Here's a brief glimpse of the local NBA Draft prospects and their stats in comparison to Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.
COREY BREWER FORWARD FLORIDA
HGT: 6-9 WGT: 185 AGE: 21
LAST SEASON: 490 PTS (13.2), 172 REB (4.6), 109 AST (2.9), 69 STLS (1.9)
CAREER (3 YRS): 1,225 PTS (12.5), 469 REB (4,3), 300 AST (2.8), 176 STLS (1.6)
Brewer left Florida a year early after being named the Most
Outstanding Player of the N-C-A-A Final Four. He averaged 16 points
in his final two games to help the Gators win their second straight
Brewer averaged 13 points, four-point-six rebounds and
two-point-nine assists in 37 games last season, earning him a spot
on the All-S-E-C First Team. He led Florida with one-point-nine
steals per game, fourth-best in the conference.
The six-nine Brewer was a second-team all conference as a
sophomore and left Florida after averaging eleven-point-three
points and four-point-three rebounds. He is number-one among
Florida players in N-C-A-A tournament scoring with 198 points.
Brewer is an outstanding defensive player and a tough
competitor. He excels in the transition game and has expanded the
range of his jumper. Brewer averaged nearly 36 percent from beyond
the arc at Florida, hitting 99 of his 278 attempts.
MIKE CONLEY JR. GUARD OHIO STATE
HGT: 6-1 WGT: 180 AGE: 19
LAST SEASON AND CAREER: 441 PTS (11.3), 134 REB (3.4), 238 AST (6.1)
Conley had an outstanding freshman season at Ohio State before
entering the draft, averaging eleven-point-three points,
six-point-one assists and two-point-two steals in 39 games. He was
named to the All-Big Ten First Team by the media and all-conference
Second Team by coaches.
Conley helped the Buckeyes reach the N-C-A-A title game, bailing
out the team when fellow freshman Greg Oden struggled during the
tourney. He averaged 16 points, four-point-eight assists, two
steals and five rebounds in the six N-C-A-A tourney games,
including 20 points, six assists and four steals in the title game.
The six-one Conley displayed a smoothness and maturity not often
seen from freshman. His quickness and penetrating ability make him
an offensive threat, while his quickness allows him to stop
penetrating guards. Conley also knows when to shoot and when to
pass. But his size could hamper his ability to defend bigger point
KEVIN DURANT FORWARD TEXAS
HGT: 6-9 WGT: 225 AGE: 18
LAST SEASON AND CAREER: 903 PTS (25.8), 390 REB (11.1), 67 BK (1.9)
Durant was a highly decorated freshman, earning National Player
of the Year honors from The Associated Press, N-A-B-C, U-S-B-W-A
and The Sporting News. He also became the first freshman to capture
the Rupp, Naismith and Wooden Awards, doing it after leading the
Big 12 in scoring, rebounds, and blocks.
Durant last season averaged 25-point-eight points,
eleven-point-one rebounds and one-point-nine blocks while
displaying an accurate shot. He fired at a 47 percent clip from the
field, including a 40-percent mark from three-point-range.
Durant set single-season school and conference records with 908
points, ranking him second among freshmen in N-C-A-A history. He
also broke a school record with 390 rebounds, third all-time for an
The 6'9'' Durant is an explosive player who had 20
double-doubles last season. He has excellent shooting range and
seems to have the natural instincts that should make him a special
N-B-A player. His passing ability may be the only significant
concern as he enters the N-B-A.
AL HORFORD FORWARD/CENTER FLORIDA
HGT: 6-10 WGT: 245 AGE: 21
LAST SEASON: 502 PTS (13.2), 360 REB (9.5), 82 AST (2.2), 70 BK (1.8)
CAREER (3 YRS): 1,123 PTS (10.3), 864 REB (7.9), 187 AST (1.7), 189 BK (1.7)
Horford set career highs for points, rebounds and assists last
season, averaging 13-point-two points, nine-point-five boards and
two-point-two assists to help Florida win its second straight
national championship. He was named to the N-C-A-A Final Four team
his sophomore and junior seasons before leaving the Gators a year
The six-ten Horford was named a Third Team All-America by The
Associated Press last season. He posted 16 double-doubles,
including an 18-point, 12-rebound performance in the S-E-C title
game that earned him tournament M-V-P honors. Horford closed out
his college career with 18 points and 12 rebounds against Ohio
State in the N-C-A-A championship game.
Horford can dominate the boards at times, using his 245-pound
frame to block out and gain leverage. He also handles and
distributes the ball well for a big man. But he needs to expand his
shooting repertoire in the paint and improve his free throw
JOAKIM (JOH'-kihm) NOAH FORWARD/CENTER FLORIDA
HGT: 6-11 WGT: 232 AGE: 22
LAST SEASON: 479 PTS (12.0), 337 REB (8.4), 90 AST (2.3), 72 BK (1.8)
CAREER (3 YRS): 1,124 PTS (10.6), 678 REB (6.3), 185 AST (1.7), 186 BK (1.7)
Noah was a key player in Florida's back-to-back championship
seasons, averaging 13 points and eight rebounds over his sophomore
and junior seasons. He was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2006
N-C-A-A Tournament Final Four, averaging 14 points and five blocks.
