NBA Draft 2011: Kyrie Irving and the 42 Best Prospects Available in the Draft
Now that the college basketball season is long gone, the NBA combine has passed by and team workouts are well underway, we are finally getting a definitive concept as to who's who among the 2011 NBA Draft class.
And while at this point nothing is exactly certain—especially since a handful of important players were not present for the testing and measurements—much of the cream has already risen to the top.
Therefore, this slideshow will serve as an attempt to rank these pro prospects as the top 42 players available in the 2011 NBA Draft.
No. 42: Jordan Williams, FC, Maryland
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Jordan Williams was a beast inside throughout the 2010-11 college basketball season, averaging a double-double of nearly 17 points and 12 rebounds per game.
However, there have been serious concerns about his fitness and athleticism—both of which weren't helped by his poor combine showing.
Nevertheless, standing at 6'9" and weighing in at 247 pounds, Williams has legitimate size, and his grasp on fundamentals and position can do a lot make up for his athletic shortcomings on the interior.
No. 41: Nikola Vucevic, FC, USC
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Nikola Vucevic is another big man who had a great showing this past season, also notching a double-double average.
And additionally, like Jordan Williams, Vucevic did not have an ideal combine.
While he measured in well—at a hair below 7'0", 260 pounds and six percent body fat—his athletic tests were very disappointing.
Nevertheless, a player with his size and skill doesn't need to be the quickest or the best jumper to carve out a solid place in the NBA.
No. 40: Iman Shumpert, G, Georgia Tech
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Despite turning in a solid year for Georgia Tech, Iman Shumpert entered the summer flying below the radar of many NBA teams.
Nevertheless, Shumpert's combine did much to erase his dreaded tweener label, since he measured in at 6'5.5", 221 pounds and had an impressive wingspan.
Moreover, he wowed scouts with a combine-best 42" vertical, coupled with respectable agility scores.
Therefore, Shumpert could easily have a career as a shooting guard while still presenting the option of playing some point.
No. 39: Jeremy Tyler, FC, USA
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After gaining national notoriety for bypassing his senior year of high school to play international ball, Jeremy Tyler briefly disappeared after a horrendous season in Israel.
Nevertheless, he is now back in the spotlight again, as the 6'10.5", 262-pound forward center has impressed in the combine with his combination of length and athleticism.
And seeing that he is still only 20 years of age, he certainly makes for an attractive prospect.
No. 38: Darius Morris, G, Michigan
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After putting together a breakout sophomore campaign at Michigan, Darius Morris rode his wave of momentum to enter the NBA Draft.
Moreover, with great size (6'5.5", 190 pounds), coupled with point guard skills, Morris has certainly gotten the attention of many teams.
However, his shot could use a lot of work, and many other areas of his game still need to be finely tuned.
Nevertheless, Morris remains an intriguing prospect.
No. 37: Charles Jenkins, G, Hofstra
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Charles Jenkins turned in yet another great statistical campaign; however, playing away from the national spotlight at Hofstra, he was overlooked by many teams.
Nevertheless, he proved to be a deadly scorer with a lights-out shot, capable of racking up points at will.
Yet because of this, he was often forced to single-handedly carry the load for his team, making the 6'3", 215-pounder more of a combo guard than a true point.
And since his athleticism proved he was not overwhelming, he may have scared off some potential suitors.
But with his pure-scoring skills, Jenkins should still be able to make somewhat of a splash at the next level.
No. 36: Kyle Singler, F, Duke
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Looking back on it, Kyle Singler must regret that he did not enter the draft last season.
After all, he would have been a first-round lock back then, with a shot at going in the lottery, and now he may not even go in the first round.
But how did the Duke forward achieve such a fall from grace as a prospect?
Well, first he didn't show any improvement in the 2010-11 season, and in fact, his numbers pretty much fell across the board.
Then, he followed the season with a poor showing at the combine, most notably registering a combine-low standing vertical jump of only 23 inches.
But given his body of work as a four-year contributor to a top-tier program, the skilled 6'8.5", 228-pound forward will still attract some attention when the draft finally rolls around.
No. 35: Norris Cole, PG, Cleveland St.
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As a four-year player at Cleveland St., Norris Cole turned in some pretty nice performances.
However, given his mid-major school and smallish size (6'1.75", 174 pounds), some NBA teams were worried if he would be able to compete at the highest level.
Well, Cole did his best to answer there questions at the combine by registering the best agility marks of anyone, along with a 38.5" vertical jump for good measure.
