|
By
Aran Smith
3/27/08
Rising
Stephen
Curry 6-1 180 PG Davidson So.
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
Stephen
Curry
AP Photo/Chuck
Burton |
When we think
back on the 2008 NCAA tournament and the first weekend of upsets,
big games, and Cinderella stories, nothing will remain indelibly
etched in our minds stronger than Stephen Curry's shooting performances
taking down two goliaths in Gonzaga and Georgetown.
Curry has been the most instrumental player of the tourney, taking
Davidson on his back and into the Sweet Sixteen.
With 40 and 30 points in the first two rounds including 25 second-half
points in both games, it's become clear that Curry is the deadliest
shooter on the college level.
He also has the top rooting section in the country as his Mom, who
receives a lot of air time, tears up every time Curry performs his
late-game heroics.
Meanwhile his Dad (former NBA sharpshooter) Dell Curry remains much
more subdued, as Stephen points to him after clutch shots, just
as Dell had with his father back in his glory days.
The biggest mystery surrounding Stephen Curry is how every major
North Carolina school (North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, NC State,
and Charlotte) missed on the son of one of the NBA's greatest all
time shooters. Even Dell Curry's alma mater, Virginia Tech didn't
offer the former Hokie star's son a scholarship.
It's obvious the kid can play, and he's a tremendous college talent.
Which leads us to the question of what type of pro he can be?
Projecting him to the NBA level, he's a 6-1 combo guard, with a
skill set somewhere between Steve Kerr and Juan Dixon. Right now,
he's more of a shooting guard, and hasn't proven that he can run
a team, however he does display solid passing ability giving him
a chance to develop into a point at the next level, at least within
the rotation.
Curry's incredible tournament has certainly piqued the interest
of NBA scouts with his phenomenal, clutch shooting. His ability
to catch the ball, square to the basket, and shoot from 3 accurately,
all in one motion, gives him great potential to get shots off. This
further enhances his ability to make an NBA impact.
His standout numbers all season show that his tourney performance
is no fluke. Granted, they are in a Mid Major Conference, he's averaging
25.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, while shooting a phenominal 49 fg%,
.89 ft%, and .44 3p%.
Joe
Alexander 6-8 230 SF W.Virginia Jr.
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
Joe
Alexander
Icon SMI |
Alexander's
draft stock has seen the biggest rise over the last month of the
season.
He finished off the regular season scoring 30 or more in 3 of their
last 6 games, including a big 34 point effort in their big win over
UConn.
In the process, he helped the Mountaineers secure a bid in the NCAA
tournament by leading them three games deep into the Big East Tournament.
He has followed that up by leading the Mountaineers to two wins
in the NCAA tournament including a victory over Duke in second round,
where they next play Xavier in the Sweet Sixteen. Alexander's stock
is flying sky high.
ESPN's newest studio analyst and all time winningest coach Bob Knight
went so far as to say that Alexander had been the most valuable
player on any team in the country over the last couple weeks of
the season.
Though his shooting numbers haven't been sparkling in West Virginia's
two tournament wins (combined 11-34), he has been instrumental in
coming up with key rebounds, and shots and has scored 14 and 22
in the two games.
He displays a lot of toughness and leadership abilities and has
risen his stock to a potential top ten pick in next years draft.
Against UConn, Alexander wowed scouts with his dunk over fellow
freakish athlete Stanley Robinson as he slowed down in the open
court only to shock Robinson by jumping higher and dunking right
over him.
Coach Huggins feels that Alexander still has a lot to work on, and
clearly would love to have him back for his senior season. And it's
clear Alexander's outside shooting is an area he must focus on,
but with such tremendous play to finish the season, NBA teams are
interested, and Alexander will have a decision to make.
Darren
Collison 6-1 170 PG UCLA Jr.
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
Darren
Collison
Icon SMI |
The Bruins
have reeled off 12 straight wins, some coming with the help of favorable
calls, and all due to the clutch play of their floor general Darren
Collison.
"DC" single-handedly kept the Bruins in the first half
in their game against Texas A&M going 4-4 for 3. He would end
the game in dramatic fashion blowing by defenders for two clutch
runners to help UCLA "survive and advance".
It was a close call and showed that the Bruins are vulnerable, but
it also showed that Collison and company are able to get stops and
perform well in pressure situations.
Collison and company have held opponents to a tournament best 39
points per game through the first two rounds. They will need to
pick up their offensive play and stop falling into the trap of playing
from behind if they want to win the championship.
