by By Jeff Faraudo Oakland Tribune , Contra Costa Times

It's worth keeping in mind that Gage, for all his skills and potential, is 16 years old. "I'm not sure I'm going to be an engineer," he said. "I'm still a kid."

Gage, who lists Cal, Stanford and Washington as his three favorites in no particular order, exemplifies the uncertainty of college recruiting.

July is the busiest time of year for college basketball recruiting, with top players crisscrossing the country to be seen by coaches at all-star camps and AAU tournaments. This weekend Cal is hosting its elite camp, featuring a number of would-be college players.

According to the Rivals.com recruiting service, 60 of the nation's top 150 prospects in the class of 2010 already have made their decision. That includes Los Angeles-Price High small forward Allen Crabbe, the 102nd-rated player, who committed to Cal last December.

But because a program's health is tied to the players it attracts, second-year Cal coach Mike Montgomery needs to convince more talented young players to come to Berkeley.

The Golden Bears will enter the 2009-10 season as a co-favorite with Washington to win the Pac-10. They feature four returning senior starters, who combined to average nearly 56 points per game last season. But a year from now, Jerome Randle, Patrick Christopher, Theo Robertson and Jamal Boykin will be among five graduating seniors, and Cal's continued success will depend on a younger generation of players, some who have not yet made their college decisions.

Plenty of good players remain, and Montgomery will try to restock his shelves by signing four or five of them next November, when commitments can become binding.

Although Gage isn't listed on the Rivals' top 150, Andy Sears, his coach at Vashon Island High, said, "His potential is scary."

Gage, who will be 17 when he enters college, averaged 25 points and 14.5 rebounds in the Washington Class 1-A state semifinals and championship games, leading the Pirates to the title.

"As the college game changes and you want to space the perimeter and maybe play four around one, he's that big guy who can step out and shoot the 3," Sears said. "He's got just a very natural, easy (shooting) motion."

Gage made unofficial visits to Stanford and Cal last October, taking in the Bears' football game against UCLA. "I really got to experience the full-blown Cal spirit," he said.

His decision could come by midsummer, perhaps sooner. "I feel like I'm just going to know," Gage said.

Another player the Bears are pursuing is 6-8 forward Richard Solomon, who is rated No. 100 nationally by Rivals. He transferred this spring to Price High, where he joins Crabbe. Solomon's older sister, Am'ra, played volleyball for the Golden Bears.

"We're familiar with Cal the academics are off the chart," said Solomon's father, Richard, adding that Cal is among his son's top three to five schools. "He's got everyone in the country recruiting him, but Cal's got a good shot."

Among the most intriguing prospects being wooed by the Bears is Yannick Atanga, a 6-8 forward from Cameroon who plays at Besant Hill, a boarding school in Ojai. The school is so small the basketball team practices on an outdoor blacktop court because it does not have a gym.

"He's a real hot deal right now," said his coach, Randy Bertin, noting that Atanga is attending Cal's camp this weekend. "He has the potential to be a difference-maker anywhere."Bears of the future? A few other top prospects from the high school class of 2010 being courted by Cal: James Johnson, Morse-San Diego: A 6-9 combo forward, Johnson was forced to sit out this season after his family moved from Alberta, Canada. Morse coach Robert Sumler called him a humble kid with no baggage who hustles constantly on the floor. Sumler said, "Absolutely, Cal is in the picture." CORY JOSEPH, Findlay-Henderson, Nev.: Rated the nation's No. 2 point guard prospect by Rivals, the 6-3 native of Ontario, Canada, helped Findlay to a 33-0 record and the national prep school title this season. He averaged 10.5 points. 6.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.1 steals. Coach Mike Peck said Cal is in the mix. Alex Kirk, Los Alamos, N.M.: Kirk's father and coach, Alan, said his 6-10, 225-pound son is being pursued by schools from throughout the West and Midwest, adding, "He thinks very highly of Cal. They're in his discussions." Rated as the No. 5 center prospect by Rivals after averaging 27.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and 6.7 blocks last year. JOHN McARTHUR, De La Salle: A 6-9, 240-pound power forward, McArthur is rated No. 150 nationally by Rivals. He is being wooed by several West Coast schools, according to coach Frank Allocco, who said McArthur has improved his game substantially over the past two months. ALEX ROSSI, New Trier-Winnetka, Ill.: A 6-6 wing from the same high school that produced former Cal coach Ben Braun, Rossi is rated as the nation's No. 70 prospect by Scout.com . Cal and Stanford reportedly both are pursuing him, along with Midwest schools including Illinois and Notre Dame. -- Jeff Faraudo

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