Post by Atlanta on Nov 12, 2006 23:38:32 GMT -5
Wake Forest Sophmore Chris Paul has announced he will leave school early and enter the pro draft this season. Paul a big time player in the ACC the past two years should be a top pick in this years draft.
“I am realizing a dream by declaring for the NBA draft,” Chris Paul said at his press conference Thursday. “At the same time, I am leaving behind a place and many people that are very close to my heart.”
Though the money associated with playing in the NBA will be welcome to Paul and his family, the challenge of playing in the NBA every day was a key in his decision. “I have always welcomed challenges since placing a ball in my hand when I was little,” he noted. “Playing in the NBA against some of the greatest athletes in the world is what I consider the ultimate challenge.”
Paul, who spoke at length with family members and the Wake Forest coaching staff, decided that, in the end, stepping into the NBA was best for him for the upcoming season. Still, he will miss his teammates and Wake Forest family.
“My teammates here at Wake Forest are like my brothers and I share everything with them,” Paul said. “While I plan to remain close to each and every one of them, I am going to miss the day-to-day contact that I have had with them for more than over two years. I am extremely grateful to the coaching staff. They recruited me harder than anyone else in the country, they helped me develop my skills and prepare me for the next level. Coach Prosser has taught me a great deal about life, in addition to basketball. To them, I say thank you. Our fans are the best in college basketball, I will miss them as well, and I appreciate everything that they have done,” Paul noted. “Although I am going to the NBA, my heart will remain here at Wake Forest forever, in Winston-Salem, and in Lewisville. I will play for a different team next year, but I will always be a Demon Deacon at heart.”
The last two years Paul had mentioned he was not going to enter the draft, but his success coupled by a weaker draft class at the top in my opinion helped lead him to the decision to leave school early. Its a huge loss to the demon Deacons. A huge win for the pro game.
College: Wake Forest
Class: Sophmore
Height:6 ft
Weight: 175
Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.
High School:
Accolades: Consensus First Team All-American as a sophomore, earning recognition from the Associated Press, NABC and USBWA. Was a finalist for the Wooden, Naismith and Rupp Player of the Year awards. Named First Team All-ACC and to the league’s All-Defensive Team. Named ACC Rookie of the Year, Third Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-America (AP) as a freshman in 2003-04. Helped lead Wake to 48 wins in two seasons, two NCAA Tournament berths and one Sweet 16 appearance. Finished career just short of 1,000 career points with 948. His career free throw percentage (.838) ranks fifth in Wake Forest history. His career three-point percentage (.469) is the second-highest in Wake history. Ranks seventh in school history with 395 career assists and seventh in steals (160). earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors last season, edging out Duke's Luol Dang. Was named the National Freshman of the Year by a variety of sources. Broke a number of Wake Forest freshman records.
Scouting Report: Paul {ossesses all the tools of a great point guard, he's extremely quick and takes care of the basketball. A very excellent passer with a very high assist-to-turnover ratio. He's got a nice outside/ three point shot. Is at his best on the fastbreak or when driving to the basket. He's willing to take on big men, and draw contact. Went to the free throw line more often (178 attempts) than any Deacon player last season. Paul is also pretty solid on the defensive end, earning ACC All-Defensive Team honors last season. A natural leader he likes to have the ball in his hands and help his team win games.
Strengths: Paul is a mature leader, wise beyond his years. He can score and get into the paint and drop the catchable pass with the best of them. A 3 point marksman that will knock it down if given room. His foot quickness makes him a capable ball hawk on defense when he picks his man up. To lead the ACC in steals as a freshman tells you a little about his defensive ability. His character and heart on and off the court make him a GM's dream. Will have a chance to be a star in the league, and it will be his passion for the game that will keep him from falling off.
Weaknesses: At under 6 foot, he's very small for the pro game. There is a question if he can stand up to the long schedule. Will that frame hold up. Lucky for Paul his intangibles and athleticism should help to make up for it some. Does he hold the ball too long, or keep it away from his teammates? That will be a question on the pro level.
