Rank |
Player |
Pos. |
Age |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Class |
School |
Prediction |
1. |
O.J. Mayo |
G |
20 |
6-4 |
195 |
Fresh |
USC |
Top 10 |
| Strengths- This guy can score at an alarming rate when provoked. He’s got good range on his jump shot, is strong moving towards the basket and has a great handle on the ball. He’s extremely athletic. He has a deadly first step and great body control on his drives to the basket. He could be a solid rebounder and has good playmaking instincts in the open court. Above average passer. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Doesn’t make great decisions with the ball. Too many turnovers. Bad shot selection, especially in the waning moments of a game. Off-court issues could be a problem throughout his career and he seems to be a locker room chemistry problem waiting to happen. Undersized for shooting guard but not a pure enough point guard. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Gilbert Arenas | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- He could definitely be a great scorer in this league. Perennial All Star is possible. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- Should be a really good player as long as he finds the right team and is paired with a big point guard. If he matures out of his “all about me” mentality, he could be a great second option on a title team. | ||||||||
2. |
Eric Gordon |
SG |
19 |
6-4 |
215 |
Fresh |
Indiana |
Top 10 |
| Strengths- The definition of a combo-guard. Deep range on his jumper and he's pretty consistent at hitting it from anywhere on the floor. Can score off the dribble from anywhere on the floor. Ferocious dunker and gets to the basket with ease. Exceptionally fast and explosive athlete. Great dribbler. NBA body. Smart player with a great work ethic. Solid, strong defender. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Too short to be a full time shooting guard but not good enough to be a full time point guard. Shot selection is an issue at times. Tries to be the hero instead of making the correct play. Not a good passer and doesn't set teammates up all that well. Way too many turnovers. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Ben Gordon/Mitch Richmond | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- He has the potential to be a perennial All-Star. He's a very special player as long as he's healthy. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- He will be a real good player in this league. But is he more than a good number 2 option? | ||||||||
3. |
Courtney Lee |
SG |
22 |
6-5 |
200 |
Senior |
W. Kentucky |
Mid to Late 1st |
| Strengths- One of the most NBA ready players in the draft. Has a professional, NBA body and a knack for knowing how to use his size and strength on the offensive end. Great scorer that can kill you from anywhere on the court. Good mid-range game. Attacks the basket well and can finish in any situation. Big time scorer. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Not a great defender despite his steals' numbers in college. Isn't a great playmaker for other teammates. Not a motivated rebounder. Has a reputation of being a little too passive and not assertive enough. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Kevin Martin | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- I think he has the potential to be a clone of Kevin Martin, except without the ugly jumper. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- He's a lock to be successful in this league. He's what Kirk Snyder should have been. | ||||||||
4. |
Brandon Rush |
SG |
22 |
6-7 |
205 |
Junior |
Kansas |
Mid to Late 1st |
| Strengths- He reminds me of a 10-year veteran from the early 90's. He's got a pro body and the understanding of a guy that's already been in the league for a few years. Really good outside shooter with NBA range and great consistency with his shot. Can play multiple positions and doesn't turn the ball over that much. Great sense of what the right play is to make. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Doesn't have the killer instinct. Will pass up open shots far too often to get other guys involved. Has a tough time creating a good shot for himself. Blew out his ACL one year ago and it's unclear if he has completely recovered from the injury. Gets lost in the crowd at times and disappears. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Billy Owens | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- He's a really good third option on a team and that's the highest his ceiling goes. He's a good player right now for the NBA but don't expect much growth. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- He'll be one of those players that contributes to really good teams for years and flies under the radar for far too long. If he stays healthy, he'll help a team win a ring. | ||||||||
5. |
Chris Douglas-Roberts |
SG |
21 |
6-6 |
195 |
Junior |
Memphis |
Mid to Late 1st |
