{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ja Morant","year":2019,"height":75,"weight":175,"school":"Murray St.","pros":"Dynamic athlete and playmaker, adept at creating offense for himself as well as teammates … Has ideal size for the lead guard position with a 6’3 frame and long arms … Possesses high level passing ability, even for a point guard (as evidenced by his NCAA leading 9.3 apg) … Shows great imagination to make creative passes, and seems to lead teammates into easy scores with his anticipation and vision … Plays with an edge and shows excellent competitiveness and moxie … Has a fearless style and is willing to put his body on the line and initiate contact in order to make plays … A high level athlete for a point guard with elite speed and quickness, as well as explosive leaping ability … Has great defensive upside with his long arms and great ability to move laterally … Shows a lot of leadership and determination, developing a great rapport with teammates and natural leadership skills … Very difficult to stay in front of as he puts a lot of pressure on opponents with his quickness off the dribble … Incredibly slick and polished with the ball in his hands. His ball handling might be his most advanced skill right now as he goes behind his back and crosses over like the ball is on a string … His ability to change directions and set up drives gives defenders fits … While still an area of concern, the form on his shot actually shows solid promise … Has shown the ability to hit deep three balls … Has made a habit of rising to the occasion in big games, had 38 pts, 9 reb and 5 ast against Alabama and led a big 2nd half comeback against Auburn finishing with 25 pts, 8 reb and 7 ast … Makes his teammates better … Pushes the ball extremely well up the court … Has a lot of shake and bake, juke moves to set up defenders for the blow by and finishes well around the rim … Shooting efficiency should improve in time … Good shooting motion, very solid release and follow through … Plays with a swagger … A solid defender who gets 1.8 steals per game and doesn’t gamble too often or reach and pick up unnecessary fouls … Does a good job of getting to the line (7 times per game) and capitalizing … Career 80% free throw shooter is indicative of  quality shooting ability and gives him promise as a perimeter shooter … Tremendous rebounder at 7 per game, following up a great freshman season (6.5 per) … Has developed in his game management and ability to run the offense in a half court set, though this is an area he must improve upon … Utilizes the finger roll well to finish off drives … Very shifty. Can stop on a dime and has the ability to stop/start and change speeds at an elite level, making him extremely difficult to contain … Precision passer. Really adept at making accurate lob passes for ally oops from all over the court … Shows a great feel for the game, exhibiting the ability to dribble right through double teams and pressure, as he did in the Racer’s late December match up with the top 10 rated Auburn Tigers … Has a ton of upside left to develop and is very young for a sophomore, having turned 19 just a few months ago, in August …","cons":"Developing the ability to consistently knock down the three point shot is one of the few hurdles left in his development … The form on his shot looks decent, but the results haven’t been there yet on a consistent basis … Shot shows nice potential, even from behind the arch, but he needs to put in hours of work shooting both mid range and 3 point shots in order to develop the muscle memory and ability to hit shots in rhythm with consistency (currently shooting 30% from 3 on the year) … Can get overly aggressive with passes at times … Also forces the issue on drives and gets stripped or loses the ball, but for a player with his ability, learning through mistakes is the natural progression … Must cut down on turnovers (4.9 per game) and learn to value the ball a little better … Growing pains. He has such an immense amount of ability and is still figuring out how to utilize his physical gifts at the point guard position … Needs to become more adept at facilitating the pick and roll … Has a tendency to telegraph outside shots at times and get them blocked … Body is very thin and will need to add some strength and muscle over the next few years in order to better finish drives and absorb contact, as well as not get bullied by the more physical guards at the next level … Level of competition may cause some teams to be skeptical … He has proven it against solid competition, performing exceptionably well against Auburn and Alabama as a sophomore, but some may question whether his prolific stats are more of a result of his lack of competition throughout much of his sophomore year …Outlook: Despite being from a small (mid major) school, Morant has the potential to become a superstar at the next level a la the Portland Trailblazer duo Damian Lillard (Weber State) and CJ McCollom (Lehigh) … Figures to not only be the first point guard selected in 2019 but could end up one of the top three overall selections  …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"DeAaron Fox","date_of_birth":"8/10/99","hometown":"Dalzell, SC","high_school":"Crestwood","rebounding":9,"potential":9,"post_skills":9,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":2,"big_board_rank":2,"overall_rank":99}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"RJ Barrett","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":210,"school":"Duke","pros":"Lefty 2-guard who plays the game with a lot of determination and energy … Excellent finishing footwork after gathering dribble with Eurostep and hop step and sidesteps that he uses to weave around defenders … Much stronger than his frame suggests … Aggressive, physical, creates contact and draws fouls … Excellent craftiness as a finisher and finds ways to get defenders off balance … Great body control in the paint, nice runners and finger rolls in close … Good with use of pivots, and utilizes fakes effectively … Has a great first step off the catch and against close outs … Fast in open court, often beats several guys in transition … Able to fluidly change direction going full speed … High basketball IQ, gets to the open spots on the floor, moves well without the ball, runs the lanes in transition, moves into passing angles … Instinctive scorer who finds gaps as a driver with great pacing, hesitations and moves inside. 6’7 with a strong frame and good length … Prototypical wing … Quick twitch … Changes direction on a dime after picking up dribble … Plays hard, loves running the court, timing and positioning as a rebounder … Size and quickness to switch multiple positions defensively … Moves his feet well as on ball defender, good lateral agility … Hard to keep up with him in open court already but strength makes it easy to brush off defenders and finish in traffic … With no pressure on his handle in open court is really fast changing directions … Improved vision a lot over the past year, good recognition and unselfish … Doesn’t get out of control … Decent shooter off the catch when his feet are set …","cons":"May have peaked to some degree in high school as he was clearly the top kid in his class as a senior in HS … Outside shot lacks great form and confidence seems to waver … Good athlete, fast in transition and can explode in space but doesn’t necessarily play above the rim or have great explosiveness in half court situations … Needs to improve his ball handling to become a more efficient half court player … Left hand dominant, looks awkward dribbling or finishing with his right … Almost always ends up going back to his left hand … Isn’t aggressive off the ball defensively, doesn’t rotate hard … Could look to take advantage of his physical tools more defensively and create more turnovers … Poor ball control, handle is high and loose, struggles to make passes off the dribble … Poor shooter off the dribble and has a relatively slow and inconsistent release … Needs time to get it off cleanly … Not accurate with his passes, sloppy ball placement … Can get too caught up in playing hero ball and get tunnel vision trying to create and not looking for teammates at the end of games … Fearless approach can end up being overconfidence … Seems to have an alpha personality, but may need to learn to adjust his game some and defer more at the next level … Sort of a jack of all trades, master of none type …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Khris Middleton/Danny Granger","date_of_birth":"6/14/00","hometown":"Mississauga, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":9,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":3,"big_board_rank":3,"overall_rank":96}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Darius Garland","year":2019,"height":74,"weight":175,"school":"Vanderbilt","pros":"6’3 point guard … Great speed and quickness … Good body control with the ability to make acrobatic layups at different angles. Finishes with either hand at the rim … Can serve as a scorer or distributor, creating offense for himself and others. Led USA in scoring at the adidas Eurocamp with 15.3 points per game. Has a good balance of when to score and when to pass … Can impact the game without scoring. Averaged 16.8 points per game over the Nike EYBL and finished top 10 in assists per game with 4.8. Ideal point guard traits, court vision, and decision making. Very good ball handler and creativity. Sells crossover and dribble moves well. Uses screens well, splits the defense, and gets where he wants as a dribble penetrator. Changes directions with the ball and plays under control at a high speed. Changes his speed and uses hesitations effectively … Instinctive. Makes correct reads. Plays within the flow of the game, doesn’t force his will. Shot 53.3% from the floor over the Nike EYBL … Plays well off the ball … Draws a lot of fouls. Very reliable free throw shooter. Shot five free throws per game at 85% over the Nike EYBL … Very good midrange scoring ability with pull ups and floaters. Also, shoots well from three. Can shoot off the dribble or catch … Good on ball defender and plays passing lanes well. Utilizes quickness and has good anticipation. Averaged 1.1 steals per game over the Nike EYBL … Good toughness and competitor …","cons":"Has decent but not great length with a 6’5 wingspan and 8’2 standing reach … Lacks strength. Very light, only weighing 173 pounds. Finishing at the rim will be much more challenging at the college level … Very quick but isn’t an explosive athlete … Can shoot from outside but more on the streaky side … Good assist count but can cut down on turnovers, averaged 2.6 per game over the Nike EYBL …Outlook: Incoming Vanderbilt freshman … Recorded 11 assists in the McDonald’s All-American Game … Passed out five assists in the Jordan Brand Classic … Scored 16 points (four three-pointers) in the Nike Hoop Summit … Won four Tennessee State Championships and three Division II AA Mr. Basketball awards … One of the top point guard prospects in the 2018 high school class …Evan Tomes 7/2/18","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Mo Williams","date_of_birth":"1/26/00","hometown":"Nashville, TN","high_school":"Brentwood Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":9,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":5,"big_board_rank":7,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jarrett Culver","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":195,"school":"Texas Tech","pros":"After playing a supportive role at Texas Tech as a freshman, Jarrett Culver has quickly shot up draft boards as a sophomore by displaying a great all around floor game … At 6’6” Culver displays the size to play both the two and three spots at the next level, and with solid athletic ability and length … Offensively he’s paced the Red Raiders all season with 18.5 points per game (which is 25.3% of TTU’s offensive output) as well as acted as primary distributor and ball handler … Throw in his 3.6 assists per game, and he’s directly involved in over 35% of Texas Tech’s scoring plays … His all around offensive game makes him a multi-dimensional scorer as he has a fundamentally sound high arching shot in which he needs to be respected from beyond the arc, as well as being able to pull up from the mid-range … Culver’s footwork and hesitation moves on the perimeter are terrific as well, and will directly translate to the next level … He’s great at drawing his defenders off balance, and has a great array of moves once he gets in the lane … Jarrett also displays a high basketball IQ, and the ability to make a play when his team needs one the most … Playing in such a defensive oriented system in college, Culver has great defensive instincts, quick hands, and displays good effort … He’s an above average rebounder for a 6’6” guard (6.3 rebounds per game) and off a defensive miss or a steal, he’s a tough matchup in fast break situations due to his good passing ability … He projects as a plus defender in the NBA.","cons":"Culver’s weaknesses are mostly things that can be improved with continued growth as a player … Right now his 3 point shot is worth keeping his defender honest at the college level, but he’s going to need to continue to hit the gym to become a high level long range shooter in the NBA … Can also stand to tighten his handle as he makes the leap to the next level … He’ll also need to continue to work on his body … Culver’s 195 pound frame will get pushed around by larger NBA two guards and small forwards, though he does have solid legs as a base … He doesn’t have the elite run/jump ability to make up for this at this point either … At 6’6” his height is good for a swingman being considered at the top of the draft, but not elite … He just needs to continue to develop at the same pace he’s done from his freshman to sophomore years … Jarrett has a very NBA translatable offensive game, and a lot of his weaknesses can be improved upon in the gym.Overall: Jarrett Culver’s well balanced floor game, and array of hesitation moves and elite footwork make him a very intriguing player in the mid-lottery this year … He’s been asked to do a tremendous amount for his team this year on both ends of the floor, and has delivered, producing at an excellent level … His scoring and passing will only shine more in a faster paced NBA system, and his knack for drawing fouls will be a great asset as well … Culver may not dazzle you with elite athletic ability, but from a skill standpoint, he’s got a great foundation in which to build.","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"NBA Comparison: Nick Anderson","date_of_birth":"2/20/99","hometown":"Lubbock, TX","high_school":"Coronado","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":7,"big_board_rank":12,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Coby White","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":190,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"Lighting quick 6’5’’, 185-pound combo guard … Aggressive scoring mentality but also unselfish passer of the ball… Shifty player with an excellent first step that allows him to blow by defenders … Versatile scorer. Can score anywhere on the floor, either getting his own shot off the dribble or catch and shoot situations …  Has a quick and accurate release … Adjusts his body midair on challenging layups … Great job at creating space for his shot … Can score from all three levels … Gets defenders off balance because of his quick stop/start ability … can get his shot off against top perimeter defenders … Has offensive versatility because of his ability to play on or off the ball … A lot of upside left to develop, having just finished his freshman year … Solid three-point shooter (35.3% in his freshman season at North Carolina) and his range that extends out to the NBA 3-pt line … solid mid-range game with a nice pull-up jumper and floater … Is a scoring threat from anywhere in the half court … Has the ability to score in bunches and go off on any given night … Scored 33 or more points in three games with the Tar Heels … Impressive lateral quickness … Good ball handler and facilitator, averaging 4.1 assists per game … Creates offense for himself and scores at the rim with his right or left hand … Drives aggressively to the hoop, drawing contact …Can finish at or above the rim with either hand and regularly finishes difficult layups … Great at penetrating and drawing fouls to get to the foul line … Shot 3.7 free throws per game … Confident shooter … Brings a competitive energy on the defensive end … Does a great job at finding his teammates in transition …Stays in front of opponents well and plays with active hands… Averaged 16.1 points and 1.1 steals per game at North Carolina … Excellent free throw shooter (80%) … Moves well without the basketball …","cons":"His quickness can be both a blessing and a curse … More effective as a scorer than a playmaker … Needs to improve as a decision maker and passer … Good athlete but does not have a physical frame that stands out … Can improve overall as a playmaker … Can get out of control… Must cut down on turnovers with 2.7 per game in his freshman season … Good athlete but not an incredibly explosive leaper … His low release point makes it challenging to get his shot off over tall defenders … Not a great rebounder … Sometimes passes up open teammates for a forced shot of his own … Can improve field goal percentage from 42 percent for his freshman year at UNC … Tends to throw inaccurate passes when he is moving at a faster rate than the play is developing at … Overall strength can improve … Finishing athletically at the rim will be tougher at the next level … ","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Gilbert Arenas","date_of_birth":"2/16/00","hometown":"Wilson, NC","high_school":"Greenfield","rebounding":8,"potential":9,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":6,"big_board_rank":4,"overall_rank":95}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaxson Hayes","year":2019,"height":83,"weight":220,"school":"Texas","pros":"Blessed with tremendous size and length, Jaxson Hayes’ physical tools are probably some of the most obvious traits that jump off the page when projecting him for the next level … Standing 6’11” and sporting a 7’4” wingspan with massive hands and a frame that should easily be able to build from his current 220 pound weight … Hayes also pairs this with fluid athleticism and end to end speed … At Texas this length and athleticism allowed him to protect the rim at an elite level … While only playing 23.3 minutes per contest, Jaxson blocked 2.2 shots per game (3.77 per 40 minutes) and altered a significant amount of potential shots, something that doesn’t show up in the stat column … These physical traits should translate to the next level and make him a legit NBA rim protector … Hayes’ mobility also allows him to hedge well during pick and roll defense, and not be limited to a lane clogger on the defensive end …  His defense is probably his calling card at this point in his development, but Hayes has offensive appeal as a rim runner/lob target as well as a player with a track record of finishing around the rim … According to hoop-math.com, Hayes shot 86.7% on his shots around at the rim and 72.7% of his shots overall … His massive hands also make him a high level lob target who can grab just about everything in his vicinity … He’s also a pretty solid offensive rebounder (1.8 orpg) and can be respectable collecting misses … He certainly plays within his limits on offense, but a surprising 74% FT percentage and solid mechanics on his shot gives him some upside in the face up game … Jaxson is also the son of an NFL tight end, and knows what kind of dedication it takes to be a professional athlete, which also bodes well for his development as a player …","cons":"While Hayes possesses a great frame, he’ll need to continue to not only add muscle to ready himself for the next level, but also work on his toughness … While flying though the air, and catching lobs using his finesse, he’s quite comfortable, but more physical players got under his skin and he often faded in effectiveness when being bodied up on both offense and defense … Gaining that edge may mean the difference of him being a serviceable NBA defender to one who excels … Like many young big men, Hayes is also foul prone … The game is still a little fast for him, and hopefully as he develops he’ll be able to cut back on ticky tack fouls … He’s not a particularly good passer either, and only tallied 9 assists all season for the Longhorns … Because he’s likely far away both skill and body wise from being a NBA contributor, a team is taking the risk that he doesn’t produce much offensively before his first contract is up …Overall:  Jaxson Hayes projects as a player that will, at minimum, be able to protect the rim, rebound, and catch lobs on offense from day one … He’s still pretty early in his development, and may be prone to some mistakes early, and take some time to develop, but his upside is clearly there … His elite frame, and fluid athleticism could render him one of the better defensive bigs in the NBA one day with the proper development … Unlike a lot of raw bigs, he actually shoots the ball pretty well, and is already hitting free throws at 74% … This gives him some intrigue as a player who could potentially develop on both sides of the ball …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"NBA Comparison: Jarrett Allen","date_of_birth":"5/23/00","hometown":"Loveland, OH","high_school":"Archbishop Moeller","rebounding":8,"potential":9,"post_skills":6,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":9,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":10,"big_board_rank":11,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Rui Hachimura","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":235,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Athletic forward and smart decision maker with a versatile skill set … Reliable, steady performer with a smooth playing style … Very team oriented player, who puts his team’s performance and winning over individual accolades … Excellent mid-range jump shooter, and continues to add range and consistency … Possesses great length with a 7’2 wingspan … An above average athlete with agility, good speed and solid leaping ability … Very good at running the floor and finishing on the break … A strong competitor. Plays the game with consistent focus and energy … Coming to the US three years ago and having never played AAU ball, he has always played a structured game … Being late to the game, he never really developed any bad habits … Has an excellent approach to the game and shows the desire to improve through hard work … Has developed his ball handling to the point where he can comfortably bring the ball up the floor, lead the break as well as take bigger opponents off the dribble from the perimeter … Shows good touch around the rim … Plays a very controlled game. Doesn’t gamble for steals or generally get out of control on drives … Really embraced the role of team leader and superstar in his junior year, ramping up his scoring output from 11.6 ppg to 19.6 ppg … Should be a solid scorer at the next level due to his ability to knock down open jumpshots consistently … Solid defender. Does a good job of contesting shots on the perimeter, utilizing his length and anticipation … Good feel for playing in the post. Uses leverage and positioning to his advantage  … Understands how to use his body to create space and shield defenders off in order to get shots off … Strong, athletic body with good muscle tone … Scores well around the rim … Shows solid use of his left hand, both ball handling and finishing with dunks and shots around the rim … Has textbook shooting mechanics, squares up, quick release with follow through … A (decent) 74% free throw shooter and and should be able to improve that over time to be an 80+% FT shooter at the next level … Shows solid leadership skills … Confident personality. Rises to the challenge as he did against Duke in Maui, in their early season match up, leading Gonzaga to the win over Zion Williamson and Duke to capture the Maui Jim’s Maui Invitational championship … Has put in a lot of work in the weight room and has a very solid frame with good core and leg strength … Great conditioning. Gonzaga often uses him to spearhead their press and he never appears winded or runs out of energy late in games … Naturally athletic frame with good muscle tone …","cons":"Needs to continue to improve his 1-on-1 skills and ability to create off the dribble, in order to enhance his shooting and scoring ability … Must continue to polish his feel for the game … Has a good wingspan, but at 6-8 is a bit small at the power forward position … Not a perfect fit at either forward position, though he could work at the next level as a match up, small ball four if he continues to get stronger and expands his shooting range … Doesn’t possess the fastest first step to get by smaller defenders … Must become a better passer and ball handler and add the ability to create pull up jumpers in rhythm … Being late to the game, (playing against high level competition) there are times that he looks a little lost when plays break down. He has moments where he makes shots that look unorthodox or shots that are off by a lot. His lack of feel at times is due to coming to the game late … At times will challenge bigger players and go into the teeth of the defense and force up contested low percentage shots, or get his shot blocked  … Only 7% of his shots were from three point range, though he did hit a very solid clip at 45% … Should look to expand his shooting range (to NBA 3) and make the three point shot a bigger part of his arsenal … Not the most physical of players at the 4 position. Could improve on his rebounding at 6.5 rebound per game … Struggles at times to keep a handle on the ball, allowing it to get poked loose. Should look to strengthen his hands and wrists with weights … Struggles some to limit opponents scoring. At times gets beat off the dribble by small er quicker players …Outlook: Hachimura is considered a likely top 10 pick and possible top 5 pick for the 2019 NBA draft by NBA scouts … A bright kid who has picked up the English language and adapted to American culture quickly … Figures to have a substantial endorsement deal after his college career is over as he can become an ambassador to basketball for an entire nation, not to mention potentially boosting the interest of the sport in the surrounding countries in Asia …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Antawn Jamison","date_of_birth":"2/8/98","hometown":"Toyama, Japan","high_school":"Meisei","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":9,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":11,"big_board_rank":5,"overall_rank":95}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cameron Johnson","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"Lights-out shooter … Tall, wiry smooth forward … Consistent shooter off ball-screens and dribble pull-ups … Release is very difficult to contest … Consistently hits heavily guarded/tough shots Limitless range … Above average catch-and-shoot ability … Efficiency regarding shots/points ratio is impressive. 11.6 Field Goal Attempts a game while averaging 16.9 points per game … While averaging 5.8 3-point attempts per game, still managed to hit at a 46% clip … Shot 57% from inside the arc this season due to an improved mid-range game … Impressive while moving without the ball, works hard to cut off screens to get open … Impressive free-throw shooter, all three years as a starter he shot 80%+ from the charity stripe … Johnson averaged a career-best defensive rating this year after getting offseason hip surgery which has improved his mobility … Active defender, averaging 1.2 steals per game … Average rebounder for his size/frame … Played with NBA talent at North Carolina (Coby White, Nassir Little and meshed well … As usage rate increased through his college career, his efficiency and statistics all improved … Quick release with fluid shooting motion … Impressed playing against NBA talent such as Duke/Gonzaga (24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists vs. Duke/25 points on 6/8 shooting from deep) … Considered a high character kid …","cons":"Draft age is the red flag here when it comes to sneaking into the first round. Johnson was a Redshirt Senior this season and turned 23 in early March … At best an average athlete lacking standout speed and leaping ability … Role most likely to play in the NBA is a three-and-D player and while he improved this year, still looks stiff on perimeter and could struggle against athletic wings … Despite such a long frame, Johnson has troubling contesting shots while averaging just 0.3 blocks per game … Looks hesitant going into the paint and finishing around the rim, will settle for jump shots instead … Not aggressive enough to go into the paint and get fouled as he only averaged 3 free throw attempts per game last season … Limited playmaker while averaging 2.4 assists per game and excelling off catch-and-shoot opportunities … Not a post presence, all shots taken are driving or perimeter … Can rebound, but ability is too limited to become a small-ball four … only 210 pounds at 6’9, must add weight which would create versatility in his game around the rim … There are some concerns about how his body will hold up to the rigors of physical NBA play …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"RJ Hunter/Justin Jackson","date_of_birth":"3/3/96","hometown":"Moon Township, PA","high_school":"Our Lady of the Sacred Heart","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":6,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":37,"big_board_rank":30,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"PJ Washington","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":230,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Solidly built and strong power forward who is very skilled offensively in multiple facets … He is long and has excellent instincts on the offensive end … Washington has natural strength and the type of body that could withstand the physicality of NBA level play … He has broad shoulders and a wide base yet still has good agility and is fluid on his feet … On offense, Washington can do a bit of everything … He can score in the post, using his strength to bully opponents … He is particularly adept at getting to his jump hook over his left shoulder, which he makes at a very high rate … He also has solid leaping ability, allowing him to make plays above the rim … He also has an advanced mid-range game and is a lights-out shooter from the elbow and all around the key … His range has also expanded this season, as he shot 42.3% from 3-point range in his sophomore season … His mechanics are excellent and he has a high release point … Washington’s passing ability stands out for a power forward and he can initiate the offense from the high post and shows advanced court vision for a big man … Washington has a mature understanding of the game and shows great polish and refinement for such a young player … His awareness on the court and his knowledge of the game make him a glue-guy who helps the team win, even when he’s not filling up the stat sheet … His skill and leadership was a big reason for Kentucky’s season that fell just short of the Final Four …","cons":"Washington does not have prototypical size for the power forward position (at 6’7 and change) in the modern game and is not the elite level athlete that can compensate for it … He will have to expand his perimeter game and continue to become a more consistent shooter and ball handler … He can get by with overpowering opponents in the paint in college but won’t be able to play that game at the NBA level … He doesn’t project as a low post scorer, as he does not have much of a post game outside of his jump hook … He also probably won’t be a rim protector at the next level and there are questions about how his game will adjust to NBA length and size … His lack of ideal size and top end athleticism knock him down a notch in terms of what his upside could be … Feel for the game has been a bit of a work in progress …Outlook: Considered a likely late first rounder after a strong sophomore season … He projects as a good but not great prospect who should have a long NBA career as a rotational player, but he likely will not be an All Star at the next level …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Carl Landry","date_of_birth":"8/23/98","hometown":"Frisco, TX","high_school":"Findlay Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":6,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":13,"big_board_rank":20,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tyler Herro","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":195,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Offensive minded shooting guard with “spurtability” and a willingness to hunt for his shot … Excels at setting up defenders when running off multiple screens … Has developed a step back jump shot that allows him to create his own space to get a look within the offense … Is underrated in terms of his ability to get to the rim in the half court … Is extremely reliable at the free throw line, shot 93.5% from the free throw line as a freshman …  Has shown major growth on the defensive end, especially in regard to staying in guarding position, understanding help side responsibilities/positioning, and playing angles … Is adept at playing passing lanes and is aggressive in looking to capitalize on opponent’s mistakes on that end of the court … Is a competitor that doesn’t let his motor go cold, is always looking to make plays happen … Runs the court looking for easy buckets in transition … Is very good at pull up jumpers in transition … Despite shooting under 36% from three, his form should allow him to increase that percentage even from the further NBA three point line. Rebounds well for a guard (4.5 per game, season high 13 against Tennessee) … Sneaky athlete, with better leaping ability than some realize …","cons":"Lacks length. Doesn’t have the ideal NBA body, measuring  6’5” with 6’4.5” wingspan and had 12.4% body fat at UK’s pro day … Struggles with his footwork when receiving the ball off of screens, often does not have them squared up and thus preventing him from getting quickly into a shooting motion … Absolutely not a ball handler … Can be a streaky shooter that goes cold for stretches of the game … Not very explosive off the dribble lacking a great first step … Lacks ideal lateral quickness, leading to him struggling with smaller, quicker players when playing defense … When not scoring, he can have games in which he gives you little else … Not a great passer, and he can get tunnel vision when driving to the rim … Sometimes struggles making entry passes to the post, resulting in turnovers … Has a loose handle and is susceptible to getting stripped when driving to the rim … Limited athleticism could be a hindrance at the next level, and will have to rely more on angles to set himself up at the NBA level …Outlook: Projects to be a serviceable bench player to spot starter early in his career with the ability to develop into a reliable scorer at the next level … May never be good enough defensively to fill the 3 and D role, but rapid development in college suggests the ability to carve out an important role on a good team … Is often viewed as just a shooter, but can score in a variety of ways and should be able to translate that portion of his game to the NBA … Could play a Richard Hamilton type role offensively for a number of teams, albeit with a significantly smaller usage rate … The added spacing of an NBA offense should open up his offense beyond what he was able to show at Kentucky … Lack of versatility could limit him as he isn’t a ball handler, but his offensive ability could really impress teams in pre-draft workouts …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Nik Stauskas/Joe Harris","date_of_birth":"1/20/00","hometown":"Milwaukee, WI","high_school":"Whitnall","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":16,"big_board_rank":26,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Romeo Langford","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":210,"school":"Indiana","pros":"2-guard with a big high school reputation and a lot of physical tools to work with … He’s very aggressive going to the rim … He has the quickness to blow by defenders and size to absorb contact in the paint … He has a near seven-foot wingspan … That allows him to get his shot off over taller forwards and centers … Played some point in high school, and retains some ability as a facilitator … He has great court awareness when he gets into the lane … He makes quick decisions to attack once he sees centers are out of the lane … He knows how to draw fouls at a high rate … He averaged 6 free throws per game last season … When he gets into the lane, he’s adept at finding the open man … He’s great in transition … When he has the ball, he pushes aggressively … Without it he’s great at filling the lanes and finishing … He is a good rebounder for a guard, particularly offesnively … He grabbed over 5 rebounds per game last season … Having grabbed 1.4 offensive rebounds per game last season … He can create extra possessions for his teammates … In the NBA, guards who can generate extra possessions by rebounding are a bonus … He’s able to take advantage of smaller matchups and post up smaller guards … He’s a solid defender … With his physical tools, his potential is excellent … He’s great at attacking out of the pick roll to get into the lane … He’s shown nice touch around the rim … Has a solid ability to shoot off the dribble …","cons":"Doesn’t always look fully engaged in the game and intensity level seems to come and go … He struggles shooting the three-point shot … He only hit on 27% of his 3 pointers last year, while taking almost four a game … Decision making needs work … He is prone to taking shooting questionable shots at times … He needs to improve his free throw shooting … He shot 72% but improving upon it will add to his point totals … He’s not an explosive athlete … At times his defensive effort can be lagging … He can be to ball dominant on offense at times, leading to bad shots … He can be careless with the ball at times, leading to poor turnovers … He’s to reliant on his right hand, which will make him easier to defend in the NBA … He has trouble controlling the game from the half court … A part of the problem with his three-point shot is that he’s hesitant to take them at times … He struggles when he is forced to be the primary playmaker … He needs to improve his overall efficiency as he shot just under 45 percent from the field … That’s not bad but it could improve …Outlook: At 6’6, 215 pounds, he’s already bigger than nearly every shooting guard other than Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, and Klay Thompson … Romeo Langford is expected to be a mid-first round pick in the 2019 draft … He is a good athlete with a lot of potential to be an impact player on an NBA team … With the game being as guard dominant as it is today, a guard who can score has added value … He will need to develop his ability to shoot in today’s era of spacing, but with NBA coaches helping him, that shouldn’t be a problem if he works hard … With his size and length, he can develop into a great 3 and D player … His versatility will as a scorer, rebounder, and solid playmaker, will make him a coveted pick in a league that values players who can do multiple things …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Evan Turner","date_of_birth":"10/25/99","hometown":"New Albany, IN","high_school":"New Albany","rebounding":8,"potential":9,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":23,"big_board_rank":18,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Sekou Doumbouya","year":2019,"height":81,"weight":230,"school":"France","pros":"Prototypical new age, two-way combo forward with great defensive upside … Solid size and wingspan (measured at 6-11 feet) for his position … Really fluid athlete… Has NBA level athleticism … Runs the floor and fills the lanes beautifully … Bouncy athlete, who can either jump off two feet or from either foot… Has long strides and can cover a lot of ground … His frame suggests that his body can fill up nicely … Good teammate… Amazing in transition thanks to his athleticism … He is a threat when he takes the ball on the move, since he can blow by his opponent… He has good shooting mechanics… When his feet are set he can shoot the ball at a good level… Attacks closeouts and goes all the way to the basket, mainly on straight lines… Good slasher … Moves well without the ball… Doesn’t shy away from contact, he even looks for it and likes to finish strong at the rim … Can finish above the rim… Can post up smaller opponents and blow by bigger ones… Great rebounder on the offensive end… His size, length and athleticism help him be a good defensive rebounder … He can start the break and make the occasional coast to coast … Always willing to look for the extra pass … Improving ball handler … Versatile defender, who can guard from perimeter players to frontline players… Has all the necessary tools to become a beast defensively… Great lateral quickness when he has low stance on defense … Not afraid to bang bodies while defending in the post… Really active while guarding the ball … Excellent weakside shot blocker…","cons":"Still learning the game, since he started playing basketball somewhat late, at 12 years old … He doesn’t have full control of his body yet, because he is still growing … His body structure makes him look longer than he really is … He is raw in just about every aspect of the game … Relies too much on insticts… Lacks fundamentals … His basketball I.Q needs work on both ends of the floor … Can lose his concentration at times… His first step isn’t as explosive as it should for a perimeter player, but it’s OK for a power forward… His decision making needs work … Suffers from tunnel vision while driving to the basket … At times he is unselfish to a fault… Turnover prone … At the junior level he was able to just rely on his athleticism to score, but at the next level this won’t be as easy … When the game slows down he is limited offensively, having problems in half court settings … He can’t really create his own shot of the dribble … He must improve his pull-up game… He is a below average shooter for now … He can’t really mix it up on offense … He has made strides as a ball handler, but he still needs work … He mostly drives on straight lines … He is right hand dominant … He doesn’t always box out on defense and depends too much on his athleticism … He is occasionally trapped in no man’s land on defense, being out of place … Has problems reading screens on defense while chasing his opponent… His off the ball defense needs work, he is too focused on the ball … Doesn’t always have a low stance… Close out defense is still a work in progress, since he is still relying too much on his athleticism …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Billy Owens/Tim Thomas","date_of_birth":"12/23/00","hometown":"Conakry, Guinea","potential":9,"intangibles":7,"international_team":"Limoges CSP","athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":9,"big_board_rank":17,"overall_rank":78}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Chuma Okeke","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":235,"school":"Auburn","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","date_of_birth":"8/18/98","hometown":"Fairburn, GA","high_school":"Langston Hughes","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"intangibles":6,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":33,"big_board_rank":25,"overall_rank":83}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Nickeil Alexander-Walker","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":205,"school":"Virginia Tech","pros":"Offensively versatile 6’5’’, 205-pound guard … Is a sniper from long range and shoots with an excellent form and quick release … Has great awareness and a high basketball IQ … Cerebral approach … Very good attention to detail and desire to improve … A great decision-maker in transition … Can play PG within the rotation and is comfortable at either guard position … Understands when to take it to the rim, pull-up for a jumper, or pass the ball to an open teammate … Shifty. Gets by opponents using fakes, despite lacking an explosive first step … Moves without the ball. Gets open off of screens … Uses his ambidexterity to shift directions and attack the rim going left or right … Solid defensive instincts, evidenced by his 1.9 steals per game as a sophomore at Virginia Tech … Has the ability to play off of pick and roll and knock down spot-up jumpers … Averaged a fair amount of assists per game (4.0), which is very impressive for being the second ball-handling option behind Justin Robinson … Led the Hokies in scoring (16.2 ppg) this past season …","cons":"Can improve as a vocal leader … Not an incredibly explosive athlete … Has room to get stronger in both upper and lower body. Can improve finishing in traffic … Can improve midrange game, both shooting and floater … Lets the game come to him but could be more aggressive on the offensive end. Could try to draw more fouls … Willing defender but not the most physical player …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Spencer Dinwiddie/Jordan Clarkson","date_of_birth":"9/2/98","hometown":"Toronto, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"Hamilton Heights Christian","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":27,"big_board_rank":19,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Goga Bitadze","year":2019,"height":83,"weight":250,"school":"Rep. of Georgia","pros":"Good size for his position… Solid wingspan, measured at 7’2”… Has good balance and mobility for his size … Very strong kid … He is not a great athlete, but he is sneaky athletic … When he has time to gather he can finish strong at the rim … He is a high energy player, who loves banging in the post … He is a competitor, who playes with passion and is not afraid of contact … Has improved his body considerably through the years and has lost the baby fat he was carrying … He runs the floor well for a big … He likes to spend time in the post … He has nice footwork in the post and has shown the ability to turn over both shoulders … Has a nice right jump hook as a go-to move … Has improved his midrange shot and he is actually a threat from 15-20 feet … Sets good screens on and off the ball … His good footwork makes him effective in pick n’ roll situations … Has shown the ability to roll hard to the basket after he sets a screen in pick n’ roll situations … He has good hands and can score on the move … Has been used a lot in pick n’ pop situations with good results … Has tried to faceup with mixed results for now … Has Stretch big potential … He is a solid free throw shooter … Very good rebounder, with this being probably his most translatable skill at the next level for now … Rarely forgets to box out on defense and has a good feel for positioning … He is relentless on the offensive glass and puts a lot of pressure on his opponents … Willing passer … A good shot blocker with good timing … Has active hands on defense … Not afraid to band bodies when defending in the post …","cons":"He lacks explosiveness … He is not a huge leaper … His second jump isn’t always as strong as the first … His body has improved, but he must continue bulking up … Lower body needs work … Very emotional player, which isn’t always good, since at time he loses focus for a few plays … He is a little clumsy at times on both ends of the floor … He might not be afraid of contact, but bigger and more experienced opponents can make life difficult for him on defense … He doesn’t always finish strong at the rim, which leads to bad misses around the basket … Has problems finishing through contact and in traffic … He is not a consistent shooter for now … His free throw shooting could improve … He must be able to mix it up when he plays with his back to the basket, maybe add some up and under moves … He doesn’t know how to read double-teams for now … His passing needs work … Turnover prone, mainly due to inexperience … His pick n’ roll defense needs work … He is a willing defender on pick n’ roll situations and has a good low stance, but his average lateral quickness limits him … He “bites” on fakes and commits bad fouls … He really needs to learn the law of verticality and not just go for the block all the time … Can be foul prone due to his clumsiness and emotional playing … At times he loses focus when he defends away of the ball…Overall: Goga Bitadze has improved through the years … He started as a low post player, but has shown the ability to become a stretch big in the future … If he manages to become a consistent threat from the perimeter and continue working on his body, he will be a really interesting prospect …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Nenad Krstic/Jusuf Nurkic","date_of_birth":"7/20/99","hometown":"Sagarejo, Georgia","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"international_team":"Mega Bemax","athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":15,"big_board_rank":14,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Luka Samanic","year":2019,"height":83,"weight":230,"school":"Croatia","pros":"Versatile combo forward, who can do just about everything on offense … Good basketball I.Q… Acceptable size to play either forward position… Good athlete, light on his feet … Has nice jumping ability off two feet when he has time to gather … He moves smoothly on the court and things look to come natural to him… Nice cordination and body control for his size and age … Mobile, new generation big, who can run the floor with the best of them … Very good on the open floor … Doesn’t have an explosive first step, but it’s quick enough to help him attack his opponent … Can play above the rim… He has a natural thin frame, but his shoulders are wide enough and can fill out his body nicely … Has the talent and skillset to become an In-and-Out threat on offense… Can either Face Up or Post up his opponent … Has the talent and the upside to become a threat on either Pick and Roll or Pick and Pop situation … Nice looking jump shot… Has nice range in his shot, going all the way to the 3-point line … Above average in Spot Up situations and improving… Can put the ball on the floor and attack closeouts … Likes to finish plays strong at the rim with dunks … Doesn’t shy away from contact and isn’t afraid to go against big bodies in the paint … Possesses very good footwork in the post and has a nice post up game, with some spin and up and under moves … Moves well without the ball, finding the open space on the opponent’s defense … He handles the ball like a wing and has a variety of dribble moves (reverse, behind the back dribble) well beyond the level of a typical power forward … Good rebounder, who attacks the offensive boards… Has nice court vision and makes some good passes … Better passer than most people think… His basketball I.Q. helps him on defense, since he knows just where to stand, anticipanting plays … He has the talent and the instinct to be an acceptable defender when he is motivated and focused … Has a solid standing reach (8-11 feet) despite short wingspan …","cons":"Motor is questionable, can come and go, even during the same game … Has stretches where he just disappears from the game… Can easily lose concentration… He gives the impression that leaves something to be desired because of his incosistency … Good, but not an elite athlete …Needs to continue bulking up his body… Average length and wingspan (measured at just 6-10.5 feet)  … Has a nice bounce, but when he doesn’t have room to gather he looks limited against athletic players … Incosistent shooter… His shooting stroke looks nice, but the truth is that he hasn’t really shot the ball well in his career … He doesn’t shy away from contact, but his body isn’t really ready to withstand it just yet … Has problems against physical defenders and he even had problems at the junior level against less physical opponents … He settles for bad shoots when he has to go against physical defenders… Occasionally he just stands still on the perimeter waiting, not doing anything … Decision making can be iffy at times … Some of his moves on the post aren’t “clean” enough, since he can rush things … Has the tendency to go in to traffic after attacking a close out defense, giving the impression that he has decided what to do from the beginning … He can turn from either shoulder while posting up, but in reality he prefers to turn on his left shoulder, which can make his game predictable … Turnover prone, he might telegraph passes, or try passes that just aren’t there … For the time being he is not strong enough to guard power forwards and doesn’t have the necessary lateral quickness to guard wings … Bigger opponents can bully him in the post and score on him because of the difference in strength … Doesn’t always have a low stance on defense and depends too much on his athleticism … Perimeter defense is an issue, since he gets beat by quick and explosive players… Has problems guarding the Pick and Roll because of his average lateral quickness and occasionaly lethargic approach on defense…Overall: Luka Samanic is an extremely talented combo forward … On paper he can do just about everything on the offensive end of the floor and this is the main reason there has been so much buzz around him the last couple of years … At the same time, his questionable motor is probably the biggest concern … If he manages to stay motivated and focused, the future could be bright for him, since he has all the necessary tools to become a very good player …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Donatas Motiejunas/Nikola Mirotic","date_of_birth":"1/9/00","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":6,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":29,"big_board_rank":29,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Matisse Thybulle","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":200,"school":"Washington","pros":"A lock down defender who has potential to be utilized in the same role at the next level … Has good size for an NBA wing (6’5” and 195 pounds, and a 7 foot wingspan) … Very alert and active on defense … Does a great job disrupting passing lanes … Uses his length and wingspan to his advantage recording both steals and blocks (3.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game) … Great reflexes and timing on his reactions, helping with both blocks and steals … Really good feel for the game on defense. Seems to be wired to put as much attention on that end as on offense … He has excellent physical tools … He really anchored Washington’s 2-3 zone … Can put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. Can throw it down with ease … Really dangerous in the open floor … Capable of making open threes, just needs to get more consistent … Plays with a lot of energy. Has a good motor … Solid overall free throw shooting and three point numbers in junior year lead to optimism about his offensive potential … Considered one of the draft’s top individuals off the court …","cons":"Needs to get more comfortable on offense … Sometimes forces things a bit … Shooting needs to improve. Lacks consistency … Has the ability to make threes, but not yet at a consistent rate … Great defender, but his offense needs to catch up … Ball handling needs to improve; handle is a bit loose … While his defensive numbers improved over his career, his shooting from the field actually regressed from his junior year to his senior year … As a junior, he averaged 11.2 points per game on 44.5% shooting from the field and 36.5% shooting from 3-point range … As a senior he averaged 9.1 points per game on 41.5% shooting from the field and 30.5% shooting from 3-point range. Foul shooting has been an overall strength of his (78.2%) for his career, but it has been very up and down at the same time. 71.4% as a freshman and as a junior. 84.1% as a sophomore and 85.1% as a senior … Overall: There’s a lot to like about Thybulle from a defensive standpoint … He blocks shots and gets steals at a phenomenal clip and with improved offensive abilities has the potential to be a really good two-way player in the NBA … If his offense can improve, the sky is the limit to what he can accomplish … If his offense remains shaky, he projects to be much more of a defensive specialist … He’s one of those players where fit matters a lot … He needs to get with a team that is able to utilize his unique skillsets and be patient with him as he develops … He’ll probably need to spend some time in the G-League, underscoring the importance of finding that right fit …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Thabo Sefolosha/Andre Roberson","date_of_birth":"3/4/97","hometown":"Sammamish, WA","high_school":"Eastside Catholic","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":9,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":17,"big_board_rank":15,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Brandon Clarke","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":210,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Bouncy, undersized big who plays with tremendous explosiveness and energy … He is a strong finisher around the basket … He’s shown the ability to score off the dribble … He’s able to score from the low post against certain matchups … He’s great at scoring on off ball motion plays … He is a great rebounder, averaging over 8 a game the last couple years … He is very good on the defensive end of the floor, as a help defender and on the ball … An amazing shot blocker for a 6’8 forward, he averaged over 3 blocks per game this past season …  Along with the 3+ blocks, he averaged over 1 steal per game … He has a non-stop motor to go along with his elte athleticism … He has great timing when he goes to contest shots at the rim … He rarely fouls despite contesting a lot of shots … He’s rarely out of control despite how hard he plays … He’s capable of switching screens and defending players on the perimeter … In the NBA he’ll need that skill with how the game is played today … He plays within himself and doesn’t take shots out of his skill set……. He has great touch around the basket … He’s capable of guarding four different positions … His athleticism can make him a great help defender at the next level … He runs the floor very well in transition … He’s a good finisher in traffic …","cons":"Does not have ideal size or strength to play in the post at the next level … Lacks length with just a 6’8.25 wingpsan on his 6’8 (in shoes) frame … To make matters worse he weighed in at the combine at just 207 lbs, which is concerning considering his age … Will turn 23 in September, making him older for a first round draft prospect … Revamped his jumpshot in his redshirt, transfer year, but still has work to do on it … He needs to improve the range and consistency on his perimeter jump shot …  He shot only 27% from the 3-point line last season … He doesn’t look comfortable shooting unless he is wide open … His reluctancy to shoot could affect his team’s offensive rhythm … He struggles at the free throw line, he shot 69% from the line last season … He needs to extend his shooting range in order to not be a liability on the floor at the next level … He’s not a great ball handler which can lead to turnovers against NBA players … He can be careless at times with the basketball, which NBA teams will make him pay for … He can be undisciplined at times on the defensive end … At times going for blocks too often puts him and the team out of position …  He needs to increase his playmaking skills to make himself more versatile on the offensive end of the floor … His lack of a jump shot will limit his options to blow by his defenders on the closeouts …Outlook: Clarke has a lot of potential to be a great defensive player with room to grow on the offensive end … His ability to defend multiple positions will make him coveted in the league … He needs to improve his shooting however so that he won’t be taken off the floor in certain situations … He’s projected to be a mid to late first round pick. Any team that picks him will have to be willing to spend the time developing him into the player he can be.","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Jordan Bell","date_of_birth":"9/19/96","hometown":"Phoenix, AZ","high_school":"Desert Vista","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":9,"size":6,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":25,"big_board_rank":23,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Grant Williams","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":240,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Solid finisher around the basket … Quality low-post scorer … Capable shooter … Great competitor with feel for the game … Above-average facilitator/playmaker, especially from the post where he has great vision and makes the correct pass out of double-teams … Versatile defender where he can guard the post, but is also capable to switch onto a wing … 6’11 wingspan which allows him to out-rebound taller/more athletic players down low … Great mid-range and free throw shooter, has improved each year from the line. Also, capable of knocking down shots from beyond the arc (32.6%) … Capable shot blocker, averaged 1.3+ BPG during his three years at Tennessee … Very strong which allows him to finish through contact and carve out space in the paint … Where Williams lacks in athleticism and height, he makes up for it with strength, play-making ability, and motor … High motor, constantly hustles and demonstrates leadership on the court … High basketball IQ which leads to his above-average playmaking ability … Played with talented players during his tenure at Tennessee (Player: Admiral Schofield), (Player: Jordan Bone), and is capable in terms of sharing the basketball and the spotlight … Was the centerpiece during his time at Tennessee while winning back-to-back SEC Player of the Year Awards and was always a leader and set the example … Key to his game is versatility where he continues to show improvement in each area","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Mike Scott","date_of_birth":"11/30/98","hometown":"Charlotte, NC","high_school":"Providence Day","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":6,"size":6,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":39,"big_board_rank":46,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Darius Bazley","year":2019,"height":81,"weight":210,"school":"USA","pros":"6’10 versatile forward … Good length with a near 7’0 wingspan and 8’11 standing reach … Natural athleticism and versatility. Very fluid and coordinated. Quick first step. Good slashing ability … Can get to the rim and finish with either hand. Shot 46.2% from the floor over the Nike EYBL … Can hit the pull up jumper. Good arc on shot. Scores well from midrange and shows developing touch from three … Shot 40% from three at the NBPA Top 100 … Can score inside and out … Reliable free throw shooter. Shot 82.4% from the foul line over the Nike EYBL and 78.6% at the NBPA Top 100 … Rebounds very well with good elevation. Finished top ten in rebounds over the Nike EYBL with 9.4 per game and 3.3 coming on the offensive end. Finished third in rebounding at the NBPA Top 100 with 7.6 per game. Can grab a rebound and take it to the other end of the floor. Can cover a lot of ground in minimal dribbles … Great tools as a versatile defender with his length and athleticism. Averaged 1.5 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL and 0.9 per game at the NBPA Top 100 … Unselfish … Big time potential. Naturally has variety to his game, can show much improvement by getting better at what he already does at a basic level without having to completely add new dimensions to his game … Younger for his class, will turn 19 a few weeks before the draft …","cons":"While very talented he’s still raw … And losing a potential (NCAA) season or even G-League season of development doesn’t help matters …  His feel for the game is lacking at this stage in development … Understanding when to score and when to move the ball within the offense will benefit him … Doesn’t have a consistent way to get baskets in the half court … Still improving his jump shot consistency … His elbow jets out, causing his misses to go off to the side … Developing a post-game would benefit him as he has a size advantage over most players defending him … Has room to add strength, only weighing in the 200 pound range … Gets bumped off his path when driving at times … Needs to tighten up his handle, struggles to use it to beat his man … Can slash to the basket but can improve breaking down the defense … Gets loose with the ball in traffic. Averaged 1.9 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL … Solid court vision but telegraphs passes at times … A bit out of control at times … Needs to perform more consistently … Still putting his tools and talent together to form in game production …Outlook: Former Ohio State and Syracuse commit but decided to enter the G League, and then ultimately decided to just sit out the season and train for the NBA … Scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the McDonald’s All-American Game … Scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds (six offensive) in the Jordan Brand Classic … Played in the Nike Hoop Summit … Averaged 15.4 points per game over the Nike EYBL … Averaged 12.3 points per game at the NBPA Top 100 …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Melvin Frazier","date_of_birth":"6/12/00","hometown":"Cincinnati, OH","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":31,"big_board_rank":37,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ty Jerome","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":195,"school":"Virginia","pros":"Ideal size for the point guard position with a 6’5’’ frame … Passing is better than most combo guards entering the draft, averaging 5.4 assists his junior season … Plays with incredible efficiency … Quick decision-making ability … Efficient three-point shooter, shooting nearly 40% over his career … One of his biggest strengths is his lock-down defense … Uses his size to his advantage when guarding both on and off the ball … He is lengthy enough to guard multiple positions … Great awareness that allows him to beat offensive players to the spot … Uses hesitation moves to get into the lane … Can effectively score at the rim with either hand … One of the better spot-up shooters in college basketball … Fouls at a very low rate … Handles the ball well … Turns over the ball less than 15% of possessions … Despite a lack of athleticism, he is a big-time shooter that creates plays for himself and his teammates … Makes up for physical shortcomings with great intagibles … Shows the ability to make those around him better … Plays with a lot of confidence and swagger … Has a competitive edge and knocks down shots in tough moments … Raises his level of play in big situations … Reliable free throw shooter (Hovering around 80% for his career) … Solid rebounder for a point guard at 4.0 per game … Can post up smaller players …","cons":"Possesses less than ideal physical tools … Lacks the speed and athleticism that is prominent in the NBA … He is often slower than every ACC guard he has competed against … Has a difficult time creating separation on offense … Struggles to keep up with extremely quick players on defense … His subpar athleticism will likely be exposed at the next level … Often shoots spot-up jumers, but must improve shooting off-the-dribble if he wants to succeed … Needs to add some strength and muscle … Does not have as high of a ceiling as most of the prospects entering the draft because of his lower-athletic ability …Outlook: While Ty Jerome’s below-average speed and athleticism will likely prevent him from being a stand-out player in the NBA, he has the mental makeup to succeed … He has enough awareness and a high IQ that is capable of snagging a starting point guard spot or running a second unit … Projected to be a solid backup who can score, defend and provide much-needed energy off the bench … Virginia’s run in the NCAA tournament will certainly silence many doubters and possibly secure Jerome a first round pick in the NBA Draft …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"NBA Comparison: Greivis Vasquez","date_of_birth":"7/8/97","hometown":"New Rochelle, NY","high_school":"Iona Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":6,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":6,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":20,"big_board_rank":32,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Nassir Little","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":225,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"6’6 220 lb. two-way, athletic forward … Explosive finisher with a quick first step … Excellent size/length with a 7’1 wingspan and and a 8’9 standing reach … High-energy finisher … Active perimeter defender and plays the passing lanes… Solid frame. Not afraid to absorb contact and get to the free throw line … Finishes well and powers through contact extremely well … Dynamic slasher who creates a lot of baskets through aggresiveness … Athletic rebounder, not afraid to bang down low with bigger, stronger players … Can use his size and athleticism to his advantage … Prideful defender who will take on the toughest defensive assignment … Recognizes and takes advantage of mismatches … Finishes at the rim with both hands … Unselfish passer … Quick feet, with the ability to defend  … Exceptional offensive rebounder who follows shots and excels in crashing the boards … Has good hands, able to catch tough passes and grab rebounds outside  his immediate area  … Good speed in the open court and difficult to defend on the fast break without fouling …. Shows