NCAA Eye for the NBA Guy: East Regional, Day 1

Filed under: NBA Draft

As March Madness 2010 begins, FanHouse's NBA team looks at the top prospects in each regional.



The "Kentucky bracket" obviously oozes NBA potential -- there could seriously be six 2010 lottery picks here, including the top two. But the talent isn't limited to the Wildcats, who face East Tennessee State in New Orleans, with the winner drawing Wake Forest or Texas. Kentucky's second-round opponent will have one potential lotto pick, and if it's Texas, a couple more future first-rounders. But the talent is spread here, with Washington, Montana and New Mexico also providing intriguing prospects.



Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest

19 years old, 6'8, 210 lbs., Sophomore

The guy with the best name in the tournament is also one of its best players. Aminu has been up and down this year, but not for a lack of natural talent. At 6'8, 210 lbs., he has an abundance of qualities NBA GMs desire, namely his size and versatility, length, scoring, rebounding, and of course, insane upside. Similar to another former ACC star in Thaddeus Young, he is a multi-faceted player who can contribute in a variety of ways. Yes, Aminu is that gifted. The sophomore is arguably the best player in this entire tournament not named John Wall, Evan Turner or DeMarcus Cousins. In the rugged ACC, the Georgia native averaged an impressive 16 points and 11 rebounds. He must continue to develop his outside game as well as his off-hand, but should he declare, Aminu is a sure-fire lottery pick who could even sneak into the top five with a good showing in the tournament. The battle with Texas's Damion James will be special. -- Jordan Schultz

 

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Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/03/18/ncaa-eye-for-the-nba-guy-east-regional-day-1/