Dontaye Draper

Cedevita have made it here on the basis of some explosive shooting performances. Highlighted by performances such as a 36 point demolition of Dynamo Moscow, and a 114-110 overtime win over Hemofarm Vrsac, Cedevita have plenty of outside shooting talent, and a point guard (Dontaye Draper) more than capable of exploiting that.

Draper has had a hell of a season. He does a little bit of everything for the team, yet has thrived in penetrate and kick situations. Easily the best dribble-driver on the team, Cedevita have given Draper the green light to attack the basket at will, where he can either finish, make the drop-off pass, or find the open shooter. He's not a bad shooter himself, either, hitting 36% of his threes in Eurocup play. And his speed makes up for his size disadvantage on both ends of the court. Draper has led the team to this point, and everyone else is there to compliment him. (Or so it sometimes feels.)

[...] Cedevita got here on account of the Draper + shooters combination, a combination that became good enough to make it once Wright was brought in. Could it be enough to take them the whole way? Maybe. Ask Damjan Rudez about that, for he may hold the key. But the prospect of either Corsley Edwards or Vedran Vukusic trying to check Maciej Lampe is a worrying one.

Dontaye Draper

Draper was in training camp with the Nuggets last year, and was also with the team for summer league 2007. There's clearly something they like a lot about the 5'11 scoring guard. Last year, playing for Prima Veroli in the Italian second division, Draper averaged 13.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.7apg and 2.6spg, while shooting the three much better than usual, hitting at a strong 40% mark. Draper has been trying to reinvent himself as more of a pass first guard over the years, which is kind of necessary when you're 5'11, but reverted to being more of a scorer last year. He also doesn't usually shoot that well, although his improvements there are significant, and he certainly has the ability to break down a defense and find the open man. Regardless, as quick and explosive as he is, it's difficult to play in the NBA if you're a 5'11 shoot first player who's prone to turnovers and not the best shooter.

- Dontaye Draper

Despite signing with the Denver Nuggets for training camp - which would boost any man's CV - Draper finds himself in only the Italian second division this season. Playing for Prima Veroli, Draper averages 15.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.8 steals per game, shooting 50% from the field, 43% from three point range and 79% from the line. Draper signed as a replacement for Dawan Robinson, who got hurt in October and who still hasn't returned. Yet despite those statistics, Robinson doesn't lead the team in a single category. Not even steals. We'll find out more when we get to H.