BasslineSpin.com
2007 Sweet 16
At BasslineSpin.com – you know we
love efficient players. But efficiency isn’t everything. Being on a winning
team is also a tangible asset. Looking back at the last two years we listed the
most promising 16 players left in the Tournament – we find that those listed
are indeed quality NBA players now. In 2005 – of the 16 we listed, 12 are now
in the NBA, with three still in college, and one playing overseas. The 2006
BasslineSpin.com Sweet 16 shows nine players that advanced to the NBA, five
that are still in the NCAA – with one D-Leaguer, and one international pro. Who
are the best 16 prospects we see among the 2007 Sweet 16 teams? (Click on the
name to see video)
- Greg
Oden – Ohio State – 7’0” 245 Freshman. …Oden is
a shot blocking BIG that is hard to stop when he gets deep position. He
will battle with other power players under the boards. He is light on his
feet but is still developing his footwork offensively. ...Oden was the
consensus 2007 NBA Draft number one pick until the Kevin Durant talk
started. …He had wrist surgery in 2006 - and missed early 2006-07 games.
...Received the 2005-06 Morgan Wootten Award, given to the McDonald's
All-American considered the Player of the Year. ...Won two state
championships in high school.
- Brandan
Wright – North Carolina – 6’10” 210 Freshman. …Lefty
has a 7'5" wing span. He plays under control and rarely, if ever,
takes a bad shot. 2006-07 ACC Rookie of the Year. MVP of the ACC Tourney.
...Ranked among the ACC's leaders at 14.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game
while leading the conference by shooting 66% FG. Smooth. Played in
McDonald's All-Star Game, Jordan Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. ...Named Tennessee's Division II Mr. Basketball
in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
- Joakim
Noah – Florida – 6’11” 227 Junior. …Big man
is very athletic. He led Florida to the NCAA National
Championship in 2006. MVP of both the Final Four and the Minneapolis
Region during that NCAA title run. …A First Team All-SEC selection.
...Jumps well. Jumps quickly. He can handle the ball and often will
dribble to start a fast break rather than throw an outlet pass. …Noah
posted 37 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Georgia on March 1, 2006.
- Ty
Lawson – North Carolina – 5’11” 193 Freshman. …Lawson
has great speed combined with a thick, sturdy frame. He can get to the
basket. named to All ACC Freshman Team. Right handed. ...High School: Led Oak Hill Academy to a 42-1 record as a senior
(won their first 42 games), First-team USA Today All-America selection.
Participated in McDonald's All-Star Game, Jordan Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. Most Valuable Player at World
Juniors Tournament in France in June 2005.
- Tyler
Hansbrough –
North Carolina – 6’9” 235 Sophomore. …Strong
and efficient big man with a strong will to succeed. …Knocks down the
perimeter shot and scores inside. Excellent rebounder. …He moves his feet
well on post defense. He shoots 55% FG, and 75% FT. Tough. He will mix it up all night.
...He could be a better passer. He runs well. Finishes at the rim due to
strength, determination, and concentration. ...Named First Team All ACC in
2006-07. …Was the 2005-06 ACC Rookie of the Year.
- Julian
Wright – Kansas – 6’8” 218 Sophomore. …A power
forward that can lead a fast break. He can handle the ball and beat his
man off the dribble. …Good passer. …He hits the offensive glass with consistency.
…He can dunk from a long way away from the hoop. A versatile player who
creates mismatches at the No. 4 spot... A crowd pleaser with his highlight
dunks. …Scored 33 points, and grabbed 12 boards in a win @ Missouri 02/10/07. ...McDonald's All-American, first team all-state and
was named to the USA Junior National Select Team following his senior
season.
- Danny
Green – North Carolina – 6’5” 202 Sophomore. …Has an
all around game. Sees the floor well. …Maybe takes a back seat to the rest
of the great talent that he plays with. Effective player who can do a lot
of things well. ...He was Carolina's leading shot blocker as a
freshman, an unprecedented feat for a perimeter player. Tar Hill web site
says, "Coaches like his shot-making ability from three-point range
and the free throw line". ...Can rebound on both ends of the floor.
"Coaches want him to be more explosive with the ball, both in driving
to the basket and getting off his outside shot". ...Was co-MVP of the
2004 ABCD Camp.
- Reyshawn Terry – North Carolina – 6’8” 228 Senior. …Great
athlete. He can shoot from deep or dunk on a break. Right handed. He runs
all day. …He rebounds outside of his area and doesn't shy from contact.
