In just over a week’s time, the NBA all-star weekend will begin in New Orleans. The NBA will kick off the weekend with the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, which will showcase both sophomores and rookies from the 2012 & 2013 draft classes.
Outside of Michael Carter-Williams, the 2013 Draft class has been mediocre to date. The real talent in this event will come from the sophomores, who this season have begun to establish themselves as legit NBA players.
So in honor of the 2012 draft class, let’s take a look at which sophomores are making noise this season.
The Elite:
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans, 1st Overall Pick)
2012 – 2013 Totals: 13.5 PPG / 8.2 REB / 1.8 BLK / .516 FG% / 21.7 PER
2013 – 2014 Totals: 20.4 PPG / 10.5 REB / 3.4 BLK / .515 FG% / 26.14 PER
Career Totals: 16.1 PPG / 9.0 REB / 2.4 BLK / .516 FG% / 23.8 PER
Davis is a no doubter when it comes to sophomore studs. In his second season he has increased his PPG by 7, added 5 points to his PER, and is currently averaging a double-double this season. Although the Pelicans will be in the lottery again this year, look for Davis to be an injury replacement come all-star weekend and will be in the running for Defensive Player of Year at season’s end.
Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers, 6th Overall Pick)
2012 – 2013 Totals: 19.0 PPG / 6.5 AST / 3.1 REB / 0.9 STL / 16.4 PER
2013 – 2014 Totals: 20.7 PPG / 5.7 AST / 3.6 REB / 0.7 STL / 19.0 PER
Career Totals: 19.7 PPG / 6.2 AST / 3.3 REB / 0.8 STL / 17.3 PER
The Portland Trailblazers arguably had the steal of the 2012 draft when they made Lillard the 6th overall selection. Their sophomore point guard is having a stellar season as he was voted in by coaches as a first time all-star. Lillard’s elite play this season, coupled with him being a key piece for one of the top teams this year has now boosted him into discussion as not only one of the top NBA point guards of the future, but one of the top point guards playing right now.
The Legit:
Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons, 9th Overall Pick)
2012 – 2013 Totals: 7.9 PPG / 7.6 REB / 1.6 BLK / .608 FG% / 21.6 PER
2013 – 2014 Totals: 12.8 PPG / 12.7 REB / 1.9 BLK / .612 FG% / 22.1 PER
Career Totals: 10.1 PPG / 9.9 REB / 1.7 BLK / .610 FG% / 21.9 PER
Drummond is on the verge of breaking out and becoming one of the elite players from the 2012 draft. The 9th overall pick is capable of averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds right now. Unfortunately, he plays alongside Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith, which means he will never see the ball on a consistent basis. The one area Drummond needs to improve is his free throw shooting, as he currently sits with a .391% this season.
Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards, 3rd Overall Pick)
2012 – 2013 Totals: 13.9 PPG / 2.4 AST / 3.8 REB / 0.9 STL / 13.6 PER
2013 – 2014 Totals: 16.7 PPG / 3.3 AST / 3.7 REB / 1.0 STL / 13.9 PER
Career Totals: 15.0 PPG / 2.8 AST / 3.7 REB / 0.9 STL / 13.8 PER
The third overall pick in the 2012 draft is beginning to establish himself as a proven NBA scorer. Beal has had 10 games of 20 points or more this season, including a 34 point performance against the Thunder back in November. As of February 5, Beal ranks 10th in PPG amongst shooting guards, tied with Wesley Matthews & Gordon Hayward. The one number that sticks out from a negative stand-point is that Beal ranks 29th amongst shooting guards with a PER of 13.8.
The Fine Four
Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors, 7th Overall Pick)
Career Totals: 9.5 PPG / 1.3 AST / 3.4 REB / 0.7 STL / 10.6 PER
Barnes started at small forward for a playoff team in his rookie season and has continued his steady play this year. When the Warriors added Andre Iguodala in the off season, many thought Barnes production would decrease. However, Barnes minutes per game are up from 25.4 to 29.1 and he has increased his scoring from 9.0 PPG to 10.1 PPG this season.
Jared Sullinger (Boston Celtics, 21st Overall Pick)
Career Totals: 9.6 PPG / 6.9 REB / 0.5 BLK / .451 FG% / 15.4 PER
The Celtics found a gem with the 21st pick in 2012 draft. Sullinger has increased his PPG by 7 points this season and is now averaging 13 PPG to go with 8 RPG. Let’s also not forget his 25 Point, 20 Rebound performance against Toronto last month.
Terrence Jones (Houston Rockets, 18st Overall Pick)
Career Totals: 10.0 PPG / 6.3 REB / 1.4 BLK / .512 FG% / 18.3 PER
The starting power forward for the Houston Rockets is having a superb second season as his minutes played have doubled this year along with his PPG (11.9) and RPG (7.5). Jones also has the highest PER out of these four players at 18.3.
Terrance Ross (Toronto Raptors, 8th Overall Pick)
Career Totals: 7.9 PPG / 0.9 AST / 3.4 REB / 0.7 STL / 11.1 PER
51 points in a single game gets a lot of people’s attention. Last year’s dunk champion has stepped up his game this season. Terrance Ross has increased his PPG from 6.4 to 10.3 while shooting almost 40% from behind the arc. The 8th overall pick is also now starting at small forward for the Atlantic Division leading Raptors.
I also couldn’t resist providing a couple players who have not panned out since being lottery selections.
The Busts
Austin Rivers (New Orleans Pelicans, 10th Overall Pick)
Career Totals: 6.1 PPG / 1.9 AST / 1.6 REB / 0.5 STL / 7.2 PER
Rivers numbers have dropped off this year as he is averaging 5.8 PPG while only playing 15.4 MPG.
Thomas Robinson (Sacramento Kings, 5th Overall Pick)
Career Totals: 4.6 PPG / 4.2 REB / 0.3 BLK / .444 FG% / 12.1 PER
On this third team in 2 seasons, Robinson is currently averaging 4.5 PPG and 3.7 RPG, while only playing 11 minutes per night.
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