Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at 5:00 am  |  10 responses

Top 5 Shooting Guard Prospects, Vol. 2

The 2010 shooting guard class is more than just a one trick pony.

by Jeff Fox

Similar to our point guard prospect rankings, there is no debate over who the best shooting guard prospect is for the 2010 NBA Draft.  Evan Turner has got an iron grip on the top shooting guard slot as well as the title of  ”Best Prospect In This Year’s Draft Not Named John Wall”.  But, unlike the 2010 point guard class, the 2-guard prospect pool contains more than just one solid NBA prospect.  Here’s how the future of the NBA shooting guard spot is currently shaping up:

1) (Previous Ranking – 1) Evan Turner | Ohio State | Junior

Proponents for the NBA raising the age limit for entering the Draft have a perfect poster boy in Evan Turner.  He has improved his stock each year in college, but none more so than this past season, his third in Columbus.  Despite breaking his back and playing out of position as a point guard, Turner proved that he has “star” potential in the NBA.  For more on Turner, check out SLAM 138 which has an amazingly written (ahem) In Your Face on him.

2) (2) Xavier Henry | Kansas | Freshman

Does SLAM know how to pick its High School Diary keepers or what?  On a talent-laden Kansas squad this season, freshman Xavier Henry was still able to stand out.  The lefty’s ability to bomb from outside (or from anywhere on the court, for that matter), his NBA physique and good athleticism has him primed to potentially sneak into the end of the lottery this year.

3) (7) James Anderson | Oklahoma State | Junior

A player shooting up the mock drafts is Big 12 Player of the Year James Anderson.  Anderson can score from anywhere you need him to, especially via the three-ball or by slashing to the hoop.  Most impressive is his ability to draw fouls – he shot eight free throws a game (shooting at at 81% clip) this season.  He could be a real find for a team picking just outside the lottery.

4) (NR) Elliot Williams | Memphis | Sophomore

After playing a supporting role his freshman season with Duke, Elliot Williams took a starring role this past year with Memphis (he transferred last summer due to a family medical issue).  The lefty proved ready for his leading role, posting a solid 18-4-4 stat line for the season.  Despite being only 6-4, he has long arms so playing the 2-guard spot won’t be an issue in the pros.  However, whichever team grabs him late in the first round need to force him to improve his right hand.

5) (4)  Avery Bradley | Texas | Freshman

Despite an inconsistent freshman campaign (and only being projected as a late first round pick), Avery Bradley has decided to jump to the NBA.  He is a good athlete with a nice wingspan, but at 6-3 he is real small for the shooting guard spot.  However, he is a lockdown defender with a sweet jumper, so he looks to have a great chance at a long career.

Evan Turner

Next in line: Willie Warren, Oklahoma; Dominique Jones, South Florida; Jordan Crawford, Xavier; Lance Stephenson, Cincinatti; Sylven Landesberg, Virginia.

Next up: Small Forwards

Read more of Jeff Fox at The Hoops Manifesto and The MMA Manifesto.

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  • Wall Ball

    1st.Once again, another Chicago area prospect leading the NBA draft talk…The most slept on real basketball Mecca…Without the hype

  • Groves@uwa

    I want Lance Stephenson to succeed really bad for some reason???……… Im liking Turner, Bradley and Henry at the moment. Great potential all of them

  • http://www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com Tarzan Cooper

    James anderson was big 12 poy?

  • http://www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com Tarzan Cooper

    And x is going to flourish in the l. His main problem was not getting to the rim and ft line enough. Its harder to do in collge cuz guys stand around in the paint. The floor opens up in the nba, that will help him

  • BG

    I know Turner is the best all around player and John, Derrick, and DeMarcus all have unlimited potential but James Anderson could very well end up being the best player out of this draft. He was a DOMINANT scorer in one of the top two conferences. Anderson can score any way you want him to and at 6’6 and 215 he is physically ready right now. He’ll no doubt be an elite scorer for a long time.

  • kwame

    avery needs to convert to pg i believe

  • http://www.hoopsmanifesto.com Jeff Fox

    Yeah, Anderson was Big 12 POY and led the conference in scoring – real impressive when you consider the talent he was up against. He could be a real good pick up for a team, especially considering he will probably be available outside of the lottery.

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  • henry

    elliot williams= Cat mobley???

  • Kgomotso Nkhumise

    Mr. Turner is for me the number one pick in the draft, John Wall is awesome but this dude carried his team to a national ranking. His versatility is also commendable. “Born Ready” is going to surprise people on the next level.

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