Updated: December 6, 20122013 Draft ProspectsWoody Hannes’ top five NBA Draft prospects for 2013 and a handful more to keep an eye on!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------By Woody Hannes
ESPN.com WriterWith the NBA season under way, it’s time to look at draft prospects who may declare for the upcoming NBA Draft. I know that these guys are entrenched on most NBA scout’s radars with UConn’s JJ Theus leading the way. The class of 2013 features a lot of swingman talent and should be a coup for teams that don’t have dependable options at their 2-guard spot.TOP FIVE PROSPECTS TO WATCH1. JJ Theus, PF 6’8” 21, UConn, Junior: Theus pulled out of the 2012 Draft because of concerns regarding his draft stock dipping due to his arm injury last year. He missed half of the college season and put up average numbers (7.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg compared to 15.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg in his freshman season) in his return whilst the Huskies were knocked out in the second round of the NCAA tourney.
Theus has been phenomenal this season and is averaging 22.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg for a rejuvenated UConn team. Had it not been for his injury problems, Theus could have given Anthony Davis a run for his money for that number one draft position. Theus is a talented inside scorer with good instincts on the glass. It’s hard to pinpoint any weaknesses with him. He is a mature player and ready to play now in the NBA.
2. Malcolm Cole, SG 6’6” 19, Kentucky, Freshman: The next in line in John Calipari’s production line of ‘one and done’ products. Cole is probably the best two-guard that the Wildcats have had in years. I am not kidding when I say this - Cole is the real deal. He is young and brimming with potential. He is already a polished shooter with unlimited range. He is a lockdown defender on the perimeter. Cole was a stud in high school who gained national attention by scoring 50 points in back to back to back games.
Cole does have weaknesses though. He is a volume scorer (averaging the third most shot attempts in the NCAA). He has to have the ball in his hands to succeed (leading to 3.2 turnovers a game). He doesn’t necessarily have the court awareness that you would like. He doesn’t have the aggressiveness to take the ball to the rack and thus always settles for the outside shot. If Cole is to be a bona fide star in the NBA, he will need to develop these intricacies of the game. He is simply too much of a one-dimensional player (albeit an excellent one averaging 19.7 ppg) on the offensive end.
3. Mel Barry, SF 6’7” 19, UMass, Freshman: The other super freshman of this class. Mel Barry is a freak athlete who is lighting up the college circuit by landing himself on Sportscenter every night he plays. Barry is averaging a modest 12.3 ppg for UMass but scouts are looking past the numbers and seeing what kind of player he can be moulded into
Many are calling him a mini Blake Griffin for his leaping ability and furious finishes. Scouts are intrigued as to whether he can learn how to see the game and best use his physical gifts to impact on other areas of his game. He is a confident player who has stated that he thinks he is ready for the Pros.
4. Jevon Augmon, SF 6’7” 20, Alabama, Sophomore: Augmon is an all-around player – a real stat-sheet stuffer. He has also been lauded for his potential to develop into a star. Augmon averaged 12.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.2 apg in his freshman year. This year, he has improved on those averages and is putting up 16.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.6 apg. Many have called him one of the smartest players in college basketball. Augmon can see everything on the court.
5. Vladimir Toroman, SF 6’10” 21, Serbia, International: He popped up on the NBA radar after impressing at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit by finishing with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks. His moves were smooth in the post and he was very vocal on both ends of the floor. He became a member of Serbia’s senior national team last year and is best known for a 20 point, 15 rebound performance against Spain in an exhibition game. Apart from that, Toroman has barely played for his country except for in junior competition. He currently plays in the Spanish League for Barcelona and has been there for four years. Interestingly, he was discovered at the age of 16 by current Detroit Pistons’ front office member Robert Jones.
KEEP AN EYE ON THESE GUYSVince Bellamy, PG 6’6” 21, Gonzaga, Junior: An athletic defender and creative playmaker who was forced into playing point guard for Gonzaga in his sophomore season. Bellamy thrived when he got the call to do so and averaged 7.6 apg last year. This season, he is putting up 10.2 ppg, 6.4 apg for Gonzaga and presents as an interesting prospect for NBA teams who will need to decide whether they are drafting him as a shooting guard or a point guard.
Dorrell Blackwell, SG 6’8” 20, Syracuse, Sophomore: Blackwell formed a strong one-two punch with teammate Chris Dixon (below) in his freshman year. He averaged 14.5 ppg on accurate percentages thanks to the double teams that Dixon demanded. Blackwell has been compared to Tracy MacGrady for his size, athleticism, and scoring ability. This season, he has proven himself to be a handful for defenders as his scoring average has bumped up to 17.9 ppg.
Chris Dixon, C 7’2” 22, Syracuse, Senior: Dixon struggled in his first two years of college but bloomed as he gained the spotlight on this Cuse team. He had a breakout junior season in which he averaged 21.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg. This year, he is dominating an leading the nation in scoring at a clip of 24.5 ppg. He is second in the nation in rebounding at a rate of 10.4 rpg. Many have attributed his performance to his size and experience – simply manhandling his opposition. Scouts have noted that he would not be as successful in the NBA because he doesn’t have a polished inside game. You cannot ignore Dixon though – he could be a real prospect for NBA teams looking for size and someone who is aggressive every time he touches the ball.
Stuart Gooden,C 7’1” 22, UCLA, Senior: He is the nation’s number one rebounding player and leading the NCAA at a ridiculous 13.5 rpg. As one scout recently stated, “I didn’t think there were enough rebounds to go around for Gooden to average 13 a game.” Gooden has a knack for being in the right places to grab boards. It goes down to his technique as well as his hustle. Gooden is also an above average shot blocker but there are concerns about his offensive game.
Jay Connor, SG 6’4” 20, Michigan, Sophomore: Michigan have surprisingly started off their season undefeated and that is thanks to the hot play of Jay Connor. Connor is averaging 19.5 ppg, 6.7 apg, 1.8 spg this season and has really lifted his team with his leadership and energy. If Connor continues to perform so strongly, he may be a sleeper to be selected as a lottery pick. This is impressive given that he was seen as a fringe first round pick at the end of last season.