Sharif Chambliss knows how to be a leader.

However, he might have to wait another year to show the Big Ten his stuff.

The Penn State men's basketball freshman who averaged just over 17 points per game as a senior at St. Catherine's High School in Racine, Wisc., last year led his squad to an undefeated season.

That is, until the only loss of his senior campaign came in the Wisconsin State Championship game.

The honorable mention All-American said he is confident that he can play in the Big Ten.

He says that his leadership and God-given talents will propel him over players that might be taller and stronger.

Standing only 6-foot-1 and weighing 175 pounds, Chambliss knows his talent and heart will have to be the deciding force on how much time he sees in his Penn State future.

But Chambliss might have to sit patiently during his freshman campaign because the Nittany Lions have a host of guards with more collegiate experience that Penn State men's basketball coach Jerry Dunn might call on before him.

Lions guards Joe and Jon Crispin, Brandon Watkins, Titus Ivory and Ken Krimmel have all seen more collegiate playing time than Chambliss.

Watkins, who is from Illinois, said he never played against Chambliss in AAU or high school games. But when he saw the Wisconsin guard play in an AAU tournament two years ago, Watkins was impressed.

"I was like, 'that boy's quick'," the sophomore guard said.

"I thought it was me out there," Watkins said.

Watkins said he hopes that he and Chambliss can get some time together on the floor this year.

He hopes their quickness can confuse and frustrate opponents.

"Hopefully, it is an option," he said. "We like to go after people.

"Go after them and make them shake," Watkins said.

Chambliss feels the same way.

At Penn State Basketball Media Day earlier this month, Chambliss said he will do anything Dunn asks him to do to get some playing time.

Another advantage Chambliss has is his prolific scoring ability.

The guard switched from shooting guard to point guard between his junior and senior years of high school. So Chambliss said he is comfortable with both positions.He said switching back shouldn't be a problem, either.

"I've been underrated my whole life," Chambliss said.

"I see myself as a leader and I'll lock up on defense."

"Whatever coach asks to get done, I'll do."

Dunn said it is still too early to gauge how the freshmen will impact the squad this season.

However, Chambliss and the talented 6-foot-5 swingman Jamaal Tate both have potential to see some minutes of play this season.

No matter what, though, Dunn is excited about the talent of his two freshmen.

"They are both very capable young men," the sixth-year coach said. "They will have a chance to compete just like everyone else," Dunn said.