Tinsley...

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Jamaal Tinsley Draft Capsule

Jamaal Tinsley, 6-3, 185, Iowa State ====================================

OVERVIEW: After two seasons at San Jacinto Community College, Tinsley led
Iowa State to back-to-back No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. He ranks
fifth at Iowa State in both career assists (431) and steals (177) despite
playing only two years. Averaged 14.3 points, 6.0 assists and 2.5 steals as
a senior. Had a career-high five 3-pointers en route to a 17-point,
eight-assist, three-steal performance against No. 15 Oklahoma. A two-time
first-team all-California Community College selection and two-time Foothill
Conference MVP at San Jacinto.

LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Picks 10-21. Boston (10,11, 21), Golden State (14),
and Orlando (15) are the leading contenders. There are not many point guards
in this draft but only a couple of a teams with a glaring need for one.

RIVALED BY: Omar Cook
COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Sam Cassell
COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Rafer Alston
ROLE PROJECTION: Key reserve. Future spot starter.

POSITIVES: Tinsley was widely reputed to be the best ballhandler in college
basketball over the last two seasons. He is as pure as they come at point
guard and has great size and outstanding vision. Tinsley has also put to
rest a lot of questions about his jump shot with a much improved 3-point
percentage in his senior year. He has no trouble finding support from his
peers either; in separate interviews with several NCAA players conducted by
Sporting News, Tinsley was indicated as the one guy they'd pay to watch.

SHORTCOMINGS: One has to wonder if the book on Tinsley is all just hype.
He's not an accomplished offensive threat and he has yet to show he can
shoot the ball consistently over two consecutive seasons. In the NBA, a
point guard without a jump shot is like a soldier without a rifle.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "He's tough, he's a winner. I think he's got a lot of
good things going for him. He could be a starter down the road -- it's
always up to them, and how bad they want it." -- Houston Rockets general
manager Carroll Dawson