In 2012, Ross established himself as not only one of the Pac-12's most complete players, but one of the nation's top athletes. He ranked among conference leaders in eight categories: points (16.4, 4th), rebounds (6.4, 6th), offensive rebounds (5.1, 3rd), free throw percentage (.766, 11th), steals (1.3, 12th), 3-PT FG makes (2.1, 8th), 3-PT% (.371, 14th) and blocks (0.9, 13th).  

Long Story Short: T-Ross is an emerging swingman with great versatility in his ability to shoot, create, pass, rebound and defend. While loaded with potential, he still needs to fill out his frame and refine his shot selection, but an intriguing prospect that could challenge for a 2012 Draft lottery spot if he declares.

Best Case Scenario: Jason Richardson
Worst Case Scenario: smaller Dorell Wright

• Explosive athlete, outstanding vertical leap, great end-to-end speed, quick first step and burst, superb body control and contortion around the rim
• Midrange marksman with great depth out to NBA 3-point range, great off ball player and spot up shooter coming off screens, always squared and ready to shoot, high release point
• Can create his own shot off the dribble, ability to set up for jumper or attack rim, nice crossover and step back dribble for jumper
• Excellent passer and distributor, exceptional court vision, unselfish player, trusted entry passer into post and for off ball shooters, can set up plays

• Frail frame in need of strength, 5-10 pounds of muscle to fill out body, struggles to finish through contact
• Streak shooter, can get very hot/cold from 3-point range, tendency to force some poor shots driving the lane
• Can become too hesitant to isolate, doesn’t need ball to be effective but becomes confined to being a spot up threat

In his one season at Washington, Wroten set numerous Husky freshman records: most points (559), scoring average (16.0 ppg), assists (130) and steals (66). He ranked fifth in the conference in scoring, eighth in assists (3.7 apg), second in steals (1.9 spg) and was sixth overall in offensive rebounds per game (2.3).  

• Long Story Short: Ultra creative player who’s a smooth operator with the ball in his hands, bringing instant energy and offense to a team by setting up scoring opportunities for teammates. “Feast or famine” decision maker and shooting inconsistency are the biggest issues for Wroten, but he has the potential to be a fantastic NBA guard when he’s ready to declare.
•  
• Best Case Scenario: Jamal Crawford meets Rajon Rondo
• Worst Case Scenario: Greivis Vasquez

• Jitterbug quickness, burst off first step and acceleration, great body control, outstanding end-to-end speed, pushes tempo in transition
• Top notch creator on offense, crafty, aggressive attack mode, improvisation, penetrate and create, quick hands, playmaker
• Quick strike ball handler, can break down the D and isolate, ankle breaking crossover and hesitation move, change of pace, shifty
• Uncanny court vision and passing ability, will find open players with peripherals, unselfish, “pass first” player, willing risk taker

• Turnover prone, improve decision making, high number of passes end up wayward with teammates not expecting the ball
• Limited effectiveness with jumper, rarity to see him hit multiple jumper times per game, iffy shooting touch on the perimeter, dicey shot selection
• Needs to extend range out to the NBA 3-point line, confined to midrange as a shooter, shoots off balance from deep

The 6-3 point guard from Oakland led the nation in scoring for most of the season and finished second in the country with an average of 24.5 points per game, the best single-season average in Weber State history.  He scored 784 points this season which is the most in Weber State single-season history and ranks as the third most in Big Sky Conference single-season history. 

Long Story Short: Lillard’s a quick point guard and gamer who can flat out score by attacking the basket, spotting up or creating his own shot from the perimeter. Although he has upside at the position, Damian’s passing skills are mediocre and his shooting mechanics are suspect, making him a mid-late first rounder at best in 2012.

Best Case Scenario: Ramon Sessions
Worst Case Scenario: Norris Cole

• Great athleticism, excellent quickness, acceleration and burst, change of pace, springy, can push tempo and excel in transition
• Aggressive scorer, penetrating guard and good finisher, gets to free throw line frequently
• Point guard skill set, Unselfish player, excels as a “drive and kick” player attacking the basket and finding perimeter shooters, good feel for when to pass and score at point, tight handle, potential as pick and roll player
• Gamer, makes shots out of pure competitiveness, confident, good basketball IQ, good rebounding guard

• Can play out of control, easy target for charges, shot selection can get iffy and will force attempts
• Not that great of a passer and distributor, accuracy decent at best, doesn’t routinely put passes on the money, assist totals exaggerated by excellent perimeter shooters on team and not creating for them
• Defensive effort is lackadaisical, doesn’t show much effort or intensity manning the perimeter, goes through the motions

Leonard was one of the most improved players in the nation this past season, averaging 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. He ranked third in the conference in rebounding and field goal percentage (.584) while leading the league in blocks.  

