2011 NBA Draft Combine: Report Cards and Results for the Top 25 Prospects
The 2011 NBA draft combine was loaded with a ton of intriguing talent despite the fact that Kyrie Irving decided to skip the activities.
Derrick Williams, Kemba Walker and several other stars did their best to impress NBA general managers and talent evaluators alike, but none of us will know the type of impact the combine truly held until the June 23 draft.
These 25 prospects all hope to hear their name in the first round of the draft, so let's see how they fared at Attack Athletics in Chicago.
25. Travis Leslie, SG Georgia
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It's pretty difficult to really hurt your draft stock at the combine, but Travis Leslie would've fared a whole lot better had he chosen not to give such a juicy quote to the media.
Leslie said that he's already better than Memphis guard Tony Allen, which caused a Twitter war of words between the prospect and the veteran.
Fortunately for Leslie, he looked pretty good and should hear his name called before the end of the first round.
Grade: B-
24. Trey Thompkins, PF Georgia
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Thompkins is a prospect who could've really done a lot for himself with a solid showing at the combine.
However, when measurements of body composition were measured on Thursday morning, Thompkins was among the highest of the candidates in terms of body fat percentage, and scouts will surely take that as a negative indicator of his work ethic.
He's got the skills to be a lottery pick, but at this point it's looking like a long shot.
Grade: C
23. Justin Harper, PF Richmond
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Harper is one of my favorite first-round sleepers largely due to the fact that he's got a legitimate NBA body and is ready to contribute from day one.
He proved that he can certainly help on the offensive end, but talent evaluators may be a little wary to roll the dice on him as a first-rounder considering he looks to be a little hesitant on the defensive end.
When it's all said and done, Harper is going to wind up a serious value pick.
Grade: B
22. Jordan Williams, C Maryland
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Jordan Williams is one prospect who used the combine in its proper manner.
He came into the weekend ready to work, which was evident by the fact that he dropped 15 pounds prior to the action, and that's something almost everyone kept talking about.
Williams needs to keep slimming down while simultaneously adding muscle if he's going to be selected in the first round, and it appears he's working to achieve exactly that.
Grade: A-
21. Darius Morris, PG Michigan
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Darius Morris saw his draft stock soar as a result of his solid performance at the combine.
He's already got workouts scheduled with several teams, including both the Cavaliers and the Pacers, which could indicate that he's beginning to be seen as a surefire first-round pick.
Morris said, "I think I surprised some people with my shooting, especially in the drill setting at the pro three and college three."
He certainly left a favorable impression.
Grade: A-
20. Tyler Honeycutt, SF UCLA
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Honeycutt may have the skills to pay the bills at the professional level, but his inconsistency is going to come back to hurt him dearly.
He had an outside chance to creep into the lottery as a result of a solid showing at the combine, but he didn't bring his A game and was regularly chucking up bricks toward the rim.
There's still plenty of time to save his stock as a first-rounder, but he better shed the pre-draft jitters.
Grade: C
19. Reggie Jackson, PG Boston College
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Reggie Jackson didn't participate in Thursday's portion of the combine due to injury, but most talent evaluators don't need to see too much from the BC product.
One of the most rapidly rising names before next month's draft, Jackson could be selected as high as No. 9 to Charlotte depending upon how the rest of the picks turn out.
He may not be Ty Lawson, but that's the name that a lot of people are tossing around with his for a comparison.
Grade: B
18. Josh Selby, PG Kansas
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Josh Selby might not have had the most impressive season at Kansas last year, but he certainly helped himself this weekend without during anything on the hardwood.
Aside from the obvious skills that he flashed, Selby reportedly interviewed very well and that alone will help to improve his draft stock.
He's simply too talented to endure a free fall in the draft, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him drafted well before the end of the first round.
Grade: B+
17. Charles Jenkins, SG Hofstra
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Jenkins was a first-round sleeper before the combine got underway, and then he shot the lights out of the building and nobody was snoozing on him.
Although there are some questions about whether his talent will translate to the next level since he's coming out of Hofstra, Jenkins is 6'3" and a legitimate 215 lbs, and that will certainly help his stock.
He could be an immediate part of a team's rotation off of the bench to help stretch the floor, and I believe all of the teams watching him found out exactly that.
Grade: B+
16. Marshon Brooks, SG Providence
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Brooks might have done more for his draft stock than any other prospect at the combine.
Although he's only 6'5" tall, Brooks' insane 7'1" wingspan will resonate very well with teams looking to make him an integral part of the plans.
He can light it up from almost anywhere on the floor, and there's no longer any doubt that he'll hear his name called in the first round.
Grade: A-
15. Jimmer Fredette, SG BYU
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Conversely from Brooks, Fredette really hurt his draft stock with his poor showing at the combine.
Everybody already knew he could shoot the ball, but the fact that he seemed to only go at half-speed in some of the drills really upset some of the decision-makers in NBA offices.
He seemed like a surefire lottery selection just a few weeks ago, but now he may fall out of the top 20 entirely.
Grade: D+
14. Markieff Morris, F Kansas
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While both Morris twins are a near lock to go in the lottery, Markieff did a lot to help himself in the interview process.
Reportedly coming off as serious and mature, Markieff should look to hear his name called in the draft at any point after the eighth spot overall.
He's only helped himself with a solid day behind the scenes.
Grade: B
13. Klay Thompson, SG Washington State
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Thompson came into the combine as one of the top shooters in the class, but he established himself as much more than that.
Perhaps one of the biggest risers in the group of participants, Thompson's basketball IQ was very clearly on display as he showed exactly what he's capable of doing.
He very well may have worked himself into the lottery as a result of his work this weekend.
Grade: A-
12. Tobias Harris, F Tennessee
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Tobias Harris is a lottery talent, but unfortunately for him, he's probably not going to go in the top 14 picks.
He would've done himself a major favor by staying at school for an extra season, but he decided to come out early because of the watered down draft class.
Grade: C+
11. Jordan Hamilton, SF Texas
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The consensus on Jordan Hamilton is almost split evenly.
While some talent evaluators love what he has to offer right now, others believe that he could be even better if he manged to put it all together.
There's no doubt that he's a very good scorer, but he's going to have to have more than one facet to his game at the next level.
Grade: B
10. Kenneth Faried, PF Morehead State
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Like Marshon Brooks, Kenneth Faried has really elevated his draft stock as a result of the combine.
Although he's a little small for his position (just 6'8" at power forward), Faried's intense work ethic and high motor for the game are two intangible qualities that many of his counterparts lack.
He's definitely raw on the offensive end, but this isn't the type of athleticism that any general manager wants to miss out on.
Grade: A-
9. Chris Singleton, F Florida State
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Singleton, with his crazy 7'3" wingspan, is looking like a surefire lottery selection, and he's only helped himself with a very impressive combine.
Everybody knows that he can swat shots on the defensive end, but he's shown surprising range at the offensive end and looks to be a more complete prospect than many expected.
He's going to be a popular name as we inch closer to the draft, and he could even go in the top 10 if he continues to build his reputation.
Grade: B+
8. Marcus Morris, F Kansas
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Marcus is the higher-rated of the Morris twins, but his game is remarkably similar to his brother Markieff's.
The major separating factor between the two is that Marcus' production has been more prolific in their careers up until this time, and the work at the combine indicated that is indeed the case.
He's not all that long, but his game doesn't rely on rim-rattling jams to be successful.
Grade: B
7. Tristan Thompson, PF Texas
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Tristan Thompson is an interesting prospect because he appears to be the most debated lottery prospect in recent memory.
Many experts are predicting that he'll go somewhere in the top 14, but it's a guessing game as to which team he'll most likely land with.
He reportedly interviewed very well, but if he can't body up and play the four spot in the NBA, there's not going to be as much interest in him as previously thought.
Grade: B-
6. Alec Burks, SG Colorado
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Despite the fact that he's coming out of a non-traditional basketball powerhouse, Burks has really looked like an excellent draft prospect thus far.
The most interesting thing with Burks is whether or not he will be able to play both guard positions, because the team that drafts him will likely ask him to do exactly that.
He didn't participate in Thursday's activities, but that's somewhat commonplace for the top prospects.
Grade: B+
5. Kemba Walker, PG UConn
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Kemba looked like he really wanted to participate in the action on Wednesday, but his representation thought it would be better to have him sit out the inaugural day.
Walker was once again on the sidelines for most of the day Thursday, but like some of the prospects mentioned before him, he interviewed well and that's certain to keep him inside the top 10.
But just how far will the brightest star in the NCAA tourney slide?
Grade: Incomplete
4. Kawhi Leonard, SF SDSU
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Leonard is one of the hottest names in the NBA right now because he's been so impressive in the workouts leading up to the draft.
He's interviewed well, has enormous hands, a solid wingspan and looks to be putting himself in a very promising draft position.
It will be interesting to see if Leonard can continue his incredible climb toward the top when some interested teams might ask to see him at shooting guard.
Grade: A-
3. Brandon Knight, PG Kentucky
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The biggest thing working against Brandon Knight right now is his weight.
Although you don't have to be extremely strong or heavy to compete at the point position in the NBA, Knight is 175 lbs soaking wet and he's going to need to add serious strength to body up the bigger guys at the next level.
His display of explosiveness at the combine bodes well for his rising stock, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him go as early as No. 4.
Grade: B+
2. Enes Kanter, C Turkey
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Kanter was one of the rare international prospects to participate at the combine, but that's not surprising considering he was ruled permanently ineligible for NCAA play last season.
He's a lock to go inside the top five picks of the draft, so he didn't have much to gain with an impressive performance, but he certainly had plenty to lose.
Fortunately for Kanter, he came out strong and showed the promise that scouts saw from him at the Nike Hoops Camp last summer, and those skills will make him the top-flight center of this draft.
Grade: A-
1. Derrick Williams, F Arizona
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Derrick Williams was emphatic about the fact that he's a small forward that's capable of playing some power forward in the NBA, and that's going to boost his stock for some interested teams.
If the Cavs decide to go with Irving at No. 1, Williams might have to wait until the third or fourth pick to hear his name called, but he's the most NBA-ready of any prospect that I watched at the combine.
He's got a little bit of Lamar Odom in him, but this kid is going to be consistent from day one and an integral contributor for any team smart enough to draft him.
Grade: A
