Name: Mickell Gladness Position: Center Height: 6-11 (2.11m) Weight: 202 (92kg) College Team:Alabama A&M Bulldogs Nationality: American Birthplace: Sylacauga, Alabama Birthdate: 7/26/1986 Drafted: Automatically eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft but was not selected by an NBA franchise.

Strengths: Athletically, Gladness is a solid athlete with good explosiveness … Has no problem running the floor as his foot speed allows him to keep up with most guards … Gladness is a dominant shot blocker with skill that is definitely on the NBA level … Physically, he has all the tools to remain a competent shot blocker - explosiveness, wingspan, and timing … Even more impressive is how patient and selective he has been with what shots to go after … Despite weighing less than some other players at his position in the post, he possesses a mean streak to continue to attack … Tremendous lateral quickness allows him to make an impact as a help defender … Hands are soft, enabling him to catch passes despite getting pushed by opposing defenders … Has started to show signs of a good looking turnaround jumper that still needs work, but only from a repetition standpoint … Intimidates with his shot blocking so much that opposing teams second guess drives and lay-ups when he is in the game regardless of competition … Upside is very appealing in that being a shot blocker is natural gift while strength and post moves are teachable … Improved as an out of position rebounder thanks to his mobility …

Weakness:Will need to add some serious weight and upper body strength to his frame … Struggles to gain position in the post without getting pushed out by his defender … Offensively, he lacks the touch to finish around the basket without dunking … Despite his shot blocking ability Gladness needs to improve his post defense … Too often he doesn’t deny post position, opposing defenders are easily able to muscle him … Post footwork isn’t bad but needs some level of refinement as his balance can be suspect … From a fundamental standpoint Gladness puts the ball on the floor too much instead of keeping it high … This can be frustrating as his sheer size demands double teams on the college level - guards will often come down and swipe the ball … Many will insist that his level of competition in the SWAC will degrade his value, but Gladness’s shot blocking and overall play have been solid in most non-conference games … Rebounding in his area is inconsistent mainly due to his inability to successfully box out strong opposing players …

Matthew Maurer - 12/24/07