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I'm watching the UNC/Clemson ACC Championship game, and this guy is looking freakish good out there.

He's a 6'7 sophomore, averaging 11, 7, and 2. Also averages 2 blocks per game and shooting 39% from three.

Anyone see him play regularly? I'd like to know more about him and his future draft status.

I am a UNC fan and I am pretty high on Booker. He is undersized at 6'7" but has long arms, and good athleticism. He has great timing on blocking shots, gets great position on rebounds, and is very strong. Not to mention can handle the ball a little bit, has solid back to the basket moves, and a motor comparable to Tyler Hansbrough's.

Where he needs to improve is his jumpshot. If he wants to make the NBA it is vital that he improves it. It is really inconsistant, and he looks uncomfortable shooting shots outside of 8 feet. He doesn't have the instincts to play SF in the NBA so he is going to be an undersized PF, he will have to work on finishing with contact. He shows potential in this category with a strong frame, this will come along with practice and more development. He has a solid face the basket game but it needs a little bit of polishing.

By the time he leaves Clemson as a Senior I expect him to be an early second round pick. I see him as a solid role player off the bench in the NBA.

His problem is that undersized PFs are a dime a dozen.

He has good shot-blocking instincts, but that won't help against bigger players. He really needs something to set him apart to make the league as an undersized player.

Sure, he's a very good athlete. But he isn't an outstanding rebounder. Not a great scorer, shooter, or ball-handler. He really has nothing that sets him apart from the countless other short PFs trying to get into the league.

He's not the athlete or rebounder a player like Jason Maxiell is. I think he'll have a tough time sticking.

People said the same things about Maxiell when he was at Cincy. He wasn't projected to be much of an NBA player at all, then he blew up at the pre-draft camp and the Pistons promised him after Day 1.

Booker is definitely a Maxiell-type, but I don't know if a poor man's Maxiell makes it or not. Can be tough for a player of Booker's type.

But hey, Brandon Bass is turning into a halfway decent player now, I think Booker could be that type of player if he continues to improve.

Jonathan Watters wrote:People said the same things about Maxiell when he was at Cincy. He wasn't projected to be much of an NBA player at all, then he blew up at the pre-draft camp and the Pistons promised him after Day 1.

Booker is definitely a Maxiell-type, but I don't know if a poor man's Maxiell makes it or not. Can be tough for a player of Booker's type.

Maxiell, though, was far more accomplished and he played for a worse team.

PhilipNelsonFan wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Maxiell, though, was far more accomplished and he played for a worse team.

Booker only needs to make minor improvements to match Maxiell's senior production. I don't have his sophomore year stats in front of me, but my guess is that Booker and Maxiell were virtual mirror images of each other. Booker will get there before his college career is over, if I had to guess.

Jonathan Watters wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Booker only needs to make minor improvements to match Maxiell's senior production. I don't have his sophomore year stats in front of me, but my guess is that Booker and Maxiell were virtual mirror images of each other. Booker will get there before his college career is over, if I had to guess.

Booker, Soph - 26.8 mins, 11.2 pts, 7.4 rebs, 1.9 blks, 55% fg
Maxiell, Soph - 30.3 mins, 11.9 pts, 6.7 rebs, 1.5 blks, 45% fg
Maxiell, Senior - 31.4 mins, 15.3 pts, 7.7 rebs, 2.7 blks, 54% fg

Booker's got the per minute advantage on everything as a soph, with fg% by a wide margin, and he isn't even far off from Maxiell's senior stats, actually bringing in more rebs per min. I'd expect Booker's mins to go into the 30+ range next year with Maxiell gone.

MalReyn wrote:His problem is that undersized PFs are a dime a dozen.

He has good shot-blocking instincts, but that won't help against bigger players. He really needs something to set him apart to make the league as an undersized player.

Sure, he's a very good athlete. But he isn't an outstanding rebounder. Not a great scorer, shooter, or ball-handler. He really has nothing that sets him apart from the countless other short PFs trying to get into the league.

He's not the athlete or rebounder a player like Jason Maxiell is. I think he'll have a tough time sticking.

Are you serious? Booker is a tremendous athlete, more athletic than Maxiell.