Many NBA big men have pretty good ball-handling skills, but if every single one of their drives is a slow three-step move, plus Eric Bennett’s ball-handling height that can rival small forwards...

From this game against the Speedsters, the scouts gave their evaluations.

This is an inside player worth paying attention to.

Soft shooting touch, has three-point range, and possesses great flexibility and coordination.

Footwork speed is top-tier among players of the same height, and his ability to drive with the ball is elite, but more games are needed for further observation.

He has the ability to organize from the high post and has excellent court vision.

His physicality is a bit weak, and his current weight is not enough to support him in battling NBA-level big men.

On defense, he currently relies only on his height and wingspan; his positioning and defensive skills still need to be honed.

He’s from China, and his potential is promising.

However, even in the end, the scouts couldn’t come up with a template for Eric Bennett. Helplessly, they could only temporarily use Kevin Durant as Eric Bennett’s template.

Hmm, the Asian Durant...

Of course, some media outlets expressed doubts about what McLopp said, mainly questioning whether Eric Bennett has gigantism, since NBA teams absolutely do not want to pick a player with gigantism.

Javier interviewed Eric Bennett.

“How long have you been playing basketball?”

“Since I was a kid, but I used to play as a guard.”

With the sudden growth spurt and the skills honed from a young age, Javier felt like a detective peeling back the layers one by one.

“So that means you’re completely new to the center position?” Javier was a bit surprised.

“Yes, I’m still learning.” Eric Bennett nodded.

What surprised Javier was that if what Eric Bennett said was true, then his defense, positioning, and some of his post moves were quite unbelievable. Has he really only been learning center skills for just over a month?

Next, Javier asked a few trivial questions. In Javier’s view, he needed to apply to EPSN to follow up on news about Eric Bennett.

This kid is definitely going to be a dark horse. If he keeps improving and enters the 2009 draft...

He’s matched up against Blake Griffin.

Although Griffin has an overwhelming advantage in stats and is stronger than Eric Bennett in every aspect—skills, physicality, and so on—Eric Bennett’s unique traits definitely give him a shot in the NBA.

And this is his NCAA debut.

There aren’t many people in this NCAA season who can make Blake Griffin look bad.

Oh right, 2009 is considered a weak draft year, so maybe he can get a pretty good draft position.

Javier shared his thoughts with Eric Bennett, and Eric Bennett, half-jokingly, told him that 2009 is not a weak draft year at all—in fact, it will be the biggest draft year for the NBA since 2003.

Javier didn’t pay much attention to Eric Bennett’s claim. After all, every rookie class likes to compare themselves to the golden class of 2003 to boost their own value and reputation.

Sigh, you guys are still too young, both Eric Bennett and Javier thought at the same time.

Actually, the 2009 rookies weren’t getting much attention. At this moment, everyone was focused on the Lakers and Celtics’ fateful showdown, and 2009 could also be called the start of a new era in the NBA.

Blake Griffin, James Harden, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Ricky Rubio, Jrue Holiday... Who would have thought that these rookies, who weren’t highly regarded, would go on to become franchise players, MVPs...

This group of rookies was really lucky. When they entered the league, most NBA teams were going through a transition between old and new. Rookies who enter the NBA during a dynasty transition often get good opportunities, because teams that avoid the dynasty battles and choose to rebuild have plenty of time and patience. Most of the 2009 rookies, because they weren’t highly regarded, worked even harder after entering the NBA. Not only did they perform beyond their own limits, but they also opened the minds of NBA scouts—it turns out you don’t necessarily need explosive physical gifts to make it in the NBA...

“Four twos! I win again!” In dorm room 4001, Stephen’s cheerful laughter kept ringing out.

Eric Bennett had already lost a week’s worth of dinners.

“Listen, man, I’m going to tell Ayesha that I can save some allowance to take her on a date.” Stephen Curry said proudly.

Eric Bennett was speechless. How could this be? Why does Curry always manage to get the wild cards? Even in the worst hands, he still gets four twos. He shuffled the cards himself, and Anthony and Beasley cut them—how is this possible?

That night, while browsing the web, Stephen Curry suddenly turned around excitedly and told Eric Bennett, “Lin, New York is interested in me!”

Stephen Curry told Eric Bennett that the New York Knicks had decided to send scouts to follow him throughout the season—they hoped to draft this talented shooter next year.

Eric Bennett grinned mischievously and asked, “What about Golden State?”