Noah set a title-game record with six rejections in the 2006 finale
The six-eleven Noah was named to the All-S-E-C First Team his
last two years with the Gators before entering the draft a year
early. He is second in school history in field goal percentage and
blocks but is just 34th in points.
Noah's scoring went down last season while his rebounding went
up. He had 479 points and 337 rebounds as a junior after netting
552 points and 278 boards in 2006.
Noah's game seemed to lag at times last season, but he was in
top form during the S-E-C and N-C-A-A tourneys. He had 17 points,
eight rebounds, four blocks and five steals in the S-E-C title game
last March. He usually plays with great enthusiasm and has good
instincts but has room for improvement on offense.
GREG ODEN CENTER OHIO STATE
HGT: 7-0 WGT: 250 AGE: 19
LAST SEASON AND CAREER: 501 PTS (15.7), 306 REB (9.6), 105 BK (3.2)
Oden played as advertised in his only season at Ohio State after
entering as one of the most heralded freshmen in college basketball
history. He averaged 15-point-seven points, nine-point-six rebounds
and three-point-two blocks while helping the Buckeyes get to the
N-C-A-A championship game. He posted 14 double-doubles and blocked
at least four shots in 17 games.
The seven-foot Oden landed on The Associated Press First Team
and was a Wooden All-American. He also was named the Big Ten
Freshman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and First Team
Oden left school after finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds and
four blocks against Florida in the N-C-A-A title game.
Oden joined LeBron James as the only high school players to
repeat as Gatorade National Player of the Year. He had
one-thousand-873 points, one-thousand-58 rebounds and 341 blocks
for Lawrence High School in Indianapolis.
Oden can be a dominant big man who can alter a game on both ends
of the court. He is an aggressive defensive player and a tremendous
presence in the paint, although he appears uncomfortable playing
with his back to the basket.
AL THORNTON FORWARD FLORIDA STATE
HGT: 6-8 WGT: 220 AGE: 23
LAST SEASON: 690 PTS (19.7), 251 REB (7.2), 53 STL (1.5), 40 BK (1.1)
CAREER: 1,521 PTS (11.9), 641 REB (5.2), 103 STL (0.8), 74 BK (0.6)
Thornton led the A-C-C in scoring last season with
19-point-seven points a game. He shot 53 percent from the field as
a senior, including 44 percent from three-point range. Thornton
also averaged a career-high seven-point-two rebounds last season
after pacing Florida State in scoring the previous campaign.
Thornton was named a Third Team All-America by The Associated
Press last season. He landed on the All-A-C-C Second Team in 2006
after averaging 16 points and seven boards.
The six-eight Thornton made tremendous strides after his
sophomore season, becoming a versatile scorer and a strong outside
threat. Thornton shot 52 percent or better in each of his four
years at F-S-U. He's an average ball handler and needs to play
BRANDAN WRIGHT FORWARD NORTH CAROLINA
HGT: 6-9 WGT: 205 AGE: 19
LAST SEASON AND CAREER: 545 PTS (14.7), 229 REB (6.2), 36 STL (1.0), 65 BK (1.8)
Wright entered the draft after one season at North Carolina. He
broke the A-C-C single-season freshman record with a .646 shooting
percentage while averaging 14-point-seven points and six-point-two
rebounds. Wright finished second on the Tar Heels in scoring and
rebounds, and became the fifth freshman to be named the M-V-P of
the A-C-C tournament.
The six-nine Wright was the A-C-C Rookie of the Year and an
all-conference Second Team selection. He was named to the N-C-A-A
All-East Regional Team after averaging 12-point-eight points and
seven boards in the four games.
Wright is a force near the basket and is fluid running the
boards. But he needs to show more intensity and improve on his
THADDEUS YOUNG FORWARD GEORGIA TECH
HGT: 6-8 WGT: 220 AGE: 19
LAST SEASON AND CAREER: 445 PTS (14.4), 151 REB (4.9), 63 AST (2.0), 40 STL (1.3)
Young is in the N-B-A draft after just one season at Georgia
Tech. He averaged over 14 points, nearly five rebounds and two
assists for the Yellow Jackets last season. He ranked 15th in the
A-C-C in scoring and hit 42 percent of his 93 three-point tries.
The six-eight Young was a McDonald's All-America selection and a
Second Team Parade All-American following his senior season at
Mitchell High School in Memphis. He averaged nearly 27 points and
14 rebounds as a senior in leading Mitchell to the Class Double-A
Young is a versatile offense threat who can drive inside or
drain a three. He can defend the opposing small and power forwards
with equal ability. Although his strength and ballhandling skills
are lacking, his work ethic is strong enough for him to improve on
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)