Looking Ahead to the 2009 Draft

Blake Griffin, Forward, Oklahoma: At this point, Griffin is the frontrunner to be the number one pick in the '09 draft. He had a great freshman season at Oklahoma and likely would have been a lottery pick in the '08 draft had he not decided to stay in school. Griffin reminds some scouts of Carlos Boozer and possesses both NBA-readiness and solid upside.

Brandon Jennings, Guard, Arizona*: Jennings has the potential to be a special playmaker. His athleticism is nearly unparalleled and it allows him to play above the rim much more than one would expect from a 6-2 player. He's an excellent passer, but tends to get flashy at times which could lead to a high turnover rate on the next level. He's got all the talent in the world, but there are questions about his coachability and decision making. He's definitely a player who will sell NBA tickets, but it's not certain that he's a player whose style will win games.