A LOOK AT THE TOP PLAYERS

GUARDS

Johnny Dawkins, Duke, 6-2. Excellent touch and quick, high release. Leaping ability makes him outstanding rebounder for his size. Tends to break offensive scheme, making turnovers and taking bad shots.

Mark Price, Gerogia Tech, 6-0. Downtown range on jumper and quick first step. Gutsy competitor, but defense is questionable. Tended to disappear in big games.

Scott Skiles, Michigan St., 6-1. A short Larry Bird. Slow, but explosive scorer and passer. Scrappy physical player who won’t quit. Ranked third in nation with 26.9 ppg. Three arrests, including one for drugs, could scare some away.

Pearl Washington, Syracuse, 6-3. An elite passer, who does it all on the break. Quick first step and exceptional strength get him to the hoop. Must work on jumper, turnovers, defense and standing around when he doesn’t have the ball. Tends to have weight problem.

FORWARDS

Mark Alarie, Duke, 6-8. Good college player. Better than average jump shot and ballhandling skills. Makes up for lack of speed by being strong competitor. Could make fine role player for a number of teams.

Walter Berry, St. John’s, 6-8. Great jumping ability and hang time. Played out of position last year at center. Must improve range on jump shot and develop more than patented spin move left.

Cedric Henderson, Georgia, 6-8. Would have just completed sophomore year. Spent last season playing in Italian professional league after flunking out at conclusion of freshman year. Strong body gives him overpowering inside game.

Chuck Person, Auburn, 6-8. Consistent at both ends of the court. Played mostly man-to-man in college, making adjustment to NBA easy. Stock soared in postseason when he proved he can stick a long jumper.

John Salley, Georgia Tech, 7-0. Tremendous athlete, who can run, jump, block shots and is an exceptional big-man passer. Excelled at postseason all-star game in Hawaii. Shoots for high percentage, but has no range. Does a little of everything, but has trouble doing it all.

Brad Sellers, Ohio St., 7-0. Incredible speed and quickness for size. Excellent rebounder who can shoot off dribble. Could change philosophy of small forward. Third in country with 13 rpg. Proved self in NIT.

John Williams, Louisiana St., 6-7. The youngest (19) and possibly most talented in draft. Excellent ballhandler. Rebounds and makes big play. Intensity and concentration levels questioned.

Kenny Walker, Kentucky, 6-8. Great leaper and rebounder. Questionable jump shot and weak ballhandler. Numbers decreased as a senior with more attention and that might hurt standing.

CENTERS

William Bedford, Memphis St., 7-0. A shot blocker with bulk. Needs work on overall defense, tending to depend too much on zones. Offense developed each year.

Brad Daugherty, North Carolina, 7-0. Front-runner to be No. 1 pick. Plays better facing the basket and will be moved to forward. Tender touch led nation in shooting percentage (64.9). Is he tough enough?

Greg Dreiling, Kansas, 7-1. Good fundamentals -- rebounds and gets ball to wings. Never fulfilled advanced notice. When he’s good he’s very good, but he is too often not very good. Probably a backup center.

Roy Tarpley, Michigan, 6-11. Another good bet to move to strong forward. College zones were a hindrance and frustrating. Needs to make stronger effort. Senior season was disappointing after brilliant junior campaign.

Chris Washburn, N.C. State, 6-11. Raw potential. Great physical attributes and soft touch on baseline from 8-10 feet. Plays equally well with back to basket or facing it. Must improve rebounding and transition.