nbadraft.net mock draft has Honeycutt to the Spurs Rd 1 #29 and Lee to the Clippers Rd 2 #37

Click on draft table to enlarge

Click here to get to nbadraft.net's interactive mock draft table.

To check out DraftExpress.com's mock draft (which has Honeycutt Rd 1 #25 to Celtics and Lee Rd 2 #38 to Rockets), click here.

Draft Central at nba.com (link)

June 23, 2011 7 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN3

Good luck, Tyler and Malcolm!

Will 'UCLA factor' help Honeycutt and Lee?

Will 'UCLA factor' help Honeycutt and Lee?

By Peter Yoon
ESPN Los Angeles
June, 22, 2011


In the weeks leading up to Thursday's NBA draft, we've heard a lot about the UCLA factor.

The theory goes like this: UCLA players who have played under coach Ben Howland tend to exceed expectations in the NBA because they enter the league ready to play in it. Players such as Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Darren Collison, Jrue Holiday, Arron Afflalo have all taken their games to another level once they reached the NBA.

It has been such a reliable trend for so long that ESPN NBA analyst John Hollinger this year added a "Howland variable" into his math-based Draft Rater because "for some reason, every Ben Howland product massively outperformed his estimate as a pro."

So how will this affect the draft status of Malcolm Lee and Tyler Honeycutt, the two UCLA products entered in this year's draft?

Most projections have Honeycutt slated as a late first-round pick and Lee as a mid-to-late second rounder. But there are some, including Hollinger, who have Honeycutt going in the top 15 and Lee sneaking into the late first and early second round. Could this be the UCLA factor at work?

“In a weak draft with little separation between players outside the lottery both will go higher than they should and some teams may overemphasize the perceived effect of playing in the UCLA system when making the decision to draft them,” said one NBA front office source who has scouted both players.

Honeycutt is a long, athletic player with a high ceiling, but he didn't exactly light the world on fire at UCLA. Last season, he averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting only 40.6% and leading the team with 100 turnovers. Plus, he has holes in his defensive game and at 6 feet 8 and only 188 pounds, he's definitely a work in progress physically for someone who will regularly match up against 220-pound opponents.

Lee, a 6-5 combo guard, averaged 13 points and was one of the top defensive guards in the nation, but he needs work on his long-range shooting (he shot 29.5% on three-pointers last season) to be an effective NBA player.

Still, because they went to UCLA, teams might be willing to overlook some weaknesses and be more willing to take a chance on them.

"Almost every UCLA player who has come out is better in the pros than you’d have any reason to expect based on their college careers," Hollinger said. "It is theoretically possible that it’s a fluke because it’s not a very large sample of players. But it’s getting to be a long enough trend that the fluke factor is increasingly unlikely."

But, the NBA source said, Honeycutt and Lee are different players than those of the past.

“Unlike the previous UCLA players, all of whom had lottery talent…Honeycutt and Lee are now and have always been at best fringe first rounders,” said the source, who asked not to be identified.

But if Honeycutt and Lee go higher than expected, you can be certain it had something to do with the UCLA factor. However, that doesn't mean they are destined for success.

"As with any stock, past performance doesn’t guarantee future results," Hollinger said. "Just because it happened for these past players doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen for Honeycutt and Lee."


To check out DraftExpress.com's mock draft (which has Honeycutt Rd 1 #25 to Celtics and Lee Rd 2 #38 to Rockets), click here.

To check out nbadraft.net's mock draft (which has Honeycutt to the Spurs Rd 1 #29 and Lee to the Clippers Rd 2 #37), click here.

Draft Central at nba.com (link)

June 23, 2011 7 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN3

Good luck, Tyler and Malcolm!

Traveling men

Bruins' Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Lee have endured cross-country trips this month in hopes of improving their draft stock

By Jon Gold Staff Writer
The Los Angeles Daily News
Posted: 06/20/2011 11:27:30 PM PDT
Updated: 06/21/2011 01:17:54 AM PDT


This is their lives now, the decision to leap to the NBA made long ago, and now Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Lee are caught right in the thick of it.

Both are jet-setting across the country, have been for a month, trying to convince one of 30 teams to take a chance, any chance, a little higher than expected. With Honeycutt slated for anywhere between the late-teens and late-20s, and Lee trying to push his way into a crowded first round, they need every opportunity.

On Monday night, Honeycutt was in Dallas for a workout and dinner with the NBA champion Mavericks, not even able to take a phone call.

