NBA Draft 2011: Shelvin Mack and Top 5 Second-Round Guards

Outside of the first round, the 2011 NBA Draft is full of budding potential in the guard department.

With Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson, and Alec Burks all going in the first round, teams are left to fend for themselves with the later draft choices.

Whether it's a combo guard who started his senior year or a solid passing option that could fall deep into the second round, the pool of talent is plentiful.

Here are the top five guards that could and should go in the second round without hesitation.

Honorable Mention: Jacob Pullen, SG, Kansas State

A lot of people have forgotten about Jacob Pullen

While he isn't going to upset anybody on draft day and go earlier than a late second-round draft pick, Pullen has some serious scoring potential.

The four-year shooting guard averaged just over 20.0 PPG in his final season with Kansas State in 2010-2011.

He averaged 19.3 the year before and nearly 14.0 PPG the year before that.

At only 6'0", 200 lbs, Pullen does lack some serious size at his position, but his explosive shooting could help him land a spot on an NBA roster come Thursday.

He produces more assists than turnovers, has a knack for clutch shooting, and is an 80 percent free-throw shooter.

Can anybody say Eddie House?

5. Travis Leslie, SG, Georgia

Travis Leslie is a human highlight reel.

And maybe the best dunking athlete at his position coming out of the draft.

Leslie is extremely athletic, dynamically explosive, and bang around the boards when he needs too.

The 21-year-old needs to prove that he can improve his outside shooting, but his 54 shooting percentage from downtown in 2009-2010 would suggest he capable of doing so.

Leslie is an excellent finisher, possess a 6'11" wingspan that makes up for his below-average size, and has a great motor, evident by his 32.2 MPG average last year with Georgia.

NBA Comparison: Terrence Williams (If he's still in the NBA)

4. Josh Selby, PG, Kansas

Josh Selby is seemingly slipping out of the first round ranks, making it less than easy to suggest he goes early in the second.

The 20-year-old has a stocky but NBA ready body, using his quick slashing abilities to score and makes plays for his teammates.

Despite playing only 26 total games during his one-year career with Kansas, a lot of NBA franchises are ready to draft Selby earlier rather than later.

Rightfully so.

Selby can not only serve as one of the best defenders at his position in the draft, but he's got fairly good range on his jumper,

He averaged 28 PPG, 7 RPG, and 7 ASP at high school in Baltimore, MD.

My compliments to ESPN Insider.

NBA Comparison: Poor man's Raymond Felton

3. E'Twaun Moore, SG, Purdue

I don't quite know why E'Twaun Moore is being overlooked in the draft this year.

Moore has averaged over 16 PPG through his last two seasons at Purdue, posting 18 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 3.2 ASP in 2010-2011.

The 22-year-old is an outstanding shooter, producing a whopping 44 percent field-goal percentage last year, adding a 40 percent line from behind the arc.

He's a lanky guard as well, which can play into his abilities to separate and shoot over fellow shooting guards.

Moore is seasoned vet with four full years at college, has a great motor after starting at least 30 MPG in each of those seasons, and is only getting better at rebounding the basketball as he puts on some NBA muscle.

NBA Comparison: Anthony Morrow and Jodie Meeks

2. Nolan Smith, PG/SG, Duke

This is fairly obvious.

Nolan Smith has consistently been pegged as one of the most undervalued guards coming into this draft, so if a team can snag him anywhere in the second round, they might have the sleeper of the year on their hands.

Smith is a solid combo guard, using his speed and athleticism to keep up with fellow point men, while cashing in on his strength and excellent defensive skills to shutdown other shooting guards

He can attack the basket, shoots well from the field including 81 percent from the charity stripe, and uses his growing versatility to create shots for others.

Smith has averaged nearly 18 PPG in 35 minutes of play over his past two seasons at Duke, taking over for Kyrie Irving at point guard after the No. 1 overall choice went down with an injury.

He was the guy at Duke before Irving came and could be the guy in the draft that outperforms earlier draft picks at his position.

NBA Comparison: Mike Conley and Jrue Holliday

1. Shelvin Mack, PG, Butler

After leading Butler to back-to-back Final Four appearances, you would think point guard Shelvin Mack could attract some draft interest before Thursday's spectacle.

However, the 22-year-old has continuously fallen down NBA big boards, suggesting that team's are seeing something in Mack that they don't trust.

But what could it be?

Despite not being a top-notch scorer throughout his three-year college career, Mack still produced a solid offensive front, while becoming an "on-court general" that a lot of pro level franchises are looking for.

He has good range when he needs to shoot it, handles the ball well and passes among the best available at his position, and may have the best leadership skills out of any young prospect.

Mack averaged at least 30 MPG over his tenure with Butler, while compiling 16 PPG in 2010-2011.

He may not be Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker for that matter, but Mack is going to be a solid point guard at the NBA level someday, which is a shame because he's projected to go very late in the second round.

Think No. 52 to the Detroit Pistons.

Talk about value.

NBA Comparison: Andre Miller 

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