[Editor's note: Welcome to the Officially Hoops Draft Blog featuring Jonah Ferro! We are very excited to add a writer of Jonah's skill and potential. Enjoy this blog as it will be a focal point of our website!]
This is going to be the first of many posts on the Officially Hoops Draft Blog (OHDB). Once seen as a weaker draft, the 2013 class is starting to produce some legitimate lottery picks with the recent improved play of the country's freshman. This board reflects the rankings on how NBA executives should be viewing this year's prospects. International players will not be included in this first edition, because it is very unsure which players are even intending on playing in the NBA.
1. Shabazz Muhammad SG/SF UCLA Height: 6-6 Weight: 225 Class: Freshman
Muhammad came into this season as the number two high school prospect for the Class of 2013, and has not disappointed. His career in Westwood started in a very unfortunate way as he was originally suspended by the NCAA for receiving improper benefits. This suspension was later removed. After a slow start, Muhammad has been lights out. He had a coming out party against Missouri, when he scored 27 points on a national stage. This included a couple of huge shots in crunch time. Muhammad is a great athlete, with a good jump shot and an elite ability to get to the rim. With a lot of uncertainty with a few of the top prospects, Muhammad is the safest pick because of his consistent ability to score the basketball.
2. Alex Len C Maryland Height: 7-1 Weight: 225 Class: Sophomore
Nerlens Noel and Alex Len are the top two big men prospects in the 2013 NBA Draft. While Noel is a bigger name, I believe Len is a far safer pick in the top 3. Len has the height and length to be a matchup nightmare in the NBA. He has a great feel around the basket, and can score the ball in a variety of ways. While he needs to add strength, he is a very good and disciplined defender. He also is a solid shot blocker, and alters a ton of shots. Len has a ton of potential, and can be developed into a very good NBA center.
3. Nerlens Noel C Kentucky Height: 6-11 Weight: 215 Class: Freshman
While I think Len is a safer pick, the risk in taking Noel can pay huge dividends. He is an elite athlete for his size, and is one of the best shot blockers in recent memory. Unlike the man he has succeeded in Anthony Davis, his offense is very limited. Outside of dunks and put backs, Noel hasn't really shown much offensively. While this is a red flag, Noel is still only 18 years old after reclassifying one year up. With his athletic ability and high character there is no doubt he can become a good offensive player, but it will take time. I do not believe any NBA franchise can invest a number one pick on someone who is going to need time though. That is why the 3-5 range is a more likely place for him to be picked.
4. Anthony Bennett F UNLV Height: 6-8 Weight: 240 Class: Freshman
Bennett is one of the more interesting players in this draft, and is on a tear right now. He is arguably the most skilled player in the draft because he can do everything. He has good range on his jump shot, and is an elite athlete who can get to the rim. At 6-8 with long arms he can even post up and does a lot of damage down low. The best attribute Bennett possesses though has to be his body. At 240 pounds, he can battle with anyone and doesn't get pushed around. The one major red flag which is hurting him is his height. It is unsure whether he is a wing or a big man, which reminds me of a recent draft bust in Derrick Williams. While I think Bennett's talent will surpass his lack of ideal height, it is still a huge concern that he most likely will not shake off come draft time.
5. Ben McLemore SG Kansas Height: 6-5 Weight: 195 Class: RS Freshman
McLemore has surprisingly been the best player on Kansas this year, and has been one of the best wings in all of college basketball. He is a great athlete who can really score the ball. He has deep range, and can also attack the basket. Defensively, he uses his athletic ability to lock down other teams best players. If McLemore keeps up his stellar play, he is a lock for the top 5 in the coming draft. The only major knock on McLemore is his shot selection and sometimes inconsistent play. While his play can be erratic, he is an elite scorer who reminds me of a young Jamal Crawford.
6. Alex Poythress F Kentucky Height: 6-8 Weight: 215 Class: Freshman
Poythress is another athletic wing who specializes in getting to the rim. While he can shoot, he still has a lot of work to do in that category. His strengths come on the defensive end, where he uses his length to suffocate defenders. He also rebounds the ball well and has a great motor. But, he is not a huge stat sheet filler, which could turn teams off. Also, his style of play can be erratic and is very unorthodox. He is constantly improving though, and has the chance to get into the top 3 or 5 picks.
7. Cody Zeller PF/C Indiana Height: 6-11 Weight: 210 Class: Sophomore
Being a future student at Indiana, it might be surprising to hear that I am not as high on Zeller as a lot of other people. Once being the clear cut favorite for the number one pick, Zeller's stock has slipped since the start of the season. While he is playing at a high level in college, teams are starting to question how his game translates to the NBA. Zeller is a highly intelligent big man who runs the floor very well. His ball handling ability and passing make him a rare prospect when it comes to skilled big men. But, he is way too frail, and a lot of the things he does in college definitely will not work against NBA competition. This includes put backs and backing down smaller bigs. While I think Zeller can be a consistent NBA starter, he really lacks star potential and is more of a top 10 prospect than top 5.
