Fictional Draft Class #2

Class At a Glance
“A Poor Man‟s Class”
This year‟s class appears to be lighter in
terms of overall talent and potential. There
are a few gems sprinkled throughout the
group, but a lot of players have question
marks as to how high their ceiling is. This is
not the year to try and tank for the first overall
pick.

CLASS STRENGTH:

Top 20 Prospects
1 – PF Randy Winter, Purdue, So
2 – PG Jacobi Cash, Florida, Jr
3 – SF Zachary Forte, Vanderbilt, Fr
4 – C Simon Warrick, Notre Dame, So
5 – PF Leif Wolfe, Germany, Intl
6 – SF David Teague, Syracuse, Jr
7 – PG Wendell Oakley, Louisville, So
8 - SG Lamar Higgins, Missouri, Fr
9 - SF Shelden Mullin, UCLA, So
10 - C Norman Payne, UNLV, Jr
11 – SG Michael Davenport, Texas Tech, Jr
12 - PG Austin Carlson, Oklahoma, So
13 – PF Marcel Valentine, France, Intl
14 – SF Taylor Gadson, Connecticut, So
15 – SF Dean Pollard, Indiana, Sr
16 – PG Magnus Kersey, Holy Cross, Fr
17 – C Nando Saramago, Congo, Intl
18 – C Leonard Pulley, Arkansas, Sr
19 - PG Wade Vaughn, Duke, Jr
20 – SF Jamal De La Cruz, USC, Fr

AGE: 20 COLLEGE STATS:
Purdue
POS: PF PPG: 22.8
HEIGHT: 6‟9” APG: 3.9
SPG: 0.3
WEIGHT: 243
TO: 2.7
CLASS: Sophomore RPG: 6.9
BIO
AP Player of the Year Randy Winter will provide a nice spark of offense to the team
that scoops him up in this year‟s draft. He‟s a versatile player with a penchant for
knocking down smooth 15 and 20 foot jumpers like he‟s shooting in his own back
yard. Scouts can‟t decide who the #1 overall pick should be in this year‟s
class, with Winter and Cash jockeying one another for top position, but one thing‟s
for sure: Randy will provide an NBA team with a strong shot in the arm moving
forward. Winter was recently quoted saying, “a lot of people think I model my
game after Lamar Odom…I mean that makes sense. Except I don‟t date fat
women.” The young Boilermaker said he was just joking at the time, but has since
regretted his sarcastic comments. “I‟ve received numerous cease and desist
letters from the Kardashian family. I‟m legally obligated to avoid talking about them
entirely, unless I literally say, „I love them to pieces.‟ Where‟s my agent with all of
this going on?”

Purdue
POS: PF PPG: 22.8
SPG: 0.3
WEIGHT: 243
TO: 2.7

STRENGTHS: Possesses the sharpest mid range jumper in the draft class…is an excellent FT
shooter…shows great patience and intelligence on offense…efficient making moves from the low
post…handles the rock well for his position…makes wise decisions and shows maturity on the floor

WEAKNESSES: Fairly slow, even for his size…not a particularly strong rebounder…doesn‟t
attack the rim with passion or hustle enough on defense…a weak motor…not the best athlete in the
world, will be outmatched by Blake Griffin-type players

NBA COMPARISON: Lamar Odom

HNDL SHOT MED CONS
ACCURATE FACTS:
73 83 40

POS: PG PPG: 20.2 Florida
SPG: 0.8
WEIGHT: 185
TO: 2.8
CLASS: Junior RPG: 3.3

BIO
Self-professed Christian rapper Jacobi Cash is fully aware of the paradox his last
name brings to the table: “I mean, I get that I‟m a black rapper, right, and my last
name is Cash…that‟s funny, like a stereotype – know what I mean? But I‟m a
Christian rapper…like I‟m actually not about the Cash at all.” During his three years in
Gainsville, Cash utilized his connection with the team to fuel his music. “I found the
best times to write rhymes was after we played a game…so I would take a pen and
pad with me on the bus rides ready to create pure gold.” In addition to his
hobby, Jacobi has played well enough at Florida to draw the attention of fans across
the country, who are entertained endlessly with his slick mid range game and
offensive weaponry at his disposal. Just don‟t call him the Black Tim Tebow.
“Look, I‟m not like Tim. He‟s doing the whole V-card thing until marriage…that‟s not
me…I gotta admit, I get weak in the knees for Irish women. Cha feel me?”

