Darren Collison: NBA Draft Profile

Class: Senior

Position: PG

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 160lbs

Accolades: Third Team All-American - AP (08), Third Team All-American - CHN (08), Second Team All-Pac-10 (08), Pac-10 All-Defensive Team (08), Pac-10 Tournament Most Outstanding Player (08), Pac-10 All-Tournament Team (08), First Team All-Pac-10 (07), Fourth Team All-American - CHN (07), NCAA Tournament All-West Regional Team (07), Fourth Team Parade All-American - high school (05).

Scouting Report: The most experienced, winningest point guard in the draft.

Strengths: Very experienced. A proven winner - played in three Final Fours. Extremely quick. Very fast defender - great on-ball defense. Gets tons of steals. Great passer and floor general. Good genetics - parents were track and field athletes. Can hit shots from anywhere on the floor, both spotting up or off the dribble. Shoots for outstanding % from everywhere (FG, FT, 3pt). Good ball handler.

Weaknesses: Undersized for the NBA. Very thin - 160lbs would make him one of the lightest players in the NBA. Unorthodox shooting style. Not an outstanding athlete or explosive player. Turns the ball over too much - doesn’t have an exceptional assist to turnover ratio.

Projected 2009 Draft Range: Late first round pick.

Consensus: Darren Collison could turn out to be a solid pick for a team drafting in the lower regions of the first round. While he doesn’t project to be a standout NBA player, he should be a solid pro with his playmaking ability, knack for knocking down shots and above average defensive skills.