Stoudemire Says There’s a ‘Great Chance’ He’ll Play in Game 4

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GREENBURGH, N.Y. – Speaking publicly for the first time since he battled a fire extinguisher following Monday night’s Game 2 loss to the Miami Heat, Amar’e Stoudemire said there’s a “great chance” he will play in Sunday’s Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.

“Yeah, I think there’s a great chance I’ll play Sunday night, not totally sure yet,” he told a slew of reporters here Wednesday.

Stoudemire had a surgical procedure on the left hand Tuesday and is out for Game 3 Thursday. His hand remains heavily bandaged and he is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday.

It didn’t sound as though Stoudemire issued a formal apology Wednesday to his teammates for his self-inflicting wound, but they seemed more concerned with his welfare than his contrition.

“I talked to him personally over the phone yesterday, over the text,” Carmelo Anthony said. “We had our conversation. He feels bad about what happened. He understands what was at stake, the situation. The only thing I care about is him being healthy and his hand being OK. He did it, it’s over with. I don’t really care about that as long as his hand is fine.”

Said head coach Mike Woodson: “We talked and I think he owed everybody that. He was very apologetic. He feels bad enough. Amar’e's gone through a lot this year. My job is to support him because he’s family. He’s a part of our crew, a big piece of the puzzle and I’m going to show all the love and support I can give him.”

Stoudemire never said he apologized but said he takes full responsibility for his actions.

“Absolutely,” he said. “No one else did it for me. It was all me. But again, I wasn’t expecting to hit the glass. I mean, it’s a small two inch strip of glass that’s on the fire extinguisher door. So I wasn’t looking – I really didn’t want to cut myself.  Who in the world wants to hurt themselves? You know what I mean? That wasn’t the case at all. Unfortunately it happened and I have to deal with it.”

Asked if he was embarrassed, Stoudemire said: “It’s disappointing to my teammates. I didn’t want to let them down, I know how important this game is for us, I wasn’t expecting this to be this much of a blow but it is.”

Stoudemire said he did not ball his fist and punch the glass-encased extinguisher, but rather smacked it with his the back of his hand.

“I was like, holy s-h-i-t,” he said. “When I hit my hand on the fire extinguisher door, I took a look at my hand, I was like, ‘What?’ I was sad at the moment. I was feeling bad for my teammates. Out of all the times after games when you kick over an ice cooler, a chair, you get upset, everyone gets upset, so passionate for the game. Everyone gets upset at times. Never in a million years would I think I would cut my hand the way I did. So bad timing, but I’ll be back.”

Stoudemire said he wasn’t even aware at first that he had lacerated his hand, which required treatment by paramedics and stitches on the scene in Miami.

“I didn’t know I was cut at all until Josh Harrelson told me,” he said. “Unfortunately after the games, you’re very passionate, things happen, you don’t expect to injure yourself or anything like that. But you just gotta deal with it.”

Stoudemire has only taken 16 shots in the two games and is averaging 13.5 points and six rebounds in the series. Asked if he was frustrated by his diminished role in the offense, he said he wasn’t.

“Nah, I don’t think so,” he said. “Coach [Mike] Woodson does a great job of figuring out what wins and what works for us. So my main frustration with Game 2 was the fact that we lost Game 2 and we knew how important it was to win one game on the road. So having Miami up 2-0 is tough for us to deal with because we wanted to get that win. That was mainly my reason.”

The Knicks now face the prospect of trying to slow the freight train that is LeBron James and company without Stoudemire, Jeremy Lin and Iman Shumpert, who underwent surgery to repair his left ACL and meniscus Wednesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery. They’ve also battled other injuries all season.

“We’ve been faced with adversity all year,” Stoudemire said. “I went out. Carmelo [Anthony] went out. Jeremy went out. Jared Jeffries went out. We’ve been dealing with adversity all year. It’s been a heck of a year for us. So I do feel like we have the players that are so professional, so focused on the game, we have a chance to win.”

