Auburn's Bonner not eating up hype

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - DeWanna Bonner still looks a lot like the rail-thin player who arrived at Auburn four seasons ago.

"That's just her build,'' Auburn coach Nell Fortner said Wednesday at SEC Media Days. "She eats like a horse."

The change has taken place in her game. She's been an All-SEC first-team honoree the past two seasons. With All-Americans Candace Parker of Tennessee and Sylvia Fowles of LSU having graduated, Bonner is center stage as the preseason pick for SEC player of the year.

"It looks good on paper,'' the 6-foot-4 senior forward said. "But I still have to prove myself."

Fortner, who's had a front-row seat for four years of Bonner, already is sold on her star player.

"I don't think there's any question in my mind she's one of the top 10 players in the country when you start breaking it down,'' Fortner said. "I know her so well. I know what she can do on the basketball court. She is incredibly versatile. She can player every position. She works her tail off. She is a very dangerous player."

If anything, Fortner thinks Bonner will be a more motivated player this season.

"I think you'll see a much more spirited player,'' Fortner said. "When these kids get to be seniors, that sense of urgency kicks in."

Coach Bobble Head: For Brionna Dickerson, Dawn Staley has gone from keepsake to coach.

"I'm still in shock a little bit, even after a couple of weeks of practice,'' the South Carolina senior guard said.

When she was in high school, Dickerson went to see her new head coach play when Staley was a member of the WNBA's Charlotte Sting. Dickerson wanted to meet Staley but had to settle for a collectable instead.

"I have her bobble head (doll) from when she played at Charlotte,'' Dickerson said. "I think I'm going to bring it to her office and make her keep it in there."

High Praise: Vanderbilt is the media's preseason pick to win the conference. Commodores coach Melanie Balcomb is Tennessee coach Pat Summitt's pick as the league's top offensive strategist.

"She has the greatest offensive mind in the league and one of the best in the country,'' Summitt said. "Her offensive sets are a great challenge to defend."