2011 NBA Draft: Where Jimmer Fredette, Kemba Walker & More Go with Order Set
With just over a month until the June 23 NBA Draft, the 2011 NBA Lottery answered a few of our questions and set the draft order in stone.
While most of the focus is on Duke's Kyrie Irving and Arizona's Derrick Williams, it's a common belief that the pair will go No. 1 and No. 2 to Cleveland and Minnesota, respectively.
But where does this leave some of the other top college stars and European prospects?
Let's go through some of the top prospects from the 2011 NBA Draft as well as Jimmer Fredette and a couple of names we're all curious about.
Thanks to Patrick Clarke for providing the scouting reports. Be sure to check out his full first-round mock draft.
Brandon Knight, Kentucky: Utah Jazz (Pick No. 3)
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Knight’s clutch late-game play in the NCAA tournament might have made him a top five pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
As a freshman at Kentucky, Knight averaged over 17 points per game while averaging more than four rebounds and assists per game.
The concern with Knight is his streaky shooting; he made only 42 percent of his shots at Kentucky.
- Patrick Clarke
In the Post-Deron Williams world, Utah could do a lot worse than Brandon Knight as the future at the point.
With the third pick, the Jazz might go with one of the international prospects, but the former Kentucky star is definitely the most intriguing option.
Enes Kanter, Turkey: Cleveland Cavaliers (Pick No. 4)
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Turkey’s Enes Kanter has been viewed by many as the best international prospect available next month.
Kanter’s 9-foot standing reach is all you need to know to understand why scouts are so high on him.
The biggest concern with Kanter is that he is a little undersized at center in the NBA, not to mention he missed all of last season because of NCAA restrictions.
- Patrick Clarke
With Cleveland expected to select Duke's Kyrie Irving with the first overall selection, the Cavs would do well to go big at No. 4 and take Kanter.
He's a solid inside scorer and rebounder, and with the front court really weak last year, it's an area that needs immediate support.
Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State: Toronto Raptors (Pick No. 5)
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San Diego State’s Kawhi Leonard has vertical explosion and quickness that will make him a success at the next level.
Leonard is one of the nation’s best rebounders at the small forward position and is a capable scorer.
As a sophomore last season, Leonard averaged a double-double while playing nearly 33 minutes per game.
- Patrick Clarke
Some have pointed to one of the international prospects here, but what Toronto really needs is toughness, and that's exactly what Leonard provides.
Outside of James Johnson and Linas Kleiza, the Raptors have nothing at the three, and neither of their current options inspire much hope.
Jan Vesely, Czech Republic: Washington Wizards (Pick No. 6)
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An athletic power forward out of the Czech Republic, Jan Vesely has the ability to fit in well with an NBA team.
Vesely is only 21 years old and stands 6’11”, making him a versatile player who can beat defenders in a variety of ways given his shooting range.
Strength is one thing Vesely needs to work on, but overall he’s ready for the next level.
- Patrick Clarke
Vesely is a ready-to-go prospect, and that's exactly the type of talent Washington needs to put alongside John Wall and the new-look Wizards.
He's a perfect complementary piece to Andray Blatche and Rashard Lewis in the frontcourt rotation.
Tristan Thompson, Texas: Sacramento Kings (Pick No. 7)
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Many feel that Thompson needs another year or two at the University of Texas before he is ready for the NBA, but with a 7’2” wingspan, how can you argue his decision to go pro?
Thompson is a little undersized for a power forward, but what he lacks in size and strength, he makes up for in pure energy and athleticism.
The Texas freshman has the potential to develop into a superb rebounding power forward at the next level.
- Patrick Clarke
Thomas would provide Sacramento with a pretty potent duo under the basket on both ends of the court with Thomas teaming up with Demarcus Cousins.
Sure, a piece like Kemba Walker would provide scoring, but the Kings need to solidify their frontcourt more than anything.
Kemba Walker, Connecticut: Detroit Pistons (Pick No. 8)
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Fresh off leading UConn to the Final Four and delivering the Huskies a title, Kemba Walker’s boosted draft stock has him poised for a top five selection.
Walker’s scoring and rebounding production increased every season with the Huskies, peaking at 23.5 points per game last season at UConn.
There is no question Walker has the physical gifts to be a draft success; it’s the mental adjustments he will have to make as an NBA point guard that will make or break him.
- Patrick Clarke
Assuming that Detroit is able to re-up Rodney Stuckey (a restricted free agent this summer), Kemba Walker would provide an excellent backcourt mate who could allow Stuckey to spend more time off the ball, where he's proven very effective.
Bismack Biyombo, Spain: Charlotte Bobcats (Pick No. 9)
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A very raw talent out of Spain, 18-year-old Bismack Biyombo has the reach and wingspan at 6’9” to survive at the next level.
Biyombo’s ridiculous 7’7” wingspan pales in comparison to his absurd 9’3” standing reach.
The negatives with Biyombo are just about everything else. He is very young, still developing his body and in major need of an offensive game.
- Patrick Clarke
The Spanish star is a physical monster. Charlotte needs big men badly. They'd probably select Biyombo earlier than this given the chance so at No. 9 it's an easy call.
Biyombo would go a long way toward plugging the defensive hole in the paint left by Gerald Wallace's departure.
Kenneth Faried, Morehead State, Utah Jazz (Pick No. 12)
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Arguably the nation’s best rebounder, Morehead State’s Kenneth Faried averaged a double-double in each of his past three seasons.
Faried averaged 14.5 rebounds per contest last season while leading the Eagles to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Though he still needs to develop his offensive game for the NBA, if given the minutes, Faried should be able to compete with Dwight Howard and Kevin Love for the league’s rebounding title.
- Patrick Clarke
Faried is a really intriguing prospect who provides a massive boost on the boards and is an underrated defender. With Andrei Kirilenko expected to be lost in free agency, Utah will need help on both fronts.
Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young: New York Knicks (Pick No. 17)
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College basketball’s Player of the Year last season, Jimmer Fredette torched the Mountain West Conference but fell short in the NCAA tournament, causing many experts to question his potential.
Fredette is a score-first point guard whose brilliant passing is often overlooked.
Fredette has the ability to score in a variety of ways, at the basket, at the free throw line, and outside the paint and arc, making him a valuable player at the next level.
Fredette’s defensive woes will hold him back however as teams struggle to take a gamble on a player that many think is poised to become the next Adam Morrison.
- Patrick Clarke
One of the biggest college stars in the nation, Fredette is viewed as a college star just not made out for the NBA game.
But there's no denying he can score, and Mike D'Antoni's New York Knicks are a perfect landing spot for gifted scorers.
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves: Is a Trade on the Way?
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Ricky Rubio might not be a member of the 2011 NBA Draft class, but the Spanish star, who's yet to arrive in the NBA after being drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fifth pick of the 2009 Draft, is always a hot topic of debate.
Is this the year he joins the ranks of the NBA? Will it be with the Timberwolves, or is Rubio bound for Boston, New York or Miami, as was rumored to be his preference earlier this year?
No doubt this will be a topic we revisit regularly over the next few weeks...possibly months.
