On the day Lester Abram signed with Michigan, there were plenty of lights, cameras and reporters.

The only thing missing was Abram himself.

Abram, a serious student with a 3.65 G.P.A. at Pontiac Northern High School, refused to leave his AP Trigonometry class early despite several phone calls down to the classroom by his coach Robert Rogers.

"They tried to get me out of class while my teacher was explaining something, and I told them to hold off," Abram said.

After making everyone wait for 15 minutes, Abram finally showed and signed on the dotted line to become a Wolverine something he always wanted.

Abram, a lanky swingman who is a top 50 recruit nationally, chose Michigan not only because he loved the "Fab Five," but also because of its reputation as a prestigious academic institution.

"It was a big factor," said Abram just a few short hours before his Huskies took on rival Pontiac Central last night. "Because if basketball doesn"t work out, with a University of Michigan degree I can pretty much write my own ticket as far as getting a job is concerned."

Abram"s non-sport role model is Bill Gates and the left-handed small forward has aspirations of attending Michigan"s highly-regarded Business School. Rogers said that with Abram"s study habits, he"s on the right track.

"After school there will be just two people in the school library," Rogers said. "The librarian and Lester."

But Abram shouldn"t be thinking past his basketball career quite yet, as he has a bright future ahead of him on the hardwood.

Abram is averaging 23.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the defending state champion Huskies.

Although Abram said he"s still having a hard time picking up the slack left by last season"s point guard and spirited leader Ricky Morgan, Rogers believes that Abram is starting to speak up more often.

"Sometimes I don"t have to stop practice to correct something because Lester is already talking to a player about it," Rogers said.

While recruiting analysts drool over Michigan"s future point guard, Daniel Horton, who today became the first Wolverine recruit since LaVell Blanchard to be invited to the McDonald"s All-America game, they also feel Abram is a great catch that can make an impact right away.

"He"s just a great athlete he"s very talented, he can run, block shots and score inside," said HoopScoop recruiting analyst Clark Francis, who compares Abram to Michigan guard Bernard Robinson.

As a 6-foot-6 wing, Abram is a versatile player who can play both the small forward and guard spot. Francis said that if Abram improves his jumper or grows a few inches, his "stock will go through the roof."

Abram"s models himself after the L.A. Clippers" forward Lamar Odom, and his slashing ability and offensive capabilities will definitely help a Michigan team next year that is desperately in need of another player who can create his own shot.

Rogers said that Abram uses his long arms to wreak havoc defensively and block shots as well.

"We look for him to score, we look for him to create and we look for him to rebound," said Rogers, who mentioned how hard Lester has worked on improving his off hand.

Brian Ellerbe had a major hand in Abram"s recruitment, and Abram felt a sense of loyalty to the former Michigan coach. So when Ellerbe was dismissed last spring, Abram re-opened his recruitment search.

"After Ellerbe left I kind of second-guessed my decision I just didn"t know," Abram said.

But it didn"t take long for new Michigan coach Tommy Amaker to make a good impression on Abram, who eventually turned down Georgetown and Michigan State. Amaker visited Abram in Pontiac and had a lengthy discussion with Rogers at a St. Cecilia fundraiser this past summer, showing his interest in the mild-mannered Abram.

Amaker "is a real passionate guy and you can see in his eyes that he means it when he says he wants to turn this program around," Abram said. "I have no doubts, he"s a man of his word."