So with that type of athleticism, coupled with his all-around point guard skills, Cole is certainly a prospect on the rise.
No. 34: Shelvin Mack, G, Butler
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After back-to-back runs deep into the NCAA Tournament, Shelvin Mack has proven to be both a solid player and a leader.
Moreover, after measuring in at 6'2.5", and 209 pounds, Mack stood out as one of the most explosive players at the combine, registering a 39" vertical jump while notching 18 bench press reps—the best of any guard and only below two forwards.
However, after only assuming the role of full-time point guard in his junior season, there are concerns surrounding his ability to run the lead guard position.
And when that is coupled with his sub-par quickness, it's hard to say how he will fare in NBA.
No. 33: Travis Leslie, GF, Georgia
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Travis Leslie made a name for himself in college basketball with his athleticism.
However, while his athletic tests at the combine were good (like his 40.5" vertical jump), they didn't really blow anyone away, as some people may have expected.
Consequently, the 6'4", 205-pound wing, with a questionable shot, may face an uphill battle heading into the NBA.
No. 32: Tie, Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil and Nikola Mirotic, F, Montenegro
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Lucas Nogueira and Nikola Mirotic have many things in common.
First of all, both are extremely talented, young players with potential off the charts.
For his part, Nogueira is an athletic center with jaw-dropping height, length and athleticism.
Mirotic, on the other hand, is a dead-eye 6'10" forward with terrific ball skills.
So why would these promising prospects fall so low on this list?
Well, both are probably a few years away from the NBA.
Nogueira is extremely raw, he could use some strength and he likely needs some more time to develop before stepping into the paint at the NBA level.
Therefore, whatever team drafts him will likely elect to stash him overseas, allowing him to gain some more time and experience.
Conversely, Mirotic, with his textbook shooting stroke, could probably contribute as the NBA soon, if only as a spot-up three-point shooter.
However, he recently re-signed with his European club, and since an NBA team would need to pay a massive buyout to bring him stateside, he will likely remain there for a few years.
No. 31: Keith Benson, FC, Oakland
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After an impressive four-year career at Oakland, where he posted multiple double-double averages, Keith Benson is finally ready to turn the corner.
And while strength has always been an issue for the 6'11", 217-pounder, his bench press performance at the combine was, at the very least, respectable.
However, what is most intriguing about Benson is the athleticism he brings to the table at his size and length, since he registered a 36" vertical.
And seeing as though he also has a decent mid-range jumper, Benson will undoubtedly grab the attention of some teams lacking in size.
No. 30: Davis Bertans, F, Latvia
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Davis Bertans flew onto the radar of many teams following his hot-shooting performance at the 2011 Nike Hoops Summit.
Moreover, the 6'10", 210-pound forward is still only 18 years old, yet he somehow manages to have some of the best shooting mechanic of all of this year's prospects.
And seeing as though the talented, young player still has much room for growth and improvement, he is certainly going to be getting a lot of attention heading into the 2011 NBA Draft.
No. 29: Malcolm Lee, G, UCLA
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Malcolm Lee has been another prospect who has seemed to pick up some steam following the conclusion of the 2010-11 college basketball season.
One of the big reasons for this is that his numbers were never that impressive at UCLA.
But then again, one can't help but mention that the same was said of former Bruin guards like Russell Westbrook, Jrue Holiday and Darren Collison.
So when one looks past his lackluster stats, they will notice that Lee is a 6'5.5", 198-pounder who possesses the skills and athleticism to play either guard position.
And with that type of versatility, his stock will most likely continue to rise as time goes on.
No. 28: Trey Thompkins, FC, Georgia
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Trey Thompkins has never been known as the best physical specimen, and the combine effectively confirmed that.
However, he still out-performed quite a few bigs there despite being measured at a combine-high 15.5 percent body fat.
So if the 6'10", 240-pounder can shed a few more pounds, it's likely that he could improve his athleticism even more.
And when one couples that with the fact that Thompkins is highly skilled—boasting a post game, three-point shot, solid ball handling and tenacious rebounding—he could very easily have a solid NBA career.
No. 27: Nolan Smith, G, Duke
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Nolan Smith had a terrific year in 2010-11, posting great numbers and even proving that he can serve as a full-time point guard.
And while the combine numbers of the 6'3.5", 187-pound guard weren't eye-popping, they also weren't exactly disappointing.
Therefore, the multi-talented Smith will still command attention on draft night, since he played a major role on a top team for the past four seasons.
