With the college basketball season now in full swing, we get a better idea of which players project for the 2011 NBA Draft. Team needs have not been taken into account with this mock draft. Click on the players’ name for a complete scouting report. Check out a 2012 NBA Mock Draft.
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1. L.A. Clippers- Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke, 6-1, Fr.
A tremendous play-maker, Irving is lightning fast with the basketball. He is also a talented scorer who has made an early impression with his maturity while running the show for Coach K.
2. Minnesota- Harrison Barnes, G/F, North Carolina, 6-6, Fr.
The prototypical NBA wing player, Barnes can stroke it from deep, create his own shot, handle the rock, and attack the basket. He has really struggled this season with his shot and has yet to live up to the hype but time will only help his comfort level at UNC.
Click here to see why I dropped Barnes out of the #1 spot.
3. Sacramento- Enes Kanter, PF, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
It looks like college hoops will not get a chance to see Kanter suit up for the Big Blue, but he is a talented big man who is a lottery lock regardless of whether or not he ever suits up for UK.
4. Philadelphia- Perry Jones, PF, Baylor, 6-9, Fr.
Jones is a long, athletic, explosive forward who by every indication will be a one-and-done. He needs to add strength and range to his outside game before he can be a factor in the league.
Think: Anthony Randolph
5. Houston- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, Fr.
A smooth lefty who can take bigger defenders off the bounce or post up smaller opponent, Jones will be able to play either forward spot at the next level and gotten off an incredible start to his collegiate career.
Think: Josh Smith
Click here to see why Jones is rising on my big board
6. Washington- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, Fr.
A physical force down low with an NBA-ready body, Sullinger figures to be the next in the lineage of OSU big men to be one-and-done. He may not be the best athlete in the world but is quicker than you would expect from a 6-9, 265 pounder.
Think: Elton Brand
Click here for more on Sullinger
7. Detroit- Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, 6-1, Jr.
Walker has been on a tear this season. He has improved his decision-making and outside shooting which were questions heading into the season. The Bronx native is lightning quick with the rock and has seen his stock soar due to an outstanding performance at the Maui Invitational.
Think: Brandon Jennings
Click here to see why I am buying Walker’s stock.
8. New Jersey- Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic, 6-11, 1989
Vesely likely would have been a lottery pick in the 2010 draft but decided not to enter the draft. Another year overseas should only benefit his all-around game and make him more NBA-ready in 2011.
9. Toronto- Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky, 6-3, Fr.
A great play-maker, Knight is also an effective outside shooter. He is a scoring point guard who also knows how to distribute the rock. Knight needs to learn how to be a true point guard before turning pro.
10. Charlotte- Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona, 6-9, So.
Williams is a tremendous athlete who lives around the rim. He runs the floor well and is a solid rebounder, but needs to work on his face-up game to excel at the next level.
Think: Tyrus Thomas
Click here to see why Williams is moving up on draft boards
11. Milwaukee- Donatas Motiejunas, F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990
He pulled out of the draft process late this past off-season because he was likely falling out of the lottery. Motiejunas is a versatile seven-footer who can vault back up the board if he shows some steady development in his all-around game and body.
Think: Andrea Bargnani
12. Golden State- Kyle Singler, SF, Duke, 6-9, Sr.
Singler surprised many by announcing he would return for his senior season. His size and ability to shoot the rock are positives but lacks the ideal NBA athleticism to be a three. If Gordon Hayward can go in the lottery though, so can Singler.
Think: Mike Dunleavy
Click here for an in-depth profile of Singler
13. Memphis- Trey Thompkins, F, Georgia, 6-9, Jr.
Thompkins has a nice variety of moves on the block including a good turnaround jumper, and created a lot of buzz at the end of last season.
14. Phoenix- Tobias Harris, F, Tennessee, 6-8, Fr.
Harris possesses an inside/outside game that will make him attractive for the next level. He can handle the ball, play in the open floor, and knock down jumpers. Harris does to add some intensity to his play.