Long Story Short: Leonard offers a unique blend of post skill, perimeter shooting, uncanny length and athleticism for a true seven footer. While an intriguing shot blocker, Meyers is a struggling post defender in need of added strength and fundamental play, but has high upside that could tantalize teams in the mid-first round in 2012.

Best Case Scenario: Robin Lopez meets David Lee
Worst Case Scenario: Ryan Hollins

• True seven footer, tremendous length with a 7’ plus wing span, physicality and post presence with his size
• Springy athlete and high jumper, great end-to-end speed and quickness, uncanny mobility for a post player with his size
• Impressive post play, refined back to basket play and ‘go to’ jump hook, face up threat from the perimeter, good post awareness and play making ability, developing into a weapon in the paint
• Shooting range out to 19’, reliable shooting touch from midrange, finesse touch around the basket and can use both hands, strong finisher at the basket who loves to dunk

• Needs to add about 10 lbs to fill out his slender frame, gets overpowered in the paint and pushed around, will get bullied by stronger players until he builds muscle
• Awful post defender, gives up great positioning to opposition in the pain, unable to body up and hold his ground in the post
• Few shooting flaws and technicalities, needs to hold follow through on his release, square up his body to basket, elbow bowed out right, shooting in rhythm and not rush looks

Rivers averaged a team-high 15.5 points per game to join Johnny Dawkins (1983) and Bill Sapp (1945) as the only players to lead the Blue Devils in scoring as freshmen. The Winter Park, Fla., native scored in double-figures 30 times, with eight games with 20 or more points scored. He also averaged 3.4 rebounds, while finishing second on the team in assists (71) and steals (33) and third in three-point field goals (58). 

Long Story Short: Pure scoring guard with unlimited shooting range, an explosive first step, ankle breaking dribble moves and an ice cold scoring mentality. ‘Sub-Zero’ has a rare killer instinct and clutch shooting prowess on the offensive end of the court that makes him worthy of being an elite prospect, and while he lacks great distributing ability and defensive play, Rivers can get buckets at a high level on the NBA stage.

 

Best Case Scenario: Jamal Crawford

Worst Case Scenario: smaller Nick Young

• Explosive athlete, blistering quick first step, super agile, springy leaping ability, solid body control, change of direction
• Quick strike ball handler with a killer crossover, hesitation, spin move and sick step back move; shifty, great change of pace
• Unlimited shooting range, NBA 3-pt. range, can get in “the zone” as a shooter”, great spot up threat and equally dangerous off the dribble
• Ice cold scorer, super confident, clutch shooter, ‘go to’ player in crucial moments, premier Iso weapon, very aggressive, superb attack mode

• Very right hand dominant ball handler, will go right almost every time, needs continued work with off hand and going left
• Shot selection can be dicey, takes lots of contested shots with defender in his face, will try to do too much
• Needs work honing a midrange game, everything is a drive or 3-pointer
• Questionable effort on the defensive end, has the lateral quickness but lacks focus and commitment, subpar shot contester, gambles unsuccessfully too much in passing lanes

Harkless is only St. John's second-ever BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, and was the first since David Russell took home the honor in 1979-80 after Russell averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds as a freshman. Harkless averaged 15.5 points per contest in 2011-12, ranking him second in the conference and sixth in the nation among rookies. His 15.5 points per game also ranked him fourth among St. John's all-time freshman scoring leaders. Harkless finished the season tied as the conference's top rebounding frosh with 8.6 boards per game, good for second in the nation. The freshman's scoring average ranked him 11th among all BIG EAST players, while his rebound average was tied for sixth, his 1.4 blocks per game ranked 10th and his 1.6 steals were tied for 13th. Harkless' 32 starts in 32 games led the Red Storm and his 36.1 minutes per contest, which also led the team, ranked in the top three among rookies and was tied for 10th overall in the BIG EAST Conference. 

Long Story Short: Aggressive forward who understands team defense at a young age, has great size and athleticism, and is an active rebounder. Harkless is still a raw player who needs work on his jumper, adding strength and fine tuning his ball handling, but has the youth and upside to warrant a late first round pick in 2012.

