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1. Anthony Davis, Kentucky Wildcats
We know that Davis is a dominant shot-blocker and athlete. What we don't know is much about his offensive game, but you can see it coming. He can dribble, pass and has a midrange pull-up. Think a young Tim Duncan.
2. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina Tar Heels
Barnes just keeps making shots and he can raise his game to the level of his opposition. While he doesn't go by people, he is skilled enough to make plays anyway. I see a young Sean Elliott.
3. Andre Drummond, Connecticut Huskies
Drummond is a naturally gifted shot-blocker and finisher, but has bad balance in post defense and has no face-up game. Drummond's just a pup and will be a project, but a rewarding one.
4. Bradley Beal, Florida Gators
The Gators don't really play to Beal's strengths, but I love his physical makeup and shooting stroke. Improving off the dribble is a key for him.
5. Meyers Leonard, Illinois Fighting Illini
Leonard is just plain big. Big shoulders, long arms and a lot of skill. He's still raw enough that he should probably stay in school another year, but his family may need him to go pro. Leonard is a natural athlete, but needs more minutes to gain basketball IQ.
6. Cody Zeller, Indiana Hoosiers
Zeller has all the tools, just not the NBA body. Good hands, great feet/feel -- Zeller is smart, savvy and skilled. If he comes back for another year, he has a chance to be a top-5 pick.
7. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut Huskies
I still maintain that Lamb could play the 1, 2 or 3 at the next level, but right now he is struggling at UConn. Lamb was so impressive last March and over the summer that he may still be a lottery pick, but he needs to get his game together ASAP. Some are beginning to think last spring was a fluke. I think he needs the ball more in transition.
8. Damian Lillard, Weber State Wildcats
Lillard is amazing coming off of a screen but is equally effective for Weber State as a passer, especially as his team has gotten its shooters healthy.
9. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina Tar Heels
Zeller has NBA speed, good feet and hands. That's the positive side. The negatives are that he's not very wide for an NBA big and his offensive arsenal is limited when he's not scoring in transition.
10. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes
Very productive and skilled both on the block and in the high post, but Sully is a below-the-rim guy. I am not sold that his game totally translates to the NBA. Is he Elton Brand or Michael Sweetney?
11. Thomas Robinson, Kansas Jayhawks
A phenomenal dunker and improved jump shooter, Robinson is very much a POY candidate. As an NBA 4 he needs to improve on his pick-and-pop game.
12. Quincy Miller, Baylor Bears
Coming into college he was just a long athlete who shot a lot of 3s, but he is quietly going inside a bit more. Miller looks the part of an NBA wing, and as he develops his all-around game, especially on defense, he should become a starting 3 at the next level.
13. Perry Jones III, Baylor Bears
PJ3 has disappeared in a couple of big games for Baylor. Some of that is on him, some is that he is playing out of position. Either way it's concerning. Jones plays the 4/5 positions since he is not a 3, but he's not tough/strong enough to be a 4 as of yet. Even as a work in progress, he is skilled, talented and a well-liked talent
14. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky Wildcats
His point totals in big games match his competitive nature, but his lack of consistency shows his lack of perimeter shooting.
15. John Henson, North Carolina Tar Heels
Henson is a decent face-up shooter who can post, but doesn't impact a game like he should. He's a very bright person who may lack the grit to become elite. Defensively, he possesses tremendous shot-blocking timing, and if he puts on weight he can guard three spots.
16. Scott Machado, Iona Gaels
Machado is a tremendous passer/athlete in transition who can shoot some, too. He just got contacts, so maybe his shooting improves even more, but he is not a natural shooter by anyone's estimation.
17. Terrence Jones, Kentucky Wildcats
A top-10 talent who is polarizing in NBA draft rooms, Jones has the skill to be a 3-man, though he is essentially a face-up 4 in college. He broke out of his early-season slump in terms of aggression and has played well the past three weeks. Questions about attitude, handle with his right hand and his jumper will persist, but he is a physical specimen who can produce.
18. Tony Wroten, Washington Huskies
Wroten cannot shoot, but he doesn't seem to know that. He is, however, a beast inside, posting up and driving by smaller guards.
19. Terrence Ross, Washington Huskies
Ross is a phenomenal athlete and I think he might be the best one-on-one player on the West Coast.
