I dont know if this has already been posted but Jerel McNeal and Dominic James are projected to be the 40th and 41st pick in the 2009 NBA Draft...For what its worth!!
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2009/
From some accounts eariler this summer Jerel is the most improved player on the team this off-season.
If Jerel maintains the level he was playing at (at the end of last year) he will go in the first round without a doubt.
Jerel has a good chance to be a first rounder if:
-He continues to play at the level he finished at
- Improves his jump shot
- Improves his handle
Otherwise all else is in line as he usually supports a high basketball IQ and has incredible body control when going to the hoop and can obviously finish with the best of em.
Best case: Ben Gordon
Worst case: Reece Gaines
I agree, while i like jerel and everyone wants to rave about his finish the jubilation needs to be kept in check by checking our record in those games. granted very tough competiton however, when you score 30 against Stanford and only miss 1 shot from INSIDE the perimeter yet shoot 3-12 from out side two things still drag down Jerel's drafteability. 1. decision making and 2. perimeter shooting both reflected in the 3-12 mark from 3 land!!
Best case Ben Gordon? Wasn't he a lottery pick?
I love Jerel too, but even with an epic senior campaign, I don't see him cracking the top 25. But who knows
Best & worst case in terms of their careers, not draft status.
I love Jerel to death, but he is going to have to go to Europe or the NBDL and learn to handle the point, a la Charlie Bell. There is simply no market for a 6'3" ;) shooting guard with an inconsistent 3 point shot. If he learns to run a team (cutting town TO's, getting better with ballhandling) and improves his shooting from distance he can play in the NBA. As he is now, he can't. But I am thankful every time I watch him play that he chose MU.
Theyre not even in the first or second round on nbadraft.net
I hope they make it...but just figured I'd share that.
ESPN says Jerel (along with a few others) have the chance to give Harangody a run for his money for the POY. If Jerel does with Big East POY I have to imagine that he gets drafted in the first round just because I cant remember a player off the top of my head who did win POY and didnt go in the first round.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=notebook/shootaround/bigeast
Last time I heard, there isn't much need for 6'2" shooting guards who have an inconsisntent jumper and a penchant to turn the ball over. He'll play in the NBA because of his D and ability to creat hsi own shot, but if anyone thinks he'll go in the first round, they are crazy. Best case scenario is Chris Duhon.
Of the two McNeal has the best chance to be a first rounder-----IMO he's as good a prospect as Rondo was
when he opted for the draft.
The knock on McNeal going to the NBA is his lack of PG presence/experience. However, IMO he's capable of playing PG in the NBA as with the short possession clock NBA PGs aren't east/west dribblers----have to give up the ball, so once into the half court offense for most teams he'd be like any other player on the floor.
What grad school program has Dom (and possibly Wes, Jerel & Dwight) enrolled in?