2011 NCAA Tournament: 10 NBA Draft Prospects the Knicks Are Watching Closely
While the New York Knicks continue to struggle with their new-look lineup, the organization will surely be keeping an eye on this weekend's NCAA tournament Sweet 16 games to scout a number of draft prospects that they could consider taking in the NBA Draft this June.
The Knicks will only have one pick in this year's draft, having traded away their second-round pick. As it stands right now, their first-round pick will likely be somewhere in the 17-20 range.
This year's draft is expected to be one of the weaker drafts in recent memory, but nonetheless there will be a few players available when the Knicks pick that could come in and contribute immediately.
The Knicks' biggest need is sure to be a big man.
With the addition of Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony to go along with Amar'e Stoudemire and Toney Douglas, the Knicks have plenty of offensive firepower.
What they are lacking now is a skilled, tough post player who can get after the ball defensively and rebound the basketball. Ronny Turiaf has had his moments, but he isn't the long-term solution.
The Knicks need a young player that can complement Amar'e Stoudemire on the opposite block.
With that in mind, here are some NBA Draft prospects that are still currently playing in the NCAA tournament.
Players such as Derrick Williams and Jared Sullinger would be good fits if and when they declare, but they will almost certainly be high lottery picks.
These players, all of them bigs, are more realistic options.
Jon Leuer, Wisconsin
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Leuer, a 6'10" senior, has improved his game dramatically over the past two seasons and continues to move up draft boards across the league.
Not only can Leuer shoot the ball extraordinarily well for someone his size, but he has also worked hard to bulk up and become a more effective player around the basket.
That hard work payed off for the big man, as he was invited to train with Team USA this past summer in Las Vegas.
Leuer's foot work and defense still need some work, but he has shown the ability to improve before. He averaged 18.9 points and 7.3 rebounds in the regular season, and has averaged 20.5 points through two games in the tournament.
If they see enough defensively, the Knicks could be very intrigued by Leuer.
Mason Plumlee, Duke
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Mason, the younger of the two Plumlee brothers currently on Duke's roster, is known for his willingness to do the dirty work and his defensive prowess.
That type of player is exactly what the Knicks need right now.
The 6'10" sophomore averaged 7.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in the regular season. He is an excellent defender and crashes the glass hard, but is still very raw offensively. He also struggles mightily from the free-throw line.
Still, his impact on the defensive end of the floor can't be overlooked.
Markieff Morris, Kansas
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Markieff doesn't receive as much attention as his twin brother Marcus, but he doesn't seem to mind and continues to be one of the best defenders in not only the Big 12, but the whole country.
Markieff, at 6'10", is about an inch taller than his brother, and was one of the best rebounders in the country. He led the Big 12 with 8.3 a game, and also has made significant strides at the offensive end of the floor.
Although a bit less skilled, Markieff might just be a better fit for the Knicks than his brother.
Chris Singleton, Florida State
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Singleton projects to be more of a wing player at the next level rather than a power forward, but his ability to defend a number of positions will be very appealing to the Knicks.
The 6'9" junior led the Seminoles in both scoring and rebounding this season, and is also one of the nation's best defenders. He averaged over two steals per game.
Singleton is very athletic, but struggles to shoot from the perimeter on a consistent basis. He isn't a perfect fit for the Knicks, but could be a nice fallback option for New York.
Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
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Zeller, a 7'0" junior, would be an excellent fit for Mike D'Antoni's system.
Zeller is an excellent offensive player, averaging 14.6 points per game during the regular season.
He is also one of the best free-throw shooters on the Tar Helels roster. Maybe most importantly, he runs the floor better than any big man left in the tournament, which is something that would appeal heavily to D'Antoni.
Although an effective rebounder, his defense could use some work. But seven-footers who can get out and run and finish in transition are hard to find these days. Zeller is a unique talent who could flourish with the Knicks.
Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
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At 6'7", Leonard will be very undersized at the forward position in the NBA, but lacks the offensive skills and the shooting ability to play on the wing.
Still, Leonard is a tenacious rebounder. He uses his broad shoulders and huge hands to control the glass. He averaged 10.8 rebounds per game during the regular season, and he is also an elite defender.
Leonard will need to improve his shot and become a more complete offensive player, but his rebounding ability and nose for the ball simply can't be taught.
John Henson, North Carolina
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The 6'10" Henson will definitely be a project in the NBA, but could be worth the wait for the Knicks.
Henson is just 210 pounds and will need to add a lot of muscle in order to hold his own on an NBA court. He is very raw offensively and also struggles from the free-throw line.
Still, if Henson declares, he will be one of the best pure athletes in the draft. He is an excellent shot blocker, averaging over three per game during the regular season, and also competes on the glass.
Henson will need to learn how to embrace contact instead of shying away from it if he wants to reach his full potential, but that potential may be higher than any other big man in this draft.
Justin Harper, Richmond
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Harper, a 6'10" senior, is a very skilled offensive player and is also one of the more improved players left in the tournament.
Harper can score around the basket, as well as step outside and knock down shots from beyond the arc. He has a very similar skill set to Channing Frye, also a former first-round pick of the Knicks.
Harper will need to improve his rebounding, as he only averaged 6.8 rebounds during the regular season. He is another player who could use some work in the weight room as well.
However, he is also the type of player coach D'Antoni could fall in love with very quickly.
Terrence Jones, Kentucky
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The 6'8" Jones was named SEC Freshman of the Year while also leading the conference in double-doubles with 11 and rebounding with 9.2 per game.
The bad news for the Knicks is he likely will be off the board when it's the Knicks' turn to pick.
He has the ideal body of an NBA power forward, and is just as skilled defensively as he is offensively. He is a very good shot-blocker as well, although could be exposed if he's forced to guard bigger players.
Marcus Morris, Kansas
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Marcus, an inch shorter than his brother Markeiff at 6'9", would be an ideal fit with the Knicks.
He has the size and strength to defend NBA forwards and centers, and is an excellent rebounder.
The Big 12 Player of the Year averaged 17.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game during the regular season, although those numbers could have been even higher if not for the excellent play of his brother.
Morris is a very good athlete with the ability to face up to the basket and knock down the mid-range jump shot.
There isn't much this kid can't do.
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