fictional draft class

FICTIONAL DRAFT CLASS

SCOUTING REPORTBy: BBlom13

NCAA Season Recap

Championship Game: Virginia Tech 70 Kansas 62 AP Player of the Year: Jamon Vaughn, Wisconsin

First Team All-Americans PG Percy Rhodes- Virginia Tech SG Jamaal Reese- VCU SF Jamon Vaughn- Wisconsin PF Jordan Aldridge- Murray State C Kelvin Shaw- Cal

Second Team All-Americans PG Wesley Cannon- Davidson SG Lionel Holmes- Stephen F. Austin SF Leo Gatling- Illinois PF Samuel Weber- Colorado State C Loren Kay- Pittsburgh

Class at a glance

This years class features a lot of high flying, ferocious dunkers. A ton of height in the PF/C positions, but not many projected to crack the top 10 spots. A more experienced class: having only two freshman in the ESPN top 10, and six upper-classmen. Seems to be decent potential scattered throughout.

#1- SF Jamon Vaughn

BIOVAUGHN IS A TRUE ENIGMA IN TERMS OF BEING A DRAFT PROSPECT. AS A HIGHLY-TOUTED RECRUIT HE SHOCKED THE WORLD BY SIGNING WITH WISCONSIN, A TEAM WITH A SYSTEM THAT COULDN'T BE WORSE FOR MAXIMIZING HIS GREATEST TALENT: HIS ATHLETICISM. NOT ONLY DID HE SIGN WITH A TEAM WHOSE STYLE DOESN'T FIT HIM, HE CAME BACK TO SCHOOL (TWICE!) WHEN HE WAS SUREFIRE LOTTERY PICK IN EACH OF THE PAST TWO DRAFTS. FOR THOSE REASONS YOU CAN SEE THAT HE CLEARLY VALUES IMPROVING HIS GAME AND IT HAS WORKED WELL AS HE'S IMPROVED HIS JUMPER AND DEFENSIVE FUNDAMENTALS A GREAT DEAL IN HIS 3 YEARS AT WISCONSIN. BUT FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS SUCH A CLEAR MIND IN TERMS OF IMPROVING AT BASKETBALL, IT'S SHOCKING TO SEE HIS OVERALL LACK OF MATURITY. HE WAS EXPELLED FROM TWO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN HIGH SCHOOL, WAS GIVEN THREE MINORS IN HIS FRESHMAN YEAR ALONE, AND DURING HIS SOPHOMORE SEASON PUNCHED A FAN IN A PARKING LOT AFTER A LOSS. HE'S ALSO BEEN EJECTED FROM FOUR GAMES IN HIS COLLEGE CAREER DUE TO FIGHTING, EXCESSIVE TAUNTING AND BERATING A REFEREE. HOWEVER, THIS PAST YEAR HAD NO ISSUES AND DESPITE BEING HELD-BACK IN WISCONSIN'S SYSTEM HE'S HAD A REMARKABLE COLLEGE CAREER AND STILL STANDS TO BE AN ELITE NBA PROSPECT. IF THIS KID CAN GET HIS MENTAL ISSUES STRAIGHTENED OUT HE WILL BE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN THE NBA.

AGE: 21 COLLEGE STATS:

POS: SF PPG: 17.9

HEIGHT: 6’9” APG: 1.5

WEIGHT: 220 SPG: 2.2

CLASS: JR TO: 3.7

RBG: 7.3

#1- SF Jamon Vaughn

STRENGTHS: VAUGHN IS WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A GENETIC FREAK. NOT ONLY DOES HE HAVE EXCELLENT SIZE FOR AN NBA 3 AT 6’9, BUT HIS ATHLETICISM IS OFF THE CHARTS. HE USES THAT TO HIS ADVANTAGE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, AS HE ROUTINELY BLOWS BY DEFENDERS OFF THE DRIBBLE (OR OVERPOWERS THEM) AND FINISHES WITH A HIGHLIGHT REEL DUNK. HE’S A TRUE MISMATCH WITH COMBINATION OF SIZE, ATHLETICISM AND SURPRISINGLY GOOD MIDRANGE GAME. ALSO HAS EVERY TOOL NECESSARY TO BE AN ELITE NBA DEFENDER AT THE NEXT LEVEL.

WEAKNESSES: REMEMBER WHEN I CALLED HIM A GENETIC FREAK? WELL HE’S BEEN A MENTAL ONE TOO. HIS OFF THE COURT BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN IMMATURE TO SAY THE LEAST AND HAS HAD BIG BLOWUPS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DURING GAMES. WHILE IT HAS IMPROVED YEAR BY YEAR, IT’S STILL A CONCERN. ALSO HAS A FAIRLY LOW BASKETBALL IQ WHICH LEADS TO MENTAL LAPSES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL. HE LACKS EFFICIENCY AS A SCORER AT THIS POINT, AND TURNS IT OVER AT A HIGH RATE.

COMPARISON: RUDY GAY


POS: SF PPG: 17.9



CLASS: JR TO: 3.7

RBG: 7.3

#2- PG Percy Rhodes

BIORHODES IS ONE OF THOSE GUYS YOU JUST CAN’T HELP BUT ROOT FOR DUE TO WHAT HE HAS GONE THROUGH. SPENDING MOST OF HIS LIFE IN AN ORPHANAGE OR ON THE STREET; THE ONE THING THAT KEPT HIM GOING WAS HIS LOVE FOR THE GAME OF BASKETBALL AND HIS DREAM OF PLAYING IN THE NBA. HE HAS NEVER MET HIS PARENTS, AND HIS ONLY SIBLING, HIS SISTER, SPENT YEARS DEALING WITH VARIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS. DESPITE LIVING UNDER LESS THAN IDEAL CONDITIONS, RHODES NEVER GAVE IN TO THE PRESSURE SURROUNDING HIM TO GET INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. HE JUGGLED SPENDING HIS TIME WORKING DIFFERENT JOBS TO AID HIS SISTER, DOING HIS SCHOOLWORK AND STILL PRACTICING HIS GAME FROM ABOUT 8TH GRADE UNTIL THIS PAST YEAR. HE EVENTUALLY EARNED HIS WAY TO A SCHOLARSHIP AT A PREP SCHOOL FOR HIS EXCELLENT GRADES AND DECIDED TO JOIN THE BASKETBALL TEAM IN HIS JUNIOR SEASON OF HIGH SCHOOL. DESPITE NEVER PLAYING IN AN ORGANIZED LEAGUE BEFORE RHODES SEEMINGLY HAD A SIXTH SENSE FOR UNDERSTANDING THE GAME AND SEEING THINGS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY HAPPEN. THIS LED TO HIM EARNING NATIONAL ACCLAIM AND BEING NAMED THE GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN HIS SENIOR SEASON. RHODES HAS ALSO SHOWN A CERTAIN CHARISMA THAT JUST MAKES HIM ALL THE MORE LIKABLE, AND SEEMS LIKE A GUY DESTINED FROM BIRTH TO BE A GREAT PLAYER AND A GREAT PERSON FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.


POS: PG PPG: 15.2



CLASS: FR TO: 2.2

RBG: 1.5

#2- PG Percy Rhodes

STRENGTHS: RHODES HAS A TRULY SENSATIONAL FEEL FOR THE GAME. HE SMOOTHLY RUNS THE OFFENSE HE’S IN TO PERFECTION WITH HIS OUTSTANDING COURT VISION AND PLAYMAKING ABILITY. HE HAS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FLASH TO HIS GAME SO YOU WILL SEE SOME REMARKABLE PLAYS, BUT NOT MANY OF THE BONEHEAD DECISIONS THAT FOLLOW. HE HAS A YO-YO LIKE HANDLE THAT ALLOWS HIM TO GET PAST HIS MANY AT ANY TIME HE PLEASES AND CAN USE EITHER HAND EQUALLY WELL WHILE DRIVING. HE HAS A GREAT BUILD FOR HIS SIZE AND HAS THE NECESSARY ATHLETIC ABILITY TO BE A VERY GOOD DEFENDER, AS WELL AS MAKE DEFENDERS RESPECT HIS ABILITY TO GET BY THEM.

WEAKNESSES: NOT OFTEN WILL YOU SEE 5’10 PG’S GO VERY HIGH, ESPECIALLY IF THEY AREN’T ELITE ATHLETES (WHICH RHODES IS NOT). FOR HIS SIZE HIS LACK OF A JUMP SHOT IS VERY CONCERNING AND COULD MAKE HIM ONE-DIMENSIONAL ON OFFENSE. TO BECOME THE GREAT PLAYER HE DESIRES TO BE HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO IMPROVE HIS OVERALL SCORING ABILITY AND MAKE DEFENDERS RESPECT HIM OUTSIDE THE PAINT.

