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UPDATED 6/19
Here are the 2009 NBA Draft Power Forward rankings. Go here for the rest of the 2009 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings.
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Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Height: 6-10. Weight: 248. Year: So.
Projected Selection: 1.
An absolute beast in the post… A man among boys at the collegiate level… Outstanding athleticism, strength, and explosiveness… Good quickness with his post moves showing a nice touch around the paint… Plays at 100 percent all the time… Needs to improve his range from the perimeter and free throw shooting.
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Jordan Hill, Arizona
Height: 6-10. Weight: 234. Year: Jr.
Projected Selection: 5-10.
Long, athletic power forward who has shown continued growth throughout his three years at Arizona… Uses his body well down low… His shot is tough to block in the post because of his length… Improved jump shooter with range out to 15 feet… Great in transition with his ability to run the floor and finish above the rim… Must become more physical and stronger.
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DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
Height: 6-6. Weight: 276. Year: S0.
Projected Selection: 10-16.
A truck on the low block who uses his outstanding strength and length to make up for his lack of ideal size… Has knack for cleaning up the glass… Doesn’t back down against taller opponents… Has a true passion for the game… Decent range on his jumper but needs more consistency… Questions has been raised about possible ailing knee injuries.
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James Johnson, Wake Forest
Height: 6-8. Weight: 257. Year: So.
Projected Selection: 13-21.
Tremendous athletic ability for someone his size… Very strong which makes him lethal around the rim… Good ball-handler which helps his slashing ability… Struggles with his outside game and has limited range from the perimeter, but an improved touch… Solid defender with the potential to be a force.
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Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Height: 6-9. Weight: 234. Year: Sr.
Projected Selection: 16-21.
Has an unbelievable “motor”… Great basketball IQ with a tenacious approach once he steps on the floor… Not a great athlete, but makes up for it with his savvy around the basket and work ethic… Good mid-range game with occassional ability to hit the three… A proven winner… Will be a great energy guy off the bench at the next level.
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Jonas Jerebko, Sweden
Height: 6-9. Weight: 220. Year: 1989.
Projected Selection: late first/early second.
A combo-forward who can play inside or outside… Uses his length to help him inside… Has a nice jump shot and shows solid handles for his size… Isn’t afraid to get dirty and dive for a loose ball… Lacks a certain agressiveness though in attacking the basket.
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Taj Gibson, USC
Height: 6-10. Weight: 214. Year: Jr.
Projected Selection: late first/early second.
Long prospect known more for his rebounding and shot blocking… Has a nice offensive game with a solid set of post moves and decent range on his jump shot… Not a great athlete, but makes up for that with his hustle and intelligence on the floor… Could likely contribute off the bench right away.
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Jeff Pendergraph, Arizona State
Height: 6-10. Weight: 239. Year: Sr.
Projected Selection: late first/early second.
Nice length, athleticism, and strength, but won’t blow you away with any aspect of his game… Shot the ball at a high percentage because most of his baskets came above the rim… His perimeter game is far from polished… Strong rebounder with a knack for finding the ball due to his hard work ethic… Likely nothing more than a role player at the next level.
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Jon Brockman, Washington
Height: 6-7. Weight: 255. Year: Sr.
Projected Selection: second round.
A bruiser on the block who uses his big body to create space… A double-double machine who just has a knack for finding the ball off the glass… Team player in every sense of the word… Average mid-range and back-to-the-basket game… Lacks the ideal size and athleticism for the next level.
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Jeff Adrien, UConn
Height: 6-6. Weight: 236. Year: Sr.
Projected Selection: second round.
Built like a linebacker, Adrien is a very physical but undersized power forward… He uses his strength to his advantage to crash the boards and muscle defenders inside… A good, but not great athlete… His jumper has improved, but his post game is limited… Will have to be an energy guy off the bench to have a future in the NBA.
Other 2009 NBA Draft Power Forward Prospects:
- Robert Dozier, Memphis
- Leo Lyons, Missouri
- Vitor Faverani, Brazil
- Alade Aminu, Georgia Tech
- Chinemelu Elonu, Texas A&M
- Hank Norel, Netherlands
- Ahmad Nivins, St. Joseph’s
- Shawn Taggart, Memphis
- Kevin Rogers, Baylor
- Taylor Griffin, Oklahoma
Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]
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