The Knicks have already tied an NBA record with 12 straight playoff losses and could set the record with unlucky No. 13 on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

Still, the Knicks are 14-5 without Stoudemire this year. They went 9-4 when he missed 13 games late in the season with a bulging disk in his back. Playing power forward, Anthony averaged 30.6 points in those games.

“Hopefully,” Stoudemire said, “I can heal up fast and get ready for Game 4.”

Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog covers the future stars of the NBA for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AdamZagoria.

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Zagoria: College commitments: Top 10, Plus 6 on the Fence

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Shabazz Muhammad

Now that Nerlens Noel and Shabazz Muhammad are off the board and have chosen their colleges, only a handful of elite 2012 prospects remain uncommitted.

Here’s a look at the Top 10 prospects in the Class of 2012 and where they are going, plus six uncommitted players still available:

1. Shabazz Muhammad, G, Las Vegas Bishop Gorman — UCLA

Muhammad chose the Bruins over Kentucky and Duke, and could end up being the best wing scorer in college basketball during what is likely to be his lone year on campus before turning pro.

“Shabazz Muhammad is the No. 1 player in the country and his signing at UCLA is huge for our program,” embattled Bruins coach Ben Howland said. “I’m just so excited because he is a great kid that embodies what is needed to be an excellent student-athlete. He is an outstanding student who is a great person and is obviously a very special player. He brings so many skills to the table. He is very athletic and is a very strong and explosive player who is a very good passer and scorer and is an outstanding shooter. He will be a very special player for us.”

2. Nerlens Noel, C, Tilton NH Tilton School — KENTUCKY

Noel, who picked the ‘Cats over Georgetown and Syracuse, figures to slide in and take over the shot-blocking, center position in place of Anthony Davis, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. Some believe Noel is a better shot-blocker than Davis, who led the nation this season with 4.7 blocks per game.

“I’ve been blessed three times in my career to have a player that can change the game without really scoring with Marcus Camby, Anthony Davis and now Nerlens Noel,” Wildcats coach John Calipari said. “I will tell you that Nerlens, just like Anthony, is not a finished product. He’s got a lot of work to do and we have a lot of work to do to get him to where I think he’s capable of being, but he is a special player who I am ecstatic to have an opportunity to work with.”

3. Kyle Anderson, PG, Jersey City (N.J.) St. Anthony — UCLA

The 6-foot-9 Anderson chose the Bruins in the fall over Seton Hall, St. John’s, Florida and Georgetown and will now pair with Muhammad to form one of the most dangerous offensive combos in college basketball.

Bob Hurley Sr. called Anderson a “modern-day Magic Johnson.”

“I think he’s the most dominant player to ever play at the school,” said Hurley, a Naismith Hall of Famer. “His improvement from last year till now is unbelievable. He’s certainly the most versatile kid ever anywhere near his size that I’ve ever coached.”

4. Isaiah Austin, C, Arlington, TX Grace Prep — BAYLOR

The 7-foot Austin will be a welcome addition in Waco with Perry Jones III likely headed to the lottery.

“In recent years, Baylor has become known for its athletic versatile big men, such as Quincy Acy, Ekpe Udoh, Perry Jones III and Quincy Miller,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “Isaiah continues that trend and is someone who can pass, dribble and shoot, but still possesses a 7-foot-tall frame which allows him such a huge size advantage on opposing players.

“Isaiah affects the game on both ends of the court and Baylor fans will love cheering for him,” Drew said

5. Steven Adams, C, Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame Prep — PITTSBURGH

A New Zealand National Team player, Adams competed last summer for the Wellington Exodus Saints and helped lead the squad to the National Basketball League title. He has also guided his club team in Wellington to two national titles at the Under-19 and Under-17 age groups.

The 6-10 Adams is also a free spirit who likes to play guitar and pool.

“He’s tremendous,” said Chris Rivers of adidas. “He’s very Greg Oden-like from 2005.

“He runs, he blocks shots up by the square, he finishes with both hands. He’s a competitor, a true team player.”

