When John Calipari took over the head coaching position at the University of Kentucky, every fan in the Big Blue Nation knew that they would be watching future NBA superstars playing in Rupp Arena for their beloved college basketball team.
As the college basketball season progresses, the Kentucky Wildcats stand to have three first round NBA draft picks with another waiting in the wings. Freshmen DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall could logically go 1-2 in the 2010 NBA Draft with junior All-American Patrick Patterson following close behind.
From here on out, WildcatBlueBlog will take a look at UK’s potential NBA Draft picks and where they stand week in and week out. Let’s take a look:
1st – New Jersey Nets: John Wall, Point Guard (6’4”, 195 lbs)
NBA general managers have salivated over Wall’s talents since his early high-school days and for good reason. Many felt that he would have been the first player selected overall in last year’s draft, but because of the NBA-NCAA agreement players aren’t allowed to come straight out of high-school.
Kentucky fans are fortunate for this rule because they’ve been able to watch one of the most exciting players to grace the college landscape in quite some time. The hype is well deserved but Wall hasn’t let up or faded from the limelight. He came close to a triple-double Tuesday night with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Wall may have had a goal-tend on a late call in the game but it displays his athletic ability: think LeBron James when it comes to ‘closing speed.’
As said earlier, Wall stands to be the first player selected in June’s event as the Nets hold the best chance of landing Kentucky’s freshman phenom. Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans played before him, but Wall’s professional career stands to pan out in the same way as those two NBA superstars. NBA Player Comparison: Dwyane Wade-Miami Heat
6th – Indiana Pacers: DeMarcus Cousins, Center (6’11”, 280 lbs)
Cousins has used his larger than life frame and superior post skills to dominate the center position this season in college basketball. Guys like Kansas’ Cole Aldrich got all the attention which gave Cousins an opportunity to make a name for himself in the college ranks.
The Kentucky big man has sixteen double-doubles on the season and recorded seven straight at one point before having the streak snapped during a game against Tennessee last Saturday. The 6’11”, 280 lb. center has been the focus of plenty of SEC team recently, as opponents try to stop Cousins from dominating the low-post area.
Cousins isn’t having any of it and continues to make his presence known. He had 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a victory over Mississippi State Tuesday night and took advantage of the painted area with Jarvis Varnado out due to foul trouble. According to NBADraft.net, Cousins stands to be sixth player selected by the Indiana Pacers. Imagine a front line of Cousins and current center Roy Hibbert.
Depending on who is placed where and based on team needs, Cousins could shoot up and be selected second or third. As of now, Ohio State’s Evan Turner and Syracuse’s Wesley Johnson hold those spots. NBA Player Comparison: Andrew Bynum-Los Angeles Lakers
9th – Philadelphia 76er’s: Patrick Patterson, Power Forward (6’8”, 235 lbs)
Patterson has been a rock for the Wildcats basketball program for three years running. His first two years were marred by injuries and inconsistent coaching that left the program and Patterson reeling.
The leadership of head coach John Calipari has turned Patterson into not only an All-American candidate, but a bona fide NBA player as well. Patterson dominated the low post in his first two seasons. His third season has a different feel as Patterson has added an outside shot to his skill set. There is no doubt he can do so much more out on the court and that is where Calipari steps in.
Patterson could use some work on his dribbling, passing and shooting to improve his NBA draft status. He’s projected to go to the Philadelphia 76er’s as the ninth pick overall ahead of guys like Georgetown’s Greg Monroe and Texas’ Damien James. NBA Player Comparison: Paul Millsap-Utah /Elton Brand-76er’s
2011 NBA Draft
6th – Indiana Pacers: Eric Bledsoe, Point Guard (6’1”, 195 lbs)
Bledsoe could very well leave after his first season if the draft is set up right. That essentially means that if he falls in the Top-10 of the draft. This scenario plays out a year later in 2011 when the Indiana Pacers select him with the sixth pick, giving him the chance to play with fellow and former teammate DeMarcus Cousins.
The idea of leaving after one year shouldn’t come into Bledsoe’s mind even if NBA general managers tell him otherwise. He’s got plenty to work on including ball control, composure and ball handling. Bledsoe makes a living of getting into the lane much like teammate John Wall and has a more than adequate outside jump shot.
Staying in school will allow Bledsoe to continue his maturation process under Calipari and give him ‘lead’ point guard duties for an entire season a fact unknown to the freshman star because of the presence of John Wall. Look for Bledsoe to stick around for another year. NBA Player Comparison: Jameer Nelson-Orlando Magic
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