Kevin Pelton, SUPERSONICS.COM | June 26, 2006
The big questions at the small forward position in the 2006 Draft center around the top two. Adam Morrison and Rudy Gay have topped scouts' lists for months, but which one will go higher? Morrison is the fearless scorer whose intensity carried him to unanimous First Team All-American honors. Gay might have more potential, but his focus has been questioned. Will either go in the top three picks? After that, there is a drop-off, with a number of converted power forwards projected to go from late in the first to the second round.
ADAM MORRISON
From: Gonzaga | Height: 6-8 | Weight: 205 | Top 15 Breakdown
Two days before the draft, there is still talk that Gonzaga's Adam Morrison could be the top overall pick. Barring a stunning upset, Morrison will move past John Stockton (16th) to be the highest-drafted player ever from Gonzaga. In his final season, as a junior, Morrison was in contention for all the national Player of the Year awards., winning Chevrolet Player of the Year. He averaged 28.1 points per game despite facing constant double-teams and has earned praise for his ability to make contested shots. Defense, on the other hand, is a concern. Morrison could be headed for Portland with the fourth pick, where a local radio station has started a "Draft the Stache"campaign.
RUDY GAY
From: Connecticut | Height: 6-9 | Weight: 220 | Top 15 Breakdown
By consensus, Rudy Gay is one of the best athletes and open-court players in this Draft class. On potential alone, he's good enough to take with the top pick. However, on a deep UConn squad, Gay was content to play in the background at times, averaging just 15.2 points per game. That Husky squad also suffered a disappointing ending to its season at the hands of a less-talented George Mason squad a game away from the Final Four. If Gay puts it all together, his peak is that of an All-Star performer. The $64,000 question for teams between now and Wednesday is when and if he might do so.
SHAWNE WILLIAMS
From: Memphis | Height: 6-9 | Weight: 225
One of the nation's most touted freshman last year, Shawne Williams did not disappoint in his only season at Memphis. Williams averaged 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game to earn Conference-USA Freshman of the Year honors. A long athlete who can shoot the ball (154 3-point attempts, though he made them at just a 31.2% clip), Williams projects to play either forward position, creating matchup problems. His strength early in his career might be on defense; he averaged 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per 40 minutes last season. If Williams starts sticking those 3-pointers more regularly, he's got star potential.
P.J. TUCKER
From: Texas | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
One of the more intriguing players in the Draft, P.J. Tucker played power forward at Texas at 6-5, averaging 16.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game as a junior before opting to leave early. Tucker should be athletic enough to make the transition to the wing as a pro, but his shooting ability remains a question mark. Tucker made just two 3-pointers in four attempts throughout his NCAA career. However, he's a savvy player who has been playing against bigger players much of his career.
MARCUS VINICIUS
From: Brazil | Height: 6-8 | Weight: 225
After entering then pulling out of each of the last two Drafts, Marcus Vinicius is in for good this year and a probable first-round pick. Vinicius has solid size for a small forward but is a perimeter player, attempting half of his shots from 3-point range two years ago while playing in Italy. He's also a good ballhandler who has played point guard at times, averaging 4.0 assists per game last season in Brazil. Vinicius has added strength to address a primary concern, but hasn't played high-level basketball overseas and is not a finished product at age 22.
STEVE NOVAK
From: Marquette | Height: 6-10 | Weight: 220
A neo-Matt Bullard, Steve Novak averaged 17.5 points per game as a senior at Marquette and did it almost exclusively from downtown. 259 of his 363 shots were 3-pointers, meaning that while Novak shot just 47.7% from the field, he was extremely efficient. Novak hit a strong 46.7% of his 3s and will be able to space the floor in the NBA with his shooting. Defense is a concern. Novak is not exceptionally quick and will struggle to defend on the perimeter, while he's slight to play in the paint in the NBA. Improbably, Novak blocked only nine shots in 3,493 minutes of college basketball.
DAMIR MARKOTA
From: Croatia | Height: 6-10 | Weight: 225
Croatian forward Damir Markota (formerly known as Damir Omerhodzic) is a project at age 20. Markota has strong athleticism, including a vertical reported at 36 inches, and can also shoot the ball from the perimeter. However, maturity has been an issue in the past. Markota averaged 8.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in the Adriatic League as a regular player. Given his age, Markota makes sense as a second-round pick who is left in Europe for a couple of years to develop.
BOBBY JONES
From: Washington | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 215
Lorenzo Romar's first recruit at Washington, Bobby Jones quickly established himself as part of the identity of the newly-resurgent Huskies. A scrappy rebounder and defender with athletic talent, Jones started 106 games in his four years at UW. Jones primarily played power forward for the Huskies but will move to the wing as a pro. He's got the shooting ability to do it, hitting better than half of his 3s as a junior, but his ballhandling is unrefined. Jones impressed with his ability as a perimeter defender at the Pre-Draft Camp and has likely moved himself into the second round.
MARCUS SLAUGHTER
From: San Diego State | Height: 6-9 | Weight: 220
At San Diego State, Marcus Slaughter played bigger than his 6-9, 220 size, averaging 11.0 rebounds per game as a junior in 2005-06 to rank sixth in the country. The third all-time leading rebounder in the history of the Aztecs, Slaughter has the athleticism to move to the perimeter in the pros but must improve his shooting after attempting just one 3-pointer as a junior. Slaughter, who did not play organized basketball until his junior year of high school, also has defensive potential, averaging more than a block and a steal per game the last two seasons.
BRANDON BOWMAN
From: Georgetown | Height: 6-9 | Weight: 223
A quality athlete who started all 127 games he played, Brandon Bowman is the cousin of Miami forward Antoine Walker and former NBA center Samaki Walker. Bowman was at his best as a sophomore, averaging 15.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He played a smaller role as a senior, averaging 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds, but his defense was key for an NCAA Tournament-bound Hoyas. Bowman has the size and ability to emerge as a quality player, especially if he focuses on the defensive end of the floor.
OTHER SMALL FORWARD PROSPECTS
Renaldo Balkman, South Carolina - Averaged just 9.3 ppg last season, but kept name in Draft after solid performance in Pre-Draft Camp. Nik Caner-Medley, Maryland - Well-rounded player led Terps in scoring last two seasons. Lior Eliyahu, Israel - Two-time EuroCup All-Star has been a high-percentage shooter. David Noel, North Carolina - 2006 Final Four slam-dunk champion blossomed as a senior, averaging 12.9 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Steven Smith, LaSalle - Two-time A-10 Player of the Year averaged 18.3 ppg in his career.