COMPARISON: RAJON RONDO


POS: PG PPG: 15.2



CLASS: FR TO: 2.2

RBG: 1.5

#3- PF Wayne Fitzgerald

BIOFITZGERALD SEEMS TO FIT THE PART OF A TEAM MASCOT. IT’S ALL JOKES WITH THIS GUY. ON AND OFF THE COURT. HE WAS QUOTED SAYING “IT’S FUN, HELPS ME FORGET ABOUT MY PAST. HELPS ME REALIZE EVERYTHING IS ALRIGHT NOW!” A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON ON FITZGERALD. HE HAD A ROCKY RELATIONSHIP THEN EVENTUALLY NO RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS DAD, WHO HAD A MAJOR DRUG ADDICTION. WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE HE ISN’T AFRAID TO SHARE THAT “NAH MAN, I CAN BE HONEST. WHY SHOULDN’T TELL THIS STORY? LOOK AT ME NOW! I BET HE WISHED HE DIDN’T LEAVE NOW. HAHA. JUST LOOKING TO MAKE MY MOM PROUD NOW!” ASIDE FROM ALL HIS ON-COURT ANTICS HE MANAGED AN 18.5 PPG AND 7.4 RBG SEASON. IT’S LIKE HAVING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, EVERYONE LOVES SOMEONE WHO CAN MAKE THEM LAUGH. DEFINITELY A SOLID SKILL SET HEADING INTO THE DRAFT.


POS: PF PPG: 18.5



CLASS: SR BPG: 1.1

RBG: 7.4

#3- PF Wayne Fitzgerald

STRENGTHS: FITZGERALD IS AN INTERESTING COMBO FORWARD WHO HAS A NICE ARRAY OF SKILLS. OFFENSIVELY HE IS POISED AND HAS A VERY GOOD SHOT SELECTION. HE USES A COMBINATION OF WAYS TO SCORE EFFECTIVELY, MAINLY WITH HIS MIDRANGE GAME, AND HIS EXCELLENT ABILITY TO FINISH AT THE RIM. HE HAS THE POST MOVES AND FOOTWORK TO BE AN EFFECTIVE NBA PF, AND HE’LL BE ABLE TO DRAW DEFENDERS OUT WITH AFOREMENTIONED MIDRANGE GAME.

WEAKNESSES: HE’S A BIT SHORT FOR THE PF POSITION, BUT DOESN’T REALLY HAVE THE OUTSIDE CAPABILITIES TO BE A FULL-TIME WING EITHER WITH HIS LACK OF BALL-HANDLING AND THREE POINT SHOT. FOR A GUY WITH HIS BUILD HE’S DECEPTIVELY WEAK. HE REMAINS A POOR FREE THROW SHOOTER DESPITE HAVING AN EXCELLENT MIDRANGE JUMPER, AND DEFENSIVELY HE’S NOT NEARLY AS AWARE AS HE IS ON OFFENSE. SENIORS THAT ARE TWEENERS TYPICALLY AREN’T HIGHLY-COVETED PLAYERS.

COMPARISON: MARCUS MORRIS


POS: PF PPG: 18.5



CLASS: SR BPG: 1.1

RBG: 7.4

#4- SF Leo Gatling

BIOGATLING WAS A HIGHLY RECRUITED SMALL FORWARD HIS SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL WHERE HE SET SINGLE SEASON SCORING RECORDS AND ESPECIALLY AFTER AN IMPRESSIVE SHOWING IN THE PLAYOFFS. LATER STATING HE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO COMMIT TO A TEAM IN HIS HOME STATE HE SIGNED WITH ILLINOIS TO COMPETE IN A VERY COMPETITIVE BIG TEN CONFERENCE. FROM DAY ONE HE WAS LOOKED AT AS THE CORE OF THE ILLINI TEAM AS WELL AS A FAN FAVORITE, BUT STRUGGLED TO EVER MAKE IT PAST THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT. UNLIKE A LOT OF TOP COLLEGE ATHLETES HE’S VERY CALM AND COLLECTIVE ON THE COURT AND HAS NO HISTORY OF ANY TROUBLE WITH HIS ATTITUDE. PERFECT FOR THE FACE OF A FRANCHISE. IN AN INTERVIEW A FEW WEEKS AFTER HE ANNOUNCED HE WAS HEADED TO THE NBA WHEN ASKED IF HE WAS HOPING TO GET DRAFTED IN HIS HOME STATE HE SAID “I’LL BE HAPPY TO PLAY FOR WHOEVER DRAFTS ME, NO COMPLAINTS HERE”. GATLING HAS A GREAT ATTITUDE THAT ALL THE SCOUTS SEEM TO LOVE, MAKING HIM AN EARLY TARGET IN THIS YEARS NBA DRAFT.


