NBA Draft 2011: Enes Kanter and 10 Players With the Biggest Question Marks
When it comes to the NBA Draft, there is no such thing as a sure thing.
If you don't believe me, just go ahead and ask Kwame Brown.
The draft is always filled with a myriad of talent, and this year is sure to be no different. While no clear-cut favorite for the No. 1 pick has emerged, players such as Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams and Harrison Barnes appear to be the favorites.
This draft is also not void of question marks; no draft ever is. Whether it be experience, size or capabilities, there are many players that have a great deal of talent but also face a number of question marks as they enter this year's draft.
Here are 10 players with the biggest question marks entering the 2011 NBA Draft.
Travis Leslie, Georgia
1 of 10
Leslie, a 6'4" junior, has declared for the draft but has yet to hire an agent, meaning he has not yet lost his college eligibility.
He would be one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft should he choose not to return to school. The kid can flat out jump and has the potential to make a highlight-reel play at any moment. Leslie is an amazing athlete and has very good height for an NBA shooting guard.
The downside to Leslie is that he hasn't shown he can handle the ball or shoot the ball on a consistent basis. He struggled from beyond-the-arc this past season, making just 30 percent of his attempts. His mid-range could use some work as well, but he isn't a good enough ball handler or decision maker to play the point, either. He also needs to add strength to his current frame.
The type of athleticism that Leslie possesses doesn't come around too often, so team's in the lottery are sure to be temped by Leslie. He is a high-risk, high-reward player who could go early on in the draft, or fall towards to the back end of the first round as well.
Josh Selby, Kansas
2 of 10
Selby entered this past season as one of the most highly-touted freshman in the country. By season's end, he was just a mere afterthought.
Nevertheless, Selby is seriously considering turning pro instead of returning to Kansas to improve upon what was a dismal year for the 6'2" guard.
Selby was suspended early on in the season and then had to deal with an ankle injury mid-season, so he was never able to get into a real rhythm with the Jayhawks. He struggled from the field, shooting just 37 percent and his shot selection also left a lot to be desired.
He has a ton of potential, can get to the rim and also can get after it defensively. He isn't short on talent, but rather he has yet to put it all together. Should he turn pro, he is going to need time to develop and won't be expected to contribute right away.
Alec Burks, Colorado
3 of 10
Burks has everything that NBA teams will be looking for in a shooting guard.
At 6'6" and 195 pounds, he has very good size and length for the position. Burks can create his own shot, and was one of the best slashers in college basketball this past season. He finishes around the rim and has the capability to put up a lot of points in a hurry.
His biggest weakness, however, is shooting. Go figure.
Burks was inconsistent with his jumpshot all season long, and also shot just 29 percent from three.
Burks has all of the tools to be great at the next level, but that won't happen if he doesn't improve his shooting.
Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
4 of 10
Leonard does a lot of things well on the basketball court, but he also doesn't have a clear-cut position at the next level.
He is a very strong player, but at 6'7", the sophomore won't be able to hold his own at the power forward position in the NBA. He also doesn't have ideal quickness for the small forward position and doesn't shoot the ball well enough, either.
Leonard is a tenacious rebounder and very good defender, so he has a shot at being a very effective player at the next level. His ceiling just isn't as high as most of the other prospects in this draft.
Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
5 of 10
The most positive thing about Honeycutt is that he doesn't have any real glaring weaknesses in his game. The 6'8" sophomore is a very long, versatile player who can do a lot of things well on the basketball court. He has also hired an agent, meaning he is officially in the NBA Draft.
Honeycutt projects to be a point-forward in the NBA. He is a very good passer, especially for someone with his size. He is a very good athlete and shot blocker, and will be even better once he adds some strength.
The problem with Honeycutt is he disappeared far too often this past season. He had some great games, but also had some very poor games as well. He only averaged 12.8 points per game, and struggles to create his own shot. He will never be an elite scorer, but can make an impact on the game in a variety of other ways.
Honeycutt could flourish in the right system, but also could get lost if not used properly.
Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young
6 of 10
Fredette can flat-out shoot and also has unlimited range. He has good strength, and is very crafty when he takes the ball to the rim. He is also better at taking and making off-balance shots then anyone else I have ever seen.
His game isn't without holes, however.
He doesn't have great athleticism or quickness, which could be a problem at the next level. The Florida Gators showed that he can be stopped if he is defended by someone who is quick and has the length needed to disrupt his shot.
At 6'2", he will be undersized for a shooting guard, but isn't enough of a distributor to play the point. He is also a very below-average defender.
Fredette can undoubtedly flourish in the right system, but he also has some weaknesses that have been masked over by his amazing scoring outputs.
No NBA team will allow Fredette to dominate the ball like he did at BYU, so the biggest question mark with The Jimmer is whether or not he can have the same type of success in a very different role.
Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
7 of 10
This past season, Faried was the best rebounder in the country.
He is a very good athlete who attacks the ball when it comes off the rim. He is a tough defender, very physical and possesses a good deal of strength.
However,At 6'8", he is rather undersized for his position. He has good length, but isn't overly athletic. At Morehead State, he had limited action against elite competition, so a major question mark is whether or not Faried can keep up with top-level competition on a nightly basis. He is also very, very raw offensively. Until he improves, he will be a liability on the offensive end of the floor.
You can't teach his motor and his heart, but some of his flaws are concerning.
Kemba Walker, Connecticut
8 of 10
Walker put on an absolute show, not only leading the young Huskies to an improbably Big East tournament championship, but also a national championship as well.
He was the best leader in college basketball, and it seemed as though his heart and determination went unmatched.
Walker will be one of the quickest guards in the draft, and he uses that quickness to his advantage on both ends of the floor. He is a very good ball handler who can get to the rim any time he wants too. He has also proven that no moment is to big for him; he is simply clutch.
The downside to Walker is that he is extremely undersized at 6'1". He is more of a natural scorer than a passer, and isn't a great decision maker. He has a very good jump-shot, but will struggle to get it off with his size.
There will be major question marks with Kemba at either position.
Bismack Biyombo, Congo
9 of 10
Biyombo is listed at 6'9", but many people have speculated that he is closer o 6'8" or even 6'7", which would make a huge difference in the NBA.
Still, Biyombo has freakish athleticism. He has an ideal NBA-body at 243 pounds, and also possesses a 7'7" wingspan and a 9'3" standing reach. Those measurements are simply remarkable.
He is an excellent defender and shot blocker, and really gets after it on the boards.
Two major concerns, however, is his offensive potential and his experience. He is only 18 years of age, and his playing time overseas has been sporadic.
Biyombo has scary potential, but is still very raw. Teams will have to determine how long they will want to wait letting Biyombo progress.
Enes Kanter, Turkey
10 of 10
Kanter is a consensus lottery pick, but the question still remains: how confident can you be in drafting a player you haven't seen play in a really long time?
Kanter was ruled permanently ineligible this past season at Kentucky, and never got to step on the court with the Wildcats. He spent his time working out with the team and taking classes at the University, but still hasn't played competitive basketball in a while.
However, Kanter still has some serious upside. At 6'10", 255 pounds, he has an NBA-ready body. He is very comfortable playing in the paint and embraces contact. He is a very skilled big-man who can finish around the rim with authority. Kanter is also an above-average passer for someone with his size.
A year ago at the Nike Hoop Summit, Kanter went up against Jared Sullinger and actually got the better of the Ohio State big man.
His sample size just isn't as large as most of the other prospects in this draft, meaning there will be some doubt surrounding him no matter who drafts him.
