Spring Break
Rose, Beasley Lead NBA Draft Class
NCAA Basketball
Rajiv Leventhal
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Sports
Unlike Rose, Michael Beasley had a season that few freshmen could ever match statistically. The Kansas State forward averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds per game in a very tough Big 12 conference. Beasley dominated from the start, scoring 32 points and grabbing 24 boards in his first collegiate game. He went on to record a double-double in 29 of the 33 games he played.
Beasley has an offensive arsenal as versatile as any in the college game. He scores mostly in the paint, but at 6-foot-10, Beasley has the unique ability to step outside as well, shooting 53 percent from the field and 38 percent from downtown this year. Beasley has NBA athleticism and ability, and could be a great shot-blocker at the next level too.
His draft stock probably fell a little bit towards the end of the season when his Wildcats struggled, losing six of their last nine games. Scouts say he doesn't yet have the qualities of a winning player and doesn't really have a true position. But in my mind, his ability to play either forward position is a positive, not negative, and he shouldn't be punished for his team struggling at the end when he did everything possible to carry them there. Whether he is the first or second pick of the draft, Beasley will prove to be a special player in the years to come.
While Beasley and Rose get all the attention as the top two players in the draft, O.J. Mayo has been falling under the radar despite having the most individual talent of the three. Mayo is known as a selfish player with possible character issues, but that doesn't make him any different from 90 percent of NBA players today.
What matters is that Mayo can flat-out play. At 6-foot-5, Mayo can play either guard position, has a great handle, can beat you off the dribble and has deep NBA range. Mayo got better as the season went on in terms of playing unselfish basketball and getting his teammates at USC involved. But make no mistake - he has the ability to light up the scoreboard and take over a game by making shots. The best part about Mayo might be his body control and capability to take contact in the lane - something that separates him from most other college players.
Beasley has an offensive arsenal as versatile as any in the college game. He scores mostly in the paint, but at 6-foot-10, Beasley has the unique ability to step outside as well, shooting 53 percent from the field and 38 percent from downtown this year. Beasley has NBA athleticism and ability, and could be a great shot-blocker at the next level too.
His draft stock probably fell a little bit towards the end of the season when his Wildcats struggled, losing six of their last nine games. Scouts say he doesn't yet have the qualities of a winning player and doesn't really have a true position. But in my mind, his ability to play either forward position is a positive, not negative, and he shouldn't be punished for his team struggling at the end when he did everything possible to carry them there. Whether he is the first or second pick of the draft, Beasley will prove to be a special player in the years to come.
While Beasley and Rose get all the attention as the top two players in the draft, O.J. Mayo has been falling under the radar despite having the most individual talent of the three. Mayo is known as a selfish player with possible character issues, but that doesn't make him any different from 90 percent of NBA players today.
What matters is that Mayo can flat-out play. At 6-foot-5, Mayo can play either guard position, has a great handle, can beat you off the dribble and has deep NBA range. Mayo got better as the season went on in terms of playing unselfish basketball and getting his teammates at USC involved. But make no mistake - he has the ability to light up the scoreboard and take over a game by making shots. The best part about Mayo might be his body control and capability to take contact in the lane - something that separates him from most other college players.
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