solid defensive anticipation … Free throw percentage (77.8%) gives optimism about his ability to become a better mid range and outside shooter … Plays with a steady motor … Form on his shot shows solid mechanics, but still needs to work on connecting more consistently and shooting in rhythm … Was productive when given opportunities, considering he only played 18 minutes per game …","cons":"Struggled with consistency as a freshman … Doesn’t exhibit the instincts of a natural scorer … Has yet to develop any real ability to create offense off the dribble or as a shooter … Basketball IQ and feel for the game don’t always appear to be top notch … Not the most fluid of athletes, somewhat rigid body and offensive moves can appear predetermined … Only shot 28 percent from 3-point range in the regular season of his freshman year … At times can be too dependent upon his physical gifts … Merely outclassing opponents physically won’t be succesful at the next level … Still has room to improve with shot selection and can continue to develop a more well-rounded mid-range game … Can improve in pick and roll game, has the potential to be either the playmaker or cutter in a pick and roll situation … Should look to improve upon limiting turnovers … Good spacer of the floor but can still improve in moving without the basketball …Outlook: Little is a bit of a boom or bust type of prospect as he is likely to be drafted on his potential and still has a long ways to go to realize it … He’s been compared to Kawhi Leonard by media outlets, which sets the bar extremely high and also helps his stock, but is probably an unrealistic comparison … He may struggle in his first season or two in the league … With the physical tools and size for his position, there is plenty of room for Little to improve … While he struggled to live up to expectations scoring just 10 ppg, coming off the bench for the Tar Heels, apologists note that many talented players struggle in their freshman seasons in Roy Williams UNC system …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Gerald Wallace","date_of_birth":"2/11/00","hometown":"Orange Park, FL","high_school":"Orlando Christian","rebounding":7,"potential":9,"post_skills":6,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":9,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":12,"big_board_rank":8,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Dylan Windler","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":195,"school":"Belmont","pros":"Mid-Major lefty swingman, Dylan Windler, has drawn some serious buzz after putting up a monster senior season, and displaying the type of long range shooting NBA teams covet … Windler’s superb stroke was displayed in many different ways … Dylan nailed 100 threes as a senior at 42.9% shooting on 7.1 attempts per contest … This type of production isn’t a new development in his game as he hit 42.9% his junior season, and 40% as a soph. He’s great at coming off screens and floating the corners to get open shots … Windler needs very little time to catch and setup for his shot, and his left handed release can sometimes catch defenders off guard … Playing in a fast paced Belmont offense many of his 3’s this season came in transition which will aid in his translation to the NBA landscape … Additionally, at 6’7.5” in shoes and sporting an 8’8.5” standing reach, he’s plenty tall  to get his shot off in the league … Windler is also an aggressive player, who not only hunts for his shot, but hustles for rebounds, and takes advantages of cutting opportunities to get shots at the rim … His 10.8 rebounds per game is a very good level for a player who spends so much time around the perimeter, and his 1.9 offensive rebounds per contest lead to 23 second chance buckets … Another plus regarding his rebounding is that he’s really good at pushing the pace after collecting a miss on the defensive end … As rebounding is one of the most translatable skills to the NBA, while Windler is not elite in terms of positional size and athletic ability, he measures out pretty well and project to at least be solid on the glass … With a 6’10” wingspan, a 2.94 second shuttle and a 37.5” max vertical, Dylan tested really well when compared to his peers … He’s not really a slasher, but  works off cuts well, and often finishes above the rim … He shot a very good 74.5% at the rim last season(hoop-math.com) and converts free throws at an 84.7% clip … A low mistake player, who only averaged 2.1 TO’s per game despite being a focal point in Belmont’s offense … Very methodical, Dylan uses spacing well, and will likely benefit from the deeper NBA three point line …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Rasual Butler","date_of_birth":"9/22/96","hometown":"Indianapolis, IN","high_school":"Perry Meridian","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":6,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":28,"big_board_rank":28,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Mfiondu Kabengele","year":2019,"height":82,"weight":255,"school":"Florida St.","pros":"At 6’10’’, 250 pounds, he possesses a body that NBA teams covet … Led the Seminoles in scoring (13.2 ppg) this past season despite coming off the bench and playing just 21.6 minutes per game … Takes advantage of his limited playing time and dominates both ends of the floor … Extremely long with a 7’3 wingspan … Crashes the offensive glass (2.1 offensive rebounds per game) … Is a factor as a shotblocker, evidenced by his 56 total blocks on the year … Dominates the rim against smaller frontlines … Versatile offensive player … Shoots well from three-point range (37%) for a player of his size … 76% FT shooter reinforces the idea that he can become a solid outside shooter at the next level … Finishes well in the paint and sticks with guards on the perimeter defensively … Climbed up the draft boards after averaging 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in Florida State’s first two NCAA tournament games against Vermont and Murray State, shooting 64% from the field … Was a defensive menace in the ACC tournament, recording 2.7 blocks per game against Virginia Tech, Virginia and Duke …","cons":"Lacks in many aspects of decision making, specifically as a passer… Averaged just 0.3 assists per game on the season … Not incredibly quick … Moves a bit gingerly and wears big knee pads which give the appearance that his knees are not extremely strong …  Has to improve his ball-handling skills … Is very foul prone, fouling nearly three times per game in limited playing time … Developing the ability to consistently knock down jump shots is one of the main areas he needs to improve in … Is a redshirt sophomore and already the age of a junior …  Outlook: His stock has been boosted tremendously this March … Projected as a late first round or early second round pick after being one of the biggest risers in this year’s NCAA tournament … Possesses the size, athleticism and a clear skill-set that is desired by NBA teams … Could use an additional season at Florida State …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Vin Baker","date_of_birth":"8/14/97","hometown":"Burlington, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"Don Bosco Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":9,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":6,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":19,"big_board_rank":13,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jordan Poole","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":190,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Shooting guard who can flat out shoot the long ball … Shows some combo ability … Able to spot up or shoot off the dribble comfortably … Strong ball handler who can create for himself and others … An exceptional passer at the 2 spot … Solid finisher around the rim … Can finish with either hand … Demonstrates a variety of different moves offensively … 6’6.75 wingspan … Overall a solid perimeter defender … Not afraid of the moment and taking the big shot … Turned 20 a day before the 2019 NBA draft …","cons":"needs to add core strength in order to contend with 2-guards at the next level … Has to take better care of the basketball and be more consistent limiting turnovers … Does not necessarily jump out of the gym compared to more athletic guards so shooting has to remain consistent … Nonchalant at times … Can improve on playmaking ability …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Wayne Ellington","date_of_birth":"6/19/99","hometown":"Milwaukee, WI","high_school":"La Lumiere","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":81,"big_board_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Keldon Johnson","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":215,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Athletic wing who plays with a lot of heart and determination … Has an explosive first step that he uses to get by defenders to the rim … He’s great at finishing around the basket … He’s a good three-point shooter … He shot 38% from behind the arc this season on just over three attempts per game … He’s a great athlete with strong arms which will make a coveted player at the next level … He has great leaping ability which will make him fun to watch in transition … He has a solid floater that he uses to score over bigger defenders … His body is NBA ready for a shooting guard… At 6’6 211, he will come into the NBA ready to defend either guard position … He has a lot of potential on the defensive side of the ball … He has good balance and length that can give any opponents problems trying to score on him … He has the strength and the will to fight through screens … He’s a solid scorer off the dribble … When a smaller player is on him, he can post them up … He’s a good rebounder at his position, averaging nearly six rebounds per game … He has a good motor … He’s a well-rounded player who’s adept at a lot of things…. Willing to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor … He knows how to find the open spots on the floor off the ball…. He is also good at finding open shooters on the perimeter … He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be a threat on the offensive end of the floor…… Has shown the desire to guard his man the full length of the court … His defensive impact doesn’t show up on the stat sheet … A winner. A natural leader with very good intangibles …","cons":"He will need to improve on his free throw shooting at the next level … He shot 70%, which is low for a guard … He is reluctant to shoot three pointers at times and takes the offense out of its rhythm … He is an inconsistent 3-point shooter … At times his athleticism can cause him to get out of control going to the rim and miss layups … Deflections are nice and takes opposing offenses out of rhythm, but he needs to use his athleticism to generate more turnovers for his team…. He averaged less than one steal and block per game … He needs to improve his catch and shoot game, as well as his shooting coming off the pick and roll … He can be over-aggressive at times and pick up unnecessary fouls at times … He is good at a lot of things, but not great at any one skill … Needs to improve his playmaking ability… He averaged as many assists as he did turnovers … He is great at straight line drives, but when going east to west he lacks creativity when getting past opponents and finishing at the rim…. He needs to work on his footwork when sizing up his opponents … His shooting motion is slow in catch and shoot situations, which leads to defenders being able to contest his shots on closeouts … He over-penetrates at times instead of shooting the open shots that present themselves …Outlook: Keldon Johnson right now is projected to be a lottery pick in this year’s NBA draft … He projects to be the ideal 3&D player, which a lot of teams need in today’s league … He has the size and athleticism to guard 1-3s and even some small ball 4s. He needs to work on his confidence taking 3 pointers because that will open more opportunities for him to use his explosiveness at the rim. A team in need of perimeter defenders and athleticism will be a perfect fit for him. With right coaching staff around him in the NBA, he could eventually develop into a potential all-star …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Corey Maggette","date_of_birth":"10/11/99","hometown":"South Hill, VA","high_school":"Oak Hill Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":14,"big_board_rank":9,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kevin Porter Jr.","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":215,"school":"USC","pros":"2-guard who started the season out extremly strong and is a talented player when focused and motivated … Pretty strong and has a good body for an NBA wing (6’6”, 218 pounds) that has yet to turn 19 … Strong Isolation player with a number of ways to score … Idolizes James Harden and has polished a few of his moves … Has the ability to nail step-back jumpers … Handles the ball well with combo guard potential … Has potential to be a good shooter (41.2% from 3-point range) … Can push it in transition as he has good speed … Has NBA level athleticism … Very quick … Can jump really high and explode to the rim … Does a good job finishing around the rim … Really good slasher … Has a good nose for the ball … He’s willing to crash the glass (7.2 rebounds per 40 minutes) … Good at scoring off tip ins and put backs … Aggressive … Plays to the whistle. Pretty alert defender … Has the tools to be a good NBA defender … Has the ability to force turnovers and go coast-to-coast for the slam (1.5 steals per 40 minutes) … Has a great deal of potential if he gets into the right situation and dedicates himself to becoming a focused professional … Plays with a swagger …","cons":"Needs to improve his shot selection … Doesn’t always make the right play … Decision making as a whole needs to improve … Has a tendency to get out of control (1.4 assists & 1.9 turnovers per game) … Foul shooting needs to improve (52.2%). Would benefit from another year in school to polish his game and become a impact performer throughout the season … Didn’t get a ton of minutes his freshman year (22.1) so his sample size is a bit small … Talking to NBA scouts regarding Porter, there are a lot of off court concerns surrounding maturity and decision making … Has had a number of well documaneted incidents including a run in with Coach Andy Enfield, and it’s safe to say that Porter doesn’t have the best reputation for being a mature, team focused guy … Lacks discipline, focus, structure …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Deshawn Stevenson","date_of_birth":"5/4/00","hometown":"South Seattle, WA","high_school":"Rainier Beach","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":6,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":26,"big_board_rank":35,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"KZ Okpala","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":210,"school":"Stanford","pros":"Great size and length for a wing (6’8”, 195 pounds) … Very athletic. Can throw it down with ease … Explosive athlete … Dangerous in the open court with the ball … Has the tools to guard multiple positions on the floor (2-4, maybe some 1s) … Runs the floor really well in transition … Handles the rock well … Very comfortable with the ball in his hands … Very quick with the ball … Does a good job using the triple-threat … Has a bit of an unorthodox shot, but did a good job improving it over the summer … Shot 22.6% from 3-point range as a freshman on 1.3 attempts per game … As a sophomore, he’s shooting 44.8% from 3-point range on 3.1 attempts per game … Capable of making shots with a hand in his face … You have to guard him close out on  the perimeter … Not a selfish player … Willing to find the open man for the easy basket … Smart player … Can drive and kick out to open shooters … Moves well without the ball … Flashes to the high post, comes off screens, and knows how to get open … When he attacks the rim, he’s very difficult to stop … Few players have the length to really give him trouble … Finishes well inside … Very versatile … Solid rebounder (6.0 per game) …","cons":"Defense could improve … Especially when going up against quicker ball handlers that can attack the rim … For having so much height and weight, he doesn’t block a lot of shots (0.7 per game) or get a lot of steals (0.9 per game) … Needs to learn how to take more advantage of his physical tools to be more disruptive on defense … He needs to add weight to hang with NBA wings and forwards. He struggled at times against Arizona State’s Luguentz Dort (6’4”, 215 pounds) … Sometimes loses his man and gets beat … Effort needs to improve … Needs to learn how to fight through screens … Commits 2.6 fouls per game … Sometimes he’s a bit too afraid to pick up the foul, resulting in blow buys … Doesn’t finish through contact as well as he should … Needs to improve his physicality inside and learn how to throw it down in traffic with more regularity … While his shot has improved, he still has more work to do … He’s a good college 3-point shooter, but needs to be able to extend his range to the NBA 3-point line … Free throw percentage needs to improve (69.4%) …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Rodney Hood","date_of_birth":"4/28/99","hometown":"Anaheim, CA","high_school":"Esperanza","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":30,"big_board_rank":24,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Carsen Edwards","year":2019,"height":72,"weight":200,"school":"Purdue","position":"Point Guard","date_of_birth":"3/12/98","hometown":"Humble, TX","high_school":"Atascocita","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":6,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":6,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":32,"big_board_rank":36,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Bruno Fernando","year":2019,"height":82,"weight":240,"school":"Maryland","pros":"A high level run jump athlete at the center position …  Explosive finisher and alley-oop target, with great bounce, especially off of two feet … Very solid touch and shooting ability for a big  … Shows excellent form and touch shooting the ball (a career 75% ft shooter) … Has become a load on the block … Has excellent footwork in the post with solid ability to establish position and seal his man for jump hooks and drop steps … Has a developing turn around hook shot over his left shoulder … Possesses excellent hands, showing an ability to catch entry passes and make plays with the ball without having to focus any attention to it … Has learned solid skill on the block, with the ability to seal his man, create a wide base for teammates to find him with passes, and can make plays quickly after establishing advantageous position … Has developed a bag of tricks in the paint with spin moves and up-and-unders. Does a great job of not predetermining his moves and really gives defenders trouble with his foot work and ball fakes … His hands appear to be just as good as his feet …  Creates space offensively by bumping his defender off balance … Finishes well in the paint, whether it be with a dunk or baby hooks … Ambidextrous, showing the ability to finish well with both his left and dominant right hand … Very good touch. And an above average FT shooter for a big … Enjoys contact. Displays great toughness and a willingness to give up his body for rebounds … Very strong body and should only continue to add to his muscular frame … While his skill set is more that of a traditional big with a focus on his post game, his size, mobility and touch give him potential as a modern day big, and his ability to move his feet and defend guards on pick and rolls gives him added intrigue … Has really improved as an offensive player, showing confidence facing the basket from the perimeter and can make plays attacking the basket off the dribble … He’s able to take opponents off the bounce with a quick first step and can get to the rim without drawing charges or turning the ball over. A sign of his coach-ability and dedication to improving his game … Finishes well on the move … Also has the ability to one dribble pull up from 10-12 feet if the defense sags off him … Young man with a lot of maturity and composure. Has a calm, confident demeanor and never seems to lose his cool, or get rattled … Has a real presence about him, doesn’t shy away from competition or the limelight and shows a steady demeanor and confidence to handle adversity and tough situations … His feel for the game has shown steady improvement, and he apparently made an excellent decision to return to Maryland for his sophomore year, despite being a likely first rounder as a FR … Excellent 7-plus foot wingspan gives him good length at 6’10 …","cons":"Still unproven to some degree against quality competition, though this season he has begun to show what he can do against higher level opponents … Offensive game, while promising is still a work in progress … Still not the most prolific of scorers at 15 ppg after averaging 10 ppg as a freshman in the Big Ten … While he has come a long way in a short time, still must continue to improve upon his feel for the game … At times is slow to recognize double teams and will take the ball into the teeth of defenders, instead of working the ball out for a better look … His ball handling has really grown into a strength, but can still be sloppy and lead to turnovers … Doesn’t have range out past 12-15 feet at this point. While his form and touch suggest he could develop a 3 point shot, to this point he has not been able to add that element to his game … His passing at times can be sloppy, though his 2 assists per game are solid for a big and show that he’s not a black hole on offense … Perhaps just slightly undersized at the center position at 6’10 … Will be 21 (August 15th) before the 2019 NBA Season begins, so his upside is not as intriguing as a true freshman … Not the most formidable shot blocker or rim protector, though he’s solid in this area with a chance to improve. He’ll need to focus more attention to this area of the game …Outlook: Has a very bright future with the amount of improvement he’s shown over his two years at Maryland … At times his play evokes memories of Hakeem Olajuwon with his spin moves and baby hooks. He’s still got a long ways to go in terms of offensive polish, and doesn’t have nearly the same dynamic explosiveness and athleticism … But his patience and clever ability to create baskets give his game shades of Hakeem … If he can continue to expand his offensive game and extend his range and shot blocking ability, he can develop into one of the top centers of his generation at the next level … he figures to be the top center available in this year’s draft …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Steven Adams/Serge Ibaka","date_of_birth":"8/15/98","hometown":"Luanda, Angola","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":21,"big_board_rank":10,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cody Martin","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":190,"school":"Nevada","position":"Shooting Guard","date_of_birth":"9/28/95","hometown":"Mocksville, NC","high_school":"Oak Hill Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":97,"big_board_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Deividas Sirvydis","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":195,"school":"Lithuania","pros":"Versatile lefty forward … Has ideal size for a wing … High basketball I.Q and makes a lot of smart plays, especially on the offensive end of the floor … Excellent feel for the game … Can play 3 positions, from shooting guard (on big lineups) to power forward (on small lineups) … Has a great looking Jump Shot … Excellent shooter in just about every situation … Possesses a quick shooting release and needs minimum time to shoot the ball … Very good on Catch and Shoot situations and also in Spot up situations … Moves well without the ball … Knows his way around screens and can be a threat in flair and curl actions … Role player potential as a 3-point specialist … Can Shoot off the dribble and has an interesting Step Back shot in his repertoire … Attacks closeouts and either goes all the way to the basket (mainly going on his left) or creating for a teammate … He can create problems when he receives the ball on the move, because when he is one step ahead of his defender can cover his athletic limitations … Doesn’t force things on offense, lets game come to him … He is a willing passer … Can start the fast break and either find the open teammate or do an occasional coast to coast … Fills the lanes in transition and knows where to stand to create advantage for his team, mainly going to the corner for spacing reasons … Makes the extra pass … Good passer on the move, having the ability to find the open man… He can even find a player on the weak side and see different angles when passing … Has shown encouraging signs as the ball handler in Pick and Roll situations, but in limited sample… In the future he could be a threat as a secondary creator for a team … Willing help defender … Fills the passing lanes on defense … Above average rebounder on the defensive end …","cons":"Below average athlete by NBA standards … Upper body needs to fill up … Doesn’t really have bounce, which can be a problem at the next level … Quick, but not an explosive player, with an average first step … Short wingspan (measured at about 6-8, same as his height), which limits him on defense … Ball handling is kind of loose, he doesn’t always dribble with his head up, which leads to turnovers … He can’t always create separation from his defender due to his average athleticism and ball handling … Mid-range game isn’t completely there yet … He can be too passive at times, just standing in a corner waiting for the ball to come to him … Not really effective when his shot isn’t falling, at least just yet … He can’t really mix it up on offense … He doesn’t draw fouls due to his playing style because he isn’t attacking the paint, so he doesn’t really go the line a lot, which is bad because he is a very good free throw shooter … He can suffer from tunnel vision at times while driving to the basket … He occasionally tries difficult passes that just aren’t there … Stronger opponents bully him on the defensive boards … Because he mostly stands in the perimeter, he is not a threat on the offensive board … His post up game is minimal, he isn’t really taking advantage of his size and he can’t exploit mismatches … Has an average lateral quickness … Gambles and goes for the steal, putting pressure on team’s defense … Spaces out on Defense, watching the ball and stays in no man’s land, losing his player … His post up defense is problematic, mainly because he is not strong enough to contain bulkier opponents …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Kyle Singler","date_of_birth":"6/10/00","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"athleticism":7,"size":6,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":78,"big_board_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Daniel Gafford","year":2019,"height":82,"weight":240,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"A long, fluid, bouncy bigman who runs the floor well and brings a solid amount of energy and effort … Not many players have the mobility he posseses along with a 6’11 frame with a 7’2 wingspan … His length and agility give him promise as a defender, rim runner and ally oop specialist at the next level … Excels at crashing the glass and converting put backs … Has shown steady improvement as a post scorer, upping his average from 11.8 ppg to 16.5 ppg between his Frosh and Soph seasons … Has improved in his ability to establish deep position, and does a good job of converting when he gets the ball on the block … Shows a willingness to fight for post position and grab rebounds … 8.7 rebounds is made more impressive considering he plays 28.6 min per game … Can get to rebounds out of his area due to his quick feet …  Has the exploiveness to jump right over many opponents and dunk on them two handed as his two foot leaping and ability to leap even with contact is very good …. Quality experience with two seasons of play in one of the strongest conferences (SEC) in the nation … Effective defender in the post who blocks a solid amount of shots 2.0 per game … Does a good job of drawing fouls and getting to the line (over 6 attempts per game) …","cons":"A below average shooter … Lacks touch on his shot, and it shows on his finishes around the basket as well as his inability to face up and make shots on a consistent basis … Form on his shot is decent, but he just doesn’t seem to have a great natural touch to his shot … Release is more arms and not enough wrist action …Not the most efficient of offensive players. Averages below 60% on free throws through his college career, though his percentage improved slightly from 53% to 58% between his freshman and sophomore seasons …  Has some work to do defensively as he plays a little too upright and struggles when forced into checking small quicker guards on the perimeter … Has a high center of gravity and gets knocked off balance easily … Lacks great vision and passing skills, averaging just 0.8 assists per game … There is some question as to how well his skill set translates to today’s NBA. He lacks great shooting ability (at this point) in order to spread the floor … May struggle some initially with the transition to the next level, due to his lack of offensive skill and polish … Confidence and mental toughness are improving but still a work in progress … Needs to continue to add strength and toughness … At 233 lbs, has gotten stronger, but can still be outmuscled and affected by physical play …Outlook: Made a surprising decision to some to return for his sophomore year and continue to work on his game and enhance his draft stock. Likely did so with the improvement he has exhibited in his skillset and statistics … One of the best bigman athletes available for this year’s draft. His length and athleticism will allow him to stand out at the next level … At his best, Gafford evokes memories of Marcus Camby … Gafford’s length and fluidity is too formidable for many on the college level, but he will need to expand his skill set in order to find the same success at the next level. Expanding his shooting range, and adding some post moves will help his cause …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Chris Andersen","date_of_birth":"10/1/98","hometown":"El Dorado, Arkansas","high_school":"El Dorado","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":6,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":40,"big_board_rank":34,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Alen Smailagic","year":2019,"height":82,"weight":215,"school":"Serbia","pros":"Versatile forward/center, with stretch big potential … Showed great adaptability coming all the way from 3rd-tier Regional Serbian Division, holding his ground against grown men in the G-League as a 18 year old … Has a great motor and is not afraid to go against anyone … High basketball I.Q … He is fairly long, with a 7-2 feet wingspan … Better athlete than most people think … His body is still growing … Has already a nice looking physique, with wide shoulders that suggest that his body can fill up nicely … Moves smoothly on the court for a player his size and has good body control … Has nice soft hands that help him catch the ball with ease… He finishes strong at the basket … Has great footwork on the post and a variety of moves … Possesses a nice shooting form and has shown potential as a shooter … He can put the ball on the floor and he is an above average ball handler for his position … Attacks closeouts … Has some interesting moves in his repertoire, including a floater … Sets good screens on and off the ball… Can play the Pick and Roll at a good level, rolling hard to the basket … Has has also shown potential in Pick and Pop situations… Very good offensive rebounder, puts pressure on his opponent, crashing the glass … Has shown promise as a passer out of the double-team and while he is on the move … Smart defender, who knows how to put his body in the post … He moves constantly on defense and has active hands … Good instincts on covering the passing lanes, that help him make some steals… Has good timing when he contests shoots at the rim and can make some blocks…","cons":"He might be a better athlete than most people think, but he is still just an OK athlete by NBA standards … For now he is kind of undersize for a center, but not athletic enough for a power forward … His inexperience and lack of high level competition shows at times, since he has problems reading some situations on both ends of the floor … He kind of rushes things at times, trying to do things too fast… He is indeed fearless, but until he fills up his body he will have problems against bigger, more experienced opponents… His Face-Up game is still a work in progress… Just a streaky shooter for now, he can’t be considered a consistent threat from the perimeter … His ball handling still needs some polishing, because at times he just loses control of the ball … Has the tendency to put himself in difficult situations, just crushing in bodies when he drives to the basket… His lack of elite athleticism makes it difficult for him to finish in traffic … Just an average defensive rebounder… Has improved, but he still has problems guarding the Pick and Roll, especially if the has to switch on a perimeter player… Below average lateral quickness hurts him when he has to guard on the perimeter … He can lose focus on defense and just standing around after the second or the third defensive rotation … He can’t be considered a rim protector … Needs to trim some baby fat …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Vladimir Radmanovic","date_of_birth":"8/18/00","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":41,"big_board_rank":41,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Justin James","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":180,"school":"Wyoming","pros":"Wiry, athletic wing with good fluidity and experience … Excellent at finishing plays on the break … He’s great at scoring at off motion plays … He’s adequate at scoring when forced to create his own shot … He’s great at generating free throws … He averaged over 8 attempts per game last season … He’s shown the ability to make plays for his teammates when they’re open … He’s good at getting on the boards and bringing down rebounds … He averaged 7.5 rebounds last season … He’s shown solid ability to guard his man and has displayed good IQ on the defensive end of the floor … He’s a good athlete … His scoring increased every year that he’s been in college … He’s a good player coming off the pick and roll …","cons":"He needs to work on his shooting ability … Form lacks great fluisity and an ideal motion … He only shot 30% from the three point line last season … For his college career, he only shot 33%, which was bolstered by an outlier year where he hit over 40% of his shots … He needs to be more careful with the basketball … He averaged 4.2 turnovers per game last season, whch if he doesn’t improve will gift wrap points to other teams in the NBA …  At times he struggles to score in traffic … His shot selection needs work … As evidenced by his 40 percent shooting from the field last season … He has limited experience playing against top competition … He needs to put on more weight, he’s only at 185 right now …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"NBA Comparison: Jordan McRae","date_of_birth":"1/24/97","hometown":"Port Saint Lucie, FL","high_school":"Oldsmar Christian","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Eric Paschall","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":255,"school":"Villanova","pros":"A prototypical glue guy with impressive motor and effort … His constant hustle results in winning plays … A solid shooter for his size at 6’7’’ and 255 pounds … Excels at scoring on the move … Solid form on his jumper and converts mid-range shots and 3-pointers efficiently … Has improved his 3-point shot significantly since his freshman year … His combination of strength and quickness is difficult to defend, specifically when he attacks the basket ..  Tremendous finisher at the rim with the ability to score with both hands …  When the defense collapses, he makes the right decision to pass the ball to an open teammate … Explosive. His impressive leaping ability allows him to crash the boards on both ends of the court … An excellent screener and spaces the floor well on the offensive end … An above average defender with solid shooting ability …  Moves his feet very well for a guy his size … Very hard worker on both ends of the floor … Good free throw shooter (77% in college) … Works hard off the ball setting screens for teammates… Great leadership and discipline through college career… Modern big man who can step out and make the long-range shot… Elevates well for his jump shots and can get them off over almost anyone… Huge wingpsan makes up for his lack of ideal height …","cons":"At 6’7’’, he will struggle to guard and rebound against taller players in the post, doesn’t have a real defined position  … Older player (5th year senior who will turn 23 in November) without a ton of upside, having just finished his senior season at Villanova … Struggled in the role of go to scorer in senior year … Hasn’t shown much fluidity/athleticism on offense (possibly a product of the Villanova offense) … Lacks an explosive first step off the dribble and the speed of elite NBA forwards … Not a great spot up shooter … Can be over-aggressive defensively, resulting in unwanted fouls … He must learn to move his feet better instead of relying on his upper body for defense … Got used to handling the ball, but doesn;t seem have the ball skills to handle at the NBA level … Average at best rebounder in college despite his size … Has not shown much in terms of post offense … Has not had to guard down in the post much at Villanova …Outlook: Paschall should be an early to mid-second round pick… … A great leader who would fit in well coming off the bench, providing offense and a necessary spark of energy … He should be able to fill a role off the bench as an excellent defender… Paschall practiced with the 2016 champion Wildcats in his transfer year from Fordham, won the 2018 championship and led a disappointing 2019 team that squeaked back into the top 25, so he knows what it takes to win after being around Jay Wright’s disciplined Villanova program for four years … No matter which team he ends up on, coaches and players will appreciate Paschall’s unmatched effort …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"PJ Tucker/Jason Maxiell","date_of_birth":"11/4/96","hometown":"Dobbs Ferry, NY","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":22,"big_board_rank":27,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Admiral Schofield","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":240,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Good shooter and has developed solid range  …  Decent scorer from the post, and has the ability to post-up and hit contested jump shots … Above average scorer off the dribble. Can either beat you off the bounce or pull-up from mid-range and nail the jumper … Decent playmaker, rarely made bad decisions … Average defensive player … Decent quickness and above average strength that makes him tough to beat off the dribble … Good rebounder especially for his position, averaged 6.1 rebounds per game last year. Get’s great position with strength and athletic ability … Great strength which allows him to create space from defender and finish tough through contact around the rim … Great athlete, probably had the poster of the year in college basketball. Schofield has solid quickness and an impressive leap … Very good motor, always plays his hardest and genuinely cares about winning … Good form on his jump shot which allowed him to improve from beyond the arc each year during his tenure at Tennessee … Not afraid to take jumpers, has great range and can knock down the shot in a variety of ways. Schofield scored numerous times from the perimeter by catch-and-shoot, off the dribble, or even fighting through screens to get open … Dedicated to get better. Freshman year Schofield checked in with 11% body fat and his senior year brought it down to 5%. Allowed him to be more athletic and quicker which has catapulted his draft stock … Can cover multiple positions due to lateral quickness and strength to guard bigger players … Solid leader and has great intangibles …","cons":"Does not draw enough fouls when driving to the lane, only averaged 2.3 FTA per game … Schofield is a big body who should consistently be able to put pressure on the defense when cutting and driving to the lane … Like I said, Schofield is not afraid to take the jumper but that means he sometimes settles which results in his low FTA mark … Schofield averaged 4.8 3PA per game last year, granted he hit them at a 42% clip, but just because he can space the floor doesn’t mean he shouldn’t put pressure on the defense on the interior … While Schofield is a quality playmaker, he has room to improve in regard to passing ability … He or Grant Williams were constantly double teamed which should’ve allowed for more assist’s opportunities (2.0 APG) … Schofield does struggle to guard quicker players; he has the lateral quickness and strength to do it but sometimes is caught flat-footed … For someone who is an average defensive player and athletic specimen, Schofield should be able to rack up more steals and blocks … Schofield is 22 years old which can be a red flag in comparison to the younger talent that has plenty of room to grow … Outlook: Schofield climbed NBA Draft boards after a stellar senior season … The kid can shoot it, has range is explosive getting to the rim, and has the physique to keep pace in the NBA right now … He also seems to be a great kid on top of being a very talented basketball player … Schofield seems to be hovering around the beginning of the second round (Where Crowder was drafted), but with great workouts he could catapult into a fringe first-rounder …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Jae Crowder","date_of_birth":"3/30/97","hometown":"Zion, IL","rebounding":6,"potential":6,"post_skills":6,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":9,"size":6,"defense":8,"strength":9,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":72,"big_board_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaylen Nowell","year":2019,"height":76,"weight":200,"school":"Washington","pros":"Combo guard with solid athleticism and ISO scoring ability … Handles the ball well for a shooting guard; capable of bringing it up the floor like a point guard … Knows how to move without the ball. Use screens to free himself up …  Pretty alert on defense … Knows where to be … Does a good job forcing turnovers (1.3 steals per game) … Confident shooter (16.2 points per game on 44.0% from 3-point range) … Capable of hitting tough shots … Good shooting motion … Very athletic … Can throw it down easily and excels on the break … Very dangerous in the open floor … Knows how to get to the rim and finish … Creative and crafty finisher … Rebounds well for a guard … Has a good nose for the ball … Plays with a lot of energy … Has a solid motor …","cons":"He’s undersized for a shooting guard at 6’4”, 200 pounds … Will need to prove he can overcome his lack of size in the NBA … His ability to make tough shots is a double edged sword … Sometimes he’ll take shots that are a bit forced … Needs to improve his shot selection … Ball security needs to improve (2.9 turnovers per game) … Averaged a modest 3.1 assists per game … He would boost his stock if he could become a better facilitator and play some point guard … Free throw shooting is good, but he regressed from his freshman year (80.0%) to sophomore year (77.9%) … It would be nice if he could get back in the 80% territory …Overall: Jaylen Nowell is a talented player who can score in a variety of ways … He’s not afraid of the moment and is willing to step up under pressure … He’s also a pretty solid defender and has the athleticism to play in the NBA … The big concern with him is he’s a bit undersized and doesn’t have point guard skills …  If he can overcome his size and prove he can expand his game to play a little bit of point guard, he has the potential to find a permanent home in the NBA …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Wade Baldwin","date_of_birth":"7/9/99","hometown":"Seattle, WA","high_school":"Garfield","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":47,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Bol Bol","year":2019,"height":86,"weight":210,"school":"Oregon","pros":"Has unusual size and length for an NBA big (7’2”, 7’5\" wingspan, 225 pounds) … Ability to knock down outside shots at a high rate makes his very unique … Moves well and is able to get out and move in transition with solid agility … Quick for his size and has solid agility … Has the potential to be elite on both ends of the floor due to his freakish physical package … Has the tools (speed, length, anticipation) to potentially be an elite rim protector … Gets up really well after grabbing a rebound … Explodes to the rim really well … Elevates with ease and has very good lateral speed when he applies himself … Has good hands … Usually is the biggest player on the floor and does a good job taking advantage of his length inside … Handles the ball well for a big …  Has a nose for the ball … Does a good job of following his  shot and rebounding his own misses … Had a very prductive start to the year … Pretty aggressive on the boards (9.6 rebounds & 2.1 offensive rebounds per game) … Does a good job getting put-backs. Has solid touch for a big man … A natural on offense. Capable of hitting floaters and runners … Uses pump fakes well. Has polished moves … Knows how to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim … Capable of shooting from the perimeter (52.0% from 3-point range on 2.8 attempts per game) … Has a pretty fluid shooting motion … Knows how to score (21.0 points per game) … Does a good job using the pick and roll … Solid free throw shooter (75.7%) … Defends well inside and is eager to protect the rim (2.7 blocks per game) …","cons":"As impressive as he played early in his freshman season, his inability to stay on the floor due to injury calls into question his durability … Played in just 9 games at Oregon due to a stress fracture in his left foot … Questionable how reliable he’ll be at the next level … Whichever team drafts him will be taking an inherent gamble that he doesn’t have further health issues that derail his career … Sudanese have extremely thin bodytypes, and his body needs a lot of work … Putting good basketball weight on could be a challenge … Sometimes forces shots that aren’t there … He’s still figuring out how to best take advantage of his physical tools … Needs to learn to let the game come to him better … Could do a better job of passing out of double-teams and finding the open man and cutters (1 assist and 2 turnovers per game) … While he is capable of running the floor well in transition, doesn’t always hustle as well as he could … Still pretty wiry. Needs to do a better job of handling contact inside … Projects to have a substantial learning curve as he heads into the NBA … Might be a couple of years away from being a impact player as he still physically matures and develops …   High school reputation draws into question his team focus and attitude … Unwillingness to apply himself in interviews while in HS calls into question his focus and desire to apply himself at the highest level …Overall: Measuered 7’2\" in shoes, 7’1.5\" barefoot, 226 lbs, 7’5\" wingspan, 9’6\" standing reach at the 2017 USA Basketball October Minicamp … Given his unique blend of size, length, and skill, Bol Bol arguably has the most upside of anyone in this draft aside from Zion Williamson and Ja Morant … He can run the floor, has great timing with his shot blocking, rebounds well, and has great shooting touch … He has the NBA bloodlines from his father Manute and is taking them to another level. The big concern with him of course is health. We’ve seen so many big men fail to live up to their full potential due to their inability to stay healthy … If Bol Bol can avoid the injury bug, the sky is truly the limit to what he can accomplish in the NBA …Ben Parker 4/5/19Strengths: 7’2 mobile center … Great size and length, possessing a 7’5 wingspan and 9’6 standing reach. Shrinks the floor and covers a lot of ground defensively with a wide radius of reach … The game comes easy for Bol as he has a good basketball IQ and is naturally talented … Good fluidity, coordination, athleticism, and versatility … Can adjust his shot on layups in the air with good body control at various angles … Dunks quickly without taking time to gather, effective on offensive put backs and tip ins … Very disruptive defender … Tremendous shot blocker with solid reflexes and lateral speed … Led the Nike EYBL with 4.5 blocks per game … Alters the shots he doesn’t block and forces the offense to put more arc than usual on their shot to shoot over his extended contest. Redirects offense out of the paint … Does a tremendous job of staying out of foul trouble while contesting shots and protecting the paint. Only averaged 1.3 fouls per game over the Nike EYBL … Finished third in scoring on the Nike EYBL with 24.1 points per game … Good rebounder with ten per game over the Nike EYBL. Reliable cleaning up around the basket … Very good touch within close with either hand … Efficient scorer. Can score from midrange, on the move and off the dribble. Shot 65.6% from the floor on the Nike EYBL. At the EYBL in Indianapolis, he scored a total of 119 points over four games and only missed 15 shots (75%), also 10-14 from three (71.4%) … Can put the ball on the floor better than the majority 7’0+ players. Uses long strides to cover a lot of ground getting into the paint for layups.  … Can score inside and out. Has ability to stretch the floor. Shot 48.9% (22-45) from three over the Nike EYBL. Has very good arc on his shot, most of his makes don’t hit the rim. While he shoots well, he doesn’t settle for too many threes … Reliable free throw shooter at 83.3% over the Nike EYBL … Passes the ball well. Can see over the defense and bullet pass to the open man. Can distribute out of the high post … As intriguing of a talent that you can find at the high school level. Makes plays you don’t often see from players his size at any level …Weaknesses: Strength is his biggest hurdle … To be effective around the basket on both ends, being able to withstand contact and battle for position will be imperative … Needs to work on conditioning and hustling up the court … Often the last player up the floor, going at his own pace, and showing no urgency to sprint. Lacks intensity and goes through the motions at times … While his shooting yields great results, his release is low, allowing smaller defenders to get a hand on it especially when they’re anticipating. He should focus on developing a higher release point on his shot … Doesn’t have much strength, only weighing 226 pounds, and may have a body type that will make it difficult for him to carry much additional weight …  Avoids and is bothered by contact. Gets bumped out of position … Doesn’t set great screens, which is important for his potential as a pick and pop big man … Doesn’t always box out and watches opponents get offensive boards … While he defends well, he doesn’t have the quickest feet. Doesn’t stay ready on defense and doesn’t recover well. Avoids changing direction and bending his knees when defending, which limits his defensive potential. Doesn’t always close out on shooters … He can mishandle passes on the move, sometimes trying to dunk or make a move before he catches the ball … Will benefit from expanding his post-game at the next level and beyond … Questionable competitiveness and how good he wants to be …Outlook: Incoming Oregon freshman … Named to the McDonald’s All-American Game … Scored 22 points while shooting 8-9, grabbed nine rebounds, and blocked two shots at the Jordan Brand Classic … Scored 12 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and blocked six shots at the Nike Hoop Summit … Transferred to Findlay Prep for his senior season, averaging 20.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game … Transferred to Mater Dei for his junior season. One of the few teams to beat Chino Hills with Bol contributing 14 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks … Bol had a breakout summer playing with California Supreme with a 13-3 record … His combination of elite tools, presence on both ends of the floor, and efficiency put him in conversation for the top overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Sam Perkins/Kristaps Porzingis","date_of_birth":"11/16/99","hometown":"Olathe, KS","high_school":"Findlay Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":9,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":7,"size":10,"defense":9,"strength":6,"quickness":7,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":18,"big_board_rank":22,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Isaiah Roby","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":215,"school":"Nebraska","pros":"For the last three seasons at Nebraska, Isaiah Roby has established himself as a high level defender capable of guarding 1-5 at the collegiate level … Standing 6’8” tall and possessing a lean, athletic, 230 pound frame, Roby also sports a 7’3” wingspan that allows him to play much larger than his listed 6’8” height … Isaiah has also displayed great lateral quickness, and great defensive instincts … As a junior, he blocked 1.9 shots per game and also tallied 1.3 steals per contest … That kind of defensive production also doesn’t showcase his ability to hedge off pick and rolls, and switch defenders at a level that projects him to be a multi-position NBA defender … Roby is also a high level athlete, who gets off the ground quickly and paired with his lateral quickness, also has very good end to end speed … As a versatile NBA defender, he brings a lot to the table … Roby also hauls in 6.9 rebounds per contest which is a pretty solid number due to the fact he’s not always down low in the paint when shooting … From an offensive standpoint, Roby is not a go to offensive option, but he has a solid feel for the game, and is an effective passer … His 1.9 assists per game is a pretty good mark for a defensive minded forward, plus he has an above average handle for a forward, and is effective in transition due to the pairing of these two skills … He also is an improving spot up shooter who possesses good mechanics, and is at least respectable out to the college three point line … During his junior season, he knocked down 28 threes, which is almost one per contest … Isaiah Roby’s versatility as an offensive player gives him the ability to become a \"glue\" guy on offense, passing the ball, setting screens, pushing in transition, and knocking down open shots at the next level …","cons":"Did not break out into the star some expected in his junior season, at least from a statistical standpoint … While a good defensive player, and one who projects to carry these skills to the NBA, his scoring ability may limit his time on the court … As a junior, Isaiah averaged 11.8 points per game overall on 45% shooting,  but against NCAA tournament teams he saw this number dip to 10.9 points per game on just 41% shooting from the field … He’s still very much a work in progress when it comes to creating shots for himself, and he will need to improve significantly to be any sort of one on one threat in the NBA … Roby also shot 33% from the college 3 point line, which was good enough to keep his defender from lagging off, but his range does not extent to the NBA three point line at this point in his development as well … While blessed with great length and athletic ability, Roby only shot 59% at the rim (according to hoop-math.com) which is a sub-par number for a forward with his physical tools … It’s very possible it takes Isaiah the right team fit to see the floor  for extended periods of time early in his career due to his offensive limitations.Overall: Isaiah Roby is a high level defender who should be able to guard 3 positions in the NBA … He’s blessed with high level length, and athletic ability to go with a nice overall feel for the game (especially on defense) … He’s versatile enough on offense to be a positive impact on that side of the ball as a transition player and distributor, but his limitations as a shooter and scorer may directly affect how much burn he can get early in his career, which may ultimately impact his staying power. That being said, if he can become a respectable three point shooter, he could be a really nice piece to a team as a three and D wing.  ","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Josh Huestis/Andre Roberson","date_of_birth":"2/3/98","hometown":"Dixon, IL","high_school":"Dixon","potential":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":44,"big_board_rank":57,"overall_rank":75}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Talen Horton-Tucker","year":2019,"height":76,"weight":235,"school":"Iowa St.","pros":"238 pounds, despite his youth, Horton-Tucker has the strength to match the vast majority of NBA guards … An elite 7’1\" wingspan and strong hands also allows him to play much longer than his 6’4\"; height … These traits directly helped his impressive defensive production at ISU … Blocking 23 shots (.7pg) and stealing the ball 45 times (1.3 pg) are both very good numbers for an 18 year old, and he also plays with great energy that makes him a good one on one defender who is capable of handing 3 positions at the collegiate level … In the NBA he’ll be able to guard both the point and shooting guard positions, and possibly some small forwards … Talen also has plus athletic ability, and is very quick laterally as well as an explosive leaper who has above the rim finishing ability at the guard spot … All of these traits allow him to be an great rebounder for a 6’4\"; player … Averaging 4.9 rebounds per game is a very good mark for a player his size, and I suspect he’ll also be a plus rebounder at the guard spot in the NBA … Offensively he’s a pretty solid passer and has a good feel for the game … As a supplemental distributor with the Cyclones, he averaged 2.3 assists per game, and he’s a pretty solid one on one ball handler with some ability to create shots for himself … Horton-Tucker is also a tank in transition, and getting to the lane with the ability to take contact and still get a shot off … He averaged 11.8 shots per game and has the ability to heat up as he scored over 20 points in 6 games as a 2nd or 3rd option for ISU …. At the next level he’ll need to continue to hone these offensive skills, but the assumption is that he has additional potential due to the fact he won’t turn 19 until late November (2019) …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Jordan Adams","date_of_birth":"11/25/00","hometown":"Chicago, IL","high_school":"Simeon","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":60,"big_board_rank":66,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ignas Brazdeikis","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":220,"school":"Michigan","pros":"A natural scorer, very aggressive in finding ways to get points … Has elite touch on his drives … Good 3-point shooter (39.2%)… Has the NBA-coveted ability to create his own shot … Makes the most of his natural athletic gifts … Led Michigan in scoring as a freshman at just under 15 ppg … Will battle more athletic players and closes the talent gap with intangibles and heart … Average quickness but possesses a surprising first step… Has a really good feel for the game… Should be a productive pick-and-roll guy at the next level … Uses his strong shoulders to absorb contact well, and finish off plays … Wide physical frame that will allow him to add 10-15 lbs of muscle early in his career … Competes at a high level on both ends of the court and on the glass … His fierce attitude will help cover for aspects of his game that he lacks physically … Very solid and consistent demeanor and performer … Over-achiever type …","cons":"The biggest question will be on the defensive end as he lacks ideal length and in particular foot speed … At 6’7 and not that much bigger of a wingspan (6’8) he won’t possess the quickness and length to stay in front of and check NBA small forwards, nor the length or physicality to match the power forwards… 8’5 standing reach is good for a shooting guard, but small at the 3 position … His toughness will help him initially but over time he will have to figure out how to overcome his defensive deficiencies… Offensively, to become elite he’ll have to improve his vision and playmaking skills for his teammates, otherwise he’ll put himself in a situation where he may be valued only as a spot-up shooter … A good but not great shooter, but could improve as time goes on considering his level of dedication … Shot 77% from the free throw line, which is solid but if shooting is his forte, he’ll need to raise that …Outlook: The Lithuanian born-Canadian raised athlete has offensive skills that could land him a spot on an NBA roster for multiple years … Landing on a roster that plays small lineups should benefit him, especially on the defensive end where coaches will have an easier time finding him the right matchup… He will have to expand his game offensively in order to become a quality scorer in the league, but at only 20 years old he’ll have time …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Dillon Brooks/Kyle Singler","date_of_birth":"1/8/99","hometown":"Oakville, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"Orangeville Prep","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":76,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Terance Mann","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":205,"school":"Florida St.","pros":"A gifted scorer at the rim with exceptional finishing ability  … Good size for his position at 6’6’’ … Has a powerful step when getting through contact and finishing at the rim … Can easily post up smaller defenders … Attacks the offensive glass … Solid rebounder, averaged 6.5 rebounds per game as a senior at Florida State … Very much improved free throw shooter (79%) … A smart player with a good feel for the game … Improved signifcantly from three-point range his senior season, shooting 39% from beyond the arc … Has proven to be a leader on the defensive end … One of the more NBA ready players available …","cons":"Sometimes over involves his teammates when the better decision is to attack the hoop himself and draw a foul … Exhibits a lack of confidence when shots are not falling … With his skillset and athletic abilities, he should be more assertive on the offensive end … Has to improve his ball handling skills in order to get past defenders at the next level … Will have to work on his outside jump shot … Tends to disappear at the end of big-time games … Struggled to perform at a high level in Florida State’s Elite 8 matchup against Gonzaga, scoring just five points on 1-for-8 shooting … Age (23 in October) makes him a prospect with less upside than most …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"John Salmons/Brad Wanamaker","date_of_birth":"10/18/96","hometown":"Lowell, MA","high_school":"Tilton","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":38,"big_board_rank":40,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jarrell Brantley","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":255,"school":"Charleston","pros":"A potential small school sleeper … Undersized 4 with bounce and length … Has a nose for scoring … A good scorer off the dribble …  Understands how to advantage of mismatches down low in the post … He’s a solid shooter from the perimeter … Career 76% FT shooter showing very good touch for a post player … He’s great at scoring on off motion action plays … He’s a good rebounder, he grabbed 8.4 rebounds per game last season and averaged 7.9 over his college career … He’s a solid athlete with above average athleticism and explosiveness … For a player his size, he has tremendous strength … He’s good at defending his man on the perimeter as well as in the post … He allowed less than 1 point per isolation and post up plays … That versatility should allow him to get minutes in the NBA … Smaller power forwards like Paul Millsap have had success at the NBA level …","cons":"At 6’7, he’s small for the PF position at the NBA level … He’s a streaky three point shooter … Had a dip in shooting efficiency as a senior. He shot just under 33% from the three point line last season after hitting on almost 39% of them the season before … He doesn’t have an explosive first step off the dribble that he can blow by defenders with … He needs to work on his ability to set his teammates up with more accurate passes … He averaged more turnovers than assists during his college career, though his role as a scorer and level of talent surrounding him factored into that … He may have some trouble defending the perimeter, on pick and pops, against quicker players due to his lack of great footspeed and quickness … He didn’t play much against top level competition in college … He needs to work on his defense when his man doesn’t have the ball … Has shown a tendency to lose his man off the ball … Turned 23 in June …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Trevor Booker","date_of_birth":"6/7/96","hometown":"Columbia, SC","high_school":"Notre Dame Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":6,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":100,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tremont Waters","year":2019,"height":71,"weight":175,"school":"LSU","pros":"Two-way player, possesses NBA valued assets on both ends of the court… Fearless player with ice water running through his veins … Loves the big stage and never backs down from a challenge … Higher basketball IQ than most… Offensively he is a true floor general and proved it during his only two seasons at LSU… Equally as dangerous as a scorer and a passer (15.3ppg, 5.8apg)… Has a unique ability to finish around the rim despite being undersized (5’11, 175lbs)… Uses his body very well and anticipates when to absorb contact effectively… Has ability to go through multiple reads on Pick & Roll … On the other end of the court he was named SEC Defensive Player of the year because of his super-quick hands and impeccable anticipation off the ball … Led SEC in steals (2.9) during this past season …","cons":"The obvious question will be his size (measured at 5’9.5 barefoot – was the shortest player at combine)… He will have to prove that he can continue to be productive offensively against taller and longer players which he will see every night at the next level … Defensively, he looks to continue to be a pest and rack up steals, but players will test him routinely to see if he can defend 1-on-1 … For such a smart, focused and competitive player, made a lot of questionable decisions with games on the line this season … Being undersized for both length and weight, this will be Waters biggest hurdle … While he was a defensive standout in college, his ability to defend at the next level is a question mark due to his small stature …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Tyler Ulis/Shane Larkin","date_of_birth":"1/10/98","hometown":"New Haven, CT","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":6,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":56,"big_board_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen McDaniels","year":2019,"height":81,"weight":190,"school":"San Diego St.","pros":"A lengthy combo forward player (6-9 with a 7-foot wingspan) … Great ball handling abilities, especially for his height (6’9’’) … Able to take most defenders off the dribble with an array of moves to get to the spot he wants … Possesses the length to score over shorter defenders with hook shots and floaters … Strong finishing abilities around the rim … Draws contact when he gets into the paint, converting his free throws at a high rate (78.8%) … In the post, he is patient with his back facing the basket, fully aware of where the defensive pressure is coming from … Knows when to pass the ball to an open teammate when he is double-teamed … Crashes the glass, averaged 8.