2013 NBA Draft: Who is the Top Prospect at Each Position Within This Year’s Field?


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2013 NBA Draft: Breaking Down the Top Prospect At Each Position

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Jerry Lai-USA Today Sports

We are under a month away from the 2013 NBA Draft, but it's never too early to talk predictions and analysis of some of the top prospect in this year's field.

If a player is labeled as the top prospect at their position within the NBA Draft, if somewhat differs from that of the NFL. Take a look at this past April for example, only one quarterback was selected in the first round and it didn't come until the 16th overall pick. Now while that is rare for a quarterback, the same argument applies simply based off position. In the NBA however, there's only five positions, so you can expect the top prospect at each position to likely be off the board early on.

2013 will be no different and there should be a player selected from each position within the top ten, possibly even in the top five, but we will have to wait and see how things pan out on that final Thursday in June.

Sometimes however, the top rated player at each respected position doesn't turn out to be the best down-the-line prospect. The definition of that phrase would be bust, I believe.

Let's dive into some of the top prospects in this year's field however, and break down who's game will apply the best to the NBA level for each, respected position.

Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS

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Center: Nerlens Noel, Kentucky

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Mark Zerof-USA Today Sports

Nerlens Noel could very well be the top overall selection in this June's draft and be that as it may, he's obviously the top prospect at the center position. He's still recovering from a torn ACL and his weight has been thrown into question already, but he's still a legitimate NBA prospect and the best that there is inside the paint.

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Power Forward: Anthony Bennett, UNLV

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Kyle Terada-USA Today Sports

There's a solid number of power forwards and big men in this year's draft field, but Anthony Bennett takes the cake at the four position. Bennett has a great offensive skill set and he's a force inside with the proven ability to both score and rebound the basketball. His upside is through the roof, so Bennett will be a notable prospect to keep an eye on as the years pass by.

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Small Forward: Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA

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Jayne Kamin-Ocnea-USA Today Sports

Okay, so many people will throw Otto Porter Jr. into this slot, and rightfully so. But we are going with Shabazz Muhammad here. Not many scouts have been impressed with Muhammad and there's no question that his stock has taken a tumble over the past year or so. However, Muhammad has been NBA ready since his days in high school and even despite the up and down year at UCLA in 2012-13, he still managed to averaged 18 points per game. He's a scorer and he's going to score at the NBA level.

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Shooting Guard: Ben McLemore, Kansas

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Denny Medley-USA Today Sports

Ben McLemore is a high-flying, athletic specimen who burst onto the scene at Kansas this past season as a redshirt freshman. He has all the tools to be an impact performer at the NBA level and he's the top prospect at the shooting guard position.

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Point Guard: Trey Burke, Michigan

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Rick Osentoski-USA Today Sports

Point guard is a deep position in this year's draft class, but it's not all that top heavy. After Oklahoma State freshman Marcus Smart made the decision to return to school, Trey Burke emerged as the top point guard prospect in this year's field. Burke may be a bit small, but that doesn't mean that he cannot be an impact performer at the NBA level. Burke should be the top point guard off the board on that final Thursday in June.


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