NBA Draft 2013: Latest Big Board and Top 30 Projections for Week of May 22
With the NBA scouting combine complete and the post-lottery draft order set, it’s now crunch time for the many prospects hoping to get selected in next month’s event.
Some of these young men improved their stock after being measured and undergoing athletic testing in Chicago last week, while others are slipping down the big board and need to dominate at private workouts in order to get back into the rankings.
Let’s take a look at how our latest top-30 list of draft-eligible talent looks, provide some analysis for these potential picks and highlight a few potential landing spots for each.
Last week’s big board can be found here. Please note this is not a mock draft, but an overall ranking based on grade. Grade for each prospect is based on athletic testing, production in college (or overseas), measurements and NBA projections on a curve.
No. 1: Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky (Remains No. 1)
Noel is still the top pick in this class, but he hurt his stock a bit by only tipping the scales at a paltry 206 pounds last week.
While some of that skinniness can be attributed to his injury, the simple fact remains that this young man must bulk up before he’s ready to play the 4, let alone the 5 at the NBA level.
Expect the Cleveland Cavaliers to exercise extreme caution and do their homework before selecting this high-upside prospect.
Grade: A+
No. 2: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas (Remains No. 2)
McLemore’s stock remained steady at the combine, as he athletically tested and measured up to expectations.
The biggest knocks on his game—the inconsistent shooting and tendency to disappear for prolonged stretches—aren’t issues that tend to show up at an event like that. He shouldn’t come off the board later than No. 4 to the Charlotte Bobcats.
Grade: A+
No. 3: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana (Up from from No. 6)
Oladipo proved that he’s a top-notch athlete and perfectly sized to play the 2 at the next level.
Most teams picking early in the lottery need a prospect that can impact the game without the ball in his hands, defend in an inspiring manner and hustle up and down the court with infectious energy.
This Hoosiers star certainly hits all those notes and may be one of the most important players in this class when all is said and done. The Cavs may consider Oladipo at No. 1, but he’ll likely head to Charlotte at No. 4 or Phoenix at No. 5.
Grade: A
No. 4: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown (Down from No. 3)
Porter projects to be an ideal swingman for a franchise that already has other players shouldering the scoring load.
Due to his non-stop motor, penchant to bang for boards, defensive tendencies and ability to knock down open looks, he’d be a perfect fit with the Wizards at No. 3.
Grade: A
No. 5: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan (Remains No. 5)
Burke is the top point guard in the class, as he brings a ton of different assets to the table.
The Michigan man is a proven winner (as evident by his Wolverines’ run to the national title game), a capable scorer and great facilitator. Those intangibles and pure point skills are exactly what the Orlando Magic need at No. 2.
Grade: A
No. 6: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV (Down from No. 4)
Bennett is a bit of a tweener, but his ability to play either the 3 or 4 could be beneficial for him in this draft.
Teams that aren’t afraid to gamble on an undersized PF will get a strong player with great range on his jumper, and the UNLV just needs to continue to work on his quickness to guard other SFs.
He could work with a number of lottery teams, including the Wizards at No. 3 and Detroit Pistons at No. 8.
Grade: A
No. 7: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh (Remains No. 7)
McCollum looked perfectly healthy at the combine, which is relieving since a foot injury cut his senior campaign short.
The sniper may be a bit undersized for a 2, but there’s hope he can handle the ball and make enough plays to run the point at the next level. It’ll be interesting to see where he goes, but the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 9 seem to be the best option.
Grade: A-
No. 8: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana (Up from No. 15)
Zeller dominated in Chicago, proving to his doubters that he is a top-notch athlete with prototypical size for an NBA big man.
With that performance, he’s firmly back in the lottery and could come off the board as early as No. 6 when the New Orleans Pelicans pick, but seems to be a better selection for the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 11.
Grade: A-
No. 9: Michael Carter-Williams, G, Syracuse (Down from No. 8)
Carter-Williams has some issues to iron out, including poor handles and inability to shoot consistently, but has the best passing skills in this class and utilizes his 6’6” frame to lock down his man.
With plenty of organizations looking for a set-up man to help their stars get open looks, MCWshould be a popular name on the short lists. Don’t sleep on the Sacramento Kings nabbing him at No. 7, while there should be no chance he slips past the Utah Jazz at No. 14.
Grade: A-
No. 10: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia (Up from No. 13)
Saric is the top international prospect in this year’s draft class, although he may be a few years from being NBA ready.
Regardless, a general manager looking to take a gamble on a potential star would be foolish to pass up this Croatian in the late lottery. He possesses a high IQ and is one of the better passingswingman we’ve seen in a while.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks, picking No. 12 and 13—respectively, are both options for this 19-year-old project.
Grade: B+
No. 11: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA (Down from No. 9)
Any franchise looking for a scorer should look no further than Muhammad. While his upside is a bit limited and he doesn’t seem to be much more than a point producer, his ability to generate buckets is valuable skill in the Association.
The UCLA star is a bit of a wildcard this year, as he could land in the top-three—likely with Washington—or outside of the lottery, but he shouldn’t fall past the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 15.
Grade: B+
No. 12: Alex Len, C, Maryland (Remains No. 12)
Len hasn’t participated in any pre-draft workouts and will not be able to due to ankle surgery. Ithasn’t impacted his stock much, considering most scouts already had a good enough look at this offensive-minded big man.
Even with the injury, the Wizards may take a look at No. 3, the Pelicans should highly consider him at No. 6 and the Maryland star’s floor is the Thunder at No. 12.
Grade: B+
No. 13: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville (Down from No. 11)
Dieng is a bit older at age 23 and doesn’t have the upside some of these other big men do, but he’ll be ready to contribute on Day 1.
His offensive game clearly needs some polish, but the Cardinals pivot can block shots, protect the rim, defend his position and even pass at a high level out of the post.
The lottery may be a bit of stretch for this national title-winner, but he’s an option for the Thunder at No. 12, Boston Celtics at No. 16 and Chicago Bulls at No. 20.
Grade: B
No. 14: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia (Remains No.14)
The “three-and-D” off-guard is a dying breed in the modern NBA, which is why there should be a handful of suitors clamoring for a chance to nab KCP come June.
This Georgia star can create his own shot, fire away from anywhere on the court and possesses the athleticism to shut down his man on defense.
He could go as early as No. 10 to the Portland Trail Blazers, although it’s a bit more likely the Atlanta Hawks grab him at No. 16 or 17. Chicago will not let him past No. 20, as he’s an ideal fit in the backcourt with Derrick Rose.
Grade: B
No. 15: Steve Adams, C, Pittsburgh (Up from No. 29)
Adams did himself a huge favor by showing up at the combine and proving to scouts that he’s not a clumsy, foreign seven-footer that has bust written on his forehead.
He was dominating the competition in athletic tests, measured out above expectations, interviewed well and now looks to be a firm lottery pick.
The Pitt star looks to be a strong option for Portland at No. 10, Philly at 11, OKC at 12 and Dallas at 13.
Grade: B-
No. 16: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (Down from No. 10)
Olynyk showed some pretty unimpressive athleticism and short arms at the combine, but no one was drafting him based on his ability to jump out of the gym or touch his toes standing up.
The ‘Zags star can simply score the basketball and uses an impressive array of face-up and low-post moves to get his buckets. Don’t be surprised if the Hawks use one of their picks on him, the Brooklyn Nets take a stab at No. 22 or the Indiana Pacers grab him at No. 23.
Grade: B-
No. 17: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke (Remains No. 17)
Plumlee isn’t going to be a star in the NBA, but he’s a solid garbage man that will clean up the glass, work hard on defense and gain extra possessions for his team.
He’s looking like a perfect member of the Hawks, although the Celtics at No. 16 and Nets at No. 22 should be interested.
Grade: B-
No. 18: Allen Crabbe, SG, California (Up from No. 22)
Crabbe is a bona fide sniper that can shoot the lights out.
He has the size to get his jumper off over anyone and should be a decent defender when he’s motivated. Don’t be shocked if the Bucks nab him at No. 15, although his long-range gunning will be coveted by numerous organizations.
Grade: C+
No. 19: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany (Up from No. 20)
Schroeder put himself on the map at the Nike Hoops Summit a few weeks ago and has held steady as a possible mid-to-late first-rounder.
The German can get into the lane with ease and is a skilled finisher around the hoop, although he’s more than capable of passing it to the open man for an easy shot.
Boston will be interested at No. 16, Chicago is a good spot at No. 20 and the New York Knicks cannot let him past No. 24.
Grade: C+
No. 20: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (Down from No. 16)
Withey is another older player that doesn’t have a high ceiling, but should be a regular contributor in the Association.
He’s capable of defending his position, protecting the rim and sending back shots that go up anywhere near him. That’s the type of player the Nets (No. 22) need behind Brook Lopez, although he could come off the board earlier.
Grade: C+
No. 21: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State (Up from No. 26)
Franklin is a freakish athlete that is one of the best rebounding guard prospects we’ve ever seen.
The guy jumps out of the gym and is a jumper away from being a fixture on the team that drafts him, which may be the Hawks (No. 17 and 18), Bulls (20), Los Angeles Clippers (25) or Denver Nuggets (27).
