photo courtesy of sports.espn.go.com
Initially, all anyone talked about when it came to the 2014 NBA draft was Canadian prospect Andrew Wiggins, but a the NCAA college season is entering into the final months before March Madness, the view that Wiggins would be the #1 pick in the deepest draft since ’03 has changed dramatically. Here are my rankings of the top 10 prospects for the 2014 NBA draft:
#1 Jabari Parker, SF/PF, Freshman, Duke
Look, I love Joel Embiid as much as the next guy. The recent hype around the guy is well deserving and I have no issues with him going #1 in the draft. However, he’s not Jabari Parker. The kid is an absolute beast. With a 6’8’’ 235lb frame, the only person on the floor that can stop Parker is himself. As a freshman in 21 games, he is averaging an astounding 18.8 PPG, 8.1RPG, including scoring 20+ points in his first 8 games for the Blue Devils. Watching him attack the basket so effortlessly, is unbelievable. He might not be the next LeBron or KD and his defensive game needs some work, but with stats and ability like Parker, there is no where else to put him on this list besides #1. (photo from espn.go.com)
#2 Joel Embiid, C, Freshman, Kansas
Now here is a kid who only started playing basketball 2 years ago. Now, he is arguably the best all around player in this draft, which is saying a lot. The hype around Embiid comes from not only his surpassing of Canadian prospect and team mate Andrew Wiggins, but because of his outstanding all around play as a Centre. Assuming the Milwaukee Bucks continue their run and finish with the #1 overall pick, then I would be hard pressed to find a reason why they don’t take Embiid. The thing that sets him apart from other outstanding talents in this draft is the fact that he is a Centre, which the NBA is severely lacking talent. If you can find yourself and explosive Centre, would can run and move like he is a SG, and who is solid both offensively and defensively, why wouldn’t you take him? Embiid’s 11.2 PPG 7.4 RPG and 1.4 APG don’t do him justice, Just watch this guy play.
#3 Julius Randle, PF, Freshman, Kentucky
In some mock drafts I’ve seen Julius Randle fall down to as low as 6th or 7th. There also seems to be a lot of negative comparisons of Randal against fellow PF Noah Volnleh of Indiana. Fact is, Randle is still the better prospect at this point in the NCAA season. Randle is averaging 16.1 PPG 10.2 RPG and 1.7 APG for the Wildcats this season. Averaging a double-double a game as a freshman is remarkable. His stats however have faltered of late, scoring only 6pts while shooting 3-11 from the field. Randle’s 6’9’’ 250lb frame helps to make his defensive game one of the best in the country. The question remains with his up and down offensive play. If he can stabilize his offensive game, the kid will be something in the NBA. (photo from sports illustrated.cnn.com)
#4 Andrew Wiggins, SG/SF, Freshman, Kansas
Once the undisputed #1 pick in this talent-deep draft, Andrew Wiggins has slowly dropped in the draft rankings and seems to keep dropping every game. Now being overshadowed by Kansas teammate Joel Embiid, Wiggins is far from receiving the praise that he was privy too earlier in 2013. As of late, Wiggins has been improving, dropping 27pts against TCU on Jan 27th, but only 2 games prior against Oklahoma State, Wiggins dropped only 3pts and was 1-5 from the field. The main issue I see with Andrew Wiggins is his under developed size. Being 6’8’’and only 200lbs, Wiggins needs to bulk up at least another 30lbs to be dominate. His spin/floater move is one of the best in College Basketball right now, but that’s not enough. He needs to physically develop in order to be a dominant player at the NBA level. Staying in college for his sophomore year might now be a bad idea for the young star. (photo from espn.go.com)
#5 Dante Exum, PG/SG, Born 1995, Australia
As of this week, Australian prospect Dante Exum declared for the NBA draft. Not a lot if known about the kid from down under, except that he is expected to blow up the draft. His 6’6’’ 188lb frame makes him and idea guard in the NBA. From highlight film I’ve watched his speed is incredible. He attacks the basket unlike any guard I’ve seen in a very long time. Playing for the U20 Australian Men’s team, Exum averaged 13.8PPG and 4.5APG. As we begin to know more about this Australian, I’m sure he will impress all of us.
#6 Marcus Smart, PG/SG, Sophomore, Oklahoma State
The sophomore guard out of OSU is “small” in stature (only 6’4’’/220lbs) but he has the scoring touch. Averaging 17.2 PPG, 5.7RPG, and 4.5APG, Smart is tearing up the BIG12 conference, which is no surprise to anyone. His size is a concern, however his speed and scoring ability almost outweighs any concerns about his size. Smart has great ball security and control, averaging only 2.4 TO per game (not bad for a guard). Smart will be a dynamic guard for a very long time in the NBA. (photo from espn.go.com)
#7 Doug McDermott, SF, Senior, Creighton
When I first noticed Doug McDermott, I was shocked that someone from Creighton was making noise in CBB, let alone Creighton as a school making noise in the CBB AP Poll (no offense to Creightoners(?) The senior is averaging an astonishing 25.0PPG, 7.1RPG and 1.7APG. You may question the hype surrounding his stats due to his senior stats, however he has simply only improved as time has gone on during his college career. The 6’8’’ 225lb Forward averaged 22.9 and 23.2PPG during his sophomore and junior years respectively. McDermott simply takes command of the game and he would be a welcomed addition to any team in the draft. (photo from espn.go.com)
#8 Noah Vonleh, PF, C. Freshman, Indiana
As the season grows older, myself and other CBB enthusiasts see the stock of Noah Vonleh rising with no ceiling to stop it. The 6’10’’ 240lb freshman is averaging close to a double-double a game (11.7PPG and 9.4RPG) in only 25min/game. Recently, Vonleh has also been showing the excellence of his long range game, averaging .556% from behind the arch. Vonleh is only 10lbs lighter and 2’’ shorter than Kansas’s standout Joel Embiid. Indiana doesn’t use Vonleh nearly enough, but with expert touting him better than Julius Randal, I would expect the Hoosiers to use Vonleh much more in the near future. (photo from insidethehall.com)
#9 Gary Harris, SG, Sophomore, Michigan State
A lot like Marcus Smart, Harris is becoming one of the locks of the draft. His upside might not be as high as some of the earlier picks, however the floor is a lot higher. Averaging 18.4PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 2.7APG, Harris makes everyone around him that much better. With the exception of a poor showing against #15 Iowa, 4 out of his last 5 games he’s averaged greater than 20PPG. He will be a reliable guy in the NBA, regardless of this role on the team for a very long time. (photo from sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
#10 Zach LaVine, PG/SG, Freshman, UCLA
He may only be averaging 11.2PPG and 2.1APG, but Zach LaVine is only playing 25.7min per game off the bench this year for the Bruins. Arguably, LaVine has one of the highest upsides of any player in this draft. He is also shooting 0.467% from behind the arch. He has excellent ball handling skills, and he can take control of the game single handedly. This freshman very well could be one of the best players in this deep draft for many, many years. (photo from uclabruins,com)
Stats provided by espn.com and Bleacher Report
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