<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough is doing everything coach Roy Williams could have hoped for: bullying through double-teams, battling through fatigue, leading the young Tar Heels in scoring and rebounding. Duke's Josh McRoberts, meanwhile, is still trying to find his niche in coach Mike Krzyzewski's system: ceding touches to seniors, learning high-post moves and struggling to showcase the athleticism that made him a top prospect out of high school. Although the two freshmen are having vastly different impacts, they could end up in the same place next season: the NBA. "It's definitely possible," said NBA draft analyst Chris Monter, who added that both big men would be first-round draft picks right now. "Hansbrough, he's having a terrific year; in my Wooden Award balloting, I ranked him 31 on my list of 30. "McRoberts' numbers aren't as impressive, but he has Shelden [Williams] and J.J. [Redick] around him ... and he is still playing for the top team [sic] in the country." As Hansbrough prepares to face Clemson today and McRoberts readies himself for Florida State, both insist it is too early to ponder their futures as professional basketball players. "I've got a lot of other stuff to focus on; I'm not even thinking about that," said Hansbrough, who is averaging 18.1 points and 7.6 rebounds. His Duke counterpart's response was similar. "I'm concentrating on this year, this team," said McRoberts, who is averaging 7.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. But Atlanta Hawks rookie Marvin Williams and second-year Chicago Bulls player Luol Deng had similar sentiments as freshmen -- until the Tar Heels won the national title last season and Duke landed in the Final Four in 2004, respectively. "A strong NCAA Tournament run sometimes changes perceptions of players," Monter said. "If you win a national title and feel you have done everything you came to college to do ... it may be an easier decision to make." Plus, this year's draft could be thin, considering that many top would-be juniors (such as LeBron James, Charlie Villanueva) and seniors (Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony) are already in the pros and no U.S. high schoolers will be part of the draft. (Under the NBA's latest collective bargaining agreement, U.S. players must be a year removed from high school and age 19 during the calendar year before they can enter the draft.) Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9 forward playing center, says he wants to win a title before he goes anywhere. That's a plus for the Tar Heels, who lost four underclassmen to last year's draft. "Hansbrough, to me, has had the most impact of any freshman in America in terms of a major program," ESPN analyst Dick Vitale said.</div> Source
Consider is the 2 players decide to wait and declare next season. now chances are they will be competing for a lottery spot in a much richer draft for big men. Of the Class of '06, there are a number of possible One and Done players. The likes of Greg Oden (Ohio St), Brandan Wright (UNC),Derrick Caracter (Louisville), Devon Jefferson (prep school), and Darrell Arthur (undeclared) all would have declared if not for the new CBA. Add in players like Glen Davis, Tyrus Thomas, Josh Boone, Paul Milsap, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Al Horford (assuming non come out this season). Add in a host of European players and the '07 draft class could be very big man heavy. I truely believe Hansborough is a 3-4 year type of kid and McRoberts highly considered coming out last summer. Duke also has a 7 footer, Brian Zoubek, as well as Gerald Henderson and Jonathan Scheyer (JJ #2) coming in, so although his minutes will go up, doesnt mean his touches or his shine will. Hansborough not only will have to team up on the block next season with Brandan Wright, but Deon Thompson aswell, plus the additions of Wayne Ellington, Tywon Lawson, and William Graves takes a lot of pressure off Tyler, allowing him to work on other parts of his game and grow. McRoberts is probably more ready now, because he is more athletic, however Hansborough's post game and tenacity and knowledge of the game will carry him to a better NBA career. (he also did more then hold his own last season on ESPN against Greg Oden, outscoring and outrebounding him despite losing) Both will be lottery picks when they decide to come out, however if either came out this summer, neither would have much, if any impact. If Marvin Williams can't even run it in ATL, neither one of these guys are going to do much better. Might aswell stay in school and develope. Neither one of them are coming from a family that is livin' paycheck to paycheck.
I'd agree,both should spend another year in school,though Hansborough can go about as high coming out in this draft. A player can get picked high based on anticipated talent,but if he enters too raw,building the skills,getting PT is going to slow his progress. By the time he's ready to get his first full scale contract,what he achieved under his years of rookie contract will decide on the salary for the prime years,and the guy who hits that point with 2-3 productive years,maybe some star status,gets the big bucks. A guy who needs 3 years to develop enough to be a starter or regular on his team will probably have to settle for less. Hansborough's game is based on power and an almost scary will to achieve. He has that part down better than a lot of NBA players. To really shine at the next level he has to add some more "small man" skill,ball handling,shooting range. Being so efficient at his core thing can get him action in the NBA soon,he'd have a better result,or at least quicker,working out the details,fundamentals,at the college level,but could jump and adapt,learn at the NBA level. McRoberts is a bit taller,not as strong,has a wider range of skills,finesse,but none quite polished enough to assure him of early NBA minutes. To shine in the pros,he has to add strength while upgrading the whole toolbox. The current situation has him on the floor with 2 first team All America's so he's on a great stage but not in the spotlight. Hansborough is the stud on a young rebuilding team,he's at least the spotlight guy at UNC now. McRoberts can be better 3-4 years from now,but if he was to jump,it would probably mean a few years off the bench. Another year at Duke can make a pretty big difference in his production entering the draft,plus his status as a rookie,giving him a better outlook to having some clout for his first NBA full contract. Strictly by the probable money over a carreer,both could use the extra season,but McRoberts especially.
Jesus H.........I come back and all of a sudden you and me are on the same page, almost exclusivly, and when comparing a Duke and UNC product. Thats it, hide the children, stock up on canned goods, the frickin' world is coming to an end!!!!!!!!!
