NBA Draft 2011: Which Raw NBA Draft Prospects Will Become NBA Stars?

The stage is set, the green room invitees are dressed and the commissioner is ready to approach the podium at the 2011 NBA draft. In a matter of hours, the world will know whether the Cleveland Cavaliers took Kyrie Irving or Derrick Williams first, where all the other prospects landed, who traded with whom, who the winners and losers are and what the expectations are for the incoming class next season.

Likewise, the current rash of rumors that has taken over the NBA's gossip column will melt away and make way for yet another batch of equally intriguing chatter.

In all, the focus will shift from who was selected to what these draftees are capable of and what should be reasonably expected of them. For the more polished prospects, like Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette, how they fare in the league will have less to do with "upside" and more to do with current ability and into which situation each one is placed.

As with any draft class, there will also be plenty of players taken based on raw talent and potential, on whom general managers and front-office folks may bet their careers in the hope that, with the right coaching and plenty of hard work, these "projects" will become studs rather than duds.

With the science of projecting such prospects being as imprecise as it is, let's have a look at a handful of kids in this draft who, based on their raw ability, have the "upside" to be future NBA stars.

Enes Kanter

Among those high-potential prospects who've been the subject of NBA draft chatter in recent days, Enes Kanter is the one who figures to go highest in the draft order.

Kanter has drawn interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 2, the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 4 and the Washington Wizards at No. 6, but figures to go to the Utah Jazz at No. 3.

The 6'11", 260-pound center was supposed to play at least a year of college ball at Kentucky but was banned by the NCAA when it was discovered that he'd accepted payment while playing for a professional club in Turkey.

Kanter can play with both toughness and finesse, combining his knack for rebounding in traffic with his ability to shoot and handle the ball, and at just 19 years of age, he still has plenty of room for improvement. 

Jonas Valanciunas

The one name that has really taken over the Twitter-sphere of late is Jonas Valanciunas.

This 19-year-old Lithuanian is a legit seven-footer with a whopping 7'4" wingspan, a high basketball IQ and an excellent motor to go along with a soft touch around the cup.

However, like most kids his age and his size, Valanciunas is still a bit weak and could stand to improve the range of his game on the floor.

The Cavaliers appear to have their eyes on selecting Valanciunas with the No. 4 pick, even if Enes Kanter is still available and despite the near certainty that the buyout price on Valanciunas' European club contract will keep him overseas for another year or two.

That being said, the fact that the Cavs would be so willing to spend such a high pick on someone who won't play in the NBA right away, especially for a team that needs talent now, speaks to just how good a player Valanciunas can be.

Tristan Thompson

The Cavs are also strongly considering Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 pick, and for good reason.

The 20-year-old forward averaged 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game as a freshman for the Texas Longhorns, reminding some of a smaller but tougher version of LaMarcus Aldridge, another UT alum.

Despite being so lithe at 6'9" and 227 pounds, Thompson is an excellent rebounder, particularly on the offensive glass, thanks to his impressive 7'2" wingspan, his magnificent motor and his noteworthy athleticism.

Thompson's defensive ability and prowess as a high-energy player should carry him a ways before he develops a more consistent perimeter game, at which point he very well could become a star in this league.

Bismack Biyombo

The biggest mystery of all in the 2011 NBA draft is Bismack Biyombo.

Between poor workouts, buyout concerns and back problems, Biyombo would seem to be tumbling down draft boards. Yet, the big man from the Congo has been rumored to go as high as No. 5 to Toronto and, with an invite to the draft green room, is expected to be selected at some point in the top half of the first round.

Biyombo is about as raw as they come, with practically no feel on the offensive end whatsoever but plenty of athleticism and length (7'7" wingspan) to be a defensive force from the get-go.

With or without a jump shot, Biyombo projects as a bigger, longer Ben Wallace, which bodes well for whoever takes him today.

Alec Burks

Like Biyombo, Colorado's Alec Burks has seen his name written all over draft boards leading up to tonight's festivities and may have to wait a bit longer than expected before David Stern calls his name.

Whoever does pick up Burks will be getting an uber-athletic shooting guard with tremendous length and a knack for attacking the basket. His shot is still a bit too streaky and his body is still a bit too lean, but with time and some work in the gym, Burks has a chance to be a force on the perimeter, both offensively and defensively, in the NBA not too far down the road. 

Tobias Harris

Tobias Harris has flown under the radar amidst all the chatter leading up to the 2011 NBA draft, but may soon be flying over his opponents with regularity in the league.

The freshman forward from Tennessee is a good, but not great, athlete who is on the thin side of the ledger and doesn't have a true position.

But, to his credit, Harris is incredibly versatile, with the intelligence and ability to play multiple positions and contribute in just about every way possible on the court. As is the case with most 19-year-olds, Harris won't maximize his potential until he gets stronger, at which point he will be in better position to battle with grown men in the NBA.

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.