7. Shabazz Muhammad, SG, UCLA
Muhammad had a consistent season but was not as efficient as McLemore or Porter. Muh
ammad showed that he is a high-volume scorer in an era where front offices are clamoring for analytical advantages. Adding to Muhammad’s baggage is the recently revealed bizarre storyline about his age; he is 20, not 19. Some look at Muhammad as a SG and others as a SF, but the bottom line is he is a capable scorer and could be a James Harden type for the right team.
8. Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
Oladipo is an analytic stat geek’s fantasy. Oladipo was extremely efficient on both ends of the court, is an explosive athlete, an excellent on-the-ball defender and an underrated ballhandler. While some view Oladipo as a top-five lock, I am a bit more cautious until he gets through his workouts. There is no doubt Oladipo would be a great pickup in the 6-10 range if he lasts that long.
9. Trey Burke, PG, Michigan (Sophomore)
Burke was a prospect I was high on going back to his freshman season, and he has not disappointed. By far the top pure point guard in the draft, his sophomore season was excellent and highlighted by a signature performance against Kansas where he nearly singlehandedly beat the Jayhawks. If Burke was a few inches taller, I’d call him a near-lock to be the top pick.
10. Cody Zeller, C, Indiana
Zeller was a preseason Player of the Year candidate and was outplayed by Oladipo. Zeller lacks the athleticism and length to be a legit defender in the NBA, and his offensive impact was clearly affected by more athletic or longer defenders as evidenced in losses to Minnesota and Syracuse. If Zeller sticks around another season, I don’t know if he can move any higher with a loaded 2014 draft class.
11. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse (Sophomore)
The Orange said good-bye the Big East this year, and they’ve ridden Carter-Williams to the Final Four. While a championship matchup against Louisville would be intriguing, Carter-Williams showed in an outstanding performance against the Hoosiers what his height advantage can do. Mechanically, Carter-Williams has nice form but struggles with his accuracy (.397 overall, .297 from 3-point range).
12. Isaiah Austin, C, Baylor (Freshman)
Austin probably returns for his sophomore year, but for now is a guaranteed lottery pick. Austin is an explosive athlete that could be a special big in the NBA with the way he runs in transition and attacks the rim from the perimeter. In a year where there is so much uncertainty over where players will be drafted, I could see Austin easily shoot up 5-6 spots with good workouts.
13. Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State (Junior)
Franklin is probably not as high on other analysts’ boards, but in talking to NBA personnel they are in love with Franklin’s game, athleticism and productivity. With Franklin a NBA team will get a determined rebounder and defender. While he may rely on his jumper too often in college, I’d expect him to be less of a shooter at the next level, which will increase his value even more.
14. Rudy Gobert, C, Cholet, France (20 years old)
Gobert is a physical specimen that will entice a lottery team to take a shot on him based on his massive 7-9 wingspan. He is almost exclusively a dunker, but if Gobert develops any semblance of a jump shot, watch out. Gobert is the top international prospect right now.
McAdoo is a beast, love that kid!
Giannis Adetokoubo was not born in Nigeria. He was born in Athens, Greece, where he has lived his entire life.
How did you have the ability to create this kind of wonderful masses involving commenters to your website?
Mentioning Muhammad and James Harden is a joke. His breakdown ability is awful and has no right hand. And by the way no mention of Doug McDermott in the first round is ridiculous.
Yeah, Harden is a far far more well-rounded player, even at the point he entered the NBA.
I don’t understand why Goodwin is listed at 20 when the author thinks he’s not as good as Russ Smith. For that matter I don’t understand why most analysts don’t have Russ Smith in the late first round, to me he seems like he will fit in perfectly as a defensive PG off the bench for a playoff team who has the potential to become a starter as he gains experience- like Norris Cole has been for Miami.