Grade: C
No. 22: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia (Down from No. 18)
This Russian sniper is arguably one of the top long-range shooters in the 2013 class, which makes him an instant asset coming off a bench.
He’d fit in perfectly with the Timberwolves at No. 26, as the team boasts two other players from his home country—Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved.
Grade: C
No. 23: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (Unranked last week)
Larkin blew up at the combine, proving to onlookers that he’s a freakish athlete that deserves to be picked in the first round of the draft.
If the Jazz hasn’t addressed their PG situation by the time they pick for a second time (No. 21), the Miami star should be the slam-dunk selection. The Clips and Knicks are both options if he sneaks past Utah.
Grade: C
No. 24: Glen Rice Jr., SG, D-League (Down from No. 19)
Rice’s stock dipped at the combine, as he didn’t seem to be the same lights-out shooter he was during his D-League championship run with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
That definitely hurts his projections as a possible swingman that could play the 2 as well as the 3, but he may mesh with the Cavs at No. 19, San Antonio Spurs at No. 28 or Suns at No. 30.
Grade: C
No. 25: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan (Down from No. 21)
Hardaway Jr. is someone that could throw up a shot from anywhere in the arena and have a good chance of making it. He proved that in Chicago and showed a fire to boot, wowing talent evaluators with his interviews and hustle in every single event.
It wouldn’t be that much of a stretch if the Knicks make a move for him to replace J.R. Smith, although the Pacers, T-Wolves and Nuggets are all great landing destinations as well.
Grade: C
No. 26: Giannis Adetokunbo, SF, Greece (Down from No. 23)
Not much is known about this international man of mystery, but he could be an elite point forward with his crazy long arms and immense athleticism. He could also be a bust that never makes it to American shores to play in an NBA game.
A team with nothing to lose—such as the OKC Thunder at No. 29—will likely make a play on this young man and let him develop overseas until he’s ready.
Grade: C
No. 27: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas (Remains No. 27)
Mitchell is an athletic beast that can guard either forward position and bang for rebounds with the best of them.
He has to work on his scoring touch, but the upside is certainly still there. As holders of the last pick in the first round, the Suns are an ideal candidate to snag this underrated prospect.
Grade: C-
No. 28: Tony Snell, SF, New Mexico (Unranked last week)
Snell’s performance at the combine turned a lot of heads, meaning he could sneak into the first round come June 27.
The New Mexico star has one of the sweetest strokes and grades out as one of the top athletes in this crop of talent. Denver (27), San Antonio (28) and Phoenix (30) should all take a close look at this young man.
Grade: D+
No. 29: Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil (Down from No. 25)
Noguiera is inconsistent as they come, but his upside is undeniable.
The big man excels down in the post and uses his superior size to grab boards and score points. He has some polishing to do on both ends of the court, but may go as early as No. 19 to Cleveland.
Grade: D+
No. 30: Rudy Gobert, PF, France (Remains No. 30)
At the combine, Gobert showed that his athleticism is subpar and only thing going for him is height and reach at this juncture.
While some teams may try to mold his big body into something resembling a serviceable PF or C, it’s unlikely to happen and this Frenchman seems like a major bust. However, he could still go as early as No. 12 to OKC, is an option at No. 19 with Cleveland and any franchise after that needing a big will give him a look.
Grade: D
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
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NBA Board of Governors to decide fate of Kings
League owners to decide if Kings can move or if they have to stay
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NCAA, Emmert face tough agenda at board meeting (Yahoo! Sports)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert looks and sounds increasingly frustrated.
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Rutgers lawyer resigns as board looks at issues (Yahoo! Sports)
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — A Rutgers University lawyer resigned Thursday amid growing anger that he was still employed by the school after approving a decision in December to suspend rather than fire basketball coach Mike Rice after becoming aware of a video showing the coach hitting, kicking and taunting players.
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Projecting Houston Rockets’ 2013 Free-Agency Big Board
The Houston Rockets have built a solid roster around young shooting guard James Harden and are on the verge of clinching a playoff birth in his first year with the organization.
However, the team still has quite a bit of room to improve and could become a major player in 2013′s free agency extravaganza.
Houston only has about $40 million in guaranteed contracts, which should leave them with as much as $18 million to play with this summer.
It remains to be seen how much of that will be used on re-signing their own players, but regardless, that’s quite a bit of change to throw at potential free agents.
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Projecting Miami Heat’s 2013 Free Agency Big Board
Since the Miami Heat‘s winning streak has come to an end, it’s only right to begin talking about the impending free-agency period they must use to improve on.
After all, what’s a winning streak if you don’t break a 40-year-old record that hasn’t been close to being touched since it was set?
