SENIOR WATCH LIST

Here is a list of seniors I will be tracking throughout the season.  The list is still a work-in-progress and more names will be added in the upcoming weeks.  Each name is linked to their pre-season preview and as full scouting reports, interviews, and other mentions are made throughout the year, you will find the links to them here as well.

O.D. Anosike – Siena – Forward

Julian Boyd – Long Island Univ. – Forward

Kenny Boynton – Florida – Guard

Isaiah Canaan – Murray State – Guard

Jackie Carmichael – Illinois State – Forward

Will Cherry – Montana – Guard

Jack Cooley – Notre Dame – Forward

D.J. Cooper – Ohio Univ. – Guard

Vincent Council – Providence – Guard

Robert Covington – Tennessee State – Forward

Drew Crawford – Northwestern – Guard

Seth Curry – Duke – Guard

Ed Daniel – Murray State – Forward

Matthew Dellavedova – St. Mary’s – Guard

Jud Dillard – Tennessee Tech – Guard

Kevin Dillard – Dayton – Guard

Gregory Echinique – Creighton – Center

Tim Frazier – Penn State – Guard

Abdul Gaddy – Washington – Guard

Erick Green – Virginia Tech – Guard

C.J. Harris – Wake Forest – Guard

Elias Harris – Gonzaga – Guard

Solomon Hill – Arizona – Forward

Richard Howell – North Carolina State – Forward

Jordan Hulls – Indiana – Guard

Pierre Jackson – Baylor – Guard

Elijah Johnson – Kansas – Guard

Kerron Johnson – Belmont – Guard

Reggie Johnson – Miami – Guard

Lamont “Momo” Jones – Iona – Guard

Ryan Kelly – Duke – Forward

Mark Lyons – Arizona – Guard

Zeke Marshall – Akron – Center

Jeronne Maymon – Tennessee – Forward

Trevor Mbakwe – Minnesota – Forward

C.J. McCollum – Lehigh – Guard

Rodney McGruder – Kansas State – Guard

Brock Motum – Washington State – Forward

Erik Murphy – Florida – Forward

Mike Muscala – Bucknell – Forward

Alex Oriakhi – Missouri – Forward/Center

Brandon Paul – Illinois – Guard

Steven Pledger – Oklahoma – Guard

Mason Plumlee – Duke – Forward

D.J. Seeley – Cal State Fullerton – Guard

E.J. Singler – Oregon – Forward

Peyton Siva – Louisville – Guard

Michael Snaer – Florida State – Guard

Dexter Strickland – North Carolina – Guard

Chase Tapely – San Diego State – Guard

Christian Watford – Indiana – Forward

Rodney Williams – Minnesota – Forward

Jeff Withey – Kansas – Center

Nate Wolters – South Dakota State – Guard

Tray Woodall – Pittsburgh – Guard

Cashmere Wright – Cincinnati - Guard

Khalif Wyatt – Temple – Guard

Mouphtaou Yarou – Villanova - Center


 

College basketball season is closing in and the Road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  It’s time to continue my look at this year’s senior class and some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their value to teams at the next level.

(You can read previous entries here:  Part I; Part II; Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX)

Remember, these are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.

Rodney McGruder, Kansas State, Guard, 6’4, 205

15.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 spg, 46.2 FG%, 80.2 FT%, 38.5 3FG%

McGruder emerged as one of the Big 12’s best scorers last season, using a good combination of penetration and perimeter shooting to keep defenses off-balance.   McGruder does a great job using his first step to get by the defender and into the lane where he has a very good runner/floater.  He is a solid spot-up shooter on the perimeter with good range.  McGruder has a solid body and, with the right matchups, can work in the post against other 2’s.  He does a good job moving without the ball, looking for openings in the defense.  On defense, McGruder is an excellent on and off-ball defender.  He denies passing lanes well and he always keeps good position.  He is a strong defensive rebounder for his size and uses his body well to get position.