Coming off a preseason knee injury, Collison had a slow start to
the season, but he has been the Bruins most clutch player in the
Pac-Ten tournament and the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.
Collison's clutch late season performances have answered a number
of his critics as it's becoming more obvious that Collison has the
requisite desire and intangibles to excel at the next level.
Statistically, Collison is the most effective guard in the country
by a long shot. He rarely turns the ball over (1.87 a/to), shoots
extremely well from the field, line and from distance (49% fg),
(88% ft), (52% 3p%), and also puts a great deal of pressure on opposing
guards (1.9 spg).
While his points per game isn't as gaudy as Texas's DJ Augustin
(19.2 to Collison's 15.1 ppg), Collison plays in a more defensive
oriented team with more scorers surrounding him and has better length,
point guard skills, athleticism and defensive ability.
Collison is considered a potential late lottery pick for the 2008
NBA draft.
Kevin
Love 6-9 260 PF UCLA Fr.
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
Kevin
Love
Icon SMI
|
Every prospect's
NBA success hinges, at least in part, on the situation they wind
up in. But for Kevin Love, it's probably even more important that
he go to a team that is able to utilize his strengths. Playing on
a team such as Utah or Indiana who play more of a slow down, half
court system would be the optimum scenario for Love.
What separates Love from the average bigman are his off the chart
basketball IQ and intangibles. His ability to pass and shoot at
his size, make him very unique.
In UCLA's second round dogfight with Texas A&M, Love's two fadeaway
jumpers in the closing minutes showed what a competitor and clutch
performer he is.
His 7 blocks, including several late in the game against draft prospect
DeAndre Jordan showed his ability to rise to the occasion and make
plays at both ends of the floor.
While scouts feel that Love is a better college player than NBA
prospect due to his lack of speed, his ability to knock down shots
from mid-range and on the perimeter mean that no matter what he
will be able to contribute offensively.
The Pac-Ten player of the year is averaging 17.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg and
1.8 apg on the year. He's one of the few bigmen who makes those
around him better with his great outlet passing and all around vision.
Should UCLA win it all this year, it's likely that Love will be
taken somewhere in the lottery. If the Bruins fall short of a Championship,
Love is still expected to leave for the NBA, but could see his draft
stock slip some.
Robin
Lopez 7-0 255 C Stanford So.
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
Robin
Lopez
Icon SMI
|
Though Robin
lacks the shooting touch and draft intrigue of his twin brother
Brook, he has had a tremendous string of games to close out the
regular season and through the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.
On the year, Robin's numbers aren't at the level of his brother's
at 10.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg. But he has been instrumental in Stanford's
tournament success with 18 pts (7-10) and 9 reb against Marquette
and 14 pts (7-9 fg) against Cornell.
Robin is less "NBA ready" than his brother and would benefit
by returning for his junior season. He would be able to polish his
offensive game as he would become the focal point of the Cardinal
offense with his brother off to the NBA.
But the twins appear to be attached at the hip, and one leaving
and one staying just no longer appears to be an option.
Robin is expected to follow Brook and leave school after this season
and enter his name into the NBA draft. He is considered a likely
mid-late first rounder due to his size, athleticism and potential.
Wayne
Ellington 6-4 195 SG UNC So.
With averages
of 16.2 ppg and 4.3 rpg and 2.2 apg, while shooting extremely efficient
48% fg, 82% ft% and 42% 3p.
UNC is on a 13 game winning streak since losing to Duke on February
6th. Sophomore Wayne Ellington has been on fire over the past few
weeks scoring in double figures in all but one game, and hitting
2 or more 3 pointers in all but one game. His 3 point shooting ability
gives him a lot of intrigue for the next level.
On the negative side, he's a small 2-guard and lacks point guard
skills even though he spent some time at the position in high school.
He's also not the most explosive player, although he has great quickness
and is extremely agile.
There are rumors swirling that Ellington will enter his name in
the draft this year. His draft stock will surely be affected by
how the Heels finish out the season. As of now he's a borderline
first rounder. Should North Carolina win it all, there's a good
chance Ellington, Hansbrough and Lawson would all elect to leave
school and become first rounders.
Falling
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
Roy
Hibbert
Icon SMI |
Roy
Hibbert 7-2 278 C Georgetown Sr.
Speaking to NBA folks after the weekend, the first name mentioned
when the topic turns to players slipping is Roy Hibbert.
Hibbert had a nightmare conclusion to his impressive Georgetown
career, fouling out in 16 minutes as the Hoyas bowed out of the
tournament at the hands of Stephen Curry and Davidson.
