Willie Warren
Point Guard (Rank: #6) | 6-4, 210 | Age: 19
Oklahoma (Freshman)
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Draft Projection: Top 10
Notes: Warren told local reporters on April 16 that he was returning to the Sooners for his sophomore season.
Positives:
Great size for position
Long arms and impressive frame
Excellent athlete
Explosive leaper
Great quickness and speed
Excellent shooter with 3-point range
Excellent leadership skills on the court
Negatives:
Some scouts think he's a tweener ... an undersized 2-guard
Doesn't give a lot of effort on the defensive end of the ball
Summary: Apr 16 Update: Warren continues a string of talented freshmen who are just saying no to the 2009 NBA Draft. Warren told local reporters on April 16 that he was returning to college for his sophomore season. It's an interesting decision for Warren. NBA executives were adamanet that he was a lock for the Top 10 this year. However, Warren wants to return to school to work on his game outside the large shadow created by Blake Griffin. It could be a risky move, especially with blue-chip prospect Tommy Mason-Griffin coming to school. Mason-Griffin is a point guard too, which means Warren may be asked to play off the ball again next year.
Mar 30 Update: Warren had a terrific freshman season, but his play against Syracuse and North Carolina highlighted some of his weaknesses. In both games, Warren's perimeter shot wasn't falling and he resorted to taking some wild shots. His numbers versus North Carolina don't look that bad, but most of his points came when the game was already out of reach for the Sooners. Warren said this weekend that he was 99 percent sure he was returning for his sophomore year, wanting to see how strong his game is without Blake Griffin on the floor. He shined in the few games in which Griffin didn't play this season, so maybe he knows what he's talking about. Still, it's a risk for Warren. He's widely considered a Top 10 pick now based on upside. If he skips the draft this year, he's going to have to prove he's worthy of a Top 10 pick next year.
Mar 18 Update: NBA executives are impressed with Warren's ability to do a bit of everything on the floor. A big tournament will go a long way in determining where he lands, but he looks like a lock for the lottery. And if he can prove to scouts that he can play point guard at least part time in the pros, he could go as high as top 5.
Feb 27 Update: Probably the hottest name in the draft right now, Warren has not only been the top freshman in the country lately, he's been the best player on his team. With Blake Griffin out the past few games with a concussion, Warren has stepped in and dominated. He had 27 points and 6 assists versus Texas and 23 points and 4 assists versus Kansas. Both were losses for Oklahoma, but it was Warren who kept his team in the game.
A number of NBA executives I spoke with compare him to Ben Gordon. However, I think he is a better passer than Gordon and has a legit shot at being a point guard in the league ... kind of like Gilbert Arenas. Warren has been ranked in our top 25 all season, but over the past few weeks he's moved all the way up to No. 9 on our big board.
Jan 15 Update: Warren has quietly become one of the top freshmen in the country. Scouts have been impressed with his combination of size, athleticism and ability to score. While there is a legitimate question about what Warren's true position is, the truth is he has the size to play multiple positions in the NBA. If Oklahoma goes deep in the tournament, Warren might end up cracking the lottery.
Jan. 2 Update: Warren ranked in the Top 25 in June, but lately he's shown he may belong in the lottery alongside more touted freshmen. No freshman in the country has been more productive. Warren dropped 31 points on Rice and 35 points on Arkansas in December while shooting a red-hot 11-for-21 from the 3-point line in those two games combined. While some scouts remain concerned that Warren is more of a 2-guard than a point guard, his strong play may make his position irrelevant.
