2002 NBA Draft Scouting Report

Kansas' Drew Gooden is one of the top power forwards in the 2002 NBA Draft. (Jeff Jacobsen/KUAC)

Drew Gooden was considered the top offensive rebounder in college basketball this season. He finished as CollegeBasketballNews.com runner-up as Player of The Year as he led the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding. Gooden improved in all areas of his games, especially on the defensive end as he posted career highs in blocked shots and steals. He is a considered a bit of a “tweener,” since he lacks the bulk of a NBA power forward and still needs to improve his perimeter skills to play small forward. Gooden is considered a high lottery pick.

Chris Wilcox was a lightly-used freshman who emerged as a sophomore for the Terrapins. He is an excellent athlete who runs the floor better than any power forward in the draft. Wilcox is an outstanding leaper and powerful dunker. He uses his body well and shined in the NCAA Tournament. Wilcox needs to finish better around the basket and improve his touch from the free throw line.

"Nene" Hilario is moving up the draft list after several impressive individual workouts. The Brazilian native shined in the Goodwill Games where he blocked three of Jermaine O’Neal’s shots. He is just 19 years old and has an excellent upside. Hilario needs to improve his offensive game, but his physical skills make him a likely lottery pick.

Amare Stoudemire was CollegeBasketballNews.com top senior and he decided to enter the draft straight out of high school. He is a powerful inside player who uses his strength well. Stoudemire needs to expand his offensive game, but he is a likely late lottery or mid first round pick.

Melvin Ely put his name into the NBA Draft, but decided to return for his senior season. He was the WAC Player of the Year for the second straight season and he finished fifth in the country in scoring. Ely is a strong physical player who is a good shotblocker. He has improved his free throw shooting and shots a high percentage from the field. Ely could be the first senior drafted.

Mike Dunleavy averaged 17.3 points and 7.2 boards this past season at Duke. (Photo courtesy of Duke)

Mike Dunleavy Jr. can play inside and inside and is a good ballhandler and passer for his size. Some scouts feel that he can play point forward or maybe even point guard in the NBA. Dunleavy has good shooting range and was a first team CollegeBasketballNews.com All-American.

Caron Butler shined in the NCAA Tournament, scoring more than 30 points in two games. He decided to enter the draft after his sophomore season. Butler has excellent strength and is a good passer and rebounder. He turned 22 years old recently and may be more ready to step in than many of the young players in this draft. Butler figured to go among the top seven picks.

Nikoloz Tskitshvili is considered the top young European player. He is being called by some observers as being more athletic and a better outside shooter than Dallas standout Dirk Nowitzki. Tskitshvili does not play many minutes for Benetton Treviso in Italy, but international scouts rave about his game. He is only 19 years old.

Qyntel Woods has been compared to Tracy McGrady, due to his long, lean frame and ability to handle the ball. He is an excellent leaper with good range. He needs to be more consistent beyond the arc and sometimes tries to do too much. However, his potential is very intriguing to NBA teams.

Jared Jeffries is a versatile player with plenty of offensive talent. He handles the ball well for his size. Jeffries is an excellent defender and has added nearly 15 pounds of muscle since the end of the season. He needs to improve his outside shot, but is a likely late lottery pick.

Kareem Rush worked out for the Suns on June 14. (Missouri Media Relations)

Kareem Rush is a skilled offensive player who struggled a bit with his shot as a junior. He moves to shooting guard after playing small forward in college. Rush needs to improve his outside shooting consistency and his ballhandling to make the transition. He is an expected mid first round pick.

Jiri Welsch is a talented European prospect who can play both guard spots. He is a good outside threat who plays for the Czech national team. Welsch is an expected first rounder.

Roger Mason is a versatile player who saw time at both guard spots. He is an outstanding free throw shooter and has a varied offensive game. Mason is a likely first rounder.

Casey Jacobsen is perhaps the top outside shooter in the draft. Jacobsen is more athletic than given credit for, but needs to improve his defense to face some of the top athletes at shooting guard. He is a likely late first round pick.

Frederick Jones is one of the top athletes in the draft. He made strong strides in his game and was CollegeBasketballNews.com Pac-10 Player of the Year. Jones is a bit undersized at the shooting guard spot and needs to improve his outside shot.

Jay Williams averaged 21.3 points, 5.3 assists and 3.5 boards a game his junior season at Duke. (Photo courtesy of Duke)

Jay Williams was CollegeBasketballNews.com Player of the Year this season after leading the ACC in scoring. He has excellent quickness and deep shooting range. Williams has the ability to play both guard spots, although some observers wonder if he is a true point guard. He figures to be one of the top two picks in the draft and has a good chance of winning NBA Rookie of the Year.

Dajuan Wagner is a scoring machine who left Memphis after just one season to turn pro. Like Williams, some wonder if he can become more of a true playmaker. The son of former NBAer Milt Wagner, he scored 100 points in a high school game. He has excellent strength and can take over a game with his offensive ability. Wagner is a lottery pick.

Frank Williams had a bit of a down season after being the Big 10 Player of the Year as a sophomore. He has excellent strength and can take over a game. He needs to increase his intensity and improve his outside shooting. Williams has good size at the point guard post and is a mid first round pick.

Dan Dickau is an excellent outside shooter who was WCC Player of the Year and the WCC Tournament MVP. He has deep shooting range and is better athlete than given credit for. He needs to improve his defense to guard the top NBA playmakers. He is a first rounder.

Tito Maddox did not play this season after being dismissed from Fresno State after receiving illegal benefits from an agent. He played well in the Chicago pre-draft camp. Maddox has good size at point guard and is a creative ballhandler and passer. He needs to cut down on his turnovers and improve his outside shot. He is a first round pick.

* = Underclassman
# = High School Senior