• Nation's top sophomore prospects

  • By Chad Ford | December 14, 2012 5:40:40 AM PST

Any given sophomore class is usually pay dirt for NBA scouts. Just a handful of players leave after their freshman year, meaning the class is mostly intact. With two years of college ball under their belts, the really talented sophomores are usually ready to make the jump to the NBA and make an impact right away.

This year, the draft is loaded with talented sophomores. At least 10 could go in the first round.

Many of those sophomores decided to forgo the NBA draft and return to college. Did they make the right decision?

After speaking with numerous NBA scouts and execs, here's a look at the Top 10 sophomore draft prospects in college basketball.

1. Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

Zeller would have been a likely top-10 pick in the 2012 draft. This year he has a chance to go No. 1. With the expectations that come with being a potential No. 1 pick has come added scrutiny. So far, Zeller has held up very well. There are questions about what role Zeller plays at the next level. Finding a good NBA comparison for him is really difficult. Nevertheless, the NBA GMs and scouts I spoke with all had him in their top 3. Given the valuable experience he is getting playing on the No. 1 team in the country, combined with the strength he has added to his frame, it seems like he made an excellent decision returning to Indiana this season.


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