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NBA Draft Scorecard

Jim Dallke
June 24, 2011

Although Thursday’s draft was considered one of the weaker drafts in recent memory, it still provided some interesting story lines. While everyone else is projecting how the players will perform in the NBA, PrepStars wants to take a look back and see where these guys staked up in high school.

You will notice times where our ranking of a player was right on the money, or occasionally a little off, but the in-depth evaluations from Brick Oettinger, Rob Harrington and staff prove beyond a doubt that PrepStars remains on top of its game!

No.1 overall pick Kyrie Irving
Class of 2010
High School: Elizabeth (NJ) St. Patrick
Club Team: New Jersey Roadrunners
Final PrepStars Ranking: 4

Kyrie Irving only played 11 games while at Duke, but that didn’t stop the Cleveland Cavaliers from selecting him as the no. one overall pick. Irving suffered from an injured toe for a majority of the season, but when the 6-2 PG was on the floor he was sensational. Irving averaged over 17 points and four assists per game, while shooting over 46 percent from three.

In high school, the PrepStars staff noticed Irving’s strengths immediately. At the 2009 Pittsburg Jam Fest editor Rob Harrington noted that Irving was a “dangerous three-point shooter” with a “smooth release.” As the summer went on we got to observe much more of Irving, leading to Brick Oettinger’s final evaluation that compared him to another Duke great.

“Reminiscent of former Duke National Player of the Year Jason ‘Jay’ Williams, Irving is a scoring point guard who lights up the scoreboard in an assortment of different ways while also making his teammates more effective through his own intelligent decisions, including getting them the ball when they are open,” said Oettinger. “He's quick and shifty with the ball, a fine three-point marksman and even better mid-range shooter, and his body control and vision enable him to drive and either score himself or dish at the last moment. We also like his crisp passing and fundamentally sound defense.”

No. 2 Derrick Williams
Class of 2009
High School: La Mirada (CA) High
Final PrepStars Ranking: 188

Derrick Williams was not a highly touted player coming out of high school (by any scouting service) but proved to be an excellent scorer at Arizona. The 6-8 F demonstrated a soft touch and an ability to explode and finish around the rim. Williams was also a proficient three-point shooter, knocking down 57 percent of his threes. Oettinger explained that Williams was one of those rare high school players who went from being virtually unknown to one of the country’s top performers.

“He was a big forward with good, but not great athleticism,” said Oettinger. “He hadn’t developed the skills that he has now. He was not a dangerous three-point shooter or a dangerous playmaker. Williams was really able to develop and upgrade his game.”

Harrington was able to see Williams in 2008 at the Pangos All-American Camp and made similar observations. “A lower high-major may find the Williams case compelling enough to warrant a scholarship offer,” said Harrington. “While in truth he's a big forward offensively because of average dribbling -- and he rarely used his left hand -- he is speedy in the open court and a hard worker who cleans up trash inside or simply outworks his defenders. At an uptempo program, he could sneak into a major conference. Worst case, he'll become a very promising mid-major.”

No. 3 Enes Kanter
Class of 2010
High School: Simi Valley (CA) Stoneridge Prep
Final PrepStars Ranking: 2

As a freshman Enes Kanter was enrolled at Kentucky but was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for violating his amateur status by accepting money while playing in Turkey. Therefore, Kanter is a mystery to many college and NBA fans. But the PrepStars staff was informed of Kanter during the 2010 summer and knew he was a sure-fired lottery pick.

“He's a talented 240-pound import from Turkey who is widely viewed as the best 19-under prospect in Europe,” said Oettinger. “Terrific as both a scorer and rebounder, he appears likely to be a one-and-done college player in 2010-2011. We haven't yet seen him in action, as he arrived in the USA following the major spring and summer events, but his international reputation could hardly be bigger. He is supposed to combine typical European big man perimeter skills (e.g., sure hands, smooth jump shooting and alert passing) with prime strength, athleticism and moves around the basket.”