Lee, meanwhile, was caught at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport on Monday afternoon, about to take off for Minnesota for a tryout with the Timberwolves.

"You're pretty much in a new city every day," Lee said. "It can be really exhausting. You have to take care of your body - eating right, make sure you stay hydrated, keep stretching and icing. I've been on the road a month straight. When it comes to workouts, I have to be ready to perform."

Honeycutt can relate.

Last week, Honeycutt worked out for the Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets in three consecutive days, his final workout Thursday showing the ill effects of life as an NBA first-round hopeful.

"To be honest, it's probably the worst workout I've had so far," Honeycutt told the Newark Star-Ledger on Thursday. "Just normal, easy stuff I usually make wasn't going in today, so just a little rest will help."

But rest is for the weary, not the young, and certainly not the young who can run and jump and dunk.

This is where they find themselves, though, after leaving UCLA with question marks.

As a sophomore, Honeycutt was named All-Pac-10 after leading the conference in blocks (2.1 per game) and finishing seventh in rebounding (7.2 rebounds) while averaging 12.8 points per game. Still, NBA scouts wonder about his strength - he did not put up a single rep in the 185-pound bench press during a recent combine - and his durability and decision-making.

For Lee, the questions are about his offensive output, though his performance on defense in many workouts has been fantastic. Lee, who was also named to the all-conference first team and all-defensive first-team, averaged 13.1 points and 3.1 rebounds as a junior at shooting guard for the 23-11 Bruins, who advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

But Lee is being looked at as a point guard at the next level, as well, and his performance at the position for UCLA as a sophomore in 2009-10 was unimpressive.

"I look forward to things like this. Auditioning gives you an (opportunity) to rise to the occasion, especially with my situation," Lee said. "I came in with the mindset that I wasn't getting drafted, that I'm not known. That underdog mentality. It allows you to perform better under pressure. It's either kill or be killed, basically."

What could help both is the much-discussed "UCLA Factor" that is making its round through basketball circles.

The success of lightly touted Bruins in the pros - including Jrue Holliday, Darren Collison, Russell Westbrook, Arron Afflalo and Luc Mbah-a-Moute - has trickled down to Lee and Honeycutt (How about Kevin Love, John? --Atb). All five have been valuable starters for playoff teams, but only Westbrook was a lottery pick, and even his ascendancy to the top crop of NBA point guards was unforeseen.

"Being able to be controlled on offense, not really take unnecessary shots, letting plays develop - I think that's what gives UCLA the edge," Lee said. "At UCLA, we have the opportunity to execute plays. When we get into the NBA, we execute a lot better and the floor is a lot more spread."

At least that's what these traveling salesman are pitching, a product less tangible than shower curtain rings or steak knives.

Lee and Honeycutt are peddling hope and potential, trying to hock their talents around the country, come one, come all. ABC: Always Be Closing.

On Thursday, it will be decided.

Honeycutt is expected to travel to New York for the draft; Lee is not sure if he'll even watch.

"I know it's going to hit me (today) after Minnesota," Lee said. "I won't have any more opportunities to perform in front of teams. I'm still debating if I'm going to watch it or not. I don't even know. I think my nerves are going to be too crazy. I'd rather get a text.

"I don't know if I can sit there pick after pick after pick. At the end of the day, whatever happens, I'll be grateful I had the opportunity to be in this position."

Click on panel below to enlarge

To check out DraftExpress.com's mock draft (which has Honeycutt Rd 1 #25 to Celtics and Lee Rd 2 #38 to Rockets), click here.

To check out nbadraft.net's mock draft (which has Honeycutt to the Spurs Rd 1 #29 and Lee to the Clippers Rd 2 #37), click here.

Draft Central at nba.com (link)

June 23, 2011 7 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN3

Good luck, Tyler and Malcolm!

Why Jordan Adams chose UCLA

Thanks goes to Kaz for posting this on Bruin Zone.

CourtCred.com/You Tube


CourtCred.com/You Tube

2012 Target: Shaq Goodwin (Decatur, GA) 6-8 210 PF

Recent verbal commit Jordan Adams calls out fellow Atlanta Celtic Shaq Goodwin to join him at UCLA next year (link):

""I want 'Shaq' Goodwin to come with me," the 6-foot-5 Adams said during his announcement, referring to William Goodwin, a Celtics teammate who is among the top power forward prospects in the nation."