6. Ricardo Ledo, G, South Kent (Conn.) — PROVIDENCE

The 6-5 Ledo is a tremendous wing scorer who will bring instant offense to the Friars, assuming he qualifies academically. Questions loom over whether he will be eligible to suit up next year.

“I think he being one of the best natural scorers in the country is going to allow us not just to attract other players, but other local young men that have dreams and aspirations of coming to Providence College,” Friars coach Ed Cooley said.

“We hope he can score a lot of baskets for us and also make sure he goes to class on time.”

7. Anthony Bennett, F, Henderson, NV Findlay Prep — UNDECIDED

Bennett is the highest-rated uncommitted prospect left on the board and is considering Florida, Kentucky, Oregon and UNLV.

Florida is thought to be the favorite for Bennett, who plans to visit three schools in the coming weeks. If Kentucky were to land him, Calipari would add a fifth recruit to what is already the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the land.

“He’ll take another [school] off by next week,” Mike George of the CIA Bounce AAU team said. “He’s only gonna visit three schools.”

8. Alex Poythress, F,  Clarksville, TN Northeast — KENTUCKY

The 6-7 Poythress has played all five positions at his high school, but will be utilized immediately in the frontcourt to help replace Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, both projected NBA lottery picks.

“When Alex is at his best, because of his size and athleticism, he’s as good as anybody in the country,” Calipari said. “He is really athletic, and when he’s got his motor running, he can score at will.”

9. Kaleb Tarczewski, C, Southborough, MA St. Mark’s — ARIZONA

The 7-foot, 220-pound center chose Arizona over Kansas and is part of one of the best recruiting classes in the nation, along with forwards Brandon Ashley and Grant Jerrett and guard Gabe York.

“Very seldom is it possible to get a seven-footer,” said Wildcats coach Sean Miller. “Kaleb can run, he has great hands and he loves the low post. His presence on the court can help us.”

10. Marcus Smart, G, Flower Mound, TX Marcus — OKLAHOMA STATE

The Texas Gatorade Player of the Year averaged 15.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game last season as a junior. Smart chose the Cowboys over North Carolina, Kansas, Stanford, Arizona, Texas, Marquette, Oklahoma, Missouri and Baylor.

“He does everything,” head coach Travis Ford said. “He plays at a level of energy that hasn’t been matched by many people that I’ve seen. He’s the ultimate competitor. He can really shoot it for his size, he’ll get down there and bang it, he’s athletic, he can rebound, and he does all these things for his high school team.”

WHO’S LEFT ON THE BOARD?

With about a month left in the NCAA late signing period, a handful of big names remain on the board in addition to Anthony Bennett.

  • Devonta Pollard, F, Porterville, MS Kemper County — Considering Alabama, Georgetown, Missouri and Texas.
  • Tony Parker, C, Lithonia, GA Miller Grove — Considering UCLA, Duke, Ohio State, Kansas and Georgia. Plans to announce Monday.
  • Amile Jefferson, F, Philadelphia Friends Central — Considering Duke, N.C. State, Villanova, Ohio State and Kentucky.
  • Chris Obekpa, C, Centerreach, NY Our Savior New American — Considering St. John’s, UConn, Providence, Cincinnati and Oregon.
  • Bradley Hayes, C, Jacksonville, FL Sandalwood — Considering UConn, Georgetown, Florida and Texas A&M.

Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog covers the future stars of the NBA for SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear  Saturdays. Follow him on Twitter at @AdamZagoria.

 

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Zagoria: NCAA Tournament: Whose Stock is Rising?

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NEW ORLEANS — Here in The Big Easy for the NCAA Final Four, there are a slew of future NBA lottery picks set to take the floor Saturday night at the SuperDome.

Four of the projected top six picks on DraftExpress.com’s Mock Draft and five of the top 12 play for Kentucky, Kansas and Ohio State. (Louisville is the lone Final Four representative without a projected lottery pick.)

Numerous other players no longer in the NCAA Tournament have also helped their stock since the Madness began.

Here’s a look at some top prospects who are here, and some who aren’t.

