By David K.
A weekly update of whose NBA Draft stock is rising and falling
BUY:
Jerel McNeal, G, Marquette, Sr, 6-3
If McNeal was 6-5, he would be a lottery pick. But because he is undersized to play the two in the NBA and not a true point guard, he is viewed as many as a second round prospect. McNeal has expanded his offensive repertoire. He is deadly off the dribble, creates his own shot, has bumped his three-point percentage from 30% last season to almost 45% this year, and is averaging 23.5 ppg in conference play. Plus, he is a past Big East Defensive Player of the Year award winner so you know he will bring it on the defensive end. If he is not a first round selection, someone is going to get a steal of a second round pick.
Da’Sean Butler, SF, West Virginia, Jr, 6-7
A 43-point performance against Villanova last week was definitely an attention-getter. He is a versatile swingman who can play in the post and is shooting 40% from downtown. Butler likely will not turn pro after this season, but should be a potential mid-first round pick in 2010.
Chase Budinger, G/F, Arizona, Jr, 6-7
My biggest knock on Budinger has been his tendency to disappear during stretches of games. During Zona’s current seven-game win streak, Chase has shown a good balance of asserting himself as well as getting teammates involved. He has a pure shot from the outside, can handle the ball, and is one of the best finishers in college hoops. He is shooting almost 60% from the floor in his last four games and reminded scouts why he deserves to be a late lottery pick.
Jermaine Taylor, SG, UCF, Sr, 6-4
Taylor is one of the best scorers that you have probably never heard of. He is fifth in the nation in scoring, scored 35 and 38 points in his last two games, and could very easily sneak into the first round. He does not have the ideal size for an NBA two-guard, but is a potential sleeper prospect come draft day.
SELL:
Jrue Holliday, G, UCLA, Fr, 6-3
Holliday is no where near ready to turn pro. He has scored just 14 points on 6 of 19 shooting in his last three games including a goose-egg in the Bruins’ loss at Arizona State. He has the skill-set to be a good pro down the road, but would be pretty foolish to leave school after his freshman campaign.
Chris Johnson, PF, LSU, Sr, 6-11
Johnson has the size and athleticism that is desirable in a big. Problem is he’s so rail thin that he gets abused down low by physical post players. This was made evident when Mississippi State’s Jarvis Varnado owned him last week. Johnson fouled out in 16 minutes and was held without a point, though he did block four shots. He is worth the risk of a second round pick, but will need to bulk up if he hopes to stick on any NBA roster.