No. 26: Tyler Honeycutt, GF, UCLA
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Like his UCLA teammate Malcolm Lee, Tyler Honeycutt will also probably benefit from the fact that other successful players posted mediocre numbers in the Bruin system.
However, Honeycutt could potentially be a big risk for an NBA squad.
Despite looking great at times and displaying an ability everything imaginable on the court, he was plagued by inconsistency.
Moreover, despite measuring 6'8.25", Honeycutt only weighed in at 187 pounds, and he didn't notch a single rep in the bench press.
And while his speed and jumping abilities proved to be top-notch, it's hard to really gauge what he will ultimately be able to do in the NBA.
No. 25: Reggie Jackson, PG, Boston College
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Reggie Jackson turned in another huge performance for Boston College this past season, using his terrific combination of length and athleticism to overcome the opposition.
Moreover, he put improved point guard skills on display, demonstrating that he can certainly progress away from combo-guard status.
However, citing an injury, he did not participate in the combine, so the final verdict appears to still be out on the 6'3", 208-pound guard.
No. 24: Josh Selby, G, Kansas
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Josh Selby is a player whose name has been flying up draft boards lately—primarily due to the fact that he is becoming further and further removed from his nightmare of a 2010-11 season.
So looking past that suspension-and-injury-plagued campaign, there is a lot to like with Selby.
Despite missing much of the year and being somewhat out of shape, he still managed to post good numbers on his quickness tests while also managing to pull off a combine-high 42" vertical jump.
And when that type of athleticism is coupled with the 6'3", 195-pounder's nice offensive repertoire, he should be able to develop into a solid NBA scorer.
No. 23: Marshon Brooks, SG, Providence
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While there have been many players who have seen their draft stocks increase lately, few have shot up the charts faster than Marshon Brooks.
After an out-of-nowhere senior campaign which saw him drop 24.6 points per game in the Big East, Brooks initially garnered some NBA attention.
However, at the combine, he proved to be one of the best athletes of the draft class, with a 38.5" vertical as well as impressive speed and quickness tests.
And seeing as though he stands a hair above 6'5" and possesses an amazing 7'1" wingspan, he could easily use his well-refined offensive arsenal to compete at shooting guard at the NBA level.
No. 22: Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas
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In his sophomore campaign at Texas, Jordan Hamilton showed significant improvements to his game.
For the most part, his shot selection was better and seemed to have less of a need to force plays.
However, Hamilton continued to be limited by mediocre athleticism—which was again seen at the combine—causing him to be valued by NBA squads basically for his shooting skills.
However, shooting and scoring is a thing he does well, and seeing as though he measured in at 6'8" and 228 pounds, he will certainly have a home at the next level.
No. 21: Justin Harper, F, Richmond
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Following Richmond's success this past season, Justin Harper was seen an intriguing prospect to many NBA scouts.
Possessing a big body (6'9", 228 pounds and a 7'0" wingspan), Harper possesses a solid face-up game on offense with the ability to consistently knock down shots from deep or take it to the rack.
Moreover, despite his poorly refined post game, the senior forward managed to score a combine-high 19 reps in the bench press, so clearly, he has the strength to play inside.
Consequently, when all of his skills are coupled with the fact that he steadily improved during his time in college, Harper should eventually fit right in at the pro level.
No. 20: JaJuan Johnson, FC, Purdue
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After another solid campaign at Purdue—which saw him add a mid-range jumper and average over 20 points per game—JaJuan Johnson still wasn't that highly valued by many NBA teams.
However, the combine did wonders for Johnson, as not only did he measure in at 6'10", 220 pounds and a 7'2" wingspan, but he also managed 15 bench press reps, the third-best standing vertical jump, a maximum vertical of 38" and fantastic speed and quickness.
So with that outstanding combination of size, length and athleticism, along with the skills which he regularly showcased at the collegiate level, Johnson's NBA future looks bright.
No. 19: Klay Thompson, GF, Washington St.
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Klay Thompson put together another solid year for Washington State in 2010-11, scoring 21.6 points per game.
What's more, the 6'7", 206-pound wing displayed near-perfect shooting mechanics at the combine, and he very well could be the best shooter in the draft.
And on top of that, he has also shown off solid ball-handling skills and a good basketball IQ.
So despite his athletic limitations, Thompson should certainly find a reliable niche for himself in the NBA.
No. 18: Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead St.
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In 2010-11, Kenneth Faried led the nation in rebounding, broke the Division I record for career rebounds and came one double-double shy of tying Tim Duncan's record for consecutive collegiate double-doubles.
