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Draft preview: Closer look at all the positions

By David Aldridge, TNT analyst
Posted Jun 24 2009 1:28AM


POINT GUARDS ::::::
Rank Name School/Team Height Weight Wingspan Vertical
1 Ricky Rubio DKV Joventut 6-4 (est.) 180 (est.) N/A N/A
2 Tyreke Evans Memphis 6-5 1/4 221 6-11 1/4 34
3 Stephen Curry Davidson 6-3 1/4 181 6-3 1/4 35 1/2
4 Jrue Holiday UCLA 6-3 1/2 199 6-7 34
5 Jonny Flynn Syracuse 5-11 1/4 196 6-4 40
6 Brandon Jennings Virtus Roma 6-0 (est.) 170 (est.) N/A N/A
7 Ty Lawson North Carolina 5-11 1/4 197 6-0 3/4 36 1/2
8 Jeff Teague Wake Forest 6-0 1/4 175 6-7 1/2 36 1/2
9 Patty Mills St. Mary's 5-11 1/4 175 6-2 33
10 Eric Maynor VCU 6-2 1/4 164 6-2 1/2 31 1/2
OTHERS OF NOTE: Rod Beaubois, Cholet (France); Nando De Colo, Cholet (France); Toney Douglas, Florida State; Paul Delaney III, Alabama-Birmingham; Pat Beverly, Dnipro (Ukraine); A.J. Price, Connecticut.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Nick Calathes, Panathanaikos (Greece). The former Florida star surprised many in the NBA by agreeing to a deal with the Greek power, where he'll play next season. But Calathes did not take his name out of the NBA draft, which means a team could select him and let him play overseas for a year or two without his counting on the team's salary cap. Someone late in the first round is expected to do just that.

For Aldridge's complete analysis on the point guards, click here.

* Measurements, where applicable, are from Chicago pre-draft camp (heights are with shoes on). Those not in Chicago have estimated heights and weights taken from their team websites and/or other official basketball websites.

SHOOTING GUARDS ::::::
Rank Name School/Team Height Weight Wingspan Vertical
1 James Harden Arizona State 6-5 1/4 222 6-10 3/4 37
2 DeMar DeRozan USC 6-6 1/2 211 6-9 38.5
3 Gerald Henderson Duke 6-5 215 6-10 1/4 35
4 Terrence Williams Louisville 6-6 1/4 213 6-9 37
5 Wayne Ellington North Carolina 6-5 1/4 202 6-6 1/2 38
6 Jermaine Taylor Central Florida 6-4 3/4 207 6-8 3/4 37.5
7 Jodie Meeks Kentucky 6-4 211 6-4 1/2 37
8 Chase Budinger Arizona 6-7 206 6-7 38.5
9 Marcus Thornton LSU 6-3 3/4 194 6-5 33
10 Sergei Gladyr Mykolaiv (Ukraine) 6-5 # 198 # N/A N/A
OTHERS OF NOTE: Courtney Fells, N.C. State; Jerel McNeal, Marquette; Dionte Christmas, Temple; Dar Tucker, DePaul

KEEP AN EYE ON: Jack McClinton, Miami. He measured 6 feet 3/4 in Chicago, which is, um, small for a two. But he's got a lot of heart and he showed he could excel in a big-time conference after transferring from Siena. Two of my guys independently made the same comparison: David Wesley, another small two who had to play some point in the pros, but also played off the ball. McClinton can flat-out score, and if someone gives him a chance he could surprise.

For Aldridge's complete analysis on the shooting guards, click here.

* Measurements, where applicable, are from Chicago pre-draft camp (heights are with shoes on). Those not in Chicago have estimated heights and weights taken from their team websites and/or other official basketball Web sites.

# Measurements are from the Mykolaiv team Web site.

SMALL FORWARDS ::::::
Rank Name School/Team Height Weight Wingspan Vertical
1 Earl Clark Louisville 6-10 3/4 228 7-2 1/2 33
2 Omri Casspi Maccabi Tel Aviv 6-9 1/4 211 6-9 1/2 32.5
3 Sam Young Pittsburgh 6-6 3/4 223 6-10 3/4 33
4 Austin Daye Gonzaga 6-10 3/4 192 7-2 3/4 28
5 DaJuan Summers Georgetown 6-8 1/2 243 7-0 3/4 34.5
6 Jonas Jurebko Angelico Biella (Italy) 6-8 # 220 # N/A N/A
7 Derrick Brown Xavier 6-8 1/2 225 7-2 1/2 35.5
8 Danny Green North Carolina 6-6 1/2 208 6-10 33
9 Lorrenzo Wade San Diego State 6-6 # 225 # N/A N/A
10 Victor Claver Pamesa Valencia (Spain) 6-9 # 225 # N/A N/A
OTHERS OF NOTE: Alonzo Gee, Alabama; Jeff Adrian, Connecticut; Joe Ingles, South Dragons (Australia); Lee Cummard, Brigham Young

