ESPN.com: NBA - Underclassmen rankings

Now that they've declared and the deadline has passed, where prominent underclassmen will land in next month's NBA draft is the next question. And while it's too early to project exactly which NBA teams will pick which players, we have a pretty good idea where the 58 underclassmen who were on the official list of players eligible to be drafted next month.

ESPN.com will start projecting the NBA draft following the draft lottery Sunday. Until then, we can only rank underclassmen based on their talent and not the needs of the teams picking in the lottery and beyond. The NBA's official list of underclassmen eligible for the draft, which will be released later this week, may also have some effect on the first of several ESPN.com mock drafts leading up to June 27.

So, for now, here is where the underclassmen rank when measured against seniors, foreign players and fellow early entrants in the draft.

Lottery Locks

Kwame Brown
Glynn Academy
(Brunswick, Ga.)
Forward | 6-11 | 250

ESPN.com's Take: Top five pick, could be a candidate for No. 1 overall. Probably drafted ahead of Tyson Chandler as the top power forward. He can catch and shoot facing the basket. Scouts love his footwork and body frame.

Tyson Chandler
Dominguez H.S.
(Compton, Calif.)
Center | 7-1 | 195

ESPN.com's Take: Could go as high as top five. Outstanding athleticism. Has the speed and quickness to run the floor. Has the "hops" and shot-blocking ability. But is he tough enough, yet? Is he a basketball player because it's not a track meet?

Eddy Curry
Thornwood H.S. (South Holland, Ill.)
Center | 6-11 | 290

ESPN.com's Take: Big body, long arms and good hands. He's got Darryl Dawkins-like size. But, his body needs to be in better shape. He's not the most explosive guy, but that could improve with conditioning.

Sagana Diop
Oak Hill Academy
(Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
Center | 7-0 | 310

ESPN.com's Take: True post player with an NBA body and size for his position at next level. Also has good hands. Still, he'll be a project for teams. He hasn't played the game very long. But has the upside worthy to be chosen among first 13 picks.

Eddie Griffin
Seton Hall | Freshman
Forward | 6-9 | 205
2000-01 Stats
17.8 ppg | 10.8 rpg

ESPN.com's Take: A top-five pick. Could be one of the most talented players in the draft as a shot-blocker, who can shoot the ball outside. He has the size NBA scouts love and can run the floor with anyone. Scouts may question his attitude.

Jason Richardson
Michigan St. | Sophomore
Guard | 6-6 | 220
2000-01 Stats
14.7 ppg | 5.9 rpg

ESPN.com's Take: May be the most athletic player in the draft. He's not a great shooter, but he's getting better. Great to the hole and good defender. Ball skills and passing need to improve if he plays shooting guard in NBA.
Rodney White
Charlotte | Freshman
Forward | 6-9 | 230
2000-01 Stats
18.7 ppg | 6.5 rpg

ESPN.com's Take: He's a versatile talent for his size, and can shoot the ball outside. Should be good in the two-man game with the pick and pop. A solid physical specimen for the league. Still a bit of a tweener and his ball skills can still improve

2001 Draft Order

Lottery Teams
1. Washington
2. L.A. Clippers
3. Atlanta
4. Chicago
5. Golden State
6. Vancouver-a
7. New Jersey
8. Cleveland
9. Detroit-b
10. Boston
11. Denver-c
12. Seattle
13. Houston-d (5)
14. Golden State-e
15. Orlando-f
16. Charlotte
17. Toronto
18. Houston (from New York via Phoenix and Orlando)
19. Portland
20. Cleveland (from Miami)
21. Denver (from Phoenix)
22. Houston (from Milwaukee)
23. Orlando (from Dallas)
24. Utah-g
25. Sacramento
26. Philadelphia
27. Vancouver (from L.A. Lakers via New York)
28. San Antonio
a) may be conveyed to Detroit
b) may be conveyed to Houston via Philadelphia, or to Vancouver via Philadelphia and Houston
c) may be conveyed to Boston or Utah
d) may be conveyed to Vancouver, or to Detroit via Vancouver
e) Conveyed from Indiana
f) may be conveyed to Denver
g) may be conveyed to Boston
h) may be conveyed to Atlanta
j) may be conveyed to Detroit

First Round Bound
Here are the players who should get the guaranteed cash that goes to first-round picks:

Gilbert Arenas
College: Arizona
Sophomore | Guard | 6-3 | 188
2000-01 Stats: 16.2 ppg | 47.9 FG %

ESPN.com's Take: Should go somewhere between 20-30, but could move up into the teens with a good month of workouts. He has a scorer's mentality, good stroke and when he wants to he can play defense. A better prospect than teammate Michael Wright, but not at Richardson or Loren Woods' level due to his in-between size, which could limit his rise in the draft.

ESPN.com's Take: Good ball skills for a player his size, can score anywhere on the floor, has nice footwork. Overall strength to go inside and toughness in the low post keeps him out of the lottery, but should land somewhere between the 15th and 25th pick.

