So much about the discussion regarding players and the NBA Draft revolves around skill. Yet, so many have similar skills, it becomes more about those who take advantage of the opportunity given to them. You need to want it more than other players you compete against. Not all have that perspective, but throughout your college career, you can come to gain it. Idaho’s Kyle Barone is one who has learned to make the most of the opportunities given to him.

Barone’s game started to transform once he got settled in at Idaho. “I was able to become more of a low-post threat,” said Barone. “The system we ran at Idaho needed me to be able to score from the low block.”

While his overall game continued to improve, it all seemed to come together in Barone’s senior year, when he averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game while winning WAC Player of the Year. “It was like all of the hard work and determination paid off at last,” said Barone.

What makes Barone’s senior year more impressive was that it was in danger before it even started. A pre-season suspension left Barone in limbo, though he was reinstated before the season started. “It really taught me to be grateful for what you have, because it can all be taken away at any time,” said Barone. “It made me work much harder to be ready, and taught me a big lesson about growing up.”

With college behind him now, Barone is now in Houston working on getting ready to show teams what he is capable of. There is plenty about his game which should be attractive to teams at the next level. “I can score in a variety of ways and can play in multiple spots,” explained Barone. “I have shown that I can shoot the ball well, as well as rebound and guard multiple positions.”

The Draft is less than two months away and Barone is busy working on adding some new dimensions to his game. “I’m really spending time working on my face-up game, and being able to get shots in pick-and-pop situations.”

Barone has already had a chance to see how he measures up against other seniors from taking part in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. “It was a new experience for me,” said Barone. “I didn’t get the opportunity to play against a lot of these guys during my college career. It made me really learn how to play off of other players and find ways to score one-on-one.”

He also has a good idea how he can help a team at the next level right away if needed to. “I can be a good shooter at the 4, creating mismatches on the floor,” said Barone. “I can also go out there and rebound and make open shots.”

Barone knows it’s all about making the most of your chances. “All I need is an opportunity to show what I can do,” said Barone. “All I need is a chance and I will do all I can.”

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Often overlooked during the pre-Draft process are the numerous small school players around the country looking to overcome lack of attention and get professional teams to notice them. Small school players from all of the small conferences have made an impact in pro leagues around the world, including the NBA. Savannah State’s Arnold Louis hopes to be included on that list very soon.

Louis learned that being at a small school didn’t mean you didn’t have to compete. “Being at a small school taught you a lot about having composure, especially when playing against bigger schools,” said Louis. “You had to develop the mindset to handle big situations.”

Louis is ready to show how his game is ready to help a team at the next level. “It’s about energy and rebounding,” said Louis. “I work so hard, every time I’m on the court, its shows.”

“I can definitely help a team with my ability to rebound and score around the basket.”

With a couple of months to add to his game, Louis has been working on some skills back in Florida that he knows he will need at the next level. “As a small forward, you need to work on your ballhandling,” explained Louis. “I can play the 3 or 4, so I am just tightening up my skills and becoming more comfortable each time I play.”

Louis can already envision a role he can play at the next level. “I think I can come straight in and be a sixth man,” said Louis. “Points, rebounds, playing defense; whatever a team needs to me to do, I will do.

His time playing in the MEAC has prepared him for what he senses is ahead. “Just because it is a small school, that doesn’t mean there were no good players,” said Louis. “Small conferences have top notch players too, and many have proven that they can play in the NBA and produce.”

No matter where he played Louis knows that other qualities he brings should help him land a spot somewhere. “A team will never have to worry about me showing up ready to perform,” explained Louis. “They know what they will get. Basketball is my life, and I will help and support any team that takes a chance on me.”

You can see highlights of Arnold Louis playing here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJQbG1R8PCo

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For many players, their college careers are filled with many ups and down. The important thing is a player needs to be able to adjust to circumstances and step up when needed. Wake Forest has had a strong basketball history for most of the past two decades, but the past few seasons have forced many players to see what they are made of. CJ Harris was able to not only handle the adversity; he found a way to thrive.

As a freshman, Harris played major minutes, but was relegated to an almost singular role. “I was really just a spot-up shooter,” said Harris. “With guys like Al-Farouq Aminu and Ishmael Smith handling most of the work, that’s all they needed from me.”

That Wake Forest team made it to the NCAA Tournament, but Smith and Aminu left for the NBA, and Harris shifted into a bigger role, one he would carry for the next three years. “I had to step up my overall game,” explained Harris. “Probably the biggest change was learning to work more off the dribble and developing one-one-one skills.”

Though Harris’ game continued to progress, the Wake Forest program has hit a bit of a rough patch the last couple of years, and that can wear on even the best of players. “It was tough and at time, it made it really hard to stick with it every day,” said Harris. “But I kept playing hard, and fighting the adversity definitely made me a much stronger person.”

As a local Winston-Salem product, the time at Wake Forest was a mixed blessing. “It was great to play four more years in my hometown in front of my family and friends,” said Harris. “But there was added pressure, and with the losing, it was tough to still show my face around town sometimes.”

