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15th March, 2006 - 1:45 pm
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| Current Features |
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SCOOP DU JOUR: Turkoglu, Marbury And Artest/Ariza!
The pursuit of Hedo Turkoglu, Stephen Marbury rejects Boston's offer, and the Lakers and Rockets essentially swap Trevor Ariza and Ron Artest.
MOCK DRAFT: 2009 NBA Mock Draft, Version 11.0 (Draft Day Edition)
How will the 2009 NBA Draft shake out? We're only hours away from finding out.
LOCKER TALK: Nash, Cleveland, & Orlando
Steve Nash could draw trade interest this summer and Cleveland isn’t overlooking Orlando…
PLAYER RANKINGS: The Final NBA Player Rankings For The 2008-09 Season
The 2008-09 season is in the books and how did players rank individually?
TEAM RANKINGS: The Final NBA Team Rankings For The 2008-09 Season
The Cleveland Cavaliers were the NBA's most improved team and finished the regular season atop our rankings, ahead of the Celtics, Lakers, Magic and Blazers.
CLASSICS: Hakeem Vs. Ewing: Who Was The Better Center?
Born within six months of each other in opposite corners of the world, two seven footers who are finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame this fall are two of the best ever to play the center position.
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By J.T. Magee
With the Tourney coming up on Thursday, everyone is gearing up their brackets, both on paper and on monitors. But there is one program looking not just at the teams, but at the players: the NBA. With that, here are the Top 10 draft prospects entering the NCAA Tournament.
Of course, this may vary depending on how their respective teams do, but some of these names are common to the casual fan and some are not. This list is providing a few names that may not be known. Most of the names may be surprising, but they may also be future NBA draft picks.
1. LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Texas.
Aldridge has stated that he wants to remain at Texas for next season. He also tried to test the draft waters coming out of high school before pulling out, electing to go to Texas. He has been one of the main factors for the Longhorns this season, grabbing rebounds, blocking shots and using his long arms to shoot jumpers and skyhooks over defenders and his long legs to outrun them. The Longhorn’s chances, as well as his draft stock, ride on his shoulders. Based on his potential, he is a Lottery pick if he comes out, but he may become a clear cut #1 pick if he has a great Tourney. Look for him on Friday against Pennsylvania, 9:40 est.
2. Tyrus Thomas, PF.
Thomas helped make a name for himself with a huge game against UCONN, scoring 15 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking an astounding 7 shots against the biggest and arguably best frontline in Division I ball. Ever since then, Thomas continued to block shots and run down the floor, either finishing off a lob or putting down another teammate’s missed shot. He doesn’t use it that often, but he has a decent midrange jumper. If he can show that he fully recovered from a sprained ankle, the reason why he was out of LSU’s final four games, including the SEC Tournament, then LSU has a chance to prove that they are a team to be reckoned with. A team that lost by a combined six points to UCONN, Cincinnati and Ohio State. A team that, behind Thomas, can make headlines and upset someone like Duke, pending they make it that far. As far as Thomas’ draft stock goes, if he declares, he is a likely Top 10 pick. If he stays for one more year, he will be a potential #2 pick behind soon-to-be Buckeye Greg Oden. Either way, this Tournament will make things clearer for Thomas. Look for him on Thursday against Iona, 7:10 est.
3. Ronnie Brewer, SG/SF, Arkansas, Junior.
Brewer is the only reason the Razorbacks are even competitive. He is a playmaker and knows when a play needs to be made. He is part-time point guard and part-time scorer. His downfall may be his jump shot. If Bucknell forces him to shoot, things could get ugly for Arkansas. If they can’t stop him from penetrating inside and creating easy shots for his teammates, then Arkansas will ride the win into a potential showdown with Villanova. Everything for the Razorbacks start and end with Brewer. It’s up to him to decide how far they go. Look for him against Bucknell on Friday, 12:30 est.
4. Brandon Roy, SG, Washington, Senior.
Just like with Brewer and Arkansas, everything starts and ends with the Pac-10 POY, Roy. Roy has been overshadowed by the bigger schools on the East Coast, quietly leading his team into the Pac-10 Tournament, only to lose to an Oregon team who played like a team for the first time this season. His 30 point, five rebound and four assist outing was a great game, but he made 4 three-pointers as well. If his shot is falling like that against Utah State, they don’t stand a chance. His sleek and smooth game is already known by NBA scouts, but his status as a potential Top-10 pick will only be solidified by a great Tournament. Look for him on Thursday against Utah State, 9:55 est.
