NBA Draft Prospects: Soloman Alabi, Florida State

Click here to find all of our 2010 NBA Draft prospect breakdowns.

Stats: 11.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.6 bpg, 53.4% FG, 79.4% FT

Size:

• Listed: 7'1", 251 lb, 22 yrs old
  
• Combine: 7'0 3/4" (with shoes), 237 lb, 7'5" (wingspan)
  

About Him: Solomon Alabi is your typical, raw college big man. He has ideal height and length for an NBA center, checking in as a legitimate seven-footer in shoes with a wingspan of 7'5". But as far as NBA readiness is concerned, his size is about the only aspect of his game that can translate to the NBA right now.

For starters, Alabi needs to add some weight, some muscle, and quite a bit of lower body strength. Right now, he has a great deal of trouble holding position on the block on both ends of the floor, even against smaller opponents. It also hurts him on the glass, where he is an alarmingly bad defensive rebounder, in part because he gets pushed to far under the rim. He is a pretty offensive rebounder, however.

While Alabi's size makes him a good shot blocker, in both one-on-one situations and when rotating from the weak side, Alabi does have some bad habits defensively. He goes for far too many steals on entry passes, he has trouble defending the perimeter, and he needs to improve how well he steps out on a pick-and-roll.

Offensively, Alabi has made some strides, but he still has a long way to go. Alabi isn't much more than a catch-and-dunk center right now, but there are some signs that a back to the basket game could develop. As he has added some strength and coordination in his time at Florida State, Alabi's ability to finish through contact and use his left hand has continued to get better. He has a decent and improving little half-hook-half-jumper over his left shoulder, and was able to use his height to get off a shot over his right shoulder this past season. A nearly-80% shooter from the line, Alabi has a soft touch, which is a good sign for the development of his turn around and midrange jumpers.

One concern with Alabi is his age. He's 22 years old already, which means that his ceiling may not be as high as some of the seven footers that are younger than him. That said, he also has not been playing organized basketball as long as some of the american kids in this draft (Alabi is Nigerian), so some believe his development could come quicker.

Comparison:

• Best Case Scenario: Alabi's size alone should allow him to be an effective player on the defensive end of the floor, which is why I like the comparison with Samuel Dalembert. Dalembert had a couple years where he averaged nearly a double-double while blocking a couple shots a game. I also think that Sagana Diop is a good comparison as well.
  
• Worst Case Scenario: How many big men drafted on potential have been flops? Saer Sene? Patrick O'Bryant?
  

Outlook: Alabi is going to be a contributor on the defensive end of the floor if he can add 20-30 pounds of muscle. He's too long and too good of a natural shot blocker not to be a defensive addition to any roster. The question is going to be how well he develops as an offensive threat. If he can learn how to run the floor in transition, add a consistent 15 footer, become a consistent finisher at the rim, and add a jump hook and turn around jumper, he may one day be a starting center in this league. If you can land a starter with a pick in the 20's, that's a good pick.

Highlights:





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Not everyone has declared for the draft yet. Who are we waiting on?

If it seems like everyone and their brother has declared for the NBA Draft this year, well, that's because its true. Currently, 52 players with eligibility remaining have declared for the draft (here is a complete list), with Butler's Gordon Hayward the most recent to join the party.

The reason that so many players are declaring for the NBA Draft this season is the NBA's impending lockout. A lockout means no paychecks, and isn't the main point of declaring for the draft early to get paid?

If the NBA loses the entire 2011-12 season, that means that not only will the player's go without compensation for that season, it would also reset their "rookie clock". The 2012-13 would be the first year under their rookie contract, delaying their opportunity to negotiate their second contract -- when the real money is made -- for another season. That means that two full seasons worth of earning potential would be lost.

Gordon Hayward has declared for the NBA Draft. Will Greg Monroe follow suit?
(photo credit: Zimbio)

That's a lot of money.

A few guys have actually decided to return to school. The biggest names to do so are probably Scotty Hopson, Elias Harris, Kalin Lucas, and Jeff Taylor. Malcolm Lee, Corey Fisher, and William Buford are also returning.

So who is still left?

The way I see it, there are three big names we are still waiting to hear from -- Greg Monroe, Kyle Singler, and Solomon Alabi.

Greg Monroe said he was going back to Georgetown for his junior season immediately after the Hoyas were upset by Ohio in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but few are convinced. Draft Express's Jonathon Givony believes Monroe is currently 50-50, while Jeff Goodman echoes that same sentiment. If Monroe does return, the Hoyas will likely be the favorite to win the Big East, and one of the top five teams in the country.

Monroe's skill set makes him a lock for the lottery whenever he decides to go pro, meaning his only decision is whether or not he is willing to risk that payday.

