NBA Mock Draft 2011: Projecting Jimmer Fredette, Jared Sullinger and First Round
As both the NBA and college basketball seasons roll along, the draft order and selections are becoming more and more clear.
Players at the collegiate level are starting to distinguish themselves. Flukes are being exposed while stars like Jimmer Fredette, Jared Sullinger and Kemba Walker continue to produce.
Moreover, the needs of certain NBA teams are starting to fully reveal themselves.
There's a lot of season left to be played at each level, but let's take a look at the post-All-Star break 2011 NBA mock draft.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
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Derrick Williams, Power Forward, Arizona
Analysis: At this point in the season, the top overall pick has to be the nation's most efficient scorer. Derrick Williams has carried Arizona this season thanks to his great defense and 19.7 points per game.
Those points, which go along with his 8.1 rebounds per game, come on an astounding 63.1 percent field goal percentage. Williams is even drilling 67.5 percent of his shots from behind the three-point line.
The Cavaliers could use a talent like Williams. Someone has to be able to score.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
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Kyrie Irving, Point Guard, Duke
Analysis: Kyrie Irving's toe derailed his freshman season at Duke, but before the injury he was playing brilliant basketball. With him running the point, the Blue Devils were practically being handed the 2011 title.
In the eight games he played, Irving averaged 17.4 points, 5.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. But most importantly, the Blue Devils were 8-0.
He'd be an immediate upgrade over Jonny Flynn.
3. Sacramento Kings
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Jared Sullinger, Power Forward, Ohio State
Analysis: The Sacramento Kings frontcourt is already absolutely loaded, but can you imagine pairing up Jared Sullinger and DeMarcus Cousins? The potential for greatness would be unbelievable.
Sullinger, who many believe is in the running for National Player of the Year and has Freshman of the Year all locked up, is simply too good to pass up.
He's helped Ohio State ascend to the top of the rankings and he is averaging 18 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Sullinger will be a double-double threat in the NBA on a nightly basis.
4. Toronto Raptors
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Perry Jones, Power Forward, Baylor
Analysis: Many people have had Perry Jones as the top overall pick at various points throughout the season, but as Baylor's ranking has slipped, so too has Jones' draft stock. He's still talented enough to go No. 4 and attempt to make Toronto fans forget about Chris Bosh.
Jones has had a huge impact for the Bears this season, playing both power forward and a bit of center. He's averaging 14.3 points and seven rebounds per game.
But the most impressive thing about Jones is his athleticism, a trait which will undoubtedly ease the transition to the next level.
5. Washington Wizards
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Enes Kanter, Center, Kentucky
Analysis: Enes Kanter was supposed to come into Lexington and immediately be one of the best centers in college basketball. But he never got that chance and now the college basketball world will never have the opportunity to see him play at the amateur level.
He's going to need to work on his quickness and his game is still a little raw, but if Washington gives him a bit of time to develop, he'll be unstoppable. Kanter is 6'11" and already possesses great strength, understanding of the game and all-around effectiveness on offense.
6. New Jersey Nets
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Terrence Jones, Power Forward, Kentucky
Analysis: The second straight player from Kentucky selected is the power forward named Terrence Jones.
Jones is another great offensive talent who is virtually unstoppable when he gets going to the left. He'll have to work on his ability to drive to his weak side, but that will come with time.
Only a freshman, Jones has still managed to put up 17.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in the tough SEC East.
New Jersey could use a player like him now that the Nets missed out on Carmelo Anthony.
7. Detroit Pistons
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Kemba Walker, Point Guard, Connecticut
Analysis: The Detroit Pistons already have a good young point guard in Rodney Stuckey, but that shouldn't stop them from taking Kemba Walker with the seventh overall pick.
Walker is more of a scorer than a passer and should be able to make the transition to playing alongside Stuckey. The 6'1" guard is averaging 22.9 points per game and has inspired Kemba Mania all across the country.