POS: SF PPG: 16.5



CLASS: JR TO: 2.9

RBG: 4.2

#4- SF Leo Gatling

STRENGTHS: GATLING HAS A GREAT FRAME AT 6’7 AND ALMOST 240 POUNDS AND HAS THE LENGTH TO GUARD BOTH WING SPOTS. TO GO ALONG WITH HIS SIZE, HE IS DEADLY FROM LONG RANGE AND CAN KNOCK DOWN MIDRANGE SHOTS AS WELL. HE’S VERY ADEPT AT USING SCREENS TO GET GOOD LOOKS AND KNOCK THEM DOWN CONSISTENTLY. HE LIKES TO TAKE WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES HIM INSTEAD OF FORCING THINGS AND IF ALL ELSE FAILS HE’S STILL A GOOD ATHLETE WHO IS A VERY EXPLOSIVE LEAPER.

WEAKNESSES: GATLING STRUGGLES TO CREATE HIS OWN OFFENSE, AND RELIES ON USING SCREENS AND CUTS FOR HIS GOOD LOOKS AS HE HAS A WEAK HANDLE. HE STRUGGLES TO CONSISTENTLY FINISH AT THE RIM. DESPITE HIS SIZE, ATHLETIC ABILITY, AND SOLID BASKETBALL IQ HE ISN’T MUCH OF A DEFENDER AT THIS POINT, BUT THAT’S PROBABLY DUE TO A LACK OF EFFORT ON THAT END. FOR A GUY WITH HIS FRAME AND EXPLOSIVENESS, HE’S A SOFT PLAYER AND PLAYER TO SPOT UP RATHER THAN ATTACK. HE REALLY LACKS THE ABILITY TO PASS ON THE WINGS AND IS PRETTY TURNOVER PRONE FOR A GUY WHO DOESN’T LIKE TO FORCE ANYTHING.

COMPARISON: DORELL WRIGHT


POS: SF PPG: 16.5



CLASS: JR TO: 2.9

RBG: 4.2

#5- PF Samuel Weber

BIOTHE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT WEBER IS HIS OUTSTANDING SIZE. WHAT HEAD COACH WOULDN’T LIKE HAVING A 6’11’, 241 POUND POWER FORWARD ON THEIR SQUAD? QUITE A FEW WOULDN’T AFTER MEETING WITH HIM OR TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT HIS PROGRESSION AS A PLAYER THROUGHOUT HIS 4 YEARS AT COLORADO STATE. HE SEEMS TO LACK A WILLINGNESS TO IMPROVE HIS GAME, AND OPENLY ADMITTED THAT THE ONLY REASON HE STAYED 4 YEARS AT COLORADO STATE WAS TO GET MORE MONEY IN THE NBA. MAYBE HE DOESN’T PLAY FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, BUT ALL THAT INFORMATION ASIDE HE STILL SEEMS TO BE WANTED EARLY IN THE DRAFT. MAYBE THEY’RE HOPING HIS WORK ETHIC CHANGES. WEBER HAS ALWAYS BEEN NOTICED FOR BEING A BULLY ON THE COURT. NOT IN THE WAY OF A BAD ATTITUDE, BUT IN THE SENSE THAT HE BULLIES PEOPLE AROUND AND USUALLY GETS HIS WAY IN THE POST. THAT DOESN’T GO UNNOTICED BY ANY SCOUT. SOME MAY CALL HIM “RISKY” OR “A PROJECT”, BUT UNDER THE RIGHT COACHING STAFF IT WILL ALL WORK OUT, RIGHT?


POS: PF PPG: 10.4



CLASS: SR BPG: 1.0

RBG: 11.1

#5- PF Samuel Weber

STRENGTHS: WEBER HAS TREMENDOUS SIZE AT 6’11 WITH A SEEMINGLY ENDLESS WINGSPAN THAT REACHES OUT TO AROUND 7’5. HE USES THOSE LONG ARMS AS WELL AS SOFT HANDS TO DOMINATE THE GLASS ON BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR. REBOUNDING IS THE MOST TRANSITIONAL SKILL IN BASKETBALL, AND WEBER HAS THAT. HIS FRAME IS A BIT LEAN, BUT HIS POWERFUL LEGS AND IS MUCH STRONGER THEN HE APPEARS. HE LEAVES EVERYTHING HE HAS OUT ON THE FLOOR AND IS USUALLY THE HARDEST WORKING GUY OUT THERE. DEFENSIVELY HE WILL USUALLY BE IN POSITION AND HAS A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT TO DO IN MOST SITUATIONS.

