NBA Mock Draft 2011: How Good Will Czech Republic’s Jan Vesely Be at NBA Level?

NBA Mock Draft 2011 Has Jan Vesely Likely a Lottery Pick

A lot has been made recently about Czech Republic forward Jan Vesely given he’s one of the best combinations of size, athleticism and shooting ability in this year’s draft.

It also doesn’t hurt that college stars Harrison Barnes, Perry Jones and Jared Sullinger didn’t declare for the draft.

But is Vesely’s rise to a potential top-seven pick more based on his ability or the lack of prospects that really excite?

Let us examine.

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Vesely is 21 years old, but one thing he does have going for him is he played the last three seasons at the Euroleague level, going against older European players, former NBA players and former college stars.

He also has the athleticism at 6-foot-11 to play small forward, similar to a taller Andrei Kirilenko.

He has the outside shooting we’re usually accustomed to from European prospects, but he also has the rare gleam in his eye driving to the hoop that we’re not. This guy loves dunking the basketball, and he can do so rather forcefully if you give him a lane to drive.

His ability to run the floor, along with his leaping ability, also projects him as a nightmare defender, particularly at the small forward spot.

Vesely is also a smart player and can move without the ball fluidly and effectively, meaning he doesn’t have to have the ball in his hands at all times.

He still has some growing to do on the court, but overall a lot of NBA teams appear to like this guy.

It’s hard to project him as a Shawn Marion-type player, but he could certainly be somewhere in between Marion and Kirilenko and be a legitimate impact player as a starter in the NBA.

-Ryan Rudnansky

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