What do you say, Shaq? Be a Bruin!

mmercurius2006/You Tube


courtcred.com/You Tube


From ESPN College Basketball Recruiting (link)

Shaq Goodwin
Power Forward
CLASS: 2012
SCOUTS GRADE 97
Grading Scale

Hometown: Decatur, GA
High School: Southwest Dekalb High School
Height: 6'8''
Weight: 210 lbs

Overall Rank: 12
Position Rank: 3

Status: Undeclared

Considering: UCLA Bruins, Georgia Bulldogs, Memphis Tigers, Florida Gators, Alabama Crimson Tide

Strengths:
This guy took the spring and summer (2010) and decided to make a name for himself. Although always blessed with the physical attributes of a difference maker, the athletic power forward lacked the maturity to ever put it all together. However, he has matured and progressed to the point of being one of the top players in his class. Goodwin can excel in many fazes of the game. He has great length and athleticism, runs the floor extremely well and can finish in transition and in traffic. He can drive the ball from the high post or step behind the line to knock down a jump shot. He is also becoming more reliable with his mid range game and his motor is really starting to run at a consistent level. He is extremely active on the offensive glass where he relentlessly battles for the ball.

Weaknesses:
He needs to stay focused on development. If he added a good counter move, like an up-and-under or jump hook or some sort of bail out shot, he could be more effective offensively. Although he is a good offensive rebounder, he needs to continue to improve on the defensive glass where he sometimes lacks some grit to fight for a ball in a crowd. At times he will play upright and get pushed off his spot which is normal for younger players. We'd like to see him become more vocal on the floor and become a take command kind of guy.

Bottom Line:
Many feel this guy may be the best player in a loaded class from the state of Georgia. As a two sport stand-out, the charismatic post player will have his choice of schools in either football or basketball. Regardless of sport, Goodwin will be a major factor for some high major program in the near future.

Notes
Travel Teams: Memphis YOMCA/Atlanta Celtics...

_______________


AJC.com ranks Shaq Goodwin its #1 player to watch at the recent Under Armour “Best of the Best” Camp.


Top 5 Georgia recruits to watch at Best of Best Camp

4:04 am June 3, 2011, by Michael Carvell



One Shaq's career ended this week while another Shaq's career is just beginning to take off (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

Southwest Dekalb’s Shaq Goodwin and Thomasville’s Robert Carter are both ranked among the top 15 college basketball prospects in the nation for 2012.

Both Goodwin and Carter are scheduled to play in the Under Armour “Best of the Best” Camp held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Marist. (Go here for more information)

Here’s a breakdown of the top 5 Georgia players at the camp, courtesy of Courtcred.com’s Kerry Willis:

1. William “Shaq” Goodwin, 6-8, power forward, Southwest DeKalb: “Goodwin is the highest-rated player in Georgia (No. 12 by ESPNU) and he has continued to impress scouts with his relentless effort on the boards, his athleticism, and the added ability to be very consistent shooting the ball out to the 3-point line. Plays the game with energy and an infectious smile that crowds love.” Goodwin’s list of schools include UCLA, UGA, Florida, Memphis.

To see the rest of this article, click here.

More on new Bruin Jordan Adams

Photo: BRO.com

UCLA gets commitment from top prospect Jordan Adams

The highly touted 6-foot-5 small forward cites Korey McCray's hiring as an assistant for the Bruins as a factor in his decision to attend UCLA.


By Ben Bolch
The Los Angeles Times
9:44 PM PDT, June 20, 2011



Korey McCray is paying quick dividends for UCLA. Two weeks after hiring the former club team basketball coach as an assistant, the Bruins on Monday received a commitment from Jordan Adams, a highly touted small forward who starred on McCray's Atlanta Celtics.

And Adams may not be the last Celtic headed to Westwood.

"I want 'Shaq' Goodwin to come with me," the 6-foot-5 Adams said during his announcement, referring to William Goodwin, a Celtics teammate who is among the top power forward prospects in the nation.

Goodwin's college decision doesn't appear to be imminent. Persephone Goodwin, William's mother, said in a telephone interview that her son would not make his commitment until after the summer. Might the presence of McCray be a selling point for UCLA?

"It's not a selling point," Persephone Goodwin said, "but it doesn't hurt."

Adams, a Georgia native who will be a senior next season at Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy, cited McCray's hiring as a factor in his decision to attend UCLA. Before McCray moved to Los Angeles earlier this month, the pair worked out together during training sessions in which Adams would hoist 700 shots.

"He helped me get to where I am now," said Adams, who picked UCLA over Memphis, Miami and Georgia. "If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be getting recruited by all these schools."

