EXPERT ANALYSIS

"Richard Hamilton greatly improved his draft position by staying in school for his junior season and showing his big-time ability in the NCAA Tournament, where he was brilliant. Hamilton is a two-guard who can really score, somewhat in the mode of Milwaukees Ray Allen, although Hamilton does not attack the basket as hard as Allen. Hamilton can get his own shot. He has excellent range on his perimeter jumper, and his ability to hit that shot sets up a stellar mid-range game. He has a great shot fake and maintains balance very well so that he can keep defenders off-balance. Hamilton has a very good first step, and loves to get into the lane and bury the pull-up jumper or the runner. He runs the court very well and often leaks out early. Hamilton can score -- in fact, he may be the most effortless scorer in the draft. Defensively, he needs to improve, including adding strength to compete more effectively off the ball and on the glass. Although he is wiry, Hamilton has put up numbers against physical defenders on the college level, and should do the same in the pros. The questions: Will he be strong enough to get his own shot against bigger defenders? Can he endure a pounding when taking the ball to the basket to finish at the rim?" -- ESPN's Jay Bilas

College: Connecticut
Height: 6-6
Weight: 185 pounds
Position: Guard / Forward
Age: 21 (Feb. 14, 1978)
Birthplace: Coatesville, Pa.

Career highlights