WEAKNESSES: HE IS A SURPRISINGLY POOR SHOT-BLOCKER DESPITE HAVING ALL THE TOLLS TO BE AN EXCELLENT ONE. ON OFFENSE HE LIKES TO DRIFT AROUND THE PERIMETER AND ACT LIKE A WING WHEN HE REALLY HAS NO BUSINESS BEING OUT THERE. DOESN’T UNDERSTAND MOST CONCEPTS ON OFFENSE AND WILL NEVER BE MORE THAN A 5TH OPTION SCORER. DOESN’T HAVE A HORRIBLE POST GAME, BUT IT’S SLIGHTLY BELOW AVERAGE AND HE WHEN ACTUALLY MATCHED UP WITH A MAN DEFENSIVELY HE USUALLY LOSES THAT BATTLE WHEN HE CAN’T USE HIS LENGTH AND STRENGTH TO BOTHER THEM.

COMPARISON: JAVALE MCGEE


POS: PF PPG: 10.4



CLASS: SR BPG: 1.0

RBG: 11.1

#6- C Kelvin Shaw

BIOKELVIN MOVED FAR AWAY FROM HIS HOME IN BALTIMORE TO GO PLAY BALL IN CALIFORNIA SAYING HE NEEDED TO “DO HIS OWN THING”. UNFORTUNATELY THAT ONLY MEANT BAD THINGS. RUNNING INTO TROUBLE NOT ONLY WITH THE UNIVERSITY, BUT ALSO THE POLICE. FOR A RANGE OF REASONS INCLUDING DRUGS, BREAKING INTO DORMS ON CAMPUS AND JUST NOT GETTING ALONG WITH MOST EVERYBODY. IT’S PROBABLY A GOOD THING HE LEFT AFTER 1 SEASON. HIS IMMATURITY SEEMS TO BE HIS ROAD BLOCK AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF THAT DISAPPEARING. YOU WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO TELL ANY OF THAT ON THE COURT, HE KEEPS HIS COOL PRETTY WELL. HIS DEFENSIVE ABILITY SEEMS TO BE THE SOLE REASON HE HAS SUCH A HIGH DRAFT STOCK, NO ONE CAN DENY THAT, HE IS PROJECTED 6TH AFTER ALL. EVEN AFTER HAVING RECENT TROUBLE WHEN HIS PRE-DRAFT “CELEBRATION” PARTY GOT BUSTED. HE TURNED DOWN A CHANCE TO TALK WITH MEDIA AND NOT MANY PEOPLE SEEMED TO LIKE THAT. ALL IN ALL, A DEFENSIVE MONSTER AND A HANDFUL OTHERWISE.


POS: C PPG: 9.3

HEIGHT: 6’11” BPG: 3.7


CLASS: FR TO: 2.1

RBG: 8.2

#6- C Kelvin Shaw

STRENGTH: SHAW IS THE TYPICAL RAW PROSPECT IN EACH CLASS THAT CAN EITHER TURN INTO A SUPERSTAR OR BE A MONUMENTAL BUST. AT ONLY 19 YEARS OLD HE HAS GREAT SIZE, WITH GOOD STRENGTH AND A NICELY DEVELOPING FRAME. HE’S A GOOD ATHLETE FOR HIS SIZE AND LOVES TO THROW DOWN HIGHLIGHT REEL DUNKS WHEN HE GETS THE CHANCE. HE GETS A GOOD PORTION OF HIS POINTS FROM HIS OFFENSIVE REBOUNDING ABILITY, AND IS GOOD ON THE OTHER END AS WELL. FOR SUCH A YOUNG PLAYER HE UNDERSTANDS THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL WELL, AND ARGUABLY THE BEST SHOT-BLOCKER AND INTERIOR DEFENDER IN THE ENTIRE CLASS, WITH ROOM TO GROW.

WEAKNESSES: SHAW SHOWS NO OFFENSIVE ABILITY WHATSOEVER OTHER THAN GATHERING PUT-BACKS AND THROWING DOWN A FEW SWEET DUNKS. HE CAN’T SHOOT OR HANDLE, BUT HE STILL LIKES TO TRY ANYWAY, AND DOESN’T UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF PASSING VERY WELL. HE’S GOING TO MAKE A LOT OF MISTAKES ON THAT SIDE OF THE BALL AND FOR AS GOOD AS HE IS DEFENSIVELY, HE’S EQUALLY BAD WHEN HE HAS THE BALL IN HIS HANDS ON OFFENSE. HE TAKES A LOT OF BAD SHOTS, AND DOESN’T UNDERSTAND HIS LIMITS VERY WELL AS A PLAYER, NEEDS TO RIDE AN NBA BENCH FOR A WHILE TO LEARN THE ROPES BECAUSE HE IS A DEFINITE PROJECT.

