Officlal Prospect thread

[PeeDee]

Whatevs, take ET #1 and don't look back.

[horaceworthy]

Whatevs, take ET #1 and don't look back.

Exactly. Unless you aren't a Flynn believer or don't think Rubio will ever play here, you shouldn't have a problem with Turner at #1 for the Wolves. Even though we already have Brewer as our designated half court shotmaker.

[Klomp]

Hey Ho(race), whos in your avy? Is that a Lobo?

[Casperkid23]

It's Hobson.

I would take Wall #1, but would not fault someone for saying Turner if they had good reasoning behind it.

Real reason for posting here is does anyone have a player they are seeking a write-up on? Plan on doing a couple this weekend. Can basically pick any college prospect that could likely go in the top-45 picks, and (hopefully) I'll have enough knowledge of them to write an in-depth review.

[PeeDee]

I'd like to get a knowledgeable rundown on Paul George if he's on your radar. Thanks.

[horaceworthy]

Hey Ho(race), whos in your avy? Is that a Lobo?

Yeah, it's Darington Hobson. Should be the POY in the Mountain West unless there's an abnormal amount of Mormons in the voting pool.

[revprodeji]

You really cannot go wrong with Turner or Wall first overall.

My understanding from is that we would plan on Rubio playing with either Wall or Turner in the backcourt. Wall is a similar build to Wade and Rubio has even grown. This would be a very different situation then Flynn/Rubio.

[horaceworthy]

You really cannot go wrong with Turner or Wall first overall.

My understanding from is that we would plan on Rubio playing with either Wall or Turner in the backcourt. Wall is a similar build to Wade and Rubio has even grown. This would be a very different situation then Flynn/Rubio.

If he puts on 20-30 lbs., grows an inch or more and has a 6'11" wingspan.

[The J Rocka]

I know Wall is a great player, but Evan Turner, I want this guy on our team

[Esohny]

Say we got the #1 and Wall. What could we get in addition to Turner from the team picking #2?

[PeeDee]

Unless they come to you with an offer, you don't take Wall if you want Turner.

[Klomp]

How many current Gophers do you see playing in the NBA?

[john2jer]

How many current Gophers do you see playing in the NBA?

Does Royce White count? If so, MAYBE 2? Rodney Williams and Royce White are probably the only two that have a chance.

[dunkonu21]

I feel that Sampson and Iverson both could, I'd say 65% at least one of those two plays in the NBA. Maybe 15% that both do.

Hopefully Devoe's bro will be a gopher in the nba in 3 years or so.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I guess Sampson could get in the NBA because he's big and has a good name, but he'd most likely just be a non-impact guy at the end of a bench

[Klomp]

I personally think Joseph has an okay chance. This DX writeup was from before his freshman year:

At this point, Joseph remains a scorer rather than a point guard, and Juan Dixon seems like a good comparison when comparing them physically and skill-wise. It would help his draft stock if he could play the point guard at least part time over the course of his career, but his shooting stroke may give him a chance at the NBA regardless.

I think he has definitely improved his point guard skills. Also, put him alongside a James, Anthony, or Roy type player and I think he would excel.

[Casperkid23]

Hassan Whiteside - Fr. PF/C, Marshall
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/pr ... erId=46133

Per36min numbers against Quality Opponents (10 games):
16.8pts, 9.9rebs, 0.0asts, 0.6stls, 5.4blks (1st out of 45 prospects), 3.5PFs, 2.3TOs
44.6 FG%, 33.3 3pt% (1/3), 68.1 FT%, .42 FTA/FGA



Standing 6’11 and weighing somewhere around 230 pounds with a mammoth wingspan, Whiteside is tailor-made for playing weakside defense and altering shots around the rim. He went in and smashed the old C-USA single-season blocks record of 143 blocks with 173 blocks of his own. Not only that, but he’s set to become the first freshman to lead the nation in blocks since Travis Williams in 1998-99, an extremely impressive feat.

As a player who will likely be asked to play Center for the majority of his minutes at the next level, Whiteside looks fluid when running the floor and has excellent lateral foot speed. He is a superb athlete for his size, even when taking into account that he’s not an explosive leaper. However, there is a flaw in his physical makeup: he is very weak. He is severely lacking lower body strength, and it is one of the main causes of his problems on both sides of the floor. While he has the frame to add weight, and was rumored to have gained 15-25 pounds last summer, I am skeptical that he will ever reach that 250-260 mark. Does he have to? Not really, but he’ll have to learn how to play against bigger Centers as a similar built player, Marcus Camby, did.

Defensively, he’s a game changer in the lane when it comes to guards or wings penetrating. Because of his lateral quickness, he can quickly get into position and use his pterodactyl-arms to block or alter many of the shot attempts in the lane. It’s scary how effective he is considering his timing isn’t at an elite level. The lateral quickness also allows him to be an effective pick and roll defender. He can easily help hedge screens and make it a seamless switch. He’s truly an elite prospect when it comes to help defense.

