Booker rated No. 5 prospect for hypothetical ACC draft

CLEMSON — Tonight's NBA draft figures to have an ACC flavor, possibly including Clemson's K.C. Rivers as a late selection.

The 14 NBA teams that fail to make the playoffs comprise the draft lottery, which got us wondering what if the ACC held a draft? Who would be the conference's 14 most valuable commodities?

And what of college team-building strategy? Is it more advantageous to take a chance on a one-and-done talent or go after a player who is likely to remain on campus for multiple seasons? Size is paramount, but do guards take on extra value with the depletion of ACC backcourts this offseason? We take our best guess below.

Note: In parentheses are the projected year(s) each player will remain in college.

1. PF Derrick Favors, freshman, Georgia Tech (1)

Favors is an explosive 6-9 forward projected to be a top-five pick in next year's NBA draft. He has excellent hands, finishes above the rim and is a beast on the boards. He also can make highlight blocks from the weak side, runs the floor well and has a nice touch around the basket. He's likely a one-and-done prospect, but offers the upside of a Michael Beasley-like freshman impact. The Atlanta native should be the best Tech product since Chris Bosh.

2. PF Ed Davis, sophomore, North Carolina (1)

Size is king, and the 6-10 Davis scored 13.4 points, grabbed 13.3 rebounds and 3.4 recorded blocks per 37 minutes last year. Should he improve on those rates and log 30-plus minutes per game as a sophomore, we're looking at a major breakout.

3. SF Kyle Singler, junior, Duke (1-2)

Singler is just one of three players to return from the all-conference first and second teams, joining fellow second-teamers Trevor Booker (Clemson) and Greivis Vasquez (Maryland). Unlike most of the league's stars, Singler has a chance to remain on campus for two more years. A potential ACC POY candidate, Singler is a relentless competitor, skilled and versatile. He is the league's fourth-leading returning scorer (16.5 ppg) and was ninth in the ACC in rebounding (7.7).

4. G/F Greivis Vasquez, senior, Maryland (1)

Vasquez elected to forego this year's draft as he could not get a first-round guarantee. The 6-6 Vasquez put Maryland on his back last season, leading the Terps into the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

5. PF/C Trevor Booker, senior, Clemson (1)

If you like production you like Booker, who led the league in rebounding (9.7) and field-goal percentage (.571) and was second in blocks (2.1). However, Booker has concentration lapses, and his size (closer to 6-6 than 6-7) can be a liability.

6. F Al-Farouq Aminu, sophomore, Wake Forest (1)

Aminu was thought to be a one-and-done package in Winston-Salem. He is athletic, but raw, and returns as Wake's first option. He has potential for a major breakout after averaging 12.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per game last season. He also has a chance to be an excellent defender with the feet and length to take on point guards or power forwards.

7. SG/PG Malcolm Delaney, junior, Virginia Tech (2)

Clemson knows how explosive Delaney can be as the ACC's leading returning scorer (18.1) averaged 33 points against the Tigers in two meetings last year including a win at Littlejohn. While a bit of a tweener (6-3), Delaney is a threat from deep (38.5 percent from 3) and can create his own shot.

8. PF Gani Lawal, sophomore, Georgia Tech (1)

Though raw and lacking instincts, Lawal improved as the season wore on and finished with 15.1 points per game, ranking second in the league in rebounding (9.5). He was a potential one-and-done prospect, but returns to give Tech an imposing front line.

9. SG Sylven Landesberg, sophomore, Virginia (1-2)

One of the top freshmen in the conference last season, Landesberg is dynamic when driving to the basket. He was 10th in the ACC in scoring (16.6) and is also a solid rebounder (6.0 rpg).

10. F John Henson, freshman, North Carolina (1)

A highly skilled, Durant-esque 6-10 forward adds to North Carolina's wealth of riches, but Henson is another one-and-done risk.

11. C Solomon Alabi, sophomore, Florida State SO (1)

The 7-1 work-in-progress is already a force on the defense, altering and blocking more shots than any player in the conference. Some are likening Alabi to a poor man's Hasheem Thabeet.

12. PF Jeff Allen, junior, Virginia Tech (2)

An under-the-radar, low-post performer who was 20th in scoring (13.7 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (8.4). That Allen is undersized (6-7) ensures he will be on the Blacksburg campus through the spring of 2011.

13. F Ryan Kelly, freshman, Duke (3-4)

A 6-10 sharpshooter, Kelly could be a long-term fixture at Duke.

14. SG Michael Snaer, freshman, Florida State (2-3)

The 6-4 Snaer has range and can score off the bounce. The Seminoles hope he can quickly rise to Toney Douglas-level production.

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.