With that being said, the Heat will have several thoughts to ponder this summer. Because not only will they be one year closer to the possibility of each member of the “Big Three” opting out of their deals, but will also be facing the potential of losing several players to free agency.
Ray Allen, James Jones and Rashard Lewis will all be unrestricted free agents but will have player options. Mario Chalmers has a team option, which will be shocking if the Heat don’t utilize, while Juwan Howard and Chris Andersen will simply be unrestricted free agents.
It’s tough to say who’s staying and going, but there’s a high possibility Allen and Chalmers will be members of the Heat next year. Lewis could be kept on for the depth he provides. With Mike Miller facing the possibility of an amnesty clause, Jones may just end up hitching another ride for ring-chasing.
The Heat have their flaws, even though they ran off that 27-game winning streak that so many seem to be disappointed in. Those flaws are mostly prevalent when it comes to the Heat’s lack of aggression on the boards.
Although the rebounding differential has Miami only at a minus-two, they’re still getting consistently beat up by teams that are either active and/or bigger.
With Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem averaging a combined 12 boards and the leading rebounder being the team’s small forward (LeBron James averaging 8.2), it seems that the Heat organization may finally take a stab at a big man for once in a summer.
Miami signed Shane Battier in 2011. It signed Allen and Lewis in 2012.
With enough wing players stocked up, Miami appears to be a solid rebounder and another consistent stretch-4 away from compiling a seemingly unstoppable roster. There will be a few affordable options out in the market and quite a few of them are young and worth the investment.
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2013 NBA Draft Big Board: Pre-March Madness Edition
With March Madness upon us, it’s time to unleash our updated 2013 NBA draft big board.
The big board is our ranking of the top prospects in America, and not necessarily a reflection of where they’ll end up in the draft. The lottery might have something to say about that.
We’ve set this big board up to highlight the top-10 players on the board, followed by different tiers representing each caliber of player.
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NBA Draft 2013: Latest Big Board and Top 30 Projections for Week of March 12
Championship Week is finally here and many prospects are hoping to guide their respective teams deep through the conference tournaments.
Fans will surely be watching intently, but you can rest assured that NBA scouts and general managers will be doing the same.
It’s the perfect time to make some adjustments to our big board, so let’s take a look at where each of the top-30 NBA hopefuls now stand, with changes noted to the right of their names.
Last week’s big board can be found here. Please note this is not a mock draft, but an overall ranking based on grade.
No. 1: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas (Remains No. 1)
McLemore is hanging steady at the top of the draft board, especially after his 36-point explosion against West Virginia on March 2 and a solid 23-point outing—despite Kansas’ blowout loss to Baylor in the season finale.
As long as the Jayhawks can avoid another major upset in postseason play and McLemore continues his steady all-around play, he has a great chance to get selected No. 1—becoming just the fourth wing the last 40 years to accomplish this (LeBron James, Glenn Robinson and David Thompson).
Grade: A+
No. 2 Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State (Remains No. 2)
Smart may be a bit inconsistent at times, but it’s hard to fault him as a freshman trying to lead the Pokes while shouldering the scoring load and being the primary facilitator.
He’s done a great job of managing all of these duties and that bodes well for his prospects at the next level. It would be a shock if another PG comes off the board prior to Smart—and there’s even a chance a guard-needy team could take this blooming star No. 1 overall.
Grade: A+
No. 3: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown (Up from No. 4)
Because of Porter, the Georgetown Hoyas are one of the hottest teams in college basketball.
We already knew that this swingman could do a bit of everything, but he proved he can also handle the crunch-time scoring load as well over the past few weeks.
If you have any doubt about this youngster becoming a successful star, just look at his 2012-13 stat line: 16.4 points (50.2 percent FG, 44.0 percent 3PT), 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block. Just phenomenal numbers for what should be a surefire top-five selection this April.
Grade: A+
No. 4: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky (Down from No. 3)
Noel’s ACL injury should not be a huge factor in where he’s drafted, as we’ve seen multiple players in all different sports suffer this same injury and come back at 100 percent.
Before he went down, this kid showed a ton of promise on the defensive end. He could alter games by blocking shots and protecting the rim, while also possessing a motor that just can’t be taught.
Grade: A+
No. 5: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana (Remains No. 5)
Oladipo is a high-energy 2 that every team would love to have.
His defensive hustle, willingness to give 100 percent on every single play and dedication to the game are something to be admired, even if there are a few flaws in this Hoosier’s game.
He may not be the best long-range shooter, but Oladipo should develop into a bona fide star in the NBA.
Grade: A
No. 6: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA (Up from No. 7)
Muhammad is an interesting prospect that hasn’t had the best year for the Bruins, but still projects as a top-10 pick if he decides to come out after his freshman season.
