how to unleash bombs from everywhere on the floor.

10. Curtis Borchardt, Stanford center - The Cardinal always has great Caucasians and Mantis (as in praying) is the latest. Homie had 42 blocks in just 20 games last year. He's Joel Pryzbilla with a better offensive game.

So there's my list. I'm sure I've missed some guys. Let me hear about it. But remember, I'm not hatin', just relatin'.

Ainge needs love too.

John Gustafson writes college hoop for ESPN The Magazine. Look for his feature on Jamaal Tinsley in the next issue, and e-mail Guff at john.gustafson@espnmag.com.