Mock Drafts are just that, Mock

Andrew Skwara of rivals.com looks at 22 underclassmen who have not signed an agent and discusses whether or not they should sign with one and say goodbye to the college basketball lifestyle for good.

DECISION TIME

A.J. Abrams, Texas
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: The 5-10 shooting guard shocked everyone – including the Texas coaching staff – when he entered the draft. It would be an even bigger shock if he gets drafted.

Joe Alexander, West Virginia
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: Nobody may have seen his stock rise more since early March. Alexander averaged 23.8 points over his last nine games, then excelled in the combine portion of the pre-draft camp. He is projected as a late lottery pick.

Josh Akognon, Cal-State Fullerton
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: At best, this 5-11 guard has an outside chance at being a second-round pick. He was not invited to the pre-draft camp.

Ryan Anderson, California
STATUS: On the fence
THE BUZZ: Anderson is looking for a first-round guarantee. If the forward doesn’t get it, new Cal coach Mike Montgomery may have the best player in the Pac-10 next season.

Chase Budinger, Arizona
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: It’s tough to envision any scenario where Budinger slips out of the first round — which likely means he’s staying in the draft. His other option is to return to a program whose coaching staff seems to be in constant limbo.

Mario Chalmers, Kansas
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: After a recent workout with the Denver Nuggets, Chalmers told reporters he has no intention of staying in school. He probably will be taken between the 20th and 40th picks.

Lee Cummard, BYU
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Four NBA teams are bringing in Cummard for workouts, but he didn’t receive an invitation to the pre-draft camp. Unless the swingman plays extraordinarily well at those workouts, he’ll be suiting up for the Cougars next season.

Robert Dozier, Memphis
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Dozier has been criss-crossing the country working out for teams, but Memphis coach John Calipari expects the big man to pull out of the draft. He would be fortunate to be selected in the second round.

Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis
STATUS: A lock to stay in
THE BUZZ: Signing with an agent is a mere formality for CDR. He has made it clear his college career is over. He is expected to be taken between the 20th and 30th picks.

Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Ellington looked great at times at the pre-draft camp — but he also looked terrible at times, too. He is a second-round pick at best.

Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: Gordon, who has been busy on the workout circuit, is committed to staying in the draft even though it’s a deep class for point guards and he probably won’t be taken until the second round.

Danny Green, North Carolina
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Racked up multiple injuries at the pre-draft camp. He’s hoping to get a second-round guarantee, but that is a long shot.

Richard Hendrix, Alabama
STATUS: On the fence
THE BUZZ: He put together a solid performance at the pre-draft camp, but remains a borderline first-round pick at best.

J.J. Hickson, N.C. State
STATUS: On the fence
THE BUZZ: Needs to impress in workouts to lock up a spot in the first round. Otherwise, draft day will be a nerve-wracking experience
.
George Hill, IUPUI
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Played well at pre-draft camp, but with so many point guards available, he likely would go undrafted.

Lester Hudson, Tennessee-Martin
STATUS: On the fence
THE BUZZ: A lot of teams are showing interest, but this small-school star measured a shade under 6 feet (5-11 3/4). That’s a big concern, especially when you’re not a true point guard.

Ty Lawson, North Carolina
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: Remains a probable first-round pick despite a recent arrest for driving after drinking alcohol. The Denver Nuggets may take Lawson with the 20th pick.

Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Showed he could score at the pre-draft camp but had problems taking care of the ball. He would be better-served by using his senior year to sharpen his skills.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Not returning to school would be a big mistake. He has little chance of being drafted.

Ronald Steele, Alabama
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Had a so-so performance at pre-draft camp. Questions remain about whether Steele can regain the quickness he had two years ago. If he stays in the draft, he can do no better than a second-round pick.

Robert Vaden, UAB
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Vaden was at the pre-draft camp and has been working out for teams, but he’d be risking going undrafted if he doesn’t pull out.

Bill Walker, Kansas State
STATUS: Likely will stay in
THE BUZZ: Walker, who elected not to go to the pre-draft camp, is banking on impressing scouts at workouts. He is projected as a borderline first-rounder.

source

First I’m somewhat surprised at the Luc Richard Mbah A Moute buzz.

Could have sworn he was listed as a first round pick in at least 3 different mock drafts I looked at.

Of course I’m not exactly sure how informed those particular sites are (can’t remember which sites either), not to say somebody can’t ever be right who is uninformed, but usually … well it goes without saying.

It’s like those NBA trade proposals certain fans make up that are so one-sided that it just leaves you saying,

“The other team(s) would not do that!”

You know, those kinds of people.

Having internet access doesn’t mean you’re qualified at putting together a mock draft.

Just be careful what mock drafts you look at.