Darren Collison – UCLA (Senior, 6’0”, 160 lbs)

Darren Collison’s numbers are nice, but they don’t jump out much. Then again, neither did those of former UCLA guard Russell Westbrook, who’s busy racking up NBA stats worthy of Rookie of the Year honors.

NBA people know what they’ll be getting from Collison, since he’s been coached by Ben Howland — a dependable, defensive-minded reserve who can hit the open outside shot. The folks over at NBADraft.net liken him to former NBA guard Darrell Armstrong. With his motor and quickness, that comparison is right on the money.

Speaking of money, whether Collison makes an extra $500,000 next season — the difference in salary between the 15th and 25th overall selections — could depend on where he takes the Bruins in the NCAA Tournament.

James Harden – Arizona State (Sophomore, 6’5”, 220 lbs)

It’s hard to put a finger on just what James Harden does best aside from imitating Gilbert Arenas with his well-groomed beard. He can shoot it from deep, attack the paint and find open looks for teammates. He takes on each little facet of the game and does well in each one. If an NBA scout is looking to knock Harden for something, it might be his size.

Harden has neither the length of a prototypical NBA All-Star shooting guard nor the all-around physical gifts — but that doesn’t mean he isn’t expected to become one. His drives to the rim are effective because he is as strong as anyone, even at just 19 years old. Harden doesn’t need to do much to convince anyone of his readiness for the next level, though a run to the Sweet Sixteen certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Chase Budinger – Arizona (Junior, 6’7”, 218 lbs)

Chase Budinger’s body has NBA written all over it. With his more-than-40-inch vertical frame, it’s a surprise Budinger has even continued playing college ball this long. In looking at the Arizona program, you have to wonder how it’s possible for a team with two NBA first-rounders (Budinger and the lottery-bound big man Jordan Hill) and the talented Nic Wise to finish just fifth in the Pac-10 and barely squeak into their 25th straight NCAA Tournament.

The answer might start with Budinger, who, despite the hops and a 3-point stroke that extends well past the college line, doesn’t have the mentality of a go-to scorer. In the postseason, a string of strong performances could go a long way toward changing that. But as it stands now, Budinger figures to be a mid-to-late first-round selection who could become a pretty effective player at the next level. That is, unless his next team is counting on him to play on-ball defense, too.

Jon Brockman – Washington (Senior, 6’7”, 255 lbs)

UW coach Lorenzo Romar has talked at length recently about his players’ team-first attitude. That selfless play may have been beneficial for the team as a whole, but not so much for the individual stock of Jon Brockman, whose scoring average is down three points per game from last year.

That’s not to say outsiders haven’t noticed what the rough-and-tumble Brockman is capable of, because they have. The fact remains that Brockman’s name has been left off most NBA draft boards all season while undersized college big men with somewhat similar games — somewhat being the operative word — such as Connecticut’s Jeff Adrian and Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair, are on them.

Still, most agree Brockman has the grit and knack for rebounding that will eventually allow him to make a living in the NBA. But to get there, he’ll need to show he can hit the perimeter jumper and do more than lean into the chest of an overmatched college defender from seven feet away to score. Doing so on a national stage should help.