Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins entered the season as the consensus No. 1 pick for the 2014 NBA draft. Now, only a few weeks into the college season, experts are unsure. Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart are making strong cases they deserve to be the top NBA pick next year.
Andrew Wiggins, Kansas (3-0)
6'9, 200 lbs
Average: 17 ppg, 6 rpg / .545 FG, .333 3P
Best Game: When he guided Kansas to a second-half comeback win over Duke, 94-83. Wiggins scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
What Experts Say: Early into the season, two NBA scouts spoke to Yahoo! Sports and questioned Wiggins' effort and motivation. There're also concerns about his strength. Despite his incredible athleticism, he's no longer seen as the unanimous No. 1 pick in 2014.
Jabari Parker, Duke (4-1)
6'8, 215 lbs
Average: 22.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg / .556 FG, .650 3P
Best Game: He opened eyes and outshined Wiggins in Duke's loss to Kansas. Parker finished with 27 points and nine rebounds.
What Experts Say: His draft stock is rising. The biggest concerns about Parker, according to Sam Amick of USA Today Sports, are his ability to defend and whether he's better suited for the 3 or 4 spot.
Julius Randle, Kentucky (4-1)
6'9, 250 lbs
Average: 20.8 ppg, 13.4 rpg / .611 FG, .0 3P
Best Game: Randle accounted for 27 points and 13 rebounds in Kentucky's 78-74 loss to Michigan State, but he also committed 8 turnovers. His best all-around game was against UNC Ashville, where he scored 23 points and logged 15 rebounds.
What Experts Say: An NBA scout described Randle as "the real deal," according to Yahoo! Sports. Amick describes Parker as a "sledgehammer" and cites his body size and play-hard attitude as reasons he could be NBA-ready right out of the draft.
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State (4-0)
6'4, 220 lbs
Average: 20 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.3 spg / .451 FG, .385 3P
Best Game: Dropping 39 points and nabbing five steals in the Cowboys' 101-80 win against Memphis.
What Experts Say: At least one NBA scout told Yahoo! Sports that Smart is the best point guard of the class. Smart's huge game against Memphis improved his draft value and wowed Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant, who was impressed how Smart directed his teammates. Durant believes the sophomore is NBA-ready.
Players To Watch: Rodney Hood (Duke), Dante Exum (Australia), Aaron Gordon (Arizona).
