Weber State point guard Damian Lillard led the Wildcats to a 25-7 season as junior, but the competition Lillard is currently facing is more talented than anything he had to deal with in the Big Sky. After posting 24.5 points per game, 5.1 rebounds and four assists last season, Lillard is projected as a potential lottery pick. To get there, he might have to be chosen higher than a host of guards out of bigger programs, including UConn's Jeremy Lamb and North Carolina's Kendall Marshall.
Related: 2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Named 'Safe Bet' By Sports Illustrated
In Draft Express' latest mock, Lillard is tabbed to go No. 13 to the Phoenix Suns.
The pairing makes sense. The Suns could be poised to lose future Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash via free agency, and don't have much depth behind the two-time MVP at the position. It would certainly be a big adjustment for Lillard to go from the Big Sky to playing major minutes in the NBA as a rookie, but the situation in Phoenix could present the opportunity for big minutes early.
Lamb goes No. 10 to New Orleans and Marshall goes No. 14 to Houston in the Draft Express mock.
Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.