It would be a very popular pick just because of the name recognition.
8. Los Angeles Clippers
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Jonas Valanciunas, Center, Lietuvos Rytas
Analysis: The 18-year-old center is nowhere near ready to play in the NBA, but the Clippers would love to add Jonas Valanciunas' skills to their farm system and let him develop for a little while.
He's already 6'11" and doesn't appear to be done growing. Despite his size, Valanciunas still looks very fluid out on the court and has a ton of untapped potential.
No international pick is ever safe, but this young man should make it in the NBA one day.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
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Harrison Barnes, Small Forward, North Carolina
Analysis: Harrison Barnes was the unanimous No. 1-overall pick before the college basketball season started, but now he's slipped all the way down to No. 9.
The freshman is finally starting to pick it up and may slowly climb back up draft boards when it's all said and done. Barnes is currently averaging 13.4 points per game, but he's put up more than that in five of his last seven games.
There is so much potential in this kid's body. The Michael Jordan comparisons may not be too unwarranted yet.
10. Charlotte Bobcats
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Donatas Motiejunas, Power Forward, Benetton Treviso
Analysis: The seven-footer from Lithuania has boatloads of potential and he knows it. As soon as he lets his mental game catch up with his physical skills, Donatas Motiejunas has the ability to dominate no matter where he plays.
This young man could definitely become the next Andrea Bargnani or Dirk Nowitzki. The Bobcats, assuming they pick him of course, would likely let him play in the D-League some and hope he morphs into the latter.
11. Houston Rockets
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Marcus Morris, Power Forward, Kansas
Analysis: The better of the two Morrises who play at Kansas, Marcus is an incredible talent at power forward.
The junior is currently averaging 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 blocks and 0.8 steals per game for the Jayhawks. In fact, he hasn't scored in single digits since December 22nd against California.
He's a very versatile forward with a good jump shot and appears to be ready to make the jump to the NBA.
12. Golden State Warriors
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Jan Vesely, Small Forward, KK Partizan Belgrade
Analysis: Hailing from the Czech Republic, Jan Vesely is a 6'11" small forward. Obviously, size is one of the many things he brings to the table.
He's also not one of those lanky, uncoordinated big men. Instead, Vesely has an incredible amount of athleticism.
Vesely plays good defense and isn't a guard. That sounds like it could fit Golden State's needs pretty well.
13. Phoenix Suns
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Jimmer Fredette, Point Guard, BYU
Analysis: The Phoenix Suns are eventually going to need to replace Steve Nash and Jimmer Fredette could be the man for the job.
Fredette can't really play defense and his passing still needs some work for him to make it as a point guard in the NBA.
But who am I kidding? We all know that this kid is going to be a scorer. He is, after all, leading the nation by posting 27.2 points per game.
The transition to shooting NBA three-pointers won't be a problem either. He already shoots from 10 feet behind the college line anyway.
14. Memphis Grizzlies
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Chris Singleton, Small Forward, Florida State
Analysis: The best thing about Chris Singleton is that he's an absolute lockdown defender. He needs to work on his offensive game, but his size and defense should make up for his offensive shortcomings.
As for the main problem about Singleton: He fractured his foot on February 12 and may see his draft stock fall if he's not able to return this season.
Before the injury, Singleton was averaging 13.8 points, 1.3 assists, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 2.1 steals per game.
15. Indiana Pacers
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Tyler Honeycutt, Small Forward, UCLA
Analysis: The Indiana Pacers could use an athletic forward, and that's exactly what Tyler Honeycutt would be for them.
The sophomore from UCLA is averaging 12.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Bruins and appears ready to make the jump to the next level.
His outside game needs some work, as does his passing, but he's a decent post player already. Honeycutt can also handle the ball well enough to play guard when asked.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
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Jordan Hamilton, Small Forward, Texas
Analysis: Jordan Hamilton has been one of the main reasons that the Texas Longhorns find themselves in the hunt for a one-seed in March Madness. The Philadelphia 76ers would love it if the small forward could carry that same type of success with him to their organization.
