HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Every year, a handful of players see their draft stock soar after performing well on college basketball’s biggest stage. A strong tournament can propel a player into the first round or the lottery. Dwyane Wade, Tyrus Thomas and Gordon Hayward are just a few examples of players who used strong postseason runs to climb draft boards. March Madness is when NBA decision-makers are paying close attention to college basketball, so the next few weeks are crucial for 2013 NBA Draft prospects.

Here are 20 players to keep an eye on as March Madness gets underway.

 

Ben McLemore – Kansas, Shooting Guard (Fr.)

Strengths: One of the best shooters the draft has to offer. An impressive athlete who regularly plays above the rim. Has ideal height and length for his position.

Weaknesses: At 20 years of age, he’s older than his classification indicates. Ball-handling skills need to be polished up. Will have to prove that he can do more than just score as a pro.

Projection: Top three.

NBA Comparison: Ray Allen/J.R. Smith

 

Marcus Smart – Oklahoma State, Point Guard (Fr.)

Height: 6’4, Weight: 225 lbs.

Strengths: A fiery competitor and natural leader who never takes plays off. Possesses NBA-caliber strength and athleticism. Could play either guard spot at the next level.

Weaknesses: Inconsistent shooting the basketball, especially from beyond the arc. Can be turnover prone at times; needs to tighten up ball-handling skills. Has just average lateral movement for a guard.

Projection: Top five.

NBA Comparison: Chauncey Billups/Brandon Roy

 

Shabazz Muhammad – UCLA, Shooting Guard (Fr.)

Height: 6’6, Weight: 225 lbs.

Strengths: A scorer who is physically ready to make the transition to the NBA. Plays with great intensity on both ends of the floor. Mature beyond his years. Ideal size for a shooting guard.

Weaknesses: Ball-handling, especially with his off (right) hand. Doesn’t do much creating for his teammates.

Projection: Top five.

NBA Comparisons: James Harden/Harrison Barnes

 

Cody Zeller – Indiana, Center (So.)

Strengths: Just knows how to play the game, especially in the low post. Runs the floor well. Underrated athletically. Gets to the line with regularity. Plays hard.

Weaknesses: Upside is questioned because of sup bar length and strength. Doesn’t always rebound like he should. Not much of a shot blocker.

Projection: Top five

NBA Comparisons: Brook Lopez/Spencer Hawes

 

Michael Carter-Williams – Syracuse, Point Guard (So.)

Height: 6’6, Weight: 185 lbs.

Strengths: Oversized in a good way for the point guard position, having a length and height advantage every night. Solid playmaking skills, but can score when he needs to. Creative with the dribble. Good defensive instincts.

Weaknesses: Slight in frame. Struggles taking care of the ball at times. Jump shot isn’t reliable yet.

Projection: Top ten.

NBA Comparison: Penny Hardaway/Shaun Livingston

 

Anthony Bennett – UNLV, Power Forward (Fr.)

Height: 6’8, Weight: 240 lbs.

Strengths: A physically gifted young man who is as athletic as he is strong. Has a versatile game and doesn’t take many plays off. Rebounds well.

Weaknesses: Slightly undersized for the four spot in the NBA and not polished enough yet to play out on the perimeter full time. Still learning how to get the most out of his natural tools.

Projection: Lottery

NBA Comparisons: Paul Millsap/Jason Maxiell

 

Victor Oladipo – Indiana, Shooting Guard (Jr.)

Height: 6’5, Weight: 214 lbs.

Strengths: Exploded into superstardom as a junior thanks to his defensive prowess and offensive efficiency. Moves well without the basketball. Utilizes his above-average length well. Plays with a high energy level.

Weaknesses: Ball-handling and shooting ability, especially from three-point range, needs improvement to be serviceable in the NBA. Defensive intensity can work against him at times as he can get into foul trouble because of it.

Projection: Lottery.

NBA Comparisons: Thabo Sefolosha/Arron Afflalo

 

Otto Porter – Georgetown, Small Forward (So.)

Height: 6’8, Weight: 205 lbs.

Strengths: Arguably the best small forward in the class. Has prototypical height and length. Well-rounded skill set with the ability to impact the game in multiple areas. Took a huge step forward as a sophomore.

Weaknesses: Needs to add some strength. Perimeter skills have come a long way, but ball-handling and shooting still need some polish. Can do it all, but not great in any aspect yet.

Projection: Lottery

NBA Comparisons: Luol Deng/Tayshaun Prince

 

Mason Plumlee – Duke, Center (Sr.)

Height: 6’10, Weight: 235 lbs.

Strengths: A high-flying big man who really came into his own as a senior. Rebounds the ball well and

can get up and down the floor quickly. Low post game has improved. A finisher around the basket.

Weaknesses: Has improved at the free throw line, but still leaves too many points there. Turns it over too much. Doesn’t block a lot of shots. Will need to add some strength.

Projection: Lottery

NBA Comparisons: Jordan Hill/Josh McRoberts

 

Trey Burke – Michigan, Point Guard (So.)

Height: 6’0, Weight: 190 lbs.

Strengths: A solid lead guard with great speed. Excels at running the pick-and-roll. Can create for himself as well as his teammates. Plays smart and tough. Noticeably improved after passing on going pro last year.

