All-Underrated Team

Point Guard: Demetri McCamey, Illinois Sr. (6-3, 200)
A lot of the hate for Demetri McCamey comes from the fact that he plays at Illinois, he's a big, strong point guard with broad shoulder, but he's not Deron Williams. There's a lot more than just body type and school that compare between these two. Both struggled with weight at time during their college career, have a deep three point shot, and have pure point guards skill but can also score some. The difference between the two is huge and it's why Williams was a top 5 pick and McCamey might not be a first round pick: athleticism. When Williams got his weight under control, he had new found explosiveness. Not only jumping, but speed and start-stop ability (his full speed crossover is insane) but when McCamey lost weight, he was just an average athlete. So he's not Deron Williams, but he's got a lot to like. He's a pure point guard with very good floor vision and an excellent jump shot (he's hitting 48% of his 3s). If a team wants a solid backup/borderline starter who can run a team and hit open shots, he's worth a pick.
Highlights
Will Go: Early 2nd
Should Go: Mid-to-late 1st

Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson, Washington State Jr. (6-6, 200)
Everyone is calling Jimmer Fredette the next Stephen Curry, but I've got a different candidate: Klay Thompson. Like Curry, Thompson lacks elite quickness or athleticism, but makes up for it in a multitude of other ways. He's probably the best shooter in the nation with unlimited range. Also, like Curry he can handle the ball and create for teammates, averaging 4.3 assists per game, which is more than Fredette (who plays more minutes on a better team), and has tremendous basketball IQ (he's the son of former NBA-er Mychak Thompson). He also rebounds (5.1 rpg) and contributes defensively (2 spg, 1 bpg). True, Thompson lacks the athleticism to be an elite defender, but he's got enough quickness to stay in front of people and with a little added strength combined with his IQ, he could be an average to above-average defender at the next level. The bottom line is that he's a smart, character guy who will do the little things to help his team win, but also have to potential to be 15 ppg scorer.
Highlights
Will Go: Late 1st/Early 2nd
Should Go: Middle 1st

Small Forward: Kris Joseph, Syracuse Jr. (6-7, 210)
Unlike the guys before him on this list Kris Joseph doesn't lack athleticism. He's an explosive leaper and can really fly down the court. The issue with him is he's still developing his game, despite being a Junior, he's clearly a late-bloomer. Each year he's gotten better, increasing his scoring average, his decision making (way fewer travels and charges) and, most impressively, his 3 point shooting (from 22% to 38% ). I also like the way his game translates to the NBA, in college the lane is constantly clogged and players can be more physical on the perimeter but at the next level Joseph will be able to use his impressive handling ability and quickness to slash to the basket, while keeping teams honest with his jumper. He's already a foul magnet in college (he's shot 124 free throws this season) and with the spaced NBA floors he'll have more room to finish at the rim. He may never be a starter in the NBA, but with his high motor and offensive ability, he'll be a valuable player of the bench for a long time.
Highlights
Will Go: 2nd
Should Go: Late 1st

Power Forward: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State Sr. (6-8, 225)
Probably the most underrated player in this whole draft, I'd take Faried in the late lottary without a second thought. He leads the country in rebounding and excels at using length, athleticism, and a never ending motor to gather rebounds at an incredible rate, especially on the offensive end (the next closest offensive rebounder has 40 less than Faried). Think it's just the weak competition of the Ohio Valley? Against several future lottery picks from Florida and Ohio State (most notably top 5 pick Jared Sullinger) he averaged 17.5 points and 15 boards while shooting 63% from the floor and blocking 2 shots. Defensively, he's so athletic and long, it makes up for his lack of height and if he hits the weight room in combination with his tremendous mobility and quickness, he has the potential to be an ace defender who could guard positions 1 through 4. He scores a lot of his points off these offensive rebounds, but the offense is coming along. Will he ever be a polished scorer at the next level? Probably not, but the awesome rebounding and defensive potential, to go along with a great motor and work ethic will give you a player who'll help you win games plane and simple. He reminds me of a more athletic Anderson Varejao, that's worth a late lottery pick, right?
Highlights
Will Go: Mid 1st
Should Go: Late Lottery

Center: Lucas Nogueria, Brazil (7-0, 225)
Looking at Chad Ford's top center rankings, by number 5 you get Alex Oriakhi. No offense to Oriakhi, but if that doesn't tell you that there's a dearth of talent at center in college basketball, you haven't seen Oriakhi try to hit a jump shot. Luckily, the International talent pool is there, at least for one team in the middle of the first round. Enter Lucas Nogueria, a legit 7 footer from Brazil with tremendous athleticism and a great motor. At 18, he's still raw on offense, but defensively he's a menace; all over the court blocking shots, rebounding, and defending in a very Joakim Noah-esque way. Noah was about the same size coming out of college at 22, so if Nogueria can add 10-15 pounds by the time he turns 20, he'll be way ahead of Noah, who is one of the best defensive centers in the NBA despite being on about 230 pounds. Offensively, it all has to do with how you develop him, but the tools are there. Even if he doesn't develop much of a game, you've still got a potential ace defensive player and rebounder.
Highlights
Will Go: Late 1st
Should Go: Mid 1st

Sixth Man: Nolan Smith, Duke Sr. (6-4, 185)
Scouts have this irrational fear of combo guards that I don't understand, if a guy can play he can play. And Nolan Smith can play. He's not a pure point, but I could see him running the point in certain systems and he doesn't have prototypical height for a 2 guard, but he's an excellent defender who'll be able to hold his own against most 2s. So what's the problem? I don't really know. He's can hit an open 3 (though he could stand to get a little more consistent there), drive and finish, create for teammates (5.6 apg) and crash the glass (4.8 rpg). Plus he's got a nice first step and the athleticism and strength to finish. The bottom line is Smith is a character guy with a great IQ and a winners attitude, will he ever be a starter? Probably not, but you could do a lot worse at backup guard then this guy.
Highlights
Will Go: 2nd round
Should Go: Late 1st