*He's had some mixed reviews and could really go anywhere from say 8-20. He was named to the Third Team All-American. It was probably the right decision to try the NBA, though. His best chance will be for a team to think he's their shooting guard of the future. As a Sophomore he led St. John's to the elite eight after averaging 14.5 points and 6.3 rebounds a game.
He left school early feeling he's a lottery pick, I'd have to concur, not seeing him falling out of the top 13.
He can ride Kobe's and Kevin's shirt-tails right into the lottery. The top of the draft is weak enough that he is a gamble worth taking. As a senior in HS he averaged 23.1 points and 15 rebounds per game.
Elton Brand (Duke-sophomore)
6-8/275*He was the college player of the year, but his stock is falling, considering some NBA scouts might think he's too small for the post. He measured a solid 6-8 in the Chicago Camp and still has a shot at #1. Plus, his wingspan is an overwhelming 7-5, broader than any other player in the draft. He averaged 17.7 points and 9.8 rebounds as a sophomore at Duke.
*The Buzz is the Clippers like his play, so he could go at 4...is Baron one of the top 4 blue chips in the draft, probably not. I have him in the 6-10 range on potential.
Steve Francis
(Maryland-junior) 6-3/180*He struck when the time was right and his stock was on the rise. Once again, he's clustered in with the top five picks and could go #1. He averaged 17.0 points and 4.5 assists last year.
He's definately in...and definately a low first rounder. One of the bottom ten teams will see him as a blue chip based on what he could do. In his only college season he averaged 18.4 points, 2.6 assists and 5.0 rebounds a game. He missed last year due to a torn ACL, but the's back and healthy now! He would be a lottery pick next year if he stays healthy, so he will be a bargain.
*He could have been a lottery pick last year. In my opinion, Hamilton is the best NBA talent, but that doesn't always translate to a top 3 pick...see Vince Carter and Paul Pierce. I would say if he wasn't a top 3, though, it would be a huge mistake. As a junior he averged 21.5 points a game, and 19.8 points per game over his 3 year career. He is a career .378 Three Point Shooter.
*A team wouldn't make a mistake if they picked him at #6. He not only has impresssive stats, but showtime moves that the NBA loves. Some scouts think he left too early, but he's got such a tremendous upside.
*Corey decided to join Brand and Avery on the NBA train. Some Mock draftsters have him at #1. I think that its a little too high, but he could jump into the mix in the top 5 or 6. Coming off the bench for Duke he averaged about 10 points a game. Its not what he's done in college that make him an outstanding prospect, though, its his potential. In 1998 he was one of the most highly recruited preps.
*He's very athletic and has the NBA skills that scouts like...quickness, raw shooting skills, open court moves and even the ability to find the open man. He probably won't slip into the lottery, but will be awful close. As a junior he averaged 18.7 points a game.
*He could be the number one pick this year, and should be top three. He has withdrawn the last two years after declaring early, and tried a gain this year, only to discover he'd lost his eligibility. That stunt cost him some commitment points in many scouts eyes. Dick Vitale calls him one of the two best talents in the NCAA...the other was Steve Francis.
This guy scares me just a little. He's an unproven talent, but talent nonetheless. He's not ready for the NBA, yet, but he is also ineligible to play NCAA basketball, so he will be drafted. He's worth a gamble as a low lottery pick, but could still be around at 15 or 16. Scouts are starting to see him as the #1 prospect at center in this draft, being a risk that has a potentially higher payoff than MacCulloch.
*Where's he gonna fit into the NBA? A big mistake to come out early. He's going to be a second rounder if he's lucky.