Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring in)

[ryguy24]

Couple of things from DX:

Ed Davis officially returning.

And some interesting info from the Nets. This sounds like they want Blair:

Fred Kerber of the New York Post provides some very telling insight into what the New Jersey Nets will be looking for in this upcoming draft:

Nets team president Rod Thorn likely will dial NBA central casting this summer with a simple but awfully hard-to-fill request.

"Get me a moose."

That will be among the Nets' chief priorities this offseason -- if not the No. 1 quest. In a perfect world, a 25-year-old Charles Oakley would walk into Thorn's office, solving several major headaches.

"A guy who can defend, a guy who can rebound, a guy who does all the little dirty work out on the floor, sets screens," Thorn said. "A guy like that is invaluable."

Sounds like DeJuan Blair to us. New Jersey currently is slated to draft 10th or 11th depending on tiebreakers at the moment, unless a shake-up occurs in the lottery. Indiana also reportedly may have interest.

Besides the being a very good defender part, everything else sounds like Blair's calling card. And Blair might turn out to be a respectable defender if he keeps his weight in check.

Also, Jrue Holiday will stay if he gets a lottery promise.

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/#NBA-Draft-Roundup-April-13-3176

 

[ryguy24]

This would be insane. From Chad Ford's chat:

Mike, FL: Is John Wall the No. 1 pick in 2010 Draft. He was awesome at the Hoop Summit game.

Chad Ford: He was awesome and he'll compete with Ed Davis and a few other freshmen for that. However, there is some buzz that Wall believes he might be eligible for THIS year's draft. I've been doing some digging and will be filing a story later today. The short rub is this: Wall is a 5th year senior and depending on how you read the collective bargaining agreement, 5th year seniors are eligible for the draft as long as the turn 19 in the calander year (Wall does). The league is taking a wait and see approach. If he declares, they'll research and make a ruling. If he does declare and is ruled eligible (two big ifs) he's a Top 5 pick in this draft. Maybe Top 3.

Honestly, I think he might go after Griffin if he was in this class. He just tore up the hoop summit game and is regarded as a very similiar player to Derrick.

 

[ryguy24]

Thabeet is in. Too lazy to go back and grab the link.

 

[Manic Devourer]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

ryguy24 wrote:

Thabeet is in. Too lazy to go back and grab the link.

Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet has decided to give up his final year of college eligibility and enter the NBA draft.

The 7-foot-3 center from Tanzania said Tuesday that he made the decision after speaking to family, friends and coach Jim Calhoun.

"I have had a great experience at Connecticut and cannot thank my coaches and teammates enough," Thabeet said in a statement released by the school. "I look forward to the challenge of playing professionally and know that my time here at UConn has prepared me to be successful in the future."

Calhoun called Thabeet "one of the most dominant defensive players in the history of college basketball," and said he believes he is ready to make the move to the NBA.

"He is a special player and even more special as a person," Calhoun said. "He will truly be remembered as one of the great players in UConn history, not only for his accomplishments, but also because of the type of person he is."

Thabeet, the Big East co-Player of the Year with Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair, averaged 13.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocked shots per game in helping the Huskies to a 31-5 record and a Final Four berth.

Thabeet had been playing organized basketball for less than five years when he came to Connecticut from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, by way of the Cypress Christian School in Houston.

He considered turning pro after both his freshmen and sophomore seasons.

The school said Thabeet plans to hire an agent, a move that would eliminate the possibility that he could withdraw his name before June 15 and retain his collegiate eligibility.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/news/story?id=4068607

 

[??? ??????]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

I'd love if Wall challenged the rule. I'm not a fan of the age rule. I think John Paxson would make a killing in drafts, with teams drafting players only on upside in the lottery again.

I'm really waiting for a player to forgo their senior year of high school, go over seas and play a year there, and then come out as an 18 year old International player.

 

[Manic Devourer]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

Just paddled through some draft websites, and I stumbled across a French player, Kevin Serphin.

In regards to what is written about him, he seems extremely raw. I think he'd be ideal as a second round pick, who we could leave overseas for a few years to wait until he develops a little further.

Just some snippets about him from various websites:

Seraphin has everything you could ask for in terms of measureables. He stands 6’10” without shoes, with a 7’3” wingspan. Weighing 263 pounds, Seraphin has a great body with chiseled arms, thick legs, and great all-around strength. In transition, he runs the floor like a guard, and often finishes the break with a thunderous dunk.

Skill-wise, there is a long way to go before he becomes a real player, but he has progressed quickly considering how new the game is to him. Seraphin really has a nose for the ball on the offensive glass, and often creates second looks. He rebounds the ball effectively on the defensive end as well, using his frame to push away opposing players, and his length and leaping ability to collect the board.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Kevin-Seraphin-5278/

Kevin Seraphin -- 8 pts, 4-9 fg, 9 reb, 4 blk -- Was the breakout player of the event, as he was little known going into it. His 7-foot-3 wingspan, muscular body and explosive leaping ability make him an excellent shot blocker, and rebounder.

