NBA Draft 2011: Marshon Brooks and the 10 Best Scorers in the Draft
Every player in the NBA has the expectation to fill a certain role for whoever selects them.
Some are defensive stoppers, some clean up the glass, and some flat out fill up the basket.
Every year there are several players who can beat you on offense from anywhere on the floor. There are also "tweeners" and pure shooters ready to add firepower to a professional team.
If you can score, you can contribute at the next level.
Here are the ten best scorers in the 2011 NBA Draft:
Alec Burks, G, Colorado
1 of 10
Alec Burks is a pure shooting guard, who can kill defenses with his ability to get to the rim.
Burks dominated the competition in the Big 12 in 2010, and he will be a solid compliment off the bench in the NBA next season.
He could use some work on his outside shot, but Burks knows his weaknesses and finds a way to score despite them.
If Burks does develop a perimeter shot, he will be scary. If not, he will still be pretty good.
Klay Thompson, G, Washington State
2 of 10
In terms of range, Klay Thompson can heave it with the best of them.
At 6'6'', and with the ability to score from seemingly limitless range, Thompson reminds me of NBA veteran Kyle Korver.
He has progressed every year in college, and is now a much better passer. He has also developed the ability to create his own shot despite lacking great athleticism.
Thompson could prove to be a valuable commodity for a team desperate for a dead-eye shooter from long range.
Wherever he winds up, Thompson will be a very dangerous bench scorer.
Jordan Hamilton, G/F, Texas
3 of 10
Jordan Hamilton is a long, lanky player. While he may lack a position, he does not lack the ability to score in bunches.
Hamilton is a great shooter and also has the height needed to score around the rim.
He could use more bulk in order to bang inside in the NBA, but Hamilton will present a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
Stretching the floor is very important in the NBA, and Hamilton can make that a lot easier for whoever calls his name on draft day.
Justin Harper, F, Richmond
4 of 10
Speaking of stretching the floor, Justin Harper is a match made in heaven for that specific role.
Harper is a great shooter, almost 45 percent from three in 2010, and uses his height to his advantage.
The ability to shoot over smaller defenders combined with the quickness to drive past big men forced to guard him, make Harper a very dangerous threat on offense.
Like Jordan Hamilton, Harper needs to bulk up before he can be effective in the paint in the NBA, but Harper knows how to score the basketball.
Kemba Walker, G, UCONN
5 of 10
Kemba Walker has a laundry list of assets as a basketball player.
He is a proven winner, has tremendous heart, and he possesses a drive to improve his game.
That drive helped turn Kemba Walker into one of the most dangerous college scorers in 2010.
Walker is not the most consistent scorer from the perimeter, but he uses his strength and quickness to penetrate defenses.
He has a very quick first step, and can beat his man one on one.
No matter how Walker is projected at the next level, you can bet he plays like he always has.
With a chip on his shoulder.
Derrick Williams, F, Arizona
6 of 10
Derrick Williams may be considered a "tweener," but his athleticism and versatility makes him possibly the best overall player in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Whether Williams is knocking down threes, or putting down an earth-shattering dunk, he knows how to score by any means necessary.
Williams has the most overall potential out of anyone in this class.
No matter what position he winds up playing, Williams' athleticism will make it very difficult to keep him off the court.
He is NBA-ready physically, and his ability to score in transition or in the half court are just a few reasons Williams is a lock to go in the Top 5.
Charles Jenkins, G, Hofstra
7 of 10Perhaps the most unknown scorer, Charles Jenkins can undoubtedly fill it up in a hurry.
Scoring over 2,000 points in his collegiate career, Jenkins scored double figures in 122 of his 128 career games.
No matter the level of competition, Jenkins obviously understands how to score the basketball.
Despite being only 6'1'', Jenkins has a quick enough release to get off shots from the perimeter, and is crafty enough to slash through the paint.
Jenkins may have to wait until round two to hear his name called, but he could wind up being a diamond in the rough.
Andrew Goudelock, G, College of Charleston
8 of 10
Sticking with obscure names, Andrew Goudelock is probably not ringing many bells.
Goudelock averaged 23.7 points per game in 2010, and has the quickness to continue to produce in the NBA.
The ability to beat his man with a quick first step, combined with a very good jumper, make Goudelock an interesting second-round prospect.
He could become a name people recognize quickly if put into the right offense.
Jimmer Fredette, G, Brigham Young
9 of 10
The 2010 Naismith Award winning Jimmer Fredette is a frightening scorer.
With unlimited range, and his knowledge of the game, Fredette can hurt defenses from anywhere at anytime.
His athleticism and quickness is questionable, but his range is not.
Fredette is a streaky shooter, but if he knocks one down, put on your seatbelts because he won't stop anytime soon.
He may lack the all-around skill set necessary to be a dominating scorer in the NBA, but Fredette's shooting ability could make him a vital asset to a team's bench.
Marshon Brooks, G, Providence
10 of 10
In arguably the strongest conference in college basketball, Marshon Brooks averaged 24.6 points per game for a 12-19 Providence squad.
Brooks is the definition of a do-it-all scorer, and he is not afraid to hoist a shot from anywhere on the court.
If a team wants a player who can score in a variety of ways, but still needs work on the rest of his game, then Brooks is their guy.
He needs to work on his passing and his ability to make smart plays without the ball in his hands.
Because of this, Brooks should last until late in the first round, and find himself as a very valuable asset to a playoff team's bench.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