Hamilton is averaging 18.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game during his sophomore year. He's only failed to score 10 points or more once this season. Despite being 6'7", Hamilton is a very versatile player who can capably play point guard, shooting guard, small forward or power forward.
He's athletic enough to make things happen down low, but you can't leave him alone for a jump shot either.
17. New York Knicks
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Kawhi Leonard, Small Forward, San Diego State
Analysis: It's amazing to me that more people haven't heard of Kawhi Leonard yet. The small forward has been the key player in the Aztecs' incredible 27-1 start to the season.
Seriously though, try to watch him play when the Aztecs take on BYU for the second time this season later this week.
Leonard has been averaging 15.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game during his sophomore year. Incredibly, those numbers are on the rise as he's only getting better.
18. Utah Jazz
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Josh Selby, Shooting Guard, Kansas
Analysis: The impressive freshman for the Kansas Jayhawks opened his season with a bang by scoring 21 points in his first game against USC, delivering in the clutch by hitting the game-winning shot.
Clearly, the spotlight doesn't faze Josh Selby.
The shooting guard couldn't keep that pace up, though, and has slipped a bit, averaging just 10.7 points at this point during the season.
He may choose to stay in school for another year, but he has enough potential for a team like Utah to take a shot here.
19. Denver Nuggets
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Jeffery Taylor, Small Forward, Vanderbilt
Analysis: Now that Carmelo Anthony is finally gone, it's time for the Denver Nuggets to start looking at a new small forward of the future. Jeffery Taylor could be that guy.
He may not be the best player on his team right now, since that honor belongs to John Jenkins, but Taylor is the most NBA ready.
Taylor is currently averaging 14.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during his junior campaign. At 6'7", 225 pounds, the forward definitely has the body to take his game to the next level.
20. New Orleans Hornets
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Brandon Knight, Point Guard, Kentucky
Analysis: It's time to start thinking about how to replace Chris Paul.
Brandon Knight has the ability to make New Orleans fans forget about the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon, though. John Calipari recruited Knight knowing that he would go one-and-done at Kentucky and that's exactly what's going to happen.
Knight has been nowhere near as good as John Wall was the year before, but not many people in the history of college basketball have had freshman years that were anywhere near as productive as Wall's. Knight is currently averaging 17.4 points, four assists and four rebounds per game.
That is nothing to be ashamed of at all.
21. Portland Trail Blazers
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Alec Burks, Shooting Guard, Colorado
Analysis: Alec Burks began the season as a potential top-10 pick, but he's been unable to lead his teammates at Colorado to the level of success necessary to justify a selection that high.
That said, Burks could be the player who replaces Brandon Roy when his knees finally give out for good. The shooting guard is averaging 19.4 points, 2.5 assists and six rebounds per game. His style of play should also make for an easy transition to the professional level.
His outside shot isn't great yet, but his size, explosiveness and athleticism make up for that hole in his game.
22. Atlanta Hawks
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Travis Leslie, Small Forward, Georgia
Analysis: Travis Leslie may be the most athletic player in the entire college basketball nation.
The Atlanta Hawks love athleticism.
Travis Leslie is a small forward.
It seems to be a requirement that the Atlanta Hawks draft a small forward.
Travis Leslie is a Georgia Bulldog and averaging 14 points, 7.1 rebounds and two SportsCenter-worthy plays per game.
The Atlanta Hawks would love to draft a hometown favorite and finally throw their fanbase a bone.
23. Orlando Magic
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Trey Thompkins, Power Forward, Georgia
Analysis: Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
The second-straight Georgia player in this mock draft, Trey Thompkins was once a consensus top 10 pick. Some even thought he could go in the top five.
But the preseason SEC Player of the Year has failed to play with any kind of fire and has been at least partially responsible for some of the Bulldogs' collapses during the second half.
