2009 NBA Draft Rankings: Small Forwards

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.
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UPDATED 6/18

Here are the 2009 NBA Draft Small Forward rankings. Go here for the rest of the 2009 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings.


  1. Earl Clark, Louisville
    Height: 6-10. Weight: 228. Year: Jr.
    Projected Selection: 9-15.

    Top-10 potential, but heart has been questioned… Incredibly versatile on the offensive end… Can put the ball on the deck, is explosive around the basket, and has a nice mid-range game… Could potentially be a point forward type player since he has handles… Length is an asset on defense, but is not very physical.

  2. Terrence Williams, Louisville
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 213. Year: Sr.
    Projected Selection: 14-22.

    An all-around talent… Has point guard-type vision/handles… Great slasher… Solid defender who could guard multiple positions… Agressive rebounder… Has a true passion for the game… Improved jump shooter, but still needs to improve his range and shot selection… Fades in and out of games sometimes.

  3. Austin Daye, Gonzaga
    Height: 6-11. Weight: 191. Year: So.
    Projected Selection: 13-26.

    Tremendous athleticism for someone his height… Can stroke it from three-point land, and also has a nice mid-range game… Smooth player with his back to the basket… Great length helps him defensively… Biggest thing holding him back is his rail thin body which will be dominated at the next level.



  4. DaJuan Summers, Georgetown
    Height: 6-8. Weight: 243. Year: Jr.
    Projected Selection: 19-29.

    Once a lottery prospect, Summers stock fell because of a less than stellar second half of his junior season…Physically gifted athlete with great strength who could play the three or four… Good outside shooter who can also finish at the rim… Can take bigger defenders off the dribble or post up smaller guys… Not a great defender or ball handler.

  5. Chase Budinger, Arizona
    Height: 6-7. Weight: 211. Year: Jr.
    Projected Selection: 16-28.

    Stretches out defenses with his three-point range… Great catch and shooter, but needs to become better at creating his own shot… Former volleyball player so he has great leaping abilities and knows how to finish at the rim… Needs to become more physical and aggressive… Too often disappears during key parts of games.

  6. Sam Young, Pittsburgh
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 222. Year: Sr.
    Projected Selection: 20-30.

    NBA-ready body… Incredibly intelligent player who uses the shot fake better than any player in the college game… Solid shooter with very little arc on his release… Strong finisher but not a great ball-handler or athlete which hurts his ability to get to the rim… Ready to contribute right away.



  7. Omri Casspi, Israel
    Height: 6-9. Weight: 211. Year: 1988.
    Projected Selection: 22-early second round.

    Great work ethic with a “junkyard dog” type mentality… Can play either forward spot… Improved shooter but still room to get better… Decent ball-handler and slasher who knows how to finish inside… Needs to get stronger to compete in the more physical NBA.

  8. Derrick Brown, Xavier
    Height: 6-8. Weight: 224. Year: Jr.
    Projected Selection: late first/early second.

    Can knock down the three ball… Crafty with his back to the basket with a nice repetoire of post moves… Is also effective with his ability to drive to the basket… Tenacious on the defensive end where he uses his length to his advantage… Lacks that edge or go-to mentality.

    Other 2009 NBA Draft Small Forward Prospects:

  9. Victor Claver, Spain
  10. Danny Green, North Carolina
  11. Demarre Carroll, Missouri
  12. Dante Cunningham, Villanova
  13. Christian Eyenga, Spain
  14. Joe Ingles, Australia
  15. Emir Preldzic, Serbia
  16. Luigi Datome, Italy
  17. Paul Harris, Syracuse
  18. Lorenzo Wade, San Diego State
  19. Nate Miles, Southern Idaho
  20. Brandon Costner, N.C. State




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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