USA
– 6 6″.
PROSPECT RNK.
/ 180 lbs.
Projected Team.
First.
PG
Golden St.
LaMelo Ball
POSITION RNK.
1st.
Sixth.
First.
POSITION RNK.
Projected Team.
/ 220 pounds.
Cleveland.
– Soph.
PPG.
– 6 9″.
The very first choice in any NBA Draft need to be the gamer the franchise selecting believes has the best opportunity to be a future All-Star. And, in this draft, I believe, Ball is that gamer. The 6-6 point guard, who is still just 18 years old, has broken out of his familys shadow and established into an incredible playmaker and passer who fared well playing professionally in Australia this previous season.
PROSPECT RNK.
Dayton.
20.0.
RPG.
7.5.
APG.
2.2.
3P%.
39%.
/ 225 lbs.
Projected Team.
Georgia.
Minnesota.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
– 6 5″.
– Fr.
Obi Toppin is a previous zero-star hire who made CBS Sports National Player of the Year honors after balancing 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 63.3% from the field and 39.0% from 3-point range this previous season. Hes a super-athletic forward who soaks whatever– he actually led the nation in dunks– and regularly makes jumpers in pick-and-pop circumstances. Yes, the fact that hes currently 22 years old is an issue worth taking into consideration. However it will not– or, a minimum of, it must not– overshadow the concept that Toppin has a possibility to be the most impactful player picked in this draft.
5th.
POSITION RNK.
1st.
PPG.
19.1.
RPG.
5.2.
APG.
2.8.
3P%.
29.4%.
– 7 1″.
Atlanta.
Anthony Edwards is a huge, athletic and strong guard who is one of at least 4 gamers who could reasonably be chosen first in general. The 6-5 freshman balanced 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in his one season at Georgia but just shot 40.2% from the field and 29.4% from 3-point variety. So he was extraordinary in spots however mainly up and down and ineffective. And though I plainly see the exact same potential for fame that everyone else sees with Edwards, I just think Ball and Toppin will have better NBA careers.
Memphis.
– Fr.
Projected Team.
/ 240 pounds.
PROSPECT RNK.
8th.
POSITION RNK.
2nd.
PPG.
19.7.
RPG.
10.7.
APG.
0.3.
3P%.
0%.
Projected Team.
Detroit.
– Fr.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
– 6 9″.
James Wisemans decision to stop on Memphis midseason raised eyebrows with some NBA executives who were left questioning if the 7-1 center is wired to be excellent. His natural capability is so overwhelming that he will not slip too far in a draft devoid of high-end skill. Obviously, this is the worst time in the history of professional basketball to be a center and just a center due to the fact that the position has actually never been less valued. But its still tough to envision a physical specimen like Wiseman going any lower, or at least much lower, than 4th or fifth.
Southern California.
/ 245 pounds.
3rd.
POSITION RNK.
1st.
PPG.
16.2.
RPG.
8.6.
APG.
1.1.
3P%.
25%.
Onyeka Okongwu mainly operated off the national radar this previous season because he played for an unranked group on the West Coast. He was fantastic rather quickly– balancing 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 61.6% from the field. Hes the main reason USC won 16 of its first 20 video games and wouldve been in the NCAA Tournament if the NCAA Tournament wouldve been played. Is he a small huge? Yes, most likely. Hes an undersized huge who can play several positions. And, in any case, the NBA is now cluttered with undersized bigs. So although Okongwu wasnt thought of by doing this coming out of high school, its now reasonable to call him the second-best huge possibility in the draft.
– 6 9″.
SF.
/ 215 pounds.
Israel.
Projected Team.
PROSPECT RNK.
Deni Avdija.
New york city.
4th.
/ 225 lbs.
Chicago.
– Fr.
Projected Team.
Auburn.
POSITION RNK.
