Re: 2013-2014 NBA Draft Prospects thread
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/jeff...n/post?id=1099
Good list of mid-major talent. I really really like Kyle Casey and Payton. Casey won't ever put up big numbers even in college. I don't think he has star potential for college at all, but I love him as an NBA role player.
I really do love Payton's game. I have some issues with how he leads his team. I don't think he is a leader at all and going to a team that expects him to be a pg who leads his team is way to much to ask. He is no Aaron Craft or Trey Burke or Marcus Smart. I don't see him motivating his teammates like the other guys can. I am also not sure he fits with us. He really needs to re work his shot if he wants to play in our offense. He is so ball dominate and has so many ball skills that I think he would be better with the basketball. I did love the fact he played a key role in that FIBA U19 team especially considering he isnt use to playing without the ball. I would love him as our change of pace lock down defender specialist. I also believe he may fall into the 2nd especially if he doesnt fix his glaring flaws, but it is way to early for that kind of talk on where players will go. I really do agree with the Rondo comp in terms of how he plays the kid is a magician with the ball in terms of handle and he has great vision. He also has the Rondo left hand scoop layup down pat. However I loved Rondo at UK a lot more due to his competitiveness Payton's main weakness is the thing that makes Rondo so deadly IMO. Rondo holds himself and his teammates accountable that skill is a must on any winning basketball team.
Casey was suspended all last year. I fell in love with his game two years ago watching him at Harvard. He is really long and an active defender another guy I would take a long look at in the 2nd.
Adjehi Baru, 6-foot-9, 230, PF, Soph., College of Charleston Cougars -- The native of the Ivory Coast is big, athletic and can rebound at a high level. Imagine a poor man’s Kenneth Faried. He averaged 9.8 points and 8.3 rebounds last season and his skill level should continue to improve.
Jerrelle Benimon, 6-8, 245, PF, Sr., Towson Tigers -- The Georgetown transfer is the best player in the CAA. He’s 6-foot-8, big and strong and more skilled than most realized. He can obviously score in the paint and rebound (11.2 RPG), but he also shot 41 percent from beyond the arc and averaged 2.5 assists per game. The questions from NBA folks will involve his size and ability to shoot it consistently.
Sim Bhullar, 7-5, 355, C, Soph., New Mexico State Aggies -- He’s mammoth. There just aren’t guys around like the big Canadian, and not only does that make him fun to watch, but it’ll give him a chance to make an NBA roster. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks as a freshman and was the WAC Freshman of the Year.
Taylor Braun, 6-7, 205, SG, Sr., North Dakota State Bison -- He is long, athletic and can score in a variety of ways. He shot 44 percent from beyond the arc, but he’s also able to create off the dribble. Scouts are aware of him from when he played well against Nate Wolters last season in the Summit League tourney.
Alec Brown, 7-1, 235, C, Sr., Green Bay Phoenix -- He’s been on the NBA’s radar for a couple years, but hasn’t yet taken the next step, especially in terms of physicality and toughness. He’d be more of a pick-and-pop guy at the next level unless he puts on weight and gets stronger to handle post players in the NBA.
John Brown, 6-7, 200, F, Soph., High Point Panthers -- He’s coming off a broken foot, but I saw the 6-7 athlete prior to last season. He’s ultra-athletic and wound up averaging 16.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in his first season of college ball.
Kyle Casey, 6-7, 230, SF, Sr., Harvard Crimson -- He didn’t play last season, but the Massachusetts native is a strong and athletic wing who is on the radar for several NBA teams. He shot it well two seasons ago, making 35 percent of his 3s while averaging 11.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Allan Chaney, 6-9, 235, PF, Sr., High Point Panthers -- Obviously, the heart issue that kept him off the court for nearly three seasons will impact his chances at the next level. However, Chaney has the combination of size and skill to be under consideration by the NBA folks.
Torrey Craig, 6-6, 215, SF, Sr., USC Upstate Spartans -- He’s long, athletic and can create his own shot. He's a terrific rebounder for his position and also able to shoot well enough. He averaged 17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Spartans last season.
Cleanthony Early, 6-8, 215, F, Sr., Wichita State Shockers -- He’ll need to improve his handle and his left hand, but he’s long, athletic, can really score and isn’t afraid of the moment (just watch the tape of the Shockers' Final Four loss to Louisville).
Corey Hawkins, 6-3, 195, SG, Jr., UC Davis Aggies -- The son of former NBA scorer Hersey Hawkins can also fill it up. The younger Hawkins isn’t as athletic as Hersey, but he can shoot it from deep, is strong enough to get into the lane and finish and ended his first season at UC Davis averaging 20.3 points while shooting 40 percent from deep.
Damion Lee, 6-6, 195, SG, Jr., Drexel Dragons -- There are those who question his toughness, but Lee has what the NBA wants -- length and the ability to shoot the ball. He put up 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds last season, but he needs to improve his handle.
