June4, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Former Kansas Jayhawks guard Ben McLemore (23) is one of the top prospects in the NBA Draft which takes place later this month. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

After this week’s Major League Baseball Draft, comes the NBA’s version of selections. The NBA Finals finally kick off later this week, with the Draft arriving in 23 days.

Former Kansas Jayhawks shooting guard Ben McLemore is rated as one of the top prospects, if not the top in a draft with no big star. Most of the draft pundits have McLemore or Kentucky forward Nerlens Noel getting selected first by the Cleveland Cavaliers who own the pick. There are a few who have Georgetown guard Otto Porter going number one. The Cavaliers should select McLemore as his skill level best translates to their up and coming style of game. Take for instance:

Noel, who stands at 6′ 10 could take away from the Cavaliers development of Tyler Zeller, and Tristan Thompson, guys who both have great potential at their positions. If Cleveland picks Noel, they would likely have to play him or Thompson out of position in a league that is in dire need of up-tempo teams, this wouldn’t work. Noel, averaged 10.5 points, and 9.6 rebounds for Kentucky before going down to injury. He didn’t attempt a three-pointer.

Cleveland took Dion Walters last year with the third pick, he is someone they could insert as the sixth man. If McLemore starts opposite Kyrie Irving, instantly the Cavaliers back-court has the potential to be one of the best. McLemore has an elite jump shot which can be compared to Miami Heat guard Ray Allen. He has the ability to take the ball to the hoop and create things on his own, and has extreme athleticism. McLemore showed extreme flashes of greatness as a freshman at Kansas. He, averaged 15.9 points, five rebounds and two assists for the Jayhawks. McLemore’s top game arrived vs West Virginia, where the guard scored 36 points in connecting on 12-15 field goals and 5-6 from behind the three-point line.

The NBA Draft begins on June 27th.

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McLemore has picked up a slew of awards after enjoying a freshman season to remember. He was named a second-team consenus All-American, Associated Press second-team member, All-Big 12 conference team member and All-Big 12 rookie team member.

He averaged 16 points per game, breaking the old Jayhawks record for a freshman set by Danny Manning in 1985 of 14.6 ppg. McLemore led the Big 12 conference in free throw shooting percentage at 87%. McLemore was a three-time conference rookie of the week, and one-time Big 12 player of the week.

The guard posted some great games, including an 36-point outburst vs West Virginia on March 2nd. McLemore had 11 games in total scoring 20 points or more.

Kansas center Jeff Withey is also expected to get drafted in the first round of June’s NBA Draft.

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April 9th, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Ben McLemore (23) declared himself for the NBA Draft on Tuesday. The guard is expected to get drafted in the top three of the event. McLemore averaged 16 points per game last season for the Jayhawks.  Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Rickey:Ben McLemore might not be my freshman of the year so far, but should be considered. I put him at #3 on my list at this point. The players above him? Shabazz Muhammad from UCLA and Glen Robinson III from Michigan. I just think what Muhammad has done in only ten games this season is amazing. However, McLemore is beginning to make a name for himself and his stock can rise this season.

George: Ben McLemore is putting up great numbers, but like Rickey, and I feel he should be considered one of the top freshman in the nation. He isn’t the top freshman yet, though by the end of the season, he could be. McLemore, is putting up great numbers for one of the nation’s top teams. He is the Jayhawks leading scorer, and has pushed them over the hump during their recent winning streak. Big 12 conference play is about to start, this will help us more in deciding what type of player McLemore is.

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Jan. 2nd, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Ben McLemore (23) is putting up great numbers on the season, rivaling those top freshman from around the nation. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports