TOP PROSPECTS

The top players at each position in today’s NBA draft (in alphabetical order):

POINT GUARD

BARON DAVIS, UCLA, 6-2 1/2, 209

There are questions about his knee, but he’s the best at taking a defender off the dribble.

STEVE FRANCIS, Maryland, 6-2 1/2, 195

Best athlete among the point guards. He can shoot from the outside and drive the basket. Shot 39% from three-point range, 52% overall.

ANDRE MILLER, Utah, 6-2, 199

He has a suspect jump shot, but is the best point guard available at creating opportunities for his teammates.

JASON TERRY, Arizona, 6-1 1/2, 176

Top defensive guard in the draft. Adapted his game when Mike Bibby left early for the NBA and became better offensively. Improved each season.

SHOOTING GUARD

RON ARTEST, St. John’s, 6-6, 244

Shoots with range, drives to the basket, can post up a defender, gets many steals and can block shots. A complete player.

RICHARD HAMILTON, Connecticut, 6-6, 185

The best pure shooter of this group. A solid offensive player. Needs to add some bulk to better withstand the NBA schedule.

TRAJAN LANGDON, Duke, 6-2, 195

Knee injury he suffered after his freshman season has scouts questioning his quickness on defense.

COREY MAGGETTE, Duke, 6-6, 218

Young and inexperienced, Maggette is the big question mark in this draft. His shot is suspect, but he has as much pure athletic ability as anyone here.

SMALL FORWARD

TIM JAMES, Miami, 6-6, 200

Extremely intelligent player, James plays excellent defense without picking up a lot of fouls. A poor perimeter shooter.

JUMAINE JONES, Georgia, 6-7 1/2, 218

Outstanding rebounder, Jones will be able to outmuscle many of his opponents. Not great offensively, but he doesn’t make mistakes.

LAMAR ODOM, Rhode Island, 6-10, 220

His second thoughts about coming out for the draft are scary, but this 6-9 player is so smooth handling the ball many scouts feel his future is at point guard.

WALLY SZCZERBIAK, Miami of Ohio, 6-7, 244

If you want a small forward you can plug into the starting lineup on opening night, he’s the guy. The best shooter in the draft.

POWER FORWARD

ELTON BRAND, Duke, 6-8, 275

Scouts breathed a sigh of relief when he measured a legit 6-8 (6-9 1/2 with shoes on) at draft camp.

SCOTT PADGETT, Kentucky, 6-9, 240

Strong offensive rebounder, good shooting range and an excellent passer.

JAMES POSEY, Xavier, 6-7, 215

A defensive force and strong rebounder who needs to bulk up.

KENNY THOMAS, New Mexico, 6-8, 255

Talented all-around player who can make a mid-range jumper. Didn’t always seem motivated to play in college.

CENTER

JONATHAN BENDER, Picayune (Miss.) High, 6-10, 197

Broke Michael Jordan’s record by scoring 31 points in the McDonald’s All-American game. An exceptional post player and ballhandler, Bender will need to bulk up.

EVAN ESCHMEYER, Northwestern, 6-11 1/2, 261

A poor-man’s Shaq. Excellent shooter at close range (58.4% from the field last season), but a terrible free-throw shooter. Excels at passing to open teammate when he is double-teamed.

TODD MACCULLOCH, Washington, 6-11, 280

Made 66% of his shots. Averaged a double-double last season (18.7 points, 11.9 rebounds). The best pure center in the draft.

ALEK RADOJEVIC, Barton (Kan.) Community College, 7-2 1/2, 242

Radojevic has a nice finesse game and hook shot. He is weak defensively, however.