Chris Paul, Wake Forest
The 6-foot sophomore point guard (left) can score, hand out assists, lead a team and is coming off a sensational freshman season in the ACC, which is a rarity for a point.
Chris Thomas, Notre Dame
Another of the point guards who scores as well as choreographs, and the 6-1 senior benefits from three years of invaluable experience.
John Lucas III, Oklahoma State
The 5-11 senior guard has all the qualities of Paul and Thomas, plus the lineage that comes with being the son of a dad who played this position in the NBA.
Deron Williams, Illinois
The 6-3 junior guard has all the tools, and his maturity will be invaluable to the Illini as they try to handle all the hype they’ve been getting.
J.J. Redick, Duke
The 6-4 junior guard is arguably the best pure shooter the college game has seen since Chris Mullin was draining jumpers for St. John’s 20 years ago.
Lawrence Roberts, Mississippi State
The 6-9 senior forward was a probable lottery pick last June if he had left school early and is such an impact player that Texas Tech coach Bob Knight once used a triple-team in an attempt to control him.
Francisco Garcia, Louisville
The 6-7 junior guard led his team in scoring, steals and assists last season, which is why Cardinals coach Rick Pitino has said, “He may be one of the best wing players I’ve coached, and I’ve had a lot of draft picks.”
Wayne Simien, Kansas
The 6-9 senior forward is another who would have been a high draft pick if he had entered the draft. He is the Big 12’s top returning scorer and rebounder even though he suffered from a strained groin much of last season.
More Top Picks Watermakers
Ike Diogu, Arizona State
The 6-8 junior forward rides under the radar screen since the Sun Devils stink, but he averaged 22.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game even while confronting constant double-teams.
Joey Graham, Oklahoma State
The 6-7 senior forward was an unheralded member of the Cowboys’ Final Four team last season. He has strength enough to work inside, touch enough to shoot the three and talent enough to emerge as a star.