Post Early Entrant Deadline Big Board

2011 Big Board: Rules - (1) Can go down one tier for need, makes tiers more flexible and blended, (2) Skills are judged based on the position the player is projected to play.

Tier 1:
1. Kyrie Irving - Fr. PG, Duke
Smooth player whose athleticism and physical tools are overlooked due to his high skill level. Has an uncanny ability to get to the rim due to elite ball handling, including an awesome utilization of changing speeds to catch the defender off balance. Very efficient jump shooter that can create space for himself and knock down shots at high efficiency both from mid-range and beyond the 3pt line. Kyrie also possesses remarkable court vision and playmaking abilities for a PG prospect, which makes him a deadly offensive player. Defensively, he rarely takes a possession off and comes up with positive plays with regularity - however he was rarely tested at the college level. Overall, Kyrie is an excellent mix of offense and defense while also possessing a NBA size. The only downside is if his toe becomes an issue.
NBA Role: Two-way franchise PG
Elite skills/traits: Handling, shot selection, penetration, overall BBIQ
Proficient skills/traits: Jump shot, shot creation, finishing, drawing fouls, passing, court vision, overall defense, quickness, athleticism, intensity
Mediocre skills/traits: Rebounding, height, length
Substandard skills/traits:
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Tier 3:
2. Derrick Williams - So. PF/SF, Arizona
Efficient player both in the post and spotting up from distance. Had mixed results against competition with NBA-caliber big men - Texas and Connecticut posed trouble, whereas Kansas and Duke did not. He is among the best at drawing fouls and getting to the line where he knocks them down with some regularity. Has a smooth spot-up jumper, but is not comfortable creating a jump shot at this point because he lacks ball-handling ability on the perimeter. Average rebounder, but could easily improve if he works on fundamentals. Defensively, Derrick does not always give effort and when he does he’s not always effective. Clutch performer who both wants the ball and wants to guard the ball on key possessions. At his peak could be one of the more dangerous offensive players in the league and a regular 20ppg scorer.
NBA Role: All-star caliber stretch 4
Elite skills/traits: Hands, shot selection, finishing, drawing fouls, athleticism, intensity
Proficient skills/traits: Jump shot, post-up game, shot creation, length, strength, offensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Penetration, passing, court vision, perimeter defense, off-ball defense, rebounding, height
Substandard skills/traits: Handling, post defense, defensive BBIQ

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Tier 4:
3. Enes Kanter - 1992 PF/C, Kentucky
Hasn’t played competitively for nearly a year. Very limited experience against good competition, however when faced with a challenge he outperformed his peers. Post moves are advanced for someone his age, able to back defenders down and use an up and under, hook, or drop step to get his points. Great feel around the hoop along with a dependable midrange jumper and nice handling/passing ability make him a highly skilled offensive player. NBA body with immense strength, but not an explosive jumper. Defense is not his strong suit as he does not alter shots as well as one would hope - however it’s not for lack of effort, possibly lack of experience in being an effective defender. Shows outstanding rebounding fundamentals and attacks the ball when it comes off the rim. Hard to project without more evidence, but Enes appears to have the makings of a difference maker at the 5.
NBA Role: Offensive-minded force at the 5.
Elite skills/traits: Hands, touch around rim, shot selection, offensive BBIQ
Proficient skills/traits: Face-up game, post-up game, handling, shot creation, drawing fouls, passing, rebounding, strength
Mediocre skills/traits: Overall defense, athleticism, height, length, defensive BBIQ, intensity
Substandard skills/traits:

4. Jonas Valanciunas - 1992 C, Lietuvos Rytas
Raw big man who shows an excellent motor and touch around the rim. Above average athlete for the C spot with extremely long arms will help him become an effective defender once he learns to utilize those talents effectively. Not afraid of bodying up players in the post or guard players at the top of the key, but plays smaller than he is because too frequently he gets low as if he’s a guard on the perimeter. Offensively, he runs the pick and roll among the best and has a great feel around the hoop to finish those opportunities - also showing improving post skills including an improving drop step and nice looking hook. His work on the boards is superb and he routinely out works older, more skilled opponents. A project to be sure, but if he realizes his talents he could be a gem.
NBA Role: Starting C with positive impact on both ends
Elite skills/traits: Hands, touch around rim, length
Proficient skills/traits: Shot selection, off-ball defense, rebounding, athleticism, height, intensity, offensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Post-up game, handling, shot creation, drawing fouls, post defense, perimeter defense, defensive BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits: Face-up game, passing, strength

