Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) drives past Florida Gators center Patric Young (4) and Michael Frazier II (20) in the second half during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
8. Shabazz Napier- Shabazz Napier was the primary reason behind UCONN’s title run, hitting timely shots and leading a team that wasn’t expected to go past the third round. Napier is a very good scorer (18 ppg) that can create for others (4.9 apg) as much as for himself. Napier is at his best when he is shooting a pull-up mid-range jumper or a three-pointer (41 percent). Napier is an underrated rebounder (5.9) and has averaged more than 1.5 steals in all four of his collegiate seasons. The one concern with Napier is if he can guard the bigger and more explosive guards in the NBA. I expect Napier to be a good scorer at the next level and should be a steal if he falls out of the lottery, which is likely. Napier can go to Chicago or Toronto, like Ennis and if Houston or Miami have a shot of getting him I think they will.
NBA Comparison: Jameer Nelson/Trey Burke
7. Elfrid Payton– Elfrid Payton might have played the worst competition in the weakest league of all possible first-rounders that played college basketball last season, but that doesn’t take away from his talent. Payton is one of the quicker guards in the draft and has excellent size (6’4″). Payton, like Rajon Rondo, might only have one true weakness — shooting (61 percent on free throws and 26 percent on 3’s). Payton makes up for his shooting deficiency by finishing at the rim. Payton is a great rebounding guard (6 rpg) and is a terrific defender (Sun-Belt defensive player of the year). If Payton develops an average jumper, he can be a star player in the league. Payton can go as high as No. 8 to the Kings, who might be looking for a true point guard, but it’s more likely he goes in the 14-18 range.
NBA Comparison: Devin Harris/Rajon Rondo