Bulls operations chief John Paxson didn't reveal whom he will draft this summer, but he stopped just short of saying whom he won't pick.

Paxson all but stated Friday he won't draft someone directly out of high school, and three of the top four prospects are prep seniors. The Bulls (18-43) own the second-worst record in the league, so Paxson will have plenty of prep talent to consider. If Paxson lands the top pick, Connecticut's Emeka Okafor is a lock.

"There is talent and potential in all of those [prep] kids,'' Paxson said. "But for franchises trying to get better in a hurry, those are risky propositions.''

The Bulls took Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, two high schoolers, within the first four picks of the 2001 draft and are still waiting for them to take the lead.

"It's scary,'' Paxson said. "The guys we're counting on are so young -- I can't say never -- but it would be tough to throw somebody [right of high school] in the mix.''