Anton Ponkrashov is one of our newest additions from international waters. After watching him play CSKA I am convinced that he should see his name selected on draft night. One of the most intriguing things about Ponkrashov is his versatility to play multiple positions, but the biggest question mark is what position he will actually play? While he is effective at times, he lacks certain skills at each position, but either way the intrigue is there for everyone to see. Before the start of the season some people said he was the best international prospect from the 1986 international draft class. Since that time Nathan Jawai, Omer Asik, and Semih Erden have surpassed him in my opinion.

Pat Calathes is quietly putting together a very nice season for the St. Josephs Hawks. At 6-10, Calathes is a great ball handler and shooter from three point land. Defensively, there are some worries about his ability to defend explosive small forwards. With his versatility and feel for the game it wouldn’t be a shock to see him in the second round. Many of you already know his brother, Nick, who is the freshman point guard for the Florida Gators.

Biggest Risers

After finally getting time to scout some international tape that I have received recently, many things became much clearer. Omer Asik, not Semih Erden, is the second best prospect in the 1986 international draft class. Although clearly not as skilled, he has more upside, better athleticism, and plays the game with great intensity. Don’t be surprised if Asik goes in the first round.

The Aussie, Nathan Jawai, was impressive at times, but also confirmed much of what my sources said regarding his inconsistent play and questionable basketball awareness. Thanks to media hype, Jawai is getting a great deal of press being the labeled the next Shaq and a potential late lottery pick. If I were a GM I wouldn’t take him till after the 25th pick in the first round. He definitely has first round potential. Theres is no denying that after I watched him.

Kyle Weaver is one guy that I think every coach in America would like to have on his team. He does everything well with his all around game and ability to be a lockdown defender. That’s not to say he doesn’t have holes in his game, because he does, but the good clearly outweighs the bad. His teammate, Derrick Low, may get all the press, but Weaver is the most important player on the team.

Biggest Drops

Oregon is well represented on the mock with three seniors occupying spots in the last 15 picks of the second round. One of those seniors is Bryce Taylor, who hasn’t lived up to the expectations that many placed on him after last season’s improvement. Some will try and place that blame on Oregon’s point guard Tajuan Porter, but in my eyes Taylor hasn’t developed. After watching 8 games it’s easy to see why. Taylor lacks any real ability to create for himself off the dribble and isn’t assertive. It’s as if he’s lost total confidence in his abilities. If he can get back on track there is a very good chance he will get drafted, but time is running out.

There is another player, who like Taylor, is suffering from the weight of expectations. Last year Nicolas Batum was considered a top 5 NBA Draft prospect. Many thought he would dominate this year, but instead, fellow overseas sensation Danilo Gallinari has risen up in Batums’ place as the top prospect in the 88 International draft class. Batum has loads of intrigue but it’s clear that what Gallinari did in Euroleague competition was what everyone thought Batum should have done. Regardless, Batum will be drafted this year in the lottery, but the question will be where.

Off the Board

Due to the great wealth of power forwards in this draft, Richard Hendrix was moved off the board. Hendrix has a great deal to offer, but I seriously think once he sees the depth at his position he will go back to school. Patrick Patterson, Tyler Hansbrough, J.J. Hickson and Jason Thompson are better liked by most scouts I have talked to this year, but it wouldn’t be out of the question for Hendrix to declare this year then withdraw.

Geary Claxton is one player that your heart definitely goes out to. He played out of position most of career and rarely displayed any problems on or off the court. Now with the ACL injury and the fact that his perimeter shooting is a big question mark, Claxton could find himself off the draft board. To compound matters this will not allow him to participate at any of the pre-draft camps or do workouts. Any team that drafts him will do it with the knowledge that he was one of the guys they viewed high on their draft board.

Although he’s definitely a player with first round talent, I view Trent Plaisted as borderline right now, capable of going in the late first to early second. For some prospects this is reason enough to leave school, but I highly doubt Plaisted will take that chance. I believe he would have to be projected as a top 20 prospect for him to declare early. The smart money has him staying his final year where he will be a first round pick in the 2009 draft.

Jamar Butler is a quality college point guard, but I think he will lose out in the numbers game. The wealth of freshmen and late additions of international players will limit guys like Butler and their chances of getting drafted. Just how difficult will it be for senior point guards to get drafted? Consider Sean Singletary who is having a tremendous senior season and could be an All-ACC 1st team member, but is #56 on the TDR mock.