The 2011 NBA Draft has come and gone, yet several solid NBA prospects remained undrafted. The experts covering the draft mentioned a few big names and other random talents that probably deserved to hear their name called over several foreign talents, and we agreed whole-heartedly that they deserved some recognition.
The following players were solid draft prospects entering the 2011 NBA Draft, and arguably should have been selected at least somewhere in the second round in last Thursday’s draft:
1. LaceDarius Dunn, SG, Baylor
Very athletic and offensively gifted player. Has some of the most interesting potential out of all the players in this list. Has difficult with offensive and team concepts, which is a huge reason why he went undrafted. Can be erratic and make terrible decisions on offense.
2. Scotty Hopson, F, Tennessee
A talented and athletic forward who was over-looked in the second round for raw players. Really should have been drafted. A solid offensive player with ideal size for the next level. Doesn’t have a great handle and is extremely inconsistent.
3. David Lighty, SG, Ohio State
Has the perfect size for the two spot at the next level and has a nice shooting stroke and solid fundamentals. Overall a nice prospect, but nothing about him screams, “pick me!”. Could latch on somewhere easily by simply defending and hitting shots, though.
4. Greg Smith, PF, Fresno State
Has great size and big, strong hands. Has the talent and versatility to earn a spot in the NBA. Size and athleticism should have got him drafted alone, but lack of polish clearly hurt him a lot.
5. Ben Hansbrough, PG, Notre Dame
Probably the most underrated player overall in the entire draft process. Has great size to play the point, and adequate size to play the two. Has a very advanced and efficient offensive game, and has very underrated athleticism. Isn’t a true point guard and faces questions as an NBA shooting guard. Already signed with a team in Germany, which probably tells you even further how talented he actually is.
6. Jacob Pullen, G, Kansas State
Lights out shooter with a nice offensive game. Lacks ideal size for the next level and doesn’t have great point guard skills. Clutch and has that offensive killer instinct, but is inconsistent and doesn’t have a sure role in the NBA.
7. Jereme Richmond, F, Illinois
Really a great athlete with tremendous size. Still pretty raw and living off of potential, however.
8. Xavier Silas, G, Northern Illinois
Has good size and elite scoring ability, but doesn’t have much to offer in terms of fundamentals. Pretty one-dimensional player who will have to develop skills outside of scoring to find a spot at the next level.
9. Xavi Rabaseda, G/F, Spain
Really nice offensive player who brings nice athleticism, versatility, and range to the table. Could stand to gain more experience, round out his game, and become stronger. Lacks consistency.
10. Steven Gray, SG, Gonzaga
Very interesting offensive player with good one-on-one ability and can play well within the team’s offense. Has decent size for the two spot, but at times seems to have more of a small forward’s game. Lacks great flash.
11. Chris Wright, F, Dayton
High-flying athlete with great size and potential. Has never really grown into the player people expected him to. The ceiling is still nowhere to be found, but he has to put in the work to get there.
12. Demetri McCamey, PG, Illinois
Polished passer and team leader with nice size. Not a great athlete. Could have trouble on both ends of the court at the next level.
13. Julyan Stone, G, UTEP
A very interesting talent, as he has amazing size, along with the versatility and skill-set to play the point. Really nice, explosive athlete. Will have a tough time finding a spot in the NBA with zero scoring ability. Must work on his offensive game.
14. Austin Freeman, SG, Georgetown
Has solid size and quality scoring ability. Doesn’t have the athleticism or refined skills to be overly effective at the next level. Needs to develop a handle and get more consistent.
15. Malcolm Thomas, PF, San Diego State
Big, talented inside presence. Looks to have the potential of a defensive-stopper. Needs to get stronger and more skilled. Is a bit of a ‘tweener at the next level.
16. Matthew Bryan-Amaning, PF, Washington
This is a guy that is still a ways from making an impact, but he has nice size and has used every single season in college to get better. His progress is note-worthy. If he can keep it going, he could develop into a nice player.
17. Willie Reed, PF, St. Louis
Big and explosive. Reed could easily latch on somewhere. He’s still pretty raw, but hard work could turn him into a solid player.
18. Gilbert Brown, SG, Pittsburgh
Has the perfect size for the next level, but hasn’t even shown a killer instinct or the ability to take over. Not overly gifted anywhere outside of shooting. Doesn’t figure to be much more than a role player ever at the next level.
19. Cam Long, SG, George Mason
Excellent versatility and well-rounded player. Has solid offensive ability. Not a pure point guard, and doesn’t have ideal size or athleticism for the two.
20. Durrell Summers, SG, Michigan State
Great leaper with solid size and nice offensive ability. Very inconsistent. Poor shot selection. Needs to work on fundamentals and broadening his skill-set.
21. Kalin Lucas, PG, Michigan State
Great leader and clutch performer. Doesn’t really have NBA game. Not an elite athlete and not always the most consistent performer.
22. Randy Culpepper, PG, UTEP
Nice scorer with the ability to hurt defenses in a variety of ways. Developing point guard, but more of a shooting guard. Lacks great height and strength.
23. Rick Jackson, PF, Syracuse
Big, strong body who can definitely bang with the big boys at the next level. Doesn’t have many skills, unfortunately.
24. Jamie Skeen, PF, VCU
Has solid size and versatility. Can really stretch the defense with his nice outside shooting. Great team player with a good attitude. Not a great athlete. Needs to work on rebounding and tenacity. Plays too small sometimes.
25. Terrence Jennings, PF, Louisville
Doesn’t have a ton of skills. A big, physical body who will play solid defense and will work hard.
26. Matt Howard, F, Butler
Gutsy, clutch performer. Great leader and competitor. Not a good athlete and is a bit under-sized.
27. Michael Dunigan, PF, USA
Very big and athletic. Has immense potential, but is lacking any kind of offensive skills. Extremely raw.
28. Ravern Johnson, G/F, Mississippi State
Has nice size and versatility. Very gifted shooter. Smart and nice team player. Lacks any real offensive skills outside of shooting. Pretty one-dimensional.
29. Mark Payne, G/F, UC Davis
Comes from a small school. Competition is very much in question. Not an elite athlete, but very underrated in this department. Exceptional size and versatility. Has a silky offensive game. Very smart and crafty. Could surprise some people if he gets invites to camps.
30. Tim Abromaitas, F, Notre Dame
Lacks athleticism, quickness, and explosiveness. Very long player with an outstanding shot. Solid overall offensive abilities.
Did we leave someone out or get the rankings wrong? Comment below and tell us who and why!
