draftnet's player profiles for each of our younger players. (long).

since we're in a little break here before this tough road trip, I thought I put together draftnets profiles for our younger players in one place.

44 - Tyler Zeller
North Carolina
• Birthday: 1/17/90
• NBA Position: PF/C
• Class: Senior
• Ht: 7-0
• Wt: 247
• Hometown: Washington, IN
• High School: Washington

NBA Comparison: PJ Brown

Strengths: A true 7 footer with a long build, Zeller has solid height for an NBA C prospect … Added in with his size, Zeller is also a fluid athlete, and is certainly mobile showing some leaping skills, particularly with a head of steam … Runs the floor as well as any C prospect out there, and has a high level of speed for a guy his size … Offensively, Zeller demonstrates the ability to play well down low and already has a right-hand jump hook in his arsenal that he utilizes as a go-to move … Although he only sporadically shows it in UNC’s system, he also has a potentially strong jump shot with 18 foot range when facing the basket … Pretty solid FT shooter for a big man (76% as a Jr.) … Could be a versatile factor in the picking game, as his promising jumper will make him a threat to pop, and his speed and leaping skills will allow him to be an ideal guy to roll to the rim and finish … Shows a soft touch … Possesses all the tools to fare well in an up-tempo style, and has demonstrated that with his production on a fast-paced team like UNC … Will use his quick leaping skills and reflexes to be a strong presence on the offensive glass for 2nd chance opportunities … Not many C prospects have his combination of size, run-jump athleticism, and offensive tools … Has pretty good shot-blocking skills too … Seems to have some untapped potential despite being a Sr ...

Weaknesses: Even though Zeller has good height for the C spot, he certainly doesn’t have very good strength …When he faces strong big men down low, they can easily seal and establish position on him for pretty easy shots … He’s also not the toughest guy down low, and struggles with defensive rebounding and physical play inside on both ends … Has a high center of gravity, and can be pushed out of the post by defenders with leverage … Although he has most of his upside on the offensive end, he’s still a bit raw in his feel for the D and will force shots when kick outs are available … Doesn’t react to double teams very well … Not a particularly selfish player, but Zeller rarely looks to pass the ball back out … Should look to add some left handed moves to his arsenal, as his jump hook is his only truly noteworthy move in the paint … He also should work on being less mechanical in his approach, as he can be turnover prone or get caught in awkward situations at times in the half-court offense … Although his jumper is promising, he’s going to need repetition with it as it hasn’t been utilized a lot during his UNC career ...

Overall: Zeller has the prototypical height, length, run-jump athleticism, and touch of a good C prospect … He also has developing skills offensively as a post and face-up shooter … He will be a good fit in a fast-paced offense … Zeller needs more strength and to play tougher, right now he can be bullied on both ends by physical play in half-court situations … Still, he’s likely a first round draft choice next year and he will be a very key clog in the national frontrunner UNC’s chase for a title ...


13 - Kelly Olynyk
Gonzaga
• Birthday: 4/19/91
• NBA Position: Center
• Class: Junior
• Ht: 7-0
• Wt: 234
• Hometown: Kamloops, BC
• High School: South Kamloops

NBA Comparison: Spencer Hawes/Fabricio Oberto

Strengths: Legit 7 footer with a polished, highly effective post skill set ... Prolific scorer on the college level averaging 18 ppg on 66 fg% in 25 mpg ... Very comfortable operating on the block, using textbook positioning ... Shows an excellent understanding of the game and has become one of the most dominant bigs on the college level ... Has the ability to score on the block with up and unders, pump fakes, drop steps as well as knock down mid range and even outside shots ... Solid in the open floor but more effective in the half court ... Has decent agility, just lacks much explosiveness. He's not a stand out athlete, but he does have considerable touch and coordination for a 7-footer ... Can play out on the perimeter effectively, showing the ability to pass the ball and even handle the ball to get to the basket ... Does a good job of using his body to shield defenders from the ball when going to the basket ... Solid strength and rebounding ability ... Unusually polished post skills for a college player. Gets a low base providing a big target. Seals off his man and holds his position after passes to set up easy buckets. Has advanced footwork and utilizes a variety of effective fakes, spin moves and counter moves to draw contact and get opponents off balance ... Not pretty but effective ... Finishes very well around the basket, even after contact ... Quick, reliable hands and good reflexes allow him to catch passes and go up for shots quickly ... Excellent shooter. Very comfortable knocking down mid range shots. 82% FT shooter is very good for a big ... While not an efficient 3 point shooter at this point (33% on low volume) he appears to be a guy that could incorporate that into his game ... Gets the most of his abilities on the defensive end, staying between man and basket and not biting on pump fakes or gambling for steals ... Motivated, plays with consistent effort and energy ... His improvement over his college career is a testament to his work ethic and coachability ...

