HomeSPORTSBASKETBALLA Look into Top NBA Draft Prospects

A Look into Top NBA Draft Prospects

By JOSHUA NATOLI

Sports Editor

The NCAA Men’s National Championship is over and done with. The Louisville Cardinals have been crowned champions while the Michigan Wolverines had to face one of the longest flights of their lives back to campus. The tale of this season does not end here, though.

Victor Oladipo is a player who's defense and relentlessness will earn him a high pick in the draft
Victor Oladipo is a player who’s defense and relentlessness will earn him a high pick in the draft

 

The 2013 NBA Draft is a few short months away and will be loaded with the talent we have seen during March Madness as well as the regular season. Players like Victor Oladipo and Ben McLemore sit very high in the prospect rankings for this year’s draft. Let’s take a closer look.

Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart is a player I really happen to enjoy just for his style of play. A point guard with impeccable skills around the basket and from the outside, the freshman burst onto the scene mid season for Oklahoma State. You would not judge him for a point guard just by looking at his size, though. The 19 year-old stands 6’4 and weighs 225 pounds. Smart should be looked at for picks 2-5

Ben McLemore

Another scorer who can fill it up, McLemore led the way for the Kansas Jayhawks as a freshman. McLemore’s complete offensive game can help a team in need of a scorer, such as the Phoenix Suns. He is well-sized for his position but needs to work on his defense. McLemore also has a tendency to forget just how dominate he can be. He is projected to be picked 2-3.

Otto Porter Jr. 

The Georgetown product showed everyone this season that he has what it takes to play NBA basketball. Porter Jr. is a well-sized small forward at 6’8 who can play with the big guys down low as well as come outside and stretch the defense. Porter has good ball handling skills for his size as well and is a hard worker. Expected to fall 3-4

Victor Oladipo

For the majority of the season fans had their sights set on Cody Zeller leading the way for the Indiana Hoosiers. Then they were introduced to Oladipo, a nicely sized shooting guard who plays relentless defense. Oladipo is also very proficient shooting from the field whether it is in the paint or behind the arc. Not to mention the man lives above the rim. Look for him to go 5-6.

 

Anthony Bennett

A name you might not be familiar with now, but you soon will be. Bennett is a scary 6’8, 240 pound power forward out of UNLV with one of the craziest stat lines in all of basketball: 16.1 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 1.2 blocks per game, 53.3 percent from the field and 38 percent from the 3-point line. This is a guy who could make some serious noise in the pros.

Nerlens Noel

Who can forget this guy? Sure, he suffered an ACL tear which dismantled his season as well as the rest of the Wildcats’ hope at a title run, but he will bounce back. The kid has way too much upside to be looked over because of an injury. His defensive ability has the potential to keep an entire team out of the paint. One of the rawest players I’ve ever seen in college. Noel is expected to be the number-one overall pick.

Obviously there’s no telling for sure who will go where with the always entertaining, and sometimes controversial, draft lottery. But, judging by the low end of the NBA teams we have, I think any one of these players could end up anywhere.

Nerlens Noel is expected to be the number-one overall pick despite tearing his ACL this past season
Nerlens Noel is expected to be the number-one overall pick despite tearing his ACL this past season
RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular

Recent Comments