2011 NBA Draft: Derrick Williams and the 10 Most Powerful Prospects in the Draft
The 2011 NBA draft has been called one of the "weaker" drafts in resent memory, but one thing is for sure: There are no shortages of big, physical, powerful players that can finish any play at the rim.
Outside of Derrick Williams, this draft is still loaded with prospects that you want on your team to battle down-low on both ends of the court.
From high flying dunkers to big time shot blockers, the 2011 NBA Draft has a great crop of "power" players.
10. Greg Smith
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2010-2011 Stats: 11.7 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 1.1 blocks per game.
Greg Smtih was originally slated to play ball at Arizona, but with concerns about coaching, Smith de-commited and signed on at Fresno State.
Greg Smith has a big frame (6''10, 250 pounds) and can play either power forward or center. Smith is an athletic big that establishes his presence in the paint early.
Though Smith won't be a first round pick, he should be a solid second round pick and will find a spot on an NBA roster because of his size and athleticism.
9. Jordan Williams
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2010-2011 Stats: 16.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks blocks per game.
Jordan Williams is not going to drop any jaws with his athleticism, but he knows how to use his body to get things done in the paint.
At 6''9 and 247 pounds, Jordan Williams is more of an old-school power forward; what he lacks for in athletic ability, he makes up for with his big frame and willingness to use it.
Williams should be able to use his size to his advantage on both ends of the court in the NBA and should be a productive player off the bench.
8. Tristan Thompson
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2010-2011 Stats: 13.3 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 2.2 blocks per game.
Tristan Thompson had an impressive freshman campaign for the Texas Longhorns last year and is finding himself higher up on the draft boards every week.
At 6''9 230 pounds with a 7''2 wingspan, Thompson will be a force in the NBA, drawing physical comparisons to Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith.
7. Keith Benson
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2010-2011 Stats: 17.9 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game, 3.4 blocks per game.
Despite not being a household name, Keith Benson was statistically the best center in the college basketball last year.
Benson does not have your typical frame for a center—only 217 pounds despite standing 6''11, but he is an elite shot blocker (second in the NCAA), as he demonstrated last season for Oakland.
Benson could be a surprise in the NBA.
With an effective mid-range game and his ability to throw it down hard at the rim, Benson looks like a solid second round prospect.
His defensive presence alone notches him a spot on this list, despite having the offensive game as well.
6. Travis Leslie
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2010-2011 Stats: 14.4 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 0.6 blocks per game
Travis Leslie is by far the best dunker in the 2011 NBA draft and arguably the most athletically gifted player in the draft as well.
At 6''4' and 205 pounds, Leslie has a big frame on him for a two guard.
Travis Leslie is the only guard on this list, but with his powerful, jaw dropping finishes above the rim, he was to good to keep off.
Take a look and enjoy.
5. Kawhi Leonard
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2010-2011 Stats: 15.4 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, 0.6 blocks per game.
Kawhi Leonard had a statistically great year for San Diego State, being a key component in helping the Aztecs go 34-3.
Leonard uses his 227 pound frame to work his way into the paint, where he is an elite finisher.
He should be a reliable defensive option as well and could be one of the better "hybrid" forwards in this years draft.
4. Enes Kanter
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Enes Kanter did not play for the Kentucky Wildcats last year because of NCAA violations, but the Turkish Center will be a top pick in this years draft regardless.
Kanter has the size (6''11, 260 pounds) to be a legitimate force in the paint.
What makes Kanter standout from other international players in this year's draft is his bulk. Players like Donatas Motiejunas have the height, but they appear to have never been in a weight room.
Kanter is different.
He will be a dominant, powerful center in the NBA for years to come.
3. Kenneth Faried
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2010-2011 Stats: 17.3 points per game, 14.5 rebounds per game, 2.3 blocks per game.
Kenneth Faried is hands down my favorite forward in the 2011 NBA draft.
He plays like an absolute monster down-low and refuses to be out worked in the paint.
With his intense style of play mixed with his 6''7' 225 pound frame, Kenneth Faried is going to make some team very happy on draft night.
Faried will drop a bit because he is seen as "Undersized" and doesn't have a complete offensive game, but a player that plays as hard as Faried will do just fine in the NBA.
2. Bismack Biyombo
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2010-2011 Stats (Spanish ACB League): Five points per game, seven rebounds per game.
Bismack Biyombo is a rare prospect at only 18 years of age.
Already 6'9" 245 pounds, Bismack screams defensive potential. With a 7'7" wingspan, it will be very tough for opposing players to get shots off anywhere near Biyombo.
"Power" could be the best word to describe the big man, and once he learns how to use all of that power in the post, he should become very effective on the offensive end as well.
It will take some time for Biyombo to adjust to the style of the NBA, but with a body like that, he will be worth the wait.
1. Derrick Williams
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2010-2011 Stats: 19.1 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 0.7 blocks per game.
Derricks Williams is not only the best forward in the draft; he's the most "powerful" player in this draft as well.
Williams has everything you want in a forward—he finishes at the rim (sometimes seemingly over defenders), he's productive on the boards and he is very high energy on offense and defense.
Derrick Williams demonstrated his powerful style of play every night for the Arizona Wildcats last season, and in a few weeks, he will have a new team to showcase his beastly style of play with.
