| | Over the next five months, ESPN.com will be charting the progress of potential NBA draft picks through conversations with scouts, GMs and college coaches.
The lists are broken down by position, with the following categories: lottery locks, something to prove (to lock up a spot in the first round), sleepers (to get draft attention) and underclassmen (only those who have made overtures about possibly leaving or those who are high on scouts' lists should they go). As players develop, we'll add a newcomer list as NBA scouts and general managers turn their attention to new targets.
The first round will likely include three to five foreign players, who we'll check in on as the draft nears. The list will also change during the three predraft camps -- Portsmouth (Va.), Phoenix and Chicago -- before the draft takes place June 28 in Minneapolis.
Lottery locks
Courtney Alexander, 6-5, Fresno State: Came back strong from his
stress fracture to average more than 20 points a game. Alexander is a definitive
lock for the lottery because of his scoring. His shot selection will always
be a question, though.
Morris Peterson, 6-6, Michigan State: Peterson's development as a
pure shooter has catapulted him into the top 13. He's improved his
ballhandling skills and could play the straight shooting guard in the NBA, rather
than small forward as he has in college.
Something to prove
Johnny Hemsley, 6-5, Miami (Fla.): He hurt himself with his pouting
in Puerto Rico. But he's still a scorer and the league needs players who can
produce.
A.J. Guyton, 6-1, Indiana: No one has questioned his ability to put
up points, but his size hurts his cause, especially on defense. The better
he plays this season, the more he'll make it tough on scouts to disregard
him.
Lamont Long, 6-4, New Mexico: His stock has plummeted recently
because of his passive play. Long was a late first-round pick a year ago,
but coming back has actually hurt his draft status.
Alex Scales, 6-4, Oregon: Another scorer who needs to be more
consistent to get into the first round. He's rangy and has the build for the
next level but there's still a wait-and-see attitude.
Darnell Williams, 6-5, Xavier: Returned from a knee injury without
a problem. James Posey's success with Denver should help Williams -- being a good
player from a good program never hurts.
Richie Frahm, 6-5, Gonzaga: He was one of the purest shooters in the
NCAA Tournament last season. But he hasn't followed that up this year. He still has the touch and will have to prove it in the spring.
Bootsy Thornton, 6-4, St. John's: He was a prolific scorer a year
ago but has gone down a tad this season. He'll get a serious look as long as
he can put some consistency in his game.
Sleeper
Glendon Alexander, 6-5, Oklahoma State: The Cowboys' best scorer,
Alexander could slide in as a shooting guard in the NBA. He'll likely be a
player who will stand out once he gets into the draft camps.
Underclassmen
Quentin Richardson, 6-6, Soph., DePaul: Richardson still needs to
improve his shot, and he's no longer a lock for the top two if he comes out.
He'd be better served by sticking around another year.
Michael Redd, 6-6, Jr., Ohio State: Redd has no business coming out. But if he's considering it, he needs to improve his defense.
Corey Hightower, 6-7, Soph., Indian Hills (Iowa) JC: Speculation
persists that Hightower will test the draft. If he doesn't, he'll be at TCU next season, where his scoring will be the focus of the Horned Frogs' perimeter.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. | |
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 Alexander hits the three.
avi: 716 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Morris Peterson nets three of his 31 points.
avi: 653 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Hemsley nails the three.
avi: 567 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
A.J. Guyton elevates for a baseline jumper over the Badgers' defense.
avi: 1075 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Long nails the three.
avi: 623 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Xavier strips the ball and pushs it to Darnell Williams for the easy two.
avi: 654 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Quentin Richardson puts up the strong layup.
avi: 904 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Micheal Redd gets out in front for the fast-break slam.
avi: 609 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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