I<3Basketball

[i<3basketball]

I<3Basketball’s 2010 Big Board Top 50 (6/30/09)
1. John Wall Kentucky Freshman
2. Ed Davis UNC Sophomore
3. Greg Monroe Georgetown Sophomore
4. Al-Farouq Aminu Wake Forest Sophomore
5. Evan Turner Ohio St Junior
6. Willie Warren Oklahoma Sophomore
7. Derrick Favors Georgia Tech Freshman
8. Devin Ebanks West Virginia Sophomore
9. Xavier Henry Kansas Freshman
10. Craig Brackens Iowa St. Junior
11. Cole Aldrich Kansas Junior
12. DeMarcus Cousins Kentucky Freshman
13. Solomon Alabi Florida State Sophomore
14. Donatas Motiejunas Lithuania International
15. John Henson North Carolina Freshman
16. Patrick Patterson Kentucky Junior
17. Sylven Landesberg Virginia Sophomore
18. Gani Lawal Georgia Tech Junior
19. Chris Singleton Florida State Sophomore
20. Luke Harangody Notre Dame Senior
21. Paul George Fresno St. Sophomore
22. Avery Bradley Texas Freshman
23. Michael Washington Arkansas Senior
24. Jordan Hamilton Texas Freshman
25. Sherron Collins Kansas Senior
26. JaJuan Johnson Purdue Junior
27. Tyshawn Taylor Kansas Sophomore
28. Ian Shumpert Georgia Tech Sophomore
29. Terrico White Mississippi Sophomore
30. Chris Wright Dayton Junior
31. Kemba Walker Connecticut Sophomore
32. James Anderson Oklahoma St Junior
33. Stanley Robinson Connecticut Junior
34. Damion James Texas Senior
35. Jerome Jordan Tulsa Senior
36. Kyle Singler Duke Junior
37. Tony Woods Wake Forest Sophomore
38. Larry Sanders VCU Junior
39. Jarvis Varnado Mississippi St Senior
40. Renardo Sidney Mississippi St Freshman
41. Trevor Booker Clemson Senior
42. Luke Babbitt Nevada Sophomore
43. Kalin Lucas Michigan St Junior
44. Manny Harris Michigan Junior
45. Kenny Boynton Jr Florida Freshman
46. Andrew Ogilvy Vanderbilt Junior
47. Gordon Hayward Butler Sophomore
48. Kenneth Faried Morehead St Junior
49. Michael Dunigan Oregon Sophomore
50. Tasmin Mitchell LSU Senior

[riehldeal]

why is Brackins getting the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his frame/body and not Donatas? If I am correct in assuming that is why Donatas is as low as he is on your list (maybe that assumption is erroneous?)

[i<3basketball]

why is Brackins getting the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his frame/body and not Donatas? If I am correct in assuming that is why Donatas is as low as he is on your list (maybe that assumption is erroneous?)

From what I've seen/read, Brackens is the better shooter and rebounder while being stronger than Donatas. That's all.

[riehldeal]

But Donatas is quite a bit younger and to me has a slightly better frame than Craig. I agree that Brackins is the slightly better shooter but Donatas is the far more complete offensive player imo. It is really a tough call between the two. I really wonder about the measurements of Donatas, sometimnes I question if he is a legit 7 feet... are there any official measurements out there for him?

[i<3basketball]

But Donatas is quite a bit younger and to me has a slightly better frame than Craig. I agree that Brackins is the slightly better shooter but Donatas is the far more complete offensive player imo. It is really a tough call between the two. I really wonder about the measurements of Donatas, sometimnes I question if he is a legit 7 feet... are there any official measurements out there for him?

Donatas does have better ball handling, passing and BBIQ but his lack of strength (and whether he has the ability to add strength) is what keeps him below Brackens for me.

I haven't seen any official measurements for Donatas anywhere, I've just gone off the standard 7 feet I see everywhere.

[riehldeal]

not sure I would call Craig strong to the degree to make him such a superior prospect as compared to Donatas (I guess that is where I lose you).... but I do agree that Craig has more of a mean streak in him and seems to enjoy contact (which is nice to see)

[i<3basketball]

not sure I would call Craig strong to the degree to make him such a superior prospect as compared to Donatas (I guess that is where I lose you).... but I do agree that Craig has more of a mean streak in him and seems to enjoy contact (which is nice to see)

He isn't that much of a superior prospect. Only a few players separate them.

Any other thoughts on the big board. Missing anyone?

[riehldeal]

Jon Leuer... just be sure to watch a couple Wisconsin games and keep an eye on this kid, you'll see

[i<3basketball]

I remember watching one Wisconsin game this year and he was nothing. I've read about him and looked at all his stats and game by game production and I just don't see it. We'll see if you are right, but for now he doesn't crack the top 50.

[gwtaylor]

No Da'Sean Butler, SF, WVU?

[i<3basketball]

No Da'Sean Butler, SF, WVU?

He's right outside the top 50 right now, I only saw a few games from him this year, but he might creep into the top 50 before long.

[cjx]

In your opinion, how do Ebanks & Aminu compare as prospects? What specifically makes Aminu a more favored prospect than Ebanks? Thanks for sharing what you know.

[ManualRam]

not sure I would call Craig strong to the degree to make him such a superior prospect as compared to Donatas (I guess that is where I lose you).... but I do agree that Craig has more of a mean streak in him and seems to enjoy contact (which is nice to see)

He isn't that much of a superior prospect. Only a few players separate them.

