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The Barclays Center is set to host the 2014 NBA Draft Thursday night, and one of the more touted classes in recent memory highlights the event. The Cleveland Cavaliers are will officially go on the clock first for the third time in three years at 7 p.m. tomorrow night, and all eyes are once again on the front office of the Cavs'. Several Big Ten prospects are hoping to hear their names called early, while a few are aware of their projected wait. Unfortunately, some Big Ten prospects won't get drafted at all. (Sorry, Zach McCabe.)
Aside from Big Ten prospects waiting to hear their names, there's a few potential superstars waiting in Brooklyn as well.
For your draft viewing pleasure:
Three things you need to know about the 2014 NBA Draft:
Who goes first overall?
Knowing the Cavaliers, they could trade the first pick for a half-eaten peanut butter sandwich and a bag of goldfish. However, I think the Anthony Bennet type picks are hard to come by this year. The consensus is the front office and the owner are split on who to take when the time comes. Jabari Parker is the safer player, but Andrew Wiggins as having the "higher ceiling." I hate draft picks based on potential, and ultimately I think Parker will be the better player. On that note, Cleveland will probably pull the trigger on Wiggins. It was highly publicized that Parker had a bad workout in northeastern Ohio, but who could be excited about going to Cleveland?
Highest risk in the draft?
There are a few players who are high risk, high reward. The aforementioned Andrew Wiggins fits the bill with his athletic ability that overshadowed his actual game in his lone season at Kansas. Joel Embiid is a huge risk, with the news of his stress fracture, his draft stock is plummeting. There's one prospect who's athleticism could have masked his other deficiencies to this point. While Zach LaVine is a phenomenal athlete who wowed at the NBA Combine, and he's got pretty good range, it was well documented that he looked "lost" during team drills in Chicago. The proof is in the pudding though, the UCLA alum that draws a lot of comparisons to Russell Westbrook because of his athletic ability and combo-guard style, could be great. LaVine has a lot of work to do though, and whoever picks the 19-year-old will be doing so based solely upon what he could become. He's no where near NBA ready, and that's more a risk than an injury to me. LaVine could be the best player in the class in five years, or he could be a wasted pick that sets a franchise back five years. That's a bigger risk than any.
Who's the next superstar?
So, five years down the road, we're going to look back and grade this draft class just like every other one, and we're going to shun general mangers and praise owners around the league. The decisions made in Brooklyn will ultimately cost some people their jobs, and have some rewarded with extensions and praised as geniuses. When all is said and done, I think the player with the best argument for claiming himself as the best, will be none other than Jabari Parker. Parker is the most NBA ready prospect in this class, and I think he will only get better. He's a great rebounder for his size, he can already shoot the ball well from deep, and his ability to get to the basket is underrated too. Parker will be a steal for anyone in this draft, because of his ability to do it all.
Big Ten Breakdown:
The best conference in college basketball -- arguably anyway -- has quite a few solid prospects that could contribute and help a NBA franchise on it's path to the Larry O' Brien trophy.
Here's a breakdown of the major Big Ten prospects and their potential destinations.
Keith Appling:
- Position: Point Guard
- Measurables: 6’1", 185 lbs
- Projection: Late second round
- Position: Point Guard
- Measurables: 6’2", 195 lbs
- Projection: Undrafted
In a perfect world, Aaron Craft goes to a contender and wins not two, not three, not four, not five, not six but somewhere around 37 championships. In a not so perfect world, which is the one we live in today, I think the defensive extraordinaire will get invited to a camp and probably perform admirably. However, Craft's lack of offense and athleticism will ultimately mean an early exit from the League for the former Ohio State Buckeyes' star.
Gary Harris:
- Position: Shooting Guard
- Measurables: 6’4", 210 lbs
- Projection: Lottery
Roy Devyn Marble:
- Position: Shooting Guard
- Measurables: 6’6", 200 lbs
- Projection: Late second round
Mitch McGary:
- Position: Center/Power Forward
- Measurables: 6’10", 255 lbs
- Projection: Early second round
Adreian Payne:
- Position: Power Forward
- Measurables: 6’10", 240 lbs
- Projection: Mid to late first round
Glenn Robinson III:
- Position: Small Forward
- Measurables: 6’6", 220 lbs
- Projection: Early second round
LaQuinton Ross:
- Position: Small Forward
- Measurables: 6’8", 220 lbs
- Projection: Late second round/Undrafted
Nik Stauskas:
- Position: Shooting Guard
- Measurables: 6’6", 205 lbs
- Projection: Lottery
Noah Vonleh:
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Measurables: 6’10", 240 lbs
- Projection: Top ten
Noah Vonleh should be the highest Big Ten prospect taken, barring an avalanche like fall for some unforeseen reason. Noah's physical tools are outstanding, and a big part of the reason while he's got so much potential. A wingspan of just over 7'4" gave him the longest wingspan of any prospect at the NBA combine that is eligible to be drafted. On the court, Vonleh's game is anchored by his defensive rebounding and a decent set of post moves on the offensive end. Vonleh showed the ability to step out and knock a three pointer down in college, whether or not that translates to the NBA's extended range is yet to be known. The most likely destination for Vonleh seems to be to the Utah Jazz with the number five overall pick.