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NCAA March Madness: Projecting The Top 5 Picks In The Draft

By Jared Brownlee

Feb 22, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) speak with media after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 85-54. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) speak with media after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 85-54. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. Philadelphia 76ers – Jabari Parker

Mar 15, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) reacts in the final seconds against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the semifinals of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Duke defeated North Carolina State 75-67. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) reacts in the final seconds against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the semifinals of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Duke defeated North Carolina State 75-67. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Easily the most NBA-ready in this class, Parker already has a complete offensive game and is drawing comparisons to Carmelo Anthony, who helped lead Syracuse to a championship as a freshman. He’s 6-f0ot-8 with a wide body, a smooth jumper and improving ball handling skills but he does have some question marks in regards to his defensive abilities going up against an NBA small forward or a taller power forward. Parker, who has averaged 19.3 points and 8.8 rebounds this season, could develop into the 76ers’ franchise player and the team would have a young trio of him, Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel.