Al Horford puts together arguably his most impressive performance in a Florida uniform. Wendell White powers his way past Wisconsin, helping his draft stock tremendously along the way. Julian Wright holds serve amongst top prospects who are having excellent NCAA tournament runs so far. Nick Young helps take down Kevin Durant and Texas. And much much more.
NCAA Tournament: Stock Watch (round of 32, Sunday games)--Stock Down/Neutral
NCAA Tournament: Stock Watch (round of 32, Saturday games)--Stock Up
NCAA Tournament: Stock Watch (round of 32, Saturday)--Down/Neutral
NCAA Tournament: Stock Watch (round of 64, Friday games)--Stock Up
NCAA Tournament: Stock Watch (round of 64, Friday games)--Stock Down/Neutral
NCAA Tournament: Stock Watch (round of 64, Thursday games)--Stock Up
NCAA Tournament: Stock Watch (round of 64, Thursday games)--Stock Down/Neutral
Word on the Street: Dominic McGuire Declares for Draft
Dominic McGuire informed DraftExpress Jonathan Givony that he will be officially declaring for the 2007 NBA draft this week. The extremely athletic Fresno State junior established himself as one of the most versatile players in the country this year-- averaging 13.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.6 blocksand putting up two triple-doubles on the season, the last of which came against Georgia in the NIT, in what could turn out to be his last game of his college career.
McGuire will be keeping his NCAA eligibility intact for now, although he states that he fully intends on playing in the NBA next season. He will be working out over the next 9 weeks to prepare himself for the Orlando pre-draft camp, which he tentatively plans on participating in. He is currently projected as a late first-round pick on our 2007 mock draft. Despite playing power forward in college and being amongst the top rebounds and shot-blockers in the country, McGuire is considered an intriguing prospect due to his excellent frame, athleticism, passing and ball-handling skills, all of which should help him make a smooth transition to the wing. He will need to work on improving his perimeter shooting, as he made only 30% of his attempts from behind the 3-point line this year.
McGuire will be keeping his NCAA eligibility intact for now, although he states that he fully intends on playing in the NBA next season. He will be working out over the next 9 weeks to prepare himself for the Orlando pre-draft camp, which he tentatively plans on participating in. He is currently projected as a late first-round pick on our 2007 mock draft. Despite playing power forward in college and being amongst the top rebounds and shot-blockers in the country, McGuire is considered an intriguing prospect due to his excellent frame, athleticism, passing and ball-handling skills, all of which should help him make a smooth transition to the wing. He will need to work on improving his perimeter shooting, as he made only 30% of his attempts from behind the 3-point line this year.
Stock Up:
Al Horford, 610, PF/C, Junior, Florida
Vs Purdue: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, 7-9 FG, 3-3 FT
Joseph Treutlein
Al Horford had perhaps his best game ever in a Gators uniform, and it couldnt have come at a better time. In a very hard fought game that Purdue just wouldnt quit on, Horford came up big on the defensive end, on the boards, with a newfound touch around the rim, and with a little perimeter shooting as well.
Horford started the game off by hitting two mid-range jumpers, one of the spot-up variety from 15 feet out, and the next on a post-up from about 10 feet away, where he turned into his opponent and put up a quick jumper right in his face. Horford missed his next two mid-range jumpers, and then drifted out of the Florida offense for the remainder of the first half.
In the second half, Horford directed his offense to the painted area, where he really started to impress with a nice array of hook shots and a great touch around the basket. Horford started off by making a drop-step lay-up off the glass which he was also fouled on, then quickly came back down the floor to hit a fading hook shot from about eight feet out. He hit two more hook shots as the game went on, one of which he used the glass on. Horford has historically had trouble with his touch on finesse post moves outside of five feet, though he did an excellent job with that in this game.