Weaknesses: On the smaller side for a point guard. Doesn’t finish around the rim consistently. Has trouble keeping quicker players in front of him on defense.

Projection: Mid first round.

NBA Comparison: Darren Collison/Kyle Lowry

 

James McAdoo – North Carolina, Power Forward (So.)

Height: 6’9, Weight: 230 lbs.

Strengths: An athletic big man who comes from a great basketball pedigree. Has good size, length and mobility for his position. Made noticeable improvements as a sophomore.

Weaknesses: Has a unique jump shot that is not fundamentally sound. Inconsistent at the free throw line. Doesn’t take good care of the basketball, turning it over too much and settling for tough shots. Assertiveness comes and goes.

Projection: Mid first round

NBA Comparisons: J.J. Hickson/Ed Davis

 

Kelly Olynyk – Gonzag, Center (Jr.)

Height: 7’0, Weight: 238 lbs.

Strengths: As skilled of a big man as college basketball has to offer. Can score in a variety of ways. Has good touch and range on his jump shot. Plays hard.

Weaknesses: Toughness has come into question at times. Not aggressive enough as a rebounder. Gives it away too much. Will have to add some strength. Average athlete.

Projection: Mid first round

NBA Comparison: Nenad Krstic/Chris Kaman

 

T.J. Warren – North Carolina State, Small Forward (Fr.)

Height: 6’8, Weight: 223 lbs.

Strengths: An efficient scorer with ideal size and strength for a NBA small forward. Good in the post. Young with a lot of upside.

Weaknesses: Perimeter skills still developing. Possesses just average athleticism. Leaves too many points at the free throw line.

Projection: Mid first round

NBA Comparisons: Paul Pierce/Caron Butler

 

Steven Adams – Pittsburgh, Center (Fr.)

Height: 7’0, Weight: 250 lbs.

Strengths: Young big man who is physically mature beyond his age. Makes his presence felt defensively as a shot blocker and individual defender. Moves well. Solid athlete.

Weaknesses: Potential outweighs production at this point. Still learning the game and how effective he can be. Limited offensively. Has a great deal of improving to do at the free throw line.

Projection: Mid first round

NBA Comparisons: Joakim Noah/Robin Lopez

 

Gorgui Dieng – Louisville, Center (Jr.)

Height: 6’11, Weight: 245 lbs.

Strengths: A defensive standout who is very mobile and athletic for his size. Mid-range jump shot is coming along. Plays with a high energy level.

Weaknesses: Still considered a raw prospect, although his understanding of the game has come a long way. Didn’t necessarily improve much as a junior. Battles with foul trouble. Limited offensively.

Projection: Mid-to-late first round

NBA Comparisons: Serge Ibaka/Bismack Biyombo

 

Glenn Robinson III – Michigan, Small Forward (Fr.)

Height: 6’6, Weight: 210 lbs.

Strengths: Son of former NBA player Glenn Robinson. An athletic wing with a high talent level. Long and explosive. Can shoot the basketball with range.

Weaknesses: Intrigues come in flashes, not consistent just yet. Tends to be passive at times. Not comfortable handling the basketball extensively.

Projection: Mid-to-late first round

NBA Comparisons: Andre Iguodala/Gerald Wallace

 

Kyle Anderson – UCLA, Small Forward (Fr.)

Height: 6’9, Weight: 235 lbs.

Strengths: A point forward with great court vision. Handles the ball well. Active rebounder. Deceptively athletic.

Weaknesses: Plays at his own, slower, pace. May eventually have to transition into a power forward. Jump shot lacks range. Just an average athlete.

Projection: Mid-to-late first round

NBA Comparisons: Boris Diaw/Lamar Odom

 

Rasheed Sulaimon – Duke, Shooting Guard (Fr.)

Height: 6’4, Weight: 185 lbs.

Strengths: An athletic combo guard. Can shoot the ball with range. Very quick. Plays hard.

Weaknesses: Small for a shooting guard, may need to transition over to point guard. Ball handling skills could stand to improve. Needs to add some strength.

Projection: Mid-to-late first round

NBA Comparisons: George Hill/Nolan Smith

 

Jeff Withey – Kansas, Center (Sr.)

Height: 7’0, Weight: 235 lbs.

Strengths: A shotblocking fiend who is adept at staying out of foul trouble while protecting the rim. Possesses good size and athleticism. Has become serviceable on the offensive end.

Weaknesses: Old for a draft prospect at 23 years old. Needs to add some strength and continue developing his low-post game.

Projection: Late first round

NBA Comparisons: Omer Asik/Tiago Splitter

 

Doug McDermott – Creighton, Small Forward (Jr.)

Height: 6’8, Weight: 225 lbs.

Strengths: One of the most efficient and potent offensive threats in college basketball in recent memory. Can really shoot the basketball and has limitless range. Gives it his all every time he steps on the floor. Takes what the defense gives him.

Weaknesses: No certainty over which position he’ll play in the NBA. Has sub-par athleticism. There are concerns over whether or not he’ll be able to hold his own defensively.

Projection: Late first round/early second

NBA Comparison: Ryan Gomes/Luke Babbitt