Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times takes his annual look at the top players in the NCAA tournament who are likely to make an impact on the NBA level.
A couple of European players make the list, but most of the collegians have had a big role in the first four days of the tournament.
Topping the list is likely player of the year Blake Griffin of Oklahoma, who is called "the one sure bet."
Then comes Ricky Rubio of Joventut Badalona, the "Spanish Pete Maravich."
He is followed by Jordan Hill of Arizona, left, who is labeled a "major athlete, still making strides."
North Carolina freshman Ed Davis is No. 4. Heisler writes: "No one talks about him now, which, as one GM said, 'is how Roy Williams wants it.' "
At No. 5 comes Hasheem Thabeet of Connecticut. "Pros, who rolled their eyes for years, have noticed he's improving, however slowly, and, oh, yes, still huge."
The second five: Arizona State's James Harden, Wake Forest's Jeff Teague, Georgetown's Greg Monroe, Oklahoma's Willie Warren and Wake Forest's Al-Farouq Aminu.
Heisler lists 30 players plus 11 others.






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