rynesandbergfan23
Bench Warmer
Jeff Goodman / FOXSports.com
No-brainers
Greg Oden, 7-0, C, Fr., Ohio State C'mon. There is nowhere for the big 7-foot freshman to go except down. He is the consensus No. 1 overall pick and he was impressive despite missing the first seven games of the season after off-season wrist surgery. Sure, he enjoyed college life — but it's time for Oden to see what he can do against the big boys now.
Kevin Durant, 6-10, F, Fr., Texas The offensively-gifted forward has watched his stock rise so high that there's actually a debate whether to take him or Oden with the No. 1 overall pick. He won virtually every national award created this past season, and has little left to prove at the collegiate level after just one season. Plus, there is a mammoth shoe deal on the table from Nike that could be in the $40 million range.
The right call
Brandan Wright, 6-9 1/2, PF, Fr., North Carolina The long and talented Tar Heels freshman will almost certainly be selected in the top five, and could go third overall behind Oden and Durant. That's hard to pass up, especially because his role wouldn't have changed at all in Chapel Hill with all of his teammates returning.
Al Horford, 6-10, PF, Jr., Florida While Joakim Noah's NBA stock fell this season (how could it not with Oden and Durant in the picture?), his teammate's rose. The big power forward is considered to have a "higher upside" by NBA personnel because of his offensive skill set. Could very well be taken in the top five.
Corey Brewer, 6-8, SF, Jr., Florida Brewer's stock jumped even more than Horford's and he was the one who had to come out because of his family's financial situation. The long wing can do it all — and what separates Brewer is his length and ability to defend. Look for him to make it a threesome in the lottery for the Gator Boys.
Jeff Green, 6-8, SF, Jr., Georgetown The versatile and unselfish forward hasn't inked with an agent just yet, so he could return to the Hoyas — but our guess is he stays in the draft. He's a guy who could have averaged 20-plus points just about anywhere, but John Thompson III developed his all-around game and made him a "team guy" first and foremost.
Mike Conley Jr., 6-0, PG, Fr., Ohio State His stock will never be higher than it is right now. He's projected as the top floor leader in a draft that is weak at the point guard spot. He knows how to run a team and is a pass-first guy — which is rare these days.
Nick Young, 6-5, SG, Jr., USC The hard-nosed scoring guard wouldn't have excelled as he did this season a year from now with ballyhooed freshman guard O.J. Mayo in the fold. Young's stock is as high as it is going to get — and meshing with Mayo might have been difficult.
Would benefit from one more year
Joakim Noah, 6-11, PF/C, Jr., Florida It may sound insane, but Noah should come back. We know it's not going to happen, but Noah would be the focal point of the offense for the first time and could work on that broken down perimeter shot. With another year, he'd be more prepared for the NBA. He could also move back into the conversation for the top overall pick if NBA types saw an improved offensive game.
Julian Wright, 6-8, F, Soph., Kansas This one may have surprised a few people because the versatile forward said he would come back. However, he's almost certainly a lottery pick because of his all-around game and the intensity/energy that he brings to the court. He could have used another year to become a more effective perimeter shooter, but he can just as well do that in the pros.
Spencer Hawes, 6-11, C, Fr., Washington Has not signed with an agent and had a tough year in which he battled injuries and sickness. Not the greatest athlete, but he's ultra-skilled and will likely wow a few teams in individual workouts. Could certainly sneak into the Top 10 if he fares well in workouts, but he could be a high lottery pick if he comes back for one more season.
Roy Hibbert, 7-2, C, Jr., Georgetown There's no doubt that the big man could improve with another year, but he's almost guaranteed to go in the lottery. His development has been impressive since he began at Georgetown and he can't go wrong whether he chooses to come back or go to the NBA.
Good riddance
Josh McRoberts, 6-10, PF, Soph., Duke It was blatantly obvious that the athletic Blue Devils forward never really wanted to come back to school, anyway. He has terrible body language on the court and didn't want to be Coach K's go-to guy. He'll probably be a late first-rounder and will be a valuable piece for a contending NBA club.
