Found this on ESPN, the article was written by Doug Gattlieb.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7396371/college-hoops-early-look-doug-gottlieb-nba-draft-big-board" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Currently has Damian Lillard at number 13 on his big board.
This early in the season, it's hard to find any kind of consensus about who the top NBA prospects are for the upcoming draft. That picture is almost always in motion as the college basketball season progresses. But when I look at the college landscape right now, I come away with 30 guys whom I see as having what it takes to be first-round picks in June's draft.
This is certainly subject to change over the course of the season, but for now, in order, here are my top 30 draft-eligible prospects:
1. Perry Jones III, Baylor Bears
Developing a killer instinct to go with very sound basketball skills.
2. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina Tar Heels
He's making shots, has a pro game and seems to be able to elevate his play to the level of competition.
3. Andre Drummond, Connecticut Huskies
Just scraping the surface of his potential, but already an animal on defense with all the makings of a stud big man.
4. Anthony Davis, Kentucky Wildcats
Looks the part of an NBA lotto pick, but doesn't have a defined skill to speak of outside of blocking shots.
5. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut Huskies
Silky smooth 1/2/3-type player, who continues to elevate his game. He needs to work on his body for the rigors of the NBA, but his overall game is tailor-made for the League.
6. Bradley Beal, Florida Gators
Perfect body and stroke for the 2-guard spot in the NBA. Needs to be a little better off the dribble, as his offense in college is not totally geared for his strengths.
7. Meyers Leonard, Illinois Fighting Illini
Huge upside that might be best to refine in college for another year or even two. But he's a 7-foot-2, great athlete with lots of skill. He just needs strength and confidence.
8. Quincy Miller, Baylor Bears
He's a Pogo stick who can shoot and defend. Seems like he has even more to offer than what he's shown at this early stage of his career.
9. Thomas Robinson, Kansas Jayhawks
Another springy athlete who may be a bit undersized, but is able to face up and defend ball screens better than Jared Sullinger at the next level.
10. Cody Zeller, Indiana Hoosiers
He's not close to being physically ready, but he has a tremendous combination of size and athleticism.
11. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes
A load down low who is showing an increased ability to score on the perimeter. He may struggle some against bigger players in the NBA, but he is very agile for his size.
12. Scott Machado, Iona Gaels
If Sebastian Telfair had gone to college and was a little bigger, this is what I think his game would have looked like by the end of his career. Machado has great feel as a passer, can score some in the half court and has changed his body to become a more dynamic athlete.
13. Damian Lillard, Weber State Wildcats
Scoring point guard originally from Oakland and a very good scorer off ball screens. He's a solid creator and if his team was healthy we might have another "Jimmer" situation.
14. Terrence Jones, Kentucky Wildcats
Skilled. Period.
15. Patric Young, Florida Gators
Just a physical specimen with growing basketball skill. Young is a low-maintenance offensive player who should grow into a dominant defender and rebounder.
16. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky Wildcats
Scoring machine at the 3. He's the most competitive Kentucky player so far, though he has a lower ceiling than Anthony Davis.
17. John Henson, North Carolina Tar Heels
Looks the part, as he's super-duper long and a decent face-up shooter who can post up, but he doesn't impact a game like he should. Henson's a very bright person, but may lack grit to become elite.
18. Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure Bonnies
Nicholson's a Canadian who stands only 6-9 but has a 7-4 wingspan, and he uses those long arms to block shots and rebound. With great feet, huge hands and a very bright background, Nicholson is loved by scouts. Nicholson is an underrated face-up shooter, which should allow him to translate to the NBA 4 with continued development.
19. Tony Wroten, Washington Huskies
A big, strong scoring guard, Wroten tore his knee in high school but seems to be tapping his potential at UW.
20. Austin Rivers, Duke Blue Devils
A dynamic combo guard who is in search of a position. Rivers has some Dwyane Wade to his game, and like Wade, he is a streaky shooter. Unlike Wade, he plays more below the rim. Being at Duke is helping his defense and shot selection, though he is not really playing the point at all.
21. Doug McDermott, Creighton Bluejays
Playing the face-up 4 in college, McDermott should become a 3 in time. His improvement has been rapid and there is still room for more by continuing to work on his body.