20. Patric Young, Florida Gators
He owns a man's body but no real skill. His knee tendinitis is troublesome, but barring something chronic should be fine.
21. Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State Bulldogs
A very productive center who can play the high post, Moultrie has far surpassed the pro potential of teammate Renardo Sidney.
22. Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure Bonnies
Nicholson continues to improve his face-up game. Do not let his awkward gait fool you, he is a very good athlete.
23. Doug McDermott, Creighton Bluejays
Though he and his team are struggling now, his play was the main reason they were doing well to begin with. He is a basketball savant who thinks a step ahead of his competition.
24. Joshua Smith, UCLA Bruins
He's still too heavy, but Smith is a victim of poor guard play. He is a monster when he gets an angle. If only he would get in proper shape in the offseason.
25. Fab Melo, Syracuse Orange
He has a huge 7-foot-1 frame, but needs to continue to develop his offensive game. Melo is another big with great timing as a shot-blocker.
26. Alec Brown, Green Bay Phoenix
Realistically, the sophomore is probably two years away, but the 7-1 prospect is really skilled. If he gets tougher and stronger, Brown will be a lottery pick.
27. Jeff Withey, Kansas Jayhawks
Can you tell I'm targeting size at this tier of the draft? Another 7-footer with great timing as a shot-blocker and good hands to finish near the hoop. Withey is a year away from making any kind of impact at the NBA level, but his improvement is remarkable.
28. Zack Rosen, Pennsylvania Quakers
He may owe a thank you note to Jeremy Lin for raising the Ivy League's NBA profile, but Rosen can play. He's the best PG in Philly this season, not just the Ivies.
29. Jared Cunningham, Oregon State Beavers
He's an athlete who will stick in the league for a long time. He needs to improve his shooting, but does everything else well.
30. Dion Waiters, Syracuse Orange
Waiters is a dynamic athlete at the 1 or 2 who is not a great shooter, not a great passer, but will compete and is a tenacious driver/scorer. Waiters has the body type that could allow him to be a top defender when he makes the switch to man-to-man.
Dropping out: Austin Rivers, Tony Mitchell, John Shurna, Mason Plumlee, John Jenkins.
We know that Davis is a dominant shot-blocker and athlete. What we don't know is much about his offensive game, but you can see it coming. He can dribble, pass and has a midrange pull-up. Think a young Tim Duncan.
2. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina Tar Heels
Barnes just keeps making shots and he can raise his game to the level of his opposition. While he doesn't go by people, he is skilled enough to make plays anyway. I see a young Sean Elliott.
3. Andre Drummond, Connecticut Huskies
Drummond is a naturally gifted shot-blocker and finisher, but has bad balance in post defense and has no face-up game. Drummond's just a pup and will be a project, but a rewarding one.
4. Bradley Beal, Florida Gators
The Gators don't really play to Beal's strengths, but I love his physical makeup and shooting stroke. Improving off the dribble is a key for him.
5. Meyers Leonard, Illinois Fighting Illini
Leonard is just plain big. Big shoulders, long arms and a lot of skill. He's still raw enough that he should probably stay in school another year, but his family may need him to go pro. Leonard is a natural athlete, but needs more minutes to gain basketball IQ.
6. Cody Zeller, Indiana Hoosiers
Zeller has all the tools, just not the NBA body. Good hands, great feet/feel -- Zeller is smart, savvy and skilled. If he comes back for another year, he has a chance to be a top-5 pick.
7. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut Huskies
I still maintain that Lamb could play the 1, 2 or 3 at the next level, but right now he is struggling at UConn. Lamb was so impressive last March and over the summer that he may still be a lottery pick, but he needs to get his game together ASAP. Some are beginning to think last spring was a fluke. I think he needs the ball more in transition.
8. Damian Lillard, Weber State Wildcats
Lillard is amazing coming off of a screen but is equally effective for Weber State as a passer, especially as his team has gotten its shooters healthy.
9. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina Tar Heels
Zeller has NBA speed, good feet and hands. That's the positive side. The negatives are that he's not very wide for an NBA big and his offensive arsenal is limited when he's not scoring in transition.
10. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes
Very productive and skilled both on the block and in the high post, but Sully is a below-the-rim guy. I am not sold that his game totally translates to the NBA. Is he Elton Brand or Michael Sweetney?
