I have heard a lot of people in the last couple of hours question Daniel Orton’s decision to test the waters of the NBA Draft. This was a mock draft By Mark Heisler of the LA Times. Check out his mock NBA Draft as he has the entire Kentucky team in it.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
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In my annual salute to the NCAA tournament, here’s the annual mock draft of draft-eligible collegians, regardless of whether they’re coming.
Not that it’s a scoop in a year in which everyone has the same top five and in the age of the 24/7/365 draft-nik, when the latest mock is a mouse click away.
The others are weighted according to players’ perceived intention. Thus, Kentucky’s John Wall is universally No. 1, but the other Wildcats guard, Eric Bledsoe, a possible lottery pick whose intentions aren’t as clear, is ranked No. 21 by ESPN’S Chad Ford.
Meanwhile, scouts are flocking to the little-known CollegeInsiders.com tournament to see Marshall’s 7-0 freshman Hassan Whiteside, an unknown at the start of the season … as Coach Donnie Jones locks his phenom down, bringing him off the bench and playing him short minutes in the hope of keeping him next season.
In other words, the situation is fluid, as usual:
[B]1. John Wall 6-4, 195, Fr., Kentucky: Last prospect rated as high was LeBron James.[/B]
2. Evan Turner; 6-7, 205, Jr., Ohio State: Compared to no less than Joe Johnson and Brandon Roy.
3. Derrick Favors, 6-10, 246, Fr., Georgia Tech: Didn’t challenge Wall as expected but made big late move. Admirers see longer, more skilled Al Horford. Solid young man, good student.
4. Wesley Johnson 6-7, 195, Jr., Syracuse: Transfer from Iowa State who figured out move from power forward to small forward in his year sitting out.
5. Al-Farouq Aminu, 6-9, 210, So., Wake Forest: High-energy, athletic, raw, coming fast.
6. Hassan Whiteside, 7-0, 235, Fr., Marshall: Marcus Camby-style shot blocker with game. Question is why he was off radar in high school.
7. Cole Aldrich, 6-11, 250, Jr., Kansas: Admirers see Joel Przybilla with offense, but not everyone’s an admirer. Tourney showing will mean a lot.
[B]8. DeMarcus Cousins, 6-11, 270, Fr., Kentucky: After troubled past, surprised everyone with production. Faded a tad, still deemed risky, making him another one who needs good tourney.[/B]
9. Greg Monroe 6-11, 240, So., Georgetown: Skilled, great passer, considered soft but finished strong. Says he’ll stay in school, in Hoyas program that keeps outsiders far away.
[B]10. Patrick Patterson, 6-9, 223, Jr., Kentucky: O.J. Mayo’s high school teammate, beast inside, handled move to small forward.[/B]
11. Ed Davis, 6-9, 214, So., North Carolina: Athletic, long — but not as big or productive yet as Brandan Wright. Top five before breaking wrist. That could be good because he needs to stay.
[B]12. Daniel Orton, 6-10, 250, Fr., Kentucky: Played little coming off knee surgery, but pros know all about him. Big, strong and athletic.[/B]
[B]13. Eric Bledsoe, 6-1, 190, Fr., Kentucky: Compact, athletic, supposedly Kyle Lowry with a jumper.[/B]
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[URL=”http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-heisler-20100321,0,1247408,full.story”]Read Entire Article[/URL]
The NBA is not basketball, it is the NBA. Orton has the size, and could be a force in the paint with his strength and size. He can always come back and get his degree. If he goes in the top 20, I think he made a good choice. I just don’t want him to go.
[B]Rumor: Darnell Dodson may also be leaving the Wildcats and declaring for the Draft!!! Crazy Stuff!!! [URL=”http://www.allkyhoops.com/2010/03/kentuckys-darnell-dodson-to-enter-nba.html”]Check out Bluegrass State Basketball on Dodson Rumor[/URL][/B]
