[Wahoo757Participant]

As a huge UVA fan, I’ve been waiting to make a forum about who I believe is one of, if not the, most underrated player in the draft this year, and now is the ideal time to do so. Not having Mike Scott in the mock draft until tonight  boggled my mind, and even having him at 50 is 10-15 spots to low, as he has one of the best all-around offensive games for a power forward in the nation. Just let his last two games speak for themselves.

VS FSU: 9-15 FG, 10-11 FT=28 points and 10 rebounds (going against a very good defense, matching up against potential draft pick Bernard James)

@ MD: 11-20 FG, 13-18 FT=35 points and 11 rebounds (going against a frountcourt that includes potential lottery pick Alex Len)

It wasn’t just these two games, but he’s carrying a pretty mediocre UVA team to the #4 team in the ACC. Not only does Mike Scott score A LOT (17.9 PPG, which is very good when you take into consideration UVA has a very slow pace and is ranked 277th in the country) , but he also does it really efficiently (57%), and that is extraordinary when you take into account the number of difficult fadeaway and mid-range shots he takes.

Obviously, his defense, size, age, and rebounding numbers leave a bit to be desired, but he definitely has a niche for the NBA as a tough and versatile 4 that can score in a variety of ways.

What do you guys think about Mike Scott? Who else do you feel is very underrated?

[providencefriars1Participant]

I feel like Mike Scott was a great call, Ive caught him a few times and he could be a good combo forward in the NBA. He can shoot and has a ton of heart and toughness.

I feel like a broken record but I really like Xavier Gibson. Ashton Gibbs and JaMychal Green should be solid in the pros too as role players

[JaeEvolutionParticipant]

Will Barton, not even in the mock but will almost surely come out.

[truwizfan4Participant]

 Alex young i think can suprize people. he may be late pick but he can be a decent player for someone

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Darius Miller, this guy is strong, decent size, good athleticism, good shooter, and plays hard.  

Side note: Quincy Miller and Marquise Teague both slipped down to second round in latest mock?? 

[Future_Scout]

 trey burke

[M-EazyParticipant]

Mike Scott is basically a 6th year senior right now; he’s like 24 going against 19-21 year olds every night this is suppose to happen honestly…after watching him against UNC the second game I’m not surprised that he’s predicted to go so low in the draft.  He’s basically the only player on UVa with any type of offensive game.

[NotHamedHaddadiParticipant]

Mike Scott was a good choice, and everyone mentioned so far in this thread has been very underrated too
I think another player who’s underrated is Tim Hardaway Jr. Last year in the tourney he really opened some eyes but now everyone seems to have forgotten about him and he’s in the second round of the 2013 mock. I think he has lottery type talent.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

Jeffery Taylor- I too feel like a bit of a broken record but I dont know what there is not to like about him.

He’s 6’7 225, very athletic, good body control, not amazing in terms of first step explosiveness but is strong and sneaky quick.

He’s improved his handles dramatically, passes the ball pretty well for a SF, and is forced to essentially play a point forward role because Vandy’s guards are both basically SG’s. He is a fantastic defender, and has improved his Jumpshot as much as anybody in the country. He’s also got a toughness about him that will endear him to teammates.

I know he’s a Senior so alot of people wont think there is much "potential" left in him, but I will take a guy who has shown the ability to continue to grow and evolve and do things he is asked anyday, over a guy who wows you when it doesnt matter and never lives up to expectations

I see Taylor going anywhere from late teens to end the first round and I think at worst, he will be a better version of Jared Dudley/Michael Pietrus.

[PrecociousNeophyteParticipant]

 How about Nate Wolters? Saw him play for the first time tonight reminded me of how Luke Ridnour plays. He is only a junior so he might not come out.

[omphalosParticipant]

I’m with JaeEvolution, Barton is criminally underrated on this site when you consider his age, production, athleticism and upside. Second round in the 2013 mock, really?

Sure, he’s a stick, but he is a very competitive player who brings great intangibles, the only knock on him is his weight and a questionable jumper, but both of those things will be alleviated with time. I really hope he declares this year and Boston takes him with one of our first round picks.

[river09Participant]

 Will Barton, Nate Wolters. I love Barton’s game, personally I think he could be a solid starter in the league for quite a while if a team gives him a chance. His weight might cause concern, but his rebounding numbers show to me that he finds ways to get things to get it done, might not be conventional. Really not much of his game is conventional, reminds me a lot of a better Chris Douglas Roberts who was one of my all time favorites to watch. Moves great without the ball. A scorer in the truest sense of the word.

