NBA Draft 2008 Top 5's

1. Bill Walker - Kansas State, Freshman SG/SF 6'6" 225
If it wasn't for an ACL injury and being a teammate of Michael Beasley, then we would probably be talking about Bill Walker being a top 5 draft pick. He has the athleticism and range to have an immediate impact wherever he goes and in the future become an all star caliber player. I would have loved to see him go back to Kansas State for his sophomore year and possibly contend for the top pick in the 2009 draft.

2. Marreese Speights - University of Florida, Sophmore PF/C 6'10" 250
I wouldn't doubt anyone who had the opportunity to go against Al Horford in practice every day. When Horford & Co. left, Speights got more time and although his 14.5 ppg and 8.1 rpg averages don't amaze you, he showed true rebounding talent in most games. Speights grabbed 18 boards against UMass in the Gators' season finale. He is a big body that should come in the league and contribute immediately.

3. DJ Augustin - University of Texas, Sophomore PG 5'11" 171
This kid's name should be in the mix when the top PGs in the draft are mentioned. Augustin can flat out play the game and definitely knows how to put the ball in the hole. He proved he could score throughout his short career, even on a team that featured 2007-08 Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant. In my opinion he would have been a top point guard in last year's draft too, but the extra year in college benefited him. He benefited most by proving that he could do it without Durant.

4. DeAndre Jordan - Texas A&M, Freshamn C 6'11" 250
Yeah, his college numbers of 7.9 ppg and 6 rpg don't scream good player, but he has the ability to go along with the body to become a beast in the league. Remember Dwight Howard was 6'10" and 240 pounds when he entered the league and we all know how much of a beast he is now. Jordan may start off slow but should catch on and become a monster down low.

5. Darrell Arthur - University of Kansas, Sophomore PF 6'8" 216
There's something that tells me Arthur has the potential to be just as good as Beasley in the league given the right opportunity. He didn't put up numbers in the NCAA Tournament until he went for 20 and 10 in the championship win over Memphis. If he slips out of the lottery, then he is an automatic steal for any team.

1. Eric Gordon - Indiana University, Freshman SG 6'3" 222
Gordon started the year off strong at IU, but something happened after Sampson left. He went down with the IU team, and it was evident in his lone NCAA Tournament game against Arkansas. He stunk up the place, shooting 3-15 from the field and 2-6 from the free throw line to combine for 8 points. I think he is an easy shut-down in the league.

2. Joe Alexander - West Virginia University, Junior SF 6'8" 220
Alexander was good in the tournament especially against Duke, but he scares me as a lottery pick. I mean he can play the game and has some good athletic abilities, but I doubt seriously that he can take on the role of a starting SF for a lottery team in the NBA. He will be dominated by nearly every SF in the league in my opinion.

3. Anthony Randolph - Louisiana State University, Freshman SF/PF 6'10" 197
If he's drafted high, it's obviously because of potential because the kid will spend a good portion of the beginning of his career in the weight room. I mean 197 pounds at 6 feet 10 inches is basically a stick figure. Another year of college would have benefited him.

4. Russell Westbrook - University of California-Los Angeles, Sophomore PG/SG 6'3" 192
It sure is funny what a year can change; Westbrook went from unknown last year to a lottery pick in everybody's mind this year. I don't believe the hype behind this kid because, I think, he benefited from playing around all that talent at UCLA. He's a good prospect but to label him as lottery material is a bit of a stretch in my mind.

5. Roy Hibbert - Georgetown University, Senior C 7'2" 278
Hibbert should not have come back to Georgetown this year, because all he did was hurt his stock with every bad game he had this year. Last year, Hibbert may have gone in the top 5, but it would amaze me if he made it into the lottery this year. He sometimes looks lost on the court but being 7 feet works to his advantage during the draft process.

