Prospect Profiles

Blake Griffin: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:56:10 -0500

Blake Griffin

Class: Sophomore

Position: PF

Height: 6’10”

Weight: 251 lbs

Accolades:
First Team All-Big 12 (08), Big 12 All-Freshman Team (08), Second Team All-Freshman – CHN (08), McDonald’s All-American – high school (07), Third Team Parade All-American – high school (07).
Scouting Report:
A big, strong athletic post player with plenty of upside.
Strengths:
Perfect NBA power forward size. Great low post player. Big and strong. Has good hands. Very athletic for his size – won the Powerade Jam Fest at the McDonald’s All-American game in high school. Great spin moves in the post. Scrappy – battles for boards. Able to get out and run the floor. Capable of grabbing a rebound and starting a fast break on his own with the dribble. Great leaping ability – 37 inch vertical. Excellent passer for a big man.
Weaknesses:
Had injuries to both his knees during his freshman collegiate season. Poor free throw shooter - sometimes gets pulled out of late game situations due to it. Doesn’t block many shots. Turns the ball over too much - more turnovers than assists for his collegiate career.
Projected 2009 Draft Range:
Top three pick.
Consensus:
After a great freshman season, and an even better sophomore one, Blake Griffin has positioned himself to be on of the first names called in June‘s draft. While he is still young and his game still needs work, his combo of size, strength, speed, athleticism, jumping ability and nastiness should make him a great NBA player.

NBA Draft on CollegeHoops.net

More 2009 NBA Draft Profiles

Current NBA Mock Draft Position

Complete NBA Draft coverage

CHN's Six-Star Ranking System w/ 2008 Equivalents

= Superstar/All-NBA Potential - Michael Beasley

= Potential NBA All-Star - Derrick Rose

= Consistent NBA Starter - Brook Lopez

= 6th Man/Fringe Starter - Russell Westbrook

= Career Reserve - Roy Hibbert

= Fringe NBA Player/12th Man - JR Giddens

0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues - Drew Neitzel

Chase Budinger: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:38:57 -0500

Chase Budinger

College: Arizona

Class: Junior

Position: SG/SF

Height: 6’7”

Weight: 203bs

Accolades:
Third Team All-Pac-10 (08), Second Team Freshman All-American – CHN (07), Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (07), co-MVP McDonald’s All-American Game – high school (06), McDonald’s All-American – high school (07), First Team All-American – Parade – high school (06), MVP Nike Junior World Championship (06).

Scouting Report:
A long-range bomber who can also jump out of the gym.

Strengths:
Incredible leaper – his vertical is apparently over 40 inches. Big-time scorer – put up very good scoring numbers throughout college. Played in one of the toughest conferences around, the Pac-10. Averaged big minutes all three years in school. Amazing athlete – excels in volleyball also. Good outside shooter – good for two to three made three-pointers a game. Solid rebounder for a wing player. Solid passer and ball-handler.

Weaknesses:
Not always aggressive enough. Needs to work on his defense. Can take too many outside shots – shoots almost six three-pointers a game. Inconsistent – can be a streaky scorer. Needs to improve his assist to turnover ratio – had almost as many turnovers as assists.

Projected 2009 Draft Range:
Lottery to mid first round pick.

Consensus:

Chase Budinger has all the tools to be a very good NBA player, despite criticisms of his game in college. However, he needs to improve his defense and become more consistent to fully capitalize on his amazing physical gifts.

NBA Draft on CollegeHoops.net

More 2009 NBA Draft Profiles

Current NBA Mock Draft Position

Complete NBA Draft coverage

CHN's Six-Star Ranking System w/ 2008 Equivalents

= Superstar/All-NBA Potential - Michael Beasley

= Potential NBA All-Star - Derrick Rose

= Consistent NBA Starter - Brook Lopez

= 6th Man/Fringe Starter - Russell Westbrook

= Career Reserve - Roy Hibbert

= Fringe NBA Player/12th Man - JR Giddens

0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues - Drew Neitzel

Hasheem Thabeet: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0500

Hasheem Thabeet

College: Connecticut

Class: Junior

Position: C

Height: 7’3”

Weight: 263lbs

Accolades:
Big East Defensive Player of the Year (08), Second Team All-Big East (08), Big East All-Rookie Team (07).

Scouting Report:
An intimidating giant whose game is developing quickly.

Strengths:
Shot blocking – Thabeet changes the game due to his swatting abilities – had a 10-block game in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Good rebounder. Good body. Huge wingspan – helps keep loose balls alive. Strong finisher. Can run the floor well for his size. Is playing in one of the top college programs in developing NBA talent. Greatly improved player each season in college. Shoots for a very high percentage from the field.

Weaknesses:
Very inexperienced – only started playing basketball a few years ago. Still a little clumsy – drops passes, throws balls away. Offensive game is still very raw and underdeveloped. Never was a big scorer in college

Projected 2009 Draft Range:
Top 10 pick.

