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The NBA is cracking down on scouts, player personnel directors and GMs being quoted on underclassmen and high school players declaring for the NBA draft, so much that sources said three teams have been fined by the league.
|  | | Shane Battier should make an NBA team pretty happy. |
The mandate came down at the all-star break, but that's not stopping the scouts trying to get a gauge on all the underclassmen who are sending out feelers about the draft.
"You can't keep them all in the barn," said one player personnel director last month. "Everybody wants their day in the sun. One day one player says he's coming, the next he says he's not. One day a high school senior says he'll look into it and another one is hedging. It's getting ridiculous. For some of these guys, how about considering getting your team over .500 before you're considering the NBA."
That was likely a shot at St. John's freshman Omar Cook, who was reportedly "considering" making a break for the league after he led the Red Storm to a sub-.500 season. But that's the joke about all the talk in March about who's coming out and who's staying in school. Unless the player makes a definitive statement that he's not returning, possibly drops out and sends his letter to the NBA, it's hard to take any reports too seriously.
Players change their minds almost daily, especially as they get advice, be it poor or an astute assessment of their draft status. The deadline is the second weekend in May for declaring for the draft and until then, it's premature to get too giddy about who might be available.
There have already been decisions to be made by a number of high-profile players.
Going: Seton Hall freshman Eddie Griffin, Charlotte freshman Rodney White, Michigan State sophomore Jason Richardson, Arizona sophomore Gilbert Arenas, Notre Dame junior Troy Murphy.
Staying: Tennessee junior Vincent Yarbrough, Illinois junior Frank Williams.
Deciding: Duke sophomores Jason Williams and Carlos Boozer, Alabama freshman Gerald Wallace and sophomore Rod Grizzard and UCLA sophomore Jason Kapono, Cincinnati sophomore Kenny Satterfield, North Carolina sophomore Joseph Forte,
Only a few things are certain at this juncture:
1. Dominguez High (Calif.) center Tyson Chandler has declared for the draft (he has no choice at least with the NCAA ready to check out alleged extra benefits if he ever signed with a Div. I school).
2. Duke sophomore Jason Williams could command a top five slot but made the bold move of proclaiming that he will stay in school.
3. Missouri sophomore Kareem Rush has learned from his brother, JaRon, and decided to stay in school; 4. Plenty of seniors have helped themselves in the postseason.
Despite a draft that could be loaded with underclassmen and foreign players yet again, seniors are starting to get the NBA's attention this month. Here was a preliminary list drawn up during the second weekend of the NCAA and NIT tournaments of players who have seen their stock rise on the NBA's draft list and, for most of these players, given them a chance to shine at any or all of the draft camps in Portsmouth (April 4-7), Phoenix (May 1-5) and Chicago (June 5-8) before the June 27 draft in New York:
Shane Battier, Duke: He has become the definition of why it's good to stay in school. He's the consummate professional on and off the floor and does all the little things that make the scouts want him in their slot. He's the absolute warrior on the court and maybe the most complete player in the game.
Loren Woods, Arizona: There was plenty of skepticism about Woods throughout the season. But his unselfish play in the tournament has helped his stock. He's focused on his team and the drive to get a national championship. He's now a factor around the basket to score, his timing is back with his blocks and, remember, he's still 7-1. The NBA loves size, even if he's thin.
Charlie Bell, Michigan State: His identity is becoming clearer for the NBA as more of a swing guard who can play the point. His tenacious defense and hard-nosed play (a Spartan trait under Tom Izzo) is helping his stock.
Andre Hutson, Michigan State: Likely a solid second-round pick with his play in the second half of the season and tournament. The NBA is leaning toward more undersized power forwards, which helps Hutson. At the very least, his toughness will make him a good practice player to rebound and play defense.
Casey Calvary, Gonzaga: The more the Bulldogs win, the more attention Calvary gets. He turned a number of NBA heads with his move toward the basket against Indiana State. The agile center put the ball on the floor at the free-throw line, spun on a defender and leaned in for a mid-range floater. He's proven he can hit the 3-pointer, is tough and has athletic ability as a power forward.
Marcus Griffin, Illinois: Looking like a second-round pick, which is movement for him over the past month, because of his rugged play in the last month. He's a banger, who can defend and fit in like Hutson as an undersized but valuable practice playing power forward.
Sean Lampley, Cal: Missed out on showing his skills more in the tournament with a first-round loss. But he proved during the tournament that he could lead his team to win games. He's an athletic, scoring forward who could get away with playing small forward in the league.
Brian Scalabrine, USC: Had a somewhat disappointing regular season and was overshadowed by Sam Clancy and David Bluthenthal on his team. But he's picked up his game in the tournament as a skilled, shooting power forward who can find a place in the league.
