Kevin Pelton, SUPERSONICS.COM | June 28, 2006
As usual, center is the thinnest position in the NBA Draft. Just one of the players listed here as centers made SUPERSONICS.COM's breakdown of the top 15 prospects available. Very few centers will be able to step in and help right away, though there are a handful who should be taken in the top 20 picks or so. The biggest upside might belong to little-known Senegal native Saer Sene, he of the 7-9 wingspan, while Patrick O'Bryant could go in the top 10 and Hilton Armstrong is an outstanding shot-blocker who is more polished.
SAER SENE
From: Senegal | Height: 6-11 | Weight: 230
As we move within hours of the Draft, Senegal native Saer Sene is one of the fastest risers. Teams are enamored of his 7-9 wingspan and the shot-blocking potential he has shown in workouts. A non-prospect not too long ago, Sene put himself on the map at the 2006 Nike Hoop Summit, finishing with 15 points, nine blocks and six boards in 27 minutes. Sene has drawn comparisons to Dikembe Mutombo for his shot-blocking potential and is a possible lottery pick tonight, though at 20 he remains very much a project.
HILTON ARMSTRONG
From: UConn | Height: 6-11 | Weight: 235
Through three years at UConn, Hilton Armstrong struggled to find minutes amongst a talented frontline. It all clicked in during Armstrong's senior season, as he started and had a fine season, averaging 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game on 60.8% shooting. Armstrong has a 7-4+ wingspan and blocked an incredible 4.3 shots per game during Big East play to win conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. There's no question Armstrong will be a great NBA defender, though he may have to improve his rebounding.
PATRICK O'BRYANT
From: Bradley | Height: 6-10 | Weight: 225 | Top 15 Breakdown
A remarkable physical specimen, Patrick O'Bryant is a 7-footer with a 7-5+ wingspan and the ability to run the court. O'Bryant opened the pre-Draft process as a sure lottery pick, but has slipped lately. Golden State with pick nine still seems like a likely destination. O'Bryant did not really dominate in a mid-major MVC during his two years at Bradley, though he was certainly very good and was a key as Bradley made a surprise run to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. O'Bryant has all the skills to be great, but so have other centers who have been unable to put it together.
OLEKSIY PECHEROV
From: Ukraine | Height: 7-0 | Weight: 210
A relatively stereotypical European big man prospect, Oleksiy Pecherov is a skinny 7-footer who has drawn comparisons to Keith Van Horn for his outside shooting. Playing in France's A league last season, Pecherov shot 22-for-66 (33.3%) from downtown. Pecherov also averaged 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, showing improved strength on the glass. He's 20 and not ready to contribute, but does have some higher-level European experience.
RYAN HOLLINS
From: UCLA | Height: 7-0 | Weight: 230 Ryan Hollins very nearly brought his skills to the Puget Sound four years ago. A Lorenzo Romar recruit when Romar was at St. Louis, Hollins got out of his commitment after Romar came to UW. He strongly considered the Huskies before opting to play in his hometown at UCLA. Hollins never entirely made good on his promise, but came up big for the Bruins during the late in his senior season, averaging 10.5 points and 6.4 rebounds on 70% shooting in March and April as UCLA advanced to the championship game. Hollins is a graceful athlete who could become a contributor with the right coaching.
SOLOMON JONES
From: South Florida | Height: 6-10 | Weight: 230
A JC transfer, Solomon Jones was a bit contributor as a junior at South Florida before blossoming in his senior year against Big East competition. Jones averaged 13.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, the latter two marks ranking him second and third in the Big East. Jones actually is similar to another Jones - Dwayne Jones, who went undrafted out of St. Joe's last June. The other Jones was signed by Minnesota and traded to Boston, playing sparingly as a rookie but showing potential in the D-League. This Jones is something of a project, but could help as a rebounder-defender.
PAUL DAVIS
From: Michigan State | Height: 6-11 | Weight: 270
Never an overwhelming player, Paul Davis ended up putting together a solid career at Michigan State. Davis finished eighth in Spartans history in scoring and fourth in both rebounds and blocks. As a senior, Davis put up 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game on 56.6% shooting. Davis is a skilled player who is very effective in the high post, though he could struggle with the athleticism on the defensive end. Davis is something like a poor man's Brad Miller.
JOSH BOONE
From: UConn | Height: 6-10 | Weight: 237 Josh Boone entered Connecticut with high expectations and was just the 12th freshman in the Jim Calhoun era to start the team's season opener. Boone was well on track when he averaged 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game as a sophomore, but struggled as a junior. Last year, Boone's numbers were down across the board to 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Boone is a good athlete and a high-percentage shooter (57.8%) in his career, but he did not always play with a high motor at UConn.
KEVIN PITTSNOGLE
From: West Virginia | Height: 6-9 | Weight: 220
First Team All-Name, Kevin Pittsnogle became a favorite of ESPN and fans everywhere for his surname, but he'll likely be drafted tonight because of his shooting touch. Pittsnogle hit 41.1% from downtown during his college career, attempting nearly half of his career shots from behind the arc. Like one-time Sonics big man Frank Brickowski, Pittsnogle is a physical banger but not a great rebounder (5.5 rpg) as a senior or athlete. Still, his ability to stretch the floor will likely make him a second-round pick.
YEMI NICHOLSON
From: Denver | Height: 6-11 | Weight: 260
A sleeper, Yemi Nicholson started out at Fort Lewis College before transferring to Denver. Playing in the Sun Belt Conference, Nicholson earned Player of the Year honors as a junior and was First Team All-Sun Belt as a junior and senior, averaging 19.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game the latter season while shooting 58.0% from the field in his career. Nicholson has not faced a lot of high-level competition; he shot 4-for-12 and committed five turnovers when Denver took on Stanford in non-conference play.
OTHER CENTER PROSPECTS
J.P. Batista, Gonzaga - Ranked second in the WCC in scoring (19.3 ppg), rebounding (9.4 rpg) and field-goal percentage (58.9%) as a senior. Kosta Perovic, Croatia - 7-2 big man has contributed in Euroleague (10.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg in 2005-06). Cheick Samb, Senegal - Raw shot-blocker with potential upside. Eric Williams, Wake Forest - Led ACC in field-goal percentage last two seasons; shot 59.3% in his career. Justin Williams, Wyoming - Great shot-blocker ranked second in nation with 5.4 blocks per game as senior.