Consensus:
Thabeet’s size and skill level makes his potential off the charts. With his game seeming to improve with each passing day, he looks to have a bright future in the NBA, at both ends of the floor.

NBA Draft on CollegeHoops.net

More 2009 NBA Draft Profiles

Current NBA Mock Draft Position

Complete NBA Draft coverage

CHN's Six-Star Ranking System w/ 2008 Equivalents

= Superstar/All-NBA Potential - Michael Beasley

= Potential NBA All-Star - Derrick Rose

= Consistent NBA Starter - Brook Lopez

= 6th Man/Fringe Starter - Russell Westbrook

= Career Reserve - Roy Hibbert

= Fringe NBA Player/12th Man - JR Giddens

0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues - Drew Neitzel

NBA Draft Profile: Tyler Hansbrough

Jeff Fox — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:00:00 -0500

Tyler Hansbrough

College

: North Carolina

Class: Senior

Stats: ESPN.com

Position: PF

Height: 6”9”

Weight: 250lbs

Accolades:
National Player of the Year - multiple sources (08), First Team All-American - multiple sources (08), ACC Player of the Year (08), ACC Tournament MVP (08), NCAA East Regional Most Outstanding Player (08), NCAA All-East Regional Team (08), ACC Male Athlete of the Year (08), First Team All-ACC (08), First Team All-American - multiple sources (07), Second Team All-American - multiple sources (07), First Team All-ACC (07), NCAA All-East Regional Team (07), First Team All-American – multiple sources (06), Third Team All-American – multiple sources (06), National Freshman of the Year – multiple sources (06), ACC Rookie of the Year (06), First Team All-ACC (06), Gatorade Player of the Year – Missouri – high school (05), McDonald’s All-American – high school (05), Parade All-American – high school (05).

Scouting Report:
Great low post scorer and rebounder who is extremely intense.

Strengths:
Very intense competitor – nickname is “Psycho T”. Big time scorer in a big time conference – the ACC. Very good rebounder. Very physically strong down low – a man among boys. Well polished game and mature player. Gets to the free throw line regularly (about eight times per game for his college career thus far) and shoots for a good percentage while at the line (about 73%). Plays for one of the top colleges for producing NBA talent. Very experienced. Steadily improving outside shot - worked very hard on his three-point shooting this past off-season.

Weaknesses:
Not very athletic – not super quick and not a great leaper. May have trouble defending the bigger, more athletic power forwards that the NBA possesses. May be a little short for the power forward spot in the NBA – may only be 6’8”. Age - will be 24-years-old at the start of next NBA season.

Projected 2009 Draft Range:
Late first round pick.

Consensus:

Hansbrough’s intensity and effort will definitely transfer over to the NBA with him. However, he needs to get quicker and more athletic (if that is even possible) to become as dominant in the NBA as he is in college.

NBA Draft on CollegeHoops.net

More 2009 NBA Draft Profiles

Current NBA Mock Draft Position

Complete NBA Draft coverage

CHN's Six-Star Ranking System w/ 2008 Equivalents

= Superstar/All-NBA Potential - Michael Beasley

= Potential NBA All-Star - Derrick Rose

= Consistent NBA Starter - Brook Lopez

= 6th Man/Fringe Starter - Russell Westbrook

= Career Reserve - Roy Hibbert

= Fringe NBA Player/12th Man - JR Giddens

0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues - Drew Neitzel

Wayne Ellington: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:51:26 -0500

Wayne Ellington

College: North Carolina

Class: Junior

Position: SG

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 200lbs

Accolades:
First Team ACC All-Tournament (08), Second Team All-ACC (08), First Team ACC All-Tournament Team (07), Honorable Mention All-Freshman Team – CHN (07), Second Team USA Today All-American – high school (06), McDonald’s All-American – high school (06).

Scouting Report:
The latest in a long line of explosive Tar Heel shooting guards.

Strengths: Explosive scorer – had nine 20-plus point games his sophomore year. Good three-point shooter – hits about two a game and shoots over 40% from deep. Improved his defense his sophomore season (according to his coach). Great crossover move. Great athlete – can get out and run and has good ups. Gets good extension and lift on his jumper. Very good rebounder for a two-guard. Exceptional free throw shooter. Good rebounder for his position.

Weaknesses:
Will be a bit undersized in the NBA. Not a very good ball-handler. Will need to keep improving his defense for the NBA. Is still inconsistent.

Projected 2009 Draft Range:
Late first round to early second round pick.

Consensus:
With Wayne Ellington’s draft stock all over the board (could be a mid first round pick or could fall into the second round), his best move might be to come back to school for his senior year and be “the man“ for Carolina. With his lack of size, he will have to improve all of his other skills to offset it at the NBA level.

