2011 NBA Draft: Top 15 Small-School Prospects You Need To Know
The 2011 NBA Draft is over three months away, yet many frontrunners have already shown themselves. Kyrie Irving, Perry Jones, Harrison Barnes, and Jared Sullinger lead the top players who will most likely be drafted first by those teams at the bottom of the barrel.
We all know about the top talent, as well as playmakers from high-ranked schools, such as Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette. There are, however, many under-the-radar stars that could be drafted into the NBA, and they are usually hidden due to playing for a small school or a minor conference.
The following are 15 players to watch in the upcoming draft that are from small schools, with a note that this will also include players from teams that are from mid-major conferences and aren't normally known as powers.
Honorable Mention: William Mosley, C, Northwestern State
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Starting off the list is someone who will most likely not be drafted, since he will probably return for his senior season unless there's more buzz surrounding him come tournament time. That's presuming the 18-13 Northwestern State Demons actually win their conference tournament and make it in.
That man is William Mosley. Despite being only 6'7", he is a center who plays much taller than his height. His field-goal percentage is over 60, and he easily leads the nation in blocks with 4.9 a game. In fact, he had three games this season in which he had a double-digit block total.
There are parts of his game that he needs to work on, such as making free throws and limiting fouls, but he's a guy to watch in the tournament, or if nothing else, next year.
15. Andrew Gonzalez, F, Houston Baptist
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The Houston Baptist Huskies went 4-25 this year. What could any NBA scout possibly want to look for on a team like that?
In this team's case, it's senior forward Andrew Gonzalez, the lone bright spot on that team. In the team's three wins in 2011, Gonzalez scored 33, 36, and 36 points to lead his team to victory. His 23.1 points per game ranks among the top players in the nation, and he seems to have the right touch.
He needs to learn to limit his turnovers if he wants to be signed as an undrafted free agent. His chances of being drafted are nil.
14. Ryan Rossiter, F, Siena
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Siena will not be playing in the NCAA Tournament, which is a shame, since scouts will not be able to watch Ryan Rossiter play. As a result, he will most likely go undrafted.
Rossiter, the senior 6'9 forward from Siena, is second in the nation in rebounds, averaging 13.2 a game (the leader appears later on this list). He also averaged 18.7 points a game. Beyond that though, he is one of the more fundamentally sound players out there on the court. He knows what to do and when to do it.
Rival head coach of Canisius Tom Parotta said of him: "I told my guys today I think he’s going to find his way on to some NBA roster."
That's a big compliment for a guy on a team that no one will remember on the day of the draft.
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13. Adrian Oliver, G, San Jose State
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Another player who's easily the best on a team that's not going to the NCAA tournament (San Jose State hasn't been in the brackets since 1996), Adrian Oliver has been a force for the Spartans.
Oliver was originally part of Washington before transferring to San Jose State, where he became the star. Last year he averaged 22.5 points per game, and this year he averaged 24.3, third in the nation.
While he likely won't be drafted, the 6'4" guard should get some looks, since it's hard to pass on that kind of college production.
12. Xavier Silas, G, Northern Illinois
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Another point-scoring machine in this countdown is one who actually has appeared on a couple of draft boards despite the Huskies' 9-20 record, Northern Illinois' Xavier Silas.
A transfer from Colorado, Silas has been lighting up the MAC for the past couple seasons, averaging 22.3 points per game while finally getting his field goal and three-point percentages over .400 this year. He commits too many turnovers right now, but he has a lot of upside and he has shown good work in his game.
He withdrew from the draft last year and returned for his senior year. In hindsight, that was a great move, as he is on the radar now.
11. Anatoly Bose, G/F, Nicholls State
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Nicholls State may be hovering at 14-13 and in need of a conference tournament win to make it to the NCAA tournament, but doing so is at least a possibility with Anatoly Bose as their leader.
The 6'6" guard/forward has been a starter for four years, and he has put up great numbers for the Colonels. Like the others so far on this list, he is a scoring machine, averaging 22 a game this season. His 5.7 rebounds per game aren't too bad either for someone his size.
He could get drafted late, but he needs to work on his athleticism and, like many others on this list, not turning the ball over.
10. Chris Wright, F, Dayton
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It remains to be seen if the 19-12 Dayton Flyers can make it into the tournament, but if they do, they have 6'8" forward Chris Wright to thank for that.
Unlike most of the others on this list so far, his stat sheet isn't overly impressive, though his 13 points and 8.3 rebounds per game lead the team. What boosts his draft stock, however, is the strength he possesses.
He won't go higher than late in the second round unless Dayton makes the tournament and he has a couple of breakout performances, which is not impossible.
