NBA Draft: Stock Up

1. Alex Len, Maryland

After a much hyped, mostly disappointing rookie season, Ukrainian big man Alex Len is having the kind of impact many expected last year. In hindsight, it isn't surprising, European players usually have a transition period, especially 18 year old's coming to America for the first time. However, if players can make that transition they are usually in for breakout years because they're used to the style of play and can bring all their skills to the forefront. It also helps Len that he has a much more talented team playing around him and doesn't have a ball-hog like Terrell Stoglin shooting the ball every time down the court. For Len, the game seems to have slowed down and he's able to use his size (7-1, 225), length and high skill level to score inside and out. On the defensive end, Len has also improved; he was always mobile and athletic for his size, but now he understands where to be and has the awareness to get there on time. Len had his coming out party against Nerlens Noel and Kentucky when he 23 points, 12 boards, and 4 blocks. He doesn't have to keep putting up numbers like that, but if he continues to play the same aggressive, smart, skillful game he'll be a lock for the top 10 if not higher.

2. Isaiah Austin, Baylor

Most likely due to the disappointing Baylor careers by Perry Jones III and Quincy Miller, Isaiah Austin seemed to have pretty low expectations for a top 5 recruit. After his first 4 games however, expectations might be raised because Austin has been very impressive so far. The 7-footer Austin has shown his unique skills so far this year, averaging 14.8 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 53% from the field and 40% from 3. What's more impressive is how Austin has been playing, on offense he's been scoring from the inside and out, scoring over defenders or making athletic plays above the rim while on defense he's defended well and averaged a rebound every 3 minutes. Oddly, though he's been a tremendous shotblocker, he's only blocked 2 shots in 4 games, but I'd expect that to change soon. The scary thought is that Austin is still just a Freshman early in his career and figuring out how to translate his skill-set to the college game. Give him a little time and look out.

3. Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse
After being buried on the depth chart for his Freshman season, the uber-talented Michael Carter-Williams is the starting point guard for Syracuse and has taken the role and run with it. Through two games, Carter-Williams is averaging an impressive 11.5 points, 5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 blocks and a whopping 4 steals over two games. For MCW it's not a case of skills, he's a long, athletic 6-6 point guard who can shoot from deep, drive the ball, see the floor and make plays on defense; it's just a matter of getting experience after only playing 10 minutes a game last season. That playing time will likely triple this season and MCW will get the experience he needs to learn how to run a team and harness all his immense talent into one, lottery bound packege.

4. Marcus Smart and Le'Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State

No team has been more impressive this season than Oklahoma State. After struggling to beat a good Akron team, OSU dominated two tournament teams in Tennessee and #6 ranked North Carolina State. The Cowboys success can be linked to two things: the arrival of Freshman guard Marcus Smart and the improvement of Sophomore Le'Bryan Nash. Last season, Nash came into the year with a lot of hype, but only had an average season and struggled in many games, this season he's playing much more aggressive and using his 6-7, 230 pound frame and explosive athleticism to attack the basket and get to the line a remarkable 11 times, where he is converting at 86%. Nash is also rebounding and defending well too. For Smart, the key to his rise in stock has been playing the point this year, coming in as a freshman most figured Smart would be playing shooting guard. Smart is an explosive, physical guard with great size for a point guard at 6-4, 225 but would be undersized at the two so playing the point would be huge for his stock. The fit works, Smart is a really good ballhandler and drive and dish player, he simply needs to learn run an offense, but that will come with time. If you're looking for the next Russell Westbrook, this may be it. Smart has put up a Westbrook-esque line of 15.3 points, 8 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1.5 blocks a game.



5. Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
The most unheralded of the Kentucky Freshman, Willie Cauley-Stein has been the most consistent performer for the Wildcats. He hasn't gotten a ton of minutes, just 19.3 a game, but when he's played he's shown a good motor combined with a 7-0, 220 pound, long and athletic frame. Cauley-Stein was a late bloomer in High School who split time between football and basketball (how about a guy that size playing wide receiver?) but just about every time he stepped on the floor he made improvements. The offense has a ways to go, but Cauley-Stein has good hands and given the rate of improvement so far for him, plus the physicality coming from football, there's a good chance that the offense comes. If he continues gradual improvement while also playing hard and defending, there's a good chance Cauley-Stein ends up a first rounder in 2013, but if he comes back for another year and gets more minutes, the lottery or higher are possible.