Shooting Guard Rankings/Profiles for Top 75 prospects in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Position rank (overall rank)/Name/School/Class
1 (2). Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana, Jr.
Overview: Oladipo leaves Indiana following a junior season inch which he did a little bit of everything. His averages of 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game may not appear flashy, but neither is Oladipo the player. Offensively, his jumper improved substantially between his sophomore and junior seasons, causing people to take notice. But where he really garners attention is with his athletic prowess on the defensive end of the floor, where he shows the ability and motor to be a lock-down defender.
Analysis: The talk of him potentially being the No. 1 overall pick has a cooled a bit, but Oladipo is still a hot name amongst teams with a top 5 selection. Scouts love his combination of athleticism, intensity and willingness to do anything to get the job done. Oladipo appears highly unlikely to drop past Phoenix at No. 5.
2 (3). Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas, Fr.
Overview: The 6-5 scorer from Kansas leaves after his freshman season sporting solid averages of 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. While consistency was a bit of an issue this past year, McLemore showed enough scoring potential shooting the ball and a leaping ability allowing him to be a very good finisher at the rim to catapult him into the top 5 of this year’s draft.
Analysis: Where McLemore is at his best is in transition on offense spotting up on the wing and getting to the basket for highlight reel finishes. He’s still a work in progress handling the ball and creating his own shot in the half court, but the ability is there. Defensively, his long arms and quick feet show that he can be a very good defender at the NBA level.
3 (7). C.J. McCollum, PG/SG, Lehigh, Sr.
Overview: People see the name Lehigh next to McCollum’s name and scoff at the notion he could be ranked this highly, but his best games came against his toughest opponents over the course of his career. He tallied 26 points in a breakout tournament performance against Kansas in 2009 and dropped 30 in an upset victory over Duke in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. McCollum’s 23.9 scoring average is no joke, and he has proven he can score at just about any level against anyone.
Analysis: He’s listed as a point guard, but the proper term for him would be combo guard as he is a shoot-first guard who plays with the ball in his hands. Physically, he’s 6-3 with long arms, a good first step and the ability to change pace to keep his opponent off-guard. While he’s not overly explosive or athletic, McCollum is a natural scorer with a high basketball I.Q. who looks like he’s going to land in the lottery.
4 (11). Shabazz Muhammad, SG, UCLA, Fr.
Overview: Nobody was more scrutinized this past year than the now officially 20 year old Muhammad. Once thought to be a potential No. 1 overall pick, scouts and critics felt the Bruins freshman failed to live up to the hype. Further criticism came toward the end of the year when it was discovered he was a year older than he had previously claimed. While his season was labeled disappointing, Muhammad did finish with very respectable 17.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per-game averages.
Analysis: Physically, Muhammad stands a very good chance to be successful at the NBA level; he’s 6-6 with a wingspan that stretches almost 7-feet. He’s not a great athlete but a decent one. There are concerns about his character as he has been known to sulk when coming out of games and is not known as the most teammate-centric guy. However, one thing scouts and critics agree on is his aggressiveness offensively – Muhammad has shown the traits of a high volume shooter who can score.
5 (20). Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego St., Jr.
Overview: The versatile junior leaves San Diego St. with impressive 17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per-game averages. Asked to do pretty much everything at SDSU, Franklin impressed scouts with his versatility.
Analysis: Franklin’s jumper could stand some work if he wants to be as effective as he is potentially capable of at the NBA level. While in college he had the luxury of having the ball in his hands quite a bit and didn’t shoot a particularly high percentage from mid- and three-point range. What he lacks in accuracy shooting the ball he makes up for intensity on both ends of the floor. Scouts love his competitiveness and well-rounded game.
6 (22). Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia, So.
Overview: The 6-6 guard from Georgia had himself a solid 2012-13 season, compiling averages of 18.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. After an up and down freshman season in which he showed promise, “KCP” showed significant improvement in his scoring, shooting percentage and decision making this past season.
Analysis: Caldwell-Pope has a smooth, natural shooting stroke and hasn’t skipped a beat in workouts since the season ended. Already most likely a mid-first rounder, he could find himself pushing his way into the lottery with more impressive workouts.
7 (23). Allen Crabbe, SG, California, Jr.
Overview: Crabbe, a 6-6 junior out of Cal, is a smooth shooter and scorer who already possesses NBA three-point range. Posting double digit scoring in all three years at Cal and finishing his junior season with an 18.4 points per game average, Crabbe has still managed to fly somewhat under the radar.
Analysis: The first thing you notice about Crabbe is that he’s a shooter with a quick release who has a knack for putting the ball in the basket. He’s not an explosive athlete but he’s a good one. He’s at his best running defenders off screens for pull ups and catch-and-shoot situations. He was a projected second-round pick coming into the season but has played his way into the first round and will fit nicely with a team looking for a scorer mid- to late-first round.
