Freshmen dominate 2011 mock draft
Now that the 2010 NBA draft is in the books, we’re going to give you the first legit mock draft for 2011.
After watching tape and talking to numerous NBA execs, we’ve included the top international guys in the mix.
While there are a few imports that will go high, next year’s draft could be dominated by freshmen. In fact, we have the top four spots and seven of the first eight going to frosh.
That’s not necessarily an indication of the strength of the freshman class, but more an assessment of how lackluster as a group the returning crop is.
2011 NBA MOCK DRAFT
1. Perry Jones, 6-11, 235, PF, Fr., Baylor: He’s extremely long, skilled and is a tremendous athlete. All the potential is there; the key will be how much he produces as a freshman in Waco.
2. Harrison Barnes, 6-8, 215, SF, Fr., North Carolina: The athletic and skilled wing has the entire package and comes into Chapel Hill as the top player in the freshman class. Add in the fact he’s a high-character kid and NBA teams should be gushing at the potential down the road.
3. Jared Sullinger, 6-9, 286, PF, Fr., Ohio State: I was told he measured in at nearly 6-foot-9 and if that’s the case, Sullinger will be a lottery pick. He’s a beast in the paint with his big body, toughness and relentless work ethic.
4. Kyrie Irving, 6-2, 172, PG, Fr., Duke: He’ll get the ball in Durham from Day One and is an athletic and versatile point guard who can make his teammates better and also put points on the board.
5. Jan Vesely, 6-11, 240, F, Czech Republic: The long and athletic Czech could have come out and gone high this year, but decided to stay overseas for one more season in hopes of being ready to handle the rigors of the NBA.
6. Josh Selby, 6-2, 200, PG, Fr., Kansas: He’s strong, fast and tough. Selby can get to the basket and is more of a scoring point guard.
7. Brandon Knight, 6-3, 180, G, Fr., Kentucky: Knight is a scoring point guard who has the ability to get baskets in a variety of ways. He still needs to work on his decision-making at the point-guard spot.
8. Enes Kanter, 6-11, 260, PF/C, Fr., Kentucky: Not a big-time athlete, Kanter is a tough inside player who really gets after it on the glass and can also score in the paint. He’s a smart player and should put up big numbers as a freshman in Lexington.
9. Durrell Summers, 6-6, 195, SG, Sr., Michigan State: He’s been an enigma his entire career in East Lansing, but the athletic wing with the much-improved perimeter shot is ready to bust out.
10. Renardo Sidney, 6-9, 300, PF, RS Fr., Mississippi State: He’s a complete wild card, but if Sidney — who will miss about 10 games next year after sitting out all of last season as part of an NCAA suspension — can get into shape, NBA guys will be intrigued with his skills at his size. If not, he could be the next Derrick Caracter.
11. Cory Joseph, 6-3, 175, PG, Fr., Texas: A smooth floor leader who can also shoot the ball from deep, look for Joseph to quickly become one of the top floor leaders in the country.
12. Donatas Motiejunas, 7-0, 220, PF, Lithuania: The skilled lefty pulled out just prior to this year’s draft even though he was considered a likely lottery pick.
13. Elias Harris, 6-8, 215, SF, Soph., Gonzaga: The Germany native opted to return to school, but would have likely been a first-rounder this year if he had decided to come out. He’s got a quality combination of skill and athleticism.
14. Terrence Jones, 6-9, 220, F, Fr., Kentucky: Jones was the subject of the recruiting war between Kentucky and Washington — and he was worth the fight. The versatile lefty has been compared to Lamar Odom — only he plays hard.
15. Jeffery Taylor, 6-6, 210, SF, Jr., Vanderbilt: A big-time athletic wing who grew up in Sweden, where his dad played professionally, the key for Taylor will be his ability to make mid-range shots.
16. Mason Plumlee, 6-10, 230, PF, Soph., Duke: The skilled big man didn’t show much of what he could do after a broken wrist in the preseason set him back, but Plumlee should get an opportunity this season.
17. John Henson, 6-10, 210, C, Soph., North Carolina: He wasn’t ready as a freshman, especially having to play small forward, but with Ed Davis gone and a year under his belt, Henson could emerge this season.
18. Will Barton, 6-5, 175, SG, Fr., Memphis: This is a tough one because it’ll be on potential. Barton is long and has a ton of talent; it’ll just be interesting to see how much he produces for Josh Pastner this year.
19. Kyle Singler, 6-8, 230, SF, Sr., Duke: He decided to come back to school and should have a more consistent senior season with the Blue Devils playing faster.