Horford did a good job scoring the ball on offense, though his greatest contribution in this game was on the defensive end, where his versatility allowed him to make big plays for Florida both in the paint and on the perimeter. Horford and teammate Joakim Noah did an excellent job contesting shots in the painted area, often working together on double teams and post fronts to give the opposition fits. Horford refused to give up position in the post and did a good job getting his hands up to contest weak-side drives in the lane. His ability to step up on the perimeter was even more impressive, where he used his wherewithal, length, and lateral quickness to make steals and force turnovers, usually when stepping up to switch on screens. Horford made two key plays with the clock winding down in the game, the first coming at the conclusion of the first half where he stepped out on a screen to contest a would-be three-point buzzer-beater. Then with 25 seconds remaining in the second half with Florida just about sealing the game, Horford went on a one man full court press, sealing off Purdues point guard and forcing the in-bounder to throw a turnover into Lee Humphreys hands.
Horford also made great contributions with his tenacity on the boards, pulling down a lot of tough defensive rebounds in traffic and doing a good job boxing out on both ends. Horford did a good job in the passing game as well, kicking the ball out of the post when he didnt have anything to work with and making an excellent no-look assist out of a double team to teammate Chris Richard for a wide open jam.
Horfords numbers in the box scores havent really improved much this season, but he has improved his stock as an NBA draft prospect by the way hes been getting things done, specifically in regards to his improved mid-range shooting and his touch around the basket, which has noticeably improved in the final weeks of the season and into the tournament. Horford currently projects as a mid-lottery pick in the upcoming draft, and as long as he continues playing the way he has been for the remainder of the tournament, he shouldnt have to worry about waiting long to hear his name called on draft day.
Horford started the game off by hitting two mid-range jumpers, one of the spot-up variety from 15 feet out, and the next on a post-up from about 10 feet away, where he turned into his opponent and put up a quick jumper right in his face. Horford missed his next two mid-range jumpers, and then drifted out of the Florida offense for the remainder of the first half.
In the second half, Horford directed his offense to the painted area, where he really started to impress with a nice array of hook shots and a great touch around the basket. Horford started off by making a drop-step lay-up off the glass which he was also fouled on, then quickly came back down the floor to hit a fading hook shot from about eight feet out. He hit two more hook shots as the game went on, one of which he used the glass on. Horford has historically had trouble with his touch on finesse post moves outside of five feet, though he did an excellent job with that in this game.
Horford did a good job scoring the ball on offense, though his greatest contribution in this game was on the defensive end, where his versatility allowed him to make big plays for Florida both in the paint and on the perimeter. Horford and teammate Joakim Noah did an excellent job contesting shots in the painted area, often working together on double teams and post fronts to give the opposition fits. Horford refused to give up position in the post and did a good job getting his hands up to contest weak-side drives in the lane. His ability to step up on the perimeter was even more impressive, where he used his wherewithal, length, and lateral quickness to make steals and force turnovers, usually when stepping up to switch on screens. Horford made two key plays with the clock winding down in the game, the first coming at the conclusion of the first half where he stepped out on a screen to contest a would-be three-point buzzer-beater. Then with 25 seconds remaining in the second half with Florida just about sealing the game, Horford went on a one man full court press, sealing off Purdues point guard and forcing the in-bounder to throw a turnover into Lee Humphreys hands.
Horford also made great contributions with his tenacity on the boards, pulling down a lot of tough defensive rebounds in traffic and doing a good job boxing out on both ends. Horford did a good job in the passing game as well, kicking the ball out of the post when he didnt have anything to work with and making an excellent no-look assist out of a double team to teammate Chris Richard for a wide open jam.
Horfords numbers in the box scores havent really improved much this season, but he has improved his stock as an NBA draft prospect by the way hes been getting things done, specifically in regards to his improved mid-range shooting and his touch around the basket, which has noticeably improved in the final weeks of the season and into the tournament. Horford currently projects as a mid-lottery pick in the upcoming draft, and as long as he continues playing the way he has been for the remainder of the tournament, he shouldnt have to worry about waiting long to hear his name called on draft day.