Luke Harangody: NBA Draft Profile

College: Notre Dame

Class: Junior

Position: PF

Height: 6’8”

Weight: 255lbs

Accolades: Second Team All-American - AP (08), Second Team All-American - CHN (08), Second Team All-American - USBWA (08), Big East Player of the Year (08), First Team All-Big East (08), Wooden All-American Team (08), Big East All-Rookie Team (07).

Scouting Report: The gridiron meets the hardwood.

Strengths: A beast in the paint - overpowers defenders down low. Great with his back to the basket. A double-double machine. Dominates arguably the toughest conference in college basketball. Deceptively athletic. Great build - built like a NFL tight end. Goes to the rim hard. Can absorb contact and still score. Has a decent face-up jumper. Good at drawing fouls. Decent free throw shooter. Extremely consistent. Good hands.

Weaknesses: Stuck between positions in the NBA - too short for the post (might only be 6’7”) and doesn’t possess the skills for the wing position. Won’t be able to overpower defenders as easily in the NBA. Doesn’t have a three-point shot. Not an off-the-charts athlete. Doesn’t block many shots.

Projected 2009 Draft Range: Lottery pick (2009); Second round pick (2010).

Consensus: It really doesn’t make too much sense for Luke Harangody to enter this year’s NBA draft. Despite being a tremendous NCAA player, he doesn’t project to be a standout in the NBA. However, with his skills and tenacity he should find his way onto an NBA roster eventually - he just might not get off the bench too often.

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