After finishing the
first ten picks, now I'm going to look at the next 10 picks, from 11 to 20. The first pick in this group goes to the New Orleans Hornets.
11. New Orleans Hornets - F/C Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania
A European 19 year-old is an unknown in the US, but many scouts are very high on him. He has the ability to go to both sides, and is a huge matchup problem for any big men (he's 7'0") with his versatility. He is also very quick and agile, and he also possesses strong ball handling skills. Motiejunas also has improved on the low post, and has great offensive potential. He's still a project, but he can definitely improve on both sides of the ball to get better.
12. Memphis Grizzlies - G James Anderson, Oklahoma State
The Grizzlies don't really have that many teams, and were in the hunt for the eighth seed for a while. Anderson is a great shooter, and can provide them some extra depth at the guard position (they already have OJ Mayo and Ronnie Brewer), but Anderson is a strong offensive player, and I think the Grizzlies could use some more young offensive talent.
13. Toronto Raptors - F Xavier Henry, Kansas
The Raports have some good players, but they are in need of a strong wing player to start for them. Henry is very big for a wing, and has a very NBA-ready body. He's polished offensively, and plays defense at a very high level. He could fit into the gaping hole Toronto has on the wing.
14. Houston Rockets - C Hassan Whiteside, Marshall
Whiteside is a freakish athlete (he measured a 7'7"wingspan in a pre-draft camp) who was largely unknown coming into the season. However, he emerged as the CUSA Freshman of the Year, and he led the NCAA in blocked shots. He is still very raw, but has shown some great potential to known down mid-range shots and handle the ball.
15. Milwaukee Bucks - G Gordon Hayward, Butler
Hayward was a surprise entrant from National runner-up Butler. The sophomore star of the team, he possesses a solid jumper and good speed. The Bucks drafted Joe Alexander a few years ago, a similar player to Hayward, but Hayward seems much more skilled.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves - F/C Larry Sanders, VCU
Sanders became a prolific and efficient scorer this year at VCU, and now looks like a productive player in the paint. He is a great athlete and a huge wingspan, but needs to add strength to grow into a solid NBA player. The Timberwolves have Kevin Love and Al Jefferson in the front court, but Sanders is a solid player to add.
17. Chicago Bulls - F Paul George, Fresno State
George is a late bloomer and very unknown in college basketball, but he is very dynamic and fluid. He could put on some weight, but he stands a solid 6'9". George played AAU with future UCLA-bound guards Malcolm Lee and Jrue Holliday. George could definitely find some untapped potential and become a solid player.
18. Miami Heat - F/C Epke Udoh, Baylor
A lot of mock drafts have Udoh going much higher, even in the lottery, but I think Udoh still has more to prove as a post player to be drafted that high. He is a great shot blocker and athlete, and the Heat can definitely use someone down low, and to try and keep Dwayne Wade.
19. Boston Celtics - G Elliot Williams, Memphis
Williams, a transfer from Duke, is a little bit of a reach for the Celtics here, but they really need to start finding the eventual replacement for Ray Allen, and Williams can definitely score with a great deal of ease. If he improves his shooting a little bit, he can be a very potent offensive threat for Boston.
20. San Antonio Spurs - F Luke Babbitt, Nevada
Babbitt is another unknown player who will most likely be drafted in the first round. He is not that athletic, but is a solid scorer inside and out. He stands 6'7", so he probably won't be able to play PF, but can still be a solid player for San Antonio.
So with picks 11-20, I'll finish out the rest of the first round, and talk about other guys, who could be taken in the first round and early second round. Sorry for the delay in this post. Enjoy!
