NBA Draft Profiles: Chris Singleton, Florida State

Bjorn Zetterberg of SwishScout.com will be helping us out with all of our NBA Draft Profiles this year. You can follow him on twitter @swishscout.

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Stats: 13.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 1.5 spg, 1.2 apg, 2.2 t/o's, 36.8% 3PT

Age: 21, junior

Size:

• Listed: 6'9", 230 lb
• Official: 6'7.75" (no shoes), 6'9" (with shoes), 7'1" (wingspan), 8'7.5" (reach), 230 lb

Strengths: Defense, defense, defense. Singleton may very well be the best all around defensive player in this draft class. He's a legitimate 6'9" in shoes with a wingspan of over seven feet. He's a terrific athlete, with lateral quickness and explosiveness, which means that he will be able to defend multiple positions at the next level. His length and anticipation make him a terror in the passing lanes and a shot blocking presence around the rim. Singleton also rebounds the ball well. On the defensive end of the floor, there is not much that Singleton isn't capable of doing. He's not quite the athlete that Josh Smith is, but he has the potential to be the same kind of defensive playmaker.

Weaknesses: Offense, offense, offense. Right now, Singleton cannot do anything at the NBA level on the offensive end of the floor. His most dangerous weapon on this end is probably his jump shot right now. He's an above average standstill shooter, a guy that can spread the floor with his ability to hit an NBA three ball. That jumper deteriorates, however, when he is forced to shoot off the dribble. Singleton takes far too many pull-up jumpers, as well. With his size, length, and athleticism, he should be getting to the rim and finishing with authority, but for whatever reason he hasn't shown that ability at Florida State. Singleton has shown a better post game this year, taking advantage of his size at the three. That is something that should prove to be a weapon for him at the next level.

Comparisons:

• Best Case Scenario: Josh Smith or Trevor Ariza. This depends on how well Singleton's offensive arsenal comes around. Can he eventually be a 15-18 ppg scorer in the NBA? He has the physical tools to do so.


• Worst Case Scenario: James Posey. Posey has made a career out of being a very capable standstill three point shooter and a lock down defender at the other end of the court. Right now, Singleton is capable of making an NBA roster and doing just that.

Outlook: Singleton is going to be able to defend at the next level. There is almost no question about that. He's got everything a player needs to be a versatile, lockdown defender, and that defense will be enough to help him find a roster spot. But just how good Singleton ends up being will be determined by how well he develops on the offensive end of the floor. He never proved to be a go-to offensive threat at Florida State, although he did deal with a broken foot that caused him to miss two months as a junior. He likely won't ever turn into a big-time, go-to scorer. He's just not wired that way, which is fine. He doesn't need to be. What he does need to be able to do is be a complimentary scorer, the kind of guy that can knock down an open three pointer, create against a close out, and score in the post when he has a mismatch. If he can do that -- becoming a 10-12 ppg scorer that shoots 40% from deep -- he will have a long career in the NBA.

Draft Range: Late Lottery to Mid 1st Round

And the experts say...

• Chad Ford: "The question for Singleton has always been: Can he score enough to make him a lottery pick? Singleton averaged just 13 ppg as a junior and shot just 43 percent from the field. Florida State's inept, grind it out offense can be blamed for some of his woes. The last two summers Singleton looked much better at the summer camps than he did for the Seminoles. But some of it is on Singleton. While he's improved in virtually every aspect of his game offensively, he still needs to be more consistent."


• Draft Express: "With his terrific size, length, lateral quickness and intensity, Singleton puts tremendous pressure on the ball and is an absolute menace in passing lanes. He gets his team tons of extra possessions every game with his ability to collect rebounds, blocks and steals, and is the type of player who would have no problem guarding multiple positions at the NBA level —be it face-up 4's, shot-creating wings, back-to-the-basket forwards, or even switching out onto quicker guards on the perimeter (if that's how his coach elects to defend the pick-and-roll). This type of versatility makes him extremely attractive in today's NBA."


• Swish Scout: "Gifted defensive playmaker who can be a shutdown NBA defender with his instincts and versatility to guard multiple positions. Singleton doesn’t have great offensive skills, but makes due with his transitional finishes and spotty jumper."

Highlights:


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11/30 - College Hoops Week in Review: Feast Week Rehashed

Maybe it is just us, but Feast Week is easily our favorite week of the season outside the month of March.

Meaningful games and twelve straight hours of basketball in November? For an entire week? Can we make this a holiday tradition? Does anyone else like the idea of gift week in mid-December?

All kidding aside, beyond the fact that this week gives us sports fans something to watch when the Lions are getting blown out on Thanksgiving day, college hoops junkies get a chance to see a number of teams that are going to be a factor come March.