15. Cleveland- Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State, 6-9, Jr.
One of the best defenders in college, Singleton’s offensive game is improving but still a work in progress. He is not very effective attacking the basket and needs to improve his outside shot.
Think: Shawn Marion
16. Portland- Jordan Hamilton, G/F, Texas, 6-7, So.
A pure scorer who can take you off the dribble and also has outstanding range on his jumper. He has great size for an NBA wing player, but needs to improve his ball-handling, shot selection, and defensive tenacity.
17. New York- Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State, 6-6, So.
The Aztec sophomore has incredible athleticism and a non-stop motor that makes him a factor on the glass. His jump shot is far from NBA ready, but based on potential, he is a sure-fire first rounder.
18. Toronto (from Mia)- Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
The Big East Sixth Man of the Year a year ago, Joseph is a tremendous athlete who thrives when attacking the basket. Developing a consistent outside shot will be imperative to his success at the next level.
19. Indiana- Wesley Witherspoon, G/F, Memphis, 6-8, Jr.
A very versatile do-it-all wing player in the Evan Turner mold, Witherspoon can play several positions on the floor including the point. He is dangerous off the bounce and can also hit it from deep. He is one of my sleepers to watch out for this season on an improved Memphis team.
20. Chicago– Alec Burks, SG, Colorado, 6-6, So.
Burks had a great freshman season and is a big time scorer. He might be the best of a weaker class of shooting guard prospects.
21. Atlanta- Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Jr.
A physical though slightly under-sized power forward by NBA standards, Morris made an impressive jump during his sophomore campaign and has become more of a focal point in the Jayhawks’ offense this season. His ability to knock down jump shots adds to his value.
22. Denver- Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State, 6-8, Sr.
Faried is an outstanding rebounder but needs to work more on his face-up game. He is a bit under-sized to be the ideal NBA power forward, but makes up for that with his non-stop work ethic on the inside.
23. Oklahoma City- William Buford, SG, Ohio State, 6-5, Jr.
Buford is a talented scorer who needs to become more aggressive at attacking the basket instead of falling in love with his jumper. With Evan Turner gone, the opportunity is there for him to become the go-to guard for the Buckeyes this season.
Click here for an in-depth profile of Buford
24. Portland (from NO)- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Jr.
Taylor is an extraordinary athlete, but needs to improve his three-point shooting and overall offensive game before he gets to the next level.
25. L.A. Lakers- Elias Harris, F, Gonzaga, 6-7, So.
The German-born Harris has a nice combination of physicality and athleticism. He can step outside and knock down jumpers but can also attack the basket.
26. Utah- Jon Leuer, PF, Wisconsin, 6-10, Sr.
A versatile power forward, Leuer can hit from the outside, take defenders off the bounce, and has outstanding footwork in the post to go with a variety of moves on the block. He needs to become more aggressive on the glass, but is someone to watch out for this season.
Think: Ryan Anderson
Click here for an in-depth profile/interview of Leuer
27. Boston- Renardo Sidney, PF, Mississippi State, 6-10, Fr.
A big body who can also hit jumpers, Sidney sat out last season due to eligibility issues and won’t be able to suit up for the Bulldogs until late-December.
28. Dallas- Demetri McCamey, PG, Illinois, 6-3, Sr.
McCamey took a major step forward last season as a scorer and true point guard and has continued that during his senior campaign. He has shown great strides with his maturity but still needs to improve his defensive effort.
Think: Jamaal Tinsley
Click here for an in-depth feature/interview with McCamey
29. Orlando- JaJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue, 6-10, Sr.
Johnson is a lengthy post player who runs the floor well and can consistently knock down 18-foot jump shots. He has shown steady improvement during his three years at Purdue.
Click here for an in-depth profile/interview with Johnson
30. San Antonio- Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU, 6-2, Sr.
An absolute sharp-shooter from downtown, Fredette runs the point at BYU but whether or not teams think he can handle that spot in the NBA will determine where he ends up getting drafted.
Think: Mo Williams
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Here are the outstanding trades for the 2011 NBA Draft.
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and The Washington Times Communities. You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.