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore at San Diego State … Plays with great energy on the offensive end … Uses his length to steal the ball from opponents …","cons":"Undisciplined defensively, often making careless fouls … Has a lot of upside on defense because of his overall size and wingspan, but his footwork is not where it needs to be … Tends to watch the ball bounce off the rim instead of finding a body to box out … Body has not shown the development it should have, raising some questions about his dedication and desire … Weighing only 195 pounds, he will need to add more strength and muscle … Must improve his outside shot, especially from the three point arc where he converted just 32% of his attempts this season … Inconsistent. Immensely talented, but seems to have a tendency to underachieve …Outlook: Has the size and skillset to play multiple positions at the next level … In order to excel in the NBA, he will need to add muscle, improve his defensive footwork and consistently knock down jumpers  … Expected to be drafted in the late first round or early second round of the 2019 NBA draft …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Jake Layman","date_of_birth":"1/31/98","hometown":"Federal Way, WA","high_school":"Federal Way","potential":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":42,"big_board_rank":38,"overall_rank":73}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Justin Wright-Foreman","year":2019,"height":74,"weight":190,"school":"Hofstra","pros":"Huge scorer, was among the leading scorers in the nation in both his junior and senior seasons … Explosive combo guard. Bouncy athlete … A shifty athlete .. Finishes off a lot of plays at the rim with dunks … Can score in a variety of ways with the ability to knock down shots from 3, and can score both off the pull up or spotting up … Very good at running the pick and roll … A better than advertised passer … Tremendous efficency on his shooting at 51.1 FG%, 42.5, 3P%, and 86.4 FT% … Solid maturity as a senior with four years of college at Hofstra …","cons":"Playing in the Colonial, he did not receive the same level of recognition that he may have in another conference. He also did not play the strongest competition night in and night out … As a senior and turning 22 later this year, in October, he lacks the perceived potential of some other guards … Seen as more of a scorer and shooting guard in a point guard’s body … His A/TO ratio was better as a junior. Was positive but not by much at 2.9 to 2.6 … Remains to be scene if he can have the same success as a role player and not as a star in a small conference, but appears to have the intangibles …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Cuttino Mobley","date_of_birth":"10/27/97","hometown":"Queens, NY High School","high_school":"High School of Construction","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":45,"big_board_rank":44,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Marial Shayok","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":195,"school":"Iowa St.","pros":"Very good 3-point shooter at 38.1% career … Good free throw shooter at 87.8% his senior season … Efficient scorer and smart shooter at 49.6% his senior year … Can shoot the ball off the dribble …  Has the size to compete with NBA twos and threes … 7-foot wingspan on a wing player has a tendency to perk up the ears of scouts … Decent rebounder, but is not in the post very often … Good touch around the rim … Disciplined player on both sides of the court … Moves without the ball very well… Can score the basketball consistently from the outside … Has a nose for scoring and does so in a fairly efficent manner …","cons":"As an older player, not much upside. He will turn 25 in July, making him a long shot as an NBA prospect … Has only been a primary scorer for one year in college and was not relied on to be more than a role player in his three years at Virginia … Not the most fluid of athletes, a little rigid in his movements … Lacks NBA-level speeed and explosiveness… When driving to the hoop sometimes puts on the blinders even when the drive is not there … Does not look to pass very often … Lacks quickness on the defensive end against quicker players … May not be able to get the rim in the NBA like he could in college … Outlook: After spending three years at Virginia, Marial Shayok decided to transfer to Iowa State to prove that he could be a primary scorer. This worked out well for him as he averaged 18.7 points per game and earned first-team all-Big 12 honors and All-American honorable mention. He has also boosted him draft stock with his senior season and is now considered a late second-round possibility. He does not have much upside, but he is a bigger guard who can shoot lights out from anywhere on the floor. His shooting will space the floor well in the NBA, but he will need to get quicker and improve his defense and rebounding if he wants his NBA career to last.","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Peter Jok","date_of_birth":"7/26/95","hometown":"Ottawa, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"Blair Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":5,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":7,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":58,"big_board_rank":58,"overall_rank":86}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kyle Guy","year":2019,"height":74,"weight":170,"school":"Virginia","pros":"After hitting big shot after big shot in route to an NCAA Championship at Virginia, Kyle Guy is throwing his hat in the ring in the 2019 NBA draft … An extremely high level long range shooter, Guy averaged .425% from beyond the arc over 3 years at Virginia … His range goes well beyond the NBA mark, and he’s extremely solid in the corners, where this skill has major appeal for spacing concerns … Kyle is crafty running off screens and has good enough ball handling to be able to create some separation when needed … Additionally, he has a quick release with excellent form which will aid him when shooting against longer, more athletic defenders … He also converted at the free throw line at an impressive 83% clip last season, and showcased the ability to hit big shots under lots of pressure throughout the Cavaliers tourney run … A surprisingly effective finisher around the rim, Guy is pretty quick and has the ability to improvise and hit a variety of flip shots and layups around the hoop … Hit 66.7% of his shots at the rim (hoop-math.com), which is very good for a player listed at 6’2 … Not a point guard, but has good vision, and is capable of making the right pass. In addition, he’s an extremely low mistake player who only turned the ball over 116 times in 3081 minutes during three seasons at Virginia (1 TO per 26 minutes of play) … Full of a vast array of tricks and hesitation moves in order to draw contact on his shots … An above average athlete, Kyle tested a 36.5 vertical, a 3.06 shuttle run and a 3.28 second 3/4 court sprint … He also displays plenty of in game quickness, and extremely quick hands on the defensive end. While undersized from an NBA capacity, playing in such a team defensive system in college helped display a good defensive IQ that will help make up for his slight frame and lack of height … A 6’4.5; wingspan is also a decent measurement for a player barely over 6 feet tall … A plus rebounder for a player with his physical makeup, his 4.8 rpg mark in ACC play was actually up from his non-conference number …","cons":"The biggest and most obvious knock on Kyle Guy is just a sheer lack of both height, and muscle … At just 168.7 pounds at the combine, he was the lightest player, and would be one of the lightest players in the NBA … He’ll need to gain strength to be able to fight off, and defend NBA guards … Additionally, at 6’0.75 barefoot and 6’2.25 in shoes, he’s very undersized for an NBA shooting guard … This will hinder his effectiveness on both ends of the floor … Even in an era where combo guards are more and more apparent, Guy will need to take his ball handling from above average to good or better in order to find regular minutes on an NBA court … Despite a solid wingspan his 7’11.5 standing reach will make him very easy to shoot over for opposing players … Playing next to Ty Jerome, he didn’t need to act as a facilitator much for the Cavaliers, but improving on his ability to set up others, and acting as more of a facilitator will help his cause at the next level as well … Transitioning to a true combo guard and less of an undersized two has been a good blue print for players similar to him that have made it in the NBA, and Guy would be wise follow suit …Overall: Kyle Guy is one of the best shooters in the 2019 draft, and a very heady player with an immense bag of tricks to boot. His overall appeal is hindered greatly by his smaller frame, and lack of length, but improvement as a ball handler and initiating some offense could really help his cause. Guy may or may not be drafted, but players with his range and track record of clutch moments don't come along every day. Singing him to a two way contract and seeing how he develops would be worthwhile if he doesn’t bolt overseas. He could very well find himself as a valued reserve with a year or two of development in professional basketball under his belt.","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Seth Curry","date_of_birth":"8/11/97","hometown":"Indianapolis, IN","high_school":"Lawrence Central","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":6,"defense":6,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":47,"big_board_rank":62,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaylen Hands","year":2019,"height":75,"weight":180,"school":"UCLA","pros":"Flashy point with explosiveness and confidence … A capable defender with decent size for the position … Capable of rotating and fighting through screens … Has the quickness to guard NBA point guards … Can disrupt passing lanes and force turnovers (1.0 steals per game.) Doesn’t overreach … Good rebounder for a lead guard. Not afraid to crash the offensive boards and absorb some contact … Does a good job rebounding, especially on defense (3.4 defensive rebounds per game) … Very good at pushing the ball in transition … Uses his quickness effectively to shake defenders and get to the rim … Good shooter with NBA range … Has a fluid motion and a confident stroke … Plays a fearless brand of basketball. Not afraid to take high pressure shots with a hand in his face (37.4% from 3-point range and 73.8% from the foul line) … Very comfortable shooting off the dribble … Can get hot and catch fire quickly …","cons":"While he has all the pieces to be a good defender, his alertness on defense could improve … He sometimes has the tendency to lose his man at times … Should look to get stronger in order to handle contact and finish drives, better utilize his leaping ability … Ball handling is solid, but it needs to improve for the NBA level as he tends to get sloppy and careless … Ball sometimes slips out of his hands when he is attacking the rim … His handle needs to tighten and passing and decision making must improve (1.8 turnovers per game). His distributing and focus on getting teammates open looks needs to improve (2.6 assists per game) … Sometimes he is a bit too eager to shoot before exploring all of his options … Has a tendency to get tunnel vision sometimes … Could stand to improve upon his floater in the lane …In his own words:  Jaylen Hands talked about his strengths and weaknesses at Pac-12 media day. “My strength is speed. Transition, I’m really good. I get teammates involved. I shoot it off the dribble, off the catch and I can get in the paint. So just making up plays happen, I think I’m a really good playmaker. And this year I’ll take a step forward in the process of really showing that as well.” –On his strengths “I watched a lot of film and things that I’ve seen for me is decision making. I wasn’t as good of a decision maker as I could be last year. Strength and shooting. The NBA game is really simple and fast and is a lot of good decision making, so I watched a lot of film to improve my assist-to-turnover ratio. I improved my shot. Just moving off the dribble. More catch and shoots because that’s more helps team do better. So probably strength, shooting, and decision making is my biggest points.”-On areas for growth","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Brandon Jennings","date_of_birth":"2/12/99","hometown":"Chula Vista, CA","high_school":"Foothills Christian","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":6,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":55,"big_board_rank":60,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jordan Bone","year":2019,"height":75,"weight":180,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Elite athleticism, can run and jump with the best pros … 42.5-inch max vertical jump … Very quick player… Fastest lane agility, shuttle run and 3/4 court run at the NBA Draft Combine … Decent 3-point shooter, 35.3% in three seasons … After getting 32.9 minutes this season, showed he can pass the rock with 5.8 assists per game … Showed improved scoring ability his junior season with 13.5 points per game … Good body control in the air … Decent finisher … Good free throw shooter at 81.7% on the career (83.5% last season)… Has good shot selection and knows where his teammates are on the court … Works hard on defense … Has decent size at 6’3… Unselfish player, distributes to his teammates fairly well… Had a near 3/1 a/to ratio at 5.8 ast to 2 to … Can bring lots of energy to a team with his speed and quickness … Has good shooting touch from many places on the floor …","cons":"Will need to get stronger to fully utilize his athleticism at the next level … Could control his speed better in transition … Streaky shooter, needs to prove he can be consistent from NBA range … Looks great in workouts with his athleticism, but not sure if this translates to the court every game … May not be strong enough to scrap with NBA point guards … Will have difficulties switching onto bigger, stronger players off of screens … Though he was the point guard, did not run the Tennessee offense with Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams on the floor … Was not a consistent scorer, but also was not the team’s top scoring option … Despite his 6’3 (in shoes) height, does not have a great deal of length with just a 6’3.25 wingspan and 7’11 standing reach … Will turn 22 in November, making him older for a junior …  Outlook: Shaping up to be a second round sleeper … The explosive Jordan Bone completed his third season at the University of Tennessee and excelled in the NBA Draft Combine … He was first in a number of categories, and just a shade off of the max vertical leader with a 42.5 jump to Jalen Lecque’s 43 inches … Due to his speed, jumping ability and overall athleticism, Bone went from likely returning to school for his senior season to a projected mid-second round pick in this year’s draft … His incredible athleticism could carry him to an NBA roster, but to make any sort of impact he will need to learn when to turn on the speed and when to sit back and run the offense like he did at Tennessee .. Overall, he has the potential to develop into a real game changer and possibly even start if he can shoot the ball consistently and become a complete point guard …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Monte Morris","date_of_birth":"11/5/97","hometown":"Nashville, TN","high_school":"Ensworth","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":50,"big_board_rank":43,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Miye Oni","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":205,"school":"Yale","pros":"Has good size for an NBA wing (6’6”, 210 pounds) and has solid quickness as well … He passes the eye test … Pretty explosive to the rim … Able to finish through contact and make tough shots inside … Finishes well with both hands … Shoots with his right hand, but can go left … Handles the ball well with a nice crossover dribble … Capable of bringing the ball up the floor … Does a good job of moving without the ball … Does a solid job of staying in front of his man and hedging screens … Recovers well … Pretty versatile defender, able to guard positions 1-3 … Alert on both ends of the floor … Unselfish … Eager to make the right basketball play (e.g. Drive & kick) … Has good court vision … Smart player … Potential to be a player that contributes in multiple ways (had 12 points, 9 rebounds, & 5 assists against Duke) … Does a good job of getting to the line (79.5% on 5.6 attempts) … Pretty fluid shooting motion … Shows the motivation to improve his game (12.9 points per game as a freshman; 17.9 points per game as a junior) … Overall a pretty polished player. Not considered a project … Should be able to contribute to some extent at the next level right away … Team concept …","cons":"Will be 22 in August, so lacks the upside of many of the other draft prospects … Needs to improve his ball security (3.1 assists & 4.0 turnovers per game) … Sometimes makes careless passes … At times can be a bit too unselfish when his team needs him to attack more (10 pts in the first half against Duke; 2 pts in the second half) … Has the ability to go off (29 pts at Miami) … It would be nice to see him do that with a bit more regularity … Needs to improve his ability to finish over length … Could do a better job of defending without fouling (2.9 fouls per game) … Struggled mightily in Yale’s biggest game of the season shooting a dreadful 2-16 for five points in the NCAA tournament versus LSU … So there will be some that question his ability to step up to the limelight and perform well in big games …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Kirk Snyder","date_of_birth":"8/4/97","hometown":"Porter Ranch, CA","high_school":"Suffield Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":71,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Dewan Hernandez","year":2019,"height":82,"weight":235,"school":"Miami","position":"Center","date_of_birth":"12/9/96","hometown":"Miami, FL","high_school":"Norland","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":82,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Vanja Marinkovic","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":195,"school":"Serbia","pros":"Above average athlete with good size for his position … His size helps him to play either as a shooting guard or as a small forward …. He is not explosive, but has some solid quickness and can take advantage a flying start, when he receives the ball and he is on the move … Has gained a lot of experience because he has been playing at senior level since he was 17 years old … His body structure suggests that he can fill up nicely … Nice looking shooting stroke, with a high release point that makes it difficult for his defender to block his shot… Great shooter in just about every situation … Very good in Catch and Shoot and Spot Up situations … Moves well around screens and can come off them and shoot with high percentages … Possesses unlimited range… He can score off the dribble and an occasional Pull Up shot … Very good on scoring on the move … His ability to knock down shots from everywhere is his most translatable skill and he has role player potential as a shooting specialist… Has shown some flashes in Pick and Roll situations as the ball handler… With opponents having to respect his ability to knock down shots, he attacks close outs … Above average rebounder for his position, mainly on the defensive end… Has good size to guard all perimeter positions … When he is focused he can be at least an average defender… He can make an occasional chase down block …","cons":"He is a just average athlete by NBA standards … Short wingspan (measured at 6-6 feet) … Lacks elite explosiveness and has an average first step, which limits him in isolation situations … He must work on his body if he wants to play at the next level … His lack of elite athleticism makes it difficult for him to create his own shot … One-dimensional player, he is just a shooter and nothing else … If his shot isn’t falling he can’t really do anything else to stay on the floor … Doesn’t really create for his teammates … His shooting release is kind of slow at times… He can be a little streaky shooter, because his confidence comes and goes… He doesn’t have a good court vision and has problems reading the game … Average passer… His ball handling needs work, especially if he wants to play as a shooting guard … Just average on Pick and Roll as the ball handler… Not really a slasher… He doesn’t put the ball on the floor a lot … Avoids contact and doesn’t draw a lot of fouls… Has problems finishing at the rim against length due to his lack of elite athleticism… Struggles finishing in traffic… He can have long spans where he just disappears from the game… He had problems taking over games even at Junior level … Average lateral quickness and short wingspan limit him on defense … Has problems guarding athletic wings …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Bogdan Bogdanovic","date_of_birth":"1/9/97","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":6,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":88,"big_board_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Anthony Edwards","year":2020,"height":77,"weight":225,"school":"Georgia","pros":"A rangy, 6’5 225 guard prospect with a truly formidable combination of size, strength and quick twitch athleticism on the perimeter … Somewhat of a physical freak, possessing an imposing frame that is mature well beyond its years and that he knows how to use to his advantage … A powerful and explosive leaper, particularly off of 2 feet, and is pretty light on his feet for his size, making him an absolute terror for defenses when he’s slashing to the rim in the half court or running the floor in transition … Is at his best when he’s going downhill, often steamrolling the wings and smaller guards that defended him on his way to the rim throughout his amateur career … Is a big-time threat to finish above the rim and through contact; has posterized his fair share of defenders and also drawn fouls at a pretty good clip in college as well (over 5 FTA a game, made a pretty solid 77%) … Has outstanding body control; seems to hang and glide in the air and rarely ever is off balance or knocked off his path due to his strong build and broad shoulders … In addition to his physical traits, Edwards has a groundwork of promising skills as a scorer, most notably a sweet looking jump shot with legit NBA range and a picturesque release that he uses to do the majority of his damage and shoots with brash confidence … Will be able to get his shots off due to the high and quick nature of his mechanics, as well as the nice elevation he rises up into his jumper with … Can create and score off the dribble as well, at times flashing the ability to pull off advanced shot creation moves that lead to impressive “good defense, better offense” shots … Has a great 1st step and also uses step back and jab step moves to create space against tight defense to get his shots when isolated … Projects to be a very tough player for defenders to contain 1 on 1 … Led the SEC in scoring and had multiple 30+ point games as a Fr., really showed he could get hot at times and light up the scoreboard in a hurry with his ability to hit perimeter shots as well as get to the rim and convert … Showed glimpses as a post up scorer as a Fr. the few times he tried against smaller guards; an impressive tool to have as a teenaged perimeter prospect, and one that could very well be useful to build on given his physical ability … Occasionally shows good timing moving without the ball as a cutter to the rim, which can lead to easy scores at the rim … Capable of blocking the occasional shot or creating a turnover by gambling in the passing lane that leads to transition opportunities … Often operated as a lead guard by necessity and to get the ball in his hands as much as possible in college, could very well see himself become much more efficient as a pro with more talent around him and less reliance on him as the sole playmaker to produce … Has the tools to be a factor on the defensive glass …","cons":"Edwards has to improve his assertiveness on both ends of the court to reach his potential, he too often bails out defenders and doesn’t utilize his physical gifts to the best of his ability on a game to game basis at this stage … There were games when it seemed like he could’ve took over and made his presence felt but instead settled for low percentage jumpers all game or showed a total disregard of playing defense … Shot selection is a work in progress … Needs to work on picking his spots offensively, if you force him off the 3 point line he can get out of control off the bounce because he lacks a real mid-range game at the moment … Should look to develop a floater and/or pull-up J from around that 12 to 15 ft area to keep defenders honest … Basketball IQ at times leaves something to be desired … Had poor defensive awareness at UGA; frequently got caught sleep at the wheel not seeing his man and the ball when matched up in the halfcourt, which allowed backdoor slips to the rim for easy layups or offensive rebounds by not locating someone to box out when the shot goes up … His team had a better defensive rating without him on the court than with, which is discouraging considering the talent jump he’s about to make in terms of the players he’ll be guarding … Given the fact that he has all the tools to be a great defender if he just works on his effort and gets a better understanding of weakside defense, there is hope for him to improve on that end …. Played heavy minutes as a lead guard with the ball in his hands, but didn’t read the floor or run his teams offense well enough to justify it … Nothing more than a mediocre passer (2.8 : 2.7 A:TO with a 130 usage rate) for a player who was projected as a combo guard in HS … Sometimes Edwards can struggle to contribute when his shots aren’t falling … Had poor efficiency (40% FG and 29% 3FG on 7 attempts a game), partly due to him taking bad shots but also due to usage and the type of extra attention he saw as a Fr … Played on a bad UGA team that was not going to make the NCAA Tournament field in 2020, which is concerning for a prospect in the running to be selected in the top half of the lottery …Overall: Edwards has been projected as the top pick by NBADraft.net for over a year … He was seen as a favorite to be the 1st pick in the 2020 Draft by the masses shortly after the lottery order was confirmed, and if you watch him play you can see the reasons why … Blessed with explosive athleticism and a NBA ready body at 19 years old, as well as a nice looking jumper, he has the ability to be molded into a formidable scorer and player in the NBA … He struggled defensively and did little to show that he should be viewed as a combo guard in college though, looking like a wing who was more likely to hunt his shot than make his teammates better … In addition, Edwards will have to answer why UGA squad was uncharacteristically bad for a team with a potential lottery pick on their roster … While his effectiveness could improve with less of a burden to carry, it may be concerning to some teams picking in the top part of the lottery that he’s projected as a potential franchise player but struggled so much when asked to lead his college team much like a franchise player would … Still, Edwards offers a formidable combination of size and athleticism that could see a team strike it rich if they can harness his talent and work on some of his correctable weaknesses, particularly on defense …Jorrye Nixon 11/10/20Strengths: 6’4 combo guard with elite level athleticism … Shows a good feel for the game and competitiveness … Good size and length for position with a 6’9 wingspan and 8’4 standing reach … Strong build. At 17, already has an NBA body … Uses his strength well and should be able to add additional strength … Finishes well with contact and can bully smaller guards … High-level athleticism, good body control, and hang time … Has a quick first step … Gets to the rim and throws down dunks in traffic … Gets going down hill with a dribble drive and finishes well with either hand … Natural scoring ability … Shoots well from three and can shoot from NBA range … Needs just a little bit of space to get his shot off … Adept ballhandler and drives with either hand … Keeps his head up and has good court vision … Reads double teams well … Passes out of drives … Good rebounder for his position … Good tools and athleticism defensively …  Blocks shots well for a guard … Makes the game look easy … Good competitor and doesn’t lack for confidence … Youth is on his side. One of the youngest incoming freshmen, won’t turn 18 until August, 2019 …Weaknesses: Can improve as a free throw shooter. Shot just 58.3% FT% over the Under Armour Association in 2018 … Solid playmaker but has room to improve if he’s going to play both guard positions in the NBA … Can work on limiting turnovers … Can improve midrange scoring, tends to utilize deep threes or getting all the way to the rim … Doesn’t really pick his spots as a midrange shooter or show much of a floater … For someone who can get to the rim and challenge the help defender, he settles for a lot of deep, contested shots … Can learn to incorporate more movement when playing off the ball … Should study players like Steph Curry on how to use constant movement and coming off off of screens to set up shots …High School: Finished fourth over the Under Armour Association in scoring with 20.4 points per game while shooting a ninth best 52.3% FG% in 2018. Led the NBPA Top 100 in scoring with 17.6 points per game while shooting 56.5% FG% in 2018 … Shot a fourth best 47.4% 3P% on 5.7 attempts per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018 … Averaged four assists, one steal,  5.5 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 2.8 turnovers per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018 …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Dwyane Wade/Donovan Mitchell","date_of_birth":"8/5/01","hometown":"Atlanta, GA","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":1,"big_board_rank":1,"overall_rank":98}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"James Wiseman","year":2020,"height":85,"weight":235,"school":"Memphis","pros":"Wiseman has physical tools that really stand out on the court, standing 7 feet with a long (7-foot-6 wingspan) and rangy frame … Considering his elite size, it is very intriguing that he brings nimble feet, agility, solid leaping ability and long strides making him an extremely promising big man on both ends of the floor … Has potential as a paint “patroller” on defense, and you have to be mindful of his location when heading to the basket or risk a weakside rejection … Has the size, range, and length to be mentioned along the lines of the top young shot-blockers in the NBA … A southpaw, he is at his best, the closer he is to the rim at the moment, and will be able to get his fair share of easy scores by running like a deer in transition for easy baskets, given the speed and athleticism advantage he will enjoy in most matchups … Looks to play above the rim, and seems like a potentially dynamic finisher as a pick/screen and roll player with his soft hands … While his time at Memphis was limited to 69 total minutes of action, teams shot only 33% when Wiseman was on the court, and he made a good amount of eye opening plays altering and blocking shots … Given his length and athletic ability, it seems likely that his defensive ability will translate to the NBA’s “defensive 3 seconds” rule, as he should be able to switch and defend more than adequately outside the paint and on switches as he gets more experience … Pretty good on the glass, especially as an offensive rebounder, and shows a quick 2nd jump … Shows a soft touch around the rim, as well as a developing turnaround jumper and decent jump hook over his right shoulder as the base of his post moves arsenal … The foundation is there for him to make some hay as a mid range shooter, he just needs more repetition, muscle memory and fundamental consistency … Has the frame to carry at least 15 more lbs of muscle without the loss of mobility …","cons":"The obvious elephant in the room is that he goes into this draft having played so few minutes of college hoops compared to other 2020 prospects, which makes him a relative unknown in just where he is in his development … While he looked incredibly strong in his first few games, the suspension followed by the decision to shut it down leaves scouts and NBA decision makers with a lot less to work with and the question of just how much his game may have tapered off had he played the entire season … He had a reputation in high school of having a motor that ran hot and cold and there were some questions that many wanted to see answered with a full season of intense play … Wiseman showed glimpses in limited action, but he also showed that he is pretty raw in his skill set and overall basketball IQ at the moment … While he is a potentially game-changing defender, he also seems to be a bit jumpy looking to send shots into the stands, and prone to fakes that lead to fouls or compromises the team’s defensive balance on the court … Whether he can be a true weapon as a scorer at the next level remains in question … He did show decent touch at times with fadaways and mid-range jumpshots … But he remains a real question mark whether he’s a guy that can create legitimate offense for himself  … He’s not very strong or physical right now, will need to put on more weight and get his lower body strength up to bang in the post with the big boys in the NBA … Shot selection can stand to improve, he seems to settle for fade-away shots and jumpers more than you expect for a guy with his physical and athletic traits … His feel for the game seems decent considering his age and development stage, but at times he does appear rushed and mechanical in the low post getting into his moves, and he needs to work on developing his back to the basket game … His ability to defend out on the perimeter is potentially very good for a big guy, but he has some things to learn fundamentally to realize it (ie playing less upright and not relying solely on his length to make up for being out of position) … Doesn’t seem to project to be an elite level shot creator in the post, which means the situation he lands in will matter that much more to his individual success because others will have to create for him, and teach him the nuances of the offensive game …Overall: Wiseman has been a highly discussed prospect dating back to 2017 when he emerged on the high school scene … He is a prospect with some clearly defined strengths that hold value in the current NBA (rim running, defense, rebounding) and some truly special physical attributes … He also has some things he needs to work on (strength, offensive polish, overall basketball IQ) … There is also the fact that he has such limited college hoops film that it makes evaluating his progression as a prospect during the conference slate and NCAA tournament impossible, and those are critical samples when scouting … If he’s in a situation where a team allows him to play off of his teammates spacing on offense, and allows him to patrol the paint and block shots then he will be set up for success … Some teams may want more, particularly if he’s selected in the top 3, but he definitely has the tools to find success and even make an immediate impact …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Hassan Whiteside/DeAndre Jordan","date_of_birth":"3/31/01","hometown":"Nashville, TN","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":2,"big_board_rank":7,"overall_rank":96}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"LaMelo Ball","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":180,"school":"USA","pros":"A physically gifted lead guard prospect with plenty to like in terms of his potential fit into the NBA, as he’s a rangy 6’8 perimeter player with the frame to become even more imposing as he packs on muscle … A wizard with the ball in his hands with elite ball handling and passing ability … He projects as more of a combo or point guard, but due to his frame he should easily be able to defend some SFs as he gains strength and experience, adding to his intrigue as a prospect … On top of his size, he is also a very coordinated athlete with great body control and agility … A rangy strider, Ball is also capable of playing above the rim; particularly when he has a head of steam, and he has shown the ability to leap off of one or both feet … Has the ability to be a real triple double threat on a nightly basis, in addition to his scoring and passing potential … Ball also has the size and instincts to be a factor on the glass (nearly 8 rpg in the Australian NBL in 2019) … A highly imaginative, instinctive and creative playmaker, Ball applies pressure on the defense because he has an assortment of moves in his arsenal … Adept at reading the defense while on the move, knowing when to pass or shoot … An excellent ball-handler who has a natural feel for setting up defenders with misdirection moves and change of pace dribble combos to get into the lane and create for himself and others … May be the best player in this draft at reading on-ball and help defense simultaneously when operating in pick and roll offense, and he has shown the ability to make flashy pocket passes on the move, as well as an ever-improving ability to finish through or around contact with either hand near the rim … Reads the floor well with the ball in his hands, and constantly breaks down the defense with his initial moves off the bounce … A pretty flamboyant prospect with a big persona, likes to make the highlight reel play and over time should inject excitement into the fan base of whatever team he lands on … Excellent court vision as you’d expect from a lead guard with his type of size, able to thread the needle and has been known to lead teammates to easy shots near the rim by  “passing them open” … Rewards teammates for moving without the ball (6.8 apg in the Australian NBL in 2019) … Keeps his eyes up and also does a nice job of not telegraphing what he wants to do or where he’s going to go with the ball … Does a very good job of feeding the “hot hand”, an uncommonly unselfish player for such a ballyhooed prospect … Would flourish in an up-tempo system, looks to push the ball and make splash plays in the open court as often as he can while also showing some ability to trail and hit spot up 3s … Has an effective floater already, has shown good touch as well as improved footwork and accuracy in the past 2 seasons by leaping off of 2 feet instead of 1 on his mid-range shots … Has shown some raw shot-making ability from the perimeter throughout his amateur and international career, and has frequently shown that he can put up points in bunches from all over the court … Has decent shooting touch and should continue to improve as a spot-up marksman … Very confident player, rarely ever seems in over his head or afraid of taking important shots … Has shown a few exciting flashes as a ball thief and help defender, and could even factor as a shot-blocker on the perimeter and near the rim against wings with his size, quick hands and keen anticipation … His experience playing pro ball will help his adjustment to the NBA somewhat, particularly in terms of physicality and his understanding of help defense … Also has had the benefit of being able to watch his older brother, 2017 lottery pick Lonzo Ball, and his pre-draft process as well as his early development as a professional to learn how to navigate through the rigors and grind of the draft process and ultimately NBA seasons …","cons":"His overall jump shot lacks any real consistency at the moment, and just like his older brother that can likely be attributed to his highly unorthodox shooting form … His release point is low, somewhere between his chin and his chest, and he shoots a set shot with below average elevation, leading to plenty of flat shots and bad misses whether open or contested (25% from 3point range on 6 attempts per game in 2019) … His mediocre FT shooting (72%) points to him potentially becoming a reasonably efficient shooter in time, but he’s a work in progress …. Ball’s shot selection will also need to improve, as he made just enough deep shots to both keep the defense honest, as well as justify (mostly to himself) that he should at times hoist low percentage shots off the dribble from all over the court … While a pretty good athlete, he is more smooth than dynamic and will only sporadically try to play above the rim in the half court … Should continue to add weight and strength to his improving frame, as he currently gets outmuscled by players with similar size on both ends of the court … Has some experience playing off the ball, but clearly is more effective making plays with the ball in his hands … At times can be turnover prone looking to make the home-run play when a simpler play is available … Doesn’t show any real consistent toughness or effort defensively, mostly interested in jumping passing lanes for run outs or trying to swipe for steals … Rarely stays alert or in a stance for full defensive possessions, has issues fighting through screens and may struggle to defend quicker PGs as a young pro … Seems like the type of player who will be asked to defend the other team’s worst perimeter scorer as he develops, but his defensive versatility (and effectiveness) could improve as he gets stronger and shows more awareness, largely due to his physical tools … There have been whispers that some teams may see Ball’s more nonchalant approach as a player as a questionable investment for a potential franchise player and top draft choice, though his improvement over the past few years seems to point to a determined, hard working young player …Overall: LaMelo Ball is a top prospect in the 2020 Draft class and shows truly special natural instincts as an overall playmaker with the ball … There will be a host of teams picking in the top half of the lottery looking for his services, and they will be getting a player who will walk into the NBA with the skill set to put up a triple double statline on any given night…You rarely find guards who have the type of size and talent Ball possesses, though he does have some things to work on in terms of perimeter shooting efficiency and overall defensive presence … Still, his basketball instincts, physical gifts and fun-to-watch style of play will make him a favorite to be selected as the top pick in the draft …Jorrye Nixon 11/9/20Strengths: 6’6 point guard … Good size and length, especially for position … Can shoot off the catch or dribble. Shoots it well from deep and has good arc on shot, most of his makes find the bottom of the net. Hits shots from the NBA 3PT line and is a threat to score from literally anywhere in the half court. His jump shot keeps the defense tense and they must guard him tight away from the basket. Good free throw shooter … Gets to the rim off the dribble, using an effective crossover. Good variety and craft as a finisher. Finishes very well in the paint and in traffic, uses glass when appropriate. Good touch on floater … Good ambidexterity, doesn’t hesitate to use either hand dribbling, passing, or finishing. Creative playing style. Very good ballhandler. Creates for himself and others naturally … High basketball IQ. Tremendous instincts, read and reacts, never hesitates or second guesses himself. Supreme self-confidence. Finds the open man when the help defense comes. Tremendous court vision, passing, and playmaking ability, top of his class. Always knows where all four teammates are. Hits teammates in stride and when they’re in position to score. Can run the pick and roll/pop. Throws accurate outlet passes. Pushes the ball after rebounds, steals, and every other opportunity. Thrives in an up-tempo style but can also play in the half court … Good defender when committed both on and off the ball. Has a nose for the ball, gets clean steals when going for double teams. Good anticipation, jumps passing lanes very well to start instant offense. High steal count … Smooth. Quick hands and light on his feet. Good body control as a ballhandler and in the air. Changes speed and direction very well with the ball … Unselfish. Impacts the game without scoring, isn’t ineffective playing alongside other scorers, and compliments the talent around him. Sometimes he’s quick with the trigger but never forces his scoring or hunts for his shots. He tends to add points in bunches as needed or they accumulate as the game progresses … Rebounds very well on both ends for position … A triple-double threat in high school and impacts the game in multiple statistical categories … Nonchalant demeanor, doesn’t rattled under pressure … Has a lot of experience competing against grown men. Younger for his class, will turn 18 in August after high school. A full year younger than quite a few players who played in the high school all-star circuits. In one case, two full years younger …Weaknesses: Smooth but not an incredibly explosive athlete. Doesn’t get much pop off two feet or in half court situations, especially compared to other guards in his class … Set point on shot is a bit low and he tends to fade a bit at times. Shot selection can improve, he’s a threat to score from anywhere but sometimes pulls up for deep and contested shots that aren’t necessary … Thrives in a fast-paced game, with that can come loose play and high turnovers … Skinny, lacks strength in both the upper and lower body … Can get more action off the ball, tends to drift at times. Roams defensively at times as well, gambling and looking for runout opportunities …Outlook: Younger brother of Lonzo Ball … High school career has been a wild ride: from Chino Hills, Lithuania, JBA League, Spire Institute, to the NBL … Has had a lifestyle unlike any other player his age, already a household name with his own TV show and signature sneaker … Freshman on the 2016 undefeated Chino Hills team … Scored 92 points in a game as a high school sophomore … 2019 MVP of The Grind Session and led Spire Institute to the championship game …Evan Tomes 8/3/19","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Jalen Rose/Shaun Livingston","date_of_birth":"8/22/01","hometown":"Los Angeles, CA","rebounding":9,"potential":9,"post_skills":9,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":7,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":3,"big_board_rank":6,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Patrick Williams","year":2020,"height":79,"weight":215,"school":"Florida St.","pros":" An explosive, “freakish” combo forward with intriguing upside, especially as a defender … One of the most explosive athletes in college basketball, Williams is difficult to keep off of the offensive glass … Oozes potential with his eye popping physical profile and standout versatility … Scores a fair amount of baskets just through sheer athleticism as he’s able to physically outclass most players at the college level … Excellent length with a 6’11 wingspan … Very strong legs and powerful frame. When he’s engaged, he plays a physical brand of basketball and should only get stronger as his body develops with age … Ability to defend multiple positions gives him added intrigue … Converts a number of tip dunks as well as ally oops … Really efficient in the role of an off ball defender, but also effective on the ball … Has amazing speed to make up ground and intercept passes, as evidenced by his steal per game … Intriguing versatility with his ability to handle the ball and knock down mid-range jumpers … Averaged 83.8% from the FT line, an encouraging stat regarding his ability to develop into a high level face the basket scorer … His 32% from three is impressive when you consider his form and combine that with his potential to create shots … Blocked 30 shots on the year, one per game, showing an impressive ability to react and erase shots for a 6’8 forward … 4 rebounds per game, made more impressive when you consider he played in just 22 minutes per game … Shows a solid ability to cut off drives and pull up for jump shots with efficiency … Phenomenal hand strength, showing the ability to corral the ball very easily with one hand … Shows tons of untapped potential. One of the youngest prospects in the 2020 draft. Turned 19 on August 26th giving him a lot more upside and time to develop than his peers in this draft class … Shows excellent versatility with the ability to handle and pass … Displays the ability to create for others with his vision and passing skills … Has a chance to be one of the top players to come out of the 2020 draft …","cons":"There are question marks about his want to as a scorer, and his ceiling as a scorer at the next level … Can he be a 15+ point scorer, does he have the desire to be a bucket getter? … Does not seem to have the instinct to be a high level scorer. So being a standout role player type could be his calling … Doesn’t have the most impressive body of work from a statistical standpoint … Only averaged 9.2 points per game as a freshman … Struggled for playing time in his freshman year, (22 mpg) despite relative effectiveness … Shot just 32% from three, on 16 makes throughout the year … Has a great reputation for being a nice kid, but at times has been called “too nice” and in need of more grit in order to maximize his abilities … Should look to utilize his physicality to his advantage more often … Needs to work on back to the basket skills … Improve his footwork and learn some post moves … Plays unselfish to a fault. Can learn to play with more sense of urgency and force the issue, considering his talent edge … Shows tons of untapped potential, but whether he will be able to tap that ability is the question mark. How badly does he “want it”? … He likely will be a player that really benefits from a good development situation at the next level, or may not make it with his first team if he lands in the wrong situation … Jump shot is a little slow and mechanical. Will need to work on speeding up his release some, specifically from deep … Appears to have better form when shooting pull ups than spot ups … Seems to shoot a jumpshot from mid-range and a set shot from deep. Perhaps learning to get more of a streamline form from deep would increase his shot release quickness and efficiency …Overall: Had numerous highlight plays and certainly qualifies as one of the most exciting prospects in this year’s draft class …  Today’s NBA has shown that tweener forward types that were too short to play power forward in the past, can be highly effective in today’s game … Figures to fit the role of small ball four over time … Likely a kid that will need some pushing and development to realize his potential … One of the real boom or bust picks … Projected by most scouts as a lottery pick in this year’s draft … Could fall short of expectations if he lands in the wrong situation and fails to develop … Staying motivated and focused and developing a offensive skill set will be key to his long term development …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"OG Anunoby","date_of_birth":"8/26/01","hometown":"Charlotte, NC","high_school":"West Charlotte","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":4,"big_board_rank":4,"overall_rank":95}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Isaac Okoro","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":215,"school":"Auburn","pros":"Fits the prototype physically of an NBA small forward with his 6’6 220 lb frame and strong athletic ability, and he uses his size well to compliment his playing style … A good finisher at the rim off 1 or both feet, and is able to convert through contact and with either hand effectively …  Has decent length for a wing with a 6’8.5 wingspan and 8’4.5 standing reach … Flashes good touch to complete plays around the rim on drives when he’s unable to score on dunks … Capable of highlight finishes where he utilizes his great explosiveness and strength to power through contact … Has a lot of composure and confidence for a freshman, and looks the part as a no nonsense future pro, with focus and determination … A slasher with the ball in his hands, shows good body control, strength and has enough juice in his 1st step off the dribble to get in the lane with effectiveness in the NBA … Seems to be a high IQ player, generally plays to his strengths on both ends and doesn’t make a ton of risky decisions … Moves well without the ball, actively looking to cut and score easy points on the weakside … Only 19 years old and already is a pretty promising defender due to his sound fundamentals and active feet … Flashes good timing coming up with help side blocks, and also is pretty good at rotating to take charges as well … Is able to defend on the wing and switch to defend against some small ball 4s, doing an great job of containing dribble penetration even against quicker and athletic players in college…Has the frame to be able to work through screens off the ball…Willing passer and an unselfish player…Solid player, the type who will handle his role with a workmanlike approach, possesses winning traits and doesn’t appear to be “high maintenance” … Born in late January of 2001, he’s one of the younger prospects in this year’s draft …","cons":"Okoro is a work in progress when it comes to his skill level offensively … Is more effective the closer he is to the rim, and shot a below average 28% from 3 in his Fr season … While his touch is good, his mechanics are inconsistent as he is often affected by closeouts and contests … Will be made to prove that he can be a threat and hit open shots from 3 point range, and his upside and offensive value with coincide with his ability to improve his jumper … His mid-range game is poor at the moment, becomes ineffective when his initial driving lanes are cut off … Sometimes is apprehensive about shooting even when there is room, passing up shots or driving into the defense for lower percentage shots … Also struggles from the FT line for a wing prospect, shooting a mediocre 67% in 2019-2020 … Doesn’t have much creativity to his Isolation game, more of a straight line slasher who becomes less effective/more turnover prone the more he dribbles … Somewhat rudimentary as a ball-handler in the half court, though he showed a willingness to create when called upon … He often got stripped by off the ball defenders when he attempted multiple moves in isolation … Just decent as a shot blocker and ball thief; seems to prefer to work as a solid, lower risk team defender as opposed to a gambling, playmaking defender … There is optimism that he can develop into a “Swiss Army knife” type of player, but there is work to be done on all levels of his offensive repertoire to fulfill that potential as he doesn’t have any standout skills, aside from athleticism, on that end of the court just yet … Was showing signs of becoming a star but still more of a complimentary guy in his first year at Auburn, can he be a star at the NBA level, he’s likely to be drafted with that in mind based on draft projections, though he had not reached that level in college … if he’s able to tone his frame, could gain additional speed and quickness …Overall: Okoro is a young prospect coming off a promising Freshman season for a very good Auburn team, putting up averages of 12 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, and 1 bpg … He is a good athlete with good size and strength, and will be able to play and defend multiple positions at the next level … His defense is currently ahead of his offense at this stage in his development, and he will need to improve upon his shooting and overall effectiveness in a half court offense to reach his potential as a prospect … Still, he put up 12 ppg in his 1st season in major college hoops with a raw skill set on a veteran team, offering optimism that he can build his budding skills into even greater production … At the least, he should develop into a prospect who has value as a solid, versatile NBA defender but he could potentially develop into a valuable player if he can stick some open shots and continue to finish well in the paint …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Caron Butler/Justin Anderson","date_of_birth":"1/26/01","hometown":"Powder Springs, GA","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":9,"big_board_rank":5,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Onyeka Okongwu","year":2020,"height":81,"weight":235,"school":"USC","pros":"Exceptional rim protector who can block shots in one-on-one match ups or erase looks in well-timed help defense … Relatively undersized NBA big man with great length to make up for his lack of height …Physical player in the post who uses his strength to get and keep good positioning down in the paint … Finishes with both hands in the paint and is comfortable moving to either side … Tremendous athleticism with spin moves down low or quick first step in the paint … Always seems to get to the rim without settling for jumpers … Just like Harrell, Okongwu is elite in the pick and roll game as he moves extremely effectively without the ball … Length and vertical set him apart as a great rebounder, particularly on the offensive glass … Gets to the line often and shoots efficiently at 74%, a promising sign for his offensive development  … Excellent FG shooting percentage at 61% … Stays out of foul trouble for the most part … Reads passes well with over a steal per game … All-around elite defender both inside and outside the paint … Off ball movement is what sets him apart from other big men in the conference … One of the highest potential players in the entire 2020 NBA Draft due to his elite play on both sides of the ball and great rebounding ability","cons":"Must polish his offensive game as he can at times be too reliant upon his physical gifts in order to overpower and outclass opponents at the college level … Often relies on second chance opportunities after missing his first shot … Seems to be a little out of control at times in the paint … Underdeveloped outside shooting acumen will make him easier to stop at the next level initially … Loses track of fundamentals at points and releases hook shots too low … It’s questionable how effective he will be playing as a stretch four due to poor outside shooting making him a one-dimensional offensive player … While it is uncommon, he sometimes gets blown by but makes up for it with blocks from behind; something that may not work with faster, more physical/explosive NBA players … Poor ball-handling impacts limits his ability to create offense as a jump shooter …Outlook: Projects as a lottery selection in 2020 NBA Draft … Has the ability to step into a starter role immediately because of his elite defense … If he fails to develop into more of a jump shooter, he will peak as an average starter in his career … Defensive ability should keep him in the league for a good amount of time … His best qualities would be brought out on a team with a great defensive center … A possible pairing with DeAndre Ayton in Phoenix would allow him time to develop offensively and create a suffocating defensive style with Ayton as a suffocating defensive partner. Booker’s offensive ability would also take pressure off of Okongwu as he develops his offensive game … Shot blocking prowess doesn’t always translate for smaller centers from NCAA to NBA …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Player Comparison: John Collins/Montrezl Harrell","date_of_birth":"12/11/00","hometown":"Chino Hills, CA","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":6,"big_board_rank":3,"overall_rank":96}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Killian Hayes","year":2020,"height":77,"weight":195,"school":"France","pros":"Tall, left handed point guard (6-5), with very good size for his position … Very good length (wingspan measured at 6-foot-8) … Great feel for the game … Nice build, with long arms and wide shoulders that look they can fill up well … Has good level of athleticism … Fluid athlete … Versatile, can play in either guard position thanks to his size and length … Has a high basketball I.Q. … Experienced for his age, has been playing at a good senior level the past two years … Can change speeds and directions at an elite level … Can create his own shot … Has good touch around the basket … Already has a great pull up game and a constantly improving step back shot, with his range going all the way out to the 3-point line … Has improved as a shooter in Spot Up situations … Good ball handler, with a few hesitation moves that help him create his shot … Has excellent body control while driving to the basket … Likes to finish plays hard when he goes to the basket and even dunk when he has space … Has already some nice counter moves when he drives to the basket and can’t get all the way to the basket … At his best in transition, he can be a one man fast break … Excellent passer with great court vision … Creative passer, has the ability to find the open teammate in any situation … A Pick and Roll maestro … He makes good reads and most of the time knows when and where to pass the ball … Very good in drive and kicks situations … If he has a good Pick and Roll big with him can make a lot of damage … Good on ball defender when focused, can disturb his opponents with his size and length … Good team defender, knows the basic concepts of team defense … Has quick hands that help him make a lot of steals … Dependable defender in Pick and Roll situations thanks to his size, length and basketball I.Q","cons":"Good, but not an elite athlete … Lacks an explosive first step … He needs to bulk up his body … At times he just plays too fast … Still learning some of the nuances of playing point guard … Tries to do too much, too soon on offense … He has the tendency to force things and needs to find some balance and know when to slow down a bit … The fact that he is not an elite athlete limits him in Isolation situations, since he might have problems creating from a stand still position … Extremely left hand dominant, he can be easy to read, especially at the next level … Not really a threat when he drives with his right hand … He doesn’t attack the basket as much as he could or should … Can fall in love with his pull up game and settle for average shots instead of looking for the better play … Has made improvements as a shooter but he still can’t be considered a real threat in Spot Up and Catch and Shoot situations … Doesn’t attack close outs as hard as he could … Has problems finishing through contact, he needs to bulk up to improve in that area … Inconsistent finisher at the rim … He should be able to draw more fouls with his playing style … Ball handling still needs some polishing, especially with his right hand … Occasionally suffers from tunnel vision when he drives to the basket … His passes can be a little wild, since he tries to pass from angles that just aren’t there … Turnover prone, his assist/turnover ratio is considered average for now … Off the ball game needs work … Inconsistent defender, his motor can come and go depending on the opponent … Average lateral quickness for a point guard, he could have problems against speedy opponents … Can be too focused on the ball while defending on the weak side and loses truck of his opponent …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Kirk Hinrich/Spencer Dinwiddie","date_of_birth":"7/27/01","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":14,"big_board_rank":9,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Obi Toppin","year":2020,"height":81,"weight":220,"school":"Dayton","pros":"Toppin is a late blooming frontcourt prospect who seemingly come out of nowhere after a redshirt season in 2017-2018 to emerge as the best player and prospect in the A-10 conference in 2019-2020 and one of the top players and prospects in the nation … Has decent size for a PF prospect at 6’9, a 7-2 wingspan and around 230 lbs …Shows very good run-jump athleticism … An above the rim highlight machine, Toppin is a consistent finisher at the rim and looks to finish with authority much more often than not, even through contact … Lead the NCAA in dunks this season, and many of them were of the put back variety due to a quick 2nd jump and high energy … His experience playing the 5 for Dayton gives him positional versatility, as he has the ability to operate on the low post, mid range and even step out to the 3 point line and be effective, making him fit seamlessly as a 6’9 four man in the current NBA … His shooting fundamentals are a plus, as he shoots with consistent mechanics and a high release point, making him a potential floor spacing option … Showed the ability to create offense from the perimeter, hitting both catch and shoot but also creating some pull ups … His 39% from 3-point shows what a prolific shooter he has become … The fact that he shot a great clip on a high usage rate gives his ability to score at the next level a lot of intrigue … Can be effective as a roll man or a spot up shooter in the picking game, making him a formidable match up … Moves well without the ball and shows natural instincts … Quite efficient and makes smart decisions on the court, unselfish player and has good passing ability, as his near even a/to ratio from a forward attests … Solid as a defender at the college level in each of his 2 seasons, pretty good fundamentals and IQ on that end and gives good focus and consistency … His considerable improvements each year suggest a player with the smarts and work ethic necessary to find a way to succeed/thrive at the next level … Handled not catching teams by surprise and having the attention on him very well this season, proving his RFr season was not a fluke and just the tip of the iceberg … Despite being older, shows potential to develop his offensive game further, having shown a great deal of improvement in the past year … Has one of the highest floors of any player available in this year’s draft … A coachable, team oriented guy. Shows very good leadership and maturity, and figures to make an excellent teammate at the next level …","cons":"Though a standout athlete with nice size, Toppin doesn’t seem to possess great foot quickness, and will likely have some struggles defending on the perimeter in match ups with quicker 4’s … Appears somewhat stiff in his upper body and shoulders, but flexibility could be improved upon over time  … Given his leaping skills and length, as well as the size advantage he enjoys in most matchups with A-10 big men, Toppin is an average overall rebounder at best (7.6 rpg this season, 5.8 rpg as a Fr) … Perhaps his rebounding can improve with focus on core strength, and work on fundamentals  … Though he’s been solid on defense in college, he does not project to be much of a shot blocker or threat in the passing lanes at the NBA level, giving him a unspectacular ceiling on that end of the floor … Doesn’t have many moves, as a low post player he prefers to almost exclusively use right handed jump hooks when he can’t simply dunk the ball, and he hasn’t showed much off the bounce when facing up either … Not much a shot creator … Turned 22 in March making him older than the average lottery pick … Though he proved to be a very good 3-point shooter, his 70% from the FT line is an area he needs to improve upon …Overall: Toppin made a name for himself with his outstanding play in the last 2 seasons for a Dayton team that has a good track record of success as a “mid major” program … He led Dayton to a 29-2 record and 18-0 in conference … There is something to be said for a player who continually exceeds expectations after going from under the radar, to having a target on his back every night …Toppin was overlooked a year ago, having been denied an invite to the 2019 NBA Draft combine … He has some strong potential in the pick and roll/pop game, and is an efficient player with an intriguing combination of a good shooting stroke and above the rim athletic ability …He’s currently not much off the dribble, is a surprisingly mediocre rebounder and his lateral quickness is somewhat questionable for a 4 man, but he is a hard-working, efficient player who has more strengths than weaknesses and figures to be among the first players to come off the board on draft night … Has made it known that he would love to join the Golden State Warriors who go into the lottery with the best chance of landing the top pick and at worst will be drafting fifth … Figures to be drafted somewhere in the top half of the lottery … Has All Star potential if his offensive game continues to develop and he lands in a good situation …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Kenyon Martin/Shawn Marion","date_of_birth":"3/4/98","hometown":"Ossining, NY","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":9,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":5,"big_board_rank":2,"overall_rank":96}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Deni Avdija","year":2020,"height":81,"weight":210,"school":"Israel","pros":"All around talented wing with great size … Versatile, he can play from shooting guard to power forward … Great feel for the game … He possesses a high basketball I.Q … Very competitive, not afraid of the big stage … Jack of all trades, he can do just about everything on the floor … Has all the necessary tools to become a point forward in the future and work as a secondary play maker … Has been exposed to high level competition from a young age and has held his own … He is a better athlete than most people think … Great ball handler for a wing … Can create his own shot … He has shown great signs on Pull Up situations and shooting off the dribble … He already has a very good looking Step Back 3 that helps him punish switches … Attacks closeouts and can go all the way and finish plays at the rim … Very good in the open floor, either as the ball handler or filling the lanes as a wing … Elite court vision, he can see angles that few players his size can … Creative passer … Can play the Pick and Roll at a very good level as the ball handler, since he can either shoot, drive, or pass to the rolling big … He can see the weakside while driving to the basket … Very good in drive and kick situations … Has a good basic post up game which helps him score against smaller opponents either with brute force or with nice footwork … He can turn from either shoulder when he is posting up… Has improved considerably at moving without the ball and is an amazing cutter … Very good rebounder for his position… Versatile on the defensive end, he can guard from point guards to light power forwards … Has a nice low stance on defense … Good lateral quickness combined with his instincts help him stay in front off perimeter players when he is motivated … He gets in passing lanes and his active hands help him make steals … Terrific shot blocker for his position, understands the law of verticality and can make blocks coming from the weakside …","cons":"Has a below average wingspan (6-9) for his size … Needs to continue bulking up, but be careful not to lose his flexibility and mobility … His competitive nature can get the better of him sometimes and make him lose concentration for a few plays … He can lose focus from time to time and look a little lethargic on the floor … Doesn’t have an elite burst which limits him in isolation situations … He has problems blowing by athletic opponents from a standstill, which makes him settle for mid-range shots … His below 70% free throw shooting is alarming for a wing … Needs