Haven't found the time to work on any classes as of late, but I don't work until Friday now and I just graduated high school, so my schedule is FREE. If I can get to it, I'll try to do a class and type out some reports later this week!
National Championship Game:North Carolina defeats Ohio State 73 to 59
Point Guard
Spoiler
PG Class Grade: C+
The point guard position in this year's class really lacks a true star. However, in terms of star potential, Kansas freshman Steven Burgess leads the class for point guards. Burgess came into Kansas playing second fiddle to center Damien Harper, but Burgess was still able to put up respectable numbers. He is able to create shots for himself and for teammates, and can also finish in the paint fairly well with his 6'4" frame. Though his defense is a little suspect right now, he can always improve with his tremendous athleticism. Stats: 12.7 PPG, 6.8 APG, 3.9 RPG, 48% FG, 35% 3PT
Physical Attributes: 6'4", 176 lbs, 19 years old
Like Burgess, Nebraska sophomore Andy Lucas lives off of getting into the paint and finishing around the hoop. Though shorter than Burgess, Lucas is quicker, stronger, and an all-around better athlete. However, he isn't as good of a playmaker as he could be for his teammates, and that could cost him a Top-10 selection. With a limited supporting cast at Nebraska, Lucas was the star of the team, a la Allen Iverson for the 76ers in the 2000s. It'll be interesting to see how well he could play with NBA talent. Stats: 20.1 PPG, 4.9 APG, 1.8 RPG, 51% FG, 37% 3PT
Physical Attributes: 6'2", 187 lbs, 20 years old
Other Notable Point Guards
Tyrone Jackson, Point Guard, North Carolina.
5'9", 162 lbs, 19 years old. 10.2 PPG, 4.7 APG, 1.1 RPG, 45% FG, 41% 3PT
Ian James, Point Guard, Texas.
6'5", 176 lbs, 19 years old. 9.8 PPG, 9.1 APG, 2.6 RPG, 41% FG, 31% 3PT
Shooting Guard
Spoiler
SG Class Grade: B-
North Carolina's star shooting guard Jerome Thomas, otherwise known as 'Afro Thunder', had a stellar freshman season last year, winning freshman of the year honors while leading his Tarheels squad to a National Championship. Thomas is a crafty shooter that can get hot quick and take over games. His confidence is always at a high level, which enables him to become the go-to-guy down the stretch. Though his character has been questioned, his skills are undoubtedly spectacular. Stats: 24.4 PPG, 2.8 APG, 3.1 RPG, 47% FG, 37% 3PT
Physical Attributes: 6'5", 191 lbs, 19 years old
Pierre Barnett of France has been playing basketball for his whole life, and after a breakout year in the Euroleague, he is finally realizing his dream of becoming an NBA player. Barnett is a 6'9" guard/forward that can just about do it all. He can shoot, he can pass, he can rebound, and more. At just 20 years old, he has time to improve his game even further, which is frightening considering his current skillset. Stats: 18.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.1 RPG, 45% FG, 39% 3PT
Physical Attributes: 6'9", 212 lbs, 20 years old
Other Notable Shooting Guards
Walter Kane, Shooting Guard, Butler
6'8", 204 lbs, 20 years old 18.0 PPG, 2.1 APG, 2.9 RPG, 44% FG, 42% 3PT
Phillip Sherman, Shooting Guard, Florida State
6'7", 222 lbs, 19 years old
17.5 PPG, 1.8 APG, 3.1 RPG, 48% FG, 30% 3PT
Small Forward
Spoiler
SF Class Grade: B+
In a wide-open small forward class, it just might be UConn sophomore Orlando Jackson who goes off the board first. Jackson is a scorer, tried and true, and he can shoot from just about anywhere on the court efficiently. A great athlete for his size, as well, don't sleep on Orlando Jackson, as he can blow right past you for a monstrous dunk. Jackson led the nation in scoring this season with 26.4 PPG. Stats: 26.4 PPG, 1.3 APG, 4.2 RPG, 52% FG, 38% 3PT
Physical Attributes: 6'9", 238 lbs, 20 years old
Other Notable Small Forwards
Leonard West, Small Forward, Wisconsin
6'8", 218 lbs, 20 years old
17.9 PPG, 3.1 APG, 3.0 RPG, 46% FG, 41% 3PT
Zach Mitchell, Small Forward, Kentucky
6'7", 240 lbs, 19 years old
10.3 PPG, 1.8 APG, 6.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 50% FG
Ellis Bryan, Small Forward, North Carolina
6'10", 226 lbs, 21 years old
11.2 PPG, 4.6 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 52% FG
Alton Jennings, Small Forward, Cal
6'9", 242 lbs, 19 years old
18.8 PPG, 0.9 APG, 4.4 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 47% FG, 29% 3PT
Power Forward
Spoiler
PF Class Grade: C+
Though there is plenty of youth in the power forward position in the draft this year, one prospect stands out from the rest: J.P. Alexander, freshman out of Ohio State. Along with fellow Buckeye Norman Adams, Alexander almost lead Ohio State to an upset victory over the heavily favorited North Carolina Tarheels, until the team choked in the 4th quarter. Alexander is a raw prospect offensively, but defensively, he is a leader and a great rebounder. If Alexander can improve his offensive repertoire, he can become a star in the league. Stats: 12.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.9 BPG, 53% FG
Physical Attributes: 6'11", 244 lbs, 19 years old
Other Notable Power Forwards
Jordan Goodman, Power Forward, Illinois-Chicago
6'8", 252 lbs, 22 years old
8.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 54% FG
Lewis Turner, Power Forward, Florida
6'10", 252 lbs, 19 years old
8.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.2 BPG, 59% FG
Corey Franklin, Power Forward, Oklahoma
6'9", 231 lbs, 19 years old
13.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 51% FG
Center
Spoiler
C Class Grade: B+
The class grade for the center position is definitely inflated due to one player: Damien Harper. The Kansas freshman averaged a double-double in his only year in the NCAA, and it's almost a lock that Harper will be the first overall pick this summer. He can finish inside, he can defend the paint with ferocity, but most importantly, he is the best rebounder we have seen come out of college in years. If Harper can stay healthy, he could end up being the best center in basketball. Stats: 18.1 PPG, 14.6 RPG, 3.6 BPG, 61% FG
Physical Attributes: 6'11", 273 lbs, 19 years old
Other Notable Centers
Joseph Hobbs, Center, Gonzaga
7'0", 251 lbs, 20 years old
10.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 49% FG
Michael Forrest, Center, North Carolina
7'0", 247 lbs, 20 years old
14.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 46% FG, 40% 3PT
Tony Balestrieri, Center, Italy
7'1", 251 lbs, 20 years old
17.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 4.7 APG, 53% FG, 32% 3PT
05-12-2013, 10:53 PM
