93 Point Guards

[Zyme]

Top 5 Point Guards:

Sam Cassel: C B- B- B- D+ A

Cassel was the centerpiece on the Florida State squad that made it to the elite eight before running into Monster Mash and Kentucky. While they lost, it was close and Kentucky's closest game all tourney, as they were obliterated by Michigan in the final. He was easily the most complete player at this year's combine, showing great skill on both offense from deep (though not as good as Houston), on defense as a first rate perimeter defender (though not as good as Bowen), and as the most skilled passer of the class (and no one came close). While scouts agree there were flashier members of the class, see NVE below, Cassel was the much more complete. Outside of Shaq, Cassel was one of the most NBA ready players of this year's class.

Nick Van Exel: C+ B C+ C D B

Nick came to the combine wanting to tell everyone just how good of player he was. They heard it, god know they heard it, as he talked the ear off anyone who would listen. He talked a big game and, while he would have to score 100 to match his rhetoric, his game was up to snuff. While only 6'1", NVE played a ton above the rim and even showed a decent post game to compliment his well established outside skillset. While his skill was undenyable, his cocky attitude led him to call out his moves before he did then, and against the more polished defenders like Cassel or Whiteny, that ball quickly ended up going the other way. When he did pass, it was as if you were watching a Globetrotter game, as every move was done with a layer of flash. Talks big, but plays big too. If he can get his defense sorted out, he should make a great pro for along time.

Lindsey Hunter: C B B- C+ D C

Small School sniper out of Jackson State. Lindsey showed great maturity all year and ended up walking away with All-Conference honors and conference MVP. While he did ok at the combine, scouts were quite concerned over his durability as he picked up a knock in a scrimmage and passed on the weightlifting drills. He got pushed around often on defense which let scouts to wonder if the "knock" really was just an excuse. This open questioning of Hunter gaming the system angered many of the attending scouts led to the poor evaluation for his perceived character. Beyond this controversy, he showed great touch from mid range and quick hands on defense. he has a very developed passing game and picked his spot very well, even in tight lanes.

Chris Whitney: C B- C B- D B

Whitney and Cassel went to war at the combine to prove whom was the better defender. While most graded Cassel out as having the better upside in general, Whitney was graded out by most scouts to have the best defense of this year's guards. In the season he took Clemson to the cusp of making the Tourney but failed in Semis of the ACC bracket. Great outside shooter, both outside and in, he was difficult to stop. He just never had much of a team around him. He doesn't have the most amazing potential in the draft, but he has a workman attitude and a top rate defensive skillet.

Bobby Hurley: C+ C+ C C+ D A

Hurley was one of those kids who never seemed to put it all together. He showed flashes of amazing but spent long stretches of time just being good. He is extremely skilled, but his lack of size and strength really held him back over his four years at Duke. He was a four years starter for the Blue Devils, and was the point man for their great run last season. The loss of Hill and Christian really showed but he was still able to make the Tourney but was bounced in disappointing fashion against Cal in the round of 32. If he can put weight on his frame, scouts think he can use his outstanding potential and can make a great pro someday, but probably needs a couple of years before he can contribute in a significant way.

Other 1993 Point Guard Prospects:

James Robinson: B C+ C- C+ C- A

Robinson is a solid finisher out of the University of Alabama. While he was high on a lot of GM's list to interview. When he came in they were taken aback just how much he lacked the mind for basketball. He has a solid outside shot and rarely had many turnover issues, he just was a poor game manager and really didn't provide anything outside his scoring. He did good enough in the combine, he squandered a golden opportunity.

Rex Walters: C B- C+ C D- B
Terry Dehere C+ B- C- C+ D B
Greg Graham C C C+ B D+ A
Darnell Mee: C C+ C B- C- A