Top 5 NBA Prospects in the Final Four:

1. Anthony Davis, F, Kentucky

The presumptive No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, Davis was named the U.S. Basketball Writers National Player of the Year. He impacts the game on both ends of the floor and his offensive game is coming along nicely. Davis has had three double-digit scoring games in the NCAA Tournament, including an 18-point, 11-rebound outing in the rout of Baylor.

2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F, Kentucky

Though Kidd-Gilchrist previously said he would return to school for his sophomore season, reports recently surfaced that he would come out. And why not? He’s projected as a Top 3 pick. A tremendous transition and inside player, the former St. Patrick star needs to develop his perimeter game.

3. Thomas Robinson, F, Kansas

The latest Kansas big man to follow in the footsteps of recent college successes Cole Aldrich and the Morris twins, Robinson projects to be a better NBA player. He’s more physical, rebounds well on both ends and has been the heart and soul of this undermanned Kansas team all year.

4. Jared Sullinger, F, Ohio State

After choosing to remain in school following a freshman season in which he could’ve been a lottery pick, Sullinger has the Buckeyes back in the Final Four for the first time since 2007, when they lost in the championship game to Florida. A big, strong, skilled post player, he and fellow forward Deshaun Thomas form a deadly 1-2 punch that will be on display against Robinson and Kansas center Jeff Withey.

5. Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

The knock on Jones is that he doesn’t always play hard and his stock has dropped somewhat over the course of the season. But there’s no denying his talent level, and when he decides to play hard he’s one of the best forwards in the college game. He has all the tools necessary to play in the NBA, but questions linger over his commitment level.

Five Players Whose Stock Has Risen in the Tournament:

1. Bradley Beal, G, Florida

A potential lottery pick, Beal has great upside and can rebound well for a guard. NBA scouts love his handle and his ability to play-make in the halfcourt. He has 3-point range but can also get to the basket.

2. Royce White, F, Iowa State

A skilled point/power forward, White went for 23 points and 9 rebounds in third-round loss to Kentucky. NBA scouts like his skill set but feel he has to develop a more consistent jump shot and free throw.

3. C.J. McCollum, G, Lehigh

The 6-3 combo guard has declared for the draft but has not hired an agent. He is projected as a mid- to late-second round pick but NBA scouts see him as a scorer who can attack off the dribble. ”When his career is done at Lehigh, he will go to the NBA and help some team win,” Lehigh coach Jeff Jones said.

4. C.J. Leslie, F, N.C. State

Projected as a second-round pick, Leslie is an athlete who rebounds and will be effective in an uptempo style where he can use his athleticism. Leslie is also effective from 15 feet and in attacking the basket off the dribble.

5. Jae Crowder, F, Marquette

The Big East Player of the Year is a tough, physical forward who plays with energy on both ends of the floor. He is projected as a late second-round pick. Marquette finished second in the Big East to Syracuse this year.

Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog covers the future stars of the NBA for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AdamZagoria.

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Zagoria: NCAA Sweet 16 Preview

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March Madness resumes Thursday and Friday with a Sweet 16 that features all four No. 1 seeds, four teams from Ohio (representing four different conferences), four from the Big East and four from the Big 10.

The remaining teams are led by a Who’s Who of big-time college coaches, including Kentucky’s John Calipari, Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, Louisville’s Rick Pitino, North Carolina’s Roy Williams, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, Kansas’s Bill Self and Florida’s Billy Donovan.

Calipari is the only man on that list not to have won at least one title and his Wildcats are the overwhelming favorite to cut down the nets next month in New Orleans.

Here’s a sneak peak of what’s on hand this week:

EAST REGION

THURSDAY/SATURDAY

(1) Syracuse (33-2) vs. (4) Wisconsin (26-9)

Playing without sophomore center Fab Melo, Syracuse nearly became the first No. 1 seed to fall to a 16 (UNC-Asheville) in its opening game, and may have been saved by a couple of blown calls before holding on for a 72-65 victory.

