Blazer Workout Player Links: Episode 5

I missed any mention of the names of the latest crop of NBA wannabes and gonnabes that hit town today... No biggee, I didn't have time to do this post until this evening anyway... I'm just gonna cut to the chase and list up the four top prospects from the latest Portland Trailblazers workouts, held June 17, 2009.

Included here with snappy photos and beaucoup links are Darren Collison, PG, UCLA; Dante Cunningham, PF, Villanova; Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC; and Jeff Pendergraph, PF, ASU.

I think it is very likely that at least 1, if not 2, of this group of guys end up on the team... About the only other PF that's in KP's price bracket (who weighs more than 200 pounds) is Ganai Lawal... Of course, I'm sure he's got more tricks up his sleeve — as I've said many times, I'm just making crap up.

Obligatory notification of bias: I don't follow college basketball AT ALL. Enlighten me with your wisdom in the comments section below.

Darren Collison (6-1, 165 lbs., PG, UCLA, Age 21) — Text-based links: DRAFT EXPRESS PROFILE /// BIG BUNCH OF STATS FROM ESPN /// OFFICIAL BIO FROM UCLA ///

Video-based links: MEDIA INTERVIEW /// JOINT INTERVIEW WITH HOLIDAY AND HOPSON /// PG HIGHLIGHTS ///

Timbo's Take: I like this guy, he sounds smart. Undersized, speedster, Aaron Brooks-type... If KP has any designs on picking a Point Guard at the #24 slot, this is the guy. Most boards have him coming to that point and going off the board not much further down the list. Snagging one of the more elite PGs would require a sacrifice to swing the deal, KP can probably get Collison with his regular pick just for being swell... And I have a hunch he WILL get Collison, seeing how Sergio is headed for the exits and a team really does need to carry three... (Remember the Blake injury last year?) Bear in mind also that KP has signaled his intention to keep Poppin' Fresh, aka Steve Blake, as his PG in the coming year... That means no incoming vet, that means he needs to draft one, that means Collison. Capisch? On the other hand, KP has been known to make his own luck by trading up — and I still wouldn't be the least surprised to see him swinging a deal with New Jersey to snag DeJuan Blair out from Indiana... That would be a pretty good team for whom Travis could strut his stuff, would it not?

Dante Cunningham (6-8, 230 lbs., PF, Villanova, Age 22) — Text-based links: DRAFT EXPRESS PROFILE /// BIG BUNCH OF STATS FROM ESPN /// OFFICIAL BIO FROM VILLANOVA /// 

Video-based links: /// PRE-DRAFT COMBINE INTERVIEW // HOW A PF IS SUPPOSED TO PLAY (and Vitale swoons) /// BREAKAWAY DUNK /// DUNKING OVER DURANT /// 2008-09 HIGHLIGHT REEL ///

Timbo's Take: I don't know this guy at all. Parents both in the miliitary, that's a culture plus... Racked up 16 ppg in college last year, that's getting it done at a very acceptable rate for a PF... A bit more of a jump shooter vs. a glass eater... Damn, he looks like Travis in that picture... Maybe KP can swing him with the #55 pick to give Annie a new "baby boy" to pamper. Draft Express has him going at the #54 pick, so you never know... KP will win my heart if he manages to stockpile an extra PF with this draft — I'm so sick of being one short that it would be a pleasure to watch a team that is one heavy... Still, I don't think this guy is probably the answer. If I'm wrong and KP does likee, this guy would be the logical pick with the #38. 

Tyler Hansbrough (6-9, 230 lbs., PF, UNC, Age 23) — Text-based links: DRAFT EXPRESS PROFILE /// BIG BUNCH OF STATS FROM ESPN /// OFFICIAL BIO FROM UNC ///

Video-based links: DO WE REALLY NEED TO SEE VIDEO OF HIM?

Timbo's Take: As a former National Player of the Year and the star player on this season's National Championship team, Tyler Hansbrough is well known. Very well known. Very, very well known. Nobody in the current draft is so polarizing — some see him as a tad undersized but making up for his physical shortcomings with passion, technique, and aggression (a la Señor Amor), others see nothing but an overhyped, overrated white boy bust at the next level. My own perspective is strongly oriented towards the former rather than the latter. Dude put up 20 ppg in college, and that's terrific. Still, there seems little chance that Hansbrough falls all the way to #24 and equally little chance that KP trades up to get him. It's rumored that the Utah Jazz have stars in their eyes for him. They pick at the 20 spot and that's where he goes if he's not gone by then because either Boozer or Millsap is walking... That's a good match, gritty PFs that play past physical limitations is something that Coach Jerry Sloan seems to specialize in. Thanks for the visit, Tyler, but I really doubt it's happening for ya here...

Jeff Pendergraph (6-9, 230 lbs., PF, ASU, Age 22) — Text-based links: DRAFT EXPRESS PROFILE /// BIG BUNCH OF STATS FROM ESPN /// OFFICIAL BIO FROM ASU ///

Video-based links: GET TO KNOW JEFF PENDERGRAPH /// COMMENTS AFTER SCORING 27 /// SOFTSPOKEN BIGMAN /// JEFF PENDERGRAPH INTERVIEWS JEFF PENDERGRAPH /// DUNK IN TRAFFIC /// 

Timbo's Take: Man, Ben's raving excitement about Pendergraph's workout gave me a contact buzz... Still, none of the 10 mock drafts I looked at 2 days ago had Pendergraph going in the 1st Round. So with all due respect to the Amazing Benjamin, me believing that packs of consumers set market prices — this guy ain't gonna be the #24 pick of the NBA draft, no matter how much KP likes him. Taking him that high would be overpaying... I worry about the Suns and the Spurs a little bit on him, but we'll have to trust in the Draft Gods a little bit that he lasts until the #33 pick. (P.S. Ha ha, I just checked Draft Express and their mock had him going at #37 to the Spurs — did I call that right or what?) Draft Express has him ranked just behind Ganai Lawal, but I think there has to be bonus points given for having played in the Pac-10, yes? **ADDENDA: A 66% SHOOTER THIS YEAR, 58% FOR HIS COLLEGE CAREER. YOWZA!!!***

But wait, there's more... A POLL!!!