Devon Hardin 6'10 240lbs High motor, athletic, pretty good shotblocker and a good rebounder. Offensive skills are raw, but they do show potential. Runs the court well. Long wingspan. Good basketball IQ. High character. Has nice form on his jumper and has gotten much better from the freethrow line. If we are going to take a big man, I would take him over Sean Williams.
He's not listed on a lot of mock drafts because he never signed with an agent after he declared, giving him the option to return to California (which he'll likely take). He's also coming off a huge injury so he couldn't impress anyone in the draft combines this year.
I think a potential scoring machine like Herbert Hill is a much better "sleeper power forward" than this guy. That's just me though.
I like Hill as well, but he came in a bit shorter than expected at a shade under 6'8 without shoes (6'9 with) and really didnt impress much at the camp. His offensive game is a bit more limited than Hardin's. Hardin is a bit more explosive and more athletic, and I think his upside is far greater than Hill's. Hardin to me is very similar to Al Horford. Hill has the edge in work ethic, but Hardin doesnt have any character concerns and is a better athlete than Hill. Hill looks to be a lock for the early-mid 2nd round, and I think at out spot we'd be overdrafting him by quite a bit. Hardin has been mentioned in the 1st round by draftexpress in their podcast, saying he could be the sleeper that jumps into the 1st.
I think you're underselling Hill's offensive game big time. I'm a Big East guy so i've seen him play a lot. He's a very gifted offensive player. His back-to-the-basket game is exceptional for a college player and has very nice touch around the rim. Furthermore, he can finish with both hands. No, he doesn't have the mid-range game yet but that's an area that can be imrproved. His biggest problem right now is he's a bit soft and definitely needs to bulk up. He's very lanky and you can tell his lack of upper body strength is going to be a weakness on the next level. The lack of muscle and defensive improvements aren't so much of a concern to me since there are thousands of cases of skinny, lanky college players going to the NBA and becomming much stronger. Hell, look at Chris Bosh -- the kid used to be a toothpick. I confess though, for as much basketball as I watch I don't recall ever seeing this Hardin kid play. From what i've read, he sounds like the epitome of a project player. You know, your usual "Has all the tools. Would need great coaching in order to succeed. Seems disinterested at times" kind of players. Not that I don't respect your opinion, but I think if he was all that you're cracking him up to be you would think he would be on at least one mock draft, right?
This is not specific to Hardin, at PF position, Rockets will accept someone will limited skill set, as long as that skill set include: 1. Reliable (uncontested) mid range jumper; 2. Fight for rebounding at both ends; 3. Good lateral quickness; 4. Good Basketball IQ.
I think Hardin will return to Cal this year so he won't be available till next year, which should improve his chances of being in the first round.
yup. hills been my sleeper for about a month now. Easily worth a 2nd round pick...rockets just need to aquire one.
DeVon will almost certainly be back in school next year. Which is a good thing because he's raw, raw, raw. Not disinterested, though. He's a good kid and plays hard. http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_6045897?source=most_emailed Hardin set to woo pros, but figures to stay at Cal DeVon Hardin is going to have to hear something unexpected from NBA teams over the next couple of weeks to lure him away from Cal. Actually, something revolutionary. "Unless I'm that No.1 (overall) pick, Cal is going to be a top option for me," said the 6-foot-11 junior center, who will work out for perhaps half the NBA teams over two weeks beginning Tuesday, before making a final decision. "It's a good option for me," he said of the possibility of returning to Berkeley for his senior season. "I want to take my team deep into the (NCAA) tournament, maybe to the Final Four, be a lottery pick ... I expect great things from this (2007-08) team. "That's what my mind-set is right now. I'm working out right now and looking forward to coming back to Cal. That's the only certain answer you can get from me." Of course, things can change. At the outset of last season, Hardin was regarded as an intriguing NBA prospect, a quick and explosive big man with shot-blocking and rebounding abilities who is able to run the floor. In spite of a still-developing offensive game, there are times when his potential zooms past impressive to downright scary. But he suffered a stress fracture in his left foot Dec. 19 against Furman and sat out the rest of the season. Hardin is nowhere on any of the online projections for the June 28 NBA draft, which features a deep pool of prospects, topped by Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. For Hardin, was it a case of out of sight, out of mind with the NBA? Hardin decided to find out, declaring himself eligible for the draft, with the critical caveat that he did not hire an agent. That allows him to withdraw his name by the June 18 deadline and return to school. On Sunday, the former Newark Memorial High star and his father, Michael, will travel to Orlando, Fla., site of this week's NBA predraft camp. Having not played in a game situation in more than five months, Hardin chose not to participate in the camp. Instead, beginning Tuesday in Orlando, Hardin will give as many as 16 NBA teams that chance to visit with him and watch individual workouts during a whirlwind, cross-country tour that could include nine cities. Because Hardin wants to preserve his college eligibility, the cost of the entire father-son adventure is being shouldered by the family. Michael Hardin looks at it as an investment in his son's future. By June 18, Hardin presumably will have the feedback he needs. If the decision is to return to college, Hardin should have a checklist of areas in which the pros want to see improvement. To prepare for his NBA auditions, Hardin worked out with a personal trainer over several weeks at the higher altitudes of Reno and Tahoe. "My conditioning is great," he said. "I'm probably in the best shape I've ever been." Hardin believes his understanding of the game progressed while he watched his team from the sideline last season, but also that the physical side of his game has improved. "Right now, I'm better than when I went out," said Hardin, who averaged 10.7 points and 8.4 rebounds in 11 games last season. Michael Hardin said that by serving as his son's "agent," he can assist DeVon without any conflicting motives. Both father and son said Cal coach Ben Braun has been helpful and supportive through the process, applying no pressure. "It's a pretty good situation to be in to have multiple options, and all of them are good," Michael Hardin said. "We have no qualms, if he's not comfortable and confident about the draft, of him coming back to school. I think Cal will have a great team." Hardin said it's tantalizing to envision playing an entire season alongside 6-9 forward Ryan Anderson, who averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a freshman last season. "Having a guy like that on your team is invaluable," Hardin said. "If they pick me No. 1, I'm gone. Other than that, I'm not sure. I know nothing's guaranteed (in the draft), except returning to Cal."
You are right man. I live in Lake Tahoe half of the year and that happens to be where DeVon is training. About 3 weeks ago I played a little pick-up game with him and he is unbelievably fast he could be a star at some point. I hung out with him a few times since and he is a really nice guy.
Take it for what is worth but about 2 weeks ago he told me he would stay in the draft. And that is what he was training for.
According to the latest draftexpress podcast. They mentioned Hardon telling Cal he is staying in school if he isn't guaranteed within the top 20. However to the NBA teams he has been telling them he will stay in the draft if selected within the top 30 (or was it 40?).
