Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: 5 Reasons Kentucky Prospect Should Go No. 2 in NBA Draft

There may not be much disagreement about who the New Orleans Hornets will take with the first overall selection, but the same can't be said about what comes next.

Bradley Beal, Thomas Robinson, Harrison Barnes and Andre Drummond are all worthy of some interest, but the Charlotte Bobcats would be making a mistake if they pass up Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Imperfect though he may be, scouts have been quickly won over according to Chad Ford's ESPN Insider Draft Blog:

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"He clearly needs to improve as a shooter, and he needs to tighten his handle," one NBA scout told ESPN.com. "But I've never been more confident that he'll improve those things than I am with Kidd-Gilchrist. To me, he was the most improved player in college basketball last year. He made major strides from what I saw in high school. He's so committed to his game, he's going to put the sweat equity into it. I totally believe that, and it's why I'm comfortable saying he's worthy of the second pick in the draft and that he's going to be an All-Star someday. And more important to him, I think, he's going to win a championship some day."

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So, what do the scouts like so much?

More than a few things in all likelihood, but the following selling points surely top the list.

Defensive Versatility

MKG can lock down virtually anyone on the perimeter. He has the strength to hang with bigger small forwards and the lateral quickness to stay in front of smaller guards. That kind of versatility is rare, even among role players that earn their paychecks on the defensive end—it's a huge perk when talking about a player who has some scoring ability and a star's upside.

Mental Toughness

It would have been easy for Kidd-Gilchrist to get carried away with his star potential and attempt to take over the Wildcats' offense—but that just isn't his style. He rarely forced a shot and instead deferred to his talented teammates. More importantly, he exudes energy on both ends of the floor and rarely looks tired. He's a walking cliché of good things like tenacity, guts and determination.

Non-Stop Motor

It's hard to find a rookie who doesn't take plays off, but that will be Kidd-Gilchrist in a nutshell. He rebounded incredibly well from the small forward position, and that had as much to do with pure hustle as his physical tools. It also contributes to his defensive value.

Top-Shelf Athleticism

Thanks to an elite combination of quickness and strength, the 18-year-old is built to take the ball to the rim. That makes him a dangerous open-court weapon, and it will keep defenders honest as he develops an improved jump shot. You can teach skills, but you can't teach the physical attributes this guy brings to the table.

Mature Work Ethic

MKG brought a contagious professionalism to the young Wildcats roster, getting his teammates in for extra workouts and setting an example you don't see from many freshmen. That will help any NBA locker room, but especially one like the Charlotte Bobcats. It will also give this kid a fighting chance of becoming the kind of superstar scorer he's capable of becoming. Jump shots aren't born over night, but if anyone can learn one, it's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.