5. Terrence Jones - Fr. SF/PF, Kentucky
Terrence is someone who, if rated from 1-10 on every trait, could be argued to have 6s or 7s across the board. Has good handling and passing abilities for a guy his size. Can knock down shots from beyond the 3pt line and has an improving post game, while also being able to draw fouls against slower PFs in face-up situations. Works well without the ball, coming off screens for open jumpers or cutting to the hoop. Terrence is adept at rebounding the ball on both ends of the floor and also is a plus defender, using his great length to his advantage in both aspects. While he might not have star potential, he should be a great glue guy.
NBA Role: Jack of all trades F
Elite skills/traits:
Proficient skills/traits: Handling, penetration, finishing, drawing fouls, passing, court vision, overall defense, rebounding, athleticism, length, strength, overall BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Jump shot, post-up game, hands, shot creation, shot selection, height, intensity
Substandard skills/traits:

6. Jan Vesely - 1990 SF/PF, KK Partizan Belgrade
At his best when attacking the rim both off the dribble and cutting to the rim. Jump shot is not where it needs to be and he appears to lack confidence in it, often choosing to drive even when given an open shot. Extremely high energy level. Great athlete with long arms allows him to be a pest defensively. Because he is rail thin doesn’t rebound or defend in the post as well as one would hope - however despite his frame he’s not wary of competing against bigger players. Jan looks to be someone who would thrive playing next to a sweet-shooting star player.
NBA Role: Starting slasher/energy player.
Elite skills/traits: Finishing, athleticism, height, intensity
Proficient skills/traits: Hands, shot selection, penetration, drawing fouls, overall defense, length, defensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Handling, shot creation, passing, court vision, rebounding, offensive BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits: Jump shot, post-up game, strength

7. Alec Burks - So. SG, Colorado
One of the best players at getting to the rim and finishing through contact. Exceptional ball handling skills and athleticism allow him to create scoring opportunities for himself despite being the focus of the defense, while also having mediocre court vision and passing abilities for a SG prospect to make defenses pay if they commit 2-3 players to him. To become a complete offensive player, however, Alec really needs to work on his sub-standard jumper both in off the dribble and catch and shoot opportunities. Defensively, he has tools to be a good defender, but is not effective outside the occasional deflection or steal. Overall, he projects right now to be a good secondary scorer who does his damage by attacking the basket.
NBA Role: Starting slasher/scorer
Elite skills/traits: Penetration, finishing
Proficient skills/traits: Handling, shot creation, drawing fouls, athleticism, length, offensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Shot selection, passing, court vision, off-ball defense, rebounding, height, intensity, defensive BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits: Jump shot, perimeter defense
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Tier 5:
8. Kemba Walker - Jr. PG, Connecticut
Elite skills/traits: Quickness, intensity
Proficient skills/traits: Handling, shot creation, penetration, finishing, drawing fouls, overall defense, rebounding, athleticism, defensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Jump shot, passing, court vision, offensive BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits: Shot selection, height, length

9. Donatas Motiejunas - 1990 PF/C, Benetton Treviso
Elite skills/traits: Face-up game
Proficient skills/traits: Post-up game, hands, touch around rim, handling, shot creation, shot selection, drawing fouls, athleticism, height, length, offensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Passing, intensity
Substandard skills/traits: Overall defense, rebounding, strength

10. Tristan Thompson - Fr. PF, Texas
Elite skills/traits: Touch around rim, drawing fouls
Proficient skills/traits: Post defense, off-ball defense, hands, athleticism, length, strength, intensity
Mediocre skills/traits: Post-up game, shot selection, perimeter defense, rebounding, height, overall BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits: Face-up game, handling, shot creation, passing

