National Championship Game:UNLV beats Kentucky 78-75
Point Guard
Spoiler
Point Guard Class Grade: B-
The point guard position in this draft is talent-heavy at the top, but the talent level severely drops off. William Fletcher, the Freshman of the Year point guard for Kentucky, has already proved that he is one of the top prospects in the draft with his impressive showing in the NCAA tournament. Fletcher led the Wildcats the National Championship game, but was not able to capture another championship for Coach Calipari. Like other freshmen Wildcats before him, Fletcher decided to make the jump to the NBA after just one collegiate season, but with his talent, he should be fine. Fletcher can just about do it all, as he can score in bunches, dish it out to his teammates, defend, and even rebound, which is a unique skill for point guards. However, Fletcher may have problems with his jumpshot, but he can work on that over time. 17.6 PPG, 6.8 APG, 5.8 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 49.2% FG, 29.3% 3PT, 71.3% FT
6'4", 211 lbs, 19 years old
In terms of scoring, Anthony Harmon might just be the best prospect in the draft. In his sophomore season at Memphis, Harmon was nearly the top scorer in the country with 20.4 PPG. Harmon single-handedly led Memphis to an NCAA Tournament berth, but they were bounced out of the first round by the eventual champions, UNLV. Harmon might not have the overall game that William Fletcher has, but he can certainly score in bunches, and that is vital to every team in the NBA. 20.4 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.0 SPG, 47.9% FG, 42.8% 3PT, 79.8% FT
6'0", 185 lbs, 20 years old
Best of the Rest
Michael Sparks, Illinois, Point Guard
6'1", 170 lbs, 20 years old
13.7 PPG, 6.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, 42.1% FG, 34.1% 3PT, 74.2% FT
Ricky Foster, UNLV, Point Guard
5'10", 166 lbs, 19 years old
15.4 PPG, 4.1 APG, 43.0% FG, 35.2% 3PT, 75.0% FT
Pierre Hamilton, Texas, Point Guard
6'6", 201 lbs, 20 years old
9.7 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.8 SPG, 5.2 RPG, 41.2% FG, 25.6% 3PT, 63.4% FT
Shooting Guard
Spoiler
Shooting Guard Class Grade: C-
Utah's charismatic combo-guard Brandon Hutchinson is one of the more passionate players to ever step onto the floor at the collegiate level. Hutchinson lead the nation in technical fouls, ejections, suspensions, and most importantly, points per game. Despite his attitude and passion, Hutchinson succeeded at the one thing that was asked of him: scoring the ball. At 6'2", Hutchinson will be a defensive liability at the 2 guard, but pair him up with a point guard who can defend the taller 2 guards, such as Jrue Holiday or Greivis Vasquez, and you should be fine. Hutchinson can even make the switch to point guard, though you'd more than likely want him to play off-ball, or else he may begin to shoot his way out of games. Hutchinson's position might be unknown at the moment, but what we do know is that the kid can score. 22.8 PPG, 43.1% FG, 39.8% 3PT, 80.1% FT
6'2", 175 lbs, 22 years old
Manny Baker out of South Florida is an excellent two-way player that can play tough defense, then turn around and score the ball. Baker was a one-man-show at USF, and although he didn't get USF to the NCAA Tourney, he was able to set multiple school records. Baker's excellent size at the two gives him the key ability to play down to the 3, which might actually be Baker's best position. With his combination of tough defense and steady shooting, expect Manny Baker to be drafted by a team in need of a defensive-minded player with a penchant for shooting the ball. 15.9 PPG, 1.7 SPG, 4.6 APG, 46.9% FG, 43.4% 3PT, 76.6% FT
6'7", 204 lbs, 22 years old
Best of the Rest
Chris Washington, Iowa, Shooting Guard
6'4", 203 lbs, 20 years old
17.5 PPG, 48.3% FG, 41.2% 3PT, 75.4% FT
Marcel Johnson, Colorado, Shooting Guard
6'5", 192 lbs, 19 years old
14.9 PPG, 2.3 SPG, 4.7 RPG, 53.2% FG, 69.8% FT
Clint Higgins, Mississippi State, Shooting Guard
6'7", 214 lbs, 22 years old
16.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 44.1% FG, 48.9% 3PT, 84.1% FT
Small Forward
Spoiler
Small Forward Class Grade: A+
