Sleeper Draft Picks And Undrafted Players

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I would like to know who you guys think could become impact players down the road, out of the players players that were only just drafted or went undrafted. I think this year there were some great players who just came out to early, others were very skilled and great players but NBA teams just didnt seem to think they were worth it. Heres my top 5 (in no particular order):

1. Allan Ray, SG, Villanova SR. - In Villanova he was a multi skilled scorer, a big threat from downtown and and didn't have any problems producing against taller guards. Remember he is only 6-2 and played the SG position. His stats don't point to him being a great defensive player, however, he is just one of those guys who won't rack up the steals but will lock his man down with pesky defence. This is mainly due to him being so damn quick. Only problems I see with him in the NBA is size and a lack of passing skill.

2. Pops Mensah-Bonsu, PF, George Washington SR. - I think if this guy develops a decent offensive game, he could become a Hakim Warrick type player. He is extremely athletic, great defender, he is very long and also extremely quick - all things you want in a big man. However, he has no shot to speak of, and no post skills. These things can be developed though. If he can work on these things, just get some offensive skill and smarts, polish them for a few years, he could become pretty good.

3. Darius Washington Jr, PG, Memphis SO. - I was hoping he didn't come out of Memphis after just two seasons. IMO, if he had stayed till his senior year, he may had been a lottery pick. This guy has loads of potential. He is extremely athletic, at just 6-1 he can pull off alot of highflying dunks. He is so quick, he reminds me alot of Steve Francis, with a little less flare. Despite his great athleticism and strength, he's pretty much a non factor on the boards which is a disappointment. The fact that he collapsed and was crying after Memphis got knocked outta the tourney IMO shows he has alot of heart and passion. I can't count how many times I have seen this guy just demolish people off the dribble.

4. Will Blalock, PG, Iowa State, JR. - I think he should of gone alot higher than the very last pick. I think he deserved to go up around 35-40 in the Draft. He is alot like Washington in the way that he is amazingly athletic and very strong for his size. He is excellent on drive and dish situations because he scores alot around the basket and when he drives, teams have to respect that he can get up and score, which leaves more chances for his teammates to score off kick outs because more people have to sag into the paint to stop him. I think the fact he has very long arms helps him pull off some of the passes he does (eg. wrap arounds). He has great ball handling skills and is one of those guys that has full control of the tempo of a game. Decent long range shooter, nice midrange game and a great free throw shooter, nothing is stopping him from being a potential starter in this league.

5. Kevin Pittsnogle, PF, West Virginia, SR. - I like Pittsnogle for the reason everyone else does - his shooting ability. The guy is 6-11 and has huge range and a high release. Not many PF/C's are comfortable guarding on the perimeter, so he could cause matchup problems similar to Dirk Nowitzki. If only he was quicker, that would give him the ability to create a shot for himself, which would make him deadly from long range. He is pretty strong and tough but he needs to get more of a big mans mentality. He seems a little too soft around the rim hence the low rebounding stats. If he can improve his overall quickness and athleticism, coupled with stronger post play both offensively and defensively, he could become a very good player in this league. Otherwise, he will just become another Scott Padgett.

[maes]

Allan Ray looked good in the summer league games, he could have a NBA career.

I think James Augustine can be a professional bench roleplayer. 6'10" is pretty tall, and he's very athletic for that height. He has an unselfish attitude. If he works nailing catch & shoot jumpers, he'll always have a spot on someone's roster.

Daniel Gibson came out too early, but he's got NBA PG height and size and he's phenomenally athletic. After bigs, PG is probably the most sought after position so he'll have a lot of opportunities. Heck, if teams are trying out Jay Williams who was mediocre even when healthy, it tells you how much they need good PGs.

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Yeah Daniel Gibson was next on my list. Did you know during the first couple of months of the college season he was projected to go 1st?

[KIG1]

I don't agree about Mensah-Bonsu ever being great. His game does not bide well with the way the NBA plays. Also, you must remember that George Washington played in the Atlantic 10 confrence, which is a pretty weak confrence.

If you remember, Mensah-Bonsu only scored 4 points against Shelden Williams and Duke, and got into foul trouble very early in the game.

[Laxation]

4. Will Blalock, PG

Yeh, a PG who cant shoot, playing behind Billups, Murrary and Hunter is going to be real good...

[kinokong]

maybe billups could teach him how to shoot....

[Matt]

if Blalock becomes good, it's not gonna be in Detroit.

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Yeh, a PG who cant shoot, playing behind Billups, Murrary and Hunter is going to be real good...

Um... Blalock can't shoot? I understand he can be inconsistant but for the most part he is a good shooter and is very effecient. Remember last season he shot 45% + 40% from 3... I never said his career would be in Detroit, because it obviously isnt with all that talent ahead of him. He could become a good player in the future... keep in mind that I never said instantly, as my whole point was that these guys could become good players when given the chance. Murray isn't a point guard.

[hammertime23]

I think another undrafted player that could be a decent player is Gerry McNamara, a senior from Syracuse. The man may not be the most athletic, or have the easiest transition from SG to PG, but he showed a lot of heart throughout his whle college carreer. Many people credit Syracuse's national shampionship in 2003 all to Melo, but McNamara was hitting threes like it was his job that whole year. Also in this years Big East tournament he had some nice dishes, and made many clutch shots. People often say he's too small, but he's 6'2" 177. He also started all 135 games in his college carreer. I think if one team gives him a chance he could be a starter in 3-5 years.

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SG to PG? It thought he was a PG his whole career? And yeah he could be good but athletic ability is far more important in the NBA and Gerry just isnt quick enough. He can compensate for that though.


A guy I completely forgot about but was one of my favorite college players last year was PJ Tucker. I can't be fucked writing a report about him but I saw a story on him and that just reminded me. Completely forgot about him

[kinokong]

athletic ability is something that you can increase and improve.... sure mcnamara will never have the athletic ability of wade or steve francis but if he keeps working on his core and develop the leg muscles connected to explosiveness, he wouldn't be far behind jj redick

[Matt]

jj redick explosive?

Mcnamara sort of reminds me of Steve Blake.

[Gundy]

I think a guy a lot of people don't think about is Craig Smith. He was a beast in college. For some reason I think he can have really good career in this league.

[Zoom]

Could we include Steve Novak of the Rockets?

Or was he drafted too high?

[zmac]

Daniel Gibson is definitely worth of that list, and because Snow is getting old and Damon Jones will be a hunk of shit this year, Gibson's minutes will increase as the year goes on....maybe its just cause Im a Cavs fan, but I think he may be quite a nice player this year if not the next.