POS: PG PPG: 20.2 Florida
SPG: 0.8
WEIGHT: 185
TO: 2.8
STRENGTHS:
Pulls off a nice step-back jumper from mid-range…has a quick first step to blow past defenders
and attack the basket…comfortable creating his own shot and shooting off the dribble…seems to
have iron lungs that allow him to play almost the entire game…has good hands

WEAKNESSES:
Has erratic consistency, will be hot one minute and ice cold the next…has mental lapses on
defense…doesn‟t attack the basket enough, settles for too many jumpers…needs to apply more
pressure on defense…won‟t impress you with his passing skills or court vision

NBA COMPARISON: Kemba Walker

OFF QUICK 3PT
ACCURATE FACTS: AWR
77 90 78

POS: SF PPG: 24.2
APG: 3.0 Vanderbilt
HEIGHT: 6‟7”
SPG: 1.2
WEIGHT: 221
TO: 3.7
CLASS: Freshman RPG: 2.6

BIO
Zachary “Fire Ball” Forte skyrocketed up the draft boards after his sensational freshman
year at Vanderbilt. Before the collegiate season began, he didn‟t even show up on most
mock drafts. But give credit where credit is due; Forte‟s ability to consistently keep the
pedal down and hit shot after shot gave him both nationwide recognition and a new
nickname. “They call me Fire Ball „cuz nobody has the ability to slow me down once I get
going. Once I‟m on fire, there‟s no putting me out, your best bet is to just move out of the
way unless you wanna get burned.” An awkward poster by Vanderbilt‟s sports marketing
team unfortunately depicted this idea in an embarrassing context; Forte‟s poster hung up
outside of the court for two weeks with him holding a basketball below his abdomen, with
flames bursting out of his crotch and the caption “FIRE BALLS” written below. “I got a text
one day after practice was over and I‟m told I gotta check out my new poster…so what do
I see? Flames comin‟ out of my junk. Yo, that‟s not what I meant when I said I was on
fire! Seriously man!” Let‟s hope there‟s no confusion over on the NBA‟s side.

POS: SF PPG: 24.2
APG: 3.0 Vanderbilt
HEIGHT: 6‟7”
SPG: 1.2
WEIGHT: 221
TO: 3.7
STRENGTHS:
Catches fire quickly and pours in quick buckets…an extremely efficient scorer close to the
basket…led the nation in minutes per game at Vanderbilt (38.7)…a strong finisher at the basket
with a nice set of dunks and creative layups…can score from almost anywhere…

WEAKNESSES:
Not a strong “catch and shoot” type player…needs the ball in his hands but tends to over-dribble and
turn it over too often…a poor passer who doesn‟t see open teammates…defensive mechanics
need work…needs to get stronger…forces too many tough shots

NBA COMPARISON: Paul Pierce

PASS SIG SKILL SPEED
ACCURATE FACTS:
49 Anti-Freeze 80

POS: C PPG: 13.2
HEIGHT: 7‟0” BPG: 2.1 Notre Dame
SPG: 0.3
WEIGHT: 275
TO: 1.0

BIO
If Simon Warrick could arm wrestle an alligator, he would. His enormous biceps were
strong enough to curl seventy pounds twelve (12) times before exhaustion at the annual
Luke Longley Rookie Invitation Summit in Las Vegas. Scouts on the scene say that he
apparently responded by growling, “Can I get a real challenge, like anybody want to see
me lift Luke Longley over my head?” Unfortunately, Simon never got that opportunity,
but his efforts at the Summit paid off immensely, locking him into place as a solid top 5
prospect in this year‟s draft class. When asked what his biggest strength was, Warrick
had this to offer: “My biggest strength is THAT exactly…I am the BIGGEST
STRENGTH. I can wear just about anybody down…put me on the low block with
anyone, big Al Jefferson, LeBron, the Gasols…I don‟t care…they‟re gonna need
Gatorade by the time I‟m done with them.” Warrick appears to be one of the safer picks
in the draft, showing enough expertise around the basket to warrant a high
basement…but a few scouts point out his ceiling may be pretty low.

POS: C PPG: 13.2
HEIGHT: 7‟0” BPG: 2.1 Notre Dame
SPG: 0.3
WEIGHT: 275
TO: 1.0
STRENGTHS:
One of the strongest players to come out of the draft since Shaq…a bruiser who wears down
opponents without mercy…shows nice touch close to the basket…has great stamina for
his size…protects the rim well with good hustle

WEAKNESSES:
Slower than Shawn Bradley‟s grandfather…is not the most intelligent player…a pitiful free throw
shooter…loses confidence outside of close range…misses too many layups and dunks…not a very
agile or athletic player

NBA COMPARISON: Al Jefferson

VERT SIG SKILL BLOCK
ACCURATE FACTS:
48 Bruiser 75

AGE: 21 INTL STATS:
POS: PF PPG: 19.7
HEIGHT: 6‟8” BPG: 2.1 Germany
SPG: 1.1
WEIGHT: 234
TO: 2.8
CLASS: Intl RPG: 6.3

BIO
The fans over in Germany call Leif Wolfe “Bombenschütze“ based on his distinct range
away from the hoop. The big German shot over 41% from beyond the arc throughout
his career overseas and is looking to carry over his game to the states. If he is able to
properly adjust to American competition, his unique set of skills should benefit just
about any team in the league. Just don„t ask him what his biggest goal is; his translator
misunderstood this question when asked at a public Q and A, and Leif Wolfe answered,
“Biggest hole is pit I dug for brother Harbert to hide from landlord, Helga...this was BIG
HOLE...Harbert is big boy.“ While Wolfe has a lot of promise, fortunately for him, he
shouldn„t end up on Letterman his first year in the league; so there should be plenty of
time for him to round out his English. One thing is for sure, however; Leif„s basketball
talents transcend any language barriers...and he appears poised for his first season in
the NBA.

