VITALS: 6-4, 210, junior, Marquette OVERVIEW: Wade turned in a pair of stellar seasons at Marquette, leading the Golden Eagles to their first Final Four since 1977 last year. Wade was named the Conference USA Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American after averaging 21.5 points and 6.3 rebounds for Marquette. Wade had 21 games in which he scored at least 20 points, including a memorable triple-double against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Wade shot just 32 percent (14-of-44) on 3-pointers a year ago. The Chicago native led Marquette in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals in his sophomore season after sitting out as a freshman as a partial qualifier. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Mid-to-late lottery. Chicago (7) and Milwaukee (8) have ties to Wade, as he grew up in the Windy City and spent his college days in Wisconsin. Memphis (13) is the most interested club, while Washington (10), Golden State (11) and Seattle (12) could gamble on Wade if the teams feel he can be converted into a point guard. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Gilbert Arenas COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Keyon Dooling, Ed Gray ROLE PROJECTION: Future starter. POSITIVES: The unreal athleticism Wade brings to the floor is what will allow him to compete in the NBA at just 6-4. Any other 2-guard that size with the same set of skills would go in the second round. Additionally, Wade's 6-11 wingspan helps him to be effective in traffic, not only as a scorer, but as a rebounder and defender. He plays with poise and is always under control, which has many guessing Wade will make a transition to the point at the next level, such as Gilbert Arenas. SHORTCOMINGS: Regardless of what position Wade plays, he is going to have to add a jump shot to his arsenal. Wade rarely relied on the perimeter game at the college level because of his ability to take his man off the dribble. The athletic guards of the NBA are far more likely to be able to contain his penetration. Wade better be able to go to his jumper once they do. WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "He's a great player, but you have to question that 6-4 size Marquette listed him at. Schools lie about a players size all the time. Without shoes, it would surprise me if he is even 6-3." anonymous Eastern Conference scout
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "thefranchise3":</div><div class="quote_post">IMO hes the best rookie comming from the draft other than Bron.</div> no he isn't...if he was he would be a top 5 pick...he likely will not even be a top 10 pick...
At his size, he doesn't have the explosiveness or the jumpshot to be a great player, atleast not right away. He has a good first step, but in the NBA you need more than that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "allnet":</div><div class="quote_post"><div class="quote_poster">Quoting "thefranchise3":</div><div class="quote_post">IMO hes the best rookie comming from the draft other than Bron.</div> no he isn't...if he was he would be a top 5 pick...he likely will not even be a top 10 pick...</div> nbadraft.net has him at the 5th spot... I'm not saying they're the only right people, but it just means his stock has risen immensley through the workouts. In the chigaco pre-draft camp he has made a fool of a lot of people there (Marciej Lampe in a game of horse,Leandrinho Barbosa in a scrimmage). he is very explosive. I also said IMO...
barbosa will be a late first round pick and there is a mis match against lampe hes 265 pounds and 7 feet tall. I would like to see him go up against lebron or carmello.
I'd be very surprised if Wade slips past the wizards at ten and there's no way he drops past Memphis at this point.
