Here are the underclassmen who have officially declared for the 2003 NBA draft.
Carmelo Anthony
College: Syracuse
Class: Freshman | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-8 | Wt: 220
2002-03 Stats: 22.7 ppg | 10.0 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Carmelo Anthony doesn't have anything left to accomplish in college. But in the NBA, he's got to get in better shape to play an 82-game season. Anthony can score at will and from a variety of ways. No one in the NBA is worried about his ability to finish, either. Defense can be disguised if he's slow afoot. He's clearly the best college player, with no second place in sight. He's a lock to go no lower than No. 3 and could move up to No. 2 if a team isn't as thrilled with Darko Milicic.
Draft Projection: Top three in lottery.
Mario Austin
College: Mississippi State
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-9 | Wt: 260
2002-03 Stats: 15.8 ppg | 7.8 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Scouts do like Austin's toughness and desire to get better. He proved that throughout the season. But he's still considered a bit undersized for his position. His game continues to move further from the basket and that could be a good thing if he can play small forward. Workouts will be critical for Austin's draft status.
Draft Projection: Late lottery to mid-first round.
Ronald Blackshear
College: Marshall
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 210
2002-03 Stats: 20.3 ppg | 3.6 rpg
Andy Katz's take: No one is quite sure why he didn't stay in school. There is absolutely no buzz on Blackshear. But he might be able to swing an invite to Chicago. If he gets there then he's got to prove he belongs in this draft. He's a scorer with questionable defensive skills.
Draft Projection: Second round to undrafted.
Chris Bosh
College: Georgia Tech
Class: Freshman | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-10 | Wt: 210
2002-03 Stats: 15.7 ppg | 9.0 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Scouts are in love with Bosh's game and his potential. He should go in the lottery, even though he didn't have a dominating seasons. Bosh had his moments and was one of the top three freshmen big men in the country with Arizona State's Ike Diogu and Boston College's Craig Smith. His shot blocking skills and mid-range game excite nearly every NBA team. He would have had a chance to go even higher next season, but he's still a good bet for the middle of the lottery. Don't be shocked to see him stay in the draft.
Draft Projection: Early to mid lottery.
Ndudi Ebi
High School: Houston Westbury Christian
Class: Senior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-10 | Wt: 195
2002-03 Stats: 23.3 ppg | 11.6 rpg
Andy Katz's take: This was Arizona's worst fear. Ebi has a legitimate chance to go in the first round. Ebi has the skills to tantalize pro scouts. He could still go to Arizona, but the Wildcats will have to wait and see if he's a first-round draft pick. If he is, then he'll stay in the draft. If he's not, then the Wildcats need to make that clear before June 19. Ebi can go through the draft, get picked and still go to college, but an NBA team would own his rights until a year after his eligibility expires.
Draft Projection: Late first to second round.
Andre Emmett
College: Texas Tech
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 229
2002-03 Stats: 21.8 ppg | 6.6 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Emmett could be just testing the draft waters to see how hot he is with the NBA. If he goes to Chicago and excels then he's gone. That would be a crushing blow to Texas Tech next season. Emmett is a sensational scorer but Bob Knight has never been thrilled with his defense. If he improves at that end then he's got a shot to get into the first round at some point. But another season would certainly help his game, not to mention his stock with the NBA.
Draft Projection: Likely in the second round.
Carl English
College: Hawaii
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 205
2002-03 Stats: 19.6 ppg | 5.4 rpg
Andy Katz's take: If he can play the point then English has a chance to go late first round. Scouts are enamored with his shooting touch. Plenty of scouts did check him out in Hawaii and on the mainland. Getting publicity in SI and in the Magazine certainly helped his cause.
Draft Projection: Late first to second round.
Marquis Estill
College: Kentucky
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-9 | Wt: 236
2002-03 Stats: 11.6 ppg | 5.9 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Kentucky was the No. 1 team in the country heading into the NCAA Tournament, but it didn't have a player who was a lock for the first round. The only player who could come close was Estill. He has low-post scoring ability, but he's got to prove in a workout that he's capable of scoring against tough competition every possession. Scouts are still leary of his offensive skills to commit a guaranteed contract. He's a bubble first-round pick.
Draft Projection: Early second round.
T.J. Ford
College: Texas
Class: Sophomore | Position: Guard | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 165
2002-03 Stats: 15.1 ppg | 7.7 apg
Andy Katz's take: The winner of the Wooden and Naismith awards, and ESPN.com's National Player of the Year, Ford is the best point guard in the draft. He could be an instant hit in the pros despite his size and reservations about his shot. He gets into the lane as quickly as any NBA guard. He's a winner, a leader, and one of the best passers entering the NBA in the last couple of seasons. He'll be an instant hit for whichever city he plays.
