VITALS: 6-7, 225, Boston College OVERVIEW: Finished four-year career fifth on the Boston College scoring list with 2,071 points. Is the Eagles' all-time leader in minutes played (4,727), starting all 130 games in which he played. Ranks fourth on the school's all-time list in free throws made (573), seventh in rebounding (936) and field goals (689) and eighth in steals (176). Named the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year as a senior, ranking second in the league in scoring (19.0 ppg) and first in rebounds (8.3 rpg). Had 30 points and 10 rebounds in win over Michigan State. Named to the All-ACC second team as a junior. Ranked second on team in scoring (16.7) and rebounding (6.6). Honored as the Big East's co-Most Improved Player of the Year as a sophomore. Scored a career-high 36 points against Villanova. Named to the Big East All-Rookie Team in 2004. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: When there is this much talk about a player being an outstanding early second-round pick, you have to think there is a chance he will go late in the first round. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Danny Granger COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Devin Brown ROLE PROJECTION: Utility player who can immediately play in the NBA. POSITIVES: Dudley came into college as a garbage man, someone who hustled for all the loose balls, made unlikely tip-ins in traffic and demonstrated a pugnacious attitude on defense. Even though he developed into BC's best player and eventually ACC Player of the Year, Dudley never lost his blue-collar persona. He fights through screens, moves the ball along to an open teammate, and gets deflections with sheer hustle. As a senior, he improved his perimeter shooting noticeably and took steps toward being a perimeter threat, something he had never been before. Dudley has an infectious enthusiasm for playing basketball. SHORTCOMINGS: Dudley has limited running speed. Playing small forward in the NBA requires at least decent athleticism, and Dudley just barely measures up. He is a very smart, tough defender and he'll need every ounce of both of those qualities in order to survive playing small forward. Dudley will need to get his conditioning to a peak level in order to fight through screens because that is a requirement of playing the 3-spot in the NBA.
