Duke Basketball: Is Mason Plumlee on His Way to Becoming a 2012 Lottery Pick?

Mason Plumlee had another big game yesterday against St. John's.

The 6'10" junior power forward put up an impressive 15 points and grabbed 17 rebounds against the Johnnies.

This was following his outstanding 23 points, 12 rebounds and four assists against Maryland earlier in the week.

MP2 is averaging 12 points and 9.8 rebounds in 29 minutes per game on the season. He is shooting just short of 62 percent from the floor. Plumlee gets out on the fast-break and runs the court exceptionally well for a player his size.

The question is: Is he playing himself onto NBA scouts' radar for the 2012 NBA Draft?

If nothing else, he has legitimately elevated his game from last year in terms of both scoring and rebounding.

At 235 pounds, Plumlee may still be a little slight of build (and lacking in upper-body strength) to bang in the Association, but that's nothing that some time in the weight room can't cure. 

Because of his athleticism, some believe that MP2 is close to being a top-level player within the ACC and is on his way to becoming an elite forward nationally.

If he finishes out the regular season strong and has a fantastic postseason, Mason Plumlee could very well have a decision to make about whether or not to return to Durham for his final collegiate season.