A thumbnail look at possible first-round selections for the NBA draft to be held Thursday in New York:

Carmelo Anthony, f, Syracuse

6-8, 220; 22.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg

Led Syracuse to national title as a freshman. … Versatile with forward’s height and guard’s game. … Can post up smaller players or shoot over them from the perimeter. … Has solid fundamentals. … Tough to defend with his ball handling ability and quickness. … Can beat you inside and out.

Mario Austin, f, Mississippi State

6-8, 265; 15.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg

An early entry. … Austin considered turning pro last season. … Some speculate he’s an inch or two shorter. … An effective post player with a better-than-average shooting touch. … A solid defender with quick feet.

Maurice Banks, g, UNLV

6-2, 220; 20.3 ppg, 5.5 apg

Comes up an inch or two shorter than listed height. … Has an NBA body. … A solid defender and rebounder for his size. … Can penetrate and kick out. … Has quick hands on defense. … Despite improvement his senior season, he still needs to work on fundamentals.

Leandrinho Barbosa, g, Bauru Tilibra (Brazil)

6-3, 180; 28.2 ppg, 7.0 apg

Was second in the league in scoring and assists in 2002-03. … A terrific ball handler that can beat defenders off the dribble. … Can penetrate and dish off inside. … Suspect shooting mechanics, but hit 44 percent from three-point range. … A competitor.

Jerome Beasley, f, North Dakota

6-10, 241; 26.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg

The NCAA Division II Player of the Year and MVP at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. … Can play inside and out. … Shot 51.3 percent from the field, including 45.8 percent on three-pointers his senior season. … Has a good turnaround jumper. … A big frame. … Solid fundamentals in the low post.

Chris Bosh, f, Georgia Tech

6-10, 210; 15.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg

A 19-year-old who is still maturing physically. … A quick, athletic big man who works hard. … A low post player that runs the floor well and is most effective facing the basket. … His quickness makes up for his lack of strength on the boards. … Must gain weight to battle in the paint on the next level.

Zarko Cabarkaba, f, Buducnost (Serbia & Montenegro)

6-11, 235; 14.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg

A versatile forward that causes problems with his quickness and ball-handling ability. … Can play all three frontcourt positions. … Can create his own shot and has a strong mid-range jumper up to 18 feet. … Needs to work on the defensive end and his upper body strength.

Nick Collison, f, Kansas

6-9, 250; 18.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg

Led the Jayhawks to the national title game. … Stock has fallen recently. … Will struggle with bigger, stronger and more athletic power forwards. … His court sense and inside game keep him on an NBA roster for years, like other Jayhawks: Raef LaFrentz, Scot Pollard and Greg Ostertag.

Brian Cook, f, Illinois

6-10, 240; 18.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg

Big Ten Player of the Year. … Versatile. … Can score anywhere on the court. … Made tremendous strides his senior season, improving his low post game. … Is foul prone. … Needs to work on his defense. … Good footwork, solid fundamentals and runs the floor well.

Carlos Delfino, g, Skipper Bologna (Italy)

6-6, 230; 9.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg

An early entry. … This Argentine has played in Italy since 2000. … Some compare him to San Antonio’s Emanuel Ginobili. … Tough player, not afraid of contact. … Excellent defender on and off the ball. … Likes to drive to the basket. … A streaky shooter. … Tore ligaments in his ankle in March and was not able to work out for scouts for two months.

Boris Diaw, g, Pau Orthez (France)

6-8, 203; 16.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg., 5.0 apg

An early entry. … May be best athlete in the draft. … Has tremendous leaping ability, wingspan and explosive quickness. … Great passer. … Quick hands and long arms make him a defensive threat. … Needs a more consistent outside shot. … Teamed with prospect Mickael Pietrus at Pau Orthez.

Ndudi Ebi, f, Westbury Christian HS, Houston

6-9, 195; 23.3 ppg, 11.6 rpg

An early entry. … Named MVP in USA Olympic Festival in 2001. … Has great post moves and a smooth jumper. … Thin frame with long arms. … Led his team to state titles in 2000, 2001 and 2003. … Had signed with Arizona before entering the draft. … Born in London, raised in Nigeria before coming to United States.

