NBA draft breakdown: The top 10 point guards

All this week at CBT, we’ll be spotlighting the top players at each position for the 2012 NBA draft. To start? The point guards.

1. Damian Lillard, Jr, Weber State: Lillard is the best point guard prospect in a weak year for point guards. While he has good size, terrific athleticism and the ability to score in bunches (he’s an excellent, efficient shooter), the question that surrounds him is his ability to run a team. Is he truly a point guard or a scorer that handles the ball?

2. Kendall Marshall, So, North Carolina: There is no questioning Marshall’s ability to pass the ball. I don’t think it would be possible for me to overstate how well he sees the floor or his willingness to pass. But is he quick enough to defend NBA point guards? Can he be a consistent three-point shooter from the NBA’s line?

3. Marquis Teague, Fr, Kentucky: Teague had a bit of an up and down season. As is the case with most of Calipari’s freshman point guards, Teague struggled to acclimate to his role early in the year, but ended up becoming a very effective player down the stretch of the season. His jump shot needs work, but he proved himself to be capable of facilitating an offense during the NCAA tournament.

4. Tony Wroten, Fr, Washington: Wroten is the most interesting prospect at this position to me. He’s got loads of talent and potential: he’s 6-foot-4, he’s a terrific scorer, he can score in bunches and he can make highlight reel passes. But he’s a mediocre shooter that has questionable shot selection and decision-making.

5. Tyshawn Taylor, Sr, Kansas: Taylor, like Wroten, is an enigma. He’s an extremely talented player, as evidenced by the two month-long stretch during Big 12 play that he was the best point guard in the country. But he’s has a tendency to turn the ball over and is prone to bouts of inconsistency.

6. Scott Machado, Sr, Iona: Machado thrived in Iona’s uptempo system, as he is excellent leading the break and has terrific court vision. His jumpshot improved this season and he got into better shape during the offseason, increasing his athleticism and explosiveness, but there are still questions as to whether those two aspects of his game are NBA caliber.

7. Casper Ware, Sr, Long Beach State: Ware can flat out score. We all got a glimpse of it this past season when he went for 28 points in a win at Pitt. The LBSU point guard also made a name for himself by earning MVP honors in LA’s famed Drew League. But he’s only 5-foot-9.

8. Tu Holloway, Sr, Xavier: Holloway has proven himself to be a tough scorer with a knack for making shots in crunch-time. He’s also a terrific defender. But what does he do at an NBA level?

9. Tomas Satoansky, Czech Republic: Satoansky is a 6-foot-7 guard that can play both positions. He can create off the dribble, but his struggles defensively and his lacking jump shot are major question marks. Draft Express says it is “difficult to point out any one part of his game that will translate seamlessly to the NBA.”

10. Jordan Taylor, Sr, Wisconsin: Taylor is an elite floor general that really understands how to run a team and excels in pick-and-roll situations. He lacks elite athleticism, however, and struggles not only to beat his man off the dribble, but to finish around the rim. But with his ability to shoot and avoid turnovers (particularly what he did as a junior) makes him a viable prospect.

Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @robdauster.