Top 15 NCAA Seniors Who Will Make NBA Franchises
There are a number of talented seniors who have proven their game over four years in NCAA basketball. However, the league will only have room for a number of these veteran players. Some have a strong chance to make an NBA team and an impact, while others might have a more challenging route. That said, SwishScout.com presents The “Top 15 Current Seniors Who Will Make An NBA Roster.”
On some players, you can click on their name to take you to a more detailed profile and get a more extensive scouting report on the player.
15 Justin Holiday
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Justin Holiday (Washington)
A defensive specialist who has come alive on offense for the Huskies this year. The older brother of 76er’s star Jrue Holiday, Justin has the pedigree and potential to be a player off the bench for an NBA team to come in and defend. Think of him as spot up perimeter shooter and defender, if a team takes a chance on him as an undrafted free agent.
14 David Lighty
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David Lighty (Ohio State)
Lighty is a versatile guard/forward who has the ability to score. Another guy who could potentially come off the bench for a team in limited minutes, but he has decent size and game to garner a few looks in the league. Has done a solid job leading the Buckeyes as a fifth year senior veteran presence in Columbus.
13 Durrell Summers
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Decently sized guard/forward with the ability to knock down the perimeter jumper. Not great with the ball in his hands, but has a respectable catch and shoot game that will be his biggest asset in the NBA. He is hitting a good percentage of his shots this year, and I could see him becoming a role player for a team, thanks in part to his upside shooting the ball.
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12 Chris Wright
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Chris Wright (Dayton)
Wright is a great athlete with great size and upside. However, his game is still relatively raw compared to NBA talent, and he hasn’t reached the full potential of what some thought he should at his four stay with Dayton. Does a great job on defense and is a much-improved rebounder who should get a look from a team because of his contributions and potential.
11 Ravern Johnson
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Ravern Johnson (Mississippi State)
Ravern has emerged as one of the NCAA’s great scorers this season, and his size and shooting help his case in the NBA. He struggles as a defender at this point, but the payoff from his game is on offense. Should be a second rounder who makes a team because of his physicality and scoring mentality.
10 Kalin Lucas
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Ever since his brilliant Sophomore year, Lucas has been a bit of a disappointment in terms of progression in his game. The former Big-10 player of the year still has tremendous skills, PG game, and quickness that can play in the NBA. However, he will be a back up point guard at best because of his shooting inconsistencies and being undersized.
9 Keith Benson
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Keith Benson (Oakland)
The Summit league star has already proven he can lead a team, with impressive performances in a win over Tennessee and a one-point loss to Michigan State earlier this season. Benson has good size at 6’11” and a solid inside-out game. Potential second round pick because of his size, athleticism and perimeter game.
8 Jon Leuer
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Jon Leuer (Wisconsin)
Leuer is a Wisconsin star that has progressed steadily over his four years in Madison. Has the ability to knock down the three or anchor the post with his seven-foot frame. Right now, Leuer is a smart player who looks like a good bet to be taken in the second round.
7 Jimmer Fredette
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Jimmer Fredette (BYU)
Jimmer is an outstanding scorer with a crafty scoring game that can find an NBA niche. Fredette is also an adept passer who has a solid perimeter game, especially from long range. However, his effectiveness will be limited at 6’2” with unimpressive athleticism, and that will be a reason teams will be hesitant to take him any higher than the second round. Will probably be predominantly a shooter at the next level for a team.
6 LaceDarius Dunn
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LaceDarius Dunn (Baylor)
If you have ever seen Dunn play before, you are well aware of how great a gamer and pure scorer he truly is. He is a dangerous swingman who can look unstoppable with his perimeter game and ability to take the ball to the rack. Dunn could be a steal in the draft in the second round, because some believe he has potential character issues and might be a shade short at 6’4”. He could be a spark-plug for instant offense off the bench.
5 JaJuan Johnson
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JaJuan Johnson (Purdue)
JaJuan has a superb combination of size and length for a post player. He also has the refined post game and moves to go with it, and he is a rock solid shot blocker in the paint. Count on Johnson to be a late first round to early second round pick come June, with a chance to backup up and contend for a starting spot on an NBA team.
4 Kyle Singler
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Singler has been a Swiss army knife for Duke during his tenure in the NCAA, with the ability to be much the same at the next level. There is a significant knock against his quickness and athleticism, but Kyle is routinely one of the smartest players on the floor. Singler is a player who will work hard to prepare and fit in for an NBA team, potentially being a hustle guy off the bench to begin his career. Has the talent and all-around game to be an eventual starter in the league, with his draft stock is hovering around the middle to late first round.
3 Kenneth Faried
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Faried is an undersized post player who has an outstanding motor and great athleticism to be effective in the NBA. Makes his mark with excellent rebounding and keen defensive play that have him as odds on Ohio Valley Player of the Year. Kenneth has tremendous potential, and seen his stock rise greatly over the past year. Count on him being a mid-to-late first round pick, limited only by his raw offensive post game.
2 Nolan Smith
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In the absence of star PG Kyrie Irving, no one has stepped up or played better than Nolan Smith for Duke. Smith is an underrated player in the NCAA with a very complete and refined game for a senior guard. Love him as a fit on a veteran team in contention to fill in off the bench and be effective. While he may not be taken ahead of some of the guys on the list, I am confident that Nolan has an NBA type game that warrants at least a late first round pick.
1 Demetri McCamey
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By far the best true point guard on this list in terms of potential and NBA game. McCamey is a skilled shooter and adept passer who can run a team in the NBA and is flying under the radar in terms of draft stock. If not for the group of talented freshman, who are likely to be taken ahead of him, Demetri would probably be a lottery pick any other year. I like his ability to become an eventual starter at the point position within a couple years of entering the league, and he reminds me of a young Chauncey Billups.
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