Every year, I put together lists of pre- and post-draft
sleepers – or NBA prospects who may be flying under the radar, but could turn
out to be immediate (and long-term) contributors. Last summer, my list included
MarShon Brooks (Nets), Isaiah Thomas (Kings) and Chandler Parsons (Rockets). Not
bad, huh?
That said, I’m batting about .075 over the past decade. So
this is far from an exact science. Guesswork would be more like it. Regardless,
the point is that you don’t need a lottery pick to find help in the NBA draft.
Here is my first list of 2011-12. I’ll update closer to the June
28 draft:
Damian Lillard, 6-foot-2,
PG, Weber State. Best true point guard in draft. Constantly improving. Runs
team well, scores with relative ease. Lot more people would know about him had
he played at Kentucky or North Carolina.
Dion Waiters, 6-4,
SG, Syracuse. Sixth man in college, but great instincts and excels in
transition. Could turn into a James Harden-type.
Royce White, 6-8, F,
Iowa State. Not necessarily a “sleeper” after proving to be perhaps the
most well-rounded big man in the NCAA tournament – but not likely a lottery
pick, either. Big man who does a little of everything, and is effective facing
or with back to basket. Mostly just a winner.
Orlando Johnson, 6-5,
SG, UC Santa Barbara. Reminiscent of Brooks. Great scoring instincts,
outstanding wingspan (6-11) and good leaper (34-inch vertical). Probably best
all-around player at Nets/Rockets combine last week.
Kevin Murphy, 6-6,
SG/SF, Tennessee Tech. Best player at all-senior Portsmouth Invitational.
Can score off the dribble or while spotting up. Worth a very long look in
second round.
JaMychal Green, 6-8,
PF, Alabama. Powerful and explosive near the rim. Shot 64 percent at
Portsmouth Invite, mostly on dunks.
Will Barton, 6-6,
SG/SF, Memphis. Wiry and athletic, gets to the basket and draws fouls.
Scouts worry a little about his strength, but he’s pretty fluid and finishes
well in the open court.
Hollis Thomspon, 6-8,
F, Georgetown. One of those tweener guys who’s not really a power forward and
not really a small forward. He’s just a good basketball player with smarts,
skills and confidence. Very underrated.
Casper Ware, 5-10,
PG, Long Beach State. Fastest player at the Brooklyn combine, and a good
decision-maker with the ball. Reminds a lot of folks of Heat rookie Norris Cole.
Kyle O’Quinn, 6-10, PF/C, Norfolk State. Improved every year
in college and possesses a 7-5 wingspan. Not many post moves, but alters shots
and throws down dunks. Theo Ratliff anyone?
Kim English, 6-6, SG, Missouri. Sometimes presses a little
bit, but can knock down open shots and is an underrated passer. Even ran the
point on occasion at Portsmouth.
Mike Scott, 6-8, PF, Virginia. Very polished and disciplined, forces nothing. Can score facing up or underneath. Experience
a plus, too, as he’ll be 24 in July.
Sammy Emile, 6-6, F, Mars
Hill. Led NCAA Division II in scoring (25.0 ppg). Extremely versatile, played
anywhere from point guard to power forward in college.
Follow Sam Amico on Twitter @SamAmicoFSO
