Tuesday, April 10, 2007

NBA Draft Notes


The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NBA Draft isn't until April 29, but already some of college basketball's top prospects are leaving school early. The big news today was that Kevin Durant will leave Texas after only one season. The first freshman to ever win the John Wooden Award, Durant ranked fourth in the nation in both scoring and rebounding. He is a consensus top two selection who reminds scouts of a cross between Dirk Nowitzki and Tracy McGrady. He may be the most NBA ready prospect to enter the league since Tim Duncan in 1997.


Florida's four juniors announced last week that they are also turning pro. Corey Brewer, Al Horford, and Joakim Noah are all considered top 10 picks, and point guard Tauren Green should be selected in the second round. Noah probably would have been the top pick had he decided to come out last season, and now may be the third player chosen from his own team. Horford should go top 5, as early as number 3. No player boosted their NBA stock in the tournament as much as Brewer, who could go between 3 and 7.


The two other big players to leave school this week were Washington center Spencer Hawes, who played just one year for the Huskies, and Kansas forward Julian Wright. Wright repeatedly said he was coming back to school for his junior season, but is considered the best pro prospect on a stacked Kansas team. Neither player has signed an agent yet which means they can return to school. Both are expected to be lottery picks.


Greg Oden is considered by most to be the best NBA prospect in college basketball, but has yet to declare for the draft. Fellow Ohio State freshman Mike Conley Jr. would be considered by most the top point guard if he came out and would be a lottery selection. Conley said during the season that he will return to school but is now said to be rethinking that strategy.

1 comment:

andy said...

and to think we watched julian wright dismatle providence at JT only two years ago