We all know about Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, and O.J. Mayo, but what about those who are slipping under the radar that may end up being as good or even better than these players?
They are called "sleepers," but I just call them the "Karl Malones" (who slipped to No. 13 in 1985) or the "Gilberts and Redds" (Gilbert Arenas and Michael Redd, who slipped to the second round in 2001 and 2000, respectively).
There is no specific order, but here are my 10 "sleepers" that people need to look out for.
1. JaVale McGee, C, Nevada—At 7-feet tall with a 7'6" wingspan, this man should be on everybody's radar. He can shoot from the NBA three-point range and has many post moves. He needs to work on defense, but who doesn't? He has all the tools to make a legit NBA center. I saw him play the last two seasons and his growth is impressive as a player. He will come into the league and make an impact. I think he is better than Andrew Bynum. Grizzlies should look at him.
2. Nathan Jawai, C, Austrialia—At 6'10" and 275 lbs, he is called the Aussie Shaq. Raw talent, but the Raptors really pointed him out and, since then, he has been getting some looks. Can be a solid big man. 76ers should look at him.
3. Joey Dorsey, C, Memphis—So physical and athletic, yet people are saying he is a second-round pick. He reminds me of Ben Wallace (the younger version from the championship Pistons). He will not be a great scorer but will get rebounds and block shots. He is a must. Jason Maxiell has had a similar role, but Maxiell is not as athletic as Dorsey. He deserves to be a first-round pick. Jazz should look at him.
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4. Pat Calathes, SF/PF, St Joseph's—He is basically a 6'11" point guard. Calathes started out as a point guard before switching to forward. I played against him, and he is really something. To be that big and have that ballhandling ability, he has all the tools to work with. Can fit into many clubs if they are willing to work on a project. Lakers should look at him.
5. Jason Thompson, PF, Rider—I saw him play and he looked like an NBA player. Maybe it was because he was playing high school talent, but he is so aggressive and just does everything. To me, he is a lottery talent. Orlando should look at him.
6. Kentrell Gransberry, PF, South Florida—I saw him play a few games this season and he stuck out to me against Connecticut, which has NBA talent with its big men. He handled them. He is a big body who just gets boards and works hard. Could be an NFL tight end, but if he loses some weight he can be a nice asset to a team. Miami should look at him.
7. Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown—Top-10 talent last season who is being put as a late first-round pick. He is the best passing big man and has all the tools. Only worry: He played about 20 minutes a game in college. He reminds me of Ilgauskas. I really think he is unappreciated. Good person and good player. Wizards need to get him.
8. Ty Lawson, PG, UNC—The fastest player in all of college basketball with the ball. He is undersized, but can be a T.J. Ford-type of player. Worst case for him is Dee Brown from Illinois couple years ago. Really like him over D.J. Augustin. Think he can make an impact for a NBA team. Nuggets should look at him.
9. Richard Hendrix, PF, Alabama—This big man can play. Really athletic and can be a player like Carlos Boozer. Rockets should look at him.
T10. David Padgett, C, Louisville—A tie for the last spot, which is getting into "ultimate sleeper" territory. These are two players who used to be first-round talent, but unfortunately had knee problems and surgeries. Both players came back and have really impressed me. Padgett is really athletic and can make an impact. Nuggets should look at him.
T10. Bill Walker, SF, Kansas St—Bill Walker was a top-five pick out of high school, and he still has a lot of talent. Michael Beasley took away from his season. He is really talented and I watched him all season. He impressed me. I talked with him and he does not know why he is not talked about being a lottery pick. Orlando should look at him.
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2 months ago
I completely agree on your analysis of Richard Hendrix, Roy Hibbert, and Ty Lawson.
All have the potential to make a major impact on any team that drafts them .
Good article.
2 months ago
i absolutely agree with the nathan jawai comment did the raptors really see him first?? were they scouting him? just interested
from 2 months ago
The GM brought him up first. That is how I first heard of him and really anyone has. Thats y he might go there second round but stock has been rising
2 months ago
Interesting article. I hadn't heard of JaVale McGee and Pat Calathes, but I looked them up and I am definitely intrigued. I know how good Hibbert can be, and it amazes me that he might drop so far because a few writers don't like him. The same thing happened with Troy Smith, and I bet he'll be pretty good for the Ravens in the future.
