• Perry Jones passes Harrison Barnes

  • By Chad Ford | December 20, 2011 6:39:52 AM PST

Here's a quick look around the NBA draft scouting world based on notes I've collected from NBA GMs and scouts:

Shakeup at the top

For the past few weeks we've been hinting that it may be time to shake things up at the top of our Top 100. After another so-so week for UNC's Harrison Barnes and a terrific game for Baylor's Perry Jones against BYU, we're ready to make the call. Jones is our new No. 2 prospect, with Barnes dropping down a peg to No. 3.

Jones had perhaps the best game of his college career last week against BYU, with 28 points, eight boards, four assists and three steals. More importantly, Jones stepped up in crunch time and willed the Bears to a rare win against BYU on its home court.

Jones has always had the talent to be a top pick in the draft. Jones has the ability to be a devastating offensive player, and there are few players his size with his athletic ability, speed and skill. The question was always about his mental toughness, his love for the game and his aggressiveness. He seems to have matured as a basketball player over the past year, and if he keeps playing like this all season, he's going to be a top-three pick.

Stock check

• We have five centers ranked in our top 20. That's the most we've had in years. In 2011, we had three big men in the top 20. In 2010, it was just two. In 2009, just one -- Hasheem Thabeet -- cracked the top 20. That's big news for NBA teams that are always hungry for size in the draft.


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