The idea of already rolling out another list might seem implausible or ridiculous to say the least, if not for the idea already being in place with Mel Kiper and the NFL Draft every year. Thus, it’s not that surprising to see ESPN’s Chad Ford roll out his Top 100 prospect list for the 2012 NBA Draft just hours after the 2011 version expired.
Next year’s draft is projected to be one of the deepest in years, perhaps since the famous 2003 draft that featured LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony at the top and included several impact players. That’s good news for fans who were bored silly during this year’s draft with unpolished European big men going in the middle of the lottery.
The surprising amount of players returning back to school this year will bode well for next year, and that will go right alongside the typical one-and-done players who will be eligible, including Kentucky’s Anthony Davis, the player that Ford believes to be the frontrunner for Kyrie Irving’s spot in next year’s draft at No. 1. Here are the rest of Ford’s Top 10:
1. Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
2. Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
3. Michael Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
4. Perry Jones, PF, Baylor
5. Quincy Miller, PF, Baylor
6. Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
7. James McAdoo, PF, North Carolina
8. Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
9. Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
10. Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky