The NBA Draft begins Thursday at 7 p.m. EST.� Here's a look at some of the best players available by category:
BEST SHOOTER:
1. Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU: Showcased unparalleled range in college, scoring 28.9 points per game and shooting 39.6 percent from the 3-point line. If he's not the best college shooter we've seen in the past five years, he's certainly in the conversation.
2. Klay Thompson, G, Washington State: Is Thompson a better shooter than Fredette? He thinks it's a worthwhile debate. "I think I'm right there with him, just because of being 6-7 with a quick release," he told the San Jose Mercury News. "I think I can stretch the floor with anybody."
3. Andrew Goudelock, G, College of Charleston: Made his case as the draft's best shooter during the combine by sinking 19 of 25 from behind the arc in a spot-up shooting drill and all 21 of his 15-to-18-foot jumpers in a 35-second moving shooting drill.
BEST DEFENDER:
1. Chris Singleton, F, Florida State: Standing 6-foot-9 with long arms and a strong frame, Singleton was the standout defender on a Florida State team that was one of the stingiest teams in college basketball. He's versatile enough to defend in the paint or on the perimeter and he's a menace choking off the passing lanes.
2. Kawhi Leonard, F, San Diego State: ESPN's Jay Bilas called Leonard one of the best defenders in the draft in a conference call this week because the 6-foot-7 wing can guard multiple positions. Like Singleton, Leonard puts pressure on the ball yet can generate steals in the passing lanes.
3. Malcolm Lee, G, UCLA: The latest in the line of perimeter defensive stoppers from UCLA, Lee possesses some of the same credentials as Arron Afflalo and Russell Westbrook. NBA teams have brought the athletic 6-foot-5 guard in for workouts against potential first-round picks to see how they fare against an NBA-style defender.
BEST REBOUNDER:
1. Kenneth Faried, F, Morehead State: Even though the 6-foot-7 Faried is undersized for an NBA power forward, he's an extraordinary rebounder who will get the team that drafts him extra possessions. He's an elite athlete with a long wingspan, an unmatched motor and an understanding that rebounding his ticket to the NBA.
2. Kawhi Leonard, F, San Diego State: A Mountain West coach said late in the season that Leonard had "hands the size of manhole covers." That's a slight exaggeration, but the combination of Leonard's freakish mitts, long wingspan and high-energy style make him easily the best rebounder of the perimeter players in this draft.
3. Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky: Everything about Kanter's game is essentially a mystery since he sat out last season and worked out for so few teams, yet the one area scouts are confident he'll excel is rebounding. He has the size, strength and hands to be dominant on the glass.
BEST PLAYMAKER
1. Kyrie Irving, G, Duke: Irving may not be a surefire all-star like other No. 1 overall picks, but he's the safest pick in this draft. His quick first step allows him to get to the rim and he has ability to finish or to dish to an open teammate.
2. Kemba Walker, G, Connecticut: Those questioning whether Walker is a true point guard are neglecting the role he played prior to this season. The junior morphed into a 20-point scorer because that was what it took for a young Huskies team to win.
3. Tyler Honeycutt, F, UCLA: You could easily make a strong case for Darius Morris, Jimmer Fredette or Isaiah Thomas here, but Honeycutt may be the best passer of the non-point guards in this draft. The 6-foot-7 sophomore showed excellent court vision and unselfishness for a player his size, though his tendency to make high-risk passes is a concern.
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