Thompkins is averaging 16 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. His low post game is great and he can shoot the outside shot. The problem is, he's not that athletic and appears rather apathetic during key situations.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Nolan Smith, Point Guard / Shooting Guard, Duke
Analysis: Nolan Smith may be the third-best scorer in college basketball, behind only Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker.
Can you imagine Smith playing on the same team as Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant? Oklahoma City fans are currently salivating and ruining their keyboards.
Smith is averaging 21.7 points, 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game during his senior season. Most impressive, though, was the way he transitioned from off-the-ball shooting guard to running-the-floor point guard when Kyrie Irving went down.
The reason that Duke is No. 1 right now is No. 2.
25. Los Angeles Lakers
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Tobias Harris, Power Forward, Tennessee
Analysis: There really aren't too many needs on the Lakers squad, so they may just draft based on potential.
At this point, Tobias Harris has more than any other player remaining.
The Tennessee freshman is averaging 14.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game from the power forward spot.
He's not afraid to step up in the big moments and his game is sound across the board.
26. Chicago Bulls
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Tristan Thompson, Power Forward, Texas
Analysis: Tristan Thompson may very well be taken by this point in the NBA Draft, but if he's still available, there's no way that the Bulls could pass up on his talent.
The freshman Longhorn is averaging 12.6 points and 7.2 rebounds this season. That doesn't sound too impressive, but he's improving across the board as the season progresses.
As he fills out and gets stronger, Thompson will develop into a very good power forward.
27. Dallas Mavericks
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JaJuan Johnson, Power Forward, Purdue
Analysis: It's a shame that JaJuan Johnson doesn't get the national attention that he deserves. Johnson really does belong in the conversation about the nation's best players, but he's almost always left out.
The power forward is averaging 20.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game during his senior season. As evidenced by the fact that he's making nearly half of the shots he takes and still scoring at such a torrid pace, Johnson simply knows how to put the ball in the basket.
Johnson is never going to be a star in the NBA, but he'll be a very good player. He simply doesn't have that high of a ceiling and doesn't seem to be able to put on enough weight to be a force in the paint. But his athleticism, size and skill ensure that his floor is high enough to justify a first-round selection.
28. Miami Heat
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Kenneth Faried, Power Forward, Morehead State
Analysis: With Dwyane Wade and LeBron James already on the roster, the Miami Heat don't really need to make the sexy pick this late in the draft.
Instead, they should use their pick to secure the NCAA's all-time leading rebounder. Kenneth Faried could absolutely become the next Dennis Rodman, ensuring comparisons between Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Rodman and James, Wade and Faried for the next decade or so.
Faried is averaging 17.5 points and 14.2 rebounds per game. If he played at a bigger program than Morehead State, he would easily be a lottery pick.
29. Boston Celtics
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Marshon Brooks, Shooting Guard, Providence
Analysis: Another great player on a not-so-great team, Marshon Brooks simply knows how to score. He also plays shooting guard and would be a very viable backup for the remainder of Ray Allen's career.
Brooks is the nation's second-leading scorer, behind only Jimmer Fredette. To go along with his 24.4 points per game, he's also averaging 2.1 assists, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.6 steals.
There are really no weaknesses in his game. Just like with Kenneth Faried, if he played for a school like Duke, he'd be one of the top overall picks in the draft.
30. San Antonio Spurs
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Kyle Singler, Small Forward, Duke
Analysis: Whether it makes sense for the Spurs or not, I simply couldn't leave Kyle Singler out of the first round.
The small forward for Duke is simply too talented to be picked in the second round.
This season, Singler is averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest. It's his least productive season since his freshman year, but the remarkable consistency he's shown during his four-year collegiate career is very impressive.
Singler is a smart player and there isn't a thing he can't do on the basketball court. The problem is, there's also nothing that he truly excels at. Therein lies the reason that he's the last pick in the first round.