Sean Williams, 6-10, C, Jr., Boston College Was booted from the team in the middle of the season. According to sources, it was another failed **** test. He's a ridiculous athlete and shot-blocker who could have gone in the lottery if he hadn't screwed up — again. Now he'll be fortunate to get chosen in the first round.
Roll of the dice
Dominic James, 5-11, PG, Soph., Marquette This is a difficult one because Kyle Lowry went much higher than people expected a year ago out of Villanova. No one thought Lowry could shoot from the perimeter, either. James can get to the hole, has high character and his shot is no worse off than Rajon Rondo's.
Taurean Green, 6-0, PG, Jr., Florida We're not going to sit here and say that the guy who led the Gators to a pair of national titles should return while the other four starters depart Gainesville. However, Green would have an opportunity to shine next year as the lone returning starter.
Javaris Crittenton, 6-5, PG, Fr., Georgia Tech There's no doubt he could use another year or even two of maturity at the point guard spot, but Crittenton is gifted enough to make the move. He's also physically mature enough to do it. It's the mental part that is concerning.
Brandon Rush, 6-6, SG/SF, Soph., Kansas He still needs to become more consistent, but his perimeter shot has vastly improved since he arrived in Lawrence, Kan. This draft isn't loaded with wings, especially with the athleticism of Rush.
Sean Singletary, 6-0, PG, Jr., Virginia This one is difficult. Singletary realizes that he's not a lock to go in the first round, but once again, this draft isn't exactly loaded with point guards — so a team in need could take him earlier than expected. He's not going to sign with an agent and see what happens in the next month.
Needs to come back
Glen Davis, 6-8, PF, Jr., LSU Davis was highly regarded this time a year ago after teaming with Tyrus Thomas to lead the Tigers to the Final Four. He was injured this season, and while he lost weight, his team didn't even make the NCAA tournament. One more year would make "Big Baby" a certain first-rounder, but we're hearing he felt he had to make the jump for family reasons so he already inked with an agent.
Daequan Cook, 6-5, SG, Fr., Ohio State His playing time decreased late in the season and one source even said the talented, yet enigmatic frosh would rather transfer than return to Columbus. With Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr., gone, Cook would have gotten his wish this year and been "The Man" at Ohio State.
DeVon Hardin, 6-11, C, Jr., Cal Here's a kid who already had his mind made up, but he suffered a season-ending foot injury, and this can only hurt him. The ultra-athletic big man needs to rehab and get 100 percent before putting himself in front of NBA types. Our guess is he'll be back in Berkeley next year.
Arron Afflalo, 6-5, SG, Jr., UCLA If he returned, the Bruins would have been the clear favorite to win the national title next season. Plus, he would have gotten plenty of open looks with passing big man Kevin Love in the middle at UCLA. Afflalo had a terrible first 30 minutes in the loss to Florida — and it never helps to struggle at the time when the games matter most. He can't come back now because he put his name in and withdrew a year ago.
Marcus Williams, 6-7, SF, Soph., Arizona The smooth Seattle native started his sophomore campaign with the intention of leaving and it showed. He isn't overly athletic, so it'll be interesting whether or not he can get into the first round. Would benefit from another year in Tucson, although I'm not sure Lute Olson would even welcome him back.
Thaddeus Young, 6-8, F, Fr., Georgia Tech With all of the frontcourt guys in this year's draft, Young figures to go somewhere in the latter half of the first round. If he returns for one more year with the Yellow Jackets, he will almost certainly be a lottery pick.
Marcelus Kemp, 6-5, SG, Jr., Nevada With Nick Fazekas gone, it'll now be the Kemp show in Reno. Mark Fox will run just about everything for the strong and versatile Kemp and it'll pay off ($$$) for him to return.
Jason Smith, 7-0, PF/C, Jr., Colorado State With all of the big men that came out who will go ahead of the skilled 7-footer, it's an easy decision for Smith to return.
James Mays, 6-9, PF, Jr., Clemson He's athletic, but not skilled enough in a big man-heavy draft. He needs to come back for his senior campaign with the Tigers.
Joseph Jones, 6-8, PF, Jr., Texas A&M Just testing the waters. He'll almost certainly be back next year with new Aggies coach Mark Turgeon.
