NBA Draft 2014: Previewing Top Big 12 Conference Tournament Prospects

What a year it's been for the Big 12. From its depth to its individual star power, this just might be the No. 1 conference tournament to watch.

And it all starts with Kansas' Big Three freshmen at the top. But we've also seen a few breakout performances that have landed a couple of Big 12 upperclassmen on the NBA map.

Andrew Wiggins, Kansas, 6'8", SF, Freshman

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The NBA's eyes will be glued to Andrew Wiggins from here on out following his recent 41-point performance in a losing effort to West Virginia. All the questions, fears and concerns over his perceived lack of alpha-dog mentality—this is Wiggins' opportunity to put them to rest. 

Throughout the year, we've seen him unload the full offensive arsenal, from pull-up and step-back jumpers to explosive drives and slippery spins into floaters.  

But this is where he needs to put it all together. We've seen temporary dominance—scouts will now want to see him sustain it for longer than a half or individual game. 

With center Joel Embiid's health in question, Wiggins has to emerge as and remain Kansas' go-to offensive weapon—because it would look awfully good on his resume come June if he can put the Jayhawks on his back this postseason. 

At this point, the No. 1 seat atop the prospect pyramid is still up for grabs. And if Wiggins wants to grab it, now is the time to make his move.

Joel Embiid, Kansas, 7'0", C, Freshman

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I'm not sure the latest news warrants a push of the panic button, but it certainly isn't comforting. 

Having missed the final two games of the regular season with back trouble, Joel Embiid flew to Los Angeles on Sunday for a second opinion. 

"It's nothing where he won't be feeling great in four weeks with some rest," coach Bill Self told Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star. "But we don't have four weeks."

Kansas gave up 92 points in a loss to West Virginia without Embiid. He's a difference-maker defensively, thanks to that 7'0" size and massive 7'5" wingspan as a rim-protector. Offensively, the progression he's shown in the post has made him a strong No. 1 overall candidate.

Hopefully, Embiid doesn't have to miss too much extra time, though according to Self, it's something the team appears to be prepared for. "If we have to hold him out for him to be 100 percent for the NCAA," the coach said, "we'll do that."

Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, 6'4", PG/SG, Sophomore

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It's been a strange season for Marcus Smart, who, after turning down a chance at going No. 1 in last year's draft, has seen some question his NBA credentials as a sophomore at Oklahoma State. 

But Smart has been at his best since returning from his three-game suspension for shoving a fan on February 8. He took over down the stretch in a big-time win over Kansas after racking up a career-high 10 assists against Texas Tech. And despite a backbreaking overtime loss to Iowa State, Smart was awesome before fouling out, totaling 27 points, five assists and four made three-pointers. 

However, there really might not be another prospect with more to prove. Smart was a guy whose intangibles as a winner and leader have allowed us to overlook his statistical blemishes, like his 30.1 percent three-point stroke or his uninspiring 1.77 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

But after the meltdown that got him suspended, along with Oklahoma State's disappointing record (20-11, 8-10 Big 12), Smart's perceived intangibles don't appear to be offering the same level of draft-stock protection.

Still, he's surely not a guy you'd want to bet against. And there won't be a team in the Big 12 excited to match up with Oklahoma State. Look for Smart to completely lock in this week and try to salvage what's been a bizarre and disappointing year.

Wayne Selden, Kansas, 6'5", SG, Freshman

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You're not going to see too many plays run for Wayne Selden. In Kansas' offense, he occupies the role of an opportunistic scorer—if a shot or lane is there, he'll take it, but creating them isn't his forte.  

And it can lead to inconsistency, especially on a roster with upperclassmen and two other freshmen higher in the pecking order. 

But Selden can play, and at 6'5", 230 pounds, he also offers that NBA size and physical presence. 

Offensively, he still has plenty of room to grow, but he's capable in each facet of the game. As a shooter, he's hitting 39.1 percent of his two-point jumpers, per Hoop-Math, and a respectable 35.4 percent of his three-pointers. When attacking the basket, he demonstrates some impressive body control as a finisher, which he uses to convert over 70.8 percent of his shots at the rim. 

Though given how little freedom he's had as a scorer or playmaker, Selden might want to return for a bigger role as a sophomore to increase his draft stock. But a breakout performance in the Big 12 tournament could help remind scouts why he'd been such a highly touted prospect coming in.

Markel Brown, Oklahoma State, 6'3", SG, Senior

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Last season, it was Markel Brown's perimeter game. This year, it's been his floor game and shot selection that have improved significantly—he's averaging three assists, and he's increased his field-goal percentage up to an excellent 47 percent. 

Brown is also scoring a career-high 17.2 points a game, and with Marcus Smart out of the lineup during his three-game suspension in February, he averaged 23.3 points as the team's go-to option. 

He's evolved into a scorer from a finisher—Brown can create his own shot by attacking lanes, cutting off the ball or separating into jumpers. And he's making a good portion of them (35 percent on two-point jumpers, per Hoop-Math, 38.1 percent on threes). Brown gets tremendous elevation on those jumpers, which helps make up for the inch or two he's lacking in height.

However, despite his ridiculous athletic ability and improved offensive game, he's still a 6'3" shooting guard at 22 years old. And that's going to make it tough for him to steal a first-round bid. 

But a strong showing in the Big 12 tournament should at least solidify his place in the conversation.

Cory Jefferson, Baylor, 6'9", PF, Senior

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It hasn't been the breakout year Cory Jefferson was likely hoping for, but that shouldn't keep the 2014 second round off limits. 

Jefferson has the standard profile of an NBA power forward, standing 6'9" with long arms and broad, sculpted shoulders. He's a powerful athlete on the interior—Jefferson finishes above the rim, scrubs the glass clean and defends the low-post area. 

This year, he's expanded his offensive game out to the arc. Jefferson hit 12 three-pointers during the season after making only three combined his first three years at Baylor. He's also hitting 39.5 percent of his two-point jumpers, per Hoop-Math, where he's shown the ability to face up from the elbow or knock down over-the-shoulder fall-aways in the post. 

He's still struggled a bit in 2013-14, as he's not getting as many easy buckets without a breakdown point guard like Pierre Jackson to set him up. But NBA teams looking to beef up their front lines will likely give Jefferson a hard second-round look.

Melvin Ejim, Iowa State, 6'6", SF, Senior

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Melvin Ejim won't win any style points or supporters at the NBA combine. He's got no natural position or go-to avenue for offense. But somehow, whenever you look down at the box score, he's found a way to fill it. 

Credit that to Ejim's off-the-charts instincts. Cuts, slashes, offensive rebounds—the ball just tends to find Ejim in high-percentage scoring spots. 

What he lacks in size and athleticism he makes up for with energy and timing. 

Even so, Ejim has expanded his offensive game dramatically this year—he's blown up a few times, with his 48-point, 18-rebound explosion against TCU as his signature performance. 

Between his presence on the glass, motor and ability to make things happen without the ball, Ejim has presented himself as an interesting second-round option. 

Much like the Golden State Warriors did with Draymond Green a few years back, a team might ultimately feel inclined to overlook his obvious flaws and instead focus on the positives—because Ejim has some appealing glue-guy potential at the next level.

Juwan Staten, West Virginia, 6'1", PG, Junior

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There aren't many point guards playing better ball than Juwan Staten, who's seemingly reinvented himself as a junior.

He exploded this year for 18.4 points, 5.9 assists and 5.9 boards a game as West Virginia's catalyst and primary playmaker. 

His first step is blurry quick—Staten is awfully tough to stay in front of, and with a tight handle and wild change-of-direction ability, he's extremely elusive off the dribble. In West Virginia's regular-season finale, he got to the line 20 times, and he dished out nine dimes in the team's win over Kansas.

The obvious concern with Staten centers around his jumper. He didn't make one three-pointer in 2012-13, and he's only hit five total this season. 

It probably gives Staten a reason to return in 2014-15, but it doesn't change the fact he'll be a prospect to watch during the 2013-14 Big 12 Conference tournament.