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Looking at the Preps to the Pros: Part Two

After speaking to a half dozen scouts and sources close the draft, we have complied three lists concerning this 2004 class. Today we explore players on the proverbial first round fence and on the bubble to burst for the pros.
LaMarcus Aldridge
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6-foot-11, 215 pounds
Seagoville HS (TX)
No. 21 on the Rivals150
Unlike most prep players, Aldridge hasn’t made any secrets about his thoughts on the NBA. He has said he will look at the draft options when the time comes around. That time may be at the post-season all-star events like the McDonalds All-American game and the Jordan Brand Capital Classic. Scouts have seen the long and lanky forward and like his size and ability to play multiple positions. Aldridge played against some of the top talent in Europe last summer and held his own all while playing in front of numerous teams. He is still unsigned with the Texas Longhorns.
Draft Range: Mid to late first round
Al Jefferson
6-foot-9, 260 pounds
Prentiss HS (MS)
No. 6 on the Rivals150
Big Al has dominated the state of Mississippi for the last four years. Reading box scores, admirers have to do a double take with his eye-popping numbers. On any given night he can score 60 points, pull down 25 rebounds and block 20 shots. The biggest questions have surrounded the level of competition. But the decision makers at the NBA remember Jefferson’s summer circuit where he dominated the scene against the best of the best. One source believes a year with Arkansas will possibly propel him into the lottery, saying, “that the SEC makes players like him become more familiar with the power game. (Jefferson) gets by with his physical play right now but in the SEC, he learns how to perfect the little things.” Jefferson is a bubble player for now.
Draft Range: Mid to late first round
Randolph Morris
6-foot-11, 250 pounds
Landmark Christian (GA)
No. 15 on the Rivals150
Morris is one of the best unsigned and uncommitted players in the country. And that could mean he is still holding out for the league. NBA scouts have come away impressed after seeing him go head to head with Dwight Howard. Morris has the size and power that could translate well into the pro game but many see him as a project coming out of high school. College at Georgia Tech or Kentucky and possibly Georgia would be the best option, scouts believe, but for now, Morris is more concerned with winning a state title. He’ll likely examine his best option after the season.
Draft Range: Late first round (picks 20 to 30)
Juan ‘Tello’ Palacios
6-foot-7, 225 pounds
Our Savior New American (NY)
No. 23 on the Rivals150
Like Morris, Palacios is uncommitted and unsigned. And like Aldridge, Palacios has been very open about his desire to play with the big boys at the NBA level. One scout said, “The kid is just incredible. I can see him fitting into the mold of a Jamal Mashburn or an Antoine Walker. I’m not sure where he fits into the draft this year but you’d have to look at him in the lottery next year with a year of college behind him.” Palacios is getting ready to make visits, thus educating himself with all of his future options. College may be the direction he goes.
Draft Range: Late first round (picks 22 to 30)
Shawne Williams
6-foot-8, 200 pounds
Laurinburg Prep (NC)
No. 7 on the Rivals150
He just enrolled at Laurinburg Prep to focus on academics if he doesn’t qualify, the possibilities of making the jump to the pros isn’t out of the picture. Sound familiar with any other Memphis recruits? Williams is a very versatile player that handles the ball extremely well for his size but the buzz surrounding him and the NBA has been relatively quiet despite his openness to making the jump to the pros. He hasn’t played a game this season because of grades. The last time scouts caught a good look at him was at the AAU National Championships in Orlando where he starred for Team Memphis. Ultimately, grades may play the biggest part in his decision.
Draft Range: Late first round to early second
Robert Swift
7-foot-1, 245 pounds
Bakersfield HS (CA)
No. 10 on the Rivals150
With a lack of 7-footers in this draft pool, players like Swift become a hot ticket. That is, of course, if he decides to pass up his commitment to Southern Cal. The big red-head has great upside with his size and back to the basket skills. He is a true center with great footwork. Questions surrounding his ability to handle the rigors of the NBA frontline still exist and Swift will need to add weight in order to log minutes. One scout said he liked Swift better than Chris Kaman, a rookie center for the Los Angeles Clippers that was drafted sixth overall.
Draft Range: Late first round to early second
Tomorrow we will highlight players such as Marvin Williams, Dorrell Wright, Rudy Gay, Daniel Gibson and J.R. Smith and discuss their ‘standing’ in terms of the NBA and how a year of college will help prepare them for grander stages. Stay tuned.
If you missed our first part of this three-part series, click here.
All draft ranges are based upon information gathered from NBA scouts and sources close the draft. It is important to note that these are just projections and are subject to change at any time.
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