KEEP AN EYE ON: DeMarre Carroll, Missouri. Carroll's game is reminiscent of Renaldo Balkman's; while teammate Leo Lyons might be more talented, according to scouts, Carroll plays with greater intensity. Even opposing coaches are taken with him; he's "the kind of guy that you'd let babysit your sons," said a Big 12 head coach whose team played the Tigers last season. Carroll had a star turn in Portsmouth, winning Most Valuable Player honors, and could be a late first or second-round selection. However, an undisclosed liver condition that might eventually require a liver transplant has some teams concerned.

For Aldridge's complete analysis on the small forwards, click here.

* Measurements, where applicable, are from Chicago pre-draft camp (heights are with shoes on). Those not in Chicago have estimated heights and weights taken from their team websites and/or other official basketball Web sites.

POWER FORWARDS ::::::
Rank Name School/Team Height Weight Wingspan Vertical
1 Blake Griffin Oklahoma 6-10 248 6-11 1/4 35 1/2
2 Jordan Hill Arizona 6-10 3/4 232 7-1 1/2 35
3 Tyler Hansbrough North Carolina 6-9 1/2 234 6-11 1/2 34
4 James Johnson Wake Forest 6-7 3/4 257 7-0 3/4 35
5 DeJuan Blair Pittsburgh 6-6 1/2 277 7-2 33
6 Josh Heytvelt Gonzaga 6-11 246 7-1 1/2 28
7 Taj Gibson USC 6-9 3/4 214 7-4 30
8 Jeff Pendergraph Arizona State 6-10 240 7-1 35
9 Dante Cunningham Villanova 6-8 1/4 227 6-11 35
10 Shawn Taggert Memphis 6-10 # 230 # N/A N/A
OTHERS OF NOTE: Jon Brockman, Washington; Henk Norel, DKV Joventut (Spain); Leo Lyons, Missouri; Alade Aminu, Georgia Tech; Ahmad Nivins, St. Joseph's; Robert Dozier, Memphis.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Brandon Costner, N.C. State. The junior was up and down throughout his career in Raleigh, but never blossomed as the Wolfpack had hoped. He can pass and shoot, with three-point range, but occasionally fell too much in love with the dribble, and it hurt him. He can guard people in the post--"he's not starting any fights in there but he's not backing off, either," said a coach who's worked extensively with Costner in the past two years. Costner isn't a great athlete, but he can get things done in the paint--if he'll just stay in the paint. One of those guys that may not get drafted, but may be a huge free agent surprise if it all ever comes together for him.

For Aldridge's complete analysis on the power forwards, click here.

* Measurements, where applicable, are from Chicago pre-draft camp (heights are with shoes on). Those not in Chicago have estimated heights and weights taken from their team websites and/or other official basketball Web sites.

# Measurements are from the Memphis' team Web site.

CENTERS ::::::
Rank Name School/Team Height Weight Wingspan Vertical
1 Hasheem Thabeet UConn 7-2 1/2 267 7-6 1/4 32.5
2 B.J. Mullens Ohio State 7-1 1/4 258 7-1 1/2 34
3 Luke Nevill Utah 7-2# 265# N/A N/A
4 John Bryant Santa Clara 6-11# 275# N/A N/A
5 Aron Baynes Washington State 6-10# 250# N/A N/A
6 Goran Sutan Michigan State 6-10# 245# N/A N/A
7 Garret Siler Augusta State 7-0# 291# N/A N/A
8 Kareem Cooper Texas El-Paso 7-0# 285# N/A N/A
9 Chinemelu Elonu Texas A&M 6-10# 235# N/A N/A
10 Vitor Faverani Unicaja Malaga (Spain) 6-9# 233# N/A N/A
OTHERS OF NOTE: Raymond Sykes, Clemson; Bamba Fall, SMU; Chris Johnson, LSU.

For Aldridge's complete analysis on the centers, click here.

* Measurements, where applicable, are from Chicago pre-draft camp (heights are with shoes on). Those not in Chicago have estimated heights and weights taken from their team websites and/or other official basketball websites.

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