COMPARISON: LARRY SANDERS


POS: C PPG: 9.3



CLASS: FR TO: 2.1

RBG: 8.2

#7- SG Lionel Holmes

BIOHOLMES MAY BE THE MOST LEVEL-HEADED, MATURE PLAYER ENTERING THIS YEARS DRAFT. HE GLADLY TOOK HIS ONLY SCHOLARSHIP OFFER AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, AND DEFINITELY MADE THE MOST OF IT. MOST PLAYERS WITH HIS SCORING ABILITY DON’T STAY AT SCHOOL FOR 4 YEARS AND WHEN ASKED WHY HE RESPONDED WITH “I’VE GOT A DAUGHTER, MAN. WHAT HAPPENED IF BASKETBALL DOESN’T PAN OUT? I’VE GOTTA HAVE A BACK UP PLAN. I WANTED TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR HER, AND I DID. IT’S ALL FOR HER.” GREAT PERSON, PLAYER AND FATHER, HOLMES SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT HIS HARD WORK PAID OFF AND GOT HIM A TOP 10 PROJECTION. IT’S HARD NOT TO BE A FAN OF HIS. MAYBE ONE OF HIS BEST QUALITIES IS HIS ABILITY TO STAY HUMBLE, NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN SAY THAT IN HIS POSITION. WASN’T AFRAID TO SHOW HIS EXCITEMENT WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE DRAFT HE SAID “OH MAN! OH MAN! I CAN’T WAIT! AHHHH!” NOT SAYING MUCH, BUT SHOWING UNDENIABLE EXCITEMENT.


POS: SG PPG: 23.6



CLASS: SR TO: 3.8

RBG: 2.4

#7- SG Lionel Holmes

STRENGTHS: HOLMES HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE PLAYERS IN THE COUNTRY FOR FOUR YEARS AND IS THE DEFINITION OF A SCORER. HE HAS BEAUTIFUL SHOOTING MECHANICS THAT ALLOW HIM TO HIT SHOTS FROM ANYWHERE ON THE COURT. HE’S A GOOD ATHLETE WHO IS VERY CREATIVE AROUND THE RIM TO AVOID BEING BLOCKED AND FINISHES WELL THERE. LOVES TO USE ONE TO TWO DRIBBLES AND PULL UP FROM THREE OR FROM JUST OUTSIDE THE FREE THROW LINE TO KNOCK DOWN HIS SHOTS. HE TRIES VERY HARD ON THE COURT AND GETS AFTER IT DEFENSIVELY. WHILE HE WON’T BE A LOCKDOWN GUY IN THE NBA HE’LL BE BOTHERSOME AND BRING AN INFECTIOUS ATTITUDE TO THE COURT EVERY TIME HE PLAYS.

WEAKNESSES: HE GOT INTO THE PAINT A LOT IN COLLEGE DOWN TO BEING A GOOD ATHLETE IN A POOR CONFERENCE BUT THAT WON’T WORK IN THE NBA. HIS HANDLE ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH FOR HIM TO CREATE THE SEPARATION NEEDED TO GET GOOD LOOKS. HE’S UNDERSIZED AT 6’3 WITH SHORT ARMS AND DOESN’T HAVE THE PLAYMAKING ABILITY TO MOVE OVER TO THE PG POSITION. HE’S ALSO RAIL THIN WITH VERY LITTLE STRENGTH AD IS GOING TO BE CONSTANTLY BULLIED AT THE NEXT LEVEL UNTIL HE CAN GAIN WEIGHT AND STRENGTH. AS A SHOOTER HE’S MORE STREAKY THEN GOOD AND THAT’S GOING TO HURT HIS MINUTES IF HE DOESN’T START OUT HOT.

COMPARISON: E’TWAUN MOORE


POS: SG PPG: 23.6



CLASS: SR TO: 3.8

RBG: 2.4

#8- PF Jordan Aldridge

BIOA SURPRISE OUT OF MURRAY STATE, ALDRIDGE STANDS AT 7’0” AND PLAYS LIKE IT. HASN’T MISSED A HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE GAME EITHER. SURPRISED A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN COMMITTING TO A LESSER PROGRAM AT MURRAY STATE SAYING “I DON’T NEED A BIG PROGRAM TO GET ME TO THE NBA” AND ‘I WANT TO SHOW PEOPLE YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE AND STILL SHINE. I PROMISE EVERYONE WILL KNOW ME WHEN I’M DONE HERE” CALL HIM COCKY, BUT IT WASN’T A LIE. LET’S JUST HOPE THAT COCKINESS DOESN’T GET HIM INTO TROUBLE WHEN ENTERING THE NBA STYLE OF PLAY. I’M SURE HE WOULD TELL EVERYONE HE’LL SHINE THERE NO PROBLEM AS WELL, ONLY TIME WILL TELL. NO WORD FROM HIM AS HE SAID MEDIA AND REPORTERS DON’T DESERVE HIS ATTENTION, BUT HE WAS HEARD YELLING “JORDAN ALDRIDGE, BABY! YOUR NUMBER ONE OVERALL PICK, YEAHHHH!” MAYBE A BIT OF A STRETCH, BUT HE’S BEEN RIGHT BEFORE.