Weaknesses: Not the most athletic guy. Below the rim type of "finesse" player ... Foot speed and overall athleticism are below average for the NBA ... While he gives solid energy and effort, his lack of foot speed and athleticism decreases his defensive abilities ... Naturally thick legs slow his quickness and explosiveness some ... Not a shot blocker, lacks the leaping ability to be an intimidating defensive force ... Runs into trouble against elite level bigman athletes that don't fall for his fakes as he is unable to bull his way to the basket and can struggle to get his shot off. Gets his shots blocked a fair amount, and that will likely increase against bigger and better athletes at the next level ... Already the age of a senior so while his experience and NBA readiness might be looked at as a positive, his age, 1991 born, will also be viewed as a negative by scouts in terms of upside ...

Notes: Redshirted the 2011-12 season with Robert Sacre the featured center at Gonzaga and used the time off well to turn himself into a dominant player ... Has proven to be a prolific scorer in his red shirt junior season ...


0 - Jared Sullinger
Ohio State
• Birthday: 3/4/92
• NBA Position: Power Forward
• Class: Sophomore
• Ht: 6-9
• Wt: 268
• Hometown: Columbus, OH
• High School: Northland

NBA Comparison: Carlos Boozer/Ike Diogu

Strengths: Highly refined, old school post player in a draft saturated with “potential”. His game is marked by both power and skill. Legitimate low block scorer often working his way into a high quality look (17.5 PPG on 52% FG). Master of positioning at 280 pounds and establishes early. Uses his wide body and derriere to keep defenders locked onto his hip. Tremendous lower body strength pinning his opponents into submission. Aggressively throws his weight around and unafraid to punish those in his path. Thrives on contact. Wide array of post moves on the low block, finishing over either shoulder with either hand. Footwork and understanding of angles are advanced. Soft hands and a feathery touch. Nimble elusivity for his size. He has taken strides in the face-up game, working from the elbow area in space without threat of a double. He’s a dual threat from there, either comfortably popping a mid-range jumper or attacking off the bounce with skilled handle. Quickness is not his ally, but he’s a bull in a china shop. Technically sound jump shot with smooth release. Range has extended to three-point territory, shooting 40% on over 1 attempt per game last season. 77% shooter at the free throw stripe, to which he is a frequent visitor. Strong basketball IQ- reads double teams, finds the open man and rarely get careless with the ball (1.2 AST: 1.9 TO). Excellent anticipation on the glass, clears room with his big frame (9 RPG, 3 Offensive). Intuitive defender with good hands (1.2 steals). Averaged a shade over a block per game last year, a healthy upgrade from 0.5 as a freshman. Added muscle weight and improved conditioning that resulted in more effective minutes at full strength, as well as more explosive movements.

Weaknesses: Lacks the overall physical gifts of other top prospects in the draft class. Appears stuck in glue at times, particularly against long, athletic competition. His space-creating advantage and wide base are nullified. No elevation off the floor and severely limited explosion. Plays beneath the rim. Run the courts laboriously. Lateral quickness is poor- badly exposed in space and on pick and roll switches. Undersized for the center position, a shortcoming he does not make up for in length. Major concerns defensively against new breed, mobile NBA 4’s. Not an intimidating presence on the back line of a defense. Less than a blocked shot per game in conference play, and does not alter attempts either. Averaged more steals than blocks. Position defender. He’s overwhelmed by size, length and athleticism on both sides of the ball. The majority of his dominant efforts came against lesser competition and teams devoid of frontline size. His 5/19 performance in his final collegiate game against Kansas did not aid his draft standing. His body style will always be susceptible to weight issues. Can’t afford to rest on his laurels and be satisfied with current level of conditioning and agility if he wants to remain in the lottery.