(photo credit: ESPN)

Without Feast Week, would you know that Iona has the horses to compete in the competitive MAAC this season? Or that the Gaels have a seven footer named Jonathon Huffman that is a lights out three point shooter? Or that Portland will beat some good teams with their shooting, but will struggle against athletic teams that pressure on the perimeter and crash the glass?

Probably not.

Hit the jump for a recap of all the Feast Week tournaments.

Feast Week MOP: Klay Thompson, Washington State

Thompson has certified himself as the early favorite for Pac-10 player of the year. In three games in the Great Alaska Shootout, Thompson averaged 29.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, and 2.0 apg while shooting 56.9% from the floor and going 14-24 from deep. He also spent a lot of time defending the best perimeter player on the floor and was a big reason the Cougars were able to hold San Diego's dynamic point guard Brandon Johnson to just 13 points (on 4-12 shooting) and 2 assists. What is most impressive is that Thompson is doing this while team's know that he is the only guy that is a real threat offensively in the half court. There may not be a more dangerous play in the country coming off of a screen than Thompson, who proved that fact on Saturday night. He set a Great Alaska Shootout record with 43 points against San Diego.

Klay Thompson was on fire throughout the four day tournament.
(photo credit: AP)

First Team All-Feast Week:

• Manny Harris, Michigan: Michigan lost their last two games in the Old Spice Classic, but it wasn't because Manny Harris didn't show up. In the three games in Orlando, Harris averaged 22.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 5.7 apg, and 2.7 spg. Evan Turner may have a challenger for most complete player in the Big Ten.
• John Shurna, Northwestern: Everyone thought Northwestern's season was a lost cause when they lost Kevin Coble, but this John Shurna kid looks pretty good. He only outplayed Luke Harangody and Craig Brackins while averaging 24 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and 4.0 apg in leading Northwestern to a title in the Chicago Invitational. Not a bad introduction to the nation.
• DJ Kennedy, St. John's: Are the Johnnies back? They won the Hoop Group Classic in Philly this weekend, beating Siena and Temple (in what was basically a road game) en route to the title. Kennedy was the best player on the floor for St. John's as he averaged 19 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 3.5 apg.
• Lazar Hayward, Marquette: Hayward, along with his front court counterpart Jimmy Butler, was a huge reason that Marquette was able to make a run to the finals of the Old Spice Classic. In three games in Orlando, Hayward 22.7 ppg and 7.3 rpg, but more importantly created match-up problems all over the court.
  
• Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia: The Mountaineers won the 76 Classic in Anaheim, and Butler was the biggest reason why. Butler averaged 18.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 3.3 apg, which included a 15 point second half that carried WVU to a win against Texas A&M, while earning MVP honors.

Second Team All-Feast Week

• Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga: Bouldin didn't put up the greatest numbers out in Maui, but he consistently made the big plays that helped the Zags bring their first title back to Spokane. He averaged 15 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, and 2.0 spg.
• Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech: Delaney was borderline unstoppable during the Philly Hoop Group Classic, as he averaged 28.0 ppg in two games. That included a 32 point outburst against Temple in a game where the Hokies managed just 50 as a team.
• Jon Scheyer, Duke: Scheyer is never going to put up the best numbers playing the point for Duke, but, as Coach K said after the UConn game, Scheyer is the most important player on the Blue Devils roster. He proved it in two games in MSG this week, averaging 17.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 5.0 apg while committing just his first three turnovers of the season. If you include the two first round games from two weeks ago, Scheyer averaged 16.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 5.0 apg with a 6.7:1 assist:turnover ratio.
• Chris Singleton, Florida State: Singleton won the MVP of the Old Spice Classic as he went for 18 points and 10 boards in the final against Marquette. Not only did he give FSU a huge lift in the second half, he was a big reason that Lazar Hayward struggled to find a rhythm in the final. For the tournament, he averaged 15.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, and 3.0 spg.
• Keion Bell, Pepperdine: Bell earned a national reputation in the fall for being a dunker, but through seven games he has shown he is much more than just his vertical. In three games during the World Vision Basketball Challenge, Bell averaged 26.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 4.7 apg while winning tournament MVP.

TOURNAMENT RECAPS

76 Classic

• Champ: West Virginia over Portland
• MVP: Da'Sean Butler
• Three Key Storylines:
  
  - UCLA's struggles continue as they lost three games in this tournament to mid-majors - Butler, Long Beach State, and Portland by 27.
  
  - Portland, a team some think may be the third best WCC, reaches the finals as they knocked off UCLA and Minnesota, a win that will look very good come Selection Sunday. The same can be said for Texas A&M, who knocked off Clemson and Minnesota.
  
  - West Virginia finally got Devin Ebanks back into uniform, and he didn't disappoint, scoring 14 points and 9 boards in his debut on Friday.