Kyle Singler is a more interesting prospect. He is a borderline first rounder, projected by most to fall somewhere in the 20-35 range. But after playing great over the final six weeks of the season, culminating with a fantastic performance in the Final Four, Singler's stock may never be higher than it is right now. Singler has said that if he declares, he will likely be in for good, but is it the best decison? If he returns, Singler will be a preseason all-american for a Duke team that will likely be the favorite to win a second straight national title. He'll be able to play more at the combo-forward spot again with Seth Curry and Kyrie Irving coming in, which should help to boost his production. And with the number of players entering this year, Singler would be much more likely to be near the middle of the first round after next season.

But will that be enough to persuade him not to chase the money?

We may not have to wait long to hear from Alabi, as Givony tweeted earlier that he is hearing Alabi will declare, possibly this week. The Florida State big man is your typical 7-foot prospect. He has potential for days, as he is long and athletic but still quite raw. Alabi is closer to being a first round lock than Singler is -- the NBA does love size -- but he may be in more danger of losing his draft stock than the other two players. The younger you are, the more potential you have, and if Alabi comes back for his junior season and fails to be a dominating force, that could be a red flag for NBA teams.

Our guess?

All three go pro.

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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Centers

The season is fast approaching. The first games are on Nov. 9th, and the BIAH live blog during ESPN's season kickoff is just two weeks away. So with just a week until actual games are played, we figured the best way to finish up our 2008-2009 season previews is to give you our Top 10 players at each position. You know how much we love a good Top 10 list here.

A few caveats. First, we're talking about how good these guys are as college players, not how well they project as a pro. Second, while it may be too much power for me, I am making the executive decision on what "position" a player is (and it may not necessarily be what he is listed as on a roster). Third, I am not putting the freshman in the list. As much as I've read about these guys and as many Youtube clips as I have watched, I have yet to see many of them play a real game (the all-star games don't count), and I don't think that I could give an accurate assessment until I see them play. Lastly, I love me a good argument, so if you think someone is too low or too high or the wrong position, leave a comment and let me hear about it.

Here are the point guards.
Here are the shooting guards.
Here are the small forwards.
Here are the power forwards.
These are the centers.

Best Freshman:

• Keith "Tiny" Gallon, Oklahoma
• Alex Oriakhi, UConn
• Daniel Orton, Kentucky
• Aaric Murray, La Salle
  

Best of the Rest:

• Dwayne Collins, Miami
• Mac Kowshal, DePaul
• Chas McFarland, Wake Forest
• Keith Benson, Oakland
• Omar Samhan, St. Mary's
• Magnum Rolle, Louisiana Tech
  

Top 10:

• 10. Terrence Jennings, Louisville: Jennings is an imposing athlete. Standing 6'10", he is strong, fast, and can really jump. Where Jennings could really stand to improve is in his polish. Just a sophomore, Jennings was terrific last season at establishing position, many times because he simply beat his man down the floor. An excellent finisher when his teammates set him up, Jennings did not have much in the way of post moves. His strength allowed him to be effective with a strong drop step over his left shoulder, but beyond that he is still quite raw. But, as I said, Jennings is just a sophomore. A summer under the tutelage of Rick Pitino should have him much improved this season.
  

Terrence Jennings will be counted on for quite a bit of production
as Louisville looks to replace Earl Clark and Terrence Williams.
(photo credit: Hell in the Hall)

• 9. Dexter Pittman, Texas: For Pittman, the issue has never been talent. As a 6'10", big-bodied junior, Pittman averaged double figures while playing just 17 mpg last season. A huge reason for that is his ability to establish post position. Checking in at close to 300 lb, Pittman is able to get deep on the block and hold off defenders. He also has shown a decent array of post moves, as he has a solid touch inside of about seven feet. Blessed with nimble feet and solid mobility, Pittman needs to improve his explosiveness as he is not going to jump over many people. That explosiveness should go hand-in-hand with Pittman getting into shape. He came into Texas at close to 400 lb, and even though he has lost near 100 lb, Pittman still has very limited endurance, hence the limited playing time last season. If he gets into shape, Pittman will be a dominant force inside.
  


• 8. Solomon Alabi, Florida State: Alabi is a guy that oozes potential. Tall, long, and mobile, Alabi was the most effective last season as a defender. But he definitely has shown some potential as an offensive player. He has a nice touch out to about 15 feet, and seems to have a decent feel for the game. As is true with most players of his build (tall and skinny), Alabi will be much more effective as he adds strength, especially in his lower body.
  