Best Case Scenario: Matt Barnes meets Trevor Ariza
Worst Case Scenario: Dominic McGuire

• Good athlete, solid jumper who can glide, long striding runner, good speed in transition, impressive mover side to side
• Aggressive attack mode, playmaker, can set up teammates, good finisher, handles contact well
• Excellent grasp of team defense, aware on help D and rotations, closing out shooters, lateral quickness and length to defend the perimeter, interrupts passing lanes, applying pressure
• Great rebounder with use of length, athleticism, energy and hand strength, active motor and intellect to track down boards, hustles

• Poor shooting touch, super inconsistent from the perimeter, iffy shot selection, forces looks into defenders, rushes jump shots
• Needs to build strength, ideally add at least 10 lb.s or more of muscle to fill out his body
• Ball handling needs work, very right handed player, strong majority of drives and finishes are to the right, predictable straight-line driver, lacks a variety of moves off the dribble, ball security and leaves ball out front for D to swipe at

The 6-foot-11 junior from Memphis, Tenn., just finished a breakout season for the Bulldogs. He averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, earning AP first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors.

Long Story Short: Skilled post player can back down his man and score with a keen post move, or step and face up for a midrange jumper. Moultrie has great size and athleticism for a PF, but lacks great defensive play, can play slightly out of control and has some lingering character questions, but is a first round talent in 2012.

Best Case Scenario: Taj Gibson
Worst Case Scenario: Hakim Warrick

• Tremendous athlete, Explosive leaping ability, great end-to-end speed, post quickness
• Fantastic post game and footwork, can operate with his back to basket, quick spin move, respectable jump hook
• Midrange game and shooting touch, can face up and knock down shots reliably from 20’, developing pick and pop threat
• Strong motor and fantastic rebounder, hits the boards hard every play, utilizes his length, athleticism and energy, excels on defensive boards crashing from the perimeter

• Post moves solid yet need refining, can play out of control heading to hoop and force shots into defender, tendency to still on athleticism, doesn’t get great post position
• Poor defender, lacks discipline and know how currently to the defend post well, underachieving shot blocker due to lack of awareness, focus and willingness to help on D and rotations
• Volatile, emotional player with lingering character questions, can get chippy and become target for technical fouls, potential distraction

A native of Minneapolis, Minn., White was arguably the most versatile collegiate basketball player in the nation in 2011-12. He is the only player in the nation to lead his team in scoring (13.4), rebounding (9.3), assists (5.0) , steals (1.1) and blocks (0.9), becoming just the second Cyclone in school history to lead his team in scoring, rebounding and assists in a season (Hoiberg did it in 1993-94). White also ranked in the top-100 nationally in three categories: rebounding (34th- 9.3), field goal percentage (37th- 53.4) and assists (57th- 5.0). 

White is a high risk/high reward prospect if there ever was one ... His development will have to be handled very carefully by whichever team drafts him ... If he's selected by a team that is willing to both be patient and let him play to his strengths, then he very well could be the steal of the draft

Long Story Short: Versatile point forward with a unique style of skilled play in getting to the rack, creating for teammates and rebounding the ball. White has copious red flags off-court, lacks a reliable jump shot and can be a defensive liability, but his talent is undeniable as a first round pick with high upside in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Best Case Scenario: Wilson Chandler meets Boris Diaw
Worst Case Scenario: Kawhi Leonard meets Derrick Brown

• Tremendous passing skills, unselfish forward constantly looking to set up teammates; great timing, accuracy and velocity on his assists, court vision is superb, master of the handoff pass play
• Impressive ball handler, capable of playing point forward, excellent at penetrating and getting to the rack, gets to free throw line with good frequency, great in transition, can go coast-to-coast
• Versatile player, could play multiple positions at the next level, high basketball IQ; smart, crafty and patient, great ability to isolate and post up
• Excellent rebounding forward, uses his body to establish position, box-out, and “bang,” great hand strength, can rebound in a crowd well, physical, great motor

• Numerous off-court issues, major red flags with potential for distraction: has social anxiety, fear of flying, OCD, criminal history, and was kicked off a team in NCAA
• Lacks a reliable perimeter stroke, midrange game is little used and lacking as a 3-point threat, touch from range isn’t great, drifts his body left on his shots, gets fair number of shots blocked at rim and average finisher
• Defense liability, shows little effort, instincts or know-how on that end, routinely gets beat on the perimeter, lacks lateral quickness, doesn’t rotate well or guard the pick and roll, out of position a lot

Long Story Short:Physical, big body post ‘banger’ who’s a double-double machine, knows how to take advantage of his size and strength to establish deep position in paint and crash the boards. Not athletically great and a tad under ideal NBA PF size, but has a great budding post game, nice ball skills and that big body to ultimately warrant him as a high lottery pick when he declares for the NBA Draft.