No. 4 Tristan Thompson
Class of 2010
High School: Henderson (NV) Findlay
Club Team: Grassroots Canada
Final PrepStars Ranking: 7

PrepStars first noticed Tristan Thompson as a rising sophomore at St. Bendict’s in New Jersey. Harrington observed that Thompson had the body and skill set to become one of the better big men in his class.

“Thompson has a solid frame for his class, and the southpaw is best classified as a face-up big forward. He runs well and shoots effectively to 15 feet, and he's tall and massive enough to finish inside as well. We'll see from this point forward how much more athletic he becomes, and if he devotes equal time to becoming an outside and inside player.”

As Thompson evolved and became a more efficient scorer, Oettinger noted that Thompson had the ability to become a dominant college player. “This versatile 235-pounder possesses a wide array of excellent low post power moves, a fairly accurate mid-range jump shot to 17 feet, outstanding passing ability for a big man and a developing jump hook that shows promise of becoming very difficult to defend,” said Oettinger. “A physical player who loves to take the ball to the iron with a strong first step, he can be as difficult to defend on the high post as he generally is on the low post. While he hasn't always dominated this year for Grassroots Canada, he has the potential to become a dominant college player, though firming up his posterior and improving his overall conditioning are the prerequisites for that to happen.”

No. 5 Jonas Valanciunas
International
Hometown: Utena, Lithuania
Team: Lietuvos Rytas

Being that Jonas Valanciunas is from Lithuania, the PrepStars staff was unable to evaluate the 6-11 center. But the guys at NBADraft.net believe he is worthy of a top five pick.

“European scouts are unanimously high on this kid,” said NBADraft.net. “Valanciunas' combination of size, skill and motor gives him a high amount of intrigue. He isn't a finished product, so whatever team drafts him will have to be patient. He has good quickness and solid explosiveness/leaping ability. His strength/weight has been improving, and he should continue to add more in the future. He Uses all of his physical skills to the fullest when attacking the glass and is extremely aggressive rebounder both offensively and defensively.”

No. 6 Jan Vesely
International
Hometown: Moravska Ostrava, CZ
Team: Partizan Belgrade

PrepStars was unable to evaluate the 6-11 center, but NBADraft.net believes he can be a viable NBA threat.

“At 6’11, he is not only comfortable shooting the ball from deep (with nice form and a smooth release), but he is more than capable of handling it in transition and running the fast break,” said NBADraft.net. “He is a very active, energy type player who plays extremely hard and rarely takes plays off. He has a great motor to go along with good hands and feet, which allows him to play a variety of positions on the floor. He shows potential to become a full time player on the perimeter; he is capable of putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket. Has the explosiveness to get by the defender and to finish above the rim in traffic. He is a good slasher and he moves extremely well without the ball, either using screens or cuts to get into scoring positions.”

No. 8 Brandon Knight
Class of 2010
High School: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Pine Crest
Club Team: Team Stat
Final PrepStars Ranking: 5

PrepStars doesn’t typically speculate on the talent of eighth graders, but Brandon Knight caught our eye back in 2006 at the AAU Easter Classic. Although still in middle school, Harrington noted that Knight was an efficient scorer and a player to watch in the years to come. “Knight already has averaged 20+ points per game on the varsity level as an eighth grader and could become an elite player when all is said and done,” said Harrington.”

PrepStars continued to observe Knight as he excelled in the summer AAU circuit. Oettinger noted that while Knight certainly deserved to be a top player in the 2010 class, his shot-selection and decision making could use some improving.

“He entered this past season ranked No. 1 or 2 nationally by most people (including ourselves), and while he had an excellent season (averaging 33 ppg.), his decision-making and especially shot selection were often questionable when we watched him, and he didn't really scintillate in major post-season all-star games,” said Oettinger. “Still, there's no question that this combo guard is an enormous talent. He's an elite athlete, wiry strong, and impressively quick and fast. He handles fine for point guard, shoots accurately to 23 feet (like a prime wing guard scorer), drives and finishes reliably, and defends either guard slot smartly and athletically. However, as referred to above, shot selection is his achilles heel.”

No. 9 Kemba Walker
Class of 2008
High School: Manhattan (NY) Rice
Club Team: N.Y. Gauchos
Final PrepStars Ranking: 23

Kemba Walker dazzled the nation last season by his ability to score and his knack for making the clutch shot. Nicknamed “Kimba and the Kids,” Walker lead his young UCONN team to the 2011 national championship and proved he was ready to play at the next level. While in high school, Harrington made this observation about Walker in 2006.

“The Gauchos have a very promising underclass backcourt, led by Jordan Theodore and Kemba Walker. Theodore has the bigger reputation nationally, but Walker has been outstanding as well. He is a quick driver and can play the point guard confidently, although for the Gauchos he splits time at that spot with Theodore. We'll need to see more of him later, but in a class starving for high-major point guards, Walker has an early jump on many of his competitors.”

No. 10 Jimmer Fredette
Class of 2007
High School: Glen Falls (NY) High
Final PrepStars Ranking: NR

Jimmer Fredette was arguably one of the most exciting players in college basketball last season. With tremendous range and great strength and size, Fredette seemed at times unguardable. But despite his current notoriety, Fredette flew under the radar while in high school. In fact, the PrepStars staff never had the chance to evaluate him. But Oettinger said that Fredette has the potential to be a threat in the NBA, if his defense improves.

“He’s a genuine shocker,” said Oettinger. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the country that could beat him in a game of H-O-R-S-E. He has incredible range and wont have any trouble adjusting to the NBA three-point line. But I don’t think he can be an NBA point guard…for defensive reasons.”

No. 11 Klay Thompson
Class of 2008
High School: Rancho Santa Margarita (CA) Catholic
Final PrepStars Ranking: NR

While at Washington State, Klay Thompson demonstrated that he was one of the top college shooters in the country. He averaged over 21 points per game for the Cougers and shot 40 percent from behind the arc. The PrepStars staff wasn’t able to see much of Klay Thompson, but Oettinger was able to catch the 6-6 WF at a tournament in Las Vegas.

“He was marginal top 100 guy,” said Oettinger. “Probably around the top 85-125 players in his class. Give him credit for making good decisions and showing people what he can do. He picked the right place to play where you are the main man and can develop. He can play the two or the three and guard both positions well.”

No. 12 Alec Burks
Class of 2009
High School: Grandview (MO) High
Club Team: Spiece Mo-Kan Players
Final PrepStars Ranking: 168

At 6-6 with a 6-10 wingspan, Alec Burks has the ideal body for an NBA shooting guard. He averaged over 20 points per game for Colorado and used his length to excel in the open court. We first saw Burks in 2006 at the K.C. Fall workout. At that point he was only 6-0 and listed as a PG. Here’s what Harrington said then:

“Playing for a senior-dominated team last year at Grandview (MO) High, 6-0 PG Alex Burks got limited chances on the varsity. This year, the sophomore should be running the show from the get go, and he's going to cause headaches because of his tricky handle and slick passing ability. Long and very skinny, he bounces off defenders and uses change of speed and hesitation moves to break down defenders. He has the skill of a Division I prospect and should develop into one as he gains strength and experience.”

By the time Burks was a senior he was already three inches taller and his style of play had changed. “An unheralded travel team nationally, Spiece Mo-Kan Players stalwart Alec Burks enjoyed solid moments during the spring and summer,” said Oettinger in his final evaluation of Burks. “A slick wing who can put the ball on the floor, Burks is an old school player who attacks defenders with changes of pace, in-and-out crossover dribbles and a plethora of pull-up jumpers. Physically weak, he possesses the hops to dunk on opponents but sometimes prefers to try and finish with finesse instead of simply hammering it home.”

