My top 50 NBA Prospects
Long time no see everyone! It’s been awhile. I’ve been watching the playoffs and well, frankly, they’ve lacked in true excitement. So I decided to look forward to future NBA players who may provide some more excitement!
This list is my Top 50 NBA Draft Prospects. I found it to be pretty difficult to balance potential vs production. As a coach I value production highly. But as a basketball mind I also understand that production, or lack thereof, can be misleading because of the very different NBA game vs that of college. Many of the players I watched play often being a huge basketball watcher. I also went back and watched games when some of these players went head to head, as well as NCAA Tournament games. With that said, here’s my list:
1. Ben McLemore, 6-5 195, SG, Kansas, Fr.
2. Nerlens Noel, 6-11 225, PF/C, Kentucky, Fr.
3. Otto Porter, 6-8 205, SF, Georgetown, So.
4. Cody Zeller, 6-11 240, PF, Indiana, So.
5. Victor Oladipo, 6-4 215, SG/SF, Indiana, Jr.
6. Trey Burke, 6-0 190, PG, Michigan, So.
7. Mason Plumlee, 6-11 240, PF/C, Duke, Sr.
8. Anthony Bennett, 6-7 240, F, UNLV, Fr.
9. CJ McCollum, 6-3 190, PG/SG, Lehigh, Sr.
10. Alex Len, 7-1 255, C, Maryland, So.
11. Shabazz Muhammad, 6-6 225, SF, UCLA, Fr.
12. Kelly Olynyk, 7-0 240, PF/C, Gonzaga, Jr.
13. Michael Carter-Williams, 6-6 185, PG, Syracuse, So.
14. Tim Hardaway Jr, 6-6 205, SG, Michigan Jr.
15. Jeff Withey, 7-0 235, C, Kansas, Sr.
16. DeShaun Thomas, 6-7 225, SF, Ohio State, Jr.
17. Shane Larkin, 5-11 176, PG, Miami, So.
18. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 6-5 205, SG, Georgia, So.
19. Lorenzo Brown, 6-4 186, G, NC State, Jr.
20. Steven Adams, 7-0 250, C, Pittsburgh, Fr.
21. Tony Snell, 6-7 200, SG/SF, New Mexico, Jr.
22. Isaiah Canaan, 6-1 200, PG, Murray St., Sr.
23. Gorgui Dieng, 6-10 245, C, Louisville, Jr.
24. Erick Green, 6-3 185, PG, Virginia Tech, Sr.
25. Tony Mitchell, 6-8 235, SF/PF, North Texas, So.
26. Allen Crabbe, 6-6 210, SG, California, Jr.
27. James Ennis, 6-7 210, SG/SF, Long Beach State, Sr.
28. Jamaal Franklin, 6-5 205, SG/SF, San Diego St., Jr.
29. Archie Goodwin, 6-4 198, SG, Kentucky, Fr.
30. Nate Wolters, 6-4 193, PG, South Dakota St., Sr.
31. Glen Rice Jr., 6-5 206, SG, D-League
32. Andre Roberson, 6-7 210, SF/PF, Colorado, Jr.
33. Reggie Bullock, 6-7 205, SG/SF, North Carolina, Jr.
34. CJ Leslie, 6-9 200, SF/PF, NC State, Jr.
35. Ray McCallum, 6-1 190, PG, Detroit -Mercy, Jr.
36. Brandon Paul, 6-4 200, SG/PG, Illinois, Sr.
37. Ryan Kelly, 6-11 230, PF, Duke, Sr.
38. Adonis Thomas, 6-6 240, SF, Memphis, So.
39. James Southerland, 6-8 215, SF/PF, Syracuse, Sr.
40. BJ Young, 6-3 175, SG, Arkansas, So.
41. Phil Pressey, 5-11 175, PG, Missouri, Jr.
42. Myck Kabongo, 6-1 180, PG, Texas, So.
43. Rodney Williams, 6-7 200, SF, Minnesota, Sr.
44. Erik Murphy, 6-10 240, PF, Florida, Sr.
45. Dewayne Dedmon, 7-0 255, C, USC, Jr.
46. Richard Howell, 6-8 257, PF, NC State, Sr.
47. Brandon Triche, 6-2 210, SG/PG, Syracuse, Sr.
48. Robert Covington, 6-9 230, SF, Tennessee State, Sr.
49. Trevor Mbakwe, 6-8 245, PF/C, Minnesota, Sr.
50. Kenny Kadji, 6-11 245, PF/C, Miami, Sr.
As you may have noted this list did not include European draft entries. I’m familiar with some but not well enough to truly rank them. But the one European to watch, Dennis Schroeder, a 6’2″ point guard from France I believe. Watched him play in the Nike Hoop Summit and WOW. He jumps off at you on the screen when you watch. His length and frame make you instantly think Rondo and his game leaves you with that same impression.
While this is my Top 50 list, this is not the order I’d look for them to go in. Stay tuned for my Mock Draft post next week after the Lottery and my subsequent team-by-team evaluations leading up to Draft night.
Thank you for reading! Draft time is a great time in the Life of A Basketball Addict! Hope you enjoyed. Let me know what you think, who’d leave off? Who’s too high? Too low? I welcome the debate. Be sure to like, comment, share, and follow. Thanks for your time and take care! Basketball Never Stops!
Life of a Basketball Addict 