 

Best Case Scenario: Kevin Love

Worst Case Scenario: DeJuan Blair meets Marreese Speights

• Smooth shooting stroke, has 3-point range, capable of facing up and can knocking down the midrange jumper when he chooses
• Uses body to his advantage to rebound and box out, excels on the offensive boards, great at positioning himself deep in the paint, strong motor (10.2 reb. as freshman)
• Aggressive defender, ‘banger’ who can body up and play physical in the paint, immovable in the post as a defender
• Outstanding basketball IQ, plays smart and has all the tools be a great fundamental big man, always plays within his game, fiery and competitive

• Slightly undersized at 6’9” for an NBA post player, but arguably makes up for it in body, strength and length
• Forces shots in the paint over defenders and into double teams, tries to barrel through more often than he should with his skill set
• Refining inside-out game, polishing post moves and further developing great range on his jumper; needs to become more comfortable shooting from the perimeter and facing up

After playing three seasons at Kansas, Robinson will give up his final year of collegiate eligibility and finish his career as the 55^th Jayhawk to score 1,000 points in a career. Robinson’s name will forever decorate the career and single-season record list for points and rebounds. The 6-10 Washington, D.C., native finished his Kansas career with 1,026 points, 763 rebounds, 100 assists, 74 blocks and 32 double-doubles. His 763 career rebounds rank 14^th all-time, while his 32 double-doubles rank seventh. After playing behind Cole Aldrich and Marcus and Markieff Morris his first two seasons, Robinson made the most of his junior season. He ranks in the top 12 in four categories on the single-season list: 692 points (eighth), 463 rebounds (second), 27 double-doubles (first) and 261 field goals made (11^th). Robinson’s 27 double-doubles led the nation in 2011-12, while his 11.9 rebounds per game ranked second nationally. 

 Robinson has a lot to like … He’s impressive physically, athletically, and he plays as hard as any PF in the country … He was productive when he took the floor for KU in limited time, a hard worker who improved a lot as a Soph., and he’s mentally tough after playing through injuries and even the death of his mom and still being productive, and has a developing skill set, but he has to work on polishing his skills more … The potential is there for him to be a solid NBA PF though and he is a likely 1st round pick in the 2012 draft

Long Story Short: Prototypical NBA power forward with a tremendous physical build, great face up game and strong motor on the boards.  Robinson has work to do  with his back to basket game and as a post defender, but unquestionably has the attractive potential and healthy room for development at the NBA level to be an impact starter in the paint and lottery pick in 2012. 

Best Case Scenario: Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Worst Case Scenario: Brandon Bass

• Impressive face up play, crisp jumper with range out to NCAA 3-point range, has fundamental shooting mechanics to extend further to NBA range, pick and pop type player
• NBA athleticism, great mobility, end-to-end quickness, solid leaping ability, factor in transition
• Comfortable putting the ball on the floor in isolation and aggressive attacking the basket, nice touch in the paint, solid finisher at the rim, ferocious dunker
• Playmaking passer out of the post, excellent court vision, unselfish post player who creates opportunities out of post doubles and driving the lane

• Back to basket play, needs to refine post moves and footwork, tendency to shuffle feet after picking up dribble in paint, heavily favors operating out of face up away from the basket
• Unimpressive post defender, doesn’t play very physical or body up well despite magnificent build, lackadaisical shot contester and relatively unimposing shot blocker, slow to rotate and lazy help defender
• Struggles when faced with post double team, tendency to over dribble leading to a bad pass or forced shot, needs to be more decisive sooner 

Long Story Short: Super athletic forward with incredible physical gifts and the ability to bring the ball up, run the floor in transition, face up to knock down the jumper and put the moves on a defender like a guard would. The quintessential ‘potential based prospect’ was uneven and inconsistent his first year at Baylor but maintains high NBA draft stock based on the unique combination of size, length, athleticism and unlimited upside.

 

Best Case Scenario: Rashard Lewis 

Worst Case Scenario: Tyrus Thomas

• Smooth ball handler, displays excellent dribble moves, ability to breakdown his man, can bring the ball up and run the break, great in transition
• Matchup nightmare who does it with his size and length on the perimeter; athleticism, skill and mobility in the post, versatility
• Unbelievable upside, has as much potential as any player in the upcoming Draft, shows flashes of it with ability to take over games during stretches
• Solid rebounder because of his great length, athleticism and ability to get in position, boxes out around the basket (7.2 reb. as freshman)

• Developing basketball IQ, inconsistent, disappears from long stretches of games, lacks aggression with the ball, settles for jumpers, doesn’t grasp how to play nor dominate like he could, whats his position in the NBA?
• Not very tough or physical in the paint, not a ‘banger,’ plays more like a guard rather than fully exploiting his size, length or athleticism, average motor, lacks defensive shot blocking instincts
• Limited shooting range, needs to add depth to jumper and consistency from 3-point if he prefers to play on the perimeter

The 6-5 Lamb, 19, from Norcross, Ga., started every game for the Huskies last season and led the team in scoring this season at 17.7 points per game. He also averaged 4.9 rebounds as he was selected to the All-BIG EAST First Team. He scored in double figures in 31 games, led the Huskies in scoring 17 times, scored 30 or more points in two games and 20 or more 10 times. 

