VITALS: 6-6, 210, Fresno State OVERVIEW: After two seasons at Lamar Community College in Colorado, Hosley was named to the WAC's All-Newcomer team in his junior campaign. He also earned second-team All-WAC honors in his junior and senior seasons, averaging 16.1 points in his career at Fresno State. However, after netting 18.6 points over 28 contests in his first campaign with the Bulldogs, Hosley did not shoot as much in 2006-07 and averaged just 13.9 in 32 contests. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Second-round pick. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Maurice Evans COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Jamel Thomas ROLE PROJECTION: Athletic utility man off the bench. POSITIVES: Hosley is a superior athlete. He averaged nine rebounds per game over his two seasons by simply jumping higher and working harder than his opponents. He can step outside and make a few jumpers, but his stock in trade is getting by his man off the dribble and getting to the basket where he causes problems for defenders with his athleticism. Defensively, Hosley was able to use his outstanding athleticism to guard bigger players, stripping them of the ball and generally using his quick hands to advantage. SHORTCOMINGS: Hosley's skills don't fit neatly into the description of one particular position or one specific skill area. He is a versatile basketball player who played in a non-traditional offense and as such is used to being creative rather than following set plays, which might inhibit his quickly grasping NBA patterned plays. He isn't a smooth catch-and-shoot player and he isn't a terribly creative passer. Hosley is the type of player who will have to identify his niche in the NBA and then quickly demonstrate that he can consistently deliver in that area.
