2011 NBA Mock Draft: Can Jimmer Make the Pro Transition Without Sinking?

Jimmer Fredette's game evokes an array of opinions. Time will tell if he can win his critics over.

The Wooden Award winner has a scoring ability that no perimeter player in the nation could match. He tore up BYU's opponents to the tune of 29 points a game in his senior season with a flurry of nasty crossovers, pull-ups, step-backs and fadeaways. 

The problem with Jimmer is that he did that in the Mountain West Conference, which is not known for its production of elite athletes. Jimmer's size (6'2", 195) is a problem for a player that does not possess elite point guard skills or quickness. He passed, blew by and defended well enough to thrive in the MWC, but the NBA is a different game. If he can't guard NBA point guards, what position can he guard?

For all the criticism of Jimmer's athleticism and poor defense, he sure has a scorer's mentality and the shooting stroke to match it. If all he can do is shoot, a la J.J. Redick from a few years ago, then that is enough to warrant a top 15-18 pick.

He's not a great all-around pro, but every team wants a player like Jimmer Fredette.  

MUST READ: Jimmer's best NBA fits 

 

1. Derrick Williams, SF, Arizona                 16. Reggie Jackson, PG, Boston College

2. Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke                            17. Jimmer Fredette, PG, BYU

3. Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky/Turkey           18. Nikola Mirotic, SF, Serbia 

4. Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky               19. Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas

5. Jan Vesely, SF, Czech Republic             20. Patric Young, C, Florida

 

6. Kemba Walker, PG, Connecticut             21. Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas

7. Jonas Valanciunas, PF, Lithuania            22. Tobias Harris, SF, Tennessee

8. Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky                23. Klay Thompson, SF, Washington State

9. Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas                 24. Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA

10. Bismack Biyombo, PF, Spain               25. Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil

 

11. Alec Burks, SG, Colorado                    26. Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State

12. Donatas Motiejunas, SF, Lithuania       27. Nolan Smith, SG, Duke

13. Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State   28. Trey Thompkins, PF, Georgia 

14. Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas                29. Khris Middleton, SF, Texas A&M

15. Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State   30. Josh Selby, PG, Kansas

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/674741-2011-nba-mock-draft-which-prospect-is-ideal-replacement-for-harrison-barnes/entry/68806-2011-nba-mock-draft-can-jimmer-make-the-pro-transition-without-sinking

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