Post by Atlanta on Nov 15, 2006 20:30:54 GMT -5
Not long ago Chris Paul made himself avail for the pro draft. Today two more college players follow in his footsteps, themselves feeling ready for the rigers of the pro game.
First we have Georgia Tech player Chris Bosh. The 6-foot-10 forward Bosh made the announcement today at his high school in Dallas. "I come before you today ready to pursue my lifelong dream," Bosh said at a news conference. "It is with great excitement and a commitment to the hard work that lies ahead, that I am making myself eligible for the 2005 draft."
Bosh has not signed with an agent but said, "I intend to prepare myself with the expectation that I will begin my professional career this summer."
Expected to be a lottery pick in the draft, Bosh led Georgia Tech with 15.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a Freshman, and continued to improve his game year after year. Finally he felt he was ready to take his skills to the pro-level.
College: Georgia Tech
Class: Junior
Height: 6 ft 10 in
Weight: 220 pounds
Hometown: Dallas, TX
High School: Lincoln
Strengths: Bosh is a great inside player. Few are blessed with his athletic prowess. Plays with a good amount of aggresiveness, but doesn't get out of control or lose his composure easily. Bosh runs the floor exceptionally well. Doesn't have the perimeter skills of Garnett, namely shooting, but appears to like playing in the post more so than Garnett and could end up filling out into more of a dominating post player. Has great ball handling skills and really can pass the ball. Understands the game well, doesn't make unnecessary moves, uses the drop step and jump hook effectively. Because of his long arms, timing, and explosiveness, he is an excellent shot blocker. He's a lefty can dribble with either hand. A pretty solid intelligent defender and supposedly is very coachable.
Weaknesses: Bosh needs to add a whole lot of strength to bang in the post in the pros. He's considered very poor at pick and roll, and pretty weak setting screens. Gets pushed around rebounding and in getting position in the post. Bosh definatly eeds to improve hands catching passes. Does not go after shots he could easily swat. Could use some improvement on his mid range game. Needs better stamina, mental toughness, and can lose focus towards the end of games. That said Bosh still has some work to do before realizing his potential.
Projected Draft Range: Top 3 Picks
NBA Comparision: Tim Duncan/ Kevin Garnett
Projected Ratings: B C C- B C+ A
Not long after Chris Bosh declared another player made himself available as well. Charlie Villanueva, the Huskies' enigmatic forward, announced he will enter the 2005 draft and forgo his final two years of eligibility.
With UConn coach Jim Calhoun at his side during an afternoon press conference at Gampel Pavilion, Villanueva said he was 100 percent committed to his decision and Calhoun gave his blessing.
"He leaves here because he's made up his mind and his decision that this is the best thing for Charlie," Calhoun said. "When it became evident to me that this was the best thing for Charlie, then it was the best thing for him, the best thing for UConn basketball, the best thing for all concerned."
"I just went with my heart," Villanueva said. "When I went home I just felt it was the right decision. I just went with my instinct.
"It was a hard decision, but I just went with my heart."
While Villanueva did not let on that his family's situation weighed heavily on his decision to leave, Calhoun believed it was a major factor.
Villanueva's mother, Dora Mejia, was seriously injured in a car accident last fall and Villanueva doesn't want his mother to have to go back to work. Meija, according to Villanueva, would like to see her son stay in college.
"She wanted me to come back, but I just felt it was right," he said.
College: UConn
Class: Sophmore
Height: 6dt 11 in
Weight: 230 pounds
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
High School: Blair Academy
Strengths: Charlie is a strong all around talent. He excels at passing the ball, scoring from the perimeter and handling the ball on the break. His inside/outside game makes him a virtual lock for a double-double every night at least in the college game. If it translates over to the pro game he could really be something. His athleticism and size make him an excellent rebounder and perimeter defender. Scores his points from all over; his height allows to shoot over almost everyone on the outside and also allows him take the ball down low. He's just starting to live up to his unbelievable potential.
Weaknesses: Charlies biggest issue maybe that he is a bit laid back at times, which leads to scoring in bunches and then going cold. He needs to also understand that he will not always be the biggest and most athletic player on the floor any longer and will have to work hard on the next level rather than lay back. He definalty can use some post development. His strength is in question and has been labeled a bit soft at times, which leads to him being a weak interior defender. Not a great shot blocker, despite his athleticism and height. Needs to develop a killer instinct.
Projected Draft Range: Top 10 picks
NBA Comparision: Lamar Odom
Projected Ratings: B- C+ C- B C+ B
In closing once these players joined Chris Paul the outlook of the draft has changed dramatically so much so that center prospect Andrew Bogut has withdrawn his name from the draft and will go back to the univeristy of Utah for one more season.
"I've been told by sources around the league that i might fall out of the top five players pick in this draft now that so many other players have declared. With that being the case, I have decided to return to Utah for another season. "
Huge News indeed as we move closer to draft day. Could there be any more surprises? Who now goes #1? Should be very interesting to find out!
