<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Not every top prospect in high school basketball will head to college as the result of the NBA's new draft entry regulations. But some of the best probably will wear Division I uniforms. Top talent scouts Dave Telep of Scout.com and Van Coleman of Hoopmasters.com assess the elite from the class of 2006. 1. GREG ODEN Details: 7-0, C, Lawrence North (Indianapolis). College: Committed to Ohio State. Telep's take: "He's a go-to move away from being a completely dominant center. He's a big-time defensive intimidator." Coleman's take: "We know he would be the No. 1 guy in the draft. With his size, his skill level and his work ethic -- that's a big key for him. His athleticism may be beyond Tim Duncan's. He scores and passes the ball extremely well." 2. KEVIN DURANT Details: 6-10, SF, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.). College: Committed to Texas. Telep's take: "It's almost an anomaly that a guy that big can shoot the ball the way he does. He's starting to really feel himself and become competitive now." Coleman's take: "He's thin but stronger than most people would think. Normally, he's very consistent from beyond the arc. He can score on the blocks against a smaller wing, and a bigger player cannot guard him on the perimeter because his jumpshot sets them on their heels." 3. BRANDAN WRIGHT Details: 6-9, PF, Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy. College: Considering Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke and others. Telep's take: "I compare him to a younger Chris Bosh. He's got some work to do on his perimeter game, but he's bouncy at the rim and seems to have a nose for the basketball." Coleman's take: "He's a power forward at the NBA level, with the ability to face up at 15 to 17 feet and score -- especially off the elbow. He's really effective there. He runs the floor really well and beats a lot of people upcourt." </div> Full Article
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">3. BRANDAN WRIGHT 4. THADDEUS YOUNG </div> I've been rediculously blessed to have two of the top four players in the nation playing in my home state, so I've seen both of them play on numerous occassions. I've seen Oden on ESPN, but outside of his performances on there, I haven't had a chance to see him nor Durant. Although I've said before that Wright is the second best player in the class next to Oden, I've changed my tune a little bit, and now I'm starting to think that Thaddeus Young has the potential to be the better player. He's got the size of a Power Forward, yet he has better perimeter skills than most of the Memphis Grizzlies. Honestly, if I had to choose between James Posey and Thaddeus Young for the Grizzlies next year, I'd choose Young. This article says that North Carolina is the frontrunner, but from what I've heard, it's Memphis. However, there's still the option that he could go to Ohio State. Wouldn't that be wild, Ohio State getting three of the top five players in the nation?
I could see Kentucky getting Wright if Duke and UNC continue to pile on the recruits. Plus, if Wright came, the verstile Sims could then play SF, Crawford to SG, and Wright at PF. But Wright has said is decision won't come until the end of May. So I say by then UNC, Duke, and Kentucky all will probably be finishing up recruiting for 2006.
If UNC can land either Young or Wright (both would be gold). But if they can land one and pair him along side underrated Wanye Ellington for 2006 the Tarheels are looking good. I haven't got a chance to see a lot of high school players play this year but I am looking forward to seeing what Oden can do as well as Brandan Wright.
I've heard that Thad Young will probably end up in Memphis, but at the same time, I do believe he hasn't yet really started looking. He's said even lately that he hasn't named any favorites, hasn't ruled any schools out, and just hasn't started working on a decision yet. However, people say his connections to Memphis will send him there. At the same time, he's a real smart guy, and I don't know if Memphis offers the best education.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Fast Luck:</div><div class="quote_post">I've heard that Thad Young will probably end up in Memphis, but at the same time, I do believe he hasn't yet really started looking. He's said even lately that he hasn't named any favorites, hasn't ruled any schools out, and just hasn't started working on a decision yet. However, people say his connections to Memphis will send him there. At the same time, he's a real smart guy, and I don't know if Memphis offers the best education.</div> How do you know he's a smart kid? Everyone tries to make Andrew Bynum out to be a smart kid, and they brag about how he got a 1060 on the SAT. However, not to sound like an elitist or anything, but that's the kind of score I got in Junior High School. The media likes to exaggerate certain players' intelligence. You're right that Memphis is a <u>horrible</u> school academically and is practically a Community College, but the High School he's at right now isn't exactly known for their academics either. If academics were his focus, he could be playing at Memphis University School, Christian Brothers H.S., or White Station H.S. right now. The pressure is strong for our local recruits like Shawne Williams, Penny Hardaway, and Lorenzen Wright to attend the local University, and that's why I think Young will ultimately end up in Memphis. He does seem very undecided though, so I wouldn't put any money on that.
