2009 NBA Draft Rankings: Small Forwards

1. Earl Clark, Louisville
   Height: 6-10. Weight: 228. Year: Jr.
   Projected Selection: 9-15.
   Top-10 potential, but heart has been questioned... Incredibly versatile on the offensive end... Can put the ball on the deck, is explosive around the basket, and has a nice mid-range game... Could potentially be a point forward type player since he has handles... Length is an asset on defense, but is not very physical.
   
   
2. Terrence Williams, Louisville
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 213. Year: Sr.
   Projected Selection: 14-22.
   An all-around talent... Has point guard-type vision/handles... Great slasher... Solid defender who could guard multiple positions... Agressive rebounder... Has a true passion for the game... Improved jump shooter, but still needs to improve his range and shot selection... Fades in and out of games sometimes.
   
   
3. Austin Daye, Gonzaga
   Height: 6-11. Weight: 191. Year: So.
   Projected Selection: 13-26.
   Tremendous athleticism for someone his height... Can stroke it from three-point land, and also has a nice mid-range game... Smooth player with his back to the basket... Great length helps him defensively... Biggest thing holding him back is his rail thin body which will be dominated at the next level.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. DaJuan Summers, Georgetown
   Height: 6-8. Weight: 243. Year: Jr.
   Projected Selection: 19-29.
   Once a lottery prospect, Summers stock fell because of a less than stellar second half of his junior season...Physically gifted athlete with great strength who could play the three or four... Good outside shooter who can also finish at the rim... Can take bigger defenders off the dribble or post up smaller guys... Not a great defender or ball handler.
   
   
5. Chase Budinger, Arizona
   Height: 6-7. Weight: 211. Year: Jr.
   Projected Selection: 16-28.
   Stretches out defenses with his three-point range... Great catch and shooter, but needs to become better at creating his own shot... Former volleyball player so he has great leaping abilities and knows how to finish at the rim... Needs to become more physical and aggressive... Too often disappears during key parts of games.
   
   
6. Sam Young, Pittsburgh
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 222. Year: Sr.
   Projected Selection: 20-30.
   NBA-ready body... Incredibly intelligent player who uses the shot fake better than any player in the college game... Solid shooter with very little arc on his release... Strong finisher but not a great ball-handler or athlete which hurts his ability to get to the rim... Ready to contribute right away.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Omri Casspi, Israel
   Height: 6-9. Weight: 211. Year: 1988.
   Projected Selection: 22-early second round.
   Great work ethic with a "junkyard dog" type mentality... Can play either forward spot... Improved shooter but still room to get better... Decent ball-handler and slasher who knows how to finish inside... Needs to get stronger to compete in the more physical NBA.
   
   
8. Derrick Brown, Xavier
   Height: 6-8. Weight: 224. Year: Jr.
   Projected Selection: late first/early second.
   Can knock down the three ball... Crafty with his back to the basket with a nice repetoire of post moves... Is also effective with his ability to drive to the basket... Tenacious on the defensive end where he uses his length to his advantage... Lacks that edge or go-to mentality.
   
   Other 2009 NBA Draft Small Forward Prospects:
   
   
9. Victor Claver, Spain
10. Danny Green, North Carolina
11. Demarre Carroll, Missouri
12. Dante Cunningham, Villanova
13. Christian Eyenga, Spain
14. Joe Ingles, Australia
15. Emir Preldzic, Serbia
16. Luigi Datome, Italy
17. Paul Harris, Syracuse
18. Lorenzo Wade, San Diego State
19. Nate Miles, Southern Idaho
20. Brandon Costner, N.C. State

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