Kevin Pelton, SUPERSONICS.COM | June 21, 2007
SUPERSONICS.COM is taking a look at the top prospects for the 2007 NBA Draft on a position-by-position basis. Today's focus is the small forward position, which features several lottery picks. Texas forward Kevin Durant, one of the consensus top two prospects available, could be considered part of that group, but to make room for the number of small forwards who are possible first-round selections, he will be considered at the power forward position.
From: Georgetown | Height: 6-10 | Weight: 228 | Born: 8/8/86 Key Stats - PPG: 14.3 | RPG: 6.4 | APG: 3.2 | PER: 23.5
Along with center Roy Hibbert, who opted to return to for his senior season, Green led the Hoyas to the Final Four for the first time since 1985. Green was the do-everything forward for Georgetown, winning Big East Player of the Year honors. He had 22 points and nine rebounds in the Elite Eight against North Carolina and was named Most Outstanding Player of the East regional, but that was Green's only big scoring output in the NCAA Tournament and he was held to nine points in a loss to Ohio State in the Final Four. Green is better suited as a secondary scorer than go-to guy, but will contribute even when he's not putting up big point totals thanks to his all-around skills.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 5 | NBADraft.net: 5 | Chad Ford: 7
JULIAN WRIGHT
From: Kansas | Height: 6-9 | Weight: 220 | Born: 5/20/87 Key Stats - PPG: 12.0 | RPG: 7.8 | APG: 2.2 | PER: 23.1
On a star-studded Kansas roster, Wright might have been the most talented player. After splitting time in the starting lineup as a freshman, Wright moved into the starting lineup for good as a sophomore and earned All-Big 12 First Team honors. An excellent athlete, Wright averaged 7.8 rebounds per game and more than 11 per 40 minutes. That athleticism is also helpful on defense, where Wright should be able to match up at either forward position. On offense, Wright is adept in the paint but needs to develop his range, hitting just three three-pointers at Kansas.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 16 | NBADraft.net: 9 | Chad Ford: 9
AL THORNTON
From: Florida State | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 221 | Born: 12/7/83 Key Stats - PPG: 19.7 | RPG: 7.2 | APG: 0.7 | PER: 28.7
The ACC's leading scorer as a senior, Thornton averaged an impressive 23.5 points per game in ACC play and topped the 20-point mark 18 times. That earned him Third Team All-American honors from the AP. Thornton developed his outside shooting and became a solid three-point shooter by his senior season, hitting them at a 44.4% clip. A solid athlete, Thornton could be a top-10 pick and likely will be taken in the lottery.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 12 | NBADraft.net: 11 | Chad Ford: 10
THADDEUS YOUNG
From: Georgia Tech | Height: 6-8 | Weight: 210 | Born: 6/21/88 Key Stats - PPG: 14.4 | RPG: 4.9 | APG: 2.0 | PER: 20.1
The lone "one and done" player amongst the top small forward prospects, Young went to Georgia Tech a highly-touted McDonald's All-American and did nothing to change that perception during his freshman season, averaging 14.4 points per game. At the same time, the depth at the small forward position could hurt his slotting in the Draft to some extent. Young lives up to his name, for the moment - he turns 19 today and has room to grow as a prospect.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 20 | NBADraft.net: 15 | Chad Ford: 14
DERRICK BYARS
From: Vanderbilt | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 220 | Born: 4/25/84 Key Stats - PPG: 17.0 | RPG: 4.9 | APG: 3.4 | PER: 22.7
Washington State fans are already familiar with Byars, who scored 27 points and hit five three-pointers in Vanderbilt's upset of the Cougars to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in March. Bars averaged 17.0 points per game and more than two three-pointers a night his senior season, earning All-SEC First Team honors. A transfer from Virginia, Byars is a polished scorer who can play at either wing position and is a solid defender in addition to his scoring.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 27 | NBADraft.net: 16 | Chad Ford: 28
JARED DUDLEY
From: Boston College | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 220 | Born: 4/25/84 Key Stats - PPG: 19.0 | RPG: 8.3 | APG: 3.0 | PER: 26.2
