NBA Draft 2011: Nikola Vucevic: Yao Ming's Repacement for the Houston Rockets?

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Nikola Vucevic, the seven-foot center from USC, is the highest riser in 2011 NBA mock drafts.

Vucevic didn't even appear in the "next five in" on ESPN's Chad Ford's Mock Draft 2.0. He climbed to No. 25 to the Boston Celtics in 3.0 and to No. 23 to the Houston Rockets in 4.0.

Now, Ford has the 20-year-old at No. 14 to the Houston Rockets.

With the Rockets in desperate need of some size in the paint, Vucevic could be the answer. He's not the world's greatest athlete, but he is skilled, has an NBA body and is ready to play now.

Amidst speculation that Yao Ming could be done forever, the Rockets need a big man of the future.

Vucevic, at 7'0'', 260 pounds, is ready to bang with NBA bigs right away. Scouts also report that he has range out to the three-point line, which adds a new dimension to many NBA teams.

I not-so-secretly hope Vucevic falls to Boston at No. 25, but the way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if Ford's final mock draft tomorrow has Vucevic even higher.

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