Austin Rivers NBA Combine 2012: Measurements, Video Highlights & Analysis

Among this year's draft prospects, Austin Rivers is one of the players with the most to prove.

For one thing, there's that whole idea about ex-Dukies in the NBA. Then there's the fact that he's a coach's son and has been accused of playing like one—being selfish with the ball, slacking on defense.

Though he's not quite at Bradley Beal's level, Rivers is one of the better shooters in this draft, and some team might even be compelled to bite on him in the lottery, despite the fact that he quite obviously could've used another year of development in Durham.

Here's a look at how Rivers projects for this year's draft after participating in Day 1 of the NBA combine on Thursday.

Measurements

Rivers' ESPN.com draft profile lists him at 6'4", as does Duke's official website. But at the combine, the official verdict on his height was a bit more pleasant, according to Jeff Goodman:

"

Austin Rivers said he was measured at 6-5 with shoes. Good size for NBA two-guard.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS) June 7, 2012"

That puts him at least on par with most NBA shooting guards.

Video Highlights

Rivers lives for the highlight reel. His dream in life is to probably hit No. 1 on the SportsCenter Top 10. He thinks he's the next Kobe, and he plays like it.

For evidence, take a look at this, courtesy of LSM565. Rivers obviously excels offensively; he's flashy and he's incredibly skilled, and he takes a lot of pride in it. There's no questioning that. If he could improve defensively, he'd be one of the best options available at the 2.

One thing you'll never stop hearing about Rivers is how mature he is. In the words of Emily Maynard, he knows all the right answers to every question. Again, no big surprise, seeing as his dad is Doc Rivers, one of the more pleasant interviews in the grand scheme of NBA coaches.

Check out this interview, courtesy of NbaVideos3, which was conducted shortly after Rivers declared for the draft.

And because I can't resist, here's what Kobe Bryant has to say about his alleged protege.

Analysis

It's not that Rivers isn't excellent. Not at all. You don't become the top-rated high school prospect in your class when you're not good. There are just certain areas of his game that need serious improvement before he's widely considered to be the NBA All-Star he seems dead set on becoming.

Offensively, Rivers leaves little to be desired. He's incredibly quick, his mechanics are immaculate and he has the confidence it takes to be clutch. But for players like him who don't possess as much natural athleticism as some of the other guards on the board—never mind some of the other guards in the NBA—they need to do the little things right, too. They need to play lock-down defense and they need to learn how to be the centerpiece of a team without becoming selfish with the ball.

On skill alone, Rivers is worth a pick in the top half of the draft. You have to figure he'll learn how to play better defense—after all, he's still young and developing—and he has the type of clutch mentality that cannot be taught, which is key.

Rivers just needs to prove—and fast—that his selfish reputation is unfounded.