The ACC's Player of the Year as a senior, Dudley was a potent scorer for the Eagles. He averaged 19.0 points per game, scoring double-figures in every game he played and shooting 56.2% from the field and 44.3% from three-point range. Dudley also contributed on the glass more than would be expected for a 6-7 player. Fatigue shouldn't be an issue for Dudley, who led the NCAA in minutes played as a junior and is BC's all-time leader in the statistic. He's likely to go late in the first round or early in the second.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 28 | NBADraft.net: 33 | Chad Ford: 32
MARCUS WILLIAMS
From: Arizona | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 207 | Born: 11/18/86 Key Stats - PPG: 16.6 | RPG: 6.7 | APG: 2.2 | PER: 20.9
A Roosevelt product, Williams followed Seattle-area prepsters Jason Terry and Michael Dickerson to Arizona, where he put together two solid seasons. Williams was named First Team All-Pac-10 as a sophomore, finishing fourth in the league in scoring at 16.6 points per game. The first option on a deep Wildcats roster, Williams is a polished scorer with a combination of size and ballhandling ability that allows him to play either wing position. However, questions linger about his maturity and defense, which could drop him into the second round.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 32 | NBADraft.net: 32 | Chad Ford: 34
WILSON CHANDLER
From: DePaul | Height: 6-8 | Weight: 230 | Born: 5/10/87 Key Stats - PPG: 14.6 | RPG: 6.9 | APG: 1.4 | PER: 20.9
In just two seasons at DePaul, Chandler finished in the school's all-time top 10 in blocks, indicative of his leaping ability as a 6-8 forward. That kind of athleticism has drawn the attention of NBA teams, and Chandler has been linked to the New York Knicks in the first round. A Second Team All-Big East pick as a sophomore, Chandler did a solid job of scoring and rebounding the ball. He went from hitting eight three-pointers as a freshman to 39 as a sophomore, though only at a 33.3% clip - so there's still room for improvement.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 36 | NBADraft.net: 23 | Chad Ford: 31
ALANDO TUCKER
From: Wisconsin | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 200 | Born: 2/11/84 Key Stats - PPG: 19.9 | RPG: 5.4 | APG: 2.0 | PER: 26.5
As the best player on the team ranked No. 1 for much of the season, Tucker drew player of the year consideration. With Wisconsin dropping slightly later in the season, Tucker had to settle for Big Ten Player of the Year honors. He finished as the Badgers' all-time leading scorer. At the NBA level, Tucker projects as an undersized small forward (he's only a middling outside shooter) and his stock has slid to some extent. Tucker could go late in the first round, but is more likely to be a second-round pick. The upside for Tucker is becoming a Desmond Mason-type who overcomes being undersized for his position with athleticism.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 34 | NBADraft.net: 25 | Chad Ford: 42
DEMETRIS NICHOLS
From: Syracuse | Height: 6-8 | Weight: 211 | Born: 9/4/84 Key Stats - PPG: 18.9 | RPG: 5.4 | APG: 1.5 | PER: 21.9
Nichols went from averaging 3.9 points per game a sophomore to 13.3 as a junior to 18.9, tops in the Big East, as a senior. That earned him selection to the All-Big East First Team. Nichols' shooting ability will make him a valuable piece in the NBA. He shot 41.7% from downtown as a senior, attempting nearly half of his shots from three-point range. Despite his limited playing time his first two seasons, Nichols ranks third in SU career history with 205 three-pointers.
Draft Positioning - Draft Express: 37 | NBADraft.net: 45 | Chad Ford: 41
OTHER SMALL FORWARD PROSPECTS
João Gomes, Portugal - Averaged 17.4 ppg in the Portuguese TMN League; a member of Portugal's national team. Quinton Hosley, Fresno State - Excellent rebounder for a perimeter player; averaged 8.9 rpg as a senior. Dominic McGuire, Fresno State - Cal transfer ranked fifth in the NCAA in blocks per game (3.6) in 2006-07. Giorgos Printezis, Greece - Emerged as top prospect at RBK Eurocamp earlier this month. Reyshawn Terry, North Carolina - Lost to some extent amongst Tar Heels' talent; 41.9% career three-point shooter.