Deni Avdija, a former Most Valuable Player of the FIBA Under-20 European Championship, must be the first non-American international possibility to come off the board. Hes a 19-year-old Israeli who carried out well for Maccabi Tel Aviv in video games leading up to the season being suspended. At 6-9, hes high enough to play power forward and skilled sufficient to use the wing. And his shooting has undeniably improved. According to a lot of evaluators, Avdija now projects as a most likely top-10 pick.
First.
– 6 6″.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
7th.
POSITION RNK.
3rd.
PPG.
12.8.
RPG.
4.4.
APG.
2.0.
3P%.
28.6%.
France.
Killian Hayes.
Projected Team.
– 6 5″.
/ 192 lbs.
PG.
Charlotte.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
Isaac Okoro was just a borderline top-40 prospect coming out of high school but quickly emerged as one of college basketballs best freshmen. He balanced 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds for an Auburn group that began 15-0 and ended up 24-4 when Okoro was available and healthy.
2nd.
– 6 5″.
Killian Hayes is an American-born lead guard who was raised in France. The 18-year-old shared Most Valuable Player honors in the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic international video game and was balancing 12.0 points and 5.6 helps in Germany this past season prior to the schedule was stopped. Hayes is better inside the arc than he is outside the arc, which is one method to state his 3-point shooting should improve. But he already does sufficient things all right to make him deserving of a lottery choice.
Second.
PROSPECT RNK.
Projected Team.
POSITION RNK.
/ 175 pounds.
Iowa State.
– Soph.
Washington.
9th.
POSITION RNK.
3rd.
PPG.
15.2.
RPG.
5.9.
APG.
6.5.
3P%.
41.9%.
/ 216 lbs.
Villanova.
Phoenix.
– 6 8″.
Tyrese Haliburton, like Toppin, is a great example of a mainly unheralded high school possibility who became an analytical beast in college. The 6-5 sophomore balanced 15.2 points, 6.5 assists and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 50.4% from the field and 41.9% from 3-point variety this past season before suffering an injury in early February that ended his college career.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
– Soph.
Projected Team.
16th.
PPG.
Sixth.
POSITION RNK.
16.1.
RPG.
4.7.
APG.
2.4.
3P%.
45.1%.
The more I talk with front-office executives, the more Im persuaded Saddiq Bey has a chance to be a take in this draft– particularly if he slips out of the top 10. The 6-8 forward was merely a sub-125 recruit in the Class of 2018, the least-heralded prospect in Villanovas four-player class. He quickly established into an appealing possibility who averaged 16.1 points (while making 45.1% of his 3-point efforts) this past season for a Villanova team that shared the Big East title. Hes flexible on both ends and an ideal wing prospect for the contemporary NBA.
PROSPECT RNK.
– 6 3″.
– Fr.
San Antonio.
Projected Team.
/ 190 pounds.
North Carolina.
14th.
POSITION RNK.
5th.
PPG.
18.5.
RPG.
5.7.
APG.
4.0.
3P%.
34.8%.
R.J. Hampton.
New Zealand.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
Projected Team.
– 6 5″.
Cole Anthonys in-season knee surgery that limited him to simply 22 video games is the most significant reason– not the only factor, however certainly the most significant factor– the Tar Heels season spiraled. Remember, they were 6-3 with a triumph over the ultimate Pac-12 champion (Oregon) before Anthony got hurt however never ever the very same afterward. The 6-3 point players shooting numbers as a freshman leave something to be desired– but he took numerous difficult shots, sometimes out of requirement due to the fact that of a less-than-inspiring supporting cast– that its tough to understand precisely what to make from them. Either way, Anthony still balanced 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Tar Heels. And though he no longer is a genuine choice at No. 1 like he was believed to be this time last year, a spot in the lotto is still achievable.
SG.
/ 185 pounds.
New Orleans.
24th.
Memphis.
PROSPECT RNK.
– Fr.
Sacramento.
/ 225 pounds.
POSITION RNK.
Projected Team.
Sixth.
– 6 9″.
R.J. Hamptons decision to avoid college and play expertly for a group based in New Zealand this past season contributed to the G League creating a program for elite prospects and then strongly pursuing them. Hes already made an impact on the sport, for better or even worse. Hampton invested part of the pandemic training with previous NBA players Penny Hardaway and Mike Miller in Memphis and jobs as a valuable combo guard for many years to come, thanks to a versatile offending game that permits him to score and make plays in great deals of ways.
31st.
POSITION RNK.
3rd.
PPG.
15.8.
RPG.
10.8.
APG.
1.0.
3P%.
32.5%.
– 6 6″.
Projected Team.
/ 213 pounds.
– Soph.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
The ceiling on Memphis season was lowered drastically when James Wiseman quit, however its difficult to argue that Precious Achiuwa didnt personally benefit at least statistically. The super-athletic forward averaged 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds– and was the only freshman in the sport to average a double-double. Hes terrific in shift, reliable around the rim, comfortable away from it and capable of protecting smaller sized gamers in space. All of that, combined with a tremendous motor, ought to be enough to make Achiuwa a lottery pick.
Portland.
Vanderbilt.
10th.
POSITION RNK.
PPG.
Fourth.
23.0.
RPG.
4.9.
APG.
0.9.
3P%.
52.2%.
PROSPECT RNK.
– Fr.
Kentucky.
It cant be disregarded that the 6-6 guard made 52.2% of the 115 3-pointers he tried. And when you consider Nesmith has fantastic size for his position, plus a great body, its not insane to believe he ought to be a top-15 choice.
Projected Team.
/ 198 lbs.
Orlando.
– 6 3″.
19th.
PPG.
Fourth.
POSITION RNK.
14.0.
RPG.
4.3.
APG.
3.2.
3P%.
29.2%.
– 6 7″.
Tyrese Maxey got 26 points in the season-opening win over Michigan State while revealing all of the things that made most assume he d be UKs leading scorer. For much of the season, the 6-3 freshman was inconsistent while making simply 29.2 percent of his 3-point attempts.
– Soph.
Projected Team.
/ 194 pounds.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
Florida State.
Minnesota.
12th.
POSITION RNK.
5th.
PPG.
12.7.
RPG.
5.1.
APG.
1.6.
3P%.
41.5%.
France.
Leonard Hamiltons group was stabilized at the top, potentially to the hinderance of Vassell. Either way, whats important to note is that the 6-7 guard made 41.7% of his 168 3-point attempts over the past 2 seasons.
/ 174 lbs.
Boston.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
Projected Team.
Theo Maledon.
– 6 4″.
PG.
11th.
Fourth.
Washington.
POSITION RNK.
Theo Maledon is a skilled professional athlete, one who previously became the youngest LNB All-Star in history. He missed out on time with an injury while playing professionally in France this past season and was primarily underwhelming– although, in fairness, he played better as things advanced. The skill that made him an interesting prospect at a young age still exists and is appealing to NBA executives picking in this range.
– Fr.
Projected Team.
Dallas.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
/ 250 pounds.
– 6 9″.
27th.
POSITION RNK.
5th.
PPG.
17.0.
RPG.
8.8.
APG.
0.8.
3P%.
25%.
Milwaukee.
/ 225 lbs.
– 6 8″.
PROSPECT RNK.
Isaiah Stewart was perhaps the just good thing about Washingtons wildly disappointing season that culminated with the Huskies finishing last in the Pac-12. The 6-9 center led his group in points (17.0 ), rebounds (8.8) and blocks (2.1 ). And, for what its worth, scouts acknowledge protecting in space might be a problem.
Florida State.
– Fr.
Projected Team.
23rd.
POSITION RNK.
8th.
PPG.
9.2.
RPG.
4.0.
APG.
1.0.
3P%.
32%.
/ 165 pounds.
Alabama.
The 6-8 forward measures well and was a key piece on a Florida State team that won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title. Again, its possible he will not assist an NBA team much next season.
