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Player Rankings
Posted: Friday November 02, 2001 4:14 PM
By Albert Lin, CNNSI.com
Our completely subjective player rankings are based on a poll of one voter and take into account past production, potential and, well, personal preference. (We had a hard time coming up with 10 shooting guards and cutting to 10 small forwards. So since the positions can be virtually interchangeable, we decided to fudge the numbers a little bit.)
| POINT GUARD |
| 1. Jason Williams, 6-2, junior, Duke |
| Unquestionably the best player in the nation; not much he can't do on the court. |
| 2. Frank Williams, 6-3, junior, Illinois |
| A winner who plays his best in the clutch, always delivering in the waning moments. |
| 3. Brett Nelson, 6-3, junior, Florida |
| Great shooter, ballhandler, playmaker who excels when he doesn't try to do too much. |
| 4. Jameer Nelson, 6-0, sophomore, St. Joseph's |
| The best pure point in the country; a great defender and a quality floor leader. |
| 5. Dan Dickau, 6-0, senior, Gonzaga |
| We were sold when he dropped 29 points on Virginia in NCAA tournament upset. |
| 6. Troy Bell, 6-2, junior, Boston College |
| Doesn't dazzle physically, but just keeps producing points -- and victories. |
| 7. Maurice Baker, 6-1, senior, Oklahoma State |
| Juco transfer surprised everyone with his ability to get to the basket (6.7 rpg, 52.5 FG%). |
| 8. Lynn Greer, 6-2, senior, Temple |
| Seems like he's been around forever. Shooter has adapted well to running Temple offense. |
| 9. Dajuan Wagner, 6-3, freshman, Memphis |
| Probably should be higher, but we want to make him earn his stripes -- which he will. |
| 10. Jason Gardner, 5-10, junior, Arizona |
| Had an off year, but we bet (hope?) he's up to the challenge of leading a young team. |
| SHOOTING GUARD |
| 1. Casey Jacobsen, 6-6, junior, Stanford |
| Worked to improve quickness, ballhandling to go with his seemingly unlimited range. |
| 2. Juan Dixon, 6-3, senior, Maryland |
| Can put up points in a hurry, but is also a top-notch defender; all despite weighing 164 pounds. |
| 3. Marvin O'Connor, 6-4, senior, St. Joseph's |
| Scored 37 against Stanford in tournament, 18 in 59 seconds against La Salle during season. |
| 4. Luke Recker, 6-6, senior, Iowa |
| Seems snakebitten, but we think he'll be able to bounce back from broken kneecap. |
| 5. Chris Duhon, 6-1, sophomore, Duke |
| Should be listed with PGs, but there was no room; will be best guard in country next season. |
| 6. Keith Bogans, 6-5, senior, Kentucky |
| Solid in every facet of the game, but not outstanding in any one; smart to return to school. |
| 7. Roger Mason, 6-5, junior, Virginia |
| Unfortunately will be moved to point, which might detract from impressive scoring ability. |
| 8. Tamar Slay, 6-9, senior, Marshall |
| Part of the new wave of taller perimeter players; has a bright future at the next level. |
| SMALL FORWARD |
| 1. Kareem Rush, 6-6, junior, Missouri |
| Most lethal scorer in the country can put the ball in the basket in any way from anywhere. |
| 2. Caron Butler, 6-7, sophomore, Connecticut |
| Gained huge amounts of confidence with Team USA over the summer; ready for a breakout year. |
| 3. Tayshaun Prince, 6-9, senior, Kentucky |
| Looks awkward, but has developed game to where he's more than just a shooter. |
| 4. LaVell Blanchard, 6-7, junior, Michigan |
| If only he had a better surrounding cast; terrific rebounder for his size. |
| 5. Preston Shumpert, 6-6, senior, Syracuse |
| Not the greatest athlete, but can stroke the 3 or post up, despite slender frame. |
| 6. Jason Kapono, 6-7, junior, UCLA |
| Nation's best pure shooter, period; should be more effective now that he has perimeter help. |
| 7. Ronald Dupree, 6-6, junior, LSU |
