NBA Draft 2011: The 5 Best Options at the Top of the 2nd Round
With the NBA Finals in our midst, fans of teams that have already finished up this season are looking ahead to the 2011 NBA Draft.
At the top of the board are premier college basketball players like Derrick Williams, Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker.
All of whom will be expected to be make immediate impacts on their respective teams.
But much like the NFL Draft, there are always diamonds in the rough throughout the lower end of the drafts.
And this year is no different.
Here are five great players for teams to look at in the beginning of the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft.
1. C Keith Benson: Oakland
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Keith Benson was the superstar of little well-known mid-major team Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
But anyone familiar with the Summit League know all about Benson.
He was a two-time Summit League Player of the Year and also was the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.
He also holds the Summit League record for blocks with 371. The kid has garnered just about as many awards as you can during a collegiate career.
Benson is a great all-around player who possess a lot of the skills you would like to see in a big man.
He led his team to great success all the way to the NCAA Tournament in 2011 before falling to the Texas Longhorns in the first round.
One of the most important things that Benson has is that he knows how to win. He was a part of the winningest class of all-time with 91 wins.
Benson was one of the best rebounders in college last year and set the Summit League record for defensive rebounds.
He'll always go for a block and he is a great defensive presence in the paint.
Benson needs to gain some size and strength if he wants his collegiate success to translate into the NBA. If he learns to use his size more effectively, he won't have as much trouble against men that are bigger or of the same size as him.
Regardless, Benson will be a great big man for teams to look at as a value pick in the second round.
2. SG Josh Selby: Kansas
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Josh Selby was arguably the top-rated prospect entering into the 2010-2011 college basketball season.
Once cleared to play by the NCAA after missing nine games, Selby went on to play only 13 games for the Jayhawks before injuring his foot.
He only averaged 8.7 points per game and only 21.5 minutes per game as well.
What stands out about Selby is his physical gifts and natural ability. He knows how to score and can drive through the lane with strength and determination.
Selby also shot almost 37 percent from three-point range, showing teams that he has the ability to make shots from the outside.
Selby's low points, however, is his immaturity on the court and off the court. During the season, Selby also missed an additional four games due to "coach's decision." He is only 19 years old and still has a lot of maturing and growth left to do on the court.
His season was very inconclusive of his skills since he missed so much time.
Scouts do not have much to go on with Selby, but he is still a great physical basketball player who has excellent talent. If he can keep off-the-court issues to a minimum and stay focused on improving his game, he could have a bright future in the NBA.
3. SF Kyle Singler: Duke
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Kyle Singler made a name for himself after spending all four years of his collegiate career at Duke. Singler led the Blue Devils to an NCAA Championship in 2010 and two ACC titles.
He was awarded with various accolades during college and was All-ACC for his junior and senior seasons. Singler is also the third Blue Devil in history to score at least 600 points in three consecutive seasons.
Singler was also the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2007-2008. His career was capped by being named the Sporting News College Athlete of the Year.
Clearly, Singler has the skills to make a solid career in the NBA. He won't blow by you with speed and athleticism, but Singler is a great decision-maker on the court and is a proven leader.
His shooting touch is great from all over the court and will be an asset for any team on the offensive side of the ball.
But like I mentioned earlier, Singler won't bully anyone down low or run by any defender at the top of the key. So his biggest issue with going into the NBA will be adjusting to the speed and strength needed to succeed at the next level.
But Singler is a proven winner and would be a great pick up for any team near the top of the second round.
4. SG Travis Leslie: Geogia
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The game of Travis Leslie has been compared to the likes of Lakers shooting guard Shannon Brown.
Leslie is an athletic freak who can fill up SportsCenter with highlight reel dunks.
With his big-time athleticism, Leslie can also add a set of great rebounding skills to any NBA team.
Mark Fox, Leslie's head coach, thinks he will be a great NBA prospect.
"Travis is a difficult matchup for people," Fox told NBA.com. "We worked very hard on his shooting...and he is a much better shooter than people realize. He is also very coachable."
Leslie was second on his team in scoring and rebounding with 16.4 ppg and 7.6 rebounds per game.
If Leslie can continue to develop his outside shooting and work on becoming a two-guard in the NBA despite his size, he'll be a very entertaining player to watch in the NBA.
Whichever team drafts him will be getting a player loaded with talent and someone who can make plays in the lane on a consistent basis.
5. PG Shelvin Mack: Butler
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Although scouts say Shelvin Mack should have stayed one more year in the college ranks, he is still going to be a highly rated prospect heading into the draft.
Mack, who is projected to be taken in the early second round, led the Butler Bulldogs to two consecutive appearances in the NCAA Championship game.
Mack is a point guard who can shot the ball well and also penetrate the defense and kick the ball out to the open man with ease.
He's someone who loves the big moment. He set a Butler record for most points in the NCAA Tournament with 122.
And he also be remembered for some of the clutch shots he made in back-to-back Final Fours and the Elite Eight game against Florida in 2011.
Nobody questions the heart and competitive spirit of Mack. If given the opportunity to play in the NBA, expect Mack to take advantage of that opportunity and turn it into a successful NBA career.
Mack is a great prospect for anyone who's looking for point guard help in the second round of the 2011 NBA draft.