PROSPECT RNK.
– Soph.
Projected Team.
– 6 3″.
Brooklyn.
17th.
POSITION RNK.
PPG.
Sixth.
18.5.
RPG.
4.8.
APG.
5.2.
3P%.
36.6%.
Projected Team.
PROSPECT RNK.
Maryland.
Philadelphia.
/ 225 lbs.
– 6 10″.
– Soph.
Kira Lewis will still only be 19 years-old on draft night even though hes played two seasons of college basketball. So hes young. And hes light. However the 6-3 point guard was really efficient this season– averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds for an Alabama group that finished 60th at KenPom. Lewis made an amazing 48.8% of his 3-point attempts in the Crimson Tides last 7 games. It appears he can be a trusted, and perhaps terrific, boundary shooter as a professional, not to mention a real take this deep in this draft.
25th.
POSITION RNK.
PPG.
Fourth.
15.5.
RPG.
10.5.
APG.
0.8.
3P%.
36.8%.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
Duke.
– Soph.
Denver.
Projected Team.
Not all prospects who return for their sophomore seasons actually help themselves from a draft-stock perspective, but Jalen Smith clearly did. He added strength, improved his field goal portion by 4.6 points, his 3-point portion by 8.0 points, and balanced more points (15.5 ), rebounds (10.5) and blocks (2.4) than he did the year prior to. The outcome was Maryland winning a share of the Big Ten title and Smith solidifying himself as a genuine choice in the very first round who ought to be able to play both the 4 and the 5 in the NBA.
– 6 3″.
/ 185 pounds.
35th.
POSITION RNK.
9th.
PPG.
16.2.
RPG.
4.2.
APG.
6.4.
3P%.
36.1%.
/ 190 pounds.
Projected Team.
PROSPECT RNK.
He stays a fantastic run-the-team point guard who truly defends on one end of the court, and actually develops chances for his colleagues on the other. He averaged 16.2 points and 6.4 assists this season– and in fact shot it well enough from the border down the stretch to get his 3-point portion up to a reputable 36.1.
– Fr.
– 6 3″.
Miami.
Arizona.
32nd.
POSITION RNK.
8th.
PPG.
14.0.
RPG.
2.5.
APG.
5.3.
3P%.
32.7%.
Nico Mannion just shot 32.7% from 3-point variety this season, which undoubtedly isnt fantastic for a lead guard who has the ball a lot. But hes still a fascinating talent since of his ability to make reads and run an offense. Is he athletic or physically excellent relative to existing top-level NBA point player? Not truly. Whichs a concern. In the most basic terms, Im a believer in Mannion just figuring it out and working to find a long-lasting function in the league.
Washington.
/ 200 lbs.
– 6 9″.
Utah.
Projected Team.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
– Fr.
33rd.
POSITION RNK.
4th.
PPG.
13.0.
RPG.
5.8.
APG.
2.1.
3P%.
33.9%.
He was a disappointing teams most disappointing player– one who led the Pac-12 in fouls. At one point, the 6-9 forward even got benched by his coach, Mike Hopkins.
Texas Tech.
– Fr.
– 6 4″.
/ 195 lbs.
PPG.
15.0.
RPG.
4.0.
APG.
2.2.
3P%.
42.6%.
Jahmius Ramsey was a borderline top-35 possibility coming out of high school who, simply like Zhaire Smith and Jarrett Culver before him, developed into a predicted first-round pick after working with Chris Beard at Texas Tech. The 6-4 guard balanced 15.0 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 42.6% from 3-point variety. It was a strong freshman season.
Boston.
– Jr.
Michigan State.
PROSPECT RNK.
– 6 8″.
Projected Team.
/ 245 lbs.
26th.
Second.
PPG.
POSITION RNK.
13.7.
RPG.
10.3.
APG.
3.0.
3P%.
26%.
New York.
Projected Team.
– Fr.
/ 210 lbs.
PROSPECT RNK.
