Draft prospects in the Albuquerque bracket

Just how does a 5'8 PG get the draft buzz that Nate Robinson has been getting this season? Watch Robinson play, and you don't have to be asking this question. One of the truly unique athletes in the draft this season, Robinson plays above the rim like a 6'6 wing. He penetrates at will, and is sure to have at least one dunk that makes the tourney highlight reel. While he deferred to his teammates at times during the season, Robinson really began to pick it up near the end of the year, and made crucial plays down the stretch in almost every win during Washington's Pac-10 title run. Robinson really has a chance to raise his stock during the tourney, as he matches up against some of the premier PG's in the nation. Chris Paul, Carl Krauser, and Jordan Farmar are just a few of the potential big matchups. Scouts need to see him against NBA-level talent, and a successful showing could push Nate Robinson into the late first round.

Coming out of nowhere to emerge as the Huskies' premier outside scoring threat this season, Simmons is a lanky shooting specialist that can really explode when he gets hot. Possessing a picture-perfect stroke, he may remind you of a smaller Fransisco Garcia type. Like Garcia, he has virtually no limit to his range, but also has that slender frame that makes it tough for him to create his shot against stronger, more athletic defenders. The Huskies need Simmons to stay hot if they want to advance in a very tough bracket, another outburst of 20+ point games like he had in February could get quite a few NBA types on board.

Brandon Roy made a lot of scouts laugh when he tried to declare out of high school, but those same scouts are probably very interested in Roy 3 years later. Despite some injury struggles, it's hard not to notice Roy out there on the floor. He has a very complete floor game, and is very good at getting in the air and creating. He's got great size at 6'6 with long arms, and very few wings out there can put the ball on the floor and produce like Roy. While he has a nice midrange jumper, his outside shot is still in need of work. If he comes back next year, stays healthy, and starts hitting the 3, he will become a household name by the time the 2006 draft rolls around.