AGE: 21 INTL STATS:
POS: PF PPG: 19.7
HEIGHT: 6‟8” BPG: 2.1 Germany
SPG: 1.1
WEIGHT: 234
TO: 2.8
CLASS: Intl RPG: 6.3
STRENGTHS:
Has excellent range for a big…a consistent free throw shooter…possesses a rare gift for blocking
shots extremely well…has nice speed for a four, runs the court well and gets in position for accurate
shots…excels in draining the corner 3…does a good job staying out of foul trouble

WEAKNESSES:
Hasn‟t stayed as healthy as one would hope – durability could be an issue…gets lost on screens and
pick-and-rolls on defense…doesn‟t hustle after enough loose balls – doesn‟t have the energy to be
a crowd favorite…will need to bulk up and pack on some muscle to adjust to the athleticism of the pro‟s…
could improve his work on the glass

NBA COMPARISON: Markieff Morris

DUNK QUICK STAM
ACCURATE FACTS:
93 90 93

POS: SF PPG: 14.1
APG: 2.4 Syracuse
HEIGHT: 6‟7”
SPG: 1.4
WEIGHT: 238
TO: 2.5

BIO
Syracuse Junior David Teague has been labeled a “gym rat” since junior high, pouring
in hour after hour of working out and sharpening his skills. Teague already has an
chiseled frame and work ethic ready-made for the next level. Scouts criticize his jump
shot and point out that his biggest weakness may very well be his lack of range.
Syracuse blogger Norm Hutchins has made this abundantly clear: “Ok, we have a guy
that spends every waking minute in the gym…and yet his jumpshot sucks. Why?
Why doesn‟t he just spend less time bench pressing and more time learning how to
shoot the damn ball?” But settling for jumpers just doesn‟t seem to fit David‟s game;
the young man earned the nickname “Marmot” for this gym-rat mentality, as well as his
tendency to burrow his way inside for tough buckets in traffic. If Teague ever wraps his
mind around shooting the ball the same way he applies it to rebounding and defense,
he could blossom into a franchise‟s key building block moving forward.

POS: SF PPG: 14.1
APG: 2.4 Syracuse
HEIGHT: 6‟7”
SPG: 1.4
WEIGHT: 238
TO: 2.5
STRENGTHS:
Practically lives in the gym, excellent stamina and willingness to give 100% at any given moment…
explosive quickness gets him out in transition for easy buckets…has the ability to blow past slower
SF‟s trying to stay with him…a strong defensive rebounder for his position…fast hands create plenty
of turnovers

WEAKNESSES:
Unable to knock down the 10-15 foot jumper with any sort of consistency…just not a “go-to” option
on offense…still has a long way to go with understanding his role on offense…seems lost in half court
sets…has stayed relatively healthy throughout college, but a collection of minor injuries might come
back to haunt him

NBA COMPARISON: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
STAM STEAL DEF REB
ACCURATE FACTS:
94 79 76

POS: PG PPG: 5.8
APG: 10.6 Louisville
HEIGHT: 6‟3”
SPG: 1.0
WEIGHT: 225
TO: 2.5

BIO

Wendell Oakley plays with an extreme pass-first mentality that allowed him to lead the
NCAA‟s in assists per game but rank close to the bottom of the barrel in points per
game during his two years at Louisville. When asked why he doesn‟t become more
aggressive and selfish on offense, Oakley had this to say, “It‟s not my job to score the
points…my job is to setup the other guys and dictate the offense…toss in a few good
looking alley oops from time to time.” While prepared to simply facilitate as a point
guard, coaches and scouts agree he could have been a top five pick had he shown
the capacity to attack the basket more often under Rick Pitino. Pitino disagrees:
“Wendell‟s a really good kid…these same people that praise his unselfishness end up
criticizing him for passing too much. Well guess what? He makes sure the ball gets in
the hoop. Isn‟t that why we play the game?” Oakley grew up with nine brothers and
sisters, so perhaps sharing is simply ingrained in his nature.