Xavier Tillman utilized his size and strength to be one of the finest protective bigs in the nation this season, one who is also comfortable protecting in area or out on the border. The 6-8 forward balanced 13.7 points and 10.3 rebounds while shooting 55.0% from the field– and he also made 37% of his 3-point attempts inside the Breslin Center, which suggests he needs to have the ability to stretch the floor in the NBA and invest numerous years in the league as a trusted and quality frontcourt existence.
– 6 6″.
Arizona.
13th.
POSITION RNK.
2nd.
PPG.
12.0.
RPG.
4.6.
APG.
2.6.
3P%.
36.1%.
– 6 10″.
– Fr.
/ 270 lbs.
Projected Team.
Toronto.
PROSPECT RNK.
Duke.
Its wild that Arizona only finished connected for 5th in the Pac-12 with 3 forecasted first-round tease the roster. However thats precisely what occurred– and a few of it was connected to Josh Greens disparity. He showed flashes sometimes. The fact is that the 6-6 wing is, at the moment, more sophisticated defensively than offensively, and there are real concerns about his ability to put the ball on the flooring and pass it. So while his athleticism and durability should get him picked in the very first round, the questions connected to Green could theoretically push him beyond the top 30.
29th.
PPG.
POSITION RNK.
Sixth.
17.8.
RPG.
8.8.
APG.
1.0.
3P%.
38.1%.
L.A. Lakers.
– 6 1″.
Projected Team.
POSSIBILITY RNK.
– Sr.
If he were born 20 years earlier, Vernon Carey wouldve been a top-10 pick. With unathletic centers devalued and often unplayable in todays NBA, there are a lot of things working versus the Duke star even though he was the best freshman in college basketball this previous season while balancing 17.8 points and 8.8 rebounds for a group that completed fifth at KenPom. Will he be played off the floor by certain opponents in specific scenarios? Yes, that promises. However Im still persuaded theres a location for him in the NBA. And investing a late first-round badger an extremely productive one-and-done gamer (who was also a declared high school prospect) looks like a practical relocation.
/ 185 lbs.
Michigan State.
42nd.
POSITION RNK.
12th.
PPG.
18.6.
RPG.
2.5.
APG.
5.9.
3P%.
43.2%.
Arizona.
Boston.
PROSPECT RNK.
Projected Team.
– 6 11″.
/ 240 lbs.
– Fr.
Cassius Winston is perceived to be limited because hes small and not the very best professional athlete. Hell never measure or check fantastic– whichll turn some franchises away. But hes clever, great in pick-and-roll situations and someone who has shown to be a high-level shooter in all four years of college by making 43.0% of the 602 3-pointers he attempted in his four-year college profession. Teams choosing in this range are typically great teams already winning looking for a piece who can maybe help immediately. And Winston is somebody who could probably help an NBA team right away functioning as a backup point guard and knockdown shooter.
40th.
POSITION RNK.
7th.
PPG.
16.1.
RPG.
8.6.
APG.
0.8.
3P%.
29.4%.
Zeke Nnaji was just a borderline top-40 possibility coming out of high school– however he emerged as the greatest surprise of Arizonas freshman class. He was an excellent part of an underwhelming group. The fast-developing prospect should have genuine factor to consider this deep in the first round.
Obi Toppin is a previous zero-star recruit who earned CBS Sports National Player of the Year honors after averaging 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 63.3% from the field and 39.0% from 3-point range this past season. The 6-5 freshman balanced 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in his one season at Georgia but only shot 40.2% from the field and 29.4% from 3-point range. The 6-5 sophomore balanced 15.2 points, 6.5 assists and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 50.4% from the field and 41.9% from 3-point variety this past season prior to suffering an injury in early February that ended his college career. He rapidly established into an intriguing prospect who balanced 16.1 points (while making 45.1% of his 3-point efforts) this past season for a Villanova team that shared the Big East title. The 6-4 guard averaged 15.0 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 42.6% from 3-point variety.