There are questions about his height (6’5”) if he’s going to play the 3 in the pros, but we believe this guy has the heart, strength and dedication to overcome that concern.
Grade: A
No. 7: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV (Down from No. 6)
Bennett’s style of play is quite impressive, as he uses brute strength to bully around taller defenders in the paint, grab rebounds and score points.
However, he also has range out to the three-point line and uses his 6’8” frame to an advantage out on the perimeter.
Had Bennett been blessed with an extra few inches of height, he have been a lock for a No. 1 pick, but he should impress an organization inside the top-10 regardless.
Grade: A
No. 8: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State (Remains No. 8)
It’s hard to remain skeptical on Harris, considering he continually proves his worth against top-flight competition.
The freshman guard has tremendous upside and should have no problem taking his game to the next level, especially since he’s become a standout under Tom Izzo on a notoriously tough Spartans team to get minutes for as an underclassman.
Grade: A-
No. 9: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana (Up from No. 10)
Zeller projects as a player that could contribute right away at a decent level, but won’t ever become a superstar.
We predict a frontcourt-needy organization will snap him up towards the end of the lottery, beginning this sophomore’s long NBA career as a rotation player and occasional starter depending on his location.
Grade: A-
No. 10: Alex Len, C, Maryland (Down from No. 9)
We’re not sure how good Len could be with good guards, but we are sure that he needs to be more aggressive.
This youngster has some of the best moves in the lowpost that we’ve seen in years, but he doesn’t call for—or receive—the ball enough to make good things happen and help his team win the tough games all the time.
Until he gets more vocal and willing to dominate, Len is going to be limited.
Grade: A-
No. 11: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan (Up from No. 15)
Burke’s 6’0”, 190-pound frame definitely leaves something to be desired, but you cannot deny his production on the court.
As long as he keeps it up and continues helping the Wolverines succeed through the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments, Burke should solidify himself as a lottery lock.
Grade: B+
No. 12: Michael Carter-Williams, G, Syracuse (Down from No. 11)
Syracuse has lost four of their last five games going into the Big East tournament, but Carter-Williams will be forgive—and improve his stock—if he can guide the Orange deep through this upcoming event.
There are a number of concerns about this 6’6” guard’s handling ability and jump shot, but his ability as a facilitator is mind-blowing. If he’s able to show off the good and limit the bad, expect Carter-Williams to become a legit top-10 prospect.
Grade: B+
No. 13: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky (Remains No. 13)
Cauley-Stein looks to be a great rebounding, highly athletic shot-blocker.
He doesn’t have the upside of his injured teammate, Noel, but should be able to place himself squarely in the lottery with some more good performances down the stretch and hopefully in the NCAA tournament later this month.
Grade: B
No. 14: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke (Down from No. 12)
Do we think Plumlee is ever going to be a star? Absolutely not. Do we think Plumlee is worthy of a lottery pick? Definitely yes.
This Blue Devils prospect plays with a ton of heart and hustle, two things that are impossible to teach. Couple that in with the fact that he’s a big man and you have a rare breed that will certainly find a way to contribute to a winning team.
Grade: B
No. 15: Alex Poythress, SF, Kentucky (Up from No. 16)
Poythress needs to take notes from Plumlee on how to hustle and keep his head in the game 100 percent of the time.
Those are the biggest knocks on this young swingman, as he has the size, athleticism and raw talent to succeed in the NBA.
Hopefully he can learn to play hard and become a star in the pros.
Grade: B-
No. 16: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh (Down from No. 14)
McCollum isn’t getting a chance to shine in his conference tournament—likely marking the end of LeHigh’s slim chance of making the 68-team NCAA field.
Regardless, the young man showed enough promise and skill on the court before his foot injury derailed his senior season. It’s likely that a team in the lottery will pull the trigger on this pure scorer.
Grade: B-
No. 17: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (Up from No. 20)
Olynyk has been quickly rising up draft boards—and for good reason.
The Gonzaga big man is a deadly scorer from inside and has a variety of different moves to put on his defender. Unfortunately, he’s not much of an athlete, which limits him defensively and as a high-upside prospect.
Grade: C+
No. 18: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia (Down from No. 17)
Saric is looking like a special talent.
He can play multiple positions, has an innate feel for the game despite being just 18-years-old, sees the court as well as anyone and is just oozing upside.
It’ll be interesting to see which franchise elects to take a chance on the Croatian come June.
Grade: C+
No. 19: Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky (Up from No. 21)
Speaking of upside, Goodwin is chock-full of it.
The Wildcats guard may not be much of a shooter for a 2-guard, but he has the raw athleticism to get to the basket at will, lockdown any opposing guard and run like a deer on the fast break.