| Strengths- it nevers look real pretty but this guy finds a way to score in the most unexpected ways. Has a great floater in the lane and knocks down his share of mid-range jumpers. Good one-on-one skills that allow him to get to the basket easily. Handles the ball well and finishes well at the basket. Annoying defender that pressures a lot of bad passes. Very smart basketball player. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Not a great shooter from long range but he also doesn't take a lot of deep shots. Small wiry frame is a concern for taking the rigors and pounding of a full NBA season. Not a great passer and an unwilling passer. Not a great athlete. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Ricky Davis | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- He'd be better suited as a guy coming off the bench. He'll be able to score but that's about it. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- He's going to be a very frustrating player for a large fan base but he will always be able to score. | ||||||||
6. |
Jamont Gordon |
SG |
21 |
6-4 |
225 |
Junior |
Mississippi St. |
Mid 2nd |
| Strengths- Strong body allows him to get into the lane with ease. Very aggressive on offense and is a relentless attacker. Handles the ball well, which allow him to play some point. Good enough athlete. Good defender that doesn't get pushed around when trying to keep his man from driving. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Aggressiveness often turns into bad turnovers. Still a little undersized for the shooting guard position in this league but not a good enough point guard to make the full-time switch. Can't rely on his outside jumper. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Aaron McKie | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- He'll end up being one of those valuable veteran presences in the backcourt ten years from now. But don't expect him to ever be worthy of a starting job. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- He has a good basketball IQ and good enough skills to be a solid backup for the next decade. | ||||||||
7. |
Shan Foster |
SG |
21 |
6-6 |
205 |
Junior |
Vanderbilt |
Early to Mid 2nd |
| Strengths- This guy is an assassin. Extremely deep range that never seems to end. Really good outside shooter. Is a good scorer on the perimeter. Decent rebounder. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- He really just shoots from the outside. Not a great all around game. He can't dribble and he doesn't attack the basket all that often. Has a hard time getting to the free throw line and gets lost in games. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Shandon Anderson | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- Could be one of the best long range shooters in the league someday. You have to pay attention to him from 30-feet in. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- I think he'll make it in this league as a sniper from outside. But don't expect a complete game at any point in his career. | ||||||||
8. |
Malik Hairston |
SG |
21 |
6-6 |
200 |
Senior |
Oregon |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- Extremely powerful guard that finished well after contact around the rim. Uses his size to his advantage by being able to score out of the post or on the perimeter. Solid NBA body to go with very good athleticism. Has good range on his jump shot. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Injuries are a big concern with him. Good at everything but not great at anything. Can disappear due to the fact that he can't take over in any aspect of the game. Bad decision maker with the ball and a below average dribbler. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Ron Mercer | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- His build is solid enough to allow him to have a decent NBA career. But anything more successful than a Trenton Hassell type of performance is out of the question. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- I don't see him getting drafted but he'll definitely lead a summer league team and coach on with a team by late December. | ||||||||
9. |
Kyle Weaver |
SG |
22 |
6-6 |
185 |
Senior |
Washington St. |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- Extremely smart player that can effectively play both guard positions. One of the elite guard defenders in this draft class. Extremely quick and dangerous in the passing lanes. Gamer that constantly sacrifices his body for the team. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Not a consistent shooter from three-point range. Added a three-point shot this past year but it still isn't reliable. Mid-range game isn't reliable either. Gun shy on the floor. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Mardy Collins | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- He's the type of player that could end up being a All-Defensive Second Team player if he improves his shot enough to warrant starting. His ceiling is a Doug Christie type of guy. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- I think he definitely finds his niche as a defensive specialist. He'll stick around in the league for a long time but may not be drafted. | ||||||||
10. |
J.R. Giddens |
SG |
23 |
6-5 |
200 |
Senior |
