Complete list: Who's in, who's out of 2008 draft?
College players are beginning to declare their intentions for the NBA draft. For the most part, information received this time of year is fairly unreliable. Last year at this time, for example, Ohio State's Mike Conley said he'd definitely be returning to Ohio State. He's now finishing his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
IN THE DRAFT
Players who officially have declared for the 2008 NBA draft
* To preserve eligibility, player has not hired an agent
Ryan Anderson, F, Cal*
Anderson is one of the best offensive players in the country. He's a big forward who can score inside and out. However, he's stuck between positions. His lack of athleticism hurts his ability to guard 3s and his lack of strength limits his chances of guarding 4s. He's stuck on the first-round bubble right now.
Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona
Bayless didn't come with quite the rep of some of the other freshman guards like
Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo and
Eric Gordon, but he's had a spectacular freshman season. Bayless has great athleticism, can score of the dribble and from deep three-point range and proved that he could play the point, at least part time, in the pros. His lack of pure playmaking skills and the fact that he's a little undersized to play the two will hurt his stock a little, but overall Bayless looks like he'll fall somewhere between 3 and 8 in the draft.
Chase Budinger, G/F, Arizona*
He has great size for his position, is an explosive athlete and can shoot the lights out, but he's been criticized for being too passive and not always using his athletic ability. However, NBA GMs still see him as a potential lottery pick ... falling somewhere in the 10-15 range.
Derrick Caracter, F, Louisville
He is big, physical and athletic, and has soft hands around the basket. But he's racked up such a rap sheet at Louisville, there's a great chance that every team in the league will decide to take a pass. He's good, but he's probably not worth the trouble.
Earl Clark, F, Louisville
Clark is a long, athletic, versatile forward who played his best basketball in the NCAA tournament. He's a point forward type with excellent rebounding skills and can be awesome in the open court. Clark is still a little raw, especially on the offensive end and he could add some strength to his wiry frame. However, scouts love the potential. He's got the potential to go somewhere in the mid to late first round.
Eric Gordon, G, Indiana
Gordon has many star qualities. He's an excellent athlete, has an NBA body, is explosive going to the basket, an excellent defender and, until the last few weeks of the season, was a dead eye from long range. His struggles since injuring his wrist in January and losing head coach Kelvin Sampson, have been well documented. He couldn't hit a shot and he, and the Hooisers, went down in flames. While his performance in the last quarter of the season didn't help his draft stock, teams still see him as a Top 10 pick.
Donte Greene, F, Syracuse*
Greene is a long, athletic forward who can play both inside and out. He had a very strong start to the season before hitting the wall in the second half. Teams love his talent, but he's still raw and finding a position. He could go anywhere from the late lottery to mid-first round.
Richard Hendrix, F, Alabama*
Despite Hendrix's NBA body, athleticism and excellent numbers in the SEC this season, scouts aren't totally sold on him. They believe he is undersized for his position and needs polish on the offensive end. Still, Hendrix is smart to test the waters. He's a junior and he can give teams a free look. If he impresses, he could go anywhere from the late teens to mid 20s. If he doesn't impress, he can return to Alabama for his senior season.