work in Spot Up and Catch and Shoot situations… He is a streaky shooter for now, he could go hot or cold at any time  … Has problems creating separation against long, athletic opponents for now … He has the tendency to change mechanics when opponents are closing out on him on the perimeter  … Extremely right hand dominant when driving to the basket, which can make him predictable … Left hand needs a lot of work… His lack of elite athletic tools hurts him when he has to finish at the rim against length … Has problems finishing through contact and at times even looks like he is trying to avoid contact altogether … He occasionally gets stuck with the ball in his hands, dribbling, becoming kind of a ball stopper … If he wants to be a good creator at an NBA level he must improve at changing speeds and direction … It would be beneficial for him to add some counters to his post up game … Decision making still needs some work, as he can try to do things too fast or too slow at times, which leads to turnovers  … His passes can be a little off sometimes … Assist/turnover ratio should improve … His energy on defense can be inconsistent … Gets caught up behind screens when he is chasing a shooter … He might be a step too slow when he is guarding a good athlete on the perimeter, which could be problematic … Has problems reading screens on the defensive end in Pick and Roll situations …Outlook: Deni Avdija is generally considered the best player of his generation in Europe … He has been amazing at FIBA’s Youth championships for years … On paper he is the definition of a new era wing, since he could be a two way force with great offensive skill set and above average defensive potential … His ability to create for himself and his teammates is that makes him so unique … If he ends up in the right environment he has a shot to develop into something special …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Hedo Turkoglu","date_of_birth":"1/3/01","rebounding":9,"potential":9,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":7,"big_board_rank":8,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen Smith","year":2020,"height":82,"weight":220,"school":"Maryland","pros":" A long, versatile power forward with solid all around skill set … Possesses a 7’2 wingspan and 6’10 height … Shows the ability to contribute in a variety of ways, and on both ends of the floor … Showed intriguing development from his freshman to sophomore seasons … Has developed into a quality outside shooter, showing the range to knock down the three ball at a solid clip, making one per game at 36.8% … Also improved as a FT shooter, raising his average from 65 to 75% in his sophomore year … His ability to shoot on top of the length and athleticism makes him an intriguing option in today’s shot-centric league … A quality defender … Shows a solid ability to block shots utilizing long arms, leaping ability and excellent instincts to read and react opponents around the paint … Smith is a cerebral player, and shows good decision making ability … Productive college player, who played with consistency and energy … Has very good size and length at 6’10 with a 7’1.5 wingspan … Runs the floor hard, and does a solid job of finishing on the break … Shows some solid post skills with the ability to hit baby hooks as well as create baskets with polished interior moves … Considered a great kid, very hard working and intelligent …","cons":"While he is bouncy, he is not the most fluid of athletes … Hips appear stiff and doesn’t show great flexibility … His post moves can look somewhat robotic at times … Worked hard in the off-season to add strength and bulk, but his legs still appear very thin, and somewhat underdeveloped … Whether his lack of leg mass / body symmetry creates an injury concern is something that team doctors would need to address … Jump shot is effective but takes a little while to get off. Can improve upon making his shot more concise and have less range of motion over time … May take some time to extend his shot to become an effective NBA three point shooter but the hope is obviously … Lacks great ball handling ability to create offense for himself off the dribble … Movements appear stiff and robotic at times, doesn’t always make things look sexy, but he’s obviously very effective in his role …Overall: Despite being just 225 lbs, today’s game seems to have gone away from strength with spacing and skill being of more importance in big men … Smith is considered by most scouts as a likely first rounder … Was able to add 15 lbs of muscle to his frame showing better ability to handle contact in the post in his sophomore season …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Taj Gibson","date_of_birth":"3/16/00","hometown":"Baltimore, MD","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":6,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":13,"big_board_rank":18,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Devin Vassell","year":2020,"height":79,"weight":200,"school":"Florida St.","pros":"One of the most athletic wings in this year’s NBA draft … Shows a lot of promise as a wing that can contribute on both ends of the floor … High flyer. Explosive leaper. When he has an opening to the basket, regularly finishes with highlight dunks … Smooth offensive game, makes it look easy … Fluid athlete who runs the floor well … Good length, Possesses a near 7-foot wingspan … Has an athletic body … Shot 41% from three in both of his seasons at Florida State (knocking down 19 and 48 in his two seasons) … Hit 1.5 threes per game over a full college season, a solid sample size to project his ability as a shooter and scorer at the next level … Showed vast improvement from his freshman year, (4.5 to 12.7 ppg) after receiving a much greater opportunity to be a focal point of the offense … Shows the ability to handle the ball and create offense off the dribble … Can pull up off the dribble and knock down shots consistently … Mid-range game showed solid improvement as a sophomore. Adept at improvising on drives and creating shots when there are openings … Has a go to move with his step back jumper, that he utilizes well to create space for shots … High release point on his shot is a positive … Wiry strong. Plays stronger than his frame and doesn’t get affected much by contact … Very good rebounder considering his thin frame, 5.1 rebounds per game stands out as a wing playing 28 min per game … Has a reputation for being a tough competitor … Unselfish player who passes willingly and is an underrated passer … A competitor who showed the ability to perform well in clutch situations. It would have been fun to see what he could have done in this year’s NCAA tourney …","cons":" Can improve on his ability to create offense for himself in isolation, though he wasn’t called upon to do this very frequently in FSU system this year … Needs to continue to add some bulk to his frame … Added leg strength should allow him to gain more explosiveness / balance … Got to the line just 2.2 times per game … Illustrates the need for a player with his athletic ability to force the issue and get to the line more often on drives … Can use more core strength to become better equipped to make it through an NBA season healthy and productive … May struggle with scoring consistency early in his NBA career, as it was somewhat inconsistent in college … Had six games where he scored in single digits, and scored just 5 and 3 points in two of his final six games … Shot just 73.8% from the FT line as a sophomore and 67.9% as a freshman … Release on shot is not always consistent. His elbow does not stay aligned to the basket and sometimes has a tendency to jet out to the side as he shoots instead of staying in front of him and aligned to the basket … Nonchalant style, makes everything look easy, but can give the impression he’s not going his hardest at all times as well …Overall: Started 29 games as a sophomore, after starting none as a freshman … Really shined for the Seminoles in a breakout sophomore year … Averaged 12.7 ppg, so there are some who may question why he wasn’t a bigger producer offensively. And whether he has what it takes to be a standout scorer in the NBA … In Vassell’s defense he played on a Florida State team with a great deal of talent and Leonard Hamilton preaches having a balanced attack … Vassell played just 28.8 minutes per game …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Kelly Oubre/Kent Bazemore","date_of_birth":"8/23/00","hometown":"Suwanee, GA","high_school":"Peachtree Ridge","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":11,"big_board_rank":11,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tyrese Haliburton","year":2020,"height":77,"weight":185,"school":"Iowa St.","pros":"A tall and rangy PG, is a legitimate 6’5 and has long arms … Uses his height to his advantage, showing outstanding court vision and flashes of the ability to make difficult passes and shots over smaller guards … Great passer and facilitator, creates multiple easy shots every game (7.1 apg currently) … Has good timing with his assists, often making pocket passes or zipping dimes across the court to cutters and shooters before the defense has time to react … Blossomed into the primary scorer this season for Iowa State after being more of a secondary role player as a Fr., more than doubling his scoring from 6 ppg to 15 … A versatile player who has experience playing in different roles on the perimeter, contributes in just about every aspect of the game … Ultra efficient, especially for a player with his usage rate (22.4%), Haliburton has never shot less than 50% from the field and 40% from 3 in either of his 1st 2 seasons of college basketball … Also takes pretty good care of the ball, averaging around a 3.5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio for his career … Active feet and hands as a defender, competes and is adept at jumping in the passing lanes (2.4 spg) … Rebounds as well as you’d expect for a taller PG (6 rpg as a Soph) … A quick guard, shows a nice 1st step going in either direction and doesn’t have much trouble penetrating and getting to the paint or turning the corner in the pick and roll … The base is there for him to become a solid shooter from NBA 3 point range in time, has a high release and decent shooting touch … Able to get his shot off pulling up from mid-range considering his height, quickness and high release, and can currently stick shots from 15-18 ft with some effectiveness … Would fit well in an up tempo system, good in transition … Iowa State’s offensive floor spacing is similar to that of an NBA scheme, so he’s going to be somewhat prepared for the offensive flow of an NBA game … A relative late bloomer, wasn’t a top 150 recruit out of HS … Will only be 20 years old next season if he leaves for the NBA Draft in 2020, and considering the big strides he made from Year 1 to Year 2, there is reason to believe he has even more untapped potential to continue to grow …","cons":"The main question about Haliburton is his narrowly built frame, as he is about 180 lbs and will need to add more strength if he wants to be able to defend more than just PGs and realize his true defensive potential as a versatile weapon on that end of the court…Shooting fundamentals are somewhat crude when spotting up, shoots a push shot with little elevation … While he can make you pay if you leave him open, his shooting is much less effective when contested due to a slow shooting release. Similar to Lonzo Ball struggles to create in ISO situations as his jumpshot is easily blocked due to a long, unorthodox shooting motion … Will have to prove he can make shots from NBA 3 point range, despite his good percentages in college … Can struggle with physical guards, sometimes can be pestered into turnovers … Not necessarily a natural scorer despite considerable uptick in his scoring in the past year, doesn’t have a bag of tricks to create for himself if he can’t beat you with his quickness at the moment … Though his numbers have improved and he’s the best prospect on Iowa State, his team has struggled this season more than you’d typically associate with a player discussed as a potential high 1st round pick …Though quick and shifty, doesnt possess explosive leaping ability and is mostly a below the rim player …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Lonzo Ball/Dante Exum","date_of_birth":"2/29/00","hometown":"Oshkosh, WI","high_school":"North","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":9,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":8,"big_board_rank":10,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kira Lewis Jr","year":2020,"height":75,"weight":170,"school":"Alabama","pros":"Long, quick, athletic point guard with good scoring ability … Speed kills. Lewis is extremely quick and makes it difficult for opposing guards to keep him in front of them … Has a smoothness to his game … Pushes the ball well, utilizing good ball handling and great speed and fluidity … Has a lightning quick first step and shows very good ability to drive the ball … Great body control allows him to finish plays at the rim, as well as weave through traffic … Shows good ability to shoot the ball from deep, particularly in spot up situations … Developing a nice mid-range game … Shows an adept ability to incorporate floaters when he can’t get all the way to the rim … Has great experience for his age and is very young having turned 19 in April, with two college seasons under his belt … A good outside shooter with a solid, efficient from … Has a quick release and really does a good job of catching, squaring up and releasing quickly, and has shown that he can get shots off effectively even without much space to work with … Has great quickness, length and anticipation allowing him to jump passing lanes and produce a lot of breakaways … A fairly explosive athlete … Shows a great deal of potential as a defender due to his length and quickness … Great length. Measured with a 6’5 wingspan two years ago (at the 2018 USA Select minicamp) and there’s a chance he’s gotten an inch or two longer since … A very good athlete who routinely finishes breakaways with dunks … While he increased his scoring from his freshman year, his big jump in productivity came as a playmaker as he upped his assists from 2.9 to 5.2 … Efficient shooter/scorer from all three levels. Hit 36% from three in both of his seasons, shoots 80% from the line and connects at a solid rate from inside the arch … Very solid rebounder considering his lack of strength at 4.8 per game, showing his tenacity and hustle, surely giving his analytics projections a lift … Does an excellent job of driving and dishing … Has the ability to force the defense to react and collapse and finds open teammates well on the move … Shows the ability to extend drives with the Eurostep … A steady performer. Scored in double digits in all but 2 games …","cons":" Can improve in his ability to score from the perimeter in ISO situations … Most of his success from the perimeter comes from catch and shoot … Lacks polish in pick and roll game … His all around point guard play can improve as far as learning the nuances and controlling the tempo, which will allow him to become a better facilitator, granted he’s got a good deal of polish considering his age … Needs to add bulk to his frame at just 167 lbs, though point guards have proven to be successful with slight frames like Darren Collison … Lack of strength limits his ability to finish plays after contact as well as giving him less ability to play defense when the game gets physical … Despite his great physical make up, his defense still has a ways to go … He shows a great deal of upside as a defender, but still needs to learn to devote the same level of focus on that end of the floor … Will need to become better at limiting turnovers as he averaged 3.5 per game, though his a/to ratio was decent at 5.2 to 3.5 (a rate of 1.48) … Can get sloppy with the ball on drives, exposing the ball, and allowing it to be stripped … A solid playmaker for others but not someone that passes his teammates open or who sees plays a few steps ahead or regularly elevates teammates scoring ability …Overall: Still appears to have a lot of potential left to develop, especially when considering his age … Has the potential to develop into a quality NBA starting point guard … While a solid athlete, as far as his upside goes, is a couple levels below the NBA’s most dynamic point guard athletes like Ja Morant or Russell Westbrook … Should get looks in the mid-late lottery and figures to be drafter somewhere in the mid-first round …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Darren Collison/Dennis Schroder","date_of_birth":"4/6/01","hometown":"Meridianville, AL","high_school":"Hazel Green","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":10,"big_board_rank":16,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Aaron Nesmith","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":215,"school":"Vanderbilt","pros":" A pure shooter who put up incredible stats for the first half of the season, before succumbing to a foot injury that ended his season … Displayed tremendous range. Showed the ability to extend well past the college three and out to NBA three during his sophomore year … Has a clean, concise shooting motion, and gets shots off quickly after setting his feet … Learning some effective tricks to free himself up for shots, including ball fakes, jab steps, and moving without the ball … It’s obvious he has studied some of the game’s greats like Curry and Harden and implemented their ball skills, including step back jumpers to enhance his offensive game … Despite lacking great foot speed, Nesmith shows the ability to defend utilizing long arms, solid technique and effort … Defensive ability is enhanced by his length, maturity, focus and basketball IQ … An extremely prolific three point shooter, at least in his amazing 14 game window, knocking down 4.3 per game (on 8.2 attempts) … Was highly efficient shooting … Prolific scorer. Nesmith went for 34 points twice and topped the 25 point mark four other times in his 14 games … Excellent length with a 6’10 wingspan on the wing … A solid leaper and dunker when he gets an open angle to the rim. His long arms allow him to get well above the rim for finishes … Has a bit of an “old man’s game”. It’s not overly pretty and his legs and movements are a bit rigid, but he’s effective … Has an NBA ready body. Very good upper body strength, showing the ability to finish through contact … Shows some slick ball handling ability to create space for pull ups as well as creating driving opportunities … Steady free throw shooter at 82% in both freshman and sophomore seasons … Proved a better rebounder in freshman season, perhaps showing his ability when focused more on team play than scoring … 3-and-D type of wing prospect …","cons":"Body of work is not robust as he did not sustain his breakout season for more than 14 games, and missed nearly all of conference play. He also did not shoot at the same clip as a freshman (33.7% from 3) … Lacks great vision and passing ability, granted a lot of the offensive weight was put on his shoulders at Vanderbilt … Somewhat robotic and stiff … Not the most fluid of athletes. While he shows the ability to dunk and finish on the break, he’s not the most dynamic of athletes, as his hips are stiff and he lacks fluidity for a wing … Body control on drives is below average … Assist to turnover ratio was a very disappointing 0.9 to 1.7, made even more concerning by the fact that his games were almost exclusively against inferior talent. Nesmith faced just one top 25 team (Auburn) all season … Ball handling seems to break down when attacking the basket … Lacks speed when attacking the rim. Forced to use strength instead of a quick first step in order to keep defenders at bay and create scoring opportunities off the dribble … Likely to get crowded at the next level, as he may struggle to create off the dribble against NBA wing athletes …Overall: Quite possibly the 2020 draft’s top overall shooter … Nesmith was on pace to become the most prolific shooter in SEC history over the course of a season … Could potentially become a Buddy Hield type of NBA player, if his offensive game becomes more diverse and he learns to protect the ball and pass the ball better … A foot injury is a little more concerning as they can be harder to recover from and more likely to be recurring. His physicals will obviously be important for teams considering him in the late lottery/mid first area … Projecting his draft stock, Benefits greatly from the premium put on outside shooters in today’s NBA …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Cameron Johnson/Robert Covington","date_of_birth":"10/16/99","hometown":"Charleston, SC","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":26,"big_board_rank":22,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cole Anthony","year":2020,"height":75,"weight":185,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"Anthony is an aggressive, confident, score-first point guard who, at 6’3, 190 lbs has decent size for the position … Above average athleticism, he possesses solid speed, body dexterity, agility and quickness … Wired to score, and when at his best is capable of putting up points in a hurry, with the shot-making ability and ball skills to do damage at all 3 levels … Seems to be most comfortable and effective with the ball in his hands, is a natural creator … Loves to attack in isolation or when the defense isn’t set, very good in the open court and has the aggressiveness and ball-handling to create on the fly and apply pressure on the defense … Good, strong 1st step off the bounce … One of the best in the 2020 draft class at making difficult shots, which is both a blessing and a curse … Has shown that he has good touch, and the groundwork is there for him to become an efficient mid-range player due to his promising pull-up and step back jumpers, and a few effective floaters that he already has in his bag … Can finish with either hand and has the ability to make difficult lay-ins around the rim at times against tough defense … When he decides to go in playmaker mode, he occasionally shows adequate passing skills and the ability to make the right play when the defense is breaking down … Contributes defensively and on the glass, nearly 6 rpg (5.7) as a Fr. and has the potential to be a pretty good defender with more experience, as he should be able to guard his position and the 2-guard spot depending on the matchup … Has the type of sturdy base, strength, toughness and athleticism to contain dribble penetration from most guards, and he strung together some strong possessions and made a few timely steals that turned into points for UNC as a Fr that illustrates his potential on that end … Doesn’t shy away from contact, will only fare better dealing with physicality as he gets older … Made a few impressive help side blocks this season, indicating both sound instincts and athleticism … Strong bloodlines, his father, Greg, was a college star at UNLV and played 11 seasons in the NBA at PG … Solid physical profile for a point guard at 6’3 in shoes and possessing a 6’4.5 wingspan …","cons":"Anthony will need to develop his ability to be an efficient team player to reach his full potential and optimal value in the league … There’s a concern that if he’s not talented enough to be effective as a team leader (standout), he may struggle to contribute … Borders on overconfident at times … Got in the bad habit of over-penetrating and throwing up wild contested shots, attempting to draw fouls and often ended up being well contested misses … While he has the talent to impress, he at times struggles with his shot selection (38% FG) and general decision-making (4 apg to 3.5 topg) … Shot just 75% from the free throw line in his freshman year, down considerably from his near 90% in high school … Can be a bit sloppy with the ball in stretches, forcing the action and over dribbling to cause turnovers, and isn’t quite a natural playmaker for others or a true floor general from the lead guard spot …  It seems to take a concerted effort for him to pass, only sporadically scoring and setting up teammates well in the same game … UNC didn’t have much spacing or shooting, but Anthony did miss some chances to make passes to open teammates, especially off the dribble, often settling for more difficult shots than necessary … Put together some strong scoring performances, but also struggled against the stronger teams that UNC faced in the ACC slate … Teams will want to get a better gauge on his deep shooting skills, as he shot with confidence and had a good reputation as a prep player, but was a lackluster 34% from downtown as a Freshman and it may take time for him to consistently knock down shots from NBA range … Shooting release is somewhat slow and he isn’t a knockdown shooter against closeouts even with his feet set, though he isn’t someone to just leave open and dare to shoot … Has good defensive potential, but still is green and will gamble or put himself in bad positions, sometimes by defending screens incorrectly (going underneath when a good shooter has the ball, staying tight when a non shooter has it, etc)…Some teams will question if Anthony projects more as a franchise player or as a contributing scoring option, some may be high on his upside as a scoring guard while others may point to his scoring acumen and work-in-progress decision making skills as the main reason that he isn’t a lead guard … Has the swagger and confidence of a high school and college star, but may be in for a rude awakening at the next level as he may have to fight through considerable adversity to figure out how to utilize his skills and be an NBA contributor … Though his team was decimated with injuries and not really constructed well, he will have to attempt to explain why a typical powerhouse like UNC struggled so much with him there as a ballyhooed recruit, even after he returned after missing a month with a knee injury … Will be 20 years old as an NBA rookie, making him slightly older than most of the Fr in his class …Overall: A highly decorated HS player, and has the kind of natural talent and upside that will be intriguing for teams picking in the lottery … Anthony comes into this draft after productive Freshman season on an extremely disappointing squad … He showed the scoring punch and talent that made him such a highly touted recruit, and there aren’t many prospects in this class with the type of upside that Anthony possesses … He can score, defend and rebound well at the guard spot and already has good strength for a young backcourt player … His decision making and shot selection are both in need of improvement and will be the main things he will need to sharpen to reach his potential as a player … May be more a scoring guard than a floor general, but in an increasingly position-less NBA, he should still become an essential player given his raw all-around skills and talent, as well as the fact that he has been lauded as a great competitor who has been praised by coaches for his work ethic…Even though UNC had a disappointing season (that was hit hard by injuries, most notably including to Cole Anthony) it was good to see that Anthony generally showed a competitive fire to fight through and try to get the most from himself on a team that was largely ineffective on the perimeter, besides him … Could fare better in the NBA not having to take quite as many tough (double-teamed) shots as he did this past season … Apologists liken him to a similar style player in fellow Tar Heel and mid lotto pick in 2019 Coby White …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Mo Williams","date_of_birth":"5/15/00","hometown":"New York, NY","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":15,"big_board_rank":14,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Isaiah Stewart","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":245,"school":"Washington","pros":"Rugged big man with a tireless motor and youthful exuberance  ..  He is physically gifted with tremendous strength and decent touch around the rim … A physical specimen strength wise and has elite length with a 7’4 wingspan … Utilizes his strength well to post up against taller big men … Uses a variety of post moves effectively with good hands and body control around the basket … Post game consists of some nice jump hooks and up-and-unders … Shows some natural shot blocking instincts … Great, physical defender who averaged over 2 blocks per game, utilizing his length very well … Strength and energy level allow for him to dominate on the glass … Has the ability to take mid-range jumpers out of the post upon entry … Dominated all season long in the post with jump ball entry passes and pinning his defenders for easy layups … Has a solid shooting motion, just needs to gain confidence over time … Efficient shooter at the free throw line at 77%, which gives his face up, mid range game nice promise … Was very productive both scoring and on the boards as a freshman … Very young. Turns 19 on May 22nd …","cons":"Below the rim athlete … Very long with decent mobility, but lacks great leaping ability to finish athletic plays above the rim … Struggles to convert ally oops as he needs time to get his feet organized to explode and convert …  His lack of explosiveness could inhibit his ability to score on the block against more explosive opponents … It’s also questionable whether he has the size and explosiveness be a rim protector at the next level … Struggles to create offense for himself as his post game and ability to get open looks need further development … Very muscle bound, but seems to sacrifice some flexibility with his muscle mass … Does not threaten opposing defenses with perimeter shooting at this point … Lacks a three point shot, and needs to extend his range beyond the paint … One dimensional post player who may struggle facing stronger, taller, and more talented big men … Heavy footed … Lateral speed is not great … Lacks foot speed and overall quickness which will hurt his defensive ability against stretch 4’s and athletic centers … Lacks a first step, limiting his ability to beat defenders off the dribble, instead finding success against them with post moves and quick jumpers … Relatively non-existent passer in the offense … Needs to cut down on the turnovers, 2.2 per game … Despite a 7’4 wingspan, he’s just 6’9, which is on the small side for the center position …Outlook: Stewart became one of the most physically imposing big men in the entire country during his one year stop at the University of Washington … Stewart projects to be a mid-to-late first round pick in this year’s NBA Draft … Until he develops a perimeter shooting game, his ceiling will remain low as he will peak as a good/great rebounder with defensive ability … His physicality will allow him to play right away as it is hard to see him being pushed around with his build … Probably fits best on a team that likes to pound the ball and play a slower style of game …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Danny Fortson/Antonio Davis","date_of_birth":"5/22/01","hometown":"Rochester, NY","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":39,"big_board_rank":43,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Josh Green","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":215,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Elite defender who leads Arizona in steals per game … Picturesque frame for a NBA shooting guard at 6’6, 210 pounds … Has the ability to take over the PG role when Nico Mannion is not in the game with good ball-handling and excellent vision … Above average facilitator and three-point shooter … Sees the floor well and knows where to be for an extra pass and knockdown shot … Smart player who will pass up a three for a better shot for himself as he attempts to develop a better three-point shot … Great rebounder and outlet passer … Freakish 6’10 wingspan for a guard which contributes to his 1.6 steals per game and ability to guard multiple positions … Extremely athletic player who can play 3 or 4 different positions … Versatile player who can become a knockdown three-point shooter, pass-first point guard, or playmaking slasher depending on the team’s needs … Great composure and confidence on and off the court … Improved his free throw percentage from 59% to 78% since Under Armour Association in 2018 … Very high potential with all of the traits to be an elite NBA player","cons":"Needs to become a more consistent jump shooter with only a 32% three-point percentage … Does a lot of things really well but has not developed to a great/elite level at any of these tasks … Impulsive defender that gets himself into foul trouble too often … Room to improve as a ball handler, tends to get past defenders with speed and athleticism rather than creating space off the dribble … Doesn’t attack to the left often or well enough … Sometimes plays a little too unselfish when he could make a larger impact … Can sometimes disappear into more of a role player rather than a starOutlook: Considered a likely late lottery to mid first round pick … Looks to be an impactful role player early on in his career, which will give him good minutes … Won’t be a star right away but a year or two of development on a consistent jump shot will turn him from good to great … Pelicans would be a great fit to provide an immediate impact on defense with little to no pressure to put up a lot of points with the likes of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram leading the way","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Kelly Oubre","date_of_birth":"11/16/00","hometown":"Australia","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":23,"big_board_rank":12,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Saddiq Bey","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":215,"school":"Villanova","pros":"Scrappy, confident, high energy forward who broke out this season into one of the most productive players in the Big East … Outstanding three-point shooter who finished at 45% for the season on a high volume of shots (2.5 made threes per game) … Elite catch and shoot perimeter player … High motor,  versatile player with the size to play the SF position at the next level (6’8, 216 pounds) and with a near 7-foot wingspan … An overachiever. Bey is a two-way player who stood out on both sides of the ball for #10 Villanova Wildcats this season … Knock down shooter from both mid-range and beyond the arc … Held his own in limited post opportunities this season … Strong and determined defender who can successfully defend 2s, 3s, and (college) 4s … Physical on both offense and defense  … Does a good job of playing deliberate and when he sees an open look, there’s no hesitation, the shot is going up … Quick release allows him to get up uncontested threes before help defenders can arrive … Strength, size, and length allow him to take advantage of mismatches against smaller guards … Showcases above average handles for someone with his size … Gives relentless effort whenever he is in the game… While it is not his specialty, he is able to create for others around him … Respectable free throw shooter who will only improve … Takes care of the ball and passes well for a forward … 1.61 AST/TO was one of the best in the nation among forwards …","cons":"Limited athletically. While Bey gets the most out of his abilities, some feel that he has peaked to some degree developmentally … Lacks great fluidity and is not the greatest run/jump athlete … Has he peaked to some degree? Can create shots for others, but struggles at times to create his own shot … While his shot was very consistent and effective, it is a bit flat and he may struggle to extend it out to NBA three and get it off against higher level athletes consistently … Plays good defense, but doesn’t force as many turnovers as he should (0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG) … Lacks an explosive first step to get by defenders … A common criticism of Bey is that he is too willing to give the ball up instead of taking defenders on … As a 6’8 small forward at the college level, he should have been a much better rebounder than he was  … One of the older small forwards in this year’s class having turned 21 in April … Not a pure shooter? While he hit three point shots at an elite rate as a sophomore (45%), his 76% free throw shooting (64% as a freshman) is far from elite …Outlook: Projects as a late first round to an early second round pick … One of the more NBA ready players in this year’s draft because of his experience and style of play … 3 and D Wing player who could find a role in the league as a glue guy … Defensive ability could allow for impactful minutes as a rookie …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Taurean Prince","date_of_birth":"4/9/99","hometown":"Washington, DC","high_school":"Sidwell Friends School","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":9,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":12,"big_board_rank":19,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Precious Achiuwa","year":2020,"height":81,"weight":235,"school":"Memphis","pros":"Memphis forward with a physical and athletic profile, and stepped up and played quality basketball after teammate and fellow 2020 draft prospect James Wiseman Jr decided to leave the school and prepare for the NBA draft … Achiuwa isn’t a 7 footer, but he has adequate size at around 6’9” 225, with a massive 7’2.25 wingspan and 9’0 standing reach, and the frame to add some bulk … Athletically he is pretty explosive, capable of beating 4s off the bounce in the high post, and the thing that stands out about him is the fact he plays with live wire energy … Pretty quick and twitchy at the 4 spot, with a good 2nd jump that helps him tremendously as a shot blocker and offensive rebounder; the areas where, no surprise, he makes his biggest impact … Long armed (7’2 wingspan), wiry strong, and seems to be rangy enough to easily be a small ball 5 especially as he gets even stronger … Physical player and makes a good amount of effort plays on both ends, definitely shows a high motor on the court … More of a slashing 4 than a pick and pop guy … Moves well without the ball to get some easy baskets … Has shown the ability to finish around the rim, often with authority … Does a good job of moving his feet and playing solid defense, doesn’t really commit a bunch of silly fouls, and has improved as the season has progressed at not compromising his teams defense by gambling for blocks unnecessarily … Solid overall rebounder who is averaging 10 a game so far on the season … Has been encouraging that he has stepped up his play and become more of a leader on this young Memphis squad that lost Wiseman Jr early in the season, it seems to be expediting his development and you can tell his feel for the game is improving … Has played a lot at the 5 in the AAC for Memphis, somewhat out of necessity, and has some interesting positional versatility depending on if his team wants to play a big or small lineup","cons":"His ball skills are a work in progress for a prospect considered a tweener forward, not quite a particularly good ball handler or shooter for a wing at this stage … Currently shooting 40% from 3 point range, but he doesn’t even average 1 attempt a game, and some of his misses were unsightly … His ability to develop at least a standstill jumper with legitimate 3 point range will go a long way in determining his appeal as a potential 3-and-D type of player … Has shot poorly from the free throw line as a Fr at 55% so far this season, illustrating how much his overall shooting needs to progress … Doesn’t have a versatile set of moves off the dribble, struggles to create if he doesn’t win with his quick 1st step … Like Wiseman Jr, Achiuwa sometimes likes to be aggressive looking to block shots and will bite on fakes or give up passing lanes or points occasionally … Mediocre to below average as a playmaker for others as a combo forward (1:2.7 A:TO)…Sometimes gets out of control when creating for himself…Doesn’t seem like he will have very many plays drawn up for him at the NBA level…Achiuwa is also old for his class, as he is 20 years old right now as a Fr  …Overall: This season brought on more responsibility than Achiuwa probably assumed he would get going into the season, but it wasn’t too tall of a task for him as he came into Memphis with a well decorated HS basketball resume … He put up averages of 15 ppg, 10 boards, and 2 blocks a night on 52% shooting on a pretty good Memphis team … At the next level he will need to continue to use his quickness and explosive athleticism to make plays without the ball and be an active defender, 2 things he has shown he can do … How much he improves his perimeter skills, namely his shooting ability, will determine if he reaches his ceiling…He has the makings of a solid role player given his size, athleticism and intensity level …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Gerald Wallace/Mo Harkless","date_of_birth":"9/19/99","hometown":"Bronx, NY","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":16,"big_board_rank":15,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tyrese Maxey","year":2020,"height":75,"weight":200,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"6’2.5 scoring “combo” guard with a 6’5.5 wingspan … Great shooter and scorer … Can score from anywhere on the floor and puts points on the board in bunches when he gets hot … Shoots well off the dribble or catch … Catches the ball squared up, has a quick release, and gets it off with just a little bit of space. Shoots well from midrange and three, has range out to the NBA three … Shot 36.9% 3P% at 5.3 attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2017 … Good ballhandler … Takes what the defense gives him … Unselfish, patient, and doesn’t force his offense … Good touch on floater … Averaged 15.5 points per game over the Nike EYBL in 2017 and finished fourth in scoring with 21.9 points per game while shooting 47.9% FG% in 2018 … Finished fourth in scoring at the NBPA Top 100 in 2017 with 13.9 points per game while shooting 45.5% FG% … Reliable free throw shooter … Shot 86.2% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2017 and 82.6% FT% in 2018 … Shot 80% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2017 … Good court vision and passing ability. Although he still needs work developing as a point guard, his assist to turnover has been solid … While his assist numbers aren’t particularly high, he’s done a great job of minimizing the turnovers, which you don’t see often with a high caliber guard with the usage/volume of someone like Maxey … Averaged 1.4 (ten) to 0.6 (four) turnovers per game at the NBPA Top 100 … Averaged 3.1 assists to 1.4 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2017 and 4.8 assists to 1.2 turnovers per game in 2018 … Stays under control and doesn’t beat himself by trying to make the homerun play … Can play off the ball … Quick first step … Good defender. Active and jumps the passing lanes … Averaged 1.2 steals per game at the U18 Americas Championship. Averaged 1.5 steals per game over the Nike EYBL in 2017 and led the league with 2.7 steals per game in 2018 … Named Nike EYBL Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 … Plays with good confidence …","cons":"Struggled with efficiency/consistency as a freshman at Kentucky … Shows a nice shooting stroke, but shot a concerning 29.2% from three in freshman year … Scored in single digits in 9 of his 28 games … Considering his shooting form, he underachieved as a spot up shooter … Struggles some to create space in isolation … Needs to improve his ability to create open looks and improve upon his shot selection … Too often forced contested shots, instead of moving the ball or working harder for an open look … Not the most explosive of leapers … Not what you would consider an above the rim athlete … Can get up and dunk at times, but really his skill set is more predicated on speed and quickness and scoring, utilizing his repertoire as opposed to relying on athleticism … Lacked consistency throughout freshman year … Would explode for 20+ one night and then have an off night in the following game or two … Lacks great point guard instincts … A little undersized for a shooting guard … a decent 3.2 to 2.2 assist to turnover ratio, but could stand to improve upon ball protection… Runs a bit hot and cold but some of that may have been due to some uncontrollable off court issues … Has a bit of a frenetic style of play which is both good and bad …Overall: Considered a likely mid-first round pick … Projects as a potential NBA sixth man, instant offense type … Reminds some of a smaller Tyreke Evans …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Cuttino Mobley","date_of_birth":"11/4/00","hometown":"Garland, TX","rebounding":7,"potential":9,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":20,"big_board_rank":23,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Zeke Nnaji","year":2020,"height":83,"weight":245,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Nnaji is a wiry strong, mobile big man who is skilled enough to stretch the floor and threaten with perimeter shooting with a little development … Plays with great passion and intensity, bringing very solid consistency for a player his age (turned 19 in January) … Has great footwork in the post and in the pick and roll/pop game … Excellent rebounder due to his energy, positioning, and length … Averaged over 3 offensive rebounds per game … Solid 7’1 wingspan on a 6’10 frame … Mixes up his variety of post moves well and moves his feet well to pivot to an ideal spot for a hook shot … Smooth shooting stroke that will allow for quick development at the next level … Quick first step off the dribble allows him to drive by taller, less athletic big men … Efficient interior scorer at 58% on the season … Prevents foul trouble with great technique and footwork in the post … Plays under control with good hands and athleticism in the post … Very solid free throw percentage for a big man (76%) … Solid upside. One of the youngest players available in this year’s draft …","cons":"While he has good speed and quickness and plays extremely hard, his upside is limited to some degree by his lack of great explosiveness … One of Nnaji’s main weaknesses is ball security. He turns the ball over (2.2 TPG) entirely too often … Three-point shooting needs to improve at the next level as he shot just 5-17 in his freshman season. He has a solid shot so it will be a matter of working on extending his range through work in the gym … Below average passer who averaged under one assist per game as a freshman … Even with a solid willingness to play physical, he is too lean to compete with some of the elite big men in the NBA … Listed at 240 lbs, but looks lighter. Needs to bulk up if he wants to play consistently in the post … Did not showcase as an elite rim protector at the college level which leaves questions about whether or not he will be able to in the NBA … His inability to block shots at the college level speaks to his lack of great verticality and explosiveness …Outlook: Proved to be one of the most prolific and productive freshmen in the nation after coming into Arizona as their third highest rated recruit (Mannion, Green) … Shows solid upside as a stretch four if he improves his perimeter shooting … Projected mid-late first round pick … NBA ready player who can become an instant starter in the right situation … Could thrive as a glass cleaner early on as he develops from a center into a stretch four … Did not have a good season shot blocking, (0.9 per game) but with his size, wingspan, and desire, he should be able to improve in this area at the next level …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Ronny Turiaf/PJ Brown","date_of_birth":"1/9/01","hometown":"Lakeville, MN","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":32,"big_board_rank":27,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Leandro Bolmaro","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":180,"school":"Argentina","pros":"Versatile guard, who can be used in every perimeter position … High basketball I.Q … Great size for a guard … Has a great feel for the game and basketball instincts … Solid level of athleticism … Better leaper than he gets credit for … Plays with a high motor all of the time … Fearless, he will not shy away from high pressure situations … Very good at changing direction and pace while dribbling … Full of energy, can alter the rhythm of a game, playing always on his own pace … Good rebounder for his position … Very good in transition … Excels in the open floor … Can start the break either as the ball handler or filling the wings … Creative with the ball in his hands … Good ball handler … Can either been used as a primary or secondary playmaker … Excellent passer, he can pass from impossible angles at times … Already has elite court vision … He can make passes with either hand … Can play the Pick and Roll at a very good level already, either by finding the rolling big, or going to the basket … Can create his own shot … Very good driver to the basket … Has already some counter moves in his arsenal when driving, with a nice floater … Attacks closeouts and is not afraid to go all the way to the basket … Has shown some promise in Pull Up situations … Has great off ball game, moves excellent without the ball … Very good cutter from the baseline, can catch off guard opponent’s defense … Very active on the defensive end, especially guarding the ball … Nice lateral quickness and defensive instincts … Knows how to chase players around the screens … Fills the passing lanes and makes some steals thanks to his high basketball I.Q …","cons":"He looks longer than he actually is, since he only has an average wingspan (6-7) … He hasn’t really been tested against elite competition, there is a small sample size of him playing against a high level of competition … Really thin frame, he needs to bulk up, especially his upper body … Lacks overall speed and slow first step … He is not explosive enough to create from standstill… Can be a little wild at times and his aggressive nature can get the better of him, which leads to turnovers … Has problems blowing by athletic, long guards, meaning that he may always need a screen to create his own shot … Has problems finishing at the rim against athletic bigs because of his lack of elite athleticism and weak upper body, which is also making it difficult for him to finish through contact … Inconsistent shooter … Not a real threat in Spot Up and Catch and Shoot situations for now … His shooting form looks weird at times, since he rushes things and has inconsistent footwork … Shooting below 70% from the free throw line for his career is worrisome for a variety of reasons … Forces things too often. He should learn to be more patient with the ball in his hands … He can improve his finishing around the basket with his left hand … He should add a back to the basket game to exploit potential mismatches … He can lose focus at times on defense … He is a fighter, but has problems defending in the post against physical wings because of his weak upper body … Can be a little bit of a gambler on defense going for steals, which can put added pressure on his teammates …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Grievis Vasquez/Denzel Valentine","date_of_birth":"9/11/00","rebounding":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":31,"big_board_rank":33,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"RJ Hampton","year":2020,"height":76,"weight":175,"school":"USA","pros":"A wiry 6’4 guard (6’7 wingspan) with intriguing athleticism and quickness … Has plenty of juice in his legs, showing excellent open floor speed and a live 1st step … Prefers to slash more than shoot, and is hard to keep out of the paint … Has plenty of potential as an instant offense type due to his aggressive nature with the ball in his hands, looks to apply pressure on the defense constantly … Draws foul effectively … Developing pick and roll player, and even when defenders go under screens he can still at times get into the teeth of the defense because of his quickness and subtle shiftiness with the ball … Solid ability to change direction and switch speeds off the dribble to keep the defense on its heels … In the NBL, Hampton was OK at making basic reads as a playmaker; showed glimpses of being able to find the open man near the rim when the help defender was out of position … Projects to be able to play in transition well and is capable of making highlight finishes at the hoop … Has one of the quickest 2nd jumps in this draft class … Knows how to use his leaping ability to help him to convert near the rim, while also flashing the ability to contort his body for get shots up around defenders … The base is there for him to continue to develop into at least a respectable jump shooter, as he has a high and fairly quick release and adequate touch … Could really begin to flourish offensively with more time spent improving his jumper, as it would be a pretty tough task to defend him if his shot begins to catch up with his ability to get to the rim…Shows the ability to occasionally jump in the passing lanes and create turnovers … High energy player …","cons":"Shows raw fundamentals and polish in general on both ends of the court … Plays a lazy brand of defense, really struggles to deny dribble penetration or fight through screen action … Too often allows players to get to the rim with no resistance, especially for someone with his physical ability … Got burned by cutters and fell asleep off-ball defensively often last season in the NBL … Pretty weak physically right now, will need to significantly improve his frame and strength as a young player to be able to deal with bigger perimeter players as well as convert amongst the trees … Feel for the game is middling, making him not the most instinctive playmaker for others and thus projecting him as more of a ball-handling SG than a true lead guard … Telegraphs his passes at times, and also could improve on leaving the floor to make passes … Shows poor footwork too often, be it as a shooter or defender, and he really has an impact on how efficient he is when he’s on the court … Gambles and reaches for steals frequently, rarely stays disciplined defensively for a full possession at this stage … Struggles to get consistent results when spotting up or when shooting off the bounce due to the somewhat deliberate push shot he shoots, needs to widen his base when rising into his shot as he currently shoots with his feet side-to-side opposed to shoulder width apart … No in-between game at the moment, would benefit from adding a floater or just polishing his ability to pull up when he can’t get all the way to the rim so that he can avoid drawing charges …Jorrye Nixon 11/17/20Strengths: 6’4 point guard … Good size and length for position with a 6’7 wingspan and 8’4 standing reach … Very good ball handler. Creates and breaks down the defense off the dribble; effectively uses his crossover, changing direction/speed, and knows how to shift his defender. Can fit in tight spaces and gets where he wants with the ball. Good pick and roll ball handler. Doesn’t rely on triple threat, can get to the rim off the dribble in the half court. Fearless driver and very good at drawing fouls. Shot third best 6.6 free throws per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018. Shot 12.3 free throws per game over his four games of the Nike EYBL in 2019, which was the highest of the session … Good court vision and passing ability. Very good in drive and kick situations when attacking the baseline. Makes accurate cross-court passes. Averaged a second most six assists per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018. Averaged 4.5 assists per game in his four games over the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Good scoring ability. Led the Under Armour Association in scoring with 24.6 points per game in 2018. Averaged 28.8 points per game in his four games of the Nike EYBL in 2019, which was the second best of the session … Very good athlete. Finishes plays above the rim with good body control and attacks with aggression. Quick off the ground and first step. Handles the ball well at a high speed, gets going downhill and blows by the defense. Can lead and finish in transition … Good defensive tools with his length and quickness. Will lock in and pick the ball handler on occasions. Anticipates and covers a lot of ground jumping passing lanes. Averaged 1.8 steals per game at the U16 Americas Championship in 2017. Averaged 1.5 steals per game at the U17 World Cup in 2018. Averaged 1.8 steals per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018. Averaged two steals per game over his four games of the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Blocks shots well for a guard …Weaknesses: Can work on shot selection, tends to settle for deep and contested shots at times … Can improve scoring from midrange; doesn’t show much of a floater or midrange pull-up, and generally doesn’t add many points in that area … Can improve as a three-point shooter. Shot 33.3% 3PT% over the Under Armour Association in 2018. Shot 26.9% 3PT% over his four games of the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Very high-volume shooter and can improve efficiency, took 22 shots per game and shot 40.9% FG% over his four games of the Nike EYBL in 2019. Took 19.3 shots per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018. Can improve finishing in traffic … Can get more movement when playing off the ball … Has room to get stronger … Decision making as a ball handler can improve. Averaged a third most 3.9 turnovers per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018 … Wears his emotions at times. Wants a foul called after missed layups and argues a lot of calls …Outlook: Playing for the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL … Played in one Nike EYBL session (four games) before reclassifying to the 2019 high school class … 2019 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year … Won Gold at the U16 Americas Championship in 2017 and U17 World Cup in 2018 …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Dante Exum","date_of_birth":"2/7/01","hometown":"Little Elm, TX","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":19,"big_board_rank":25,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Immanuel Quickley","year":2020,"height":75,"weight":185,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"A slender but rangy 6’3 combo guard with a 6’9 wingspan who played his best basketball during the conference slate (with teammate Ashton Hagans out) for another loaded Kentucky team in 2019-2020 … Voted SEC Player of the Year in 2019-2020 by the conference’s coaches and really became a dangerous offensive weapon, emerging from a reserve player into a reliable scorer with some strong shooting performances (42% from 3) as a Soph … Has developed into a very good shooter (particularly spot up) from the perimeter … Has also shown budding ability to hit 1-dribble rhythm shots off the bounce, as well as running off screens and pin downs anywhere from 12 ft to the college 3 … Quick, consistent mechanics when spotting up, and is effective as an outlet shooter in transition or as a floor spacer in the half court … Also developed into a clutch player and Kentucky’s best option at the end of games … Has shown the ability to rack up points without putting the ball on the floor … Likes to utilize hesitation moves going in either direction as his foundation of moves to free up space to create … Flashes solid ability to make floaters after attacking closeouts and was also effective at drawing fouls when he gets in the lane … Shows smooth athleticism, with long-striding speed and good body control … Possesses the length and quickness to be able to defend both guard spots and often showed he could be effective pressuring the ball in college … Has a good amount of big-game experience having played nearly 2 full seasons for a big-time program like Kentucky … Very efficient from the charity stripe, shooting right at 90% for his career including a sterling 92% on 5 attempts/gm as a Soph … Adequate rebounder for a guard … Could fit into a role as an instant offense player given his playing strengths … Despite relatively scarce minutes there during his 1st 2 seasons, Quickley came to college as a touted PG, so he has some experience running a team … His 1-year improvement as an off-ball player speaks to his work ethic and buy-in, especially the jump in efficiency with his perimeter shooting …","cons":"While Quickley blossomed into the leading scoring weapon for Kentucky, he does not have the most polished all-around offensive skill set … Not very strong and lacking more than average explosiveness as an athlete, he struggles to finish near the rim, seeing his effectiveness plummet when forced to finish amongst the trees … Tends to shy away from contact on both ends, doesn’t seem to be much of a physical player … Prone to settling for low percentage shots inside the arc, mostly attempts runners and floaters and generally needing a head of steam to get all the way to the hoop … Mediocre ball-handler for a guard prospect, loses effectiveness the more he dribbles in the half court … He’s an unselfish player, but he isn’t a natural playmaker for others and at times is predictable with what he’s trying to do … While he’s a solid on-ball defender and causes some deflections, he has been unspectacular when it comes to generating steals and blocks despite having above average length and active feet …The niche he’s trying to fit as an undersized scoring “tweener” guard is a growing one in the NBA, but its not common that players with his efficiency struggles inside the arc fill said role for extended time … 21 year old player with 2 years of college experience and still hasn’t added much weight to his frame … Low assist rates for a guy with PG experience … May struggle some with confidence and consistency as he doesn’t show the same cockiness/alpha personality of some players, which also could allow him to thrive in a rotational role …Overall: Quickley’s calling card is his jump shot, and it is a skill that largely has him projected anywhere from late 1st round to 2nd round in the 2020 draft … He has Kentucky pedigree, and was really hitting his stride as a Sophomore before the season abruptly came to an end after a mostly average Freshman season playing rotational minutes in a crowded backcourt featuring first round picks Tyler Herro and Keldon Johnson … He needs to add weight and strength, as he will struggle with the physical rigors of the NBA until he does, as well as just become a bit more well-rounded on the offensive end … Still he will be worth a look for a team looking for youth and perimeter shot making … Shaping up to be one of the draft’s top 2nd round sleepers …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Mario Chalmers","date_of_birth":"6/17/99","hometown":"Havre De Grace, MD","high_school":"John Carroll","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":42,"big_board_rank":39,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Payton Pritchard","year":2020,"height":74,"weight":195,"school":"Oregon","pros":"Developed into a star in his senior year at Oregon … Fearless competitor and big game performer at the point guard position … High percentage three-point shooter with limitless range … Excellent shooter in the catch-and-shoot game … Sees the court very well and is an accurate passer… Fearless and an inspirational leader … Efficient scorer at the free throw line … Takes care of the ball well even with his high usage rate … Athletic two-way player who averaged over a steal per game in his career … Dynamic scorer both on the drive and from beyond the arc … Can create his own shot with above average ball-handling, a fluid shooting motion and limitless range … Can play both on ball point guard and off-screen sharpshooter … High motor player who shows up when he is needed … Consistent player who never seems to disappear even on off-shooting nights, finding ways to contribute and help his team win … Shows leadership and mental toughness, a desire to compete and doesn’t get rattled easily … Decent size at the point guard position with a 6’4 wingspan at 6’2 … Proved to be a clutch performer in big games and situations, as he proved against Michigan with his early season stand out performance …","cons":"Despite high free-throw percentage, he struggles to draw fouls and get to the line … One of the older point guards in the draft … Foot speed limits his defensive ability at the next level to some degree … His shot selection is often inconsistent and sometimes reckless, but this could improve as his usage rate goes down … His ceiling in his first couple years is a quality minute role player … His speed, athleticism, and physical profile (6’2, 195 pounds) could make for a difficult transition to the next level … Could struggle against speedy point guards … Can be a little careless with the ball at times, but seemed to improve with ball security as his college career progressed …Outlook: Projects as an early-mid second round selection … It’s difficult to see him stepping into a starter role if he is drafted late to a quality team … Should be an off the bench impact shooter early in his career …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Jalen Brunson","date_of_birth":"1/28/98","hometown":"West Linn, OR","high_school":"West Linn","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":9,"athleticism":6,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":37,"big_board_rank":38,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Udoka Azubuike","year":2020,"height":83,"weight":260,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Udoka Azubuike’s most obvious strength is pretty hard to miss. He is very big. At 7 feet .25 inches in shoes, and possessing an elite 7’7” wingspan he’s extremely long. Even better, after years in the weight room he’s molded himself into a lean, muscular 260 pound athlete. Dok can hold his own with the biggest and strongest of NBA centers. His size and length give him immediate translatable skills like rebounding and the ability to defend the rim. Azubuike isn’t a stiff either. At the 2020 combine he measured a freakish 37 inch max standing vertical leap, which allowed him to hit the 12’6” mark without any sort of run. After averaging 2.6 blocks per game as a senior at Kansas, Udoka’s size and spring will render him at the very least a plus rim defender in the NBA with the potential to be elite. While not the quickest lateral player his 7’7” wingspan also makes him extremely effective guarding the entire paint area, and extremely effective in one on one post matchups, help and rotational situations in the lane. Even in a more spaced out environment, he would be a major deterrent for offensive players to test their luck in the paint. While not a guy you really want running around by the 3 point line, he’s developed into a solid pick and roll defender too with the ability to effectively switch and stay out of foul trouble. Dok truly was a historic figure in NCAA D1 Hoops. Over four seasons at Kansas he shot .7465% from the field, good for first all time. No, Azubuike isn’t going to impress you with a vast array of post moves, but he is an extremely effective finisher, with the length and girth to be a high level pick and roll target and finisher at the rim at the NBA level. Chances are if he gets the ball in the low post, he’s going to score. Dok upped his rebounding every season at Kansas, and his 10.5 rebounds per game as a senior (3.5 offensive) are good indicators that he’ll be able to collect misses at a good clip at the next level. Over four years he really transformed his body. Dok lost fat, gained muscle and athleticism, and improved endurance which really aided in being in the position to be talked about entering the NBA draft. While not your typical face up big man of 2020, Dok is good enough at what he does (and good enough to be able to do it in the NBA) to be looked at as a potential draft pick or two way player. After seeing how unpolished he was 4 years ago, it’s a testament to his work ethic, which is also another strength","cons":"In 1992 we might be talking about a player like Azubuike being picked up in the lottery, but with the way the game has changed, despite being elite as a rebounder, and rim defender, those characteristics don’t hold nearly as much value if you’re not able to stretch the floor for better spacing. No doubt Dok is more comfortable as an offensive player than he was as a freshman, but he’s never really developed the ability to hit a face up jump shot. This makes his only value on offense strictly around the rim. His projected failure to draw his defender away from the hoop will allow defenses to sag off and contend the rim easier. His lack of improvement as a free throw shooter doesn’t exactly paint a trajectory of developing even a consistent 15 footer over the next few years. Udoka shot just 44% from the free throw stripe as a senior, and that was a career high. He is also not a naturally quick lateral defender. His focus on conditioning has certainly allowed him to improve, but guarding face up bigs one on one in the NBA often 20-25 feet away from the basket could make him an easier target to blow past, or exploit by a stretch 5 with three point range.Overall: Udoka Azubuike is an elite shot blocker, defender and finisher with immense size and athletic ability. He’ll be able to protect the rim, finish pick and rolls and dunk anything within 5 feet of the rim at an elite rate. The question is, will that be good enough to stick in the modern game? His low free throw percentages give pause to project much improvement as a shooter, and he could be a hack target late in games with his current woeful free throw ability. Still, Dok could get a shot as a situational backup to plug in lineups when Andre Drummond, Joel Embiid, and other NBA behemoths come to town, and rack up DNPs when matched against fast paced small ball teams. We