2005 Draft Sleepers

With the lottery finished I figured I'd start the first of what'll probably be a few draft-related threads. I've got a few players who (based on projected pick position) could turn out to be steals in the NBA... or Europe, whatever. If anyone else has players they think could come from nowhere, then post.

Francisco Garcia
Draftcity.com, 28th
nbadraft.net, 32nd

He's 6'7, can play PG, SG and SF well... shoots the lights out, can pass the ball and has good handles. The only real downsides according to what I've read, are his weight and fitness. I mean seriously, some random fat blob from Maury Povich could tone up and get fitter, why on Earth do people think Garcia won't be able to? I seriously think he'll be a steal and a half, he just sounds too good to fall on the way side.

Ronny Turiaf
Draftcity.com, 31st
nbadraft.net, 31st

Now, what would normally make a low post player who can score at will with his back to the basket and is a big defensive presence? Usually they're either too short, too slow or too skinny. Ronny Turiaf's 6'10 and made of solid muscle. Once again the only downsides to his game are easily fixed. Over eagerness and a tendancy to bite pump fakes. Anyone can learn not to do that, I mean shit I'll teach him if he wants. The only REAL knock on him is his age, he's a Senior and usually those kind of issues in his game should've been ironed out two years ago but a couple of years in the NBA would rid him of that immediately.

Mindaugas Katelynas
Draftcity.com, 38th
nbadraft.net, Undrafted

Another one who's got some downsides that aren't exactly a reality. He spent most of his career playing in the post, he has a good inside game but isn't really strong enough to play inside in the NBA. Apparentely he's another one who will never get stronger He's already an excellent defender, but apparentely because he doesn't have experience guarding small forwards means he's only worth a late 2nd rounder. Yet another thing I don't understand.

Others
Luther Head
Dijon Thompson
Jason Maxiell
Jawad Williams
Daniel Ewing
Bracey Wright

Nate Robinson - He's never going to become a star but he will become a Earl Boykins type role player.

Channing Frye

Salim Stoudamire

Randolph Morris

Channing Frye is like 8th on nbadraft.net and around 30th on draftcity.

Hey lip, it seems you like Arizona, I agree with you on Frye and Stoudamire.

I think Turiaf could be a sleeper, and so could Monta Ellis. I saw him play at the Roundball classic, the guy can flat out play.

Don't be surprised to see Monta Ellis, not Gerald Green or Martell Webster emerge as the best High School player in this draft.

jae: just wondering- have you actually seen any of these guys play?

as far as garcia... i've seen him play a few times since his team plays in conference USA and his team ended up playing Illinois in the big tournament...

at this point i think his projected position sounds right. he can put on some strength but his naturaly athletic ability is another matter. he didn't extinguish himself in the ncaa tournament and does carry that rep for dominating lesser athletic players.

there's still the chicago pre draft camp...

I've seen Turiaf, Garcia, Ewing, Wright and Thompson. Of course I really have no right to ever comment on anything, considering I don't live in the USA.

Nate Robinson! I hope the warriors get him, he'd be great with BD as his mentor.

no need to get defensive or be a smart ass, jae. leave that in the general section

i was asking if you've seen them play because from what i gathered, most of your comments sounded similar to draftcity

I think that Ryan Gomes will be a steal. He played ball in my high school in waterbury, ct and he was amazing. I hope a team drafts him so they can see what he can do.

i was asking if you've seen them play because from what i gathered, most of your comments sounded similar to draftcity

That's probably because they point out the most obvious things. As a global mod I reserve the right to get defensive or be a smart ass in any forum section, my attitude is no longer confined to the halls of General Talk. All hail me.

And yeah, Ryan Gomes will be an interesting one.

I like Wayne Simien hes just the kinda player that will do all the dirty work and score some points. He plays thru injuries too.


I like Lawrence Roberts too. He can reboundreally good in college which usually transfers to good NBA rebounding and he can score and play solid post defense.

ok jackal, i mean jae...

if julius hodge declares, i think he'll be a good find for a team drafting in the late 1st/ early 2nd round

still waiting for the chicago pre draft camp/actual player height&weight, etc though...

yo, Julius Hodge is a graduating senior....he doesn't need to declare....

but yep, Hodge will be a nice 2nd Round choice for the team that selects him....

agree with most of your list Jae....Garcia is nice....Turiaf could slide into 2nd Round due to all the declarations....I wouldn't have Wright, Thompson and Williams on my list though....

I like Wayne Simien's game and if he gets put on the right team that needs a starting PF or so, he can probably average around 14 and 9. I also like Sean Banks, no matter what his off-court problems have brought, he still can play and he would've been a lotto pick if all his off-court problems didn't cause his stock to drop. One thing that's going to hurt him though is his strength because he is a little on the skinny side. He will definitely be a sleeper in the 2nd round.

During this year season of European basketball I've noticed quite a bit players who are not given proper respect:

Roko Leni Ukic
6'6, 185 (PG)
nbadraft.net compares him with Tony Parker, although I believe this comparison is quite false. He is more creative than Parker, some even say that he's in the Ginobili mold. He's 4-5 inches taller than the Spurs's playmaker, with a wingspan of a 6'7 player. He also has great quckness and athleticism. His biggest knocks are that he frequently plays out of control, that his shot is somewhat steaky and his body. I met him once in person and he is seriously underdeveloped. I'm also very light (but with a much bigger frame), but I felt like I could knock him out in the first round. Well, I'm certain that he has the work ethic to get better in this area. He's a steal if taken in the 20's.

Johan Petro
7'1, 260 (C)
Not realy a sleeper, but still a player who doesn't really have a defined draft position. He has one of the biggest potentials with his length and athleticism. He could really be something if he showed some passion on the court.

It will be interesting to see how John Gilchrist of Maryland finds his way onto a roster. He would've been better off leaving last year after a stellar ACC Tourney performance. This year he's stayed on the radar but through negative aspects such as attitude with coach, failure to lead, and failure to lead the Terrapins to the NCAA Tourney. He's got the NBA body along with the talent -- he just needs to wipe the skepticism off of the scouts' faces.