POS: PG PPG: 5.8
APG: 10.6 Louisville
HEIGHT: 6‟3”
SPG: 1.0
WEIGHT: 225
TO: 2.5
STRENGTHS:
Sees the court well and hits players with pinpoint passes…dictates the offense with confidence and
swagger for a 20-year-old kid…has a nice first step that gets him past defenders in one-on-one
situations…a fantastic free throw shooter…has improved his pick and roll jumpshot vastly

WEAKNESSES:
Health is a major concern – missed the entire second half of his senior year…
many scouts question the translation of his skills to the pro‟s…doesn‟t do
much of anything on defense…a lousy three point shooter
Bilas Says:
NBA COMPARISON: Kendall Marshall “To me, he’s more
Kendall Marshall
than Jason Kidd.”
OFF 3PT SOD
ACCURATE FACTS: AWR
80 61 75

POS: SG PPG: 15.2
HEIGHT: 6‟5” APG: 2.1 Missouri
SPG: 1.9
WEIGHT: 192
TO: 1.7
BIO
Missouri Freshman Lamar Higgins simply oozes athleticism. Responsible for perhaps the
most breathtaking play of the year that involved Higgins bobbling an alley-oop off the
backboard, hanging on the rim for balance with one hand, and then finishing the dunk with
the other hand, Lamar has never ceased to amaze. 18-year fan Brucie Chiklis had this to
say about him, “I try to show up for each and every game these Tigers play…and when I
started watching this kid Higgins play, he inspired me to take my fandom to the next level.
I now wear full-body black and gold paint each and every game…and every practice too. I
try to get his attention by screaming, „LAMAR – STAY IN COLLEGE OR WE‟LL SUCK
NEXT YEAR!‟ I get a few looks.” Unfortunately for Chiklis, Higgins is going pro,
possessing a wealth of talent and potential too seductive to pass up. However, Higgins
clearly has as lot of polish necessary to become a routine piece of a team‟s lineup

POS: SG PPG: 15.2
HEIGHT: 6‟5” APG: 2.1 Missouri
SPG: 1.9
WEIGHT: 192
TO: 1.7
STRENGTHS:
Knocks down three‟s with a smooth jump shot…excellent hands create chaos with plenty of steals
and deflections…has superb speed for a shooting guard…a high-flying athlete who attacks the basket
with creative finishes…a great free throw shooter…creates his own shot off the dribble with natural ease

WEAKNESSES:
Doesn‟t have the hustle or the heart to play strong defense…an immensely
Streaky shooter who can get cold easily…needs to knock down close
range shots with more consistency…needs to pack on weight (too
Bilas Says:
skinny as of now)
“Has the potential to be
NBA COMPARISON: J.R. Smith a top three pick…
needs to improve his
3 PT STEAL DURA defense first.”
ACCURATE FACTS: 80 80 70

POS: SF PPG: 16.7
HEIGHT: 6‟8” APG: 2.3 UCLA
SPG: 0.9
WEIGHT: 214
TO: 1.8

BIO

Shelden Mullin has no problem with breaking down complex theories and algorithms
during his time off the basketball court. A natural genius, Shelden only recently
discovered his love of basketball sophomore year of high school….and came out of
nowhere to be recruited by UCLA. This recent understanding of how the game works
has certainly affected his development – scouts are frustrated by Mullin‟s inability to
find himself in the right spots on the floor. But coach Ben Howland thinks otherwise:
“This kid comes to me, day one, and says, „I understand thermonuclear engineering, but
this whole pick and roll thing is confusing the dickens outta me, coach.‟ But where he is
now….you wouldn‟t believe the progress. I think he‟s going to keep getting better and
better…but I mean, I gotta say that. I‟m his coach, ya know?” Scouts are all over the
map with Mullin‟s potential…there seems to be no majority consensus.

POS: SF PPG: 16.7
HEIGHT: 6‟8” APG: 2.3 UCLA
SPG: 0.9
WEIGHT: 214
TO: 1.8
STRENGTHS:
Played each game his sophomore season – no injury concerns…in great shape with solid stamina…
scores from a variety of places around the court as a spot up shooter…takes good care of the ball
for a small forward by limiting mistakes

WEAKNESSES:
A very poor rebounder for his size – doesn‟t show enough understanding of the mechanics of working
the glass…fouls too often and for unnecessary reasons…doesn‟t seem to have the mental focus or
killer instinct in clutch moments…struggles shooting in traffic

NBA COMPARISON: Keith Bogans

OFF AWR DEF AWR MED
ACCURATE FACTS:
66 66 75

POS: C PPG: 14.3
HEIGHT: 6‟7” BPG: 1.0 UNLV
SPG: 0.8
WEIGHT: 260
TO: 1.7
BIO
Norman “Mister” Payne has brought UNLV a toughness and tenacity unseen in recent
years. The 21 year old big man established himself as a nice choice for teams looking
to improve their low post defense by hustling, rebounding, and scrapping for loose balls
on a consistent basis. Many scouts point out his lack of height might be an issue, but
Payne shows an elevated understanding of his predecessors: “I mean, yeah I‟m not
seven feet tall, man. I‟m only six-seven. But there‟s guys like DeJuan Blair and Chuck
Hayes getting out there and earning a living doing this…so I plan on doing it myself.” A
two-way player, Norman played defensive end for UNLV‟s football team all three years
in college and excelled at both sports. When asked why he chose not to pursue
football instead of basketball, Payne said this: “Hey, I gotta admit something. Bring the
camera closer…closer…closer…yeah…look at my face. Look at it. I‟m a good lookin‟
dude. I‟m sexy as hell. I can‟t hide perfection under a football helmet. Now back that
camera off me, fool.” Hopefully Payne‟s vanity doesn‟t catch up to him.

