The first early-entry candidate for the draft is...

Post #1 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:48 am

J.J. Hickson, per SI.com

Probably won't stay around long, but an intriguing player to say the least.

JonathanG · Post #2 » by **JonathanG** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:01 am

why won't stay long? He's way more likely to hire an agent than he is to return to school. If he hears he's first round (which he likely will), then he's gone...

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/J.J ... layerblog/

Jemini80 · Post #3 » by **Jemini80** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:04 am

i'll buy a press pass for the draft off you for 500

Post #4 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:27 am

JonathanG wrote:why won't stay long? He's way more likely to hire an agent than he is to return to school. If he hears he's first round (which he likely will), then he's gone...

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/J.J ... layerblog/

Then I stand corrected.

I'd take him in the first round, though...I'd imagine most of this board would.

DanTown8587 · Post #5 » by **DanTown8587** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:44 pm

I think he hears Griffin, Spieghts, Koufous, Olgilvy, Patterson could all be back and this year the guys he are competing against are Lopez, Arthur, Love, Hibbert, Thabeet. I would rather come out this year than next, that would be for sure. And if he measures close to what he is listed at, 6-9 240, then he could be right around that end of the lottery.

FARMERMAN10 · Post #6 » by **FARMERMAN10** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:22 pm

As a fan of NC State, The fact that he's at least expressing interest doesn't surprise me at all. We had an awful season with some in-house problems, and sources at State had said he wasn't even showing up for class anymore.

That said, I really didn't realize there was that much interest in him. Sure the kid has all the tools, but I expected he would need a big run in the tournament to draw big time lottery interest.

He had fallen off the charts on some draft discussions I had seen, but does this push him back into the upper half of the first round?

JonathanG · Post #7 » by **JonathanG** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:09 pm

NBA people aren't going to completely ignore a guy cause he didn't make the NCAA tournament. They've been watching him since he was in high school, and it was widely known around the league that he will be declaring for the draft, so no one was really blindsided by this.

I think he goes 15-30 when it's all said and done.

FARMERMAN10 · Post #8 » by **FARMERMAN10** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:34 pm

I know he won't be completely ignored, but keep in mind that he was hurt by our team this year. We started a freshman PG for much of the year, who couldn't effectively get him the ball. Also jealousy issues with older teammates (Brandon Costner among others) affected his touches.

For anyone who's seen Hickson this year, you didn't see everything he's capable of. I watched him from a few feet away at a preseason scrimmage, and the kid is a freak, and has good to decent footwork and basketball IQ. I think he underperformed this year, although it was in no way his fault.

JonathanG · Post #9 » by **JonathanG** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:46 pm

he's a big time talent, there is no question about that. He also has some big-time holes in his game (perimeter skills, passing ability, everything related to defense) that he could have ironed out with another year in college. I think he'll be a first rounder when it's all said and done, so he should be fine as long as he's willing to work hard.

FARMERMAN10 · Post #10 » by **FARMERMAN10** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:35 pm

^Agreed, especially as far as passing skills (atrocious at kicking it out, reposting, or hitting shooters when double teamed)