Any other thoughts on the big board. Missing anyone?

wally judge

[i<3basketball]

In your opinion, how do Ebanks & Aminu compare as prospects? What specifically makes Aminu a more favored prospect than Ebanks? Thanks for sharing what you know.

Sorry for the delay on the response, but...
Both are elite athletes, with suspect jumpshots at this point and have excellent potential. They will both likely develop respectable jumpers, but their athleticism is what will make them good players in the NBA.
Aminu is the better prospect because he is slightly bigger, significantly stronger and bulkier with a more developed inside game and slightly better ball handling. I also love Aminu's ability to grab the board and go coast to coast. Ebanks has better potential to be a more traditional SF but Aminu would have no problem at either the SF or PF position in my opinion.
If you have any more questions about specific parts of their games, feel free to ask as I've seen many games of theirs from last year, Ebanks 8 or 9 times and Aminu about 15 times.

[cjx]

In your opinion, how do Ebanks & Aminu compare as prospects? What specifically makes Aminu a more favored prospect than Ebanks? Thanks for sharing what you know.

Sorry for the delay on the response, but...
Both are elite athletes, with suspect jumpshots at this point and have excellent potential. They will both likely develop respectable jumpers, but their athleticism is what will make them good players in the NBA.
Aminu is the better prospect because he is slightly bigger, significantly stronger and bulkier with a more developed inside game and slightly better ball handling. I also love Aminu's ability to grab the board and go coast to coast. Ebanks has better potential to be a more traditional SF but Aminu would have no problem at either the SF or PF position in my opinion.
If you have any more questions about specific parts of their games, feel free to ask as I've seen many games of theirs from last year, Ebanks 8 or 9 times and Aminu about 15 times.

Sincere thanks for your response!

[ponder276]

I<3Basketball’s 2010 Big Board Top 50 (6/30/09)
1. John Wall Kentucky Freshman
2. Ed Davis UNC Sophomore
3. Greg Monroe Georgetown Sophomore
4. Al-Farouq Aminu Wake Forest Sophomore
5. Evan Turner Ohio St Junior
6. Willie Warren Oklahoma Sophomore
7. Derrick Favors Georgia Tech Freshman
8. Devin Ebanks West Virginia Sophomore
9. Xavier Henry Kansas Freshman
10. Craig Brackens Iowa St. Junior
11. Cole Aldrich Kansas Junior
12. DeMarcus Cousins Kentucky Freshman
13. Solomon Alabi Florida State Sophomore
14. Donatas Motiejunas Lithuania International
15. John Henson North Carolina Freshman
16. Patrick Patterson Kentucky Junior
17. Sylven Landesberg Virginia Sophomore
18. Gani Lawal Georgia Tech Junior
19. Chris Singleton Florida State Sophomore
20. Luke Harangody Notre Dame Senior
21. Paul George Fresno St. Sophomore
22. Avery Bradley Texas Freshman
23. Michael Washington Arkansas Senior
24. Jordan Hamilton Texas Freshman
25. Sherron Collins Kansas Senior
26. JaJuan Johnson Purdue Junior
27. Tyshawn Taylor Kansas Sophomore
28. Ian Shumpert Georgia Tech Sophomore
29. Terrico White Mississippi Sophomore
30. Chris Wright Dayton Junior
31. Kemba Walker Connecticut Sophomore
32. James Anderson Oklahoma St Junior
33. Stanley Robinson Connecticut Junior
34. Damion James Texas Senior
35. Jerome Jordan Tulsa Senior
36. Kyle Singler Duke Junior
37. Tony Woods Wake Forest Sophomore
38. Larry Sanders VCU Junior
39. Jarvis Varnado Mississippi St Senior
40. Renardo Sidney Mississippi St Freshman
41. Trevor Booker Clemson Senior
42. Luke Babbitt Nevada Sophomore
43. Kalin Lucas Michigan St Junior
44. Manny Harris Michigan Junior
45. Kenny Boynton Jr Florida Freshman
46. Andrew Ogilvy Vanderbilt Junior
47. Gordon Hayward Butler Sophomore
48. Kenneth Faried Morehead St Junior
49. Michael Dunigan Oregon Sophomore
50. Tasmin Mitchell LSU Senior

I'd be shocked if either of Aminu or Warren go above Favors. Don't get the hype about either of those guys - Warren is a SG with PG size, Aminu is a SF with few perimiter skills, neither looked particularly special in college to me. Favors has very nice physical tools and a pretty solid skill set, I think he's going to be a top notch prospect. I think he'll measure out quite similarly to Dwight in terms of height/wingspan/standing reach (Dwight was 6' 9" in bare feet, with a 7' 4.5" wingspan and 9' 3.5" standing reach), though he's clearly not as athletic/explosive (still an excellent athlete for his size though). And he definitely has an intriguing skill set (very good rebounder and shot blocker, promising post game and jumper). Overall he just seems like such a better prospect than Warren or Aminu, who both have pretty major flaws IMO.

[cjx]

I have another question, I<3Basketball: How do Craig Brackins & John Henson compare with Pistons' draft pick Austin Daye in terms of body strength, athleticism, perimeter skills, etc.? I noticed that Daye was criticized for his skinny frame, but he seems to have the same strengths and limitations as Brackins & Henson. Thanks for your time.