Notes: NBA doctors redflagged his back at the NBA combine. It has severely damaged his draft stock and he's no longer considered a lock for the first round. (added 6/24)


32 - Jae Crowder
Marquette
• Birthday: 7/6/90
• NBA Position: SF/PF
• Class: Senior
• Ht: 6-6
• Wt: 241
• Hometown: Villa Rica, GA
• High School: Villa Rica

NBA Comparison: Florent Pietrus

Strengths: Crowder is a blue collar combo forward who uses his smarts and ability to be a matchup ploy very effectively … Very compact and strong build…Really gets the most out of himself, and always plays to his strengths … Extremely productive in his 2 seasons at Marquette and emerged as the Big East Player of the Year as a Sr … Really rounded player on the offensive end, and contributes in multiple ways … Projects best as a face-up tweener forward who can use his strength to bully smaller matchups, and his solid quickness to beat slower matchups … High motor player who is adept at finding slips in the D, for quality shots … Understands how to use the glass, and has a soft touch around the rim … Does a great job of using the backboard, rim or net to shield the ball from shot-blockers, a skill that comes in handy for undersized players … Has legit range to 23 ft. when facing up, and is consistent when room and his feet set … Does not need the ball in his hands for long to be effective … Very smart passer, and had a 1.7 A:TO as a Sr., an outstanding rate for a frontline player … Has a knack for playing hard, but also not playing reckless … Has a post game and likes to flip his shoulder and use his turnaround jumper when he has his back to the basket … Runs the floor with a purpose and is a transition threat … When he plays above the rim, he finishes with power … Extremely effective offensive rebounder … Pretty decisive player, usually makes quick decisions … An effort defender ... Not afraid to sacrifice his body defensively and will draw charges … Pretty unique prospect who has fan favorite type potential … Described as a hard worker, and is a classic overachiever ...

Weaknesses: Crowder is going to be a bit limited as a prospect due to his below par physical tools … At 6’5 and playing a game better suited for a frontline guy as opposed to a wing, Crowder will have to continue to work hard to prove he belongs and figure out what position he’s best suited for … Not a standout athlete at all, which is a tad concerning at his size … Noticeably less effective when defended by athletic frontline players with length … Not going to beat many players off the dribble, and is a shaky ball-handler who rarely strays outside of basic straight line drives when slashing … Doesn’t project to be an accomplished man-to-man defender in the NBA … Taller PF’s will get shots off over him fairly easily, and quicker PF’s will be able to get steps on him when driving quite a bit … Could see a higher number of his shots blocked than average when he operates down low … Pretty reliant on other teammates to score … Many think he’ll have to transition to the wing a bit more than he did at Marquette, but doesn’t quite have the athleticism to play extended time out there on a nightly basis … Gets by a lot on effort and fundamentals, but will need strong team defense to not be out of place on defense … Not at all a shot blocker and doesn’t have the tools to be much of a threat getting steals either ...

Overall: Crowder is the classic overachiever who works his butt off, and gets everything he possibly can out of himself … Skill level is better than most players who play as hard as he does, and it’s really crazy that he was as productive and as efficient as he was this past year with the physical and athletic limitations he has … He’s short and not particularly agile or explosive, but he’s so smart he’s effective ... Also isn’t gonna need the ball to have an impact as a role player … Should garner plenty of looks in the 2nd round ...


