by Andrew Hardison
1st – New Jersey Nets: John Wall, Point Guard (6’4”, 195 lbs)
Once again Wall retains the No. 1 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft according to NBADraft.net. There is clearly a reason for that, as Wall has shown that his talent is better than anyone else out there. He capped off an outstanding week with one of the better defensive plays you’ll see all season.
Wall came close to what seems to be elusive in college basketball—a triple-double—Tuesday night with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Saturday pitted the Cats against the second best team in the SEC in Vanderbilt and Wall didn’t disappoint in that one either. He had 13 points and five rebounds, but only had one assist on the night. It was a last second block however, that saved the game for Kentucky which secured their hold on the top spot in the SEC.
The New Jersey Nets have the best chance of getting the first overall pick and Wall is projected to be taken at that selection. NBA Player Comparison: Dwyane Wade-Miami Heat
4th – Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins, Center (6’11”, 280 lbs)
If Cousins isn’t the most dominate big man in college basketball, than I don’t know who is. Kansas’ Cole Aldrich could make a case for that honor, but his numbers and impact haven’t been as dramatic as the Kentucky center.
Cousins continues to rack up double-doubles this season as he went for 19 pts/reb against Mississippi State Tuesday night when he dominated the low-post area over a hapless Bulldogs team. Saturday wasn’t as powerful a game as we’ve seen from him, but Cousins did have 19 points and five rebounds essentially fouling out two players in the process.
Cousins has shot up two spots in June’s draft to No. 4 where the Sacramento Kings are projected to select the Kentucky center. Last week it was the Indiana Pacers where Cousins would team up with Roy Hibbert. This week it could be Spencer Hawes. Quite a front line don’t you think? NBA Player Comparison: Andrew Bynum-Los Angeles Lakers
10th – Los Angeles Clippers: Patrick Patterson, Power Forward (6’8”, 235 lbs)
Patterson had a great week and it couldn’t have come at a better time for his team. He’s been playing big time minutes all year and it is definitely a plus to have a versatile, experienced player like Patterson on the Cats.
Patterson and Cousins took advantage of the low post against Mississippi State Tuesday night, when the junior All-American had one of the better games of the season scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Saturday was an even better showing, as Patterson scored 13 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and hit a key three-point field goal that put the Wildcats up 52-49 with just minutes to go in the game.
It looks like he has dropped a spot in June’s draft, when the L.A. Clippers are projected to select the power forward out of Kentucky. NBA Player Comparison: Paul Millsap-Utah /Elton Brand-76er’s
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