The Future o Some of This Year's ACC Draft Class

With the NBA Finals looking decidedly one-sided, it is time to look ahead to the draft.

Most of the analysts feel that this year's draft is a weak one outside of Oklahoma's Blake Griffin and Ricky Rubio from Spain, who most feel will go one-two in the draft.

The ACC's class offers one of the most decorated players in league history, and some other guys who weren't too shabby in college.

But as most who follow both college and the pros know, college success doesn't necessarily translate to NBA success.

So how will this year's crop of former ACC players fare in their NBA futures? Here is a look at a few.

Gerald Henderson

Arguably the most athletic prospect with tremendous upside: Henderson is striking while the iron is hot. His draft stock probably won't get much higher, so he is taking his chances this year.

He has drawn a lot of comparisons to Grant Hill, which is fair. I can see him having a Grant Hill-type career, minus the injuries.

Henderson is a better shooter than Hill was when he came out, and is equally explosive, but I'm not sure he has the all-around game that Hill had. He may develop it as he goes.

His ball-handling is OK, but not great, and his range isn't what you might expect from an NBA shooting guard. Will he be able to handle playing against equally athletic, skilled players?

Time will tell, but I'd expect him to be a solid player who will start for a team in the future, with the possibility of being an All Star (not every year, but perhaps once or twice).

Ty Lawson

When he came to UNC, many compared him to Raymond Felton. I think that was an accurate comparison, although he proved, I think, to be a better player in college than Felton did.

I see Lawson having a pro career similar to Felton's. He won't be a star, but he'll be a solid point guard for some team, either starting for a weaker team or coming off the bench for a good team.

He isn't a great shooter, but he is lightening-quick and a good passer. He is short, but should compensate with his speed. He could be a solid pro.

He could go anywhere from the middle first round to late first round.

James Johnson

Like Henderson, he has tremendous upside. Unlike Henderson, he has NBA size and all the skills for the position he will play.

He can shoot, put the ball on the floor, and when necessary he can bang a little in the paint. He could be the second-best NBA success from this year's draft.

He should be a high lottery pick.

Tyler Hansbrough

The much-lauded college player finally hits the big league. After his declaration that he wasn't going to work out for many teams, Hansbrough took a lot of heat.

Some of that is justified. Hansbrough doesn't have the most intimidating skill set of the bigs in this year's draft, and it is still to be determined if he will be able to translate his success to the NBA.

My guess is that he will not be able to do all of the same things he did in college.

He will most likely be a low first-round pick, somewhere in the 20s. He will not likely be a starter either, but he is a hard enough worker to figure out a niche and make it work for him.

He will not be an All Star on name or talent alone, but he will be a solid contributor for someone.

And who knows? If he has a great season statistically, he could get a nod to the game someday.

Toney Douglas

As the FSU fans so often chanted, it is Toney Douglas time. I believe Douglas has all the skills required along with the size and mentality to be a very good NBA player.

If he is on the right team, he could put up big numbers.

I heard him compared to a Derick Fisher who could shoot. Fisher has had a very good career, and if Douglas followed suit and is a better shooter, look out.

If not for him playing at FSU in the shadow of Hansbrough and Lawson, he would have won the ACC Player of the Year Award this past season.

Douglas might not go as high in the draft, but in terms of the future, I think his could be for many surprisingly bright.