2010 NBA Draft Big Board – Top 10
It has already been a month since the 2009 NBA Draft, never too early for a Big Board of potential NBA prospects. When ranking HS prospects, I put more weight on where they finish in their overall recruiting rankings as opposed to where they go to school. Derrick Favors was the #1 recruit last year, but everyone hears about John Wall because he went to Kentucky, while Favors went to Georgia Tech. It won’t matter much as I expect both to be in the 2010 NBA Draft since they were the top two in their class.
ESPN has a top 100 released, but you have to be an insider to view. DraftExpress.com also has a list, but I will be working off of my own.
Top 10 Prospects for the 2010 NBA Draft
1. Derrick Favors 6’9″ PF – Top recruit from the 2009 high school class. Is going to Georgia Tech so he will get a chance to carry his team. I am giving him this spot for now, it is up to him to lose. He has a chance to pull a Carmelo and carry his team a long ways, the ACC should not be quite as strong this year with UNC losing so many to the draft. Think Amare Stoudemire. If there are no objections, I will take him on my Bucks right now at the 4. FYI, he would start.
2. John Wall 6’4″ PG– The #2 ranked recruit from the 2009 class. He will be going to Kentucky with some other highly-touted recruits. With John Calipari’s drive and kick offense, Wall should get to display his skills, but with so much talent joining him will it be difficult to climb to the top of the draft board? Similar to Rose, but could that comparison come from the fact he signed with Rose’s college coach Calipari?
3. Donatas Motiejunas 7 PF– This seems like a good spot for the foreign guy with unbelievable upside. Every year NBA GMs fly around the world looking for the next Dirk Nowitzki, they will drool over this player. On his side is the fact that he had a strong performance in the 2009 Nike Hoop Summit, scoring 21 points and grabbing 8 boards in a surprise win for the World team over Team USA.
4. Ed Davis 6’10” PF– #9 from 2008, some say if he came out last year he still would be been a top5 pick due to his upside. Great motor, shotblocker, and great rebounder. With a good year he could climb.
5. Al-Farouq Aminu 6’8″ SF– #7 from 2008, returning to Wake Forest for his sophomore season. Excellant athlete, Explosive leaper, Freakish Wingspan, but not a great shooter. Doesn’t really have a position either, but likely in the top 6 due to athleticism.
6. Willie Warren 6’4″ PG – #13 from 2008, returning to Okalahoma for sophomore season. Great athlete, explosive, great shooter, but a tweener. He may have went in the top 10 last year and going back could be a risk as he may be playing the two this year. If he can be a PG, he is a legit top 6 player, at the 2 it gets trickeir.
7. Cole Aldrich 6’11” C – Returning for his junior season at Kansas. Skilled big man who is not explosive or quick. His draft position may depend more on how other guys do. If some of the more explosive athletes prove to have good motors and look ready for the next level I could see Aldrich dropping to 10. Joel Przybilla with more offense .
8. DeMarcus Cousins 6’10” PF– The #3 rated prospect from the 2009 class, he will be joining Wall at Kentucky. A great prospect but has been given the label of questionable motor. Likely the top prospect in the class if he played hard all the time. The trouble is with a loaded Kentucky team combined with a down SEC, how will Calipari motivate him when they win each game by 20. Feels like Eddy Curry to me, I hope for his sake I am wrong.
9. John Henson 6’10” PF – The #5 rated prospect from the 2009 class, he will be going to UNC. He grew 6 inches his senior season and is still transitioning to forward. He could use the year to bulk up, if he does, he will climb.
10. Greg Monroe 6’11” PF– #6 from 2008, went back to Georgetown for Sophomore season. The positives: NBA body, excellant athlete, can score from anywhere. Negatives: lacks toughness, not a great rebounder. This will be a big year for Monroe, he can either climb and stay in the top 5 or fall out of the lottery.
Honorable Mention
The players below will have a chance to move up, if Monroe disappoints or Cousins gets in Calipari’s doghouse, those two could quickly fall. If Bradley can play the point, he will rise fast.
Xavier Henry 6’7″ SG – The #6 rated prospect from 2009, he is behind Bradley but I like him more due to his size. He and Bradley are combo guards and Henry’s size will help him. Great shooter but not an explosive athlete.
Avery Bradley 6’3″ SG – The #4 rated prospect from 2009, he is an exposive athlete and scorer. Size will be his issue and that is what I think keeps him out of the top 5. Going to Texas. Similar to Monta Ellis.
Evan Turner 6’7″ SG – I think Turner is underrated. He carries his team and is force on both ends. He will be hurt by the fact it is his junior year, the longer you stick around, the further you drop. I see a little Brandon Roy in Turner and can already seeing him as a sleeper in the 2010 draft.