All of these players are in DraftExpress's Top 100 Prospects
Shayne Whittington, PF, Western Michigan
Whittington did not garner much national attention playing for Western Michigan, but that is why he is on this list. The 23 year old senior stands 6'11" and averaged 16 points and 9 rebounds per game last year. Whittington has shooting potential, but doesn't capitalize on it most of the time. Whittington will most likely go undrafted, but he could find himself on an NBA roster come October.
Sim Bhullar, C, New Mexico State
Sim Bhullar finds himself on this list for one reason: his height. Bhullar stand 7'5", making him the tallest player in the draft. He does not have much potential other than his tall frame. There is a small chance he will be drafted.
Xavier Thames, PG, San Diego State
Thames was one of the best point guards in the NCAA last year. There is no reason he isn't as high on draft boards as some of the other players in the draft. Thames absolutely killed it in the NCAA Tournament, leading his San Diego State team to the Sweet Sixteen. He can score, dish, and make plays like few others can. The only knock is his upside and the fact that he is 23. He looks like a second round pick or an undrafted free agent.
Cameron Bairstow, PF, New Mexico
One of three Lobos on this list, Bairstow was considered one of the most underrated players in the nation last year. He is a great shooter and has a game reminiscent of the Indiana Pacer's Luis Scola. Bairstow is looking like a late second round draft pick or an undrafted free agent by most, because he is 23 and not very athletic.
Alex Kirk, C, New Mexico
Kirk was supposed to be one of the best players in the nation last year, but he didn't pan out like many thought he would. Kirk was supposed to be able to put points in the basket now that he had a bigger role as a sophomore, but he stats virtually stayed the same in the sophomore year although he played more minutes. His shooting numbers went down, and his game didn't expand. Kirk is pegged as a second round draft pick or an undrafted free agent.
Alec Brown, C, Green Bay
How did we not know about this kid sooner? He is 7'1", a great shooter, and a nice jumper. He averaged 15.3 points per game on 42% shooting from the three-point line. He has the potential to be one of the best centers in the NBA. He is most likely a first or second round draft pick, and he can help a team win right away.
Kendall Williams, PG, New Mexico
The last New Mexico player on this list, Williams burst onto the scene last year with a 46 point performance against Colorado State, and he has stayed on the draft boards ever since. He was one of the most versatile point guards in the nation last year, averaging 16 points and 5 assists last season in a stacked Mountain West Conference that had teams like the Lobos, Nevada, San Diego State, and UNLV. Williams is a strong athlete and has good height at 6'4". Williams is pegged in the second round for the draft.
Khem Birch, PF, UNLV
Khem Birch is definitely one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. He came into the NCAA as a top 20 recruit headed to Pittsburgh. He transferred just ten games into his freshman season, and now he is in the NBA Draft. His stock is based on his incredible athleticism and rebounding ability. He averaged 10.2 rebounds last year. His offensive game is not deadly outside of the post. He also blocked 3.8 blocks per game, a whole block more than K.J. McDaniels. Birch can be a first round draft pick, but he will most likely land in the second round.
Deonte Burton, PG, Nevada
Deonte Burton has been on draft boards for all four years of his career, and now he is finally in the draft. Burton is an explosive athlete, and has thrown down a few of the best dunks in college the last few years. The negative is that Burton is not a deadly shooter. Other than that, Burton is a solid prospect. He is a surefire second round pick and can make a team better instantly.
Elfrid Payton, PG, Louisiana-Lafayette
Payton is the best mid-major prospect in this draft. He destroyed the Sun Belt Conference, which is a lot better than you think it is. He also earned the NCAA's version of the Defensive Player of the Year Award. The only concern is his shooting, which can be fixed by a good coach. Payton is 20 years old, very young for a junior. His upside is incredible, and he looks like a first round pick, although he could slip to the second round.
Juvonte Reddic, PF, VCU
Reddic's athleticism is incredible, as is his rebounding ability. Reddic secures nearly every offensive rebound. Khem Birch and Reddic are seemingly carbon copies of each other. They both do not have a great offensive game outside of the lane, and they are both projected to be second round picks. Reddic, in my opinion, has more upside than Birch. They both should make instant impacts.
Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State
Early, along with Payton, are the only mid-major first-round locks in the draft this year. Early is incredibly athletic and has an improved jump shot. He flashed all of his tools in an NCAA Tournament game against Kentucky, where he dropped 31 in eye-opening fashion. Early's game is one of the best in the draft, but the only concern is his size. He is considered somewhat of a tweener, but it shouldn't matter going forward.
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