NBA Draft 2011: Brandon Knight and 5 Diamonds in the Rough
According to experts and analysts, the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft class is among the least talented in the last two decades.
Several freshman phenoms who were sure-fire lottery picks, such as Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes and Terrence Jones, elected to forgo the draft and return to school.
Just because this class lacks depth, however, does not mean there are some potential stars-in-the-making in this bunch.
Here, we'll take an in-depth look at Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight and five other prospects who will likely shine at the next level.
Kentucky PG Brandon Knight
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Crafty, savvy, athletic point guards have become a hot commodity in the NBA over the past few years.
Point guards who come from John Calipari's dribble-drive offense have become an even bigger one.
Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose and John Wall are all Calipari proteges who have flourished at the next level. Now, it's Brandon Knight's turn.
Knight had huge shoes to fill in Lexington last year when replaced Wall, arguably the most electrifying player in the school's storied history and the only first-overall pick to come out of UK. He didn't disappoint.
Knight doesn't possess the superior athleticism that Wall has, but he is a far better shooter.
Think of Knight as a young Chauncey Billups—smart, agile but not overly athletic, and a great shooter who has a knack for coming up big in key moments. Calipari loved to put the ball in Knight's hand in the clutch. He hit game winning shots against both Princeton and Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament.
Knight also enters the NBA Draft among the best defenders and finishers around the basket, as far as point guards are concerned.
According to ESPN's Chad Ford, when NBA execs are asked who they prefer between Knight and UConn point guard Kemba Walker lately, the majority seem to be leaning toward Knight, citing his size, shooting ability and upside.
At only 19 years old, teams are also impressed with his maturity as well.
The Utah Jazz will likely be the first team to strongly consider drafting Knight, however, his stellar performance in the NCAA Tournament secured his status as a top-10 lock.
Duke PG Kyrie Irving
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If the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to start fresh next season, where better to start than at point guard?
Much like Brandon Knight, Duke point guard Kyrie Irving enters the 2011 NBA Draft as a great athlete, but not in the Derrick Rose/ John Wall mold.
However, that will likely not stop him from hearing his name called first on draft day.
It is widely believed that although he only played in eleven college games, he showed enough in limited action for the Cavs to feel comfortable enough to select him first overall.
Irving possesses all of the tools neccesary to become a solid point guard at the pro level for years to come. An incredibly high basketball IQ, good shooting range, lockdown defending ability and the knowledge of when to pass and when to shoot, Irving should adjust well to the NBA if he can stay healthy.
Not particularly outstanding at any one thing, but good at everything, Irving is among the most complete players in this draft.
Kentucky C Enes Kanter
3 of 6Evaluating Turkish big man Enes Kanter's skill-set, it's virtually impossible to find something you won't like.
With the toughness and physicality to compete against NBA centers, Kanter is an excellent rebounder, a sound technician and posseses superior passing ability and shooting range for his 6'11" frame.
Despite his uncanny ability, however, Kanter enters the 2011 NBA Draft as a bit of an enigma after infamously being ruled ineligible at Kentucky last year by the NCAA. Kentucky appealed the decision, but the NCAA ultimately deemed Kanter permanently ineligible because he received paid benefits while playing professionally in Turkey.
Scouts have to love how Kanter handled the situation with maturity, becoming a "student coach" for the university, continuing to attend classes and working out with assistant coaches.
Kanter eased concerns about his athleticism—originally believed to be average—with a solid performance in NBA predraft camp tests. Kanter bench pressed 185 pounds 14 times and recorded a 32.5-inch vertical leap. Not overly impressive, but far greater than both DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Monroe last year.
Kanter should emerge as the best big man in this draft.
Arizona PF Derrick Williams
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Arizona power forward Derrick Williams didn't do much to improve his draft stock when he insinuated he had more star power than Kyrie Irving when asked to make his case as to why he should be this year's first-overall pick.
However, thanks to his outstanding skill set, he didn't do much to hurt it, either.
Williams enters this year's draft with everything you could possibly want in a power forward prospect, and should be taken second overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The consummate competitor, Williams is a smart, versatile forward with outstanding quickness in the paint, terrific finishing ability at the rim and great shooting range.
There have been some rumblings that Williams projects as more of a small forward at the pro level, but those concerns should be put to rest.
Williams measured just under 6'9" with 7'1" wingspan and a 9-foot standing reach in May's predraft combine. These measurements make Williams taller and longer than both Blake Griffin and Kevin Love, who are All-Star power forwards.
Once Williams is allowed some time to adjust to the pro level, he should pan out to become one of the premiere power forwards in the league.
Texas SF Jordan Hamilton
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Texas forward Jordan Hamilton is one prospect I expect to rise up draft boards in the weeks prior to the 2011 NBA Draft.
Pure scorers have a knack for finding their way at the pro level and I expect nothing less from Hamilton.
At 6'8", Hamilton measures up well at his position. An excellent shooter who runs the floor extremely well, Hamilton should become a nightmare for defenders at the next level.
Finishing dead last in two different lane agility tests in last month's predraft combine, Hamilton lacks ideal lateral quickness. However, his relentless offensive attack should prevail in the NBA.
Arguably the most lethal scorer in college basketball last season, if Hamilton can refrain from taking questionable shots (which he often struggled with at Texas) and improve his court vision, he should shine at the next level.
Per ESPN's Chad Ford, NBA scouts believe Hamilton is one of the few players in this draft that can average 20 points-per-game in the NBA.
Florida State SF Chris Singleton
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Florida State forward Chris Singleton possesses all of the physcial tools to become an All-Star at the next level.
Whether he cashes in on them or not will remain to be seen.
Singleton is widely regarded as the best defender in this draft. Long, quick and agile, Singleton could become a lockdown defender at the next level.
For his size, Singleton has terrific speed and gets up and down the court in a hurry.
The only concern surrounding Singleton is if he can become an effective scoring threat in the pros.
If Singleton strives to hone his offensive skill set, he should be fine. He shot 37 percent from three-point range last season and, offensively, looked considerably better in summer camps than he did during his tenure with the Seminoles.
Perhaps Florida State's inept offense has hindered his production over the last three seasons.
