The NHL draft just ended, as well as the NBA version, and now you can start looking ahead to next year’s draft, especially as the NBA season is in peril due to a possible lockout. Here are the top five prospects to check out ahead of the upcoming college hoops season. Anthony Davis, Kentucky The freshman is technically a power forward, but he can also play guard as he was 6’3” until a growth spurt in his junior year. Davis will be the cornerstone of John Calipari’s Kentucky team, and many people feel that Davis would have been the No.1 overall pick this year if high school players were able to come out. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina Barnes is another player who could take the top spot next year, and he probably would have been a top-five pick this year, but he decided to stay at North Carolina and try to win a championship with the likes of John Henson and Tyler Zeller. Barnes has good size for a forward, he’s deadly from outside and he developed a killer instinct over the second half of last season. Next season’s Kentucky-North Carolina game may be more popular than any NFL picks you’ll make. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Another sophomore, Sullinger is also coming back for the college experience and another chance at a title, and he may be the most polished power forward coming out. He has to be as Sullinger isn’t as athletic as Davis or Baylor’s Perry Jones (more on him next), but Sullinger’s post moves are exquisite and he shows the poise of a senior. Perry Jones, Baylor Jones made a surprise decision to come back to school for another season, and he was never the No.1 option at Baylor with LaceDarius Dunn in Waco. Now, Jones will have many chances to show off his wide array of skills, and he’s very similar to Davis in that he can go to the hole, his jumper is still inconsistent, and he’s wildly athletic. Jones may have the most upside of anyone in this draft, but he’s as risky as online casino wagering. Austin Rivers, Duke Rivers is another freshman that would have gone to the league if high schoolers were allowed, but he already has some insight into the NBA; he is the son of “Doc”, the former player and championship-winning coach for the Boston Celtics. Rivers is much more flashy than his father was, and he can also shoot the lights out. He’s not as fundamentally sound as his dad is, but that’s not to say he depends entirely on athleticism. Rivers has a very bright future, and when it comes to the 2012 draft, taking him in the lottery would be a smart betting choice.
I think Barnes will be the first pick next year. North Carolina always develops great players and I think Barnes will be no exception.
