WILDCARD ENTRANT
Monta Ellis SG 6'3'' 179 20 B C+ B- C+ D+ A
Still undecided about hiring an agent and staying in the draft, or fine tuning his skills at the college level. Averaged nearly 40 points per game as a senior. Good shooter with a quick release, but lacks quality range. Scores by getting into the lane. Can beat his man off the dribble, create his own shot and plays with an outstanding control for a player so young. One of the quickest players in the draft. The main knock on Ellis is his size. Draft experts say the 6-foot-3 Ellis is too short to play shooting guard - the only position he's ever played - and too inexperienced to run the point.
WILDCARD ENTRANT
Randy Foye SG 6'2'' 215 22 C+ B- C+ B- C- A
Foye is without a doubt a solid scorer, leading Villanova in scoring at 20.5 points per game his senior campaign, finishing second in the Big East in scoring. A physical player with an explosive first step, Foye has shown the ability to take the ball hard to the hoop with no fear. He's a great athlete, but needs to get stronger in the transition to the pro's. The three-pointer is not yet a consistent weapon for Foye if he wants to play off-guard, as he shot just 30 percent from behind the arc his junior and senior seasons. A solid defender with quick feet and the ability to stay in front of his man. Will get steals, but is sometimes too aggressive which gets him into quick foul trouble. Age is his one downside.
Rashad McCants SG 6'4'' 207 21 C+ B C C+ C- A
One of the top offensive players in the nation, led the ACC in scoring in 2003-04, averaging 20.0 points per game. Averaged second on his team last season in points (16.0) and assists (2.7). Has great range on his jumpers, can hit 3-pointers or mid-range shots. Has a quick first step and is able to finish inside. Has good offensive instincts, makes good decisions and is an average passer for a shooting guard. Very athletic player who is physically ready for the NBA. Small for his position and despite his long arms, he could have trouble against larger defenders in the SSBL. Defense could use some work, and his mental toughness has been questioned during his college career.
WILDCARD ENTRANT
Martell Webster SG 6'7'' 210 19 C+ B- C C+ C- ACOMMITTED TO UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONHas an NBA-ready body and good ball-handling skills. Can be used at the guard spot or small forward. A complete offensive player, able to score from the perimeter or by penetrating. Has a wide array of moves to get to the basket, and is a good rebounder for a guard. Thrives in transition, especially when finishing. Leaping and dunking ability are among his strengths. Was a threat to score 20 points and grab 10 rebounds every game in high school, but relies on his jumper too much and must improve his lateral foot movement on defense. His long arms make him a good defender on the perimeter however, with the ability to start a fast break with steals.
WILDCARD ENTRANT
Gerald Green SG 6'8'' 195 19 B- C+ C- C+ C- A
Green struggles with fundamentals, like many high schoolers, but is a superb athlete who runs the floor well and can score at will in transition. Loves to penetrate the lane and finish with a dunk, but also possesses a solid jump shot that is hard to block given his quick release and vertical leap. Can spot up from behind the arc or pull up for a 15-footer on the break with accuracy. Should not be expected to hit 3's with consistency though. Handles the ball like a guard. Has explosiveness around the basket and ability to break down defenses off the dribble. Creates turnovers with his long arms, quick feet and leaping ability and often shows enough hustle to finish the fast breaks he starts. Needs to add muscle.
WILDCARD ENTRANT
C.J. Miles SG 6'6'' 210 18 B- C+ C C+ D+ A
C.J. is very similar to Green in that he is a great athlete. Not the leaper Green is, but is quicker, and a little stronger for his size. about 15 pounds heavier than Green. If he could tap into his potential, he could be a serviceable player with a long career. Skillset right now shows he could be a great defender and shooter if he puts the time in and perfects his game. An excellent ball-handler that rarely turns it over due to a bad pass or bad decision. Can hit the pro distance triple and is near automatic from about 15 feet out. Great at getting to the line with his body control and fearless driving ability. Has an SSBL ready body, and is the perfect example of what scouts are looking for as far as body type at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds. Great combination of strength, quickness and hops.
Nate Robinson SG 5'9'' 180 21 B- C+ C+ B- D+ B
Is expected to hire an agent this year, ending his college eligibility. Was one of the most exciting players in the nation last season. Has outstanding leaping and scoring ability. An emphatic dunker, surprisingly, and will probably be invited to the dunk contest. Can score from anywhere on the floor. Probably the fastest player in the draft, which he uses to create space and get off a shot whenever he wants. Quick hands and feet make him a great defender. Loves to take the big shot. Despite being an amazing ball handler, he is rarely the one passing the ball and it shows with his inability to create shots for teammates. Despite this, he will most likely be forced to play PG, albeit in a backup role until he learns to pass. Will excel in a fast paced offense, as he is great at starting and finishing on the fast break.