1. Sean Singletary - University of Virginia, Senior PG 6'0" 185
Most people see the height and turnover/assist ratio and say Singletary will not have success as a NBA point guard, but that is far away from the truth. For four years, Singletary struggled to find help at Virginia and sometimes forced the issue to get his teammates involved. If he was a little more selfish, then he would have controlled the amount of turnovers he had. Singletary will be a solid NBA point guard if he is put into the right situation. He has the competiveness and the heart to win that a NBA point guard needs to have success in the league.

2. Gary Forbes - University of Masscheusetts, Senior SG 6'6" 221
I don't know if it's fair to really call Forbes a sleeper anymore as he was the MVP of the Orlando Pre-Draft Camp and reigning A-10 Player of the Year, but still he did not get a lot of national attention playing at UMass. He uses athleticism to get to the hole and get the points that he wants, no matter who is there in the lane with him. If he refines his jump shot, then he'll have a bright future in the league.

3. Mario Chalmers - University of Kansas, Junior PG 6'1" 195
Chalmers made a name from himself when his 3-pointer at the buzzer in the National Championship game, against Memphis, sent the game into overtime where Kansas went on to win. While at Kansas, he shared the point guard position with Russell Robinson but proved his worth during the Final Four as he took home the Most Outstanding Player award. When Kansas needed a play, Chalmers was there to help. He will come in right away and help a team at the PG position.

4. Joey Dorsey - University of Memphis, Senior PF/C 6'9" 260
When people talk about this past year's Memphis team, they usually only mention Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts. I question how they could neglect to mention Dorsey, because he gave Memphis attitude and was a terror down-low on both offense and defense. He has the big body to become a solid rebounder and is a great shot blocker, but I wonder if he will be able to use his strength against the big bodies he will face in the NBA. No matter what, he will be a steal in the second round.

5. Reggie Williams - Virginia Military Insitute, Senior SG 6'4" 199
He led the nation in scoring two years in row with 28.1 ppg in 2006-07 season and 27.8 ppg this past season, but the lack of competition leaves scouts wondering if he can compete against better talent. No matter what, some team will give him a chance hoping that his scoring abilities from college can translate into success in the NBA.

1. OJ Mayo - University of Southern California, Freshman PG/SG 6'4" 200
Don't let the modest 20 points per game and the horrible 3.5 turnovers fool you. Mayo will be a lot better in the league. I think he'll do better than both Rose and Beasley in the league, and he's my early pick for Rookie of the Year (REMEMBER I CALLED IT!). In my opinion, if Chicago drafts Rose, then Miami would be a fool to pass on Mayo. I think Wade + Mayo is a better combination than Wade + Beasley.

2. Michael Beasley - Kansas State, Freshman SF 6'8" 239
I laughed when Tyler Hansbrough of UNC won the National Player of the Year award over Beasley. There was simply no player better than Beasley in the nation last year. He should be an immediate impact player. There is a big question mark about attitude, but I think it's more him showing the emotions of the game, and you can't hate a player for showing emotion. No matter where he goes he will turn into an All-Star.

3. Derrick Rose - University of Memphis, Freshman PG 6'3" 196
I can't say that hands down he should be the number one pick nor can I say that he's hands down the best PG in the draft. But no matter what I think, Derrick Rose should be the number 1 pick in tonight's draft. His athleticism at the PG position makes him an immediate force in the league.

4. Jerryd Bayless - University of Arizona, Freshman PG 6'3" 193
Bayless was one of the few bright spots for an underachieving Arizona Wildcats team this past season. He's a quick point guard who can get his points in bunches and run an offense with poise. He possibly can turn into the next great number "0" from Arizona. I think, if Seattle drafts him, they will get a vital piece they need to help Durant advance in his career.

5. Brook Lopez - Stanford University, Sophomore C 7'0" 258
Lopez is a legit 7-footer with a nice offense touch around the rim. He can also be called a "real center," as he is just not a big power forward with the strength to play enter. He should fit in well in the NBA.