Walt Lemon Jr., 6-3, 180, PG, Sr., Bradley Braves -- A Chicago native who is a terrific athlete and plays extremely hard, Lemon needs to work on his decision-making and also his perimeter shot, but he’s got the physical tools to be on NBA draft boards.
Preston Medlin, 6-4, 185, PG, Sr., Utah State Aggies -- He is a point guard with good size who can really, really shoot the ball. He was averaging 16.3 PPG prior to suffering a season-ending broken wrist 16 games into the season.
Jake Odum, 6-6, 170, PG, Sr., Indiana State Sycamores -- He’s got some Matthew Dellavedova in him. Odum is extremely tough, can really run a team and can make shots from the perimeter. The questions will involve his athleticism and ability to guard at the next level. Averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Sycamores.
Elfrid Payton, 6-3, 170, PG, Jr., Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns -- He made the U-19 team this past summer and more than held his own. He’s sort of a poor man’s Rajon Rondo, extremely athletic and fast, but he needs to develop a solid perimeter shot, work on his decision-making and also get stronger.
Kendrick Perry, 6-0, 175, PG, Sr., Youngstown State Penguins -- He’s extremely quick, and can score at all three levels -- from deep, midrange and also in the lane. He still needs to continue to get stronger, but he averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season and has a bit of Norris Cole in his game.
Elijah Pittman, 6-8, 220, F, Sr., Marshall Thundering Herd -- Think of a poor man’s Paul George. He’s a big, skilled and athletic wing who can shoot it from deep. He’ll need to work on his decision-making and also become a better rebounder for someone his size.
Augustine Rubit, 6-7, 230, PF, Sr., South Alabama Jaguars -- He’s a skilled forward who can score in the post and also step out and make shots from the perimeter. He’s also a proven high-level rebounder. If he were two inches taller, he’d be a lock. He’ll still have a chance to make an NBA team.
Jarred Shaw, 6-10, 235, PF, Sr., Utah State Aggies -- Shaw is a skilled and fairly athletic big man who transferred in from Oklahoma State and made significant improvement over the course of last season. He has good size and can step out and make shots. Averaged 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for Stew Morrill last season.
Tyler Stone, 6-8, 230, PF, Sr., Southeast Missouri State Redhawks -- He’s an athletic, face-up forward who plays with a motor and can really score. The question will be his size and his ability to make shots from the NBA 3-point line. He averaged 15.5 points and 7.8 rebounds last season for the Redhawks, but he shot just 24 percent from beyond the arc.
Jerrelle Benimon, 6-8, 245, PF, Sr., Towson Tigers -- The Georgetown transfer is the best player in the CAA. He’s 6-foot-8, big and strong and more skilled than most realized. He can obviously score in the paint and rebound (11.2 RPG), but he also shot 41 percent from beyond the arc and averaged 2.5 assists per game. The questions from NBA folks will involve his size and ability to shoot it consistently.
Sim Bhullar, 7-5, 355, C, Soph., New Mexico State Aggies -- He’s mammoth. There just aren’t guys around like the big Canadian, and not only does that make him fun to watch, but it’ll give him a chance to make an NBA roster. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks as a freshman and was the WAC Freshman of the Year.
Taylor Braun, 6-7, 205, SG, Sr., North Dakota State Bison -- He is long, athletic and can score in a variety of ways. He shot 44 percent from beyond the arc, but he’s also able to create off the dribble. Scouts are aware of him from when he played well against Nate Wolters last season in the Summit League tourney.
Alec Brown, 7-1, 235, C, Sr., Green Bay Phoenix -- He’s been on the NBA’s radar for a couple years, but hasn’t yet taken the next step, especially in terms of physicality and toughness. He’d be more of a pick-and-pop guy at the next level unless he puts on weight and gets stronger to handle post players in the NBA.
John Brown, 6-7, 200, F, Soph., High Point Panthers -- He’s coming off a broken foot, but I saw the 6-7 athlete prior to last season. He’s ultra-athletic and wound up averaging 16.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in his first season of college ball.
Kyle Casey, 6-7, 230, SF, Sr., Harvard Crimson -- He didn’t play last season, but the Massachusetts native is a strong and athletic wing who is on the radar for several NBA teams. He shot it well two seasons ago, making 35 percent of his 3s while averaging 11.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Allan Chaney, 6-9, 235, PF, Sr., High Point Panthers -- Obviously, the heart issue that kept him off the court for nearly three seasons will impact his chances at the next level. However, Chaney has the combination of size and skill to be under consideration by the NBA folks.
Torrey Craig, 6-6, 215, SF, Sr., USC Upstate Spartans -- He’s long, athletic and can create his own shot. He's a terrific rebounder for his position and also able to shoot well enough. He averaged 17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Spartans last season.