When it comes to man defense, it’s a different story. He simply gets overpowered in the post because of his lack of lower body strength and not knowing how to guard punishing post players. On occasion, he can make up for that due to his insane wingspan and quick feet, allowing him to get an angle to block/alter the shot even though he surrendered position. However, more often he’ll get bullied and looks like a boy guarding a man when players go straight at him. This sometimes causes him to pick up cheap fouls, which could be a concern when he goes up against large post players regularly.

On the boards, Whiteside also needs work, as his current style isn’t going to translate favorably to the NBA level against the bigger, stronger, more athletic competition. Right now he gets most of the boards he collects purely off length and athleticism… there is very little fundamental influence. It’s rare where I see him block out as Ed Davis or Derrick Favors do - two guys who could easily do the same thing and rely on athleticism to grab the boards in college games, but don’t because it’s a bad habit. However, the fact that he does hustle for rebounds on occasion is a good sign and makes me think he’s not a lost cause ala Ryan Hollins.

On offense, it’s a mixed bag. When it comes to scoring, he loves taking jumpers, and he’s not afraid to take them 16-20 feet out. He possesses a very smooth jumper for a guy that big, and it’s nearly unblockable even though it’s kind of a slow release. However, the downside is that he settles for jumpers way too often and frequently takes them early in the shot clock. He uses his jumper to set up the occasional drive where he shows off an adequate handle, and because he is usually going to be more athletic than his counterpart, this is an effective part of his game. This could really make him a dangerous pick-and-roll player.

In the post, as he’s basically incapable of being a physical player, so he snakes around players and has to use his adequate handle and length to put up shots which may easily be blocked at the NBA level. This adversely affects his efficiency, as he is not drawing contact and getting to the line as often as he needs to. Often he’ll be seen throwing up awkward flips and really just displaying how raw he is as a post player - though he shows shockingly good touch around the rim. However, because of his athleticism and length, he is able to finish with authority around the rim when he’s able to get position.

To sum up his offensive skills, there are times where he looks brilliant and unstoppable because of his physical gifts and surprising jumper. However, there are times where he basically looks to have zero BBIQ. This can be seen in his shot selection, where he frequently takes shots early in the shot clock; in his post game, where he shows immature post moves and forces up tough, low % shots; in the way he spaces the floor, where he commonly bunches up and allows one man to cover two or doesn’t get himself in good position to receive the ball. I think the most alarming thing, however, is how incapable he is to move the ball when he receives it. Zero assists in 10 quality opponent games is inexcusable. Nine assists in 851 minutes is despicable. When he attempts to pass, it’s usually off-target and/or too hard. He just doesn’t have the feel for a team game on the offensive side of the ball, and it’s very alarming when attempting to project him.

Overall, Whiteside is basically the epitome of a boom or bust player. He could be elite defensively and very useful offensively if he learns to hone his skills and add strength. Right now, however, he’s a pretty big negative on the offensive end when he is not very efficient (ranks last in Center PPP with a 0.88 and 0.42 FTA/FGA) and isn’t able to move the ball or correctly space the floor; while also susceptible to being posted up and abused defensively. I have him at a tentative 8th right now, but certain teams will be more willing to take a chance on this project hoping to strike gold and get a new-age Camby.

[Casperkid23]

I'd like to get a knowledgeable rundown on Paul George if he's on your radar. Thanks.

DX just did one a few days ago, so I feel like it'd be a waste as I only have a differing opinion in a few areas - but if you still want one written up I can do it.

[Dan's with the Wolves]

Casperkid23

Nice writeup. Look forward to more.

[horaceworthy]

How many current Gophers do you see playing in the NBA?

I guess Sampson could get in the NBA because he's big and has a good name, but he'd most likely just be a non-impact guy at the end of a bench

Depends on whether or not he grows a pair. He's very quick and agile, and more skilled than he usually shows during games. He's got a chance, but he needs to get a lot better.

Royce White is, to me, one of the most interesting names potentially in this draft. Big guy with very nice defensive potential due to his build and quick hands. He's a combo forward type right now, but he was taking his game more outside with some positive results. His upside could be something like Ron Artest the basketball player, his downside's probably something like Ron Artest the rapper. The wrench in the works is that he's an absolute knucklehead. I've had a few conversations with him, he's surprisingly well-spoken, but his rap sheet and some of the horror stories I hear from people that are loosely connected with the Gophers are cause for concern, to say the least.

Williams might have dunk contests in his future. Nbadraft.net really jumped the gun on him earlier in the year, but he's a very talented individual that needs a lot of polish.

I thought Nolen had a chance after his freshman year, if could develop a jumper, but he hasn't improved since then. The jump shot looks like a lost cause, and his decision making isn't any better. Hell of a defensive presence, though.

Damian Johnson's a reliable jump shot away from having a chance due to his defensive prowess. How he didn't make the Big Ten All-Defensive team I have no idea.

Devoe might have a chance, but he's going to have to be a part of a team that makes a fairly deep tourney run to get noticed. His physical tools are questionable, but that jumper's just so smooth. Wish it would find the bottom of the net more often.