NBA Draft Updated Projections

With arguably as much talent as any UK team in recent memory, we can expect to see several Cats go pro at the end of the year. With the beginning of the college basketball season on the horizon, several prominent NBA draft sites are giving high praise to several of UK’s players.

NBAdraft.nethad this to say about Terrnece Jones:
“Jones will make the jump from the mail room to the board room, taking on greater accountability as Kentucky’s newly appointed leader. Jones made pre-preseason headlines after dropping 52 in the White-Blue scrimmage, running a clinic on how to benefit from possessing the combo-forward tools.

Jones shined on the perimeter, operating out of the triple threat position while keeping his defenders on their heels. He showed deceptive quickness off the dribble, taking his man off the bounce from 20-plus feet out. This opened up his outside game, where he used effective jab steps to create separation, looking more comfortable shooting off two feet. His versatility makes him a difficult matchup for big men who lack the lateral quickness on the perimeter, forcing defenders to concede the 18-21 foot jumper.

If Jones can improve his consistency over lengthier stretches of play, he’s a bubble lottery pick due to his versatility and ability to create mismatches.”
As it stands, they have Jones projected just barely in the lottery at pick 14 to Houston, where he would team up with former UK great Patrick Patterson. They also have Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb, Michael Gilchrist, and Anthony Davis in their projected first round. They also have Darius Miller projected as the last pick of the draft to the Chicago Bulls. This is the first I’ve seen of any projections that had Miller getting drafted, so hopefully he’s beginning to get more attention from NBA scouts.

ESPN also listed their top ten candidates to be one-and-dones, and three of UK’s freshman made the list:

Anthony Davis, F/C, Kentucky
ESPN Top 100 Rank: 1

“I haven’t seen NBA scouts this excited about a big man since Greg Oden hit Ohio State’s campus as a freshman in 2006.
Davis isn’t anything like Oden as a player. But he’s a legitimate big man with crazy athleticism and a fantastic motor, and he has his head on straight. He needs to get stronger and polish his play in the post, but all the physical and mental tools are there. He’s still the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft. Think Marcus Camby with more upside.”

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F, Kentucky
ESPN Top 100 Rank: 10

“On pure toughness, energy, athleticism and motor, Kidd-Gilchrist is the most exciting player in this class. He does things on a nightly basis that just wow you. Kidd-Gilchrist is a jump shot away from being a superstar type prospect. As with McAdoo and Miller, it will be interesting to see what opportunities he gets as a freshman. Right now Kidd-Gilchrist is likely to come off the bench. But given that he plays a style of basketball that John Calipari desperately needs and loves, I expect he’ll finish lots of games for Kentucky.”

Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
ESPN Top 100 Rank: 15

“Teague’s brother, Jeff, is coming off a fantastic playoff run for the Atlanta Hawks, but most scouts think Marquis is an even better draft prospect. Like his brother, Teague is a blur on the floor and thrives getting to the basket. But, like his brother, he also struggles as a jump shooter. The difference is that Marquis is more of a true point guard at this point in his career and will have to be one at Kentucky. With so many scoring options, Coach Cal needs him to think pass-first.”

If the UK freshman live up to the hype and help lead Kentucky to a deep NCAA tournament run, we could see another NBA Draft feature five first rounders from UK. The only question now is can Calipari get Eloy Vargas drafted?

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