However, until he develops a jump shot, we’re just not sold on Goodwin’s NBA prospects.
Grade: C
No. 20: Isaiah Austin, PF, Baylor (Up from No. 22)
Austin is yet another upside-or-bust player.
This seven-footer has all the skills of a legitimate swingman, but has to bulk up to play the 4 in the Association.
Until he does that, we doubt this Bears star will see much floor time.
Grade: C
No. 21: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State (Down from No. 19)
Franklin is one of the better athletes in the class and you only need to look at his rebounding numbers to prove that.
The 6’5”, 205-pound SG averaged a ridiculous 9.4 rebounds to go along with his 17.0 points and 3.1 assists in 2012-13. He does need to work on his jumper, but Franklin should be a mid-first round lock at this point.
Grade: C
No. 22: Rudy Gobert, PF, France (Down from No. 18)
We’re not sure that Gobert could come to the US and make an impact right away, but this 7’2” behemoth with a 7’9” wingspan could make a decent prospect to stash in Europe for a while.
It’s likely that a team that’s deep—such as the Nuggets or Pacers—winds up taking a stab at this Frenchman.
Grade: C-
No. 23: Glenn Robinson III, SF, Michigan (Remains No. 23)
Robinson is a natural scorer with an NBA pedigree, but has to get more comfortable performing on a regular basis.
If he elects to enter the draft, Robinson should find a home in the first round, but may take a few years to develop into a serviceable swingman.
Grade: C-
No. 24: James Michael McAdoo, PF, UNC (Remains No. 24)
McAdoo’s improved his stock somewhat in the second half of the season, but there’s no chance he’s considered for the lottery after such a mediocre year.
This youngster was supposed to be a superstar during his sophomore campaign, but wound up barely improving over his freshman season and making plenty of puzzling decisions.
Regardless, he does have some upside and should come off the board in the late-first this April.
Grade: C-
No. 25: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (Up from No. 26)
We’re starting to like Withey more, but can’t see him making the jump in the league until he develops more of a scoring touch.
As of now, we project this Jayhawk to become a serviceable starter down the line for his height, shot-blocking ability and defense. He could become even better if he works on his post game.
Grade: D+
No. 26: Allen Crabbe, SG, California (Unranked last week)
Crabbe is a scorer, plain and simple.
We doubt he’s going to be a starting 2 for an NBA franchise, but could be instant, microwave offense coming off the bench.
This guy can bomb away from deep, gets to the cup and even tries hard on the glass—plenty of great attributes for a late-first round pick.
Grade: D+
No. 27: Patric Young, C, Florida (Down from No. 25)
We love Young’s athleticism and raw talent, but have a hard time envisioning him as much more than a role player.
That’s not to say he’s a bad prospect, he’s just not a center that will ever have a shot at becoming more than a bench player for a good team.
Grade: D
No. 28: Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA (Remains No. 28).
Anderson’s game is one of the more unique things we’ve ever seen.
He can do a bit of everything on the court and is one of the more talented playmakers, but has been inconsistent during his time at UCLA.
We’re not sure he is coming out—and probably shouldn’t this year—but he’s definitely a player to monitor.
Grade: D
No. 29: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas (Remains No. 29)
Mitchell is such a talented scorer, it’s absolutely maddening to see him toil away and put up mediocre numbers for the Mean Green.
His 2012-13 performance did his draft stock zero favors, but we imagine he could become one of those late picks that blossoms into a legitimate star in this league.
Grade: D-
No. 30: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia (Unranked last week)
Caldwell-Pope is a dynamic scorer with insane range and no conscious.
This guy will bomb away from anywhere on the floor and help his team get buckets, sometimes trying to a fault.
Regardless, he’s made his way onto our big board for his bucket generating skills and is likely to stay here for quite some time.
Grade: D-
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NBA Draft 2013: Latest Big Board and Top 30 Projections for Week of Feb. 26
With the 2012-13 college basketball regular season winding down and conference tournaments getting ready to begin, it’s an extremely important time to evaluate the stock of some of the top prospects in the nation.
The 2013 NBA draft picture is going to change drastically over the next few weeks, as heroes emerge and goats reveal themselves in the NCAA tournament. Of course, our big board will be updated to reflect the ebbs and flows of these stock movements.
For the last time in February, here’s a look at the latest Top-30 prospect rankings.
Last week’s big board can be found here. Please note this is not a mock draft, but an overall ranking based on grade.
No. 1: Ben McLemore, SF, Kansas (Remains No. 1)
Kansas continues to remain one of the most dominant teams in the country and McLemore is the catalyst behind the program’s success.
If he can finish the regular season strong and put together a solid run through the NCAA tournament, he has a strong chance to go No. 1 overall in the 2013 draft.
