Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 at 12:00 pm  |  93 responses

Top Small Forward Draft Prospects

Volume 2.

by Jeff Fox

While the shooting guard class of this year’s draft is a little weak, the small forward spot is like a Snickers bar—packed. Except it’s not peanuts it’s packed with, it’s stud NBA prospects. And while a Snickers bar really satisfies you, this draft will satisfy teams looking for an athletic wing player.

1. (2) Al-Farouq Aminu – Wake Forest – FR
It’s almost too close to call when trying to choose between Al Farouq-Aminu and Earl Clark. Aminu gets the slight edge at this point due to his age (he’s two years younger than Clark) and length (over a seven-foot wingspan). If he could become an outside threat he’d be the full package.

2. (1) Earl Clark – Louisville – JR
On a stacked Louisville roster, Earl Clark is a standout. Like Aminu, he needs to become more of an outside threat, but he is a tremendous, versatile athlete. His shot blocking and rebounding skills make him a special prospect.

3. (3) Chase Budinger – Arizona – JR
Earl Clark One player who doesn’t have to worry too much about improving his 3-point stroke is Chase Budinger. He’s improved his accuracy to over 40 percent from out deep and is still hitting about two long-bombs a game. Add to the mix his explosive athleticism and you’ve got yourself a solid NBA prospect.

4. (6) Damion James – Texas – JR
It has been a disappointing year for Damion James and the Texas Longhorns. Texas currently doesn’t find itself ranked, and James’ draft stock isn’t as high as it once was. The transition to full-time small forward didn’t go as smoothly as hoped this season, as he’s become less of a 3-point threat and his rebounding numbers have also decreased.

5. (5) Austin Daye - Gonzaga – SO
The potential is definitely there—a 6-11 small forward with long arms, the ability to hit the outside shot while also grabbing boards and swatting shots. His thin frame and off-season knee injury are big red flags, though.

Next in line:
DaJuan Summers, Georgetown; Tyler Smith, Tennessee; Omri Casspi, Israel; Sam Young, Pittsburgh; Vladimir Dasic, Serbia.

Not expected to enter draft:
Kyle Singler

Jeff Fox also writes about college hoops and the NBA draft at College Hoops Net.

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  • Ken

    Is Budinger really only a junior? Feels like he’s been on the radar forever. Same with Singler.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    I love Aminu and his hustle. Daye is a bust waiting to happen; the kid just doesn’t play hard.

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    This is one of the first lists done by anybody where not only can I not argue with the names, but I can’t argue with the placement. 1-5 is exactly where I’d place it, same with next in line (although I don’t know about Vladimir Dasic, I’ll trust you on that).

  • http://www.collegehoops.net Jeff Fox

    That’s because when I wrote this story, I was thinking WWJWD (what would Justin Walsh do). I’m actually always thinking that – it helps me live me life correctly.

  • http://www.alllooksame.com Tarzan Cooper

    marcus morris is going to be great.

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    Jeff, that is some choice sarcasm there. And I just realize how friggen pretentious my comment sounded. It’s just that everybody has an opinion on NBA talent translating from college and nobody can agree. But damn you got me. Also, Tarzan, are we talking the better of the twins at KU, the I shoot at old women from my dorm with an air rifle Morris?

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    by the way, I just realized how deep you went with the snickers analogy. Make sure and pick one up during lunch :) it’s WWJWD. Trust me.

  • http://nicekicks.com MeloMan13

    Gerald Henderson?

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    Henderson=SG

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    cosign TAD on Daye. Aminu will defintely be a beast and Earl Clark looks like a thicker Marvin Williams already. But the guys I really like are the ones slightly below the radar, DaJuan Summers is a man and so is the perpetually underrated Sam Young.

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    Daye has a filthy skill set but he has NO HEART

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    You would think Mark Few, of all people, would be able to get all he can from Daye. If he can’t motivate you, then it doesn’t bode well for you NBA draft stock.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    *your

  • http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

    My feelings on Earl Clark are no secret and I can’t see Sam Young being an NBA-wing. He’s a 2, to me. I would argue that he would struggle to defend any of the other names mentioned.
    I love Daye but he needs another year of weightroom/cafeteria. No bust IMO, his skill set (and outrageous length-he’s flirting with 7-feet now) is just too rare.
    I also think he is just figuring out his role w the Zags.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

    Just curious how the “heart” of a 19-year-old is being guaged by y’all?

    Is this tall-guy envy? Like he “should” be dominating, but isn’t?

  • AyVee323

    I go to louisville and Earl Clark plays 80% of the time like a p*ssy. he has so much potential, but he’s just doesn’t have that killer instinct that would make him probably the best player in college. I think a big part of it is pitino’s fault, because his offensive schemes are terrible…

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    Cub, I agree he has the RIDICULOUS skill-set. But Mark Few needs to call up coach Izzo to scare some damn HEART AND HUSTLE into him. Daye is the only player I can think of that Spokane fans are disappointed in because of on court play (Heytvelt’s issue was always the shrooms)

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    Cub, I’m not talking about the dominating part, you know I love Gonzaga more than most, my uncle was a professor there. But you have to agree that he needs a crash course in getting excited. He also gets real low on himself if he messes up once. He just doesn’t ATTACK much. I don’t mean heart like he never produces (A la Chase B before 7 games ago), I just mean sometimes he plays like he doesn’t really love the game.

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    Daye just looks scared out there. He flashes the talent but when another team challenges him physically he disappears. Sam Young is probably a bench/role player in the NBA, but I’d rather get him with a late pick than try to pin my franchise hopes on Chase Buddinger or Austin Daye.

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    I didn’t know Heytvelts has a continuing issue with shrooms? I’d heard about off court issues, but thats new to me. I can’t decide if thats hilarious or kinda sad. I mean how often can you really take shrooms and not eventually get sick of em?

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    ciolkstar, he only got caught with it once with a teammate. the teammate was kicked off, heytvelt given another chance. I don’t mean to say he still does it…I mean to say it was a BIG deal in Spokane. Remember that as a Soph he EASILY outplayed Tyler Hansbrough. I mean he looked like an NBA Lottery pick, just ask Cub. Picture Blake Griffin getting copped for shrooms while getting pulled over for a speeding violation. plus, picture Willie Warren being in the car with him. THATS what happened. Crazy gossip

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Cub questions Earl Clark at every turn, then questions how we question Daye and his seeming lack of love for the game. Come on man, you are better than that!

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    Damn, I was hoping someone would break that down for me. The few times I’ve watched Heytvelt he really reminds me of Brad Miller (obilgatory white guy comparison)but in a good way, he’s very skilled. My personal philosphy regarding recreational drug use is a little different from the mainstream, so I’m rooting for him to still make the league.

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    …TAD, Daye shows WAY more skills than Clark. Let’s get that one totally out in the open. Cub, I GOT THIS! hahaah

  • http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

    Daye’s numbers are almost identical to Clark’s in almost eight less minutes a night! And you could argue that for team success, Louisville NEEDS Earl to do more than Gonzaga actually requires from Daye.

    Agreed on him getting down on himself. That is impossible to miss even on TV.

    Justin, TOTALLY ON JOSH H. That traffic stop changed his life forever.

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    TAD is on the money.

  • http://www.collegehoopsnet.com Jeff Fox

    Just giving you a hard time Justin, your post wasn’t pretentious. It’s actually a breath of fresh air to have someone agree with me for once!

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    ciolkstar, Heytvelt is an NBA talent, pure and simple, and Brad Miller is a good comparison, just think PF, not C. I liken his skill-set to Tony Kukoc to be honest. And honestly, my thoughts on drugs are this: if It’s not performance enhancing and you arent adding to drug violence, it’s not my business & I dont care.

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    Remind me again which conference Gonzaga plays in and which conference Louisville plays in, Cub?

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    Exactly, Walsh.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

    TAD, yes i have been tough on Earl Clark. Not so much him, personally, but those that tell me that he is a top pick. What is his most advanced BASKETBALL skill, though?

    Don’t say his athletic ability or his physical measureables.

    I have never questioned his heart or love of the game (i could never know those from my vantage point)rather just why everyone thinks he will be a great pro.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Man, Gonzaga should be undefeated by ya’lls estimation. Seriously, I love the Zag’s, but Daye has shown me squat compared to his hype. Sorry.

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    Daye shows INSANE skills but I think he’d get bodied so much more in the Big East. He can light up Conference USA scrubs (no offense) but against Big East (or eventually pro) 3s and 4s he’d get killed. I just don’t think he’s even close to being a good pro right now.