Draft projection: Mid-lottery
Jarvis Hayes
College: Georgia
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 220
2002-03 Stats: 18.3 ppg | 4.4 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Hayes missed out on a chance to shine in the NCAA Tournament. But he didn't need the publicity. Scouts see him as a true NBA two guard. He's got the ball skills to play far out on the perimeter, owns a mid-range game and can slash to the basket. His stock is soaring.
Draft Projection: Lottery.
LeBron James
High School: St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio)
Class: Senior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-8 | Wt: 210
2002-03 Stats: 30.4 ppg | 9.7 rpg
Andy Katz's take: James is the unquestioned No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft. We have discussed at length why he will go ahead of Carmelo Anthony and Darko Milicic. But the obvious reason is this: he can deliver dollars. James will put people in the seats and sell jerseys and anything else. He's also the most versatile player in the draft. He can play point, big guard, or small forward. He has been a great scorer in high school, even though his shot has been questionable at times. But his best attribute might be his passing. His court vision has been tremendous and he's the type of player who will make everyone better for having played with him. He has an NBA body and mentality to make the jump after playing with pros the past two summers. The only question early will be his ability to handle the hype.
Draft Projection: Overall No. 1 pick
Chris Kaman
College: Central Michigan
Class: Junior | Position: Center | Ht: 7-0 | Wt: 255
2002-03 Stats: 22.4 ppg | 12.0 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Kaman is probably the best low-post player in the draft. He could go as high as No. 4. His stock skyrocketed in the NCAA Tournament, when he had a big game against Creighton and held his own against Duke. Kaman could be another one of those MAC players who will succeed in the NBA.
Draft Projection: Mid-lottery.
James Lang
High School: Central Park Christian High School
Class: Senior | Position: Center | Ht: 6-11 | Wt: 305
2002-03 Stats: N/A
Andy Katz's take: Lang's size scares a number of scouts. He's pushing 315 pounds and never has been able to get his body in shape. Scouts weren't pleased with his work ethic at the McDonald's practices, and saw that he wasn't in the kind of condition to make the jump to the NBA. But Lang is determined to spurn offers for Louisville, Alabama, UAB or Kentucky. He says he's staying in the draft without reservation.
Draft Projection: Second round to undrafted.
Antonio Lawrence
College: San Jose State
Class: Freshman | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 190
2002-03 Stats: 11.3 ppg | 6.2 rpg
Andy Katz's take: This is a major mistake by Lawrence. He's simply not good enough to be selected, and he had the potential if he stayed in school and worked on his game. But scouts need a lot more convincing before they would select Lawrence. Apparently, there are financial issues for Lawrence, but being unemployed and not going to school doesn't seem like good options. Lawrence could be headed for a hard road in trying to be a pro.
Draft Projection: Undrafted.
Ricky Minard
College: Morehead State
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 195
2002-03 Stats: 22.5 ppg | 6.2 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Minard was the Ohio Valley Conference player of the year and a 20-plus point scorer. But the 6-4 guard has a lot of catching up to do to impress the NBA teams. He flew under the radar and would need to prove that he could score against the other top players in the country. He could still return to Morehead but he's got to get to Chicago to ensure that testing the draft process was worth the trouble. NBA teams haven't been enamored by low major big time scorers in the past
Draft Projection: Second round to undrafted.
Travis Outlaw
High school: Starkville HS
Class: Senior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-8 | Wt: 195
2002-03 Stats: N/A
Andy Katz's take: Upon further review, Travis Outlaw could fall anywhere from the second to the fourth high school player in the first round. Scouts aren't as enamored with him as they were a month ago. They do love his athleticism but he still needs to develop and mature as a basketball player, but if he works out and wows the scouts then that may influence his decision. He doesn't have to leave, and could still go to Mississippi State. Outlaw comes from a solid home and there is no pressure to bolt too early. But his stock is high enough to look at the draft.
Draft Projection: Late first round to mid second.
Kendrick Perkins
High School: Ozen (Beaumont, Texas)
Class: Senior | Position: Center | Ht: 6-10 | Wt: 285
2002-03 Stats: N/A
Andy Katz's take: Perkins is a load inside, but the jury is still out as to whether he's ready to make the jump. Perkins was considered a lock for the draft when he was a junior, but scouts cooled on him last summer. He needs to be impressive during workouts to ensure he's in the right physical shape to be a first-round pick. Memphis doesn't have to sweat losing him just yet.