What he needs to show this season: McGruder is a good free throw shooter and should look to get to the line more often.  He has the ability to get into the lane and draw contact, but will often settle for the runner/floater.  McGruder has to also work on using his dribble to create space for his jumper, as well as hitting his shot off the dribble.  He would also create space by coming tighter off of screens.  McGruder does a good job getting into the lane and drawing help defenders, he should work on his vision and passing skills to get his teammates some easy shots.

Brock Motum, Washington State, Forward, 6’10, 245

18.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 55.4 FG%, 73.8 FT%, 39.7 3FG%

Motum, the Pac-12’s leading scorer last season, presents as a tough mismatch for a lot of teams.   Motum is a versatile offensive threat, able to play in the post or on the perimeter.  He has good footwork, has nice touch around the rim, and is able to finish in a variety of ways.  Motum is also able to face-up and drive to the basket, or step out and hit the mid or long-range jumper.  He is an option as a pick-and-roll or a pick-and-pop player, and he also does a good job drawing fouls.

What he needs to show this season: Motum has many issues on the defensive side of the court.  He needs to be more physical when playing against other big men, especially learning to hold his position and use his lower body.  As good as his footwork is on the offensive end, he doesn’t react well or smoothly on the defensive side.  As a rebounder, he needs to do a better job getting position and going strong after the ball.  When guarding on the perimeter and on the pick-and-roll, he needs to do a better job with his lateral movement and his positioning.  On the offensive end, Motum needs to do a better job reacting to pressure and getting rid of the ball quicker.  Also, he needs to watch a tendency to bring his dribble up to high, leading to him being stripped.

Chase Tapely, San Diego State, Guard, 6’3, 195

15.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.8 spg, 45.5 FG%, 72.3 FT%, 43.3 3FG%, 1.4:1 A/TO

Tapely has been an integral part of San Diego State’s emergence as a national basketball power.  He can score in a variety of ways, including a fantastic mid-range jumper off the dribble or coming off of screens.   He has very good range on his spot-up jumper, and can hit the 3 in the halfcourt or transition.  He is a solid ball-handler and can attack off the dribble from a variety of spots.  Tapely has good court awareness and understands spacing well.  He can be a solid defender, especially when pressuring the ball.  One of Tapely’s best traits is his desire to want the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. 

What he needs to show this season:  At the next level, Tapely will probably have his best shot playing the point guard position.  He will need to show the ability to be a playmaker, making good reads of screens, and make good passes off of penetration.   With Xavier Thames as the primary ballhandler and playmaker, Tapely may not have the opportunity he needs, but should have his chances.  He needs to do a better job going strong to the basket, not shying away from contact, and looking to get to free throw line.    On the defensive side, Tapely needs to do a better job off the ball, especially with his positioning and getting over screens.  He can be too quick to commit to helping leaving his man open on the perimeter.

Tray Woodall, Pittsburgh, Guard, 6’0, 190

11.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.9 apg, 43.5 FG%, 81.0 FT%, 38.6 3FG%, 1.9:1 A/TO

Woodall bounced back from a 3-week injury layoff during the season to be one of the few bright spots in Pittsburgh’s season.  Woodall is a very good ballhandler and uses his dribble well to break down the defense.  He sees the court well and is a solid passer, getting the ball to his teammates in position where they can make a play.  He understands and can make quick reads off of the pick-and-roll, and he does a good job drawing the defense and hitting an open teammate.  He does a good job pushing the ball in transition, where he has the ability to dish the ball, take it to the basket, or pull up for the jumper.  He is a good spot-up shooter, and has shown that he can hit his jumper off the bounce.  Woodall can be a good defender, having good speed and good lateral movement.

What he needs to show this season: Woodall is a solid all-around point guard, but he needs to do a better job in traffic.  Before he makes a move to the basket or into the lane, he needs to be more aware of where his options are going to be instead of looking for someone once he gets stopped.   On the defensive end, he needs to react better, both on and off the ball, and work harder on getting over screens on the perimeter.