11. Thomas Robinson, Kansas Jayhawks
A phenomenal dunker and improved jump shooter, Robinson is very much a POY candidate. As an NBA 4 he needs to improve on his pick-and-pop game.
12. Quincy Miller, Baylor Bears
Coming into college he was just a long athlete who shot a lot of 3s, but he is quietly going inside a bit more. Miller looks the part of an NBA wing, and as he develops his all-around game, especially on defense, he should become a starting 3 at the next level.
13. Perry Jones III, Baylor Bears
PJ3 has disappeared in a couple of big games for Baylor. Some of that is on him, some is that he is playing out of position. Either way it's concerning. Jones plays the 4/5 positions since he is not a 3, but he's not tough/strong enough to be a 4 as of yet. Even as a work in progress, he is skilled, talented and a well-liked talent
14. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky Wildcats
His point totals in big games match his competitive nature, but his lack of consistency shows his lack of perimeter shooting.
15. John Henson, North Carolina Tar Heels
Henson is a decent face-up shooter who can post, but doesn't impact a game like he should. He's a very bright person who may lack the grit to become elite. Defensively, he possesses tremendous shot-blocking timing, and if he puts on weight he can guard three spots.
16. Scott Machado, Iona Gaels
Machado is a tremendous passer/athlete in transition who can shoot some, too. He just got contacts, so maybe his shooting improves even more, but he is not a natural shooter by anyone's estimation.
17. Terrence Jones, Kentucky Wildcats
A top-10 talent who is polarizing in NBA draft rooms, Jones has the skill to be a 3-man, though he is essentially a face-up 4 in college. He broke out of his early-season slump in terms of aggression and has played well the past three weeks. Questions about attitude, handle with his right hand and his jumper will persist, but he is a physical specimen who can produce.
18. Tony Wroten, Washington Huskies
Wroten cannot shoot, but he doesn't seem to know that. He is, however, a beast inside, posting up and driving by smaller guards.
19. Terrence Ross, Washington Huskies
Ross is a phenomenal athlete and I think he might be the best one-on-one player on the West Coast.
20. Patric Young, Florida Gators
He owns a man's body but no real skill. His knee tendinitis is troublesome, but barring something chronic should be fine.
21. Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State Bulldogs
A very productive center who can play the high post, Moultrie has far surpassed the pro potential of teammate Renardo Sidney.
22. Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure Bonnies
Nicholson continues to improve his face-up game. Do not let his awkward gait fool you, he is a very good athlete.
23. Doug McDermott, Creighton Bluejays
Though he and his team are struggling now, his play was the main reason they were doing well to begin with. He is a basketball savant who thinks a step ahead of his competition.
24. Joshua Smith, UCLA Bruins
He's still too heavy, but Smith is a victim of poor guard play. He is a monster when he gets an angle. If only he would get in proper shape in the offseason.
25. Fab Melo, Syracuse Orange
He has a huge 7-foot-1 frame, but needs to continue to develop his offensive game. Melo is another big with great timing as a shot-blocker.
26. Alec Brown, Green Bay Phoenix
Realistically, the sophomore is probably two years away, but the 7-1 prospect is really skilled. If he gets tougher and stronger, Brown will be a lottery pick.
27. Jeff Withey, Kansas Jayhawks
Can you tell I'm targeting size at this tier of the draft? Another 7-footer with great timing as a shot-blocker and good hands to finish near the hoop. Withey is a year away from making any kind of impact at the NBA level, but his improvement is remarkable.
28. Zack Rosen, Pennsylvania Quakers
He may owe a thank you note to Jeremy Lin for raising the Ivy League's NBA profile, but Rosen can play. He's the best PG in Philly this season, not just the Ivies.
29. Jared Cunningham, Oregon State Beavers
He's an athlete who will stick in the league for a long time. He needs to improve his shooting, but does everything else well.
30. Dion Waiters, Syracuse Orange
Waiters is a dynamic athlete at the 1 or 2 who is not a great shooter, not a great passer, but will compete and is a tenacious driver/scorer. Waiters has the body type that could allow him to be a top defender when he makes the switch to man-to-man.
Dropping out: Austin Rivers, Tony Mitchell, John Shurna, Mason Plumlee, John Jenkins.
