Jimmer Fredette and the 9 Worst 2011 First-Round Draft Picks

Every year, 30 of the best college basketball players are selected in the first round of the NBA draft—some of them live up to the hype, but some of them can never seem to get it going.

Some of the players find their stride after their rookie years, but it is not as common as teams would like.

In 2011, most first-round picks haven't really stood out yet—with the exception of Kyrie Irving, Norris Cole, MarShon Brooks and Markieff Morris. Unfortunately for some NBA teams, they either didn't have the opportunity or they missed out on an opportunity to draft these players.

The players on this list aren't necessarily poor players, but the teams that selected these players could have done a better job at assessing their needs before making their picks.  

With all that being said, here are the 10 worst NBA draft picks of 2011. 

Jimmer Fredette

The Sacramento Kings selected Jimmer Fredette with the 10th pick in the draft.

Jimmer was the most hyped-up player out of college. Jimmer Fredette had a great career for Brigham Young University—unfortunately, his career with the Sacramento Kings has not been as successful yet.

In 23 minutes per game this year, Jimmer has only been able to score 8.6 points per game on 36.4 percent shooting from the field. Things might change for Jimmer Fredette in the future, but it seems like his career will play out similarly to another college sensation, J.J. Redick. 

Enes Kanter

The Utah Jazz selected Enes Kanter with the third pick in the draft.

The Utah Jazz had seen success with another power forward out of Turkey, Mehmet Okur. The Jazz expected that Kanter's hyped talent out of Turkey would produce more than 5.2 points and five rebounds in 14 minutes per game. 

The game of basketball is much different in Turkey, and Kanter might have a hard time adjusting to the NBA. Kanter might be the only player on this list not to develop into the player the Jazz would have wanted—especially for a third pick. 

Bismack Biyombo

The Sacramento Kings selected Bismack Biyombo, and he was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats. The Kings selected Biyombo with the seventh pick in the draft.

Bismack is a 6'9" center, which might be too small for success in the NBA. Bismack has not started a game yet this season for the Bobcats. The Bobcats are the worst team in the NBA (record-wise), and they have not seen success out of their rookie just yet. Biyombo has not started a game yet this year, but it still does not excuse his 2.9 points, 3.4 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game.

Biyombo’s size might not bode well for him in the NBA, but he is three inches taller than another starting center, Chuck Hayes. 

Kenneth Faried

The Denver Nuggets selected Kenneth Faried with the 22nd pick in the draft.

Faried put up incredible numbers in college, especially in his senior year, with 17.3 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. Faried could only dream of producing numbers like he has so far this year. Although Faried has only played three games this season, it seems like the Nuggets could have used that pick for another player.

Faried may play well in the NBA, but the Nuggets could have used the pick on another player like MarShon Brooks, who would have filled their need at SG because it seems like Arron Afflalo is not producing the way he should be. 

Klay Thompson

The Golden State Warriors selected Klay Thompson with the 11th pick in the draft.

Thompson has averaged 6.7 points in 16.9 minutes per game this year. Klay has only started one game out of the 19 he has played. Thompson has not been very productive this year, but that is not the reason he is on this list.

The Warriors did not need to draft Thompson. The Warriors needed to draft a big man because Andris Biedrins and Kwame Brown are not threats down low. The Warriors have arguably the best backcourt in the NBA with Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis—this pick was a head scratcher.

Kemba Walker

The Charlotte Bobcats selected Kemba Walker with the ninth pick in the draft.

Kemba Walker is the best player on this list and will be a great player in the NBA. Walker was talented in college and brought home a NCAA championship to Connecticut.

With all that being said, the Bobcats did not need to select him in the draft.  The Bobcats did not need to draft a point guard, because they have D.J. Augustin, who is a great point guard. Walker should not be at shooting guard either, because he of his small size.

This pick is almost as big of a head scratcher as the Klay Thompson pick. 

Tristan Thompson

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Tristan Thompson with the fourth pick in the draft.

The Cavaliers struck gold with their first pick in the draft by selecting soon-to-be rookie of the year, Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers did not find that same success with their fourth pick in the draft.

Tristan Thompson has only been able to score 7.1 points and grab 4.7 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game. This pick was understandable, but the Cavaliers could have found another player for their team who would have produced more than Thompson. Thompson is playing behind Anderson Varejao and Antawn Jamison, and it might be tough for him to get a starting job for a couple of years.

Thompson may turn out to be a great player, but the Cavaliers could have selected a better player for their needs. 

Kawhi Leonard

The Indiana Pacers traded Kawhi Leonard to the San Antonio Spurs. The Indiana Pacers drafted Leonard with the 15th pick in the draft.

Kawhi has not looked very great this year. In 24.5 minutes per game, Kawhi Leonard has put up 7.3 points per game on 45 percent shooting. Although Kawhi has a decent field-goal percentage, he has not produced the way he should. Leonard is lucky to be on a team full of veterans who can help him grow, but so far he looks like he may have too much learning to do.

The fact that the Spurs traded for Leonard was smart, but it seems like they could have drafted a better player for their needs as well. Norris Cole would have been a great pick for the Spurs and he would have taken over once Tony Parker decided to hang it up. 

Chris Singleton

The Washington Wizards selected Chris Singleton with the 18th pick in the draft.

Singleton has not been able to produce so far in his rookie season. With four points on 42 percent from the field, 2.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 19.1 minutes per game, Singleton has been nothing but a disappointment. Singleton was supposed to bring added size at the SF position for the Wizards, but he has not been able to contribute much. 

The Wizards made the right pick by going after a SF, but they chose the wrong one. The Wizards are the team that should have selected Kenneth Faried and not Chris Singleton. Faried would have given them more depth down low to back up Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee. 

Once the Wizards find a way to dump Rashard Lewis, Chris Singleton might be able to produce more with a starting role for the Wizards. 

Derrick Williams

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Derrick Williams with the second pick in the draft.

A second pick should not be playing the way Williams is. Derrick Williams had a lot of hype coming out of Arizona, but he has not lived up to it yet. Williams averages 7.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game.

Kevin Love produced much better numbers than Williams in his rookie year, and he was a fifth pick in the draft. Derrick Williams should have been producing more than Love based on the difference of draft selection, but it is tough to compare the two. Kevin Love came out in a very talented draft pool. The 2011 draft pool was not as talented as the 2008 one—if you haven’t noticed by the list of unproductive players in this list.

Williams has a lot of years to improve his game, but I am sure Timberwolves fans will grow weary during that time.