CBE Classic

• Champ: Texas over Pitt
• MVP: Damion James
• Three Key Storylines:
  
  - Pitt may be without Jermaine Dixon and Gilbert Brown, and they sure are going to miss the four starters that are gone, but the Panthers are going to be able to compete with anyone simply because they play defense and they play hard.
  
  - Texas lost guard Varez Ward for the season with a torn quad muscle he suffered in warmups. Ward was much improved this season, and was a starter for Rick Barnes. The Longhorns are deep in the back court, but losing Ward could still hurt this team.
  
  - How much longer is Todd Lickliter going to be allowed to try and rebuild Iowa?
  

Chicago Invitational Challenge

• Champ: Northwestern over Iowa State
• MVP: John Shurna
• Three Key Storylines:
  
  - A lot of people thought Northwestern had a chance to make to NCAA Tournament for the first time ever before Kevin Coble got hurt. With John Shurna out playing Craig Brackins and Luke Harangody, they may still have a chance.
  
  - We know about Craig Brackins, but with Lucca Staiger and Marquis Gilstrap developing into solid offensive threats, the Cyclones may be end up being able to compete in the Big XII.
  
  - Along those same lines, we know what Ben Hansbrough can provide, but will Tim Abromaitis continue to play at this level as the competition increases.
  

Great Alaska Shootout

• Champ: Washington State over San Diego
• MVP: Klay Thompson
• Three Key Storylines:
  
  - Klay Thompson averaged 29.7 ppg in three games. If he can keep producing anywhere near that well, Wazzu has a shot of getting a bid to the dance.
  
  - Oklahoma lost their first two games in this tournament, and won their third despite Willie Warren being held out by Jeff Capel.
  
  - San Diego picked up two wins in the tournament, including one over Oklahoma. Brandon Johnson looks like he can really play. Can the Toreros win enough games to make the tournament?
  

Legends Classic

• Champ: Florida over Rutgers
  
• MVP: Erving Walker
• Three Key Storylines:
  
  - After beating Florida State and Michigan State in the span of a week, Florida should be getting the hype that Syracuse got after their run through the CvC. They won't. They won on HDNet. Syracuse won on ESPN.
  
  - How good is Mike Rosario? He scored 20 in the first half of Rutgers opener against UMass, but he scored just 16 over the rest of the two day tournament.
  
  - Against Florida, Michigan State committed 23 turnovers and made a number of silly, costly fouls down the stretch. Is this really a team coached by Tom Izzo?
  

Maui Invitational

• Champ: Gonzaga over Cincinnati
  
• MVP: Matt Bouldin and Steven Gray
• Three Key Storylines:
  
  - Cincinnati has the talent, the toughness, and the size to make a run at a top three spot in the Big East. But will they be enough of a team?
  
  - Apparently, Gonzaga has some strength on the interior this season, as Robert Sacre and Elias Harris were able to hold their own against a very big Cincinnati team.
  
  - Greivis Vasquez still has yet to find his stride. He is shooting just 32.9% from the floor and 26.1% from deep on the season, and in the three games this week, he was just 13-37 from the field and 4-15 from deep. He had 11 assists and 11 turnovers.
  

NIT Season Tip-Off

• Champ: Duke over UConn
  
• MVP: Jon Scheyer
• Three Key Storylines:
  
  - If Derek Glasser and Eric Boateng can perform like they against LSU, the Sun Devils may just be good enough to make the NCAA Tournament.
  
  - UConn is athletic. UConn can block shots. But UConn is not strong inside, and not a good rebounding team this season.
  
  - Duke is for real this season, as their back court is playing some great basketball right now and their front court seems to be living up to the potential.
  

Old Spice Classic

• Champ: Florida State over Marquette
• MVP: Chris Singleton
• Three Key Storylines:
  
  - Manny Harris, who averaged 22.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 5.7 apg, and 2.7 spg, looks like he may be having a good enough season to make a run at the Big 10 player of the year award.
  
  - Siena and Niagara may not be the runaway favorites in the MAAC. Iona gave Florida State all they could hand in the opener, took Baylor to OT in the second round, and yesterday knocked off Creighton.
  
  - Xavier goes as Jordan Crawford goes. In the win, he had 22 points on 8-12 from the field and 4-5 from three. In the two losses, Crawford was a combined 10-39 from the floor while averaging 12.5 ppg.
  