New Mexico |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- Explsoive leaper that knows how to attack the rim. Not many people in this draft can jump with him. Very deep range on his three-point shot. Excellent rebounder that grabbed 8.8 rebounds per game his last season. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Work ethic. Attitude. Bad midrange shooter. Isn't interested in defending and not a confident dribbler. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- J.R. Smith | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- Thought to be a can't miss prospect when he committed to Kansas. But his lack of mental toughness and sound judgement could turn him from starter on a bad team to just trying to make a team. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- I'm willing to give him the chance to mature in the right situation. If he can get around good veterans, he could be shown how to grow up and be a team player. I think he'll be a good reserve. | ||||||||
11. |
Bryce Taylor |
SG |
21 |
6-5 |
205 |
Senior |
Oregon |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- Can absolutely jump out of the gym. Can score in a variety of ways. Good shooter off the dribble and coming off of screens. Pretty close to having an NBA body. Good range from deep. All around offensive skills. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Can't seem to put together his talent and turn out a consistent product. A little undersized for shooting guard in the NBA. Not a go-to scorer as originally advertised. Questionable desire to get better. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Willie Green | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- It's hard to tell because based on talent alone, he's a first round guy. Unfortunately, he can't put it together and may never be better than third on the depth chart at shooting guard. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- I think he gets drafted towards the end of the round and spends a couple of years in the D-League. If he isn't one of the best players there, he probably finishes his career in Europe. | ||||||||
12. |
Brian Roberts |
SG |
22 |
6-2 |
175 |
Senior |
Dayton |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- | ||||||||
13. |
Sonny Weems |
SG |
22 |
6-8 |
200 |
Senior |
Alabama |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- | ||||||||
14. |
DeMarcus Nelson |
SG |
22 |
6-4 |
200 |
Senior |
Duke |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- | ||||||||
15. |
Chris Lofton |
SG |
22 |
6-2 |
197 |
Senior |
Tennessee |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- You've heard of In-the-Gym range for a shooter. Well, Lofton has In-the-County range. There isn't a shot too deep for this gunner. He's a good scorer and a lights out shooter. He's also extremely tough. Played with cancer in his senior season. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- Not a good scorer off the dribble. Undersized for a shooting guard and can't play point guard. Physical play usually bottles up his scoring ability. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Salim Stoudamire | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- I love Chris Lofton but I don't see him having a great career in the NBA. He will probably be on a roster for years but his ceiling is Salim Stoudamire and his pitfall is probably Dee Brown (Illinois version). | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- I think reputation alone will help him make a team. But don't expect him to become a household name in the NBA. | ||||||||
16. |
Richard Roby |
SG |
22 |
6-5 |
210 |
Senior |
Colorado |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- He knows how to score and score effectively. Very good athleticism that allows him to be an active rebounder and troublesome defender. Good range of his jumper and effective at getting to the rim. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- He's Kenyon Martin's half-brother so there's no surprise that maturity is an issue. Inconsistent defender that needs to be motivated to get it done. His work ethic isn't solid and that may hurt his draft stock. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Willie Green | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- I don't see this guy being much more than a guard at the end of the bench that lights it up in practice while fighting with teammates. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- He's not going to make it in this league. He has the ability but not the head for it. | ||||||||
17. |
Uros Tripkovic |
SG |
21 |
6-5 |
190 |
N/A |
Serbia |
Late 2nd to undrafted |
| Strengths- This guy has great handles and doesn't do any unnecessary dribbling. He is a pretty good athlete that can score in a variety of ways and is a good shooter. Can play point guard effectively but is more of a shooting guard. Has a lot of experience considering his important minutes in Europe. | ||||||||
| Weaknesses- A little undersized to play NBA shooting guard but not good enough at the point to do that full time. He's a good shooter but inconsistent with his shot. Extremely weak. Will get pushed around in the NBA. | ||||||||
| Pro Comparison- Sasha Vujacic | ||||||||
| Pro Potential- This guy could end up being a very nice combo guard off the bench for a really good team. | ||||||||
| Likelihood to Succeed- I think he needs one more year in Europe and then declare next year when the draft isn't so guard heavy. He has the potential to play a long time in this league, but not now. | ||||||||