2014 NCAA Sweet 16 Picks & Predictions: Top NBA Prospects in the Sweet 16: This year’s freshman class has been frequently touted as one of the best in college basketball history, so much so that several NBA teams are flat out tanking in the hopes of improving their draft position. However, not all of the star prospects have fared well in the NCAA tournament, and Duke’s Jabari Parker and Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins are among the big names that have already been bounced from the Big Dance. That being said, several top prospects did help guide their teams to the Sweet 16, and before the 2014 NCAA tournament resumes Thursday, it is time to take a closer look at the best NBA prospects still remaining.
1. Julius Randle, Power Forward, Kentucky Wildcats
The freshman has been a double-double machine for the Wildcats, averaging 15.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Perhaps more importantly, he knows how to use his 6’9″ frame in the post to absorb contact and finish around the basket. In fact, Randle seems to embrace contact a la Zach Randolph, and he will physically punish opponents down low. His mid-range shot is a bit of a work in progress, but with an NBA body and a great back-to-the-basket game, he is the only prospect left in the Sweet 16 with a chance to go No. 1 overall.
2. Aaron Gordon, Small Forward, Arizona Wildcats
He is averaging 12.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in his freshman season, but it is his off-the-charts athleticism that has scouts drooling. Gordon has been delivering highlight-reel dunks all season, but he also uses his length and athleticism to make an impact on the defensive end of the court. His jump shot has improved as the year has gone on, and while his overall offensive game needs some polish, his athleticism alone will give him a shot at being picked in the top five.
3. Adreian Payne, Power Forward, Michigan State Spartans
Payne is a perfect example of how staying in school can boost a player’s draft stock. He has always had an NBA body, but he has expanded his offensive game every year while developing a killer instinct on the court. This season, Payne is averaging 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and he has developed a reliable 3-point shot to go along with a solid post game. At this point, the versatile big man seems like a lock to be a top-10 pick.
4. Willie Cauley-Stein, Center, Kentucky Wildcats
While his statistics don’t jump off the page, Cauley-Stein is an athletic seven-footer, and those are physical traits that you just can’t teach. More importantly, he is averaging 2.9 blocks per game, and he has all the tools to be a dominating defensive presence. He may never develop the offensive game needed to be an all-around star, but his potential to become a great rim-protector will be enough to make him a top-10 pick.
5. Gary Harris, Shooting Guard, Michigan State
Harris battled injuries as a freshman, but he has lived up to expectations as a sophomore. He is averaging 16.9 points per game, and in addition to a great natural stroke from all over the court, he has shown the ability to take opponents of the dribble or score off screens. Harris doesn’t have elite athleticism, but he is such a polished scorer that he will likely be a lottery pick.
6. James Young, Shooting Guard, Kentucky Wildcats
Young has been the most consistent perimeter scorer for the young Wildcats, and for the year, he is averaging 14.3 points per game. More importantly, he has the handle and athleticism to create his own shot at get to the rim. He can be a bit streaky when it comes to perimeter shooting, but he definitely has the instincts and arsenal of a go-to scorer. What Young lacks in polish on the offensive end, he more than makes up for in athleticism. He has the highest ceiling of any guard still playing in the NCAA tournament, and he is a likely lottery pick as a result.
7. Montrezl Harrell, Center, Louisville Cardinals
Harrell is an athletically-gifted big man, and in addition to an array of ferocious dunks, he is averaging 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season. Harrell can physically overwhelm opponents in the post, and considering he is shooting 60.5 percent from the field, it is safe to say he knows how finish around the rim. With his 6’8″ frame, he will have to shift to power forward in the NBA, but with his strength and athleticism, he will be a perfect fit for any up-tempo team. Harrell is a sure-fire first-round pick and probably a middle-of-the-round pick at that.
8. Aaron Harrison, Guard, Kentucky Wildcats
The freshman has done a little bit of everything for Kentucky this year, and he is averaging 14.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assist and 1.1 steal per game. He is a solid spot-up 3-point shooter, and he uses his size to take opponents off the dribble and get into the paint and to the foul line. Harrison is comfortable with the ball in his hands, and he could really play point guard or shooting guard at the next level. Either way, he is just scratching the surface of his potential. Harrison is a first-round pick as is, and if he decides to stay in school a year and round out his game, he could easily be a lottery pick if he isn’t already.
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