College basketball’s best unknown big man is fast becoming one of the highest prospects in the upcoming NBA draft.

Former Iowa State center Kelvin Cato has turned the heads of many NBA G.M’s and scouts in his quest to reach professional status as a basketball player. The 6’11” 255-pounder brought reign to the desert of Phoenix at the Nike Desert Classic.

The Nike Desert Classic is one the NBA’s predraft scouting camps held to give NBA teams a chance to see prospective talent for the upcoming NBA draft on June 25.

The camp showcased such well known and talented athletes as Kansas’ Jacque Vaughn and Tulsa’s Shea Seals.

The five-day camp brought 42 college seniors to play tough man-to-man basketball and for many, help raise their stock as a draft prospect. Cato’s performance at the camp did just that.

The former Cyclone played spectacular defense and showcased his great leaping ability. Cato not only earned some respect from scouts, but his hard work also earned him MVP honors at the camp.

In an early ranking of the top 75 NBA draft prospects, Cato was listed at the 16 spot.

That ranking was done on Jan. 28.

After his MVP performance, Cato’s rank jumped up the ladder to the 10 spot.

The rankings, which are as recently updated as April 30, have Cato one spot ahead of Cincinnati’s Danny Fortson.

There has been much speculation as to Cato’s chances of becoming a lottery pick on June 25. If Cato can make it into the top ten selected, he would be sure to sign a very lucrative deal with the team that picks him.

Cato is not the only Cyclone to take advantage of the NBA’s predraft camps. Former shooting guard Dedric Willoughby has impressed teams through his play in the off-season exhibitions. Willoughby, who was 57th in the rankings as of Jan. 28, is now up to the 32 spot.

This would earn him a second pick in the second round of the draft.

Willoughby’s spot is only four spots lower than Iowa’s Andre Woolridge, who many experts consider a great NBA prospect.