Top 5 Prospects in the 2010 NBA Draft

One of the hardest drafts to predict is the basketball draft. When it comes to baseball, there are several amazing players among the thousands of prospects. In football, there are limited openings for the talent and only the top college performers will be considered. When it comes to basketball, any team can take any player at any time in the draft. There are so many talented kids coming out of our country's colleges. With dozens of players that are more than ready to take the step into the NBA, it is very difficult to narrow it down to the best. Here is a look at some players I think are ready to compete on a professional level and contribute this next season. There are several teams that could use the skills of these kids. Look for all of these to be snatched up in the first round.

Wesley Johnson (Forward, Syracuse)

Wesley Johnson has quickly risen in the ranks of prospects this year. Johnson is an all around player that is amazingly humble and a definite team player. On paper, this kid is a perfect small forward. His talent is not just limited to that though. He is an amazing team player and is known for being able to get in and get the rebound. His wiry frame and quick movements make him a master at getting the ball and getting into position for a shot. He has improved some this year over last. Last season, he couldn't sink a three to save his life, but this year, from behind the arc, he is hitting it at 46%. This is an amazing improvement and shows that he is dedicated to making himself better and still able to learn some new tricks and tools. The only downside to his play is that he can be a little too humble and dish off the rock instead of stepping in and sinking the shot himself. His confidence needs a bit of work in this area. If he can get a little more aggressive, he looks to be one of the best forwards in the game.

John Wall (Guard, Kentucky)

John Wall has been declared by many to be the first overall pick in the draft this season. Several people have put this stellar point guard as the top grab this season. This may be since the Nets are openly looking for a new point guard to bolster their team. The talent that Wall displays though, is more than enough to get him the coveted top spot in the draft. This kid has lightening speed and can land the rock in the hole with either hand. He has a habit of finding the ball in a rebound situation and his monster hands often assure that he has it when he comes down. His rebound rates and blocked shots are impressive, but to watch this kid on the breakaway is breathtaking. Wall is another team player that is known to dish off on a drive to the hoop. He is not so timid as to do this all the time though, and his highlight reel shows some very impressive jams. The only problem with Wall is his lack of a jumper. He relies more on his speed and dunking ability than his jump shot. This has made his jumper one of the weakest in college this year. He has the right form and can get the spin on the ball, but it just doesn't seem to find the hole. A little work can clear this up though, and Wall has too many other pluses for a team to worry about that. The fact that he is just a freshman can be attributed to that. If Wall doesn't go in the top ten, he will likely be left to get a little seasoning at the college level.

Greg Monroe (Center, Georgetown)

Greg Monroe is probably the best Center to be in the draft this season. He is one of the top big men in the game and can work the ball. He has some definite basketball skills and knows the game. He can pass with the best of them and his control on the offense is amazing. He is able to read the entire court and find the best routes and plays in a split second. He is truly a heads up player that you can build a team around. His jumper is lights out and he can hit the three with precision. The only real down side to this kid is his weak right hand. If you force him to go left and shoot right, there is not a prayer that can save him. The only left shoulder shot he has is his right handed hook. This shot looks like something out of an elementary balck top game. His foot work can be a little shaky in the paint sometimes as well. This can cause him to be very off balanced and ineffective at times. A little work on this should correct it since Monroe has improved on this over the last year.

Evan Turner (Forward-Guard, Ohio State)

The other first overall selection in this year's draft is Evan Turner. Many people are not mentioning Turner because as of last year, he still had quite a bit of work to do to be one of the best in the game. He did that work this year and looks to fight for the top spot with John Wall. Turner has a much better basketball IQ and is quite the heads up player. He is very aggressive when he needs to be and is not afraid to pass the rock off to another player. He has the natural ability to see the play unfold and can find the best routes. Turner also has one of the highest rebound percentages in the nation and can be a ball magnet at times. He is very difficult to guard with his funky shot style and killer crossover. The only real downside to this kid is the lack of a three pointer. Outside the arc, he is all over the place. At least he knows this and just doesn't even try from the perimeter.

Luke Babbit (Forward, Nevada)

One of the best players to hit the NCAA courts this season was Luke Babbit. This kid is a quality ball player. Not much of an athlete with his lack of speed and you can tell he is white when he jumps, but he more than makes up for this when it comes to the game. He is very deceptive and can exploit his opponents weaknesses. He knows the court and can spot the perfect locations, passes, and opportunities. Babbit is like a magician with the basketball. His sheer talent and ability more than make up for his lack of athleticism. He has a lights out jumper and can effectively hit the hole from any spot on the court. Whether it is a three (41.6%), two (52%), or free throw (91%), this kid can hit the net. He is by far one of the best players this season. For a team like the Suns, he may be a perfect fit. I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade up to get this guy. Nash is getting old and needs to be replaced in about two years. This guy would make a great replacement and may outshine Nash when his time comes. The only downside to drafting him is that he has been stuck at Nevada with the WAC. There is no telling if he is capable, or just looks good in a poor defensive league.

Sources:

2010 NBA Draft Prospects

NCAA Official Statistics