2 months ago
I think that JaVale McGee is overrated, personally. 14.1 ppg and 7 rpg hardly warrants the number one spot here. Not to mention in '06-'07 he averaged 3.3 ppg with Fazekas an Sessions on the squad. Just because McGee was the Wolfpack's only legit scoring threat were his numbers of 14 and 7 accomplished. I think an NBA team would make a big mistake if they took him in the top half of the first round, despite his physically freakish qualities.
2 months ago
Bynum is so much better than McGee... Bynum is the 3rd best C in the league behind Dwight Howard, and Yao Ming - Not Including PF such as Staudamire, Duncan, and Al Jefferson.
Honestly, could JaVale McGee dominate Jermaine O'Neal? No he couldn't. Could he dominate the Milwaukee Bucks & Andrew Bogut? No he couldn't.
Bynum is the second youngest player to finish his season averaging a double-double. He had 17 board against the Bucks in the NBA, and McGee averages 7 board where?
Need I say more? Bynum > McGee no question about that.
Bynum is a fantastic defensive player, and decent offensively. He had the 25th most dunks in the league despite playing only 35 games. Its not like Bynum cant shoot either, he had a 80% FT average in his last 5 games before his injury... and you are telling me McGee > Bynum? McGee >Howard too? honestly. your a little ridiculous.
Also, you fail to mention that McGee could develop like Patrick O'bryant or Muhammad Sene - 2 complete morons.
Other then that, its not to bad.
from 2 months ago
Took Bynum couple years to get good. Helps when Kobe is on your team taking away the defense from you. Kobe makes Turiaf look like an All Star
from 2 months ago
agreed. it definitely took Bynum a couple of seasons to become the player he is. McGee has the potential. Thats the point. He may very well be a bust, but his destiny is in the hands of him and his future team
2 months ago
Being from Australia, I definitely agree with you on Nathan Jawai. He combines amazing defensive skills with a decent offensive game. He showed signed of a Shaquille O'neal type player with his offensive capabilities, although they're still raw.
He's definitely going to be a diamond in the rough, I hope the Orlando Magic get hold of him. He may slip that far.
2 months ago
i agree about david padgett
2 months ago
I think it's difficult to label Dorsey as a C when he's only 6'9'', he's like a more powerful Kevin Love but not as productive, he also shoots Free Throws less than 40%, and is foul prone
A big problem with JaVale McGee, is that as much potential as he has, he also has the same chance at being a bust with his lack of explosiveness to the rim, minimal post-moves, horrible Free Throw shooter, lack of fundamentals, turnover prone and his lack of physical presence in the post, but on the other hand, he looks like a little lesser version of lamarcus aldridge
I like Richard Hendrix but he's also a poor Free throw shooter shooting 54%, he also needs to lose some weight, become more explosive and make some strides in his defense other than that he's all-around talented with decent potential
Roy Hibbert looks great, but his conditioning and speed aren't too good, he won't be able to last 35 minutes in an NBA game for 82 games. He also lacks speed and hasn't taken full advantage of his height on the offensive post moves and drunking the ball.
Other than that I do like Jason Thompson and Ty Lawson a lot, and Bill Walker I thought looked decent, but word is that he has some extreme attitude problems.
from 2 months ago
Dorsey is like Ben Wallace who is about 6'8". Getting a 7 footer who is a raw talent can work if can work with him right. Bynum had Kareem Abdul Jabar as a teacher so that made him good. Hendrix needs to gain weight and he already is explosive enough. played against him and believe me physically he can play NBA. Hibbert I know and he has been working out and will be a solid 30 minutes a game. Anything with FT shooting or shooting period can be changed with NBA trainers. These players physically have the gifts. but it comes down to if they are willing to work or not.
2 months ago
Bill Walker, attitude problems... naw!
http://www.collegefastbreak.com/
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