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NBA Draft: Good Decisions

Jason Brubaker — Tue, 12 May 2009 07:48:27 -0700

2009 NBA DRAFT: NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

Draft Decisions: Good, Bad and Everything In-Between

Part One

The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the Draft has long passed, but the fun part is just beginning. Those who haven’t signed with an agent are eligible to return to school, while others are already picking out their suits for Draft Night. Patrick Patterson is the first big name who entered the Draft but has returned to school. As is usually the case, the list of remaining underclassmen includes some…how should I put this…interesting names. How many people watched Texas A&M this year and thought Chinemelu Elonu was a future NBA player? Or that two players from DePaul, who went 0-18 in the Big East, would feel they were NBA-ready?

So without further ado, here’s a look at some of the decisions made by players, ranging from the good to the bad to the bizarre.

Good Decisions

• Blake Griffin, Oklahoma. This was a no-brainer. The consensus top pick should have an immediate impact in the league, and has All-Star potential.

• Hasheem Thabeet, UConn. Again, another obvious choice. Thabeet has the ability to contribute right away on the defensive end, and will likely be a top-3 selection.

• James Harden, Arizona State. Harden stumbled during the NCAA Tournament, but that shouldn’t diminish his terrific year. Harden isn’t a high-flying athlete, but he always seems to end up in the right spot, and he knows how to put the ball in the basket. He’s demonstrated a high basketball IQ, and is a level-headed kid who teams can market. He’s likely to be a top-5 selection.

• BJ Mullens, Ohio State. While Mullens didn’t set the world on fire during his freshman year, he still possesses the physical traits that make scouts drool, mainly size and athleticism. While there’s no doubt he needs time to develop, he’s a first-round lock and will be cashing some large checks next year.

• DeMar DeRozan, USC. Like Mullins, DeRozan had an underwhelming freshman year, although he really came on at the end of the year. DeRozan still needs some polish on his game, but his combination of athleticism and size will land him a spot in the lottery.

• Ty Lawson/Wayne Ellington, North Carolina. Both players have some physical limitations that scare scouts, but they’re both entering the draft with plenty of buzz after leading the Tar Heels to the national title. Both players are proven winners who answered plenty of doubters through the year, and likely wouldn’t have improved their stock much by returning to school.

• DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh. While not a prototypical big man, Blair is also striking while the iron is hot, after leading Pitt to one of their best seasons ever. With the Panthers already losing seniors Sam Young and Levance Fields, opponents likely would have been able to key on Blair next year, which could have hurt his stock.

• Chase Budinger/Jordan Hill, Arizona. Both players have endured plenty of drama in Tucson, and as a result, have shown their character and maturity. Hill, who has improved dramatically, could be a top-5 pick, while Budinger has gradually addressed his weaknesses and could climb into the late lottery.

• James Johnson, Wake Forest. While the Deacons went out on a sour note, Johnson still has scouts buzzing about his potential. A terrific athlete from the small forward position, Johnson is a match-up nightmare when he’s focused. A likely top-10 selection.

>> Continue to Part Two: Bad & Questionable Decisions

2009 CollegeHoops.net All-Freshman Team

CHN — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:55:22 -0700

The CollegeHoops.net All-Freshman teams were voted on by staff members: Jeff Borzello, Jason Brubaker, Jeff Fox, Raphielle Johnson, Blake Hofstad, Kevin McNeill, Matthew Ryter, Shawn Siegel, and Joel Welser.

CollegeHoops.net Freshman of the Year:
Tyreke Evans - G, Memphis

CollegeHoops.net First Team All-Freshman
G - Tyreke Evans - Memphis
G - Willie Warren - Oklahoma
G - Isaiah Thomas - Washington
F - Al-Farouq Aminu - Wake Forest
C - Greg Monroe - Georgetown

CollegeHoops.net Second Team All-Freshman
G - Seth Curry - Liberty
G - Sylven Landesberg - Virginia
F - DeMar DeRozan - USC
F - Luke Babbitt - Nevada
C - Samardo Samuels - Louisville

CollegeHoops.net Third Team All-Freshman
G - Courtney Fortson - Arkansas
G - Gordon Hayward - Butler
G - Terrico White - Ole Miss
F - Devin Ebanks - West Virginia
F - Ed Davis - UNC

CollegeHoops.net Fourth Team All-Freshman
G - Mike Rosario - Rutgers
G - William Buford - Ohio St

G - Matt Gatens - Iowa
F - JaMychal Green - Alabama
C - BJ Mullens - Ohio St

Honorable Mention
Solomon Alabi - Florida St
Freddy Asprilla - FIU
Dee Bost - Mississippi St
Jrue Holiday - UCLA
Shelvin Mack - Butler
Afam Muojeke - Wyoming
Harouna Mutombo - West Carolina
Andrew Nicholson - St. Bonaventure
Iman Shumpert - Georgia Tech
Chris Singleton - Florida St
Jeff Taylor - Vanderbilt
Howard Thompkins - Georgia
Klay Thompson - Washington St
Kemba Walker - UCONN

Check back tomorrow for CollegeHoops.net's High-Major All-Freshman Team.

