We're seeing more and more stories on Craig Brackins. No one knows whether he'll declare for the NBA Draft or return for his junior year at Iowa State. The Des Moines Register looks at the risks and rewards of going pro.

The main factors: the weak economy limiting the number of players brought in for workouts, the new combine and rules that say if a player withdraws from the draft and declares for the next year's draft, the player forgoes his college eligibility.

Ryan Blake, assistant director of scouting for the NBA, told the Register:

"It's really going to be difficult for a player this year to gauge where he's going,'' Blake said. "If that player leaves, he must get the highest assurance he's going in the first round because that's guaranteed money. In the second round, there are really not that many spots open. You're fighting against other free-agent second-round guys, international free-agent guys. So your percentages really go down.

"The other decision is you've got 50 or 60 guys declare (early). Only 30 are first-round picks. We've had many instances where guys leave early, don't get drafted and are not seen again.''

Over at Cyclone Fanatic, someone posted this tidbit from NBA Insider Chad Ford:

Craig Brackins, F, Iowa State
"In workouts people are going to say he's Danny Granger. He's a really long 3 who, when he gets a credible jumper like Granger, could end up being a big-time scorer in our league."

Ford's latest mock draft has Brackins going at No. 13, most likely to the Indiana Pacers.

Brackins has a lot to consider since players a couple of Big 12 players considered as lottery picks -- Kansas' Cole Aldrich and Oklahoma's Willie Warren -- decided to stay in school.

Brackins isn't at Danny Granger's level yet, but if he even comes close, he'll be Iowa State's greatest pro basketball player.