21 - Evan Turner
Ohio State
• Birthday: 10/27/88
• NBA Position: Shooting Guard
• Class: Junior
• Ht: 6-7
• Wt: 214
• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• High School: St. Josephs

NBA Comparison: Brandon Roy

Strengths: Big combo guard with great versatility and a tremendous feel for the game ... Extremely smooth with the ball in his hands and has a bag of tricks offensively ... His handles are that of a point guards and he has a terrific ability of getting to the basket ... Has supreme confidence with the ball in his hands, excellent handle and a nasty crossover ... Slick mid-range game with the ability to change directions and get defenders off balance to create looks ... Good upperbody strength allows him to absorb contact and make plays at the rim ... Strong finisher. Very adept at finishing after contact. Also utilizes the glass effectively ... Has a nifty runner when he meets up with shot blockers in the paint ... Understands how to use his body to shield the ball from opponents ... Has a great pull up jumper and his ability to drive really sets up his ability to pull up for shots ... Utilizes the spin dribble to get by opponents effectively and into the paint ... Creative playmaker with the ability to find others for shots when his path to the basket gets cut off ... Solid vision and a good passer capable of finding the open man ... An above average athlete with good speed and long arms ... Makes a lot of impressive plays at the basket using excellent body control and creativity ... A solid shooter with good form ... Has a big wingspan (near 7-foot). His long arms allow him to disrupt passing lanes ... Draws a lot of fouls on drives due to his aggressiveness ... Runs down a lot of loose balls and makes plays based on sheer desire and hustle ... Plays with a high level of intensity at all times no matter the game situation ... A student of the game who studies past greats and appears to have a great understanding ... Solid free throw shooter at 79% ...

Weaknesses: Not a freak athlete, but above average by NBA standards with great length ... At times appears to be susceptible to being thrown off his game by physical play ... A better scorer than shooter, while Turner shot 44% from 3 as a sophomore it was on a low volume of shots ... Should look to improve his catch and shoot ability and expand his range and consistency from the perimeter ... His effectiveness going towards the basket with the ball probably keeps him from polishing his outside game, but with such efficiency driving it's hard to ask him to shoot more from the perimeter ... Struggled in the clutch in OSU's loss to Siena in the tournament ... At times can fall in love with the dribble and become too ball dependent, but he's very effective so that's nit picking to a degree ... His creativity can lead to being a little careless passing the ball ... Not great at setting defenders up off of screens and shooting spot up. He prefers to create a rhythm with the ball in his hands dribbling off screens or creating off isolation ...

0 - Avery Bradley
Texas
• Birthday: 11/26/90
• NBA Position: Shooting Guard
• Class: Freshman
• Ht: 6-3
• Wt: 180
• Hometown: Tacoma, WA
• High School: Findlay Prep (NV)

• NBA Comparison: Monta Ellis

• Strengths: An athletic guard with excellent explosiveness, Bradley has a long wingspan which helps make up for his lack of height for a shooting guard (6'3 in sneakers) ... Bradley's biggest asset offensively is his ability to shoot from the outside ... He can hit from a catch and shoot position, and looks beyond comfortable pulling up off the dribble ... His high release and strong elevation, along with his quick first step allow him to create just enough separation to get off a shot ... He has basic ball moves when it comes to creating separation, but mainly uses his quickness/athleticism to get the room he needs ...What should make Bradley a late lottery to mid-first round pick is his ability to be a lock down defender ... He uses his long arms and persistent nature, constantly causing havoc for whoever is handling the ball... His off the ball defense is no different, and if you watch him follow his man around the court, you'll notice the focus and concentration he has on trying to prevent his man from getting the ball ... His defensive intensity shows he takes pride on this side of the ball, and makes it seem like he wants to be the best perimeter defender in the league, which he might have been his freshman year at Texas...

• Weaknesses: An undersized shooting guard, Bradley's biggest obstacle will be his inability to make plays for others ... When he puts the ball on the floor, it's almost a guarantee that he is looking for his own offense, as he lacks the vision, playmaking ability and awareness to find his teammates for a better scoring opportunity ... His size and lack of strength will make it a lot tougher for him to get off the shots in the pros that he got off in college ... Another issue surrounding Bradley is his inability to get to the free throw line, as he attempted less than 2 free throws per game while hitting only 54% of his opportunities ... At times he drives uncontrollably to the basket, and lacks that sense of when to kick it out, or when to pull up ... He wasn't very efficient at scoring when attacking the rim, and against better and taller help defenders at the next level, he will have to work on his body control when penetrating by using a variety of different touch and finesse shots over defenders in the post ... Defensively, most shooting guards will be able to shoot over him, limiting his availability to guarding mostly point guards or other undersized 2 guards...

