by Matt Akler
raptors.com --- June 26, 2002

There is always a lot of speculation when it comes to the NBA Draft and this year there may even be more than usual with a league-wide increase in European talent and an impending luxury tax with free agent implications.
Filling up page after page on the Internet are mock drafts with no two being the same and trade rumours adding to the mix. What do they all mean for the Raptors who currently sit in the 20th spot of the first round? Who will they take?

We did a survey of numerous basketball sites around the Web and the consensus seems to be that Toronto will select one of the players below (listed in alphabetical order).

Carlos Boozer, PF
Duke, 6-9, 280
2001-02: 18.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg

A powerful player with a solid fundamental low-post game, Carlos Boozer may be lacking in athleticism to make a real impact in the NBA. A three-year player at Duke, the native of Alaska shot an amazing 63.1% from the field during his collegiate career and helped lead the Blue Devils to the NCAA championship two years ago.



Dan Dickau, PG
Gonzaga, 6-0, 190
2001-02: 21.0 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.0 rpg

The name of Dan Dickau has been linked to the Raptors more than any other in mock drafts but it is possible he could be gone by the time Toronto picks. He is a speedy point guard with a great shooting stroke but questions remain about his size, overall athleticism and his ability to defend in the NBA.



Juan Dixon, SG
Maryland, 6-3, 164
2001-02: 20.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.9 apg

Juan Dixon led Maryland to their first national title in 2001-02 and was the MVP in the process. Undoubtedly, he was one of the best players in college last year but the main question about him in the jump to the NBA is where will he play? He is considered too small to be a shooting guard and lacking in point guard skills to play at the one.



Jiri Welsch, G
Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia), 6-7, 208
2001-02: 15.5 ppg, 65.3 FG%

You may not know much about Jiri Welsch but he is well known to NBA scouts. He is one of the top players ever to come from the Czech Republic and is capable of playing more than one position. He has great size for a point guard, can handle the ball well and is a very accurate shooter but until he can run an NBA team at the point questions will remain.



Frank Williams, PG
Illinois, 6-3, 205
2001-02: 16.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.4 apg

If Frank Williams declared for the draft last year he would likely have been a lottery pick, but inconsistency plagued him in his junior year at Illinois which raised some concerns in NBA circles. There is no doubt he is a point guard with great size and strength and is an excellent defender but he needs to bring it every night and improve his outside shot.