 Lamb’s ability to make plays off the dribble, his late blooming status, physical and athletic tools, potential on D, and versatility has made him a hot name in scouting circles and among NBA execs…There will be a lot of eyes on him this upcoming season to see how he performs in a completely different role and with all-everything G Kemba Walker off to the NBA

Long Story Short: Suave athlete with “freakish length” who makes his impact felt with his crisp off ball performances, perimeter defense and instinctive play making. Has considerable work to do filling out his frame with muscle and playing in isolation but Lamb is one of the more ready NBA players with a great shot of going in the 2012 Draft lottery.

 

Best Case Scenario: Richard Hamilton meets Rudy Fernandez

Worst Case Scenario: rail thin Thabo Sefolosha

• Freakish length with 7’0″ wingspan (9.1% greater than height differential), solid size for an NBA SG but length makes him seem bigger
• Excellent perimeter defender with great lateral quickness; great at contesting shots, rotating and fighting over screens; Instinctive player who uses length effectively to jump passing lanes
• Crisp off ball play, has great timing and anticipation of where to be on floor for easy basket, excels shooting coming off ball screens, perimeter shooting threat off the catch, solid midrange game and 3-point threat
• High basketball IQ, doesn’t do too much outside his game, doesn’t need ball to leave an impact, fundamental basketball player; NBA ready with off ball play and defense

• Needs to build muscle to frame and grow into his body, 5-10 lb.s ideal for his frame but still going to be one of the more meek of build among NBA guards
• Isolation play and creating his own shot off the dribble, being more aggressive with the ball and attack the basket (only 1.4 free throw attempts per game as frosh), struggles to break down D with inability to change direction quickly
• Consistent defensive effort, needs to do a better job of moving feet and getting in defensive stance, “swipey” on defense after getting beat making him susceptible to cheap fouls on plays he should be able to stay in front of 

Jenkins, a Hendersonville, Tenn., native, was an All-SEC first-team selection in 2011 and 2012, and was named an honorable mention All-American in 2011 and a third-team member in 2012 by the Associated Press. He made 134 three pointers as a junior, which tied the SEC single-season record and Vanderbilt single-season record held by former Commodore great Shan Foster, who accomplished the feat in 2008. He also scored 696 points in 2012, second only to Billy McCaffrey's 699 points he tallied in the 1992-93 season.  

Long Story Short: Extraordinary shooter with excellent range, composure and competitiveness to keep any team in a game.  Outside of that, Jenkins is very limited in comparison to NBA competition in terms of athleticism and defensive ability, but could make a great role-playing shooter off the bench.

Best Case Scenario: Daequan Cook

Worst Case Scenario: Shane Foster

• Outstanding 3-point shooter with NBA range, NBA caliber shooter (40.8% 3-pt. as sophomore)
• Great movement without ball and ability to get open, excels at running off ball screens to get his shot
• Confident shooter who can get hot in a hurry and score in bunches, no conscious as a shooter, doesn’t fret over a miss or let it affect the next shot
• Pure scorer (19.5 pt.s per game as senior) who gets the job done from the perimeter

• Questionable shot selection, tends to rush shots and not always opt for the best looks
• Struggles to create off the dribble for himself, limited ball handler
• Not a great athlete, lacks quickness and explosiveness, could struggle to get shot in the NBA

 Waiters definitely has a future in the NBA playing the same role he does in college ... He's a spark off the bench, can spell your point guard and spread the floor as a spot-up shooter ... In only 22 minutes of action, he racks up 13 points, 3 assists, 2.3 steals on an impressive 52% shooting

Long Story Short: Dynamic scoring guard who uses his quickness to attack the basket, set up a jumper off the dribble, or create for teammates. However, Waiters is a “combo guard” who is undersized for his position, but is an intriguing player worthy of a first round pick in 2012 because of his scoring punch.

Best Case Scenario: Randy Foye
Worst Case Scenario: poor man’s Ben Gordon

• Improved deep ball shooter with NBA 3-point range, excellent spot up shooter, respectable midrange game and tear drop floater through the lane, very confident
• Ability to set up others, good “drive and kick” passer with court vision, unselfish, secondary ball handler
• Dynamic scoring threat who can put up points in spurts, aggressive, versatility with the ball, excellent at creating separation off the dribble and quickness with the ball, can get to the rack, pull up from midrange or spot up from three

• Undersized at 6’4” playing off ball at his natural position on the perimeter, couple inches under ideal size for a SG but should okay with skill set
• Defensive effort is subpar and interest is limited, was fairly marginal in zone defense outside of playing pass lanes for Syracuse, can get overaggressive on D, not consistently in position and focused on rotations or challenging shots
• Tendency to shoot off balance from the perimeter, kicks out feet and flails on them on release, jumps really high on shot, needs to be more consistent and uniform with shot to improve consistency

The 7-foot sophomore from Brazil made the announcement Thursday. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds for Syracuse (34-3) this past season. He led the Big East in blocks per game and was named the conference's defensive player of the year. 