…He also can make silly plays. He can score off the dribble at 6'8".
…Had 25 points and seven rebounds in a win at Kentucky 12/03/05.
- Al
Horford – Florida – 6’9” 242 Junior. …Horford
can do some amazing things on the fast break. Has great ball handling
skills for his size. As a sophomore - he was named Second Team All-SEC.
Earned Final Four All-Tournament honors during his sophomore season.
…Billy Donovan calls him the smartest big-man he has ever coached. ...Son
of former NBA player Tito Horford. ...Was the Class A Player of the Year
for the state of Michigan as a high school senior,
averaging 21.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, 4.9 blocks and 2.6 assists.
- Roy
Hibbert – Georgetown – 7’2” 272 Junior. …Really big
man does not run that well - but he does have a soft touch. …He gets good
position and will dunk many shots. …He blocks shots - but also turns it
over lots. Right handed but does use his left around the basket. Named
First Team All Big East in 2006-07. He shot an incredible 68.8% FG this
season.
- Mike
Conley Jr.
– Ohio St. – 6’1” 180 Freshman. ….Poised
point guard that was also a high school teammate of Greg Oden. ...Big Ten
assist leader as a Freshman. Set Buckeyes record for most assists and
steals by a freshman. Lefty that can use his right hand very well.
...Conley made the media First Team All-Big Ten squad and was a coaches'
second team member. ...A 2006 McDonald's All-American. Son of Mike Conley
- the USA Track star that won a 1992 Olympic gold medal in the triple
jump.
- Richard
“Joey” Dorsey – Memphis – 6’9” 265 Junior. …Huge kid.
Quick leaper with a powerful frame. 2007 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.
...Horrid free throw shooter lacks touch. He is best as an offensive
rebounder and shot blocker. He grabs many boards outside his area. ...Had
16 points and 13 rebounds and three blocked shots in a home win over
Purdue on 12/30/05. ...Named to 2006-07 C-USA
First Team All-Conference, 2005 Conference USA All-Freshman Team, and 2006
Conference USA All-Tournament Team.
- Daequan Cook (No video) - Ohio St. – 6’5” 210 Freshman. …Cook was
the Big Ten's Sixth Man of the Year. ...Scored (11.3 ppg.). He set the
Buckeye freshman record for 3-pointers made (48) and his long-range
shooting percentage (.440) is the second best in OSU history. He led the
Buckeyes with six games of 20 or more points on the year. ...2006
McDonald's All-American, averaged 25 points a game as a senior in leading Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar High School to the Ohio Division II state
title. ...During the Roundball Classic game April 9, 2006 at the United Center in Chicago, Cook shared the West's team
MVP honors with Greg Oden by scoring 18 points in helping the West to a
118-102 victory.
- Chris
Lofton – Tennessee – 6’2” 197 Junior. …He does
not need much space to get his shot off. Right handed guard. ...Became
consensus All-SEC for the second straight year as he was a unanimous
choice placed on the first team by the league coaches. Lofton was named
SEC Player of the Year by the Associated Press earlier. Scored an
impressive 29 points on January 21- 2006
vs. Florida. …Excellent free throw shooter
at 88% for his career (as of Feb. 7, 2006). …Then career high 31 points
in a win at Kentucky 02-07-06. ...Earned Kentucky's Mr. Basketball honors as a
senior in 2004.
- Joseph Jones – (No video) Texas A&M – 6’9” 250 Junior. …A man
mountain. Jones has shot over 50% for the first three years of his college
career. Not because he has a great shot - he just dunks alot. He rebounds
outside his area, and seems to come up with timely boards. …Had 18 points,
15 rebounds, and four assists in a win at Colorado 01/13/07. ...As a Sophomore, earned consensus second-team
All-Big 12 honors after averaging 15.3 points and a team-best 6.5 rebounds.
As a prep - named to the USA Basketball Junior National Select Team that
played at Nike Hoops Summit at NCAA Final Four in San Antonio.
- Luc
Richard Mbah a Moute
– UCLA – 6’7”
224 Sophomore. …From Yaounde, Cameroon. …Plays around and above the
hoop. 2005-06 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. …A savage finisher. Right
handed.
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