WuTang_OG wrote:5. Reed Sheppard | PG/SG | Kentucky
6-2 | Age: 19.5 | Previously ranked: 12
Despite still coming off the bench, Sheppard has proved impossible to keep off the floor for Kentucky in SEC play, where he already has had several signature moments in cementing his case as the best freshman in college basketball. Scouts regularly express concern about his limited physical tools (6-foot-2 in shoes and 187 pounds with a 6-3 wingspan) and what that means for his defensive and finishing potential in the NBA. But that he continues to make strides with his pick-and-roll playmaking combined with his historically great 3-point shooting is increasingly hard to ignore. Only one NCAA first-round pick in the past 35 years (Michigan's Glen Rice in 1989) has shot over 50% from 3 on more than four attempts per game like Sheppard is doing this season (see note below), and Sheppard's basketball instincts should help him impact winning in a variety of other ways. -- Givony10. Tidjane Salaun | PF | Cholet
6-10 | Age: 18.4 | Previously ranked: 8
The French Basketball Cup and FIBA qualifying window made for a quiet month for Salaun and Cholet -- who only played two games since Feb. 10. A 10-rebound, six-assist outing in his most recent contest showed some of the subtle ways Salaun is improving as the season moves on, and his defense also has made significant strides, as his nonstop intensity has helped him carve out a significant role. That's important, because Salaun's jumper has been streaky since his scorching month of January (26% from 3 in the past 12 games) and he isn't a reliable shot-creator or decision-maker. It's rare to see an 18-year-old contributing at this level of competition, however, and he is clearly nowhere near reaching his full potential. Cholet has a huge month in store in the FIBA Champions League's top 16 stage while trying to lock down a playoff spot in Pro A, giving Salaun a significant platform to work off. NBA teams will be present for every game he plays. -- Givony
11. Kyle Filipowski | PF/C | Duke
7-0 | Age: 20.3 | Previously ranked: 9
Filipowski has put together an All-American-caliber season and has helped to address some of the NBA's concerns about his game, making strides as a defender at his size and proving more mobile and versatile than many expected. While limited a bit athletically, he can create matchup problems at his size due to his skill level and should have good utility on the offensive end provided he continues to improve as a shooter. He isn't a fit for every team -- he's likely better suited for a half-court-oriented style that is slower paced -- but supplies unique qualities that will warrant consideration early in the draft, depending on what a team needs. -- Woo
Right now I have Sheppard at 6 with Stephon Castle at 5 but those two are fighting for position in my mind atm and are interchangeable once you get past Holland, Buzelis, Sarr and Topic. I have really settled the top part of the draft down and I don't think it's going to change much except between those particular prospects who are part of it and I'll also take a closer look at arguments for Dillingham and Collier to be part of it. After that Castle and Sheppard are fair game. I'm totally off the Cody Williams train, he has proven very little at the college level other than transition and C&S efficiency on low volume while demonstrating a multitude of weaknesses. Unless he's tanking his stock so that he can play with his brother in some giant conspiracy his NBA outlook isn't what the mainstream thinks it is.
