Then-freshman guard Gary Harris goes for a layup during the game against Texas Southern on Nov. 18. 2012, at Breslin Center. The Spartans beat the Tigers 69-41. State News File Photo
ESPN analyst Jeff Goodman named MSU as the No. 2 powerhouse team when it comes to potential NBA talent for the 2013-14 season.
The list ranks the NCAA’s top 10 teams with the best prospective class for the NBA.
Although Kentucky dominated the list and are at No. 1, Tom Izzo’s team exhibits several talented potential NBA prospects.
Senior center Adreian Payne and sophomore guard Gary Harris, who both contemplated leaving school early to enter the 2013 NBA draft, played key roles during last year’s Spartan season and are potential lottery picks, according to Goodman.
Payne ranked among Big Ten conference leaders in defensive rebounds (1st, 5.5 drpg), field-goal percentage (6th, .546) and blocked shots (7th, 1.3 bpg) last season.
Harris, who was the first Spartan to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, turned in one of the top freshman campaigns in MSU history last season, ranking among the top Spartan freshman of all time in points (3rd, 439), scoring average (3rd, 12.9), field goals (3rd, 150), 3-point field goals (2nd, 65) and steals (2nd, 45).
Goodman also names senior guard Keith Appling, junior guard-forward Branden Dawson as a strong athletic wing, and sophomore guard Denzel Valentine as a skilled forward — all of which have NBA-caliber talent.
Further down the list at No. 5 is rival Michigan.
Although the Wolverines lost guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway, Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III remain, and according to Goodman, could have been taken in the first round of the 2013 draft.
Adding to the strength of the pack is Nik Stauskas, who Goodman lists as a sharpshooter with NBA potential.
Big Ten schools Indiana and Ohio State also received votes for teams with most potential NBA talent.
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