2008 NBA Draft Prospects - Top 25

By Ben Standig, Updated Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Freshman and point guard options dominate the likely lottery slots for the 2008 NBA class. Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley appear set to be the top two draft picks, but the order could flop depending on the outcome of the May 20 NBA Draft Lottery. Either way, there will be a lot of talk of upside potential of prospects during the June 26 draft.

Derrick Rose, 6-3, Memphis, PG
Point guards like Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Tony Parker have dominated the NBA Playoffs this season. The lightning fast and powerful Rose could join that elite group in short order
Michael Beasley, 6-10, Kansas State, PF
Might lack overall game to be a true game changer, but he will be able to score at a high level right away.
Jerryd Bayless, 6-3, Arizona, PG
Add the speedy Bayless, who put up strong numbers in a tough Pac-10 in his lone season, to the growing list of young point guards ready to emerge in the NBA
O.J. Mayo, 6-4, USC, SG
He may not have totally lived up to the hype, but Mayo flashed his scoring touch on drives and long bombs and showed a solid all-around game with the Trojans.
Kevin Love, 6-10, UCLA, C
Love entered college with professional fundamentals, from his low post moves to his highly touted outlet passes. He likely falls a bit in the draft to flashier prospects, but he is one of the safest options on the board.
Brook Lopez, 7-0, Stanford, C
Ability to score down low combined with a mean streak gives Lopez a solid shot to be frontcourt rotation player. Suspect rebounding skills lower his potential
Anthony Randolph, 6-11, LSU, PF
The rawest of the freshman crew, Randolph has generated buzz with his athleticism, but lacks strength down low and needs a go-to move.
Eric Gordon, 6-4, Indiana, SG
Scoring was not his problem with the Hoosiers as he hit from long range and has the frame to take it to the basket. Gordon lacks pure point guard skills and ideal off-guard height, making his position in the pros unclear.
Russell Westbrook, 6-3, UCLA, SG
Another draft riser, Westbrook has the combo-guard skills to be an effective third guard off the bench for now. He may never be an all-star, but his intangibles likely give him a starting role in the league for years to come.
DeAndre Jordan, 7-0, Texas A&M, C
Another big time freshman athlete, who also plays big around the basket. Questions about his desire keep surfacing, but you can't teach height.
D.J. Augustin, 6-0, Texas, PG
His presence and leadership last season helped offset the loss of Kevin Durant as the Longhorns nearly matched Kansas all season long.
Darrell Arthur, 6-10, Kansas, PF
One of the stars for the Jayhawks in the championship game. If Arthur shows scouts he can maintain that fire on a regular basis, he could be a top-10 pick
Kosta Koufas, 7-0, Ohio State, C
Another skilled European frontcourt player, Koufas can score in the paint and step outside to the college three-point line. The Buckeyes center plays smaller than his 7-0 size would indicate.
Danilo Gallinari, 6-9, Italy, PF
Chase Budinger, 6-7, Arizona, SG
Marresse Speights, 6-10, Florida, C
Chris Douglas-Roberts, 6-6, Memphis, SG
Donte Greene, 6-10, Syracuse, SF
JaVale McGee, 7-0, Nevada, C
Roy Hibbert, 7-2, Georgetown, C
Joe Alexander, 6-8, West Virginia, SF
Ty Lawson, 5-11, North Carolina, PG
Nicolas Batum, 6-8, France, SF
Wayne Ellington, 6-4, North Carolina, SG
Brandon Rush, 6-7, Kansas, SG

Others to watch: Mario Chalmers (PG, Kansas), Davon Jefferson (SF, USC), Courtney Lee (SG, Western Kentucky), Robin Lopez (C, Stanford), Ante Tomic (C, Croatia), Bill Walker (SF, Kansas), D.J. White (PF, Indiana)