saw during the 2020 playoffs that sometimes it’s very valuable to have big bodied rim protectors like JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard on your roster in certain situations. Whether it’s in the 2nd round or by way of a rookie free agent contract, I think Udoka will get a shot. It will just be his ability to adapt the NBA game that will eventually mean the difference between sticking or going overseas to earn his check.","position":"Center","similar_player":"Bismack Biyombo","date_of_birth":"9/17/99","hometown":"Lagos, Nigeria","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":10,"defense":8,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":43,"big_board_rank":57,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaden McDaniels","year":2020,"height":82,"weight":200,"school":"Washington","pros":"Former highly touted HS recruit is a modern day, face-up frontcourt player with a budding perimeter skill set … A long-striding athlete with good body control, footwork and the ability to run the floor and cover ground well … Physically fits the bill of the “positionless” NBA standard as he’s around 6’10 with great length (7-foot wingspan) and “skill potential” … Likes to pull up off the dribble from 15-20 ft, and shows glimpses of the ability to make perimeter jump shots from 3 point range too … Has a quick and high shot release that could become a consistent weapon with more repetition in the practice gym … Plays with finesse, and occasionally makes tough plays look very easy and effortless on the court at both ends … Adequate rebounder, did alright on the glass for a guy that often played at the top of a primarily zone defense in college … There’s no doubt teams will like that his physical skills allow him to potentially defend multiple positions on the court effectively, though this is something that would be a work in progress … Pretty decent timing as a weakside shot-blocker, put up 1.4 bpg as a Fr … A classic boom-or-bust type prospect, but it is important to remember he will only be 20 years old as a rookie with plenty of time to grow physically and polish his skill set … Shot a decent 76% from the FT line his Fr season, which only heightens the claims of his potential and natural ability as a shooter … Has one of the highest ceilings of any player in this year’s draft … Has intriguing scoring and shooting ability if he can improve upon his shot selection / strength …","cons":"All things considered, McDaniels is a very raw prospect who struggled a bit more than most expected him to as a freshman … While those intrigued by him will point to his rangy frame and potential skill-set on the perimeter as a face-up forward, his detractors will point to the inconsistency, inefficiency and number of puzzling decisions he made on the court with the ball in his hands as a Fr as cause for concern … Seems to struggle, for whatever reason, to make the most of his abilities and often leaves you wanting more …. Not physically strong at all currently, would benefit from significantly adding weight to his 200 lb frame … A lot of his struggles seem to stem from his lack of physicality … While a solid athlete, McDaniels isn’t exactly twitchy and doesn’t have great explosiveness … Shows great ability and talent in spurts, but appears to lack the ability to sustain that level of focus and intensity … Struggles with things like finishing contested shots near the rim, post offense/defense, and playing through contact at the moment; should not be confused with a tough or physical player … Played nearly exclusively in zone defense in college, will be very green with NBA defensive concepts as a young player … Struggled to defend without fouling last season (3.3 fpg), while also demonstrating his raw defensive fundamentals and instincts by often reaching and not moving his feet or fouling players while opponents were well beyond the 3 point line … His overall feel for the game and shot selection needs improvement … He shot a lot of low percentage long 2s and didn’t hit them with any type of consistency … Must cut down on his turnovers (3.2 topg), often throwing lazy entry passes and has a habit of telegraphing what he intends to do … Doesn’t play without the ball particularly well, often is a complete non-factor in half court offense when plays aren’t run for him … Rarely put together complete games in college, usually only playing well in spurts and often disappearing during the deciding stretches … Lack of maturity. Will have questions about his attitude on the court, displayed poor body language and often seen sulking when things didn’t go his way … Possibly even more troubling, McDaniels picked up 5 technical fouls in his Fr season, which is only compounded by the fact that a “tech” in college is also both a personal and team foul … A headlining recruit for a young Washington team, but their season was a big disappointment relative to preseason expectations this past season …Overall: Next in line of long, skilled wing forwards that evoke “shades of KD”, and at points in his high school career had some convinced that he could compete to be a top overall pick … A polarizing prospect, McDaniels is young and has the size and upside some NBA coaches will likely decide he’s worth taking a chance on developing … He had the size that jumped off the screen as a collegiate player, and he makes a few splashy plays that shows what he could become as a combo forward in the perimeter-oriented NBA … Still, he is a young player and he did not play with much consistency as a touted Fr for a Washington team that finished last place in the Pac 12…His attitude was most concerning though, as he often let his emotions get the best of him during their tough season…Still he is only 19 years old, and with his 6’10 frame and a budding face-up game he is someone who it would be easy for a coach to feel is worth stashing and developing as he improves his skills and adds strength …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Jonathan Isaac","date_of_birth":"9/29/00","hometown":"Federal Way, WA","high_school":"Federal Way","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":17,"big_board_rank":21,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Malachi Flynn","year":2020,"height":74,"weight":185,"school":"San Diego St.","pros":"Flynn comes into the draft after enjoying an All-American season as a RJr, where he elevated his play and the play of his team as a newcomer to SDSU … An experienced lead guard who started a combined 3 years in major & mid-major basketball, Flynn is who plays with good pacing when looking to create … Comfortable handling the ball and operating in pick and roll offense, as he poses a threat to knock down shots if given space by the defender and showed that he can read the defense to know when to pass or look to create for himself … Pretty good decision maker (2.8 A:TO), generally makes well timed passes and takes exactly what the defense gives him … A good ball-handler who knows how to use step back dribbles and crossovers to create spacing … Effective floater and overall mid-range game, necessary for him as he stands 6’2 … Can shoot the ball off the dribble or spotting up with NBA range, and at times was deadly when he moved off the ball as a spot up shooter from 3 at SDSU this past season … Though on the smaller side, Flynn is a tough and instinctive defender (MWC DPOY in ’19-20) who is a menace pressuring the ball and looking for ways to turn defense into offense … Has quick hands (1.7 spg) and is not afraid to mix it up with bigger players … Attentive off-ball defender, often forcing turnovers with his help side defense … Showed very strong leadership this past season, was the type of player that was willing to do whatever the team needed to win … Rose to the occasion at the end of games a number of times last season, whether it was a big shot, an important rebound or a key steal in the clutch … Could be a coach’s dream player at the next level due to his grit and team-first approach …","cons":"At 6’2 185 lbs with just middling quickness, speed and a lack of explosive leaping ability, Flynn’s physical profile is below average relative to NBA standards … A below the rim player who will undoubtedly struggle to finish amongst the trees at the next level, making his floater all the more important … Not very strong, doesn’t project well to handle bigger guards at the next level … Some of the shots and plays he made in the pick and roll last season wont be as easy at the next level, as NBA defenders will able to disrupt a smaller guard like Flynn alot easier than the players he went against in college…Was mostly an average player during his 2 seasons on some poor Washington State teams, only emerging as a serious prospect when he transferred to a mid major after sitting out a season…Will be 22 years old when his rookie season starts, severely limiting his upside and also casting serious doubt he’ll ever be able to significantly improve his thin frameOverall: Flynn is coming off of what has to be one of the best individual seasons in SDSU history (the team also went 30-2), as he took home MWC MVP and MVC DPOY awards in his rJr season with the team after transferring from Washington State after his Soph season….He has strong intangibles, a good basketball IQ, makes efficient plays, and shows the ability to shoot the ball in various different ways with effectiveness…He also plays bigger than his size suggests on the defensive end, which could endear him to a coaching staff relatively early in his NBA career if he gets an opportunity…He will have to overcome size and athletic limitations, as well as a perceived lack of upside that comes with being a 22 year draft prospect, but he has some tools in his skillset that will make him valued in the eyes of some teams looking to bolster their depth at the PG spot and could easily carve out a niche in the NBA sooner or later","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Patty Mills","date_of_birth":"5/10/98","hometown":"Tacoma, WA","high_school":"Bellarmine Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":27,"big_board_rank":34,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Desmond Bane","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":220,"school":"TCU","pros":"Has something very valuable in today’s NBA landscape, and that is high level shooting. As a senior, Bane nailed 42% of his three point attempts, and posted a 3 point percentage over 40% in 3 full NCAA seasons. Bane has excellent range on his jumper, and great in spot up situations as well as shooting off the dribble. He’d be an immediate asset to an NBA team spacing the floor at the two spot. At 6’6” Bane possesses a chiseled frame, and high level strength that will be able to handle the rigors of an NBA season, and larger opponents. His 16.6 points as a senior were primarily earned from the perimeter, but Desmond does have the ability to get into the lane and is very good at using his powerful body to take impact and create distance from opposing shot blockers. Nice touch around the rim, and solid ability to adjust in mid air while getting to the hoop. A smart player who had to become more of a distributor during his senior season. He averaged 3.9 assists per game, and was very good at making the “right” pass, and even showed a little bit of ability to run a pick and roll. At 6’6” he was a very good rebounding guard at the college level hauling in 6.3 boards per contest and even notching 4 double doubles with points and rebounds. Defensively he puts in the work, and while not projected as an elite NBA defender, he could do well in a team scheme. He has active hands and stole the ball 1.5 times per game, and is a good vertical athlete who can contest shots.","cons":"While Desmond Bane is tall, strong, and a good vertical athlete he’s not really the total package in terms of physicality. Despite being 6’6” tall, he only has a 6’4.25” wingspan, which makes him one of the few players at this level of basketball to have a wingspan shorter than their height. This limits his defensive potential a bit in the NBA. Again, Bane can get off the ground, but lateral quickness isn’t something that is a strong suit for him. He puts forth tons of effort on the court, which will help him, but when trying to get in the lane off the dribble, or trying to guard a quick player, it’s just going to be harder at the NBA level for someone who’s not naturally quick, or particularly fast at changing directions. Does not really project as an NBA player with a lot of positional versatility. Is likely to play the shooting guard on offense, and guard the shooting guard on defense, with maybe a small portion of small forwards. NBA point guards could likely be too quick for him, and a large portion of small forwards could prove to be too long. I don’t view him as a high upside player, but a guy who can definitely play a role in the NBA for a long time.Overall: Desmond Bane is a high IQ player who plays hard on both sides of the floor, and can knock down the NBA three point shot at a high level. Due to his physical maturity, and high level specialty, he looks like a player who could step in on day one and add spacing and outside scoring to an NBA team. While not the longest or most versatile player, Bane does enough as a ball handler, and passer to add additional value outside of shooting as well. A player in the mix in the middle of the first to the middle of the second, Desmond’s ability to shoot is a hot commodity, and he has the ability to stick in the league as a sharp shooter.","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Courtney Lee","date_of_birth":"6/25/98","hometown":"Richmond, IN","high_school":"Seton Catholic","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":21,"big_board_rank":36,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tyrell Terry","year":2020,"height":75,"weight":170,"school":"Stanford","pros":"Sharp shooting point guard with a slight frame but a ton of upside if his body develops … Very cerebral and focused player with great maturity from a mental standpoint … “Slick”. Advanced offensive skill set … One of the purest shooters in this year’s draft … His release is clean, and concise … “Makes it look easy” … When he has time to get set and release the ball, he rarely misses … Quick and consistent shooting motion … Rarely forces up bad shots, and shows an excellent feel for the game … His passing ability is also very impressive as he shows innate vision and creativity … Makes his teammates better … Shows an excellent understanding of playing the pick and roll and can facilitate for teammates as well as come off screen for pull ups … Has the ability to make plays for his teammates as his passing ability sets up opportunities …He can spot teammates and drop the ball on a dime in the full court … Anticipates the game extremely well, on both ends of the floor … Sees plays before they happen, leading to breakaway steals, as well as passing teammates open for easy baskets … Pushes the ball up the floor well and sees the entire floor making excellent decisions … Solid ability to utilize runners in the lane, over the trees, to avert blocked shots … His 89% FT shooting confirms his elite level shooting stroke … Solid foot speed and quickness allows him to get by defenders and creates separation for scoring opportunities … Excellent ball handler, who is solid at getting by defenders off the bounce and can split double teams and handle full court pressure with ease … Also shows a solid ability to stop on a dime and pull up for shots … Despite lack of strength, plays with toughness and seems to fight through contact well … Finishes with either hand around the basket … Has sneaky athleticism, with the ability to get up and dunk when he gets the right momentum and is able to gather his feet … Has toughness, as shown by his surprising 4.5 rebounds per game … Has a fearless demeanor … Competitive player who plays with fire and passion … Never shies away from big moments, and seems to perform well at the end of games, when the pressure intensifies … One of the high risk/reward picks for this year’s draft who may have jumped the gun on a NBA career, but if his body comes around, watch out!","cons":"At just 160 lbs, he has extremely thin legs and underwhelming overall body strength … Underdeveloped body likely means he’s a few years away from being NBA ready, especially from a defensive standpoint … Lack of body strength hurts him, as he struggles when he faces physical opponents and can get knocked off balance on drives … Improving his core and leg strength appears to be his biggest obstacle … Some players have a tough time adding and carrying muscle mass, so it will be interesting to see what kind of gains he can make … Will turn 20 on Sept 28th, so he’s not a young freshman … Can get up and dunk the ball on breakaways, but generally plays below the rim. Granted ball skills and shooting are more important long term for point guards than athleticism (ie Curry vs Westbrook) … Struggles some to finish plays around the rim due to his lack of leg strength and explosiveness … NBA readiness and ability to contribute immediately are both concerns as he’s extremely thin, even by college standards … Assist to turnover number was underwhelming and needs to improve (3.2 to 2.6) … Additional core strength should improve his leaping ability, but also his explosiveness off the dribble … Most of Terry’s offense came in pick and roll and spot ups and he rarely created off of isolation … Becoming better at working in space on isolation will be beneficial to him …Overall: A late bloomer physically … One of the most intriguing “projects” in this year’s draft … Despite possibly “jumping the gun” on a pro career, he has one of the highest ceilings of any point guard in this year’s draft … Pending how his body develops, he can become a stand out in the NBA … He’s a natural shooter and playmaker with shades of Stephen Curry and Trae Young to his game …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"CJ McCollum","date_of_birth":"9/28/00","hometown":"Minneapolis, MN","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"athleticism":7,"size":6,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":18,"big_board_rank":13,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Vernon Carey Jr","year":2020,"height":82,"weight":270,"school":"Duke","pros":" Steady, smooth bigman with scoring ability and solid strength … Lefty with decent touch and the potential to improve as a mid-range shooter … Played with focus and consistency in his freshman season … Underrated athlete, with good coordination … “Surprisingly agile”. Has good body control for a player his size … Plays to his strengths well … Old school game, in the sense that he’s not overly enamored with drifting out to the perimeter to prove that he can shoot … Turned 19 on February 25th making him one of the younger prospects in the draft … Great feel for playing on the block … Has some polished moves in the paint with the ability to seal his man and score on hook shots as well as fadeaways … Averaged a solid 8.8 rebounds per game in just 25 mpg, showing solid ability to box out and seek out rebounds … Plays with solid energy, sense of urgency, runs the floor hard, staying active … Finishes well after contact with good touch around the rim … Not afraid of playing physical and using his body to establish position and bang in the post … Has a nose for scoring as his 17.8 ppg in 24.9 mpg can attest … Averaged 1.6 blocked shots per game, showing solid anticipation and lift … Good vision and passing skills, especially for a big … Excellent anticipation to jump passing lanes, leading to a number of run out, breakaway dunks … Proved to be a solid rim runner and ally opp recipient … Solid vertical off two feet and a very good second and third jumper … His shooting shows promise, has a fluid motion, but will need work … Shows the ability to use either hand on the block with hook shots and lay ins … Could gain additional speed and athleticism if he were to drop 10 lbs … Should be able to use his weight to his advantage around the basket … Hit 8-21 from three, good for 38%, while on low volume, showing a solid touch from outside … Got to the line a solid 7 times per game, hitting 4.7 (67%), and appears to have the type of stoke that should improve to become a 75% or better FT shooter at NBA level … Very consistent performer. Scored in double figures in all but two games, (with a and 9 points in those two games) …","cons":"Lacks elite speed and athleticism … Lack of foot speed and quickness limits his ability to defend in space and is seen as a detriment to his projected effectiveness at the next level … Lack of top end explosiveness may limit his ability as a scorer in the paint … Was a decent shot blocker at Duke in freshman season at 1.6 per game, but probably lacks the size and explosiveness to be a difference maker or rim protector at the next level … Seems to jump better off two feet and needs to slow down on the break in order to fully gather and explode to the rim, which is less of an issue for bigs … Not the most prolific shooter at this point as most of his points come from in the paint … Should look to expand his range and develop more consistency … Not especially quick off the dribble allowing defenders to crowd him … Weight appears that it could be an issue if Carey doesn’t stay devoted or if he runs into injury problems … Should be able to improve upon his 64% FT shooting … Undersized at the center position. Possesses a 7’ wingspan, at 6’10, making him slightly undersized for a center …Overall: Projects as a solid mid-late first round pick, and is shaping up to be a sleeper due to concerns about his foot speed … Soft spoken, but shows determination and a willingness to improve and be coached …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Carlos Boozer","date_of_birth":"2/25/01","hometown":"Fort Lauderdale, FL","high_school":"University","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":24,"big_board_rank":17,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Daniel Oturu","year":2020,"height":82,"weight":240,"school":"Minnesota","pros":"Mobile big with size and length (7-foot-3 wingspan) and intriguing productivity/skills … Light on his feet, possesses solid quickness for a 6-10 player … Shows a decent understanding of the game, making good decisions and doesn’t seem rushed or that the speed of the game affects him … Put up big numbers at Minnesota in his sophomore season posting 20 points and 11 boards in 34 minutes per game, coming out of nowhere to garner interest as a first round pick … Does most of his damage in the post and did a good job of not floating out to the perimeter too often … Post skills are developing as he understands how to create space utilizing post fundamentals, with use of pivot feet and drop steps, showing some clever up and under moves … Fights for position in the post, and does a good job of sealing opponents off and receiving entry passes in position to score … Has the ability to create offense for himself, showing the ability to face up and take opponents, big and small, off the dribble as well as pull up for shots …. His first step is surprising for a guy his size … Looked impressive shooting from the perimeter, ended up at 36% from three and his percentage was higher for much of the season … Form on his shot is solid, though slightly mechanical, but he should be able to extend it out to NBA 3 in time and find success … Utilizes a solid turnaround jumper when he receives the ball back to the basket … Was highly effective as a mid-range jump shooter, which is a skill that will translate exquisitely to the next level … Also proved to be a force on the defensive end with 2.5 blocks per game … Solid shot blocker showing good timing, and the length and explosiveness to block shots, both on the ball and as a help defender … Runs the floor well. Gets out on the break and can ignite the break playing the passing lanes with excellent anticipation and quick feet and reflexes for a bigman … Shows very good rebounding ability, especially on the offensive glass where he averaged nearly 4 per game (3.7) and 11 rebounds overall … Excellent hands, showing the ability to catch passes without having many mishaps and the ball seems to stick to his hands on rebounds or passes that aren’t completely on line … Appears to be just scratching the surface of his abilities, as a 20 year old (21 in October) with a lot of skill level yet to polish … Highly coachable, and seems to do a very good job of working on his weaknesses and in game mistakes in order to improve …","cons":"Has solid weight at 240 lbs, but could stand to add more muscle to his frame, in particular his upper body  … Not the most fluid of athletes. Slightly mechanical in his movement and also his jumpshot … Doesn’t have the strength and explosiveness to power through contact and finish and generally looks to avoid contact when attacking the basket … While he shot impressively from behind the arch, for most of his sophomore year, his volume of shots (19-of-52, 0.6 makes per game) creates some skepticism about whether he can shoot from range consistently and extend out to NBA three. But the promise is there … Shooting motion lacks fluidity and takes a little while to go from catching to releasing … Should look to eliminate wasted motion in his shooting form … Shot just 70% from the FT line in his sophomore year … Not the most physical player, has decent body strength but could stand to add more muscle which would allow him to seek out contact more consistently … Can improve upon his pick and roll game, developing better ability to screen and pop or roll … Solid athletically, but not a spectacular leaper, especially off one foot … A little bit of a two footed dominant jumper, which at his size and length isn’t a huge deal, however he is a little less effective in transition as he tends to gather himself before exploding which can be the split second difference between a made basket and a missed one … Some further leg training should give him better explosiveness to go off one foot and finish drives more effortlessly … May struggle to score around the basket with his limited explosiveness … Still learning what he’s capable in isolation situations on the perimeter. Showed a tendency to turn the ball over on traveling violations involving his feet moving faster than his decision to put the ball on the floor … May take some time to adjust to the level of play at the next level as a lot of his success came through sheer outclassing opponents with his size and athleticism. However, his skill set should allow him to transition to the NBA over time …Outlook: Skill set is comparable to a poorman’s Lamarcus Aldridege … Figures to find a spot in the late first to early second round of the 2020 NBA draft … Projects as a solid NBA contributor with his ability to defend, rebound, and knock down face up shots as well as convert around the basket …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Skal Labissiere/Bobby Portis","date_of_birth":"9/20/99","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":34,"big_board_rank":28,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Theo Maledon","year":2020,"height":77,"weight":185,"school":"France","pros":"Smart point guard with great size for his position … Has very good size (6-4, 6-5) and length (6-8 wingspan) … High basketball I.Q … Very good feel for the game … Quick, not explosive … A better athlete than most people think… Has a quick first step… Always playing under control, he could set the pace for his team … Really mature for his age … Can play on and off the ball … Has a good hesitation dribble … Very good at changing pace and rhythm while dribbling … Plays more athletic due to his great size … Incorporates floaters in the paint well … Has good shooting mechanics which suggest that he can become a reliable shooter in the future … Has shown potential when shooting off the dribble and is a threat in pull up situations from mid-range … Good shooter in Spot Up situations when feet are set … He can be creative when he goes to the basket, having some crafty finishes and a semi-reliable floater … Great court vision, he can find the open teammate anywhere on the floor … Excellent passer … Very good in Pick and Roll situations, he can find the rolling big or to pass the perimeter for a spot up shot … Good in drive and kick situations … He has improved at reading the game … Takes what the defense gives him … Has the ability to draw fouls … Good rebounder for his position … Likes to press his opponents at full court and disturb them … Very good chasing his opponents around screens … Has really active hands on defense, which helps him make a lot of steals and deflections … Good defender in Pick and Roll situations, knows how to set his feet … Good as a help defender, always willing to cover his teammates … Has a good understanding of defensive rotations …","cons":"Not an overwhelming athlete but solid and uses his size well. Just average explosiveness by NBA standards … He needs to be more physical on both ends of the floor …. At times he disappears and is just too passive for a player with his talent … His assist/turnover ratio should improve … His dribble needs some polishing, he still dribbles too high … Right hand dominant, needs to work on his left hand if he wants to become a lead guard … Has problems when his opponent pressures him at full court … His lack of elite burst limits him when he tries to create his own shot … Not always capable of taking advantage a miss-match when a big switches on him … Inconsistent shooter from the 3-point line … Has a slow shooting release, which leads to more contested shots … He settles for mid-range shots too often … Has problems finishing through contact … Hesitant at times, avoids going all the way to the basket … Not always capable of passing to the rolling big in Pick and Rol situations, prefers to pass to the perimeter, which makes him more predictable … Foul prone, he uses his hands more than he should at times and gets in foul trouble … Slightly above average lateral quickness, has problems against elite athletes … Can lose focus when defending a player off the ball, allowing backdoor cuts … Has problems defending closeouts, he runs at full speed and sets his feet incorrectly …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Frank Ntilikina","date_of_birth":"6/12/01","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":22,"big_board_rank":20,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Xavier Tillman","year":2020,"height":81,"weight":265,"school":"Michigan St.","pros":"Tillman emerged as one of the best and most dominant big men in the entire Big Ten over the course of his last two seasons in East Lansing … His touch around the rim and rebounding dominance helped earn him All-Big Ten honors in his final season … He is also a gifted defender with great discipline, strength, and anticipation. His 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks per game awarded him the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in his junior year. His impact on defense went far beyond the stats as he anchored one of the conference’s best defenses with leadership and inspiration … One of those guys that can unite and motivate a team with vocal leadership and leading by example … Excellent court vision for a big man with three assists per game and only two turnovers, rarely from bad passes … He was able to dominate in the post in college with a great hook shot and efficient scoring (58% FG for his career) … While he did not shoot a high percentage, he showed that he could potentially develop an outside shooting game in his final season. If he can threaten from the perimeter at some point in his career, he will be a valuable asset for any team … The southpaw is relentless and never stops fighting for rebounds; a major reason why he averaged a double-double despite only being 6’8 in a conference with giants like Luka Garza, Daniel Oturu, and Kofi Cockburn … This relentless effort will help him at the next level as team are always looking for players who will be ready to contribute right away after a short offseason","cons":"Tillman is very undersized for a player who hangs out mostly in the post. At only 6’8, he will be at a severe disadvantage. He also is not athletically gifted enough to make up for it with leaping ability. His rebounding solely depends on high effort and positioning, which may not be enough at the next level … He is showing promise that he could eventually spread the floor with a perimeter jumper, but until then he will just clog the paint and prevent guards from being able to drive … Tillman is also one of the older players (22 just after the start of the season) in the draft having played three years of college ball at Michigan State … Does not have a great repertoire of post moves and does not threaten too much with a post fadeaway … Jump shooting will make or break Tillman’s career. If he cannot develop a perimeter shooting game or even a mid-range game, he will struggle to earn impactful playing time despite his passing ability and high motorOverall: Tillman  is a high IQ player with an extensive skillset, just not in the most valuable areas. His lack of a jump shot and small stature hinder what he will be able to do in the NBA regardless of how much he develops … He is already behind on the developmental process at the age of 21 (almost 22) and will need to do so quickly if he wants to become an impact player off the bench, which is close to his overall ceiling.","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Udonis Haslem","date_of_birth":"1/12/99","hometown":"Grand Rapids, MI","high_school":"Grand Rapids Christian","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":6,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":6,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":70,"big_board_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tyler Bey","year":2020,"height":79,"weight":215,"school":"Colorado","pros":"Explosive and versatile combo forward … Two-way player who shows ability to play the 3 or small ball 4 position … Has the foot speed to defend the perimeter as well as the athleticism to rebound and play in the paint, giving him great versatility … Excels on both ends of the court either inside or outside … Tends to play much bigger than his 6’7 size with his long arms (7’1 wingspan) and great leaping ability … Monster rebounder for his size as well being long and having explosive athleticism … Not afraid to absorb contact attacking the rim … Efficient scorer, shooting over 53 percent from the floor over the last two seasons … Can score from the paint either backing down defenders or facing up … High effort defender often blocking shots … Plays with determination every night … Often has a high impact on games even if not the leading scorer on his team … Moves very well without the basketball … Shooting form that can be built upon and developed further at the next level … Versatile defender able to guard quick perimeter players … Nearly doubled his shooting percentage from beyond the arc from 2019 to 2020 … Has a reputation for being a hard worker …","cons":"Lacks bulk to fight inside for rebounds at the NBA level … Weighed in a just 212 lbs, so it’s obvious that he has work to do in the weight room … Does not show great vision or passing ability … Passing needs work … Needs to develop a more fluid looking jumper and improve overall as an outside shooter, consistency and range … Playmaking and finding teammates is not his strength … Not really a prolfic scorer, struggled to put up points consistently and dominate from a scoring aspect … Needs to work on ball handling and playmaking on offense with the basketball in order to really be a 3 … Needs to get better at shooting free throws to be more efficient …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Luc Richard Mbah Moute/Andre Roberson","date_of_birth":"2/10/98","hometown":"Las Vegas, NV","high_school":"Middlebrooks Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":6,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":28,"big_board_rank":26,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Vit Krejci","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":190,"school":"Czech Republic","pros":"Versatile All Around combo guard, who can play in all perimeter positions… Has excellent size for a guard… Very good motor, always giving 100%… Nice length, with long arms… Solid, fluid athlete… Runs the floor exceptionally thanks to his long strides, covers a lot of ground on both ends of the floor… Good leaper off one foot… Can play above the rim… When he has time to gather he can finish plays hard at the rim, even in traffic… At his best on the open floor, loves to run in transition and can be an one man fast break… He can either start the break as the ball handler, or fill the lanes… Creative ball handler, can change direction and pace relatively easy and has some really good hesitation moves…Very good scorer when he receives the ball on the move… Has a very strong first step, especially going to his right… He can create his own shot… Knows to to create separation before shooting… Good shooter off the dribble, especially from mid-range… He has a nice looking Pull up shot, at least most of the times… Has shown some potential as a Spot Up shooter… Goes to the rim whenever he has the chance and is not afraid of contact, putting pressure on opposing defense… Attacks closeouts and drives hard to the basket… Can mix it up while driving with some Eurosteps, he is not just a straight line driver… He is creative at the rim, he doesn’t just try to finish plays strong… Has potential as a secondary playmaker and can even become a point guard if he continue working… Can read opposing defense and make some smart plays… Good passer on the move… Can play the Pick and Roll at a good level and see over defense thanks to his size… Good in drive and kick situations… Good rebounder for his position… Energetic on defense… Nice lateral quickness, can stay in front of some quick wings… Smart defender, fills the passing lanes and makes steals…","cons":"Really, really thin frame… Has to bulk up considerably if he wants to be able to play at the next level, especially with his wild style of play… Upper body needs a lot of work… His arms are really thin and it’s not certain that he can bulk up without losing some of his mobility… Solid athlete, but not elite by NBA standards, especially if he is considered a guard… There is concern he might be injury prone due to frame, since he already had a major injury (torn ACL)… Has major problems finishing through contact because of his frame… He is fearless and doesn’t back down to anyone, but has big problems against physical opponents… Has a lot of ups and downs in a game… Shooting release is inconsistent… Streaky shooter for now… Feet aren’t always set when he is shooting… Has some wild misses in Pull ups, with shots being too strong because of his inconsistent mechanics… Needs to work a lot in Spot Up and Catch and Shoot situations, he is not a consistent threat from 3-point line yet… Average free throw shooter, which can be a reason to worry about his potential as a shooter… Enthusiasm can get the best of him and play a little wild… Has the tendency to force things on offense at times… He needs the ball in his hands to be effective… He has to be more energetic off the ball, cutting more often to the basket and not just standing around… Can suffer from tunnel vision when driving to the basket… Still has work to do as a passer… Can lose focus on defense, especially off the ball… Not always in good defensive position while guarding the ball, which makes it easier for his opponent to blow by him… Needs work in close out defense, has the wrong stance and depends too much on his length… Bigger wings (and guards) bully him in the post…","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Nando De Colo","date_of_birth":"6/19/00","rebounding":7,"athleticism":6,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Saben Lee","year":2020,"height":74,"weight":175,"school":"Vanderbilt","pros":"Lee was a prolific scorer at Vanderbilt, especially when fellow star Aaron Nesmith went down with an injury last season. Lee took over the Commodores offense with an average of 18.6 points per game as a junior … He is an explosive player who gets to the rim at will and finishes well when he gets there. His slashing ability and playmaking are his greatest strengths as he tries to improve his perimeter shooting game … Lee averaged over four assists per game in his final season and got to the line over six times per game in his final two seasons. He improved from 67% to 75% in these attempts from the line in his final season … He is a fierce defender who averaged at least a steal per game in all three seasons at Vanderbilt. His 6’9 wingspan at only 6’2 is very enticing and combined with his speed and quickness, he looks to be a nightmare to guard on the ball and to go up against as the on-ball defender … Lee shot 55% on two-point shots as a junior showing how great he is around the rim, especially with his massive volume with 13 shots per game … Great ball-handling and quick twitches also make Lee formidable in isolations … Lee is one of the more interesting players in his class because of his long wingspan and great explosiveness. His mix of size and speed will make him a rookie to watch with such a high ceiling.","cons":"While Lee has great measurements and athleticism, his jump shot is just as unusual as his long wingspan on a small body. He shot only 33% in his three-year career and his shooting form is very unorthodox. He will certainly be a project and will have to rely on his slashing ability to make up for a lack of a jump shot early on in his career … Lee handled the ball a lot in his final season, but three turnovers per game is also hard to look past. He will have to take better care of the ball at the next level in order to get meaningful minutes … Off-ball defending became an issue a little too often and will have to improve rather quickly in his career … Lee has the quickness, but strength will be a major question mark. He will need to be able to fight through harder screens and go up with taller, stronger defenders on these drives that he was so effective with in college. He could get pushed around much more than he was at Vandy with a short off-season and less time to bulk up with a true, professional workout regimen.Overall: Lee went with the 38th pick in the NBA Draft to the Detroit Pistons and he will join a now crowded backcourt. With experienced guards such as Derrick Rose and Delon Wright headlining the backcourt, and a lottery pick in Killian Hayes also being selected, Lee will have to fight for his minutes and will have to make palpable impacts in these limited minutes. His lack of a perimeter jumper will make this increasingly difficult and stunt his growth as a player. His physical traits give him a lot of potential, but three-pointers are growing in importance each year, and if he fails to develop an outside game, he could fall even lower on the pecking order during his rookie contract","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Kobi Simmons","date_of_birth":"6/23/99","hometown":"Tempe, AZ","high_school":"Corona del Sol","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":71,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Elijah Hughes","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":230,"school":"Syracuse","pros":"Hughes is a smooth athlete with nice explosiveness, capable of finishing above the rim when he gets an opening … Polished ball skills … Effective in the open floor as well as playing in the half court … Has solid scoring ability and versatility … Shows quality ability to break down opponents off the dribble, and has some decent wiggle in ISO situations … Understands how to set up opponents with change of speed, hesitation moves … Drives the ball well and has touch when he can’t complete plays with dunks … Utilizes finger rolls and floaters well … Handles the ball well for a wing and routinely brought the ball up for Syracuse … Shows a good shooting form and can fill up the bucket with points in a hurry, averaging 19 ppg as a junior … Shot 81% from the FT line … Can pull up off the dribble as well as knock down shots on catch and shoot situations … Not a black hole, despite being the team’s go to scorer. Does a solid job of looking to get teammates involved … A good passer and protects the ball well averaging 3.4 assists to 2.3 turnovers … Has shown steady improvement as a shooter and scorer, raising his FT% steadily throughout his college career … Confident player, doesn’t get rattled easily and shows solid competitiveness … Solidly built frame at 215 lbs … Shows solid anticipation to jump passing lanes on defensive end … Solid rebounder, showing a willingness to give up his body and battle bigger player for boards (4.9 per game) … Contributed nearly a block per game (0.8 per) in both sophomore and junior seasons … Extremely consistent player, putting up double digits in all but two games … Considered a high character guy and good teammate … Solid length with a wingspan that appears in the 6-9 to 6-10 range …","cons":"Lacks ideal height for the wing position … Athleticism is solid but not elite. Finished a lot of plays with finger rolls and got his shot blocked around the rim a fair amount … Limited upside as he turned 22 on March 10th … A good shooter, but his three point percentage dipped to 34% with a lot of pressure put on him to score from the perimeter … Defense is a concern as he will need to re-learn some of the basics of spacing and man defense, having spent two years at Syracuse following his transfer from East Carolina … Over confidence in his shooting leads to too many shots from too far outside the three point arch. While he has the range, his tendency to launch shots 5 feet beyond the line raises some question marks … Appears that he could tone his body some … Can be over ambitions with his passing at times, trying to thread a needle or look for the spectacular play …Overall: Despite hitting just 34% from three, he actually connected on more three pointers in his sophomore year 87-236 (36.9%) … Perhaps defenses being able to focus more of their attention on Hughes affected his shooting efficiency to some degree as a junior …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Malik Beasley","date_of_birth":"3/10/98","hometown":"Beacon, NY","high_school":"South Kent","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":36,"big_board_rank":30,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Robert Woodard II","year":2020,"height":79,"weight":230,"school":"Mississippi St.","pros":"Woodard made a name for himself in the SEC as a defensive force both on the perimeter and in the post … He averaged both a steal and a block per game as a sophomore, but his effect and impact went far beyond the stat sheet … He has a 7’2 wingspan which allows him to be disruptive on handoffs and elevate at the rim with taller big men … Woodard also improved immensely from year one to year two in Starkville. He improved his three-point shooting from 27% to 43% and averaged over 11 points per game for the Bulldogs … Woodard also improved driving to the basket. He has great bounce and showed it on some powerful dunks. He also uses this bounce effectively to hang in the air longer and maneuver his body around defenders while still in the air. This allows him to have great finishing above and around the rim … He also showed smart and effective movement off the ball allowing him to get some easy buckets at the rim … He positions himself well in the post and gets up for rebounds as he averaged over six per game in 33 minutes per contest … His aggressive defensive playstyle did not lead to many fouls with an average of under two fouls per game … He looked much more comfortable from beyond the arc in his second season and was very effective as a spot up shooter … He also looked sharper with his pull-up jumper and showed potential with his mid-range shooting … Woodard’s best trait is undoubtedly his hustle and his effort. He was the heartbeat of the Bulldogs squad and this high work ethic will allow him to find a spot on a team and work his way up. While he may not be drafted, he will not disappear and will almost certainly get a chance somewhere because of this determination …","cons":"Woodard makes up for a lot of his weaknesses with his hard work and hustle but there are still some glaring weaknesses in his game … He is only 6’7 so he needs to have much better ball-handling than he does right now … This poor ball-handling eliminates any possibility for him to be a facilitator or a shot creator. He struggles to get open on his own and he requires a lot of space to make three pointers because of his very slow, Draymond Green-like release. He improved his three-point shooting but it came at a cost as he needs his lower body to squat down and release his shot slowly. He will need to increase the speed of his jumper if he is going to have any success … He will have to play as a rebounding, defending power forward with the potential to spread the floor if he can make his jump shot faster. Again, because of his size this will be a tough transition going up against much larger and stronger NBA forwards … His free-throw shooting is also a cause for concern. He shot only 58% as a freshman and 64% as a sophomore … He is not outstanding in anything that he does, outside of his hustle and effort. He is a very good defender and a good rebounder, but he did not dominate enough in either of these categories in college to suggest that he will do so at the next level.Overall: Woodard is currently not projected to be drafted by NBADraft.net although he is listed as the #51 player on our big board. This is a dramatic climb of 18 spots from the last big board and it is a testament to his high motor and work ethic. In a year dominated by uncertainty, players with high work ethic will be even more touted than ever. You never know how a prospect will turn out, but a player who works hard will always be a good pick, especially if it is late in the draft with little to lose. Woodard could sneak up draft boards because of this and he certainly has the talent, not just the work ethic, to make an impact and surprise everyone with a role on any team.","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Joey Graham/KJ McDaniels","date_of_birth":"9/22/99","hometown":"Columbus, MS","high_school":"Columbus","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":60,"big_board_rank":51,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tre Jones","year":2020,"height":74,"weight":185,"school":"Duke","pros":"Floor general at point guard, works to set up teammates for open looks … Great decision maker, limits turnovers … Finds passing lanes and makes easy dump-offs to big men … Shows potential on three-point shot (increased from 26.2% to 36.1% in sophomore campaign) … Can hit pull-up for jumpers off the dribble on the break as well as in the half court set … Effective use of head fakes helps collapse defenses … Runs a transition offense very well … Footwork is solid on both ends of the court … Defensively, one of the best at anticipating and jumping passing lanes, leading to easy transition buckets … Very capable on ball, perimeter defender against quicker, shorter guards … Has the ability to stay in front of ball-handler from baseline to baseline in press defense … Disciplined defender, doesn’t reach or leave the ground on head fakes … Arguably the best defensive point guard in the class … Has shown a willingness to take the big shot down the stretch and has been successful when doing so … Has a lot of competitiveness and inner-strength. Wants to win at all costs, low-ego and plays unselfishly … Just turned 20 in January and improvement from year one to two shows promise in future progression …","cons":"Shooting consistency is probably the most glaring weakness. Although, he was able to answer critics with solid shooting numbers and improvement as season progressed … Can be a streaky shooter, taking longer than desired to realize he doesn’t have it on a given night … Release is a little slow, seems to lack confidence sometimes … Perhaps it was due to system, but his pick and roll game is still in need of refinement … Can run simple pick and roll as a ball-handler, but doesn’t explode off the edge or thread the needle to the roller … Defenses really challenged him to hit shots while at Duke, especially since he was deadly as a set up guy and had a lot of talent around him … Athleticism is slightly below average for today’s NBA point guard … Plays below the rim, quick but not explosive … Struggles to create his own shot and get past better defenders off the dribble … Not a primary creator, may needs talent around him to take the eye off of him … Struggles to finish amongst the trees … Shows some crafty ability, but doesn’t deal with contact too well … When switched on defense, can be a liability because of size … Can grab long rebounds, but obviously can’t compete with bigger players … Smaller frame (6’2  and 185 lbs.) for an NBA lead guard (6’4”” wingspan), though not terrible …Outlook: A player with limited upside but a pretty high floor … Every weakness that pertains to size and athleticism, he makes up for with his high basketball IQ and fundamentals … His motor and ability on defense provides an immediate impact to teams that value defense … Jones’ inability to create his own shot off the dribble will be offset when playing with stars because of his passing ability and willingness to let others create … He will need to improve his consistency on his jumper, but once again his decision making makes up for it … A floor-general who is comfortable with getting the “hockey assist,” his intangibles drive his game rather than relying on one specialized skill … Projects to be a reliable backup point guard who can also be used to shut down some scoring guards …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Jarret Jack/Jevon Carter","date_of_birth":"1/8/00","hometown":"Saint Paul, MN","high_school":"Apple Valley","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":6,"size":7,"defense":9,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":48,"big_board_rank":44,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Nick Richards","year":2020,"height":84,"weight":240,"school":"Kentucky","pros":" A long, athletic center who realized his potential in the past season …  Explosive leaper … Attacks the rim for ferocious dunks … Raised his scoring average considerably to 14 ppg and his FT shooting up to 75% … Legit 7-footer with 7’2 wingspan, excellent size for NBA center position … Shows potential as a rim protector, shot blocker … Although he averaged only 2.1 blocks per game, he can improve upon this skill with focus on timing and technique … Shooting has shown solid improvement … Solid mobility and fluidity … Very good leaper and runs the floor well … Rim runner. An excellent lob target as he skies above the rim with ease … Developing hook shot to both sides … Showed some ability to knock down mid-range shots, and his form has shown steady improvement … Also added a nice turnaround jumpshot from mid range … Added consistency and greater focus on both ends in his junior season … His great legs and feet give him potential to guard the perimeter better than most centers …","cons":"Lacks great skill offensively … A bit robotic with his offensive movements, and at times looks like he struggles to adjust if his first move gets taken away … Feel for the game is below average and he gets lost on both ends of the floor at times … Doesn’t appear to have a great deal of offensive potential, granted his shot has improved … Will turn 23 at the end of November, limiting his long term potential … Rebounding could be better with improved technique, and more aggressiveness, 7.8 per game is solid but doesn’t stand out for a player with his size and athleticism … Post game, while improved remains at a low level … Passing and decision making remain a work in progress, though they have shown improvement …Overall: Shaping up to be one of the real draft sleepers … If Richards lands in the right situation, he could turn out to be a solid pick up in the second round … He’s got an excellent athletic profile, with length and leaping ability as well as a strong frame … In the role of rim runner and rim protector, he could potentially develop into an NBA contributor in time. But at this point he should be looked at as a project that needs some time to adjust to the speed of the NBA game … Gets into foul trouble at times due to biting on pump fakes and lack of discipline playing on the ball …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Willie Cauley-Stein","date_of_birth":"11/29/97","hometown":"Kingston, Jamaica","high_school":"The Patrick School","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":6,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":45,"big_board_rank":49,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jahmi'us Ramsey","year":2020,"height":76,"weight":195,"school":"Texas Tech","pros":" A mature, tough nosed freshman combo with intriguing versatility … Possesses a scorer’s mentality. Has an excellent feel for the game, displaying a variety of ways to score and generally makes the right play … Brings a lot of versatility with his ability to defend either guard position and play a smart brand of unselfish, team ball … Effective scorer who was excellent from behind the arch this year (42.6% from three on a high volume of shots 60-141, making 2.2 of 5.2 per game) … Has a developed body for a freshman and solid length with a 6-foot-7 wingspan … Shows solid intangibles and leadership qualities … Excels at creating in isolation, with the ability to get opponents off balance and pull up quickly … Quality ball handler … Takes what the defense gives him … Very good in catch and shoot situations … Not a speed burner, but makes up for it with hesitation dribbles and fakes to get open … Solid floor game, with good ability to pull up in mid-range … Clean, concise shooting motion … Polished step back jumper … His quick release and long arms help him to get shots off on defenders … Comfortable shooting without much space … Utilizes floaters well when there are bigs obstructing his path to the rim … Did not play the point position a great deal at Texas Tech, but there’s intrigue in his potential as a combo guard that can defend and play back up point guard at the next level … Has surprising ability to rise and block shots, utilizing his quick leaping ability and sneaky length … Solid rebounder for a guard with 4 per game, getting up for boards and seeking them out with good energy … One of the youngest prospects in the entire draft, having turned 19 in early June …","cons":"Undersized at the 2G position at 6’4  … More of a scorer than a true point that can run a team and set the table … Not the fastest player. Lacks elite burst and speed in the open floor … Can improve in his ability to play the pick and roll … First step is just average, and struggles to get by and separate against quick defenders … Shot just 64% from the free throw line in his freshman season … His struggles from the line are a bit of a mystery considering how proficient a three point shooter he was … An explosive leaper, but doesn’t always utilize it. Seems to explode better off of two feet or when he has time to gather, but not as explosive off a full sprint … Appeared to have more explosiveness in high school … Can be a little sloppy with his passing … While his assist to turnover numbers were at least in the positive (2.2/2.0), he doesn’t generally create offense for others … Occasionally will make impressive passes, but is more adept at scoring and creating for himself …Overall: Considered a likely mid-to late first rounder for the 2020 NBA draft … Had some big performances in big games including some huge shots against conference rival Kansas to bring the Red Raiders back in their game at Allen Fieldhouse … Improved considerably as a shooter from his high school days … Has drawn comparisons to Boston Celtic guard Marcus Smart …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Delonte West","date_of_birth":"6/9/01","hometown":"Mansfield, TX","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":33,"big_board_rank":37,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jordan Nwora","year":2020,"height":79,"weight":225,"school":"Louisville","pros":"A 6’7’’, 215-pound forward with effortless scoring abilities … A catch and shoot threat, lets the ball go with a high and quick release … His feet are almost always set when he catches the basketball … As a sophomore at Louisville, he took advantage of his expanded role, leading the team in scoring (17.0 ppg) … Excels at navigating his way to the rim, where he proceeds to finish effectively … Possesses a high IQ and awareness, which is critical to his scoring ability … Plays a controlled, cerebral game … Knows to pull up for floater when he sees a defender stepping in position to take a charge … Above average ball-handling skills … His height and length allows him to shoot over smaller defenders … A great off ball defender … Makes the right reads, knowing when to switch or help … Crashes the boards, averaged 7.6 rebounds per game this past season … His height, wingspan, scoring skillset and strong rebounding abilities make him a very versatile and attractive prospect … Sneaky athlete. Will surprise defenders and get up for a dunk, more athletic than he appears … High character, mature, well spoken individual …","cons":"He is an average athlete, which may prove to be problematic when competing against stronger, faster wings … Underwhelming speed and athleticism … Somewhat between positions as a 3/4 without a great ability to defend either position … Tends to hoist up questionable shots … Often forces the action with the shot clock winding down, tossing up a difficult 3-pointer … For the amount of 3-point attempts he takes per game (6.1), he could improve some in that area, shooting 37.4% from beyond the arc as a sophomore … Needs to bulk up his thin frame or else he may get pushed around by more physical players at the next level … Not particularly quick laterally, and lack of a quick first step could limit his offensive effectiveness … 1.3 assists to 2.4 turnovers shows that he needs to get better at protecting the ball. Though being such a focal point of Louisville’s undermanned offense surely played into those numbers …Outlook: After just averaging 5.7 points per game as a freshman, Nwora was not on anyone’s radar at the start of the 2018-19 season … His increased playing time as a sophomore and cementing himself as Louisville’s go-to guy has molded him into a potential first round for the 2019 NBA Draft …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Rick Fox","date_of_birth":"9/9/98","hometown":"Buffalo, NY","high_school":"Vermont Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":9,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":6,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":49,"big_board_rank":42,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"CJ Elleby","year":2020,"height":79,"weight":200,"school":"Washington State","pros":"Lefty wing with solid scoring ability … Above average shooter, showing the ability to knock down outside shots with solid regularity … Has excellent form on his shot. Quick, concise release … 36.7% career three point shooter in 2 seasons at Washington State … Cerebral player, and seems to overcome lack of speed with great anticipation … Confident player, who has a nose for scoring … Crafty at creating shots, using hesitations and playing physical to create space … Utilizes a nice fadaway to create additional space for scoring opportunities … Has a stepback jumper from the perimeter … Better in the half court due to his skill level and lack of run/jump ATH … Shows some solid passing ability … Excellent rebounder for a wing at 7.8 per game … Aggressive nature and toughness, plus being better jumping off 2 feet helps him on the boards … has a floater he has polished to finish off drives over bigs in the paint … Despite lacking great foot speed, 1.8 steals per game is a testament to his hustle and great anticipation … Turned 20 in June making him younger than many sophomores …","cons":"Not very explosive or athletic … Lacks speed in the open floor … Unorthodox athlete, better off 2 feet and seems to explode better when he has time to gather himself … Takes a lot of contested jumpshots. Shot selection must improve. Although he was forced to take illadvised shots due to being Washington State’s first scoring option … Lack of foot speed hurts him defensively … Likely to struggle to get shots, especially if he’s forced to create for himself … Lack of foot speed will make it tough for him to create scoring opportunities, other than catch and shoot coming off screens … lacks great length with just a 6’7 wingspan at 6’7 height and 8’4.5” standing reach …Overall: An undersized wing, but has excellent scoring ability and aggressive nature … May struggle to find a role in the NBA due to defensive and size issues … Has a lot of creativity and his explosiveness helps … Will need to improve his shooting and get stronger to stick in the league … Could find a role with an NBA team, or spend time overseas and in G League improving his skill set before sticking …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":" Darius Miller","date_of_birth":"6/16/00","hometown":"Seattle, WA","high_school":"Cleveland","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":6,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":60,"big_board_rank":86}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Yam Madar","year":2020,"height":75,"weight":180,"school":"Israel","pros":"Scrappy, ultra competitive and gritty point guard, who always leaves it all on the floor … Great energy on both ends of the court, can change the tempo of a game … He is not explosive, but he is quick enough to stand at the next level… Has great feel for the game… High basketball I.Q … Excellent ball handler, who can change pace and direction at a great level already, with some nice hesitation dribbles … A true floor general, he is a natural playmaker … Loves to run the break and find teammates in transition … Excels in the open floor and makes quick decisions as a ball handler … Has a nice pull up jumper from mid-range with solid form … Has shown some potential finishing with either hand at the rim … Has a nice in-between game with, mixing it up with some runners and floaters … Creative with the ball in his hands … Flashy passer … Has very good court vision … Can make great one hand passes with either hand … Likes to make life easier for his teammates … He can play the Pick and Roll at a good level and can either find the rolling big or pass to the perimeter. .. Good rebounder for his position … A true “pest” on defense … Has all the tools to become a pesky, lock down defender … He doesn’t back down from anyone on the defensive end … Loves to pressure the opposing point guard full court … Makes life miserable for a ball handler … Has very good lateral quickness and active hands, which leads to a lot of steals … Fights his way around ball screens … Hunts his opponent player around off ball screens …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Earl Watson","date_of_birth":"12/21/00","rebounding":7,"athleticism":6,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":53,"big_board_rank":56,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Nico Mannion","year":2020,"height":75,"weight":190,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Mannion is a crafty 6’3 guard who has a nice base of skills for a young guard prospect, including solid creativity with the ball in his hands and shooting and play making ability … Possesses a good groundwork of fundamentals and feel for the game … An agile athlete, more of a glider than explosive … Already is really comfortable handling and dealing in pick and roll offense, which likely will be his bread and butter in the future, as he’s adept at keeping bigger guys off balance, often getting a step on them or having them on his hip after a switch … Has nice footwork, and utilizes a nice amount of shifty change of pace moves off the dribble to get into the lane or create spacing … Likes to create offense for himself but also flashes advanced timing and instincts as a passer (5.3 apg; 2/1 A/TO), making a good amount of pocket passes when on the move … Most effective working the mid-range currently, and seems to be more comfortable operating and taking shots off the dribble than with his feet set … Has some raw shot-making ability, at times hit impressive long range shots off the dribble against solid defense … Sound shooting technique and follow through, most of his shots look in rhythm … Shows a soft and effective one-handed floater, which is probably his go-to shot when attacking off the dribble … Likes to play up-tempo and in transition too, being capable of making highlight passes and often dazzling with his open court vision … At times flashes the ability to get creative as a finisher at the rim, and can also finish above the rim when he gets a head of steam and a step on his man … Though he’s not a finished product, has shown signs of becoming a nice all-around offensive guard prospect with untapped potential as a shooter and floor general … A highly touted 5 star HS recruit, Mannion has good bloodlines as his father Pace Mannion was a 5-year NBA vet … There is a prevailing theme that Mannion has a high prospect ceiling because the majority of his current weaknesses as a player can be improved with time and experience …","cons":"Though on the surface Mannion’s prospect checklist is pretty impressive, he Is not always the sum of his parts … While he is a pretty good playmaker and generally shows a relatively high basketball IQ for a young lead guard, he will sometimes bail out the defense by taking difficult shots or playing hero ball when he should just be patient and make an extra pass or set up the