Match-ups of the week:

• 12/2 - 7:00 pm: Siena @ Georgia Tech
• 12/2 - 7:00 pm: Pitt @ Duquesne
• 12/2 - 8:00 pm: Northern Iowa @ Iowa State
• 12/2 - 8:00 pm: Arkansas @ Oklahoma
• 12/2 - 8:00 pm: Oklahoma State @ Tulsa
• 12/2 - 9:00 pm: UNLV @ Arizona
• 12/2 - 9:00 pm: Washington State @ Gonzaga
  
• 12/2 - 9:30 pm: Missouri @ Vanderbilt
• 12/3 - 7:00 pm: Washington @ Texas Tech
• 12/3 - 10:30 pm: Baylor @ Arizona State
• 12/5 - 12:30 pm: UNC @ Kentucky
• 12/5 - 3:30 pm: St. John's @ Duke
• 12/5 - 5:30 pm: Wake Forest @ Gonzaga
• 12/5 - 9:00 pm: Washington State @ Kansas State
  
• 12/5 - 11:00 pm: Iowa State @ Cal
• 12/6 - 1:00 pm: South Carolina @ Clemson
• 12/6 - 5:30 pm: Kansas @ UCLA
• 12/6 - 7:30 pm: Villanova @ Maryland
  

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2009-2010 Team Preview: Florida State Seminoles

2008-2009 Record: 25-10, 10-6 ACC (4th)

Key Losses: Toney Douglas (21.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg), Uche Echefu (8.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg)

Key Returners: Solomon Alibi (8.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.1 bpg), Chris Singleton (8.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Derwin Kitchen (7.9 ppg, 2.5 apg)

Newcomers: Pierre Jordan, Michael Snaer, Terrence Shannon, Jon Kreft

FSU is hoping Solomon Alabi becomes a force inside this season.
(photo credit: Dime Mag)

If there is one word to describe this Florida State team it is potential. Three guys on this rosters - sophomores Solomon Alabi and Chris Singleton and freshman Michael Snaer - may all one day end up being lottery picks. But they are also all just as likely to never average double digits in a Seminole uniform.

Alabi is the anchor to what could be one of the best front lines in the ACC. In terms on athleticism, you really cannot ask for much more out of a seven footer. He can run the floor, he has above-average footwork, he can jump (and has an excellent reach, making him a good shot blocker), and his is as mobile and agile as big guys come. The problem is he still needs to add some weight and strength, as he gets pushed around too much on the block. Joining Alabi in the starting front court is Ryan Reid, a 6'8" muscle bound senior who provides the toughness and strength Alabi lacks. With Uche Echefu graduating, 6'11" sophomore project Xavier Gibson could see more time.

The 'Noles could also get a boost up front if another seven footer, Jon Kreft, is ever able to make it into school. Kreft was a five-star recruit in the class of 2006, but did a year in jail for some drug charges. He was enrolled at a JuCo (Chipola College) and was supposed to be eligible to enter FSU in the fall, but did not receive his degree. Hopefully, he will be ready by the start of the winter semester, but FSU does not have him on their roster as of now.

On the wing, it is all about length for Leonard Hamilton's team. The guy you need to watch for is Chris Singleton. A big-time recruit for Hamilton, Singleton got off to a hot start, but struggled mightily once ACC play started. Cut from the same cloth as UConn's Stanley Robinson, Singleton will be counted on for defense, energy, and an increased scoring load.

Also on the perimeter will be top 10 recruit Michael Snaer. Snaer still has a ways to go before his skill level catches up with his athleticism, but what is going to make him effective is his motor. He is a tenacious rebounder and defender with energy for days. FSU does have quite a bit of depth on the perimeter as Luke Loucks, Deividis Dulkys, and Jordan DeMercy should all see a lot of times.

One guy to keep an eye on here is freshman combo forward Terrence Shannon. Shannon flew a bit under the radar after he tore his acl playing AAU ball before his senior season. He is 6'7", athletic, and aggressive, and if he gets paired up front with Singleton and Alabi, FSU will be able to get up and down the floor with any team in the country.

When it comes down to it, the most important player on this team is going to be Derwin Kitchen. FSU didn't just lose 21.9 ppg when Toney Douglas graduated. They lost their point guard, their leader, and their best play maker. Derwin Kitchen was as hyped as they come, but it took him some time to get into Florida State (he finally joined them midway through last season). Kitchen showed flashes on being able to handle a play making role last season, but overall seemed to struggle a bit with his decision making and his shooting. It will be interesting to see if Kitchen can live up to the potential he had coming out of high school now that Douglas is gone and it is his show.

Outlook: Potential, potential, potential. So much of what FSU does this season will be determined by how well some of these guys develop. Will Alabi be a force in the paint on both ends? Can Kitchen handle the point guard duties? Will Singleton and Snaer be able to provide a scoring punch from the perimeter? How will the guys on their bench develop?

Pesonally, I think FSU is still a year away. They have too many question marks and "what-ifs?". I don't see Singleton or Snaer developing into a consistent scoring threat from the wing, and I doubt Kitchen can carry the team like Douglas did. While they have enough talent to win a couple games they shouldn't, I'm betting the will end up around .500 in league play.

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