[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AglXPD5An8iO5_fefqazEz85nYcB?slug=mc-spears_nba_draft_college_prospects_111011

Harrison Barnes will draw much of the attention when top-ranked North Carolina makes its season debut against Michigan State atop the USS Vinson on Friday night. The sophomore swingman is arguably the top player in college basketball and a preseason All-America selection for the second straight year.

But do NBA scouts adore Barnes just as much? Or, is their focus on a couple of freshmen big men in Connecticut’s Andre Drummond and Kentucky’s Anthony Davis?

The consensus is that Barnes, Drummond and Davis are the top three prospects right now with the order varying, depending on the scout who’s ranking them. With the college basketball season starting, NBA talent evaluators will be busy assessing what a longtime scout described as potentially one of the deepest drafts in the past 10 years.

“Since a lot of guys stayed in school [after last season], this is a very, very strong draft,” the scout said. “There will be guys selected [from Nos.] 15-25 that can come in and be contributors right away. Next year will be a very, very strong and deep draft.”

Here’s Yahoo! Sports’ top 10 college NBA draft prospects:

1. Andre Drummond, Connecticut, C, Fresh., 6-11, 251 pounds – Scout’s comment: “He’s the first legitimate center prospect since Greg Oden. He’s got the physical tools of an everyday center in our league. Haven’t seen him a whole lot, but he’s big, raw and physical. You have to take him first.”

2. Anthony Davis, Kentucky, PF, Fresh., 6-10, 220 pounds – Scout’s comment: “He was intriguing because he was a shooting guard for most of his high school career before he blew up to his height. His versatility at his size stands out. He continues to get better and better.”

3. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina, G-F, Soph., 6-8, 210 pounds – Scout’s comment: “He is the most prolific scorer in the draft and can be a big scorer in the NBA. But can you be instrumental on just one end of the floor? What can he do to make a team better? He deserves an argument for No. 1, but you always pick size.”

4. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, PF, Soph., 6-8, 250 pounds – Scout’s comment: “The only thing you can question about him is weight and lack of athleticism. He has to prove consistently that length won’t bother him. Undersized guys have to prove that. But he’s physical, he knows how to use his body. A thoughtful post player who knows his limitations and makes up for them.”

5. Perry Jones, Baylor, PF, Soph., 6-11, 220 pounds – Scout’s comment: “He has the potential to be better than everyone ahead of him on this list. However, the term I won’t use with him is ‘aggressive.’ He’s content on being a perimeter guy instead of more versatile with his back to the basket. Guys like that are often saying, ‘I’m so gifted I will do what I want instead of taking advantage of mismatches.’ ”

6. Terrence Jones, Kentucky, SF-PF, Soph., 6-8, 244 pounds – Scout’s comment: “Versatile. Can really handle the ball for a guy his size with good vision. He can get to spots he wants with the ball because of his skill set. Big men won’t want to guard him on the perimeter. He has the mentality to post smaller players and take bigger players on the perimeter.”

7. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut, SG, Soph., 6-5, 185 pounds – Scout’s comment: “He really came on late last season. The reason why they won it last year was because he was the second option and took pressure off Kemba Walker. He played the role of Robin real well. But can he play the role of Batman? They need a guy to be Batman this year. We’ll see.”

8. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina, PF-C, 6-11, 240 pounds – Scout’s comment: “He’s the most skilled big man in the country. He’s a better athlete than given credit for. He’s coachable and comes from an elite program, so pressure is nothing. He’s experienced and will be a guy who can play in the league for 10 to 12 years. Haven’t seen him back down to anyone.”

9. Marquis Teague, Kentucky, PG, 6-2, 189 pounds – Scout’s comment: “They say he’s better than his brother [Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague] right now. He knows the game. He understands when to score and set people up. He has pretty good size for a young guy. He’s a big point guard. He won championships in high school so he’s a winner.”

10. John Henson, North Carolina, PF, 6-10, 205 pounds – Scout’s comment: “I love his versatility. It’s taken him a while to really get used to his body. He was gangly and awkward. I love his defense. He’s a decent rebounder. They are trying to make him a wing, but he doesn’t have the skill set.”

Honorable Mention: Vanderbilt C Festus Ezeli (Sr.); Kentucky G Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Fr.); Vanderbilt SG John Jenkins (Jr.); North Carolina F James McAdoo (Fr.); Baylor SF Quincy Miller (Fr.); Duke SG Austin Rivers (Fr.); Kansas SF-PF Thomas Robinson (Jr.).

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Wroten will crack the top 10 before 1/1/12

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I still think Sullinger should’ve came out last season,he possibly could’ve went top 3 ..Becuz with all these amazingly talented athletic guys coming out in 2012..Its going to knock him down to the 7 to 10 range…Sullinger often relies too much on his big body to push players out of the way and do what he wants..In the pros he wont be able to do that every night..Toward the end of last season,he did start to show some post moves..But he’s still not as talented as some of these other guys…

Watchout for Lebryan Nash,who could raise into the top 5 or 6,by season’s end.. Tony Wroten has been impressive during the exhibition season..Scouts are raving about his passing skills..He could supplant Teague as the top point guard prospect…

Thomas Robinson, to me is a bit overrated..He’s going to be a starter,but not a superstar…

I said earlier this season that Festus Ezeli would be the 1st Vandy player selected…JNix said i was CRAZY…lol

 

[HaleParticipant]

 Henson, Zeller and Robinson are not top ten players. Zeller should mid to late first and Henson about the same or a little lower. Robinson should be late lottery to late teens.

[HaleParticipant]

 My top 10

1. Andre Drummond

2. Harrison Barnes

3. Anthony Davis

4. Jared Sullinger

5. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

6. Tony Wroten

7. Jeremy Lamb

8. Quincey Miller

9. Brad Beal

10. Perry Jones

[omphalosParticipant]

@yupyup: having Jones at 10 is a bit of a stretch IMO, he’s definitely top 5 worthy based on his talent and athleticism alone. With better coaching he might just develop that aggressive mentality.

[HaleParticipant]

I agree with you on the top 5 based on talent alone, but like you said he isn’t aggressive and disappears quite often. If you had asked me before last season I would’ve had him at two, possibly one. I love his potential and he is one of my five favorite players in college, but I don’t think he will live up to his massive potential. Trust me, I would love if he proved me wrong and dominated this year. 

[HaleParticipant]

 I haven’t watched much of Ross so I can’t rank him yet. Zeller looked pretty bad today. MSU made it a point to go at him down low and he didn’t really impress on O either. I agree with the rest.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I do believe Tyler Zeller is going to be another 1 of those UNC players that breakout once they reach the pros..Injuries the past 2 years havent really allowed him to show what he’s capable of doing..And despite his slender frame,he isnt afraid of contact..But he still needs to add on a few more lbs,in order to hold his own in the post..

Terrance Ross surprised me last year,with his outstanding play…He might challenge Jeremy Lamb as the top shooting guard prospect….

Perry Jones might be another Jonathan Bender,a supremely talented athletic guy,who might not be as good as you think he is…

Robert Sacre of Gonzaga isnt on anyone’s 1st round mock….Alot of people say he wont even get drafted…But he knows how to draw fouls,he’s aggressive and boxes out well..And his rebounding numbers will be much better in the pros..He could be a great sleeper pick in the 2nd round for teams like Miami,Cleveland,Charlotte or Boston thats looking for a big man…

This draft is so deep,there might be guys that go in the 2nd round,that were projected to go in the lottery…

For some reason i dont believe McAdoo or Rivers are turning pro next summer..And i hope Micheal Gilchrist decides to stick around another year…..He could be a top 5 pick in 2013…I really like his old school game…

 

[omphalosParticipant]

I’ll agree about Zeller looking fairly average. Honestly, in all the games I’ve seen him in he’s looked weak on the block and terrible defensively. No chance he’s a lottery pick, he’ll go after Henson in the draft in my opinion.

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