First we have Georgia Tech player Chris Bosh. The 6-foot-10 forward Bosh made the announcement today at his high school in Dallas. "I come before you today ready to pursue my lifelong dream," Bosh said at a news conference. "It is with great excitement and a commitment to the hard work that lies ahead, that I am making myself eligible for the 2005 draft."
Bosh has not signed with an agent but said, "I intend to prepare myself with the expectation that I will begin my professional career this summer."
Expected to be a lottery pick in the draft, Bosh led Georgia Tech with 15.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a Freshman, and continued to improve his game year after year. Finally he felt he was ready to take his skills to the pro-level.
College: Georgia Tech
Class: Junior
Height: 6 ft 10 in
Weight: 220 pounds
Hometown: Dallas, TX
High School: Lincoln
Strengths: Bosh is a great inside player. Few are blessed with his athletic prowess. Plays with a good amount of aggresiveness, but doesn't get out of control or lose his composure easily. Bosh runs the floor exceptionally well. Doesn't have the perimeter skills of Garnett, namely shooting, but appears to like playing in the post more so than Garnett and could end up filling out into more of a dominating post player. Has great ball handling skills and really can pass the ball. Understands the game well, doesn't make unnecessary moves, uses the drop step and jump hook effectively. Because of his long arms, timing, and explosiveness, he is an excellent shot blocker. He's a lefty can dribble with either hand. A pretty solid intelligent defender and supposedly is very coachable.
Weaknesses: Bosh needs to add a whole lot of strength to bang in the post in the pros. He's considered very poor at pick and roll, and pretty weak setting screens. Gets pushed around rebounding and in getting position in the post. Bosh definatly eeds to improve hands catching passes. Does not go after shots he could easily swat. Could use some improvement on his mid range game. Needs better stamina, mental toughness, and can lose focus towards the end of games. That said Bosh still has some work to do before realizing his potential.
Projected Draft Range: Top 3 Picks
NBA Comparision: Tim Duncan/ Kevin Garnett
Projected Ratings: B C C- B C+ A
Not long after Chris Bosh declared another player made himself available as well. Charlie Villanueva, the Huskies' enigmatic forward, announced he will enter the 2005 draft and forgo his final two years of eligibility.
With UConn coach Jim Calhoun at his side during an afternoon press conference at Gampel Pavilion, Villanueva said he was 100 percent committed to his decision and Calhoun gave his blessing.
"He leaves here because he's made up his mind and his decision that this is the best thing for Charlie," Calhoun said. "When it became evident to me that this was the best thing for Charlie, then it was the best thing for him, the best thing for UConn basketball, the best thing for all concerned."
"I just went with my heart," Villanueva said. "When I went home I just felt it was the right decision. I just went with my instinct.
"It was a hard decision, but I just went with my heart."
While Villanueva did not let on that his family's situation weighed heavily on his decision to leave, Calhoun believed it was a major factor.
Villanueva's mother, Dora Mejia, was seriously injured in a car accident last fall and Villanueva doesn't want his mother to have to go back to work. Meija, according to Villanueva, would like to see her son stay in college.
"She wanted me to come back, but I just felt it was right," he said.
College: UConn
Class: Sophmore
Height: 6dt 11 in
Weight: 230 pounds
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
High School: Blair Academy
Strengths: Charlie is a strong all around talent. He excels at passing the ball, scoring from the perimeter and handling the ball on the break. His inside/outside game makes him a virtual lock for a double-double every night at least in the college game. If it translates over to the pro game he could really be something. His athleticism and size make him an excellent rebounder and perimeter defender. Scores his points from all over; his height allows to shoot over almost everyone on the outside and also allows him take the ball down low. He's just starting to live up to his unbelievable potential.
Weaknesses: Charlies biggest issue maybe that he is a bit laid back at times, which leads to scoring in bunches and then going cold. He needs to also understand that he will not always be the biggest and most athletic player on the floor any longer and will have to work hard on the next level rather than lay back. He definalty can use some post development. His strength is in question and has been labeled a bit soft at times, which leads to him being a weak interior defender. Not a great shot blocker, despite his athleticism and height. Needs to develop a killer instinct.
Projected Draft Range: Top 10 picks
NBA Comparision: Lamar Odom
Projected Ratings: B- C+ C- B C+ B
In closing once these players joined Chris Paul the outlook of the draft has changed dramatically so much so that center prospect Andrew Bogut has withdrawn his name from the draft and will go back to the univeristy of Utah for one more season.
"I've been told by sources around the league that i might fall out of the top five players pick in this draft now that so many other players have declared. With that being the case, I have decided to return to Utah for another season. "
Huge News indeed as we move closer to draft day. Could there be any more surprises? Who now goes #1? Should be very interesting to find out!