No-brainers
Greg Oden, 7-0, C, Fr., Ohio State C'mon. There is nowhere for the big 7-foot freshman to go except down. He is the consensus No. 1 overall pick and he was impressive despite missing the first seven games of the season after off-season wrist surgery. Sure, he enjoyed college life — but it's time for Oden to see what he can do against the big boys now.
Kevin Durant, 6-10, F, Fr., Texas The offensively-gifted forward has watched his stock rise so high that there's actually a debate whether to take him or Oden with the No. 1 overall pick. He won virtually every national award created this past season, and has little left to prove at the collegiate level after just one season. Plus, there is a mammoth shoe deal on the table from Nike that could be in the $40 million range.
The right call
Brandan Wright, 6-9 1/2, PF, Fr., North Carolina The long and talented Tar Heels freshman will almost certainly be selected in the top five, and could go third overall behind Oden and Durant. That's hard to pass up, especially because his role wouldn't have changed at all in Chapel Hill with all of his teammates returning.
Al Horford, 6-10, PF, Jr., Florida While Joakim Noah's NBA stock fell this season (how could it not with Oden and Durant in the picture?), his teammate's rose. The big power forward is considered to have a "higher upside" by NBA personnel because of his offensive skill set. Could very well be taken in the top five.
Corey Brewer, 6-8, SF, Jr., Florida Brewer's stock jumped even more than Horford's and he was the one who had to come out because of his family's financial situation. The long wing can do it all — and what separates Brewer is his length and ability to defend. Look for him to make it a threesome in the lottery for the Gator Boys.
Jeff Green, 6-8, SF, Jr., Georgetown The versatile and unselfish forward hasn't inked with an agent just yet, so he could return to the Hoyas — but our guess is he stays in the draft. He's a guy who could have averaged 20-plus points just about anywhere, but John Thompson III developed his all-around game and made him a "team guy" first and foremost.
Mike Conley Jr., 6-0, PG, Fr., Ohio State His stock will never be higher than it is right now. He's projected as the top floor leader in a draft that is weak at the point guard spot. He knows how to run a team and is a pass-first guy — which is rare these days.
Nick Young, 6-5, SG, Jr., USC The hard-nosed scoring guard wouldn't have excelled as he did this season a year from now with ballyhooed freshman guard O.J. Mayo in the fold. Young's stock is as high as it is going to get — and meshing with Mayo might have been difficult.
Would benefit from one more year
Joakim Noah, 6-11, PF/C, Jr., Florida It may sound insane, but Noah should come back. We know it's not going to happen, but Noah would be the focal point of the offense for the first time and could work on that broken down perimeter shot. With another year, he'd be more prepared for the NBA. He could also move back into the conversation for the top overall pick if NBA types saw an improved offensive game.
Julian Wright, 6-8, F, Soph., Kansas This one may have surprised a few people because the versatile forward said he would come back. However, he's almost certainly a lottery pick because of his all-around game and the intensity/energy that he brings to the court. He could have used another year to become a more effective perimeter shooter, but he can just as well do that in the pros.
Spencer Hawes, 6-11, C, Fr., Washington Has not signed with an agent and had a tough year in which he battled injuries and sickness. Not the greatest athlete, but he's ultra-skilled and will likely wow a few teams in individual workouts. Could certainly sneak into the Top 10 if he fares well in workouts, but he could be a high lottery pick if he comes back for one more season.
Roy Hibbert, 7-2, C, Jr., Georgetown There's no doubt that the big man could improve with another year, but he's almost guaranteed to go in the lottery. His development has been impressive since he began at Georgetown and he can't go wrong whether he chooses to come back or go to the NBA.
Good riddance
Josh McRoberts, 6-10, PF, Soph., Duke It was blatantly obvious that the athletic Blue Devils forward never really wanted to come back to school, anyway. He has terrible body language on the court and didn't want to be Coach K's go-to guy. He'll probably be a late first-rounder and will be a valuable piece for a contending NBA club.
