NCAA Tournament 2011: 15 College Players Who Could Be Studs in the NBA
Travis Leslie
1 of 15
School: Georgia (3rd year)
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 205 lbs
Travis Leslie is a raw talent, but a talent he is indeed. His incredible leaping ability has made him a regular on SportsCenter, but he's also begun to develop quite a game. Around the rim, Leslie plays like a small forward. He gets up as much as big men, which makes him a rebounding tool. He's also starting to shoot much better from the perimeter, and has shown multiple times in 2011 that he has the confidence to take over a game. He would be a "project" player in the NBA, and would fit awkwardly between a two and three position during his early years. But, he's got all of the talent in the world, and someone will be very happy to get it.
Kenenth Faried
2 of 15
School: Morehead State (4th year)
Position: Power Forward/Center
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 225 lbs
Faried wouldn't be much of a known prospect if it weren't for a couple of Cinderella trips to the NCAA Tournament. But, Faried single handedly let the Morehead State Eagles to prominence during his tenure in the college ranks. His scoring ability is fantastic, and he always plays within his game. He averaged a double-double during his senior season, scoring 17.3 points per game and rebounded an incredible 14.5 per game. He's short for his position, but his statistics are way too impressive to overlook.
Isaiah Thomas
3 of 15
School: Washington (3rd year)
Position: Point guard
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 185 lbs
Thomas is a pure scorer and ball handler. He averaged 6 assists per game and scored 16.9 points per game in his third season with the Huskies. He's a fast paced player, who would thrive in an up-and-down, fast paced offense in the NBA. He'd be one of the shortest players in the league, if he made it, but that just gives you more reason to root for him.
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Nolan Smith
4 of 15
School: Duke (4th year)
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 185 lbs
Smith is a good sized, and athletic point guard, but it's his smarts and big play ability that make him so attractive to NBA scouts. He scored an outstanding 20 points per game for the Blue Devils in 2010. As a point guard, in a motion based college offense, scoring that many points a contest is quite an accomplishment. He's also an 81 percent free throw shooter, and a solid defender.
Jordan Hamilton
5 of 15
School: Texas (2nd year)
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 220 lbs
Texas' Jordan Hamilton is a tall two or three player who can stretch the defense, as well as make plays inside. He's just a sophomore, and might stay another year with the Longhorns, but there is no doubt he's NBA ready, or at least close. He scored 18.7 points per game this year, and shot 38 percent from three.
Chris Singleton
6 of 15
School: Florida State (3rd year)
Position: Forward
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 225 lbs
Chris Singleton missed a few games towards the end of this season, and never really emerged as the star player Florida State expected him to be during his career with the Seminoles. But, Singleton had a solid junior season, and is expected to continue to develop, whether it be a senior season with FSU, or a rookie year in the NBA. He scored 13.5 points per game in 2010, and rebounded 6.9 per contest.
Marcus Morris
7 of 15
School: Kansas (3rd year)
Position: Forward
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 235 lbs
Morris is a big body, with heavy scoring potential. He's scoring 17.3 points per game and rebounding 7.3 times a game. He has surprising range, and can knock down threes. He won't be a "tweener", despite what some have speculated about.
Derrick Williams
8 of 15
School: Arizona (2nd year)
Position: Forward
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 241 lbs
Williams is an electrifying and intense competitor who possesses great athleticism. He's a dunk machine, and had a nack in 2010-11 for making impact plays. He scored a very impressive 19.2 points per game, and rebounded 8 per game. He's a powerful presence who should find himself very comfortable in the three or four spot on an NBA roster, if he decides to leave. As a sophomore, he might very well be ready.
Kyrie Irving
9 of 15
School: Duke (1st year)
Position: Guard
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180 lbs
One of the highest recruits in the country, Kyrie Irving played extremely well in 2010—until he got hurt and missed the majority of the season. That injury might have kept the budding star from becoming a national sensation. He scored 17 points per game, which included back to back games of 31 (against Michigan State) and 21 (against Butler), right before his injury occured. He might stick around for another season, considering he missed most of 2010.
Brandon Knight
10 of 15
School: Kentucky (1st year)
Position: Guard
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 185 lbs
Knight is constantly making plays around the basket that have you shaking your head in amazement. He's extremely talented and makes circus shots on a regular basis. He scored 17.4 points per game so far this year, and also dishes 4.2 assists per contest. Knight, like Irving, is just a freshman, but it's likely he doesn't play another season at Kentucky.
Terrence Jones
11 of 15
School: Kentucky (1st year)
Position: Forward
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 240 lbs
Described as a freak, it always seems like Jones is playing on a smaller court than everyone else. His step from the perimeter to the rim is effortless, and he makes gliding plays to the basket. Jones also has a nice shooting stroke, but needs to work on his mid-range game. He could also use a little bit more bulk. But, even as a freshman, he scored 16.1 points per game for the Wildcats. He's an ultratalented prospect.
Harrison Barnes
12 of 15
School: North Carolina (1st year)
Position: Forward
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 210 lbs
Barnes is an impressive and rare athlete. He could play anywhere from a two to a four in the NBA, if he ever puts some more meat on his bones. As a freshman for the Heels, he's scoring 15.3 points per game. His length allows him to be a dangerous perimeter scorer, thanks to a pretty nice shot.
Jared Sullinger
13 of 15
School: Ohio State (1st year)
Position: Forward
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 280 lbs
The freshman from Columbus has been a major part of the Buckeye's success this season, as they continue to march deep into the tournament. Sullinger scored 17 points per game and rebounded 10 per game as a freshman. He's very, very developed for his age, and plays within his game. He's an inside scoring machine, and sticks to it. He needs to become more of a defensive presence, however.
Trey Thompkins
14 of 15
School: Georgia (3rd year)
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 245 lbs
Thompkins might be the smoothest player on draft boards. His game is insanely polished and nearly perfected. His fundamentals are out of this world. Thompkins has amazing touch, and can knock down a shot from anywhere on the floor. His mid-range game might be his best aspect, which is very attractive in a day and age where most players are either three-point shooters or rim-rackers. Some think he might come back for his senior season, but it's more likely he leaves for the NBA.
Kemba Walker
15 of 15
School: Connecticut (3rd year)
Position: Point guard
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 172 lbs
Walker is an energetic team leader and outstanding scorer who won't be afraid to take games into his own hands at the next level. He scored 23.6 points per game for the Huskies this year. He's a polished free throw shooter, and has full range of his shots. His clutch shooting has been his trademark with the Huskies. There is no doubt he's a valuable prospect. Mentally, he's probably more NBA ready than any other player.
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