Draft Projection: Late first to middle of the second round.
Brian Polk
College: Temple
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 210
2002-03 Stats: 12.9 ppg | 4.5 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Polk is declaring for the draft because he's not eligible next season. He's unlikely to get a sniff from NBA scouts and probably won't get invited to the Chicago pre-draft camp. His best hope is that someone gives him a shot during the summer league and he can earn his way into the 'D' league. But even that is a long shot.
Draft Projection: Undrafted
Josh Powell
College: North Carolina State
Class: Sophomore | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-9 | Wt: 210
2002-03 Stats: 12.0 ppg | 5.2 rpg
Andy Katz's take: If Powell just wants the free trip to Chicago for the pre-draft camp, then he's making the right decision. That's if he gets invited. If he stays in the draft, with or without the Chicago trip, then he needs to re-examine his priorities. He's not too high on scout's lists. Testing and not diving into the draft waters is OK for now.
Draft Projection: Second round to undrafted.
Rick Rickert
College: Minnesota
Class: Sophomore | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-11 | Wt: 216
2002-03 Stats: 15.6 ppg | 6.2 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Scouts either like him or can't stand his game. He's a wiry fellow and strength is a major concern. Whether he is passionate is also in play here. Rickert has to get to Chicago to prove he can be aggressive. The NBA is skeptical of his game and he's got a lot to prove because he's far from a lock. But that doesn't mean he'll slip out of the first round.
Draft Projection: Late first to second round.
Luke Ridnour
College: Oregon
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 175
2002-03 Stats: 19.7 ppg | 6.6 apg
Andy Katz's take: He started the season as the best point guard in the country. He ended it as Pac-10 player of the year, but down a few point guard pegs nationally from Texas' T.J. Ford. Ridnour has to show he can handle being banged around. He doesn't exactly fill out the uniform. If he wows NBA teams in workouts then he's got a lottery spot. Otherwise, he'll slide down.
Draft Projection: Mid-first round, just outside the lottery.
Theron Smith
College: Ball State
Class: Senior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-8 | Wt: 225
2001-02 Stats: 19.6 ppg | 10.9 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Smith tried to stay in the draft last season but tore his ACL during a workout with the Raptors. He played the first two games of the 2002-03 season before redshirting the rest of his senior year. He's giving up a fifth year of eligibility by declaring early, but if he can show his knee is 100 percent, teams will take a chance on him. But he's more likely a second round pick, even though he can score at will when healthy.
Draft Projection: Second round.
Michael Sweetney
College: Georgetown
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-8 | Wt: 260
2002-03 Stats: 22.8 ppg | 10.4 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Sweetney can score, no matter where he is in the lane. But the questions remain can he do it in the NBA? He was beating up on smaller or thinner players in the Big East and elsewhere. Scouts want to see him go against players just as tough as he is to make a final decision. Workouts will be a huge selling point with him.
Draft Projection: Late lottery.
Dwyane Wade
College: Marquette
Class: Junior | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 210
2002-03 Stats: 21.5 ppg | 6.3 rpg
Andy Katz's take: Wade became one of the best scoring guards in college basketball this past season. Scouts see him as a true two-guard and a likely mid-lottery selection. Wade also showed leadership skills and his versatility as a scorer for Marquette. The one knock from scouts: They're not sure how well Wade can put the ball on the floor.
Draft Projection: Mid-lottery.
Doug Wrenn
College: Washington
Class: Junior | Position: Forward | Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 215
2002-03 Stats: 12.4 ppg | 5.8 rpg
Andy Katz's take: No one is talking about Wrenn. He can score and maybe his game is better suited for the NBA, but he has yet to show he can be consistent. His lack of staying power at a school doesn't help his cause, either. Interviews will be just key with Wrenn as his workouts. But he's got a long way to go to secure a spot in this draft.
Draft Projection: Late second round to undrafted.
Maurice Williams
College: Washington
Class: Sophomore | Position: Guard | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 183
2002-03 Stats: 16.4 ppg | 3.9 apg
Andy Katz's take: Williams has a shot to get into the first round, but he has to play well in Chicago. If he goes and sees that he's not ready and returns to school, then this won't be so bad. But Williams could go much higher if he returns next season. Williams didn't have as good a season as a sophomore. He was on a high after his freshman season but the scouts wanted to see more from him. They'd like him to go back to school and prove he can be more of a consistent player.
Draft Projection: Late first to early second round.
