Beasley's The Best Wing

There aren't many shooting guards, per se, available to NBA teams on Draft night June 26. But there are plenty of "wing-types" and here is a look at the very best of them.

There aren’t a lot of “pure” shooting guard-prospects in the 2008 NBA Draft pool.

So I’ve grouped the shooting (or “two”) guards into the same category with the small forwards (“3”) in the next rundown on the prospects likely to go in the first round or in the early to mid-range of the second round on June 26.

Here are the Top 12 prospects in this category:

(*Size and weight, without shoes, as measured at the Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando)

Michael Beasley (*6-7, 239, Kansas State)

Frank Says: One of two best prospects in this draft pool and a solid choice to be Greg Oden’s top competition for 2009 Rookie of the Year honors. He’ll average from 18 to 22 points and from eight to 10 rebounds per game next season.

Projection: No. 1 or 2.

Eric Gordon (*6-2, 222, Indiana)

Frank Says: Didn’t close well at all down the stretch in Bloomington and some veteran and well-respected draft analysts believe there will be “slippage” on the evening of June 26 for the prospect the majority of scouts rate as the best “pure” shooting guard-type in the draft.

Projection: Mid- to late-lottery.

Danilo Gallinari (6-8, 215, Italy)

Frank Says: I haven’t seen him play and (justifiably, most would agree) have become leery of overseas prospects accompanied by loads of internet hype. But several guys who evaluate NBA talent for a living (and, likewise have become leery of overseas players) believe he has the skills and mental makeup to be a high-level producer on the NBA level.

Projection: Mid- to late-lottery.

Anthony Randolph (*6-9, 197, LSU)

Frank Says: In terms of innate physical gifts, may trail just Derrick Rose and Beasley as a 2008 prospect. But most evaluators don’t quite buy the comparisons to Chris Bosh and many think he’s two to three years away from playing on a regular basis in the NBA.

Projection: Mid- to late-lottery.

Joe Alexander (*6-7 1/4 , 220, West Virginia)

Frank Says: He’s more of “facing post” than true wing right now but he is still highly regarded across the board in scouting circles. Like Russell Westbrook, he’s another player that no one pegged as a 2008 draft choice a year ago.

Projection: No. 10 to 15.

Chase Budinger (6-7, 205, Arizona)

Frank Says: His workouts with clubs haven’t been overwhelming but his stock is still such that he almost certainly isn’t going to be playing for the Wildcats as a junior. Athletically, he stacks up with any other 2008 prospect. But his assertiveness and questions about his commitment on the defensive end of the floor will keep from being chosen as early as his physical skills would seem to dictate.

Projection: No. 12 to 20.

Nicolas Batum (6-8, 200, France)

Frank Says: Here’s another player, like Budinger, whose assertiveness/aggressiveness are subjects for debate among NBA decision makers. But his fluidity, explosiveness and scoring skills, and his relatively young age (19), will make his selection awfully tempting on June 26.

Projection: No. 12 to 20.

Chris Douglas-Roberts (6-6, 205, Memphis)

Frank Says: Most scouts aren’t sure he shoots it well enough to be a two guard and doubt if he is big enough to guard the “big” wings in the league on a regular basis. But he is as competitive as anyone in the draft, handles well with either hand, has a tremendous mid-range game and is more than explosive enough.

Projection: No. 20 to 30.

Brandon Rush (6-6, 205, Kansas)

Frank Says: Many scouts have a tough time separating he and Douglas-Roberts as prospect as both are about the same size and possess the same (relative) vertical explosiveness and quickness. But Rush is probably a more reliable jump shooter off the catch while Douglas-Roberts is a bit better off the dribble.

Projection: No. 20 to 30.

Donte Greene (6-9, 205, Syracuse)

Frank Says: He’s not a true post or a true wing. He’s got a lot of range on his jump shoot but wasn’t consistent last season, in large part but his shot selection wasn’t the best. Anyone taking him in the first round would be doing strictly on his “upside”.

Projection: No. 25 to 30.

Kyle Weaver (6-5, 190, Washington State)

Frank Says: There are supposedly three or four teams considering selecting him near the end of the first round. There aren’t many backcourt prospects in the draft with his versatility. His commitment on the defensive end (a la Russell Westbrook and Mario Chalmers) is very enticing to general managers and personnel directors.

Projection: Late first to early second round.

Wayne Ellington (6-4, 190, North Carolina)

Frank Says: The deadline to withdraw from the draft is Monday and his decision is one of those that will be most anticipated. He has oodles of offensive savvy and has dependable range if not exceptional consistency on his jump shot.

Projection: Late first to early second round.

Others who could be in play on June 26: Bill Walker (6-5, 220, Kansas State); Jamont Gordon (6-3, 210, Mississippi State); Sonny Weems (*6-4, 193, Arkansas); Gary Forbes (*6-4 ½, 221); Courtney Lee (6-5, 205, Western Kentucky); Joe Crawford (*6-3, 213); Pat Calathes (*6-8 ¾, 204, Saint Joseph’s); Malik Hairston (*6-4 ¼, 204, Oregon); Shan Foster (*6-4, 195, Vanderbilt); J.R. Giddens (*6-4, 208, New Mexico); Robert Vaden (*6-3 ½, 199, UAB); Mark Tynsdale (*6-2 ¾, 217, Temple).