22. Terrence Ross, Washington Huskies
Big-time athlete at the wing who can shoot. He needs to be a better guard in terms of ballhandling and defense, though.
Lance King/Getty Images
Terrence Ross exhibits some of his elite athleticism against Duke.23. Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State Bulldogs
The UTEP transfer is adept at playing in the high post and is a tremendous rebounder as well.
24. Joshua Smith, UCLA Bruins
Probably 50 pounds overweight, Smith should be in the top 10 on this list, but his weight is crushing his potential. Huge, soft hands, great feet and a big body, Smith will either get it, or eat himself out of a lot of money.
25. Tony Mitchell, Alabama Crimson Tide
Mitchell is a freak athlete with no real position; still, he walks into a gym and looks like an NBA player. He should be a 2-guard, only he has no real guard skills and might have to be a 3 even though he plays some 4 at Bama. Still, Mitchell can be a shutdown defender and will be good addition for an NBA team as his game develops.
26. John Shurna, Northwestern Wildcats
With a bit of a funky-looking jumper, Shurna is a machine as a scorer. He has some low-post game, and can pass and create his own shot as well.
27. Mason Plumlee, Duke Blue Devils
Big, fairly strong and a possessing a very good jumper, Plumlee is a dunking animal. He is not a scorer at the low block, has not developed a pick-and-pop game and struggles to cover out on the floor. But he has bought into his role at Duke and has excelled in it.
28. Zack Rosen, Pennsylvania Quakers
A true point guard, who is very quick and strong. He actually started ahead of Scott Machado at St. Benedict's in high school. Rosen has improved by leaps and bounds as a shooter, is a very good playmaker and a bulldog of an on-ball defender. Tough as nails, Rosen has a chance to be a starting point guard, as his shooting and handle off ball screens continues to improve.
29. John Jenkins, Vanderbilt Commodores
A big, elite shooter who should stick in the league for a long time.
30. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina Tar Heels
Big and fast, Zeller needs to continue to add to his low-post repertoire, which right now consists solely of his jump hook.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7396371/college-hoops-early-look-doug-gottlieb-nba-draft-big-board" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Currently has Damian Lillard at number 13 on his big board.
This early in the season, it's hard to find any kind of consensus about who the top NBA prospects are for the upcoming draft. That picture is almost always in motion as the college basketball season progresses. But when I look at the college landscape right now, I come away with 30 guys whom I see as having what it takes to be first-round picks in June's draft.
This is certainly subject to change over the course of the season, but for now, in order, here are my top 30 draft-eligible prospects:
1. Perry Jones III, Baylor Bears
Developing a killer instinct to go with very sound basketball skills.
2. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina Tar Heels
He's making shots, has a pro game and seems to be able to elevate his play to the level of competition.
3. Andre Drummond, Connecticut Huskies
Just scraping the surface of his potential, but already an animal on defense with all the makings of a stud big man.
4. Anthony Davis, Kentucky Wildcats
Looks the part of an NBA lotto pick, but doesn't have a defined skill to speak of outside of blocking shots.
5. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut Huskies
Silky smooth 1/2/3-type player, who continues to elevate his game. He needs to work on his body for the rigors of the NBA, but his overall game is tailor-made for the League.
6. Bradley Beal, Florida Gators
Perfect body and stroke for the 2-guard spot in the NBA. Needs to be a little better off the dribble, as his offense in college is not totally geared for his strengths.
7. Meyers Leonard, Illinois Fighting Illini
Huge upside that might be best to refine in college for another year or even two. But he's a 7-foot-2, great athlete with lots of skill. He just needs strength and confidence.
8. Quincy Miller, Baylor Bears
He's a Pogo stick who can shoot and defend. Seems like he has even more to offer than what he's shown at this early stage of his career.
9. Thomas Robinson, Kansas Jayhawks
Another springy athlete who may be a bit undersized, but is able to face up and defend ball screens better than Jared Sullinger at the next level.
10. Cody Zeller, Indiana Hoosiers
He's not close to being physically ready, but he has a tremendous combination of size and athleticism.
11. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes
A load down low who is showing an increased ability to score on the perimeter. He may struggle some against bigger players in the NBA, but he is very agile for his size.
12. Scott Machado, Iona Gaels
If Sebastian Telfair had gone to college and was a little bigger, this is what I think his game would have looked like by the end of his career. Machado has great feel as a passer, can score some in the half court and has changed his body to become a more dynamic athlete.
13. Damian Lillard, Weber State Wildcats
Scoring point guard originally from Oakland and a very good scorer off ball screens. He's a solid creator and if his team was healthy we might have another "Jimmer" situation.
14. Terrence Jones, Kentucky Wildcats
Skilled. Period.
15. Patric Young, Florida Gators
Just a physical specimen with growing basketball skill. Young is a low-maintenance offensive player who should grow into a dominant defender and rebounder.
16. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky Wildcats
Scoring machine at the 3. He's the most competitive Kentucky player so far, though he has a lower ceiling than Anthony Davis.
17. John Henson, North Carolina Tar Heels
Looks the part, as he's super-duper long and a decent face-up shooter who can post up, but he doesn't impact a game like he should. Henson's a very bright person, but may lack grit to become elite.
18. Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure Bonnies
Nicholson's a Canadian who stands only 6-9 but has a 7-4 wingspan, and he uses those long arms to block shots and rebound. With great feet, huge hands and a very bright background, Nicholson is loved by scouts. Nicholson is an underrated face-up shooter, which should allow him to translate to the NBA 4 with continued development.
19. Tony Wroten, Washington Huskies
A big, strong scoring guard, Wroten tore his knee in high school but seems to be tapping his potential at UW.
20. Austin Rivers, Duke Blue Devils
A dynamic combo guard who is in search of a position. Rivers has some Dwyane Wade to his game, and like Wade, he is a streaky shooter. Unlike Wade, he plays more below the rim. Being at Duke is helping his defense and shot selection, though he is not really playing the point at all.
21. Doug McDermott, Creighton Bluejays
Playing the face-up 4 in college, McDermott should become a 3 in time. His improvement has been rapid and there is still room for more by continuing to work on his body.
22. Terrence Ross, Washington Huskies
Big-time athlete at the wing who can shoot. He needs to be a better guard in terms of ballhandling and defense, though.
Lance King/Getty Images
Terrence Ross exhibits some of his elite athleticism against Duke.23. Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State Bulldogs
The UTEP transfer is adept at playing in the high post and is a tremendous rebounder as well.
24. Joshua Smith, UCLA Bruins
Probably 50 pounds overweight, Smith should be in the top 10 on this list, but his weight is crushing his potential. Huge, soft hands, great feet and a big body, Smith will either get it, or eat himself out of a lot of money.
25. Tony Mitchell, Alabama Crimson Tide
Mitchell is a freak athlete with no real position; still, he walks into a gym and looks like an NBA player. He should be a 2-guard, only he has no real guard skills and might have to be a 3 even though he plays some 4 at Bama. Still, Mitchell can be a shutdown defender and will be good addition for an NBA team as his game develops.
26. John Shurna, Northwestern Wildcats
With a bit of a funky-looking jumper, Shurna is a machine as a scorer. He has some low-post game, and can pass and create his own shot as well.
27. Mason Plumlee, Duke Blue Devils
Big, fairly strong and a possessing a very good jumper, Plumlee is a dunking animal. He is not a scorer at the low block, has not developed a pick-and-pop game and struggles to cover out on the floor. But he has bought into his role at Duke and has excelled in it.
28. Zack Rosen, Pennsylvania Quakers
A true point guard, who is very quick and strong. He actually started ahead of Scott Machado at St. Benedict's in high school. Rosen has improved by leaps and bounds as a shooter, is a very good playmaker and a bulldog of an on-ball defender. Tough as nails, Rosen has a chance to be a starting point guard, as his shooting and handle off ball screens continues to improve.
29. John Jenkins, Vanderbilt Commodores
A big, elite shooter who should stick in the league for a long time.
30. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina Tar Heels
Big and fast, Zeller needs to continue to add to his low-post repertoire, which right now consists solely of his jump hook.
