VITALS: 6-9, 250, Detroit OVERVIEW: Named to the All-Horizon League second team as a senior. Also earned a place on the All-Defensive Team for a third time. Led the league in rebounding (10.6 rpg) and placed second on the team in scoring (13.7 ppg). Posted a league-best 16 double-doubles. Had a career-high 25 points and 13 rebounds vs. Canisius. Pulled down a career-best 16 rebounds and scored 16 points vs. Northwestern. Missed entire 2005-06 season due to knee injury. Was second on team in rebounding (7.5) and field goal percentage (.529) and third in scoring (7.5) as a junior. Named to the All-Horizon League second team as a sophomore. Set a school record and led the league with a 63.7 field goal percentage. Ranked third in the league in blocks (1.3 bpg). LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Second-round pick. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Antoine Carr COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: John Thomas ROLE PROJECTION: Big man off the bench who can play power forward or center. POSITIVES: Covile was a revelation at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and the NBA Pre-Draft Camp because he unveiled a perimeter shooting touch to 15 feet, something he never got the chance to show in college at Detroit, where he played with two shoot-first guards. Covile has the strength and athletic ability to do the "big man" things down low, like rebound his position and be a help defender. But the thing that sets him apart is a soft shooting touch that can pull opposing big men out of the lane. SHORTCOMINGS: Covile isn't going to win any dunk contests, and there are certainly some very athletic power forwards at the NBA level who will give him trouble. Playing at Detroit, Covile was often the biggest or second-biggest player on the court, and the bigger bodies in the NBA will take some getting used to. NBA teams are often enamored with players who have great athleticism, figuring their potential is high as their understanding of the game grows. Covile is a "what you see is what you get" player.
