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PROVO - Quick observation of incoming Brigham Young basketball player Lee Cummard: He looks like Mark Bigelow on a diet.

Tall and skinny, the former Arizona high school player of the year resembles BYU's career leader in three-pointers. Watch Cummard play and another ex-Cougar pops to mind - Travis Hansen, the former NBA guard who now plies his trade in Europe.

Before BYU fans begin to drool, Cummard is not yet a Hansen clone. But his attitude on the court closely matches the toughest player in recent years to wear the home uniform in the Marriott Center.

On campus for two weeks, Cummard has been scrimmaging with the team at the Richards Building courts. His baby face belies a won't-back-down, take-no-guff mentality.

His attitude and ability already have impressed teammates, who don't hesitate to applaud him on a good play during scrimmages or rag him after a mistake.

"He's a little cocky, but every good player that's ever played is a little cocky," said junior guard Austin Ainge, also a former Arizona prep player. "He talks a little bit. It's definitely good. It's something our team needs, and every team needs."

For sure, BYU needs an infusion of talent. The sophomore-laden team suffered through a humiliating 9-21 season, which culminated last month when coach Steve Cleveland quit to take over Fresno State's program.

Four new players will join the team, each with the potential to make an immediate impact. None come more highly touted than the 6-foot-6, 170-pound Cummard.

"If he can play at the same level that he played at in high school at this level, he's going to be a phenomenal player," said new coach Dave Rose, BYU's recruiting coordinator the last several years. "If he makes that adjustment his freshman year or sophomore year, then fans here at BYU are going to be really excited about him.

"It may take him a little bit longer. Hopefully he gets to that point where he is as successful a Division I player as he was in high school."

Cummard led Mesa High to the 5-A state championship, averaging 20.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a senior in 2003-04. He shot 56 percent from the floor and made 41 percent of his three-point attempts.

Following graduation, he left on an LDS Church mission to Tennessee but returned last fall because of what he describes as personal reasons. He spent the last several months working out and will enter summer school in June as a freshman.

"My expectations for him right now are more based on his preparation as far as his work ethic is concerned," Rose said. "He has a great competitive spirit about him as a player. What he needs to do right now is to get himself in shape to be able to compete at this level."

During pick-up games this week, Cummard displayed an uncanny ability to make shots and find open teammates. The spirit Rose cited came out during the many arguments the players had over the self-officiating.

At no point in each game did he ever forget the score. Two hours into the games, after some players had to leave, he yearned for more.

"I'm a fierce competitor," Cummard said. When "you have five older brothers, it comes easy. They all like to compete, too, so you've got to have swagger or else you're not going to make it."

All of the brothers had opinions on his future two years ago. Some wanted hometown favorite Arizona State or one of several other Pac-10 schools that recruited him.

ASU, which offered Cummard a scholarship before his senior year, was considered the frontrunner until Cleveland and Rose made their pitch before the family. A BYU recruiting trip in September 2003, during which he attended a home football game, sealed his decision.

Aware of his reputation, Cummard said expectations are high for each BYU player. But few possess his talent and savvy.

"I don't know what the expectations for him are," Ainge said. "He's not Michael Jordan, but he's a good player. He'll be able to help us. I don't know how soon, whether it is this year or next, but eventually he'll help us. That's all people should expect."