This topic contains 24 replies, has 10 voices, and was last updated by 
careful 14 years, 12 months ago.
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- Posted on: Mon, 06/27/2011 - 2:08am #31275
providencefriars1ParticipantHere is Thorpe’s top 5 undrafted free agents and preceding article. I agree for the most part.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba_draft&id=6708236
I live in a rather well-populated county, with 16 public high schools and just as many private schools. As I told my son on Thursday night, "There are more JV basketball players in the northern part of our county than there are players who will get drafted by NBA teams tonight — and they have the whole planet to choose players from." That’s just how hard it is to get drafted.
Amazingly, most people think the NBA draft is too long, that perhaps one round is sufficient. I don’t agree, and neither do Manu Ginobili, Michael Redd or Landry Fields. But other players, like Udonis Haslem, Wesley Mathews and Brad Miller, would tell you the draft is overrated. They represent the growing list of players who make the league without hearing their names called on draft night.
I have a special insight into this phenomenon, as eight of my former students have made an NBA team after going undrafted — Haslem, Rob Kurz, Reggie Williams, Curtis Jerrells, Gary Forbes, Josh Powell, Marqus Blakely and Tony Gaffney. A year from now, who has the best chance to join the list of undrafted players to make an NBA team? Here’s a look at the best bets.
Scotty Hopson – Tennessee
He’s likely an NBA player from the neck down, but that’s just not enough to get drafted. However, as a free agent, teams will be willing to bring him in and see how he handles himself as a man and as a pro. He’d have had 30 summer league offers if there was a summer league to play in, which there likely will be next July. Until then, behaving normally and playing well should be his plan, either in the NBDL or Europe.Greg Smith – Fresno State
Most of the draft experts expected Smith to be a solid second-round candidate. He has a big body and is a fluid athlete, and at just 20 years of age, has lots of time to keep developing. He’ll need to learn how to play harder and faster, but both of those goals are attainable. With his huge hands and big frame (6-foot-10, 253 pounds), he should focus on becoming a monster rebounder. What team doesn’t need one of those guys?Justin Hurtt – Tulsa
Full disclosure: I spent 7 weeks with Hurtt this spring, trying to help him do well enough in workouts to increase his draft chances. Obviously, I failed. But he didn’t. He’s got a lot in common with Courtney Lee in that he’s a 6-foot-5 wing with excellent athleticism and a scorer’s feel, and is an outstanding shooter. He’s not the passer or defender Lee is, but he might be better overall as a scorer and should be able to play a role similar to Shannon Brown.Demetri McCamey – Illinois
If there’s one thing NBA teams always covet from their vet camp point guard invitees, it’s the ability to shoot the ball, and McCamey projects to be a very solid perimeter shooter as a pro. His work ethic is in question, as is his overall ambition to be great. After not getting drafted, teams will find out quickly just how hungry he is to make the league. If the next time scouts see him he’s quicker, faster and leaner, they’ll know he’s on the right track.Malcolm Thomas – San Diego State
Like a poor man’s Jeremy Evans (second-rounder for Utah last year), Thomas impacts the game with above-the-rim plays thanks to long arms, quick jumping and good timing. His lack of skills probably kept him from getting drafted, but now he has time to work on his shot. Still, once he gets in a gym for a camp, or plays as a pro next year somewhere, NBA scouts will see how his specialized set of talents can fill a particular need for their team.0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 2:29am #557961
Anton123ParticipantQuite surprisingly none of the above were mentioned in the Rivals top 8 undrafted players
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 2:29am #558017
Anton123ParticipantQuite surprisingly none of the above were mentioned in the Rivals top 8 undrafted players
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 2:36am #557963
providencefriars1ParticipantThat rivals list sucks… Rick Jackson and Matt Howard over David Lighty
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 2:36am #558019
providencefriars1ParticipantThat rivals list sucks… Rick Jackson and Matt Howard over David Lighty
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 2:58am #557970
4hff4f427ParticipantWhere’s David Lighty?? I’d put him as well as center Michael Dunigan on that list too.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 2:58am #558027
4hff4f427ParticipantWhere’s David Lighty?? I’d put him as well as center Michael Dunigan on that list too.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 3:05am #557974
surveParticipant"That rivals list sucks… Rick Jackson and Matt Howard over David Lighty"
agreed, I think the Rivals list should be titled "Most Popular Undrafted Players"
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 3:05am #558031
surveParticipant"That rivals list sucks… Rick Jackson and Matt Howard over David Lighty"
agreed, I think the Rivals list should be titled "Most Popular Undrafted Players"
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 3:18am #557980
yellowdunkerParticipantWhat is it with nobody showing love for Ben Hansbrough or Jereme Richmond…………????
