Kenyon Martin
(Cincinnati) 6-8/230He is the front runner as the best senior at this point and if I could go out on a limb, an almost certain #1 selection. He had a setback in his quest for overall #1 when he broke his leg, but if rehab goes well, we could still know if he is going to make a full recovery by draft day. Martin was named an AP All-American after averaging 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 blocks for the #1 ranked Bearcats. His competition for the number one spot is probably just junior NBA center hopeful Chris Mihm from Texas and maybe Stromile Swift.
Last year he was one of the best sixth men in the game, this year he has stepped up in the absence of Mateen and drawn interest for his dangerous NBA jumper. I think that the NCAA tourney will help showcase his talents. Morris joined Mateen Cleaves as Second Team AP All-Americans.
Another terrific Fresno State shooting guard, but this time he might live up to pro expectations. He's hands down the best SG prospect in the NCAA, but typically shooting guards aren't drafted much higher than 3 (remember Mike was drafted #3). Courtney led the nation in scoring with 25.3 points per game and was named to the Second Team AP All-American.
Mateen
Cleaves (Michigan State) 6-2/190The injury hurt his chances, but maybe we can remember his excellent 4 year career and look ahead to the potential of another great scoring PG. When he came back in 1999-2000 he sure helped his team on his was to being named to the second team AP All-American.
Etan Thomas (Syracuse) 6-9/247He's a good defensive presence with offensive skills. You might not go wrong drafting this guy with proven defensive skill. He is going to get harder and harder looks as the draft approaches, and could flirt with the lottery.
Chris is the leader of the Duke team that is hoping to follow up on its NCAA title game year. He has the skills to make it in the NBA and should be a first rounder. Chris was named to the Second Team AP All-American.
He's got that big PF/C frame that will serve him well. And hey...Nazr didn't do too bad in the draft with similar skills and hype. After some great workouts people are thinking he can play center in the NBA.
He is battling Magloire for position right now. Both are first rounders.
He might still be on the outside looking in, but he has 2 factors in his favor: 1) he's a scoring big man, and 2) Mike Doleac has held his own in the NBA. He's not going to play traditional center in the NBA, but he will be a nice weapon as a big man who can shoot from the outside. Here's one of my winner picks, no matter where he goes in the draft he will be able to help his NBA team.
He is demonstrating an all-around game that should allow him to transition to the NBA. I'm not convinced that his stock will stay as high as it currently is. I've seen him as high as #5 or #6.
He is a small PG, that has all the skills and could be a surprise draft pick. Odds are right now he is a first round pick.
Jason Collier (Georgia
Tech) 7-0/250You can't go wrong with height, and if you throw in a decent arsenal, who knows how high you can go? He hurt himself by disappearing after the NCAA season was over.
His knock at this point is his size, and that could burn him. He really needs a deadeye outside shot in order to make it in the NBA. He was named to the AP All-American Third Team.
A.J. will move up and down in the draft, but should still stick in the first round. He was named to the AP All-American First Team after averaging 20.3 points per game average and shooting 42% from beyond the arc. He was named MVP of the Nike Desert Classic, showing he could score (averaging 15.7 points), but not proving he could play full-time PG in the NBA.
James "Scoonie" Penn (Ohio
St.) 6-0/180Some scouts see him as a better prospect than Mateen, but I'm high on Cleaves' chances in the NBA. Remember that I liked Andre Miller better than Baron Davis last year and look what he's done so far in the NBA. Scoonie was a Third Team AP All-American. He's a solid second rounder at this point.
He's developing skills to play inside and out, and that should help his chances to get drafted.
Chris Porter (Auburn) 6-7/220He would have gone higher as a junior. His college career was cut short due to problems at school, and that could really solidify his bad rap as a possible troublemaker, and a very good nominee for my John Wallace slippery slider of the year award. He's also got that tweener body and not much of an outside game. Chris who? He might not even stick in the first round.
Jabari emerged out of obscurity in the last few months after transferring to LSU from a junior college. He's got an attractive NBA body and decent PF stats, but he couldn't find his game at the Nike Desert Classic, leaving scouts wondering where and if he can play in the NBA. He's probably at best an outside shot at the first round.
Ed proved he could handle a team in the Tourney, and got some national attention. He certainly has the potential, but still hasn't quite excelled as he should. He could be one of the top 10 point guards in the league...or disappear in 3 years.
His potential and body size will make him go higher in the draft than many might think.
He's a true warrior, with a wide range of skills that should elevate him to the next level. He was a Third Team AP All-American. Unfortunately he might not be quick enough to play SF in the NBA.
Being the team leader for the end of the season will make or break him. He was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Nike Desert Classic, helping his chances to land in the first round.
This PG from Gonzaga is starting to get noticed. Some even have him in the lottery. Well, its another Cinderella team, and Matt is a giant reason why they are upsetting higher seeds in the tourney.
Harold's Tourney play last year will probably not be forgotten, unfortunately his camp play has been less than spectacular and would be a surprise first round pick
In his four year solid college career, he has demonstrated skills that could make him a PG on the NBA level, even if he won't look to shoot the ball much.
He has a nice all-around offensive game that has scouts taking notice.
He's only getting mentioned due to his outstanding play in the draft camps. Some say he could sneak into the first round....I say he sneaks into the second round.
Pepe is making a run at the draft after being named a third team AP All-American. He averaged 8.3 assists and 3.5 steals per game. He didn't shoot much, but he could make scouts think he could be a legit PG backup in the NBA.
He has a lot of heart and a lot of hustle. Honestly he'll probably just get invited to some NBA camps.
Although he doesn't have many skills, this big guy will probably hear his name called on draft day.
He's the heart of this Connecticut team.
Is it possible that two seniors from Gonzaga will get drafted? Santangelo and Frahm are deadly and draft-worthy! He is a consistent scorer, shooter and three-point threat.
After a nice showing at the Nike Desert Classic, Justin could have made his way into the NBA draft.
He might not have a true NBA position.
He's probably not going to be able to make it as a PG in the NBA.
