John Wall
To paraphrase the great Ricky Bobby, John Wall wakes up in the morning and pisses excellence. His athleticism is top notch, as are his maturity and work ethic. Wall has superstar written all over him and it's safe to assume his ascension will occur sooner rather than later.
Patrick Patterson
I love Patrick Patterson, and I would bet some lucky team in the late lottery will share my sentiments. He showed his maturity, leadership, and professionalism in his three years at Kentucky, and his should be a productive 6th man from the start.
Damion James
James is a true competitor. He is extremely consistent and workmanlike, and while he may never be an All-Star, I would be willing to bet he won't be a bust either.
Quincy Pondexter
Pondexter will likely be the second college senior drafted (after James), and for good reason. He is a very capable scorer from anywhere on the floor and he should be able to play the two or the three at the next level. He could definitely be a sleeper in the late 20's or early 30's.
Gani Lawal
It's widely agreed that rebounding is the one skill that best translates from college to the pros, and while I mean no disrespect to Trevor Booker and Dwayne Collins, I think Lawal is the best rebounder in this class. He goes up strong for every miss, leaping laterally to corral rebounds with either hand. He may not have much of an impact offensively, but his toughness will be valuable from day one.
DeMarcus Cousins
Cousins' brash demeanor will almost necessitate that he play early and often at the next level. It may lead him to persistent foul trouble as well, but his size, strength, and touch around the rim will make him effective when he can stay on the floor.
Dominique Jones
A few weeks ago, I likened Jones to the Celtics' Tony Allen, and after watching Allen play the role of "Kobe Stopper" in the Finals, I like the comparison even more. Not to say that Jones will be able to handle the five-time champ one-on-one, but his role at the next level will be much the same. Like Allen, Jones' jump shot is still a work in progress, but his defensive persistence should win him some valuable minutes.
Luke Babbit
Even John Madden can tell you that the team that scores the most points will win the game the majority of the time. Babbit may not have a natural position at the next level, but he can score from anywhere on the floor, an asset which is far too valuable to leave stashed on the end of the bench.
Evan Turner
It may be tough for Turner to make the transition to the NBA, simply because he operates so effectively with the ball in his hands. Playing without the ball is like a whole new game, and no one can be exactly sure how Turner will cope. With that said, he is extremely talented, and whoever picks him will have invested too much not to let him work through the kinks.
Cole Aldrich
Aldrich's stock may be at an all-time low right now after a poor showing at the Combine, but his skill set is undeniable. He can block shots and rebound, and he is surprisingly effective on the low block, though his offensive game could still use some fine-tuning.
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