POS: C PPG: 14.3
HEIGHT: 6‟7” BPG: 1.0 UNLV
SPG: 0.8
WEIGHT: 260
TO: 1.7
STRENGTHS:
A great defensive rebounder – uses his bulk and strength to push around other big men…a passionate
player who wears his heart on his sleeve and out-hustles many…defends the basket well with solid
awareness…scored a healthy amount of points off offensive rebounds at UNLV

WEAKNESSES:
Slow as molasses…still has a ton of work to do understanding the offensive side of the court…too slow
to stay with faster players…will get burned out on the perimeter every single time…needs to improve his
shot blocking and athleticism…not very comfortable operating out of the post…an abysmal free throw
shooter

NBA COMPARISON: Chuck Hayes

LOW POST D SHOT INS DREB
ACCURATE FACTS:
84 77 91

POS: SG PPG: 23.8 Texas Tech
SPG: 0.4
WEIGHT: 194
TO: 2.0
BIO

Gunslinger Michael Davenport is no stranger to pressure. He hit three of four shots
his Junior year with the game on the line at Texas Tech and created a habit of finishing
off opponents at the buzzer. His shooting ability led the Red Raiders to the Final Four
this past year before falling to Duke in overtime. The 21 year old sharpshooter faced
perhaps an unfair level of criticism after the loss, enduring the blame of critics across
the nation for missing a game-tying layup with a few seconds remaining. After the
game, Davenport had this to say: “You could spend your whole life beating yourself up
after a mistake like that…but that‟s not me. I‟m picking myself up, declaring for the
draft, and I‟m going to rebuild myself in the pro‟s. Don‟t care about the past anymore.”
While Davenport is unconcerned with past history, it should be noted that he was an
archaeology major at Texas Tech. Ironic, isn‟t it?

POS: SG PPG: 23.8 Texas Tech
SPG: 0.4
WEIGHT: 194
TO: 2.0
STRENGTHS:
A consistent shooter who gets into a groove and shoots a high percentage from deep, absolutely
deadly from 3 point range…has shown the ability to create shots for himself…knocks down the
corner 3 with great accuracy…capable of handling the ball when necessary

WEAKNESSES:
Makes too many mistakes on defense and is out of position too often…doesn‟t show enough savvy
defending players on the perimeter…turns the ball over too much…struggles from close range…settles
for too many jumpers and doesn‟t attack the basket enough…won‟t work hard enough to get the ball
into his hands on offense

NBA COMPARISON: Kevin Martin

SHOT 3PT OFF AWR CONS
ACCURATE FACTS:
85 69 45

POS: PG PPG: 13.8
HEIGHT: 6‟3” APG: 4.9 Oklahoma
SPG: 1.2
WEIGHT: 216
TO: 2.8
BIO
Oklahoma sophomore Austin Carlson brings a rowdy attitude to each appearance on
the court, citing his biggest influence in former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
Similar to Lewis‟ mastery over the defensive end of the field, Carlson possesses a high
level of understanding when it comes to shutting down opposing point guards. He
recently told a few members of the media, “I look up to Ray Lewis because he brings it
every game. That‟s exactly what I want to do when I‟m on the court – I want people to
remember who I am.” While Austin certainly has the emotional edge, critics bring up
his lack of shooting and passing attributes as a concern moving forward. The point
guard only averaged a little less than 14 points per game and dished out only about 5
assists in each contest. Coach Lon Kruger had this to offer in his defense: “Austin may
not have put up the best numbers here at OU, but I‟ll be damned! He pushes himself
harder and harder each play. You couldn‟t ask for a better player.” We shall see who is
right after he‟s drafted.

POS: PG PPG: 13.8
HEIGHT: 6‟3” APG: 4.9 Oklahoma
SPG: 1.2
WEIGHT: 216
TO: 2.8
STRENGTHS:
A solid defender who puts in effort out on the perimeter…able to contain high quality point guards
with strong defensive instincts…hustles throughout the game and doesn‟t fatigue easily…has a
nice quickness and intelligence that allows him to draw charges

WEAKNESSES:
Struggles mightily from close range (shot less than 35% from within 6 feet of the basket at OU…
struggles finishing with contact or in traffic…turnover prone with a tendency of making too many
costly mistakes…not a very accurate passer…

NBA COMPARISON: Eric Bledsoe

DEF AWR SHOT INS QUICK
ACCURATE FACTS:
76 63 91

AGE: 24 INTL STATS:
POS: PF PPG: 18.2
RPG: 8.1 France
HEIGHT: 6‟9”
SPG: 0.5
WEIGHT: 241
TO: 1.1
CLASS: Intl BPG: 0.5

BIO
Coming from France means adjusting to a different world for Marcel Valentine. After
battling LeBron James in the 2012 Olympics, Valentine felt “unwelcomed by American
players.” Following a loss to USA, he had this to say, “I told LeBron I was going to the
NBA and he shrugged his shoulders and said, maybe I should stay in France because
I suck. I took tremendous offense to this reasoning, and I have vowed to make my
impact in the states felt. I shall beat him in the playoffs. That is, unless, the Heat draft
me. Then I will have no choice but to become his ally.” Although USA conquered
France in the Olympics, perhaps James was a bit too hasty in his description of
Valentine‟s talents. Possessing an old school post game and throwback mentality to
scoring, Marcel brings many unique talents to the table. If he is to indeed conquer King
James, he must rely on his playmaking from the low block to carry him to victory.