Yet the deep Orange bounced back and looked very impressive in beating Kansas State, 75-59, in their second game. Without Melo, the Orange must rely on 6-9 freshman Rakeem Christmas and 6-10 sophomore Baye Keita to anchor the famous 2-3 zone.

The Badgers will appear in their third Sweet 16 appearance in the last five years and their fifth under head coach Bo Ryan.

When Vanderbilt went to a zone late during Wisconsin’s 60-57 second-round victory, the Badgers looked tentative and launched from outside to the tune of 10-for-33 from beyond the arc.

Against Syracuse, Wisconsin can’t afford to be passive or to settle for too many 3-pointers. The Badgers’ chances at an upset will hinge on whether point guard Jordan Taylor can penetrate the zone and either make shots within it or kick out to open shooters on the perimeter.

Prediction: Syracuse 72, Wisconsin 65

(2) Ohio State (29-7) vs. (6) Cincinnati (25-10)

Ohio State may be the favorite in this All-Ohio battle, but the Bearcats are hoping for a repeat of their previous two NCAA encounters. During the post-Oscar Robertson Era, the Bearcats won consecutive national titles after defeating the Buckeyes in the 1961 (70-65 OT) and 1962 (71-59) title games.

Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger is the premier big man in this game and has accounted for 30 points and 15 rebounds in the team’s first two wins.

Cincinnati big man Yancy Gates can match Sullinger for strength in the low post, but the wild card could be Ohio State’s Deshaun Thomas, a 6-7, 225-pound shooting guard. He is coming on strong with 49 points and 19 rebounds in two games and could be a real problem for the Bearcats.

Prediction: Ohio State 65, Cincinnati 61

MIDWEST 

FRIDAY/SUNDAY 

(1) North Carolina vs. (13) Ohio (29-7)

The dominant storyline in this game — and of the tournament — is North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall and his fractured right wrist.

He underwent surgery Monday and a screw was inserted into the wrist. His father told the AP he simply doesn’t know if his son, a left-hander, will be able to play this weekend.

“I don’t know because Kendall’s just coming out of his anesthesia, we haven’t talked and I don’t know how he’ll feel four days from now,” Dennis Marshall said. “We just don’t know.

“Is it impossible he plays this weekend? No, it’s not. Is it likely he plays next weekend? It definitely is. It’s something we just don’t know.”

North Carolina’s chances of winning it all took a major hit when Marshall was injured against Creighton, and if he is unable to come back, the Tar Heels will be forced to rely on Stillman White or Justin Watts, which would be a huge drop-off.

Prediction: North Carolina 73, Ohio 57

(2) Kansas (28-6) vs. (11) N.C. State (24-12)

Kansas trailed for virtually the entire game against No. 10 Purdue on Sunday before getting three breakaway layups from Elijah Johnson and Tyshawn Taylor in the last minute of the game to turn a 60-57 deficit into a 63-60 victory.

They can’t afford to get down again to an N.C. State team that is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006 and flying high after an impressive win over Georgetown.

One key matchup will involve Kansas’s Thomas Robinson, a 6-8 forward and National Player of the Year candidate, against 6-8 N.C. State forward C.J. Leslie. If Leslie and teammate Richard Howell can be aggressive and get Robinson in foul trouble, that would help the Wolfpack’s upset chances.

The N.C. State backcourt of Lorenzo Brown and C.J. Williams will also have their hands full with Kansas guards Johnson and Taylor, who put on a show down the stretch against Purdue.

Prediction: N.C. State 63, Kansas, 61

SOUTH 

FRIDAY/SUNDAY

(1) Kentucky (34-2) vs. (4) Indiana (27-8)

Perhaps the most anticipated Sweet 16 matchup, this game is a rematch of the Dec. 10 epic won by Indiana, 73-72, at home on a last-second 3-point shot by Christian Watford.

That shot has replayed over and over as part of an ESPN commercial to the point where the Kentucky players often turn off the TV when it comes on.