9. Charles Jenkins, G, Hofstra
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Hofstra might be the first team on this list to actually make the tournament, but at 21-11 they will probably settle for the NIT. At least scouts can watch Jenkins play for a few more games to see if he has the tools to continue rising on draft boards.
Jenkins, the 6'3 senior guard and leader of Hofstra, has been a star there all four years, but he had a breakout season. He's averaging 23.1 points a game, lowered his turnovers by one per game, and rocketed his field-goal percentage above .500.
He plays like a two guard, though, and he is a bit undersized for that spot, so some teams may pass on him as a result. He should at least be drafted when it's all said and done, even if it's near the end.
8. Andrew Goudelock, G, Charleston
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From the same conference that brought Stephen Curry to the NBA, we have what could be the next great under-the-radar guard in Andrew Goudelock of Charleston.
To my surprise, this guy has almost no buzz draft-wise. Charleston should get in the tournament, though, so scouts can watch him go to work. He's been fairly consistent throughout four years, and his 23.1 points per game is currently tied with Kemba Walker and others for fifth.
He might not be on mock drafts now, but as the draft approaches he'll find his way onto them, especially with his shooting.
7. Norris Cole, G, Cleveland State
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When you're the team leader in points, rebounds, and assists, then it's worth noting. When you're leading a team that, at 26-8, better be somewhere in the NCAA tournament bracket, than that's also big. Add in a 41-point, 20-rebound performance and you have Norris Cole.
The 6'1" guard out of Cleveland State has been the key piece of the team this year, averaging 21.6 points, six rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, the only player to be averaging those kind of numbers in the country.
I can see a team picking him up in the second round, though it remains to be seen how be plays against NBA talent.
6. Keith Benson, C, Oakland
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There has to be at least one small school center worth drafting right? In fact, there is: Oakland's Keith Benson.
At 6'11", Benson is actually an athletic big man, and his 17.7 points and 10 rebounds a game are great as well. At 23-9 and 17-1 in the conference, Oakland should have no trouble winning their conference and being part of the NCAA tournament, and Benson will be able to shine for scouts there.
His 3.8 blocks a game are nice as well. He has some places to improve in, but nonetheless he will almost certainly be drafted by a team looking for some size.
5. Justin Harper, F, Richmond
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At 24-7, Richmond should not have too much trouble making it into the NCAA tournament, and once there they should be able to make a statement, since they're led by Justin Harper.
While he lacks the physicality to propel himself into the first round of the draft, he has shown himself to be a solid player this year, averaging 18 points per game and shooting nearly .500 from behind the three-point line. Not too many big men can do that.
4. Tu Holloway G, Xavier
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There's certainly a possibility that Holloway will return for his senior year since he isn't getting too much draft buzz, but having said that I don't know why this guy is so under the radar.
His size (6'0") is probably what keeps teams from taking a close look at him. It can't be the 20 points a game while continuing Xavier's tradition of being an Atlantic 10 powerhouse. It's also not often that a point guard can get a triple-double, but Holloway did just that in a match against Fordham.
Should he decide to declare, I can see a team taking a chance on him.
3. Kenneth Faried, F, Morehead State
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Kenneth Faried is a household name around Morehead State, but is likely an unknown outside the Ohio Valley Conference. He has been a force all four years, and this year averaged 17.6 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, the latter leading the nation.
The Eagles made it into the NCAA tournament, so Faried will be a player to watch no matter who he ends up facing. It could do a lot for his draft stock. The only thing that might keep him from being a first-round pick is whether or not teams think he's undersized to play power forward and not quick enough for the small forward spot.
2. Corey Fisher, G, Villanova
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Villanova is not exactly a small-time power. After all, they're in the Big East. They enroll under 10,000 students, though, so they count as a small school. They are led by Corey Fisher, who will most like be the last player remaining in the NCAA tournament on this list.
The 6'1" senior is averaging 15.5 points and 4.8 assists per game, and is great at shooting for a point guard. The question remains whether or not he can transfer his skill set to the NBA, though, and his performance in the tournament will likely be the difference between a first and second-round selection.
1. Marshon Brooks, G/F, Providence
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The Providence Friars are one of the few Big East teams that won't make it to the tournament. However, they do have the player that could be the best small school player in Marshon Brooks.
Brooks is averaging 24.8 points a game, second in the nation only to Jimmer Fredette. His other numbers are very good as well for a man his size. He's establishing himself as a viable two guard in the NBA, and teams will be watching film of him closely.
He's one of the few on this list who could easily go in the first round. Who wouldn't want a guy who can put up 52 points in a Big East Conference game?
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