For the remaining critics that are still left over the youngsters that have decided to skip their remaining eligibility for the NBA, I have one last bit of evidence of why each made the right choice.

Please check out the latest Draft Express mock draft and scroll down to the Grizzlies’ first-round pick at No. 14. Yes, that name you read for the final NBA lottery pick is Daniel Orton, the same guy who averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game this season.

I know it sounds ludicrous when you see his first-year numbers, but that’s the potential and talent that resided at Rupp Arena this season. Orton will have a legit opportunity to make it in the NBA and will certainly make some money in the process, as will the other four stars (Patrick Patterson, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe) who declared early.

Could they have come back and become even bigger stars? Sure. But let’s not forget these kids have a future to worry about.

The latest Draft Express mock draft has all five early draft entrees going in the first round. Should that happen, it would be the first time in school history five players from the same school have gone in the first round.

The NBA Draft takes place June 24 in Madison Square Garden in New York City.