AGE: 24 INTL STATS:
POS: PF PPG: 18.2
RPG: 8.1 France
HEIGHT: 6‟9”
SPG: 0.5
WEIGHT: 241
TO: 1.1
CLASS: Intl BPG: 0.5
STRENGTHS:
A skilled post player who hits fadeaways and hook shots with poise…seems to be completely injury-
free - has not endured a single injury during his time in France…confident operating from the low
block and teams will have to respect his fundamentals with his back to the basket

WEAKNESSES:
Not particularly athletic…doesn‟t have the speed, strength, or agility to match up physically with
other big men…has a low motor and doesn‟t “get after it” on defense…a decent rebounder but won‟t
impress you with his production off the glass…not comfortable outside of 10 feet from the basket

NBA COMPARISON: Elton Brand

POST FADE DEF AWR DURA
ACCURATE FACTS:
77 67 90

POS: SF/SG PPG: 17.7
HEIGHT: 6‟6” APG: 1.2 UCONN
SPG: 2.4
WEIGHT: 225
TO: 1.9
BIO
Taylor Gadson has been on a tear throughout much of his basketball journey to
exact revenge on his naysayers. Dating back to his junior year in high school, Taylor
heard plenty of criticism coming his way. “I got cut from the first team I tried out for.
That hurt a lot – made me dig deep for why I wanted to play basketball. Coach told
me basketball wasn‟t my sport, that I was too big and that I should play football
instead. But I looked up to Michael Jordan and how he went through something
similar. And I told myself, „if he can do it, I can do it.‟ So next year I tried out, made
the team, cracked the starting lineup, averaged nearly 30 points a game, and then
rode the pine in Connecticut for a year before coach gave me a shot there…the rest
is history.” If the third time is the charm for Gadson, it would appear that giving him
an opportunity from the beginning would be the suggested route. Capable of using
tremendous athleticism to outplay opponents, Gadson surely will have a place on an
NBA team. The question is: how long will he remain unseen until he can no longer
tolerate it?

POS: SF/SG PPG: 17.7
HEIGHT: 6‟6” APG: 1.2 UCONN
SPG: 2.4
WEIGHT: 225
TO: 1.9
STRENGTHS:
Athletic and capable of guarding both the 3 and 2 spots…quick hands create plenty of turnovers…
finishes strong at the hoop with high accuracy on dunks and layups…has plenty of hops…scoops
up a good amount of buckets within close range

WEAKNESSES:
Will need to enhance his jump shot – not accurate enough from the outside…does a poor job of
taking care of the basketball – runs into problems when he over-dribbles…needs to use his head
more when executing on offense…a streaky shooter who struggles getting into rhythm

NBA COMPARISON: Shawn Marion

VERT LAYUP QUICK
ACCURATE FACTS:
87 86 83

POS: SF PPG: 19.8
HEIGHT: 6‟8” APG: 3.1 Indiana
SPG: 0.5
WEIGHT: 215
TO: 2.7
CLASS: Senior RPG: 1.7
BIO
Who could have predicted Indiana Senior Dean Pollard would be going pro? After three
under the radar seasons in college, Pollard continued building on his strengths and
turned in a memorable performance this past year. A self-proclaimed “Protector” on
defense, Pollard earns respect by pushing himself on D each and every possession.
Before falling to Florida in the sweet sixteen, Dean held his matchups to less than 12
points per game in the tourney – an impressive feat indeed. A fan of the Dave
Matthews Band, Kendrick Lamar, and Justin Bieber, Pollard is a strange guy. When
asked why he has such an eclectic taste in music, he replied with, “There is no such
thing as a taste in music. I like all types of music, all types of sounds. I would listen to a
mix tape of dudes‟ sneakers squeaking on the floor if I could. Doesn‟t matter.” There‟s
no telling what the 22 year old will be listening to during his pre-game warmups.

