NBA Draft Prospects: A Look at Arizona Guard Jerryd Bayless

The top of this year’s NBA draft is full of 'tweeners, and Jerryd Bayless is the next I’d like to take a look at.

The 6’3” Arizona combo-guard is currently leading the Wildcats in scoring, with a steady 20.4 points a game.  Offensively he brings everything you want in a scoring guard.

His height is a setback but like Mayo, Gordon, and Rose his athleticism will get him past it.  

One thing that may hurt Bayless' draft stock is that the Wildcats are in danger of not making the big dance.  They have lost six of their last eight games, and are currently sitting sixth in the Pac-10 standings.

Regardless, I do think Bayless will be guaranteed a top 10 pick, if not a top five.  

If he does play the two-guard position in the NBA, defense is going to be a liability for him.  His athleticism and quickness may not be enough to defend against the bigger SGs in the league.

Bayless is very good at coming off screens and getting to the free throw line.  His form on his free throws look a little unorthodox, but he's shooting 80 percent from the charity stripe so far.  

Bayless has NBA range on his jump shot and the go-to mentality that any great scorer needs.

I think it might benefit Bayless to stay in college for one more year, and he should try to talk Chase Budinger into staying, too.  If these two players stay another year, Arizona will be a legitimate contender next season.

He will likely leave after this year, however, and become an immediate impact player for whichever team is lucky enough to draft him.  

Bayless is a great talent and very fun to watch.  It should be interesting to see where he ends up on draft day.