Guards:

1. Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis (Freshman):

   Rose is an intriguing prospect with the size and skills to be a terrific NBA point guard. His size (6-3, 180) combined with his speed and fluent passing would make him a great floor general for any pro team. He can also score in bunches, as is visible by the fact that he is averaging 14.1 PPG despite being a freshman and sharing a floor with the outstanding Chris Douglas-Roberts at Memphis.

2. Eric Gordon, Combo, Indiana (Freshman):

   Gordon is a pure scorer who could play either guard position at the next level. Because he is only 6-2, it is likely he'll be put at point guard for whoever drafts him, so he will need to improve his passing skills. His offensive skills are undeniable, seeing as his 21.3 PPG ranks 19th nationally, as well as first in the Big Ten.

3. OJ Mayo, SG, USC (Freshman):

   Mayo confounds me. He is oozing with talent, and clearly warranted being the top recruit in the country. His season averages were impressive, averaging 20.7 PPG while shooting 41% from behind the 3-point line. But what concerns me is his performance in the tournament. It seemed like Mayo was playing more to impress NBA scouts than to win. And while I'm sure he did in fact impress the scouts, the “me-first” mentality might have to change when he hits the pros. On second thought... He's ready for the league.

4. Jerryd Bayless, PG, Arizona (Freshman):

   Bayless may not have eye-popping statistics (19.7 PPG, 4.0 APG), but his unmeasurables are terrific. He showed the most poise and leadership I have ever seen from a freshman, leading Arizona to the NCAA tournament and pushing West Virginia as the No. 10 seed. His leadership and maturity will prove to be most valuable in the league, because guards like that are tough to come by.

5. DJ Augustin, PG, Texas (Sophomore):

   Augustin could have gone pro last year, but he didn't. It payed dividends for Augustin, who improved his draft stock and is also playing for a Texas team that could challenge for a Final Four spot, possibly even a national title. A small, quick guard, Augustin is a pure point guard and should flourish in the NBA. His passing skills are clearly his best asset, but his scoring is nothing to be laughed at either. He proved that by averaging 19.2 PPG to go along with 5.8 APG. He should make a great impact wherever he goes.

Forwards:

1. Michael Beasley, Combo, Kansas State (Freshman):

   What can you say about Michael Beasley that hasn't already been said? The man is a phenom. He ranked in the top five in the nation in both scoring (26.2 PPG, #3) and rebounding (12.4 RPG, #1). He also had three 40-point games, and two 20-rebound games. He is a pure beast, and can play either forward position fluently at the next level. Broke the freshman double-double record previously held by Carmelo Anthony with 28. Leading his Kansas State team to their first tournament appearance in twelve years (and their first win in 20) was no small feat either.

2. Kevin Love, PF, UCLA (Freshman):

   Kevin Love is another impressive freshman big man who could make a splash in the NBA like he did in college. He has great post skills and a sweet jumper, shooting an impressive 37% from 3-point range. Those skills combined with a motor that never stops and a killer work ethic should translate into a successful NBA future.

3. Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma (Freshman):

   Boy the freshman just keep coming don't they? Griffin averaged close to a double-double this year for the Sooners at 14.7 PPG and 9.1 RPG. He is a banger in the post who will have to bulk up his 243-pound frame to be successful and stay healthy as a pro, but if he does that, there is nothing stopping this young man from a solid contributor on any NBA squad.

4. Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy (Age 19):

   Gallinari is the most attractive international prospect in this year's draft. He is much like Adrea Bargnani in the fact that he is more suited to play a face-up role instead of a back-to-the-basket style. He differs from Bargnani based on the fact that his most viable skill is his ability to penetrate and finish, rather than rely on his outside shot. He is unbelievably acrobatic for his size (6-9, 209), finishing at the rim with the greatest of ease. It will be interesting to see how he pans out.

5. Donte Green, SF, Syracuse (Freshman):

   Green seems to be in denial. Despite being 6-11, 226, he decides to put his prototypical power forward body to work on the perimeter, favoring his 3-point shot more than his post skills. He took 261 tre's this past year, making 35% of them. He would be a great post player if he put his mind to it, but it seems like he is more in the mold of Lamar Odom, fit to be an over-sized small forward rather than an average-sized power forward. His finishing needs some work as well, but if he can get it down he will be a force in the league.

Centers:

1. Roy Hibbert, 7-2, Georgetown (Senior):

   Hibbert surprised many NBA analysts last year, including myself, when he decided to stay for his senior year. With the lack of solid big men in last year's draft, Hibbert was almost guaranteed a lottery pick, but instead passed it up to try and win a national championship with his college teammates. That speaks volumes to the guy's character. And he has the talent to back it up. Hibbert has been working on both sides of his game, and he just gets better and better every year. He needs to have more confidence in his skills and be more aggressive on offense, but he should be a terrific center in the NBA.

2. Brook Lopez, 7-0, Stanford (Sophomore):

   Brook is the more advanced of the Lopez twins at this point. His sheer potential may push him ahead of Hibbert in the draft, but I still think Hibbert is the better prospect. Lopez's offensive prowess in the post (19.0 PPG) should help him adjust to the NBA game fairly easily.

3. DeAndre Jordan, 7-0, Texas A & M (Freshman):

   Jordan's potential is limitless. It's unbelievable. He should be taken high, and while he is very hit-or-miss, I think he will pan out nicely in the league. His stats (7.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG) don't do justice to this kid's talent. He will take time to develop, but when he hits his prime, it will be worth the wait.

4. JaVale McGee, 7-0, Nevada (Sophomore):

   McGee is an interesting prospect. He had some pretty productive numbers this year (14.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 2.8 BPG). One of the most intriguing things about McGee is that he was 14-42 from 3-point land this year. The fact that a 7-foot center put up 42 tre's is mind-boggling in itself, but that he was able to make 33% of them makes him a much more interesting player. At a mere 20 years old, McGee has terrific upside and should be a solid player in the league.

5. Robin Lopez, 7-0, Stanford (Junior):

   The other of the Lopez twins, Robin is not as advanced in his game as Brook. He recorded only one double-double this year (24 and 12 vs. Yale), and while it was impressive, it was also against Yale. He'll need to work at it, but hopefully he can improve his game enough to be a starter in the pros.