Grade: A+
No. 2 Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State (Remains No. 2)
I’ve been high on Smart all year, and it seems this young man is finally getting the credit he deserves.
The Pokes’ guard has the size (6’4”, 225 lbs.), court vision, playmaking ability and pure scoring touch to do everything from the PG position and do it all well. If a team that needs a facilitator selects him, expect Smart to make an immediate impact in the NBA.
Grade: A+
No. 3: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky (Up from No. 4)
Despite Noel’s injury, we still believe he’s a top five pick in the draft.
We’re seeing plenty of young players recover fully from ACL issues at an extreme pace, and we have no reason to believe this 19-year-old center will have any complications. As long as he remains on the right path, expect the Wildcats’ star to come off the board early.
Grade: A+
No. 4: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana (Up from No. 10)
Oladipo has been rising up draft boards for a month now and legitimately looks to be a lock to be selected in the early lottery.
The Hoosiers’ star possesses a great combination of pure athleticism, innate defensive ability, basketball IQ and motor. If he brings all those traits with him to the next level, the sky is the limit for this young man.
Grade: A+
No. 5: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV (Down from No. 3)
Bennett possesses the raw power and physical strength to excel in college, but his 6’8” height has some scouts worrying about his ability to succeed in the Association.
If he’s not able to outmuscle opponents, the UNLV product is going to need to rely on his finesse around the basket—an aspect of his game not yet fully developed.
Grade: A
No. 6: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown (Up from No. 8)
Well before he returned for his sophomore campaign, we knew Porter was a do-it-all-type player that could make his mark in a game in many different areas.
What we weren’t sure about was his ability to take over and dominate by becoming an elite scorer, but his 33 points against Syracuse recently proved he’s more than capable.
Grade: A
No. 7: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA (Down from No. 5)
Muhammad still grades out as an elite scoring prospect, but it’s going to take some great performances over the next few weeks to convince scouts that this kid is a legitimate top five pick.
There are a lot of holes in this kid’s game, and he hasn’t shown the improvement many were expecting over the course of a season at UCLA. That could change under the bright lights of the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments.
Grade: A
No. 8: Alex Len, C, Maryland (Down from No. 6)
Len has a great post game, but he has to be more vocal in calling for (and demanding) the ball.
If this Terrapins star could receive more entry passes and get fed down low, the big man would not only help his stock, but also help the team win more games.
Grade: A-
No. 9: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana (Down from No. 7)
We’re just not sold on Zeller’s NBA potential.
The Hoosiers’ sophomore can run the floor well and has good size, but he lacks the potential and upside of many elite prospects. We expect he’ll still fall in the lottery, but not until the latter portion.
Grade: A-
No. 10: Michael Carter-Williams, G, Syracuse (Down from No. 9)
Carter-Williams is prone to inconsistent play from time-to-time, but the Orangeman is easily the best facilitator in the class.
The sophomore has insane court vision and the ability to set up anyone on the court in a great spot to score, but he has to improve his handle and shooting if he’s going to be an actual threat in the NBA.
Grade: B+
No. 11: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke (Remains No. 11)
Plumlee can tear it up from time to time, but he really doesn’t need his name called or plays run in order to make an impact.
As long as this Blue Devil is on the court, he will be hustling, grabbing boards and finding ways to get open for easy scores. Nothing should change after the senior gets selected in the draft.
Grade: B+
No. 12: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky (Remains No. 12)
Cauley-Stein has had a chance to shine with Noel out, and he’s responded with some nice performances.
His 20 points and seven rebounds against Vanderbilt were great, and his 12 boards and seven blocks against Missouri helped change the game, but he has to develop into a better scorer. Until the seven-footer starts getting buckets with ease, he’s a mid-to-late first-rounder.
Grade: B
No. 13: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan (Up from No. 15)
Burke is one of the best collegiate players in the nation and has been helping the Wolverines remain atop the polls with great scoring and facilitating skills.
However, this prospect is just 6’0”, 190 lbs., and simply doesn’t possess the prototypical size teams covet in its point guard. There’s nothing Burke can do but play harder to overcome this.
Grade: B
No. 14: Isaiah Austin, PF, Baylor (Down from No. 13)
Austin may have the seven-foot frame that organizations covet, but he’s lacking any sort of bulk whatsoever.
There is no way he could play the 4 or 5 in the NBA until he gains a significant amount of strength and weight, but the potential is there for this Bears product to become something special.
Grade: B
No. 15: Alex Poythress, SF, Kentucky (Down from No. 14)
Poythress has no motor, which is usually a bad sign for a player’s projected NBA career.