Long Story Short: True defensive center with a big body that eats up the paint, can body up, and protects the rim as an intimidator. Melo lacks a post game and has an average motor that prevents him from being a star, but on size and defensive play alone he’s a first round talent in 2012.

Best Case Scenario: Brendan Haywood
Worst Case Scenario: DeSagna Diop

• Prototypical NBA center size and build, true seven footer, natural strength with 275 lb.s of mass on his frame, length with a 7’3” wingspan
• Defensive presence, capable of playing solid post D and bodying up at an NBA level, already has a solid grasp of team defense, help and rotations
• Excellent shot blocker, protects the rim at a high level, great timing, length and positioning to change shots

• Non-threat as a post scorer, lacking post play, subpar back to basket game, uncomfortable putting the ball on the floor, hesitant to shoot
• Underwhelming rebounder, not very physical, timid to “bang”, has a very average motor, doesn’t have great hands
• Still could solidify his body by filling out his frame with 5-10 lbs of muscle, has raw power but not overly strong given his build

 Beal is a solid prospect with good ability on offense … His jump shot is outstanding, his ability to score off the bounce from mid-range is also great, he’s got a pretty good body for a young SG, and he’s a strong defender too … He’s not a tremendous athlete or ball-handler though, and thus struggles some as a finisher and slasher, but he does have great upside as an off-ball scorer at the SG spot

Long Story Short: With his NBA shooting range and accuracy, Beal looks like the real deal as a smart scoring guard who is efficient and effective on the floor. Possesses a high basketball IQ and mature feel for the game playing off ball that should make him a top ten selection in the 2012 Draft.

 

Best Case Scenario: Ray Allen

Worst Case Scenario: James Harden

• Textbook shooting stroke, quick release, great elevation, legitimate 3-point shooting threat with NBA range, excels as spot up shooter and improving off ball marksman
• NBA guard build, compact, filled in frame at 195 lb.s, strong body that can handle contact, decent perimeter size around 6’5”
• Developing perimeter defender, tough, aggressive at applying pressure, good instincts, excellent on help and rotations, great rebounding guard
• Great off ball player, efficient playmaker, decisive, doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, gets open off ball, secondary ball handler, solid all-around game, consistent

• Lacks explosiveness, very average athlete relative to NBA competition with quickness and leaping ability
• Developing as a creator, capable of setting up teammates but not adept yet, can get tunnel vision driving to the rack
• Can become too content as a spot up shooter and hovers around the 3-point line often, aim to be more active off ball with his talents

Long Story Short: Multi-talented post terror with incredible length, feel for the game, top tier defensive instincts, and upside that’s as good as it gets. Davis needs to fill out his frame, refine his post play, and improve as a post defender, but looks like the favorite to be the #1 overall pick in 2012 NBA Draft.

 

Best Case Scenario: Kevin Garnett

Worst Case Scenario: Marcus Camby

• Excellent mobility and athleticism for a big, great quickness, speed and leaping ability, runs the floor well can get out in transition
• High basketball IQ, great natural feel for the game, play maker on both ends of the floor, versatile big, hustles on every play
• Intimidator in the paint, shot changing defensive presence, elite defensive instincts, anticipation and timing, help defender and post doubler
• Standout rebounder with his size, length, positioning and top tier motor, great offensive rebounder who gets multiple put backs per game, great hands

• Badly needs to refine back to basket play, improve post footwork, find reliable ‘go to’ move, be more patient in the post and not rush into moves, raw offensively
• Jumper needs work; doesn’t get set and shoot in rhythm all the time, face up game unreliable and touch from midrange is subpar
• Post defense and body up his man in the post, improve defensive discipline, will bite on pump fakes and goes for the block almost every time, gives up great position to man due to lack of strength, not very physical

Long Story Short: Tough, ‘do-it-all’ forward with superb athleticism, play making ability, defensive instincts and versatile skill set that makes him a safe bet to be a promising NBA swingman. The only aspect that’s amiss in Mike’s game is a reliable jumper, but he has the talent and potential to be a top pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

 