8. Michael Carter-Williams PG Syracuse Height: 6-5 Weight: 175 Class: Sophomore
The NBA is a point guard driven league, which pushes Carter-Williams a lot higher on teams boards. MCW is a rare prospect in that he is truly an elite floor general. Leading the NCAA in assists, he is a phenomenal facilitator with elite height for the point guard position. He is a very active defender who also racks up steals. As a scorer, he is above average, in that he can shoot and drive but he is pretty inconsistent. Another positive attribute is that he is a huge competitor and has a great motor. If MCW could consistently score the ball he would be a top 5 prospect, but with it being a huge question mark he is more of a top 10 pick.
9. Isaiah Austin PF/C Baylor Height: 7-0 Weight: 215 Class: Freshman
Austin is a very unusual prospect in that he is a big man that does all of his damage on the perimeter. He can shoot from deep, and he has unusually good handles for a big. Also, he is a great shot blocker and defender on the other side of the ball. While he has some positives, it is unsure how he fits the NBA game. At 7-0 he is too tall to be a wing player, but at 215, he would be pushed inside. The reason he is a lot higher on my board than other analysts is because his solution is easy. If Austin can put on the necessary weight, he can be an all around good big man. With his touch and athletic ability it should be easy for him to implement a low post game. Good play in the Big 12 will be a boost on his stock.
10. Mason Plumlee PF/C Duke Height: 6-10 Weight: 230 Class: Senior
Plumlee is a huge riser for me after not being a big believer in his sophomore and junior years when he flirted with entering the draft. This season, it seems he has put it all together. He is a consistent scorer and is now averaging over 18 points per game. He still makes the same impact on the glass, and on defense and has been an all around beast. While Plumlee has his positives, he has a few glaring negatives. The first is his age, as he will be 23 come draft day. Also, he hasn't developed many moves on the block and mostly uses his athleticism to score over defenders. Lastly, while he is improving, he is an awful free throw shooter. Plumlee should be a late lottery pick, but most likely will not crack the top 10.
11. Otto Porter F Georgetown Height: 6-8 Weight: 200 Class: Sophomore
Porter is a player that is seeing his stock rise at the current moment. He is a long small forward who plays a pretty old fashioned style of basketball. He scores most of his point from mid range, and is a great facilitator. He also does a lot of his damage off the dribble. Georgetown prospects are hard to scout because they play a system, but in the last two years Porter has been very solid. He is a lock for the lottery, and could easily get into the top 8 picks.
12. Archie Goodwin G Kentucky Height: 6-5 Weight: 195 Class: Freshman
Goodwin is the next in line of the elite guards that have played under John Calipari. While he is probably the rawest one he has coached, his talent is undeniable. He is a great slasher and ball handler. He also can shoot, but his jump shot is not as consistent as it should be. He also works very hard on defense. Currently Goodwin's shot selection is all over the place. But his talent and his high character should get him drafted near the top 10.
13. Trey Burke PG Michigan Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 Class: Sophomore
Currently, Burke is probably the best player in college basketball in terms of production. He is the leader of an undefeated Michigan team and is playing all around great basketball. He can do everything on offense including shooting, driving, and facilitating. He is mature and very patient as well. Burke's negatives come on defensive, where it seems like he sometimes coasts. Besides that, Burke has the potential to be a good NBA starting point guard.
14. Marcus Smart G Oklahoma State Height: 6-4 Weight: 225 Class: Freshman
If he wasn't a tweener, Smart would be a lot higher on most people's boards. It unsure whether he is a point guard or an undersized shooting guard. He is a big strong guard, who attacks the rack with great athleticism and toughness. He can shoot the ball, but can work on his perimeter shot. Smart, has a good motor, and plays with great intensity on both ends. It is the questions on whether he can be a point guard at the next level that are hurting him. If he can answer these he can really see his stock soar.
15. James Michael McAdoo PF North Carolina Height: 6-9 Weight: 223 Class: Sophomore
McAdoo has been semi-disappointing this season, but I still think he is a lottery pick. He does all his work around the rim, and uses his great athleticism to finish around the hoop. He rebounds the ball at a very good level as well. But, he is turnover prone and doesn't do anything on the perimeter. He was supposed to be the guy to lead UNC this year, but his play has not been what it had expected to be. Maybe the expectations were too high? Regardless, he is locked for a top 20 selection.
Best of the rest:
16. CJ McCollum G Lehigh
17. Tony Mitchell F North Texas
18. Jeff Withey C Kansas
19. CJ Leslie F NC State
20. BJ Young G Arkansas
21. Will Cauley-Stein C Kentucky
22. Myck Kabongo PG Texas
23. Jamaal Franklin F San Diego State
24. LeBryan Nash F Oklahoma State
25. Rasheed Sulaimon G Duke
26. Gorgui Dieng C Louisville
27. Victor Oladipo SG/SF Indiana
28. Gary Harris G Michigan State
29. Phil Pressey PG Missouri
30. Glenn Robinson III F Michigan
31. Kyle Anderson SF UCLA
32. Steven Adams C Pitt
33. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG Georgia
34. Ricardo Ledo G Providence
35. Brandon Paul G Illinois
36. Rodney Williams F Minnesota
37. Patric Young PF Florida
38. Doug McDermott SF Creighton
39. Isaiah Canaan PG Murray State
40. Lorenzo Brown G NC State
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