Cartier Martin
Draft Projection: Second round to undrafted
Positives: He's long, athletic, rebounds and has proven he can shoot the 3. Big-time scorer. Versatile enough to even swing to the two on occasion.
Negatives: Injuries have limited his impact through the first two years of his career.
Summary: Scouts were very high on him coming out of high school, but injuries have led him to underproduce the past two seasons. This season he seemed to be putting it all together and looks like he could be a good prospect.
Bill Walker
Draft Projection: Late first to early second
Similarities: Vince Carter
Notes: One of the top recruits in the country was ruled ineligible for his senior high school season. Walker promptly graduated early and then committed to Kansas State. He became eligible to play on December 16th, 2006. He ruptured his ACL in early January and will miss the reminder of the 2006-2007 NCAA season.
Positives: Super athletic, versatile wing is a beast when he puts the ball on the floor and gets to the rim. Jumps out of the gym. Very quick. Good handle. Sees the floor well. Excellent perimeter shooter with deep range. Already possesses a NBA body.
Negatives: Two ACL injuries, one to his right knee in 2003 and one to his left in 2006 are the biggest knocks right now. There was a time when scouts wondered a little about his ball handling, but they say he's improved that weakness.
Summary: Walker's season ending ACL injury ended all the talk about whether he'll be eligible for the 2007 NBA Draft. He won't be playing basketball again until the Fall of 2007. Given that Walker's freakish athleticism was his greatest strength, the ACL injury should have a devastating effect on his draft stock. He moves from a high lottery pick to a bubble first rounder until we see him on the court again.
