Kansas Basketball: Grading the Pro Prospects of the Current Jayhawks
If you keep track of basketball, both on the collegiate and professional levels, you would probably know that the University of Kansas frequently produces NBA-caliber players.
As the Jayhawks are striving to make it back to the Final Four, the questions of who will stay and who will go becomes more relevant.
Because Kansas has so much elite talent, let's take a look at some Jayhawks who have the potential to play in the NBA, their odds of leaving Kansas and the chances of being selected in the 2011 NBA Draft.
6. Tyrel Reed, G
1 of 6
Class: Senior
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 193
Current Stat Line: 9.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.4 spg
As one of two seniors who sees significant playing time, Tyrel Reed has been a huge part of the Kansas' success so far this season. Reed has made vast improvements during his tenure at Kansas and is a player the Jayhawks could use on the court at any time in any game.
While 9.8 points per game doesn't seem like the stat line of an NBA prospect, Reed's ability to come through in clutch situations makes him noteworthy. He has developed a sweet touch from just about anywhere on the court and can drain from downtown. A few adjustments should give Reed the ability to shoot comfortable from two feet further back as he has hit some long three-pointers already this season.
He has a decent frame but needs to put on some more muscle if he wants to compete with NBA guards.
Will Reed get drafted? Probably not. But it is possible for him to gain more interest from NBA scouts if he can produce high-scoring outings in the NCAA Tournament. If he can put together a March reminiscent of Stephen Curry in 2008, his chances could dramatically rise.
Most likely he'll get some interest in the summer leagues and the D-League. International play is certainly on the radar for Reed as well. As for his NBA status, he has the athletic ability to compete with great players but may be completely overlooked by NBA scouts if he has a quiet March.
Odds of leaving Kansas this year: Guaranteed (Senior)
Odds of being drafted now: Low
5. Tyshawn Taylor, G
2 of 6
Class: Junior
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 185
Current Stat Line: 8.9 ppg, 4.9 apg, 1.3 spg
Tyshawn Taylor has been at the top of the conference in assists the whole season and has seen significant playing time in his junior season at Kansas. His average of 8.9 points per game is also impressive considering nearly every Jayhawk he is on the floor with is a scoring threat.
Taylor had an outstanding offseason as he led the USA's U-19 World Championship Team. His decision making has gotten tremendously better and he has the ability to be a big playmaker for Kansas. He's got a quick first step and has nice lateral quickness defensively.
Tyshawn has good size for an NBA guard but hasn't peaked quite yet at the collegiate level. He has incredible athletic ability, but I think he hasn't reached the level that he has the ability to.
He could leave for the NBA after his junior year, but the chances of it happening are slim. One more year at Kansas would do wonders for Taylor and if he chooses to stay, he will be one of the elite point guards in the nation next season and will certainly be drafted in 2012.
Odds of leaving Kansas this year: Low
Odds of being drafted now: Low
4. Thomas Robinson, F
3 of 6
Class: Sophomore
Ht: 6'9"
Wt: 237
Current Stat Line: 8.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg
A lot has changed for sophomore forward Thomas Robinson over the past year, let alone the past month with the passing of both grandparents and his mother.
Robinson has provided a spark off the bench in nearly every game this season. He is incredibly strong inside and if he gets an offensive rebound with momentum towards the bucket, you better watch out. He throws down monstrous dunks and has the ability to hold a block party when he's in the game.
His stats are impressive considering he's behind the Morris twins and has to compete with them for minutes. He has very broad shoulders and is reminiscent of Dwight Howard in his stature, and I believe he can be as dominant on the collegiate level.
If Thomas Robinson really needed to leave for the NBA for the sake of his younger sister, Jayla, then he could possibly be late second round pick right now.
But I don't think we'll see that as he has the potential to do exactly what the Morris twins have over the past season. If the twins leave, Robinson will be the starting center next season.
Although Cole Aldrich had a little more height, Thomas Robinson is way more athletic than Cole. He has the potential to be one of the premier big men in the nation next season if he stays at Kansas.
