Draft Day is here and the Cavaliers still might be looking to buy in, but anything can happen between now and 7:30 tonight. As the 2010 NBA Draft approaches, we continue to examine some potential picks.
Cavs.com continues its positional preview, focusing today on some of the Draft's available small forwards.
Also see: Point Guards | Shooting Guards | Bigs
Devin Ebanks – 6-8, 208 – Born: October 28, 1989 (Long Island City, NY) – College: West Virginia – Despite a somewhat disappointing sophomore season, Ebanks potential could be irresistible to GMs; prolific rebounder (8.5 rpg) and great nose for the ball; doesn’t take bad shots, but sometimes disappears offensively; older than most of his class due to academic problems; skilled passer for his size; runs the floor well, despite not doing much of it under Huggins; very limited range, shot 11 percent from 3-point range; crafty offensive player, can get shots off in tight spaces; more of a scorer than a shooter; averaged 12.0 ppg and 8.1 rpg in final season at West Virginia; needs to add muscle to lean frame, but compensates with overall toughness.
Lazar Hayward – 6-6, 226 – Born: November 26, 1986 (Buffalo, NY) – College: Marquette – Decent size and strength for a small forward at the next level; played some 4 and even some 5 for an undersized Marquette team; makes up for lack of pure athleticism with tough, hard-nosed play; aggressive, physical style; tough interior player for his size thanks to 7-0 wingspan; good mechanics and quick release on his jumper; shot 45 percent from 3-point range as a sophomore; improved every year at Marquette, averaging 18.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg as a senior; does all the little things; great teammate, loved by coaches; plays bigger on the block; not an explosive athlete; won’t be defending 4’s at the next level; limited ball-handling skills and slightly turnover prone; projected as a role-player in the NBA.
Damion James – 6-7, 227 – Born: October 7, 1987 (Nacogdoches, TX) – College: Texas – Prolific athlete and rebounding machine at Texas, never averaging less than 7.2 boards per season, and averaging double-figures twice; NBA-ready body; excellent at running the floor, finishing the break; long wingspan (7-1); not a great ball-handler, but can create space for himself; mature, coachable, with a strong work ethic; should be a solid perimeter defender at the next level; might be a bit of a “tweener”; inconsistent jumper, sometimes settles for long jumpers; brings big energy to the floor every night; ferocious dunker; shot 48 percent from the field through four years at Texas, but assist rate dropped every year; could be gone early in second half of the first round.
Quincy Pondexter – 6-7, 215 – Born: March 10, 1988 (Fresno, CA) – College: Washington – Late bloomer who led the Huskies to the Pac-10 Championship and an NCAA berth, Pondexter lived up to his potential in his senior year; quick first step; strong work ethic, looks to outhustle opponents on every play; attacks the basket and is a strong, crafty finisher; shot 82 percent from the stripe as a senior; solid defender who can check several positions which should help his Draft stock; effective mid-range shooter; doesn’t change direction particularly well; is a year younger than the rest of his senior class; relied on his strength in college, but won’t be able to on the next level; energetic and scrappy player; great leader and communicator; should go near the top of Round 2.
Stanley Robinson – 6-9, 213 – Born: July 14, 1988 (Birmingham, AL) – College: UConn – Made a huge leap from his junior to senior year at UConn; incredible athlete; at 6-9, could probably play a little 4; doesn’t attempt many 3’s, but hit at a 45 percent rate; wiry frame; strong offensive rebounder; averaged 14.5 ppg and 7.6 rpg as a senior; explosive finisher at the rim with a plethora of dunks; shot over 50 percent from the floor in both junior and senior seasons; decent mid-range game, is comfortable playing with his back to the basket; poor ball-handler, negating some of his quickness; has all the defensive tools, but sometimes loses focus on that end; nice weakside shot-blocker; once a lottery pick, lack of big-time development in four years might have pushed him into the second round.