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With Monday’s official deadline to declare or withdraw from the 2007 NBA Draft a day away, there are numerous prospects who may want to re-consider their immediate decision to test the professional waters.
Now, my commentary comes almost entirely on performance in last years college basketball season; I also consider if the player could return to a school that could contend next season. I have not attended any pre-draft camps, or read much ‘expert opinion’ and first-hand information from the camps.
Plus, of course, we all know I am far from an expert.
Mike Conley Jr.- While every other prospect must decide between hiring an agent and forfeiting their college eligibility, or not and allow themselves to return to school, Conley does not have that problem as his father is a licensed sports agent. With Greg Oden and most likely Daquean Cook both leaving Columbus, Conley better follow his fellow freshman phenoms to the pros.
Thad Matta is certainly making people think basketball, and not just football, at Ohio State, and they will be a top 20 team next season. But Conley improved so much over the course of the season it appears he’s ready to take it to the next level. Everybody knew he was a great distributor of the basketball, but he wowed many with his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself. He could be the next Nick Van Exel, a lefty point guard who can shoot from the outside.
Many consider the point guard position the toughest to adjust to from college to the pros, but I believe Conley is tough enough is ready to take on the growning pains he will encounter
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Jeff Green- Probably the best prospect of those still on the fence, Green is a strong player who can play the wing as well as inside. His shooting isn’t extraordinary for a top 10 prospect, but he certainly can find ways to score, which was evident this March.
If he returns to Georgetown, the reigning Big East Player of the year would be a Naismith Canidate, and the Hoyas would immediately become a national championship contender, with Roy Hibbert choosing to remain in school as well.
Green certainly has the talent to succeed in the NBA. I think one more year would benefit him for the simple fact that he could become the face of college basketball next season.
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Spencer Hawes- Highly heralded this time last year coming out of high school, Hawes is a fundamentally sound player, but lacks toughness. He led the underachieving Washington Huskies in scoring last season, and with their top four scorers returning, Hawes could be that missing piece for some redemption next year. But of course few people consider that in this individualistic country and it appears he is set on staying in the draft.
Personally I would like to see Hawes stay and improve his post moves and toughness, but it seems unlikely.
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Dominic James- Coming into last season, James was, in my opinion, the best point guard in the country. He’s a scoring point guard with great quickness and good range. However, I saw James regress into a player who tried to do too much, take bad shots, and really not seem to trust his teammates to help Marquette win ball games. As of now it appears James isn’t even a lock to be drafted, so returning to Milwaukee would obviously be a good idea.
The talent is there, I am just not sure James knows how to effectively use it. Hopefully one more season in college can change that.
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Thaddeus Young- While it is extremely pessimistic to view a player from this perspective—I don’t see a place for Young in the NBA. What are his skills that set him apart from other players? What can he do well that would warrant someone to believe he can succeed at the next level?
A McDonalds All-American in high school, Young didn’t really impress me much in his first season at Georgia Tech. I feel that without the newly implemented age-limit by David Stern, Young would of put his name into the draft directly out of high school, get drafted in the second round and slowly become an afterthought to fans after one season.
One more year of college (and his teammate Javaris Crittenton for that matter) would be beneficial, where he can become a star in the ACC, and solidify himself as a first round pick in the 2008 draft.
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