2010 NBA Draft: Five Hidden Gems

Though the NBA draft may not receive the same level of hype of the NFL draft, it can be even more exciting because of the pressure placed on team to find players with only a couple of draft selections.

While the top picks in the 2010 NBA Draft may garner most of the attention, NBA fans should pay close attention to these hidden gems that will be selected later on in the draft.

Quincy Pondexter (Washington)

NBA teams had the chance to see Pondexter emerge during his senior year in college and made his presence known in the 2010 NCAA tournament. His athleticism and scoring touch make him a solid contributor on the front line.

Despite playing four years at the college rank, Pondexter's skills are still rough around the edges. If he is able to extend his shooting range to the mid-level, Pondexter will turn into a quality player in the NBA.

A smart team would not let Pondexter slip past their selection in the late first or early second of the 2010 NBA draft.

Solomon Alabi (FloridaState)

The 7'1" sophomore center from FSU has the physical tools to help solidify most NBA teams. Though he may never become a dominant center, Alabi's athletic ability will allow him to adjust and position himself better than the average NBA center.

Alabi has a natural ability when it comes to shot blocking and he proved himself from the line by hitting 79% of his free throws.

The biggest concerns NBA teams will have for Alabi is the lack of weight behind his frame, especially with the recent issues surrounding Hasheem Thabeet, who was selected second overall in the 2009 NBA draft.

Luke Harangody (Notre Dame)

In the NBA the niche roles are always changing, but the role of the scorer remains constant. Any team that selects Harangody in the 2010 NBA Draft will find that he fits that role perfectly.

During his college career, Harangody averaged at over 20 points per game during his last three years. Not only did he show a knack for putting the ball in the basket, Harangody showed leadership on the court and was never afraid to take the team on his back.

The biggest knock on Harangody may be his lack of pure athleticism that is found in the modern NBA players. His solid work ethic will help Harangody find success at the next level.

Sherron Collins (Kansas)

Teams who will be looking for a playmaker in the 2010 NBA draft should not overlook Collins. In college Collins should a knack for being a relentless defender who can hang with the best of them. On the offensive side, Collins has the ability to drive the lane or use his long shooting range to put up points.

One of the downsides for Collins is his tendency to be a scorer rather than a playmaker. He did show his ability to adapt later in his college career, which should be a positive sign for NBA teams.

The four years Collins spent at Kansas will have him prepared for the next level and he will make an impact on the team that selects him in the 2010 NBA draft.

Jordan Crawford (Xavier)

While NBA championships may have one or two star players, they are surrounded by role players who step up to make the big shot or steal when the team needs them. Jordan Crawford fits that role.

Crawford stepped up his game during the 2010 NCAA tournament by averaging 29 points per game and at times, carried his team on his back.

The big knock on Crawford is that he is one dimensional and will need to learn to be selfless at the NBA rank. If he is selected by the right team in the 2010 NBA draft, Crawford should pay dividends down the road.

Resources

2010 NBA Draft Central

NCAA Men's basketball