The Hoya center has improved every year of his college career in
some way, but appears to have plateaued to a degree in his senior
year. Without Jeff Green around, Hibbert found fewer open shots
and easy baskets.
Hibbert has some attributes that make him intriguing as he's a solid
defender and shot blocker and he has some polished, effective post
moves.
Though his statistics don't wow you, the Georgetown system is somewhat
responsible due to their their defensive oriented slow down, back
cutting style of play.
Early in the season, the consensus was that Hibbert was a probable
lottery pick with a chance to go top ten. But after a disappointing
overall season and showing in the tournament, his stock has dipped.
Hibbert turned down a guaranteed spot in the first round last season,
and may have fallen some from where he would have gone. But he's
still a lock first rounder and with good workouts could even climb
back into late lottery discussion.
Eric
Gordon 6-4 220 SG Indiana Fr.
Gordon had a strong freshman season averaging 20.9 ppg on 43% fg
and 83% 3p. The Kelvin Sampson firing following his phone obsession,
rules violation obviously had a big effect on the team, including
Gordon. But his early season wrist injury seemed to have the biggest
affect on his declining play.
After February 10th, and over the final 10 games of the season,
Gordon shot just 10-62 from 3 point land, taking his 3 point percentage
all the way down to 33% on the season. Gordon finished the season
with two straight 0-6 shooting performances from 3. His 3-15, 8
point performance in Indiana's tournament loss to Arkansas certainly
didn't help his draft stock.
Regardless,
scouts know full well what Gordon is capable of when healthy. His
wrist injury obviously had a huge affect on his ability to play.
While Gordon's rough finish to the season have some concerned, scouts
remain extremely high on him saying that he remains a likely top
5 pick and could still be taken as high as 3rd in the draft. His
maturity and NBA readiness are both considered very strong.
Josh
Shipp 6-5 207 SG UCLA Jr.
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
Josh
Shipp
Icon SMI |
With around
a month left in the regular season, Shipp's outside shot went AWOL
as he went on a 0-21 shooting slump from behind the arc. Since then
he has recovered some, but has struggled to perform consistently.
He's an excellent outside shooter, but he's been unable to show
it.
Whether Shipp was thinking about the NBA too much, dealing with
off court personal issues, or just plain lost his confidence, the
slump has had an effect on his all around game.
He still has solid all around numbers and is a solid contributor
to the team, but his greatest attribute, shooting from outside,
has trailed off.
Shipp's 0 points in 37 minutes against Texas A&M and 4.8 point
average over his last four games attest to his shooting woes. His
3 point percentage fell to 33% on the year, after being over 40%
for the beginning half of the season.
Shipp hit one of the most memorable shots of the season with his
Larry-Bird-over-the-backboard last second game winner over Cal which
allowed UCLA to advance in the Pac-Ten tournament.
Regardless, Shipp's stock has taken a major hit and it will likely
require returning for his senior season and working on his all around
game to perform at a higher level to revive it. If he declares for
the draft this year, it appears unlikely that he would be drafted.
Bryce
Taylor 6-4 205 SG Oregon Sr.
Taylor was never
able to live up to expectations this season. Whether it was Oregon's
lack of a quality point guard, too many scorers looking for shots,
or his own inability to step up and take charge, it was a disappointing
season for the Senior guard.
Taylor had some solid performances, but for a player with first
round aspirations going into the year, he struggled to get on track.
Taylor finished out the year averaging 12.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.4 apg
while shooting very solid numbers: 46 fg%, 82 ft% and 38 3p%.
The Ducks were coming off an Elite Eight finish last year, but were
never able to replace the loss of Aaron Brooks, and no one seemed
to suffer from his absence more than Taylor.
Taylor is considered a mid second rounder with a chance to move
up with good perforamces in work outs and the draft camps.
AJ
Price 6-2 180 PG UConn Jr.
Price had a tremendous junior season but appears to be snake bit
after suffering a torn ACL in UConn's first round loss to San Diego.
This coming off two lost seasons early in his UConn career due to
a life threatening brain hemorrhage and a his well documented stolen
laptop fiasco.
The injury showed just how vital Price is to their team, as the
Huskies sputtered in the second half and fell to the 13 seed Torreros.
Price really developed well in his junior season and appeared to
be a likely first rounder for 2009, but the injury clouds that.
He will hope to make a full recovery during the offseason and come
back as strong next season.
In his favor, point guards don't require the same explosiveness
and leaping ability as a wing guard or interior player, so his speed
returning to where it has been or close will be most important.
|