• Overall: Bradley's projection in the draft as been all over the map, from lottery selection to bubble first rounder... He entered his freshman year being one of the top recruits in the country (#1 in some places), and then disappointed some with an inconsistent first year in college... The ultimate goal would be for him to play a Russell Westbrook role, being more of an athletic and explosive combo guard who can play the 1... His athleticism, explosiveness, and most importantly his ability to play perimeter defense will allow him to find a role in the NBA... There is always room for a guy who can shoot and defend, so don't be surprised if a GM falls in love with him in the late lottery...


1 - James Young
Kentucky
• Birthday: 8/16/95
• NBA Position: Shooting Guard
• Class: Freshman
• Ht: 6-6
• Wt: 215
• Hometown: Troy, MI
• High School: Rochester

NBA Comparison: Daequan Cook/Arron Afflalo

Strengths: Young is a very talented scorer who can beat you in a variety of ways, his jump shot being the most notable. He’s very confident in his ability to hit from deep and can knock shots down off the dribble, while being tightly guard, coming off of screens or spotting up. His release is quick and he looks like a guy who could become an expert marksmen with time. Has excellent size for his position at 6’6-6’7 with a good wingspan and a 215 lb frame that looks like it could easily add another 10-20 lbs. With his length and more experience he could potentially become a fantastic defensive player. He’s a lefty and is young for his class so he could potentially grow some more. Crafty offensive player who finds ways to put points on the board. Plays with good energy. Excellent body control and finishes well through contact. One of the better rebounders at his position. Appears to have a good head on his shoulders and is a functional passer.

Weaknesses: At this point doesn’t have a go-to skill that sticks out. He’s merely good in most areas as opposed to great. His jumper is still streaky and he has a tendency to take some bad shots early in possessions. Not a special leaper and lacks a degree of quickness which means he may be more of a small forward than a shooting guard. Despite his frame he could still add a good deal of strength. His ball handling needs tightening as he’s usually most effective only utilizing a few dribbles and his right hand needs work. Lack of driving ability renders him somewhat one dimensional offensively, if his outside shot is not falling he can shut down. Lacks a lot of experience at this stage and it shows defensively with his gambling. It also shows up in his decision making at times and it’s hard to grasp how great is basketball IQ is at this point.

Overall: Young has the foundation of skills to be a big time scorer down the line. His combination of youth, length, shooting and body control gives him a lot of potential. However, he’s still learning to pick his spots and will likely need to be given time to develop. Would be best suited going to a team with a veteran shooting guard to mentor him for a year or two.


33 - Marcus Smart
Oklahoma State
• Birthday: 3/6/94
• NBA Position: Point Guard
• Class: Sophomore
• Ht: 6-3
• Wt: 227
• Hometown: Flower Mound, TX,
• High School: Marcus

NBA Comparison: Dwyane Wade

Strengths: Strong, heady point guard with great size and instincts…Uses his mixture of quickness, strength, instincts, and aggressiveness to get to the rim, then uses his big frame and excellent body control to finish through contact…In addition to his scoring ability, Smart doubles as an excellent passer and playmaker. He has great court vision and is willing to make the unselfish play to set up his teammates. Averaged 5.8 assists per 40 minutes last season...Very sound perimeter defender who has the length (6'8" wingspan), the strength, and the lateral quickness to keep his man in front of him. Plays hard and harasses ball handlers into making bad decisions…Draws multiple defenders on his drives, then has the alertness to kick it out to an open teammate for a 3…Ball-hawking defender who averaged around 3 SPG throughout his college career. Once again, his big wingspan helps him terrorize the passing lanes...His aggression and power allow him to get to the line at an excellent rate. Shot over 8 free throws per game last season in just over 32 MPG…Great rebounding point guard due to his size and strength. Averaged nearly 6 rebound a game last season…His height and his strength also allow him to post up smaller point guards and finish inside...Loves to get out in transition and has the vision and finishing ability to make him elite at running the fast break…Can play with guard position and can also defend multiple positions due to his size/quickness combo…Has a nose for the ball. Will dive on the floor to get loose balls and will rip it out of the offensive player's hands from time to time...Shows flashes of greatness in the pick-and-roll as both a scorer and a passer…Outside shot can be effective when Smart is on his game, making him a great inside-outside weapon...Makes winning plays. His decision-making is excellent and he is great at balancing setting up teammates and making a scoring play himself…Raised his PPG (18.0 to 19.9) nearly 2 points per game in games against ranked opponents last season...Great motor and energy. Puts it all on the line every minute of every game and always plays with intensity and competitiveness…Has that other-worldliness, always-in-control, do-what-it-takes-to-win, elite factor that a select few point guards (Kemba Walker, Trey Burke) in recent drafts have exhibited…

