Top 5 Basketball Players(Guards) That I got this season

There were a ton of good guards that I met this year, so this lineup was tough. I pretty much had my first 3-4 figured out, but #5 was difficult.

5)Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh

I had to go for the numbers a lot for this one, because I only saw Gibbs play in person once. From what I saw though, he is definitely a scorer, and was a leader as a senior. Pitt was a team with some talent this year, and he managed to score over 15 ppg. Right now he probably won't be drafted, but he may be a guy to make it in tryouts.

 4)Shabbazz Napier, Connecticut

To be honest, Shabbazz can be extremely difficult to watch because of his selfishness and attitude, but he can play. He does have an attitude on and off the court, and even called out his teammates at one point. Not to dismiss character, because it is an important trait, but Napier is a good scorer who averaged over 12 ppg, and 5 assists per game. If a team can get over his attitude issues, he will be a pretty late pick in the draft, most likely in the middle of the second round.

 3)Ryan Boatright, Connecticut

Ryan Boatright is simply an exciting player to watch. He missed many games due to suspension, but he made the most of the time he had, and proved that he can compete with the best guards in college basketball. Ryan managed to average over 10 ppg, and 4 assists per game. Because of his suspension, he will be back at Uconn next year to build more draft stock, and when he declares, he will be a late first round pick.

 2)Dion Waiters, Syracuse

After watching Syracuse over the tournaments in the last few weeks, wow. Dion has proved a lot, as to his ability. It is incredibly hard to ponder that he is a bench player, and this is due to how substantially deep Syracuse is as a team. Dion made shot after shot, averaging over 12 ppg, and beyond the stats, with the eye test, he is simply great. Some mocks have him going this year, but I think he will start for Syracuse next season, and end up going mid-late first round next year.

1)Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Although Lamb failed to show up last week in Uconn's last game in the Big East Tournament, he proved this year that he can score like crazy. He didn't move the ball around all that much, averaging only over 1 assist per game, however, he did get up on the boards, with just under 5 per game. Lamb has a lot of draft stock, and if things go right he should be a lottery pick in the upcoming draft.

Laura Ling

Last night, Laura Ling visited my university to lecture about her time held in captivity in North Korea, as well as her work in general. I found the lecture very interesting, and it seemed to hold everyones' attention very well. I suppose what I found most interesting, was how easy it seemed for her to tell such an emotional/scary story.

After the lecture, I met Laura and got her book signed. She was very sincere and engaging with the people who wanted to meet her. She asked me a few questions such as if I was a student, and what my major was.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I am happy that I got to meet her.

It was nice to go to event seeing as how I'm kind of stuck in between basketball and baseball season right now!
Total Autographs for 2012:115


If you don't know who Laura Ling is, watch this interview by CBS:

Top 5 (Forwards/Centers) That I Got This Year

I'm writing this entry for a couple of reasons. To show the best current players' autos that I got this season, as well as to show people who they should expect to see in the NBA over the next 2 drafts.
I was originally going to do one entry, but decided to split it into front court and back court players.

5)Yancy Gates, Cincinnati:

Gates isn't currently projected to be in the next 2 drafts, but that doesn't mean he won't play in the NBA. Look for him to make a team through try outs, and possibly make an impact on the defensive end.

Gates can score as he averaged 12.4 ppg, and his rebounding numbers are very impressive with 9.2 per game.

After the brawl controversy, Gates matured a lot and showed what kind of basketball player he can be.

4)Alex Oriakhi, Connecticut

After a very impressive showing in the NCAA tournament last season, Alex had a bit of a down year, yet still contributed to Uconn a little bit. He only averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds, but his playing time was cut considerably with the arrival of Andre Drummond. Oriakhi will be back for his senior season, and after next season is projected to be a second round draft pick:

3)Kevin Jones, West Virginia

I can't believe I am ranking this guy third, but it just goes to show how deep the Big East was with talent this season. Jones' stats speak for itself, but watching him is simply something else. He is so dominant in the paint, and just a force against any team. He lead the Big East in scoring with over 20 ppg, and averaged over 11 rebounds per game. Averaging a double double in this league is not easy, and he did it seamlessly.

Jones will be a late first round pick in June's NBA Draft, meaning he will go to a winning team. This may make it difficult for him to make an impact at first, but he eventually will:

 2)Fab Melo, Syracuse

Fab lost some of his Sophomore campaign due to injury, but this didn't seem to affect him too much. He received a huge amount of playing time compared to his Freshman season, and averaged 7.8 points per game, and 5.8 rebounds per game. When healthy, he is a force inside. He needs to keep his emotions under control, and if he can do this, he will be something special.

Stock wise, he will be a late first round pick in June's draft, probably going very close to Kevin Jones:

 1)Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Drummond is a physical specimen. He can block any shot, however he needs to better pick his spots. He has shown a lack of experience at many points, and his foul shooting, or lack thereof, resembles that of Shaq. His potential however is staggering, and he has a ton of upside. He is explosive when he has confidence, but has imploded at times when he misses a few shots, or someone manages to take it to him.

Drummond ended up averaging over 10 ppg, and almost 8 rebounds per game.

It is st ill not clear whether he will leave after this year to enter the draft, personally I think he should stay for one more year to gain the needed experience, but if he does declare, a team will take advantage of this and he will absolutely be a lottery pick:

3/3/12 Uconn Vs. Pittsburgh

Today was white out Gampel day, and the scene when I got to my seat was pretty cool:

 

The game itself was really good, Pitt never got ahead for the entire game. During the game I spotted Uconn legend, and longtime NBA player Donyell Marshall. I ended up waiting inside for him for a little bit after the game, but he never got up so I just went outside in case other people would come out.

While getting some Pitt autographs, Donyell walked out where I was waiting, and signed, but didn't not speak a single word. Still a very nice surprise to get a former NBA player:

Uconn wise it was a pretty dry graphing day, I got Andre Drummond on a photo:

  

I also got Tyler Olander:

Also while in the midst of getting some Pitt Guys, I got Alex Oriahki:

I had a really good outing graphing Pitt, I basically got everything done that I took with me, so I can't complain.

I got their stars, Nasir Robinson:

Aston Gibbs:

Head Coach, Jamie Dixon, didn't seem to be a fan of signing but he did it:

As usual, I did a team sheet as well and got 7 guys on it:

Nasir Robinson

Lamar Patterson

Tray Woodall

Aron Nwankwo 

Nick Rivers

Durand Johnson

Isaiah Epps

 I ended my day with a strong note. After waiting for quite a while, I was able to score once again, legend Jim Calhoun. I had some nice photos of him, but it was raining before the game so I couldn't take them with me. 

Jim Calhoun's autograph will be the last one of my first season graphing basketball. It was a really great year going to all of the games, and I met a lot of new contacts and friends. I can't wait  until November again! But of course the end of basketball season brings baseball season, and that is fine with me!

Total Autographs for 2012:114