Kostas Tsartsaris C 20 6'10'' 230 Greece C+ C+ D- C+ C A
See notes for Kostas Tsartsaris in the
Foreign Prospects thread.
Wang Zhizhi C 22 7'0" 285 China C+ C+ D C+ C+ A
Wang Zhizhi will make history on draft night as the first ever Chinese player to play in SSBL. An exciting time indeed for Chinese basketball fans. However, the Big Wang is a solid center but nothing special. His stregth would be his range, which extends out to the 3 (he loves the corners). He should really back down more often though and will need to develop that in the US. His defense needs work as well as his rebounding, which is average at best despite his hughe frame and 7'0" stature. It is uncertain if his age is really 22 or younger....or even older....but nonetheless Wang is a solid big man who could be drafted anywhere from mid-lotto to late 1st, depending on if people believe the hype.
Todd MacCulloch C 22 7'1'' 280 Washington Sr C+ D+ D B- B B
MacCulloch is a big, slow center. He rebounds pretty well but isn't athletic. Has good low-post moves at times, but not at all a scorer. Can defend the low post very well though, but not a defensive-intimidator either. However, a big body is a good thing to have on your roster. Late 1st or early 2nd I think.
Francisco Elson C 23 6'11'' 227 California Sr C+ C- D B B B
Elson is a tall, skinny shotblocker. He grew up in the Netherlands and is still learning the game. Not very quick and doesn't have too much offensive awareness. He will never be an offensive threat, but if he continues to improve his defense and rebounding he could be really useful in a few seasons for any SSBL team.
Evan Eschmeyer C 24 6'11'' 222 Northwestern Sr C+ C D+ B- B- B
Put up double digit numbers in his senior season in the Big Ten against constant double and triple teams. Good, fundamental moves in the post. He really plays very well with his back to the basket. Smart and a hard worker. Good rebounder and solid passer out of the double team. Also can knock down mid-range shots and has improved his FT% tremendously. However, he is slow running up and down the court and not very athletic. You won't see him flying over people for dunks or getting a lot of block shots. He probably will be a solid starter or a good back-up center.
Aleksandar Radojevic C 23 7'3" 250 Barton County CC Sr C C D- B- B- C
This giant originally from Yugoslavia has been under many scouts' watch since his freshman season at Barton County Community College. Even though he has been playing for a while, he still needs to learn the game. He is a good back-to-the-basket center, but not great. He can knock down open shots, but not consistently. However, his size make him an OK post defender and rebounder, and a great shot blocker. Think Big Z lite.
Obinna Ekezie C 24 6'9" 270 Maryland Sr B- C- D C+ C+ B
Ekezie is a solid big man that will probably be overlooked because of his age. The Nigerian center has some good hands around the basket and some good size and strength. Decent defense and rebounding, but short for a center. Not very quick either.
Pat Burke C 26 6'11" 250 Auburn C D- D B+ C+ C
Here is Pat Burke who, if drafted this year, will be the first Irish pro basketball player ever. Burke went undrafted in '97 and is testing the waters again this year. He has worked hard in these two under-the-radar years, developing into a great low-post defender from what scouts have seen. Not an offensive threat by any means, but still has some good hands. If given the chance, he will be a useful backup, playing solid D and putting in garbage buckets off of the offensive glass.
Calvin Booth C 23 6'11'' 229 Penn State Sr C+ D+ D B C+ C
Used to be a one-dimensional player (shot blocking), but over 4 years he managed to also develop a nice short-range jumper and even hit several mid-range jumpers by his senior year. Booth is still pretty thin and lanky but a lot bulkier and stronger as a freshman. He's not a great rebounder but has increased his RPG as well. Not known as a scorer really. Has worked on his free throws as well, but still needs work. Needs work on his jumper too.
Lari Ketner C 22 6'10'' 260 UMass Sr C+ C- D B- C+ B
Ketner is a very strong player who blocks a lot of shots. He over-powers weaker guys, and that is something you want your big man to do. Also posesses a nice baby hook in the paint. He can pass out of the double team pretty well. He needs to play with more desire if he wants to make it in the SSBL. Sometimes he dissapears for stretches, and doesn't appear to want to get back into the game. Not a good FT shooter. Also needs to work on his face to the basket skills. If he could master the pick and roll more effectively, I would predict an early 2nd selection, but at this point he should go in the teens~20's in the 2nd round.
A.J. Bramlett C 22 6'10'' 222 Arizona Sr B- F+ C- B- C+ C
Has really come along since his freshman season. Went from a benchwarmer to a solid 15/9 guy. Very coachable. Very athletic -- that would be his strongest suit. Horrible FT shooter though. Also pretty bad from mid-range or farther. More of a shot-blocker than a sound defender though. His athleticism makes up for any other weaknesses to his game. This should get him a 2nd round selection, IMO.
Danny Moore C 6'10'' 22 245 SW Missouri State Sr C+ C- D+ B- C D
Talented offensive player with a good array of post moves, along with a nice shooting touch. Also knows how to get to the line, and will convert from there as well. However, other than offense he needs work. Decent shot blocker, but overall not a great defender. Does not hit the boards well, especially for someone 6'10". Needs to gain some weight and strength. Possible second rounder, but looks to be best served playing overseas.
Tim Young C 23 7'1'' 245 Stanford Sr C C- D- C+ B- C
Good size, decent skills, not enough muscle and quickness. Basically a soft player who only rarely asserted himself in the paint. His size will get him a job in the Pros, but he'll need to step up the intensity or he'll get pushed around. Probably a second rounder to a team that's desperate for size.
Tyrone Washington C 22 6'10'' 260 Mississippi State Sr C D+ D B- C+ D
Washington is big body down low who is physically ready to take on the brutes in the Pros. Not particularly polished as an offensive player, but can bang on the offensive glass and get position down low. Good defensively. Is probably a poor man's version of fellow MSU alum Erick Dampier. Should be a 2nd rounder to a team in need of frontline depth or a physical presence.
Venson Hamilton C 21 6'10'' 240 Nebraska Sr C+ C- D+ B- B- D
Solid blue-collar type who was the Big 12 player of the year this past season. Not spectacular, but gets the job done, especially on the glass and defensively. Small for a center, and may lack enough mobility at PF. Not a threat offensively, but won't be a liability at the next level. Good defender. Could be a solid backup 4/5 in the NBA, and that's what many teams will be looking for in the 2nd round.