T.J. Ford, g, Texas

6-0, 165; 15.0 ppg, 7.7 apg

May be the quickest point guard in the draft. … Virtually impossible to guard one-on-one in college. … Had a sensational sophomore season, landing the Naismith and Wooden Awards as college basketball’s Player of the Year. … Some consider him the best point guard available. … Breaks down defenses with his quickness and passing ability. … Need to improve outside shot.

Reece Gaines, g, Louisville

6-6, 205; 17.9 ppg, 5.0 apg

A versatile player, who played both the point and off-guard spots effectively as a senior. … Will probably play two-guard at next level. … A solid defender. … Can shoot the three and the mid-range jumper well, but is more of a slasher.

Travis Hansen, f-g, BYU

6-6, 201; 16.8 ppg,

Improved in the camps. … Has a lean frame. … Shot an astounding 63 percent from three-point range his senior year. … Also can slash to the basket. … Quick on the defensive end. … Needs to improve ball handling.

Jarvis Hayes, g, Georgia

6-7, 220; 18.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg

An early entry. … Shot 50.3 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from three-point range. … Moves well without the ball. … His athleticism, quickness and jumping ability makes him a threat inside and out. … Superb at catch-and-shoot, with a good mid-range jumper. … An excellent defender. … Needs to improve ballhandling skills to be a guard.

Kirk Hinrich, g, Kansas

6-1, 190; 17.3 ppg, 3.5 apg

Aggressive, excels in an up-tempo offense. … Shot 43 percent from three-point range in his college career. … A gritty player who does the little things to win. … Seemed to wear down deeper into the season. … May be the second point guard taken, after T.J. Ford.

Josh Howard, f,

Wake Forest

6-6, 203; 19.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg

The ACC Player of the Year led the Demon Deacons to their first outright conference title in 41 years. … A smooth ball-handler with a good mid-range jumper. … Solid perimeter defender. … Mature, continued to work at his game. … Improved free-throw percentage his senior season from 65.7 to 83.3.

LeBron James, g, St. Vincent-St. Mary HS, Akron, Ohio

6-8, 240; 30.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg

His immediate impact came hours after NBA draft lottery, as hundreds of season-ticket packages were sold in Cleveland. … As for the court, he’s smooth and athletic. … Comparable to Magic Johnson with his court vision and passing skills. … He’s the only three-time winner of Ohio’s Mr. Basketball award. … Has a $90 million endorsement deal with Nike. … Living up to the hype may be his biggest hurdle.

Chris Kaman, c, Central Michigan

7-0, 252; 22.4 ppg, 12.0 rpg

An early entry. … Was Mid-American Conference Player of the Year as a junior. … Had 25 double-doubles to lead the nation. … Has great footwork in the blocks. … Plays with his back to the basket and is effective inside 12 feet. … Needs to get stronger up top.

Marciej Lampe, c, Universidad Complutense (Spain)

7-0, 240; 18.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg

At 18, considered among the best young players in Europe. … Plays for the top minor league team in Real Madrid. … His shot has three-point range. … Agile and quick, with solid ball handling skills. … Runs the court like a small forward. … Needs to work on his post game.

James Lang, Central Park Christian HS, Birmingham, Ala.

6-10, 305; 24.0 ppg, 16.0 rpg

An early entry. … Led team to the National Association of Christian Schools title. … An imposing presence. … Good athleticism, mobility and touch for his size. Has solid rebounding techniques and shot-blocking instincts. … Tenacious on the boards. … Weight could be a problem, but he’s just 19.

Darko Milicic, f, Hemofarm Vrsac (Serbia & Montenegro)

7-0, 245; 9.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg

An early entry. … May be the best big man in the NBA. … Just turned 18. … Has impressed scouts in workouts. … The left-hander possesses a game similar to Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks. … Runs the break well and a good ball-handler for his size. … Will cause matchup problems for opponents with his height and speed. … More comfortable facing the basket. … Hemofarm has Milicic under contract through 2009.

