NBA Draft 2011: Perry Jones and the Top 12 Big 12 Prospects
With the demise of Kansas in the Elite Eight, the Big XII is officially out of March Madness and the NCAA Tournament. Despite a competitive regular season from some very talented players, many are left to wonder who will be back on campus and who will bolt for the big bucks of the NBA. The Big XII is stocked full of young, underclass talent who are a little on the raw side of their development, but the conference also has a fair share of refined seniors. Easily on of the most talented and deepest conferences in the nation, the south is plentiful with NBA talent that should make up a good portion of the first round if they all enter.
That said, SwishScout.com present ‘The Top 12 Big XII NBA Draft Prospects of 2011.’
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.
Honorable Mention: Jacob Pullen (Kansas State), J’Covan Brown (Texas)
12. Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas)
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Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas)
Key Stats: 9.3 pt., 4.6 ast., 1 stl.
The Jayhawks skilled junior point guard had a solid NCAA Tournament outing, averaging 10.3 points and 5.3 assists. Split time with Brady Morningstar, Josh Selby, and Tyrell Reed a good amount during the season, but was the explosive playmaker at guard Bill Self looked to when they need energy. With Morningstar and Reed graduating, Taylor will have a great opportunity to play himself into the first round of 2012 if he elects to stay. If he does go, expect him to be a late selection in the second round.
Projected Draft Stock: Mid-Late 2nd Round
11. Cory Joseph (Texas)
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Key Stats: 10.4 pt., 3 ast., 1 stl., 41.3% 3pt.
Joseph is a very talented freshman combo guard who showed flashes of his potential during the season and gave Texas a necessary scoring boost. Excels from the 3-point line where he is an exceptional perimeter shooter, but opened up his game with some improved passing skills. A very solid defender as well, Joseph is a couple years away from being an NBA ready contributor.
Projected Draft Stock: Late 2nd Round-Undrafted
10. Khris Middleton (Texas A&M)
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Key Stats: 14.4 pt., 5.2 reb., 2.8 ast., 1.2 stl.
Middleton is known for his honed perimeter shooting, but he is also an excellent defender who has great length and brings a lot of energy on that end of the court. He’s a 6’7” shooter who excels off the spot up, but needs to improve his handling ability and work on creating his own shot. Also needs work on his 3-point shooting accuracy, but the sophomore has good potential to be a decent NBA player.
Projected Draft Stock: Mid 2nd Round
9. LaceDarius Dunn (Baylor)
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Key Stats: 19.5 pt., 2.1 ast., 1.4 stl.
Perhaps the most confident player on this list, Dunn is a flat out scorer who has never taken a shot he didn’t like. The senior scoring guard had a disappointing season after returning from suspension and failed to meet high expectations after Baylor’s Elite Eight run last season. After shooting 40% from three his first three seasons in Waco, Dunn was forcing poor shots to keep the Bears afloat during games. Slightly undersized at barely 6’4” for the two guard, Dunn is a fierce competitor and clutch shooter when the games on the line. Could be a potential steal in the draft because of his competitiveness and shooting.
Projected Draft Stock: Late 2nd Round-Undrafted
8. Josh Selby (Kansas)
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Key Stats: 7.9 pt., 2.2 ast.
Another player who had a disappointing year after entering the season with high expectations, Selby at out the start of the season for improper benefits. He never seemed to gel with the Kansas this year and never really got his game on track. Josh is a super athletic and skilled PG with immense upside, but he hasn’t realized how to use it against NCAA competition. Entering the draft this season, he could be a first rounder on talent alone, but it would be a mistake if he wants to become the best player he’s capable of developing into. Stock took a hit this year after uneven play, especially in the second half of the season, but Selby could throw down some monster dunks and knock down some big 3’s in Lawrence next season
Projected Draft Stock: Late 1st Round
7. Thomas Robinson (Kansas)
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Key Stats: 7.6 pt., 6.4 reb.
Physical post player that is absolutely built and plays like a beast in the paint. The Jayhawks sixth man is a strong ‘banger’ in the center who excels at rebounding and defending the basket. Had a big 12-point, 14 rebound game in only 16 minutes against Richmond, and rebounds the ball at a high rate in limited minutes. The sophomore forward tremendous upside at the power forward position, and could even make an impact at the position in the NBA right now. Whether or not he returns to Kansas is up for debate, but scouts seem to love his NBA ready game and physicality in the post.
