CLIPPERS DRAFT: CLIPS' GUARD IS UP PREP STANDOUT IS FOCUS AT NO. 4.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

The Clippers have had 28 first-round picks over the past 20 years, but it's tough to remember who most of them were.

Today, the Clippers are expected to select Shaun Livingston, an 18-year- old high school star from Peoria, Ill., with the No. 4 pick after trading down from No. 2 on Monday.

If the Clippers do take Livingston, their selection will be memorable if for nothing else than Livingston's personal journey. Raised by his grandfather and father and becoming a local icon in Peoria, Livingston has taken a unique path to the NBA.

``His grandfather was very much the stability in his life,'' said Tom Ruppert, Livingston's godfather and grade-school coach. ``His dad bounced around jobs. Shaun didn't have a lot of material things growing up, but he was very proud of what he had and was very happy with that.''

He will have little trouble acquiring material things after today's NBA Draft. If the Clippers select him, Livingston will make $2.5 million his first season and have a three-year guaranteed contract.

NBA scouts expect him to stay around much longer than that. In fact, if there is a downside to drafting him, it's that teams might be drafting for the future rather than planning for him to make an immediate impact.

Although he recently gained about 15 pounds to reach 185, he is very slender for his 6-foot-7 frame.

Of course, there is no guarantee the Clippers will take him. The first three picks are expected to be Josh Howard, Emeka Okafor and Luol Deng, paving the way for the selection of Livingston.

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)presstelegram.com

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- BY STAFF WRITER FRANK BURLISON