It’s Hump Day everyone, and that means its time for my
Wednesday Top-5.
Every Wednesday, I’ll rank five players, teams or anything
else I find interesting.
So this week’s Top-5 is: NBA Draft prospects in college
basketball.
1.
Andrew Wiggins, Kansas, Fr. (15.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg):
The No. 1 recruit a year ago should be the No. 1 pick in
this year’s draft. I’ve been nothing but impressed with the 6-foot-8 forward from Canada. He’s done nothing but improve since the season began, much like 15th
ranked Kansas. He’s not as polished offensively as some of the other
prospects, but the kid already has an NBA-like step back jumper and is as
explosive as it gets when attacking the rim. He’s only 200 pounds as well.
Imagine what he’ll be like with that athletic ability and a little more muscle on
him. It’s scary to think about.
2.
Joel Embiid, Kansas, Fr. (10.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.6
bpg): With all due respect to Wiggins, Kansas’ Final Four hopes rest squarely
on the lean shoulders of Embiid. The kid is an animal. I’m talking the next Dikembe
Mutombo. You know, the guy in those Geico commercials. Embiid influences the
game in so many ways. He’s got phenomenal feet in the low post. He rebounds
with a vengeance. And he is an enforcer around the rim. Just talk to Iowa State
coach Fred Hoiberg, who’s team lost to the Jay Hawks Monday night. The thing
is, Embiid has an upside only Wiggins can match. And he’s been playing
basketball for a just few years. Watch out for this kid.
3.
Jabari Parker, Duke, Fr. (18.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg):
Out of all the freshmen in college basketball, Parker might be the most
offensively refined. He can shoot. He can drive. And he can finish with authority. The thing that might limit his draft stock though is his size and
quickness. Right now, he plays mostly power forward and center for the Blue
Devils, but at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, he’ll be looking more at small forward in
the NBA. However, because of his shooting ability and creativity with the
basketball, I think he’ll still end up a star in the league. He just doesn’t
have the huge, star potential that Embiid and Wiggins possess.
4.
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma St., Soph. (17.8 ppg, 5.4
rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.6 spg): Wait…a sophomore made this list? In today’s age of
one-and-done freshmen in college basketball, Smart decided to return for his
sophomore season. And so far it seems like the right decision as Oklahome State ranks in the top-10. Smart is a big point guard (6-foot-4) that will succeed
almost immediately in the NBA. It’s his decision-making (2-to-1 assist to
turnover ratio) and leadership that impress me the most. Sure, there are a lot
of guys who can score with ease, but Smart just makes his teammates so much
better when he’s on the floor. He’ll be a great addition to any NBA roster.
5.
Julius Randle, Kentucky, Fr. (16.9 ppg, 11.1
rpg): It’s hard to find a big man in college basketball with a low post game
like Randle’s. He’s got fantastic footwork and when he plays with intensity, noone can stop him down low. At 6-foot-10, 250 pounds, Randle is a man inside.
He’s left-handed as well, which for some reason gives defenders fits. NBA scouts
need to look at his attitude though. He tends to disappear in games.
It could be because his young teammates have problems feeding him the ball. Or
it could be his mind just isn’t there sometimes. But when it’s there, Randle
is near impossible to stop.
Top Videos:
Every Wednesday, I’ll post three to five videos that I found
interesting, exciting or just weird this week.
-Full court hook shot? Is there anything Steph Curry can’t
do?
-OK, I guess this kid can do it too.
-Indiana upsets No. 3 Wisconsin in Bloomington.
-Check out how Arkansas upset No. 13 Kentucky last night
with an emphatic dunk.
Make sure to check The Warden out Friday for some NFL predictions. Thanks for reading.
Reach me at: award6344@gmail.com
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @_andrewward
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