I really like the Wolters – Ridnour comparison. He is a great overall player, can improve on shot selection at times, but can do it all from the PG position. 

[river09Participant]

 Oh! Jeff Taylor! +1 to BiggySmalls. At the very least he will make a great rotation playing in the NBA can guard/defend SG and SF, do a bit of everything. Looking forward to watch Vandy in the tournament, combo of Taylor and John Jenkins (a great player in his own right, needs to stop wearing pants into games though the shorts he wears are ridiculous, i digress..) could surprise.. 

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

 will barton is very underrated…. boy has game…. 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

Love Nate Wolters- played with him through AAU basketball in Minnesota and against him. Kid is a baller. Does not wow you athletically but I have learned to simply not doubt him. He is one of those guys who has that knack to just rise to the level of competition he is playing against.

That being said, I don’t know about his NBA potential. One thing he does have going for him is that he is bigger than alot of mid major type lead guards at 6’4 with a great body (no homo?). He shoots the ball with odd form, but it is effective, and he plays under control with a level of smoothness that should translate to whatever next level he plays at.

SDSU is going to be awefully tempting for me to pick in the tourney, I think they will be a 13 or 14 seed and are going to definitly give headaches to whatever team they draw in round 1.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

Taylor looks like a winner who will be a major piece on a good team.

[jeff416Participant]

I have watched most of the games Barton has played this year, and I would be shocked if he isn’t a good pro. I still can’t figure out why he isn’t projected in the 1st round in the 2012 mock draft. He is skinny, but he is very long and is very athletic. I also think his game translates pretty well for the NBA game. He is one of the best one on one players in college basketball. I have no doubt that he will be able to score at the NBA level.

[phila9012Participant]

 he can score. he has a good shot, he can drive. He carried tennesse state this year, to bad nobaody helped him against murry state. He plays average defense. He is a little skinny. In like 2 years he could be a solid 8th or 9th man on a team. He has a variety of moves to get his shot off. Once he has decent players around him he wont force as many bad shots and his shooting percent will go up.

[Aran SmithKeymaster]

How does JaeEvolution get +12 on a post that is incorrect? Barton IS on the 2012 mock.

Sorry guys I know Will Barton is a popular player but the fact is scouts aren’t sure he gets drafted this year. Skills are not NBA ready (lack of outside shot and no strength, bad body) I had a scout tell me character issues which I completely disagree with. He’s a good kid IMO. Just has a ways to go skill and bodywise. And unsure if his body can ever develop the necessary strength. 50-undrafted.

To the original poster. Yeah I’ve never been a huge Scott guy, but he’s getting drafted. I’ve come around on him some after talking to scouts about him. 6’8 PFs with high motors and skills are doing pretty well in the league right now.

[JunkYardDogParticipant]

 ryan kelly is underrated….

[chevilicousParticipant]

^hahaha, now that’s being thrown under the bus

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 To fans I would say Damian Lillard he plays in the Big Sky, i’m pretty sure no one knows about him, besides bball junkies.

In general Will Barton.

[orangeshadow83Participant]

Kris Joseph will be a steal if he is the last pick of the first round(as on the mock right now). Has all the tools to be an elite defender, has great athleticism, and has a outside game, his mechanics are flawless. Hes not going to be an all star or anything but he could be a solid starter or play valuable minutes off the bench. For someone getting drafted late in the first round I think he’s a steal and heavily underrated

[JoeWolf1]

C.J. McCollum, I’m not sure he’ll even come out, but if he does come out I think he’ll make an impact in the league.  Playing at Lehigh he doesn’t get much press, but he’s had nice games against quality opponents this season including.

19 points 8 rebounds 5 assists against Michigan State

16 points 3 rebounds 6 assists against Iowa State

and in two games against Bucknell he put up

15 points 7 rebounds 3 assists and 14 points 3 rebounds 9 assists

He is a bit of a chucker, but he’s improved his shot selection since last season and he’s by far the #1 option on his team so he’s in a position where he needs to shoot the ball a lot for his team to be successful.

Lehigh and Bucknell are playing tonight for the Patriot League Championship.  You guys should try to catch it to get a look at McCollum, I think he is an NBA player.

[Future_Scout]

LORENZO BROWN, i think he is legit, and has a chance to play straight up PT standing at 6’4-6’5. he only averages 10 shots a game with 6.4 assist (top 4 in all college basketball). this guy is a stud

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Quincy Miller, he plays exactly like Rudy Gay just with about 7 less inches on his vert.

[Author]

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