NBA Draft 2011: Top 15 Underclassmen Who Have NBA Mouths Watering
"He's a diaper-dandy baby."
We have all heard the clever term, coined by ESPN college basketball analyst, Dick Vitale. The term is used to describe a sensational freshman, and there are plenty of them spread across college basketball this season.
It seems like ever since the NBA implemented the rule about players having to go to college, we see more and more talented freshmen come to college for one season and then immediately bolt for the NBA Draft.
That might be much-the-same this season. There are a ton of sensational freshmen, and a large amount of talented sophomores who stayed around for that extra year—are they ready to take off so soon?
The NBA Draft may be over three months away, but it's never too early to start speculating.
Let's take an inside look at the top 15 underclassmen who have NBA coaches salivating.
15. John Henson, North Carolina
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First it was Brandan Wright, then it was Ed Davis, and now it's John Henson.
Henson is the third generation of North Carolina forwards who are tall, thin, left handed, and most likely going to make the bolt to the NBA early in their career.
Henson is a good prospect, averaging about 11 points and 10 rebounds per game. The thing that pro scouts like most about him, though, is his potential. Like Wright and Davis, Henson is a guy who needs to fill out his frame and put some muscle on. If that happens, he could prosper.
14. Doron Lamb, Kentucky
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The theme as of late at Kentucky has been to play for your freshman season and then bolt.
Last year, the big-three Kentucky freshmen were John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe—all three of which are having solid rookie seasons. Daniel Orton, not so much.
This season, the big-three looks like Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb.
Lamb is a slashing guard who averages 13 points per game this season for the Wildcats. He is a great athlete, making NBA coaches and executives drool as we know it.
Lamb is probably the least likely to go to the pros after one season, but I certainly wouldn't put it past him.
13. Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
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Tyler Honeycutt is a kid who didn't get a lot of national press this year in his sophomore season, but was one of the most athletic and versatile players in the country.
He is one of those "high-risers" who can play both the shooting guard and small forward position at the next level.
Most mock drafts look for Honeycutt to be a mid-first round pick if he decides to make the leap to the pros. If and when he does, he is most comparable to a Josh Childress or Tayshaun Price. He won't lead your team in scoring, but he might lead them in highlight dunks.
12. Alec Burks, Colorado
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Burks has been one of the most talented, under the radar sophomores in the country this season. He plays for a team that doesn't have a ton of talent, but the Buffaloes are going to make the NCAA Tournament this season because of what Burks has been able to do on a regular basis.
Burks can play both guard positions, and has ideal size for an NBA guard, standing at 6'6". He is another one of those explosive leapers who can flat out score.
Burks is averaging 20 points per game for Colorado this season. With tournament time soon approaching, that number could continue to grow.
11. Tobias Harris, Tennessee
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Harris was a highly touted kid coming out of high school and has not disappointed in his first year at Tennessee.
The 6'8" freshman forward, has the size to play either forward positions at the next level. He has averaged 15 points and over seven rebounds per game in his first season on campus.
If Harris takes off this year, he should be a mid-to-late first round pick. Either way, scouts know who this kid is and have seen what an impact he has had in college basketball during just one season. Look for Harris to be a good one at the next level.
10. Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
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If you are a college basketball fan, then chances are that you have followed, or at least seen, how good of a season San Diego State is having right now. But if you haven't gotten the chance to watch them play, the reason they are so good is because of sophomore sensation, Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard is a 6'8" forward who is one of the best slashers in college basketball. He has a non-stop motor and will be a guy at the next level who a team can always count on to go all-out every time he takes the court.
If Leonard makes the leap to the NBA after this season, which he probably should, he will be a mid-first round pick, maybe just outside a lottery selection.
If you're an NBA team, this is the type of player you want on your roster. At this pace, Leonard should be a success at the next level for years to come.
9. Tristan Thompson, Texas
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Just like so many young players on this list, the key word with Tristan Thompson is: potential. But there is a ton of it, and he has already shown that he is an offensive asset at the college level.
So what about at the professional level?
Thompson currently averages 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in his freshman season. The Longhorns' talented power forward has topped the 20-point mark on five separate occasions this season, and has been a beast on the boards—posting nine double-doubles in his first college season.
Thompson has more skill and a better frame than LaMarcus Aldridge had in his freshman season at Texas. Look how he turned out in the NBA.
