Hidden Gem

[MAS RipCity]

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<b>Jarvis Varnado</b></td></tr>
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• 6'9"
• Junior
• Forward/Center
• Mississippi State Univeristy

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A talented post player with great athleticism, Jarvis Varnado made a splash on the national scene last year as a sophomore after leading the nation with 157 blocks, shattering the season-single school record of 106 established by Erick Dampier in 1995-96. As a result of his inside presence, he was the unanimous SEC Defensive Player of the Year as voted on by the league's coaches and was named to the honorable mention All-SEC team by AP. In addition, he also recognized as the National Defensive Player of the Year by both Rivals.com and CollegeInsider.com.

<a href="http://www.mstateathletics.com/View...4&DB_OEM_ID=16800&ATCLID=944351&Q_SEASON=2008">Mississippi State Profile</a>

NCAA Weekly Performers, 1/12/09
January 13, 2009
Arguably the best shot blocker in the country as a sophomore, Jarvis Varnado’s improvement as a junior leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind about that title this time around, with the margin being quite substantial statistically. With 7.5 blocks per 40 minutes pace adjusted, Varnado leads every other player in our database by 2+ blocks, while he’s comfortably ahead in blocks per game as well despite playing under 28 minutes per game.

<a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jarvis-Varnado-1189/">Draft Express Profile</a>


I am not sure he declares this year or next, but if we do not want to trade up for DeJaun Blair, he could be the next best thing. Watching him play, you can see the excellent timing he has on his shot blocks. We all know Joel will not be here forever, so this could be some nice insurance, even though he is more of a power forward. He is really in the Theo Ratliff/Samuel Dalembert mode. Who better to mentor him for a few years then Greg Oden & Joel Przybilla?

 

[Shooter]

Don't we already have a 6'9 player from Mississippi?

 

[Ed O]

I don't trust undersized centers, especially when they have such little offensive skill. His game today certainly didn't look NBA-ready...

Ed O.

 

[hasoos]

I was thinking the same thing, he reminded me of the Rattler. To be honest though, I never liked Theo as a player.

 

[andalusian]

To be honest though, I never liked Theo as a player.

Is it too much to ask or were you, like me, a fan of his talents as a sous chef?

 

[LameR]

Not after watching him get bullied around today.

 

[BalancedMan]

I was thinking the same thing, he reminded me of the Rattler. To be honest though, I never liked Theo as a player.

Reminded me of Ratliff as well.

 

[J_Ray]

Not after watching him get bullied around today.

Brockman ate him alive today lol

Varnado is possibly a lottery pick next year, so unless Blazers are going to suck next year, I doubt he's a "hidden gem"

 

[WarriorFan]

I was thinking he seems a lot like Stromile Swift

 

[MickZagger]

Kids a string bean. He would get used and abused in the NBA.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I saw Sanders play, and I thought he looked pretty interesting.
He's not listed on nbadraft.net
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=36534

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I don't trust undersized centers, especially when they have such little offensive skill. His game today certainly didn't look NBA-ready...

Ed O.

I agree with this. Big difference in the NBA.

 

[hasoos]

Is it too much to ask or were you, like me, a fan of his talents as a sous chef?

No I wasn't a fan of how after he got an lucrative extension that he came down with a mysterious ailment every time the team was struggling, which was most of the time.

 

[free_lafrentz]

I saw Varnardo in person yesterday and he gets thrown around like a rag doll in the post. If he can develop an outside shot he will be decent. I love his abilities as an "Outlaw PF" but his offense needs to expand. Defensively he is a force. I think the Ratliff comparisons are good. Watching him yesterday I told a couple people he looked like an undersized Dalembert.


As far as Hidden Gems are concerned, this Woodside guy from NDSU looks like Steve Nash!

 

[LittleAlex]

I was thinking the same thing, he reminded me of the Rattler. To be honest though, I never liked Theo as a player.

Well, he sure could block a ton of shots and .....


Nothing else really. The saddest part of it all is that he WAS one of the best players on that team. That says a lot more about the team then it does about Ratliff