POS: PF PPG: 12.6


WEIGHT: 231 BPG: 3.4

CLASS: SO TO: 2.6

RBG: 9.7

#8- PF Jordan Aldridge

STRENGTHS: THERE IS ALWAYS A DEMAND FOR YOUNG 7 FOOTERS, AND ALDRIDGE FITS THE BILL. HE’S A FEROCIOUS DUNKER WHO LOVES POSTERIZING OPPONENTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. HE ACTUALLY HAS A BIT OF SKILL TOO, WITH THE FOUNDATION OF A NICE MIDRANGE JUMP SHOT IN PLACE AND A SLOWLY DEVELOPING POST GAME. HE’S VERY ACTIVE ON THE FLOOR, ESPECIALLY ON THE BOARDS WHICH LEAD TO A GOOD PORTION OF HIS POINTS. HE HAS A NATURAL SHOT-BLOCKING INSTINCT THAT YOU CAN’T TEACH IS A HARD WORKER OFF THE COURT. HE MADE VAST IMPROVEMENTS IN NEARLY EVERY AREA IN HIS SOPHOMORE SEASON AND HIS CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT IS SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

WEAKNESSES: HE’S STILL A RAW PLAYER AT BEST RIGHT NOW. HE’S THIN FOR A 7 FOOTER AND NEEDS TO ADD MASS BADLY IF HE’S GOING TO BANG DOWN LOW AGAINST NBA C’S. HIS AWARENESS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL IS A BIT UNDERDEVELOPED BUT HE HAS TIME TO GROW IN THAT AREA. DEFENSIVELY HE GAMBLES TOO MUCH FOR BLOCKED SHOTS AND GETS INTO FOUL TROUBLE OFTEN. HE WASN’T ANYTHING SPECTACULAR IN TERMS OF DEFENDING IN COLLEGE, SO IT’S EXPECTED THAT HE’LL STRUGGLE THERE EARLY IN HIS NBA CAREER. HE’S GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING MINUTES BECAUSE HE CAN’T SCORE OR DEFEND AT A HIGH LEVEL AT THIS POINT. IF GROOMED PROPERLY HE COULD BE A STAR, BUT IT LOOKS UNLIKELY.

COMPARISON: DERRICK FAVORS


POS: PF PPG: 12.6


WEIGHT: 231 BPG: 3.4

CLASS: SO TO: 2.6

RBG: 9.7

#9- SG Jamaal Reese

BIOJAMAAL REESE HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A FAN FAVORITE EVERYWHERE HE PLAYS, BUT HAS A HARD TIME PLAYING A FULL SEASON. HIS RIGHT KNEE BEING THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM MOST OF THE TIME. HE WORKS HARD, AND WANTS IT BUT HE MAY BE LIMITED. CRAZIER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED I SUPPOSE. REESE ALSO PLAYED FOOTBALL AT VCU AT THE WR POSITION, BUT STUCK WITH BASKETBALL ONLY HIS SENIOR YEAR TO TRY TO IMPROVE HIS DRAFT STOCK. IT WORKED, BUT NOT WITHOUT THE WORRY OF COURSE. HE TRIES TELLING EVERYONE NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT, BUT AS WE HAVE FIGURED OUT, HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF. MAYBE THERE IS HOPE THOUGH, ONLY ONE MINOR INJURY EARLY HIS SENIOR YEAR AND WE WENT ON TO BE NAMED A FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN!


POS: SG PPG: 19.1



CLASS: SR TO: 4.1

RBG: 4.3

#9- SG Jamaal Reese

STRENGTHS: REESE HAS COME A LONG WAYS FROM WHEN HE FIRST STEPPED FOOT AT VCU AS JUST A RAW ATHLETE. NOW A SENIOR, HE COMBINES SIZE, ATHLETICISM AND A NICE SCORING REPERTOIRE TO BE EFFECTIVE ON THE OFFENSIVE END. HIS HANDLE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR HIM TO CREATE FOR HIMSELF, AND HE HAS THE ABILITY TO KNOCK DOWN SHOTS FROM MIDRANGE AND BEHIND THE ARC. HE USES PUMP FAKES ON JUMPERS VERY WELL TO SET UP DRIVES TO THE HOOP AND ALTHOUGH HE STRUGGLES FINISHING, HE GETS TO THE LINE OFTEN AND IS AUTOMATIC FROM THE LINE. HE’S AN IMPRESSIVE ATHLETE WHO HAS THE OVERALL GAME TO LONGTIME STARTER AT THE NEXT LEVEL.