POS: SF PPG: 19.8
HEIGHT: 6‟8” APG: 3.1 Indiana
SPG: 0.5
WEIGHT: 215
TO: 2.7
CLASS: Senior RPG: 1.7
STRENGTHS:
Can knock down the 3 at a nice clip (shot 38% from deep his senior year)…defends well with an
excellent work ethic…a master on the defensive end of the court and showed great leadership
at IU quarterbacking the D…doesn‟t seem to wear down easily…nice quickness for a SF

WEAKNESSES:
Not the person to draft if you want a scorer – struggles shooting from most
places inside the 3 pt line…will be an after-thought on the offensive end
for any team that drafts him until he improves his offensive IQ…
Bilas Says:
a mediocre free throw shooter
“A very risky pick – his work
NBA COMPARISON: Bruce Bowen ethic could make him a
true asset, but it’s hard to
tell.”
OFF AWR STAM QUICK
ACCURATE FACTS:
46 92 79

POS: PG PPG: 23.8 Holy Cross
SPG: 0.5
WEIGHT: 206
TO: 1.5
BIO
If there is anyone special enough to earn a lasting nickname nationwide during college,
it‟s Magnus “Little General” Kersey. Taking Holy Cross back to relevance for the first
time since 1977, Magnus transformed himself into a symbol of courage in a very David
vs Goliath type fashion. Encouraging fans and students to show up for the games in
creative ways, Magnus influenced a rebirth of Holy Cross basketball in a major way:
people began dressing up with helmets, plastic shields, and swords to cheer for the
Crusaders. With the 6 foot point guard‟s tremendous play and boisterous crowd, home
games in Worcester became a national event. Unable to move the Crusaders past the
2nd round in the NCAA tourney, many hoped Kersey would come back for his
sophomore year to build upon the team‟s progress. However, Magnus has declared for
the draft, already exciting many scouts with his playmaking abilities and high ceiling.
While undoubtedly still raw in many areas, the 19 year old freshman sensation should
find himself a home with an NBA team without any difficulty.

POS: PG PPG: 23.8 Holy Cross
SPG: 0.5
WEIGHT: 206
TO: 1.5
STRENGTHS:
Great brute strength allows him to muscle his way to the hoop for high quality shots…dominates
from close range…ran the team at Holy Cross with unprecedented leadership…an intelligent
player who gets teammates involved and setup in good spots to score…takes great care of the ball

WEAKNESSES:
Not quite fast enough to stay with his assignments – will be a step slower than
most NBA point guards…gets burned on too many quick cuts to the
basket…for as emotional as he is, he needs to boost up his motor –
Bilas Says:
won‟t make nearly enough hustle plays in a game
“I would draft him, stash
NBA COMPARISON: Deron Williams him away for a few years,
and let him develop.”
PASS SHOT INS EMOTION
ACCURATE FACTS:
84 87 99

AGE: 20 INTL STATS:
POS: C PPG: 9.8
RPG: 9.7
Congo
HEIGHT: 7‟6”
SPG: 0.6
WEIGHT: 237
TO: 2.2
CLASS: International BPG: 3.8
BIO
You would be hard pressed to find a taller dude coming into the NBA draft in recent
history than Nando Saramago. Standing 7 foot 6 inches, Nando towers over most
everyone he comes up against. Speaking very little English, Saramago still understands
what his role will be with the team that drafts him: “I will be hustle, I will be man who
stops man from scoring.” You can‟t explain it any simpler than that. Thanks to his
ridiculous height, Saramago is an outright blocking machine, erasing shots that come his
way faster than industrial strength white-out. By searching for him on youtube, the top
clip brings back a play earlier this year that had him swatting a ball so hard it became
lodged in the rafters above the court. Because the budget for basketball isn‟t quite as
high as it is in America, Nando had no choice but to climb up and retrieve the ball to
continue the game. He had this to say about the experience, “I do not regret my blocks.
I will block the ball even more in the NBA.” The team that ends up drafting him will no
doubt see an abundance of swats this season.

AGE: 20 INTL STATS:
POS: C PPG: 9.8
RPG: 9.7
Congo
HEIGHT: 7‟6”
SPG: 0.6
WEIGHT: 237
TO: 2.2
CLASS: International BPG: 3.8
STRENGTHS:
A ruthless shot-blocker with a knack for catching everything that comes his way…excellent hands…
good instincts on defense allow him to be in the right position most of the time to make plays…
a strong defensive rebounder…defends the low-post nicely

WEAKNESSES:
Injury concerns are extremely high; with such a tall stature, we might be
looking at the next Yao Ming health-wise…uncomfortable scoring on
offense, will need tons of polish…lacks the hunger to dominate the Bilas Says:
boards on offense…gets the ball stolen from him by quicker players
too often “An extremely risky pick –
his defense is very
NBA COMPARISON: Bismack Biyombo intriguing but his health
is a major concern.”
SIG SKILL DEF AWR BLOCK
ACCURATE FACTS:
Eraser 78 93

POS: C/PF PPG: 14.2
HEIGHT: 6‟10” RPG: 7.1 Arkansas
SPG: 1.6
WEIGHT: 285
TO: 1.3
CLASS: Senior BPG: 1.1
BIO
Leonard “Tuggy” Pulley has a few interesting pre-game rituals. Before each game,
Pulley eats two plates of nachos, shaves his beard, dances to Tone Loc‟s Funky
Cold Medina, and pledges allegiance to the United States of America. An unusually
quiet person, when asked about his unique ritual, Pulley just said, “I don‟t know,
man. I just do stuff before the game.” Equally as interesting as his pre-game ritual,
Leonard‟s style of play turns heads with his ability to rack up steals at a quick rate.
If Pulley can improve his strength and ability to finish at the basket, he will make for a
nice addition to the team that ends up selecting him.

