Bracket Briefing: The 16 best NBA draft prospects in the Final Four
AT THE WATER COOLER: The theme heading into the 2013-14 season was about one of the best freshman classes ever.
Kansas' Andrew Wiggins and Duke's Jabari Parker both highlighted the one-and-done, NBA-ready cast of stars. Yet they, along with fellow projected lottery picks Joel Embiid and Aaron Gordon, won't be in Arlington, Texas, this weekend.
Kentucky's star-studded freshman class, featuring six McDonald's All-Americans, garnered just as much attention than Wiggins and Parker — as the Wildcats were the preseason No. 1 team in the country.
And as much as the Wildcats struggled to put things together in November through March, they're still standing in April. And with that, they also showcase the best soon-to-be NBA players in the Final Four.
Who else has NBA upside on Final Four teams? Here's our list of the players with the most potential.
1. Julius Randle, Kentucky freshman: The power forward may be the only remaining player who will be selected in the lottery, the top 14 picks of the draft. Though concerns have arisen about his lack of size as a 6-9 NBA post player, Randle has shown the explosiveness and dexterity to take bigger defenders to the perimeter. And his production (15.1 points and 10.7 rebounds a game) cannot be denied. He should be drafted in the top seven, perhaps as high as No. 3.
2. James Young, Kentucky freshman: It would have been fascinating to see Young, a versatile and athletic swingman, as the lone star on a lesser team. He has all the skills NBA teams want in wing players, but he struggled to find rhythm thanks to Kentucky's many chemistry issues in the regular season. What stands out about Young is how well-rounded he is, especially given his potential on defense. He will be off the board in the top 20, and a big Final Four could spring him into the top 10.
3. Shabazz Napier, Connecticut senior: No one has solidified his draft stock more in the 2014 NCAA tournament than the Huskies' fearless point guard. Napier has shades of former teammate Kemba Walker in him, and like Walker (who left as a junior), he has taken major strides in his last season with the Huskies. Napier can shoot, pass and handle at an NBA level and should step immediately into a backup point guard spot after being drafted in the second half of the first round.
4. Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky sophomore: The leader of Kentucky's defense is not surprisingly also the non-freshman who plays the most for the Wildcats. Cauley-Stein is a legitimate 7-footer with great athleticism and natural instincts. He also has a propensity to disappear at times, and he lacks the skill to contribute much on offense. But the NBA loves defensive-minded centers, and he could reach all the way into the lottery but more likely will be drafted around No. 20.
5. Andrew Harrison, Kentucky freshman: The point guard twin has not posted the shining NCAA moments like his brother, but he has shown a commitment to making smarter decisions. Andrew took much of the blame for Kentucky's regular-season struggles but has the natural ability to translate into a nice combo guard at the NBA level. Separating him from his brother could be an advantage for both, and Andrew should be drafted in the second half of the first round.
6. Aaron Harrison, Kentucky freshman: As the shooting guard twin, Aaron has fewer opportunities to make his name known. But he has taken them in the tournament. Aaron is a better shooter than his brother but also has some of the combo guard abilities, though they aren't as developed. He is prone to trying to shoot himself through slumps, but when he's on, he can take over games. His role in the NBA will be more reined in, though, which is why he might slip to the early second round.
7. Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin junior: Badgers coach Bo Ryan does not often lose players early to the draft, but it's tough to imagine Kaminsky's stock rising. The 7-foot center has been one of the breakout stars of the tournament, particularly for his block show against Baylor in the Sweet 16 and then dominant 28-point, 11-rebound game against Arizona in the Elite Eight. He has great touch and is tougher than he looks. That and the height should put him in the late-first conversation.
8. Dakari Johnson, Kentucky freshman: The Wildcats' lumbering 7-0 center is loaded with potential but will be a bit of a project for any team trying to draft him. Even as a starter, he plays only 13.7 minutes a game, though his production (5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds a game) is good for those limits. Johnson needs to get in better shape to play at NBA speed, but his upside could land him in the first round this year. If he stays, he might land in the 2014 lottery or might get exposed.
9. DeAndre Daniels, Connecticut junior: The wingspan is the first thing you notice with Daniels, the skinny small forward who dropped 27 points and 10 rebounds on Iowa State in the Sweet 16. Daniels is 6-9, but his wingspan nears 7-foot and allows him to overcome a lack of strength, especially on defense. Coupled with his improved shooting this year, that could put Daniels in the early second round if he leaves now.
10. Marcus Lee, Kentucky freshman: The lanky, thin power forward has played 141 minutes of college basketball. It's the last 15 that have everyone talking. Lee showed his enormous potential as a post pogo stick in the Elite Eight against Michigan, when he had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Lee has more upside than anyone left aside from Randle, but he might be better served coming back rather than being selected in the late first or early second round now.
11. Sam Dekker, Wisconsin sophomore: The Sheboygan, Wis., native small forward has all of the skills NBA teams want in a small forward: He's a strong defender with a good frame and athletic ability. But he still needs to refine his offensive skills, particularly his shooting. Under Ryan, that should be no problem at all, and he could go from a second-rounder now to a first-rounder in 2015 or 2016.
12. Patric Young, Florida senior: The muscular big man was viewed as a future lottery pick when he broke in as a freshman starter. But he has not developed much of an offensive game in the years since, and his 6-9 frame limits him as a center. Young probably will be drafted in the second round now but could be a good, gritty NBA post defender.
13. Alex Poythress, Kentucky sophomore: The forward's numbers across the board have dipped this season, but that more is a case of the strength of his teammates than his own limitations. He needs to improve his shooting range but has good athleticism and plays smarter now. Another year (with a weaker freshman class around him) could push Poythress back into the first round, but for now he's a second-rounder.
14. Ryan Boatright, Connecticut junior: A point guard playing next to a better point guard, Boatright would be best served coming back to run the show next season for the Huskies. But if he does leave now, he has shown his abilities well as Napier's wingman. Boatright has the aptitude to run the point and could be a steal in the mid- to late second round.
15. Scottie Wilbekin, Florida senior: If the Gators win it all, expect their gutsy point guard to draw NBA hype from an NCAA crowd. Wilbekin has a propensity for big moments and good decisions, the exact qualities that have kept Florida unbeaten for more than three months. But he is small and lacks elite athleticism, similar to Louisville's championship point guard last year, Peyton Siva, who was picked in the second round.
16. Casey Prather, Florida senior: The leading scorer on the national champion tends to be drafted, for good reason. Prather might be that guy if the favorite Gators win it all. He burst out with a huge first half of the season but slowed down after bruising his knee in January. Prather does not shoot well enough to have much upside, but he plays hard and smart and shoots 60.3% from the field, so he should be a second-rounder.