However, at the combine, he only measured 6'7.5" and is very raw offensively, which may ultimately cause some teams to pass on him.
Nevertheless, Faried's wingspan did measure 7'0", his standing reach was 9'0" and he also had good showings in the vertical jump and bench press.
So when one considers the total package, the senior forward should still be able to perform well on the boards and on D when he transitions to the NBA.
No. 17: Chris Singleton, F, FSU
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Chris Singleton continued to improve throughout his junior season, but it still appears as though his offense is a work in progress.
Nevertheless, defense is what he has always hung his hat on, as the 6'9", 230-pound forward is long, strong and athletic.
Consequently, despite his offensive shortcomings, Singleton's ability to contribute immediately on D should be enough for him to earn a solid position in the draft.
No. 16: Markieff Morris, FC, Kansas
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After turning in a solid 2010-11 campaign, things were looking up for Markieff Morris, seeing as though he showed the ability to play tough inside and even knock down mid-range jumpers.
However, he is still not as polished as his twin brother Marcus, and his game could definitely use some fine tuning.
More troubling is that Markieff was measured to have over 10 percent body fat and only a 31" vertical jump, so as it turns out, he may not actually be as athletic as was once thought.
Nevertheless, with a decent all-around game, the 6'9", 241-pound forward should still find a place in an NBA frontcourt.
No. 15: Tobais Harris, F, Tennessee
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Tobias Harris is one individual who steadily made a place for himself as a prospect throughout the 2010-11 season.
The 6'8", 223-pound forward showed an ability to do it all on the court—made all the more impressive when one considers that he was only a freshman.
And after his on-court successes, Harris tested out well at the combine, notching a 37.5" vertical, 12 bench press reps and good speed and quickness.
So given his impressive skill-set and potential for improvement, Harris should be a hot commodity by the time of the NBA Draft.
No. 14: Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU
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After leading the nation in scoring and winning multiple Player of the Year awards, Jimmer Fredette became one of the primary faces of the 2010-11 college basketball season.
However, collegiate success doesn't always translate to the pros, and there was a prevalent feeling that Fredette's athleticism could possibly hold him back at the next level.
Well, Jimmer did his best to fight off those concerns at the combine, earning a place within the top three in both agility tests while also notching 14 reps on the bench press.
And while his vertical left something to be desired and their are still worries over his position, Jimmer's pure scoring ability should help him fit right into the NBA.
No. 13: Donatas Motiejunas, FC, Lithuania
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Currently playing pro ball in Italy, Donatas Motiejunas has proven to possess a polished, inside-out offensive arsenal.
Moreover, using his length and solid athleticism, the 7'0", 220-pounder has been able to hold his own on the defensive end as well.
And while he's still a tad on the thin side, Motiejunas' size, skill and potential will certainly garner him a fair amount of attention in the coming weeks.
No. 12: Alec Burks, G, Colorado
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After adding a jumper to his repertoire during the season, thereby making the slashing guard's offense is all the more potent, Alec Burks turned in another terrific scoring campaign at Colorado.
Moreover, he was helped by his showing at the combine, when the 6'6", 193-pounder scored a 36" vertical jump, had his wingspan measured at 6'10" and performed well on the speed and quickness tests.
Consequently, he is now primed to enter the 2011 NBA Draft as the top pure shooting guard in his class.
No. 11: Marcus Morris, F, Kansas
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After a three-year career at Kansas during which he developed from a solid contributor to the star player, Marcus Morris appears ready for the next step.
Throughout the 2010-11 season, he put on an all-around display of talent and skill, helping his Jayhawks to become one of the top teams in the nation.
And while he's not the most athletic player, the 6'9", 230-pound forward's well roundedness and skills help to cover his shortcomings.
Therefore, Morris will definitely be getting some serious attention on draft day.
No. 10: Kawhi Leonard, F, San Diego St.
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After a solid season in which he helped to lead his San Diego St. Aztecs to national notoriety, Kawhi Leonard emerged as a top draft prospect.
As illustrated by his 7'3" wingspan, he has amazing length which allows him to play much bigger than his actual height of 6'7".
What's more, he was measured to have the second-largest hands at the combine, a feature which has helped him to become a solid ball-handler.
And even though his athletic scores were not all that impressive, Leonard's ability to shoot, defend, handle the ball and finish in transition all make him a worthy selection early in the draft.
No. 9: Tristan Thompson, FC, Texas
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After a standout freshman year at Texas, Tristan Thompson established himself as one of the nation's top big men.
