Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 11:31 am  |  68 responses

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NBA Draft 2010

Here’s your Top 10 2010 NBA draft prospects.

by Jeff Fox

There is something very important you have to remember about NBA draft “experts” and draftniks (that’s an actual term; you can Wikipedia it if you want)—we are constantly looking to the future.  The past and present are of no interest to us – only what lies beyond in the hazy horizon.  So even before this year’s draft took place, sights were set on June 24, 2010 when David Stern will stroll onto the stage to another Bronx Cheer.

So don’t even try to tell us that it is too early to be doing a 2010 NBA Draft preview. It’s too late to be doing a 2010 preview—it’s almost time to do one for 2011 (Harrison Barnes is the name you need to know).  One thing it is too early for, however, is an accurate prediction of who is going to declare for next year’s Draft, so this list just includes guys who are currently expected to throw their hat in the ring.  Without further ado, here is your Top 10 for ’10.

1) John Wall – Kentucky – Freshman – PG

Currently Derrick Rose John Wall is your unanimous choice to go first overall.  The Rose mention is more than just a joke, as Wall’s size, athleticism, speed and skills (not to mention his choice of college coach) are often compared to 2008′s No. 1 overall pick.  It should be fun watching Wall lead Coach Calipari’s stacked Kentucky team next year.  If all goes as planned, Wall will be the guy who NBA GMs will, ahem, be willing to run through a wall to get.

2) Derrick Favors – Georgia Tech – Freshman – PF

Things aren’t so clear after pick #1, but as of now GA’s finest Derrick Favors is who we’re favoring at pick #2.  The best player to step foot on the Yellow Jackets campus since Chris Bosh, Favors is long, athletic and versatile enough to play either forward spots.  Also like Bosh, Favors will be the flavor of the month at Georgia Tech for only a short time.

3) Donatas Motiejunas – Lithuania – 1990 – PF

We’ve heard it so many times before that it doesn’t carry as much weight anymore, but, for what it’s worth, Donatas Motiejunas has been compared to Dirk Nowitzki.  He’s a seven footer with great finesse skills, but refreshingly, he is also able to post up and muck it up in the paint a little bit.  After another season playing in Europe maturing his body and mind, we’ll see if the Dirk comparisons are warranted or not.

4) Ed Davis – North Carolina – Sophomore – PF

Ed Davis showed flashes of his potential in last April’s NCAA title game, going off for 11 and 8 in only 14 minutes of action.  With all of the headliners from that championship team having fleed from Chapel Hill, next season will be the explosive lefty post player’s time to shine. That means beon the lookout for rim-rocking dunks, shots being swatted and rebounds being  devoured.

5)  Cole Aldrich – Kansas – Junior – Center

Aldrich showed last year why he was such a coveted high school recruit, averaging a double-double along with almost three blocks a game for the Jayhawks.  The bruising, yet skilled, big man really turned heads in the NCAA tournament – stat lines of 13 points, 20 boards and 10 blocks versus Dayton and 17 points, 14 boards, four assists and four blocks versus Michigan State will do that for a guy.

6)  Greg Monroe – Georgetown – Sophomore – Center

The latest offering from Big Man U.  A highly skilled, terrific passing big man.

7)  Al Farouq-Aminu – Wake Forest - Sophomore – Small Forward

Will have to be “The Man” for the Demon Deacons this season with James Johnson and Jeff Teague gone.

8)  Willie Warren – Oklahoma – Sophomore – Shooting Guard

A shoot first, ask questions later combo guard who will take over Blake Griffin’s scoring load for the Sooners.

9)  Evan Turner - Ohio State – Junior – Shooting Guard/Small Forward

A do-it-all wing player for Thad Matta’s squad.

10)  Soloman Alabi – Florida State – Sophomore – Center

A 7-1 shotblocking project (but, as the expression goes, you can’t teach height).

Read more from Jeff Fox at The Hoops Manifesto.