11. Brandon Knight - Fr. PG/SG, Kentucky
Elite skills/traits: Shot creation, intensity
Proficient skills/traits: Jump shot, handling, penetration, quickness, athleticism, height, length
Mediocre skills/traits: Finishing, drawing fouls, court vision, overall defense, overall BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits: Shot selection, passing, rebounding

12. Bismack Biyombo - 1992 PF/C, Baloncesto Fuenlabrada
Elite skills/traits: Off-ball defense, athleticism, length, strength, intensity
Proficient skills/traits: Drawing fouls, touch around rim, post defense, rebounding, defensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Height, shot selection
Substandard skills/traits: Face-up game, post-up game, hands, handling, shot creation, passing, perimeter defense, offensive BBIQ
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Tier 6:
13. Markieff Morris - Jr. PF, Kansas
Elite skills/traits: Touch around rim, shot selection
Proficient skills/traits: Hands, overall defense, rebounding, athleticism, height, length, strength, overall BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Face-up game, post-up game, passing, intensity
Substandard skills/traits: Handling, shot creation, drawing fouls

14. Marcus Morris - Jr. PF/SF, Kansas
Elite skills/traits:
Proficient skills/traits: Face-up game, post-up game, hands, touch around rim, shot creation, shot selection, drawing fouls, athleticism, height, length, offensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Handling, passing, overall defense, rebounding, strength, intensity, defensive BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits:

15. Chris Singleton - Jr. SF/PF, Florida State
Elite skills/traits: Perimeter defense, off-ball defense, defensive BBIQ
Proficient skills/traits: Post defense, athleticism, height, length, strength, intensity
Mediocre skills/traits: Jump shot, hands, handling, penetration, finishing, passing, court vision
Substandard skills/traits: Post-up game, shot creation, shot selection, drawing fouls, rebounding, offensive BBIQ

16. Reggie Jackson - Jr. PG/SG, Boston College
Elite skills/traits: Length
Proficient skills/traits: Shot selection, finishing, perimeter defense, off-ball defense, intensity
Mediocre skills/traits: Jump shot, handling, shot creation, penetration, passing, rebounding, athleticism, height, overall BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits: Drawing fouls, quickness, court vision

17. Kawhi Leonard - So. SF/PF, San Diego State
Elite skills/traits: Rebounding
Proficient skills/traits: Penetration, finishing, passing, overall defense, athleticism, length, strength, intensity, defensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Hands, handling, shot creation, court vision, height, offensive BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits: Jump shot, post-up game, shot selection, drawing fouls

18. Tobias Harris - Fr. PF/SF, Tennessee
Elite skills/traits: Intensity
Proficient skills/traits: Hands, handling, penetration, finishing, strength, overall BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Post-up game, shot creation, shot selection, drawing fouls, passing, court vision, overall defense, rebounding, athleticism, height, length
Substandard skills/traits: Jump shot

19. Jimmer Fredette - Sr. PG/SG, Brigham Young
Elite skills/traits: Jump shot
Proficient skills/traits: Handling, shot creation, intensity, offensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Shot selection, penetration, drawing fouls, passing, court vision, height
Substandard skills/traits: Finishing, overall defense, rebounding, quickness, athleticism, length, defensive BBIQ


20. Kenneth Faried - Sr. PF/C, Morehead State
Elite skills/traits: Rebounding, intensity
Proficient skills/traits: Hands, overall defense, athleticism, length, defensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Post-up game, shot selection, drawing fouls, strength
Substandard skills/traits: Face-up game, handling, shot creation, passing, height, offensive BBIQ

21. Justin Harper - Sr. PF/SF, Richmond
Elite skills/traits: Jump shot
Proficient skills/traits: Handling, shot creation, shot selection, height, offensive BBIQ
Mediocre skills/traits: Post-up game, hands, penetration, finishing, passing, court vision, perimeter defense, athleticism, length, intensity, defensive BBIQ
Substandard skills/traits: Drawing fouls, post defense, off-ball defense, rebounding, strength