And following that impressive campaign, the 6'9", 227-pounder proved to be one of longest and most athletic frontcourt players in the draft class.
In fact, he notched a 35" vertical jump, quickness times better than many guards and a wingspan greater than 7'1".
Nevertheless, the talented but raw 20-year-old still has plenty of room to improve upon his successes, making him an immensely attractive NBA prospect.
No. 8: Bismack Biyombo, FC, Congo
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Currently playing in the Spanish league, Bismack Biyombo burst onto the NBA prospect scene following his impressive, record-setting performance at the 2011 Nike Hoop Summit.
The 6'9", 240-pounder's combination of raw size and athleticism make him a unique player; however, some people believe that there are concerns over his actual age.
Nevertheless, expect a team to roll the dice on him come draft day because, regardless of his age, a prospect like him does not appear in the draft every year.
No. 7: Kemba Walker, PG, UConn
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After leading his UConn team to improbable Big East and NCAA Tournament victories—and scoring a ton of points in the process—Kemba Walker emerged as one of the best players in the nation.
Moreover, he followed that up with an impressive combine performance, recording a vertical of 39.5" (fourth-best) along with top-tier speed and quickness.
However, even though the 6'1", 184-pounder managed to run the point for his Huskies, there are still concerns as to whether he can actually run an offense full-time at the NBA level.
But even if he can't do that, his scoring ability and athleticism make him a sure-fire lottery pick.
No. 6: Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania
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After standout performances for the Lithuanian U16 and U18 teams, Jonas Valanciunas quickly attracted the eyes of NBA scouts.
Boasting solid size (6'11", 240 pounds) and athleticism, along with a willingness to play primarily in the post, the young big man has held his own against high-level Euroleague competition.
So when one considers that he is only 19 and has plenty of time and space to grow and improve, Valanciunas is most certainly a top-tier prospect.
No. 5: Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic
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After winning significant playing time in the Euroleague for the last two years, Jan Vesely has developed far beyond most prospects his age.
In fact, he sports a fairly refined offense, complete with a decent jumper and the ability to face up and use his athleticism to get to the basket.
And even though the 6'11", 240-pound 21-year-old has generally stayed away from the post, his overall skill set and NBA-readiness should cause him to be selected fairly early in the draft.
No. 4: Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
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Brandon Knight helped to carry his team deep into the 2011 NCAA Tournament, due in large part to his ability score in bunches.
However, much of the 6'3", 177 pound guard's scoring ability is as a result of his considerable physical tools.
In fact, both his speed and quickness tested as being among the best in the combine while he also managed to record a 37.5" vertical jump.
So when on then factors in his length and shooting ability, it will be easy for teams to overlook Knight's shortcomings as a point guard and make him an early selection.
No. 3: Enes Kanter, FC, Kentucky (Turkey)
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After being having to give up his eligibility and sit out the entire college basketball season, the combine finally presented Enes Kanter with a forum to showcase his skills.
And that is exactly what he did, impressing nearly every athletic category.
What's more, he measured in above 6'11", at 259 pounds and with a 7'1.5" wingspan, which should allow him to thrive inside at the NBA level.
In all, it was a solid showing for Kanter, as the former U16 and U18 star for Turkey will look to continue to excel in his team workouts.
No. 2: Derrick Williams, F, Arizona
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After putting up amazing numbers across the board and huge performances in big games, Derrick Williams emerged as a can't-miss NBA prospect in the 2010-11 college basketball season.
What's more, he then turned in an impressive showing at the combine, managing the most bench press reps (19), a 34.5" vertical and solid speed and quickness times.
His measurements also turned quite favorable, as he was recorded to be about 6'9", 248 pounds and with a 7'1.5" wingspan.
So with the physical tools and an amazing set of basketball skills, Derrick Williams will undoubtedly be a top-two selection in the 2011 NBA Draft.
No. 1: Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
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Despite missing a large chunk of the 2010-11 college basketball season with a toe injury, Kyrie Irving looked fantastic when he was actually on the court.
In fact, the 6'3.5", 191-pounder showed that he is indeed a pure point guard, capable of running an offense, scoring and defending—all at a high level.
And even though he chose not to participate in the testing portion of the combine (due to his not yet being in shape after his injury), it shouldn't matter, since his game doesn't exactly rely on pure athleticism.
Therefore, given that he is extremely talented and has tons of potential at 19 years old, it would not be shocking at all to see Kyrie Irving be selected with the top overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
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