Steven Pledger, Oklahoma, Guard, 6’4, 224

16.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.6 apg, 45.9 FG%, 83.3 FT%, 41.6 3FG%

Pledger emerged as a legitimate offensive threat under Lon Kruger last season.  He has a very good mid-range jumper, which he can hit off the dribble or off a screen.  He has a strong body which he uses to muscle smaller defenders to get into the lane where he can finish with a short jumper or floater.  He uses ball fakes well to get defenders off-balance and create space for his jumper.  When he gets to the free-throw line, he is a very good shooter.  He has very good range on his jumper and you can’t afford to give him any room behind the 3-point line.  He sees the court well and can make some good passes off of the pick-and-roll.  Pledger is a good on-ball defender, positioning himself well and having good lateral movement.  He closes well on shooters and does a good job hustling out to open men.

What he needs to show this season: Pledger needs to do a better job moving without the ball, making quick cuts and coming tight off of screens.  He doesn’t react well to pressure defense and needs to work on protecting the ball.  Pledger should look to be more aggressive attacking the basket, especially when he gets a step on his man.  Defensively, Pledger needs to do a better job getting through screens and not relying on switches as much.  Also, he needs to do a better job off the ball, watching his positioning and reacting better to his man’s movements.

Check back soon as the previews continue with the last of the senior class, another group of juniors, and the start of the sophomores.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog and leave your comments below or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About a month until the first games of the college basketball season, and the road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  It’s time to start my look at this year’s junior class and give some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their appeal to the NBA if they choose to leave school.

(You can read previous entries here: Juniors - Part I, Part 2)

Remember, these are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.   Some of these players are already pro candidates, while others will clearly need a senior season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.

Joshua Smith, UCLA, Center, 6’10, 305

9.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 57.4 FG%, 59.0 FT%, 16.6 mpg

Last season was another frustrating one for Smith and UCLA.  Conditioning issues limited Smith’s time on the court, but at times you saw just enough to want to see Smith more.  Smith can use his huge body well to get position in the post, and when he gets the ball deep, there aren’t many who will stop him.  He has good footwork for his size and excellent touch around the basket.  He can be a good passer out of the post and he does a good job sealing off his man for his teammates to attack the lane.

What he needs to show this season: Conditioning and consistency continue to hound Smith.  He played at least 25 minutes only twice last season, and usually was good for only 15-17 minutes per game.  While he shows good footwork on offense, he doesn’t move well on the defensive end at all.  He is the first 300 pound player who I’ve seen get backed down easily in the post and when he gets beat he will commit silly fouls, sending him to the bench.  Between his lack of conditioning and these other missteps, Smith never gets into any kind of rhythm on the floor, leaving him to contribute very little.  Smith needs to start showing a commitment to the game and to his team by getting into shape enough to be a regular contributor.

CJ Leslie, North Carolina State, Forward, 6’9, 200

14.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1.6 bpg, 52.5 FG%, 59.6 FT%, 28.6 3FG%

Leslie is a top-level athlete with great speed and quick leaping ability.  He is an offensive threat in the lane or in transition, and he is aggressive attacking the basket.  He is very strong getting the ball in the high or low post and making a quick move to the rim.  He does a good job getting after missed shots on the offensive glass.  In transition, Leslie runs the wings well and can finish off the dribble or the lob pass.  Defensively, Leslie does a good job challenging shots around the rim and getting quickly to missed shots that are around him.

What he needs to show this season:  Leslie relies heavily on his athleticism to make an impact on both ends.  He needs to work on improving his skills in almost all areas.  He will need to play more out on the perimeter at the next level, so Leslie needs to improve both his ballhandling skills and consistency on his jumper.  While he will still get some points around the basket and in transition, he doesn’t have the body to compete in the post at the NBA level.  On the defensive end, Leslie needs to have better court awareness – he has a tendency to fixate on the movement of the ball, but not pay attention to his man, who finds himself open for easy points.  He relies on his leaping ability to get to rebounds, but he needs to work on using his body to create space and establish position.  I have seen some reports claim that Leslie doesn’t always play hard, which couldn’t be further from the case.  There are a lot of instances where he just doesn’t know what he should be doing, especially on offense.  When on defense, he is passable when on the ball, but it’s the lack of awareness that does him in. Focus and consistency will be keys for him this year.