He's got a gregarious personality making a lot of friends on the World team despite the fact that his English is very limited. He also has a great on court demeanor as he was an absolute beast in the paint all week in practice and in the game. He didn't do much this season with his pro team, which is understandable as he's still very raw offensively after picking the game up late, (around 2003 when he was 14).

Seraphin has good long term potential if he can continue to improve his shooting ability and post skills. Right now, he's got a ways to go as most of his offense comes via garbage baskets and put back slams.

He will be automatically eligible in 2011 and if he doesn't improve dramatically, he could end up a second round guy who remains in Europe for a few years to develop.

http://www.nbadraft.net/node/5215

 

[ryguy24]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

Yes! Ford is saying Motiejunas is leaning to declaring this year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftWatch-090414

Motiejunas was the other big-time prospect at the Hoop Summit whom NBA scouts were dying to get a look at. He has had a terrific season in Lithuania and made the all-star team this year by averaging 18 ppg -- that's pretty impressive for an 18-year-old.

Big and athletic, he can take his man off the dribble and has a variety of moves around the basket. His jump shot is solid, too, but he's not a great shooter yet. The key for him is his motor -- he's very aggressive putting the ball on the floor.

Tabbed the next Toni Kukoc or Dirk Nowitzki, Motiejunas had scouts leaning much more heavily toward the Kukoc comparison after they watched him for several days in practice and in the game. After a rocky start to the game, he turned it on in the second half, showing great court awareness.

The buzz after the game was that Motiejunas was leaning toward declaring for the 2009 draft. Although he needs to get stronger and keep working on his jumper, he is a legit prospect. One NBA GM I spoke with said he thought Motiejunas would be a top-12 pick in this year's draft. Two other international scouts who have seen much more of him think his range is 15 to 25. All of them felt that with another year in Lithuania under his belt, he would be a surefire lottery pick in 2010.

I was under the assumption that he was definitely going in next year (likely 5-10 pick), but that would be awesome if he gets in this year. He has a bit of seasoning to do, but he has all of the tools in the world to become a real all around offensive stud. I would love to get my hands on him somehow.

 

[ryguy24]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

Aminu OUT:

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/04/13/article/wakes_aminu_wont_go_pro

WINSTON-SALEM – Wake Forest forward Al-Farouq Aminu has announced he will return for his sophomore season in 2009-10.

“In order to end further speculation, I am excited to announce my return to Wake Forest for my sophomore year,” said Aminu. “My experience at Wake Forest has been terrific. I have grown as a student, as a person and as a basketball player. The NBA is a dream of mine, but my family and I feel like now is not the right time.

 

[ryguy24]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

http://68.142.251.61/dxsnfs01r82/08...3339&pl_auth=e6f1bb6845d32afb21785f4de19676cf

Full Hoop Summit game.

 

[ryguy24]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

Root for a Denver loss tonight. It might force some coin flips with a few teams in terms of where we will pick in the 20's.

 

[ryguy24]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

Potential Bulls pick Patrick Patterson IN (no agent though).
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/news/story?id=4070990&campaign=rss&source=NCBHeadlines

Greg Monroe has announced he is returning.

 

[ryguy24]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

Gerald Henderson in.
http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=324264

 

[Dpauley23]

Re:Official Draft Prospects Thread (names pouring

Dang it

 

[hfritz32]

Highly rated basketball recruit Xavier Henry and his brother C.J. have decided to play at Kansas, a source said Wednesday.

J HAwk shout out (Sorry for the randomness)

Hell yea J hawks now have to be the front runners for next years championship.
I know it is doubtful now that Henry's going to Kansas but if Lance Stephenson still sets his mind on KU they will be disgusting next year. He prob wont though because he may not be garenteed a starting spot and abundant minutes. If he was to win a title though i hope he still plans on going.Imagine a line up of
Collins pg
Tyshawn Taylor sg
Henry sf
Stephenson pf
Aldrich c

And The Morris Twins, Cj Henry, All the other major minute contributors from last season, and the other two highly talented recruits already committed. That would the best bench in country

This team may not be as good as the last championships only because of youth but compared to NBA potential they are way better. With a possibily of 3 top ten picks 2 other 1st rounders and the other guys have a shot if they ever get minutes.

Sorry for the KU rant, GO Jay Hawks!

 

[ryguy24]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/9494718/Iowa-State-big-man-Brackins-will-return-to-school

Iowa State's talented sophomore big man Craig Brackins is returning to school.


"I had a lot of time to think about this and felt there was something empty inside. Something was missing," Brackins said. "I feel like I have not accomplished everything I wanted to achieve at Iowa State. It was a tough decision, but I am excited about returning and equally determined to make sure we are successful next season."