half-court offense … He still has some maturing to do as a point guard and decision maker … His shot looks nice, but the results become more inconsistent the further away from the basket he is, and he struggled with his efficiency all season as a Fr … Shot selection needs improvement, but Mannion also needs more repetition in practice as a set shooter, as there is no doubt he has the ability to and would benefit from being able to knock down open shots with more consistency after being streaky at Arizona … Though he likes to work the mid-range, his favorite shots are usually low percentage floaters and runners, and he really struggles to both get all the way to the rim or finish with much effectiveness against taller athletes…Is not more than an adequate athlete by NBA standards, wont blow anyone away with his speed or explosiveness … Doesn’t project to be a plus defender in the NBA with his middling physical skills, effort and athleticism and may also struggle to defend most SGs at the NBA level after having a hard time trying to defend bigger guards in college when he had to … Struggled to live up to his abilities as an outside shooter, connecting on just 32% of his three pointers in his freshman season …Overall: Mannion is going to garner plenty of attention due to his potential and offensive upside … He averaged a very solid 14 ppg and 5 apg as a freshman for Arizona, but he wasn’t exactly ending his season strong and could’ve used a potential berth to the NCAA tournament to rebuild the momentum he had as a draft prospect heading into the season … He needs more experience and time to polish his skills more, and some of his struggles Still he is a talented, savvy player who will be worth taking a chance on given his amateur pedigree and raw skill set …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Luke Ridnour/Derrick White","date_of_birth":"3/14/01","hometown":"Siena, Italy","high_school":"Pinnacle","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":35,"big_board_rank":24,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Isaiah Joe","year":2020,"height":76,"weight":170,"school":"Arkansas","pros":" Long, rangy player who appears to have excellent upside as a shooting specialist … High level outside shooter, particularly catch and shoot. Three point shot dipped in sophomore season (34.2%),but remains a very intriguing outside shooter having hit 41% as a freshman and shot 89% from the FT line this season … Tremendous form on his shot, balance, follow through and quick release … With solid length, he’s able to get his shot off over defenders without much space … While he’s only 6’4 in shoes, he has good length with a 6’7.5 wingspan and 8’5 standing reach … Frame appears that he should be able to add weight … Solid anticipation playing the passing lanes on steals … Has sneaky athleticism when he’s given a lane to the basket … His ability to shoot, combined with his length and fluidity make him intriguing … Did a solid job of cutting down on turnovers in sophomore year 1.7A/1.2TO … Solid defender and should improve as he adds strength …","cons":"Struggled from three as a sophomore, as previously mentioned … Struggled when forced to create his own offense, especially against athletic and strong defenders … Shot selection brough his efficiency down some, but perhaps he was asked to do too much, and create shots, even when teams when focusing their defenses around him … At 170 lbs, lacks strength to finish through contact and can easily be outmuscled on defense and around the basket … Ability to drive and finish or make plays in the paint is severely hampered by his lack of strength … Lacks great leaping ability and explosiveness to finish through contact, though added core strength could improve his leaping … Not the greatest passer, lacks great court vision and generally looks to score when he gets the ball, not create baskets for teammates … Legs are too weak to finish off drives at times, especially when he runs into contact … May take some time to fill out his body and adjust to the NBA game …Overall: A pure shooter which gives him solid intrigue in today’s NBA … Could challenge for a spot in the late first … Averaged a solid 16.9 ppg at Arkansas in his sophomore year, after a solid breakout frehman season in which he averaged 13.9 ppg  … 3.45 made threes per game over his career … Turned 21 in July, so obviously his body needs work but should be able to add 15-20 lbs over the next couple seasons and be stronger to finish plays and handle contact … Played through an injury that limited his effectiveness in sophomore year …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Marco Belinelli","date_of_birth":"7/2/99","hometown":"Fort Smith, AR","high_school":"Fort Smith Northside","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":30,"big_board_rank":29,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Skylar Mays","year":2020,"height":76,"weight":205,"school":"LSU","pros":"Mays was a four-year starter for the LSU Tigers, and he made an impact in a variety of different ways while leading the Tigers back to SEC relevance … Mays is a relentless defender and has the size at 6’4 with a 6’7 wingspan to disrupt a lot of NBA guards … Defense is his specialty, but Mays showed a lot of promise in his final season at LSU with regard to his jump shot. He improved to 39% from three-point range and remained steady at 85% from the free-throw line … This dramatic improvement from the perimeter, along with a 49% FG have Mays looking like an NBA ready role player right away … Defensively Mays was a true pest averaging nearly two steals per game in his final two seasons for the Tigers … Plays effectively on both ends of the floor and rebounds well on defense for a guard with five rebounds per game as a senior … Can also run the point and facilitate the offense with over three assists per game while being listed as the shooting guard … Great finisher around the rim with a 55% 2-PT … Moves well enough laterally to stay with quicker guards and has enough size to fight with larger wings … Mays has a ton of experience as a four-year starter … Consistently stayed out of foul trouble despite playing good defense against talented players … He averaged under two fouls per game in every season he played … He took on more on-ball responsibilities in his final season, which led to an increase in turnovers, but it only increased to 2.3 turnovers per game which is far from poor … Unquestioned leader for the Tigers and a great locker room guy who will do everything he is asked; can provide a spark to a team on either side of the ball …","cons":"Mays is experienced but it also makes him one of the older players in the draft at 23 years old … Consistency is a major struggle, especially on the offensive end. You never know what you are going to get from him in terms of offensive production … He improved his outside jumper, but there is still plenty of room for improvement for an older player … Forced turnovers with a bunch of steals, but rarely blocked shots with only 25 in 130 games (0.2 per game) … Rebounded well in college, but never on the offensive glass with only 0.5 per game … More natural shooting guard in college, but he is only 6’4 and will most likely have to play more point guard. This transition to a different position will slow his development when he is already behind as one of the oldest players in his class … Mays is a decent player with the ball on offense and defending on the ball, but he struggles to make an impact off the ball on either end.Overall: Mays could be a rotational player right away but will be a developmental project while trying to turn him into anything else. His jumper needs refinement, and his defense is not impeccable. His jump shot will need to continue to improve and his quickness and strength on defense will also have to improve to take on the challenge of more talented players at the next level. His ceiling in his early career is a spark plug off the bench, but his work ethic and leadership could make him a tough player to give up on and buy him more time to develop as a player.","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Royal Ivey","date_of_birth":"9/5/97","hometown":"Baton Rouge, LA","high_school":"Findlay Prep","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":67,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Justinian Jessup","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":200,"pros":"Jessup played four seasons for the Boise State Broncos and he improved in all phases throughout each season … Jessup played guard for the Broncos and will play as a spot up shooter in the NBA if he gets there … He has a great shooting stroke as a 41% career three-point shooter and a 96% free-throw shooter as a senior … He improved from 73% from the FT line as a junior and maintained a great three-point percentage despite higher volume … Jessup is 6’7 so his transition to the NBA will be a lot easier than most college sharpshooters … Took care of the ball with only 1.3 turnovers per game for his career … Decent rebounder for a guard with four per game, but he probably should have grabbed more with his great size in a smaller conference … Not a natural ball-handler, but he is able to dribble and find open players if he has to … He averaged more than two assists per game in his final two seasons … His shooting ability is undoubtedly why he is getting looks to play in the NBA. A smooth stroke and a 6’7 frame make him a candidate to fit in just fine in a league that prioritizes shooting and size more than ever before …","cons":"Jessup can shoot the lights out, but that is about as much as he can do, at least at a level that can translate to the NBA … He is not a truly athletic guard, and a lot of this has to do with his 6’7 frame, but he is still not quick enough to hang with talented guards or wings … He averaged over a steal per game in his career, but he is more likely to be a liability defensively than to repeat this success … Not a great playmaker and will probably be no more than a spot up shooter on the offensive end … Does not have the speed or quickness to get himself into the lane … Even when he does get to the rim, he is not a great finisher at only 47% on two-point shots … This one-dimensional style of attack limits his potential in the NBA … Jessup is already 22 years old and has decided to play a year in the Australia in the NBL … He will be no younger than 23 years old in his first NBA season and will not develop with his team until he is done competing in Australia … This time away from the team for an older player are major question marks for Jessup …Overall: Jessup is one of the easier players to analyze in this class because you pretty much know exactly what you are getting … He will struggle to make an impact offensively unless it is from beyond the arc and he will provide little on the defensive end. His ceiling in the NBA is a sharpshooting wing who can come in and spread the floor off the bench … Whether his shooting is good enough to make up for his lack of defensive ability is yet to be discovered … Regardless, 6’7 sharpshooters are hard to come by and Jessup is certainly one of them …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Tomas Satoransky","hometown":"Longmont, CO","high_school":"Longmont","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kenyon Martin Jr.","year":2020,"height":81,"weight":230,"pros":"Freakish athleticism. Plays way above the rim. Great shot blocker, rebounder. Offensive game is vastly improved. Can post up and take his man off the dribble. Excells in crunchtime as witnessed versus DePaul. Strong character.","cons":"Size, just under 6-9 and doesn’t have much upper body strength. Will get pushed around some. Injury questions.","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Rasheed Wallace","hometown":"Dallas, TX","rebounding":9,"athleticism":7,"size":10,"defense":9,"strength":8,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":10,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":106}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cassius Winston","year":2020,"height":74,"weight":195,"school":"Michigan St.","pros":"Winston is a outstanding college PG who will be wrapping up a legendary career at Michigan State that includes a Final 4, a Big 10 POY award, and the school’s all-time assists record … Winston is a very smart PG with good floor vision, passing skills and an excellent feel for the game … Savvy player, can run an offense and get teammates good shots and put them favorable spots with consistency while also using change of pace and shiftiness to create for himself off the dribble … Decent shooting ability, can hit open shots and shots off the dribble at an adequate or better rate … Has floaters in his arsenal, which will be needed for his style of play and physical attributes … Good pick and roll player, is a threat to kick out to shooters on the perimeter or hit the screener for an open shot to keep the defense on their heels … Generally keeps bad decisions to a minimum…Has matured his offensive game from more of below average scorer and shooter, to a 18 ppg scorer and close to 40% from 3 on 5 attempts/game over the last 2 seasons … Somewhat of an overachieving type, Winston is tough and will play through injuries and gut out performances in crunch time … Is a good FT shooter, someone you can trust with the ball late in ball games … Leadership skills and intangibles are among the best in the 2020 draft class, highly unselfish and by all accounts a good teammate and student athlete …","cons":"Winston is not physically gifted, standing at an ordinary 6’1 190 lbs without any true NBA-level athleticism to speak of … Not particularly quick or explosive, will have trouble finishing at the rim and playing defense against other PGs in the NBA … Also has a very unathletic looking body type …  For as cerebral as he is, he can be turnover prone and did at times cost his team games by coughing up the ball too much … Has put up pretty good shooting numbers in his college career, but his release is a bit on the slow side and it figures to be easier to defend at the next level … Doesn’t look great in the open court … Wasn’t anything special as an on-ball defender in college, doesn’t really create turnovers or get under the skin of opposing guards the way most undersized guards do … Has to rely on smarts and skill solely to win matchups due to limited physical profile …Overall: Winston is among the best PGs to wear a Michigan State uniform, which is saying a ton considering some of the players they’ve had there … He was a consummate teammate, an extremely productive playmaker, and he saw significant strides in his scoring numbers … He will be limited by his lack of athleticism and size at the next level, but he does have the smarts, skills and intangibles to possibly stick on a team as a reserve PG with his “coach on the floor” type of ability …Jorrye Nixon 2/17/20","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Eric Snow","date_of_birth":"2/28/97","hometown":"Detroit, MI","high_school":"University of Detroit Jesuit","rebounding":8,"potential":5,"post_skills":9,"intangibles":9,"athleticism":5,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":6,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":55,"big_board_rank":73,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cassius Stanley","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":200,"school":"Duke","pros":" A supremely athletic and explosive 2-guard who exceeded expectations in his one year at Duke … A highlight waiting to happen, he is a bouncy ball in high tops with his incredible ability to elevate … High level transition player, gets out in the open floor and makes a lot of plays at the rim … Explosive finisher. Great ally oop dunker … Shows an innate ability to catch the ball with one hand, corral it and finish … Made solid progress as a spot up shooter and did a pretty good job of creating space by staying active off the ball … Showed some ability to post up, smaller or less athletic players and seal them for entry passes and finish with dunks off two feet … Can go off one or two feet equally effective … Solid form on his shot … Showed some ability to attack the basket off the dribble … Solid on ball defender … Very strong frame, powerful build … Good rebounder for a guard, 4.9 per game, making use of his explosiveness and strength ..","cons":"Ball skills are a work in progress. Scores most of his baskets in transition and on catch and shoot … Lacks great handles and passing ability … Should improve on his iso ability and ability to create off the dribble … Older for a freshman, having turned 21 in August … Lacks great length with just a 6’7 wingspan. 8’3.5 standing reach, solid but not standout for a wing … Not a great passer, showing limited vision and ability to find teammates when he has the ball … Somewhat turnover prone when handling the ball. Handles need to become more refined … Defensive awareness … Needs to get more disciplined defensively. Solid, but not a standout shooter. 73% from the FT line, 36% from 3 … Consistency was a little sporadic, hit a lull in December/January with five straight single digit games … Court awareness … Can be too aggressive at times, dribbling into double teams or not recognizing defenses collapsing on him soon enough …Overall: Averaged 12.6 ppg, good for 3rd on the Blue Devils team … A shooting guard with intrigue due to his elite leaping ability and athleticism … Projected as a likely second rounder, but could surprise and sneak into the late first with a team falling in love with his athleticism …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Zhaire Smith/Anthony Peeler","date_of_birth":"8/18/99","hometown":"Los Angeles, CA","high_school":"Sierra Canyon","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":40,"big_board_rank":41,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jay Scrubb","year":2020,"height":78,"weight":185,"school":"JUCO","pros":"6’6 left-handed scoring guard … Good length with a 6’9.5 wingspan … Explosive athlete and thrives in transition, especially as a finisher. Can jump off one or both feet and had more than a few big dunks throughout the year. Effective hesitations. Very good slasher and gets to the rim off the dribble. Attacks the rim with aggression and displays athleticism well in the half-court with good body control. Draws fouls at a good rate and shot 7.4 free throws per game as a sophomore … Quick step with the ball. Finishes well at the rim when he doesn’t dunk … Gets to the middle almost at will where he can rise up to shoot or dump off to the open man underneath … Good ball handler and creates off the dribble. Shows ability to lead in transition, handling the ball at an increased speed and where his playmaking was at its best. Good scoring ability especially in isolation situations. Can get hot and score in bunches. Shoots well from midrange and three as well as off the catch or dribble. Good elevation and control on pull-ups. Shot has good rotation and arc, only needs a little bit of space to get it off. Quick release … Very good touch on floater/jump hook, uses glass when appropriate … Averaged 20.2 points per game at 54.9% FG% as a freshman and 21.9 points per game at 50.1% FG% as a sophomore … Good rebounder for position and had a few tip slams throughout the year. Averaged 8.9 rebounds (2.7 offensive) per game as a freshman and 6.8 per game as a sophomore … Good on ball defender when committed and lateral quickness. Showed ability to pick the ball handler and jumps passing lanes to lead to fast break opportunities. Averaged 1.1 steals per game as a freshman and 1.4 per game as a sophomore … Quick to leap when closing out on shooters and covers more ground than he would appear. Solid shot blocking ability for a guard. Averaged 1.6 blocks per game as a freshman and 0.9 per game as a sophomore. Draws charges … Solid passing ability. Knows how to bait the help defender and find the open man. Shows some ability as a pick and roll ball handler. Occasionally makes impressive lead and alley-oop passes … Solid strength … Owns up to mistakes and doesn’t point fingers. Never carried a “too good to be playing at the JuCo level” attitude. Charismatic off the court, coachable, and likeable teammate … Young for his class as he turned 20 on September 1st before the draft …","cons":"Although he showed progression in the second half of the season, he can have tunnel vision and over-dribble at times. Sometimes brings the ball up the floor and settles for a contested shot. Tries to do a lot with the ball in traffic, dribbling into multiple defenders. Relies on talent at times on drives, attacking without a plan which will be less reliable at the next level. Settles for contested shots in the pick and roll and can be too quick with the trigger as a 3PT shooter. Has to find that balance of playing assertive while maintaining smart shot selection. Sometimes he shoots without being squared up, looking uncomfortable with a bit of a staggered stance. 3PT success decreased from freshman to sophomore year, shooting 46.4% 3PT% on 3.7 attempts per game as a freshman to 33.3% 3PT% on 4.2 attempts per game as a sophomore … Not a bad free throw shooter but it also decreased from freshman to sophomore year, shooting 79.1% FT% as a freshman to 72.7% FT% as a sophomore … Unselfish and not a bad passer but playmaking can still improve, as he ran the point in spurts. Naturally, reads the game as a scorer rather than playmaker. Although he did show improvement in the second half of the season, he didn’t have a high assist count and can work on limiting turnovers. Averaged 1.5 assists to 2.3 turnovers per game (0.7 A/TO) as a freshman and 2.7 assists to 3.1 turnovers per game (0.9 A/TO) as a sophomore … Occasionally he finishes with his right hand but overall, he favors his left hand on drives … Spaces the floor well but could move more off the ball … Can commit more on the defensive end. Can stick to his man better when defending off the ball, as he can lose track of him once the ball gets moving and he gets caught chasing behind screens. Gambles, picks up a lot of fouls reaching and gets beat biting on pump fakes. Doesn’t give the same effort on the defensive end as he did on offense … Although he was always the most talented player on the floor, he didn’t necessarily pop out as a leader. Still has a way to go in making his teammates better … Doesn’t face the same caliber competition each night like the majority of his peers, playing against freshman and sophomore JUCO competition …Outlook: Unique situation where he’s underrated compared to other sophomore draft prospects but had a target on his back each time he took the floor throughout the season … Helped lead John A Logan to a 27-5 (16-2 conference) record as a freshman, 28-5 (18-0 conference) record as a sophomore, and had a 11 game win streak going into the national tournament before COVID-19 caused cancellation … 2019 and 2020 First-Team NJCAA Division I All-American. 2019 and 2020 Region 24 Player of the Year. Named to 2019 and 2020 All-GRAC (Great Rivers Athletic Conference) Team. 2019 GRAC Freshman of the Year. 2020 GRAC Player of the Year. 2020 NABC NJCAA Player of the Year …Evan Tomes 11/9/20","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Terrence Ross ","date_of_birth":"9/1/00","hometown":"Louisville, KY High School Trinity","high_school":"Trinity High School","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":54,"big_board_rank":59,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Grant Riller","year":2020,"height":73,"weight":180,"school":"Charleston","pros":" Combo guard with explosive leaping ability … Creative scorer with excellent playmaking/perimeter skills … A slick ball handler and creative ISO threat … Scoring minded player capable of creating for himself by driving by opponents or hitting shots from the perimeter … Excellent athleticism for a point guard … Plays big for his size. 6’5 wingspan helps make up for lack of ideal height some … High level scorer at 21 ppg for the past two seasons … Plays the passing lanes well and gets out quickly for breakaway dunks … Long arms assist as an on ball defender … Sets up defenders well on drives with hesitation moves, and possesses a quick first step … Crafty and fearless at driving to the basket … Has the Harden side-stepback as part of his repertoire … Solid shooting mechanics. A good, though not great shooter (Career 35% 3P, 80% FT%) … Upped his assist numbers to 3.9 per game as a senior, though a bit of a 2-guard masquerading as a point …","cons":"More of a scorer than a facilitator and severely lacks size for a shooting guard … His age is a detriment as he turns 24 in February, limiting his upside … Has not played against a high level of competition consistently in the Mountain East Conference … Despite having a big singspan at 6’5, he’s extremely undersized considering he’s not a pure point and is just 6’1 in shoeas and has a 8’0 standing reach … Compounding the problem is the fact that he has a thin frame at 180 lbs, meaning he will likely be posted up by bigger points and becomes a match up problem defensively … Athleticism likely to be limited by the speed and strength at the NBA level … Not always engaged defensively … Vision and passing ability are more of a shooting guard than a point … Doesn’t really create scoring opportunities for teammates …Overall: An undersized scoring guard. May struggle to find a role in the NBA due to defensive and size issues … Has a lot of creativity and his explosiveness helps … Will need to improve his shooting and get stronger to stick in the league …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":" CJ Watson","date_of_birth":"2/8/97","hometown":"Orlando, FL","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"athleticism":7,"size":6,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":61,"big_board_rank":85}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Reggie Perry","year":2020,"height":81,"weight":250,"school":"Mississippi St.","pros":"Physical specimen type of athlete with great frame including long, well developed arms, muscular legs and broad shoulders … He possesses excellent leaping ability and strength to battle inside … A highly mobile big, possessing raw explosiveness … Also has good agility for a player his size, showing nimble footwork to weave through opponents and finish plays when attacking the basket … Fast when exerting himself running the floor… Tremendous athlete for his size and appears as though he will be able to carry additional weight without affecting his speed and mobility much … Equally adept at making plays in the half court and in transition … Gets low and knows how to fight for space to receive entry passes, as well as position himself for rebounds … Shows a solid feel for playing post offense and has a few moves that he can go to in order to create offense … Understands how to set up defenders with secondary moves, utilizing drop steps to create easy baskets … Was too strong for many college opponents to contain as he could use his physical strength and athleticism and power right through them on the block. … Shows nice touch around the basket and is not bothered by contact … Can use turn around hook shots effectively … Excellent rebounder showing a willingness to go after loose balls and fight for rebounds. Averaged 10.1 rebounds per game … 3.1 offensive rebounds a game shows his willingness/ability to out-hustle opponents … There’s intrigue in his offensive game as he shows a nice shooting form and was able to knock down 21 threes in his sophomore year on a promising 32%, he also upped his FT shooting from 71% to 76% … A testament to hard work as he was not a great shooter in high school, but his form and efficiency have improved considerably … Versatility. Should be able to play either post position as he has the strength to match up with NBA centers and if his shot continues to develop, he fits the role of the modern big … Has great (huge) hands to catch rebounds as well as receive the ball on the block or in transition … Ball handling is very good for a big. Shows some ability to face the basket and create offense either off the dribble or pulling up … Has a good deal of upside left, having turned 20 in March …","cons":"Not a big shot blocker or rim protector … All around feel for the game has come under question as there are times when he will make a head scratching play, and can go through stints of inconsistency … Also prone to losing his cool emotionally and can become frustrated with teammates when they make mistakes … Thick legs make him a little slow to get moving and anchor him to the floor to some degree defensively … Slightly pre-programmed moves. When he faces tougher defenders that take away his first and second moves, he can get caught forcing things. Not the most creative of players in improvising moves on opponents on the block, pump fakes and footwork have room to improve … While sheer force got the job done a lot of times at the college level, he will need to develop more finesse to find the same success scoring on the block in the NBA … Gets tunnel vision. Forced things a little too often, even when faced with double teams, he would look to create instead of kicking it out for better looks … A solid passer but at times gets caught up in trying to dazzle making a great pass, when a good (and safer) pass would suffice …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Julius Randle/Danny Fortson","date_of_birth":"3/21/00","hometown":"Thomasville, GA","high_school":"Thomasville","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":38,"big_board_rank":35,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Paul Reed","year":2020,"height":82,"weight":220,"school":"DePaul","pros":"6’9 forward who has a 7’2 wingspan and plays with high energy on defense with the ability to play in space … Often turns defense into offense blocking shots both in the paint and on the perimeter … Transition scorer … Can really move his feet defensively and stay in front of smaller, quicker players and has incredible ability to block jumpshots … Wingspan and athleticism allow him to be lethal playing the passing lane and once he comes away with the ball he’s gone in a flash … Vicious at attacking the rim … Capable and willing to finish with his off hand … Soft touch around the rim … Great at catching lobs and dunking in traffic … Can move without the basketball … Strong in pick and roll … Nice spot up jumper with a quick release … Decent shooting range for a bigger forward … Able to shoot off the dribble in mid range … Relentless on the offensive glass … Very versatile and can play more than one position … Averaged over 15 points and 10 rebounds last season shooting over 50 percent from the floor …","cons":"Inconsistent shooting mechanics … Has a very slow release and should look to revamp shooting form … Tends to lean back when shooting … Questionable decision making on offense … Passing and playmaking need work … Not always under control … Prone to committing offensive fouls … Inconsistent playmaking in transition … Low post game needs work … Shoots less than 74 percent from the free throw line … Defensive awareness … Must add body weight to guard 5’s down low … All around feel for the game and fundamentals in need of work …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Christian Wood","date_of_birth":"6/14/99","hometown":"Orlando, FL","high_school":"Wekiva","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":41,"big_board_rank":40,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cade Cunningham","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":220,"school":"Oklahoma State","pros":"A prized 6’8 220+ lb lead guard prospect who has the skill set and physical gifts to double as a match up nightmare for smaller guards, while also being able to match up well with the bigger wings and “point forwards” the NBA has to offer … Has shown throughout his amateur career that he has no issue using his size to his advantage, whether its simply by overpowering guards on his forays to the hoop with his strong frame, getting to his spots and rising up above defenders to score, not being shy about mixing it up with front line players in the paint, or being able to see over the top of the defense and creating different angles or make cross court dimes … An unselfish player who can make timely passes on the move, his 3.5 apg as a Fr. doesn’t speak to his willingness or ability as a playmaker … Likes to crash the glass (6.2 rpg) and initiate easy, quick strike offense before the defense can get set after a missed or made shot … Good in transition, defenders generally struggle to contain him when in his path to the rim in the open court and he usually delivers well timed passes to teammates who get to the rim or 3-point line if he doesn’t call his own number … Pretty effective operating in the pick and roll, showing a good command of when to pass the ball and often making pocket passes to moving teammates even against tight hedges and over defenders outstretched hands … A strong isolation player who is at his best when going downhill; effective driving in either direction (seems to prefer going to his left though) and generally does a good job of not getting out of control when operating, and can play above the rim with an opening and a head of steam … Polished. Has an intriguing triple threat repertoire, he frequently frees himself up and gets space in the mid-range area by making subtle head and body fakes going in either direction, and has the size and strength to keep defenders on his hip when he gets a step on them … Takes and converts a good amount of step back and sidestep shots off the dribble, showing good ability to lose defenders and get daylight in the mid-range and from deep … Also shows promise as a finisher given his very good strength and body control, has some hesitation and spin moves he goes to if his initial path to the rim is cut off … Effective floater, especially when going right … Above average instincts and basketball acumen, reads the action well on both ends of the court and also does a good job of dictating the flow of the game with the ball in his hands … Came into college with questions about his shooting, and quieted doubters as the year progressed after converting 40% from deep on a robust 5 attempts a game, and he found a variety of ways to make those shots be it spotting up, in transition, off the bounce and occasionally even coming off pin downs … Groundwork is there for him to be a good post-up player when matched up against smaller guards as well, and he is already reasonably effective utilizing spins and hooks over his left shoulder when the defender sits on his strong hand … Projects to be a very good defensive player at the next level, and will offer plenty of versatility as a guy who can potentially switch PG-PF without much drop-off, which holds massive value in today’s NBA … When focused, Cunningham can smother players on the perimeter guarding the ball, beat screens and get back into the play, and also is an asset as a help defender contesting in the paint and/or stepping in for charges … Additionally, he has already shown signs of quick hands and playmaking on this end (1.6 spg & nearly a block per game as a Fr.)…Up to the task in crunch time and when his team needed a scoring boost in general, wants the ball and came up big with the late-game heroics on more than a couple of occasions for OK State as a Fr. with all the eyes on him, which has to be encouraging for his projection as a potential franchise cornerstone … Shot 84% from the FT line (nearly 6 FTA per game), further quieting doubters about his shooting touch while highlighting his hard work into being a shot-making threat … Would not be a surprise to see Cunningham’s overall efficiency rise in the NBA, where there will be less defensive attention placed solely on collapsing on him and more capable shooting options than he enjoyed in his year in Stillwater … Very precocious, mature and confident individual … High character individual with strong family background …","cons":"While he is a physically gifted prospect, Cunningham lacks some of the juice in his legs required to be considered a dynamic athlete or leaper … Not the quickest or fastest player either, and it shows at times when he is attacking the rim and/or trying to turn the corner in the pick and roll game offensively in the half court, leading to a number of offensive fouls or wasted possessions that contributed to his high turnover rate and negative A:TO in 2020-2021 (4 topg to 3.5 apg) … Generally makes good decisions against traps and hard hedges, but sometimes forces passes through multiple defenders and had moments when he airmailed passes under pressure as well … Sometimes telegraphs where he wants to go with the ball or drives aimlessly into no mans lands and leaves his feet to make passes, giving help defenders an extra split second to come up with steals and deflections … Just OK as a finisher in traffic, more of a below the rim type player who is likely to try and use his body to shield the ball and finish around the defense rather than elevating and finishing with authority amongst the trees in half court offense … Smaller guards can get low and pester him into turnovers when he gets lax with his handle initiating offense, will need to get somewhat more refined and aware as a ball-handler at the lead guard spot … Can be beat off the dribble by slashers occasionally, possesses only adequate lateral quickness and sometimes gets upright when denying penetration; subsequently picking up fouls (2.5 per game) or collapsing the team’s defense … His footwork could stand to improve at times as well, occasionally makes wild closeouts or takes wasted steps that can be attacked off the bounce or turned into FTs by players who are savvy about drawing fouls …Overall: Cunningham has all the makings of the #1 overall pick in the 2021 Draft, and has been widely projected as such since he decided to honor his commitment to OK State just before the start of the 2020 season … He showed a very strong all-around game as a Fr., and his projection to the NBA is centered around his size and frame, ability to be a playmaker for himself and others, promise as a position less defender, his emergence as a knockdown shooter, and as someone you can rely on to take and make a shot in the clutch all in one … He routinely made big plays down the stretch for an OK State team that really struggled to shoot the ball but played its best basketball in March largely due to their young blue chip recruit…He has some athletic limitations and some fundamental chinks in his armor to work on as a ball-handler and playmaker while he continues to polish his guard skills, but he has already shown that he is willing to work and improve by the strides he made in a year as a shooter for there to be little to worry about going forward … benefits from today’s game where, ‘high usage’, “ball dominant” players that are in his mold like Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum are dominating the league …Jorrye Nixon 5/3/21Strengths: 6’6 combo guard … Good size and length, especially for position with a 7’0.25 wingspan … Good athlete, gets to the rim and finishes above the rim with ease. Quick jump that he uses on both ends … Good scoring ability in the open floor as well as in the half-court. Can create shots against any defender at the high school level; shoots over the top of shorter defenders and drives on big men when on the perimeter. Slashes to the rim off the dribble going both left and right. Protects the ball on drives. Changes speed … Accurate around the rim and hits shots with either hand at various angles. Can score in the post and shows nice touch on jump hook … Can score in a variety of ways. Scoring stats: 9.3 ppg 53.8% FG% Nike EYBL 2018. 23.8 ppg (7th) 59.2% FG% Nike EYBL 2019. 11.7 ppg U19 World Cup 2019. Shot 48.7% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2019 … Can shoot off the catch or dribble. High release point, doesn’t waste motion in his shot, and gets it off with just a little bit of space. Shot 35% 3PT% over the Nike EYBL in 2019 and made noticeable improvement over his senior year as a 3PT shooter … Good ball handler and can serve as a team’s primary at the point, makes plays for himself and others. Uses dribble moves in transition at full speed; using effective crossovers, in & outs, spins, etc. … Unselfish and high IQ. Very good court vision and passing ability. Makes crosscourt passes with either hand. Makes proper reads and decisions. Alert for cutters/alley-oop opportunities and knows where he’s passing before he receives the ball. Good timing on lead passes. Passes out of drives. Good pick & roll ball handler. Averaged 5.3 assists per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Finished 3rd with 5.7 assists per game at the U19 World Cup in 2019 … Good balance of playing aggressive and letting it come to him. Knows when to score and when to facilitate … Can play on or off the ball … Versatile defender, defending every position at the high school level and projects to guard different positions at the next levels. Positions himself well on the defensive end. Averaged 1.3 steals per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Averaged 1.4 steals per game at the U19 World Cup in 2019 … Good timing and blocks shots well for position. Averaged 1.2 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Averaged 0.9 blocks per game at the U19 World Cup in 2019 … Good rebounder for position. Averaged 7 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Strong build and physical profile. Plays physical and through contact. Draws fouls at a good rate. Shot a 4th most 7.6 free throws per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Impacts the game in multiple areas and is still effective if he’s not scoring … High floor …Weaknesses: Not a lot to nitpick with Cunningham being a well-rounded prospect … Good athlete and has no problem finishing above the rim but wouldn’t be categorized as top tier in terms of explosive ability … Can expand midrange game … Can work on limiting the turnovers. Can try to thread too many needles through traffic and forces passes at times. Averaged 2.9 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Good athlete but doesn’t have the quickest feet. Plays good on-ball defense at the high school level but may lack some lateral quickness when defending point guards at the highest level …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jayson Tatum/Luka Doncic","date_of_birth":"9/25/01","hometown":"Arlington, TX","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":9,"post_skills":9,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":1,"big_board_rank":1,"overall_rank":100}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Evan Mobley","year":2021,"height":84,"weight":215,"school":"USC","pros":"Mobley has a chance to be a generational bigman at 7’0, 215 pounds and a 7’4 wingspan … Huge potential as a two-way talent with elite defensive ability to both lock down smaller players on switches on the perimeter as well as his natural rim-protection ability with long arms and tremendous leaping ability … Shuffles his feet with the best of them to stay in front of his man in face ups and post-ups … Run jump athleticism puts him in rare company. Runs the floor like a deer, and has explosive leaping for first as well as second and third jumps … Phenomenal rebounder with his length and size. Also positions himself well for rebounds and does not rely solely on his size to dominate the glass … Versatile offensive player who can already attack from the perimeter and additionally score at all three levels … Jumper already looks smooth and he has the touch to catch and release from many areas … Showcases several post moves and a soft hook shots as part of his scoring repertoire … Already a good passer with anticipation and accuracy and also comfortable facing double teams … Affects the game in a multitude of ways on both ends. Versatility on defense and athletic enough to be disruptive with guards on switches …  Decent ball-handler with plenty of time to improve … Will be 20 years and 1 month old on draft day, making him one of the younger draft prospects … 58/30/69 splits are incredible for a freshman stretch-five at the college level with high volume … Capable screener who can attack on the roll and also set up on the perimeter for open threes …Unmatched potential in this year’s draft class, with his size, athleticism, two-way ability, and shooting prowess …","cons":"The biggest hurdle for Evan Mobley is himself. He can be as good as he wants to be, but the big question is, how badly does he want to be great? He looks like AD 2.0 at times, but his body language and energy level raises concerns for some …  His lack of bulk is the main cause for concern in terms of physical attributes … He is just 215 lbs and could use another 20-25 lbs to really bang in the post and not get overpowered by NBA bigs around the basket …  Added weight would likely open up a world of opportunities for Evan as he could become the bully instead of the bullied … Mobley plays a finesse game, and with the way the NBA game has headed, he’s going to find a level of success no matter what, but having strength to absorb contact and draw fouls on a more regular basis would enhance his skill set … Should learn to enjoy contact a little more than he does currently, which again added strength would assist with … Can become anxious defensively and fall for pump fakes too easily … Needs to show more patience and better timing on jumps for blocks and rebounds … He’s likely to struggle holding position in the post or backing down defenders until he bulks up … Has a lot of promise as a ball-handler but polishing this aspect of his game, like Joel Embiid has, will allow the offense to run through him more easily as well as adding another dimension to his pick and pop, isolation game against other centers … Yet to add a reliable post fadeaway to his repertoire, which could make his post-game even more dominant … Most of his weaknesses are just additional elements that would put his game over the top to an elite level, which isn’t a bad problem to have in a prospect … Very soft spoken. Should work on becoming a most vocal leader.Outlook: Arguably the most exciting/talented big-man prospect since Anthony Davis in 2012, Towns in 2015 … Has an AD type of ceiling with his two-way ability and overall skill set … While the value of bigmen have been downgraded in today’s NBA, the versatile well rounded bigs like Embiid, Jokic and AD retain immense value. If Mobley can develop into one of these types, he can justify a very high pick …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Player Comparison: Pau Gasol/Chris Bosh","date_of_birth":"6/18/01","hometown":"Murrieta, CA","high_school":"Rancho Community Christian","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":3,"big_board_rank":2,"overall_rank":100}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Scottie Barnes","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":225,"school":"Florida St.","pros":"Versatility and power are the two greatest strengths of Barnes … He stands at 6’9 and attacks the rim with strength and speed like few others can at his size. He is also listed at 227 pounds, so he does not get pushed off his path very easily … He handles the ball well and can run the point as well as post up down low against bigger defenders … great passer for a combo forward … His versatility on offense is consistent with his versatility on the other end … Barnes has the lateral quickness and strength to guard every position on the court and is able to take the ball away with over two steals per 40 minutes … Plays with great energy on both ends fo the floor … He is a modern era point forward who sees the floor well and elevates above traditional big men with his size, length, and explosiveness … His 2.05 AST/TO ratio is third in the nation among power-five freshman and showcases his poise well beyond his years … He plays with a high motor in his limited minutes as he showed during his takeover against Florida at the end of the first half … Efficient scorer inside of the three-point line at 56% … Tremendous physique with toned arms and legs. has the look of an NBA player at 19 … Freakish 7’2 wingspan with big hands that help him guard any player on the floor … Can impact or take over the game on both ends of the floor, which will allow him to get valuable minutes early in his career and develop his jump shot … High-riser and electric player who can provide a spark at any time … His explosive first step allows him to get around defenders with ease and his strength allows him to maintain this extra step and get to the tin at will … He attacks the basket with both hands and can kick it out with both as well … High ceiling and top shelf potential","cons":"The biggest thing holding Barnes back from a higher selection is his inconsistent jump shooting … The willingness to shoot threes is a positive, but his 30% is less than ideal … He is showing that he is more than capable of developing this shot, but inefficiency will hold him back until his perimeter game is a true threat … Not an elite athlete. Lacks great speed in the open floor. Not the most explosive and fluid of athletes, but solid … He does not have the elite ball-handling of the best point-forwards in the NBA or great three-point shooting to make up for it, but he has the tools to expand on these as he has no true faults that cannot be developed … Poor free throw shooting is not a great sign for the development of a consistent jumper as he is shooting just over 50% from the line …Outlook: Barnes is an all-around good player in every way. He has no limitations like the three-point shooting of Ben Simmons or lack of athleticism for a player of his size and weight, which will only encourage teams to take a chance on the young 19-year-old. The development of a three-point shot and maintenance of his imposing stature give him one of the highest ceilings in this year’s draft. The high draft choice of Patrick Williams a season ago, and his subsequent success early in his career, shows that 6th men can still get drafted high and perform at the next level. It also helps that Williams also attended Florida State. The door is open for Barnes to follow right behind Williams and become a lottery pick this summer.","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Jabari Parker/Draymond Green","date_of_birth":"7/31/01","hometown":"West Palm Beach, FL","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":4,"big_board_rank":5,"overall_rank":96}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen Suggs","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":205,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Lead guard with great leadership, toughness and physical attributes to be a stand out on both ends at the next level … With his insane athleticism, Suggs can turn any miss into a coast-to-coast layup … He has great feel for when to attack the basket, and a strong mix of dribble moves allows him to blow past defenders … Very decisive in the open court, and has the ability to outclass many opponents with his quickness and elusiveness  but can also bully his way for easy baskets … Understands when to shoot and when to move the ball to a teammate … Tremendous shot selection with regard to the modern NBA, as almost 85% of his attempts came at the rim or behind the arc … Rarely takes mid-range shots, in part because he can so easily get to the rim … Solid finisher, with a field goal percentage of 64% around the rim … Scored 14.4 points per game, but could increase that if allowed to take over in more games, as the offense was often run through Timme … Averaged 5.6 rebounds per game, and fights well for boards … Boxes out well…His tremendous build and 6’4 height bring versatility on both ends of the court … Great versatility. While more comfortable running the offense, Suggs is capable of playing shooting guard, especially with how well he can move without the basketball and would figure to pair well with an undersized off guard … Defensively, he can play either guard spot, as his length, quickness and strength help him take on larger players … Reads the game at an elite level on both offense and defense … Particularly as a help defender, Suggs excels at understanding what the offense is running, and where to position himself in order to limit the chance of an easy bucket … Smart and decisive on when to double, help or go for steals, and is rarely caught making the wrong play defensively … Also excellent at forcing turnovers, averaging 1.9 steals per game…Is one of the most clutch players in college basketball, most notably draining a buzzer-beating three just steps past half court to defeat UCLA in the Final Four … The former five-star recruit also led the team in assists with 4.5 per game, showcasing his willingness and ability to share the ball …","cons":"The most glaring weakness for the star freshman is his inconsistency shooting from behind the arc and at the free throw line … Shot just 33.7% from three and 76.1% from the charity stripe … While not impossible to see him becoming a reliable shooter, he has some work to do in order to become more capable, especially as shooting has become gold in the NBA … While smart defensively, Suggs can sometimes lose focus on the ball, and get beat by simple moves, like change of pace toward the basket … Because of his immense talent, it is easy to forget that Suggs was a freshman, but that certainly was exemplified by his turnovers … At almost three per game, that number needs to come down in order for him to be a truly efficient point guard …Playing at Gonazaga, Suggs played a weaker conference schedule than other top prospects… It is not his fault his team was almost always significantly more talented, but Suggs and Gonzaga were rarely challenged throughout the season … They played numerous games against top-25 teams, suffering a loss only to Baylor in the championship game, but the West Coast Conference was simply too easy for the Zags, and for Suggs … It will be a huge jump in competition for Suggs, with what was mostly an easy schedule in college …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Jason Kidd/DeAaron Fox","date_of_birth":"6/3/01","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":9,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":9,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":5,"big_board_rank":3,"overall_rank":99}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Josh Giddey","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"Australia Class of","pros":"Natural talented point guard with great size … Great feel for the game … Very high basketball I.Q … The kind of player that makes his teammates better … All around player, can do a little bit of everything on the floor and fill up the stat sheet … A triple-double threat when he enters the court … Has showed great potential as a lead guard playing as a teenager in a high level league … An elite passer … Has great court vision, can see angles and passes that few players can … At his best when he is running the break … Can pass over his defender thanks to his size … Almost always in control, rarely rushes his decisions … A Pick and Roll maestro thanks to his size and court vision … Can either find the rolling big, a 3rd man on the weakside, or a cutter from the baseline after he takes a pick … Plays the game at his own pace … He can attack the basket and finish with solid efficiency at the rim, and is a creative finisher … Ambidextrous, can finish plays at the rim with either hand … Has a nice, dependable floater in his arsenal when he attacks the basket… Has shown some promise as a Spot Up shooter … Smart defender… Knows how to take advantage of his size and length on defense… Very good at covering the passing lanes and making steals…","cons":"Average athlete… Has a really thin frame, and needs to bulk up considerably … Lacks an elite burst on his first step … Not a great leaper … He might have problems creating separation at the next level because of his athletic limitations and be dependent upon screens to create shots, or make plays for his teammates … Has a slow shooting release and he also has the tendency to lean forward on Spot Up situations … Inconsistent shooter, can be called a streaky shooter at best for now in Spot Up situations … His percentage from the free throw line is worrisome (around 70%), but he is still young … Pull Up game isn’t there yet, he will have to add this to his game to become a bigger threat … A simple “under” coverage in Pick and Roll situations can limit him for now on offense despite his basketball I.Q and size … Has the tendency to become too passive on offense and unselfish to a fault some times … His lateral quickness is average and he doesn’t always have a good low stance on defense, which creates problems when guarding quick point guards … Depends too much on his length and instincts on defense… He might be best suited to guard wings than point guards, but he doesn’t have the build to do that yet.","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Joe Ingles","date_of_birth":"10/10/02","hometown":"Melbourne, Australia","rebounding":8,"potential":9,"post_skills":9,"international_team":"Adelaide 36ers","athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":10,"big_board_rank":9,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Franz Wagner","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":220,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Wagner has ideal size and versatility for a modern forward …  At 6’9 and 220 pounds, he will most likely play small forward, but can be comfortable at shooting guard or power forward on offense and defense … His versatility gives him added intrigue … Is a solid rebounder, securing 6.5 boards per game, though added strength will allow him to be stronger on the boards … Boxes out well, and is physical in keeping opposing players away from the offensive glass … Is a tremendous finisher inside, shooting over 70% at the rim … Has a good handle for a forward, and often brought the ball up for the Wolverines … He won’t be the primary ball handler for an offense, but can be a solid secondary offensive initiator as he has great vision … Averaged three assists per game this season, up from just 1 a game in his freshman season … The game is slowing down, and Wagner was able to make better and more decisive reads while the ball was in his hands…Averaged just 1.3 turnovers per game … Shooters free throws at over 83%, highlighting better shooting percentages from three in the future…Clearly has potential on the offensive end, improving in nearly every statistical category this season … For all his ability on offense, his NBA value lies in his defensive range and ability … He can easily guard 2-4 in the NBA, and could guard a point guard or center in a pinch … His defensive versatility matches perfectly with the evolving pro game, as switching on screens and defending multiple positions is becoming a key to defensive success … Long, with active hands, Wagner reads the game well and can disrupt opposing offenses … Is tough to get around, as he has a strong frame and move well laterally … He has excellent understanding of defensive positioning, as he often rotates to take away passing lanes, before recovering well to his man…His IQ and length allow him to contest shots really well … Shooting form looks solid … Despite struggling shooting the ball from the floor, he hit 83% from the line as a sophomore giving his jump shot intrigue to develop …","cons":"Wagner may struggle to create his own shot in the NBA due to his lack of explosiveness getting to the hoop and lack of great foot speed to gain separation  … Was an excellent finisher in college, but with much better athletes in the NBA, he may have difficulty matching that success rate … He shot just 34% from deep this season … His inability to shoot from range was disappointing and this could limit his time on the court early in his career … Shot just under 38% on two point jumpers this season, reinforcing that he will not be much of a shooter, at least without years of development … Was only assisted on 7.7% of his two-point jumpers, and can get baited into shooting jumpers rather than getting to the lane … Averaged 12.5 points per game this season, with only six games that he recorded at least 20 points, showing he will be a limited offensive threat … Needs to bring his skill set up to the level of producing excellent defense to increase his value to teams … May struggle to create his own shot, although he should have more space to work with as teams will not be keying their defenses on him as they did at Michigan … For his length and size, Wagner struggled to bring in offensive rebounds, with just 20 in 28 games…. Did not show a significant jump in production from his freshman to sophomore year, averaging just a point more, though his efficiency and assists improved …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Nemanja Bjelica/Mike Dunleavy Jr.","date_of_birth":"8/27/01","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":9,"big_board_rank":12,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Davion Mitchell","year":2021,"height":73,"weight":200,"school":"Baylor","pros":"Mitchell is an incredibly efficient scorer, with the third highest effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage among power five guards … Elite shooter from all areas of the court, knocking down over 45% of his threes and over 52% of his field goals … Combines this efficiency with a high number of attempts, averaging 14 points a game … Has tremendous quickness and shiftiness with the ball in his hands that allows him to beat defenders one on one … Keeps his head up while attacking to consistently find open teammates … Runs the pick and roll well and keeps his dribble alive if the initial options are taken away … Very comfortable pulling up from behind the arc, and can knock down contested threes … Smart transition player and makes the right pass … Great decision maker…Has wonderful vision and timing on passes … Fluid shot form…Rarely takes inefficient shots … Can play with or without the ball … One of the best on-ball defenders in the country … Harasses ball handlers without fouling … His quick hands and pressure leads to steals … Has great lateral quickness to stay in front of driving opponents, and uses this to draw charges … Excellent communicator on both ends of the court … Contests shots well without fouling … Able to switch onto bigger players thanks to his strong frame … Reads the game very quickly … Plays with a high level of confidence and consistency … Terrific motor and is always locked in defensively … Can cover multiple people per possession with his quickness and burst, helping when his team chooses to double or rotate more than usual … One of the more NBA ready prospects. Should be able to contribute immediately …","cons":"Needs to improve as a pick and roll facilitator … He is already 22 years old, so he will be years older than many other prospects … Despite excellent efficiency from the field, he is a poor free throw shooter at just 66.7%, and has hovered around that average all three years of college … His inability to hit free throws could be a mental thing, but creates some doubt about his overall shooting for the next level … Will he be able to extend to NBA 3 point and be an effective shooter? … Can be too aggressive going for steals or help defense, leaving himself out of position … Not a productive rebounder, especially on the offensive end … Looks to draw chargers that sometimes get called blocks … Despite his scoring ability, he does not hunt his own shot often enough … Likes to shoot off the dribble, but will have an easier time draining shots when being assisted … Limited leaping ability could translate into becoming a below average finisher around the rim … Doesn’t possess great length. Likely a wingspan just an inch or two longer than his height (6’3 – 6’4)Outlook: Mitchell has incredible intensity and determination, especially on the defensive end. he is widely considered Baylor’s defensive stopper, and perhaps the top defensive player at the college level … While he figures to be a high level defender at the next level as well, his lack of great length may keep him from being as dominant as at the college level … he is comparable to Ty Lawson in body type and offensive game, and compares to a Marcus Smart on the defensive end, however he’s not as physical or as big as Smart to defend bigs in the paint … Mitchell has put himself in position to be a lottery pick in the 2021 draft …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Ty Lawson","date_of_birth":"9/5/98","hometown":"Hinesville, GA","high_school":"Liberty County","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":9,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":14,"big_board_rank":13,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ziaire Williams","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":190,"school":"Stanford","pros":"High level athlete who uses his size and vertical to his advantage on both ends of the floor … Elite wing prospect who can impact the game offensively and defensively … Very good ball-handling for a 6’9 forward which enhances his mid-range jumper which is a strength to his game … Very smooth and efficient at creating shots off the dribble on the perimeter … Excellent footwork allows him to get his feet set and get shots off quickly from the perimeter … Smooth rhythm with his jump shot and plenty of arc on outside jumpers … Capable of finishing around the rim, but he prefers to pull up for mid-range jumpers or three-pointers rather than attempting to attack the rim … His ability to score and shoot on the move supports these tendencies, but can lead to inconsistency with an over-reliance on jump-shooting efficiency … High level rim-runner who elevates well above the rim and finishes with ferocity … Excellent length for a wing at 6’9 and his 6’10 wingspan allows him to disrupt passing lanes and cause havoc on the defensive end although his play and stats did not exactly showcase this in his freshman season at Stanford … Has a 8’10 standing reach as a wing which is on par with power forwards like Blake Griffin and Tyler Hansbrough … His length makes him disruptive defensively … Versatility. Has the ability to play both forward positions in the future with added strength … Prospect who has one of the highest potentials in the entire class of 2020, due to his potential for skill development as a shooter and defender … Attacks the defensive glass and can initiate fast breaks while doing so with long passes and speed with the ball … Good court vision and passing instincts allow him to create for others … Solid free-throw percentage of 79.6% indicates that there is plenty of potential for his jump shot to improve from the disappointing percentages during his only season at Stanford … Plenty of time to develop as he is only 19 years old until September …","cons":"Williams struggled to stay on the court for the Cardinal in his first season and he did not shoot efficient percentages while he was playing … Did not shoot to his ability at Stanford after developing a reputation as a shooter in high school … A 37% shooter from the field including 29% from distance shows plenty of room for improvement … Teams will have to be patient as he develops in his first few seasons as he is still a raw prospect who needs to find comfort and consistency in his game … Often settled too often for difficult shots away from the basket as he struggled to blow by defenders to get to the rim or get around them with his handles … Proved overly dependent on how efficiently he shot jumpers … While he was able to rise above defenders at the college level due to his length and size, he will have much more trouble doing so against stronger and lengthier defenders … At 6’9, 190 pounds Williams still needs to bulk up if he wants to expand his game to more of a slashing role or hang with more physical wing players at the next level Lack of strength was a big reason for his efficiency struggles … narrow shoulders point to him likely being a naturally thin player … Added bulk would unlock his athleticism and ability to attack the rim more off the bounce … Needs to become more focused on the defensive end … With the NBA transitioning into a game more dependent on three-point shooting, he will need to improve his perimeter consistency and shoot to his ability … 3.5 turnovers a game show a need to become a more judicious decision maker and passer …Outlook: Was affected as much as anyone by a COVID schedule that eliminated practices and forced the team to live out of a hotel off campus … Shaping up to be one of the draft’s big sleepers … Williams looks to be a mid-first round draft selection who needs time to refine his skills and gain consistency before displaying his true talents and impact …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Rashard Lewis","date_of_birth":"9/12/01","hometown":"Lancaster, CA","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":20,"big_board_rank":10,"overall_rank":95}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"James Bouknight","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":190,"school":"UConn","pros":"Athletic slasher who is one of the best pure scorers in the upcoming draft … Can score at all three levels but he is significantly more efficient pulling up in the mid-range and going all the way to the basket … High-rising guard who uses his vertical to attack the rim and finish with contact in the lane, but also elevates as a great rebounder who averaged nearly six rebounds per game as a 6’5 guard … Advanced floor game, with excellent ISO ability and pull up scoring acumen … Uses great ball handling and a lot of fakes to create space for his shot … Crafty playmaker … Thrives in isolation due to elite athleticism and high level ball-handling. Athletic enough to avoid contact and strong enough to finish through contact at the rim … Athleticism and ball-handling allowed him