Alec Brown, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Center, 7’1, 225

13.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.9 bpg, 45.6 FG%, 77.1 FT%, 21.1 3FG%

Brown has emerged as one of the best big men in the country.   He is able to score from the post or the perimeter, and he runs the floor well for his size.  He has developed a few go-to moves in the post, is able to use both hands, and he is solid as a passer or a shooter in the high post.  When Brown faces up in the post, his ability to draw out defenders and hit the jumper makes him dangerous.  On defense, Brown has very good awareness and positions himself well.  He is a solid help defender and has very good timing when looking to block shots.  He is very good at blocking shots to his teammates allowing the team to get out on the break.  His footwork on both ends of the court has improved, and he does well at getting out on the pick-and-roll.

What he needs to show this season: Brown’ slender frame makes it tough for him to hold his position on the blocks on both ends of the floor.  He needs to develop both his upper and lower body strength, though he does a good job using his long arms to deny the post when he can’t hold his spot.  Strength will also allow him to establish position better when looking to rebound.  Brown’s mid-range jumper is good, so he should continue to work on consistency and expanding his range out a bit further.    Defensively, Brown needs to continue working on his footwork and his lateral movement.

Trey Ziegler, Pittsburgh, Guard, 6’5, 203

(At Central Michigan) 15.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.1 spg, 46.2 FG%, 49.5 FT%, 28.9 3FG%

Ziegler spent his first 2 seasons playing for his father at Central Michigan, before transferring to Pittsburgh after his dad was fired.  For reasons not known, he was granted a waiver to play immediately.  Ziegler will give the Panthers a capable scorer on the wing.  Athletic with a solid body, Ziegler attacks the basket from strong from all angles and can finish through contact.  He is a decent ballhandler and handles pressure well.  He has a good understanding of court spacing and finds holes in the defense to penetrate.  Ziegler has the ability to post up and other shooting guards and is creative in finding ways to score around the basket.  On defense, Ziegler is a good on-ball defender and can guard multiple positions.  He moves his feet well and does a good job getting over screens on the perimeter.  He rebounds well for his size, anticipating where the miss will go and getting in good position to get the ball.  In transition, Ziegler is capable of pushing the ball himself or running one of the lanes.

What he needs to show this season: Shooting consistency is a major issue for Ziegler.  His jumper has very little arc and he has trouble getting clean looks to get it off.  When he is open and can get set, he can hit his shot, but he has trouble shooting off the dribble or with defenders around him.  He has the same flat shot on his free throws, which is a major detriment to someone who gets to the line as often as he does.  Ziegler also needs to work on his vision and passing skills.  He can be so aggressive and narrow-sighted attacking the basket that when he gets stopped he doesn’t know what to do with the ball.  Understanding where the help defense is coming from and where an open man will be are important parts of his development.

Phil Pressey, Missouri, Guard, 5’11, 175

10.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.4 apg, 2.1 spg, 43.0 FG%, 77.5 FT%, 36.5 3FG%, 2.6:1 A/TO

Pressey may be the most exciting guard to watch in college basketball.  He has fantastic speed and is an excellent ballhandler.  He can break down his man off the dribble to get into the lane or come quickly off a screen.  He has a very good crossover dribble which leaves many defenders watching him go by them.  Pressey is a good shooter when he has space and time, and he has done well using screens to give him room and a clean look.  His court vision is outstanding and he does a very good job finding open teammates all over the court.  He is an above average on-ball defender, positioning himself well and using his quick hands and feet to force the ballhandler into giving up the ball.  Pressey can be a blur in the open court and does a good job getting out in front of the defense and finishing.  If he gets picked up, he knows where his teammates are and hits them for easy baskets.

What he needs to show this season: With the ease that Pressey can get into the lane, he needs to become a better scorer, especially working on his short jumper and floater.  He is too small to go up against next level big men, so he will need to be more creative in finding ways to score.  This will also be the first season Pressey has played with a big man who understands the pick-and-roll like Alex Oriakhi.  If Missouri decides to implement the big man rolling to the basket off the screen, Pressey will need to be able to make the correct reads.  While Pressey uses screens well to get room for his jumper, he needs to show that he can use his dribble as well to create space and get the shot off.  Also, teams were able to find a weakness in Pressey last season if they had a defender who was quick enough to pressure him.  Pressey will need to do a better job making decisions when being pressured.  On the defensive side, Pressey uses his speed well to defend, but he needs to work on his lateral movement.  He tends to chase his man which leads to Pressey getting caught in screens or forcing needless switches on defense.

