The verdict is in for next year's incoming NBA class.

"At the top, it's the worst class I've ever seen," says Hoop Scoop recruiting analyst Clark Francis. "And I've been doing this for 20-some years. It's a bad class."

After a great 2004 class and what looks to be a spectacular class of 2006, 2005 seems to become lost somewhere in-between.

J.R. Giddens of Kansas is already forecasting where he might be selected in the 2005 Draft, even though he has yet to play a single a game of his sophomore season.

Bill Self's staff is already expecting Giddens to play only one more season for his university before making the jump to the NBA, passing up his final two years of eligibility.

One NBA scout said "If he leaves after this year, he's a top-15 to top-20 pick at worst.  You just don't see athletes like him very often. He runs well, he gets his shot off quick and he can play above the rim. He's got a long future in this league."