Draft Updates: Davis, Young, Beal, Sullinger
Anthony Davis was named the AP's college basketball Player of the Year today, and is a near-lock to be picked first overall in June's draft. The only question left for Davis at this point is whether his left knee is healthy enough to help lead Kentucky to a national title. The Wildcats are set to take on Louisville in the Final Four tomorrow night, and Davis says his knee is at "about 90%." Here are a few more of today's draft-related updates:
- Arkansas freshman B.J. Young has decided to enter the draft, tweets Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com. Young, who is ranked 47th among DraftExpress' top 100 prospects, has yet to hire an agent.
- Another freshman who ranks significantly higher on DraftExpress' board (fifth), Florida's Bradley Beal has yet to decide about his future. "I know it’s going to be a hard decision for him," Bobby Beal, Bradley's father, told Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun. "Some people say (leaving) is a no-brainer, but I know that he loves college, loves the atmosphere down there."
- Don't count on local favorite Jared Sullinger becoming a Cavalier, says Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. Amico hears from a number of insiders that it would take a "perfect storm" for the Ohio State forward to end up in Cleveland.
- ESPN.com's Chad Ford (Insider link) takes a look at the top prospects in the Final Four, while Doug Smith of the Toronto Star focuses on how Canadian players' stocks have been impacted by the NCAA tournament.
Draft Updates: Davis, Wayns, Barton, Plumlee
Earlier this afternoon, we looked at a number of deadlines facing NCAA underclassmen as they decide whether to declare for this year's draft. We also covered a report suggesting Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will enter the draft. Those aren't today's only draft-related updates though, so let's round up a few more, as June 28th creeps ever closer….
- Anthony Davis of Kentucky remains undecided on whether or not he will declare for the NBA draft, according to Rick Bozich of Courier-Journal.com.
- Maalik Wayns of Villanova will hire an agent and remain in the draft pool, says Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. Said Wayns of the decision: "The NBA has been a lifelong dream of mine and I have decided now is the time to pursue it." One NBA scout told Zagoria that Wayns might be drafted in the "bottom half of the second round" (Twitter link).
- Memphis guard Will Barton will announce his intentions to enter the draft today, according to Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com. Barton will hire an agent and has no plans to withdraw by April 10th.
- Duke's Mason Plumlee will test the NBA waters, according to Steve Wiseman of the Herald-Sun.
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld identifies some potential 2012 draftees to keep an eye on during the NCAA's Sweet Sixteen this weekend.
- The latest mailbag from Keith Langlois of Pistons.com is heavy on questions about what Detroit will do in this year's draft.
- Tom Ziller of SBNation looks at the current draft lottery odds, noting that the Blazers could end up with multiple top-ten picks in June.
Draft Notes: Harkless, Davis, Leonard, Paul
With the NCAA tournament through its first two rounds, all but sixteen teams have seen their seasons come to an end. For some players, that means looking ahead to the NBA draft, so let's check out some of the latest draft-related links from around the web….
- Moe Harkless of St. John's officially declared his intent to hire an agent and enter the draft, writes Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. Harkless said he was "fully committed" to his decision and plans to hire an agent within a week or so.
- In an Insider piece for ESPN.com, Chad Ford looks at a few players who have seen their stocks rise or fall during March Madness.
- If any rumors between now and June 28th suggest a player besides Anthony Davis could go first overall in the draft, don't believe them, says Ric Bucher of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Scouts and GMs say Davis is in a category of his own, according to Bucher.
- Illinois underclassmen Meyers Leonard and Brandon Paul have submitted their names to NBA’s undergraduate advisory committee to receive feedback on their draft stock, writes Scott Powers of ESPNChicago.com.
Draft Notes: Harkless, Barnes, 2013
- Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com writes that St. John's freshman forward Moe Harkless is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks concerning whether or not he will leave for this year's NBA Draft. Harkless is currently projected to be the 21st pick by DraftExpress.com.
- Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer provides her take on Harrison Barnes of North Carolina and lists her projection of the top 10 players of this year's draft.
- Rick Bonnell of CharlotteObserver.com takes a more comprehensive look at Kentucky's Anthony Davis, who appears to have a great chance at being this year's #1 pick if he turns pro.
- Pete Thamel, writing for the New York Times, examines the fevered world around high school senior Nerlens Noel, projected by Draft Express as the No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft. He's surrounded by college recruiters aplenty and is being sought by a representative with Creative Artists Agency.
- Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com gives you his updated list of the top 100 prospects of the upcoming draft.
Bonnell On Bobcats, Top Draft Prospects
The Charlotte Bobcats have the league's worst record (3-18) and are headed to L.A. on Tuesday to face the Lakers. The consolation is the team is likely headed for a high draft pick in June. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer broke down some of the probable top picks and how they would fit in with the Bobcats. Some highlights:
- Kentucky's Anthony Davis, a Marcus Camby type, could help fix Charlotte's porous interior defense.
- Andre Drummond of Connecticut has raw athleticism and the body of a center, a position the Bobcats need to improve as much as any other, Bonnell says.
- Catch-and-shoot small forward Harrison Barnes could provide an heir apparent to Corey Maggette, and the fact he comes from North Carolina is a plus.
- Ohio State's Jared Sullinger is a big man with range and deft passing skills, but the power forward position is already too crowded in Charlotte.