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    I think Clark is an above average passer and ballhandler for his size and while he’s a streaky shooter he has solid form. I think a thicker, more versatile Marvin Williams is a close comparison/prediction.

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    ciolkstar, I have to say this, just because I need to be honest with you. Even in the games where Gonzaga plays HIGH talent teams, Austin Daye shows more skills than Clark. Clark is athletic, but doesn’t know WHEN to shoot, when not to. His shot selection is mediocre, at this point his game is based off of his hops and hops alone. He has MAD POTENTIAL, but I see more potential in Daye. Against Tennessee, Daye had 20 Pts, 8 boards, 2 blocks. SOLID game. Against UCONN, he had 13 PTS, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 5 boards. When Clark played UCONN, he went 2/16 for five points. Don’t use the conference garbage with Gonzaga, their talent stacks up just fine.

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    Also, use the he’d get bodied line, but Daye can take those PF’s outside and spin off them any day. His skill set is much farther out than Clark.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

    Ciolkstar, why does conference matter?
    Gonzaga played the nation’s toughest out-of-conference schedule, so that is kinda moot….

    Louisville’s toughest games were Kentucky (a win), and then UNLV, Minnesota, and Western Kentucky (all losses.)

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Cub, i’m not exactly high on Earl Clark either, but we both know that top-notch athleticism and an NBA-ready body go far in the lig. Just saying. But since you asked, Clark is a pretty good passer and ball handler and can rebound well for a SF. He needs to work on his shooting, but he could be a player in the Shawn Marion mold at the next level, filling up stat sheets.

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    I completely agree about Clark’s shot selection, I just think he tries to do too much sometimes. Daye is not Durant, he won’t be able to get away with how thin his frame is. You’ve probably watched him alot more than I have, but from what I’ve seen he shouldn’t come out this year. Clark for all his faults is physically ready for the league (and MUCH closer to ready mentally)

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    also, when you talk about Daye playing bad against good teams in the big east, lets look at how CLARK does against talented big conference teams thus far. UCONN: 5 points on 2/16. West Virginia: 4 points in 35 minutes. Kentucky: 10 points on 2/11.
    Most of the games i see where he gets over 14, he goes 4/14, 5/15, 6/17…Seriously, look at his best games, most likely his shooting percentage is crap. Then look at the non conference games. Notice his low totals against Austin Peay, Lamar… Those schools would get WORKED in the WCC. Just for thought.

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    I’ve just seen Daye shrink in every nationally televised Gonzaga game besides their annihilation of Tennessee which was more about that press defense and Tennesse’s terrible ball security. Gonzaga played their best game of the season there by far, so I consider that one a bit of an outlier.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

    TAD, i had them pegged as a FINAL FOUR team to start the year, but never thought they would get through their schedule unscathed. I will admit to a slight bias, though. I have seen all but maybe five of their games this year and with that kinda sample size, Daye grades out fantasically.

    Also, remember that Gonzaga pushed around UCONN for most of their game, led leate, then let them back in at the last minute before losing in Overtime.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Damn refresh.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Ciol beat me to it.

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    Also, say what you will about Marion but his shot selection was much better. Oh, and I dont think Daye should leave this year either, JUST for the record.

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    TAD, check my comment about Clark at 1:55 please. It needs to be addressed in this debate since the pro clark movement brought up Daye not having a chance if he played a big east big

  • http://ittakesanationofmillionstoholdthissac.blogspot.com ciolkstar

    Thats a VERY solid point Walsh. and I don’t want this to become a Daye vs Clark debate because Clark obviously still has flaws in his game and their very diferent players. But if I had to pick on of these guys AS A DRAFT PICK next season I probably stay away from Daye.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

    ciolk, that was not their best game, by far.

    And like I mentioned earlier, that I think Daye needs to stay another year for the weight issue.

    Also, ask Coach Patino if Clark is ready mentally….

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    by the way, his FG% is down from last year, so is his FT%, his TO’s are up…He gets 5 more MPG, but only gets 1.8 more points and .6 more boards. I just dont see the production talked about, even on a Marion Stat stuffer level

  • http://www.ballislife.com Justin Walsh

    oh, and to get my point honestly, Daye needs to stay for weight reasons and for mentality on offense reasons. Clark needs to stay because he’s just so inefficient and not ready from a maturity standpoint.

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