Post by NBL President on Oct 24, 2007 12:56:48 GMT -5
Associated Press - Conference play has not yet begun, but two of the SEC's biggest names have already put their names into the fold for the 2009 NBL Draft. Juniors Tyler Smith of Tennessee and Patrick Beverley of Arkansas are deciding to forego their senior season at their respective schools and join the draft class of 2009. It has been an unlikely road for each, here is a little bit more.
Tyler Smith wanted to be a Tennessee Volunteer back in 2004, and he let then head coach Buzz Peterson know about it. However, following Peterson's firing, Smith and new coach Bruce Pearl didn't quite see eye to eye, so Tyler decommited from the Vols and enrolled at Iowa. After a freshman season that saw him score nearly 17 PPG, be named 1st team all-freshman in the Big Ten and finish 3rd to Mike Conley Jr. and Greg Oden for rookie of the year, Smith got some devastating news. His father, who resided in Tennessee was ill, and Tyler needed to move back home to care for him. The NCAA granted him a transfer waiver allowing him to enroll at Tennessee and play without sitting out. Unforunately, his father never got to see him suit up for the hometown Vols as he passed away prior to his Sophomore season. Tyler had a productive Sophomore season and is doing it again this year. He is a very athletic player, strong inside and has an improving jump shot. He rebounds and defends well at the SF spot and handles the ball without turning it over. He is a streaky outside shooter and needs to learn to pass better when he creates that space with his athleticism.
NBL Comparison: Luol Deng.
The story with Patrick Beverley isn't as disheartening as Tyler Smith's, but it is still an inspiration to many. Beverley was recruited pretty lightly, especially when you consider he is from a huge city where he was constantly under the spotlight in Chicago. Offered scholarships by only 4 schools, Beverley accepted the offer from Stan Heath and the Arkansas Razorbacks. The high school scoring king didn't skip a beat his freshman year when he led the Razorbacks in scoring, was named 1st team all-freshman in the conference and was crowned SEC freshman of the year. That summer, he competed in the U-20 World Championships where he led team USA, and his Sophomore year at Arkansas the Hogs won the SEC championship for the first time in eight years. Beverley is a pretty good athlete who does everything well. He is a little undersized at the SG position, but he is quick with the ball, can get to the rack and finish, and has a suprisingly consistent outside shot. Questions arise with him are whether or not he can be a shooting guard due to his size (6'2) or a point guard with his lack of ball handling and passing. He should be at the worst, a good offensive option, and if things pan out right, he could become a star.
NBL Comparison: Daniel Gibson.
Early reports on these guys Thursday night...
Tyler Smith wanted to be a Tennessee Volunteer back in 2004, and he let then head coach Buzz Peterson know about it. However, following Peterson's firing, Smith and new coach Bruce Pearl didn't quite see eye to eye, so Tyler decommited from the Vols and enrolled at Iowa. After a freshman season that saw him score nearly 17 PPG, be named 1st team all-freshman in the Big Ten and finish 3rd to Mike Conley Jr. and Greg Oden for rookie of the year, Smith got some devastating news. His father, who resided in Tennessee was ill, and Tyler needed to move back home to care for him. The NCAA granted him a transfer waiver allowing him to enroll at Tennessee and play without sitting out. Unforunately, his father never got to see him suit up for the hometown Vols as he passed away prior to his Sophomore season. Tyler had a productive Sophomore season and is doing it again this year. He is a very athletic player, strong inside and has an improving jump shot. He rebounds and defends well at the SF spot and handles the ball without turning it over. He is a streaky outside shooter and needs to learn to pass better when he creates that space with his athleticism.
NBL Comparison: Luol Deng.
The story with Patrick Beverley isn't as disheartening as Tyler Smith's, but it is still an inspiration to many. Beverley was recruited pretty lightly, especially when you consider he is from a huge city where he was constantly under the spotlight in Chicago. Offered scholarships by only 4 schools, Beverley accepted the offer from Stan Heath and the Arkansas Razorbacks. The high school scoring king didn't skip a beat his freshman year when he led the Razorbacks in scoring, was named 1st team all-freshman in the conference and was crowned SEC freshman of the year. That summer, he competed in the U-20 World Championships where he led team USA, and his Sophomore year at Arkansas the Hogs won the SEC championship for the first time in eight years. Beverley is a pretty good athlete who does everything well. He is a little undersized at the SG position, but he is quick with the ball, can get to the rack and finish, and has a suprisingly consistent outside shot. Questions arise with him are whether or not he can be a shooting guard due to his size (6'2) or a point guard with his lack of ball handling and passing. He should be at the worst, a good offensive option, and if things pan out right, he could become a star.
NBL Comparison: Daniel Gibson.
Early reports on these guys Thursday night...
