[JNixonParticipant]

#9- Washington Huskies

Frontcourt- Mathew Bryan-Amaning and Justin Holiday, 2 guys who emerged as legit NBA prospects due to their defensive ability, potential and athleticism have both graduated. Neither were drafted, but they both improved leaps and bounds every year and will get chances to play in the league, particularly Bryan-Amaning. There is still talent here though, make no mistake about it. The 6’6 185 Soph. swingman Terrence Ross figures to headline on the wing, after showing very good upside as a Fr. Ross possesses a nice shot, very good athleticism, and nice quickness on the offensive end. He’s a terror in transition as well. He needs to improve his D and handle though. Ross isn’t a great shot-creator off the bounce by any stretch, although he’s effective in straight line slashing due to his quickness. Ross also doesn’t pass the ball very much, and should look to be more unselfish down the line. Adding more lbs. to his underdeveloped frame wouldn’t hurt either. Still, he put up 8 ppg in 17 mpg (44% FG) last year which is a strong rate. He’s a talent on offense. Ross is expected to have a good Soph. season and he is also a definite NBA prospect. Probably 2013 though. Expect 14 or 15 ppg and 4 rpg from him next season. The C spot Bryan-Amaning held down will likely be manned 7’ 260 Jr. Aziz N’Diaye, who played good rotation time last year as a JUCO transfer. He is a pretty good rebounder and shot-blocker who runs the floor well, and although he’s raw on offense he’s not a complete liability. He has an effective jump hook he can get off due to his length. N’Diaye should cut down on fouls though (about 3 fpg in 17 mpg), with his added role. He will be an interesting prospect in 2013. The PF spot figures to be 6’8 230 Sr. Darnell Gant, the only Sr. in the frontcourt. Gant will again be the most rugged defender on the team. Gant developed an ability to step out and hit jumpers as a Jr. (48 3-pt attempts after having none his 1^st 2 years) and hit on 38% of his 3’s. Gant isn’t going to be asked to be a huge scorer, but he will need to continue to play good team D and rebound his area. Gant will likely also have to step into a leadership role next year, and he should be a valued role player. Depth will come from Scott Suggs and C.J. Wilcox (see guards) on the wing, and the 3 Fr.; Martin Breunig, Shawn Kemp Jr. and Jernard Jarreau. The 6’9 240 Breunig was a Maryland recruit who left due to Coach Williams retiring. He looks the part of a true PF, with a strong body for a Fr. and a potentially solid face-up shot from 15-18. Breunig just has to learn not to settle, and use his body down low more, as well as adding low post moves. Kemp is a big body at 6’9 265, who uses strength and his wide frame to play around the rim. The 6’10 195 Jarreau has intrigue due to his length, quickness, and face-up potential, but he needs more weight and strength. The frontline for Washington figures to be solid, but there is a lack of depth. Even less than last year. The presence of Ross on the wing helps, as does the shot-blocking of N’Diaye and the toughness and leadership of Gant.

Backcourt- Isaiah Thomas was the most exciting player in the PAC-10, who got the chance to play PG when Abdul Gaddy went out and did a good job and the 60^th pick in the draft. Also gone is 5’10 180 Venoy Overton, who was a pervert and a defensive specialist all in one. The PG spot will be an interesting one to say the least. The starter last year, Abdul Gaddy, went out with an ACL injury before the Pac-10 slate after showing improvements after a bad Fr. year. The Jr. Gaddy is a tall pure PG at 6’3 185, with an unselfish attitude and promising floor vision, and he’s very fluid and smooth athletically. Gaddy takes care of the ball and uses his nice ball-handling ability to get around the floor. He also showed an improved ability to hit open shots. Gaddy is still not a big scorer and definitely likes to set up guys more than look for his shots, and he was at times still too content with making the basic play as opposed to being aggressive and really making the offense tougher to defend. He will see competition for time from highly touted Fr. guard Tony Wroten. At 6’6 205 with long limbs, Wroten has very good size for a combo guard and is an extremely entertaining to watch. Wroten has a real good handle, and his court vision and passing skills? CRAZY. He’s got a flair for the spectacular, and he is very flashy. The southpaw is a good athlete and an aggressive slasher, who is sure to be fun to watch in Washington’s system, which is pretty fast-paced, but he does have chinks in his armor. He is a pretty turnover prone player who has a tendency to force action as a slasher and passer, looking for the highlight play as opposed to the simple play. Another area of note, Wroten also struggles as a jump shooter. He has a developing mid-range game that’s alright, but his range is raw and teams will go underneath any screens he uses. Wroten is also pretty ball-dominant and needs the ball to be effective, sometimes being prone to selfish play pounding the ball and making passes only if they are highlight worthy. He will have to adjust to not being able to pound the ball, and always looking for the spectacular play to be most effective. He provides a definite change of pace from the steady, unspectacular Gaddy when he plays. He’s sure to see extended time at both guard spots. The depth at SG will come from Sr. Scott Suggs and rSoph. C.J. Wilcox. At 6’6 190, Suggs is a lanky wing with decent enough athleticism to get himself shots at the rim in transition. He is a knockdown shooter with his feet set too, statistically the best on the team from 3 (45%). He needs to improve on D though, and as a shot-creator in half-court situations. The 6’5 185 Wilcox is another lanky SG with a strong shot. He needs to get less one-dimensional, but he won’t grow until he gets stronger. He struggles finishing through contact. Terrence Ross can play SG too. The depth on the wings is top notch. I love the talent here. The Huskies should have a high-octane offense for the 2^nd year in a row. Easily one of the best backcourt groups in the country.