8 (27). Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan, Jr.
Overview: At 6-6, Hardaway Jr. possesses the size and pedigree necessary to play in the NBA. As a junior in 2012-13 he was the Wolverines’ second-leading scorer behind all-everything point guard Trey Burke. On the year, he averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 assists for the national runner-ups.
Analysis: Hardaway Jr. had an up and down career at Michigan. As a freshman he started hot, then regressed as a sophomore. Last season he returned to the form NBA scouts were looking to see. Consistency is an issue with Hardaway Jr., but the talent to play in the NBA is there. He’s probably a late-first to early-second round pick.
9 (29). Ricky Ledo, SG, Providence, Fr.
Overview: A top 25 talent coming out of high school, Ledo was ruled academically ineligible during his one-year stay at Providence. Now 20 years old, the 6-6 wing believes he would have been a top five pick had he been able to play last season and thought the time was right to make the leap to the NBA.
Analysis: While considered a project due to the fact that he was unable to compete at the collegiate level, it’s pretty apparent Ledo possesses the natural athletic ability and skill to play in the NBA. He could be a gamble this early in the draft, but he has a potentially much higher ceiling than others being compared to him in the late-first and early-second rounds.
10 (31). Glen Rice, Jr., SG, Rio Grand Valley, Jr.
Overview: With numerous issues and suspensions with multiple coaches at Georgia Tech, Rice was eventually kicked off the squad following his sophomore year after an incident in which he left an Atlanta nightclub and a passenger in the car he was riding in fired a gun, causing them to be pulled over by police. Instead of opting to transfer and sit out a year, Rice entered the D-League and flourished this past year.
Analysis: Physically, Rice stands 6-6 with long arms, a chiseled frame, very good athletic ability and has a lethal jumper just like his dad did. What is potentially holding Rice back from being a first round pick isn’t anything physical, it’s questions about his off-court troubles and problems with coaches in the past. Rice insists he has matured and the past is behind him, but significant questions remain.
11 (35). Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky, Fr.
Overview: Following Kentucky’s first round NIT loss last season, the freshman from Kentucky declared, “If any of us were saying we think we should leave, then we’d all be delusional”. Obviously, Goodwin had a change of heart. Much like his Wildcat teammates, Goodwin had a wildly inconsistent season with flashes of excellence followed by bouts of ineffectiveness. On the year, Goodwin finished with 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Analysis: Although he should have probably returned to Kentucky to address concerns of inconsistency, Goodwin has the physical tools to play SG in the NBA. He stands 6-5 with an almost 7-foot wingspan. He started last season strong before hitting a wall in conference play. He’ll need to work on his jumper, but he’s a good athlete who looks good in the open floor in an up-tempo system.
12 (39). Pierre Jackson, PG/SG, Baylor, Sr.
Overview: You may recognize Jackson and his Baylor teammates from those not-so-subtle neon green uniforms they like to play in when they’re on national TV. He turned in a very solid senior season averaging 19.8 points and 7.1 assists per game. While his scoring average would make you think he looks to score first, that’s not necessarily the case.
Analysis: Jackson will be labeled a combo guard, but that’s a compliment, he can play the point and he can score equally effectively. While at Baylor he was asked to do both and responded. Jackson is multi-dimensional. When asked to play point he has been very good in pick-and-roll scenarios and distributing; when asked to score, he has done it. At just 5-10, Jackson’s size is a concern but he will get some quality looks from teams in the second round.
13 (45). Michael Snaer, SG, Florida St., Sr.
Overview: Outside of ACC country, people might not know that Snaer is a stone cold assassin, specializing in game winners. While at FSU he had six game-winning shots to his credit, and that makes noise in NBA circles. Coming out of high school he was a McDonald’s All American and some people have considered him a disappointment – that couldn’t be further from the truth. The 6-5 Snaer will probably go down as one of the best players in Florida State history.
Analysis: While not the best athlete, Snaer is a gamer. His 14.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in the ACC were solid. He can score, and his game-winning shots were noticed by NBA people. He’s a proven prospect who can shoot off the dribble and spot up. Snaer is a prospect to look out for; he’s a scorer who isn’t afraid to take the big shot and should get picked in the second round.
14 (46). Erick Green, PG/SG, Virginia Tech, Sr.
Overview: The senior finished his career with an astounding average of 25 points per game in the ACC last season. While it’s very impressive, the 6-4 Green played on a bad team at Virginia Tech that finished dead last in the ACC.
Analysis: Green is another combo guard who prefers to shoot first but is capable of running the point. Green’s primary weapon on the offensive end is his jumper – he’s very good shooting off the dribble and creating for himself. Having played on a bad team he had the ball in hands quite a bit and defenses keyed on him. Green does a nice job of changing pace and using crossovers and step backs to create space to score.