On top of that, Harris had the opportunity to play in one of the nation’s top conferences, the ACC. “Playing in the ACC really helped my game progress,” explained Harris. “If you weren’t ready on a given night, you would be embarrassed. You had no choice but to spend time getting better.”

Though playing for a losing team may limit the exposure, Harris believes his game has plenty to entice teams at the next level. “I think teams will be impressed with my shooting ability, especially my ability to step out and hit the 3,” said Harris, who shot 43% from 3-point range last season, and over 38% for his career. “With the greater spacing at the pro level, I can use it to my advantage and get into the lane and score or create.”

Harris knows his game isn’t complete yet, and he is already at work out at Impact Basketball in Las Vegas on certain things. “I need to continue to get better at reading the game and reading defenses,” said Harris. “I improved on how I come off of screens at Wake, but I still want to do it better.”

His time at Wake did come with some extra benefits in the wisdom of former Demon Deacons who have made it. “Chris Paul has always been generous with his time and his knowledge whenever he comes back to the school.”

Harris understands that he has work cut out for him, but he has stepped up and made adjustments before, and he is ready to do it again at the next level.

“I am a team guy who will work hard and do whatever I have to do. I am a high character guy and that is important for any team to have.”

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Photo: AP/Isaac Brekken

Name:       Anthony Bennett      Age:   20       School: UNLV

Height: 6’8         Weight: 240       Projected Position:   SF/PF         

2012-13 Stats:

16.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.9 tpg (27.1 minutes per game)

53.3 FG%, 70.1 FT%, 37.5 3FG%, 60.9 TS%, 58.0 eFG%

10.3 OREB%, 21.8 DREB%, 16.3 TREB%, 27.5 USG%

SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN

Offense

Post Play/Footwork

Bennett can be very efficient in the low post, and can score in a variety of ways.  He has a strong, wide body which he uses well to get position in the post. He does a good job getting low and creating a balanced base. Bennett is capable of powering the ball to the basket, or using a quick finesse move. He prefers to take a few dribbles into the lane and put up a short hook or jumper, but he has shown the ability to drop-step along the baseline or score out of face-up situations. Bennett has the strength to overpower many defenders in the post area, but he needs to embrace the physical part of the game more. If a defender starts the game playing physical with him, Bennett will react by spending more time on the perimeter. He is a good screener, who could do well in pick-and-roll situations, especially with his ability to move quickly and finish strong at the rim. Bennett also does a very good job using his strength to finish in traffic, when he wants to.   

Ballhandling/Penetration

Bennett is a good ballhandler for his size, able to use both hands well and looking to keep his ballhandling to a minimum. He is much better handling the ball on the perimeter than he is in the post, where he can be lax to recognize help defenders and traps. He does a very good job using a quick power dribble leading to a finish around the basket.  He seems more comfortable going to his right hand than to his left, but he should become equally adept over time.  Bennett also has a good first step for someone so big, and once he gets moving, many defenders will hesitate to get in front of him to make a stop. He needs to make sure he keeps his head up once he gets into the lane and recognizes the help defenders. Also, he should work on being able to take a few dribbles once he gets by his man and hitting the mid-range jumper.

Shooting

Bennett is a good spot-up shooter, and is capable of hitting from 3-point range when open consistently.  He squares well to the basket, has a good release point and follow-through.  His release speed is improving, but he will need to get it quicker at the next level. Bennett uses jab-steps and fakes well to create space, but he needs to work on using his dribble more to not only make room, but to move to openings in the defense to shoot.  He understands spacing in pick-and-pop situations and he is a good option here.  Closer to the rim, Bennett has good touch in close and is capable of finishing with finesse or strong at the rim.  He uses both hands well to finish around the rim, though he prefers to find ways to finish around the basket with his right. It would be good if Bennett worked on his shot selection, especially dictated by time and situation. 

Rebounding

Bennett is a good offensive rebounder when he is settled in around the low blocks.  He uses his body well to clear out position and explodes after the ball. He is capable of powering through defenders after securing the rebound and finishing or drawing a foul. With a lot of things for Bennett, it comes down to putting in the effort to make consistent plays on the offensive glass..     

Free Throw Shooting

Bennett is a good free throw shooter, with the room to be better.  He has good balance, a smooth stroke, with good follow-through and arc.  Where Bennett can improve is by having a consistent routine at the line. When he takes his time to get focused before he shoots, he is very good. However, you will often see him rush his shot, leading usually to a flat shot which misses long. Bennett also does a good job getting to the line when he is playing around the basket, but he will often settle on the perimeter, leading to a decline in fouls drawn.

Defense

Post/Perimeter Defense

Bennett uses his body well to anchor his position in the post. He has quick feet and hands to counter any movement by the offensive player, and he has the size to play physical. Bennett’s biggest problem is that he will hesitate, even avoid, playing physical in the post, and he has given up on plays when he has been beat. With his size, he should do a much better job forcing players off the block. He also can do a better job as a help defender around the basket, where he can be a step or two slow to realize what is happening and getting to the spot to help. Bennett needs to do a better job being aware on the defensive end.  Bennett has good foot speed and lateral quickness to defend players on the perimeter, but he needs to do a better job with his positioning and his reaction time to his player’s movements. When his man is a screener in pick-and-roll situations, Bennett needs to do a better job recognizing this and hedging as appropriate. He also needs to do a better job getting out and making an effort to close on shooters when he is in the area to make a play.   

Rebounding

Bennett is very good on the defensive boards, but he could be even better.  He uses his body well to get wide and box out, and he does a good job going strong after the ball once he gets position. He needs to do a better job being more aware and tracking the shot so he can find the best play to establish position, as well as making sure he keeps the ball up high after he grabs the rebound. He has a bad habit of bringing down to waist level as soon as he grabs the ball, but before he has secured and cleared out.  

Transition

Bennett runs the court well for his size, and is capable of scoring in a variety of ways, including from the wing or on occasion, pushing the ball himself.  He is a threat running the wing or as a trailer to spot up from the 3-point line, as well as streaking in looking for the lob. If he handles the ball in transition, he needs to make sure he keeps his head up and makes the pass if the defense stops him.

Summary

Bennett is a unique, physically gifted talent, but his progression is going to rely a lot on the effort he puts in to getting better combined with a coach who knows how to reign in his bad tendencies. On the offensive end, Bennett can provide scoring inside and out, and can be a match-up problem at the NBA level. Defensively, he really needs to learn and understand the game more, learn to use the body he has to make an impact, and put in the effort needed to consistently make stops. These changes won’t come quickly, and teams will need to be patient with him often in the early years. If they are, they have a good chance at ending up with an impact player. 

Draft Value:  Early 1^st Round– High to Mid Lottery - #4-9

Bennett’s real potential impact is down the road, so his recent surgery for a rotator cuff injury should have little to no impact on his draft status. Teams understand his physical gifts and time away from the game and talking with coaching staffs could give him the insight he needs to make necessary changes.

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Photo: Joe Robinson/Getty Images

The ability to make adjustments is often an underrated trait in basketball players, and that doesn’t solely mean on the court. College players and students constantly have to deal with new situations, and at times, adversity.  Kevin Dillard has dealt with a lot of change in the last few years, and he not only handled it, he learned to thrive.

After spending two years in his home state at Southern Illinois, where he averaged over 12 points and 4 assists per game, Dillard decided to transfer to Dayton. While the basketball opportunity was greater, it was not always an easy move.

“Southern Illinois was in my comfort zone,” said Dillard. “All of my friends were there and my family was close.”  The move to Dayton was going to be full of adjustments, but Dillard so it as an opportunity for growth. “I got to meet new people and develop myself in a whole new culture,” recalled Dillard. “It really helped me with my people skills and gave me a greater sense of independence.”

“I was closed off growing up,” Dillard continued. “I really start to let people in and let them see the real me.”

After transferring, Dillard had to sit out for a season per NCAA rules, and while it gave him time to work on his game, it also gave him a lot of time to think. “While I had to sit out, I would constantly ask myself ‘Will this work out?’” said Dillard.

At the end of that season, Dayton coach Brian Gregory, who was instrumental in bringing Dillard to Dayton, left to take the head coaching job at Georgia Tech. “Once Coach Gregory left, it left me with a whole new set of questions,” said Dillard. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next, and was sitting on pins and needles.”

Dillard stuck it out and when Archie Miller was named the new head coach, Dillard clicked with him immediately. “Coach Miller really helped to expand my skill set,” recalled Dillard. “While sitting out, I learned a lot by watching the game, such as the x’s and o’s and how to dictate flow. Coach Miller showed me how to translate that to the court as the point guard.”

He was able to show all he learned during his two seasons with the Flyers, averaging 14 points and 5 assists during that time. Dillard then had the opportunity to show what he was capable of at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament for seniors a few weeks ago. “It was really good to play against such great competition and in front of so many NBA scouts,” said Dillard. “In the A-10 I saw some good guards, but to play against so many new faces was a humbling experience.

Dillard hopes that NBA teams noticed what he can bring to their team. “I love being a pass-first point guard,” said Dillard. “I get a thrill off of doing things like making the pass to the big man so he can score. I can score and shoot also; whatever the teams needs me to do, I will handle it.”

With about seven weeks until the NBA Draft, Dillard is busy working on adding some more to his game. “I want to get stronger and take my body to another level,” explained Dillard. “I want to get more explosive, especially on my first step, while working on improving my strengths, my floater and in-between game.”

Dillard looks forward to getting more opportunities to show NBA teams what he is capable of in the coming weeks. “I’m a selfless guy who will give my all in everything I do,” said Dillard. “I’m a workaholic with a passion for the game. It’s my world.”

The ability to adjust to change brought Dillard a lot and has prepared him for the next steps. “I have been through a lot the last five years, and had my fair share of adversity,” said Dillard. “I won’t crack under the pressure. I will give my all to any organization and do whatever it takes to win.”

“When everyone else is happy, I have done my job.”

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