Josh Akognon, Cal State Fullerton
Akognon can score and that’s about it, which is not great for a guy that probably won’t hit the 6-foot barrier, but he showed Wisconsin that when he is scoring he can be loads of fun. Unfortunately “loads of fun” does not mean he’ll get drafted.
Alonzo Gee, Alabama
Gee just doesn’t have the basketball skills and hasn’t shown the progression from his freshman year that he needs to get drafted. His shooting ability only seems to be getting worse and even if he’s a good athlete that cannot overcome the lack of basketball ability at the next level.
Kalen Grimes, Missouri
Grimes is a guy that only declared for the draft because he has no where else to go. He is also the guy that taught us the important lesson that “Dairy Queen” + “early morning hours” + “the butt of a shotgun” + “some dude’s face” = “end of college basketball career”.
George Hill, IUPUI
It’s a shame Hill isn’t a few inches taller because that would do wonders for his stock. As it is he’s a 6-2 do it all guard that turns it over too much to be a point but he certainly shoots well enough to be a decent combo guard (and he’s a very good rebounder for his size as well). If anything he’s a second round pick this year but he’s really an outstanding player.
Reggie Huffman, Alabama-Birmingham
Huffman was going to get his degree anyway and not return to UAB next year so he probably felt he might as well through his name in the draft. He’s not getting picked up by anyone.
Stefon Jackson, Texas-El Paso
Jackson mentioned he is only declaring as an exploratory measure and he is willing to return to UTEP and I’d be pretty stunned if he does not do that. Jackson is a prolific scorer if not a good shooter and he turns the ball over far too much. He does not have an NBA body at this point either as he could use some more muscle.
Kojo Mensah, Duquesne
Mensah is following teammate Shawn James’ lead by declaring for the draft. He was a transfer from Siena and as a 6-1 guard I know nothing about him that would make him remotely draftable. However, I did see that Mensah left Siena because he wanted greater exposure for the NBA (so naturally he went to Duquesne).Please, if anyone knows anything else about Mensah and his situation, let us know.
Courtney Pigram, East Tennessee State
Pigram was actually a pretty highly regarded player in high school that had some ACT issues so there is talent there. The problem is that his numbers are not that great and his shooting is pretty poor. He’s not getting drafted and should return to school.
Bruce Price, Tennessee State
Price declared last year as well before pulling out so unless I’m missing something, he’s out for good this time. He has had a lot of knee injuries so perhaps he is just ready to move on and figure out if he can collect a paycheck somewhere.
John Riek, Winchendon School (MA)
The Sudanese Riek was thought to be a possible lottery pick due to his huge size and wingspan but he’s very inexperienced and he has already had some knee and foot injuries. It still would not be stunning to see a first rounder get spent on him.
Walter Sharpe, Alabama-Birmingham
Sharpe was declared academically ineligible to play this past semester and that’s not the first semester he has missed due to academics. In addition he was booted from Mississippi State partly due to academics and partly due to showing up late to meetings and practices. He may not go back to school because school just might not be for him.
Gordon Watt, Houston Baptist
Watt was on school number three after leaving Boston College and Purdue (and he left Purdue after falling in love with the DUI). Watt is leaving the door open to return and that will likely be necessary. I’d want to see more than a half year of him before I’d want to put him in the NBA.