CJ Fair, Syracuse, Forward, 6’8, 215

8.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.1 spg, 46.5 FG%, 74.7 FT%, 26.1 3FG%

Athletic and long, Fair should have a much bigger role this year with the departures of Kris Joseph and Dion Waiters.  On defense, Fair does a good job in the back of the zone, covering a lot of ground, reacting well to cutters, and playing good help-side defense.  He uses his length and leaping ability well to rebound on both ends of the court, and to challenge shots.  On offense, Fair does a good job hitting openings in the defense and going to the basket hard.  His longs strides allow him to get to the rim quickly and he can finish in a variety of ways.  He runs the floor well and can finish strong in transition.

What he needs to show this season: Fair has gotten a lot of his offense by hitting open spaces created by the guards.  The next step will be for Fair to create his offensive opportunities.  To do this, Fair will need to become a much better ballhandler and a more consistent shooter.  Fair has good length and good footwork and he can use it to create scoring opportunities in the post if needed.  On the defensive end, Fair will need show that the defensive traits he uses in the zone will translate to playing man defense.

Check back soon as I finish my look at the seniors, as well as some more from the junior class.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog and leave your comments below or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

College basketball season is closing in on us and the Road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  It’s time to continue my look at this year’s senior class and some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their value at the next level.

(You can read previous entries here:  Part I; Part II; Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII)

Remember, these are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.

Erick Green, Virginia Tech, Guard, 6’3, 185

15.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.3 spg, 43.8 FG%, 82.8 FT%, 37.5 3FG%, 1.9:1 A/TO

Green was one of the few highlights on a Hokies team which would ultimately be Seth Greenberg’s last.  Former assistant James Johnson takes over and he will need Green to do even more with a depleted roster.  Green handles the ball well, can get into the lane off the dribble and has good body control getting to the rim, where he can finish in a variety of ways.  When he gets his feet set, he has good range and consistency on his jumper.  Green is a solid defender, able to stay in front of the ball and doing a good job denying passing lanes and staying with his man off the ball.

What he needs to show this season: As the Hokies’ point guard, Green will need to become much more of a playmaker, especially helping get a young roster into some kind of offensive rhythm.  He needs to do a better job seeing the floor and while he comes off of screens well, he needs to work on making the right reads.  It’s a tough situation for Green, because the team also needs him to score as well, or more, than he did last season.  When he gets into the lane, he needs to go stronger to the basket and not shy away from contact, as he is a very good free throw shooter.  Defensively, Green needs to do a much better job getting through screens, especially getting over the top against good perimeter shooters.

Jordan Hulls, Indiana, Guard, 6’0, 182

11.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.1 spg, 50.4 FG%, 89.9 FT%, 49.3 3FG%, 1.6:1 A/TO

Hulls may not get the notoriety of his teammates on a team that many have picked as the pre-season #1 team, but he is an integral part of what makes the team so good.  He gets the Hoosiers into their offense quickly and keeps the ball moving.  He is a good ballhandler and has a good first step to get by his defender.  He understands court spacing well, and he is a knock-down three point shooter when set and given space.  Hulls moves the ball quickly up the court in transition and sees the whole floor well.  He is a fundamentally solid defender, positioning himself well and having good lateral movement.  He has strong defensive instincts and defends passing lanes well.

What he needs to show this season: As a 4^th or 5^th option in the Hoosiers offense, Hulls does exactly what the team needs him to, but there are still areas he will need to improve to play at the next level.  Shot selection isn’t normally an issue for a player who shoots 50% from the field, but when he gets by the first defender, he can be erratic going to the basket and take some wild shots.  Without good size, he ends up fading away from the basket when he may just be better off stopping and shooting a short jumper.  That leads to the next area, which is being able to shoot his jumper off the dribble.  Hulls uses screens well to create space for his shot, but he needs to work on getting set and not rushing the shot.  Defensively, Hulls needs to work on not getting stuck in screens, especially when he is run through the lane off the ball.

