NBA Draft 2011: Derrick Williams and the Best West Coast Prospects

With the 2011 NBA draft only a week away, I thought it would be interesting to look at all of the talented West Coast prospects in this year’s draft.

Most of the players in the slideshow played at schools on the West Coast, while a few grew up there. On any note, here are the 10 best West Coast prospects in the draft this year.

10. Greg Smith: Fresno State Bulldogs

Greg Smith played two years for the Fresno State Bulldogs, averaging 11 points and shooting over 50 percent from the field.

In addition, Smith was named to the All-WAC Second Team last season.

People shouldn’t expect to hear Smith’s name called until late in the second round.

Photo courtesy of: uspresswire.com

9. Nikola Vucevic: USC

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DAYTON, OH - MARCH 16: Nikola Vucevic #5 of the USC Trojans shoots over Juvonte Reddic #5 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the first round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at UD Arena on March 16, 2011 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Grego

Nikola Vucevic led the USC Trojans in scoring and rebounding last season.

With his college experience and tremendous size (7’0’’ 260 pounds), Vucevic could develop into a nice NBA player.

8. DeAndre Liggins: University of Kentucky

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: DeAndre Liggins #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts against the Connecticut Huskies during the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Reliant Stadium on April 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas

The Henderson, Nevada native spent three seasons at the University of Kentucky.

DeAndre Liggins was often lost in the shuffle, with all the fanfare surrounding coach John Calipari and his one-and-done phenoms.

However, Liggins was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team last season, averaging eight points, four rebounds and two assists.

7. Isaiah Thomas: University of Washington

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Isaiah Thomas #2 of the Washington Huskies reacts in the second half while taking on the North Carolina Tar Heels during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 i

The Washington native led the Pac-10 Conference in assists and ranked third in scoring.

Isaiah Thomas and the Washington Huskies nearly knocked off the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second round of last March’s tournament, behind Thomas’ 12 points and eight assists.

6. Tyler Honeycutt: UCLA

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 19: Tyler Honeycutt #23 of the UCLA Bruins attempts a shot agaisnt the Florida Gators during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at St. Pete Times Forum on March 19, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. Florida won 73-65. (P

The former UCLA Bruin and Sylmar native was named to the All Pac-10 First Team as a sophomore last season.

Tyler Honeycutt is being projected as a late first-round/early second-round draft pick.

5. Jordan Hamilton: University of Texas

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TULSA, OK - MARCH 20: Jordan Hamilton #3 of the Texas Longhorns reacts at the end of their 70-69 loss to the Arizona Wildcats in the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 20, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by T

Jordan Hamilton, a native of Compton, was named to the All-Big 12 First Team last season.

Hamilton is being projected as a middle first-round draft pick.

4. Klay Thompson: Washington State

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Klay Thompson #1 of the Washington State Cougars walks off the court after the Cougars lost to the Washington Huskies 89-87 in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on

Klay Thompson led the Pac-10 Conference in scoring last season and ranked 10th in the conference in three-point percentage.

With his steady shooting stroke, Thompson has the potential to have an immediate impact at the next level.

3. Kawhi Leonard: San Diego State

Harry How/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Kawhi Leonard #15 of the San Diego State Aztecs dunks the ball against the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim, Calif

Kawhi Leonard led the San Diego State Aztecs in scoring and rebounding last season, as the school made a surprising run to the Sweet Sixteen.

Leonard is comparable to the Portland Trail Blazers’ Gerald Wallace, in the sense that both players are very well rounded, as opposed to being dominant in one or two areas.

2. Jimmer Fredette: Brigham Young University

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - APRIL 03: Jimmer Fredette of BYU received the 2011 Naismith Trophy Presented by AT&T at the NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Program on April 3, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Jimmer Fredette, the reigning National Player of the Year, averaged a nation-best 28 points a game last season playing for Brigham Young University.

While Fredette won’t have the same impact in the NBA as he did in college, he will likely be able to provide a team with a steady scoring hand off the bench.

Fredette will be very comparable to Kyle Korver and J.J. Redick.

1. Derrick Williams: University of Arizona

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats goes up for a rebound against Jamal Coombs-McDaniel #4 and Charles Okwandu #35 of the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at

Derrick Williams is being projected by many as the second overall pick in next week’s draft.

Williams took home Pac-10 Player of the Year honors last season with the Arizona Wildcats.

Williams emerged as one of the best players in last March’s tournament, averaging 22 points and leading the Wildcats to the Elite Eight.