Nerlens Noel still has good shot at top NBA draft pick despite injury

May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Nerlens Noel is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the 2013 recruiting class has pretty much been set in stone, it’s time to focus on the next big event on the calendar for Kentucky Wildcat basketball fans. Even though he missed part of his senior with an ACL injury, Nerlens Noel still has a pretty good chance at being the top pick overall in the NBA Draft. Becoming the number one overall draft pick has become something of a regular thing since John Calipari arrived in Lexington. John Wall was first overall in 2010 and Anthony Davis last season. It’s not set in stone yet, but Noel will be considered for the top spot. At least Noel does not think that his injury will keep him from being selected first:

"“I feel I should be the top pick because I’m a great teammate, I really care about where I’m going to play and I’m going to give all my heart and 100 percent effort to get my team back to the promised land, which is where we all want to be,” Noel said. “I’m just going to contribute my best and give all my effort.” Many executives believe that Noel has the most potential of any player in the draft because he just turned 19 years old and he has a lot of the things that you can’t teach – size, athleticism, length and instincts – that could allow him to be great. He has also made it clear throughout this process that he’s a gym rat and that he can’t wait to finish his rehab and get back on the floor. He doesn’t just want to be good; he wants to be one of the league’s elite players. It’s clear that his best basketball is still ahead of him and he believes that his injury won’t limit him from realizing his full potential. “I’m 100 percent confident that I can not only get back to [where] I was at, but get stronger and come back better,” Noel said."

May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Nerlens Noel is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Noel, by no means, is not a consensus number one pick.  And at the NBA combine, Noel took some heat for showing up at just 206 pounds.  

"Projected No. 1 overall pick Nerlens Noel weighed in at 206 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and immediately took some heat as a result. Anthony Davis, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, weighed 222 pounds at the combine and the ESPNU crew wonders how Noel will be able to post up and defend NBA big men at that weight. Can his frame handle much more weight? “I’m 206, I can post up,” Fran Fraschilla said on ESPNU, adding that he didn’t think Noel is the consensus No. 1 pick. “I talked to a number of NBA general managers last night who echoed Fran’s concerns about this,” Chad Ford said. “206, even at the power forward position if you project him, that’s really light.” One Western Conference GM said Noel’s weight wasn’t an issue, though. “He’ll get stronger but his game is based on fast-twitch, quickness, mobility and agility,” the GM told SNY.tv. The former Kentucky freshman did measure 6-10 in socks and 6-11 1/2 in shoes with a 9-2 wingspan, all of which are bigger than Davis. Noel told Andy Katz he interviewed Thursday with six teams — Boston, Orlando, Charlotte, Phoenix, New Orleans and Cleveland."

Granted,  whoever picks Noel will have to wait as he is not expected to return to action till probably December.

Mar 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Archie Goodwin (10) before the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

While at least Noel is still being considered as the number one pick overall, the feedback on Archie Goodwin has not been as positive. Here is a video breaking down Goodwin’s game and some comments by Archie: