Looking at the Preps to the Pros: Part Three
The following players have been mentioned in conversations with our NBA sources as we compiled the information on our previous two reports. The ‘buzz’ on these players is more like a ‘hum’ for now but down the road they could be common names in draft circles.
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6-foot-8, 205 pounds
Archbishop Spalding (MD)
No. 14 on the Rivals150
Ever since he took over the Nike camp last summer, Gay has been on the up and up in recruiting rankings and in the eyes of the professionals. One Eastern Conference scout said, “Gay is an unbelievable player. I can’t say what he does that makes him so good but everything is done as it is drawn up kinda like Grant Hill.” There hasn’t been any talk on Gay’s side regarding the pros. He has signed with Connecticut and that is a perfect place for him…for now.
6-foot-2, 200 pounds
Jesse Jones HS (TX)
No. 26 on the Rivals150
As much as we like this probably McDonalds All-American, we were surprised to hear that Gibson is on a lot of NBA lists. Guards aren’t usually commonplace with the big boys with the big wallets unless they are in the caliber of a Sebastian Telfair or Shaun Livingston. Don’t worry Texas supporters, Gibson is ready to roll for the Longhorns. How long does he stay? That is the biggest worry for now.
6-foot-7, 210 pounds
St. Benedict’s Prep (NJ)
No. 19 on the Rivals150
Smith has perfected a move that a lot of pro players try to get by on: the step back three. The future University of North Carolina product has great scoring skills and has a nice array of moves to get the points. His bread and butter is his perimeter scoring. With his body size, Smith isn’t afraid to attack the basket and get to the foul line or get on a photographer’s favorites list. Because of his current academic standing, some NBA folks are trying to get a glimpse of Smith before the draft just in case he decides to ‘test the waters.’
6-foot-9, 225 pounds
Bremerton HS (WA)
No. 13 on the Rivals150
One scout told us: “No one is talking about him as much as he has been talking about the NBA. Has he been thinking about going pro? That is news to me. I’m not up in that neck of the woods very much but I would have to think he is a one and done kind of kid. I remember watching him against (Josh) Smith and (Dwight) Howard in Vegas. (Williams) can shoot it for a big man.” Like many other prep stars, Williams could use the post season to parlay his talents but for now make room for him in Chapel Hill.
6-foot-7, 210 pounds
South Kent Prep (CT)
No. 9 on the Rivals150
Comparisons get a little silly sometimes but one source close the pro level said Wright is a similar version of Bulls’ Scottie Pippen. Not the current Bull but the retro one. You know, the one with the rings. That’s high praise for Wright. We weren’t seeing the likeness but the Chicago connection is fitting since Wright is going to DePaul. The southern Cal product is a high flyer with nice range and good ball handling skills. Several people in the NBA said they are watching Wright closely in his first year and several hope that he sticks around for his sophomore season.
If you missed our previous reports, click on the links for more. The Lottery kids and the first round bubbles.