The 2011 NBA Draft figures to be very heavy on freshman talent. The Sports Bank presents its latest mock draft. Team needs have not yet been taken into account. Click on the players’ name for a complete scouting report.
1. New Jersey– 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 likely would have been a top five pick if he was able to enter the 2010 Draft straight out of high school.
2. Minnesota– Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke, 6-1, Fr.
A tremendous play-maker, Irving is lightning fast with the basketball. He is also a talented scorer and is expected to make an immediate impact while running the show for Coach K.
3. Golden State– Enes Kanter, PF, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
While Kanter’s collegiate eligibility may be in question, his ability is not. He is a talented big man who is a lottery lock regardless of whether or not he ever suits up for UK.
4. Washington– 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.
5. Sacramento– 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.
6. Philadelphia– 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.
7. Detroit– 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 should excel under John Calipari.
8. L.A. Clippers– 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. He 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.
9. Houston (from NY)- 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.
10. Indiana– 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.
11. New Orleans– 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, knock down jumpers, and competes with a incredible intensity. Harris is one my sleeper candidates for the 2011 Draft.
12. Memphis– Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, 6-1, Jr.
The Husky sophomore is lightning quick with the basketball and a great playmaker. His outside shot needs to become more consistent and he turns the ball over way too much.
13. Toronto– 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 lottery though, so can Singler.
click here for a full profile on Singler
14. New York (from Hou)- 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.
15. Chicago– Alec Burks, SG, Colorado, 6-6, So.
Burks had a great freshman season and is a big time scorer. Another solid season with the Buffs should lock up lottery status in 2011.
16. Charlotte– 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
17. Milwaukee– C.J. Lesile, F, N.C. State, 6-9, Fr.
A ridiculous athlete who excels above the rim, Lesile will need to develop the other areas of his game in his first year with the Wolfpack if he hopes to be a one-and-done.
18. Toronto (from Mia)- Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.
The Big East Sixth Man of the Year, Joseph is a tremendous athlete who thrives when attacking the basket. His stock could blow up when he moves into the starting line-up this season.
19. Boston– William Buford, SG, Ohio State, 6-5, Jr.
Buford struggled with his shot early this season, but found his stroke down the stretch as Evan Turner’s second banana. He needs to become more aggressive at attacking the basket instead of falling in love with his jumper.
click here for a full profile on Buford
20. San Antonio– 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.
21. Oklahoma City– 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.
22. Portland– 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 should become more of a focal point in the Jayhawks’ offense with Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins now in the NBA.
23. Utah– 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.
24. Atlanta– Renardo Sidney, PF, Mississippi State, 6-10, Fr.
A big body who can also hit jumpers, Sidney sat out this past season due to eligibility issues and won’t be able to suit up for the Bulldogs until late-December.
25. Phoenix– Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State, 6-9, Jr.
One of the best defenders in college, Singleton’s offensive game is holding him back. He is not very effective attacking the basket and needs to improve his outside shot.
26. Denver– 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 a full profile on Johnson.
27. Dallas– Elias Harris, F, Gonzaga, 6-7, So.
The German-born Harris is older and more mature than most freshmen. He has a nice combination of physicality and athleticism.
28. L.A. Lakers– Jacob Pullen, PG, Kansas State, 6-0, Sr.
The kid can flat out score the basketball as he proved last season. He will slide back to the point guard spot for the Wildcats this year and if he can effectively make that transition should be a first round prospect.
29. Orlando–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.
30. Cleveland– Corey Fisher, PG, Villanova, 5-11, Sr.
I love Fisher’s tenacity at attacking the basket and toughness, but he needs to improve his decision-making as a point guard. There is no questioning his ability to score the basketball but can he be a true NBA point guard will be the question.
Click here for David’s Second Round.
Check out David’s 2012 NBA Mock Draft.
Here are the outstanding trades for the 2011 NBA Draft.