2011 NBA Draft: 25 Players Who Have to Impress in the NCAA Tournament
The NCAA tournament is just around the corner, and the clock is running down on players’ ability to improve their stock for the upcoming NBA Draft in June. It’s crunch time for those partaking in March Madness, and they have a serious opportunity to turn some heads.
With the No. 1 pick seemingly up for grabs, some players are looking to improve their stock while others are fighting just to have their name called at some point on draft day. In this list you will see a list of diaper dandies and veteran seniors alike who are all looking to make some noise in the Big Dance.
That said, SwishScout.com presents ‘The Top 25 Players Who Have to Impress In The NCAA Tournament.’
Note: On most players, you can click their name or school to take you to a more detailed profile for a more extensive scouting report on the respective prospect.
25. Nolan Smith (Duke)
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Smith had an outstanding regular season, proving himself worthy of being a mid to late first-round pick with outstanding play. Duke’s MVP has nowhere to go but up, as he will be the man for the Blue Devils in the tournament.
24. Kenneth Faried (Morehead State)
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Faried has been a dominant force in the OVC all season long and has potential to be an immediate impact player on the boards and defensive end make him a probable mid to late first-round lock. The NCAA’s second all-time leading rebounder will have the opportunity to play bracket-buster by locking down the paint in the early rounds.
23. Kawhi Leonard (San Diego State)
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The SDSU star has had an incredible sophomore season in the Mountain West and will be a late lottery selection if he enters, regardless of how he plays. If he can carry the Aztecs deep into the tournament, he could see his stock boosted into the top 10 in 2011.
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22. Maalik Wayns (Villanova)
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With Villanova having lost six of their last eight games, the reeling Wildcats will look to their sophomore point guard to run the show. Wayns has been solid despite the disappointing stretch, but a late season turnaround could center on his ability to control games at the point.
21. Tyler Honeycutt (UCLA)
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Projected as a preseason first rounder because of his potential and all-around game, Honey’s stock has slipped over the past couple months. A solid Pac-10 Tournament outing and run in the NCAA Tournament could rekindle his stock, but the forward is likely still a year away from being NBA ready.
20. Jon Leuer (Wisconsin)
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Jon Leuer (Wisconsin)
The Badger big man has yet to contribute fewer than double-digit points in a game for Wisconsin this season, and while more of a perimeter threat than post banger, Leuer will likely be a mid to late second-rounder. However, he could see his stock hindered by his own team, as Wisconsin has failed to make it past the Sweet 16 under Bo Ryan since 2005.
19. Brandon Knight (Kentucky)
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The talented freshman guard has been exceptional this season, stepping up his play at the point position and leading UK to a solid season. Knight may not be a lottery pick anymore, but he is a deadly scorer and shooter with lots of potential and could be a steal if he declares.
18. JaJuan Johnson (Purdue)
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The Big 10 POY candidate has stepped up his game as a senior and showed impressive progression in West Lafayette over his college career. The Boilermaker’s success will strongly depend on the play of their senior leaders, and if Johnson can take over in the post, he will solidify himself as a late first or early second-rounder.
17. Scotty Hopson (Tennessee)
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Don’t let the flat top fool you; Hopson has new school game that has allowed him to break out with his scoring ability. His great length, size and athleticism ensure his eventual place in the NBA, but some "take over" performances in March could accelerate it.
16. Chris Singleton (Florida State)
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Sidelined due to foot surgery in February, Singleton will have to step his game up and be a big defensive playmaker for the Seminoles to have any shot when he returns. He got off to a hot start early in the season but cooled throughout the year and will need some impressive play to lock up being a first-rounder at season’s end.
15. Mason Plumlee (Duke)
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Plumlee has NBA potential written all over him, but unfortunately hasn’t quite lived up to it this season in Durham, especially on the offensive end. Mason will have to step up his play in the post and having outstanding length and athleticism will only make snatching those crucial boards and swatting some big shots all the easier.
14. Marcus Morris (Kansas)
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Largely considered the better of the Morris twins, the more perimeter talented Marcus will play a big part in the Jayhawks success on the offensive end. His twin, Markieff, has come on strong as of late, but Marcus will have the ball in his hands and the opportunity to play himself into the lottery by shining on the big stage.
13. Klay Thompson (Washington State)
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The Coug star endangered his team’s chances of making the tournament with his suspension this weekend, but assuming Wazzu has a strong Pac-10 Tournament showing and gets in, Klay will have some serious ground to make up. Thompson is key to the success of Washingotn State but will need to impress if he wants to test the waters in 2011 as more than just a legit second-rounder.
