1998 Underclassmen Report

Underclassmen had until Sunday May 10th to declare. They had until Wednesday June 17th to back out. Notably, Lee Nailon, Lamarr Odom and Bub Eley pulled their names, along with several foreign under 21s. Chris Herren had originally said he declared, but never sent his letter to the NBA. All but two of the top 8 or 9 picks should be underclassmen, demonstrating that once again the trend of non-seniors dominating the top of the draft will continue. Here's the numbers: 33 total players have declared early including four high schoolers from the US and three under 21 foreign players. Of those 33, 20 were drafted including 3 high schoolers and 2 under 21 foreign prospects...thats a little better rate than in year's past.

Here's the complete list of underclassmen who have declared...and not withdrawn.

1. SO Mike Bibby (Arizona) 6-2/180 *Some have him as the number one player in the draft...I don't see him lower than three...He averaged 17.2 points, 5.7 assists and 2.4 steals as a sophomore.
2. JR Antawn Jamison (UNC) 6-9/222 *This Consensus College Player of the Year could be the number one prospect. He's traditionally a number four type pick, though, although there isn't any better talent in the NCAA right now. His size has been questioned....is he a tweener?
3. JR Paul Pierce (Kansas) 6-7/220 *He's got the all around stats of a solid NBA swing man...21.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg and better than 50% FG, making him a top 3 pick.
4. JR Vince Carter (UNC) 6-6/208 *He's got an exciting game that could entice teams to draft him REAL high in the hopes that he can bring fans to the arena.
5. FR Larry Hughes (Saint Louis) 6-5/185 *The top freshman in the country gives up his college career for the NBA. Someone will have to spend a high pick on him, low lottery no doubt. He averaged 20.9 points, 2.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds a game.
6. Foreign Prospect Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) 6-10/215 *Top European Prospect who at 19 passed on college altogether...he could go high...real high. He was very impressive at the Nike Hoops Summit against the US team with 33 points and 14 rebounds. He has averaged more than 30 points per for his German team. His knock right now, is the ability to sign him to a contract in a timely manner because he might want to continue playing for the German team.
7. JR Robert Traylor (Michigan) 6-8/300 *The Tractor's the first to declare....and he should stick in the lottery. He has dropped more than 25 pounds since season's end, coming in at a lean and solid 275. Some have made comparison's to Shaq with his agility, speed and immovable frame...although he has several inches to grow.... He compares himself to Barkley.
8. JR Nazr Mohammed (Kentucky) 6-10/240 *He averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, but often had foul trouble. He's improved his game...and his physique...every year so he's a proven hard worker.
9. JR Jason Williams (Florida) 6-1/190 *Some scouts see him going pretty high, but he's a freshman and no Stephon Marbury....He did average 17 points and almost 7 assists and 3 steals, so he's got game. He's also the second best PG in the draft...undisputed.
10. SO Corey Benjamin (Oregon State) 6-5/200 *The leading scorer and rebounder at OSU is high on hype and potential. He averaged almost 20 points and 5 assists, but he doesn't have a consistent outside shot, yet.
11. JR Jelani McCoy (UCLA) 6-10/240 *He's about as big of a risk as Keon Clark, but not quite as talented.

    Underclassmen Who have a Shot at the Second Round

12. JR Tyronn Lue (Nebraska) 6-0/170 *He averages better than 21 points and almost 5 assists, but he's untested and it seems he's hurting himself more than helping in his post-NCAA workouts. He still has a chance at the first round and should be one of the top 2 or 3 picks of the second.
13. FR Ricky Davis (Iowa) 6-5/195 *His stock is rising as scouts are starting to see more than a spark of potential, especially after a spectacular Chicago camp.
14. JR Rafer Alston (Fresno State) 6-2/180 *In the Chicago draft camp, he might have played himself into the second round.
15. JR Jerome James (Florida A&M) 7-1/290 *These underclassmen big bodies are a temptation for NBA teams, but rarely do they make the roster.
16. SO Winfred Walton (Fresno State) 6-9/225 *Its possible that a team will gamble on him late in the second round.
17. JR Randell Jackson (Florida State) 6-11/200 *He averages about 12 points and 5 boards...not all that solid...he's a long shot to get drafted now.
18. JR Marcus Bullard (Auburn-Montgomery) 6-2/200 *He's right on the bubble as to whether or not he'll be drafted at all.

    Underclassmen Wannabes
    They've Declared Early But Probably Won't Get Drafted

19. SO Chandar Bingham (Virginia Union) 6-9
20. FR Wayne Clark (Dekalb JR Col) 6-4
21. SO Tim Cole (NE Miss Comm Col) 6-4
22. JR Peter Cornell (Loyola Marymount) 6-10/240
23. SO Arthur Davis (St. Joseph's) 6-4/190
24. JR Tremaine Fowlkes (Fresno State) 6-8/220
25. JR Mark Miller (U of Illinois-Chicago) 6-2/185
26. JR Adam Roberts (SF State)6-4
27. JR James Spears (Shaw Univ) 6-6

    High School Players who have Declared

28. Rashard Lewis (Alief-Elsik HS, Houston) 6-10/220 *It's hard to tell where these prep stars are going to go....he does resemble Garnett...just a little. I have him as the best prep prospect, probably going in the 12-16 range.
29. Al Harrington (Elizabeth, NJ) 6-8/222 *He was the USA Today's Player of the Year...we'll see if he's done growing yet. He should go right around Rashard in that same 12-16 range.
30. Korleone Young (Hargrave Mil Acad) 6-7/220 *He hops on the Kobe train...one day its going to derail. He's slipping and will be lucky if he's a mid second rounder...in fact teams might pass on him altogether.
31. Ellis Richardson (Polytechnic High School) 6-3 *No Chance at all of being drafted.

    Other Foreign Under 21 Players who have Declared

32. Stanislav Medvdenko (Ukraine) *6-9, 19 yr old center on Ukraine National Team.
33. Bruno Sundov (Croatia) *6-11, 18 yr old.