Ten for Tuesday: Clip and save these 2007 draft predictions

This week's Ten for Tuesday has a subliminal message, and that message is this: I'm good.

Roy Hibbert has NBA size (7-foot, 283). Now he needs NBA agility. (Getty Images)

This time last spring, I predicted 10 rising juniors who hadn't entered the 2005 NBA Draft would enter in 2006. I got eight right, including an obscure Pitt reserve named Aaron Gray, coming off a sophomore year in which he averaged 4.3 points and 2.8 rebounds. Being right on Aaron Gray wasn't just good. It was scary.

But that's me. Scary. Boo! (Subliminally speaking, of course.)

Anyway ... here are this year's rising juniors who will enter the 2007 NBA Draft.

1. Ronald Steele, PG, Alabama: With all the underclassmen in this year's draft -- Marcus Williams, Kyle Lowry, Rajon Rondo, Darius Washington, Will Blalock, Curtis Stinson, Daniel Gibson and Jordan Farmar, should they all stay in -- Steele (14.3 ppg, 4.3 assists as a sophomore) will be among the top point guards in college next season. That makes him prime first-round material. He averaged 21 points and six assists in 2006 NCAA Tournament games against Marquette and UCLA.

2. Darian Townes, C, Arkansas: No, he's not the most skilled guy around. But he's averaging roughly 10 ppg, five rebounds and 1.6 blocks for his career. Ratchet up those numbers just a bit -- and with Ronnie Brewer gone, Townes should get more touches -- and the NBA will be intrigued by this 6-foot-10, 255-pounder.

3. Florida's trio of C Joakim Noah, SF Corey Brewer and PF Al Horford: All could have gotten their own listings, but that would have been too easy. All three studs will enter the 2007 draft, and it's likely that a fourth UF sophomore, PG Taurean Green, will test his own stock.

4. Folarin Campbell, SG, George Mason: Like his team -- a shamefully unknown commodity entering the 2006 NCAA Tournament -- Campbell was among the most impressive players in it. He averaged 15.4 ppg and shot 50 percent on 3-pointers in five games -- vs. foes including Michigan State, North Carolina, Connecticut and Florida -- to give the Colonial (and NBA scouts) a taste of what's to come in 2006-07.

5. Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, Georgetown: Two more no-brainers. Both have a ways to go to become good pros -- SF Green needs more perimeter skills, C Hibbert more agility -- but with their NBA size and solid tools, they'd be silly not to at least gauge their draft stock in 2007.

6. Glen Davis, C, LSU: He came back to expand his shooting range, presumably. Not sure he'll get that chance, but no matter. He's a first-round pick whenever he wants to be, and my guess is he'll want to be in 2007.

7. J.R. Giddens, SG, New Mexico: Word from Loboland says Giddens still has that phenomenal stroke and is attacking the basket more than ever. If he puts up Danny Granger-like scoring numbers, or even close, he's gone.

8. Joseph Jones, PF, Texas A&M: It's hard to believe he didn't enter the draft this year, for exploratory reasons if nothing else. He'll go next season, especially if his sophomore numbers (15.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg) approach the 20-and-10 level, which is possible.

9. Gabriel Pruitt, PG, USC: Along with classmate Nick Young, Pruitt is one of the more talented guards out West. NBA scouts expected at least one, and possibly both, to enter the 2006 draft. There's always next year.

10. P.J. Couisnard, SG, Wichita State: Physically impressive if nationally underrated, Couisnard blew up in Tennessee's face for 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the Shockers' second-round NCAA Tournament win. He averaged 10.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and three assists for the season. If his career arc stays the same, those numbers will approach 15-8-4. Which means Couisnard will approach the 2007 draft.