| Flying Under The Radar: Marcus Slaughter Authored by Alex Cohen - February 18, 2006 - 8:29 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | Merry Christmas, Raptors Fans The Raptors might not be playing good basketball right now, but there are plenty of things for Toronto fans to be thankful for this holiday season.
A Melo Behind The SuperstarsCarmelo Anthony has never been one of the league's most efficient offensive players.
 |
Maynor Using Utah’s Resources
Eric Maynor is an increasingly rare four-year, small college rookie. He sat down with RealGM to discuss how his first few weeks of NBA life has gone and what he has learned from Deron Williams and Jerry Sloan.
|
 |
Why LeBron To The Clippers Makes Sense
LeBron James already plays for a perennial underdog in Cleveland, but moving to the Clippers would allow him to do so in a huge market and with a core that will immediately compete for championships while also having an encouraging long term outlook.
|
 |
‘Home-Heavy Schedule’ Brings Question Marks
The Heat have been plagued by inconsistencies, making it difficult to determine how good they really are this season.
|
|
More from RealGM's Columnists
|
| |
Marcus Anthony Slaughter was born March 18,1985 in San Leonzo, California. He graduated from J.W. North High School where he only played two years of organized basketball, and was rated the 80th best prep player by www.Insider.com, earning honorable All-American status.
After averaging 24 points and 9 rebounds in the MWC tournament last year, Slaughter decided to test the NBA draft waters, without hiring an agent (leaving him the option of returning to college). While at workouts with other NBA draft hopefuls, he realized he was not prepared for such a big step, deciding to return to SDSU for his junior season.
So far this season, Slaughter has averaged 17 and 11, and shooting nearly 50% from the field, while propelling the Aztecs to first place in the Mountain West. Against Washington State, in a non-conference game, Slaughter wooed scouts by dropping 26 and 17, while the rest of his team could manage only 23 points…
SDSU is now in first place, but it is not only because of Slaughter's great statistics. Another junior, Brandon Heath, is having his best season yet, and is also drawing praise from many NBA scouts.
Along with junior transfer Mohamed Abukar (Florida), and freshmen Richie Williams and Kyle Spain, the Aztecs are looking as strong as ever, and prepared for a postseason run.
If he was to leave after this season, as many fans suspect he will, Slaughter is a likely late round draft pick, and a good fit for a team like the Mavericks, who is full of offensive enigmas (Dirk, Howard), but lacks the strong defensive abilities that will take them to the NBA finals.
Although I think that Slaughter is almost certain to leave the Aztecs following this season, personally, I think the best move for him is to stay for his senior year. If he does stay, he would draw more praise from NBA scouts, as he could very well be college basketball's leading rebounder. This idea alone can enhance his rising draft status.
If the Aztecs win their conference tournament, as expected, they are a dangerous Cinderella team come March Madness. With junior leadership from Slaughter, Heath, and Abukar, quickness from Earl Boykins-esque guard Richie Williams (freshman), and the powerful rebounding of another freshman Kyle Spain, the Aztecs have the ability to bust many brackets come postseason play.
In the pre-season, college basketball's most famous voice, Dick Vitale, named Slaughter to his All-Windex team, awarded to the nations top rebounders. Vitale saw NBA abilities that many NBA scouts have not yet seen.
Marcus Slaughter is leading the Aztecs to the postseason, and will continue putting up his 17 points and 11 rebounds , while garnishing no national media attention. But when the dust settles, he will be in the NBA, because he has the talent. It's only a matter of time until scouts start realizing it.
Like the article? Hate it? E-mail me at alexcohen55@gmail.com |
