Drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers 

In a draft class that isn’t necessarily expected to be dominated by freshmen, Tristan Thompson is still among the best “one and done” prospects, and arguably has the talent to at least find his way into the lottery during the 2011 NBA Draft.

In fact, his excellent combination of size and talent at the power forward position, combined with solid production in his only year at Texas, suggests he can make the immediate leap to the next level. Read on for further analysis on Thompson’s pro prospects:

NBA Position: Power Forward

Height: 6’9”

Weight: 227

School: Texas

Stats

Strengths

Solid frame that can add bulk. Shows good strength inside, while also possessing some finesse. Has solid height and overall size for the position, along with an amazing wing span. A very solid and fairly fluid athlete. Not overly explosive, but can match the opposition with ease. Isn’t completely polished in regards to his inside game, but already has the making of a versatile offensive repertoire. Finishes strong when near the basket, while showing an improving face-up game. A solid rebounder with the potential to be elite. An above average defender with the talent and skills to work his way to being a defensive stopper at the next level. Has a very well-rounded game with tons of potential. Really just scratched the surface in his only season at Texas, and did it against solid competition.

Weaknesses

Doesn’t have the ideal height for the power forward position in the NBA, but his strength, solid athleticism and great wing span nullify this short-coming. Has decent explosiveness, but he’s nowhere close to being a freak athlete. Can be a little more fluid in the open court. Really has the makings of a fine offensive game, but isn’t quite there yet. Doesn’t have a reliable jumper that he can consistently go to. Can be a little predictable and seems to lack that killer instinct. Awful free-throw shooter. Really needs to put a lot of time and focus on his release and when/where he will want to use his shot at the next level. Struggles with inconsistency overall. Needs to find a way to remain focus and keep his head in the game at all times. Can get very passive and almost invisible if he’s not involved offensively. Defensively, he can change games…when he wants to. Overall, a really great talent that hasn’t really tapped into the player he could become, and needs quite a bit of refining.

NBA Player Comparison: Taj Gibson

Draft Projection: Lottery