Espn's article re: early entries...

["Jaims" <jaims@info.com.ph>]

Early NBA draft entries

Underclassmen have until May 13 to get their letters postmarked to the NBA
for the 2001 NBA draft. They can pull their names out of consideration on or
before June 20 (a week before the June 27 draft in New York). High school
seniors and junior college players don't have the same option.
ESPN.com will be breaking down the candidates after they make a public
statement, whether it's in a news conference or by a press release, that
they will be declaring for the draft. The breakdown below comes from
conversations with NBA scouts and player personnel directors:



Gilbert Arenas
College: Arizona
Class: Sophomore | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 188
2000-01 Stats: 16.2 ppg | 3.6 rpg | 47.9 FG %

Projected: Somewhere between 20-30, but could move up into the teens.

Pros: Scorer's mentality, good stroke and when he wants to he can play
defense. A much better prospect than Jason Gardner.

Cons: In-between size, which could limit his rise in the draft.

Brandon Armstrong
College: Pepperdine
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 180
2000-01 Stats: 22.1 ppg | 3.3 rpg | 1.1 asts

Projected: Second-round pick at best.

Pros: He's quick, can make a 3-pointer and is a legit scorer.

Cons: He's a smaller two-guard. Is he really a point? Who's advising him?
Should have stayed in school.

Keith Bogans
College: Kentucky
Class: Sophomore | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 205
2000-01 Stats: 17.0 ppg | 4.6 rpg | 2.4 asts

Projected: Fighting to get in the first round, but a likely second-round
pick if he stays in the draft.

Pros: When he's on, he can score from the perimeter and slashing to the
basket. Short, stocky and hard to move off the perimeter.

Cons: Can't play the point and he's too small for shooting guard. But the
new rules might make teams look at him differently because he can get free
in a zone.

Michael Bradley
College: Villanova
Class: Junior | Position: Center | Ht: 6-11 | Wt: 245
2000-01 Stats: 20.8 ppg | 9.8 rpg | 2.6 asts

Projected: Somewhere between the 15th and 25th pick in the first round.

Pros: Good ball skills for a player his size, can score anywhere on the
floor, has nice footwork.

Cons: Overall strength to go inside and toughness in the low post.

Kedrick Brown
College: Okaloosa-Walton CC (Fla.)
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 225

Projected: If he's impressive in Chicago, has a chance for late first, but
he's a likely second-round pick. Remember, JC players can't withdraw from
the draft. Once they declare, they're ineligible for Division I.

Pros: Excellent body and excellent strength. Strong inside player.

Cons: Does he have enough playing experience at a high-level of competition.
Who was the last JC player to make it? It's a big jump.

SirValiant Brown
College: George Washington
Class: Sophomore | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 158
2000-01 Stats: 17.8 ppg | 2.7 rpg | 36.9% FGs

Projected: Second round, if he doesn't return to school.

Pros: Can shoot the ball, has deep range and can create his own shot.

Cons: Shoots too much. For his size, he's not a point guard, nor a sound
defender and hasn't proven to be a winner.

Tyson Chandler
High School: Dominguez (Compton, Calif.)
Class: Senior | Position: Center | Ht: 7-1 | Wt: 195

Projected: Should be taken in lottery, and could go as high as top five

Pros: Outstanding athleticism. Has the speed and quickness to run the floor.
Has the "hops" and shot-blocking ability.

Cons: Is he tough enough, yet? Is he a basketball player because it's not a
track meet? How mature is he?

Ousmane Cisse
High School: St. Jude (Ala.)
Class: Senior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-8 | Wt: 250

Projected:Late first round, maybe second round. A lot will depend on his
workouts. He could drop hard.

Pros: Strength, competitiveness; a warrior on the court.

Cons: Outside shooting. He's a bit on the undersized and hasn't been tested
recently. Scouts also haven't seen him in any of the big events.

Sam Clancy
College: USC
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 240
2000-01 Stats: 17.3 ppg | 7.5 rpg | 50.1% FGs

Projected:Middle-to-late first-round pick, but could move out of the first
round if he doesn't wow the NBA in workouts.

Pros: Inside-out scorer. Very strong rebounder in the mold of a Karl Malone.
Became a leader during the second half of the Pac-10 and the NCAA
tournaments in leading USC to the Elite Eight.

Cons:Primarily still a college low-post player who needs to get a 3-point
shot and face the basket more often.

Jason Collins
College: Stanford
Class: Sophomore | Position: Center | Ht: 6-11 | Wt: 255
2000-01 Stats: 14.6 ppg | 7.8 rpg | 61.5% FGs

Projected:Could be mid to late first round.

Pros: Better than brother Jarron offensively. He's got more low-post moves,
is bigger and has a wider frame to seal off in the post. Even has 3-point
range.

Cons:Knee and wrist injuries are why there is a two-year eligibility gap
between the twins. Teams will have to do their homework before drafting him.

Omar Cook
College: St. John's
Class: Freshman | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190
2000-01 Stats: 15.3 ppg | 3.0 rpg | 8.7 apg.

Projected: Possible first-round pick, but could slip to the second round.