Best Case Scenario: Andre Iguodala
Worst Case Scenario: Trevor Ariza

• Great athleticism, outstanding end-to-end quickness, burst, springy leaper, body control and agility, great at finishing through contact
• Natural playmaker, versatile, aggressive, toughness, high energy player, great basketball IQ, competitive, unselfish, winner who has ‘it’
• Standout rebounder who battles for boards with his strength, length, athleticism, intellect and motor
• Great perimeter defender, can contain man on ball, superb lateral quickness, quick hands, instinctive, feel for positioning

• Lacks consistency shooting from the perimeter,
• Shooting mechanics need a tweak, flat shot with little arch, releases the ball across his body, feet aren’t always squared, base seems unusually wide
• Strongly favors his right hand off the dribble, will tend to drive right, can play out of control driving to the basket, easy target for charges

Long Story Short: Versatile playmaker with great size, length, athleticism and strength with the ability to create for himself and set up teammates with some superb ball handling and passing ability.  TJ has great potential but is a ‘tweener’ forward who must improve perimeter shooting, become more consistency, overcome strongly favoring his left hand and not continually rely on his body or athleticism as he continues to develop.

 

Best Case Scenario: Josh Smith (less high-flying)

Worst Case Scenario: James Johnson

• Smooth ball handler, great crossover and shifty dribble moves, developing back to basket game, can lead a break with uncanny handles for a forward
• Versatile, can play point forward; Exceptional passer with nice court vision who sets up teammates, can create offense for himself and others (1.6 ast. as freshman)
• Superb rebounder at forward due to combination of length, athleticism and strength (8.8 reb. as freshman)
• Finishes at the rim after contact, can ‘bang’ in the paint with bigger post players, loves to dunk with ferocity (15.7 pt. as freshman)

• ‘Tweener’ forward, will have to adjust to playing predominantly on the perimeter at SF but seems more comfortable in the post at PF despite lack of post moves, limited use of his right hand while dribbling and goes left at all costs
• Slow, hitchy shooting stroke that needs to be smoothed out; shoots the ball and releases across the right side of his head as a lefty, showed gradual improvement his freshman year mechanically
• Very inconsistent performer, can get discouraged fast if shots aren’t dropping, body language on court can look  disinterested and lackadaisical, possible immaturity issues

Long Story Short: Quick guard with ankle-breaking handle, terrific passing ability, superb athleticism and ability to facilitate for a team at the point. Lacks a reliable jumper, turns the ball over more than one would like and has issues with consistency, but has the upside and developing play to warrant a first round pick in 2012.

Best Case Scenario: Jeff Teague meets Tony Parker
Worst Case Scenario: Sebastian Telfair

• Lightning quick, superb end-to-end speed, agile, springy, good footwork, length with a 6’6” wingspan
• Tight handle, quick crossover and spin move, impressive initial first step and acceleration, change of pace, shifty, knifes through defenses as a penetrator, good finisher at rim, nice teardrop shot in lane
• True point guard tools and skill set, good pass/shoot balance, assertive, pick and roll play, potential as a facilitator, attack mode
• Excellent passing ability and court vision, can create, great at making the pass ahead in transition, throws a solid entry pass, shines at finding perimeter shooters

• Overly turnover prone, can make some rash decisions, gamble too much and force passes into a tight window
• Finishing after contact, doesn’t handle physical hits well at the basket, will throw up an unnecessary circus shot out of it
• Struggled with inconsistency as a freshman, still developing as a pure point guard, couple years away from being a regular contributor

Long Story Short: Smooth, pure scoring SG with outstanding length and ‘go to’ midrange game by breaking down defenders off the dribble. This Wildcat is unlikely to go ‘one and done’, but can be plugged into any teams offense and instantly produce points in Isolation.

Resembles: Von Wafer

• Pure scorer, knows how to fill it up in a number of ways
• Great shooter just about anywhere on the floor, reliable midrange game and loves the pull up jumper
• Sound offensive awareness, efficient scorer who plays heads up and makes plays off loose balls and offensive rebounds

• Doesn’t get teammates involved a great deal, can play selfish and be a black hole on offense
• Not very physical, shies away from contact and doesn’t drive all the way to the basket often
• Tendency to scissor his feet from and shift legs during his shots, throws off consistency and center of balance, consistency

Long Story Short: Lanky forward with a nice inside-out game, but excels as a spot up shooter and ankle-breaking creator off the dribble. Q is recovering from injury, struggling with inconsistency and looking to build on that rail thin frame, but is a confident and competitive forward worthy of a look in the NBA Draft lottery.  