What is there to say about North Carolina star Drew Thomas? Thomas won National Player of the Year this year, and Freshman of the Year last year. His game is incredibly well-rounded, and he's one of the best prospects the league has seen in years. With his superior size, athleticism, ball-handling skills, and budding post game, Thomas is without a doubt the best prospect in the draft. Though his three-point shot leaves a little to be desired, there's plenty of time to work on that, as the kid is only 20 years old. Expect Drew Thomas to wind up as the number 1 pick, no matter who's drafting first overall. 21.1 PPG, 5.2 APG, 7.9 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 1.9 SPG, 54.9% FG, 31.1% 3PT, 67.3% FT
6'9", 231 lbs, 20 years old
In any other draft, Indiana's Lawrence Jensen would be the top prospect at small forward. But with the emergence of Drew Thomas, Jensen has gone under the radar a little bit. Jensen is arguably the best shooter in the draft, but at the same time, he isn't a one-trick pony. Jensen can shoot, pass, rebound, defend, and finish inside well. Many are considering Jensen to be the safest prospect in the draft due to his all-around game and his work ethic, but Thomas' potential is too much to ignore. 18.9 PPG, 6.7 APG, 7.6 RPG, 44.9% FG, 50.1% 3PT, 85.3% FT
Best of the Rest
Matt Su, Kansas, Small Forward
6'7", 216 lbs, 23 years old
14.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 43.4% FG, 39.7% 3PT, 73.4% FT
DeAndre James, Kentucky, Small Forward
6'8", 245 lbs, 19 years old
13.9 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.8 SPG, 48.9% FG, 62.5% FT
Chase Myers, Illinois, Small Forward
6'10", 211 lbs, 20 years old
17.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 43.7% FG, 42.4% 3PT, 75.5% FT
Power Forward
Spoiler
Power Forward Class Grade: B
Santa Clara's versatile forward Wilson King is a scorer first, everything else later. King's ball-handling skills are excellent for a 4, though he is more of a tweener than a pure power forward. King was one of the best rebounding freshmen last season as well, as he pulled down 10.8 RPG. His small stature allows him to transition to the small forward position, though his defense on the ball is rather poor. King should come into the league with his unique skillset and make it work. 19.7 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 53.9% FG, 36.7% 3PT, 64.2% FT
6'7", 244 lbs, 19 years old
Iowa State junior Junior Franklin was the Nation's leading rebounder last season, and the best thing about that is he spends most of his time out on the three-point line. Franklin has a shooting range that extends out to the three-point line, and his shot is smooth and consistent. On the defensive end, he's a fierce rebounder and a respectable low post defender. Franklin's all-around game at the power forward position is hard to find, and that's what makes him arguably the best big man prospect in the draft. 20.6 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 51.4% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 78.9% FT
6'9", 280 lbs, 22 years old
Best of the Rest
Abraham Henderson, Oklahoma, Power Forward
6'11", 222 lbs, 20 years old
14.3 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.9 BPG, 52.9% FG, 71.4% FT
Emanual Afolabi, Congo, Power Forward
6'9", 260 lbs, 20 years old
13.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.3 BPG, 54.8% FG, 45.2% FT
Center
Spoiler
Center Class Grade: C+
Jake Potter, the sophomore center out of Ohio State, is one of the few back-to-the-basket big men that played at the collegiate level last season. Potter post game is the best in the draft, and although he doesn't have a tremendous moter, he can score the ball. Potter could be a very decent pickup for a team in need of low-post scoring on draft day. 18.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 58.9% FG, 71.3% FT
6'11", 287 lbs, 20 years old
Kyle Redd out of Texas A&M was one of the most promising looking freshmen last season until he went down with an ACL Tear. Redd's tremendous size and shooting touch will almost assure that someone will take a chance on Redd on Draft Day, but there are serious doubts about whether or not Redd can stay healthy. If he can, he has the potential to be the next Yao Ming. 7 Games Played, 16.5 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 57.3% FG, 61.3% FT
7'5", 244 lbs, 19 years old
Best of the Rest
Richard Webber, UNLV, Center
6'11", 242 lbs, 22 years old
14.9 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 60.1% FG, 64.5% FT
Jess Conway, France, Center
7'0", 253 lbs, 19 years old
7.9 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 3.1 BPG, 51.1% FG, 52.9% FT