Projected Draft Range: Top 3 Picks
NBA Comparision: Isiah Thomas
Projected Ratings: B- B- B B- C- A
“I am realizing a dream by declaring for the NBA draft,” Chris Paul said at his press conference Thursday. “At the same time, I am leaving behind a place and many people that are very close to my heart.”
Though the money associated with playing in the NBA will be welcome to Paul and his family, the challenge of playing in the NBA every day was a key in his decision. “I have always welcomed challenges since placing a ball in my hand when I was little,” he noted. “Playing in the NBA against some of the greatest athletes in the world is what I consider the ultimate challenge.”
Paul, who spoke at length with family members and the Wake Forest coaching staff, decided that, in the end, stepping into the NBA was best for him for the upcoming season. Still, he will miss his teammates and Wake Forest family.
“My teammates here at Wake Forest are like my brothers and I share everything with them,” Paul said. “While I plan to remain close to each and every one of them, I am going to miss the day-to-day contact that I have had with them for more than over two years. I am extremely grateful to the coaching staff. They recruited me harder than anyone else in the country, they helped me develop my skills and prepare me for the next level. Coach Prosser has taught me a great deal about life, in addition to basketball. To them, I say thank you. Our fans are the best in college basketball, I will miss them as well, and I appreciate everything that they have done,” Paul noted. “Although I am going to the NBA, my heart will remain here at Wake Forest forever, in Winston-Salem, and in Lewisville. I will play for a different team next year, but I will always be a Demon Deacon at heart.”
The last two years Paul had mentioned he was not going to enter the draft, but his success coupled by a weaker draft class at the top in my opinion helped lead him to the decision to leave school early. Its a huge loss to the demon Deacons. A huge win for the pro game.
College: Wake Forest
Class: Sophmore
Height:6 ft
Weight: 175
Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.
High School:
Accolades: Consensus First Team All-American as a sophomore, earning recognition from the Associated Press, NABC and USBWA. Was a finalist for the Wooden, Naismith and Rupp Player of the Year awards. Named First Team All-ACC and to the league’s All-Defensive Team. Named ACC Rookie of the Year, Third Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-America (AP) as a freshman in 2003-04. Helped lead Wake to 48 wins in two seasons, two NCAA Tournament berths and one Sweet 16 appearance. Finished career just short of 1,000 career points with 948. His career free throw percentage (.838) ranks fifth in Wake Forest history. His career three-point percentage (.469) is the second-highest in Wake history. Ranks seventh in school history with 395 career assists and seventh in steals (160). earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors last season, edging out Duke's Luol Dang. Was named the National Freshman of the Year by a variety of sources. Broke a number of Wake Forest freshman records.
Scouting Report: Paul {ossesses all the tools of a great point guard, he's extremely quick and takes care of the basketball. A very excellent passer with a very high assist-to-turnover ratio. He's got a nice outside/ three point shot. Is at his best on the fastbreak or when driving to the basket. He's willing to take on big men, and draw contact. Went to the free throw line more often (178 attempts) than any Deacon player last season. Paul is also pretty solid on the defensive end, earning ACC All-Defensive Team honors last season. A natural leader he likes to have the ball in his hands and help his team win games.
Strengths: Paul is a mature leader, wise beyond his years. He can score and get into the paint and drop the catchable pass with the best of them. A 3 point marksman that will knock it down if given room. His foot quickness makes him a capable ball hawk on defense when he picks his man up. To lead the ACC in steals as a freshman tells you a little about his defensive ability. His character and heart on and off the court make him a GM's dream. Will have a chance to be a star in the league, and it will be his passion for the game that will keep him from falling off.
Weaknesses: At under 6 foot, he's very small for the pro game. There is a question if he can stand up to the long schedule. Will that frame hold up. Lucky for Paul his intangibles and athleticism should help to make up for it some. Does he hold the ball too long, or keep it away from his teammates? That will be a question on the pro level.
Projected Draft Range: Top 3 Picks
NBA Comparision: Isiah Thomas
Projected Ratings: B- B- B B- C- A
