NBA Draft 2011: Derrick Williams and the 10 Most Undersized Prospects
The upcoming NBA draft is often seen as one with slightly less talent than usual. Not only that, it has less height as well.
While undersized players can certainly have success in the NBA, teams are often scared away from anyone with a lack of height.
Here's a look at the 10 smallest-for-their-position prospects in the upcoming draft, what other tools they have that will make them successful and who they most resemble in the NBA.
10. Josh Shelby
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Josh Shelby had a fairly disappointing freshman season, but that didn't stop him from foregoing his last three years with Kansas to enter the NBA draft.
Selby projects as either a point guard or shooting guard, but hasn't quite displayed the vision and ball-handling skills necessary for a starting point guard.
However, he's extremely quick and athletic. He's good in one-on-one situations and has good range from the three-point line. When it comes down to it, Selby is a dynamic scorer who needs work with his ball-handling and defensive skills.
If this turns out to be true, he's fits more as a shooting guard, and at 6'3", he is pretty undersized.
NBA Comparison: Jerryd Bayless
9. Jordan Williams
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Jordan Williams is about as non-athletic as it gets in this year's draft. Draftexpress.com lists him as a center, and other sites have him listed as a power forward, but at either position, he is pretty undersized at 6'9".
What he lacks in height and athleticism, he makes up with weight and hard work. At a burly 250 pounds, Williams is tough to move around inside the paint. He has good footwork and shows a nice touch around the basket.
According to nbadraft.net, Williams has the "willingness to go with a layup instead of a risky dunk." If that doesn't remind you of this guy, I don't know what does.
NBA Comparison: Glen "Big Baby" Davis
8. Derrick Williams
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This is another one that depends on position, but if Derrick Williams plays power forward, he will be pretty short at 6'8".
Of course, this won't really matter, because he will make up for it with his quickness, athleticism, jump shot, intangibles, seven-foot wingspan and all his other gifts.
You've heard all you need to know about Williams. The guy is a stud, and even if he looks shorter than other power forwards, he'll play just as big as them. If that even makes sense.
NBA Comparison: A poor man's LeBron James
7. Bismack Biyombo
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Bismack Biyombo has been climbing draft boards as of late even though he projects as a center and is only 6'9".
His offensive game is still a long way from being NBA-ready, but he is quick, athletic and ready to contribute on the defensive end right away. The jury is still out on his rebounding skills, but according to nbadraft.net, he goes after offensive boards "quite fiercely."
Still though, I see his biggest impact being on the defensive side of the ball, at least for the next few years until he develops his offensive game.
NBA Comparison: Serge Ibaka
Photo from nbadraft.net
6. Shelvin Mack
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Shelvin Mack is an extremely smart basketball player who has a good feel for the game.
He has outstanding range and will most likely be used as an instant-offense type of guy off the bench.
At 6'2", he is a little short for a point guard, and while he isn't the most athletic, he is strong and built like an NBA point guard. However, he spent quite a bit of time at Butler as the 2-guard, so if he were to play there, he would be very undersized.
NBA Comparison: Jameer Nelson
5. Norris Cole
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The 6'1" point guard is slightly short, but he didn't play anything like his size indicates. Cole averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game for Cleveland State, including a game where he dropped 41 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and dished out nine assists.
I didn't see Cole play a whole lot this year, but the general consensus seems to be, as his numbers suggest, he is a good all-around player who does everything well, but nothing great. He looks to be a typical backup point guard for a team drafting in the second round.
NBA Comparison: A poor man's Andre Miller
4. Justin Harper
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Justin Harper, an expected future power forward, stands at only 6'9".
He makes up for his size with great speed and a terrific jump shot. During his senior season, he shot the ball at almost a 45 percent clip from long range, and that was while being a high-volume shooter.
Harper is the perfect tool for the NBA pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop. He's athletic, handles the ball well and is a power forward who plays more like a small forward
NBA Comparison: Ryan Anderson
3. Kenneth Faried
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I'm sure you've heard this one before: Kenneth Faried has a "high motor." So, despite being only 6'8", Faried could easily have an impact as a high-energy player.
He led the nation in rebounds his senior year with 14.5 per game, and although his back-to-the-basket game needs work, he can get points off putbacks and dunks.
While both his hair and battle cry make a comparison to Joakim Noah a likely target, Noah is 6'11", and I see this guy as more of a better fit.
NBA Comparison: Ronny Turiaf
2. Kemba Walker
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At 6'1", Kemba Walker is a pretty undersized point guard. However, he can still score in almost any fashion.
He's lightning quick and can go past any defender with his first step. Or he can use his deadly crossover to get by opponents. Or he use his step-back jumper. Or catch and shoot. He really is a deadly scorer, as his 23.5 points per game shows.
His defense and passing still need a bit of work, even though he managed to steal the ball quite a bit in college.
When it comes down to it, he simply knows how to win games in whatever way possible. He's someone who will get to the line when his shot isn't falling. He's someone who will take five shots in a game if the matchup calls for it.
While I like nbadraft.net's comparison to Tim Hardaway, I'm attempting to keep it current.
NBA Comparison: A Bizarro World Rajon Rondo. He can score like Rondo can pass. He runs an offense like—maybe not this bad—Rondo shoots. Does that work?
1. Isaiah Thomas
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At 5'10" (on his tiptoes maybe), Isaiah Thomas is the shortest prospect expected to be drafted. But he is a lot more than that.
While most will compare Thomas to former UW point guard Nate Robinson, there are a few things that separate the two.
While Thomas is less athletic, he has much more of a desire to win. Thomas leaves everything out on the court, while Robinson always seemed happy to entertain the crowd.
Thomas is a much better passer, and much more a pure point guard, while Robinson is just a short SG.
"IT" displayed terrific court vision his junior season, getting his teammates involved much more than the previous two seasons. While doing this, he still showed his ability to get into the lane and finish at will.
Competition in the NBA will obviously be much bigger and faster, but as a late second-round pick, Thomas could fill the need of "spark plug" for any team.
NBA Comparison: JJ Barea
