Top 5 diamonds in the rough

[Dave Jamerson]

I'd like to see everyone's predictions of players who might not be drafted that high (or at all) but who will have an impact on a nba roster someday:

My top 5:

1) Juan Dixon
2) Casey Joacobsen
3) Bernard King Jr.
4) Reggie Evans
5) Ryan Yarbororough

[Joe Joe]

Maurice Baker-a shoot first shoot second PG a la Cassell, Van Exel mentality when they came into the league.

[giddyup]

Where is Bernard King Jr. playing?

[Joe Joe]

Originally posted by giddyup
Where is Bernard King Jr. playing?

He's an Aggie.

[mduke]

I agree on Mo Baker, and I also think Aaron McGhee has a shot. face up shooting PF... Is Steve Blake a senior? I think he will be an NBA player one of these days...

[BuckeyeRocketFan]

How high do you guys think Steve Logan from Cincinnati will go? I am assuming not in the range of what you are talking, but much earlier. I think he may eventually turn into a tim hardaway type pro.

Another guy I'm not so sure about from an NBA standpoint but who I know a little about at the college level is Brian Brown. He is an integral cog all four years of the Ohio State NCAA run. He seems to have some talent and is the leading scorer for the team the last two years, I think, but his game seems pretty raw to me. Brent Darby, also from Ohio State, probably has a higher pro upside, although I think he is only a junior.

[Dave Jamerson]

hardaway is a GREAT comparison for Logan...i agree 100% Steve Blake is a junior and will be back for his senior season...

[kidrock8]

Steve Blake???

The guy is an average PG. What exactly is impressive about him? He makes fancy passes once in a while. He is basically Jason Williams (the NBA one) who plays a bit smarter.

SKill-wise, I don't see much in him. He would really have to improve his speed, quickness, and strength for me to think much of him as an NBA prospect.

[mduke]

I agree on Logan. Here are some underclassmen that will probalby wait a year to come out... Probalby won't be drafted too high, with the exception of maybe Hinrich...

Hollis Price- OU
Kirk Hinrich- Kansas
Steve Blake- Maryland
Ebi Ere- OU
Jabahri Brown- OU
Brandon Mouton- UT

Any others?

[Joe Joe]

Originally posted by mduke
Brandon Mouton- UT

I've heard he's not dumb. Seeing Mo's struggles, he'll learn from his teammates mistakes and stay the 4 years unless is touted as a lottery man which I don't see happening without improvement.

[kidrock8]

Not that it really matters, but Bernard King is not a Jr. And his dad is not the NBA-ex Bernard King of the Bullets.

[Dave Jamerson]

Bernard King is not a junior but his father did pla pro ball:

father was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 ... father scored 1.420 career points (16.1 avg.) with 627 rebounds (7.1 avg

[Lil Pun]

Originally posted by kidrock8
Not that it really matters, but Bernard King is not a Jr. And his dad is not the NBA-ex Bernard King of the Bullets.

Well I thought that he was Bernard's son, thanks for clearing that up for me.

[moestavern19]

Jason Kapono!

[giddyup]

Who was his dad?

[kidrock8]

Originally posted by giddyup
Who was his dad?

Shawn Kemp

[Live]

1. Juan Dixon
2. Vincent Yarborough
3. Theron Smith
4. Chris Owens
5. Maurice Baker

Honorable Mention - Ryan Humphrey, Jason Gardener

[Dave Jamerson]

I would have to agree on Ryan Humphrey..Another kid to keep an eye at Notre Dame is Chris Thomas..I was at GU-ND 4ot game, and he made me a beliver. Good handles, great attitude, Unselfish, could improve on shooting touch but he's only a Freshmen!

[beenieman]

I have to say that Dave Jamerson is right about Dixon. He is being under rated because he is only 6'3" which is real short for a SG, but he has very long arms, so he plays more like 6'5". I don't see him as a NBA PG, so I hope that no one drafts him and tries to convert him. He runs non-stop around screens and has a very quick release; kind of like a more athletic Reggie Miller. His defense is also unbelievable; and despite his skinny looking frame, he is very strong (said to be pound for pound the strongest man in the MD weight room) so I doubt he'll be abused by NBA post ups. If he falls to the 2nd round, I'll be shocked. He should be lottery pick, but I'm reading he definetly won't be.

[gr8-1]

Jacobsen isn't having a great year, but I don't think he's underrated at all.

[Dubious]

Kendrick Perkins - from what I've seen the kid could go to the NBA after his Junior year in high school. I did not see the Academy Series games where he was dominated by some 7' from one of the Eastern prep schools, but as a 16 year old he can hit the jump hook with either hand.