Preseason All-Freshman Team: 2008-09

CHN — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:45:37 -0700

CollegeHoops.net's Preseason All-Freshman Team is led by a pair of unanimous selections: UCLA's Jrue Holiday and Ohio State's BJ Mullens. Holiday, a West Coast point guard and Mullens, a Mid-West big man come from the opposite ends of the college basketball spectrum.

The CollegeHoops.net All-Freshman teams are voted on by staff writers.

CollegeHoops.net Preseason Co-Freshman of the Year: Jrue Holiday (UCLA) & BJ Mullens (Ohio State)

CollegeHoops.net First Team All-Freshman

Jrue Holiday	UCLA	G
Demar DeRozan	USC	G
Scotty Hopson	Tennessee	G
Greg Monroe	Georgetown	F
BJ Mullens	Ohio State	C

CollegeHoops.net Second Team All-Freshman

Willie Warren	Oklahoma	G
Tyreke Evans	Memphis	G
Al-Farouq Aminu	Wake Forest	F
Delvon Roe	Michigan State	F
Samardo Samuels	Louisville	F/C

CollegeHoops.net Third Team All-Freshman

Kemba Walker	UCONN	G
Iman Shumpert	Georgia Tech	G
Devin Ebanks	West Virginia	G/F
JaMychal Green	Alabama	F
Luke Babbitt	Nevada	F

CollegeHoops.net Honorable Mention All-Freshman

Dee Bost	Mississippi State	G
William Buford	Ohio State	G
Ed Davis	North Carolina	F
Yancy Gates	Cincinnati	F
Drew Gordon	UCLA	F
Kenny Kadji	Florida	F
DeAndre Liggins	Kentucky	G
David Loubeau	Texas A&M	F
Darius Miller	Kentucky	G/F
J'Mison Morgan	UCLA	C
Markieff Morris	Kansas	F
Travis Releford	Kansas	G
Mike Rosario	Rutgers	G
Chris Singleton	Florida State	F
Tyshawn Taylor	Kansas	G
Jordan Theodore	Seton Hall	G
Elliot Williams	Duke	G
Jeff Withey	Arizona	C

All-America Team: 2008-09

High-Major All-Americans: 2008-09

Mid-Major All-Americans: 2008-09

Pac-10 Basketball: Top Six Players

Jeff Fox — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:53:23 -0700

It’s the same old story in the Pac-10 this season. UCLA should once again dominate the conference and a boatload of departed talent is being replaced with a boatload of new talent.

Pick Six: Big East

Throughout the week, check back for articles highlighting the Top 6 players in each BCS league. Then next week we’ll be rolling out the Top 6 at each position.

1. Darren Collison – UCLA – Senior

While Ben Howland’s squad is decimated once again by defections from its roster, the good news is Darren Collison is back for his senior year. Not only just the top player in the Pac-10, Collison is also the conference’s best two-way player, deadly on both ends of the floor. He’ll have a talented Bruins roster making a run at another Final Four appearance.

Stats: 14.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.8 apg

2. James Harden – Arizona State – Sophomore

Its heady times in Tempe, as Herb Sendek’s squad is poised to give UCLA a run for their money and also return one of the country’s best players. That player would be lefty wingman James Harden, who had a superb freshman season. Able to shoot, drive and play hard D, he’ll be a serious contender for All-American honors this season.

Stats: 17.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.2 apg

3. Chase Budinger – Arizona – Junior

It is not often that a player averages 17 and 5 and shoots 38% from deep and is still considered a bit of an underachiever. That shows how talented – and how much is expected from – Chase Budinger. With Jerryd Bayless and Brandon Jennings off playing with the big boys, the time to shine is now for Budinger.

Stats: 17.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.9 apg

4. Jon Brockman – Washington – Senior

The 6’7” 255lb Brockman is a beast. Not only is he one of the Pac-10’s best, now that the Sonics have been stolen from the city he is also the best baller in town. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had a good enough supporting cast his first three seasons in Seattle for the Huskies to make much noise. Washington will need at least another double-double season from their big man this year to have a chance in the Pac-10.

Stats: 17.8 pph, 11.6 rpg, 1.1 apg

5. Jrue Holiday – UCLA – Freshman

With Russell Westbrook bolting early for the NBA, most collegiate teams would be hard-pressed to replace him in their lineup. Not in Westwood, where super frosh Jrue Holiday slides into his combo guard slot. Holiday and Collison will form perhaps the nation’s best backcourt.

Stats: DNP Freshman

6. DeMar DeRozan – USC - Freshman

Same story with the Bruins cross-town rival, USC. O.J. Mayo is gone and should be impossible to replace, except for the fact that DeMar DeRozan is on campus now. While he isn’t as complete a player as Mayo is, he will provide Tim Floyd with an explosive scorer on the wing.

Stats: DNP Freshman

Next in line: Taj Gibson, USC; Jeff Pendergraph, Arizona State; Jordan Hill, Arizona; Josh Shipp, UCLA.

-- Tomorrow: SEC

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