Nerlens Noel: John Calipari Will Help Top Recruit Develop into NBA Lottery Pick

Kentucky head coach John Calipari will develop Nerlens Noel into a lottery pick in the 2013 NBA draft next season, just like he did this past season with forwards Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Calipari has a great ability to develop big men. Just look at his recent success with Davis and former all-american DeMarcus Cousins.

Noel is a lot like Davis in that he has remarkable athleticism and plays extraordinary defense. Noel's shot-blocking ability is phenomenal, and overall, he has a fundamentally strong defensive game.

Noel, who played at Tilton Prep (NH) this season, will give the Wildcats offense a huge boost of energy with the intensity he brings to the court each game.

His offensive game needs some work, but Calipari will certainly work on that with him. Cousins and Davis both improved as low-post scorers when they were with him in Lexington.

Noel has an all-around skill set that coaches adore. Not only does he give tremendous effort at both ends of the floor, but he likes to play defense and is willing to pass the ball when teammates are open rather then force up a shot of his own. This kind of unselfish attitude will help Noel soak up all the lessons that Coach Calipari teaches him, and it will help him become a tremendous basketball player next season.

Outside of polishing his offensive game, the only thing that Noel has to improve on is his strength, but that will come with hours in the weight room.

His potential is sky high, and with a coach like Calipari who has a proven track record of developing quality big men at the college level, Noel will become one of the top picks in the 2013 draft.