No. 13 Markieff Morris
Class of 2008
High School: Philadelphia (PA) Prep Charter
Club Team: Hunting Park
Final PrepStars Ranking: 48

Although we rated Markieff as the higher high school prospect, he winds up falling slightly behind his brother at the Draft. Morris isn’t quite as skilled offensively as his twin brother, but improved each year at Kansas and demonstrated an effective baby hook shot and an ability to aggressively rebound (he averaged 8.3 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play). Oettinger noted that Morris’ game needed to improve out of high school, but the 6-9 F was efficient in big games.

“Marcus' huskier twin doesn't have as many overall skills as his brother yet stood out in the NBPA Top 100 Camp championship game, scoring 10 points (primarily on mid-range jump shots) and hitting the game-winning field goal in the final seconds,” said Oettinger. “Markieff gets up strongly on the boards and dunks at any opportunity, but his hands aren't the surest (he fumbles too many passes), his jump hook is so methodical that it's relatively easy for athletes to reject, and his dribbling is turnover-prone. As noted for Marcus, Markieff is a Memphis signee who might wind up in the Class of 2008. Mid-major plus prospect.”

No. 14 Marcus Morris
Class of 2008
High School: Philadelphia (PA) Prep Charter
Club Team: Hunting Park
Final PrepStars Ranking: 62

As a junior at Kansas, Marcus Morris proved to be one of the most dominant big men in the country. Last season the 6-8 F averaged over 17 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 69% from the floor. Morris falls into the category of players who weren’t as highly rated in high school, but stayed in college to develop their game.

“Marcus, who weighs 205 pounds, has quicker reactions than his 230-pound twin and is able to put the ball on the floor with some skill versus smaller players,” said Oettinger. “He isn't a great shooter, though he has pretty good form and results from mid-range and tries an occasional three-pointer. His release, however, is too slow from beyond the arc. Around the bucket, he backs in at times but is an unexceptional finisher in traffic. Mid-major plus prospect.”

No. 15 Kawhi Leonard
Class of 2009
High School: Riverside (CA) King
Final PrepStars Raking: 55

With the unprecedented success of San Diego St. last year, Kawhi Leonard received a fair amount of media attention, and deservedly so. The 6-7 BF played with incredible energy and used his length to get to the basket and finish over taller defenders. Oettinger saw Leonard in 2009 and knew San Diego St. was getting a great player for their program.

“He was a major surprise over the course on the 2008-09 season, and his performances that we observed at the Beach Ball Classic were much better than we expected, given his relative lack of national prominence at the time,” said Oettinger. “In addition to his strong physique and good (but not great) athleticism, he does a solid job of banging the boards at both ends. More impressively, he dribbles and passes like a wing, plays unselfishly and within the team concept and his sweet long-range jump shot is generally on the money to 22 feet! All in all, he's every bit a big-time minus prospect and a real steal for San Diego State.”

No. 18 Chris Singleton
Class of 2008
High School: Canton (GA) Cherokee
Club Team: Atlanta Celtics
Final PrepStars Ranking: 17

At Florida State Chris Singleton demonstrated NBA level athleticism. At 6-9 and 230 pounds, Singleton had a terrific frame for someone playing small forward. He was a solid defender and excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive end. Harrington first saw Singleton in 2005 and was impressed by his size (already at 6-7). But he was hesitant to proclaim Singleton a top prospect and claimed he was “just another kid who already looks good physically competing against older competition.”

But by the summer of 2007, Harrington was ready to call Singleton a top 20 recruit. “If you've taken a look at various other rankings, it becomes clear that we're higher on Chris Singleton that just about anyone else,” Harrington said. “Sitting at the lofty No. 16 position in the rising senior class, Singleton actually may be better-suited for the top 35, but then, you have to find 34 better prospects, right? There was no arguing against going down on day one, when the 6-8 BF at Canton (GA) Cherokee showed off major athleticism and shooting ability at a good size. Singleton is at his best slamming the ball and getting out in transition, but given time from the perimeter -- and he needs it, because his release is pretty slow -- he'll also swish a three. From here, Singleton needs to become more consistent and remember that he can be a dominant offensive rebounder, if only he'll pursue every shot attempt.”