Now that the 2007 NBA Draft is over and guys like Oden and Durant have gone to their respective homes, we can concentrate on more important things… like the 2008 NBA Draft. It's never too early to start, so let's take a look at the 20 prospects that will most likely be taken early in next year's draft.
1. O.J. Mayo, PG, Freshmen
Mayo has been followed since his freshman year of high school. He's one of those guys that would've skipped college and still be taken in the top 5 of the draft. With one year of college? He's going number one.
2. Michael Beasley, PF, Freshmen
What can't be said about him? This McDonald's All American, scoring 23 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, won the MVP award of the game. He has no doubt a bright future ahead of him. In the class of Karl Malone and Tim Duncan, Beasley will be an instant success in the NBA. Mayo and Beasley will go 1-2 in the draft much like Oden and Durant did in 2007.
3. Derrick Rose, PG, Freshmen
Another freshmen sensation, Rose is the definition of a pure point guard. He reminds me of a Jason Kidd type of player that will lead his respective team creating plays for average players. In both the McDonald's All American and Jordan All American games, Rose dished out 5 assists. Wouldn't it be hilarious if Atlanta landed here again and neglected to pick him up? Let's take a few seconds and pray that this happens.
4. Roy Hibbert, C, Senior
A lot of people rank Hibbert too low. I frankly don't understand why. He's a strong 7'2" guy who dominates the paint. He was supposed to be in the 2007 draft, but he felt that he was ranked too low. Last year, he had help from Jeff Green in leading the Georgetown Hoyas into the Final Four. I believe he will repeat next year without Green.
5. Joey Dorsey, PF, Senior
Dorsey will be the leader of a Memphis team that is heavily favored to appear in the Final Four next year. He is a great rebounder and shot-blocker. He has also proved that he can make shots (.61 field goal percentage) With Derrick Rose dishing him the ball all season, look for his points per game to spike (8.5 ppg in 2006-07).
6. Patrick Patterson, PF, Freshmen
This guy is my favorite player in the 2008 draft. He will be nothing less than awesome baby! (As Vitale would put it) He is a rebounding and shot-blocking machine. In his senior year of high school, Patterson averaged 18.8 ppg, 16 rpg, 4.2 apg, and 6 bpg. In the McDonald's All American game, Patterson had 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks. In the Jordan All American Classic, Patterson had 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
7. Nicolas Batum, SF, France
Batum is the best international player in next year's draft. He was supposed to enter the 2007 draft and decided not to at the last minute. He has secured his stock with a 23 point performance in the Nike Hoop Summit in 2007.
8. Donte Greene, SF, Freshmen
This Jordan All American Co-MVP, 20 points in 17 minutes, reminds me a lot of Kevin Durant. He has a great jump-shot to go with good rebounding. Not to mention he's averaged 4.3 blocks per game in high school.
9. Corey Fisher, PG, Freshmen
Naturally, the other half of the Jordan All American Co-MVP would come next. Fisher put on a fantasic performance scoring 12 points and dishing out 10 assists. Not only can Fisher find teammates but he also loves taking the clutch shots. He can shoot from anywhere both driving in and shooting from the arch; this guy has superstar written all over him.
10. Derrick Caracter, PF, Sophomore
Caracter will be another leader of a NCAA Final Four contender. Last year, while averaging 13.3 minutes per game, Caracter averaged 8.1 ppg and 3.9 rpg. He will play a significant role in Louisville's Final Four run.
11. Brandon Rush, SG, Junior
Rush was supposed to be in 2007 draft but got injured during workouts. He was the leader of the Jayhawks last season as they grabbed the #1 seed in the tournament. Rush reminds me a lot of Rashard Lewis. He is an excellent shooter and has an excellent 3-point percentage (.431).
12. Gani Lawai, PF, Freshmen
Lawai has a great presence in the post and knows how to fight for the ball in the paint. In the McDonald's All American game, Lawai scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He has a few rough edges regarding his shot but one year in college will get that polished up.
13. Sean Singletary, PG, Senior
Here's another guy that I felt was ripped off regarding his prospect ranking. He, along with J.R. Reynolds led the Virginia Cavaliers to a birth in the NCAA Tournament. He entered the 2007 draft and left once he saw his stock lower than he expected. Singletary is a great combo guard that averaged 19 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 4.7 apg in his junior year. He does need to work on his shot selection and jumper. Last season he had a field goal percentage of .400.
14. Darren Collison, PG, Junior
Collison is a great passer and great perimeter shooter. He was a key piece in helping the UCLA Bruins reach the Final Four. He is also fast, but can't handle the ball too well. The doesn't really help the fact that you're fast because you won't be able to use your speed if you can't control the ball.
15. Gary Johnson, PF, Freshmen
Johnson, who has played in the Jordan All American Classic, is one of the lesser known names that will become mentioned in every Mock Draft next year. He is the next power forward in Texas following LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant. Look for him to fight hard for the spotlight next year in college. What I like about Johnson is that he doesn't try anything fancy. He knows his abilities and maximizes on them to get the job done. He's the type of post player that doesn't leave the paint to try and woo the crowd.
16. Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy
Back to the international players, Gallinari is a good shooter and passer. With the right team, I see him as a good role player.
17. Ante Tomic, C, Croatia
Tomic is a weird scenario. He used to be a 7'2" that played the point guard position. That's the first time I heard of something like that. He was moved to the center position because of his height. This creates advantages and weaknesses. Advantages include mobility, ball-handling, & dishing out. He can also shoot from anywhere on the court (60% fgm) much like Mehmet Okur. Weaknesses include the fact that he is too weak and can be dominated in the paint.
18. Victor Claver, SF, Spain
Claver reminds me of a Peja Stojakovic type of player. He's a great 3-point shooter that is mobile as well. As a 6'11" small forward, Claver can only defend around the perimeter. He's too weak to defend in the paint, a seemingly common problem with all Europeans. On the flip side, Claver is very aggresive, a characteristic that is rare internationally.
19. DeVon Hardin, C, Senior
Hardin is a great rebounder but a poor shooter. I personally see him as the next Michael Olowokandi. The only reason I have him in my top 20 is because someone will most definitely take a chance on him only to have him turn out to be a bust, wasting their pick.
20. Rudy Mbemba, PG, Sweden
Mbemba reminds me of the next Nate Robinson or Spud Webb in that he is very short but can fly high. He's also a great jump shooter. The factor that has him falling down to #20 is that he is fast but can't handle the ball too well much like UCLA Junior Darren Collison.
Everyone saw how loaded the NBA Draft was a couple of days ago. Well, get used to it because this is how it will be from now on thanks to the genius of NBA Commissioner David Stern. Allowing high schooler's to get through one year in the NCAA, their skills will be tested and their hype will be greater. The 2008 Draft will only further prove this.
References: Nike.com/jumpman23/classic, McdonaldsAllAmerican.com, ESPN.com
Sports Moment of the Week
Greg Oden and Kevin Durant have been officially drafted to their selective homes joining the new wave of NBA superstars.
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