The 2011 NBA Draft figures to be very heavy on freshman talent. David Kay is back with his latest mock draft. Team needs have not been taken into account with this mock draft. Click on the players’ name for a complete scouting report.
By: David Kay
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– 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.
4. Washington– 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.
5. Sacramento– 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.
6. Philadelphia– 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.
7. Detroit– 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.
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– 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.
11. New Orleans– 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
12. Memphis– 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.
13. Toronto– 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
14. New York (from Hou)- 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.
15. Chicago– 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.
16. Charlotte– 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.
17. Milwaukee– 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.
18. Toronto (from Mia)- 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.
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– 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.
21. Oklahoma City– 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.
22. Portland– Travis Leslie, SG, Georgia, 6-4, Jr.
Leslie is a true high-riser who thrives off the bounce. He needs to become a better shooter if he is going to reach his potential 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– 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.
25. Phoenix– 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.
26. Denver– 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.
27. Dallas– 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.
28. L.A. Lakers– 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.
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 a full profile on Johnson.
30. Cleveland– 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.
SECOND ROUND
31. New Jersey– Chris Wright, PG, Georgetown, 6-1, Sr.
A physical point guard who has shown the ability to run a team.
32. Miami (from MIN)- Demetri McCamey, PG, Illinois, 6-3, Sr.
Took a major step forward last season as a scorer and true point guard. There are questions about his maturity though.
Click here for a full profile of McCamey
33. Sacramento– LaceDarius Dunn, SG, Baylor, 6-4, Sr.
A tremendous natural scorer, Dunn also brings a level of physicality that should help him transition to the next level.
34. New Jersey (from GS)- Jeremy Tyler, PF, USA, 6-10, 1991
Tyler suffered a Brandon Jennings-like growing experience in Israel after skipping his senior year of high school to play professionally overseas, but is still talented and loaded with potential.
35. Washington– Nolan Smith, G, Duke, 6-3, Sr.
Is he a point guard or an under-sized two? That will be the biggest question regarding Smith’s hope of making it in the NBA.
Click here for a full profile on Nolan Smith
36. L.A.Clippers (from Det)-D.J. Kennedy, SF, St. John’s, 6-7, Sr.
A versatile wing player, Kennedy is more of a slasher who also gets after it on the defensive end.
37. Philadelphia– Keith Benson, C, Oakland, 6-11, Sr.
An athletic, lengthy big man who needs to get stronger to be a factor at the next level.
38. Houston (from LAC)- Pablo Aguilar, F, Spain, 6-10, 1989
A solid shooter, Aguilar sees steady playing time in a very competitive Spanish league which is odd for a player his age.
39. L.A. Lakers (from NY)- Durrell Summers, SG, Michigan State, 6-4, Sr.
If the Summers who showed up in the NCAA Tournament can carry over that same play during next season, he could get first-round looks. He is a great athlete and displayed his ability to knock down perimeter jumpers during Sparty’s run to the Final Four.
Click here for a full profile on Summers
40. Indiana– Robin Benzing, F, Germany, 6-10, 1989
A typical European forward, Benzing is versatile and athletic but still a work in progress.
41. New Orleans– Lavoy Allen, PF, Temple, 6-9, Sr.
Allen is more of a physical presence in the post and not very talented on the offensive end. He could be an energy type of role player in the NBA.
42. Detroit (from Tor)- Malcolm Delaney, PG, Virginia Tech, 6-3, Sr.
Delany is more of a scorer than a true point guard who thrives off the bounce.
43. Memphis– Jamine Peterson, F, Greece, 6-6, 1988
The former Providence Friar will spend a year playing professionally in Greece and then likely enter the draft. He is built like a house but does not have a true position in the NBA.
44. L.A. Clippers (from Hou)- Gary Flowers, SF, 6-8, Southern Miss, Sr.
Another player to keep an eye on this season, Flowers has flown under the radar but will play for a Golden Eagle team that should contend in Conference USA.
45. Milwaukee (from Chi)- Kalin Lucas, PG, Michigan State, 6-0, Sr.
He knows how to run a team but doesn’t excel in any other area.
Click here for a full profile on Lucas.
46. Charlotte– Austin Freeman, SG, Georgetown, 6-4, Sr.
Freeman can take over a game from the outside but is not incredibly athletic.
47. Sacramento (from Mil)- Antoine Diot, PG, France, 6-4, 1989
Diot really stepped onto the radar after a great season in France and has steadily improved his overall game.
48. L.A. Lakers (from Mia)- Anatoly Bose, G/F, Nichols State, 6-6, Sr.
He briefly tested the waters, but wisely chose to return to school for his senior season.
49. San Antonio– Herb Pope, PF, Seton Hall, 6-8, Jr.
An under-sized power forward who is a force on the glass and can also knock down shots from the perimeter.
50. Oklahoma City– Talor Battle, PG, Penn State, 5-11, Sr.
Led Penn State in most statistical categories which doesn’t say much, but does show his all-around ability.
Click here for a profile/interview with Battle
51. Portland– Chris Wright, SF, Dayton, 6-8, Sr.
He has great strength and can leap out of the gym, but Wright’s lack of an outside shot hurts his stock.
52. Boston– Jeremy Hazell, SG, Seton Hall, 6-5, Sr.
A natural scorer in every aspect on the offensive end but tends to be a chucker.
53. Atlanta– Tracy Smith, PF, N.C. State, 6-8, Sr.
The Wolfpack senior exploded for a very solid junior season, but is an under-sized power forward by NBA standards.
54. Detroit (from Den)- E’Twaun Moore, G, Purdue, 6-4, Sr.
Moore is a combo guard with a smooth stroke and good quickness off the bounce.
Click here for a full profile of Moore
55. Utah– Randy Culpepper, G, UTEP, 6-0, Sr.
A shooting guard trapped in a point guard’s body, Culpepper will have to learn to play the point to make it in the NBA.
56. Golden State (from CHI via PHX)- Kevin Anderson, PG, Richmond, 6-0, Sr.
A scoring point guard, Anderson will have become more of a facilitator to succeed in the association.
57. Dallas– Robbie Hummel, SF, Purdue, 6-8, Sr.
His versatility on the offensive end is his strength, but who does Hummel guard at the next level?
Click here for an exclusive profile/interview with Hummel
58. L.A. Lakers– Cory Higgins, SG, Colorado, 6-5, Sr.
Michael Jordan is his godfather, but his NBA potential is more along the lines of his dad, Rod.
59. Orlando– Damien Saunders, PF, Duquesne, 6-7, Sr.
A talented scorer and rebounder at the college level, but how will his lack of size translate to the pro game?
60. Cleveland– Chandler Parsons, SF, Florida, 6-9, Sr.
Hasn’t overwhelmed anyone during his time in Gainesville, but has a solid combination of athleticism and ability to shoot the rock.