2011 NBA Mock Draft: Could Kemba Walker Crack the Top 5?
2011 NBA Mock Draft: Does Connecticut Guard Kemba Walker Crack the Top 5?
The brilliance of Connecticut guard Kemba Walker was on full display in 2011.
From his performance in Maui, to the Big East Tournament and into the NCAA tournament, Walker was likely the most exciting player during the 2010-11 college basketball season.
But do those impressive showings mean he'll be a top five pick in the 2011 NBA draft?
Let's run down the picks in the 2011 NBA mock draft.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: PG Kyrie Irving, Duke
1 of 30
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180
Age: 19
Breakdown
Minnesota has struck out on point guards in recent drafts and free agency, meaning they still have a hole at the position.
Despite his injury last season, Irving is an athletic guard who can play defense and shoot from the perimeter.
He'll give the Timberwolves the best chance at finally filling the hole they've tried and failed to address.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: SF Derrick Williams, Arizona
2 of 30
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 241
Age: 19
Breakdown
Irving and Williams should and most likely will be the first two picks. In this scenario, the Cavs get Williams to bolster their front line.
Irving would be a better fit, but the Cavaliers just need to add talented players. Williams is their next best choice.
3.Toronto Raptors: PF Enes Kanter, Kentucky
3 of 30
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 260
Age: 18
Breakdown
Kanter was ineligible at Kentucky his freshman year, but he's still a talented big man who's game transfers well to the NBA.
Kanter and Andrea Bargnani should make an interesting combination in the front court for Toronto.
4. Washington Wizards: PF Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania
4 of 30
Height: 7'0"
Weight: 220
Age: 19
Breakdown:
He obviously needs to add some weight, but Motiejunas is a skilled power forward who can shoot and run the floor.
With John Wall running the show in Washington, that type of player could be a useful addition to a rebuilding franchise.
5. Sacramento Kings: PG Kemba Walker, Connecticut
5 of 30
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 175
Age: 20
Breakdown
Walker will come into the NBA with holes in his game, but it's hard to overlook what he accomplished during the 2010-2011 season.
The Kings can shift Tyreke Evans to shooting guard, and Walker can provide a stable leader for a team in need of one.
6. Utah Jazz: SF Jan Vesely, Czech Republic
6 of 30
Height: 6'11"
Weight: 235
Age: 21
Breakdown
The Jazz could be losing Andrei Kirilenko this offseason, and Vesely is a similar player to AK-47.
Brandon Knight would be a serious option here, but Utah decides that getting a player like Kirilenko is too tempting to pass up.
7. Detroit Pistons: PF Marcus Morris, Kansas
7 of 30
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 240
Age: 21
Breakdown
The Pistons need a player who can rebound and play the post, and Morris fits the bill.
The more talented of the Morris twins, Marcus can team with Greg Monroe down low for Detroit.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: PG Brandon Knight, Kentucky
8 of 30
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 180
Age: 18
Breakdown
The Cavaliers missed out on Kyrie Irving but find Knight waiting for them at pick No. 8.
Knight can provide Cleveland with length at the point and a willingness to defend the top guards in the NBA.
9. Charlotte Bobcats: G Alec Burks, Colorado
9 of 30
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 200
Age: 19
Breakdown
After trading away Gerald Wallace, the Bobcats could use more athleticism on the wing.
With Burks, Charlotte gets a long, athletic guard who can handle the ball and get to the rim.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: SF Jordan Hamilton, Texas
10 of 30
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 225
Age: 20
Breakdown
The Bucks need offense in the worst way, and Hamilton might be the best scorer available in this draft.
He'll need to improve on the defensive end to get big minutes under Scott Skiles, but his scoring will be tough to keep on the bench.
11. Golden State Warriors: SF Terrence Jones, Kentucky
11 of 30
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 240
Age: 19
Breakdown
The Warriors need to get bigger, and if Jones can play small forward, they'll be getting a solid piece.
He needs to prove he's more than just an undersized power forward, but I think he's skill set should allow him to be a three in the NBA.
12. Utah Jazz: PG Jimmer Fredette, BYU
12 of 30
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 192
Age: 22
Breakdown
It almost makes too much sense to happen.
The Jazz could use Fredette as a dangerous backup to Devin Harris at the point, with the thought that he'll be the starter down the road. The geography makes sense too.
13. Phoenix Suns: PF Markieff Morris, Kansas
13 of 30
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 250
Age: 21
Breakdown
I love what Morris could bring to Phoenix.
He's a willing rebounder and shot-blocker, and his ability to hit 16-foot shots would fit nicely as long as Steve Nash is running the point.