20. Jonas Valanciunas, 6-10, 230, PF/C, Lithuania: He’s considered one of the top foreign guys largely due to his size, potential and ability to produce in the paint.
21. Tobias Harris, 6-8, 225, F, Fr., Tennessee: He’ll come into Knoxville and immediately become the Vols' most talented player. Harris is a skilled forward who can score in a variety of ways.
22. Kris Joseph, 6-7, 215, SF, Jr., Syracuse: The athletic Canadian was a role guy behind Wes Johnson, but he'll get a chance to show he has star potential now that Johnson and Andy Rautins are gone.
23. Chris Singleton, 6-9, 220, F, Jr., Florida State: NBA execs are intrigued by his length and skill. Singleton still needs to be able to put the ball on the floor, but he’s a guy that should go somewhere in the first round.
24. Kemba Walker, 6-1, 180, PG, Jr., UConn: He really grew as a leader the second half of last season, and his decision-making also improved. Now, Walker needs to become more consistent with his perimeter shot.
25. Howard “Trey” Thompkins, 6-10, 237, PF, Jr., Georgia: Thompkins isn’t a high-level athlete, but he’s got size and can score in the post and is also able to step out and make shots from the perimeter.
26. LaceDarius Dunn, 6-4 1/2, 200, SG, Sr., Baylor: It’s not just the name that I love. Dunn can score the ball as well as just about anyone. He can rain threes and also gets to the basket with ease.
27. Jeremy Tyler, 6-11, 250, PF/C, Europe: Tyler opted to play in Israel last season and didn’t fare so well. Who knows where he’ll be next season, but look for him to be taken based on his potential and size.
28. Aaric Murray, 6-10,245, C, Soph., La Salle: He’s got a nice combination of size, athleticism and skill. Murray had a solid freshman season, but should make strides, especially maturity-wise, his sophomore campaign.
29. Kevin Jones, 6-7, 250, PF, Jr., West Virginia: Jones is big, strong and athletic and has also shown the ability to step out and make shots. With Da’Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks gone, Jones should become the focal point for the Mountaineers.
30. Derrick Williams, 6-9, 230, PF, Soph., Arizona: Williams was an under-the-radar guy who put up big numbers as a frosh for Sean Miller, but he’s still raw — and that’s what has NBA execs excited.
SECOND ROUND
31. Denzel Bowles, 6-10, 247, PF, Soph., James Madison
32. Jordan Hamilton, 6-7, 225, F, Soph., Texas
33. William Buford, 6-5, 210, SG, Jr., Ohio State
34, Kawhi Leonard, 6-7, 225, F, Soph., San Diego State
35. Marcus Morris, 6-9, 218, F, Jr., Kansas
36. Klay Thompson, 6-6, 190, SG, Jr., Washington State
37. Nolan Smith, 6-3, 190, G, Sr., Duke
38. Jimmer Fredette, 6-2 1/2, 195, PG, Sr., BYU
39. C.J. Leslie, 6-9, 205, PF, Fr., N.C. State
40. Michael Snaer, 6-4, 205, SG, Soph., Florida State
41. Travis Leslie, 6-4, 200, SG, Jr., Georgia
42. Kenneth Faried, 6-8, 225, PF, Sr., Morehead State
43. JaJuan Johnson, 6-10, 215, PF, Sr., Purdue
44. JaMychal Green, 6-9, 220, PF, Jr., Alabama
45. Kalin Lucas, 6-0, 180, PG, Sr., Michigan State
46. Jon Kreft, 7-0, 240, C, Jr., Florida State
47. Robbie Hummel, 6-8, 225, PF, Sr., Purdue
48. Tyshawn Taylor, 6-3, 180, G, Jr., Kansas
49. Malcolm Lee, 6-5, 185, G, Soph., UCLA
50. Demetri McCamey, 6-3, 200, G, Sr., Illinois
51. Iman Shumpert, 6-5, 210, G, Jr., Georgia Tech
52. Alec Burks, 6-5 1/2, 190, SG, Soph., Colorado
53. Scotty Hopson, 6-7, 205, SG, Jr., Tennessee
54. Chris Wright, 6-7 1/2, 220, PF, Sr., Dayton
55. Jon Leuer, 6-10, 240, PF, Sr., Wisconsin
56. Malcolm Delaney, 6-4, 180, G, Sr., Virginia Tech
57. Keith Benson, 6-11, 225, C, Sr., Oakland
58. Wesley Witherspoon, 6-9, 210, SF, Jr., Memphis
59. Lavoy Allen, 6-9, 225, PF, Sr., Temple
60. Jacob Pullen, 6-1, 175, G, Sr., Kansas State