2011 NBA Draft: Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger and Other Blossoming Studs
For teams like the Sacramento Kings, it's never too early to begin thinking about next season.
With a very promising draft class set to roll out for 2011 and the league continuing to get more athletic by the day, these baby-faced collegiate kids are going to be making some serious NBA noise sooner rather than later.
Although there is no consensus first overall selection just yet, there is more than just one name that warrants consideration.
Harrison Barnes has some company at the top, and no, I'm not talking about Jared Sullinger, either.
Josh Selby, PG Kansas
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There's never been a question of whether Selby had NBA talent—his game is suited perfectly for the new league.
Although he has some maturing to do both on and off the court, he's extremely hard to guard in the half court and should find immediate success if he lands in the right situation.
Unlike traditional point guards, Selby looks to score first, but that shouldn't be a problem as it will create better shot opportunities for his teammates.
He could go in the top five or could tumble all the way toward the end of the lottery. Either way, Selby should enjoy prolific success at the next level.
C.J. Leslie, F North Carolina State
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Leslie is a big-time athlete with explosive leaping ability, but it's not all about athleticism, as Anthony Randolph has shown us.
Although he needs to add some weight if he hopes to find success at the next level (currently just 205 pounds), the 6'9" forward is a great ball-handler, is a capable perimeter shooter and is beginning to emerge as a legitimate shot blocker.
The best case scenario for Leslie is that he ultimately turns out to be a player similar to Lamar Odom, but he's going to have to work on his low-post game at both ends of the floor if he hopes to carve out major minutes from Day One.
Kyrie Irving, PG Duke
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Irving might not be an elite athlete, but when you can ball like this kid can, you don't have to be.
A pure point guard in the eyes of most talent evaluators, Irving will need to become less concerned with his own scoring to take the next step. Although he's not quite there yet, at just 18 years old, Irving has plenty of time to develop that facet of his game.
Additionally, Irving is an excellent defender and he has fantastic footwork that allows him to really explode to the rim.
Already labeled as being a very special talent, one NBA executive was quoted as saying, "He's not John Wall—but Wall doesn't run a team the way this kid does, either. He's going to be great."
It's tough to argue that point.
Brandon Knight, PG Kentucky
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Derrick Rose, John Wall, Brandon Knight.
At 6'4", Knight isn't considered a pure point guard, but rather a bit of a tweener.
Extremely competitive and always playing with the highest energy, Knight's tendency to chuck up shots in bunches is something that he needs to work on immediately. While he might be a strong finisher, Knight could do a lot more for his NBA stock if he proves capable of making smart basketball decisions.
Lack of confidence has never been an issue for Knight, but how he acclimates himself to the desires of a coaching staff at the next level should be interesting to see.
If he lands on a team with a coach who can really tap into his game and motivate him in the proper manner, Knight could be one of the scariest players in the league for a really long time.
Jared Sullinger, PF Ohio State
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There's certainly nothing undersized about his 7'2" wingspan.
Currently averaging a double-double as a freshman, it's easy to see why there's significant hype surrounding Sullinger. A physical player with a very good basketball IQ, the freshman is absolutely dominant on the boards despite being just 6'9".
He's going to have to contend with some bigger bodies once he gets into the league, but that shouldn't be an issue for a hard worker like himself. Although he's had conditioning issues in the past, it appears that this freshman will stop at nothing to continually evolve his game every time he steps out onto the court.
That's the kind of player any coach welcomes to the squad.
Jonas Valanciunas, PF Lithuania
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Let's do our best Fran Fraschilla and dip into some international talent.
Valanciunas hasn't been much talked about in some NBA draft circles, but it's about time he gets some legitimate recognition. Already 6'10" and just 18 years old, this kid has a shot at being over seven feet by the time he stops growing.
With a soft touch around the rim, Valanciunas does most of his work down low like a traditional big man. He has a solid basketball IQ and is a plus rebounder and shot blocker, but he lacks the strength necessary to bang with some of the bigger NBA bodies.
Additionally, he's going to have to improve on his perimeter game significantly so he doesn't get burned by the NBA bigs who can step out and hit shots from 15-plus feet away from the rim.
Perry Jones, PF/C Baylor
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It's unbelievable to me that Jones doesn't get the attention that some of his college counterparts receive.
A versatile 6'11" forward capable of doing it all, Jones' insane leaping ability makes some think that he's got springs in his shoes on a regular basis. His impressive athleticism is critical to his game, as it allows him to dominate the glass and be a pesky defender around the rim.
Although he's had some uneven performances and isn't dominating in the manner that he probably should, his potential alone is going to make it enough for someone to gamble big on him with a top pick in next year's draft.
And boy, could it pay off in a big way.
Jan Vesely, PF Czech Republic
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Back to the international talent pool we go.
The rawest of all of the athletes that have been highlighted thus far, Vesely needs considerable seasoning before making an impact at the NBA level.
Although he's a good finisher around the rim and is a solid perimeter player, he needs to add serious strength before he has any chance of cracking the rotation. At just 240 pounds, he stands to get eaten up down low by players much larger than him.
He made a big mistake by not declaring for the draft last season, as his current Euroleague numbers (7 ppg, 2.7 rpg) are anything but inspiring.
He's no longer a lock to get selected in the lottery, but perhaps some team desperate for an athletic big man will roll the dice on Vesely.
Harrison Barnes, SF North Carolina
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Really, what's not to like about Barnes?
His numbers might not jump off the board at you, but just spend one game watching him play and it's easy to see why he's considered a consensus top-tier pick.
With a phenomenal fundamental understanding of the game and a willingness to always do things as they should be done, Barnes is a smooth player who makes basketball look easy.
Above all, Barnes is a smart, mild-mannered kid, and in today's NBA that is just as important as his unbelievable skill set.
He can put it in the basket from anywhere on the floor, making him a dangerous player no matter where he catches the ball.
Watch out.
Who Are You Most Excited to See?
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Leave a comment in the section below and talk about the athlete you're most excited to see enter the NBA ranks.
With one of the deeper drafts in recent memory, there is bound to be plenty of variation within the community.
