| | 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
At this time, there are no lottery locks among small forwards.
Something to prove
Chris Porter, 6-7, Auburn: Porter may be a candidate for player of
the year but he's not a lock among the scouts. He's still a player without a
position at the next level.
Harold Arceneaux, 6-6, Weber State: The "Show" still hasn't shot
the ball as well as he did against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament. He may need another break-out March and good spring workouts to convince the scouts.
Ryan Blackwell, 6-8, Syracuse: His stock raised during Etan Thomas'
absence due to injury. He's scoring well inside but he could have trouble duplicating that
in the NBA.
Chris Carrawell, 6-6, Duke: When has a Duke senior not been given
serious consideration? Carrawell has become a better scorer, but he's still too
small to play small forward. Unfortunately, he may not have the ball-handling
to be a shooting guard.
Kevin Freeman, 6-7, Connecticut: Freeman moved to the wing this year after playing inside, which has reduced his rebounding numbers. The NBA doesn't need him as a perimeter threat.
He could be a rebounding specialist if he got back to his real game.
Desmond Mason, 6-6, Oklahoma State: His athleticism is unmatched, but
he may be positionless like Porter. Mason will get a long look but he still needs to improve his shot.
Eduardo Najera, 6-8, Oklahoma: His toughness makes him a natural
pick, but can he play on the perimeter as a small forward? He's strong
enough to play inside but he might not have enough size and bulk.
Terrance Roberson, 6-7, Fresno State: Roberson has had the body for
the league since he left high school. When he started school, he was
strictly a shooter. Now he's more of a slasher. His game needs to be more consistent to be a first-round pick.
Alex Jensen, 6-7, Utah: His stock has dropped since his shot went
south. Jensen is one of the best screeners and blenders in college, and for that reason some team will take a crack at him as a role player.
Pete Mickeal, 6-6, Cincinnati: His shot has caught up to his defense,
making him a lock for the first round. But he still needs to improve his overall offense to move higher.
Nate Johnson, 6-6, Louisville: Johnson has been a scorer this season
and that will help him get a closer look. But he's caught in between positions,
playing more inside for Louisville than he would in the NBA.
Sleeper
Dan Langhi, 6-11, Vanderbilt: He's not a secret anymore. Langhi's
production has lifted the Commodores to the top of the SEC. He'll still need
to go to the draft camps, but his stock is soaring.
Underclassmen
Terence Morris, 6-9, Jr., Maryland: He's easily one of the most
talented players on this list. If he comes out, he's a lock for the lottery.
Mike Miller, 6-8, Soph., Florida: Miller isn't too far behind Morris, but
would be better served by sticking it out in Gainesville.
DerMarr Johnson, 6-9, Fr., Cincinnati: Not ready. He considered jumping to the NBA out of high school but Johnson hasn't proven that he can consistently compete at a high level.
Shane Battier, 6-8, Jr., Duke: Stay, and Battier will be first-round
next season. If he leaves now, he runs the risk of being a second-round pick. Don't
expect him to leave.
Mark Karcher, 6-5, Jr., Temple: Family and financial commitments
could send him out a year early. He's become a better scorer this season but
he still needs to work on creating his own shot.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. | |
ALSO SEE
Draft: Mihm's the word
Point guards
Shooting guards
Power forwards
Centers
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Chris Porter drives hard in the paint for the easy bucket.
avi: 822 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Chris Carawell goes baseline for the dunk.
avi: 549 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Kevin Freemen rumbles in the strong layup.
avi: 857 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Desmond Mason takes the back-door feed from Doug Gottlieb.
avi: 558 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Najera throws the hammer down at Missouri.
avi: 621 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Alex Jensen gets inside the paint for the layup.
avi: 1114 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mickeal takes it strong to the hoop.
avi: 539 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Terence Morris puts down a huge dunk against Kentucky.
avi: 471 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Shane Battier flies to the rim with a high-flying jam.
avi: 471 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
|