Cashmere Wright, Cincinnati, Guard, 6’0, 178

10.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.0 spg, 40.9 FG%, 66.7 FT%, 37.1 3FG%, 2.0:1 A/TO

Wright is a catalyst on both ends of the floor for a team looking to at least match last year’s Sweet 16 run.  Wright handles the ball well and doesn’t force many bad passes.  He sees the floor well and does a good job getting his teammates the ball where they can make a play.  He is a good spot-up shooter with a quick, fluid release and good range.  He pushes the ball well in transition and can finish or hit an open teammate on the wings effectively.  Wright is a strong defender, able to pressure the ball full court, and doing a good job helping trap ballhandlers.  He anticipates passes well and is quick to jump passing lanes.  He is active when the Bearcats settle into a zone and is a good help defender.

What he needs to show this season:  Wright uses screens well to create space for his own shot, but he needs to show the ability to make reads of perimeter screens, especially in pick-and-roll situations.  Part of this will depend on Cincinnati running their offense differently.  Last season, most of the perimeter screeners would stay out on the perimeter looking for jumpers.  Wright also needs to work on turning the corner quickly when using a screen to get into the lane.  He needs to show that he can use his dribble to create space for his jumper, as well as being able to hit the jumper off the dribble.

Ryan Kelly, Duke, Forward, 6’11, 230

11.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 44.4 FG%, 80.7 FT%, 40.8 3FG%

Kelly emerged as a solid offensive threat for the Blue Devils last season, using a combination of post and perimeter play to put up points.  Kelly has good range on his jumper and his size allows him to get good looks.  He is a good screener and has the ability to thrive as a pick-and-pop or pick-and-roll player.  He has good touch when he gets the ball around the basket and has improved as a post option on offense.   Kelly can defend either on the perimeter or in the post, and he has improved his lateral movement and footwork.

What he needs to show this season: Kelly needs to be more aggressive on the offensive end.  He is a decent ballhandler for his size and with his perimeter skill, he can draw defenders out to him, but he will often settle for contested jumpers.  When he does choose to take the ball to the basket, he needs to go strong to the rim and not shy away from contact.  With Mason Plumlee as a primary post option, Kelly would work well as a high post player, which means he would need to work on his passing skills.  His footwork has improved as a post player, but he needs to work on adding a variety of moves, including a quick drop-step and a face-up move.  Defensively, Kelly needs to keep improving his footwork on the perimeter and the post, and he needs to improve his all-around defensive awareness, especially away from the ball.

Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota, Forward, 6’8, 245

(2010-11) 13.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 58.2 FG%, 62.9 FT%

Mbakwe was poised for a big year last season before a torn ACL in his right knee ended his year after 7 games.  He is a beast around the basket, going strong to the rim and finishing through contact.  He had done a good job improving getting position in the post and he showed that he has good hands and can finish with some touch.  Mbakwe is a relentless rebounder on both ends of the floor, using his body well to seal off his space and going strong after the miss.  He has a great ability to keep balls alive that he can’t get to the first time, and when he does grab a rebound, you aren’t going to get it away from him.  As a defender, Mbakwe uses his body well to hold his position and he can be aggressive going after offensive players driving towards the basket.

What he needs to show this season: If Mbakwe is back to a 100% entering this season, he should have no problem picking up where he left off.  The keys areas Mbakwe needs to work on are the finesse areas of his game – his footwork on both ends of the floor, and seeing the floor and hitting open teammates.  He should develop his mid-range game, both being able to knock down the 10-15 foot jumper, as well as getting the ball in the high or low post and facing up for a short jumper or drive.

Check back soon as I wrap up my look at the seniors, as well as continuing my look at the junior class.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog and leave your comments below or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About 5 weeks until the first games of the college basketball season, and the road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  It’s time to start my look at this year’s junior class and give some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their appeal to the NBA if they choose to leave school.