8. Brandon Knight, Kentucky
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There really aren't too many freshman who have put together the type of season that Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight has.
Knight was considered by many to be the top-rated high school player in the country, during his senior year. All he has done in his freshman campaign is average 17.7 points and four assists per game for the Wildcats.
We have all seen what John Calipari's point guards have done in the past. Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans and John Wall have received a ton of hype, but Knight has been just as good—if not better.
If he can follow in their footsteps in the NBA, then any team would be jumping up and down for this kid.
7. Jordan Hamilton, Texas
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This Texas sophomore might be the most versatile player in the country.
Hamilton possess the skills to play point guard or shooting guard, and he has the size and athleticism to play small forward or power forward. When you have that type of skill, NBA organizations take notice immediately.
Hamilton averages just under 19 points and eight rebounds per game this season for Texas. He could have been a first round pick in last year's draft but, now that he waited a season, he very well could be a lottery pick this year.
Hamilton has the skill set that is needed to be a success at the NBA level. Now we just have to wait and see how it all plays out.
6. Terrence Jones, Kentucky
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Terrence Jones hit the college basketball scene in a big way this season, and instantly became one of the best known freshmen in the land.
Jones was a high school All-American heading into his freshman year at Kentucky, and he has certainly lived up to the hype.
The 6'8" slashing forward, has averaged over 17 points and nine rebounds per game for the Wildcats this season. He is one of the top athletes in the country, and has posted 11 double-doubles and scored in double digits in all but three games this season.
Jones is everything an NBA team wants in a starting small forward. He has great athleticism, good length, and can create his own shot.
5. Perry Jones, Baylor
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If this were a list on which college freshman had the best season, Jones would not be in the top-five.
But when you stand at 6'11", and can play three different positions with freakish athleticism and a 7'3" wingspan, NBA scouts are going to take notice.
Jones loves to work from the top of the key and take his man off the dribble, getting into the lane where he can use his size to his advantage. He will likely play a wing position in the NBA—when you are tall and athletic enough to do that, you have a huge advantage at the next level.
When you're talking about making NBA mouths water, this guy has to be right near the top of the list.
4. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
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It might be fair to say that if there is one freshman who is 100 percent going to make the leap to the NBA after this season, it is going to be Harrison Barnes.
Barnes was the consensus top-rated freshman coming into college basketball this season. He has put up very impressive numbers, averaging over 14 points per game in the freshman season.
But what makes Barnes so impressive to NBA executives, is that he is such a tremendous athlete. The 6'8" forward has perfect size to play the small forward position at the next level, and all signs point to Harrison Barnes being a lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
3. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
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There hasn't been a freshman in college basketball who has been anywhere near as dominant as Jared Sullinger has been this season for the No.1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.
Sullinger has been an absolute force for the Buckeyes, putting up 17 points and 10 rebounds per game this year. He has posted an eye-popping 16 double-doubles in his first college basketball season.
The bottom line here, is that Sullinger's future is as a post player, and he will play power forward at the next level. He is comparable to Kevin Love, in his ability to dominate down low and also step out and hit a mid-jumper when needed.
Sullinger will be a lottery pick in this summer's NBA Draft. Whatever team selects him, will have a franchise player to build around for the future.
2. Derrick Williams, Arizona
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Derrick Williams is one of those guys, like Jordan Hamilton, who could have bolted for the NBA after his freshman season and been a first round pick. But now that Williams waited one more year and put up one of the best seasons in all of college basketball, he should be a top-three pick in this year's NBA Draft.
Williams is strong, athletic, has good size, and is probably the most NBA-ready player of anyone in the country. He averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game, while leading Arizona to a Pac-10 regular season title this year.
Williams will likely be a small forward at the next level. He should be a guy who can step in, start and make an immediate impact at the next level.
1. Kyrie Irving, Duke
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Kyrie Irving only played eight games this season due to injury. But in those eight games, he was arguably the best player in college basketball at that time.
Irving is a true NBA point guard who has every skill-set an NBA team would want with their floor general. He has great vision and passing skills and, even more importantly, he has that first step burst to get to the basket whenever he pleases.
Kyrie Irving is a spitting image of Chris Paul. They have the same skill-set and play the game in a very similar fashion.
Bottom line here—if you're an NBA organization and have a chance to get a player who resembles Chris Paul, why wouldn't your mouth be watering?