to get to the line over five times per game … Decent defender with unlimited potential thanks to a reported 7′ foot wingspan. Averaged over one steal per game … One of the most active players off the ball on offense who uses his speed and stamina to create easy scoring opportunities with relentless motor … Smooth jumper and elite scorer from inside the three-point arc … Bouncy spark plug who can come off the bench and electrify a team with powerful dunks and finishes in the lane … Can create offense in transition and in the half-court to kickstart an offense … Shot 53% from inside the arc on nearly 10 such shots per game …","cons":"Athleticism is better in half court, somewhat limited in the open floor. Not a speed burner … Regressed as a three-point shooter from his freshman year to his sophomore year from 35% to 29%, albeit with double the amount of attempts per game … At times over-confidence gets the better of him, whether it be shot selection or passing … Shooting from distance suffered as he seemed to force shots too often and settle for low percentage looks … Good slasher but lacks great playmaking ability for others and is an average passer at best … He only averaged 1.8 assists per game compared to nearly 3 turnovers … Despite a reported 7’ wingspan, Bouknight rarely made much of an impact defensively and has plenty of room for improvement … Bulking up would allow Bouknight to potentially defend guards and wings … Shot selection will need improvement, which should not be too difficult as his role shifts to an spark-plug scorer off the bench … If he cannot improve as a passer, it will be difficult to allow him to run the offense as a primary ball-handler and his impact will mostly have to come from off the ball … Plays at his best as a primary ball-handler who can attack the basket, but turnovers were a major issue in his college career. High turnover rate at the next level will take away his greatest offensive strength and force him to improve his spot-up shooting … Boom or bust prospect with lots of potential but needs to improve three-point shooting …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"CJ McCollum","date_of_birth":"9/18/00","hometown":"Brooklyn, NY","high_school":"MacDuffie","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":6,"big_board_rank":7,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Joshua Primo","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":190,"school":"Alabama","pros":"A lean 6’5 wing who possesses solid physical ability, quickness and the frame to continue to put on muscle … Has the look of a potentially skilled shot-maker early in his development, possessing a sweet shooting stroke (38% 3FG) that he lets fly with good confidence and a quick release … Most effective at finding open spaces along the perimeter when the defense breaks down, and is a reliable floor spacer especially when in rhythm … Also showed encouraging flashes of being able to create and stick shots from mid range and from deep, making defenders pay for sagging off him during dribble hand off or pick and roll action … Decent handle, has some wiggle to free himself and create space … A fundamentally sound young player who, at his best, makes concise moves and wastes little motion when operating off the bounce to take advantage of driving lanes when he has daylight … Developing floater, has the touch for this to be effective when he can’t get all the way to the rim … Also has underrated finishing ability (converted 50% FG inside the arc), particularly in Alabama’s up tempo transition offense, and a nice command of scoop shots & runners when he gets in the paint amongst the trees … Very good patience, basketball IQ and feel for the game, usually takes what the defense gives him and doesn’t force the action much … A pesky defender who had some nice moments containing dribble penetration with active feet and forcing tough shots using his length … Projects to eventually be able to comfortably defend any perimeter spot at the pro level … Not bad awareness when off the ball either, making good rotations and generally being active throughout possessions … Unselfish, contributed important minutes whether he started or came off the bench as a Fr., playing on a veteran team with depth on the perimeter … Likely wasn’t able to show what he was fully capable of last season, in time could prove to be a more productive secondary creator than his role allowed at Alabama … Just scratching the surface, early entree who played a good bit of his lone college season as a 17 year old and will still only be 18 at the start of his rookie campaign … Solid length with a 6’9 wingspan …","cons":"Not a particularly explosive athlete, doesn’t play above the rim much and can have trouble getting into the paint in the half court if his initial move doesn’t work … Though his handle is good, he is somewhat predictable at the moment with his array of moves due to him being very right hand dominant … Also has trouble converting in the paint with his left, usually trying to go across his body even if it gives the defense an easier way to alter his shot attempt … Not very strong at the moment, can struggle at times on both ends of the court when matched up with more physical or similarly sized wings…Has a nice jumper but he was too streaky as a Fr to be considered a true marksman … Has the groundwork of a well-rounded scoring threat, but until his shot creating and jumper get more consistent he could be categorized as a “Jack of all trades, master of none” type … Prefers to step back and side step to create space for shots as opposed to getting north and south as a ball-handler, which can limit the pressure he puts on the heart of the defense while also limiting how often he gets to the foul line (75% FT shooter) … While he isn’t opposed to making the extra pass to an open teammate and the glimpses he showed in combine scrimmages and workouts are encouraging, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to keep making strides to prove he has the instincts and passing skills to potentially be a complementary playmaker after virtually never being asked to do so in college (0.8 apg/1.4 topg) … Teams should be patient and understand there will be a learning curve with Primo, he is not yet the sum of his parts …Overall: Primo, an early entry into the draft previously looked at as a potential 2022 choice, decided to keep his name in this years class after a strong NBA Combine performance in scrimmages and drills that exciting teams with his promising physical tools, offensive potential and youth…Another skilled Canadian prospect that is looking to make a name for himself in the NBA, and there are plenty of encouraging signs…Beyond his natural shooting ability and defensive versatility, he played in a free flowing NBA-style offense filled with talented, experience perimeter players at Alabama and held his own, often earning starter minutes while playing solid in his role as a floor spacer…He also was trusted to defend all over the perimeter and even at times against college PF’s, performing admirably…He will need time to add strength to his frame and get more consistent as an overall offensive player but if the team who selects him is patient, the potential is there for him to develop into anything from a spot up 3-and-D wing or Anfernee Simons-esque spot up shooter and opportunistic scorer …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Gary Trent Jr.","date_of_birth":"12/24/02","hometown":"Toronto, Ontario","high_school":"Royal Crown","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":26,"big_board_rank":19,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Chris Duarte","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":190,"school":"Oregon","pros":"Gifted and natural scorer … Scored over 17 points per game this season for Oregon while shooting 53% from the field…Is a very good decision maker, and understands when to take shots versus when to pass … Elite three-point shooter, converting 42.4% of his threes on five attempts per game … Shot selection pairs well with the modern NBA, with 77% of his field goal attempts either at the basket or behind the arc … Elite finisher, as Duarte made over 71% of his looks inside, and has an immaculate 63.3% effective field goal percentage … Has solid size and weight to play the shooting guard position immediately at the pro level … Very good free throw shooter at 81% this season … Took a significant step forward as a senior, developing his scoring ability to become a perimeter threat, and scored five points per game more while raising his field goal percentage … Has a quick, smooth and high release on his jump shot … While he is not overly athletic, his ability to shoot from beyond the arc and finish consistently inside raise his floor as a high-level scorer … Also a tenacious defender, and averaged just under two steal per game this season … Has the length and strength to guard point guards through small forwards in the NBA … Is always engaged defensively, and understands where to position himself … Very good at keeping his man in front of him on dribble penetration … Quick and active hands, leads to steals and well contested shots … Had 21 blocks this season, and can use timing to repel smaller guards shots … Solid rebounder, boxes out well…Has the handle and vision to be an effective secondary playmaker, but was rarely given the opportunity to run the offense at Oregon …","cons":"At 23 years old, Duarte’s most glaring weakness is his advanced age for a draft eligible player … He handles the ball well, but was rarely impacted with assists, averaging just 2.3 this season … He is limited athletically, and his lack of speed and vertical may make being a lockdown defender challenging, as well as creating his own shot more challenging … His scoring and defense give him a high floor, but his age and athleticism somehwat limit his ceiling … Will need to turn the ball over less to be given the chance to have the ball as a playmaker so often, as he averaged nearly as many turnovers as assists this season … Duarte should be a solid player in the NBA, but it is difficult to see more than a good three and D player with his lack of burst and upside …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"John Starks","date_of_birth":"6/14/97","hometown":"Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic","high_school":"Redemption Christian","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":15,"big_board_rank":22,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Moses Moody","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":210,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Good size for a wing with a frame that should be able to add strength and muscle … Excellent length with a 7-foot wingspan … Comfortable shooting off the catch or on 1 and 2 dribble pull ups … Excellent feel for the game – Has instincts that allow him to always seem to be in the right position at the right time … High level understanding of the game, knows how to create spacing for his teammates and find openings in the defense … Looks to capitalize off defenders’ mistakes … Rebounds the ball well for a guard … Uses jab steps very well to create space and read how defenders are guarding him … Is able to shoot effectively even with defenders in his area … Accepts contact and goes up strong when shooting in the paint … Uses opponents’ momentum against them to create opportunities for himself by using pump fakes and jab steps … Runs the floor well in transition and finds a good balance between running to the rim and spotting up for three on the break … Always on balance – on rare instances where he is off balance, he is able to regain his balance before making a move … Works hard on both ends of the court and can be sneaky when finding his way into rebounding position … Excellent anticipation knowing where rebounds will end up … Plays solid position defense … Shoots the ball well from college and NBA three point range …","cons":"Doesn’t play with speed/enough athleticism to create his own shots on a routine basis … First step and ability to create offense off the dribble and get to the rim remain a work in progress … May need to rely on team offense and playing with other creators to reach his ceiling … May struggle when NBA athletes crowd him, forcing him to become better at moving without the ball … Lacks explosion, especially on his first step, which allows defenders to stay in front of him with regularity … Many scoring opportunities for him at Arkansas came when they used him as a screener – his team will have to scheme him open to get good looks … May struggle when defending very quick or explosive players that can take angles away from him … Had a 1:1 assist to turnover ratio at Arkansas … Doesn’t create a ton of looks for teammates in the half court, but part of that was the way Arkansas used him within their offense …Outlook: Moody is a player that despite his youth, seems to be a what-you-see-is-what-you-get player … He may have a low ceiling due to his inability to create offense, but his well-rounded game and high level understanding of the game mean he should be able to fit into most teams and find a role that he can excel in … Many of his outside catch and shoot jumpers came after the defender had closed out on him, but when defenders let their guard down, he hits contested shots over them … That type of shot making should create spacing for his teammates. Despite a relatively low ceiling compared to some of the players at the top of draft boards, he may have one of the the highest floors of any freshmen in the draft, as his mix of size, hustle, anticipation, intelligence, and understanding of the game make it almost a sure thing that he finds a way to contribute sooner rather than later on whatever team selects him on draft night …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Glen Rice/Robert Covington","date_of_birth":"5/31/02","hometown":"Little Rock, AR","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":8,"big_board_rank":8,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Corey Kispert","year":2021,"height":79,"weight":225,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Mature, focused four year college player with tremendous shooting ability … Elite level scorer with excellent range and shooting skills … Steady improvement in his overall game over his four year college career is a testament to his focus, dedication and determination … Strong ball handling skills for his position … Scoring off the dribble is a strength and can finish around the rim with either hand with ease … Has a soft touch around the paint … High awareness, cuts to the basket at the right time and has great chemistry with his teammates … Nice mid range jumper and excellent shooting stroke… Unselfish player who teammates love to play with … Winning player who puts the team over individual accolades … Extremely efficient 3 point shooter with good shot selection … An automatic free throw shooter who shot 90% from the line this year … A fearless player with great focus and determination … Possesses a lot of grit and determination. Focused and tough player … Strong rebounder for his size and position … Can guard more than one position at 6’7, 220 lbs … Versatile wing player who has developed his ability to impact the game in ways other than scoring  … A gym rat … Worked hard throughout his college career on developing his strength and uses it well to create space and play bully ball against weaker opponents … Highly efficient offensive player, putting up incredible efficiency as a senior with 53.5 fg%, 45.3 3p% 88.5 ft%  at 18.9 ppg  … Not just an efficient 3-point shooter, but a prolific one as well, hitting 3 per game  … Tough to stop in transition with his scoring/passing ability … A solid leaper, who when given a lane to the basket can finish with exciting dunks …","cons":"May take some time to adjust to the quickness and athleticism, of players at the next level, particularly on the defensive end … Not a standout athlete and may struggle to create looks with an average first step … Lateral speed is below average. At limes lacks the foot speed to stay in front of ball handlers … Already 22, so not a player with a great deal of potential left to develop … Needs to work on overall athleticism to keep up with quicker perimeter players on defense … Pick and roll, two man game needs some refinement …  Could stand to improve his defensive stance against perimeter players … Can improve on fighting through screens … Can also become more aggressive and intense on the defensive end … Played a majority of his games against lesser competition in the WCC, so some may question how effective he can be against superior athletes night in and night out … Likely will not be afforded the same quality of looks without the benefit of such a talent edge with his teammates over opponents, creating open looks for him …Outlook: Showed improvement all four years in  scoring efficiency and rebounding … Clutch performer … Not afraid of pressure … Was the player Gonzaga called upon when they needed a clutch basket (BYU game). Gonzaga’s go-to scorer and a team leader … High IQ basketball player with a vast offensive repertoire … Needs to continue to improve athleticism and ultimately bring more on the defensive end … Figures to find a spot in the mid-to-late lottery in this year’s draft …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Wally Szczerbiak/Joe Harris","date_of_birth":"3/3/99","hometown":"Edmonds, WA","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":9,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":13,"big_board_rank":14,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Trey Murphy III","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":205,"school":"Virginia","pros":"Bigtime shooter with prototypical size and athleticism for an NBA combo forward at 6’9 and with a 7′ foot wingspan … Excellent size, and has added intrigue in today’s NBA with the versatility to play as a small ball four … Shooting is his most intriguing asset … Showed a lot of improvement at the free throw line during his three years in college (72.5% as a freshman, 82.4% as a sophomore, 92.7% as a junior) …. While he isn’t a volume scorer at this point, he is very efficient at knocking down the shots he does take … Career 40% 3 point shooter, including two years over 42% from deep … Sets his feet well on catch and shoot opportunities, allowing him to get his shot off quickly and on balance … Doesn’t turn the ball over a lot (although this is partially because he doesn’t look to create a lot) … Is comfortable playing a role and creating space for those around him … Late bloomer … Seems to have untapped athleticism that he doesn’t utilize on a regular basis … Very smooth athlete with the ability to explode and make plays in the open floor … Despite being just 205 lbs, has an excellent frame with broad shoulders and should be able to add 15-20 lbs over time without losing any mobility …","cons":"Needs to gain more confidence in his abilities and become a more aggressive athlete … Does not rebound the ball particularly well despite his size advantage … Could use more aggressiveness and assertiveness to become more effective … At times, doesn’t appear to understand what he’s capable of … Does not track the ball well off the rim, resulting in poor positioning for rebounds … Not a big assist guy, doesn’t create many looks for himself or his teammates … Many times doesn’t even look at the rim on the catch, missing opportunities to take an open shot … Often tries to drive laterally, but doesn’t have the handles or quickness for that to be effective for him … Drives looking primarily to pass, particularly to perimeter players spotting up … Should look to play with more energy at all times … Gets pushed around by smaller players on a regular basis … Doesn’t always cut with the urgency needed to get open … Tends to give too much room defensively on the perimeter … Despite giving space, is still prone to getting beat off the bounce by opposing wings because he gets too high of a center of gravity … May need to refine his mechanics to speed up his release on his jumpshot, as he sort of brings the ball down beside his head prior to shooting … Can work on becoming a more vocal leader … Perimeter skills are a work in progress. Can stand to improve as a ball handler and passer …Outlook: Trey Murphy III is an interesting case, as he has an NBA skill in his shooting, but spent last year playing in a Virginia system that did not fit or capitalize on the type of player that he is or could become … perhaps he was hidden to a degree in the hopes that he would return for his senior year. Wishful thinking … He is a player that at the moment gives you very little outside of shooting, but the potential is there for him to expand his game considerably … He should benefit from the more open offensive systems at the NBA level and feel emboldened to take more shots early in the shot clock … However, he will need to develop more aspects of his game in order to make the transition … The hope is that he can develop into a 3-and-D player, but so far he has not shown the ability to play the type of defense required to fill that role … He goes long stretches of games in which he doesn’t impact the game in any discernible way … His play style is similar to James Jones or Robert Covington in that he can play a role and knock down jumpshots, but until he can fill out the other parts of his game, it may be hard for him to carve out a significant role at the NBA level …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Robert Covington/James Jones","date_of_birth":"6/18/00","hometown":"Durham, NC","high_school":"Cary","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":17,"big_board_rank":15,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tre Mann","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":180,"school":"Florida","pros":"Skilled combo guard with scoring ability … Possesses a good change of pace that he uses to get defenders off balance. Is able to make a move, keep his dribble, and then capitalize once his defender makes a mistake. Rarely allows defenders to dictate his pace. Uses a good mix of head fakes and ball handling moves to manipulate defenders. Routinely extends plays by continuing to attack defenders to force help side rotations, allowing for his teammates to find openings. Excellent at step back jumpers, especially off the pick and roll – creates a lot of space on his step backs. If defenders stay with his step back, he’s often able to drive to the rim and finish. Always has his eyes up when driving, allowing him to find cutting teammates for easy baskets when the defense helps. Mixes long strides and short choppy steps to create angles to attack. Shoots layups and runners from multiple angles and release points, making it difficult for shot blockers to anticipate his timing. Showed major improvement as a sophomore in getting to the free throw line and shooting a much improved percentage. Only scored in single digits 4 times his sophomore year","cons":"Not the explosive athlete you’d hope for at 6’4”. Lacks length with just a 6’4 wingspan …  Has a thin frame that needs to put on muscle at the next level. Passes aren’t always the most accurate – passes don’t always hit teammates in the shooting pocket. This can force teammates to take more difficult shots from time to time. Has a narrow base on his jump shots which projects better for shooting off the bounce as opposed to catch and shoot. Narrow shot base can make it easier for him to be off balance while elevating on his shot. Doesn’t get ideal elevation on his shot, which can lead to easier contests. Can try to do too much, resulting in turnovers. Over-dribbles when met with pressure. Showed a poor second effort at times defensively. Florida’s defense liked to switch 1-4 on ball screens, Mann will have to get used to fighting through/around screens more often. Allows his center of gravity to get too high while defending and can find himself getting beaten by quick guards as a result.Outlook: Mann is a skilled scorer and creator with the ball in his hands. He knows how to manipulate defenders and get to his spots on the court. However, he plays much smaller than he is, so even at 6’5”, he’s a one position player as he plays closer to 6’1”. His ability to create his own looks in the pick and roll and find ctters should translate very well to the NBA and he can make an impact right away. He likely needs to make some minor mechanical adjustments to his jumpshot, but he projects to be a solid rotation player early in his career with an opportunity to grow into a major contributor. If he can improve defensively and develop his body, he could end up being a steal in the draft.","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Jordan Poole","date_of_birth":"2/3/01","hometown":"Gainesville, FL","high_school":"The Villages","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":33,"big_board_rank":33,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kai Jones","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":220,"school":"Texas","pros":"Jones is an explosive athlete who plays with one of the highest motors in all of college basketball … He can jump through the roof and finish with authority while doing so … Very fast in the open floor with quick feet to get open or defend small opponents on the perimeter … Powerful and athletic stretch five who can defend on the perimeter and in the post … Stretches the floor with his ability to knock down threes … Capable ball-handler who can beat large defenders on the dribble and lead in transition … Soars for rebounds and rim-runs as he has a high vertical and body control to adjust in the air … Potential to defend one through five because of his athleticism and quickness … Lengthy big who uses his long arms to his advantage around the rim with flexible dunks and blocks above the rim … Can hit jumpers off the dribble in the mid-range and on the perimeter … Extra year at Texas served him well with much improved shooting and more minutes … Superstar potential because of his size, athleticism, and perimeter shooting ability … Shoots 63% inside the arc despite tendency to shoot mid-range shots as well … Long legs and explosive first step unlock slashing ability in match-ups with traditional centers who cannot hang with his speed … Defensive versatility allows him to play as a traditional big or alongside another center, which he has done alongside Jericho Sims at Texas … 39% three-point shooter, a 10% increase from his freshman year,  showing his rapid development and superstar potential … Improved Net Rating from 8.9 to 24.1 from his freshman year to sophomore year … Freak athlete and potential make him one of the most intriguing NBA prospects whose draft stock has soared all season long into the late-lottery or mid-first round …","cons":"Jones stands at 6’11 but at 220 lbs, currently lacks the strength to hold position in the paint with powerful big men … The Big-12 Championship game showed flashes of limitless potential, but foul trouble and poor decisions limited him to only 18 minutes … Only averaged 22 minutes per game and just under 9 points per game, which are noticeably low for someone with the skillset of Jones … Despite his size and high vertical, he only averaged five rebounds per game and less than 9 rebounds per 40 minutes. While he often competes with running mate Jericho Sims, the smaller senior averages 12 rebounds per 40 minutes and often creates more of an impact in the paint than Jones … Even with his impressive ball-handling and body control for his size, Jones does not rack up assists or showcase playmaking ability … His leaping ability and length should induce more than 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game even with his limited playing time … Nearly three fouls per game in only 22 minutes provides plenty of room for improvement …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Jaxson Hayes/Jaren Jackson Jr.","date_of_birth":"1/19/01","hometown":"Nassau, Bahamas","high_school":"Brewster Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":11,"big_board_rank":11,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen Johnson","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":210,"school":"Duke","pros":"Athletic and versatile point forward with an excellent frame at 6’9, 220 pounds and 6’11 wingspan … Athleticism on full display on the glass where he posted a lot of rebounds (6.1 per game) … Three-point shooting is not his greatest asset, but he showcased potential at 44% on only 18 attempts … Lengthy defender who forces turnovers and gets blocks (1.2 blocked shots and steals per game) … Very solid versatility … Solid ball-handling for his size … Shows solid vision and passing skills for a forward … Showed that he’s capable of running the point  (forward) and creating mismatches in the post and on the perimeter … Versatility on the defensive end as well with the lateral quickness and strength to cover guards on switches and hold his own in the paint … Played a lot of 4 at Suke and showed the ability to defend in the post … Quickness and power on the drive creates opportunities for teammates and unlocks his elite finishing at the rim … Averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists per 40 minutes as a freshman at Duke … Excellent speed and control in transition … Finds his way to the rim with great speed and strength on straight line drives … Drew fouls often with 5.5 attempts per 40 minutes … Could develop into a stretch four at the next level with his excellent size and versatility … Despite a very disappointing season, came into year as a top 10 prospect and teams may find his potential too difficult to pass up in the late lottery to mid first round …","cons":"Three-point shooting has the potential to be a strength or major weakness. Teams left Johnson alone on the perimeter to take away his driving ability, but he was starting to take advantage of the space he was given by shooting 4-4 over his last three games from distance … Capable of running the point, but turnovers became a problem early and often in his career … Inconsistency plagued his season and cost him minutes during conference play. Followed up a 7 assist and 0 turnover game against Pitt with 0 assists and 6 turnovers against Louisville  … Ended the season with more turnovers than assists … Attitude concerns surround him … How dedicated is he to being a team guy?  Opting out of the season early is a clear red flag for scouts … The lack of experience is concerning, especially if turnovers remain a problem at the next level … Missed out on time to develop making turnovers and poor perimeter shooting a potential problem in the early part of his career … He could struggle to find valuable minutes if this is the case … Poor free-throw shooting is not a promising sign for his eventual development of an outside jumper (63.2% on 38 attempts)Outlook: Attended IMG Academy in his senior season of high school … 13 games played and 8 starts for Duke as a freshman … Averaged 11.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, 2.5 TO in his time at Duke …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Stephen Jackson/TJ Warren","date_of_birth":"12/18/01","hometown":"Sun Prairie, WI","high_school":"Nicolet","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":16,"big_board_rank":17,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Keon Johnson","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":185,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"A freakish athlete with great mental make up and competitive drive … Has the physical tools teams are looking for in wing players. At 6’5”, 186 lbs, with a 6’8 wingspan, and has good size for a 2-guard and should be able to bulk up as he matures … High level defender, with phenomenal instincts and reflexes to be disruptive at the next level … Buys into the defensive assignment and gives great intensity and effort on defense, showing very quick lateral ability … Super explosive and Is able to hang in the air, take contact, and still get the ball to the rim … Attacks the rim in a way that forces defenders to make a decision, often putting them in a position to get called for a foul. Understands driving angles and uses this knowledge to get to his spots on the court. Good elevation both at the rim and on his jumpshot … Uses his athleticism to create scoring opportunities … Very good body control on moves to the rim, is able to adjust to defender positions and create clean shooting angles … Has solid footwork that allows him to get around defenders … Has a flare for making the spectacular plays on a regular basis, but not at the expense of playing sound basketball …","cons":"A work in progress offensively. Shot only 27% from 3 during his time at Tennessee, and must improve upon his 70% from the line. Averaged just 11 ppg … Needs to become a more disciplined decision maker in regards to when to look for and take shots … Not the most gifted scorer at this point … Had a very slow start, particularly from a scoring aspect … Relied on scoring from the post when he needed a basket … Has a tendency to over-dribble into the teeth of the defense and then force bad shots or turn the ball over  … Not versatile enough as a scorer yet, defenders will likely play him to drive and force him to show he can hit jumpers with enough regularity to keep the defense honest … Can be loose with the ball, turning it over 2.6 times per game … Had more turnovers than assists in college … Could rebound better for somebody with his athletic gifts … Not a plus defender at the moment, but should develop on that side of the ball … Has a tendency to get into foul trouble …Outlook: Johnson has a chance to be an emotional leader type for a team .. He is the type of young wing that can come in and get buckets right away … His athleticism mixed with his body control and touch around the rim make him tough to stop once he starts driving to the rim … He will need to diversify his offense at the next level to truly hit his potential, but he will benefit from the added spacing of the NBA, and his shot isn’t broken, so there’s reason to believe that he can develop to at least be a serviceable shooter …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Latrell Sprewell","date_of_birth":"3/10/02","hometown":"Bell Buckle, TN","high_school":"Webb","rebounding":9,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":9,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":18,"big_board_rank":16,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Isaiah Jackson","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":205,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Extremely athletic, agile big man that can impact the game without scoring and has a lot of physical gifts … An active big who makes plays all over the court defensively, having averaged 2.6 blocks and .8 steals per game as a freshman … Had a block rate of 12.7 at Kentucky. Is a rangy defender, and can cover a lot of ground quickly … Is a productive on ball and help side defender … Looks to get out in transition on turnovers … Is a very good rim-runner who can outrun virtually all players at his position … has tremendous lengthh with a 7’5 wingspan … Plays above the rim … Has made progress in learning to set his defender up to drive by him … Developing face up game still needs work, but is able to use his quickness to create space … Has a quick first step on face ups that allow him to beat his man off the dribble … Explosive athlete … Extremely quick to get off the floor, and has explosive second and third jumps that gives him the advantage on rebounds …70% free throw shooting gives optimism that he can ultimately develop some reliable face up skills … Solid competitor and determination … One of the youngest players in the draft having turned 19 in January …","cons":"At this point he is viewed as a project for the next level as he weighs just above 200 lbs and has not developed much of an offensive repertoire … Averaged just 8.4 ppg on a team that was in need of scoring … Post game is remedial at best, and he could stand to polish his back to the basket game with another year in college … Lacks a go to move and struggles to create offense for himself … Scores mainly on put backs and ally oops, and can knock down an occasional mid-range jump shot … Not an elite level rebounder despite his athletic gifts, largely because of lack of strength and toughness, plus poor discipline in trying to block shots he has no chance to get to … Lacks a reliable jumpshot and sometimes has poor technique and balance on his jumper … Too often gets into foul trouble that can limit both his minutes and his effectiveness … Lacks the touch around the rim that you would like from a player that gets most of their offense inside the paint … Lacks a back-to-the-basket post game. Needs to further develop his footwork both on the perimeter and in the post … While he has shown some shot blocking and defensive potential, the fact that he’s not a legit 7 footer draws into question whether his rim protecting/shot blocking ability will translate to the next level … Needs to put additional weight on, and there is some concern regarding how adding weight may affect his mobility and athleticism …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Nicolas Claxton","date_of_birth":"1/10/02","hometown":"Detroit, MI","high_school":"Waterford Mott","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":6,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":21,"big_board_rank":34,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Josh Christopher","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":215,"school":"Arizona St.","pros":"A top shelf athlete who showcases the power and explosiveness to immediately translate to the next level … Versatile guard who can handle the ball effectively enough to run the offense at the 1 but also move to 2 or 3 with the size and strength to play off the ball … Elite potential as a playmaking guard who could also take over games with his scoring at all three levels … Dramatically improved his three-point shooting towards the end of his freshman season before a leg injury ended it prematurely. He shot 12-25 over his last six full games to show that he has the potential to shoot far better than his 30% season average suggest from behind the arc … Finds ways to score even on bad shooting nights by getting to the line and shooting a high percentage of 80% as a freshman … Attacks the glass and rebounds well for a guard with a high vertical and strength going up … Three-point shooting will further unlock his head fake and allow him to do what he does best, which is attacking the rim with physical finishes and pull up in the mid-range … Opportunistic defender who can explode into passing lanes and take the ball away for easy transition dunks. Was able to capitalize on this with 1.5 steals per game at Arizona State … Handles and speed to attack in transition and get to the rim for flashy dunks and layups … Creates space in isolations with creative ball-handling and retreating defenders who are wary of his speed and first step … Young draft age of 19 which will allow him plenty of time to develop and unlock his exceedingly high potential … Possesses great length with a 6’8 wingspan at 6’4 …","cons":"While his three-point shooting improved towards the end of his season, there are still concerns about his ability to attack on the perimeter consistently … Without a consistent perimeter threat, teams could force him to take deep jumpers and negate his more potent strengths of driving to the basketball and finishing at the rim … His three-point shot has a bit of a slow, awkward release that goes from his left hip to the top of his release, but this is only a minor concern that could have little to no impact … Puts his head down quite often in transition as he attacks the basket causing him to miss teammates finding spots on the perimeter or running to the rim alongside him … The inability to find open teammates in transition is noticeable on the stat sheet as well with only 1.4 APG vs 1.7 TO during his freshman season … Lack of considerable impact in a disappointing season for the Sun Devils is concerning as a player of his caliber should have done more to lift his team around him to a better record …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Norman Powell","date_of_birth":"12/8/01","hometown":"Lakewood, CA","high_school":"Mayfair","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":34,"big_board_rank":32,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Quentin Grimes","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":210,"school":"Houston","pros":"A strongly built 6’5 210 wing, has the size and adequate length (6’8 wingspan) to match up fine on the perimeter physically … Decent athlete … Operates mostly as a floor spacer offensively, does the majority of his damage from beyond the 3-point line (40% 3FG as a JR, on a healthy 8.3 attempts/game) … Has moments where he can really get rolling and be very dangerous, and isn’t just an in-rhythm spot up threat like he was early in his career … Houston was 29-1 in games that he made multiple 3-point shots during his Jr. season … Has NBA range and is effective coming off screens or running to open spots along the perimeter, making him a nice valve to have in transition or with slashing guards who collapse the defense … Also showed ability to stick some pull-up 3s with range .. Solid pre-shot mechanics, squares his body to the rim and rises into his shot under control and with consistency … Pretty nice perimeter defender overall, gets into his stance and shows the strength and active feet to deny penetration and force tough shots … Was solid on that end in the Big 12, but had huge success smothering smaller, less athletic perimeter players in the AAC…With his frame and active feet, he be able to comfortably defend SGs and most SF’s at the pro level … Unselfish and plays off the strengths of his teammates well … Also contributes on the glass (5.7 rpg as a Jr.), especially offensive boards, using his strong frame & nice motor to throw his body around and come up with loose balls…Fits nicely as a 3-and-D prospect …","cons":"Not a shot creator, really struggles at times with creating his own offense … .Though an adequate athlete, he lacks quickness and struggles to get separation because of poor ball-handling … Struggles to go left and is a predictable slasher with limited moves … Can become passive and ineffective if his shot isn’t falling…A bit mechanical, lacks fluidity to his game … His in-between game needs improvement, especially considering he will have a tougher time getting to the rim off the bounce at the pro level … Really struggles to convert near the rim, even at the mid-major, so it is difficult to project him as more than just a floor spacer on offense at the NBA level … Shot just 41% inside the arc as a Jr. and 46% for his career, illustrating his lack of finishing ability …Overall: Grimes won the AAC Player of the Year award after a breakthrough Jr season for a Houston team that made a trip to the Final 4 this past season … He is a former top 5 recruit who started his career in the Big 12 at Kansas, but revitalized himself into a potential 2021 draft pick … He has good potential as a clear cut 3-and-D wing prospect given his sound jump shooting ability and ability to match up and play defense on the perimeter…He isnt a high level shot creator for himself or others, and can have moments when he disappears, but when he’s on he can get rolling from 3, as seen when he made 7 shots from distance and put up 27 points in a NBA Combine scrimmage …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Josh Hart","date_of_birth":"5/8/00","hometown":"Houston, TX","high_school":"College Park","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":31,"big_board_rank":37,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Nah'Shon Hyland","year":2021,"height":75,"weight":170,"school":"VCU","pros":"Talented scorer, averaging 19.5 points per game while shooting 44.7% from the floor … Despite being the main focus of every defense the Rams faced, Hyland consistently was the team’s most important player and scorer … One of the draft’s most talented outside shooters … His best asset is his three-point shooting … Hyland has a quick release and can get his shot off above defenders … Hit at a 37.1% clip this season, but a 43.4% shooter as a freshman … The drop off is likely due more to having to take more difficult shots and a higher volume as the star versus getting easier looks as a role player in his freshman year … Should be a sniper in the NBA, as he will be getting set up for more catch and shoot, open looks … Is also very comfortable canning shots off the dribble, and has great range … Electric playmaker with polished, streetball type handle and tremendous quickness … Can get to the rim well, especially in transition, and converted at the rim at a very good 63.5% this past season … While he won’t be a primary ball handler in the NBA, Hyland showed creativity on the ball, using crossovers, stepbacks and eurosteps in order to gain separation both at the rim and behind the arc … Loves to push in transition and is able to get easy looks for himself and teammates with his tempo and ball skills … Is a tremendous free throw shooter … Is a solid rebounder with almost five per game … Was a great defender in college, forcing 1.9 steals per game … Can defend well on or off the ball, and has good instincts and positioning … Understands well when to switch, help or rotate, and makes a big impact on the defensive end of the floor … Over 50% of his looks came from behind the arc, and less than 15% came from mid-range, showing he will be an asset in the analytically-driven NBA … Hit 172 threes between his two seasons at VCU … Plays with tremendous energy and figures to be a great fit as an instant offense sixth man type …","cons":"With a shift to more position-less basketball and versatility becoming a bigger part of the NBA, Hyland’s skinny, smaller stature stands out … Is the height and weight suited for a point guard, with the game of a shooting guard … Has added some weight, but still has to put in a lot of work on his body to be able to handle the physicality of making plays around the basket at the next level , as well as becoming a consistent defender … He is a good defender, but will struggle defending bigger players, even most shooting guards as they will have an immense strength advantage … Even with a pure shooting stroke, the 6% drop-off in percentage from his freshman season is a slight concern … Averaged more turnovers per game than assists, cementing the need to be a secondary playmaker than offensive initiator … To the same extent, the offense was always run through Hyland, but even with a high usage rate, he had a high number of poor decisions with the ball in his hands … He would be best utilized in the NBA as an off-ball cutter who comes off screens to get open looks from three, but often stood around when their wasn’t a specific play drawn for him to get open … His size and weight could impact his ability to have the same success attacking the basket … Has good lateral quickness, but lacks any leaping explosion, and has limited athleticism … Would likely have a higher projection if he had played a higher level of competition consistently. Faced an easy schedule this season, playing just one ranked team, scoring only 13 points with 31% from the floor …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jordan Clarkson","date_of_birth":"9/14/00","hometown":"Wilmington, DE","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":25,"big_board_rank":21,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cameron Thomas","year":2021,"height":75,"weight":200,"school":"LSU","pros":"A 6’3 200 lb perimeter scoring machine (4th in the NCAA w/ 23 ppg as a Fr.) with supreme confidence and “in the gym” range on his shot … Comes into the draft after breaking all kinds of scoring records at every stop of his amateur career, and its easy to see why when you watch how aggressively he seeks out ways to put shots up … Can be absolutely deadly when he gets rolling, fills it up in bunches and is a true volume scorer in every sense, mostly preferring to use his jumper to do damage … Is a 3-level microwave scoring threat who can torch the defense creating off the bounce, spotting up or working off screens and can easily shoot from NBA range in any of those ways … When working off ball, Thomas often looks JJ Redick-esque by constantly moving and looking to free himself of defenders for open shots by utilizing screens to get the ball … With the ball, Thomas is crafty and does a good job of getting downhill and using subtle crossovers and step backs when driving in either direction to create space for his shots, while also showing the ability to make some advanced moves like a turnaround over his left shoulder from 15-18 ft or sidestep gather jumpers from 3 ala James Harden … Not afraid to take heavily contested jumpers, and shows plenty of promise in doing so (especially from mid-range) because of his shot-making ability, high shot release and wiry strength to finish through contact … Has a floater in his mid-range bag as well … Good open court player, will run the floor looking for spot up 3s or slash to the rim in transition and be opportunistic after turnovers … Has a good feel for attacking closeouts and a nice 1st step, can stick a 1 or 2 dribble pull up almost in his sleep if the defender runs him off the 3-point line … No problem getting to the foul line and makes few mistakes when there (7.6 FTA per game on 88%), has already began to master the ability of using the defenders aggressiveness against them by getting them to bite on his pump fakes or seeking contact on the way to the rim … Came in and was one of the most productive scorers in all of college hoops, and did so on a very experienced team with multiple potential NBA prospects besides him … Could see his efficiency rise with less usage and one role to focus on …","cons":"A bit one-dimensional as a player, mostly wired to score and doesn’t really contribute much in any other areas of the game … Though he seems to have decent length, his physical and athletic profiles are average at best for the backcourt prospect he’s projected to be … Not the fastest or most dynamic player, and while he is agile it seems he has a hard time reaching his 2nd gear to get all the way to the rim with consistency off the bounce … Saw a good number of his shots near the rim get blocked as a Fr., doesn’t really play above the rim much even with a head of steam … Will never be confused for a floor general on the court, and though he will inevitably be asked to defend both guard spots, it is difficult to project him to be a combo guard offensively (1.4 apg) … Has a floater in his arsenal, but its inconsistent at the moment … Forces a large amount of low percentage, contested shots as a player who uses his jumper as his main tool to score (40% from the field, 32% from 3), shot selection needs improvement and would go a long way to making his offensive efficiency rise…Pretty streaky 3-point shooter, was no stranger to slumps during the conference schedule … Doesn’t pass much, when he gets the ball he usually is looking to let it fly and some may consider him to be a “black hole” offensively … Not a devoted defensive player, does little to make things difficult for whoever he guards and rarely will fight to get back in plays after getting caught in a screen or beat off the dribble … Even though he was the top scorer on his team, he was generally 2nd or 3rd in the pecking order as the players who were asked to take late shots for LSU in the clutch this past year …Overall: Thomas is a prolific scoring guard and really had some big games throughout his Fr. season, lighting up the scoreboard on a very experienced and talented LSU team … Played well in the NCAA Tournament, and tied Zion Williamson and Kevin Durant for most points for a Fr. through their 2 tournament games (57) … Was a highly regarded recruit in VA and seemed to use being a notable McDonalds All-American game snub as motivation to show that he’s one of the best amateur players around…To get an idea of just how special he is at getting buckets, he is the all-time leading scorer in Oak Hill Academy’s storied history, a school that has an alumni full of HS basketball royalty … He’s a fun player to watch and a pretty smooth operator who makes scoring in chunks look easy at times as he hit shots from all over the court … Still he needs to keep working on his 3-point shooting eye, even though his range and touch are both high level, and pick his shots better to maximize his ability as a scorer … He’s not the most physically gifted prospect and is considered to be a one trick pony, and some even think he plays a selfish brand of basketball, but you can’t argue with or ignore the type of production and success he’s seen with his playing style … Whether he starts or is brought off the bench, you know he will be able to put points on the board and that will make him a relatively high floor prospect in 2021 class …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"E’Twaun Moore/Seth Curry","date_of_birth":"10/13/01","hometown":"Chesapeake, VA","high_school":"Oak Hill Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":24,"big_board_rank":23,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaden Springer","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":200,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Scrappy, young combo guard with a defensive focus and an expanding offensive game … Didn’t take a ton of threes, but shot 43.5% on them. Shot 81% from the free throw stripe … Easily repeatable jump shot mechanics … Does a very good job of regaining his balance when making offensive moves, allowing him to make difficult shots … Excels at using the rim or his body to protect his shots in the paint by using reverse layups  … Smooth athlete who is able to get to the paint against defenders. Is able to create and take away space from defenders to keep them off balance … Is good at making pull up jumpers either off the bounce or off a pseudo post up … Even when defenders expect it, he’s able to get his shot off … Moves well off the ball and is able to use screens effectively … Can be disruptive defensively, had 5 games with 3 steals … Is a willing facilitator, recording 5 or more assists in 7 games …","cons":"Lacks elite explosiveness … Appears to be more of a 2 than a combo, and lacks size on the wing at 6’4 … Doesn’t possess high level athleticism, relies on angles and reading what the defense is giving him.  ..Has trouble taking care of the ball, averaging 2.4 turnovers per game … Needs to develop more lead guard skills so that he can be a secondary ball hander at the next level. Could be overmatched athletically and physically at the next level. Shot is mechanically sound, but lacks fluidity and can be slow to load up at times. Relies on others to get his scoring opportunities off of cuts, not somebody that will break people down off the bounce.","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jerryd Bayless","date_of_birth":"9/25/02","hometown":"Charlotte, NC","high_school":"IMG Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":28,"big_board_rank":29,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Day'Ron Sharpe","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":265,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"A true throwback big man, Sharpe is the best rebounder of the class, as well as one of the best post scorers and shot blockers…With his 6’11 size, strength and timing, Sharpe hauls in rebounds with 7.6 per game…The freshman standout has a solid repertoire of post moves, able to go right through smaller defenders, or over taller defenders with jump hooks, pivots and over the shoulder jumpers…Sharpe has great timing and athleticism, and had plenty of thunderous rejections this season for the Tar Heels…Has great potential as a disruptive interior force, rebounder and post scorer, especially considering his youth and ability to continue improving his shot…While he is not a three-point threat, Sharpe did show the ability to knock down a two-point jumper…Looks poised with the ball, and even has some ball handling skill, driving past defenders on his way to the hoop…His 1.4 assists per game as a big man highlight his comfort making the correct decision with the ball…He has an innate ability to track offensive boards, using his length and strength to overpower other rebounders…Led the country in offensive rebound percentage this season…Should quickly translate to the NBA, where he can be a hub for second chance points and easy put back opportunities.","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Reggie Perry","date_of_birth":"11/6/01","hometown":"Winterville, NC","high_school":"South Central","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":9,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":29,"big_board_rank":53,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Santi Aldama","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":225,"school":"Loyola (MD)","pros":"A stretch four, Aldama can hit from well beyond the 3 point arc … Is comfortable and confident shooting off the dribble from beyond the arc…Loves to create his own look, and has the handle, size and strength to get inside with ease…Has a polished post game, and can shoot over either shoulder…Can attack well in transition…Scored over 20 points per game for Loyola in his second season, and the Spainard also averaged ten boards and two assists per game…Was dominant throughout the season, and was able to get to his spots consistently…An offensive engine…Is a versatile piece, as he can hit shots from all over the court, can work in the low post, and has passing to play within the offense…Has great size at 6’11, 215-pounds, but often shoots and plays like a much smaller player…An ideal fit for the modern NBA, Aldama has shooting touch, defensive instincts, rebounds well, and is a fluid athlete…Shot over 50% from the floor and 37% from deep despite being the focus of defenses…Simply looked too good to be playing with Loyola, and was magnificent throughout the year…An efficient and talented scorer, Aldama can do it all…Can also be useful defensively, as his size and quickness helped him block 1.7 shots and grab one steal per game…Can guard centers through small forwards with his active hands, quickness and smarts defensively.","cons":"Dominated, but did so against inferior competition playing at Loyola Maryland in the Patriot League…Often forced his own shot at the expense of better looks of teammates…Turned the ball over more than three times per game, and only dished it out twice per game…Doesn’t move well without the basketball…Slow player in general and may struggle to gain separation against high level athletes … Is a poor free throw shooter…Might struggle to find a role as he’s accustomed to being the star of the team, as his strengths are mostly utilized while having the ball, and shooting in large quantities…Does not have great passing instincts, limiting his potential that he could be a playmaker and create offense off the dribble…Might struggle to have the same scoring success against taller, stronger athletes…Is a good three-point shooter, but isn’t a sniper, and would be better off shooting off of assists rather than his own creation.","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Michael Bradley","date_of_birth":"1/10/01","hometown":"Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain","high_school":"Canterbury Academy International Team Canterbury International Basketball Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":6,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jeremiah Robinson-Earl","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":240,"school":"Villanova","pros":"Robinson-Earl is a young, savvy forward prospect with a mature 6’9 240 lb frame…Physical, plays with a low, strong base and uses it to generate the power to finish and rebound well…Has a nice skill level, was a matchup problem who contributed in a number of ways on both ends of the court in college…Decisive, fundamentally sound player who shows solid footwork and body control, which allows him to maximize his athletic ability…Strong enough 1st step and handle for a frontcourt player to take some bigger players off the bounce effectively…Comfortable with the ball, high IQ player who was effective posting and facing up at the college level…Makes good decisions, willing passer and had a fair share of offense ran through him out of the low and mid-post (2.2/1.6 A/TO)…Moves well without the ball too, makes himself available for drop-off passes and is an active cutter when he sees openings…Nice hands, also does a good job of keeping the ball high when near the rim, away from guards swiping for steals…Sets good screens, can slip them and convert at the rim or pop out for open jumpers…Likes to uses quick spins and jump hooks around the basket when posting up…Plays with a good motor and was a constant factor on the glass (nearly 9 rpg for his career)…Was a plus defender at Villanova as well, getting low in his stance & using his high activity level to switch well and be disruptive throughout possessions…Decent FT shooter (around 75% for his career at the line) and flashes the shooting touch when spotting up to develop into a more effective floor spacer in time…Overachiever type who plays with a mature, team-first approach that bodes well for his projected NBA role..","cons":"Not a particularly great physical profile (6’9 w/ 6’10 wingspan) or athleticism for a frontcourt player by NBA standards, likely wont be quite as impactful in the low post finishing at the rim compared to college given his only average combination of length and explosiveness…Wont provide much of a shot-blocking presence, mostly just a sound team defender…Quicker, more athletic type PFs can beat him off the bounce in isos, and bigger players can seal and shoot over him…Returned for his Soph. season largely to improve his jumper but saw his 3 point and FT efficiency decrease (from 32% to just 28% from 3 and from 81% to 71% FT), will need to get more consistent after really struggling with it down the stretch this past season…Can be reasonably effective when open, but rushes a bit when contested….Not a natural scorer, so the development of his spot up jump shot would go a long way to maximizing his offensive potential…Very reliant on fundamentals and body positioning, doesnt recover well when beaten or misdirected defensivelyOverall: Robinson-Earl enters the draft after a very productive 2-year career for Jay Wright and Villanova….He is a strong and skilled PF who plays the game the right way and is clearly a well-coached player with high level intangibles…His lack of a consistent jumper is a cause for concern in his pro development, as are is average measurables and athletic tools, but he seems to be the type of smart effort player who will be a coach’s dream given his attitude towards defending and rebounding…His jumper isn’t necessarily broken though, and if he can establish and comfortable area from mid-range or 3, it would make a difference in the type of impact/production he can have on a team …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Anthony Tolliver/Jonas Jerebko","date_of_birth":"11/3/00","hometown":"Shawnee Mission, KS","high_school":"IMG Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":45,"big_board_rank":44,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jason Preston","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":180,"school":"Ohio","pros":"Preston is a tall, rangy 6’4 180 PG prospect who has the lengthy frame (6’8 wingspan) to comfortably add more strength…Good agility, more of a “gliding” athlete but did himself a favor measuring with a 38” max vert at the NBA Combine…A creative and unselfish playmaker, Preston’s patient feel for the game, basketball IQ and crafty passing skills easily stand out when watching him play…Given his size at the lead guard spot, he has excellent court vision and the ability to whizz passes to open teammates from all over the court…Extremely productive operating in pick and roll offense, showing great timing with his passes while also being a threat to knock down shots when defenders go underneath screens (39% 3FG as a Jr.)…Also used pick and roll offense to have success calling his own number, getting to the paint and converting or in the mid range where he shows a promising floater…Uses his long-striding speed, the threat to make a quick pass and a nice command of hesitation dribbles to turn the corner well…Adept at manipulating defenders to create passing windows, often tilting or freezing the defense off the dribble and then making accurate dump-offs for high percentage plays…Keeps his head up and makes good decisions to create easy baskets against hard hedges, where his size and timing as a passer really shows most…Nice shooting touch and has range to the NBA 3-point line off the dribble and with his feet set, confidence grew with each year he spent in college…Uses his body to shield smaller guards in the lane well, keeps defenders on his hip to create lanes to score or collapse the defense and find the open man…Would be fun to watch in an up-tempo system, given his instinctive hit-aheads when the defense isn’t set and ability to make flashy passes…Efficient scorer at Ohio, shot above 50% from the field in each of the past 2 seasons…Used his size to make very good contributions on the glass (7.3 rpg as a JR, 5.6 rpg for his career)…Not afraid to use his length and instincts to jump passing lanes and come up with steals/deflections (1.5 spg as a Jr.)