HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

The NBA draft is not an exact science. There’s no better testament to that saying than the success of second-round picks like Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis and Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer. With there only being 30 picks in the first round, it’s inevitable quality talent slips through the cracks. Even in weak years there are quality players who get overlooked and make some teams look like geniuses.

With this year’s draft class poised to be one of the deepest in recent memory, there will again be a lot of talent likely available once NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver takes over for commissioner David Stern on draft night. Earlier in the month we took a look at the top 30 guys (1-10, 11-20, 21-30) on our draft board and now it’s time to take a look at the guys who just came short of making the cut but have the potential to be in the league for many years to come:

Andrew Nicholson (St. Bonaventure) – 6’9, 250 lbs. Power Forward
By virtue of playing at a lesser-known school Nicholson has largely flown under the national radar. His body of work is undeniable, though, as he has firmly etched himself into the Bonnies’ record books. He’s widely regarded as the best pro prospect in the Atlantic 10 due to his size and scoring ability. His scoring has dropped a full five points from last year, which will make it extremely difficult for him to break into the first round. A lot of teams will think he has peaked, but even if he has he still has the ability to help them out offensively.

Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas) – 6’3, 185 lbs. Point Guard
The strong play of Taylor this season has gone somewhat overshadowed by the dominance of his teammate Thomas Robinson. Taylor is averaging a career-best 16 points on 47% shooting from the field and 45% from distance, which is up from 38% last year. He finally appears to have put everything together after a career that defined inconsistency over the last three years. His previous struggles are one of major reasons why he’s on the outside looking in of the first round after being regarded as one at times in the past. However, he’s playing the best basketball of his career right now and could end up cracking the top 30 by the end of the year.

Tu Holloway (Xavier) – 6’0, 185 lbs. Point Guard
After a fantastic junior season Holloway is currently enduring a senior slump that has crippled so many players’ stock before him. It’s looking like he should have left last year despite the fact that he wasn’t a first-round pick, especially considering the red flag he imposed on himself with his comments after the brawl with Cincinnati. Since that altercation the Musketeers have tailed off considerably. Holloway will still get drafted based off his playmaking ability, but it won’t be as high as he would have gone last year. His shooting struggles will scare off a lot of teams.

Kevin Jones (West Virginia) – 6’8, 260 lbs. Power Forward
As far as second-rounders are concerned, there may not be a better bet to make a NBA roster than Jones. Jones is just killing it this year, averaging a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds a night. He’s a versatile threat who can step out and hit the occasional three. The only reason he isn’t getting serious national recognition is because West Virginia is having a mediocre year overall. That could change come tournament time, if they earn an at-large bid. As far as individual play is concerned though, there may not be anybody playing at a higher level than Jones right now in the Big East.

Ricardo Ratliffe (Missouri) – 6’8, 240 lbs. Power Forward
When Tigers forward Laurence Bowers went down with a torn ACL it opened things up for Ratliffe to have a more prominent role and he has really risen to the occasion. Ratliffe is scoring 15 points a game on an absurd 75% shooting from the field. He does a great job of finishing when his teammates set him up, but he is also showcasing an improved back-to-the-basket game this season. He plays center for the Tigers, but obviously lacks the size to do so at the next level. He’ll have to make the shift over to power forward, where his defensive deficiencies will be exposed more. However, Ratliffe has the makings of a guy who will be really hard to cut thanks to his efficiency.

JaMychal Green (Alabama) – 6’8, 240 lbs. Power Forward
Prior to the start of the season there was the potential for Green to work his way into the first round. Unfortunately for him, he’s regressed in his final year of eligibility and has not done anywhere near enough to stand out in the draft’s deepest position. Already a tad undersized, there will be serious concern over whether or not Green can hold his own on the glass at the next level. He’s always been more focused on his offensive production than rebounding, which is detrimental to his stock. His ability to score and protect the rim ensures he gets drafted. How he adjusts to less touches will determine whether or not he sticks.

Herb Pope (Seton Hall) – 6’8, 236 lbs. Power Forward
The story of Pope is really incredible, as he was pursuing pro aspirations after his sophomore year when a serious heart issue revealed itself during a workout. Pope was hospitalized for three weeks and restricted by it as a junior, but he’s playing fantastically this year. He’s clearly back to 100%, putting up 16 points, 10 rebounds and nearly two blocks a game. He doesn’t possess ideal size for an NBA four man, but his versatile skill set and approach to the game will likely lead to him finding a home with some team. After the near-death experience, Pope’s a changed man who cherishes every moment. That attitude will serve him well in the league.

Darius Miller (Kentucky) – 6’8, 225 lbs. Small Forward
It’s almost a certainty these days that if you play big minutes for John Calipari you’re going to get drafted. Miller has been a fixture in Cal’s rotation over the last three years due to his versatility. Unlike his underclassmen teammates, Miller isn’t overflowing in upside. He pretty much is who he is now, but that’s still good enough to get him into the league. He’s someone who will impact the game in multiple ways when given the opportunity to play. As of late, he’s been shooting the ball very well from distance. If he keeps that up, he could hear his name called early on in the second round.

Orlando Johnson (UC Santa Barbara) – 6’5, 205 lbs. Shooting Guard
It was clear after Johnson’s freshman year at Loyola Marymount that he could play and since transferring over to UCSB all he’s done is average 19.6 points over the last three seasons. He took the school to the NCAA tournament last year and put up 21 against Florida in the first round. Johnson’s a gifted offensive player, but that gift is also a curse at times. He has tremendous confidence in his abilities, along with a bright green light to shoot, and takes a lot of tough shots because of those two things. If he plays within the confines of the offense and improves defensively, he’ll be in the league. Otherwise, he’ll make a fine living overseas.

Draymond Green (Michigan State) – 6’8, 236 lbs. Forward
The Michigan State Spartans have been much better than predicted and Green has been the catalyst behind their rise to #11 in the Associated Press Top 25. Green does it all, averaging a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds while also ranking second on the team in assists at 3.7. The reason why he isn’t a first-round pick is because there are questions about what position he’s going to play at the next level. He’s the classic tweener, too small to play power forward and not skilled enough on the perimeter to play the three full time. Whatever team drafts Green will have to develop him into one or the other.

Five Games To Watch This Week: 1/31: Seton Hall at Marquette (8 PM EST), Michigan State at Illinois (7 PM EST), 2/1: Connecticut at Georgetown (7 PM EST), Indiana at Michigan (6:30 PM EST), 2/4: Kansas at Missouri (9 PM EST).

Senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis will be hosting his weekly chat at 11 am est this Friday February 2nd at 11 am est. You can get your questions into him here. 

Note: This article focused on prospects from the NCAA, make sure to check back on Tuesday evening when we take a look at some of the best international prospects!