Stay or Go

[BDodgers at aol.com]

The draft debate
Who should stay in college, who should go to the NBA
 

 

ATLANTA -- As Florida's Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Taurean 
Green -- affectionately known as the Oh-Fours -- pointed to a sea of orange-clad 
Gator fans after winning their second straight national championship on Monday 
night, the crowd chanted, "One more year." Some of the Gators don't need 
another year, as they are ready to move on to the NBA, but others could use one 
more year of college to improve their draft stock. Here's a look at the 
underclassmen who should stay in college and who are ready to enter the draft. 
Who Should Stay
Taurean Green, Jr., G, Florida
Green has been a big reason for the Gators' success, but isn't quite 
NBA-ready. He has been overshadowed a bit by his teammates, but if he can work on his 
defense and prove that he can consistently knock down the three, he'll answer 
some big questions about him.
What He'll Do: Make himself eligible for the draft, but return to school. 
Mike Conley Jr., Fr., G, Ohio State
Conley is super quick and has steadily improved as the season has gone on. He 
had a terrific NCAA tournament, and at times, was the Buckeyes' best player. 
Physically and mentally, he's not quite ready for the rigors of the NBA, but 
with another good year he could move into the top 10.
What He'll Do: Stay 
Spencer Hawes, Fr., C, Washington
The 6-11 big man was Washington's best all-around player, but the Huskies 
struggled and didn't make the tournament. With another year of experience, Hawes 
could be a top-five pick.
What He'll Do: Go 
Thaddeus Young, Fr., G, Georgia Tech
The wiry 6-8 freshman has tremendous skills and is an explosive scorer. 
However, his game isn't complete, and if he stays one more year, and improves his 
weaknesses (ball handling, an inconsistent outside shot) his stock will 
skyrocket.
What He'll Do: Stay 
Josh McRoberts, So., F, Duke
McRoberts has already said he's leaving Duke, but he'd be smart to 
reconsider. He's never lived up to his promise needs to show he can score consistently 
from the block. With better players around him next year, he could move into 
the top 10.
What He'll Do: Go 
D.J. White, Jr., F, Indiana
White has shown that he has NBA ability, but he's not ready to jump to the 
league yet. With one more year of seasoning in the Big Ten, White can move from 
the second round into the first.
What He'll Do: Stay 
Tyler Hansbrough, So., C, North Carolina
Psycho T is a warrior and will make a good pro some day, but he needs another 
year to polish his offensive game.
What He'll Do: Stay 
Dominic James, So., G, Marquette
James is explosive off the dribble and is a tremendous leaper despite being 
just 5-11. He needs to prove that he can shoot consistently from the outside, 
but if his rise continues, he could be a future first-round pick.
What He'll Do: Stay 
Hasheem Thabeet, Fr., C, UConn
Thabeet is no where near ready to play in the NBA, but you can't coach 
height, and at 7-3 Thabeet is projected as a top-10 pick. If he doesn't improve his 
skills, he'll get eaten alive in the NBA.
What He'll Do: Go

Brandon Rush, So., G, Kansas
Rush has an NBA-type game and is a natural scorer, but he has had a tendency 
to disappear at times. If he can continue to improve and show that he can 
consistently shoot from outside, he'll make himself a lot of money.
What He'll Do: Stay 
Chase Budinger, Fr., F, Arizona
A terrific athlete and leaper, Budinger was considered a future Olympic 
volleyball player. He was pretty good on the court, too. He can score from the 
inside and rebound. The only thing he has to do is be more consistent.
What He'll Do: Stay 
Arron Afflalo, Jr., G, UCLA
Afflalo is a terrific athlete and a natural scorer. He's a fringe first-round 
pick and needs to improve his outside shot to move up the board.
What He'll Do: Go 
Malik Hairston, Jr., F, Oregon
Hairston was limited by a heel injury, but he really came on at the end of 
the season. Tough around the basket with the ability to take his defender off 
the dribble, Hairston has an NBA game, but he needs some more seasoning.
What He'll Do: Go 
Who Should Go
Greg Oden, Fr., C, Ohio State
The big man could probably use another year of college to fine tune his game, 
and he loves the college life. But let's face it: If you're going to be the 
No. 1 or No. 2 pick, you have to go.
What He'll Do: Go 
Kevin Durant, Fr., F, Texas
See above.
What He'll Do: Go 
Brandan Wright, Fr., F, North Carolina
Scouts love Wright's athleticism and ability to get up and down the floor. 
He's the most pro ready of any Tar Heel. He's projected to go in the top-five, 
so his time is now.
What He'll Do: Go 
Jeff Green, Jr., F, Georgetown
Green is long, athletic and knows how to get to the rim. Simply put, he's an 
NBA player and pro scouts love his game. He's a sure top-10 pick.
What He'll Do: Go 
Joakim Noah, Jr., F, Florida
Noah's stock may have dropped since the end of last year, but only slightly. 
His numbers were down this season, but his all-around game has improved and 
he's ready to take the next step.
What He'll Do: Go 
Al Horford, Jr., F, Florida
Horford has improved as much as anyone this year and will likely be the first 
Florida player drafted. He's a beast on the boards and has learned to step 
outside and hit the mid-range jumper.
What He'll Do: Go 
Corey Brewer, Jr., F, Florida
Brewer is a pro. He can do it all: shoot, slash, rebound and play defense. 
There's not much more he can do at the college level.
What He'll Do: Go 
Roy Hibbert, Jr., C, Georgetown
The big man went toe-to-toe with Oden in the national semifinal and actually 
outplayed him. His offensive game is raw, but at 7-2 he's in demand.
What He'll Do: Go 
Marcus Williams, So., G, Arizona
Williams is a tremendous talent and a very smooth scorer. But he has been 
plagued with attitude problems and has probably worn out his welcome with 
Arizona. As a potential first-round pick, he should leave before he runs into more 
problems.
What He'll Do: Go 
Nick Young, Jr., G, USC
Young showed what he could do in the NCAA tournament and has a scorer's 
mentality. With O.J. Mayo coming in next year, he doesn't want to be overshadowed.
What He'll Do: Go



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