Pros: Tremendous quickness and has the ability to get in the paint. He's got
a good strong body.

Cons:He's got to improve his shooting and decision making.

Eddy Curry
High School: South Holland Thornwood (Evanston, Ill.)
Class: Senior | Position: Center | Ht: 6-11 | Wt: 290

Projected:Likely will go top five, no lower than top 10.

Pros: Big body, long arms and good hands. He's got Darryl Dawkins-like size.

Cons:His body needs to be in better shape, not the most explosive guy, but
that could improve with conditioning.

Samuel Dalembert
College: Seton Hall
Class: Freshman | Position: Center | Ht: 6-11 | Wt: 232
2000-01 Stats: 8.3 ppg | 5.7 rpg | 2.1 blocks

Projected: Late first-round pick but could move up higher.

Pros: Scouts love his upside and natural shot-blocking ability. He's a
defensive presence and can get stronger. He has shown improvement from one
season to the next.

Cons: Foul prone, offensive game is still underdeveloped and will still be a
project for the next few seasons.

Sagana Diop
High School: Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
Class: Senior | Position: Center | Ht: 7-0 | Wt: 310

Projected:Lottery to the middle of the first round.

Pros: True post player. NBA body and NBA size for his position. Good hands
and going to be a project for teams, but has the upside.

Cons:Developing. A project who hasn't played the game very long.

Maurice Evans
College: Texas
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 220
2000-01 Stats: 15.6 ppg | 5.3 rpg | 38.9 3pt %

Projected: Second round or not drafted.

Pros: Scouts love his size and slashing ability.

Cons: He doesn't handle the ball well and isn't a great shooter.

Joe Forte
College: North Carolina
Class: Sophomore | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 185
2000-01 Stats: 20.9 ppg | 6.1 rpg | 3.5 apg

Projected: Middle of the first round.

Pros: Big-time scorer, can create on his own, drives to the hoop, has the
range and the scorer's mentality.

Cons: Struggled to get his shot off against the U.S. Olympians back in
September, still might be on the small side to be an NBA shooting guard.

Jason Gardner
College: Arizona
Class: Sophomore | Position: Guard | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 181
2000-01 Stats: 10.9 ppg | 4.1 ast | 36.7 3pt %

Projected: Second round pick, might return to school.

Pros: He's a good scorer, but he might be a questionable point guard.

Cons: Very much on the small side. Handles the ball fine, but would have
problems with a big guard. What's the difference between him and a half
dozen guys in the IBL with similar game?

Eddie Griffin
College: Seton Hall
Class: Freshman | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-9 | Wt: 205
2000-01 Stats: 17.8 ppg | 10.8 rpg | 4.4 blks

Projected: Lottery awaits. A top-five pick.

Pros: Could be one of the most talented players in the draft as a
shot-blocker, who can shoot the ball outside. He has the size NBA scouts
love and can run the floor with anyone.

Cons: Questions about attitude, anger management and whether or not he's a
winner.

Kirk Haston
College: Indiana
Class: Junior | Position: Center | Ht: 6-10 | Wt: 230
2000-01 Stats: 19.0 ppg | 8.7 rpg | 37.7% 3-pt FGs

Projected: Late first round or early second round. Could work his way up
board with strong workouts.

Pros: He has great range. Can shoot 3-pointer range, but also has
inside-outside scoring ability. Can put the ball on the floor with good
hands.

Cons: Could be a defensive liability at next level? Not quite sure if he's a
small forward or power forward. Can he guard NBA small forwards to match his
offensive game.

Steven Hunter
College: DePaul
Class: Sophomore | Position: Center | Ht: 7-0 | Wt: 215
2000-01 Stats: 11.4 ppg | 5.6 rpg | 2.4 blks

Projected: Second-round pick at best.

Pros: He's a shot blocker, and teams can't teach size. Also a legit athlete.

Cons: Doesn't know how to play the game yet, and hasn't utilized his natural
talent. Not quite sure who is advising him to declare.

Richard Jefferson
College: Arizona
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 222
2000-01 Stats: 11.3 ppg | 5.4 rpg | 2.7 ast.

Projected: Somewhere between 15th to 20th pick in the first round.

Pros: Tremendous athlete, good size for his position, proved in tournament
that he can make a shot. Also a great finisher in transition, and a solid
defender.

Cons: Ball skills need to get better, continue to work on his shooting, must
improve mid-range shots because NBA isn't always about running and jumping
to the rim.

Joe Johnson
College: Arkansas
Class: Sophomore | Position: Forward-Guard | Ht: 6-8
2000-01 Stats: 14.2 ppg | 6.4 rpg

Projected: Mid to late first round.

Pros: Very skilled, outstanding shooter, can handle and pass the ball well.
Good size for small forward, but could play some shooting guard.

Cons: Needs to get stronger and some question toughness and desire. How bad
does he want to play hard or does he just want to go through the motions.

Tony Key
High School: Centennial (Compton, Calif.)
Class: Senior | Position: Center | Ht: 7-1 | Wt: 230

Projected: Second round or out of the draft. Key was record fifth high
school senior to declare for the draft.

Pros: He's big, and has potential because of his size and raw skill.

Cons: No big-time competition to gauge him against. Not highly recruited out
of high school. Not sure how good he can become over the next three years.

D.A. Layne
College: Georgia
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 190
2000-01 Stats: 16.8 ppg | 3.0 rpg | 3.5 apg

Projected: Second round pick at best.

Pros: He can score, either as a shooter or slasher.

Cons: Not a true point and too small to be a two-guard in NBA. Doesn't have
a true position at next level. May have too high of an opinion of himself.

Troy Murphy
College: Notre Dame
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-11 | Wt: 245
2000-01 Stats: 21.8 ppg | 9.2 rpg | 2.1 ast

Projected: Middle to late, but closer to late first round.

Pros: He's a shooter with range with size. A tough player and understands
the game and plays very hard.

Cons: Not athletic. He's not explosive and doesn't have quick feet. He'll be
a liability defensively.

Tayshaun Prince
College: Kentucky
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-9 | Wt: 215
2000-01 Stats: 16.9 ppg | 6.5 rpg | 2.9 asts

Projected: A chance to go late in the first round, but better chance he'll
return for junior season at Kentucky.

Pros: Knows how to play the game and can score. Is a little light, but has
long arms and could be a tough matchup.

Cons: A number of scouts don't like his body. He's too thin and has been an
inconsistent shooter.

Zach Randolph
College: Michigan State
Class: Freshman | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-9 | Wt: 270
2000-01 Stats: 10.8 ppg | 6.7 rpg | 2.2 ast.

Projected: Mid-to-late first round.

Pros: Big body, great feel for the game and low-post scorer, good position
rebounder and extremely physical.

Cons: Not very explosive. The weight issue could be a concern. Probably not
the quickest or greatest runner on the floor.

Jason Richardson
College: Michigan State
Class: Sophomore | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 220
2000-01 Stats: 14.7 ppg | 5.9 rpg | 2.2 ast.

Projected: Mid-to-late first round.

Pros: Athleticism, great to the hole, defender and he's close to Michael
Finley.

Cons: He's not a great shooter, but he's getting better. Ball skills and
passing need to improve if he plays shooting guard.

Kenny Satterfield
College: Cincinnati
Class: Sophomore | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185
2000-01 Stats: 14.4 ppg | 4.7 rpg | 4.9 ast.

Projected: Late first to second round.

Pros: Good solid penetrator and good size for a point guard. Can handle the
ball well and decent defender.

Cons: Questionable shot, moves too often to his left and is too predictable.

Bobby Simmons
College: DePaul
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 210
2000-01 Stats: 16.7 ppg | 8.6 rpg | 2.5 ast.

Projected: Possible second-round pick.

Pros: Shooting and maneuvering ability. He has some range on his shot.

Cons: He's inconsistent, and hasn't put together an entire season. Is his
game really ready for the NBA?

Will Solomon
College: Clemson
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 185
2000-01 Stats: 19.7 ppg | 2.9 rpg | 3.4 ast.

Projected: Second round at best. He could still return to college.

Pros: He's got the ability to score and he's quick. He does have range. Shot
selection improved this year.

Cons: He hasn't played point guard, so can he play it at the highest level?
Can he run a team, does he have a point-guard mentality? If he's a two-guard
then he's too small. He has to be a point. Team didn't win with him in the
lineup.

Gerald Wallace
College: Alabama
Class: Freshman | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 210
2000-01 Stats: 9.8 ppg | 6.0 rpg | 1.5 ast.

Projected: Late first round to second round.

Pros: Athletic ability. He's a big-time transition player and athlete. The
upside of course is that he's young.

Cons: Can't shoot. He's not ready. Ball skills are weak. Understanding of
the game. Averaged six points in the SEC, shot 17 percent on 3s.

Rodney White
College: Charlotte
Class: Freshman | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-9 | Wt: 230
2000-01 Stats: 18.7 ppg | 6.5 rpg | 1.5 ast.

Projected: Possible lottery pick, but could fall to 20th.

Pros: He's a versatile talent for his size, and can shoot the ball outside.
Should be good in the two-man game with the pick and pop. A solid physical
specimen for the league.

Cons: Still a bit of a tweener and his ball skills can still improve.

Damien Wilkins
College: North Carolina State
Class: Sophomore | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 225
2000-01 Stats: 11.7 ppg | 5.8 rpg | 2.7 ast.

Projected: Second round, if drafted at all.

Pros: Big body, a strong and driving player who has a spot in college
basketball.

Cons: But his position in the NBA might be small forward and he doesn't have
the ball skills, the shooting range or the athleticism to defend big-time
talents in the NBA.

Michael Wright
College: Arizona
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 238
2000-01 Stats: 15.6 ppg | 7.8 rpg | 59% FGs

Projected: Late first or early second round.

Pros: Strong, inside presence and a nose for the basketball. Plays hard,
aggressive interior defense and loves to rebound.

Cons: He's a perfect college basketball power forward. But he's probably
undersized for the position in the NBA. Not comfortable guarding out on the
perimeter and his range doesn't go past 10 feet.