http://www.hoopsworld.com/college/story ... y_id=10030As you can tell by our nearly complete NBA season previews, basketball is right around the corner. Training camps open up soon and before you know it basketball season will be fully underway. Here at HOOPSWORLD though our coverage isn't just limited to the NBA. The opening of the NBA season means we're just that much closer to the start of college basketball. The 2009 draft isn't exactly overflowing with franchise players, but it's a talented group nonetheless. With that in mind, here's a look at ten of the top prospects eligible to enter the 2009 NBA Draft. Ricky Rubio - 6'4 Point Guard (DKV Joventut):Thanks to the Beijing Olympics Ricky Rubio may be more of a household name than any collegiate player. He isn't even 18 years old yet but Rubio has himself firmly on the NBA radar because of his incredible ability to run a team. Rubio has the natural instincts required to be a great, true point guard. Combine that with a complete offensive arsenal and you have what could be a top three pick come draft time. One of the few knocks you will here against Rubio is regarding his lack of athleticism. However, Rubio knows how to play the game and utilize everything that he has in terms of speed and quickness.Blake Griffin - 6'10 Power Forward (Oklahoma):With Kevin Love now playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves Blake Griffin is arguably the best big man in the country. Not to slight Tyler Hansbrough, but Griffin is the real deal. At 6'10 and 240 lbs Griffin possesses a silky soft touch around the rim and is a physically imposing presence. His game really mirrors Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer's, although his face up game is not as reliable as Carlos'. Griffin has a chance to be the Player of the Year this season, and don't be surprised if come around draft time there is some serious consideration to choosing him with the top overall pick.
B.J. Mullens - 7'0 Center (Ohio State):The top center prospect in the draft is once again a Buckeye. It won't take very long for B.J. Mullens to draw people's attention at Ohio State. He's a legit 7' footer that will amaze you with his leaping ability, soft hands, and how well he runs the floor. All that is keeping Mullens from being a lock as the number one pick is the effort he plays with. If Thad Matta can light a fire under him though, sky is the limit for how good he can be. There will be stretches where Mullens will flat out dominate, although there's no reason why he should do so every single night. Brandon Jennings - 6'1 Point Guard (Lottomatica Roma):For college basketball it's unfortunate that Brandon Jennings opted to go overseas, because he would have been a joy to watch under Lute Olsen at Arizona. Jennings is a pioneer though, and if the path he's chosen to take even ends up somewhat successful expect others to follow. Like Rubio Jennings is a true floor general that sees plays before they even develop. He's got the athleticism and speed that Rubio lacks. Jennings was always believed to be a one and done candidate, so don't expect him to be overseas for long. Hasheem Thabeet - 7'3 Center (UConn):If rims hadn't already been reinforced and made stronger because of the likes of Darryl Dawkins, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dwight Howard they would be for Hasheem Thabeet. Even at 7'3 and 260 lbs Thabeet is sickening athletically. Thabeet's ceiling is really unknown at this point as he hasn't been playing the game for a very long time, and lacks the knowledge of the fundamentals. His natural tools make him a very intriguing prospect and under Jim Calhoun the big fella is making strides. He may actually need another season at UConn before he's developed enough to help an NBA team, but his upside is off the charts. James Harden - 6'5 Shooting Guard (Arizona State):The turnaround at Arizona State can largely be contributed to the diamond in the rough they found with James Harden. Harden had a freshman season on par with Jerryd Bayless, O.J. Mayo, and Eric Gordon but wisely decided to stay in school another year. All Harden needs to show to cement his spot in the top ten is improving ball handling skills and creating ability. Harden may once again have trouble grabbing the headlines in the Pac-10 with talented freshmen Demar DeRozen and Jrue Holiday coming in, but NBA teams know how good this kid is and it'll show on draft night.
Jrue Holiday – 6'4 Point Guard (UCLA):Ben Howland couldn't have found a better fit for his program than Jrue Holiday. For a program that is making yearly appearances in the Final Four Holiday will fit right in thanks to his competitiveness and desire to win. Holiday is a complete player that will be able to contribute right away. Like Kevin Love he may not be there for more than a year, but a backcourt combination of Holiday and Collison should help lead the Bruins to another Final Four. Demar DeRozen - 6'6 Shooting Guard (USC):Having O.J. Mayo for only a year doesn't seem bad at all when he's replaced with a player the caliber of Demar DeRozen. Like Mayo Demar is a savant at scoring the ball and on any given night is a threat to explode for some major numbers. Even if he's at USC for one season only DeRozen is going to have an extensive highlight reel because he's one of he best athletes in the country. Under Tim Floyd DeRozen is going to become a star, make no mistake about it. Al-Farouq Aminu - 6'9 Small Forward (Wake Forest): One of the big reasons for optimism at Wake Forest is Al-Farouq Aminu. He may not be there for long though, because at Aminu has the skills to be an All-Star small forward someday. Offensively his game is expanding at a high rate, and once he's able to handle contact better he's going to be near impossible to stop. He excels in the open court and has the potential to be a stopper on the defensive side of the court thanks to his length and athleticism. He's definitely a player to keep a close eye on this season. Damion James - 6'7 Small Forward (Texas) :It's easy to go unnoticed when you play alongside D.J. Augustin and Kevin Durant in your first two years. Damion James is one of those guys that can do whatever you ask from him. Like Shawn Marion he can guard perimeter players or big men, and he's got a lot of versatility on offense. This is a big season for James as he's going to be expected to lead the Longhorns like Augustin and Durant did when they were the stars. Expectations are high, but it's going to give James a chance to send his draft stock sky high if he succeeds.
