Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, June 28, 2013
The 2013 NBA Draft has come and gone – five Big Ten products were selected – and now it's time to start considering the conference's top prospects for the 2014 NBA Draft. Kind of early, I know. See my list of our top 2014 NBA Draft prospects in this post.
[ RELATED: 2013 NBA Draft gallery | Vote: Top 2014 B1G prospect? | Free agent signings ]
1. Glenn Robinson III, So., Michigan – The NBA drafts on potential, and few Big Ten players have more potential or a more prototypical pro body than Robinson III. Scouts will want to see the sophomore become more aggressive, and if he does, he'll be a very early pick.
Per Game | Team | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | PFPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
2012-13 | Mich | 39 | 39 | 33.6 | 11.0 | 5.4 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.1 | .572 | .324 | .676 |
Career | 39 | 39 | 33.6 | 11.0 | 5.4 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.1 | .572 | .324 | .676 |
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2. Adreian Payne, Sr., Michigan State – If Payne improves his inside game, there's no telling how high he could go in next year's draft. Even if he doesn't, every NBA team would love to have a 6-10 athletic freak who can stroke it from deep and defend.
Per Game | Team | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | PFPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
2010-11 | MSU | 34 | 6 | 9.0 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.2 | .472 | .000 | .486 |
2011-12 | MSU | 37 | 36 | 17.9 | 7.0 | 4.2 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | .566 | .500 | .697 |
2012-13 | MSU | 36 | 24 | 25.6 | 10.5 | 7.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 2.6 | .546 | .381 | .848 |
Career | 107 | 66 | 17.7 | 6.8 | 4.8 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.0 | .542 | .378 | .734 |
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3. Gary Harris, So., Michigan State – Harris impressed NBA scouts as a freshman despite rarely, if ever, being 100 percent healthy. They'll like the deadly shooter even more when he is confident enough to drive and slash the way he wants to.
Per Game | Team | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | PFPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
2012-13 | MSU | 34 | 33 | 29.7 | 12.9 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | .456 | .411 | .755 |
Career | 34 | 33 | 29.7 | 12.9 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | .456 | .411 | .755 |
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4. Mitch McGary, So., Michigan – McGary has so much going for him, whether it be his motor/energy, his strength, or his do-it-all skills. Perhaps the best rebounder in next year's draft, the burly sophomore will only improve with increased playing time and responsibility.
Per Game | Team | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | PFPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
2012-13 | Mich | 39 | 8 | 19.7 | 7.5 | 6.3 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.4 | .598 | – | .442 |
Career | 39 | 8 | 19.7 | 7.5 | 6.3 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.4 | .598 | – | .442 |
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5. A.J. Hammons, So., Purdue – While Hammons may still be a project on the offensive end, he has the size, length and ability to be an immediate factor on defense. The way Hammons can affect shots, NBA scouts shouldn't let his developing offense concern them.
Per Game | Team | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | PFPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
2012-13 | Purdue | 34 | 27 | 23.1 | 10.6 | 6.0 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 2.0 | .495 | – | .681 |
Career | 34 | 27 | 23.1 | 10.6 | 6.0 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 2.0 | .495 | – | .681 |
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Next 5 (in alphabetical order)
Aaron Craft, Sr., Ohio State
Branden Dawson, Jr., Michigan State
Sam Dekker, So., Wisconsin
LaQuinton Ross, Jr., Ohio State
Noah Vonleh, Fr., Indiana
About Brent Yarina | BTN.com web editor Brent Yarina covers football and men's basketball for BTN.com. He writes the popular uniform feature "Clothes Call," which also focuses on the latest cosmetic changes across Big Ten arenas and stadiums. Read all of his work here. You can subscribe to Yarina's RSS feed and follow him on Twitter @BTNBrentYarina. |