Elonu, Davis, and Sloan All Declare For NBA Draft

With the announcement yesterday that Bryan Davis and Chinemelu "Junior" Elonu have submitted their names for the NBA Draft, the total number of Aggies declaring for early entry into the draft moves to three. Donald Sloan declared his intentions last week. None of the three will hire an agent, so they are basically just testing their value to the NBA at this point. They can attend pre-draft camps and workout for scouts, and get an idea of what they need to improve in their game so they can play at the next level.

While I am relieved that none of the three hired an agent, a part of me is terrified that any one of the three can tear it up at a camp, and make the scouts want to draft him. I am hoping that none of the three will leave early for anything less than first round money. At this point, while I think all three players have the potential to be NBA players, I don't think they are polished enough as players to make the jump right now.

Bryan Davis needs to work on his ball handling; he has a bad habit of bringing the ball down low in the paint, making it easier for defenders to knock the ball away. Elonu also needs to work on his ballhandling; he is very susceptible to turnovers, to the point where I wanted guards to only give him the ball when he was ready to finish, not when he'd have to move on the block. Elonu also needs to learn to finish; both he and Davis have a nasty habit of missing gimme two-footers.

Sloan actually has a fairly robust game; he is able to play at the 1 or 2, he can guide the offense from the point, or bomb away from shooting guard. He is able to create on the floor, and he has a nice jumpshot. He needs to become more consistent from the outside (hit 35% from beyond the arc last season), and become more aggressive in the paint. He did raise his free throw percentage from 63% in 2008 to 74% this past season, so he has shown the ability to improve his game.

These three players have been part of three NCAA Tournament teams at A&M, so I hope all of three return to be the core of a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament team.