By
Sean Joyce
Arizona Summer Wildcat
Large pool of high school players expected to change Draft dynamic
The future of the NBA is in limbo with the approach of tonight's NBA Draft.
Due to the explosion of high school players entering the pool, this year's draft will prove itself different from those of the past
Although there is not a consensus number one pick, Kwame Brown, a high school senior from Georgia, has his name at the top of many NBA teams lists. Other high school players looking to go in the top ten include Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler, and Sagana Diop. On the Sportingnews.com mock draft, it is predicted three of the top five picks will be high school seniors; Chandler, Curry and Brown.
Along with high school players, three ex-Wildcats have high hopes entering into tonight's draft. Gilbert Arenas, Loren Woods and Richard Jefferson all have lofty expectations of being drafted in the first round.
Woods, at one point considered a lottery pick, has slipped a few picks in some of the mock drafts, but still looks strong as a solid first round pick. Although Woods' size and athletic ability aren't challenged, some draft experts feel Woods' future may still be in doubt.
"(Woods could be) another enigma who floated around the league with the label of being gifted but aimless," Kyle Veltrop, the draft expert for the Sportingnews.com web site, wrote.
Another concern with Woods' is his seemingly constant back pain - he has missed games in the last two years complaining of a bad back.
ESPN personality Dick Vitale questioned Woods' future.
"Some question his physical toughness and whether his back can hold up for 82 games," Vitale wrote.
Yet, Stewart Mandel of CNNSI.com said he feels Woods will be able to make up for his lack of "toughness."
"He's a great shot blocker and a fine offensive player," Mandel wrote. "Woods has a chance to influence the outcome of games from either end of the floor."
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Lauren Woods
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Jefferson, who shined in the tournament this past year, is also projected to be a first round pick this evening. Jefferson has had many scouts drooling over him due to his athletic ability and tremendous potential.
"Jefferson is an intriguing prospect," Veltrop wrote. "He has big-game experience and can contribute some right away, yet he also has a lot of upside and untapped potential. His game suits the NBA well. If he continues to hone his jumper, Jefferson could someday be a star in the league."
One knock on Jefferson has been his lack of consistency on the offensive side of the ball. ESPN.com, senior columnist Andy Katz seems a little skeptical about Jefferson's jump shot, in particular.
"He'll set up his jump shot with great vertical elevation," Katz wrote. "but then will conclude with an erratic follow through."
Arenas, the youngest of the Wildcats, also seem to be the biggest gamble in the eyes of many scouts and draft experts. There is no denying Arenas has the ability to take almost anyone in the NBA to the hole, but his lack of size, passing ability and shot selection may prove to be the reason why he slips the furthest in the first round.
"Arenas could have used more time in Tucson," Veltrop wrote. "He could have become a better sharpshooter and maybe worked on his ball handling so he could also slide over to the point from time to time. It could be an uphill battle for Arenas, but the bet here is that he'll become a quality scorer eventually in the league."
Katz sees Arenas as an explosive scorer but also has some questions about Arenas' ability to be a star on the next level.
"He seems to be too small for a traditional NBA two-guard," Katz wrote. "but he can create his own shot and get to the basket without a problem."
