2011 NBA Mock Draft: Is Jeremy Tyler A First Round Pick?

by Scott Schroeder on May 18, 2025 2:57 PM EDT in NBA Draft 2011

SB Nation's 2011 NBA mock draft came down the pipe this morning, and while it's written by the always-excellent Tom Ziller, there's one late first round pick that seems a bit out of place:

Jeremy Tyler is the 27th player selected (to the New Jersey Nets) in his version of the 2011 NBA Draft.

Ziller backs himself by writing "I just needed to get Jeremy Tyler into the first round of one mock draft to settle a bet from 2008. Move along," but there's been rumblings around the internet that Ziller's projection isn't crazy including NBA.com's David Aldridge projecting Tyler to go as high as 23 to the Houston Rockets.

It's not unheard of to think that Jeremy Tyler is a first-round pick -- he's been coached by Bob Hill for a full season in Japan and is now doing his pre-draft workouts with the former NBA head coach who also prepared Blake Griffin for the NBA -- but I think it's a bit early to project him as such prior to the official NBA Draft combine or any individual workouts.

But, looking through everything, Tyler was completely off the grid this past season while playing behind former NBA Draft lottery pick Robert Swift in a second-rate Japanese league. None of his games were on Synergy (unlike a decent majority of first round International prospects), his averages weren't outstanding and there's a host of other bigs that probably are less volatile than the 19-year-old big man.

This isn't to say that Tyler is a sure-fire second round guy and there's nothing he can do to creep up into the first round, but I don't think he's done enough yet to earn that honor (even if he does have Ridiculous Upside©). In the near future, perhaps even tomorrow, I'll do my best to get a brief scouting report out there for those intrigued by Tyler.

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American society rewards the wrong things

It would really bother me if this dude was taken in the first round. It seems that more talented and compelling players have proven A LOT more than he has.

"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice

by Julius Coxswain on May 18, 2025 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

If he’s able to prove himself worthy of it over the course of the next month, I have no problem with him being a first round pick. I’m not sure how likely that is, however.

I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.

by Scott Schroeder on May 19, 2025 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Does Tyler deserve to go first round?

No way. There are absolutely 30 players out there — at least — right now, that are better, more sure-fire prospects than him. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that if he does go in the first round, that it would be a mistake.

There’s things to understand about Tyler. He’s immature — yes — but more often than not people grow out of immaturity and develop into responsible human beings. Tyler may never be the smartest dude in the room, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a good basketball player in time. Remember Zach Randolph when he first came into the league? Hell, remember Zach Randolph even a few years ago? He’s a totally different person, and is now carrying teams on his back in the Playoffs. There’s no reason Tyler can’t do that exact same thing.

From everything I’ve read about Tyler, he just made a terrible decision going overseas. He was not ready whatsoever to take on such a rigorous and unfamiliar journey, but in the end he could be better from it.

If he was still around after the first round, I’d take a serious look at him, especially if I needed a big man. I think once he gets back to the U.S. and gets more comfortable, he should begin to turn things around a bit. He will undoubtedly be a project, but if you’re willing to stick it out, help him develop and put some hard work in, it could pay off big time as this kid has some major talent.

Hyperboles kill.
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by GoldenNugget on May 19, 2025 1:31 AM EDT reply actions