92 Power Forwards

[Zyme]

Top 5 1992 Power Forwards:

Clarence Weatherspoon B+ C C- B B D

Super strong prospect out of the University of Southern Missippi. Nobody, not even Shaq could slow him down last year. Even at 6'6" 240, he knows how to score over much much larger players. He has well earned his nickname of "Baby Barkley" as he is one of the most exciting players to enter the league in a long time. This kid can ball. Scouts agree that anyone who drafts him will be getting a player with an unlimited motor that can be a first option for any squad. His biggest issue is his motor: it only extends to the court. When the bright lights go on he is there and one of the most exciting players you will see, but when he leaves the court, he wants to have his pie and eat it too. He doesn't do a good job during the off-season and takes him some time to get back into shape and regain his match fitness. This has alarmed scouts and while they are convinced he would be an asset to any team, they are not sure his lack of work ethic off the court will allow him to hold up for long.

Christian Laettner B B- C- C+ B- A

Duke ended its long collegiate nighmare with sweet revenge on UNLV in the round of 32. They proceeded to go on to demolish every challenger en route to Duke's first National Championship in the tourney this year. While Grant Hill played a large part holding down the defensive wing, the engine that made it all work was Laettner. He was a consensus all-american and played mostly C with some PF mixed in. He has incredable touch from the outside for his position and scouts drool over his lithe 6'11" frame. To many, he is the great white hope since the departure of Bird this had broken scouts into two camps. While he played the 5 in college, most feel his best position is the 4. He is strong enough to play the 5 but his quickness leads a very vocal majority that SF my be his best position. No matter where he ends up, Christian looks destined for stardom.

Adam Keefe C+ C- D+ C- B A

While the centers may be getting a lot of attention for their proficiency at rebounding the basketball this class, the most polished of this glass-cleaning lot is to be found in a Stanford man. The California native has a well built 6'9" frame and scouts believe he has plenty of room to build on his frame. While the Stanford Reds made an early exit to Alabama in the opening round, Keefe was the stablizing figure in the middle of the team and led team. Leading the Pac-10 in rebounding, he earned a unanimous all conference 1st team selection. While his rebounding is first rate, and his scoring is not bad either, his defending leave much to be desired. Alabama torched him in the post, and he was only able to come up with a fingertip block on a much smaller matchup. Great upside and his rebounding will give him a home for a long time to come.

Mark Strickland B- C D+ C+ C+ B

Very polished finisher out of Temple. He led the Atlantic-10 in scoring and was named to the All-conference 1st team. He has great body control is a good set of high post moves to keep defenders from sagging off. He does a great job cashing in from the charity stripe. While he has good size at 6'9", his 210 lb frame concerns scouts that he may get exposed by the stronger finishers like Barkley upon entering the league. Scouts believe he can weather these growing pains and think he should add strength without sacrificing his great lateral quickness. While only a mid-major prospect, his consistent performance 3 years straight in the tourney elevate his stature in the eyes of scouts as he acquitted him self honorably against the fab 5 in Michigan.

Robert Horry C+ B C B- C A

While Webb got a lot of the attention for the Crimson Tide with his scoring averages, when they needed big shot Horry was the one taking it. He is a high post and cornerman as his spot up jumper from the corner is top shelf. In adition, while he doesn't play the best defense on the block, he recovers off of screens quite well and has the speed to keep up when put into rotation. His rebounding skills may limit his playing time at the next level, and while having enough pace for the power forward slot, may struggle against quicker wings if slotted at the 3. While he may be stuck between positions, his quick trigger and decent overall defense coupled with his 6'10", 220 frame make most scouts think he has plenty of room to grow, but may not ever find a true position if he cannot work on his footwork while boxing out.

Other Power Forward Prospects:

Tom Gugliotta B- C C C+ B- A

If you were to cast a mold for a PF, Gougliatta would pop out. 6'10", 240 he played for NC State. He played well this year, but only recieved honorable mention in the all conference selection with names like Leattner ahead of him snagging the top billing. The other problem was he was the only decent option on his team, leading to him ending up with trying to do everything himself. 16/8/2 games were not uncommon but he usually joined this with 3-4 TOs as well. He did not have many turnovers at the combine with the better competition so scouts think this may have been a product of bad teammates and less on carelessness. Scouts believe his play with inferior teammates may have stifled his development as the lack of competition at his position may have led him to be a little on the lazy side. He really need to be pushed to achieve his potential and may need to come off the bench to light a fire.

Reggie Slater C+ C C C+ C+ B

Very quick post man and the best player to ever come out of the Univerisy of Wyoming. While the team as a whole was not good enough to make even the NIT, don't fault Slater. He bumped and ground his way to conference MVP. He has outstanding strength and his ability to recover off of a pick is nothing short of outstanding. Scouts think his lack of exposure to better competition never forced him to develop beyond a rudimentary post game and it may limit his development.

Popeye Jones C C- D+ C+ C+ A

Another small school prospect out of Murray State. Popeye had an outstanding season, earning unanimous All-Confernce honors, and conference tital and a first round upset of SEC squad Arkansas. While Memphis State was too much to overcome in the round of 16, scouts loved how he shut down his matchup and collected any loose board that came free. While his offense is a work in progress (he only ten points from the field in the entire combine) scouts were drooling on what he could do if his skills were cultivated correctly. He needs to get into the weight room, but scouts think he has one of highest upsides in the class.

Matt Fish C+ C C- C+ C+ B

Freak of an athlete out of North Carolina at Wilmington. He is large and quick. Despite this size, scouts think he may find a home as more of a stretch 4 and a move to SF may be beneficial where his strength may be better served and good rebounding will be as well. Scouts think he played too upright and didn't gamble enough, but this did keep him out of foul trouble. Solid, not spectacular potential.

Marlon Maxey C+ C- D- C+ C+ A

Very quick hands. This Don Haskins disciple out of El Paso was one of the peskiest defenders in the nation last year. He led all big men in takeaways and his solid play on the low block frustrated many an opponent. His inside game is decent but not exceptional. Upon leaving the combine, scouts raved how he oozes the Haskins' take not prisoner, don't back down attitude. The work ethic beaten into him by such a hard-noses coach is evident for all to see, great upside.

LaPhonso Ellis B- C- C- B- B- B

NBA ready player out of basketball powerhouse Notre Dame. He has one of the most complete skillsets of anyone not named Witherspoon. While scouts don't think he has the work ethic to become of the top players in this class, they like his game and believe that he can step in and deepen the rotation of any contender with his solid all around game. While he will never be a star, he easily will find a place as a 12-16 min man for a long time, great mid-lat round

[duckyoubeavers]

nothing on robert horry?

[Zyme]

Murray moved to sf section, adding horry now, good catch

[dd10snoop28]

Interesting PF class