Here are our rankings for the top 4's in the 2010 NBA Draft:
1. Derrick Favors - Georgia Tech (6'10" 246 pounds)
A great athlete with tremendous upside, Favors can board and block shots, but needs to develop and refine his offensive skills. Nevertheless, he remains a great prospect who should put up numbers based on his superior athleticism alone.
Favors would be a nice bookend fit next to center Brook Lopez on the Nets frontline, as New Jersey has tired of Yi Jianlian's soft, inconsistent play and is looking to Favors to provide some inside help with the third overall pick.
2. Greg Monroe - Georgetown (6'11" 247 pounds)
The most skilled big in the draft and it is not even close. Monroe, a lefty, can score in the low post or face up his man and either drive or hit the mid-range J. He is also a superior passer out of double teams or in high-low sets, as he always is thinking a step ahead of the play.
Monroe is a finesse guy who is an average athlete, and thus, his upside is limited when compared to Favors. However, in the right system and with other quality scorers around him, his passing would be a huge asset to any offense, as sets could be run through him.
3. Ekpe Udoh - Baylor (6'10" 240)
A late bloomer who made tremendous strides last season, Udoh is a quality shotblocker who really impressed scouts with his improved offensive skills. Udoh consistently scored in the post and demonstrated a nice face-up game with a good perimeter stroke and solid ball-handling skills.
4. Patrick Patterson - Kentucky (6'8" 240 pounds)
A strong, aggressive guy who is a pretty good athlete down low, Patterson has extended the range on his jumper, and will bang and finish around the rim as well. He is a tough competitor whose game figures to improve over time.
5. Ed Davis - North Carolina (6'9" 226 pounds)
A raw athlete with good length and upside, Davis should produce on the glass and swat shots, but his offensive skills are limited. As a result, the slender Davis has many wondering whether he will turn out to be another highly-drafted, mere rotation guy ala Tar Heel alum Brandan Wright.
6. Jarvis Varnado - Mississippi State (6'9" 210 pounds)
Some might consider this ranking a little high for Varnado, as he is skinny, limited offensively, and projected to go in the second round.
However, Varnado does one thing better than perhaps anyone else in this draft: block shots.
Varnado is the all-time NCAA leader in swats, and can really make a difference defensively. Blessed with hops, long arms, discipline, and timing, he should crack some team's rotation and provide defensive energy off the bench with his weakside help.
7. Luke Harangody - Notre Dame (6'7" 240 pounds)
Any player who averages 20 and 10 in the Big East is worth a second look. The wide-bodied Harangody is no leaper by any means, but he is strong, coordinated, and can score. Harangody has good range on his jumper and can put the ball on the floor and drive as well. Athletic defenders however, can cause him problems.
Others To Watch
Gani Lawal - Georgia Tech
Trevor Booker - Clemson
Samardo Samuels - Louisville
Charles Garcia - Seattle
Dwayne Collins - Miami
Magnum Rolle - Louisiana Tech
Wayne Chism - Tennessee
Deon Thompson - North Carolina
Craig Brackins - Iowa State
Derrick Caracter - UTEP
Latavious Williams - Tulsa 66ers
Tiny Gallon - Oklahoma
SLEEPER: Tiny Gallon - Oklahoma (6'9" 302 pounds)
Although there are a several guys at this position who could go second round and still earn rotation minutes, Gallon is one guy who could make a real impact down the line. Gallon is a young talent and former McDonald's All-American who has good athleticism and skills for such a big guy. If he can get in better shape, he could be a real find, similar to Big Baby Davis.
By Mike Elliott
Staff Editor for TheDailySportsHerald.com
Photograph by Tri Le
Photography Editor for TheDailySportsHerald.com
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