Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Five seniors that should be drafted

This week is Senior week for almost all college teams. Here's five Seniors that should be drafted and can contribute to an NBA team.

JaJuan Johnson, PF Purdue (6-10, 225)
The knock on JaJuan Johnson is that he lacks the ideal bulk for an NBA frontman, yet when Taj Gibson was drafted out of USC he weighed only 214 pounds, yet in his rookie season he contributed as defender and rebounder as well as picking his spots on the offensive end. Like Gibson, Johnson is long and athletic with a smooth midrange jumpshot and the kind of college post game that will allow him to score against most second unit power forwards. He's also got a great motor, can rebound, block shots, and run the floor, pretty much exactly what you look for in a backup power forward.

Justin Holiday, G/F Washington (6-6, 180)
For Justin Holiday, it's all about the little things. With long arms, quick feet and great athletic ability he's got the potential to be a lockdown defensive player but he's also got a very good basketball IQ, rebounds well, and is a very good passer. Holiday did all those things his first three years, but in his senior year he's developed a three point shot (40% on 4.1 3's per game), which is crucial to his draft stock. If he can be that high IQ, defender/shooter, he'll have a great chance of contributing in the NBA.

Chandler Parsons, SF Florida (6-9, 220)
Chandler Parson has never been a big time scorer, though he can slash and shoot, instead he's settled into a role as the jack-of-all-trades glue guy. With a very high basketball IQ, a nice handle and passing ability he's played point forward for Florida the last two years and has a versatile offensive skillset to match. Parsons is also is a pretty good athlete, though he lacks the lateral quickness to be an elite defender. Parsons won't ever be a star, or even likely a starter, but his diverse skillset will fit nicely in as second unit forward.

Norris Cole, PG Cleveland State (6-2, 175)
Norris Cole doesn't do anything great, but he does everything well and fits the profile of the backup point guard perfectly. Cleveland State doesn't play the best competition, but he's been dominant at his level, averaging 21.6 ppg, 6 rpg, and 5.5 apg (including a 40 point, 20 rebound, 9 assist game) and has led his team to 25 wins and a tie for the lead in the Horizon league. He can shoot, slash, pass, rebound, defend, and will give any team that takes him quality playing winning basketball.

Justin Harper, PF Richmond (6-10, 225)
In the NBA, the ability to stretch the defense in diverse ways from different positions opens up whole new worlds of offense. One of the most effective ways that teams can stretch defenses is will big men that can shoot, and Justin Harper can really singe the net (49% from 3 this season), he's also a good athlete that is a real weapon running the floor in transition. He needs to rebound and defend better, but his shooting is enough of a weapon for him to find playing time in the NBA.

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