The way Kentucky is playing now, though, it will take an extremely special effort by Indiana’s Cody Zeller and company to beat them. The Wildcats rattled off a game-changing 20-2 run in the second half of Saturday’s rout of Iowa State.

“Cal after the game came up to me and told me that’s the best game they played all year,” Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg said. “They can’t play any better than they did.”

Already loaded with future first-round NBA picks, Kentucky got its best game of the year from freshman point guard Marquis Teague, who had a career-high 24 points on 10-for-14 shooting to go with 7 assists and 2 turnovers.

While Kentucky was cruising, Indiana needed a 15-footer from Will Sheehey with 12.7 seconds left to beat No. 12 VCU.

Prediction: Kentucky 73, Indiana 64

(3) Baylor (29-7) vs. (10) Xavier (23-12)

While Baylor has several future pros on its front line, it was guard Brady Heslip who was the story in team’s 80-63 win over No. 11 Colorado.

Heslip went 9-for-12 from beyond the arc and finished with a career-high 27 points. His nine 3-pointers were only two short of the NCAA tournament record set by Jeff Fryer of Loyola Marymount in 1990.

“I know whenever he gets hot, he can outshoot anybody,” Baylor forward Quincy Acy said.

Acy and fellow big men Perry Jones and Quincy Miller were limited to 22 total points in the Colorado game and that doesn’t figure to happen again.

The key guy for Xavier is New York point guard Tu Holloway, the team’s leading scorer and best player. He will need to defend Baylor guard Pierre Jackson well and also penetrate the Baylor zone to set up his teammates.

Prediction: Baylor 77, Xavier 69

WEST

THURSDAY/SATURDAY

(1) Michigan State (29-7) vs. (4) Louisville (28-9)

This is an intriguing matchup of two of the best coaches in college basketball in Izzo and Pitino, both of whom have won national championships.

There are few players in the entire tournament with higher basketball IQs than 6-7 Michigan State senior forward Draymond Green, who has piled up 40 points, 25 rebounds and 16 assists in two tournament games. He posted a triple-double of 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the second-round win over LIU.

Michigan State’s massive front line of 6-10 Adreian Payne, 6-9 Derrick Nix and the 6-7 Green may be the biggest and strongest in the tournament. Louisville, by contrast, doesn’t have nearly the size to match up down low and will have to win with a smaller lineup.

Louisville point guard Peyton Siva, who led his team to the Big East tournament title at Madison Square Garden, is playing as well as any point guard in the nation right now and must continue to pace one of the nation’s stingiest defenses.

Prediction: Michigan State 68, Louisville 62

(3) Marquette (27-7) vs. (7) Florida (25-10)

This game figures to be an up-tempo track meet with two teams that like run and put  points up on the board.

Florida rattled off a 25-0 first-half run en route to crushing the dreams of upstart No. 15 Norfolk State, the team that knocked out No. 2 Missouri.

Florida may have as deep a guard group as there is in the country with Kenny Boynton, Brad Beal, Erving Walker and Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario combining for a whopping 61 points in the Norfolk State game.

Marquette counters with the dynamic duo of Jae Crowder, a  6-6 forward who was the Big East Player of the Year, and athletic 6-2 guard Darius Johnson-Odom.

Florida doesn’t appear to have a natural matchup for Crowder and may be forced to use stretch four Erik Murphy on him.

On the flip side, Marquette’s guard group isn’t as deep or athletic as Florida’s crew.

The game could come down to whether Marquette can hold the prolific Florida offense to a game in the 60s as opposed to one in the 70s.

Prediction: Florida 71, Marquette 67

Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog covers the future stars of the NBA for SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear  Saturdays. Follow him on Twitter at @AdamZagoria.

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Zagoria: Top 10 Senior Draft Prospects

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We have already focused in this space on the top 10 American draft prospects. Now it’s time to give props to the top 10 senior prospects.

While the NBA Draft is all about potential – which often hurts those who remain in college for four years – remember that Jeremy Lin spent four years at Harvard before emerging into the global superstar he is now.

1. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina, C

Age: 22

Vitals:  7-0, 250 pounds

Stats: 15.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.4 bpg

Skinny: Probably won’t be the highest member of his family picked since younger brother Cody, a freshman at Indiana, will likely go higher. Still, Tyler is an athletic big man who can score and rebound and is projected as a lottery pick.

2. Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas, PG

Age: 21

Vitals: 6-3, 185

Stats: 16.5 ppg, 5.0 apg

Skinny: After a series of off-court incidents throughout his career, the former Bob Hurley pupil appears to have gotten with the program as a senior. Strong, quick, athletic playmaker who must work to cut down his turnovers.

3. Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt, C

Age: 22

Vitals: 6-11, 255

Stats: 10.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.2 bpg

Skinny: After missing the early part of the season with a knee injury and a suspension for accepting improper benefits, Ezeli has returned to provide Vandy a legitimate big man who can finish around the rim. He has shown flashes of inspired play but still needs to improve his rebounding.

4. Kevin Jones, West Virginia, PF

Age: 22

Vitals: 6-8, 250

Stats: 20.3 ppg, 11.2 rpg

Skinny: The likely Big East Player of the Year, Jones is not a flashy player but should end up having a solid 10-year NBA career. A high-character kid from “Money Earnin’ Mount Vernon,” Jones guarantees a double-double every night in the Big East.

5. Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt, SF

Age: 22

Vitals: 6-7, 226

Stats: 17.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg

Skinny: An athletic player who excels in transition, Taylor has improved his draft stock tremendously by virtue of shooting 47 percent from the arc this season compared to 35 percent a year ago.

6. Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette, SG

Age: 22

Vitals: 6-2, 215

Stats: 18.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.8 apg

Skinny: A strong, rugged Big East 2-guard, he is shooting 40 percent from the arc this season. That is an uptick from his junior year (36 percent) but not quite as impressive as his lights-out sophomore season (47 percent).

7. Scott Machado, Iona, PG

Age: 21

Vitals: 6-1, 180

Stats: 13.3 ppg, 10.0 apg

Skinny: Leads Division I in assists and ranks second in assists per 40 minutes (11.3). Skilled playmaker and high-character kid who benefited from four years in school and should be a solid NBA player.

8. Jorge Gutierrez, Cal, SG

Age: 23

Vitals: 6-3, 195

Stats: 13.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.2 apg

Skinny: Potential Pac-12 Player of the Year is a terrific driver and passer. Great quickness, takes and makes every big shot. Best defender and toughest player in the Pac-12. Can play the point as well.

9. Orlando Johnson, Santa Barbara, SG

Age: 22

Vitals: 6-5, 205

Stats: 20.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg

Skinny: Confident shooter who likes to take the big shot. Johnson is shooting 40 percent from the arc but is down to 45 percent from inside the arc after 48 percent a year ago.

10. Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure, PF-C

Age: 22

Vitals: 6-9, 250

Stats: 17.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.7 bpg

Skinny: Skilled post man and strong rebounder who has come on strong with back-to-back 30-plus-point outings against Fordham and Rhode Island. Needs to get stronger, cut down on turnovers (2.5 per game) and extend his range.

ALSO: William Buford, Ohio State; Jason Clark, Georgetown; Jae Crowder, Marquette; Marcus Denmon, Missouri; Kim English, Missouri; Yancy Gates, Cincinnati; Ashton Gibbs, Pitt; Michael Glover, Iona; Draymond Green, Michigan State; JaMichael Green, Alabama; Tu Holloway, Xavier; Robbie Hummel, Purdue; Bernard James, Florida State; Scoop Jardine, Syracuse; Kris Joseph, Syracuse; Darius Miller, Kentucky; Herb Pope, Seton Hall; Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri; Zack Rosen, Penn; John Shurna, Northwestern; Jordan Theodore, Seton Hall; Alex Young, IUPUI; Casper Ware, Long Beach State.

Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog covers the future stars of the NBA for SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear on Saturdays. Follow him on Twitter at @AdamZagoria.

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