(You can read previous entries here: Juniors - Part I)

Remember, these are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.   Some of these players are already pro candidates, while others will clearly need a senior season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.

Shabazz Napier, Connecticut, Guard, 6’1, 171

13.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.6 spg, 38.9 FG%, 74.3 FT%, 35.5 3FG%, 2.1:1 A/TO

Napier, who helped UConn win a NCAA Championship as a freshman, faces his biggest challenge yet as the leader of a Huskies squad which has a new head coach in Kevin Ollie, lost their star in Jeremy Lamb, and is ineligible for the NCAA Tournament this year.  Napier is very quick and has great acceleration off the dribble and coming off of screens.  He is creative looking for shots around the basket and can finish in a variety of ways.  He has shown that he can hit his jumper from mid-to-long range, though inconsistently.  He sees the court well and can make some spectacular passes.  He is an above-average on-ball defender, moving his feet well and pressuring the ballhandler.  He is very good in the open court and can get the ball up court before the defense can react.

What he needs to show this season: Napier’s biggest issue is control.  His speed can often get away from him and he finds himself stuck before he can read and see his options.  This can lead to some very poor shots in the lane as well as some late passes.  As mentioned, he needs to become more consistent with his jumper, especially making sure he gets good looks and keeps his form consistent.  On the defensive end, Napier is a below-average off-ball defender, often losing his man, not reacting quickly or just having his focus too much on the ball.  Also, he needs to work on getting over screens and getting out on shooters.

Cleveland Melvin, DePaul, Forward, 6’8, 208

17.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 44.8 FG%, 63.5 FT%, 22.9 3FG%

Melvin, a former Big East Rookie of the Year, started to show a more complete game as a sophomore and should continue to develop heading into his junior year.  Melvin is long and athletic, able to leap quickly and having strong body control.  He has a great reach for his size and is able to get up and corral rebounds before taller players can get to them.  He has good touch around the basket, a few solid post moves with improved footwork, and he can also extend and finish strong.  He runs the floor well in transition and can get out and finish on the break.  He is developing as a decent high post option, seeing the court well and being able to knock down the 15 foot jumper.  On the defensive end, he handles himself well for having to play out of position.  He plays physical when defending in the post and he uses his reach to try and deny passing lanes.  He improved as a perimeter defender last season, moving his feet better and avoiding reaching if he gets beat.

What he needs to show this season: It’s an odd situation for Melvin; he takes a large number of shots for the Blue Demons, but he is isn’t as aggressive as he should be.  With his athletic ability, he needs to improve his ballhandling enough that he can look to drive more from the perimeter.  Often he has a good matchup on the perimeter, but he hesitates to take advantage of it.  Also, DePaul’s offense often lacks cohesion, and Melvin is left getting bad looks at the basket by the time he gets the ball.  Melvin projects to be a 3 at the next level, so he will need to continue to hone his perimeter skills, from his jumper to ballhandling to being able to guard other 3’s on the perimeter.  His lateral movement has improved, but he needs to anticipate movements better work to force his man into the help defense.

Deonte Burton, Nevada, Guard, 6’1, 185

14.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.1 spg, 40.2 FG%, 79.7 FT%, 37.2 3FG%, 2.1:1 A/TO

Burton, the WAC Player of the Year as a sophomore, is looking to expand his profile on the national stage this season.  He is a solid ballhandler, handles pressure well, and gets Nevada into their offense quickly.  He uses screens and a variety of dribbles to get into the lane and can finish with either hand around the basket.  He has decent range on his jumper and can spot-up and hit the three.  He sees the floor well and gets his teammates the ball where they can make plays.  Burton is a strong on-ball defender, moving his feet well, keeping his arms out and positioning himself well.

What he needs to show this season: Consistency on the offensive end is one of Burton’s biggest weaknesses.  He needs to work on finishing around the basket and adding a short jumper or floater when he can’t get all the way to the rim.  He is a good free throw shooter, but he needs to work at trying to draw fouls more often.  A good passer, Burton needs to work on being more of a playmaker, looking to draw the defense and hitting the open man, including working in pick-and-roll situations.

