2013 Top Prospects

This years NBA Draft Class has no clear choice for a "Guaranteed Superstar". There are definite starters and potential All Stars, but no certified future Hall of Famers. Thats not to say none will blossom over time like Kyrie Irving who while everyone knew had big talent, its fair to say no one saw him becoming a Sure Fire All Star so early on. In this new age of One and Done its so difficult to properly evaluate the talent pool. Eventually you will encounter a year like this where you have the awkward mix of potential busts, college heroes, high school legends and possible SUPERSTARS.

This is the year a number of scouts will earn their pay check unlike the 96 season or the recently heralded 08 draft class where it was pretty much a no brainer that those classes were deeper than the norm.  What we do have is a pretty decent understanding of who the top prospects are which allows folks like myself to get creative and go with it. There is a definite fall off after the top 10 but we will save that conversation for a later day.

The Draft Fanatic

1. Nerlens Noel C. 7'0, 206 lbs. Kentucky, Freshman.
Pros: Defensive Appettite: Lives to destroy shots: Great second jump ability: Willing to learn:
Cons: Currently Injured: Light in the Behind (206 pounds, thats 2 guard territory): Raw Offensive Skills
BIG DEAL: One of the few definite impact players with serious BUST potential. Reward could be worth the risk, only time tells.


2. Ben McLemore SG. 6'5, 189 lbs. Kansas, Freshman.
Pros: Great Shooter: Athletic: Oustanding in the Open Court
Cons: Confidence
BIG DEAL: Potential All Star that should start immediately. Similar game to Klay Thompson.








3. Otto Porter SF. 6'9, 198 lbs. Georgetown, Sophomore.
Pros: High Basketball IQ: NBA Ready: Low Risk: Potetial to be Elite Defender 
Cons: Jumpshot needs work: Can disappear: Needs to improve handle
BIG DEAL: Potential All Star and game changer. The right team will enter that team on the verge of certain success territory with his contributions.







4. Trey Burke PG. 6'1, 187 lbs. Michigan, Sophomore.
Pros: Consensus NPOY: Floor General: Heart: High Basketball IQ: Jumpshot
Cons: Size: Doesn't have elite quickness of current generation of NBA PGs
BIG DEAL: Definite Starter and contributor. Has proven leadership qualities and BIG GAME potential.

5. Victor Oladipo SG. 6'4, 213 lbs. Indiana, Junior.
Pros: Elite Athlete: Elite Defender: High Motor: High Character
Cons: Suspect Jumper: Raw Offensive Skills
BIG DEAL: Has the potential to be steal of the draft. Nice handle away from a Russell Westbrook comparison.





6. Anthony Bennett PF. 6'7, 239 lbs. UNLV, Freshman.
Pros: Pro Ready Body: Good Shooter: Big Time Rebounder: Can get buckets
Cons: No definite position: Perimeter Defense
BIG DEAL: Post season surgery on shoulder prevented workouts, however his lone year in college was chocked full of Highlight moments. Great ability to spread the floor and doesn't mind taking contact.








7. C.J. McCollum PG/SG 6'3, 197 lbs. Lehigh, Senior.
Pros: 4 year player: Great jumper: 3pt Threat: Great handle: Good Size
Cons: Spent latter half of season on IR: Can he defend at the pro level?: Athletic ability?
BIG DEAL: Despite being hurt for half of his senior season McCollum managed to develop a cult following after some Steph Curry like games against big name competition. Potential Damian Lillard of this draft.

8. Michael Carter-Williams PG 6'6, 184 lbs. Syracuse, Sophomore.
Pros: Great Size for a PG: Elite court vision: Great handle: Potential to be a big time perimeter defender
Cons: Weight, like Nerlens Noel...pretty light in the behind: Mechanics on jumpshot need work 
BIG DEAL: If he puts it all together he has the potential to take the league by storm like Penny in his early days. Size mismatch at the PG position with the intangibles could make for a lethal combination.  






9. Shabazz Muhammad SF 6'6, 222 lbs. UCLA, Freshman.
Pros: Offensive wizard: Good Athlete: Great Size
Cons: Will he defend?: Will he work hard?: Can he play in a bad situation and thrive?
BIG DEAL: This young man can flat out play. He showed brief flashes of greatness while at UCLA but those may have been overshadowed by some of his more childish antics. If placed in the right scenario he can potentially provide a nice scoring punch to solid team.






10. Cody Zeller PF/C 7'0, 230 lbs. Indiana, Sophomore.

Pros: High Energy: Great Motor: Easy to coach: Great skill: Great in space
Cons: Can he defend larger players?: Can he rebound against NBA bigs?: What position will he play?
BIG DEAL: He has a pro pedigree (Brother Tyler drafted last year). He can run like the wind and he can jump out of the gym. If he can capitalize on the Chris Bosh/Pau Gasol style big men movement and open up his game, he will be a great addition to a fringe team.