2010 NBA Draft Player Profiles: Patrick Patterson

If anybody sacrificed more for the greater good of his team last season, it was Patrick Patterson.

During the 2008-09 season, him and Jodie Meeks ran the show. They were relied on every night for scoring, rebounding, defense…pretty much everything.

But this prior year, the Wildcats had incoming freshman John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, and Daniel Orton to carry a majority of the load. Patterson willingly relegated himself to role player, a guy who would carry the scoring loads some nights while deferring to others at times. (more…)

2010 NBA Draft Player Profiles: Cole Aldrich

Every year a high number of underclassmen enter the NBA Draft, and most of the time we’re left thinking, “just stay in school another year! You’re nowhere near ready!”

Cole Aldrich may have been an exception in 2009. After Blake Griffin, the next power forwards and centers selected were Hasheem Thabeet, Jordan Hill, and Tyler Hansbrough—all players that Aldrich could have outperformed even last year. (more…)

2010 NBA Draft Player Profiles: James Anderson

One of the most prolific scorers of any position this year, James Anderson nicely developed his game over the past two years, taking on a leadership role to go along with his outstanding shooting ability.

At 6’6”, he’s the prototypical NBA shooting guard: strong, athletic, quick-release on the shot, limitless range, and the capability to take a game over.

Despite scoring in double-figures every single game and being a solid rebounder for his position, Anderson has fallen down draft boards (more…)

2010 NBA Draft Player Profiles: Ed Davis

There might not be a player in this year’s draft class that draws more contrasting opinions than North Carolina sophomore Ed Davis.

In mock drafts, you might see his name as high as No. 5. You could also see him as low as No. 15.

He’s been compared to Chris Bosh, Al Horford, J.J. Hickson, Udonis Haslem, and Alan Henderson; some of those are strong expectations, others are…well, not-so-great compliments. (more…)

2010 NBA Draft Player Profiles: Al-Farouq Aminu

This year’s NBA Draft class is unique when compared to year’s past. There are the two superstars at the top (Wall and Turner). Then there are about eight to 10 guys who will be drafted based almost purely on potential before we get to the mid-first round, back to players who are ready to step in, compete for a spot in an eight or nine man rotation, and make an impact.

Al-Farouq Aminu will be drafted based on what teams expect him to contribute two or three years from now and not for an immediate imprint. (more…)

2010 NBA Draft Player Profiles: Luke Babbitt

When most NBA mocks and draft analysis went up after the season ended on April 14, not many people had Luke Babbitt as a potential lottery selection. And if you did, you’re either an incredibly informed basketball mind or a liar—no in between.

But Babbitt’s name has been steadily climbing up big boards in the last two months, and some sites have him projected as a top-10 pick. Amazing stuff for a guy who you probably have never heard of until reading his name in bios and profiles. (more…)

2010 NBA Draft Player Profiles: Greg Monroe

In terms of different skills and versatility, Georgetown’s Greg Monroe probably is the most adept of any big man in this year’s draft.

Playing in the Hoyas Princeton-style offense, Monroe got the ball in varying positions in the half-court: high post, low post, wing, top of the key, baseline, anywhere. Because he possessed such a unique skill set and was a strong decision maker and passer, he was a tough cover for most post players. (more…)

2010 NBA Draft Player Profiles: Gordon Hayward

If the world hadn’t heard of Gordon Hayward before Butler’s remarkable NCAA Tournament run, they surely do now.

Hayward emerged as the leader of the Bulldogs during the Dance, and while his stats were anything but mind-blowing, it’s just further evidence that stats don’t tell the entire story of a basketball game.

He made clutch shots down the stretch (except for one 45-footer that missed by a quarter of an inch vs. Duke, which would have made been the greatest ending in any championship game). He got key rebounds. He kept possessions alive by deflecting loose balls. (more…)

2010 NBA Draft Player Profiles: Ekpe Udoh

After seeing the Baylor Bears advance to the Elite 8 in the 2010 NCAA Tournament (and leading the game with less than 5 minutes to go), many people were quick to credit the guard play of Tweety Carter and LaceDarius Dunn.

While the two had a pretty strong tournament, it was the defense of Baylor that was the unsung hero of their run, holding their first three opponents to 58.3 points per game on a paltry 37.1 shooting.

The anchor of that impenetrable defense? 6’10” junior Ekpe Udoh. (more…)

2010 NBA Draft Player Profile: Wesley Johnson

When the Syracuse Orange lost Jonny Flynn and Paul Harris last year, many wondered who would be the one to fill the scoring & leadership gap left by a lottery pick.

A lot was expected of Wesley Johnson, but hardly anyone could have anticipated the impact that would come from the Iowa State transfer.

He exploded into the college basketball world, averaging 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals, all while shooting over 50% from the field, 41.5% from the three-point line, and leading the ‘Cuse to a 30-5 record and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. (more…)