Morris Almond: NBA Draft Profile
NBA Draft: Morris Almond
College: Rice
Class: Senior
Stats: ESPN.com
Position: SG/SF
Height: 6”6”
Weight: 215lbs
Accolades: Conference USA Player of the Year (07), AP Honorable Mention All-American (07), First Team All-Conference USA (07), CHN High-Major All-American Team (07), First Team All-Conference USA (06).
Scouting Report: A scoring machine who was high school teammates with the Hawk’s Josh Smith.
Strengths: Putting the ball in the hoop – Almond averaged an amazing 26.4ppg this season, made all the more impressive due to the fact he plays in a high-major conference. Great three-point shooter – averaged over 43% from deep for his collegiate career and nailed about 2.5 per game his senior year. Very good rebounder for a wing player. Can make shots under pressure and with tight defensive pressure on him. Good NBA frame. Can score on the dribble drive. Draws fouls and knocks down his free throws – took about 9 shots from the charity stripe a game his senior year, hitting 84.6% of them.
Weaknesses: Very turnover prone – averaged almost 3 turnovers for every assist his senior year. Needs to improve on taking care of the ball in order to play some shooting guard in the NBA. Didn’t always play against the top competition in college – Conference USA has been a depleted conference the past couple of years.
Projected 2007 Draft Range: Late first round pick.
Consensus: Almond could be a very good pickup for a NBA team drafting late in the first round. His ability to score and to get off his shot under tight coverage will serve him well in the League.
Current NBA Mock Draft Position
CHN's Six-Star Ranking System
= Superstar/All-NBA Potential
= Potential NBA All-Star
= Consistent NBA Starter
= 6th Man/Fringe Starter
= Career Reserve
= Fringe NBA
Player/12th Man
0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues
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About Jeff Fox
Columnist
NBA Draft & International Hoops
Contact
foxyjj@sympatico.ca
Background
Jeff Fox is a freelance journalist based an hour outside of Toronto, Canada. While attending University of Waterloo (Canada) earning a B.A. in Economics and Management Studies, Jeff managed to walk onto the school’s varsity basketball team, the Warriors, for 2 seasons. His final year riding the pine for the Warriors saw the team make it to the CIS (Canada’s NCAA equivalent) Final 8 tournament. In addition to this site, he is a regular contributor to SLAM magzine (& online) and The Hoops Manifesto. When he isn’t planted in front of his computer he spends the rest of his time with his wife, Lisa, his son, Adam and his dog Jeannie.
Location
Toronto, CA
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