Gorgui Dieng, Louisville, Center, 6’11, 245

9.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.2 spg, 3.2 bpg, 52.5 FG%, 67.6 FT%

Dieng made great strides last season in his overall development, but he still has a ways to go before he becomes more than a defensive presence.  His shot blocking has improved as he has developed better timing and looking to get full extension.   As an anchor in the middle of the Louisville zone defense, he is an intimidating presence for anyone looking to get to the basket.  Dieng goes hard after rebounds and looks to establish position before making a play.  He has improved as a defender in pick and roll situations, but still needs to improve his footwork and awareness.  On the offensive side, Dieng is a solid screener, and he seems to understand how to play in the pick-and-role, opening up to the ball well after his screen.  He can finish around the basket and has worked on developing reliable post moves.

What he needs to show this season: While lack of strength is one of Dieng’s biggest concerns, he can overcome it with more skill development.  He needs to learn to use his lower body better when establishing position on both ends of the floor.  Because of the nature of the Louisville offense and the unpredictability of Peyton Siva, it is difficult for Dieng to find a clear role on the offensive end.  He spends a lot of time roaming the baseline looking for dumpoffs, and when he does look to establish position in the post, it ends up mainly be used as a seal off for a driving guard.  He needs to start getting more touches on the offensive end if he has any chance of improving soon.

Patric Young, Florida, Forward, 6’9, 249

10.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 61.8 FG%, 59.3 FT%

After what many viewed as a disappointing freshman season, Young bounced back well with a promising sophomore year.  Strong, athletic and quick, Young came to college already sporting an NBA-ready body, but his game is still catching up.  Young uses his body well in the offensive post, getting low with a solid base and sealing off the defender.  He is efficient around the basket and has developed the ability to hit the short hook shot with either hand off of both blocks.  Young is a strong screener on the perimeter and frees his guards up well.  He is a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor, getting position well and going strong after the ball.  On the defensive end, he keeps his position well in the post and he has improved as a perimeter defender.

What he needs to show this season: Young’s development as an offensive player depends on Florida making him a priority in their offense, which has been very perimeter-oriented the past 2 years.  With Bradley Beal and Erving Walker gone, Young has an opportunity to make himself the Gators’ go-to offensive player, though I am not sure that will happen.  He has to continue to work on his footwork and ballhandling in the post, and he should start to develop a better face-up game.  With his body, Young should work on going stronger to the basket with his post moves, and not settling for being forced away from the basket.  Defensively, he may be the best perimeter defender for his size and his lateral movement and positioning should continue to improve this year.

Ray McCallum, Detroit, Guard, 6’3, 190

15.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.6 spg, 45.8 FG%, 76.6 FT%, 24.0 3FG%, 1.8:1 A/TO

Many questioned McCallum’s decision to play for his father at Detroit when he had the opportunity to play for much higher profile schools, but McCallum has flourished as expected.  He has a great understanding of the game, from getting the offense set to recognizing court spacing.  Not flashy, but McCallum is a solid ballhandler and uses his dribble efficiently to get into the lane and to the basket.  He is athletic, has good body control and can finish with either hand around the basket.  McCallum is an underrated defender, both on and off the ball.  He denies passing lanes well, has very good lateral movement and has good court awareness.  He doesn’t mind crashing the boards on both ends and will battle with much bigger players.

What he needs to show this season: McCallum does a good job getting the Titans into their offense, but he is more of a facilitator than a playmaker.  He needs to show an ability to create for others outside of the standard offense.  Because of his value as a scorer, he often gets moved off the ball and he spends his time looking to get open off of screens, which he does well.  McCallum also needs to become more consistent with his mid-range and long-range jumper.  His form is solid, but he has a hard time getting set before he takes his shot.  On the defensive end, McCallum’s only major weakness is his ability to get through screens.  He needs to learn to get over them against shooters, and not rely on switches too often, which end up creating mismatches.

Check back soon as I wrap up my look at the seniors, as well as some more from the junior class.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog and leave your comments below or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.