Post by aar on Jan 26, 2009 1:16:13 GMT -5
6) Kenneth Donovan PF 6'6'' 221 22 C+ C C B- B A
Despite being an older player, Donovan is the most dedicated basketball player coaches have ever seen. For him to even be in consideration at power forward with his lack of size is an absolute marvel, but you have to see him to believe him.
Donovan leaves it all out on the floor and is one of the most relentless, tireless workers in the gym day in and day out. He hits the gym at 7 AM and doesn't leave until everyone else is gone.
Donovan plays for pride. He is looking to perfect every facet of his game all the time. Things that still need improvement are his range and his shot blocking, both of which he works tirelessly to improve.
Don't let his size fool you, he's the real deal and anyone who has faced UAB this year can attest.
7) Randy McCracken PG 6'0'' 200 22 C+ B- B- B C- B
Like his brother Johnny, who is currently a free agent big man, Randy is exceptionally versatile and certainly has a higher ceiling.
Randy does a little bit of everything and uses his weight to post up smaller, less tough point guards. Randy had to deal with his big brother growing up and that helped him man up.
Randy reminds many of Mike Conley, but scouts wonder if his ceiling is that high.
8) Broderick Kurland SF 6'8'' 247 21 C+ B D+ B- C A
Kurland is a big bodied small forward who could end up playing power forward if he can rearrange or enhance his skill set.
Kurland really needs to work on his conditioning if he wants to be an effective small forward because he is exceptionally slow due to his size.
Kurland is a bruiser who also loves to stroke it from three. He'll post guys up, run pick and rolls and hit the boards, making him the quintessential team player.
Kurland played at Maine and took them to the Sweet 16, which put him on the map. He was able to succeed in the America East conference with his body type, but will it translate? Most people who are asked say yes.
9) Hayden Small SF 6'9'' 227 19 B- C+ C B C- B
Small is a very talented player marred with personal issues.
The only reason he is going pro is because agents have told him that he is a lottery lock because he is young and has upside.
However, many NBA executives think that Small is only in it for the money and free ride, which may make GMs wary of taking him in the first round.
His coach, Rick Barnes at Texas was furious when he found out he was leaving because he felt that with another year or two, he could be a top-5 pick without a doubt.
If he asserts himself in the pros, it will show why he could have been picked that high. But if skeptics are correct, he could fade away in a hurry.
10) Lucas Thomas SG 6'7'' 220 20 C B C B+ C- B
Thomas is a professional, plain and simple. He is a lock-down defender who people hate facing off against and forced opposing Conference USA players to shoot 24% combined as a star at Memphis.
When asked, most coaches compare Thomas to Bruce Bowen, but say that he still has room to improve his defensive game at age 20.
Why he left so early is questionable until you see him in workouts, especially one-on-one drills. He makes opposing players look like they don't belong.
Despite being an older player, Donovan is the most dedicated basketball player coaches have ever seen. For him to even be in consideration at power forward with his lack of size is an absolute marvel, but you have to see him to believe him.
Donovan leaves it all out on the floor and is one of the most relentless, tireless workers in the gym day in and day out. He hits the gym at 7 AM and doesn't leave until everyone else is gone.
Donovan plays for pride. He is looking to perfect every facet of his game all the time. Things that still need improvement are his range and his shot blocking, both of which he works tirelessly to improve.
Don't let his size fool you, he's the real deal and anyone who has faced UAB this year can attest.
7) Randy McCracken PG 6'0'' 200 22 C+ B- B- B C- B
Like his brother Johnny, who is currently a free agent big man, Randy is exceptionally versatile and certainly has a higher ceiling.
Randy does a little bit of everything and uses his weight to post up smaller, less tough point guards. Randy had to deal with his big brother growing up and that helped him man up.
Randy reminds many of Mike Conley, but scouts wonder if his ceiling is that high.
8) Broderick Kurland SF 6'8'' 247 21 C+ B D+ B- C A
Kurland is a big bodied small forward who could end up playing power forward if he can rearrange or enhance his skill set.
Kurland really needs to work on his conditioning if he wants to be an effective small forward because he is exceptionally slow due to his size.
Kurland is a bruiser who also loves to stroke it from three. He'll post guys up, run pick and rolls and hit the boards, making him the quintessential team player.
Kurland played at Maine and took them to the Sweet 16, which put him on the map. He was able to succeed in the America East conference with his body type, but will it translate? Most people who are asked say yes.
9) Hayden Small SF 6'9'' 227 19 B- C+ C B C- B
Small is a very talented player marred with personal issues.
The only reason he is going pro is because agents have told him that he is a lottery lock because he is young and has upside.
However, many NBA executives think that Small is only in it for the money and free ride, which may make GMs wary of taking him in the first round.
His coach, Rick Barnes at Texas was furious when he found out he was leaving because he felt that with another year or two, he could be a top-5 pick without a doubt.
If he asserts himself in the pros, it will show why he could have been picked that high. But if skeptics are correct, he could fade away in a hurry.
10) Lucas Thomas SG 6'7'' 220 20 C B C B+ C- B
Thomas is a professional, plain and simple. He is a lock-down defender who people hate facing off against and forced opposing Conference USA players to shoot 24% combined as a star at Memphis.
When asked, most coaches compare Thomas to Bruce Bowen, but say that he still has room to improve his defensive game at age 20.
Why he left so early is questionable until you see him in workouts, especially one-on-one drills. He makes opposing players look like they don't belong.
