COLLEGIATES STILL RULE THE DRAFT - PART THREE
By 'Tim Logler'
NLSC Insider
Updated: June 17, 2006, 9.06 AM ET --
As we move East, we really start to see the creme dela creme of the college scene, with players featuring from the 4 of the best conferences in the country. Starting out in the Atlantic Northeast Region, we cover strong conferences like the Big East, the Big Ten & the Atlantic 10. With a possible 2 Top 5 picks, 3 lottery picks & 6 1st Round picks, the Atlantic Northeast is going from strength to strength.
MARTY GARTNER - PG, 5'11", 192lbs, Purdue, Sr (TOP 5 PICK)
It hasn't been since a Big Dog was on campus, that the Boilermakers have had a draft prospect projected to be picked so high. At the moment Marty Gartner has dispelled all the talk about his lack of height to secure himself in the 3-6 range in this year's draft. Apart from his height, scouts have picked apart his inconsistent shooting touch, What scouts do agree on his innate ability to run a ball club as he led the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16. Gartner can score in traffic & has been known to rise up & flush one down. Gartner's defensive awareness is off the charts for an incoming rookie PG. Whilst he doesn't really stuff the stat sheet with steals, he gets numerous deflections per game, and can just lock down opposing team's lead guards. His offensive awarness is right there as well. His general feel for the game & his high basketball IQ is evident, even if he does need to work on some of the finer aspects of a PG's game. Finally this kid is very fast & is as tough as nails. In a draft devoid of star PG's, Marty Gartner stands tall as a guy that can come in & run a team off the bat.
Best Case Scenario - Steve Nash (better defender, worse shooter)
Worst Case Scenario - Bobby Hurley (pre-car crash)
Most Likely Scenario - Andre Miller (more athletic)
RUDY GAY
The Huskies were unlucky to lose to the Longhorns in the title game and part of that was due to the disappearing act of Rudy Gay. Gay was shut down all night long by Texas senior forward Angelo Craft. It's a shame for Gay, as he was having a great NCAA Tournament until that point, but the last impression he left on scouts was not a good one. All the things that scouts wondered about his game, the passion, the ability to take over in big game situations, and his perimeter jumpshot were exposed once again. For that reason, Gay just isn't on team's draft boards as a potential No. 1 pick like Aldridge, Bargnani or Morrison. At the moment, Gay will be drafted in the 4 to 6 range and will likely be a huge steal for the team that gets him. He's No. 1 talent & his athleticism & potential is through the roof. Can you imagine a more athletic Scottie Pippen & what he would have done? Well, you might be looking at him in a couple of years' time. Does everything well at both ends of the court but must continue to work on his perimeter game & shooting, as well as to continue to add strength. He's a dandy though, & he will excite some fans around the NBA next season.
Best Case Scenario - Scottie Pippen (more athletic version)
Worst Case Scenario - Travis Outlaw meets Tim Thomas
Most Likely Scenario - Scottie Pippen (more athletic version) meets Tim Thomas
GARTH ROBARDS - PF/C, 6'10", 232lbs, Illinois, Sr (TOP 15 PICK)
I discussed his younger brother Samuel the other day, but now onto the Robards' brother that everyone is talking about. Garth Robards is a 4 year player out of Illinois. Robards flirted with leaving the Illini the last couple of seasons, but was wise to stick around as he moved himself into the 1st half of the 1st Round with a stellar senior season. Robards has an excellent awareness for the game. He knows where he should be at all times when he's on the court. Big men with high IQ's don't come along everyday, so you can see why GM's are buzzing. Robards is a very good post defender & led the Big Ten the last 2 seasons in blocked shots. Garth is also fast for a big men & always beats his man down court. You must be wondering why this guy isn't a mid-lottery talent at worst. The answer is because he came in at only 6'10" in shoes at the pre-draft camp measurements, well below the 7'0" he was listed at. He has also had quite a few injury concerns in the past. Whilst his agent says that is well past him, teams are still scared off with his ongoing problems with his feet. If he can stay healthy, he's a steal in the middle of the 1st Round as he has a 7'1" wingspan & plays big. If he can't stay healthy, then he was probably worth the risk & it's time to fire your team doctors.
Best Case Scenario - Marcus Camby meets Lorenzen Wright
Worst Case Scenario - Aaron Williams (with Z's feet)
Most Likely Scenario - a smarter Lorenzen Wright
MARDY COLLINS
No doubt about it, Mardy Collins has to be one of the most, if not the most, underrated prospect in this year's draft. Collins figures to go in the 15-20 range, but when all is said & done, probably should be going almost 10 spots higher. Temple was another NIT team, but went out in the 2nd Round, which definitely didn't help Collins' exposure to scouts. Some teams wonder whether he's a 1 or a 2. He's a legit 6'6" PG with very good ballhandling skills. Although he can play the PG position, I really see Collins playing more SG than PG. Although Collins could be the type of guy you bring in & run as a PG in a big lineup, similar to how the Bulls & Lakers use to use Ron Harper. Collins has smooth offensive skills & a great feel for the game. He use his impressive wingspan to disrupt passing lanes & get a few steals per game. Overall, Mardy Collins is a player with not too many holes in his game & is solid all-around, & for that reason he is often underrated by scouts & fans alike.
Best Case Scenario - A Rich Man's John Salmons meets Ron Harper (later years)
Worst Case Scenario - Jerryl Sasser
Most Likely Scenario - John Salmons meets Aaron McKie
JING XU
On his way to Atlantic 10 Freshmen of the Year honours, Xu helped lead the Minutemen to the semi-finals of the NIT. Xu is a player that can run all day. He uses screens, curls, cuts, angles & his teammates to get free & hoist a silky smooth mid-range jumper. If he's not making those jumpers, he's drawing attention & dishes off to scorers on the wings. Xu is a lottery talent if he had stayed in school another year or two. At this stage, he doesn't have an NBA body, he's too skinny & he will have trouble guarding other SG's. This could mean time in the NBDL for Xu. He would have been better served going back to school, but some people must have got in his ear, and now that he hired an agent, there is no turning back. Someone will take Xu in the late 1st Round, probably in the early 20's, and develop him from there. You have to wonder though about who is advising these kids.
Best Case Scenario - Richard Hamilton meets Kerry Kittles
Worst Case Scenario - Miles Simon
Most Likely Scenario - Kerry Kittles
That's all for today people, the final collegiate region, the US Southeast will be covered in the coming days.