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2006 Orlando Predraft Camp: Player Evaluations
By Aran Smith 6/10/06

Darius Washington Jr. (Memphis) -- 10.7 ppg, 2.67 apg, 70.6 fg%, 75 ft% -- Scouts feel he should return to Memphis, however there were some scouts saying he may have worn out his welcome. He's obviously a very talented player, but concerns linger about his attitude. He is this year's John Gilchrist, though not quite the physical specimen. Washington played well, but his awful body language may have erased all of the positive efforts.

Current Mock Draft Order

9. Golden St. Rodney Carney 6-7 205 SF Memphis Sr.
18. Washington Shawne Williams 6-9 225 SF Memphis Fr
Not Drafted - Darius Washington, Jr.

Player Profiles

Rodney Carney
NBA Comparison: Richard Jefferson
Strengths: Highlight reel waiting to happen ... One of the most athletic players in all of college basketball … Jump shot has improved ... Big upside… Long and lean … Very versatile… Great elevation on jumper which is nearly impossible to block… Confident… Good poise … Pesky defender … Blankets defenders with his long arms and quick feet… Anticipates well and plays the passing lanes for steals ... Really gets up and grabs rebounds … Excellent speed and quickness …
Weaknesses: Needs to add strength, put time in the weight room and bulk up some ... Can be prone to taking bad shots at times … Forces shots … Must become better at handling the ball and creating offense for himself ... Settles with the outside shot instead of trying to get something easier … Lacks great vision and passing ability ... Needs to shoot with more consistency… Can be too reliant on his athleticism ... Needs to get a little tougher on the court ... Too right hand dependent, needs to become better at handling with his left hand ...
Notes: Indiana State high jump champion in high school clearing 6-feet-11 ... His mother, DeAndra Ware, was the state champion in Indiana High School track and field and held the world record in the 60-yard dash ... Brother of former Tennessee star Ron Slay ...

Shawne Williams
NBA Comparison: Walt Williams
Strengths: Has tremendous versatility, at 6-9 Shawne can play from the 1-thru-4 positions ... Advanced offensive game, really understands how to play ... Great one on one skills offensively ... Great vision, passing skills ... Good ball handler, almost second nature ... Can create for himself or others off the dribble drive ... Consistent jump shot, with range out to three point ... A highlight reel waiting to happen ... Extremely long wingspan makes him a terrific rebounder and shot blocker ... Good competitor, doesn't back down from a challenge, as he showed squaring off with Adam Morrison after being pushed ... His body is not far from being NBA ready ...
Weaknesses: Low-release point on his jumper could cause problems at the next level ... Will need to develop better defensive technique, more intensity ... Quickness is very good, but won't stand out on the next level ... Still must add strength and conditioning ...
Notes: Played a fifth year at Laurenburg Prep which gave him great experience and developed his skill level heading into college ...

Darius Washington
NBA Comparison: Rod Strickland
Strengths: Tough nosed lead guard with excellent speed and quickness ... Gets a step on his man and he's gone ... Tough to contain due to his ability to get by defenders and into the paint ... Tremendous finisher, very good at scoring around the basket ... Steps up in clutch situations, doesn't cave under pressure ... Good ball handler, strong one on one skills ... Feisty competitor, plays with a chip on his shoulder ... Plays with a lot of attitude ... Very passionate, as witnessed by his reaction after he missed the two free throws keeping the Tigers out of the 2005 NCAA tournament ... Gets to the line well and shoots at a solid clip (just under 80%) ... Has good body strength ... Decent vision and passing skills ... Has explosiveness, but rarely shows it in game situations ...
Weaknesses: Still not the all around floor general that he needs to be for success on the next level ... Decision making can be questionable at times ... Lacks great range on his shot ... Struggled shooting the ball in his sophomore season, his overall statistics dropped from his freshman year ... Must improve his shot selection ... Assist to turnover ratio is very concerning at below 1-1 ... Must get a lot better at protecting the ball ... Defensive intensity and effort can improve ... Developed a reputation as being a bit of a hot head in high school ... Not much of a rebounder ...