The NBA Draft Stock Report checks in on which college basketball players have made a name for themselves in the past week; either helping or hurting their future draft position. With conference play starting, we get a better understanding of how NBA Draft prospects respond to playing better competition than some of the cupcake opponents they face in the non-conference.
Click here for The Sports Bank’s 2012 NBA Mock Draft.
Take a crazy early look at The Sports Bank’s 2013 NBA Mock Draft.
BUY:
Christian Watford, SF, Indiana, Jr.
While the college basketball world is glowing about Cody Zeller’s impact at Indiana, Watford has played just as big a role in their turnaround. At 6-9, he is a tough match-up due to inside/outside ability. Watford can get to the rim against bigger defenders but also post up smaller guys. His most impressive improvement has come beyond the arc where he his hitting 50% of his triple tries. I think he would for sure be a first round pick if he declares this Spring.
Tony Wroten, PG, Washington, Fr.
He is still turning the ball over way too often and struggles from the perimeter, but has all the intangibles to be a very good NBA point guard. His 6-5 height gives him the ability to back down defenders and also use his length to pester ball handlers defensively. What really stands out is his ability to slash to the bucket and finish around the rim. Wroten might actually be the best point guard prospect in the country.
Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas, Fr.
The former Mizzou commit just became eligible after the first semester so it has taken him some time to get back in the swing of actual game action since he had not played in a game for a year and a half. That patience paid off when he posted a 34-point, 16-rebound performance against South Alabama. Mitchell is insanely athletic and at 6-8, has good size for a NBA small forward. If he can continue to improve as an outside shooter, he should be able to put up more dominating performances in the Sun Belt and the potential of being a lottery pick.
Fuquan Edwin, SF, Seton Hall, Soph.
Edwin’s emergence has been one of the key reasons for the Hall’s surprising start to the season. He has good size, strength, and athleticism for a wing player and is not afraid to get after it on the defensive end as he leads the nation in steals. Edwin has shown improvement with his outside shooting as is somebody to keep an eye on for the future.
SELL:
Myck Kabongo, PG, Texas, Fr.
In his last three games, Kabongo is averaging 5.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 4 turnovers per game. He is obviously a very talented player but it has taken him some time to adjust to running the point at the college level. I am not sure how much of his struggles are related to play on a young Longhorn team, but at this point, he might be better off returning for his sophomore season since I cannot see him being a lottery pick like most thought prior to the start of the season.
Joe Jackson, PG, Memphis, Soph.
There was talk of Jackson possibly transferring from Memphis, but the hometown kid has been unable to sustain any level of consistency in his sophomore season. Turnovers were a huge issue last year for Jackson and while he has cut down this season, Jackson has more turnovers than points or assists in his last three games. Until he improves his feel as a point guard and improves his decision-making, there should be no real threat of Jackson leaving Memphis early for the NBA.
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.
You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.