NBA Draft on CollegeHoops.net

More 2009 NBA Draft Profiles

Current NBA Mock Draft Position

Complete NBA Draft coverage

CHN's Six-Star Ranking System w/ 2008 Equivalents

= Superstar/All-NBA Potential - Michael Beasley

= Potential NBA All-Star - Derrick Rose

= Consistent NBA Starter - Brook Lopez

= 6th Man/Fringe Starter - Russell Westbrook

= Career Reserve - Roy Hibbert

= Fringe NBA Player/12th Man - JR Giddens

0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues - Drew Neitzel

Omri Casspi: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:52:21 -0500

Omri Casspi

Team: Maccabi Tel Aviv

Birth Year: 1988

Position: SF

Height: 6’8”

Weight: 230lbs

Accolades:
Israeli U-16 National Team (03 & 04), Israeli U-18 National Team (04 & 06), Israeli U-20 National Team (07), Israel Senior National Team (08).
Scouting Report:
A long, skinny, yet skilled, Israeli wingman.

Strengths:
Long arms. Strong finisher – can absorb contact and still finish. Feisty/aggressive player. Moves well without the ball. Good athlete – can really run the floor well. Competed in the top league outside of the NBA, the Euroleague, on one of the top teams in the world. Has three-point range on his jumper.

Weaknesses:
Skinny – needs to bulk up. Inexperienced – didn’t consistently play big minutes this season. May have attitude/character issues. Father publicly feuded with Maccabi over son’s playing time in the past. Needs to take better care of the ball – has as many turnovers as assists this season.

Projected 2009 Draft Range:
Mid to late second round pick.

Consensus:
Casspi decision not to enter last year’s draft seems to have paid off, as he looks likely to go in the first round pick next June. His game and body still need plenty of work for the NBA, but he definitely has the potential to make it one day.

Stats: http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=JFO - Euroleague

http://www.bsl.org.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=11&TeamId=58&cYear=2008&lang=en – Israeli League

NBA Draft on CollegeHoops.net

More 2009 NBA Draft Profiles

Current NBA Mock Draft Position

Complete NBA Draft coverage

CHN's Six-Star Ranking System w/ 2008 Equivalents

= Superstar/All-NBA Potential - Michael Beasley

= Potential NBA All-Star - Derrick Rose

= Consistent NBA Starter - Brook Lopez

= 6th Man/Fringe Starter - Russell Westbrook

= Career Reserve - Roy Hibbert

= Fringe NBA Player/12th Man - JR Giddens

0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues - Drew Neitzel

Will Daniels: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:37:46 -0400

Will Daniels

(no stars)

College: Rhode Island

Class: Senior

Position: PF

Height: 6’8”

Weight: 225lbs

Accolades: Second Team High-Major All-American – CHN (08), First Team All-A-10 (08), First Team All-A-10 (07).

Scouting Report: Big-time scoring forward.

Strengths: Very solid frame. Big-time scorer. Good rebounder. Has three-point range on his jumper. Huge wingspan. Very athletic. Great elevation on his jumper. Strong finisher – gets lots of “and ones”. Experienced – averaged over 28 minutes/game his last three years in college.

Weaknesses: Stuck between positions in the NBA – not big enough for the post – doesn’t have wing player skills. Awkward form on his jump shot. More turnovers than assists for his collegiate career. Didn’t play in a “power conference”

Projected 2008 Draft Range: Mid second round pick to undrafted.

Consensus: If Daniels can prove he can play small forward in the NBA, he may have a chance to stick in the League.

Stats: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=22551

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

More 2008 NBA Draft Profiles

Current NBA Mock Draft Position

Complete NBA Draft coverage

Josh Duncan: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:36:45 -0400

Josh Duncan

College: Xavier

Class: Senior

Position: PF

Height: 6’9”

Weight: 238lbs

Accolades: Fourth Team High-Major All-American – CHN (08), All-Tournament Team – Portsmouth Invitational (pre-draft camp) (08), West Regional All-Tournament Team (08), Second Team All-A-10 (08), A-10 Sixth Man of the Year (08), A-10 All-Tournament Team (06).

Scouting Report: A big man who can step out and knock down threes.

Strengths: Good NBA size for a power forward. Long wingspan. Good strength. Great three-point shooter for a big man. Excellent free throw shooter. Smart player.

Weaknesses: Didn’t play in one of the “power” conferences. Despite playing four years in college, never averaged more than 22.4 minutes/game. Not an NBA-level athlete or jumper. Doesn’t pull in nearly the amount of rebounds you’d like to see from a post player. His senior season was his only year averaging in double figures in scoring.

Projected 2008 Draft Range: Late second round pick to undrafted.

Consensus: Duncan might find his way to the end of an NBA bench due to his size and ability to step out and knock down threes.

Stats: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=22186

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

More 2008 NBA Draft Profiles

Current NBA Mock Draft Position

Complete NBA Draft coverage