14. Houston Rockets: PF Tristan Thompson, Texas
14 of 30
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 230
Age: 20
Breakdown
At this point in the draft, the Rockets are getting good value with Thompson.
He's an agressive rebounder who just needs to fine-tune his offensive game. Thompson could be a really good player down the line.
15. Indiana Pacers: SF Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
15 of 30
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 220
Age: 19
Breakdown
The Pacers could be a couple of pieces (albeit, big pieces) away from being in contention.
While Leonard won't put them over the top, he can provide Indiana with an athletic slasher who can get to the rim and create his own shot.
16. Philadelphia 76ers: C Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania
16 of 30
Height: 6'11"
Weight: 230
Age: 19
Breakdown
The 76ers are lacking in the front court, and Valanciunas has the kind of length and athleticism that could help them down the road.
If he adds some weight and continues developing, this pick could look like a steal for Philadelphia.
17. New York Knicks: C Trey Thompkins, Georgia
17 of 30
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 245
Age: 20
Breakdown
The Knicks would be wise to continue building their front court in order to bang with the rest of Eastern Conference contenders.
Thompkins can rebound, defend and shoot, making him the ideal fit for New York.
18. Washington Wizards: PF Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
18 of 30
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 225
Age: 21
Breakdown
What's not to like about this pick for Washington?
Faried will give the Wizards a lot of rebounding and hustle, and fans will love seeing him run the court with John Wall. He's the classic energy guy that every team needs.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: PG Reggie Jackson, BC
19 of 30
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 210
Age: 21
Breakdown
Jackson has been a fast-riser of late, and the Bobcats has holes up and down their roster.
He can provide a perimeter threat on offense and a long defender on the other end.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: SG Klay Thompson, Washington State
20 of 30
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 200
Age: 21
Breakdown
Minnesota should have a certain amount of comfort down low with Kevin Love and Darko Milicic, but they need perimeter shooters.
Thompson is one of the best in the draft in that department.
21. Portland Trailblazers: SF Chris Singleton, Florida State
21 of 30
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 225
Age: 21
There may not be a better defender in this draft than Singleton, and I like what he can bring to the Blazers athletically.
He won't fill up the basket at the NBA level, but there's no doubting what kind of presence he can be defensively.
22. Denver Nuggets: SF Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
22 of 30
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 195
Age: 20
Breakdown
The Nuggets are doing fine for themselves without Carmelo Anthony, but they could use another athletic swingman if Wilson Chandler doesn't re-sign.
Honeycutt is that kind of player, with some versatility and potential to his overall game.
23. Houston Rockets: G Nolan Smith, Duke
23 of 30
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 190
Age: 22
Breakdown
There are prospects with more upside than Smith, but you know what you're getting with the former Duke guard.
Smith will play his heart out for you on defense, run the second team well from the point and be a positive influence in the locker room.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: F Tobias Harris, Tennessee
24 of 30
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 230
Age: 18
Breakdown
I like Oklahoma City's roster, but they've lacked anyone to replace Jeff Green since shipping him to Boston.
Harris fits that mold. He's a tough, agressive player that can play with both small and power forward.
25. Boston Celtics: JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
25 of 30
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 220
Age: 22
Breakdown
The defensive length of Boston is slowing getting older and older, and they need some fresh legs to guard the basket.
Johnson is a project offensively, but he has the kind of defensive skill set that Boston could use down the stretch.
26. Dallas Mavericks: PF Jon Leuer, Wisconsin
26 of 30
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 230
Age: 21
Breakdown
I'm not in love with Leuer's game either on offense or defense, but I especially like what he could be later on in Dallas.
He could learn from Dirk Nowitzki and maximize his potential on the offensive end of the floor.
27. New Jersey Nets: G Josh Selby, Kansas
27 of 30
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190
Age: 20
Breakdown
Remember when this guy was a big-time recruit? He still has some favorable skills that transfer to the NBA.
He's worth the risk at the end of the first round.
28. Chicago Bulls: F Kyle Singler, Duke
28 of 30
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 235
Age: 23
Breakdown
Regardless whether you hate him or love him, Singler can be an effective NBA player in the right situation.
With his experience and jump shot, he could do that in Chicago as part of their second team.
29. San Antonio Spurs: PF Justin Harper, Richmond
29 of 30
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 225
Age: 21
Breakdown
After their playoff collapse, the Spurs need to start replenishing their front line.
Harper can step up and knock down jump shots for a San Antonio offense that is likely to evolve in the coming seasons.
30. Chicago Bulls: PF Bismack Biyombo
30 of 30
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 250
Age: 18
Breakdown
The Bulls have a solid rotation of Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson, but they are afforded the chance on Biyombo.
He has the kind of athleticism and energy that can spark a second team unit and hold it down on defense.