Projected Draft Stock: Mid-Late 1st Round
6. Markieff Morris (Kansas)
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Key Stats: 13.6 pt., 8.3 reb., 1.1 blk, 42.4% 3pt.
Some consider Markieff to be a better NBA prospect that his twin brother, Marcus, but his Elite Eight performance didn’t do him any favors. Markieff had 13 points and 12 rebound, but turned the ball over eight times as Jamie Skeen of VCU got the better of him. Morris has potential to play in the post at 6’10”, but definitely needs to refine his post game and shooting touch a hint. Definitely capable of making an impact for an NBA team right now, but to improve the necessary skills to reach his full potential, Kansas is his best bet. Much improved 3-point shooter and has the jumper to pull defenses away from the post.
Projected Draft Stock: Mid-Late 1st Round
5. Tristan Thompson (Texas)
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Key Stats: 13.1 pt., 7.8 reb., 2.4 blk.
The Canadian had a coming party in Texas’ opening round game against Oakland’s Keith Benson, holding the NBA caliber center at bay and dropping 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Thompson is an explosive leaper who controls the paint on defense, impressively utilizing his length and leaping ability to average 2.4 blocks per game. A little bit undersized at 6’8” and too raw offensively for the post, but is a solid year away from being an NBA impact player and potential top ten pick.
Projected Draft Stock: Mid 1st Round
4. Marcus Morris (Kansas)
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Key Stats: 17.2 pt., 7.6 reb.
While his brother Markieff excels in the post, Marcus has a more perimeter-oriented skill set to compliment a solid inside-out game. The Big XII player of the year has hovered around the lottery all season and was consistent for Kansas all year, but only went off for 30 points once this season against Iowa State. One of those ‘good but never great’ type NBA players, Morris is perhaps one of the less risky picks available in the middle of the first round. Make no mistake, Marcus is an excellent talent and an instant contributor at the NBA level for a team in need of help at the forward position.
Projected Draft Stock: Mid-Late 1st Round
3. Jordan Hamilton (Texas)
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Key Stats: 18.6 pt., 7.7 reb., 2.1 ast.
Hamilton is a scoring mercenary who brings instant offense to any team he plays for. Jordan is a very skilled dribbler and creator of offense for himself and others, but doesn’t always take the best shots. Reminds me a lot of Ricky Davis and has a similar type skill set to be an impact scorer in the NBA. Only had less than double-digit points once this season out of Texas’ 36 games and is a consistent scoring presence. Jordan’s a marksman from 3-point range as well (hit 38.5% as a sophomore) and an excellent rebounder for a wing.
Projected Draft Stock: Late Lottery-Mid 1st Round
2. Alec Burks (Colorado)
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Key Stats: 20.5 pt., 6.5 reb., 2.9 ast., 1.1 stl.
Speaking of explosive scoring guards that rebound at a high level, Burks is as fine a SG prospect you will find this season. Burks is an aggressive slasher who has superb quickness off the dribble and a money pull up jumper. His midrange game is one of his biggest assets, but struggles from three and is surprisingly limited to about 17 feet and in. Along with Cory Higgins, Burks made Colorado a team to be reckoned with this season and is still leading the Buffs deep into the NIT Final Four. Came out of nowhere last season to become an elite guard prospect and he will be taken in the lottery if he declares this year.
Projected Draft Stock: Mid-Late Lottery
1. Perry Jones (Baylor)
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Key Stats: 13.9 pt., 7.2 reb.
If you haven’t heard about the immensely talented Baylor Bear yet, you definitely will when the NBA Draft approaches in June. Jones is a unique player because of his size at 6’11”, length, explosive athleticism, and ‘ridiculous upside potential.’ The quintessential talent based picked, Jones likely presents the greatest ‘bust’ possibility of any player in the 2011 Draft. He has been compared to the likes of Tracy McGrady and Anthony Randolph, but also drawing some looks as a potential Jonathan Bender as well. Jones has been suspended six games for improper benefits by the NCAA at the end of the season, so there is a strong chance he will declare for the draft. He has all the talent in the world, but with more proven players on the board like Derrick Williams or Harrison Barnes, NBA scouts will have to ask themselves if he’s worth the risk.
Projected Draft Stock: Early Lottery
