ATS Sports Blog

The 2009 NBA Draft is over and now it’s time to look towards 2010. The early mock drafts are pure speculation, but you have to think that high school talents, who would have come out if there wasn’t a “one-and-done” rule, will lead the way.

This year, Tyreke Evans and DeMar DeRozan were the only two players who fit that bill. Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings played what would have been their freshman seasons overseas.

Without knowing how teams will finish up next season, we’ll go by how they finished last year and not where they finished in the lottery.

First Round:
1. Sacramento PG John Wall 6-4, 182 Kentucky/Word of God HS, NC
Comment: One of the top high school point guard recruits in years. He has a tremendous first step and is an incredible athlete. He’ll be one-and-one faster than you can say John Calipari.

2. Washington PF Ed Davis 6-9, 225 North Carolina
Comment: Was considering coming out after his freshman season, in which he didn’t even start. Has all the tools to be a great player on both ends of the court. Just needs to get stronger.

3. LA Clippers PF Derrick Favors 6-9, 230 Georgia Tech/South Atlanta HS
Comment: If you’re going to Georgia Tech, you’re most likely heading to the NBA before your junior season. Favors is an incredible athlete who finishes well above the rim. Already has NBA size.

4. Oklahoma City PF/C Donatas Motiejunas 7-0, 224 Lithuania
Comment: He may be 7-feet and left handed, but he’s not the next Darko. He’s very skilled and athletic, with the ability to hit the three and may start off as a forward until he gains weight.

5. Minnesota PF Greg Monroe 6-10, 234 Georgetown
Comment: This sophomore did the right thing by staying in school. He needs to polish his game up and continue to get stronger. He also has to improve his low post moves as he appears more comfortable as a face-up four.

6. Memphis G Willie Warren 6-4, 200 Oklahoma
Comment: This may be a little high because he’s undersized for a two-guard, but expect him to put up ridiculous numbers next season with both Griffins gone from OU. He’s a very good athlete with an excellent touch from anywhere on the floor.

7. Golden State F Al-Farouq Aminu 6-9, 215 Wake Forest
Comment: Here’s another sophomore that made the correct move by staying in school. He had an erratic season at Wake Forest but the talent is there. Has to improve the jumper and get stronger.

8. New York C Soloman Alabi 7-1, 235 Florida State
Comment: Alabi’s first year at Florida State showed what kind of defensive presence he could be. Now he needs to work on the offensive end. He probably could use three seasons like Hasheem Thabeet.

9. Toronto G Evan Turner 6-6, 200 Ohio State
Comment: Turner averaged a little over 17ppg as a freshman and could be next year’s James Harden. He’s a very good all-around player who can create offensively. He needs to improve his long-range perimeter shot.

10. Milwaukee PF John Henson 6-11, 200 North Carolina/Round Rock (TX)
Comment: Very long forward from Texas who has yet to play for North Carolina. He already has the offensive skills and just needs to get stronger to get to the next level.

11. New Jersey C Cole Aldrich 6-11, 245 Kansas
Comment: One of the few juniors with a chance to make the lottery. Aldrich is a big body, who likes contact and the ability to play with their back-to-the basket. He has the length and decent athleticism to be a quality starting NBA center.

12. Charlotte F Craig Brackins 6-10, 230 Iowa State
Comment: A big junior who can play either forward spot. He’s a big-time scorer who possesses a soft touch and has very long arms. Needs to improve on the defensive end.

13. Indiana F Patrick Patterson 6-9, 225 Kentucky
Comment: The high-scoring junior will be a big-time rebounder and scorer this year, assuming he can stay healthy. Might be a tweener at the next level.

14. Phoenix SG Xavier Henry 6-6, 225 Kansas/Putnam City HS (OK)
Comment: Henry is a big lefty who can flat-out shoot if from beyond three. He can defend and has an NBA, but needs to improve his handle to get to the next level.

15. Detroit SF Devin Ebanks 6-8, 185 West Virginia
Comment: Ebanks turned it on at the end of the season, especially in the Big East Tournament. While his offense still is a work-in-progress, it’s his defense that has the NBA scouts drooling.

16. Chicago PF Gani Lawal 6-9, 230 Georgia Tech
Comment: Lawal is a slashing power forward who can play both positions at the next level. He has good length, which makes him a very capable defender. Could decide to stay another year. Has to improve his mid-range jumper.

17. Philadelphia G Tyshawn Taylor 6-3, 185 Kansas
Comment: Taylor showed in his first year in Kansas that he has a chance to be a very good guard. The big question is whether he can develop into a point guard. Smart player with a very explosive first step.

18. Miami PF/C DeMarcus Cousins 6-10, 250 Kentucky/Leflore HS (Ala)
Comment: Very skilled big man who has yet to show his skills in college. Has good size and long arms. Lacks great explosion or athletic ability.

19. Atlanta PF Jarvis Varnado 6-9, 210 Mississippi State
Comment: Varnado will be a senior at Miss. State and needs to improve his offensive game. He’ll be a tremendous shotblocker in the NBA because of his length and timing. Needs to get stronger.

20. Dallas F/C Jan Vesely 6-11, 240 Belgrade
Comment: Still filling out his frame and is very athletic for his size at just 19. Has to improve his perimeter shooting.

21. New Orleans PF Trevor Booker 6-7, 245 Clemson
Comment: Underrated player who will dominate as a senior. Very explosive athlete for his size or any size.

22. Dallas SF Damion James 6-7, 230 Texas
Comment: Very athletic player who has to improve his handle and perimeter skills to play SF in the NBA. Made a wise choice to stay the NBA.

23. Houston C Jerome Jordan 7-0, 235 Tulsa
Comment: A big senior who has improved to become a rebounder and defensive specialist.

24. Portland G Kemba Walker 5-11, 172 Connecticut
Comment: Walker had a strong freshman season but he had to play behind A.J. Price. He’ll be one of the top point guards in the nation in 2009-10.

25. San Antonio C Andrew Ogilvy 6-10, 250 Vanderbilt
Comment: A very mobile big man from Australia, who is underrated because he plays for Vanderbilt.

26. Denver PF JuJuan Johnson 6-10, 215 Purdue
Comment: Talented junior who translates to power forward at the next level. Still needs to get stronger.

27. Boston SG Manny Harris 6-5, 185 Michigan
Comment: Harris keeps improving and so does his team. Just needs to keep getting stronger.

28. Orlando SG James Anderson 6-6, 195 Oklahoma State
Comment: Very athletic wing with long arms. Good rebounder for a guard. Needs to work on ballhandling. Has two years left.

29. LA Lakers PG Kalin Lucas 6-0, 180 Michigan State
Comment: Very talented junior who know how to run a club. This year he has to take his game and his team to the next level.

30. Cleveland PG/SG Greivis Vasquez 6-5, 200 Maryland
Comment: Volatile guard who can play either spot. Not super athletic and needs one more year to improve his shot and take his team further in the tournament.

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