Unless the UK swingman begins hustling and playing with intensity like his predecessor—No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 draft, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist—he’s going to continue to slip down the big board.
Grade: B-
No. 16: Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State (Up from No. 28)
Harris shot up our big board this week, even though the Spartans fell twice to Big Ten opponents.
The shooting guard did his best to keep MSU in these games, and he’s developed into a leader, scorer, passer, defender and all-around player.
Any team that needs a 2 should feel comfortable drafting Harris at the tail end of the lottery.
Grade: B-
No. 17: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh (Down from No. 16)
McCollum isn’t playing due to a broken foot, but his stock shouldn’t change much.
He can thank Damian Lillard, who proved mature guards from small schools that can score with ease have skills that transfer over to the NBA.
Grade: C+
No. 18: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State (Remains No. 18)
Franklin is an elite rebounder with insane athleticism and a willingness to hustle on each possession.
If he becomes a better shooter and more consistent offensive player, a team will have a steal on its hands.
Grade: C+
No. 19: Rudy Gobert, PF, France (Remains No. 19)
Gobert’s wingspan is all the rage for those talking about international prospects, but we’re not yet sold on this big man.
Until he arrives on American shores and shows he has the skills to actually play in the NBA, we don’t believe he’s worth anything more than a late first-round pick.
Grade: C
No. 20: Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky (Down from No. 17)
Goodwin is raw. Plain and simple.
While he possesses the out-of-this-world athleticism that franchises are looking for in their guards now—to either defend all the top-tier PGs and SGs in the league or attempt to become one themselves—he just doesn’t have the maturity.
One more year at Kentucky would do this kid wonders.
Grade: C
No. 21: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia (Down from No. 20)
Saric is a bit young, but looks to be one of the better playmakers available in 2013.
We suspect a deep team with little roster room will gamble on the Croatian, stashing him in the EuroLeague until he’s ready to come overseas.
Grade: C-
No. 22: Glenn Robinson III, SF, Michigan (Down from No. 21)
Robinson’s NBA pedigree and scoring touch are certainly going to be a major factor on where he gets his name called on draft day.
If he continues to help Michigan by putting the ball through the hoop, plus rebounds at an above-average level, the forward could fall in the top half of the first round.
Grade: C-
No. 23: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas (Down from No. 22)
Mitchell shows flashes of greatness, but he’s not dominant enough all the time to warrant a lottery pick.
Considering he’s mainly going up against the Mean Green’s Sun Belt conference competition, this scoring swingman should be stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis. Unfortunately, that just isn’t the case.
Grade: C-
No. 24: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (Up from No. 26)
Olynyk is one of the better big men scorers in this class, as most of the PFs and Cs rely on athleticism or are more known for defense in 2013.
The Zags center uses a variety of low-post moves to fake out his opponent and carve his way to the hoop for easy buckets. That alone should warrant him first-round consideration, despite being a mediocre (at best) athlete.
Grade: D+
No. 25: James Michael McAdoo, PF, UNC (Down from No. 23)
McAdoo should have jumped to the pros in 2012, as the forward has shown hardly any improvement from his freshman year to his sophomore year.
That’s killing his stock and nothing short of a few masterful showings in the tournaments will save this Tar Heel.
Grade: D+
No. 26: Patric Young, C, Florida (Down from No. 24)
Young’s been flirting with the draft for a couple of years now, and we truly think this Gators stud is ready to go in the first round.
He can rebound, he can shot block, he can score, he can run, he can jump and he can do everything else a big man needs to do to succeed in the Association.
Grade: D
No. 27: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (Down from No. 25)
Withey, unlike Young, is a much more one-dimensional player.
The Jayhawks’ center is best known as a shot-blocker and defender, and direly must improve his offensive game.
Grade: D
No. 28: B.J. Young, PG, Arkansas (Down from No. 27)
Young projects as a high-energy guard coming off the bench, as he is too selfish to facilitate and start at the next level.
Many NBA teams would love to have his scoring ability and instant offense on the pine, but counting on this Razorbacks star for anything more than that would likely wind up unsuccessful.
Grade: D-
No. 29: Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA (Unranked last week)
Anderson has one of the more unique games in the NCAA right now, and he may just impress scouts enough to wind up in the top 30 come draft day.
He plays with a slow and deliberate pace, but also makes a few flashy passes per game and does things that just make your jaw drop.
If he can remove some of the faulty parts of his game (bad jumper, etc.), the Bruins’ do-it-all standout will be a top pick.
Grade: D-
No. 30: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh (Remains No. 30)
Adams possesses great height, but would benefit from another year in school.
If he declares for the draft, expect him to come off the board in the first round largely due to his seven-foot stature. However, it will take years of development before he’s not being posterized and actually contributing.
Grade: F
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