| Bet you didn't know he averaged 17.3 points (No. 1 in SEC) and 8.8 boards (No. 2) last year. |
| 8. Vincent Yarbrough, 6-7, senior, Tennessee |
| We're betting that Buzz Peterson helps Yarbrough finally access his considerable potential. |
| 9. Rod Grizzard, 6-8, junior, Alabama |
| More skilled than Tayshaun Prince, but hasn't yet figured out how to maximize his abilities. |
| 10. Josh Howard, 6-6, junior, Wake Forest |
| Superior athlete should flourish under new coach Skip Prosser's less conservative attack. |
| 11. Justin Reed, 6-8, sophomore, Mississippi |
| Took a backseat last year as a freshman; now he is the unquestioned leader of the Rebels. |
| 12. Chris Williams, 6-7, senior, Virginia |
| With Cavs' added size, hopefully will get more of a chance to play on perimeter. |
| 13. Mike Dunleavy Jr., 6-9, junior, Duke |
| Mr. Versatility has put on weight and looks to build on last season's title-game heroics. |
| 14. David Bluthenthal, 6-7, senior, USC |
| Terrific shooter should score close to 20 ppg with Brian Scalabrine having graduated. |
| 15. Jared Jefferies, 6-10, sophomore, Indiana |
| Not much he can't do with the ball, but still plays a little soft (i.e., stays outside). |
| POWER FORWARD |
| 1. Drew Gooden, 6-10, junior, Kansas |
| Strong, active, athletic; can score, rebound, block shots; what's not to like? |
| 2. Reggie Evans, 6-8, senior, Iowa |
| Absolute moose down low who snags every rebound; needs to pick up his offense. |
| 3. Sam Clancy, 6-7, senior, USC |
| A power 3 in the mold of Larry Johnson; has perimeter skills with a post body. |
| 4. Nick Collison, 6-10, junior, Kansas |
| Gooden's running mate is almost a carbon copy, though not quite as explosive. |
| 5. Kelly Wise, 6-10, senior, Memphis |
| Multi-talented, long-armed big man who will be a key to Memphis' fortunes. |
| 6. Chris Owens, 6-8, senior, Texas |
| Not the most skilled player, but possesses intimidating size and leaping ability. |
| 7. Ryan Humphrey, 6-8, senior, Notre Dame |
| He's the man now that Troy Murphy is playing for pay; will have to score more. |
| 8. Ron Slay, 6-8, junior, Tennessee |
| High-energy sparkplug should flourish now that he has a chance to start. |
| 9. Matt Bonner, 6-10, junior, Florida |
| What you see is what you get: terrific rebounder who can step out and shoot. |
| 10. Brian Cook, 6-10, junior, Illinois |
| For some reason, all he wants to do is fire 3s; oozes skill but doesn't use it. |
| CENTER |
| 1. Udonis Haslem, 6-7, senior, Florida |
| Unstoppable in the paint, despite his relatively short stature (Gators list him at 6-9). |
| 2. Lonny Baxter, 6-8, senior, Maryland |
| Very similar game to Haslem, except that he is a tad better facing up. |
| 3. Carlos Boozer, 6-9, junior, Duke |
| Still hasn't produced like a guy his size should, but when he puts his mind to it ... |
| 4. Robert Archibald, 6-11, senior, Illinois |
| Everyone saw his skills when he put up 25 against Arizona in the Elite Eight. |
| 5. Melvin Ely, 6-10, senior, Fresno State |
| Athletic shotblocker has showed signs of improving his offense; had a great summer. |
| 6. Dan Gadzuric, 6-11, senior, UCLA |
| A dominant player if he can stay healthy and out of foul trouble -- two big ifs. |
| 7. David West, 6-8, junior, Xavier |
| Big, physical, bruising player who simply overpowers most conference defenders. |
| 8. Kevin Lyde, 6-10, senior, Temple |
| Not used much in guard-oriented offense, but has a caboose and good moves. |
| 9. Arthur Johnson, 6-9, sophomore, Missouri |
| Speaking of cabooses, should make a quantum leap forward now that he's a sophomore. |
| 10. Chris Marcus, 7-1, senior, Western Kentucky |
| Raw but athletic and coordinated ... didn't they say that about Michael Olowokandi? |
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