• 7. Larry Sanders, VCU: Sanders is as raw of a player as you will find. While he did show some improvement in his post game last season, Sanders still is not much more than a catch-and-finish guy offensively. But as the junior has now been in college for two years, that aspect of his game should continue to improve. Where Sanders impresses is with his length. 6'10" with a 7'7" wingspan, Sanders routinely grabs impressive rebounds from outside of his area and blocks quite a few shots. As he continues to add strength and polish, keep an eye on Sanders throughout the season as he is a major reason new head coach Shaka Smart has a chance to keep VCU on the national radar after the graduation of Eric Maynor.
  

Larry Sanders may have the longest wingspan in college basketball.
(photo credit: VCU Athletics)

• 6. Jerome Jordan, Tulsa: Jordan has been on the NBA draft radar for a few years, but during conference play last season, he really came on strong averaging 17 ppg. The biggest strides Jordan has made is offensively. While his overall polish is fairly lackluster, Jordan developed a decent array of post moves and has a much better recognition of when to use them; essentially, he is starting to develop a feel for the game offensively. Defensively, Jordan's shot blocking numbers were down last season, but some of that can be attributed to players avoiding him inside. Overall, the senior is still quite raw as a prospect, but with his above average athleticism, his 7 foot frame, and his 7'6" wingspan, Jordan should produce big time numbers playing in C-USA.
  


• 5. Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State: Even with Hasheem Thabeet in Storrs last season, Varnado may have been the most dominating interior defender in college basketball. And defensively is where he will make his presence felt again this season. What makes Varnado so effective at blocking shots is that he is disciplined when it comes to biting on pump fakes and he is so quick off the floor, on both his first and second jump. His offensive game still leaves quite a bit to be desired as he is essentially a non-factor outside of dunking the ball. What impressed me the most about Varnado was what happened this off-season. Varnado declared for the draft, knowing that Mississippi State's signing of Renardo Sidney would mean that Varnado would be the Bulldog's 14th scholarship player. So he decided that he would walk-on this year, paying his own way through school.
  


• 4. JaJuan Johnson, Purdue: Johnson has certainly come a long way in the last four years. As a high school junior, Johnson was a 170 lb, 6'10" center that played JV basketball. Today, the 215 lb center (that can reportedly bench press 285 lb) is a potential Big Ten player of the year. Johnson's biggest attribute on the offensive end is his shooting touch. Johnson has excellent range and does not hesitate to shoot when he is left open from 18 feet. While his post game still leaves a bit to be desired, he has developed a fairly reliable turn around and jump hook, which is most effective when he makes quick moves. His under developed frame makes it difficult for him to hold position inside, on both ends of the floor, but you can definitely see why the agile, athletic center is drawing the attention of some NBA scouts.
  


• 3. AJ Ogilvy, Vanderbilt: Ogilvy is very different from the rest of the players on this list as he is not an athlete and doesn't have a ton of potential due to his length and athleticism. Operating one-on-one in the post, Ogilvy is so difficult to stop. He has a variety of effective post moves, and knows how to use pump-fakes and counter-moves to set them up. Where Ogivly struggles offensively is when he is forced to step away from the basket. He doesn't have a great jump shot, and his ability to put the ball on the floor is limited, but improving. While Ogilvy is probably not going to top NBA Draft boards as his athleticism and length is less than ideal, Ogilvy is hands down the best back-to-the-basket center in college basketball.
  


• 2. Ed Davis, UNC: Like Aldrich last season, Davis had limited opportunities as a freshman, playing behind Tyler Hansbrough. But that doesn't mean Davis wasn't productive. In just under 19 mpg, Davis averaged 6.7 ppg and 6.6 rpg. Davis is an excellent athlete with a ton of energy, crashing the offensive glass and defending the rim, especially when coming from the weak side. Davis should see a natural increase in his scoring simply from playing more minutes and being so effective gathering garbage points, but if he can develop a real back to the basket game, Davis could end up being a 15, 10, and 3 block center this year.
  

Cole Aldrich looks to win a second NCAA title.
(photo credit: NY Daily News)

• 1. Cole Aldrich, Kansas: Aldrich improved drastically from his freshman to sophomore season, although much of that was a result of the increased playing he got as a sophomore. Defensively, Aldrich has the ability to be a game changer. At 6'11", he has a ridiculous wingspan and a frame that will be able to hold a lot of strength. As evidenced by his triple-double against a tough Dayton team in the second round of the NCAA Tournament (13 points, 20 boards, 10 blocks), Aldrich is an excellent rebounder with the ability to dominate in the paint. Offensively is where Aldrich could still stand to improve. While he did average 14.9 ppg, much of that was off of lobs, drop-offs, and offensive rebounds. Aldrich is mechanical in the post, and he doesn't have a great touch, but he has shown some signs of developing a solid post game, especially his jump hook. All told, Aldrich is a throwback center, and should once again dominate the Big XII.
  

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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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