Kedrick Brown
College: Okaloosa-Walton CC (Fla.)
Junior | Forward | 6-7 | 225

ESPN.com's Take: If he's impressive in Chicago, has a chance for late first, but he could slip into second round over the next month. Remember, JC players can't withdraw from the draft. Once they declare, they're ineligible for Division I. He has an excellent body and excellent strength. Strong inside player. But does he have enough playing experience at a high-level of competition. Who was the last JC player to make it? It's a big jump.

Sam Clancy
College: USC
Junior | Forward | 6-7 | 240
2000-01 Stats: 17.3 ppg | 7.5 rpg
Middle-to-late first-round pick, but could move out of the first round if he doesn't wow the NBA in workouts. Good inside-out scorer. Very strong rebounder in the mold of a Karl Malone. Became a leader during the second half of the Pac-10 and the NCAA tournaments in leading USC to the Elite Eight. But he's primarily still a college low-post player who needs to get a 3-point shot and face the basket more often.

Jason Collins
College: Stanford
Sophomore | Center | 6-11 | 255
2000-01 Stats: 14.6 ppg | 7.8 rpg | 61.5% FGs

ESPN.com's Take: Should go higher than twin brother, but both could end up in the second round. Better than brother Jarron offensively. He's got more low-post moves, is bigger and has a wider frame to seal off in the post. Even has 3-point range. His knee and wrist injuries are why there is a two-year eligibility gap between the twins. Teams will have to do their homework before drafting him.

Omar Cook
College: St. John's
Freshman | Guard | 6-1 | 190
2000-01 Stats: 15.3 ppg | 3.0 rpg | 8.7 apg.

ESPN.com's Take: Some wonder if he should go back to school, but scouts like his body and game. That makes him a possible first-round pick, but he still could slip into the second round. He has tremendous quickness and the ability to get in the paint. He's got a good strong body. But he still has to improve his shooting and decision making.

Joseph Forte
College: North Carolina
Sophomore | Guard | 6-4 | 185
2000-01 Stats: 20.9 ppg | 6.1 rpg | 3.5 apg

ESPN.com's Take: A big-time scorer who can create on his own, drive to the hoop and has the range to match his scorer's mentality. Should fall in behind Richardson as the second shooting guard picked, somewhere within the middle of the first round. But, he struggled to get his shot off against the U.S. Olympians back in September, and still might be on the small side to be an NBA shooting guard.

Richard Jefferson
College: Arizona
Junior | Forward | 6-7 | 222
2000-01 Stats: 11.3 ppg | 5.4 rpg | 2.7 ast.

ESPN.com's Take: Tremendous athlete, good size for his position, proved in tournament that he can make a shot. Also a great finisher in transition, and a solid defender. Will fall outside the lottery, somewhere between 15th to 20th pick, only because his ball skills need to get better, and he has to continue to work on his shooting. Must improve mid-range shots because NBA isn't always about running and jumping to the rim.

Joe Johnson
College: Arkansas
Sophomore | Guard | 6-8 | 205
2000-01 Stats: 14.2 ppg | 6.4 rpg

ESPN.com's Take: Very skilled, outstanding shooter, who can handle and pass the ball well. Good size for small forward, but could play some shooting guard. His versitility makes him late first-round pick at best. He needs to get stronger and some question toughness and desire. How bad does he want to play hard or does he just want to go through the motions.

Troy Murphy
College: Notre Dame
Junior | Forward | 6-11 | 245
2000-01 Stats: 21.8 ppg | 9.2 rpg | 2.1 ast

ESPN.com's Take: He's a shooter with range and size. A tough player and understands the game and plays very hard. But, he's just not that athletic, which will drop him to the middle to late in the first round. He's not explosive and doesn't have quick feet. He'll be a liability defensively.

ESPN.com's Take: May wind up back at Kentucky before June 20 deadline, but also has a chance to go late in the first round with good month of workouts. Knows how to play the game and can score. Is a little light, but has long arms and could be a tough matchup. A number of scouts, however, don't like his body. He's too thin and has been an inconsistent shooter.

Zach Randolph
College: Michigan State
Freshman | Forward | 6-9 | 270
2000-01 Stats: 10.8 ppg | 6.7 rpg | 2.2 ast.

ESPN.com's Take: Big body, great feel for the game and low-post scorer, who is a good position rebounder and extremely physical. But he's not very explosive. The weight issue could also be a concern. Probably not the quickest or greatest runner on the floor. Look for him to go to a team that can wait for him to develop.

Kenny Satterfield
College: Cincinnati
Sophomore | Guard | 6-2 | 185
2000-01 Stats: 14.4 ppg | 4.7 rpg | 4.9 ast.

ESPN.com's Take: Will stay in the draft this year after declaring and taking his name out of the draft as a freshman. He'll go late in the first roun, or early in the second. A good, solid penetrator with good size for a point guard. Can handle the ball well and is a decent defender. But, he has a questionable shot, moves too often to his left and is too predictable.

Second Round Bound?
Here are the players who as of now aren't among the top 28 players available to NBA teams. Some could make their way into the first round with strong pre-camp workouts, while others could go undrafted. Most, however, will likely hear their name between picks No. 29 and No. 57.

SirValiant Brown
College: George Washington
Sophomore | Guard | 6-1 |158
2000-01 Stats: 17.8 ppg | 2.7 rpg

ESPN.com's Take: His shooting from deep range and ability to create his own shot could make him attractive to NBA teams. But his size says NBA point guard and he hasn't proven skills to run a team.

Back to School

These players have not signed with agents, or dropped out of school, thus still have the option to return to school. ESPN.com would advise each to do so before June 20:
Brandon Armstrong
6-4 | Guard
Pepperdine

He's a smaller two-guard. Is he really a point?
Keith Bogans
6-5 | Guard
Kentucky

Can't play the point and he's too small for shooting guard.
Jamison Brewer
6-5 | Guard Auburn
Probably putting his name in the draft to get his name out there for next season.
Alton Ford
6-7 | Forward
Houston
Still not tested enough. Needs to be more consistent, especially defensively
Jason Gardner
5-10 | Guard
Arizona

Very much on the small side. Handles the ball fine, but would have problems with a big guard.
Jerry Green
6-3 | Guard
UC Irvine

Green is simply testing the process and would be smart to go back to school.
Bobby Simmons
6-7 | Forward
DePaul

He's inconsistent, and hasn't put together an entire season.
Will Solomon
6-1 | Guard
Clemson

He hasn't played point guard, so can he play it at the highest level?
Damien Wilkins
6-6 | Forward
NC State

Position in the NBA might be small forward and he doesn't have the ball skills, shooting range or the athleticism to defend big-time talents at next level.

Ousmane Cisse
High School: St. Jude (Ala.)
Senior | Forward | 6-8 | 250

ESPN.com's Take: He'll go late in the first round, if not the second. A lot will depend on his workouts. He could drop hard. Strength, competitiveness; a warrior on the court. His outside shooting isn't nearly NBA-level. He's a bit undersized and hasn't been tested. Scouts will take a close look at him during workouts.

ESPN.com's Take: Scouts love his upside and natural shot-blocking ability. He's a defensive presence and can get stronger. He has shown improvement from one season to the next. Offensive game is still underdeveloped and will still be a project for the next few seasons.

Maurice Evans
College: Texas
Junior | Guard | 6-5 | 220
2000-01 Stats: 15.6 ppg | 5.3 rpg

ESPN.com's Take: May go undrafted, but scouts love his size and slashing ability. But, he doesn't handle the ball well and isn't a great shooter.

Kirk Haston
College: Indiana
Junior | Center | 6-10 | 230
2000-01 Stats: 19.0 ppg | 8.7 rpg

ESPN.com's Take: Won't last long in the second round. Could work his way onto first-round board with great month of workouts. He has great range. Can shoot it from NBA 3-pointer range, but also has inside-outside scoring ability. Can put the ball on the floor with good hands. He could, however, be a defensive liability at next level. Not quite sure if he's a small forward or power forward. Can he guard NBA small forwards to match his offensive game.

ESPN.com's Take: Can't return to school. He's a second-round pick at best only because of his shot-blocking ability and teams can't teach size. Also a legit athlete. But he really doesn't know how to play the game yet, and hasn't utilized his natural talent.

Tony Key
High School: Centennial (Compton, Calif.)
Senior | Center | 7-1 | 230

ESPN.com's Take: Didn't finish high school, so college really wasn't an option. The NBA may not bail him out. But second-round flyer isn't out of the question. He's big, and has potential because of his size and raw skill. But, he hasn't had any big-time competition to gauge him against. Not sure how good he can become over the next three years.

D.A. Layne
College: Georgia
Junior | Guard | 6-0 | 190
2000-01 Stats: 16.8 ppg | 3.0 rpg | 3.5 apg

ESPN.com's Take: May have too high of an opinion of himself, because he isn't a true point guard and too small to be a two-guard at the next level. He can score, either as a shooter or slasher. Just doesn't have a true position at next level.

Gerald Wallace
College: Alabama
Freshman | Forward | 6-7 | 210
2000-01 Stats: 9.8 ppg | 6.0 rpg | 1.5 ast.

ESPN.com's Take: Season at Alabama showed flaws in his game. Remains a great athlete and big-time transition player. The upside of course is that he's young. But, he just can't shoot and his ball skills are weak. Understanding of the game isn't there yet, either. Averaged six points in the SEC, shot 17 percent on 3s.

Michael Wright
College: Arizona
Junior | Forward | 6-7 | 238
2000-01 Stats: 15.6 ppg | 7.8 rpg | 59% FGs

ESPN.com's Take: A strong, inside presence and with a nose for the basketball. He'll play hard, aggressive interior defense and loves to rebound. He's a perfect college basketball power forward, but he's probably undersized for the position in the NBA. Not comfortable guarding out on the perimeter and his range doesn't go past 10 feet.

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