Best Case Scenario: bigger MarShon Brooks  
Worst Case Scenario: Rasual Butler

 

• Excellent size for a forward at 6’9” to play on the perimeter and in the paint, above average length with 7’2” wingspan
• Superb shooter, perimeter threat off the spot up, spectacular midrange game, marksman from beyond the arc with NBA range, high release point
• Great creator off the dribble, outstanding change of pace and direction with the ball, shifty, great use of ball fakes
• Versatile threat in the half court, can create own shot in isolation or post up, effective spot up shooter coming off ball screens
• Aggressive attack mode, very confident, can get in the zone, gets points in spurts, great upside as a scorer

 

• Rail thin build for a forward, needs to build 10-15 lb.s of muscle to his frame, adding upper body strength, gets pushed around
• Questionable shot selection, takes tough looks under duress with pressure in the face, can get too overconfident
• Recovering from injury, lacks great athleticism and explosiveness, very par NBA athlete
• Struggles with consistency, made fair share of freshman mistakes, commits silly turnovers and fouls, needs to make a few shots to get his game going

Long Story Short: Super long forward who shuts down the paint defensively with his ability to alter and block shots around the basket, in addition to using his length with a strong motor to crash the boards. Henson has a lot of work to do filling out his body and continuing to refine his perimeter shooting touch, but he has some great NBA post skills and the length to make him an impact player at the next level.

Best Case Scenario: Ed Davis meets Ekpe Udoh

Worst Case Scenario: Brandan Wright 

• Imposing defensive post presence, routinely alters shots around the basket, great shot blocker with nice anticipation, instincts and timing (3.2 blk. as soph.)
• Superb rebounder thanks to length, strong motor, positioning and decent leaping ability, excellent on the offensive glass (3.2 off reb., 10.1 reb. as soph.)
• Budding post game, has some nice back to basket moves, patient around the rim, good handles for a big, touch around the basket, patient
• Great defensive discipline, doesn’t bite on many bite pump fakes and rarely gets into foul trouble, great job going straight up and putting a body on his man

• Struggles with his perimeter shooting touch, miserable shooter beyond 15 feet and from the free throw line (47.9% as soph.)
• Post game is a work in progress, needs to trust his face up jumper more and learn how to handle double teams in the post, forces shots in traffic around the basket
• Lacks explosiveness and great athleticism, only decent mobility for a big, length inhibits his quickness and change of direction to a degree

 Long Story Short: Clutch player who excels with his smart, efficient style to routinely set himself up for a midrange jumper, drain the deep 3-ball and take over games when he gets hot down the stretch.  In addition to having a great build for an NBA swingman at the SG/SF position, Barnes has great upside as a ‘go to’ player in the league and worthy of top pick consideration in 2012 but does needs to refine his ball handling and ability to penetrate defenses.

 

Best Case Scenario: Danny Granger

Worst Case Scenario: rich man’s Travis Outlaw

• Great size at 6’8″ for a perimeter player at SG/SF, 6’11″ wingspan, great frame to build muscle on, solid athlete, body control
• Excellent off the triple threat and at creating space for a jumper, nice step back dribble, has ability to isolate and score on any possession, great off ball
• Smooth Scorers, has the physical tools and budding skill set of an NBA swingman, competitive, efficient and smart (15.6 pt.s per game as a freshman)
• Clutch shooter and ’go to’ player down the stretch, reliable in crunch time, thrives under pressure packed situations, made a number of game winners as a freshman

• Not an athletically elite perimeter player for a star, lacks great explosiveness relative to NBA peers
• Ball handling and creating off the dribble, struggles to penetrate the defense and create for others
• Becomes too reliant on his jumper, needs to attack the basket more often where he seems at his best (only 3.4 free throw attempts per game as a freshman)

 Long Story Short: Calculated, pass first PG with incredible court vision, elite passing ability, quick hands and knack for setting up his teammates. What he lacks in athleticism is made up for with intelligent play and decision making, and while perhaps too unselfish at times, has what it takes to be solid point guard at the next level.

 

Best Case Scenario: Jose Calderon with shades of Jason Kidd

Worst Case Scenario: less athletic Ramon Sessions

• High basketball IQ; calm, composed and calculated, smart decision maker, ‘pass first’ PG, plays a step ahead of the defense
• Incredible court vision, precision passer, unselfish, looks to set up teammates regularly, solid pick and roll PG, quick hands (6.2 ast. as freshman)
• Legit perimeter shooting threat, smooth lefty stroke, has NBA 3-point range, excels off the spot up
• Penetrator, great quickness on the floor, pushes the tempo on offense, ability to create for others, changes gears effectively, quick burst

• Not an elite athlete, lacks explosiveness and great speed, quick but not fast end to end, very average athleticism
• Can get caught forcing the occasional pass and try to make too much happen (2.5 turnovers as freshman)
• Only decent lateral quickness, slow to recover defensively, gets beat by quicker defenders, will have to rely on smarts and positioning to get by