Sean Williams, 6-10, C, Jr., Boston College Was booted from the team in the middle of the season. According to sources, it was another failed **** test. He's a ridiculous athlete and shot-blocker who could have gone in the lottery if he hadn't screwed up — again. Now he'll be fortunate to get chosen in the first round.
Roll of the dice
Dominic James, 5-11, PG, Soph., Marquette This is a difficult one because Kyle Lowry went much higher than people expected a year ago out of Villanova. No one thought Lowry could shoot from the perimeter, either. James can get to the hole, has high character and his shot is no worse off than Rajon Rondo's.
Taurean Green, 6-0, PG, Jr., Florida We're not going to sit here and say that the guy who led the Gators to a pair of national titles should return while the other four starters depart Gainesville. However, Green would have an opportunity to shine next year as the lone returning starter.
Javaris Crittenton, 6-5, PG, Fr., Georgia Tech There's no doubt he could use another year or even two of maturity at the point guard spot, but Crittenton is gifted enough to make the move. He's also physically mature enough to do it. It's the mental part that is concerning.
Brandon Rush, 6-6, SG/SF, Soph., Kansas He still needs to become more consistent, but his perimeter shot has vastly improved since he arrived in Lawrence, Kan. This draft isn't loaded with wings, especially with the athleticism of Rush.
Sean Singletary, 6-0, PG, Jr., Virginia This one is difficult. Singletary realizes that he's not a lock to go in the first round, but once again, this draft isn't exactly loaded with point guards — so a team in need could take him earlier than expected. He's not going to sign with an agent and see what happens in the next month.
Needs to come back
Glen Davis, 6-8, PF, Jr., LSU Davis was highly regarded this time a year ago after teaming with Tyrus Thomas to lead the Tigers to the Final Four. He was injured this season, and while he lost weight, his team didn't even make the NCAA tournament. One more year would make "Big Baby" a certain first-rounder, but we're hearing he felt he had to make the jump for family reasons so he already inked with an agent.
Daequan Cook, 6-5, SG, Fr., Ohio State His playing time decreased late in the season and one source even said the talented, yet enigmatic frosh would rather transfer than return to Columbus. With Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr., gone, Cook would have gotten his wish this year and been "The Man" at Ohio State.
DeVon Hardin, 6-11, C, Jr., Cal Here's a kid who already had his mind made up, but he suffered a season-ending foot injury, and this can only hurt him. The ultra-athletic big man needs to rehab and get 100 percent before putting himself in front of NBA types. Our guess is he'll be back in Berkeley next year.
Arron Afflalo, 6-5, SG, Jr., UCLA If he returned, the Bruins would have been the clear favorite to win the national title next season. Plus, he would have gotten plenty of open looks with passing big man Kevin Love in the middle at UCLA. Afflalo had a terrible first 30 minutes in the loss to Florida — and it never helps to struggle at the time when the games matter most. He can't come back now because he put his name in and withdrew a year ago.
Marcus Williams, 6-7, SF, Soph., Arizona The smooth Seattle native started his sophomore campaign with the intention of leaving and it showed. He isn't overly athletic, so it'll be interesting whether or not he can get into the first round. Would benefit from another year in Tucson, although I'm not sure Lute Olson would even welcome him back.
Thaddeus Young, 6-8, F, Fr., Georgia Tech With all of the frontcourt guys in this year's draft, Young figures to go somewhere in the latter half of the first round. If he returns for one more year with the Yellow Jackets, he will almost certainly be a lottery pick.
Marcelus Kemp, 6-5, SG, Jr., Nevada With Nick Fazekas gone, it'll now be the Kemp show in Reno. Mark Fox will run just about everything for the strong and versatile Kemp and it'll pay off ($$$) for him to return.
Jason Smith, 7-0, PF/C, Jr., Colorado State With all of the big men that came out who will go ahead of the skilled 7-footer, it's an easy decision for Smith to return.
James Mays, 6-9, PF, Jr., Clemson He's athletic, but not skilled enough in a big man-heavy draft. He needs to come back for his senior campaign with the Tigers.
Joseph Jones, 6-8, PF, Jr., Texas A&M Just testing the waters. He'll almost certainly be back next year with new Aggies coach Mark Turgeon.
