2013 NBA draft: Top 5 Sixers targets

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CSNPhilly.com is providing position previews leading up to the NBA draft on June 27, ranking the top five prospects at each position. We've already covered point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and big men. We continue today with five targets for the 76ers to consider with the 11th pick.

1. C.J. McCollum, SG, 6-3/200, Lehigh
McCollum is hands down the best shooter in this draft, and shooters are in short supply on the 76ers' roster. He specializes in stretching the defense and consistently knocking down three-point baskets. McCollum shot over 51 percent from long range before a foot injury in January cost him the rest of his senior year at Lehigh. He can play either guard position, but expect him to get the bulk of his minutes at the next level playing off the ball. McCollum can get to the basket and is an above average ballhandler and passer. He has great intangibles as well -- a high character guy who will continue to work at his game throughout his career. The biggest knock on McCollum is the level of competition he played against in the Patriot League. However, he would have been a star in any league in the country and he proved that by scoring 30 points to singlehandedly upset Duke in the first round of the 2012 NCAA tournament. McCollum should be selected in the 7-12 range of the first round. He would be a perfect fit for the Sixers. But if Sam Hinkie and his staff are targeting McCollum, they may have to trade up a few spots to get him.

2. Cody Zeller, PF, 7-0/230, Indiana
Everyone has strong opinions on Zeller, mostly negative following a "disappointing" sophomore season. I put disappointing in quotes because he averaged 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds and shot 56 percent for a National Championship contender. But Zeller was tabbed the Preseason Player of the Year after he decided to return to school for his sophomore season, and he didn't live up to those expectations. But the bottom line with Zeller: He's a legit 7-footer who has good ball skills and can score. That combination tends to go over well in NBA circles. Zeller will be selected in the 8-13 range, and is a legitimate candidate to go to the 76ers with the 11th pick.

3. Kelly Olynyk, C, 7-0/235, Gonzaga
Olynyk's offensive skills are pro-ready. It's his contributions on the other end of the floor that will ultimately determine his level of success in the NBA. Is he physical enough to guard NBA big men? And is he athletic enough to defend smaller players on the perimeter? Olynyk was incredibly efficient last year at Gonzaga, averaging 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting just under 63 percent from the floor. At 22 years of age, he's also a very seasoned prospect -- he redshirted one year at Gonzaga for the sole purpose of allowing his game to mature. The most legitimate question mark when it comes to Olynyk is the level of competition he faced in the West Coast Conference. Expect him to be drafted anywhere from 10-18 in the first round, putting him within striking distance of the Sixers at No. 11.

4. Steven Adams, C, 7-0/255, Pittsburgh
Adams is the biggest boom-or-bust prospect on this list -- an unproven player with loads of potential. His numbers during his lone season at Pittsburgh were underwhelming -- he averaged 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and two blocks in just under 24 minutes per game. But Adams has been very impressive in pre-draft workouts, wowing teams with his size and athleticism. He is a skilled big man who brings toughness and aggressiveness to the low block. Given the opportunity to come along at his own pace, Adams could develop into a star. But I'd be hard pressed to take Adams with a lottery pick. If he couldn't contribute on a nightly basis in college, why should we believe he'll find consistency playing against the best players in the world? He's a project, and it's tough to spend the 11th pick on a project. He should still be on the board when the 76ers are on the clock. If Adams is their man, he will end up making Hinkie look really smart or really silly. There isn't a whole lot of middle ground in this case.

5. Mason Plumlee, C, 7-0/238, Duke
Plumlee has all the tools to succeed on the next level -- he's big, strong and athletic. Like Olynyk, he has experience on his side -- he played big minutes for four seasons at Duke and his production picked up along the way. Two years ago, I thought Plumlee was a lock to eventually be a top-10 pick. But he never developed a back-to-the-basket game during his four years at Duke. Most of his points came on putbacks and shots close to the basket, resulting in him shooting higher than 57 percent in each of his last three collegiate seasons. If he takes his offensive game to the next level and extends his range to 15- to 17-feet, Plumlee will be a 10-year starter in the NBA. He should be selected in the 13-20 range and I would consider it a reach if the Sixers grab him with the 11th pick.

Options in the second round (76ers currently have the 35th and 42nd picks):

Some of these players won't be available when the 35th and 42nd picks roll around, but the ones who are still on the board would be nice value picks in the second round.

Mike Muscala -- C, 7-0/230, Bucknell

Jeff Withey -- C, 7-0/220, Kansas

DeShaun Thomas -- SF, 6-6/200, Ohio State

C.J. Leslie -- SF, 6-9/200, N.C. State

Ryan Kelly -- PF, 6-11/230, Duke

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