Am I not seeing something scouts and Gm’s are?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 3:18am #558037
yellowdunkerParticipantWhat is it with nobody showing love for Ben Hansbrough or Jereme Richmond…………????
Am I not seeing something scouts and Gm’s are?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 3:21am #557986
surveParticipanthonestly, by draft time I had forgotten about Richmond…I was fixated on seeing who would snatch Selby. Do I think Richmond was worth drafting? Absolutely, but there were other players who were higher on teams lists than him who DIDNT get drafted. As a matter of fact, now that I think back, I dont remember Bilas or anybody even mentioning Richmond’s name during the broadcast.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 3:21am #558043
surveParticipanthonestly, by draft time I had forgotten about Richmond…I was fixated on seeing who would snatch Selby. Do I think Richmond was worth drafting? Absolutely, but there were other players who were higher on teams lists than him who DIDNT get drafted. As a matter of fact, now that I think back, I dont remember Bilas or anybody even mentioning Richmond’s name during the broadcast.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 3:33am #557990
4hff4f427ParticipantI heard that Ben Hansbrough signed with a team overseas somewhere, so I’m not sure you would consider him a free agent.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 3:33am #558047
4hff4f427ParticipantI heard that Ben Hansbrough signed with a team overseas somewhere, so I’m not sure you would consider him a free agent.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 5:29am #558106
TallmanNYCParticipantThe undrafted guys who jump straight to a paying overseas gig might be the lucky ones if the lockout happens and wipes out the 2011-12 season.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 5:29am #558048
TallmanNYCParticipantThe undrafted guys who jump straight to a paying overseas gig might be the lucky ones if the lockout happens and wipes out the 2011-12 season.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 6:03am #558085
Allen_Iverson_3ParticipantBen Hansbrough signed (or is signing) for Bayern Munich, a very ambitious team in Germany (that you kinda know for soccer) which got promoted from the second division but which regroups renowned German internationals. Btw Matt Howard is also supposed to sign with a European team, probably in Belgium if I remember correctly.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 6:03am #558143
Allen_Iverson_3ParticipantBen Hansbrough signed (or is signing) for Bayern Munich, a very ambitious team in Germany (that you kinda know for soccer) which got promoted from the second division but which regroups renowned German internationals. Btw Matt Howard is also supposed to sign with a European team, probably in Belgium if I remember correctly.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 10:16am #558263
Lotto StudParticipantNo Jacob Pullen/LaceDarius Dunn?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 10:16am #558326
Lotto StudParticipantNo Jacob Pullen/LaceDarius Dunn?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 8:40pm #558681
JJeff6Participant"Amazingly, most people think the NBA draft is too long, that perhaps one round is sufficient. I don’t agree, and neither do Manu Ginobili, Michael Redd or Landry Fields. But other players, like Udonis Haslem, Wesley Mathews and Brad Miller, would tell you the draft is overrated. They represent the growing list of players who make the league without hearing their names called on draft night."
Landry Fields had his name called by the knicks on draft night. Second Round late thirties
0 - Posted on: Tue, 06/28/2011 - 8:40pm #558745
JJeff6Participant"Amazingly, most people think the NBA draft is too long, that perhaps one round is sufficient. I don’t agree, and neither do Manu Ginobili, Michael Redd or Landry Fields. But other players, like Udonis Haslem, Wesley Mathews and Brad Miller, would tell you the draft is overrated. They represent the growing list of players who make the league without hearing their names called on draft night."
Landry Fields had his name called by the knicks on draft night. Second Round late thirties
0 - Posted on: Wed, 06/29/2011 - 5:42am #558860
carefulParticipantThey are talking about the second round and if it is necessary in the beginning of that paragraph. That’s why they mention Ginobili Redd and Fields because they were all picked in the second round and are solid players in the league.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 06/29/2011 - 5:42am #558796
carefulParticipantThey are talking about the second round and if it is necessary in the beginning of that paragraph. That’s why they mention Ginobili Redd and Fields because they were all picked in the second round and are solid players in the league.
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