12. Demetri McCamey (Illinois)
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Despite some midseason lulls, McCamey is a gamer who plays the point guard position with savvy and poise, averaging a solid 15 points and six assists on the season. Perhaps the most impressive stat is 46.3 percent shooting from three-point range, but Demetri is going to have to step up to renew his stock and NBA scout’s appreciation of his ability to lead a team.
11. Derrick Williams (Arizona)
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Improving his game in nearly every possible facet this season, Williams has played his way into the top half of 2011 NBA lottery projection. It may not seem like he has much to impress with his already high stock, but if he wants to have a realistic shot at being the No. 1 overall selection, he will have to have a strong showing with the lights on him and ‘Zona.
10. Kyle Singler (Duke)
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With multiple questions surrounding his athletic ability and NBA potential, Singler has done little to answer his critics by seemingly regressing in his senior season. However, last year’s Final Four MOP does all the little things to help his team win, and with his playmaking abilities in March and April well documented, his stock has nowhere to go but up.
9. Jared Sullinger (Ohio State)
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Sully has been a beast in the post all season, looking and playing (17 points and 10 rebounds per game) like a top-five pick in his freshman year. Sullinger is also gunning for that top spot in 2011 if he enters, but a run to the Final Four with the Buckeyes will be perhaps most telling of if he’s worthy.
8. Josh Selby (Kansas)
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There was a lot of hype and NBA buzz surrounding the athletic PG entering the season, but suspensions, injuries and inconsistent play has derailed those ambitions this season. With all the talent in the world, Selby has a chance to be a breakout player in March Madness, and bolstering the team to a title run could reinvigorate his reputation as a legit prospect.
7. Terrence Jones (Kentucky)
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Despite having excellent numbers (17 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal per game average), Jones has numerous weak points in his game that could hinder his growth in the league, most notably basketball IQ and perimeter shooting mechanics. Nonetheless, TJ has been a beast at Kentucky this year and has earned that NBA lottery attention, with a superb chance to improve it even more this next month.
6. Perry Jones (Baylor)
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It’s hard to ignore a lanky, 6’11” athletic freak that oozes potential on the floor, but Jones seems to have done his part to blend in for Baylor with a relatively unimpressive freshman campaign. Assuming the Bears make the field, Perry will get a chances to flash that upside and let his game get him the No. 1 spot and not just be a high pick based on said potential.
5. E’Twaun Moore (Purdue)
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E’Twaun Moore (Purdue)
Moore has played his heart out in February and put up some big numbers in some big games but is still a player under the radar because of his limited upside. The senior scoring guard is still fighting for a spot as a second-round selection and an inspired Purdue run with his guidance could go a long way in locking up having his name called in June.
4. Jordan Hamilton (Texas)
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With the Longhorns sputtering in three of their last five games, Hamilton has put in his best effort as their primary scorer. Largely a volume shooter who has averaged 15 shot attempts per game this season, Hamilton’s uncanny scoring ability will be the main cog in the high powered Texas scoring attack, and he can’t afford to disappoint if Texas is to have any chance.
3. Kemba Walker (Connecticut)
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At the start of the season, Walker looked like a sure shot to win consensus Player of the Year with his one-man team performances and crazy scoring outbursts. While his production has tapered slightly, Walker will have all eyes on him as UConn looks to advance and as Kemba’s stock continues to climb into the middle of the lottery.
2. Jimmer Fredette (BYU)
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Now that Brandon Davies out, you can bet even greater attention will be focused on the nation’s leading scorer, who has torn apart every defense he’s seen this season on his way to averaging nearly 28 points per contest. Fredette has scored less than 20 points only three times this season, and despite much scrutiny over his projected NBA success, Fredette can significantly erase any doubt and skyrocket his stock by leading BYU deep in the Big Dance.
1. Harrison Barnes (North Carolina)
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Gotta give the kid credit. After a disappointing start to the season after some unfair preseason accolades and sky-high expectations, Barnes’ restored confidence has taken his game to a whole other level. Harrison’s didn’t even score 20 points in a single game until late January but in his last 11 contests is averaging a solid 17.9 points. North Carolina is a dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament, and there’s no limit to Barnes’ potential, as he has been clutch in late game situations and hit some big shots. He might be coming full circle, back to that No. 1 spot everyone had him pegged in before the season even began.
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