NBA Draft Prospects: Darren Collison, UCLA

Stats: 14.4 ppg, 4.7 apg, 1.6 spg, 2.5 t/o's, 50.9% FG, 39.2% 3PT, 89.7% FT

Listed Size: 6'1", 165 lb, 8/23/1987 (21 years old)

(photo credit: Achievement Journal)

About Him: A lot of people questioned Darren Collison for going back to school for his senior season. He had already been to three Final Fours and every in the country recognized him as one of the best point guards around. How much more could he really prove to NBA scouts?

For the most part, we knew who and what Collison was as a player. Offensively, he really doesn't do anything spectacularly, but he does everything well. He's quick enough to get by his man and into the lane. He is a good finisher around the rim, using a variety of floaters and short pull-ups when he can't get all the way to the bucket. He's a good three point shooter (the 53% he shot as a junior came back to earth his senior year - 39%), but oddly enough he seems to be more comfortable shooting off the dribble. He doesn't have the quickest release in the world, but when he does get his feet set he can knock them out pretty consistently.

The place he really improved as a senior was with his pull-up jumper. Collison used to be a guy that would only shoot a three or go to the rim. This season, he showed some ability in the mid-range game, knocking down 15 foot pull-ups regularly. This is an important shot to have for an NBA point guard, as finishing at the rim is much more difficult with 7 footers on every team.

Collision had his best season yet as a playmaker, averaging 4.7 apg with an almost 2:1 a/to ratio. But Collison does not really project as a play-making point guard at the next level. While he is good at breaking down his defender, he is not great at drawing extra defenders and finding an open man.

What he does do well is control the game. Collison can get a team into their offense, he won't turn the ball over, and he can run a team. This is important, because Collison does not look to be a starter down the road, but rather a back-up.

Collison's biggest effect on the game comes on the defensive end. He is an extremely pesky defender that will be able to harass most NBA point guards. He also has excellent timing and anticipation, and showed a knack for getting into passing lanes and forcing turnovers.

Comparisons: Best Case: Chris Duhon, Mario Chalmers.

Bottom Line: Collison's a great possession point guard and a very good defender. While he is not great on the offensive end, he projects as an excellent candidate to have an extended career as a back-up in the league.

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