What The Professionals Are Saying

This is Greg Oden’s scouting card from ESPN.com:

Draft Projection: Top 2

Similarities: Tim Duncan meets Patrick Ewing

Notes: Oden announced on April 20 that he was declaring for the 2007 NBA Draft and hiring an agent, ending his college eligibility.

Positives: Has lethal combination of size and athleticism. Runs the floor very well. Dominant on the defensive end. Excellent shot blocker and rebounder. Alters so many shots that his numbers alone don't do him justice. Great hands. Soft touch from inside and a developing jumper. Very good passer out of the post. Smart kid.

Negatives: Doesn't dominate the way you'd expect him to. Can be almost too nice at times. Doesn't have the killer instinct, though he started playing with more passion in the second half of the season. Post moves still need work. Wrist fracture sidelined him for the start of the season at Ohio State. His right wrist is still very stiff, forcing him to shoot free throws with his left hand for much of the season.

Summary: The consensus No. 1 pick in the draft despite Kevin Durant's amazing season. Draws comparisons to Tim Duncan, Patrick Ewing and David Robinson. He may not be spectacular, but most NBA GMs believe he'll immediately be one of the top two centers in the league. His strong performance in the NCAA title game gave us a glimmer of what he's capable of, going for 25 points, 12 boards and 4 blocks.