Elfrid Payton was drafted No. 10 overall last year out of Louisiana-Lafayette. Two years ago, it was Lehigh’s C.J. McCollum who was taken in the NBA lottery out of the Patriot League. Guys like Damian Lillard out of Weber State (Big Sky) and Kenneth Faried from Morehead State (Ohio Valley) were also recent first-rounders who played at small-league schools.
Plenty of talent will be on display over the next couple of weeks in the smaller league tournaments. Here’s a list of a dozen guys you need to watch. They aren’t all necessarily going to be drafted, but they are guys worth a look.
1. Tyler Harvey, 6-4, SG, Jr., Eastern Washington Eagles
Key stats: 22.7 PPG, 44 percent 3-pointers
Conference: Big Sky (March 12-14)
NBA comparison: Vinnie Johnson
A guy who didn’t have a single college athletic scholarship offer out of high school is now the leading scorer in the country. Harvey is also one of the elite shooters in the nation and has shot better than 43 percent from 3-point range in each of his three seasons.
“Tyler is an outstanding shooter with unlimited range and has no conscience. He is one of the best tough-shot-makers we have played against in recent years.” -- Weber State coach Randy Rahe
2. Keifer Sykes, 6-0, PG, Sr., Green Bay Phoenix
Key stats: 18.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG
Conference: Horizon (March 3-10)
NBA comparison: Aaron Brooks
The college basketball die-hards know all about this athletic Chicago native, but the casual fan should get a look at Sykes, who was banged up last season in the team’s loss to Milwaukee in the Horizon League tourney. Sykes had 32 points against Wisconsin last season and 20 this year. His size and athleticism make him one of the most exciting players in the country.
“He can take over a game on both ends of the floor. He’s a winner with a killer mentality.” -- Green Bay coach Brian Wardle
3. John Brown, 6-8, F, Jr., High Point Panthers
Key stats: 18.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG
Conference: Big South (March 3-8)
NBA comparison: Kenneth Faried
Brown is a high-flyer who wasn’t even eligible to play as a freshman. He put up 26 points and seven boards against Clemson earlier in the season and had 19 in a loss to Ohio State. Trust me, he’ll do something that will make you get out of your chair.
“He’s got the best motor I’ve seen in person outside of Tyler Hansbrough. He’s smaller and more athletic than Hansbrough, but he plays so hard. He is obviously really hard to guard, but what I love most is I’ve never seen a kid as decorated and talented as he is that lays out for loose balls with zero regard for his body.” -- Winthrop head coach Pat Kelsey
4. Cameron Payne, 6-2, PG, Soph., Murray State Racers
Key stats: 19.8 PPG, 5.7 APG, 3.9 RPG, 38 percent on 3-pointers
Conference: Ohio Valley (March 4-7)
NBA comparison: Mike Conley
The Racers sent Isaiah Canaan to the NBA a few years ago, and Payne may follow suit. He’s athletic, can score in a variety of ways and can distribute the ball. He’s also no longer a secret among the NBA folks.
“He impacts the game in so many ways. He’s the third-most-efficient player in the country. His biggest strength is his feel for the game and his IQ. He has the ability to always get a shot or create for others. I wouldn’t trade him for any other point guard in the country. They wouldn’t have the same effect he has on our program.” -- Murray State coach Steve Prohm
5. Shawn Long, 6-9, PF, Jr., Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
Key stats: 17.4 PPG, 10.3 RPG
Conference: Sun Belt (March 12-15)
NBA comparison: Boris Diaw
He began his career at Mississippi State but never played a game during his semester in Starkville. Long is on track to average a double-double for the third consecutive season, and he’s also on the NBA radar.
“He’s a great rebounder who has averaged at least 10 all three years. He’s a good offensive player who can score inside and also make a 3-pointer.” -- Louisiana-Lafayette coach Bob Marlin
6. Vince Hunter, 6-8, F, Soph., UTEP Miners
Key stats: 15.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG
Conference: C-USA (March 11-14)
NBA comparison: Andre Iguodala
The NBA guys are intrigued with his length and versatility, although his perimeter shot is still a major question mark for the Detroit native. UTEP won’t win the C-USA regular-season title, but the Miners are still a legit contender to win the tourney and go to the NCAA tournament.
“He has a high motor, is an athletic slashing power forward. He’s a nightmare matchup problem. He’s too fast for power forwards, too big and strong for small forwards. He’s at his best when he doesn’t settle for jump shots.” -- Xavier coach Chris Mack
7. David Laury, 6-9, PF, Sr., Iona Gaels
Key stats: 20.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG
Conference: MAAC (March 5-9)
NBA comparison: Royce White
He’s so big, strong and versatile. Laury is second in the MAAC in both scoring and rebounding, but he’s also a quality passer.
“Even on an off night, he affects the game in so many ways that you can’t prepare for. He has terrific instincts and feel for the game.” -- Manhattan coach Steve Masiello
8. Ryan Harrow, 6-2, G, 160, Sr., Georgia State Panthers
Key stats: 20.5 PPG, 4.2 APG
9. R.J. Hunter, 6-6, SG, Jr., Georgia State Panthers
Key stats: 20.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.8 APG
10. Kevin Ware, 6-2, 170, SG, Jr. Georgia State Panthers
Key stat: 7.7 PPG
Conference: Sun Belt (March 12-15)
NBA comparison: Hunter to Klay Thompson
Harrow, the former NC State and Kentucky point guard, leads the team in scoring (20.5 PPG) and assists (4.2). Hunter is the best pro prospect despite struggling from long distance this season (31 percent), and Ware is the guy everyone knows from the gruesome broken leg he suffered in the NCAA tourney a couple of years ago.
“Harrow is a magician handling the basketball. He might be the best ball handler I’ve ever seen, and his ability to finish is amazing. He has an amazing feel for the pick-and-roll and has to be one of the top five offensive point guards in the country. I never had the privilege of watching Reggie Miller in college, but I imagine that RJ would be a clone of Miller in his college days. He’s got an incredibly quick release and can come off screens, turn and shoot in the blink of an eye.” -- UT Arlington coach Scott Cross
11. Corey Hawkins, 6-3, SG, Sr., UC Davis Aggies
Key stats: 20.6 PPG, 5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 52 percent on 3-pointers
Conference: Big West (March 12-14)
NBA comparison: Joe Dumars
His father, former Bradley star and NBA player Hersey Hawkins, could also fill it up. Corey Hawkins transferred to the Aggies after one season at Arizona State and he’s been putting up numbers for the past three seasons in the Big West. However, this year he’s making shots from deep at a ridiculous 52 percent clip.
“He’s an elite-level scorer who is extremely efficient from 2 and 3. He doesn’t get enough credit for being a complete player. He also leads the team with his work ethic.” -- UC Davis head coach Jim Les
12. Marcus Thornton, 6-4, SG, Sr., William & Mary Tribe
Key stats: 19.4 PPG, 41 percent on 3-pointers
Conference: CAA (March 6-9)
NBA comparison: C.J. McCollum
He became the school’s all-time leading scorer earlier this season and he’s a player who can carry the Tribe into the NCAA tourney.
“Tremendously gifted with the ball and has that unique ability to take and make guarded shots.” -- Towson coach Pat Skerry