Where are all the 2011 NBA Draft prospects hiding out?
We’ve almost made it there. In a little over a week the NCAA basketball season will be upon us, so we can stop having to brainstorm to come up with NBA Draft storylines! Once college basketball starts up, which conference should you zero in on to maximize your chances of catching some of the 2011 NBA Draft’s top prospects? Or should you not bother with college basketball and instead turn your attention to the myriad of leagues overseas? We’ve got your answers right here with our top five conferences for NBA draft prospects.
Honorable Mention: Big East
5) Big 12
First round prospects:
Perry Jones – Baylor, Josh Selby – Kansas, Marcus Morris – Kansas, Alec Burks – Colorado, Jordan Hamilton – Texas
The Big 12 might only have four first round prospects for next June, but what they lack in quantity they make up for in quality. Baylor’s freshman sensation Perry Jones leads the way, as he is currently projected as the second overall pick in 2011. The 6-11 combo forward, who some compare to Tracy McGrady, will have more responsibility heaped on his narrow shoulders this year than originally expected, since Bears’ star LaceDarius Dunn is in legal trouble and currently banned from hitting the court. Kansas freshman Josh Selby is also a top-10 pick, and will be the new floor general for the Jayhawks, taking over for Sherron Collins.
4) Big Ten
First round prospects:
Jared Sullinger – Ohio State, Rodney Williams – Minnesota
Ohio State with a potential top 10 prospect? Imagine that! The Buckeyes have been on fire producing NBA prospects over the last few years, be it Greg Oden, Mike Conley or Evan Turner. The latest is freshman big man Jared Sullinger, who is a bruiser in the post. And Minnesota’s Rodney Williams could also be a lottery pick despite only averaging 4.3 ppg last season, due to his crazy athleticism and potential.
3) Southeastern Conference
First round prospects:
Trey Thompkins – Georgia, Travis Leslie – Georgia, Jeff Taylor – Vanderbilt
The big surprise, which we’ve touched on in the past , is that Georgia has as many first round prospects on their roster as the Jayhawks do, with dynamic inside-outside duo Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie. And don’t sleep on Vandy’s Jeff Taylor, who will be “The Man” in Nashville now that A.J. Ogilvy is off playing pro ball.
2) Atlantic Coast Conference
Top Prospects:
Harrison Barnes – North Carolina, Kyrie Irving – Duke, Mason Plumlee – Duke, Chris Singleton – Florida State, John Henson – North Carolina, CJ Leslie – North Carolina State, Nolan Smith – Duke, Kyle Singler – Duke
Duke and North Carolina might be heated rivals but they combine to make the ACC the best NCAA conference for 2011 draft prospects. Of course Tar Heels freshman Harrison Barnes is the stud of the conference, widely regarded as the No. 1 overall draft prospect next summer. Duke also has a freshman phenom in Kyrie Irving, who should be a top five pick, and non-traditional powers North Carolina State and Florida State each have a top-30 prospect. It should be another fun year in ACC country.
1) International
Top Prospects:
Jan Vesely – KK Partizan Belgrade, Jonas Valanciunas – Lietuvos Rytas, Donatas Motiejunas – Benetton Treviso
Early indications is that 2011 is going to be a very internationally flavored draft, with ten overseas players possibly getting selected. Among those players, three could end up going in the top 10, including two Lithuanian big men, Jonas Valanciunas and Donatas Motiejunas. The best international prospect probably is Czech big man Jan Vesely, who would have gone top 10 last June if he hadn’t pulled out of the draft. It looks like it was a wise move, as he’s projected to go top five in 2011.
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