NBA Draft 2011: Top Undrafted Free Agents
Every year, NBA general managers, scouts and fans alike miss out on hidden talent.
Players such as Wes Matthews, Chuck Hayes, Kelenna Azubuike, Bruce Bowen, Udonis Haslem, Brad Miller and Ben Wallace all went undrafted.
While the 30 players who were drafted in the first round will receive guaranteed contracts, the following players will look to take the road less traveled to NBA stardom and riches.
Guards
1 of 3Scotty Hopson: G/F, Tennessee
A great talent. Early last year was thought to be a lottery pick. Has major maturity issues.
Jacob Pullen: G, Kansas State
A great scorer. Has shown flashes of great leadership skills. Too small to play his natural position of shooting guard; lacks the athleticism of NBA point guards.
David Lighty: G/F, Ohio State
Solid defender. Great work ethic. Last member of the "Thad 5." Streaky shooter. Seeing 60 picks come and go without hearing his name called was a big surprise to me.
Ben Hansbrough: G, Notre Dame
Great shooter. Big time player. Doesn't possess great size, athleticism or speed of an NBA combo guard.
Brad Wanamaker: G, Pitt
Strong fundamental player who improved every year of college. Isn't exceptionally quick or explosive.
Julyan Stone: G, UTEP
Never stood out much in college for anything other than abnormal size (6'7") and athleticism for a point guard.
Forwards
2 of 3Jamine Peterson: F, Providence/New Mexico Thunderbirds (D-League)
Undersized for a NBA player and has a troubled past. Still worth a look, as he has professional experience and averaged 20 and 10 in college.
Jereme Richmond: SF, Illinois
Freshman. Only 19 years old, so he should get a shot. Terribly inconsistent and seems to be attracted to drama.
Malcolm Thomas: F, San Diego State
A good defender and shot blocker. Had a great showing at Portsmouth. Doesn't possess much of an offensive game.
Jamie Skeen: PF, VCU
One of the darlings of March Madness. Can really shoot for a power forward. Has a history of injuries that have made him actually take a step back athletically.
Centers
3 of 3Michael Dunigan: C, Oregon/Estonia
A top recruit coming out of high school, left Oregon after two disappointing seasons for Estonia. Used to battle weight problems, but now sits at about 240 pounds.
Matt Howard: F/C, Butler
Proven to be a winner time and time again. Lacks the size and athleticism of a prototypical NBA post. Everything points to him not making the league, but he proved us wrong every year of his college career.
Greg Smith: F/C, Fresno State
Great physical specimen. Only 20 years old (sophomore). Average athlete. Another name that surprised me when his name was never called.
Giorgi Shermandi: C, Georgia (Country)
Standing at 7'1" 250 pounds, this was a player that I expected to drafted and stashed in Europe while his game continues to develop. While he has great size, he is a ways away from being a rotational NBA player.
Rick Jackson: PF/C, Syracuse
A tough kid who does all the little things right. His physical limitations were well hidden by the Syracuse Zone, but exposed during workouts.
For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for NBA draft results and NBA draft grades.
