A personal ranking of the 30 best prospects in the draft.
1. John Wall (6-4/196; PG; Freshman; Kentucky)
Surefire franchise point guard boasts tremendous speed and athleticism and a high basketball IQ.
2. DeMarcus Cousins (6-11/292; PF/C; Freshman; Kentucky)
All the more valuable due to the lack of dominant centers in the league, some believe Cousins is actually the most talented prospect in this draft class.
3. Evan Turner (6-7/214; PG/SG/SF; Junior; Ohio State)
Played like LeBron on the college level, but needs to develop a more consistent jump shot if he's to fulfill his potential in the pros.
4. Derrick Favors (6-10/245; PF; Freshman; Georgia Tech)
Scout.com's #1 recruit never got going on the offensive end of the floor in his lone year at GT, but his physical gifts are astonishing and he's still just 18.
5. Wesley Johnson (6-7/206; SG/SF; Junior; Syracuse)
Doesn't dominate, but is an elite-level shooter with tremendous length, quickness, great defensive instincts and jump-out-the-gym athleticism.
6. Greg Monroe (6-11/247; PF/C; Sophomore; Georgetown)
Rarely took over games, but has great post moves with soft touch around the basket, possesses a high basketball IQ and is a great passer for his size.
7. Hassan Whiteside (7-0/227; C; Freshman; Marshall)
A legit 7-feet with an inhuman 7-7 wingspan, Whiteside averaged 5.4 blocks (8.3 per 40 minutes) as a freshman, and his offensive game is improving.
8. Luke Babbitt (6-9/218; SF; Junior; Nevada)
Averaged 21.9 ppg on Nash-like shooting percentages (50%FG/41.6%3PT/91.7%FT), and tested as one of the best athletes. What's not to love?
9. Al-Farouq Aminu (6-8/216; SF; Sophomore; Wake Forest)
Athletic swingman can score in a variety of ways and rebounds like a maniac. Made a great decision to return to school for his sophomore year.
10. Ekpe Udoh (6-10/237; PF/C; Junior; Baylor)
Combo big man with awesome length averaged 3.7 blocks for an Elite 8 team, has great handles for his size and can consistently knock down jumpers.
11. Ed Davis (6-10/227; PF; Sophomore; North Carolina)
Efficient post-scorer (57.8%) and shot-blocker (2.7 per game) relied a great deal on his athleticism and length in college. Game needs just a little polish.
12. James Anderson (6-6/210; SG; Junior; Oklahoma State)
Though sort of one-dimensional, his outstanding scoring ability allowed him to dominate the Big 12, often looking like an NBA player out on the floor.
13. Patrick Patterson (6-9/240; PF; Junior; Kentucky)
Generally viewed as the safest pick in the draft due to his strength, tenacity, well-rounded offensive repetoire and experience in three years at Kentucky.
14. Xavier Henry (6-6/210; SG/SF; Kansas; Freshman)
Despite still being a teenager, many scouts believe Henry has most NBA-ready body of any prospect to go along with his mature offensive game.
15. Eric Bledsoe (6-1/192; PG; Freshman; Kentucky)
Not yet a proven point guard, but he's incredibly strong, a lockdown defender, and can really shoot (hit 8 three-pointers in a tourney game.)
16. Paul George (6-9/214; SG/SF; Sophomore; Fresno State)
Beautiful shooting stroke allows him to play like a shooting guard, and though he's unproven against major talent scouts have likened him to Rudy Gay.
17. Dominique Jones (6-4/216; SG; Junior; South Florida)
Stuffed the stat sheet at USF, averaging 21.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists, and possesses great length to compensate for his size.
18. Daniel Orton (6-10/269; PF/C; Freshman; Kentucky)
Smart young center with a tremendous frame looks to inject some bruising energy into a league overpopulated with soft big men.
19. Gordon Hayward (6-8/211; SG/SF; Sophomore; Butler)
Has the size to play either the 2 or 3 and a refined offensive game but one wonders whether he can do anything besides score.
20. Armon Johnson (6-3/195; PG; Junior; Nevada)
A jewel in the weakest point guard draft in memory, Johnson tested as arguably the best athlete at the combine, but needs to prove he can run a team.
21. Cole Aldrich (6-10/236; PF/C; Junior; Kansas)
While he's an all-world defender, one wonders how effective a relatively unathletic 6-10 center with little offensive game can be in the NBA.
22. Elliot williams (6-4/180; SG; Sophomore; Memphis)
Athletic combo guard can light it up, bring the ball up the floor, organize the offense, and is one of the premier man-to-man defenders in this class.
23. Damion James (6-7/227; SF/PF; Senior; Texas)
Much like Patterson, the experiened Texas product is strong and athletic, relentless on both ends of the floor, and has an improving mid-range game.
24. Willie Warren (6-4/208; PG/SG; Sophomore; Oklahoma)
The oft-troubled combo guard is arguably a top 10 talent, and will have to land in a position where he can be mentored and strictly disciplined.
25. Jordan Crawford (6-4/198; SG; Sohpomore; Xavier)
Famously dunked on LeBron at his camp last summer, but more importantly is a veritable scoring machine, averaging 20.5 points as a sophomore.
26. Craig Brackins (6-10/229; PF; Junior; Iowa State)
Dropped 42 on Cole Aldrich and Kansas as a sophomore and has a great inside-outside game but can be too passive and needs some extra weight.
27. Jarvis Varnado (6-10/210; PF/C; Senior; Mississippi State)
The best shot-blocker in NCAA history will carve a niche as a dynamite defensive stopper for one lucky team.
28. Trevor Booker (6-7/236; PF; Senior; Clemson)
Much like Paul Millsap, Bookeer is an undersized but uncommonly strong and athletic power forward who can score creatively in the post.
29. Terrico White (6-5/203; PG/SG; Sophomore; Mississippi)
White is for some reason listed as a point guard despite averaging 1.5 assists, but had the best vertical at the combine and has great upside.
30. Lance Stephenson (6-6/227; SG/SF; Freshman; Cincinnati)
One of the most physically gifted players in this class, Stephenson left college too early but his combination of strength, athleticism and youth is intriguing.
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