15 (52). Carrick Felix, SG, Arizona St., Sr.
Overview: The 6-6 senior posted career highs his senior season with 14.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Felix is a very good athlete who plays hard on both ends of the floor and possesses a nice jump shot.
Analysis: At 22 years old Felix’s upside isn’t as high as some others, but he has put together a nice body of work for scouts to look at. He’s good in the open court using his athleticism to get to the basket and he has a solid catch-and-shoot jumper out to around the college three-point line.
16 (54). Alex Abrines, SG, Barcelona Regal 1993 (Spain)
Overview: The 19-year-old Spaniard checks in at 6-6 with long arms and the ability to get out and run well in the open court. Playing in Spain, Abrines’ minutes have been wildly inconsistent, but when he plays he shows off a good athletic skillset and solid range on his jumper.
Analysis: Much like many international guards, Abrines loves to have the ball in his hands in the open floor. He has very good court vision and passes well. However, he can get careless with the ball and needs to cut down on the turnovers. He has a nice jumper and shoots the ball effectively.
17 (55). Seth Curry, SG, Duke, Sr.
Overview: Curry started his career at Liberty as a big-time scorer and decided to transfer to Duke after his freshman year to get more exposure. After experimenting at both point guard and shooting guard with mixed results, Curry found a home at shooting guard and averaged 17.5 points per game his senior season.
Analysis: Just like his father and brother, Curry is a deadly shooter. Also just like his brother, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, a lot of people are still on the fence as to if Seth’s game can make the leap to the NBA. Curry is a professional shooter and should get some good looks from people in the second round, and if teams are convinced Curry can create shots for himself he could skyrocket up the board.
18 (57). Khalif Wyatt, SG, Temple, Sr.
Overview: The 6-4 senior is a big-time scorer. He averaged 20.5 points per game last season and finished with consecutive 31-point games in the NCAA Tournament against NC State and Indiana.
Analysis: Wyatt can score anywhere on the floor, and he’s extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands. He has the ability to put the ball on the floor, has a nice pull up game and can shoot outside the NBA three-point line. Wyatt’s athleticism will be a concern at the NBA level as he’s not very quick and will have trouble keeping guards in front of him on defense.
19 (64). B.J. Young, SG, Arkansas, So.
Overview: The 6-3 sophomore thought about leaving Arkansas after his freshman year but decided to return. He averaged 15.2 points per game last season, but it was generally considered a disappointment as he didn’t improve on his freshman numbers. To make matters worse, Young was suspended for violating team rules early in the season and later benched for disciplinary reasons.
Analysis: Young showed a lot of promise his freshman season, but wasn’t able to keep the momentum going as a sophomore. He excels in the open court and Arkansas’ frenetic pace was tailor-made for him to shine. He’s extremely quick and athletic and has a knack for getting to the basket. Young has very natural scoring instincts, but at just 6-3 he will most likely to be asked to be a combo guard at the NBA level, where he will need to work on his ability to play the point.
20 (66). Vander Blue, SG, Marquette, Jr.
Overview: Blue was a top recruit coming out of high school and generally failed to live up to expectations at Marquette. The 6-5 junior did make a noticeable jump statistically from his sophomore to junior years finishing the season at 14.8 points per game.
Analysis: The most noticeable improvement in Blue’s game came in his shooting. Not known as a very good shooter, he changed that perception with a more reliable jump shot this past year. Blue appears to be most comfortable in pick and roll situations with the ball in his hands making decisions. He’s very aggressive and looks to get to the basket or pull up, this could get him into the second round.
21 (72). Brandon Paul, SG, Illinois, Sr.
Overview: The 6-4 Paul considered leaving Illinois after his junior year and opted to return for a senior campaign. He started the year off hot and then tailed off in conference play, finishing the season with respectable averages of 16.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Analysis: Physically Paul looks like an NBA player with long arms and a strong physique. During his junior season he was more of a complementary scorer, and in his senior season he became the focal point of the offense. As the season progressed it looked like he started to wear down. What will get Paul looks from NBA coaches is his quick first step and ability to create his own shot.
22 (74). Durand Scott, SG, Miami, Sr.
Overview: Scott posted an impressive double-digit scoring average all four years he played for the Hurricanes. He finished his senior year with a 13.1 points per game average in a complementary role.
Analysis: Just 6-3, Scott will have to improve on his jumper and expand his skillset to be able to play point guard as well if he wants to play in the NBA. At this point in his career Scott is a slasher with a knack for breaking down defenses with good ball handling and the ability to use either hand effectively. He is a scorer; if he can expand his game he could get some interest in the second round.
(Next in the series: Point Guards, June 14)
Tyler Jamieson is the Senior NBA Draft Analyst for The Sports Xchange.