Damion James: NBA Draft Profile

College: Texas

Class: Junior

Position: SF

Height: 6’7”

Weight: 222lbs

Accolades: Second Team All-Big 12 (08), Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team (08), Second Team All-American - Parade - high school (06).

Scouting Report: An athletic power forward trapped in a small forward’s body.

Strengths: NBA-level athleticism. Very tough defender. Strong physique. Great leaper. Versatile - can play inside or out. Despite being undersized can really do damage in the paint. A double-double machine - terrific rebounder. Solid shot blocker and steals man. Has three-point range on his jumper. Experienced - played big minutes every year in college. Spent a lot of time learning the small forward position from Kevin Durant.

Weaknesses: Needs to prove he can play full-time on the wing - was more effective in college playing power forward than small forward. Needs to improve his ball handling. Three-point shot is inconsistent. Turns the ball over way too much. Stuck between positions in the NBA - he would be best in the post but is too small, and hasn’t proven to be a consistent on the wing. Doesn’t draw many fouls and is a mediocre free throw shooter.

Projected 2009 Draft Range: Top 10 to late first round pick.

Consensus: Damion James has the physical makeup to be a terrific NBA player. However, he has to improve on his small forward skills (ball handling, shot consistency, turnovers) to ensure himself a long career in the League.