Nerlens Noel bouncing back

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(Gallery by Special to The Plain Dealer)

(Editor's note: This is the third in a series of position previews in advance of the June 27 NBA Draft. Previously, point guards and power forwards.)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Nerlens Noel is stretched out on a training table at the Champion Sports Medicine rehabilitation center, watching ESPN's Chris Broussard discussing his NBA future.

Noel, the former Kentucky center, is projected as the No. 1 pick in the draft despite the torn left knee ligament that landed him here after surgery by the renowned Dr. James Andrews 11 weeks ago.

"He may not be back until Christmas ... if at all," Broussard says of Noel's upcoming rookie season.

Noel, who is sipping a protein shake after putting in a hard two hours in his first session of the day, shakes his head.

"They don't know," he says, softly.

By they, he means anybody who isn't watching as many as six hours of rehab a day, at least six days a week at the facility Andrews recommended, with additional non-jumping shooting drills for at least an hour a day and twice that much on weekends. If the Cavaliers take the 19-year-old Noel with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft on June 27, he wants to do everything he can to be ready to play as soon as possible, though that likely won't be until Christmas, as Broussard reported.

"I'm being careful with the process," Noel said while icing his knee during a break. "It just takes time to come back. Whenever I'm ready, I'll come back. I want to make sure I'll be able to contribute right away to whatever team I go to.

"I feel great. I'm moving well. There's obviously limitations to it. I'm just listening to Kevin and doing what I need to do so I can come back as strong as possible."

"Kevin" is associate clinical director Kevin Wilk, who is overseeing Noel's rehabilitation.

"He's ahead of schedule," Wilk said. "His motion is fantastic. His muscle is coming back. I think he's doing fantastic. I don't think he could be doing any better.

"He always wants to do more."

Noel typically arrives at the center about 10 a.m. every morning. Last Thursday, he was one of about 30 patients sitting or lying on training tables around the outside of a large room surrounding all the typical weight training equipment -- stationary bikes, weight machines, free weights, balls, bands. The walls are decorated with framed and signed jerseys of athletes who have been through here -- Peyton Manning, Chris Webber and Penny Hardaway back in the day.

Wearing a plain white T-shirt, black Adidas shorts with red trim and black and red Air Jordans, Noel checks his phone while getting treatment, then gets to work on a series of routines designed to restore his strength and agility.

He will do as many as 20 different exercises -- three sets of 10 repetitions each. There are basics such as leg presses, wall squats or lunges, then more complicated moves where he'll stand on a balance board or ball and try to bend forward on one leg or try to catch or pass a ball on one leg.

Wilk and athletic trainers Luke Miller and Kirk Kaps watch over Noel throughout this portion of his workout and then turn him over to Luke Wakefield, director of athletic performance, who works on additional strength training and core building. Wakefield has been making nutritional suggestions as well, and Noel has added six pounds to get to 212.

After four hours of strenuous work, Noel eats chicken wings and French fries on his lunch break. He can get away with it because he's burning so many calories. Ideally, his trainers would like to see him adding lean protein and more protein shakes to build muscle and add weight.

More exercises, more treatment, more stretching and more ice follow before Noel's day at the clinic ends about 4 p.m.

Then he fights the notorious rush-hour traffic on I-280 East and heads to the picturesque gym at Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church in nearby Vestavia Hills for another hour of on-court work with Mike Mennenga, an assistant coach at Canisius who has known Noel since before he started high school.

With the afternoon sunlight streaming onto the wooden parquet floor, and under the watchful eye of Kaps, Mennenga has Noel shooting from three feet to beyond the free-throw line for 45 minutes, concentrating on keeping his elbow close to his body and bending his wrist on his follow-through. Wearing a big brace on his left knee, Noel can't jump yet, but he can step straight in and then rise up onto his tiptoes for each shot.

He winds up about 6 p.m. Kaps wraps his left knee in ice and Noel heads out to dinner and a good night's sleep -- after watching Game 5 in the Eastern Conference Finals, of course.

Noel admits he has never worked this hard. He goes about his business quietly, but intently. There's not a lot of chitchat, though it's clear all involved enjoy each other's company. Wilk keeps things light, and Noel seems to appreciate it.

"You've got to enjoy doing this," Noel said. "That'll make it a lot more enjoyable."

Being this close to achieving a lifetime dream also helps him keep his focus all day, every day.

"Having love for the game and knowing how much you want to get back on the court really pushes you," Noel said.

Ranking the centers

In all likelihood, Nerlens Noel will be the first player taken in the 2013 NBA draft, whether the Cavaliers keep the pick or trade it. This is one of the deepest positions in this year's draft class, and one the Cavs will be interested in no matter where they pick.

More size is always better, whether at center or power forward, especially with Anderson Varejao's injury history and Marreese Speights likely opting out of his contract.

1. Kentucky's Nerlens Noel (6-11 3/4, 212): Averaged 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, plus 4.4 blocks, in 24 games for the Wildcats, who were 21-12 overall, 4-5 after he got hurt. Long and athletic with a 7-4 wingspan, figures to be a defensive force once he adds weight and strength. Even though torn ligament in his left knee will keep him out until Christmas, most teams seem to think he's worth the wait.

2. Maryland's Alex Len (7-1, 255): Averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds, plus two blocks, in 22 games for the Terrapins, who finished the season 17-15. His size is what intrigues scouts the most, since he is long and mobile, a good athlete who runs the floor well and finishes around the basket. He needs to cut down on his turnovers and improve his 59 percent free-throw shooting.

3. Pittsburgh's Steven Adams (7-0, 255): Averaged 7.2 points and 6.3 rebounds, plus two blocks, in 33 games for the Panthers, who finished the season 24-9. Although DraftExpress.com calls him ''a late bloomer with limited basketball experience'' because he has only been playing six or seven years, he does have size and athleticism but will need a lot of work.

4. Duke's Mason Plumlee (7-0 1/2, 238): Averaged 17.1 points and 10 rebounds as the Blue Devils finished 30-6. Tested bigger and more athletic during the combine in Chicago, which has helped boost his stock. Mobile and athletic and can put the ball on the floor. Needs to add weight and strength.

5. Gonzaga's Kelly Olynyk (7-0, 234): Averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds, plus a block, in 32 games for the Bulldogs, who finished the season 32-3 after being upset in third round of the NCAA tournament. The big Canadian is polished offensively and can score with his back to the basket or hit a 3-pointer. Not nearly as strong playing defense or blocking shots and tested poorly in the athletic portion of the recent combine.