What’s next for the Class of ‘07/future Illini draft prospects
Several Gators and Buckeyes went–that was to be expected after those players jacked up their value during Final Four runs. A tall Texas stud went, a slew of freshman, a “hip-hop” Chinese dude, people from around the globe, even a Hawkeye from Iowa.
But (as expected) no Illini.
So what’s next for the Class of 2007?
Warren Carter will get picked up as a free agent, most likely by a team that he has connections with (Jazz, Rockets, Magic) or a team that had less than two picks in last week’s draft. He’s no lock to make the team, but he has two things that can’t be taught: height and athleticism. My guess is he finds his way into he development league, where Roger Powell and Frank Williams have proven that they can play at the next level. Carter’s jump shot is decent from spots on the court, but he needs to be a bigger presence in the post. The fundementals often escape the Texas product–traveling violations and ball handling plagued him–and though he was the Illini’s scoring leader, he was hardly clutch. It’d be interesting to see how many of Carter’s points were scored in the first few minutes compared to the rest of the game.
Rich McBride’s skills are too common for him to play on at a near-NBA level. He has NBA three-point range, but lacks an intermediate jump shot and an ability to drive the lane. McBride was a shooter, not a scorer, and his game doesn’t translate to even the D-league. If he wanted to play on I’m sure he could internationally.
So with no Illini getting the call on Thursday for the first time in several years, what are the prospects for the ‘08 draft?
Next year’s senior class consists of Brian Randle and Shawn Pruitt. Pruitt entered his name into the draft this year, but did not sign an agent and pulled out before the deadline. There was speculation from some at the beginning of the season that Randle, who was on the preseason Wooden watch list, would have left after last year, but groin injuries and a subpar season made the jump impossible.
Both, I think, could be first rounders next year.
Following a draft with so much talent (and with lots of freshman leaving) it’s only likely that the talent will most likely be down next year. Maybe I’m being optomistic, but Randle and Pruitt should both be at the top of the Big Ten next season, and comparable to the nation’s elite.
If Randle shows the talent that landed him on the Wooden watch list, he should be the best player in the Big Ten next season. He’s big, he’s athletic, he can create, he has a solid intermediate jumper, he plays good D, he can drive and, hopefully, he’s finally healthy. What he lacks, and this may have been caused by his injury, is a desire and willingness to make things happen for the entire game. He should call for the ball on every play. He should be dictating where the offense goes. With a subpar offensive point guard in Chester Frazier, it’s difficult to get Randle the touches he deserves. He needs to start out with the ball at the top of the key and that’s where the offense should begin. But he needs to show a fire and passion for the game that seems to only slip out after a big dunk. Dunking the ball is great, but scoring 20 points a game is better and it’s what this team needs.
Pruitt will be one of the top two centers in the Big Ten next season. The way he has progressed along with the touch he has down low should equal a double-double average for the big man. The question is does his game translate to the pros. He’s tall, but he’s not that tall. At 6′10ish'’ Pruitt lacks ideal size of NBA center. He doesn’t have great ball handling or a shot away from the hoop, so he has little prospects of becoming a forward. But he does have a pressence in the block and decent strength and athleticism. If he has the season I anticipate he can have, and if he can work on his free throws, I believe Pruitt can be a late first-round pick.
But this is all speculation. Afterall, the Illini’s best chance to get drafted next season is Jeff Jordan. His dad is running the Bobcats.