The all-time Big East NBA mock draft

No. 10 overall pick in 2002

2001-02 UConn stats (Sophomore): 20.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.1 steals per game (Lost in Elite Eight to Maryland)

Butler edges Gay because of his defensive profile, which was much more advanced in college than Gay’s was. Butler didn’t have the vertical athleticism of Gay, but he was much more laterally quick, and his 6-foot-11 wingspan combined with that lateral agility to allow him to defend four positions at the college level. Butler was adept at denying dribble penetration, and was a comfortable defender at the point of attack, especially against smaller guards.

Combine that with his offensive repertoire, and Butler it’s no surprise that Butler eventually became an All-Star level player despite not having number-one scorer skills on offense. Butler was a threatening corner 3-point shooter even in college, even though his overall mechanics were inconsistent. He was skilled at creating separation off the dribble, and reminds one of Andrew Wiggins in his ability to attack close-outs and drive the baseline against pressure. He was also an under-appreciated passer, thriving in a motion-style system next to Ben Gordon and point guard Taliek Brown, able to hit simple dump-offs and extra passes when called for. Butler fit the same two-way profile of Gay and Jimmy Butler, but he gets the edge thanks to the advancement of his defensive abilities.