WEAKNESSES: REESE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO GET SHOT-HAPPY AT TIMES AND IS SOMETHING HE REALLY NEEDS TO CORRECT. HE’S INJURY PRONE AND WHEN HE’S ON THE COURT ONLY TRIES HARD ON ONE END. EVEN IF HE DID TRY ON DEFENSE MORE OFTEN HE STILL DOESN’T HAVE THE AWARENESS TO BE GOOD ON THAT END OF THE FLOOR. HE’S WEAK FOR HIS SIZE AND CAN GET BULLIED AROUND EASILY AND FOR A GUY WHO HAS THE BALL IN HIS HANDS AS OFTEN AS HE DOES, HE HASN’T LEARNED HOW TO PASS AT ALL.

COMPARISON: NICK YOUNG


POS: SG PPG: 19.1



CLASS: SR TO: 4.1

RBG: 4.3

#10- C Damien Ryan

BIORYAN HAS MADE THE MOST OF HIS SECOND CHANCE. HE ORIGINALLY HAD A SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMITTED TO PENN STATE, BUT IT GOT RESCINDED WHEN HE GOT IN TROUBLE FIGHTING A PLAYER ON THE COURT AND HOSPITALIZING HIM. AFTER ATTENDING ANGER MANAGEMENT HE PICKED UP BALL AGAIN HIS SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND EARNED A SCHOLARSHIP TO TENNESSEE. WHILE HIS ATTITUDE WAS BETTER, HE STILL IS DEEMED AS A BIT UNPREDICTABLE, AND KIND OF SCARY. YOU WON’T FIND MANY GUYS LOOKING FORWARD TO DEFENDING HIM. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND ANGER MANAGEMENT HE SAID “COME ON MAN, REALLY? I SAID I DIDN’T WANT NONE OF THAT!” AND STORMED OFF. NOT A PROMISING SIGN, BUT HE LATER APOLOGIZED. SEEMS TO BE A SCARY MAN, INDEED.


POS: C PPG: 13.5



CLASS: FR TO: 3.7

RBG: 14.6

#10- C Damien Ryan

STRENGTHS: OF ALL THE BIGS IN THE DRAFT, RYAN HAS THE BEST FRAME AT 265 POUNDS. HE’S GOT A STURDY AND POWERFUL BUILD THAT ALLOWS HIM TO BULLY OPPONENTS AROUND DOWN LOW AND USES HIS EXTRAORDINARY LENGTH TO SNATCH REBOUNDS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE CLASS. HE’S A GOOD SHOT BLOCKER WHO IS AN ABOVE AVERAGE FINISHER AROUND THE RIM. HIS EFFORT ON THE FLOOR IS GOING TO MAKE HIM ONE OF THE BEST REBOUNDERS IN THE NBA WHEN HE ARRIVES. HAS DECENT FORM ON HIS SHOT AND CAN ACTUALLY KNOCK DOWN A FEW SHORT SHOTS WHICH ONLY ADD TO HIS TREMENDOUS VALUE.

WEAKNESSES: LIKE MANY OTHER IN THIS CLASS, HE’S YOUNG AND TALL, BUT HAS HARDLY ANY SKILL. IN TERMS OF BASKETBALL IQ, HE’S AMONG THE WORST IN THE DRAFT AND HE HAS IMMATURITY ISSUES TO BOOT. HE HAS ALL THE TALENT YOU COULD EVER WANT, BUT HE SEVERELY LACKS THE MENTAL ASPECT NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE NBA. HIS FOOTWORK IS ATROCIOUS AND HE WILDLY FLINGS UP SHOTS WITH NO PRAYER OF GOING IN WHEN HE’S FORCED TO PLAY WITH HIS BACK TO THE BASKET. NOT AN EFFICIENT PLAYER AT ALL, AND IS SUPER FOUL PRONE ON BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR. HE NEEDS TO SIT FOR AT LEAST A YEAR OR TWO AND BE SENT TO A VETERAN TEAM TO MATURE IF YOU WANT HIM TO REACH HIS AWESOME POTENTIAL.

COMPARISON: TYSON CHANDLER


POS: C PPG: 13.5



CLASS: FR TO: 3.7

RBG: 14.6

THANKS TO Y2G FOR HELP WITH THE BACK STORIES,

STATS, AND STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES

fictional draft class

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