Fransisco Garcia SG 6'7'' 192 24 C+ B C B- C- B
The oldest player in the draft. Despite being 24, only played 3 years of college ball. Age could scare teams away. Has a great mechanics on his jumpshot, and can hit the SSBL 3. Great finisher on the drive. Despite his weight, does not have the quickest feet and that hurts his ability to defend. Struggles against stronger and more athletic competition on defense. Lanky player with a long wingspan that clogs passing lanes. Not terribly athletic, but has just an average vertical leap and speed. Outstanding shot blocker for a guard. Excellent ball-handler, and could be used as a point-forward should he excel at the 3 spot. Must get stronger if he wants to play SF.
Kelenna Azubuike SG 6'5'' 220 22 C+ B C C+ C- B
Has the potential to become a lights-out shooter in the league. Excellent form on his jumpshot with almost limitless range when he's in his groove. Great ball handler, but doesn't have the quickest feet. Long arms despite height, which help immensely on the defensive end. Very athletic and can get to the rim with ease, though he often relies on his jump shot too much. Excellent dunking ability and rarely finishes with a layup. Despite his inexperience, is an excellent man defender, though needs to buy into the team defense aspect of his game. Should be a productive player whenever he's on the floor.
Luther Head SG 6'3'' 185 23 C B+ C B D B
One of the best shooters in the draft. Also the most confident and is not afraid to take the big shot. Not athletic at all. Has a quick first step that allows him to penetrate, but is content shooting from the outside. Has NBA 3-point range. Shot 41 percent from beyond the arc as a senior. Lacks the size to play shooting guard in the NBA, but has yet to show the skills necessary to play point guard. Needs to show he can lead a team and orchestrate an offense. Steals the ball consistently and is surprisingly an above average defender because of his foot speed. Despite size, teams could see his reliable defense and excellent spot up shooting as an asset they could employ off the bench with confidence
Antoine Wright SG 6'7'' 210 21 C B- C B C- B
Great defender with a reliable jumpshot. Cannot handle the ball, and should not be asked to run a team. His below average ball handling reduces him to being a spot up shooter and is not a very good scorer. Rarely gets to the rim, and when he does, usually throws up a wild layup. Has good mechanics on his jumpshot and has good range, out to the SSBL 3. Good shot blocking ability for a guard. Not an athletic player. Slow compared to other guards, no vertical and is not very strong. Some see him as lazy, and it shows with his lack of conditioning. Maturity is an issue and is constantly seen bickering with coaches and teammates.
Jose Juan Barea SG 6'0'' 175 21 C B C+ C+ D- B
Barea was named the MVP of the pre-draft Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, after averaging 14 points, 5.7 rebounds and 13.7 assists. His playmaking and speed wowed scouts, but he also greatly impressed them by only turning the ball over five times. Playing at Northeastern, Barea did not play the best competition in college. That made his 32-percent career three-point shooting percentage and the 4.7 turnovers per game he committed his senior season particularly disturbing. He averaged over 20 points a game in each of the last three seasons of his college career and averaged 8.4 assists his senior year. He has the speed and ball-handling ability to get anywhere he wants on the floor and can score in bunches.
Salim Stoudamire SG 6'1'' 180 23 C+ B C+ C D- B
Perhaps the best 3 point shooter in the draft. Was named one of five finalists for the John R. Wooden Award. Proved he can score in bunches in college. Isn't very quick despite his size and frame. May be too small to be a shooting guard, but lacks the ball-handling, passing and leadership ability to be a point guard. Most of his points come from the perimeter. Scouts wonder whether he'll be able to create his own shot in the NBA. Shot selection is sometimes questionable.
Von Wafer SG 6'5'' 205 20 C+ C+ C B- D B
An average player who has some room to grow. The verdict is still out on his overall playing style, but has shown flashes of greatness in his short stint at Florida State. Has a reliable jumpshot, but lacks great range. Will most likely struggle from the SSBL perimeter. Quick hands and feet which he uses to start fast breaks on defense. Just average ball handling and turns the ball over too much. Needs to work on decision making. His defensive abilities are by far the most complete of his game. An excellent vertical leap that can finish strong at the rim, when he decides to drive into the lane, as he rarely does.
