No. 2 – Cody Zeller (C, Indiana) – He had a tough trip to Brooklyn with a respiratory problem, but the draft’s top big man draft prospect has picked up right where he left off last year. He is taking the role as leading man for Indiana and has taken to it, filling up the stat sheet with 15.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.4 apg and 1.4 spg.
Zeller’s low-post scoring and polished offensive repertoire has NBA executives excited about his ability to anchor a team’s frontcourt. Zeller is working on putting on weight and filling out his frame, but that should come with time and hard work. Zeller is in the mix for the first overall pick. Stock is up slightly.
(RELATED: Top 10 Prospects from the Legends Classic in Brooklyn)
No. 3 – Nerlens Noel (C, Kentucky) – Being a top recruit and replacing Anthony Davis at Kentucky will be a tough task for anyone, but Noel has the skill set to do so. Noel will be compared to Davis throughout his Kentucky career because of a similar frame and shot-blocking ability, but it isn’t fair to compare Noel to Davis at this point.
Noel isn’t as developed as Davis was at this point; especially offensively. Thus far, Noel has put up 16 and 15 points his last two games. Defensively is where Noel will be effective and productive from the get-go, as evidenced by averaging 8 rpg, 2.3 bpg, and 3.3 spg. Scouts like Noel’s drive and want to see how his game develops over the season as he will be under consideration to be the top pick in the draft. Stock is up slightly.
No. 4 – Rudy Gobert, (C, Cholet – France) – Leading the way for the international draft prospects, NBA executives are very intrigued by Gobert. He isn’t your typical international big man, as he’s extremely long, very athletic, runs the floor well and is intimidating shot-blocker.
His value right now comes defensively, where his athletic ability and mobility make him a versatile defender. Gobert is very reliable on offense, shooting 85% from the field and 81% from the foul line, with 1.6 bpg. He will need to continue to get stronger and diversify his offensive game. With so many other big men options in this draft, don’t expect to see Gobert go first unless he puts it together on both ends in a dominating way. Stock is unchanged.
No. 5 – Alex Poythress (F, Kentucky) – If there’s a player to really watch throughout the college season, it’s Poythress. The combo forward has been taking over Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s role at Kentucky as being the do-everything forward who provides a presence defensively and with his motor.
Poythress has come in and showed his scoring potential and rebounding prowess. His NBA frame and athleticism are easy to catch on display in every game. The key for Poythress will be convincing NBA scouts he has a position in the NBA, as he could be stuck in between the 3 and 4 right now. Either way Poythress is a basketball player and could be in the top-5. Stock is up.
What about KU’s Ben McLemore? I see him as a potential top 5 pick. The kid averages 17 ppg, shoots 50+% from the field, 40+% from 3, nearly 90% from the FT line. Awesome athleticism. Great size for a guard. Top 5 pick.
As for Gobert, he reminds me a lot of Alexis Ajinca, another tall skinny French center who went in the 1st round a few years ago, and disappeared very quickly.
Check out J. Hamilton on San Diego State – does whatever he wants to on the floor.
I like McAdoo less because I dont know what he is. Poythress needs work on his handle. He is one of those seductive kids who also spells potential bust. Id add LeBryan Nash ahead of thomas, or Rodney Purvis even.
Cody Zeller as a first pick overall. A white American center. First selection. Great idea. Why not just woo Kent Benson out of retirement.
I like tony Mitchell, but Cody is a close second. Larry Bird was a bad idea wasnt he.