Overview- Lorenzo Romar is a decent coach, who has all the types of players he’ll need to be a top level team on the offensive end. The Isaiah Thomas loss hurts more so from an intangible perspective than it does from production (although not by much). I think the guard group on the squad is as good as any team nationally. I will be interested to see if they defend though, as not many players on this team are exactly accomplished on that end. They also need to find an emotional leader, it never ever hurts to have that. Still, the talent offensively will make them a Sweet 16 team, who could make it to the Elite 8 if those questions are answered.

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

They have great pieces, but they’ll be relying very heavily on young talent (Ross and Wroten) and their top returning scorer averaged 8.5 per game last year, so while they have room to grow, I don’t see them as a top 10 team this year. As you noted about Ross being better suited for the 2013 draft, however, I see them as a top 5 team in 2013 if they retain that core of Wroten, Gaddy, Wilcox and Ross. 

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

They have great pieces, but they’ll be relying very heavily on young talent (Ross and Wroten) and their top returning scorer averaged 8.5 per game last year, so while they have room to grow, I don’t see them as a top 10 team this year. As you noted about Ross being better suited for the 2013 draft, however, I see them as a top 5 team in 2013 if they retain that core of Wroten, Gaddy, Wilcox and Ross. 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

TONEEEEEEEEY!!!!!

[Lotto StudParticipant]

TONEEEEEEEEY!!!!!

[iguapops420Participant]

 Any info on Kemp Jr. Ive watched somehighlights and read a little but not nearly enough to make an assesment about him. Just not enough info out there on the kid. I’ve heard he likes to play above the rim, but he didn’t really look like that terrific of an athlete. His athleticism didn’t seem to be any better than Andray Batche’s.

[iguapops420Participant]

 Any info on Kemp Jr. Ive watched somehighlights and read a little but not nearly enough to make an assesment about him. Just not enough info out there on the kid. I’ve heard he likes to play above the rim, but he didn’t really look like that terrific of an athlete. His athleticism didn’t seem to be any better than Andray Batche’s.

[JNixonParticipant]

I haven’t seen much of Kemp at all. And the sad thing is, he’s from the Georgia I’m from and I’ve seen pretty much every "major" prospect from here alot. Only thing I’ve noticed is he’s very wide and fairly physical.

[JNixonParticipant]

I haven’t seen much of Kemp at all. And the sad thing is, he’s from the Georgia I’m from and I’ve seen pretty much every "major" prospect from here alot. Only thing I’ve noticed is he’s very wide and fairly physical.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Its going to be fun watching to see how N’Diaye’s has improved his game….He runs he floor like a guard,can rebound and make the outlet pass, something that seems to be dying among young players…He and Festus Ezeli of Vanderbilt have similar games…

If Wroten can add some range to his shot,he has a chance to be a possible 1st rounder 1 day..He plays alot like former Duke player Nolan Smith…

If you watch Gaddy for the 1st time..You’ll say this guy is a surefire lottery pick..But if you continue to watch him play,his weaknesses are exposed..He has good court vision,size and good passer..But he’s not very athletic,shoots alot of off balance shots,lack explosiveness…Still has a chance to be drafted maybe in the middle of the 2nd round..

  

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Its going to be fun watching to see how N’Diaye’s has improved his game….He runs he floor like a guard,can rebound and make the outlet pass, something that seems to be dying among young players…He and Festus Ezeli of Vanderbilt have similar games…

If Wroten can add some range to his shot,he has a chance to be a possible 1st rounder 1 day..He plays alot like former Duke player Nolan Smith…

If you watch Gaddy for the 1st time..You’ll say this guy is a surefire lottery pick..But if you continue to watch him play,his weaknesses are exposed..He has good court vision,size and good passer..But he’s not very athletic,shoots alot of off balance shots,lack explosiveness…Still has a chance to be drafted maybe in the middle of the 2nd round..

  

[OhmilantaParticipant]

so what would there depth chart look like?

[OhmilantaParticipant]

so what would there depth chart look like?

[Author]

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