Weaknesses: Not a great outside shooter. Only made 29% from distance last season. Needs to polish his mechanics and hit on a more consistent basis. Struggles mightily on jumpers when guarded. Release slowed by bringing the ball down to his knees before rising up and releasing. Simply needs to be more consistent with his shot mechanics…Opponents will find it easier to stay in front of Smart because they don't have to guard him as tight and respect his jumper…Not a very efficient scorer. Needs to take smarter jump shots and not settle for pull-up threes…Could stand to be more patient and unselfish rather than forcing it and becoming dead-set on taking a shot at times…His assist/turnover ratio of 1.78 is not great. Could certainly cut down on turnovers and be more patient on offense. His aggression can sometimes be a weakness. It also leads to offensive fouls on occasion…Mediocre ballhandler, another source of his turnover problems…Uses his physical gifts well, but ultimately doesn't have great athleticism...Free throw percentage dropped from 78% to 73% between his freshman and sophomore seasons...Interestingly enough, Smart's knack for making winning plays did not generally carry over to crunch time. In 7 Cowboys games that Smart played in this season that were decided by 3 or fewer points or in overtime, Smart shot a mere 3/14 (21%) from the field in the final two minutes and overtime of those games. He also missed several free throws in that span…Can be a bit of a "flopper"…Smart's teams have lost in their first game in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two years, despite being expected to win both times. The Cowboys also went on a big-time skid to end the Big 12 regular season, due, in part, to Smart's suspension and inability to right the ship as the team point guard and star player...NBA scouts will have the Texas Tech incident fresh in their minds, when Smart lost his cool and shoved a fan, earning him a three-game suspension. Smart doesn't always maintain his composure, which can force him to make bad decisions both in and out of gameplay, and doesn't always have a grey attitude or body language on the court. This incident could have scared away a few teams at the top of the draft…

Notes: Second-team All-American his freshman season…Pre-season All-American prior to this season…All-Big 12 as a sophomore…

Overall: Smart is an excellent combination of strength, size, length, instinct, and competitiveness that will not be found in any other player in this draft. His shooting stroke is subpar and his intensity can sometimes get the best of him, but Smart has a good chance at being a top-6 pick in this draft, holding his own with this year's crop of super-freshmen and Aussie phenom Dante Exum…


1 - Phil Pressey
Missouri
• Birthday: 2/17/91
• NBA Position: Point Guard
• Class: Junior
• Ht: 5-11
• Wt: 177
• Hometown: Dallas, TX
• High School: Episcopal

NBA Comparison: Terrell McIntyre

Strengths: True point guard with excellent playmaking abilities ... Great vision and ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates ... 7 assists per game and a 2/1 a/to ratio display solid PG abilities ... Deft ball handler ... Low center of gravity allows him to quickly change directions and always stay balanced ... Shows leadership abilities ... Solid spot up shooter ...

Weaknesses: Severely undersized PG. Not only is he shorter than most NBA PGs ... Lack of size makes it a challenge for him to comfortably see over defenders ... Surprisingly struggled in junior season. Seemed to lose confidence and offensive efficiency was disappointing. FG% dipped nearly 50 percentage points from sophomore year ... Struggled in pick and roll and ISO situations ... Size makes him a defensive liability ...

Notes: Nickname is "Flip" ... son of former NBA player, Paul Pressey ... A likely D league or high level European level PG.