Indiana Basketball: Ranking Hoosiers’ NBA Prospects

Indiana basketball may not be producing as many wins as we would like, but what the program is producing is NBA-caliber players. In the last two NBA Drafts, three Hoosiers have been taken in the lottery (Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, Noah Vonleh). So who could make the Association from IU’s current roster? I see four players with NBA potential (ranked in likelihood of making it to the next level).

4. Hanner Mosquera-Perea

I know he’s been less than stellar in two seasons, but bear with me. He’s got the size (6’9″, 225 lbs.) and athleticism you are looking for in an NBA big. Does he still need to bulk up some? Sure. But, he has two more seasons to do so, and that’s the key. There is still so much time for Mosquera-Perea to find his game.

He was a highly-rated prospect coming into college for a reason. His potential is off the charts, he just hasn’t had his head on straight as of yet. First, there was the nine-game suspension his freshman year. Then as a sophomore, being arrested and charged with an OWI didn’t help his cause.

As a junior he’s sure to get plenty of playing time. If he can develop a couple low post moves and show ability on the boards as well as the defensive end, he could very easy be a high-risk, high-reward prospect for an NBA team.

3. Yogi Ferrell

Ferrell may be small, standing at just 6’0″, but he has plenty of things going his way as far as his game is concerned. He can score (17.3 PPG last year), get others involved (4.0 assists per game for his career), limit turnovers (2.33 per game for his career) and make three-pointers (shot 40% last season). All four are things NBA teams look for in their floor generals.

Mar 8, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) dribbles against the Michigan Wolverines in the second half at Crisler Arena. Michigan won 84-80. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ferrell was light years better as a sophomore than he was as a freshman, so you can assume a similar jump will continue to happen year to year. Is being a starting NBA point guard in his future? Probably not. But, I truly believe he could be a serviceable backup. Every team needs one and with his ability to get in the lane and shoot well from deep, both staples of NBA offenses, a future in the Association is definitely a possibility.

2. Troy Williams

Ferrell may be the more polished player, but that doesn’t mean he’s a better NBA prospect than Williams. Williams’ game is electric and his ceiling is limitless, partly because of his natural athleticism. You can teach a jump shot. You can’t teach athleticism.

If Williams output this summer in Canada (18.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, team-high 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per game) is any indication of how this year will go, he could be in for a very, very big year. I’m talking an All-Big Ten kind of year.

While he will have to develop a jumper to make any sort of noise in the NBA, it can be done. Just look at Victor Oladipo. Williams can definitely follow in his footsteps. A jump to the NBA after his sophomore year would be ambitious, but after his junior season, expect NBA teams to be clamoring for his services.

1. James Blackmon Jr.

With the way Blackmon Jr. can score, I think he could play in the NBA team right now. His offensive arsenal is diverse and explosive. He can beat you anywhere on the court, especially from deep.

Barring a subpar freshman year, I don’t see Blackmon Jr. returning to Indiana as a sophomore. He can use this year to get stronger, improve his defense and basketball savvy.

He’s far and away the best NBA prospect on the roster. I forsee All-Big Ten honors and possibly even more awards in his college basketball future.