The future is looking bright for the NBA as numerous highly touted prospects develop in high school, college and over seas.  The NBA adopted a new rule that was effective as of last June's draft that players must be at least 19 years of age to declare themselves eligible for the draft. As a result, fans hope to see more NBA-ready players come in as rookies. Here are some of the top prospects across the globe. 
 
Centers

• Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 265lbs - UConn
  Hasn't played organized ball for long, but is huge and very coordinated and mobile for his size. Has a soft touch to his shot and the frame to add weight.  Needs to develop more of an offensive game. Is still very raw.
   
• Roy Hibbert 7-2 280lbs - Georgetown
  Great size and rebounding ability. Excellent free throw shooter with soft hands.  Not much of an athlete, though, and has trouble against athletic big men.
   

Power Forwards

• Tyler Hansbrough 6-8 245lbs - North Carolina
  Tough-nosed, big game player who can score on the low block and is a savvy rebounder. A bit undersized to play the four in the NBA, though, and not a great athlete.
   

Small Forwards

• Michael Beasley 6-9 235 - High School (eligible in 2008)
  Has the potential to be one of those "special" players. Extremely athletic and versatile. Great size. Needs to be more consistent.
    
• L.R. Lbah a Moute 6-7 230lbs - UCLA
  Extremely athletic and versatile. Has a 7-2 wing span. Is relatively new to the game, but learns fast. Has the potential to become a great defender. Needs to play the game more and continue to develop all around.

Shooting Guards
   

• Eric Gordon 6-4 210lbs - High School (eligible in 2008)
  Excellent scorer.  Can shoot the lights out or get to the line on a drive. Very athletic. Is a little undersized for the two guard spot. Could improve his passing ability.
   
• Bill Walker 6-5 235lbs - High School (eligible in 2008)
  Freakish athlete. Dunks like the all-time great dunkers. Still relies too much on atheticism and needs to develop more skill, but his upside is through the roof. Intense on the court and a hard worker. 
   
• Brandon Rush 6-6 205lbs - Kansas
  Athletic wing who knows how to take over a game. Very versatile on the wing.
   
• Nicolas Batum 6-8 210lbs - France
  Very versatile player with solid range. Clutch shooter and a tough competitor.  Needs to add strength to be able to finish better in traffic.
   
• Richard Roby 6-6 190lbs - Colorado
  Excellent shooter. Has length and athleticism. Is Kenyon Martin's half brother. Needs to add strength and play with more passion.

Point Guards

• Derrick Rose 6-4 195lbs - High School (eligible in 2008)
  An incredible talent. Extremely athletic with great ballhandling skills. Could be a special player. Good head on his shoulders and is humble. Right now he's a great scorer, but he needs to improve on his point guard skills. 
   
• OJ Mayo 6-5 210lbs - High School (eligible in 2008)
  Another potentially special player. Incredible athlete with great one-on-one skills. Incredible first step. Excellent defender. Reminds some of Dwayne Wade. Needs to learn how to take the point guard role.
    
• Ronald Steele 6-2 185lbs - Alabama
  Solid floor general who can make plays around the basket. Excellent leader and tough defender.  Not a great athlete and needs to be more consistent of a scorer.