NBA Draft 2011: Derrick Williams and the 10 Most Energetic Prospects
Despite all the focus around the hard-fought NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, the 2011 NBA Draft is just weeks away.
Teams have spent a great share of time studying and analyzing the top prospects in this year's draft class. Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, and Brandon Knight are just a few of the solid talents that the 2011 NBA Draft has to offer in the early stages.
When considering a draft selection, an NBA team will certainly consider athleticism, talent, potential, scoring ability or one's defensive presence and knowledge of the game. Arguably as important as any of these factors, is the ability to bring energy to a game: to make game-changing plays that shift energy and momentum in the later stages of a contest.
Here are the 10 most energetic prospects that the 2011 NBA Draft class boasts.
Kawhi Leonard SF
1 of 10
School: San Diego State
Year: Sophomore
Stats 2010-2011 season: 15.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.1 TO, 1.4 spg
Kawhi Leonard comes into the 2011 NBA Draft with a plethora of potential at the small forward position. His length and size underneath is not to be taken for granted, as his rebounding numbers help to back up his presence.
Leonard helped an "under-the-radar" San Diego State Aztecs team make an impressive run in last year's NCAA Tournament as well. He is a player that uses his athletic ability to his advantage, throwing down dunks and making plays on the defensive end.
A player that provides energy and game-changing plays like Leonard is a hard player to find. If a team is searching for an energy player off the bench to spark runs, Leonard would make a tremendous fit.
Nolan Smith PG
2 of 10
School: Duke University
Year: Senior
2010-2011 season: 20.6 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.5 rpg, 1.2 spg
When Kyrie Irving went down to injury, it was the time for Duke point guard Nolan Smith to shine. When his number was called, he did just that. Smith scored an impressive 20.6 points per game, proving his offensive arsenal is not just in his jump-shot.
Smith can get it done on the break, from mid-range, at the rim, and beyond the arch. Not to mention he shoots the ball 81 percent from the line. His emotional and high intensity play at the point guard position was key in that he was able to give his team momentum game after game, making plays left and right on both ends.
If there's a player that brings an energy boost to the team at the point guard position, it's Smith. Smith is as fitting as any in this year's point guard class.
Jordan Williams PF
3 of 10
School: Maryland
Year: Sophomore
2010-2011 season: 16.9 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Jordan Williams is arguably one of the more talented big men in the 2011 NBA Draft. Aside from his raw skill around the basket and intelligent footwork on both ends, Williams is a player that provides an energy boost and was just about the only thing that went right for the Terrapins this season.
When times were tough for the Terrapins throughout the course of the year, Williams was a player who easily shifted momentum in a contest. Williams gets rebounds and makes tough dunks that give opposing players something to think about at times.
Williams comes in as one of the more underrated prospects in the NBA Draft. NBA teams can undoubtedly use his physical presence in shifting momentum in ball games.
Tristan Thompson PF
4 of 10
School: Texas
Year: Freshman
2010-2011 season: 13.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg
The Texas Longhorns had a disappointing season this year, to say the least. Tristan Thompson was one of the stronger assets the Longhorns offered in their rotation.
Thompson is not only a player that has scoring talent and a knack for grabbing rebounds, but also a top-notch defensive player. The guy blocks 2.4 blocks per game, using his long arms and 227-pound frame to make life difficult for opponents offensively.
This defensive ability is much like that of Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, as Thompson without question has a chance to do big things at the next level.
Marcus Morris PF
5 of 10
School: Kansas
Year: Junior
2010-2011 season: 17.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 57% FG
Marcus Morris is a player that will rebound and score the basketball in a big way. The dunks and slashes to the basket Morris does reguarly are plays that can change the momentum in a game.
More important than his point scoring and rebounding numbers, Morris shoots 57 percent from the field. The percentage is representative of the style of play Morris brings to the table: finishing around the rim and actively pursuing offensive rebounds.
Jimmer Fredette PG
6 of 10
School: BYU
Year: Freshman
2010-2011 season: 28.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.3 apg
Jimmer, Jimmer, Jimmer. It's the name college basketball fans have heard year round following the 2010-2011 college basketballs season.
According to ESPN.com, Fredette had productive workouts so far, giving him further legitimacy as a late lottery selection. Watching Fredette score the rock at BYU, it's evident that his range is insurmountable, his play-making ability is unlike most, and his passion for the game is arguably unmatched.
Fredette willed his under-the-radar BYU team to an impressive run in the NCAA Tournament. His shot-making ability from deep took teams out of games early and often, as his range was just plain ridiculous.
A couple 26-foot three-point shots winds an opposing team down while pumping up his own team, as Fredette's talent is all about bringing energy to a ball game.
Kemba Walker PG
7 of 10
School: UCONN
Year: Junior
2010-2011 season: 23.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.5 apg
Along with BYU sensation Jimmer Fredette, UCONN guard Kemba Walker is easily one of the two best scorers in the 2011 NBA Draft class. He is a prolific scorer that takes smart, clutch shots, and makes plays at the rim.
Aside from being a shoot-first point guard at just 6'1'', Walker is a player that wins games. Last season, UCONN would not only take the Big East Tournament championship but also go on to six straight games in the NCAA tournament to take home the national championship for the Huskies.
His winning ways come as no surprise, as his passion and ability to seize the moment late in games is simply unmatched. When a team needs energy and an emotional boost down the stretch offensively, Walker is the guy to make the play.
Kyrie Irving PG
8 of 10
School: Duke
Year: Freshman
2010-2011 season: 17.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 11 games played
Kyrie Irving is the favorite to be selected number one overall in this year's NBA Draft. He's got an impressive 6'4'' frame and potential as an NBA player that is arguably better than any player on the draft board as well.
The biggest knock people have made in regard to the play of Kyrie Irving is that he has just 11 games of experience and never really became accustomed to running a team on a regular basis at the point guard position. To an extent, I agree.
Yet at the end of the day, Irving is more than a player with solely potential. His talent and tough offense is something hard to find in a point guard, especially with a 2011 NBA Draft class that lacks at the point guard position.
Derrick Williams PF
9 of 10
School: San Diego State
Year: Sophomore
2010-2011 season: 15.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.1 TO, 1.4 spg
Derrick Williams might be second to Kyrie Irving in most NBA Mock Draft boards, yet Williams is a player that brings an element of play to a team that most his size simply don't.
Williams is as emotional a player as any, which is more of a hurt than help to his game at times. But more times than not, his emotional, up-beat play is the type of play that helps teams win ball games.
At the next level, his strong finishes offensively and big stops defensively will come in handy. As athletic and explosive athlete as there is in this draft, look for Williams to make noise at the next level.
Brandon Knight PG
10 of 10
School: Kentucky
Year: Freshman
2010-2011 season: 17.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg
A typical prospect from a John Calipari ball club, Brandon Knight comes into the 2011 NBA Draft with high expectations to perform at the next level. Up-tempo, transition basketball is where Knight thrives and where teams in the NBA will see his best.
The exciting, athletic prospect is a player much like a Tyreke Evans in Sacramento or John Wall with the Wizards.
A game-changer that plays high energy basketball, Knight is a point guard that brings it on a nightly basis.