The commitment of Adams could signal a breakthrough for UCLA in its national recruiting efforts, particularly with McCray's ties to the South.

"Obviously, it gives them a huge in with a part of the country that UCLA has never recruited hardly at all," said Greg Hicks, a West Coast recruiting analyst for Scout.com.

Adams said he would try to bolster his recruiting class. When he announced his decision live on the Internet, Adams slipped on a UCLA hat and said he wanted top prospects Shabazz Muhammad and L.J. Rose to accompany him to college as well as Goodwin.

Ultimately, Hicks said, McCray will play a bigger role than Adams in influencing other players to become Bruins.

"I think it's a mistaken impression that some people have that by getting Jordan Adams they have a better chance of getting the next guy," Hicks said. "In my experience, it has more to do with the relationship of the coach recruiting the kid than other kids going to the school. Most kids don't follow a player because he went to a school."

Jordan Adams will follow Atlanta AAU basketball coach to UCLA; runner-up was UGA

Post updated Jun 21 2011 6:58 AM Pacific

spitfire9403/You Tube


Jordan Adams will follow Atlanta AAU basketball coach to UCLA; runner-up was UGA

by Michael Carvell
AJC.com in College Recruiting blog
9:17 pm June 20, 2011


One of the nation’s top recruits will follow his AAU basketball coach to UCLA.

Jordan Adams, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 69 college basketball prospect by Rivals.com, committed to UCLA over UGA, Memphis and Miami on Monday.

Earlier this month, UCLA hired Korey McCray, CEO of the Atlanta Celtics AAU basketball team, as an assistant coach. (click on story link)

Adams is a longtime member of the Atlanta Celtics and said McCray’s hiring influenced his college decision.

“It was a big factor,” Adams told the AJC. “I’ve been playing for Coach McCray since I was 12 or 13 years old. I used to always work out with him. He helped me get to where I am now as a basketball player. If it wasn’t for [McCray], I wouldn’t be this good and none of these college coaches would be recruiting me.”

The 6-foot-5 small forward transferred from Central Gwinnett High School to Oak Hill (Va.) prep school last year. Adams said McCray’s presence was a deciding factor, but also said he picked UCLA because “it’s a good school with a lot of tradition, and good academics. I knew it was the right school for me and my family. I just wanted to go ahead and get it off my chest by committing.”

Adams said UGA was runner-up. “UCLA recruited me a little bit harder. I like UCLA and their campus a lot more, and their tradition.”

New UCLA assistant Korey McCay has landed one of his former star players from the Atlanta Celtics AAU team (Photo by UCLA)

UCLA is also in the running for another longtime member of the Atlanta Celtics — this one with much bigger stakes. Shaq Goodwin, who is ranked as Georgia’s No. 1 overall prospect for 2012, lists his leaders as UGA, Memphis, UCLA, Florida and Alabama. Goodwin is a 6-8, 235-pound power forward from Southwest DeKalb High School.

Note: Didn’t everyone see this coming a mile away? It was a brilliant hire by UCLA. Paul Hewitt claimed he almost hired Korey McCray when he was coaching at Georgia Tech. Korey is stuck with the “AAU coach” label but he actually has legitimate basketball credentials for a college assistant. He started at point guard for Mercer, coached at his alma mater and at a Florida junior college, and was a graduate assistant at Florida State. He trained Dwight Howard and John Wall leading up to being No. 1 overall picks of the NBA Draft. As CEO of the Atlanta Celtics, Korey established tremendous lines of communication with not only elite recruits and AAU coaches in Georgia but also across the nation. This year, 2012, is a gigantic year for recruiting in the state of Georgia, maybe the deepest year ever for prospects — 24 have high D1 offers, compared to only a dozen that signed high D1 this past year. If there ever was a time to hire a high school or AAU coach with inside position on a couple of elite prospects, the time is now. The only thing surprising about this whole thing is that the three local colleges that ALL changed head coaches within the last two years — Georgia Tech, UGA, and Georgia State — didn’t make a move like this first, considering the boatload of local talent. I know all three hired a college assistant who had recruited the state of Georgia before; but that doesn’t compare to high school or AAU coach that is more embedded in the local scene and has better connections and recognition among the kids. I’m still surprised that a college has not tried to hire away Miller Grove High School coach Sharman White, who has tremendous coaching credentials (three straight state championships) and two blue-chip prospects in Tony Parker and Brandon Morris.