Odds of leaving Kansas this year: Low
Odds of being drafted now: Medium
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3. Markieff Morris, F
4 of 6
Class: Junior
Ht: 6'10"
Wt: 245
Current Stat Line: 13 ppg, 8.7 rpg
Markieff Morris has developed into a serious threat both in the paint and from the perimeter. A little taller and bigger than his brother, Marcus, Morris has established himself as one of the best rebounders in the conference.
He has also developed his outside game and brings a lot to the table. Most teams across the country don't have a weapon like Markieff Morris. Sure, plenty of teams have talented post players but how many teams have 6'10" forwards who can sink three-pointers?
The great thing about the Morris twins is that they both have proved themselves as shooters. Prior to this season, opposing big men wouldn't step out on Markieff if he had the ball outside the arc. This season, Markieff is shooting 34 percent on 11-of-32 from downtown. Not bad for the big guy.
Defensively, Markieff can hang with any big man in the country. He's is incredibly strong inside and when he leaves for the NBA, he should make a great option on the wing.
The Morris twins will eventually be in the NBA, but they also have the option of returning for their senior season.
The twins will probably end up like the Lopez brothers from Stanford. One will go a bit higher in the first round, but altogether both will comfortably find spots on NBA rosters.
It'll all depend on how far the Jayhawks go in the tournament.
Odds of leaving Kansas this year: Medium
Odds of being drafted now: High
2. Marcus Morris, F
5 of 6
Class: Junior
Ht: 6'9"
Wt: 235
Current Stat Line: 16.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg
Marcus Morris has proved game after game this season that he'll be great addition to any NBA team in the future. He has truly become one of the elite players in the nation and has made improvements over the past year that are remarkable.
It was obvious last season that the Morris twins were going to have to play well if Kansas wanted to compete for the Big 12 title, and Marcus has done more than impress. He showed last season that he could get in the paint and fight for rebounds and tough points, but he's showed that he has the athletic ability to shoot from distance as well.
His ability to find his shot away from the basket has to have NBA scouts drooling over his potential to become a solid contributor in the league. Considering he probably won't be considered an NBA "big man" if he can play on the wing, his stock will continue to rise.
Morris is currently shooting 36 percent (16-of-44) from three-point range.
The question of if he'll forgo his senior season at Kansas is still up in the air and but I'm pretty confident about two things: Right now, Marcus Morris doesn't know if he'll be leaving Kansas and most likely isn't concerned with it. Also, he is focused on winning another national championship and he can only do that at Kansas, not in the NBA.
He's already a first round pick and possible lottery pick, but staying at Kansas another season could seal the deal as a lottery pick. Like with Markieff, it should mostly depend on how KU's season ends.
And when they go, they'll go together.
Odds of leaving Kansas this year: Medium
Odds of being drafted now: High
1. Josh Selby, G
6 of 6
Class: Freshman
Ht: 6'2"
Wt: 183
Current Stat Line: 11.8 ppg, 3.1 apg, 2.8 rpg
Most who follow college basketball at least have heard of Selby at this point in his freshman season. As one of the most prized recruits in his high school class, Selby has lived up to his expectations as an amazing talent.
Everyone knew that he has the ability to play on the NBA level, and if it wasn't for NCAA rules he probably would have gone out of high school.
He's got a sweet stroke from distance and has hit multiple contested or fadeaway three-pointers. He can drive the paint hard and has the ability to finish.
In certain games this season, he looks like a sure lottery pick. In others, he's rather quiet.
The one thing that might hurt Selby's stock in the NBA if he chooses to leave after this season is his lack of experience. He missed the first nine games of the season due to an NCAA suspension and is still occasionally going through freshman growing pains.
The talent is there and will eventually develop in all aspects of his game, but Selby needs to try and be consistent with his scoring throughout the remainder of the season to keep his draft stock up. It will be interesting to see if he stays at Kansas another year or goes.
NBA teams know what they will eventually get with Selby, so if he is promised a high pick I don't see him returning to Kansas next season.
Odds of leaving Kansas this year: High
Odds of being drafted now: High
For all of Kip's Big 12 coverage, follow him on Twitter @KipReiserer
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