Travis Outlaw, f, Starkville (Miss.) HS

6-9, 190; 25.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg

An early entry. … An incredible athlete. … A forward’s body with guard’s speed. … A tremendous leaper. … Earned All-State honors all four years in high school. … Adjusting to the rigors of the NBA will be his biggest concern. … Originally committed to his hometown school, Mississippi State.

Zaur Pachulia, c, Ulker (Turkey)

6-11, 240; 9.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg

An early entry. … Considered one of the top prospects in Europe. … A native of Georgia who has been playing professionally in Turkey since he was 15. … A classic low-post player. … An excellent rebounder and shot blocker. … Runs the floor well for his size and is a decent passer.

Aleksandar Pavlovic, g, Buducnost (Serbia & Montenegro)

6-7, 210; 9.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg

An early entry. … Has played with Buducnost since 2000. … Averaged 9.6 points on 54 percent shooting in 19.4 minutes per game in Euroleague play and 10.1 points on 60 percent shooting in the Yugoslavian League. … An athletic and creative swingman. … Needs to improve outside shot. … Tends to play too much one-on-one.

Kendrick Perkins, c, Clifton J. Ozen HS, Beaumont, Texas

6-10, 285; 27.5 ppg, 16.4 rpg

An early entry. … Known in some circles as “Baby Shaq.” … Had signed a national letter of intent to attend Memphis. … Has a powerful build and feathery touch around the basket. … Has no desire to play on the perimeter. … Possesses a better shooting touch than Shaquille O’Neal had when he was in high school.

Michael Pietrus, g,

Pau Orthez (France)

6-6, 200; 9.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg

An early entry. … Helped Pau Orthez win back-to-back French National Cups in 2002 and 2003. … Good strength for his size. … An aggressive defender prone to quick fouls. … His long arms and leaping ability make him effective on the boards. … Needs to work on his outside game and ball-handling.

Zoran Planinic, g, Cibona Zagreb (Croatia)

6-7, 195; 7.8 ppg, 2.8 apg

An early entry. … Good ball-handling skills and court vision. … Considered one of the top point guards in Europe. … Need to be more consistent with his outside shot. … Voted Best Croatian Young Player in 2001-02. … Lack of strength is some concern. … Was injured in a car accident earlier in the season.

Luke Ridnour, g, Oregon

6-2, 175; 19.7 ppg, 6.6 apg

An early entry. … The Pac-10 Player of the Year, finished second in the conference in scoring (19.7) and first in assists (6.6). … A true point guard who thinks pass first. … Determined, hard-worker. … Good shooter, who excels in an up-tempo style. … Can he match up against bigger and stronger guards at the next level?

Sofoklis Schortsanitis, f, Iraklis (Greece)

6-9, 255; 11.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg

An early entry. … Just turned 18. … Has a good work ethic. … Has a baby hook and a good jumper from 15 feet. … Athletic and aggressive. … Prone to foul trouble. … Very poor from the free-throw line. … His height and weight measurements have been questioned.

Mike Sweetney, f, Georgetown

6-8, 262; 22.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg

An early entry. … As a junior led the Hoyas in scoring, rebounding, blocks (3.2) and field-goal percentage (.547). … A solid work ethic. … Runs the floor well for his size. … Has great hands in the paint. … Can score from 15 feet.

Dwayne Wade, g, Marquette

6-4, 210; 21.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg

An early entry. … The Conference USA Player of the Year led the Golden Eagles to the Final Four for the first time since 1977. … A strong player with a quick first step. … An outstanding athlete who raised his stock in the NCAA tournament. … A solid defender. … His outside shot is inconsistent. … His height may cause some concern.

David West, f, Xavier

6-9, 240; 20.4 ppg, 11.8 rpg

The Associated Press Player of the Year in 2003. … A dominant post player. … Has a decent mid-range jumper, strong hands and excellent rebounding skills. … Will have trouble defending quick athletic small forwards. … Improved his passing as a senior.