Cleanthony Early, 6-8, 215, F, Sr., Wichita State Shockers -- He’ll need to improve his handle and his left hand, but he’s long, athletic, can really score and isn’t afraid of the moment (just watch the tape of the Shockers' Final Four loss to Louisville).
Corey Hawkins, 6-3, 195, SG, Jr., UC Davis Aggies -- The son of former NBA scorer Hersey Hawkins can also fill it up. The younger Hawkins isn’t as athletic as Hersey, but he can shoot it from deep, is strong enough to get into the lane and finish and ended his first season at UC Davis averaging 20.3 points while shooting 40 percent from deep.
Damion Lee, 6-6, 195, SG, Jr., Drexel Dragons -- There are those who question his toughness, but Lee has what the NBA wants -- length and the ability to shoot the ball. He put up 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds last season, but he needs to improve his handle.
Walt Lemon Jr., 6-3, 180, PG, Sr., Bradley Braves -- A Chicago native who is a terrific athlete and plays extremely hard, Lemon needs to work on his decision-making and also his perimeter shot, but he’s got the physical tools to be on NBA draft boards.
Preston Medlin, 6-4, 185, PG, Sr., Utah State Aggies -- He is a point guard with good size who can really, really shoot the ball. He was averaging 16.3 PPG prior to suffering a season-ending broken wrist 16 games into the season.
Jake Odum, 6-6, 170, PG, Sr., Indiana State Sycamores -- He’s got some Matthew Dellavedova in him. Odum is extremely tough, can really run a team and can make shots from the perimeter. The questions will involve his athleticism and ability to guard at the next level. Averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Sycamores.
Elfrid Payton, 6-3, 170, PG, Jr., Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns -- He made the U-19 team this past summer and more than held his own. He’s sort of a poor man’s Rajon Rondo, extremely athletic and fast, but he needs to develop a solid perimeter shot, work on his decision-making and also get stronger.
Kendrick Perry, 6-0, 175, PG, Sr., Youngstown State Penguins -- He’s extremely quick, and can score at all three levels -- from deep, midrange and also in the lane. He still needs to continue to get stronger, but he averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season and has a bit of Norris Cole in his game.
Elijah Pittman, 6-8, 220, F, Sr., Marshall Thundering Herd -- Think of a poor man’s Paul George. He’s a big, skilled and athletic wing who can shoot it from deep. He’ll need to work on his decision-making and also become a better rebounder for someone his size.
Augustine Rubit, 6-7, 230, PF, Sr., South Alabama Jaguars -- He’s a skilled forward who can score in the post and also step out and make shots from the perimeter. He’s also a proven high-level rebounder. If he were two inches taller, he’d be a lock. He’ll still have a chance to make an NBA team.
Jarred Shaw, 6-10, 235, PF, Sr., Utah State Aggies -- Shaw is a skilled and fairly athletic big man who transferred in from Oklahoma State and made significant improvement over the course of last season. He has good size and can step out and make shots. Averaged 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for Stew Morrill last season.
Tyler Stone, 6-8, 230, PF, Sr., Southeast Missouri State Redhawks -- He’s an athletic, face-up forward who plays with a motor and can really score. The question will be his size and his ability to make shots from the NBA 3-point line. He averaged 15.5 points and 7.8 rebounds last season for the Redhawks, but he shot just 24 percent from beyond the arc.
Good list of mid-major talent. I really really like Kyle Casey and Payton. Casey won't ever put up big numbers even in college. I don't think he has star potential for college at all, but I love him as an NBA role player.
I really do love Payton's game. I have some issues with how he leads his team. I don't think he is a leader at all and going to a team that expects him to be a pg who leads his team is way to much to ask. He is no Aaron Craft or Trey Burke or Marcus Smart. I don't see him motivating his teammates like the other guys can. I am also not sure he fits with us. He really needs to re work his shot if he wants to play in our offense. He is so ball dominate and has so many ball skills that I think he would be better with the basketball. I did love the fact he played a key role in that FIBA U19 team especially considering he isnt use to playing without the ball. I would love him as our change of pace lock down defender specialist. I also believe he may fall into the 2nd especially if he doesnt fix his glaring flaws, but it is way to early for that kind of talk on where players will go. I really do agree with the Rondo comp in terms of how he plays the kid is a magician with the ball in terms of handle and he has great vision. He also has the Rondo left hand scoop layup down pat. However I loved Rondo at UK a lot more due to his competitiveness Payton's main weakness is the thing that makes Rondo so deadly IMO. Rondo holds himself and his teammates accountable that skill is a must on any winning basketball team.
Casey was suspended all last year. I fell in love with his game two years ago watching him at Harvard. He is really long and an active defender another guy I would take a long look at in the 2nd.
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