BEYOND THE ARC: FIVE REASONS '08 LOOKS GREAT

by Noce, Chicago Bull

College basketball is all about the next great talent. This year we have been amazed by freshmen Eric Gordon, Michael Beasley and O.J Mayo. Each player has come out and dazzled fans and scouts alike with their supreme abilities to score and strive amongst older "seasoned" players.

It seems that experience is not as much of a blessing in college basketball as it is a curse. If you don't have the skills to get in and get out as fast as possible, you might not ever make it to the next level.

If I had to guess today, I would say that Gordon, Beasley, Mayo and even Derrick Rose are all going to be entering the NBA Draft in 2008. Combine those four studs with DeAndre Jordan (also a freshman) from Texas A&M and a kid with a 7-foot-7 wingspan by the name of John Riek (picture after the jump) and the 2008 NBA Draft may be even better than the Oden/Durant Draft.

So my question is: who will be the studs of next year's freshman class? Check it out...after the jump.

1. Demar DeRozan, SF/SG - Compton, CA - 6-6, 180 - Committed to USC

DeRozan is an amazing athlete that wowed scouts at the Lebron Academy. He is an explosive athlete that can take defenders off the dribble and has the potential to be one of the next great collegiate players. This kid is amazingly quick with the ball, plays good defense and will be the next prized jewel claimed by USC Head Coach Tim Floyd.

2. Tyreke Evans, SG - Aston, PA - 6-4, 185 - Uncommitted

Evans, a lights out shooter currently playing for American Christian School in Pennsylvania, is being recruited from all over the East Coast. Though listed as a shooting guard, Evans is athletic enough to play multiple positions on the court and is extremely athletic. He could develop into a point guard with his superior court vision and passing skills, combined with a deadly shot.

3. Greg Monroe, PF - Harvey, LA - 6-10, 220 - Committed to Georgetown

Scout.com has Monroe rated as the #1 overall prospect in the country, and he may be if he can improve his scoring in the low post. Monroe is an athletic giant and should be a solid replacement for Roy Hibbert in John Thompson III's system. Monroe could very well end up as the next Greg Oden, if that comparison really means anything just yet.

4. Elliott Williams, SG - Collierville, TN - 6-4, 170 - Committed to Duke

The future Dukie may be the most intelligent basketball player to enter the college ranks in '08. Williams is known for his high basketball IQ and amazing athleticism. He should fit well into a system that will include freshman stud Kyle Singler and sophomore Gerald Henderson, assuming both are still around when Williams arrives in Durham.

5. Iman Schumpert, SG - Oak Park, IL - 6-4, 175 - Committed to Georgia Tech

I had to include a hometown kid in my projections, but I don't feel the least bit selfish including Schumpert because he is damn good. Another combo-style guard with good size and quickness, Schumpert is another kid that I wished Bruce Weber would have visited when he was still uncommitted. Schumpert has great instints for his position and will hopefully improve on his ballhandling and defense this year in time to be a force for the Yellow Jackets.