NBA Draft 2011: Picking an NBA All-Star Team of Former SEC Players

There are 11 players who played in the South Eastern Conference that are available in the 2011 NBA Draft.

While some of these players may not be drafted, the SEC offers some of the best talent of any college conference represented in the draft.

This got us to thinking—if there were an All-Star team made up of only players from the SEC, who would start and who wouldn't make the cut?

With that being said, here is the starting lineup and bench players for the 2011 NBA Draft SEC All-Star team. 

Starting PG: Brandon Knight, Kentucky

2010-2011 Statistics: 17.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.2 APG

Brandon Knight is one of the top players available in the 2011 Draft and by far the best SEC player.

Projected as a top four pick, Knight is likely to earn a starting role with the team who drafts him within the first few years of his NBA career. 

While Knight only played one year with the Kentucky Wildcats, he is considered to have some of the most potential of any of the prospects in the draft.

On the SEC All-Star team, he would be the team leader and likely the first scoring option. 

Starting SG: Travis Leslie, Georgia

2010-2011 Statistics: 14.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.9 APG

Travis Leslie is one of the most athletic prospects in all of the draft.

Chad Ford of ESPN ranks Leslie as the fifth best shooting guard available and the 40th best prospect overall, while some draft experts have him rated even higher.

As a borderline first-round pick, Leslie's impact in the NBA is uncertain, but no one can deny the explosiveness of Leslie's game.

The SEC All-Star team's starting shooting guard would provide a spark-plug and great rebounding from the two position. 

Starting SF: Chandler Parsons, Florida

2010-2011 Statistics: 11.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.8 APG

Another player who is projected to go in the late first-round or early in the second-round is Chandler Parsons of Florida.

There wasn't much competition for Parsons at this spot, being that there are no other small forwards in the draft who played in the SEC.

Parson's is no consolation here though.

As a member of this All-Star team, Parson's would likely be a role player, but one who could contribute in multiple ways. With the Florida Gators, he lead the team in assists, rebounds and was fourth in scoring. 

Starting PF: Tobias Harris, Tennessee

2010-2011 Statistics: 15.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG

The fourth ranked power forward in the NBA Draft, Tobias Harris is projected to be a mid to late first round pick. 

Not the physical specimen like his All-Star teammate Travis Leslie, Harris may not be a highlight reel player in the NBA, but he is one of the most fundamental players available in the draft.

For the SEC All-Star team, Harris would be able to provide timely scoring and give the team a versatile player who could create matchup problems for their opponent. 

Starting C: Josh Harrellson, Kentucky

2010-2011 Statistics: 7.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 0.8 APG

While not one of the top centers available in the 2011 NBA Draft, Josh Harrellson is the best in his position from the SEC.

Most of that is due to the fact that he is the only SEC player at the center position who is in the draft.

Besides that, though, Harrellson really earned his spot on this list. At 6'10" and 275 pounds, he provides the big body needed for this All-Star team.

Not only that, he is also one of the best rebounders available in the draft and would give the team a high energy player.

Harrellson is projected to be a late second-round pick, but he may go undrafted being the 86th best player available.  

Bench: Scotty Hopson, SG, Tennessee

2010-2011 Statistics: 17.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 APG

Every good team needs a good bench.

For the 2011 NBA Draft SEC All-Star team, Scotty Hospon would be a crucial part of the bench.

Projected as a late second-round pick in this years draft, Hopson certainly could use some polish in his game, but as a role player for the SEC All-Star Team he would give the team all they need.

Hopson is another freak athlete who can jump out of the building and coming off the bench he would be able to play both the two and the three because of the 6'10" wingspan. 

Bench: DeAndre Liggins, SG, Kentucky

2010-2011 Statistics: 8.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.5 APG

In addition to a good bench, every team also needs a lock-down defender.

DeAndre Liggins, is one of the best defenders available in the the draft, and would be the best defender on this All-Star team by far.

Projected to be a late second-round pick, Liggins doesn't offer much else, but his defense is enough to earn him a spot on this squad. 

Bench: Trey Thompkins, PF, Georgia

2010-2011 Statistics: 16.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.4 APG

If not for Tobias Harris, Trey Thompkins could have been a starter on this team. 

However, in his role as a bench player, Thompkins would be an incredible backup at both the power forward and center positions.

At 6'10", Thompkins could either play along side Harrellson in a big lineup or provide another scoring threat playing with Harris. 

Thompkins will probably be a second-round pick, but may sneak into the late first-round.

Bench: Vernon Macklin, PF, Florida

2010-2011 Statistics: 11.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 0.8 APG

The fourth power forward on this SEC All-Star Draft team, Macklin brings a steady fundamental player to the team.

Macklin doesn't do any one thing particularly well, but on the court he can do it all at an effective level.

As for his draft status, Macklin is the 93rd rated player overall and is projected to land late in the second-round or possibly go undrafted.

Bench: Ravern Johnson, SG, Mississippi State

2010-2011 Statistics: 17.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 0.8 APG

Who would have thought that the best scorer from the SEC in the draft would barely make the list?

Despite his scoring, though, Johnson lacks the defending ability and strength to be a starter on this list or likely one in the NBA.

For a role player, Johnson brings a great scorer off the bench who can come in for Leslie, or Parsons when the team goes small.

Johnson is another player that could go undrafted, but may sneak into the second round. 

For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, B/R's Big Board of Recruits, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.