HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

In the last few weeks, we here at HOOPSWORLD have started to ramp up our coverage of the 2011 NBA Draft.  Our very own Yannis Koutroupis has put out his first two mock drafts and today, after looking at the top point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards, we’ll look at the top centers in the 2011 NBA Draft. 

1. Enes Kanter, Kentucky – There has been an awful lot of talk about Enes Kanter over the course of the last several months, as he has tried, unsuccessfully, to gain eligibility from the NCAA and begin his freshman season for John Calipari’s Kentucky squad.  Regardless of if Kanter ever plays a single minute at the college level, there is little doubt that he is a top prospect in the 2011 NBA Draft.  Not a particularly explosive athlete, this Turkish big man is similar in playing style to his American counter-part, Jared Sullinger.  Kanter has great hands that seemingly inhale the ball like a vacuum.  His big frame and outstanding lower body strength allow him to get deep post position from where he is a consistently efficient scorer.  The 6-10, 260 lb., Kanter is a capable shooter with his feet set, as well, making him effective as a pick-and-pop player.  Defensively, Kanter uses his body and basketball I.Q. to position himself to make plays and come up with the occasional blocked shot.  Kanter does a good job of tracking the ball and boxing out his man, pulling down nearly every missed shot in his area. With his size, skill and basketball I.Q., there is little doubt that Kanter will be a top-five pick in June’s draft. 

2. Mason Plumlee, Duke – At 6-11, 210 lbs., with phenomenal athleticism, Mason Plumlee is one of the more interesting prospects in college basketball this season.  Without much of a post game, Plumlee has relied mostly on put-backs, cuts and the transition game to get his points early in his college career.   His handle is solid for a big man and, combined with his explosive first step, the Duke big man is capable of getting to the rim off the dribble and finishing in spectacular fashion.  On top of his tremendous size and athleticism, Plumlee has all the intangibles to make him a solid NBA role player with the ability to play both the power forward and center positions.  He shows a high basketball I.Q., has done a nice job of accepting a limited role for the betterment of the team, moves well without the ball and has a great feel for the game.  Considering his overall potential and athletic ability, Plumlee is almost certain to be a lottery pick, despite his less than eye-popping productivity (about four points and four rebounds per game) during his time at Duke.   
{AUTHOR_BOX}3. Keith Benson, Oakland – There is an awful lot to like about Keith Benson as an NBA prospect.  Unfortunately for the senior center, there is just as much to dislike. Benson is long and athletic and has dominated the Summit League competition he has faced over the past two years of his college career.  The reigning Lou Henson Award winner and Summit League Player of the Year, Benson has a soft touch around the basket and an understanding of how to play the game.  What he is lacking, however, is likely what he’ll need the most to make an impact at the NBA level.  Benson lacks the lower body strength to gain, or keep opponents from gaining, deep post position.  Furthermore, his role in the NBA will likely be far different from that as the go-to player for the Oakland Golden Grizzllies, so he’ll need to become more of a junkyard dog; someone who chases down loose balls, hits the glass and does the little things that make a team successful.  That being said, Benson has the skills to be a solid NBA player. 

4. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina – Coming into North Carolina, Tyler Zeller was one of the top recruits in his high school class and has been limited by injuries during his first two seasons in Carolina Blue.  This season, however, with Ed Davis and Deon Thompson gone, Zeller has become the Tar Heels’ leading scoring.  A talented offensive player, the 7-0, 250 lb., forward/center makes his money in the post with his back to the basket.  Against more athletic and more disciplined defensive players, Zeller has some problems finishing at the basket because he is neither particularly physical nor explosive off the ground.  Both as an offensive and a defensive player, Zeller’s biggest weakness is, well, just that: weakness.  He must continue to improve his lower body strength in order to prevent opponents from getting deep post position (ok, I think there is a theme forming here) and to put himself into scoring position on offense.   Zeller is a gifted shot blocker with adequate foot speed, but isn’t always strong enough to bang with bigs or quick enough to defend perimeter players.  Like most NBA prospects at the center position, Zeller is a work in progress. 

5. Aaric Murray, LaSalle – A relative unknown until a few years ago, Aaric Murray has emerged as a legitimate draft prospect during his time at LaSalle.  The 6-10, 250 lb., center is more comfortable playing away from the hoop with his face to the basket.  A very good outside shooter, particularly for his size, Murray has even shown an ability to put the ball on the floor a little bit and create shots for himself.  The big man found the game of basketball late in life and has only been playing the game for a few years, and is therefore still learning the nuances of the game.  His decision-making skills and instincts, especially on the defensive end of the floor, are still a work in progress.  Murray, however, has been a remarkably productive player at the college level, averaging 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocked  shots and 1.1 steals so far this season, while shooting .529 from the field, .818 from the free throw line and .400 from beyond the arc.  Against a Baylor front line that has multiple draft prospects, Murray had 17 points, nine rebounds, five steals and a block, showing the ability to play against NBA size and athleticism on more than one occasion this season. 
 
Honorable Mention: Jon Leuer, Wisconsin; Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt; Robert Sacre, Gonzaga; Greg Smith, Fresno State; Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State