POS: C/PF PPG: 14.2
HEIGHT: 6‟10” RPG: 7.1 Arkansas
SPG: 1.6
WEIGHT: 285
TO: 1.3
CLASS: Senior BPG: 1.1
STRENGTHS:
Able to spread the floor by knocking down mid range jumpers…a solid free throw shooter for his
position…a pesky thief on defense, racks up plenty of steals…plays with his brain first on defense
by anticipating plays before they happen…excellent quickness for a big

WEAKNESSES:
Durability is a concern, suffered injuries throughout his career at Arkansas…not an adequate
post-up player – just too uncomfortable with his back to the basket…needs to get stronger finishing
at the rim…must develop strength to truly excel at the next level

NBA COMPARISON: Joakim Noah

OFF AWR SHOT MED STRENGTH
ACCURATE FACTS:
67 77 70

POS: PG/SG PPG: 18.4
APG: 7.0 Duke
HEIGHT: 6‟6”
SPG: 0.8
WEIGHT: 210
TO: 2.3
BIO
Duke Point Guard Wade Vaughn has taken offense to following after former star Kenny
Caballero‟s footsteps. A reporter for Duke basketball ran into a landmine by bringing
this up. Here‟s what Wade responded with, “I don‟t give two sh*ts about what anyone
did here before I got here. I‟m sorry. I‟m not into the whole legacy thing. This is about
our season right now. If Larry flippin Bird played here thirty years ago, I wouldn‟t care.
I‟m all about winning. And yeah, you can quote me on that. What a clown question,
bro.” Perhaps Vaughn was expressing some jealousy about Caballero‟s skills; he won‟t
be drafted as high in the first round and in a worst case scenario situation, might even
slip to the second round. But Vaughn remains hopeful, showcasing a rare talent for
operating out of the post. When being tasked with comparing him to current or former
NBA players, scouts have a difficult time with the assignment. He truly plays differently
than most every other point guard in the history of the league. While Gary Payton,
Mark Jackson, and Magic Johnson all utilized the post game, Vaughn doesn‟t appear fit
to be compared to them; he‟s just not as diverse in his skillset.

POS: PG/SG PPG: 18.4
APG: 7.0 Duke
HEIGHT: 6‟6”
SPG: 0.8
WEIGHT: 210
TO: 2.3
STRENGTHS:
Plays extremely well with his back to the basket – has a beautiful go-to move with a post
fadeaway…well coached and polished on offense…a smooth finisher at the basket…a consistent
scorer who doesn‟t fall out of rhythm easily

WEAKNESSES:
Needs to improve 3 point shooting if he wants to become a true two position player…not the most
accurate passer in his class – doesn‟t always hit players in the best spots…defensive consistency
is a bit lacking…plays too passively…terrible rebounder

NBA COMPARISON: Tyreke Evans

PASS LOW POST OFF OFF AWR
ACCURATE FACTS:
70 80 80

POS: SF PPG: 13.8
HEIGHT: 6‟8” RPG: 6.3 USC
SPG: 0.5
WEIGHT: 215
TO: 1.6
CLASS: Freshman BPG: 1.0
BIO
Speedster Jamal De La Cruz is hoping to bank on his athleticism to move him up the
draft board before a team selects him. Spending just one year at USC, De La Cruz
received a lot of preseason hype based on his upside. However, as the year
progressed, Jamal slipped out of the public consciousness in favor of more impactful
players. Similar to Austin Rivers decision to go pro, many critics questioned Jamal‟s
decision and suggested that he stay an extra year or two to polish his skills. The team
that ends up drafting him will surely do so based on his potential and will need to be
patient with developing him. Here‟s what Jamal had to say about his choice to leave
USC: “I thought about this long and hard. I thought, man would I rather get more of an
education and help my team here, or would I rather feed my family and give them a
nicer place to live? That was a heck of a tough choice. I decided to go pro because I
felt it was the best option. Now I just need someone to take a chance on me.” No one
knows for sure what to make of Jamal‟s future – let‟s just hope he made the right
decision.

POS: SF PPG: 13.8
HEIGHT: 6‟8” RPG: 6.3 USC
SPG: 0.5
WEIGHT: 215
TO: 1.6
CLASS: Freshman BPG: 1.0
STRENGTHS:
Nice speed and agility for his height…a great athlete who gets out into transition quickly…uses
his height to his advantage with interior scoring…a good offensive rebounder for his position

WEAKNESSES:
A pitiful three point shooter…not disciplined enough to put in much effort on defense…gets beat
off the dribble far too often…needs to improve his strength to make a lasting impact at the next
level

NBA COMPARISON: Alonzo Gee

SHOT CLOSE SPEED QUICK
ACCURATE FACTS:
78 87 85

CLASS PRO TIP:

Don‟t draft players from this class based
on team needs – think long term
potential…and listen to Bilas‟ Tips!

Class brought to you by…

Fictional Draft Class #2

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