The NBA Draft Stock Report checks in on which college basketball players have made a name for themselves in the past week; either helping or hurting their future draft position. In this edition, a pair of UNC freshmen are on the rise while two early season Player of the Year candidates are starting to slip some. Click here for The Sports Bank’s 2011 NBA Mock Draft.
By: David Kay
BUY:
Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, Fr.
We were all quick to jump on Barnes when he did not live up to his pre-season All-American status to start his collegiate career. Like my mother always told me, we are now learning that patience is a virtue. Barnes had a rather pedestrian outing against Duke scoring just 9 points but had been averaging 22.7 points and 7.3 boards in his pervious three games. He is starting to find his groove on the court as. The Ames, Iowa native was the first overall pick in most 2011 NBA Mock Drafts to start the season and he is starting inch back towards that top spot.
Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina, Fr.
Larry Drew’s transfer has opened up a tremendous opportunity for Marshall and he has capitalized. The lefty epitomizes what it means to be a true point guard as he dished out 16 assists in a win against Florida State. Marhsall has outstanding court vision and an incredible feel for the game for a freshman. He is not a tremendous scorer but makes all of his teammates better when he is on the floor. There is definitely first round potential for him in the future.
Mouphtaou Yarou, PF/C, Villanova, Soph.
Yarou has made major strides in his sophomore season and has provided Jay Wright with a true inside presence. His overall offensive game is still a work in progress but I love his tenacity inside and a rebounder and somebody who is constantly working to establish deep position on the block. I think another year at Nova would be beneficial for Yarou but he would likely be a first round pick this season based on potential.
Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn, Fr.
During the past month, Lamb has emerged into a legitimate NBA prospect due to his combination of size, length, athleticism, and ability to shoot the rock. After scoring double digits in five of his first 15 college games, Lamb has posted double figures in his each of his last seven games helping take some of the load off Kemba Walker. He can shoot it from deep and also has the athleticism to get to the basket. There is no real threat of Lamb entering the league this summer but he definitely has first round potential down the line.
SELL:
Kyle Singler, SF, Duke, Sr.
At this point of his career, we know who Kyle Singler is. He can shoot the ball, plays hard, and has tremendous basketball IQ. If he finds the right situation in the NBA, he can be an effective role player off some team’s bench. He would like to forget his last two performances as he has shot 8-30 from the field with 24 points. Singler’s stock is dropping not so much because of what he is not doing, but rather what other players at his position are doing. Singler has fallen behind other forwards expected to enter the draft such as Terrence Jones, Derrick Williams, Perry Jones, Jan Vesely, Jordan Hamilton, Kawhi Leonard, Chris Singleton, and possibly Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris. Singler is still a first round pick and if some team in the mid-teens falls in love with his game, he could be selected that high. Do not be surprised though if he slips into the twenties.
Kemba Walker, PG, UConn, Jr.
After taking the college basketball world by storm to start the season, Big East teams have started to figure out how to slow down Walker. He has really struggled shooting the ball of late, going 38-123 in his last seven games including 14-44 from distance. He is also struggling from the free throw line and did not hit a two-point field goal in the Huskies’ loss to St. John’s. Walker is still one of the top point guards in the 2011 class but his recent funk from the field drops his once blazing hot stock.
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 is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.