NBA Draft Preview: Kemba Walker and The Top Players That May Go Pro in 2011
With the midpoint of the 2010-11' NBA season quickly approaching, it is time to familiarize yourself with some of college basketball's most premiere athletes.
There are a handful of organizations that are already performing poorly, looking ahead to the the 2011 NBA draft and the future of their franchise. Division I College Basketball contains some very impressive young talent that would be able to contribute to an NBA team in major ways immediately.
Some of the most talked about players this season have been Harrison Barnes, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, and Terrence Jones.
Take a look at the top college prospects that may enter the 2011 NBA Draft at the end of the season.
PG Kyrie Irving, Duke Blue Devils
1 of 10
Class/Age
Freshman/18
Height
6'2''
Weight
180 pounds
Wingspan
6'4''
Reach
8'1''
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
8 games played: 28.9 MPG, 17.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 5.1 APG, and 1.5 SPG
Positives:
-Has a nice jump shot with good range
-Penetrates defenses with ease
-exhibits great quickness
Weaknesses:
-Hasn't been consistent on defense
Projected as a Top 10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, if he was to declare.
SF Terrence Jones, Kentucky Wildcats
2 of 10
Class/Age
Freshman/18
Height
6'8''
Weight
226 pounds
Wingspan
7'3''
Reach
8'10''
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
10 games played: 31.1 MPG, 18.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 2.2 BPG
Positives:
-Capable of scoring from anywhere on the court
-Great at finding the open man
-Excellent ball-handler
Weaknesses:
-Forces up too many three's at times
-Needs to improve his post game
Projected as a late lottery pick to mid-first round.
SG Alec Burks, Colorado Buffaloes
3 of 10
Class/Age
Sophomore/19
Height
6'6''
Weight
185 pounds
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
10 Games: 29.7 MPG, 19.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 1.1 SPG
2009-10' Stats
30 games: 30.2 MPG, 17.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, and 1.2 SPG
Positives:
-Versatile athlete who can hurt opponents in multiple ways
-Has some serious "ups"
-Great at finishing plays
Weaknesses:
-Needs to get bigger and stronger
-Lacks range in his three point shot
*Projected as a mid to late first round pick in the 2011 Draft
SF Harrison Barnes, UNC Tar Heels
4 of 10
Class
Freshman
Height
6'8''
Weight
210 pounds
Wingspan
6'11''
Reach
8'7''
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
12 games: 28.3 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, and 0.8 SPG
Positives:
-Unbelievable quickness for his size
-Excellent basketball IQ, with supreme knowledge of the fundamentals of the game
-Has a superb mid-range game
Weaknesses:
-Needs to add some strength
-Streaky shooter from three point range, needs to become more consistent
*Projected as a Top 10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, if he decides to declare early
PG Josh Selby, Kansas Jayhawks
5 of 10
Class
Freshman
Height
6'3''
Weight
188 pounds
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
One game: 27.0 minutes, 21 points, 5 rebounds, one assist, and a three point percentage of 62.5.
Positives:
-Already has a NBA-type body
-Aggressive, plays with a lot of heart
-solid defender
Weaknesses:
-Doesn't play like a pure point guard
-Jump shot could be more consistent
*Selby has been projected as a top 10 prospect by many analysts and scout's.
SF Chris Singleton, Florida State Seminoles
6 of 10
Class/Age
Junior/21
Height
6'9''
Weight
220 pounds
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
11 games: 29.3 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 2.7 SPG, and 2.4 BPG
Positives:
-Knows how to finish in transition
-Has 3-point range, but tends to be streaky
-Solid mid-range shot
-Hustles up and down the floor
Weaknesses:
-Doesn't score much in the paint
-Streaky shooter
*Projected to go mid to late first round in the 2011 NBA Draft
PF Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes
7 of 10
Class/Age
Freshman/18
Height
6'9''
Weight
261 pounds
Wingspan
7'2''
Reach
8'10''
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
11 games: 28.5 MPG, 17.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 0.5 BPG
Positives:
-Outstanding rebounder
-Physical player that has a high basketball IQ
Weaknesses:
-Not an explosive, high-flying player
-Conditioning appears to be somewhat of an issue
Projected as a Top 10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft
SF Jordan Hamilton, Texas Longhorns
8 of 10
Class/Age
Sophomore/20
Birthplace
Compton, California
Height
6'7''
Weight
215 pounds
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
11 games: 29.6 MPG, 19.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, and 0.5 BPG
Positives:
-Solid Rebounder
-Great shooter with some range from deep
-A hustler who isn't afraid to grind it out down low
Weaknesses:
-Has been known to lack lateral quickness
-At times his shot selection is questionable
*Projected as a late-lottery to mid first round pick
SF Kyle Singler, Duke Blue Devils
9 of 10
Class/Age
Senior/22
Height
6'9''
Weight
235 pounds
Birthplace
Medford, Oregon
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
11 games: 32.0 MPG, 17.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, and 1.5 SPG
Positives:
-Unselfish, looks to get teammates involved
-Has a nice midrange jumper
-Extremely versatile
Weaknesses:
- Needs to get a bit stronger
-Not a fantastic athlete
*Projected to be selected in the mid to late first round of the 2011 NBA Draft
PG Kemba Walker, UCONN Huskies
10 of 10
Class/Age
Junior/20
Height
6'1''
Weight
172 pounds
Birthplace
New York, New York
2010-11' Stats(As of 12/23/10)
9 games: 34.0 MPG, 27.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 2.3 SPG
Positives:
-Extremely quick and a freak of an athlete
-Explosive, often tends to reach the basket at will
-Finds the open teammate off of penetration
-Solid defender
Weaknesses:
-Lacks size
-Tends to be inconsistent from the perimeter
*Currently projected as a mid to late first round pick if he decides to enter the NBA Draft in 2011