Quincy Wadley, Temple: Wadley has been on fire in the tournament, knocking down 3s, showing his toughness defensively and being an overall threat to make something happen in the tournament. The NBA loves shooters and Wadley's play in the tournament should definitely get him drafted.
Joe Crispin, Penn State: He was supposed to be too small and too slow to make it in the league. But his play over the last month has changed a lot of NBA minds on his game. Crispin is a heady point guard who can knock down the transition 3-pointer, the mid-range floater and get inside for a layup. He's a model citizen and will be a hit whenever he goes in for an interview.
Karim Shabazz, Providence: He didn't stay long in the dance, losing in the first round to Penn State. But Shabazz won over some critics during the season after declaring for the draft and going back to school. He became more assertive this season and less selfish. He's finishing on the break, running the floor well and is developing his post moves. He'll likely be found somewhere in the second round.
Brendan Haywood, North Carolina: Even though the Tar Heels got beat by Penn State, Haywood had made enough of an impression in the second half of the season that he is worthy of a high pick. He had his disappearing acts but had his moments when he could be a double-double player and the NBA still looks at his tremendous upside whenever he decides to get even more intense.
Damone Brown, Syracuse: The Orangemen got beat soundly by Kansas but Brown's draft status didn't plummet. He showed the NBA that he can step out and hit the mid-range shot. The interest is there because of his size, ability to go inside and potential to pose matchup problems.
Brian Heinle, Cal State-Northridge: There's a love-hate relationship with Heinle but the Matadors' appearance in the tournament gave him at least a one-day stage. He's big, strong and has some finishing touches around the post. He'll likely be a player who can dictate his own position with draft camp play.
Rahim Lockhart, Ole Miss: The longer he plays in this tournament, the more he's helping himself. He's tough, a beast inside and somewhat immovable. But he's not too swift and will have to prove that he can be one of those undersized power forwards worthy of a pick.
Ken Johnson, Ohio State: The Buckeyes got beat in the first round, taking away Johnson's stage too soon. But he had already proven that he has the defensive skills to play in the league. His offense is coming along and won't get better by June. But he'll have a chance to shine in one of the draft camps to prove he's worthy of a high pick.
Earl Watson, UCLA: He might not look like an NBA point guard but he proved over the tournament and in his career that he has the nuts and bolts to be an NBA backup point or third guard. His solid and at times mistake-free playmaking have him somewhere on everybody's lists.
Jarron Collins, Stanford: He doesn't have the 3-point range nor is as strong as his brother Jason (who is still considered a sophomore because of injuries) but is mobile enough to be a solid pick. He finishes in the post, makes his free throws and has a mid-range shot.
Alvin Jones, Georgia Tech: He hedged on declaring for the draft last year and decided to return. It helped his cause because he adjusted, played more unselfish and led the Yellow Jackets to an NCAA berth. He didn't fare well in the first round, but he's still a player who can block shots. Once he gets his stamina down, he'll be a legit pick.
Shernard Long, Georgia State: Wisconsin's and Maryland's defense limited his slashing ability but he got noticed prior to the tournament. He could emerge as a sleeper guard during the spring draft camps. The open court play will help him shine.
Jamaal Tinsley, Iowa State: Losing in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 and the first round of the NCAA Tournament didn't help the buzz on Tinsley. But he'll be fine once Chicago rolls around. Tinsley is still one of the stronger point guards coming out of college recently. He proved during the regular season that he can hit the 3-pointer and his assist-to-turnover ratio was never a negative.
Terence Morris, Maryland: He was off against Georgetown in the Sweet 16 and his on again, off again performances make some in the league wonder. But overall he's still a tremendous talent. The NBA is trying to figure out what his true position is but when he's on, he can score from just about anywhere on the floor. He also helped himself with his improved and inspired defensive play over the last month. He's blocking shots and defending in the post.
Ruben Boumtje-Boumjte, Georgetown: The last word on Boumtje-Boumtje was a goose egg against Maryland. Not good for any buzz on him but not enough to silence him on draft day. He's still big, mobile and can run the floor like a gazelle. He's more of a defensive player and the NBA is sold on Georgetown centers: they always age like a fine wine, getting better the longer they're in the league.
Rashad Phillips, Detroit: No one helped himself more in the NIT than Phillips. He got the Titans three wins on the road at Bradley, Connecticut and Dayton and will get a chance to shine in primetime in the Garden next week. He's a savvy point guard with 3-point range. His stock continues to soar.
Senior writer Andy Katz covers the NBA draft for ESPN.com.
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