NBA Draft 2011: Kemba Walker and 10 Biggest Draft Board Risers
The 2011 NBA Finals are now in the books, as Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks came out on top in what was a tough, hard-fought NBA championship. Teams like the Mavericks and Heat now look to the 2011 NBA draft.
This year's draft is just around the corner, as management and coaches for each team now begin to look ahead and decide which players will be the best fit for their team going into next season. With workouts already underway, teams begin to get a better idea of players' skills, and if they will be able to produce at the next level.
There are those players who were predicted to be later picks in the draft who will remain as late picks in the draft, and then there are those who have made leaps and bounds since the beginning of the NBA draft talks.
Here is Kemba Walker and the 10 players that will likely be the biggest draft-board risers come time for the 2011 NBA draft on June 23rd.
Charles Jenkins: Hofstra
1 of 10
Charles Jenkins is a point guard that many underestimate as far as making an impact in the NBA.
He boasts size, strength and a scoring ability that makes him a perfect fit in the league. Jenkins is a score-first point guard that made tough plays for his Hofstra Pride ballclub, more importantly, on both ends of the floor. His size and quickness allow him to stay in front of opposing defenders and make life difficult for them offensively.
Jenkins is what would be considered a "sleeper" in this 2011 NBA draft class, as he could climb up the board on draft day quickly.
Iman Shumpert: Georgia Tech
2 of 10
A player unlike most in this 2011 NBA draft, Iman Shumpert is a 6'6'' point guard that puts an added pressure on a defense with his height at the position.
Shumpert might be projected to be anywhere from a 20th to a 30th selection in the draft, but don't be surprised if Shumpert manages to find himself in the top 15. He has a strong passing ability and attacks the rim regularly.
With 17.3 points and 2.7 steals per game last season, look for Shumpert to be a player to reckon with in the NBA. Expect Shumpert to possibly find himself among the top 15 picks when it's all said and done.
Jimmer Fredette: BYU
3 of 10
ESPN.com's Chad Ford reports in his list of top 100 prospects in the 2011 NBA draft that Jimmer Fredette has had strong workouts so far prior to the draft.
Last season with BYU, Fredette won the 2011 Naismith Player of the Year Award, while also leading all scorers in the nation with 28.9 points per game.
Already a guaranteed top-20 selection, Fredette is looking like more of a lottery-pick lock. Expect Fredette to go between the 12th pick and 15th pick come draft day.
Marcus Morris: Kansas
4 of 10
Marcus Morris was arguably the best player for the Kansas Jayhawks last season, making a mockery of defenses with his aggressive, strong finishes inside.
Last season with the Jayhawks, Morris averaged 17.2 points, 7.6 assists and just 1.8 turnovers per game. He is a player that has moves, plays tough and, more importantly, does so while taking care of the basketball. It is a difficult quality to find in a top-notch talent like Morris, as teams can expect big things out of Morris in the NBA.
Once a possible lottery selection, expect Morris to possibly even crack the top 10 if things go his way on draft day.
Bismack Biyombo: Spain
5 of 10
Bismack Biyombo is a young talent that brings promise to the league, as he is just 18 years of age and has monstrous athletic ability.
Biyombo comes in at 6'9'' and 243 pounds, a frame that will serve him well in the pros. In 17 minutes per game, Biyombo put in just over six points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Considering his limited playing time, his numbers speak well of his ability to produce effectively.
Biyombo will likely be one of the first three international prospects to be drafted in the top 10. He is young, athletic and as a result, has the potential that most teams in the league can't afford to pass on.
Klay Thompson: Washington State
6 of 10
Klay Thompson is arguably the best scorer in the draft class, averaging 21.6 points per game last season.
Thompson is a scoring threat that attacks the paint and has a solid outside shot. He is also a player that attacks the boards, as last season he grabbed 5.2 rebounds a game.
Thompson is a taller shooting guard at 6'9'', who can make an immediate impact in the NBA and even start for a team as a rookie. Look for Thompson to have a bright future in the league, and even crack the top 11 picks in the draft.
Kawhi Leonard: San Diego State
7 of 10
Kawhi Leonard out of San Diego State might just be the best rebounder in this draft class.
Yes, I said it. Better than Enes Kanter, Derrick Williams or any player ahead of him on many mock draft boards.
Leonard is a scoring threat as well as a rebounding machine, averaging 15.5 points and 10.6 rebounds last season with the Aztecs. Not to mention Leonard is a player that will bring a winning mentality to a ballclub, as his Aztecs made a memorable run to finish the season as a No. 2 seed in the 2011 NCAA tournament this past March.
In the simplest of terms, Leonard is a straight-up beast, likely a player that will move up in the draft. Expect Leonard to be a top-eight selection on draft day.
Kemba Walker: UConn
8 of 10
Kemba, Kemba, Kemba.
The most proven player of any in this draft class when it comes to winning basketball games, Kemba Walker is a clutch a player as they come.
A national championship and a Big East Tournament Championship to his name, Walker made a name for himself as a player that gets it done under the brightest of lights.
Time after time Walker was known for his late-game heroics and his arguably unmatched scoring ability. Although he is a smaller player in regards to his height, Walker can flat out make defenses pay with his playmaking ability on the offensive end.
Last season, Walker averaged 23.5 points a game, leading his team in scoring on the season.
Jonas Valanciunas: Lithuania
9 of 10
Center out of Lithuania, Valanciunas is a big man that has much promise in the NBA, coming in with a 6'11'', 240-pound frame.
At just 19 years of age, Valanciunas is also a prospect that has much time to develop his game in the NBA. He has a soft touch on offense, shooting 70 percent from the field and 91.7 percent from the free-throw line. In just 14.7 minutes a game, he would average 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Expect Valanciunas to be the first international prospect to be taken in the 2011 NBA draft. Valanciunas should be the No. 5 selection, going to the Toronto Raptors.
Brandon Knight: Kentucky
10 of 10
The beast out of Kentucky is arguably the biggest steal of the NBA draft at the point guard position, as his athletic ability and skill set make him a player that can do big things in the pros.
Knight is a point guard that knows how to win games, as well as one who poses a scoring threat and a knack for making good passes. Last season, Knight averaged 17.3 points and 4.2 assists per game. Under head coach John Calipari, one would have to believe that Knight is prepared for this big stage. Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans and John Wall can all speak for that statement.
With the potential to be arguably a better point guard than Kyrie Irving at the next level, expect the Utah Jazz to highly consider Knight with the third pick in the NBA draft. At first, teams had said Enes Kanter would be taken by the Jazz, yet Knight has all along been the better fit for a team like Utah. The Jazz might be the third pick, but arguably get just as good a point guard, if not a better one, than do the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first pick.
For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.