5. Shawn Williams, SF, Memphis, Freshman.
Williams has been overshadowed by both Darius Washington, Memphis’ point guard, and their highlight film shooting guard Rodney Carney. Williams has a solid offensive set, in which he can take it to the hole with his 6’9” frame or shoot it from outside. Memphis may not need him to score in their first round game, but if he doesn’t contribute in any of their other games, they may be looking at a quick exit. Williams, a 20 year old freshman, will probably not enter this year’s NBA Draft, but he will make sure people remember him and Memphis going into next season. Look for him on Friday against Oral Roberts, 2:50 est.
6. Rajon Rondo, PG, Kentucky, Sophomore.
Rondo, coming into this season as a highly regarded point guard, has been playing out of position for too long. He has been starting at shooting guard when the worst part of his game is shooting. He is a natural point guard with incredible defense and incredible banana hands. Think Dikembe Mutombo hands on a point guard. If Kentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith allows Rondo to play more point guard and less shooting guard, as in no time at the 2, Kentucky can make a serious run in the Tourney. If he does play point guard, Rondo will be able to show off his natural instincts of knowing where the ball needs to be and his ability to penetrate and either kick it out to someone like Patrick Sparks or dish it off to an improved Randolph Morris. He is regarded as a potential Lottery pick because of the lack of PG depth in this year’s draft, but he may be able to cement himself as a Top-10 pick with a great tournament, but only if he plays the point. Look for him on Friday against UAB, 9:45 est.
7. Jordan Farmar, PG, UCLA, Sophomore.
Farmar, perhaps one of the best, if not the best, point guard in college basketball, has been leading UCLA to the outright Pac-10 Championship and creating a buzz as a potential first round pick in this year’s draft. He’s not the biggest point guard, but he knows where to get the ball and how to run an offense. His shot selection is not the greatest, but if he can take shots when he needs to and do what he does best, run the show for Aaron Afflalo and the likes, UCLA can become a Final Four candidate. Many think UCLA can become potential NCAA contenders next year, but if Farmar steps up his game, they can become NCAA Champs this year. Look for him on Thursday against Belmont, 5:10 est.
8. Greg Paulus, PG, Duke, Freshman.
Paulus is the lesser-known Blue Devil out of the starting 5. He does not show a lot of offense, but when you are taking shots behind J.J. Redick, a Lottery pick, Shelden Williams, a Lottery pick and Josh McRoberts, a potential Lottery pick in the future, you don’t need to. But if it wasn’t for Paulus knowing how to get Redick the ball off screens and both Williams and McRoberts the ball in the post, Duke probably wouldn’t be a #1 seed. He stepped up his game in the ACC Tournament, but a great outing in the NCAA Tourney will show everyone why Duke is considered one of the teams that have the best chance to win it all. Look for him on Thursday against Southern, 9:40 est.
9. DeVon Hardin, PF/C, California, Sophomore.
Hardin has been playing in the shadow of Leon Powe all season. While Powe has been very deserving of all the attention he’s received, Hardin has quietly helped shut down the bigger frontcourt players Powe has trouble with. He’s very raw on offense, but he can score off of offensive rebounds and passes from their distributing point guard. Hardin has a very nice NBA body, but he needs to improve his offense in order to be considered a legit draft prospect. If California makes it past their first round game against N.C. State, Hardin will be matched up against Aldridge. If he can force Aldridge away from the basket with his big frame, he will solidify himself as a future NBA prospect. Look for him on Friday against N.C. State, 7:20 est.
10. P.J. Tucker, SG/SF, Texas, Junior.
Tucker has been in the shadows of teammate Aldridge all season. That’s hard to do when you are the Big 12 POY as well as the team’s leading scorer and rebounder. But Tucker has played well enough to be considered a potential draft prospect this year. Many aren’t as high on him as some because they feel he isn’t a prototypical shooting guard or small forward. Sounds a lot like Bonzi Wells, but Wells may have had more offense in college. Tucker can flat out rebound the ball, going for it almost every single play on defense. He takes the same mentality on offense, but in a negative way. He tends to make plays for himself and rarely for either Aldridge or one of their players that can shoot the 3, like Brad Buckman. If Tucker can show that he can pass the ball and do what he’s been doing all season, both he and Texas will see vast improvements with his success. As long as he can produce like he has been, the NBA may be on his mind sooner than expected. After, this is a guard’s Tourney. Look for him on Friday against Pennsylvania, 9:40 est. |
