Ben McLemore has established himself as one of the premier NBA prospects in college basketball. He's stood out early as a two-way guard whose strengths should translate from one level to the next.

He's averaging 16.4 points per game for the Kansas Jayhawks and has helped propel them into the upper echelon of the rankings.

 

Physical Tools

If you were to draw up a blueprint to build the ideal off-guard athlete, Ben McLemore is what you'd come up with.

At 6'5'' with fluid athleticism and explosiveness in the open floor, McLemore has the physical tools that allow him to elude defenders on the way to the rim and consistently finish above it. He also has defensive potential as a perimeter ball-stopper, which only sweetens the package he has to offer.

 

Above the Rim

Check out McLemore's hops and his ability to finish at heights defenders aren't capable of reaching:

 

Jump Shot

You won't find a better-looking stroke in college basketball. McLemore is shooting 43.5 percent from behind the arc, illustrating picturesque mechanics that should be featured on an instructional DVD.

McLemore gets tremendous elevation on his jumper and times his release with the apex of his jump. It helps create separation and allows him to rise and fire over contesting arms.

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On the way up, McLemore displays balance and zero wasted motion. As a spot-up shooter, he catches and releases with rhythm, stepping into the shot with his feet squared to the rim.

Even his misses look good, and some even go in.

He drained the game-tying three against Iowa State with a bank shot from 26 feet out.

Though not his forte, McLemore has proved capable of putting the ball on the floor before launching. Whether it's to use a pick or to build rhythm before the shot, it helps him avoid perimeter defense and get off a cleaner look at the rim.

In-Between Game

McLemore isn't someone you set up isolation opportunities for. His in-between game consists of slashes toward the paint that require one dribble and a finish. He's got a soft touch on his runner and possesses the athleticism necessary to avoid defenders and convert in traffic.

 

Ray Allen Comparison

It seems that every year we find a player to compare to Ray Allen. This year, it's McLemore, and it's the most accurate comparison yet. 

With similar builds and athletic ability, both excel at recognizing open space and occupying it in the half court. Thousands of great shooters over the years were ineffective because they couldn't get open. But both McLemore and Allen are excellent without the ball, using screens and motion to free themselves up.

Check out the similarities between their off-ball movement and the way they catch and shoot in rhythm.

Weaknesses

The only glaring weakness surrounding McLemore's offensive game is his inability to create off the dribble. While he's capable of attacking north and south because of his dynamic athleticism, shaking east and west in the pull-up game is not one of his strengths.

McLemore is strictly an off-ball guard who rarely uses more than two or three dribbles. To really maximize his potential, he should implement step-back or pull-up jumpers off the bounce, which would allow him to dictate his own offense instead of the ball movement that surrounds him.

 

NBA Draft Projection

Ben McLemore has already entered the conversation as a No. 1 overall candidate without anyone else stepping forward as a can't-miss prospect. He brings a sense of reliability to the table, offering little risk and a high basement.

If worse comes to worst, McLemore is a lights-out shooter who can slash in the half court and defend opposing scorers. He may not be a 25-point-per-game guy at the next level, but he has the potential to be an elite complementary scorer who presents substantial lineup flexibility because of his ability to play off ball-dominators.

Right now we have McLemore as our No. 2 prospect in the country behind Shabazz Muhammad.