Julius Hodge SG 6'7'' 210 22 C+ B- C- C+ C- B
Not an overly impressive player in any part of his game. Terrible ball handler. Bad reaction time on defense and gets blown by constantly. Terrible athlete despite his prototypical size. Very lazy who rarely puts extra effort in during games. Despite his many shortcomings, he has a nice jumpshot and is a great free throw shooter.
Anthony Roberson SG 6'2'' 180 22 C B- C+ C D+ B
Another player who doesn't look like he will do much in the pros. Terrible on the defensive end and seems to only focus on offense. Has range on his jumpshot, but lacks consistency. Quick feet but rarely uses it to his advantage due to his weak body. Must get a lot stronger to be able to score in the pros. Roberson needs to prove something in pre-draft workouts if he wants to be a first round selection.
Cenk Akyol SG 6'5'' 185 18 C+ C+ C C+ C- B
Very young international prospect with a good foundation. Jumpshot needs work, but he has decent range. Can make the 3, but shouldn't rely on it. Needs to get stronger so he can finish better around the rim. A great leaper, and is considerably faster than some guards who will probably get drafted ahead of the Turkish native. Good man to man defender. Ball handling abilities need to improve, and if they do, could be a good combo guard off the bench in a few years. Time is certainly on his side at just 18 years old.
Bracey Wright SG 6'3'' 210 21 C+ C B B- D+ B
A quality prospect who has great talent distributing the ball. A better passer than ball handler. Pretty good defender for his size, and always gives full effort. Never takes a play off. His weakness is his ability to score. While he gets to the rim at a decent rate, he has trouble finishing and is not someone you want taking the last shot. Normally uses his driving ability to create shots for teammates, and that is where he excelled at Indiana. Has some room to grow, but many scouts say it's not much room.
Olu Famutimi SG 6'5'' 207 21 C+ B C+ C C- B
A very consistent shooter with SSBL range. A decent ball handler and good passer. Average foot speed, but a terrible defender. Another player who puts all his effort on only one side of the floor. Still, his scoring ability will be a reason for teams to draft this Razorback. Not overly athletic, but is pretty strong for his position. Could use this to his advantage if he matches up well with his opponent.
Tiras Wade SG 6'6'' 210 24 C B- C- C+ C B
The last name is the only thing Tiras has in common with Dwyane. Tiras is probably at his ceiling at 24 years old, while playing against modest competition his entire college career. Has decent range on his jumpshot, and is a decent ball handler. Almost never passes the ball. He was the guy at the local YMCA that wanted to take over the game, but couldn't hit a shot. Is an above average rebounder for his size, and plays more like a post player sometimes. Excellent shot blocking ability for a guard, with an average vertical leap. Lacks man to man defensive abilities to stay with quicker guards.
Alex Acker SG 6'5'' 190 22 C+ B- C+ C D B
Scouts don't expect Acker to have much of an impact in the league, but despite that stamp of disapproval, could be a good scorer if given minutes. Does not have reliable SSBL range, but can hit the shot. Defense is not in Acker's playbook. Not athletic at all. Can't jump, and does not have the quickness to guard players on the perimeter. Teams that look at Acker will most likely have a great post defender.
J.R. Morris SG 6'5'' 205 23 C B+ C+ C+ C- C
THE best shooter in the draft. Has not gotten much coverage so far this season, and that could be the reason why so many teams pass up on Morris. Morris can light up the floor, and will stretch defenses and create offense for his teammates. Surprisingly, he can pass the ball pretty good. Not very fast, but almost never drives the ball so that isn't an issue on offense. Defensively he uses above average strength to outmuscle bigger guards. Has incredible shot blocking ability for a guard. An average athlete, nothing special. No business finishing around the rim. A one dimensional player with a good chance of having a solid career off the bench.
Darshan Luckey SG 6'5'' 200 22 C+ C+ C+ C+ D+ C
Highly touted early in his career, Luckey failed to live up to expectations after 3 years at the small St. Francis. Is basically average at everything, but excels at nothing. Can score pretty well when he is shooting well, but other than that, is usually invited to shoot the ball because of his terrible shot. Great lateral quickness on defense which allows him to stay in front of his man. Average athlete that won't jump out of the gym. Terrible rebounder that will only rebound if the ball falls in his hands. Some teams could take a chance on the terribly average Luckey.
monta will be a stud though it seems. not sure about the rest.
