Draft Alert: Jodie Meeks Making Noise

Who is Jodie Meeks?

That was the question most people would ask before this season started.

Meeks sat a good chunk of the 2007-2008 season with a hernia. In the games he did play, he scored only a little under ten points per game.

That question need not be asked anymore.

Meeks is one of college basketball's top players this year, averaging 25.4 points per game, fourth in the entire NCAA. Meeks has been a scoring machine this year, having standout games of 37, 39, 45, 46, and 54 points, respectively.

Yes, you can double-take all you want, but 54 was in that previous list. Meeks netted a career-high 54 against Tennessee on the thirteenth of January. That night was truly magical. Meeks passed Dan Issel for the scoring record in a single game and put himself up there with all Kentucky greats. He also took another Kentucky record, sinking ten three-pointers in the game.

"It means a lot to be in the same sentence as Dan Issel," Meeks said. "It's mind-boggling. I was just out there playing to win."

The junior has already made himself a legend in only his third year at Kentucky. With the Wildcat star having a resume like this, what does it mean for his draft status?

If Meeks decides to forgo his senior season and enter the draft, his size will be the biggest factor. Standing at 6'4", weighing in at about 210 pounds, Meeks is a little under-sized for the NBA shooting guard spot. Nevertheless, that won't slow down NBA scouts from trying to land the college superstar early.

Meeks can bring energy, athleticism and surprisingly strong defense to a lineup. Not to mention the explosive scoring he can provide. Meeks has placed himself as one of the top-three shooting guards in this years draft (if he forgoes his senior season) behind Davidson's Stephen Curry and Duke's Gerald Henderson.

Jodie Meeks will be available by competitive teams mid-to-late first round and he will fit in perfectly with teams needing that backup shooting guard spark off the bench.