…Played at a mid-major school, but had a few standout performances when he played big stage games (near triple double in NCAA tourny win against Virginia, 31 point, 8 assist/0 turnover game against Illinois)…A late bloomer, who has an inspirational story given the unconventional way he became a college basketball star and now NBA draft prospect","cons":"Not a very sudden athlete, doesnt have much in the way of a 2nd gear or explosiveness…A great pick and roll player, but he is heavily reliant on it to operate and doesn’t really get into the teeth of the defense much without the help of a screen…Settles for low percentage fadeaways and runners at times because he doesn’t get consistent separation from defenders off the dribble…Lack of foot speed and lateral quickness are evident defensively, had some struggles denying penetration in college and doesnt project to handle pro guards who are quick off the dribble very well…A ball-dominant player who can at times be turnover prone, overdribbling into bad spots occasionally and he has a tendency to leave his feet when make passes…Not very strong at the moment, mostly shows when forced to fight through screens or finish through contact near the rim…Had some success as a scorer in college, but isn’t a natural shot creator for himself and clearly is more of a facilitator….Pretty right-hand dominant, can be less effective when forced to drive and finish with his off hand…Not afraid to make defenders pay when they play off of him, but is a bit inconsistent shooting off the dribble…Has a limited sample size against top competition, didnt always face the kind of athletes he will see on the pro level on a game-to-game basis…Some of the bad habits he has developed fundamentally playing against lower level competition will be taken advantage of more consistently as the speed of the game increases (ie leaving his feet to pass, high gravity defensive stance, sluggish closeouts)Overall: Preston’s ascension into a draft prospect has been storybook…Went from a 6’ 140 HS Sr averaging 2 ppg, to getting an offer from Ohio after uploading his prep school highlights on Twitter, where shortly after committing he became an impact player for most of his 3-year career…He now stands 6’4 180 as a legitimate PG prospect, and is coming off of an impressive Jr season that has now caught the attention of many NBA teams and scouts…He brings legitimate passing skills, size and pick and roll excellence to the table, with his calculated approach to creating offense for himself and others, as well as his consistently improving shooting skills…He isnt the most athletic or fleet of foot, and needs to add more strength to his frame to handle physical play better, as well as the obvious questions about his level of competition…But he rose to the occasion more often than not when he played in big games and fared well in pre-draft scrimmages, is clever and plays a style that is fun to watch…You cant ignore that he makes his teammates jobs easier and that he can impact the game and produce in multiple ways…Very intriguing prospect who has been rising up boards the past few months","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Luke Ridnour","date_of_birth":"8/10/99","hometown":"Orlando, FL","high_school":"Boone","rebounding":7,"potential":9,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":6,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":41,"big_board_rank":36,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Miles McBride","year":2021,"height":74,"weight":195,"school":"West Virginia","pros":"McBride is a scrappy lead guard with excellent scoring ability and underrated athleticism … Tremendous defender, especially on the ball, where he utilizes his huge (6’9) wingspan and lateral speed to make things difficult for opposing lead guards … Has a fearless demeanor and rises to the challenge when it presents itself … A gutsy competitor … Played extremely well when he matched up with likely number one overall pick Cade Cunningham, picking his pocket for a steal and score at one point, and ripping the ball away from him with both hands on a drive … He made numerous plays that showed that he was not intimidated going up against an elite player. He essentially played Cade to a standstill over 80 minutes  … Incorporates a solid floater in his game when driving to the basket when bigger players are impeding him from getting to the basket … Showed very solid improvement from his freshman to sophomore year, including raising his 3-point percentage from 30.4% to 41.4% … Bought into Bob Huggins defensive system and really improved, showing equal effort and energy on both ends of the floor … Very active and aggressive hands … Deceptively bigger than he appears. Has a huge wingspan at 6’8.75 on a 6’1 (barefoot) frame … Standing reach at 8’3.5 is nearly that of a prototypical shooting guard … Uses his size well to finish plays with dunks at the rim … Great anticipation on the defensive end, and often gets to the spot before opposing guards do, making it extremely difficult to initiate the offense against him … Excellent 4.9 to 1.8 assist to turnover ratio … Shows the ability to score around the basket and understands how to use his size to post up smaller guards … Smooth, fluid shooting motion … Knocked down over 41.4% from 3 and 81.3% from the FT line … Very shifty with the ball in his hands, and understands how to use fakes and hesitation to create space … Shows the ability to pull up off the dribble and knock down shots effectively … Likes to back down opposing point guards and utilize a turnaround jumper (as he did against standout defender Davion Mitchell) … Very capable ball handler …","cons":"McBride is a hard worker, so don’t bet against him. But at this point his feel for the game needs some improvement … Plays a little sporadic as a floor general and will need to learn to control the tempo of the game and become a better facilitator in order to be a full time starting PG at the next level … Not a great ISO guy … As good as he is laterally, he lacks a great burst off the dribble  … First step is good but not elite … Struggles at blowing by defenders and getting to the rim … 2P% just 43%, he shoots a high volume but low productivity … Transition game needs improvement, decision making must improve as well as his ability to finish … Doesn’t have an elite skill at this point, but does a lot of things well … Body type gives the impression that he is less athletic than he really is … Considered by some as more of a combo guard than a point guard … Doesn’t get much lift on his jumper, which may or may not be so terrible as it helps him to get his shot off more quickly, but limits his ability to shoot over bigger guards … Can be too aggressive at times defensively and gamble for steals, instead of playing sound defense on his man … Needs to gain better consistency from game to game … Deferred a little too much at times, instead of taking over the way he was capable. Some of that may have been due to the system and being a team player … Added core strength. Bulking up his arms and upper body will allow him to play more physical and absorb contact and finish plays at the rim … has the skills and was solid as a sophomore but can improve as a pick and roll facilitator …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Derrick White","date_of_birth":"9/8/00","hometown":"Cincinnati, OH","high_school":"Archbishop Moeller","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":19,"big_board_rank":20,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"JT Thor","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":205,"school":"Auburn","pros":"A very rangy 6’10 stretch four, who has generated intrigue as a prospect with his ability to use his size (7’3 wingspan, 9’2 standing reach) to his advantage as a PF/C hybrid … Is a pretty fluid athlete for a 6’10 player as well, mostly showing good coordination and agility … Pretty active defensive player who projects to be both an asset switching on the perimeter swallowing up smaller guards and in the paint as a solid rim protector (1.4 bpg as a Fr.) as well…Can meet finishers at the apex and alter shots at the rim … Uses his length to deflect a ton of passes, his steals numbers don’t tell the full story of how often he disrupted passing lanes … Runs the floor well offensively and will get some easy transition dunks with his ability to fill lanes and finish above the rim relatively easily … Shows a developing southpaw jump shot with decent touch (74% FT shooter) and a high release, making just enough shots when spotting up from 3 to keep the defense honest … Could become an effective pick and pop threat in time, and sporadically made simple 1 and 2 dribble pull up jumpers against hard closeouts … Also showed effectiveness slipping to the rim in the screening game, using his size and athleticism to either draw a foul call or a finish after catching the ball … Plays with high energy overall and had his moments moving without the ball for open shots in the paint and beyond the arc … Has the type of frame that should be able to add significant weight to his current thin build without the loss of mobility, which would be even more helpful in allowing him to establish position and play at the point of attack more effective than he does now … Blew away NBA teams at the Draft combine with his shooting and athleticism. He struggled to show it at Auburn, but teams have to be considering what he can become if he can add strength and become better at playing through contact … His shooting potential, length and agility are extremely intriguing …","cons":"Has one of the most impressive highlight reels of any player, but had a tendency to disappear for long stretches … Has a pretty raw offensive skill set as a player, and he needs to improve his overall fundamentals to become a consistent contributor at the NBA level … For now the game looks too fast for him at times, and he can be slow to react to plays … has a lot of potential, but a team drafting him will need to be patient as he’s clearly a long term project … Has rudimentary ball skills at the moment, with a high, somewhat predictable dribble that SEC defenders often exploited when Thor tried to break them down off the dribble … Becomes more turnover prone with each dribble he takes in half court offense at the current stage, tends to make some head scratching decisions with the ball when he’s forced to make plays on the fly…Had trouble in multiple games making inbounds passes, reacting to live ball pressure/traps, and made a number of very risky cross court passes that led to ugly turnovers, at times showing total concentration lapses that just won’t fly in the pros … Needs to improve his footwork significantly to become a more consistent shooter, often changes his shooting base from shot to shot and seemingly rushes his mechanics when defenders contest which led to middling results (44% FG, 30% 3FG) … Only made multiple 3 point shots in 4 out of 27 games as a Fr … Though he has a high release on his shot, he also some hitches in his shot mechanics, including his habit of dipping the ball to his waist before he gets to his shooting motion, which will buy athletic, savvy pro defenders extra time to contest or even get a hand on the ball before he shoots. He also has a tendency to allow his body to twist too farto the left into  into his shooting motion … Lacks overall strength and girth at the moment as a 205 lb PF/C, really struggled to play through any type of contact as a Fr. on either end of the court if he couldn’t use his length to his advantage…Not much of a low post scorer as a frontcourt player, mostly prefers to face up offensively…Sometimes bails out the defense and makes himself easy to guard by settling for jump shots…Average rebounding production for someone with his physical traits and motor in his lone college season …Overall: In the modern NBA where being able to defend different positions is of increased paramount, Thor already had intrigue … When his combine measurables showed NBA teams his tantalizing 7’3 wingspan and straight-line run and jump athleticism, he made the decision to remain in the 2021 Draft … His physical skills, defensive upside and smooth athleticism will be enough to attract multiple teams to potentially select him to their roster, but the development of his offensive skills and adding on more pounds to his frame will go a long way to determine what type of career he actually has … He is a work in progress and he may find it difficult to ever become a true creator on offense, but he does have some correctable flaws that could see him blossom if he works smart/hard …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Wenyan Gabriel/Al-Farouq Aminu","date_of_birth":"8/26/02","hometown":"Anchorage, AK","high_school":"Norcross","rebounding":9,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":37,"big_board_rank":39,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ayo Dosunmu","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":195,"school":"Illinois","pros":"Elite production and star player for Illinois who was a finalist for the Wooden Award in his junior season … Ball-handling and quick first step create space and open up scoring opportunities. Also incorporates a good step-back three pointer where he shot 39% in his final season on high volume … Great court vision and passer who averaged over five assists per game. Also attacks the glass and rebounds well with over six rebounds per game. Showcased all of this with two triple doubles in his final season which ranked second in the nation … Late-game performer who drained several clutch shots throughout his career … Crafty finisher at the rim with various moves to fend off big men in the paint … Attacks at all three levels and has a threatening mid-range jumper that can pull bigs out of the paint to open up space for cutters or allow him to get to the basket with speed  … Shot nearly 50% from the field despite 15 shots per game in junior season … Good decision maker in PNR action with patience and creativity to keep defenders guessing … Great frame on offense for a ball-handling point guard at 6’5, 200 pounds … Drew contact in the lane and was able to get to the line frequently with over five attempts per game … Averaged over one steal per game as a pesky defender who improved from year to year … Prolific scorer who averaged over 20 points per game leading the Fighting Illini to a Big Ten Championship and #1 seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament","cons":"Lacks elite athleticism and speed that he must make up for with ball-handling and a quick first step … While he had a high usage rate and averaged over five assists per game, 3.3 turnovers per game are still concerning and will have to improve if he is going to get consistent minutes at the next level … Since he lacks top-end speed with the ball, bulking up would go a long way to transform himself into a two-dimensional ball-handler who can get to the lane with strength and a quick first step … Good but not great free-throw shooter at only 78% as a junior and 75% for his career … Experienced three-year starter, but one of the older tier-2 point guards in the draft at age 21. Daishen Nix, Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, and Sharife Cooper are all at least a year younger …Outlook: Consensus First Team All-American … All Big Ten First Team (2021) and All Big Ten Second Team (2020) … 2021 Big Ten Tournament MVP … 2019 All Big Ten Freshman Team … 20.1 PTS, 6.3 REB, 5.3 AST, and 3.3 TO per game in his final season at Illinois","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"NBA Comparison; Delon Wright","date_of_birth":"1/17/00","hometown":"Chicago, IL","high_school":"Morgan Park","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":27,"big_board_rank":24,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Neemias Queta","year":2021,"height":84,"weight":250,"school":"Utah State","pros":"Queta is the tallest player in the draft, has the longest wingspan, and was a top five finisher among centers in the max vertical leap, standing vertical leap, lane agility and three-quarter sprint test at the combine…Those impressive rankings help show why Queta is such an impactful player near the basket…The Utah State product averaged 14.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, while hitting almost 56% of his attempts. The 7’0 Portuguese center is also a violent shot blocker, tied for third in the country with 2.4 rejections per contest…He is extremely physical around the rim on both ends of the court, and loves for punish smaller defenders inside with dunks and layups…He has a couple good post moves that he can score with when matched up on bigger defenders…Isn’t very fast, but runs the floor well and can use his length to deter quicker guards and forwards…With an improving free throw percentage up to 71, the former Aggie shows potential of being able to step farther out from the rim to score…You can’t teach his size and athleticism combo, and he could make for a useful defensive piece on the interior, or to punish a team inside for going small.","cons":"Queta is a traditional center, a position that has become exponentially less valuable as the three-point look and analytics continue to transform the NBA…Queta is not a threat from three, and isn’t much of a shooter outside of the paint, limiting his offensive effectiveness…His strength on offense is his size, post moves and rebounding, but all of those have become less necessary as teams have become toying with the idea of smaller players who are capable of switching, hitting threes and defending numerous positions…Queta simply doesn’t fit that mold, as he really can only defend the interior, and won’t be able to switch anything…Teams might attach him consistently with the pick and roll, as his lack of speed covering guards could create easy chances if they can get the big man in space…Real questions about the lack of competition for the Utah State junior, as the Mountain West Conference does not have many elite options to slow down the tallest player in the draft…As the centers are closer to his size and strength, he will need to have more finesse and post moves to create separation.","position":"Center","similar_player":"Dewayne Dedmon","date_of_birth":"7/13/99","hometown":"Barreiro, Portugal","high_school":"Benfica SL B","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":50,"big_board_rank":46,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jared Butler","year":2021,"height":75,"weight":195,"school":"Baylor","pros":"Smart, competitive, scrappy combo guard who helped lead Baylor to its first National Championship … Butler is a gifted scorer, capable of creating his own shot or shooting off the catch … He is a smart and willing passer, especially considering he was rarely the true point guard… Has a wide array of dribble moves, and can finish with either hand … Craft at creating space. He changes pace and direction well, helping to gain separation in the mid range and around the basket … He has a polished post game, and can bully smaller players around the basket if he gets a switch … Smooth, quick jump shot with a high release point, which should equate to continued efficiency in the NBA … Comfortable running the pick and roll, and can score or facilitate using picks … Butler is a solid defender, with tremendous positioning and a high basketball IQ … He is almost always in the right spot, leading to steals, limited dribble penetration and quicker closeouts … Plays defense with his feet rather than his arms … Communicates well on defense, which facilitates better switches …. Pressures ball handlers without fouling … Shows the ability to limit the top opposing guard to difficult shots and limited attempts … Jumps passing lanes thanks to instincts, understanding of the game … Strong, quick, active hands leads to steals … 3rd among power five players in steals per game … Continual ascension in nearly every category points to work ethic and room for improvement … Has the ball handling and passing vision to play the point guard, and the shooting ability to play off the ball … Fits well into any system thanks to his scoring versatility and tenacious defense … Pushes well in transition … Will be able to immediately play on the NBA level … Knocked down 41.6% from 3 as a junior and 38.4% over his three year career, on roughly 6 attempts per game …","cons":"Butler is not particularly athletic for a guard … Averaged three turnovers a game … Needs to limit poor passing decisions to be effective playing the lead guard position in the NBA … Only 17% of his two-point jump shots were assisted, and he can lean too heavily on isolation and dribble pull-up shots … Can get tunnel vision while driving, especially in transition and can miss teammates that become open while he is driving … Limited as a rebounder, collecting just 96 rebounds the whole year … Decreased rebounding numbers each of the last two seasons … Just 10 offensive rebounds this season … Boxes out when already around the rim, but can get caught watching if he is farther away … May struggle to convert shots at the rim against taller defenders in the NBA due to a limited vertical … Has ideal size for a point guard, but is undersized as a shooting guard … Needs to add weight to sustain the physicality of the next level, even more so as a shooting guard … Not big or strong enough to defend small forwards at the next level, raising concerns of defensive switch ability on screens and in transition … Won’t win foot races in transition, and needs to beat defenders with skill and creativity rather than pace.","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Bryn Forbes","date_of_birth":"8/25/99","hometown":"Reserve, LA","high_school":"Riverside Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":22,"big_board_rank":25,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Joe Wieskamp","year":2021,"height":79,"weight":205,"school":"Iowa","pros":"Wieskamp, a former homegrown blue chip prospect for the Hawkeyes, is a high level three-point shooter … The former four-star hit 46.2% of his threes on 158 attempts … He blends efficiency with his scorer better than most shooters, with a 60.2% effective field goal percentage above star teammate Luka Garza, with more attempts further from the basket … To pair with the percentage, Wieskamp has a beautiful stroke, a quick release, and can hit shots off the dribble or via an assist … The junior shooting guard is comfortable off screens, as he can square his body well to the hoop, and shoots well through contests…He has deep range … Wieskamp also isn’t a one dimensional offensive threat, as he can attack the rim, has a nice handle, and converted 60% of his shot attempts at the rim … .Also a good rebounder, pulling in over five defensive rebounds and one offensive rebound a game … Clearly has NBA range, and can use his athleticism and quickness to continue being a multi-level scorer at the next level … Wieskamp is also a sturdy defender, as his 6’7, 205 pound frame and 6’11 wingspan allows him to guard multiple positions in the NBA … He is always alert defensively, and rarely gives up uncontested or easy looks … Showcased his athleticism at the NBA combine, tying for fifth among all participants with a 42 inch max vertical leap … Also placed fourth with a 10.7 second lane agility time, and tied third among forwards with a 3.04 three-quarter sprint … This impressive display of athleticism only builds the case for Wieskamp as not only a tremendous shooter, but also a great all-around player and athlete …","cons":"There is no question that Wieskamp is one of the best three-point shooters in the class, but he has struggled to hit jumpers from inside the arch … He hit just 38.5% of his two-point jumpers, and only 68% of his free throws this season … While his outstanding from and other stats back up the type of offensive contributor he can be, those rapid declines compared to other areas of the court are concerning .. .He is also not a strong passer, averaging less than two assists per game every year of his career … Despite his handle, size and athleticism, Wieskamp will likely never be an initiator for others … While not his fault, Wieskamp was never the main focus of attention from other teams due to Garza’s offensive capabilities … He will not be the focus of defenses in the NBA either, but he did not have to play through double teams or created schemes to slow him down while in college …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Maxi Kleber","date_of_birth":"8/23/99","hometown":"Muscatine, IA","high_school":"Muscatine","rebounding":7,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":40,"big_board_rank":48,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Isaiah Livers","year":2021,"height":79,"weight":230,"school":"Michigan","pros":"A sturdy 6’7 230 lb combo forward who enjoyed a pretty solid career in the Big 10 … Savvy frontcourt player who likes to face up, but has the frame to bang with most PFs too … Knockdown 3 point shooter, proved to be a valuable floor spacer throughout his college career (43% 3FG as a Sr., 41% for his career) … Very effective as a spot up shooter or in the pick and pop game, possesses a quick, high release that he shoots with confidence … Gets a good amount of corner 3s, seems to be his most comfortable shot area … Uses the threat of his jumper to occasionally open downhill driving lanes for himself…Unselfish player, showing solid feel for the game and a willingness to play within a team structure, doesn’t force shots or action … Has developed adequate court vision and passing skills (2apg as a Sr.) and is more than just a catch and shoot offensive player … Physical player who handles contact well on both ends of the court, showing good strength at the point of attack…Understands positioning and does a nice job of moving his feet to cut off dribble penetration or lead ball-handlers into help defenders … Doesn’t give up on plays and looks to recover when beat off the dribble, became a more devoted defender each season while in college … Smart movement without the ball, makes good reads on whether to get open at the 3 point line or cutting to the basket…Great at the foul line when he gets there (87% FT shooter as a Sr., 85% for his career) … More of a half-court player, but can be a factor finishing at the rim after running the floor in transition after turnovers …","cons":"Not particularly quick or athletic for a forward prospect by NBA standards … Strong, but standing at 6’7 Livers is slightly undersized for someone who projects as more of a PF at the NBA level … Not a bad ball-handler but he does not project to be much of a factor off the bounce due to the lack of separation he gets … Often settled for tightly contested mid-range shots off the dribble because he wasn’t able to get to the rim consistently in college … Can be scored over by lengthy players, but also can be beat off the dribble by more quick players … Needs a solid team defense around him to be most effective on that end … More of a catch and shoot player, decisive with the ball but loses effectiveness with his scoring the more he dribbles…Average at best on the glass (career high 6 rpg as a Sr.), mostly rebounds in his area … Doesnt possess the explosiveness to finish above the rim much in half court offense, and has some struggles converting amongst the trees (shot under 50% inside the arc his last 2 seasons) … The minimal post up possessions he did show at Michigan don’t seem likely to transfer to the NBA level much … Will be 23 years old at the start of his rookie season, making his upside appear to be limited …Overall: Livers brings experience as an important fixture in the lineups of some good Michigan teams over the past 4 seasons … He brings strong floor spacing ability with his 3 point shot, nice physicality and an unselfish style of play to the table, while also making gradual improvements each season as an overall defender, decision maker and cog in the offensive scheme … He lacks some size and athleticism as a PF, and may find it tougher to defend multiple positions in the NBA like he did in college, but he does have some skills, a smart approach to the game and plenty of experience at a high level program on his side that could lend him well as he looks to establish himself …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Jordan Nwora","date_of_birth":"7/28/98","hometown":"Kalamazoo, MI","high_school":"Kalamazoo Central","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":49,"big_board_rank":49,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Greg Brown","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"Texas","pros":"Brown is a freak athlete with a great deal of explosiveness … Has lot of bounce giving him a lot of intrigue if his game can catch up with his athleticism… He translates right away as an athletic, lockdown combo forward with the potential to develop as an offensive player … Attacks the rim with ferocity and a quick first step … Lockdown defender with a defensive rating of 92.1 … 71% FT is respectable for a forward who still needs to refine his jump shot … Great rebounder (12.1 rebounds per 40 minutes) who can elevate with anyone on the court … Versatile defender who can guard most positions effectively … Can impact the game in a multitude of ways with quick energy bursts, getting to the basket and knocking down threes, or matching up against a top scorer … His ability to influence the game in a lot of ways should allow him to play more minutes and lift up his team … Athleticism and explosiveness make him a high-risk, high-reward prospect with a bright future and plenty of professional years ahead of him at only 19 years old on Draft Day … Brown is not a terrible perimeter shooter to begin with at 32% but a refining of his shooting motion and more development should lead to much higher efficiency at the next level …","cons":"Needs to become a better overall offensive player … Struggles to create offense for himself … Many of his baskets come off of put backs and broken plays … Consistency from the three-point line has been a major issue for Brown. As mentioned above, he is just 32% on the season but he has plenty of potential to develop … Raw prospect and one of the least NBA ready prospects projected in the first round … Athleticism will translate, but faster, more athletic wings could cause problems and limit his greatest strength of versatile defense … Plays well on the defensive end, but one would expect more of a statistical impact (1 BLK and 0.6 STL per game) … Started 24 of 25 games prior to the NCAA Tournament yet only averaged 21 minutes per game … Foul trouble is often an issue as he averages nearly 6 fouls per 40 minutes … Dreadful AST/TO ratio of 0.167 … Fails to create opportunities for teammates despite slashing ability and athleticism … He only registered 10 total assists prior to the NCAA Tournament to go along with 60 turnovers … His lack of assists is a red flag from an analytical perspective … Lack of ability to stay on the court, through mental lapses and/or foul trouble, do not bode well for immediately earning playing time if he is drafted late in the first round to a contending team … Best fit is to find himself on a rebuilding team that will allow him to work out his shortcomings and develop a perimeter jumper …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Matt Barnes","date_of_birth":"9/1/01","hometown":"Austin, TX","high_school":"Vandegrift","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":48,"big_board_rank":38,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Juhann Begarin","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":215,"school":"France Class of","pros":"Athletic combo guard with good size … Versatile, can be used in all perimeter positions … Explosive athlete, has NBA athleticism … Great leaper off one foot… Has a great first step … Elite length with a wingspan measured at 7′ feet … Already has a strong body .. Good basketball I.Q … Has a good motor …  Decent ball handler with either hand … A joy to watch in transition, loves to run on the open floor … Can be an one-man fast break, he is always a threat in transition … Good passing concepts in transition and improving in 5-on-5 situations … Very good slasher … Attacks the rim whenever he has the chance and finishes strong, he is not afraid to try to dunk against bigger players … His explosive first step helps him in isolation situations … Has been a solid in Pull Ups from mid-range in FIBA’s junior games … Improving as a shooter, has shown promise in Spot Up 3’s … Can play on and off the ball… Has been acceptable passer in Pick and Roll situations finding the rolling big or a 3rd man … Has shown willingness to Post Up smaller opponents with encouraging results … Above average rebounder for his position … Great lateral quickness … Good on ball defender … Body, length and athleticism make him a very versatile defender… Has all the tools to be able to guard all perimeter positions … Uses length and athleticism to fill the passing lanes and make steals … Good help defender, knows when to come from the weak side – or the strong side – and help … Good shot blocker for a guard, not afraid to contest shots, can even do some chase down blocks …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot","date_of_birth":"8/7/02","hometown":"Les Abymes, Guadeloupe","high_school":"INSEP International Team CFBB","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":39,"big_board_rank":42,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Dalano Banton","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":195,"school":"Nebraska","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","date_of_birth":"11/7/99","hometown":"Rexdale, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"Redemption Christian"}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"David Johnson","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":205,"school":"Louisville","pros":"Johnson is a tall combo guard prospect who stands 6’4 200 with a big 6’10.5 wingspan … A smooth, sneaky athlete on the court who tested very well with a 39” vertical and 3.03 3/4 court sprint at the NBA combine … Pretty good versatility in his overall game, can play off the ball some even though he seems more comfortable looking to create … Was used as a backdoor/lob threat at times at Louisville, giving his length and leaping ability…Uses his size well when asked to be a facilitator, can ambidextrously make passes over the top of the defense and shows pretty good court vision when operating on the move and in transition … Did some good things as a playmaker at Louisville, particularly in the pick and roll, and usually made a few impressive pocket passes each game … His ability to deliver passes with good timing is also a strength, often whizzes skip passes to shooters if the defense collapses the paint … Has a nice post game for a young guard prospect, can body up smaller players and shoot or pass over them … Effective, instinctive defender (1.1 spg as a Soph.), uses his length to force difficult shots, disrupt passing lanes and had experience matching up anywhere from PG-PF at the college level … Improving 3 point shooter, was much more of a threat to make open shots from this past season (38% 3FG, best on the team) than as a Fr (21%) … Good rebounding instincts for a guard (5.8 rpg), will uses his length, instincts and leaping skills well to time and collect some misses on the offensive glass …","cons":"Doesn’t have many skills that project him being much of a scoring threat at the NBA level … Lacks the quickness to beat defenders off the dribble and put pressure on defenses consistently or create much separation … Much improved spot up shooter, but not a natural (career 65% FT) and he takes too many heavily contested shots off the dribble in the mid-range area to be truly efficient creating for himself … Doesn’t make defenses pay enough when they dive his screens in pick and roll action, which makes it more difficult to space the floor when he’s operating with the ball … Not exactly a pure playmaker, became turnover prone (posted an even A:TO rate) with more shot creating responsibilities … Decision making and ball-handling ability are middling for a lead/combo guard prospect currently … Tends to dribble too much and get himself caught in no mans land, leading to sailed passes and wasted possessions … Plays with good pace, but also can be deliberate to a fault and lack the feel for the game you’d expect from a lead guard type…Versatile, but a bit of a “tweener” guard … Solid defender, but did have some trouble with quicker PGs even when he gave them space to corral them with his length, becoming “handsy” and somewhat foul prone …Overall: Johnson’s productivity and spot up shooting improvements from his Fr. to Soph. seasons are encouraging developments for his draft stock … His performance at 2021 Combine also did him some favors as well, playing unselfishly in scrimmages while showing surprising athleticism and outstanding length that has intrigued a number of teams and scouts … There is also a chance that his modest assists numbers (3.2 apg) dont tell the full story of his passing skills, as Louisville wasn’t exactly the greatest shooting team … Still, he is a bit unrefined offensively, particularly when creating for himself, as he (and Louisville) really struggled to score in the 2nd half of last season … Some of the skills he needs to improve (handling the ball vs pressure, feel for the game, quickness) aren’t easily correctable and pretty much are imperative to success for PGs, but his versatility on the perimeter and defense could allow him time to find a role until he polished up some of those skills …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Wade Baldwin","date_of_birth":"2/26/01","hometown":"Louisville, KY","high_school":"Trinity","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":54,"big_board_rank":60,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Sharife Cooper","year":2021,"height":73,"weight":180,"school":"Auburn","pros":"A highly talented, creative lead guard prospect who excels as a playmaker with the ball in his hands … A true maestro as a floor general with the type of blow-by quickness, ball-handling ability and speed you’d expect from a diminutive PG, Cooper has consistently shown outstanding passing instincts, unselfishness and vision throughout his amateur career … Doesn’t take him long at all to find the open man and, like many other great playmakers before him, his eyes are always up and never looking at the floor … Plays with great anticipation skills, often seeing and making plays before they unfold or the defense has time to react … Very good at subtly looking off defenders and tilting the defense one way, and then going another way with the ball … Was a high usage player who assisted on 52% of Auburn’s scoring when he was on the court as a Fr. (8.1 APG), which is outstanding, and creates a ton of open jump shots and lobs at the rim … Reads help defense very well and delivers accurate, needle-threading passes even against hard hedges from bigs … Occupies double teams and traps by keeping his dribble alive and patiently finding open players … Equally effective passing, slashing and finishing with his left hand as he is with his right … Simply makes everyone’s job easier with the ball in his hands, whether making well timed full-court passes in transition before the defense is set, as a ball-handler in the pick and roll or finding and rewarding cutting teammates for easy scores … Routinely leads teammates in stride with his passes, especially in pick and roll situations, and truly has uncanny timing and court awareness … Has no problem getting into the teeth of the defense with his quick 1st step, and also shows a good command of hesitation moves and crossovers, switching up his pace to lull defenders when necessary … Shows nice footwork in the lane, and the groundwork is there for him to keep improving his in-between game, because he shows flashes of floaters, up-and-unders, and teardrops in his repertoire that will be necessary considering his lack of size … Was a 20 ppg scorer as a Fr., largely out of necessity but you still cant overlook his willingness to score, his adequate finishing ability (for his size) and ability to take advantage of the defense worrying about him driving to dish … The amount of pressure he applies when driving and his surprising willingness to put up shots through contact is heavily reflected in his high FTA rate (8.6 per game), and he converted on a very nice 82% of those attempts, hinting that he has decent shooting touch … Has a great understanding of angles and seeks out contact on his drives, while usually being under control and not getting many offensive fouls…Plays with good energy and has been known to be a student of the game and solid leader … Would not be hard to see Cooper excel in a high octane offensive system that likes to get out an run, has a quiet flair and excitement to his style of play that could easily lead to him being a fan favorite …","cons":"Generously listed at 6’1 165, and without much of a frame, vertical athleticism or wingspan to play bigger and taller than he is, Cooper’s diminutive size is a hurdle that will ultimately limit his efficiency as a player at the next level … As stated, he was extremely effective getting into the paint whether with the help of a screen or using his quickness, but he was a subpar finisher amongst the trees once at the rim and struggled against some of the teams with NBA-sized frontline athletes (ie Kentucky and Baylor) … Saw a good amount of his shots around the hoop get blocked when he didn’t draw a foul; and without explosive leaping ability its hard to envision this improving with a step up against NBA competition, making the continued development of his in-between game paramount … While he is clearly a standout and high usage floor general, his turnovers need to be cut down some as well (4 TOPG, 18 per 100 possessions) and he sees a lot of his passes get deflected due to his size but also just occasionally getting ahead of himself forcing passes, whether due to confidence in his ability or pressing the issue because Auburn was struggling down the stretch … His shooting, both spotting up and working off the bounce, is a work in progress as well (22.8% on nearly 5 3PA/game); he has a hitched up, inconsistent form with little elevation and a noticeable backwards lean that led to some ugly misses and doesn’t project to be very effective against closeouts and contests from NBA players … Smaller guards usually have to be much more precise with everything in the NBA to overcome their lack of size, and the time it takes for him to step into his shots plays into bigger, more athletic defenders’ hands … Has OK natural shooting touch and sporadically made defenders pay for diving screens, but not nearly enough and teams will try make him prove he can hit jumpers to slow down the threat of his PnR game … Does not offer much defensively other than occasionally as a pest applying on-ball pressure, and will need to be “masked” often by a good defensive scheme or a bigger bodied back court mate to not be a liability on this end … Has the types of problems you’d associate with smaller guards on this end (can be posted up, washed out of plays by screens, shot over and posted up with ease, gets steamrolled to the basket by bigger ball handlers etc) … Also didn’t do himself favors with effort, fundamentals and defensive focus, as he struggled with containing simple dribble drives, off-ball awareness, getting back into plays after getting beat and sometimes fouling jump shooters as well … Pretty ball-dominant player, and though this is only a minor issue for a PG prospect, he is not likely to make an impact when he doesn’t have the ball and usually can been seen with his feet nailed to the 3 point line …Overall: Cooper’s Fr. season was highly anticipated after a decorated HS career in GA, especially after he had to sit out multiple games before the NCAA granted him eligibility … Came in and immediately was an impact player in the SEC, hitting the ground running by lighting up the scoreboard on a young Auburn team and showing why he was a ballyhooed recruit with his excellent floor general skills … He had to carry the load for a 13-12 Auburn team, and the results were there offensively as Cooper had his fingerprints on what was a high octane attack (83 ppg in Cooper’s 12 games) with the run-and-shoot style Coach Bruce Pearl prefers to play … His lack of size and some of the limitations that come with it, especially defensively, will likely polarize and make some teams paused on him, but he has some of the characteristics (anticipatory passing, basketball instincts and understanding of timing and angles as a finisher) of smaller players who overcame the odds and have gone on to have success as pros …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"NBA Comparison; Sebastian Telfair/Yogi Ferrell","date_of_birth":"6/11/01","hometown":"Powder Springs, GA","high_school":"McEachern","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":6,"size":6,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":36,"big_board_rank":35,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Marcus Zegarowski","year":2021,"height":74,"weight":180,"school":"Creighton","pros":"Zegarowski is a lights-out shooter who can efficiently run the point and create for others around him … Smooth, consistent shooting stroke and a 42% career shooter from beyond the arc … Solid 77% from the line as well … Decent rebounder for a guard who is only 6’2 as he is aggressive attacking the ball in the air … Handles the ball very well as he makes up for a lack of speed with crafty handles to get by defenders … Takes care of the ball and often makes the right read and an accurate final pass in the pick and roll and on the drive … Led the Big East with 125 assists and 80 three-pointers in 2020-21 … Fierce competitor and high-motor player who has a quick, smooth release and is able to execute catch and shoot action on the perimeter … An all-around solid offensive player who provides depth and the ability to run the offense and shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor … Has a great understanding for the game and should be able to quickly grasp the complexity of the professional game immediately as a playmaking shooter off the bench …","cons":"Most of the red flags in his game come on the defensive end of the floor. He does not have great length at only 6’2 with an identical wingspan, and he does not make up for it with elite athleticism either … He struggles to match the athleticism of the guards who are his size and the lack of length prevents true contesting ability and the ability to consistently force turnovers and disrupt ball-handlers … Did not finish well in traffic at the college level, which makes it hard to believe he will be able to do so against taller, more physical defenders in the lane in the pros","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Langston Galloway","date_of_birth":"8/3/98","hometown":"Hamilton, MA","high_school":"Tilton","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":69,"big_board_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Brandon Boston Jr","year":2021,"height":79,"weight":185,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Shooting guard with a great deal of potential due to his outside shooting stroke and overall offensive repertoire … Possesses good length for the shooting guard position, standing  6-7 with a 6-10 wingspan … Fluid athlete that has good body control and a solid handle … Jump shot mechanics are solid – projects to be a better shooter than the 30% he showed at Kentucky with NBA range … Can handle the basketball and is able to get into the paint off the bounce … Can create offense off the bounce for himself or others but can also spot up … Is comfortable shooting from deep or from mid-range and off the bounce or off the catch … Is better shooting off the catch than after creating his own look … While he can be hesitant to pass off the drive occasionally, has shown flashes of excellent court vision and is able to find the open man when the defense collapses on him … Shows a lot of potential as an offensive player if he can develop his strength and confidence … Rebounds the ball well for his position. Had six games of 7 rebounds or more with a high of 10 … Plays passing lanes well – had 6 games with 3 or more steals … Projects to be a good defender on the perimeter as he has a good blend of quickness, active hands, and length …","cons":"Was a big disappointment in relation to the expectations he had entering Kentucky. Some viewed him as a high lottery pick at the beginning of the season … Has a very thin frame and lacks the strength to finish through contact … May struggle to add the ideal muscle mass to deal with more physical opponents … Should benefit greatly from getting with an NBA strength and conditioning coach and working on core strength to develop his ability to explode around the rim and absorb contact … As a result of not being able to finish through defenders, he often tries to take awkward scoop and double clutch layups that often get blocked … Makes poor decisions with the ball, often trying to force the action on that end of the court … Struggles with angles when driving or passing, for example, with creating passing lanes for post entry passes … This can lead to difficult shot attempts or turnovers … Battles with inconsistency and inefficiency. Shot 35% from the field and 38.4% from two at Kentucky … Struggled to play to his ability and confidence and consistency were major hurdles for him as a freshman … Can sometimes struggle to adjust to how defenders are guarding him and can be lured into settling for tough shots … Doesn’t value possessions, will sometimes launch long jumpers when he feels he hasn’t shot enough recently … Played very poorly for much of his college career. Completely disappeared in his final collegiate game, finishing scoreless on 4 shots in 23 minutes … The talent is obvious, but the question of how hard he’s willing to work to realize his talent is the main question that must be answered …Outlook: Boston has the tools and potential to be a successful wing at the next level, but it will largely be contingent upon bulking up and adjusting how he approaches the game … He will need to add strength to allow him to absorb contact on his drives to the rim and get to the free throw line instead of settling for tough looks while trying to avoid contact … Will likely benefit from the added space of the NBA game, as he was constantly battling with a clogged paint area while at Kentucky … Projects as a scorer and secondary ball handler, but has enough adjustments to make to his game that he’s not without risk for the team that drafts him … He has potential to be a good player, but struggled mightily and was incredibly inefficient during his time in college … He’s a player that could thrive if he lands in the right situation at the next level and learns the right work habits and gains the necessary core strength … Right now he’s being projected as a late first to second round pick … Many feel that Boston would have benefited with more time in college, however he made the decision to sign with an agent and forego his college eligibility …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Nick Young","date_of_birth":"11/28/01","hometown":"Norcross, GA","high_school":"Sierra Canyon","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":6,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":38,"big_board_rank":27,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Luka Garza","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":245,"school":"Iowa","pros":"A decorated winner and athlete at Iowa for four seasons leaving as the school’s all-time leading scorer … Two-time consensus All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year … Wooden Award, Naismith Award, and AP Player of the Year Winner in 2020-2021 … Smooth and fluid post-game with a wide variety of moves and soft touch around the rim … Works hard for second chances off of his own miss or off of other misses … Simply knows how to score by averaging 24 points per game during his final two seasons for the Hawkeyes … Has the ability to stretch the floor and knock down threes consistently and efficiently. He improved to a 44% shooter from beyond the arc on more than three attempts per game as a senior … His offensive versatility is one of the best in the draft for a big man with his ability to step out and hit threes but also completely dominate in the post like an old-fashioned center … Transformed his body after the season by slimming down in an attempt to improve his lateral quickness and footwork … Has shined in the pre-draft process to drastically improve his draft stock … Energy, work rate, intensity and all-around intangibles are unmatched as Garza will work his tail off every time he is on the floor … Experienced and polished player who should be able to contribute meaningful minutes immediately, which is something you do not always see from a player with a second round projection … Desire to improve and adapt to a changing style is evident from his offseason transformation and development into a stretch-five center. His coachability and high motor should provide a role for him for many years to come and he is as much of a sure thing as you can get from a second round selection …","cons":"Garza is one of the older players in this draft as he will turn 23 in late December … Most of the questions about his game are his translatability from college to the NBA as he dominated on the interior and was able to simply sit in the paint most of the time on defense. He lost a ton of weight and slimmed down, but we have still yet to see him in real game action to see if his footwork and mobility has improved enough to defend at the next level … Teams could take advantage of his lack of defensive versatility and switchability by running ball screens with his man and forcing him to retreat back and/or switch onto a guard who could take advantage of his athleticismOutlook: Averaged 24.1 PTS, 8.7 REB, 1.7 AST, and 1.5 BLK per game as a senior … 2-time Big Ten Player of the Year … 2-time Consensus All-American … AP Player of the Year … Wooden Award and Naismith Award Winner … Iowa’s all-time leading scorer … One of the most accomplished college basketball players of all time","position":"Center","similar_player":"Josh Harrellson","date_of_birth":"12/27/98","hometown":"Washington, DC","high_school":"Maret","rebounding":5,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":6,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":73,"big_board_rank":86}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Charles Bassey","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":230,"school":"Western Kentucky","pros":"6’11 bigman with a long 7’3 wingspan who plays with a high level of intensity and desire … Uses his length well and shows outstanding rebounding ability … High motor with superb athleticism for a player his size … Able to rim run in transition at a high clip … Averaged 11.4 rebounds per game in his junior year … Great with put backs at the rim and finishing through contact … Consistent alley oop catcher and finisher … Tremendous shot blocker and rim protector … Aggressive but not reckless going for blocks … Patient on defense, tends to choose the right time to go for the shot block … Pretty good at switching on defense and guarding perimeter players in certain situations … Decent free throw shooter at his size … Solid mid range shooter at the big man position … Able to handle the ball to where he can score off the dribble fairly easily, especially inside … Ability to step back and hit the open catch and shoot 3 … High effort player who does not give up on plays … Sets physical screens … Plays with focus and tenacity … Hard working kid with excellent determination and considered a high character kid … Bounced back well from a difficult leg injury and seemed to retain his confidence, athleticism and mobility …","cons":"Needs to work on shooting range and consistency … Hesitates at times when left open for jumpers … Can get out of control in transition at times … Plenty of room to improve finishing with his off hand (left) … Needs more moves in the paint on offense to keep defenders guessing … Touch around the basket has room for improvement … Needs more finesse moves rather than just overpowering defenders every time … Defensive switching needs work … Gets off balance at times … Quick with the ball but sometimes too quick which can lead to turnovers … Mobility when defending pick and rolls needs development … Passing ability and court vision can improve as well as overall awareness with and without the basketball … Has to take better care of the basketball … Can gain a few more pounds to contend against bigs at the next level … Still very raw on both ends of the basketball but has tremendous upside … the game has gone away from the traditional big type players which neutralizes his intrigue to some degree. Can he defend on the perimeter and hit shots from 3 point at the next level will be important aspects for his future success …Outlook: Bassey had a very strong season for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in his junior year. He made a substantial jump in production between his sophomore and junior years … He averaged 17.7 points per game on 59.7 percent shooting to go with 11.4 rebounds and an impressive 3.1 blocked shots … If this young man’s improvement on both ends of the floor continues, he can potentially become something special … very mobile and athletic for a 7-footer which is a plus but he needs to develop into a better pick and roll defender as well as a more complete offensive player …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Gorgui Dieng/David West","date_of_birth":"10/28/00","hometown":"Lagos, Nigeria","high_school":"Aspire Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":35,"big_board_rank":31,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Sandro Mamukelashvili","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":240,"school":"Seton Hall","pros":"A unique player, the 6’10 point forward is tremendously difficult to stop with the ball in his hands…Mamukelashvili is crafty and patient in the post, and is a great low block scorer, especially over smaller defenders…Loves to push in transition, and has the handle and vision to lead the break…Is not a freak athlete, but runs well for his size…Can play either the power forward or center position…A great scorer, Mamukelashvili averaged over 17 points per game in his final collegiate season…Good rebounder despite often being out on the perimeter…Was able to overpower a lot of collegiate defenders with his strength and size…Smart passer, and knows when to swing the ball if he has been double…Improved every year with the Pirates, and had one of the most productive years of any prospect this season…Was the main threat of Seton Hall offensively, was still able to score in bunches…Really good handle for a player of his size…A good perimeter defender, Mamukelashvili averaged over a steal per game, and is a smart, active defender…Not much of a shot blocker, but has the size and strength to guard bigger power forwards and even centers in a pinch…A consummate teammate, he would help the culture of any locker room.","cons":"Not a great shooter, Mamukelashvili shot just 43% from the field and 34% from deep…Needs to improve decision making of when to shoot…Averaged over three turnovers per game, and lacks the skill to be a consistent ball handler, even though he loves to play with the ball…Needs the ball to be effective, due to his lack of spacing, movement and athleticism…Runs well for his size, but is heavier than most forwards, and could struggle to stay in front of quicker players…Is older than most prospects at 22-years-old…Not a good interior defender despite his large frame…He was the star of Seton Hall, but his talents fit more as a star than as a role player, a designation that will certainly be applied to the talented senior…Will he be allowed to play to his strengths, like pushing in transition and playing in the post, or will teams prefer that the guards handle the ball and he is relegated to screening?","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Jonah Boldin","date_of_birth":"5/23/99","hometown":"New York, NY","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":60,"big_board_rank":72,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Aaron Wiggins","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":190,"school":"Maryland","pros":"A smooth operator as a 6’6 190 wing prospect with nice length (6’10 wingspan) … Solid speed and overall athleticism on the perimeter, can turn the corner & finish above the rim at times when he gets going downhill … Opportunistic offensive player who at his best can subtly score in a variety of ways ….Has a nice shooting touch, can make shots off the bounce or spotting up from 3-point range (35% 3FG as a Jr.) with decent success … Also effective attacking close outs, can stick 1 or 2 dribble pull-up jumpers going in either direction when chased off the 3-point line … Gets his fair share of points by being a good cutter to open spots on the court too, showing his on-court awareness … Adequate ball-handler, mostly prefers to go north and south but does use basic crossovers and the occasional spin as counter moves … Slips pick and rolls Projects to be a solid defensive player on the perimeter, has the size and athleticism to comfortably defend all 3 positions … More of a conservative defender at Maryland but will jump passing lanes and get run-outs occasionally … Good rebounding skills for a perimeter player (around 6 rpg as a JR.) and willing to crash the glass for offensive boards…Uses his body to shield defenders in the lane well, and has a decent turnaround jumper in his arsenal … Appeared to be hitting his stride as a one-year starter after generally being used as the teams top reserve his 1st 2 college seasons (was the B10 6th Man of the Year as a Soph.), and began to emerge as his team’s best player down the stretch of last season … Solid from the foul line (career 77% FT) … Already has gained experience as a 3-and-D type player, which bodes well for him as a player who likely fits that mold at the pro level …","cons":"A solid overall player, but isn’t particularly outstanding at any one aspect … Shoots a soft jump shot, but he can tend to be streaky with it and it may be due to some flaws in his fundamentals that need work … When spotting up he at times sticks his leg out in front of him when following through, and also tends to fade away when contested which leads to some of his shots falling short …. Lacks a degree of explosiveness, more of an open court finisher and when he did get to the rim in the half court he saw some of his shots rejected/altered at the rim … Doesn’t always show great shot selection, settles for jumpers at times (only 1.8 FTA per game for his career) and is more likely to look for his own offense than make the extra pass (1.6 apg for his career)…Often at Maryland it seemed Wiggins played to the level of his competition, would look outstanding at times against strong teams or down the stretch of the season (ie his 27 point point outburst against Alabama in the NCAA tournament) and then disappear against struggling teams (ie 1-11 in loss to Penn State)Overall: Projected as a likely second rounder … Wiggins tested the waters for the draft shortly after his Jr season and had largely flown under the radar as a prospect despite some solid production at Maryland, but after continuing the strong end to his Jr season by standing out at both the NBA Combine and G League Elite camp with his measurables and solid play in scrimmages, he showed he does have some talent and certain skills that project well at the pro level…He is the type of player that can produce with or without having plays drawn up for him offensively, and he brings solid athleticism and defensive potential to the table as well…He can be a bit of a streaky shooter, and he did have moments when he disappeared from games, but there is plenty to like…He could have more upside to improve, which is encouraging for a prospect who spent 3 years in college, and he fits well as a 3-and-D type player in the Norman Powell mold …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Josh Richardson","date_of_birth":"1/2/99","hometown":"Greensboro, NC","high_school":"Wesleyan Christian Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":46,"big_board_rank":40,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Scottie Lewis","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":190,"school":"Florida","pros":"A lean 6’5 190 wing with high-level athleticism (42” vertical) and solid physical ability (7’ wingspan)….Quick and twitchy, can play above the rim and make plays in transition, off putbacks and lobs…Great job running the floor, seems to have excellent speed…Has nice defensive potential and he used his length & athletic ability to make an impact as a playmaker on that end throughout his career (1.4 spg & 1.1 bpg for his career), could emerge as a key wing defender…Will likely be asked to play a perimeter stopper role and often accepted the challenge of guarding the other teams best perimeter player at Florida…Competes with very good energy and makes hustle plays, will work to get back into plays if he has to recover from mistakes…Had some success using his quick 1st step and nice body control to get into the lane off straight-line drives for high percentage shots off the dribble…Pretty solid finisher at the rim…Groundwork is there for him to become a efficient enough spot-up shooter to be a 3-and-D prospect, solid form and gets good elevation on his shot (career 34% 3FG shooter)…Flashes good instincts on the offensive glass, should be accounted for when shots go up…An unselfish and vocal teammate, projects to be a solid locker room presence","cons":"Lewis’ athleticism is ahead of his skill level at the moment, and he struggled mightily with his offensive production in college…Not much of a shot creator for himself or others (1.1/1.4 A/TO for his career), very little nuance to his game when his athleticism isn’t enough to rely on…Poor ball-handler; doesn’t pose a threat going left and despite his speed/quickness, the ball slows him down and neutralizes his advantages there…Drives into brick walls and lacks improvisational skills when his initial move is cut off…Feel for the game is not great, will force action that leads to some awkward offensive possessions…Maddeningly inconsistent shooter; can make spot ups sporadically but still tends to miss too many open shots to be a truly efficient 3-and-D player currently….At times hangs in the air and releases shots on his way down as opposed to at the height of his jump, leading to some bad misses..Struggles to convert shots off the bounce, and has a bit of a slow release that doesn’t hold up well against contests…Saw his jump shooting percentages drop significantly from his Fr. to Soph. season, especially from the foul line (from a very good 82% to just 67%) which is cause for concern…At times can gamble and leave himself out of position defensively, which left teammates scrambling to rotations at times…Aggressive defensive approach makes him kind of jumpy on pump fakes, and he can be tricked into bad fouls…Saw his role and minutes decrease a bit during a disappointing season as a Soph., was an underachiever at Florida relative to his touted HS reputation…A year older than a typical Soph. prospect, and will turn 22 during his rookie seasonOverall: A former consensus top 10 HS recruit who was thought to have one-and-done potential, Lewis did himself a big favor with his combine testing, showing the length and athleticism NBA teams covet on the wing….He uses those tools and an energetic style to make plays and cover ground well all over the floor defensively, but his raw offensive game is still looking to catch up with his physical and athletic ability…After a somewhat promising Fr. season he came into the 2020-2021 season as a projected lottery selection, but he saw his offensive production regress in a number of key areas that impacted his draft stock and made him a 2nd round prospect…He will need time to polish his ball skills offensively and shore up his fundamentals defensively, but he is worth the flyer given his explosive athleticism and projections as a perimeter defenderJorrye Nixon 8/5/21Strengths: 6’5 athletic wing … Good length with a 6’11 wingspan and 8’8 standing reach … High-level athlete. Translatable run and jump ability off one or both feet. Good body control. Good speed in the open floor. Good slasher to get to the rim and can finish with either hand. Uses a spin move in traffic … Averaged 10.8 points per game over the Under Armour Association in 2017 and 11.4 points per game in 2018. Averaged 12.9 points per game while shooting 49.4% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2018 … Reliable free throw shooter. Shot 81.5% FT% over the Under Armour Association in 2018. Shot 85.7% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2018 … Solid passing ability … Very quick feet. Versatile defender on and off the ball. Consistently plays intense defense and takes pride in tough defensive assignments. Never fails to get into a stance and uses active hands on the ball handler. Deflects passes. Averaged 1.4 steals per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018. Averaged 1.4 steals per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2018. Very good shot blocker for position and gets a handful of chase downs in transition. Finished fourth over the Under Armour Association with 2.1 blocks per game in 2017 and 1.3 per game in 2018. Averaged 1.3 blocks per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2018. Contests shots without fouling … Good competitor and always gives his best effort. Plays with a lot of passion and intensity … Vocal … Coachable and likeable teammate. Charismatic personality …Weaknesses: Can improve as a ball handler, being more creative, and breaking down the defense/creating with his dribble. Can find more ways to score and be more efficient with his scoring. Relies on quickness, outjumping opponents, and natural ability rather than technique to create offense. Can expand his midrange game. Lacks technique as a finisher … Can protect the ball better on drives and in traffic. Can try to do too much as a passer and can improve as a decision maker. Averaged 3.3 turnovers per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018 … Can improve as an outside shooter and has been inconsistent throughout high school … Ball skills are still catching up the his natural ability … Has room to get stronger and isn’t great finishing with contact. Only weighed 184 pounds at USA Minicamp in October of his senior year … Older for his class, turned 19 in March of his senior year of high school …Outlook: Incoming Florida freshman … Scored ten points and grabbed four steals in the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game … Played in the 2019 Nike Hoop Summit …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Corey Brewer","date_of_birth":"3/12/00","hometown":"Tinton Falls, NJ","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":78,"big_board_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Balsa Koprivica","year":2021,"height":85,"weight":250,"school":"Florida St.","pros":"At 7’1, 240-pounds, the 21-year-old Serbian’s greatest strength is his massive size…His length provides him easy opportunities near the rim, even more so when guards and forwards switch onto him…Koprivica is a great shot blocker, using both his long wingspan and solid timing to reject 1.4 shots per game…Plays within the flow of the offense, and sticks to taking shots that are in his range…Is a dangerous pick and roll threat, as his initial defender has to stay on him…This can open up space for the ball handler, or allow Koprivica an easy lane to the rim…He has the size and smarts to be a dangerous rebounder, particularly on the offensive glass…Runs well, and always hustles in transition…He shouldn’t guard the perimeter often, but his wingspan and quickness help give him a chance in space against smaller players…Can defend the pick and roll well because of his long arms…Can drop back to cover his man while still impacting the shot quality of the ball handler…There aren’t many people that can move like he can at his size…Should impact the game due to his length and strength on both ends of the court.","cons":"Can’t stretch the floor, and never attempted a three-point shot over his two years at Florida State…Not a good passer or offensive creator, and is mostly a threat to dunk…Despite being the tallest player on the court, pulled down less than six rebounds per game…Is not a great athlete, and could be much slower than other centers…Does not have a polished post game, and could struggle to score without a pass…Turned the ball over 1.3 times a game, a lot for someone who rarely passed or generated scoring chances…Not a productive scorer in college despite towering over some of his defenders…Koprivica is a poor free throw shooter, giving more concern to his lack of touch outside the paint…Bad fit for today’s game with lack of foot speed to switch and defend the perimeter…","position":"Center","similar_player":"BJ Mullins","date_of_birth":"5/1/00","hometown":"West Palm Beach, FL","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":6,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":84,"big_board_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"RaiQuan Gray","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":270,"school":"Florida St.","pros":"Unique player with his tremendous frame and ability to face the basket and control his body despite carrying immense weight … Foot speed and face up skills are surprising for a player with his weight …. Impressive ball handling ability for a four as he played point guard while in high school … Has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create off the dribble, whether it be in transition, on a dribble drive or with his back to the basket … Does a solid job of using his elite strength to get to his spots on the floor, and never shies away from contact, often times initiating fouls by using his great strength … Not many opponents have the strength to successfully box him out, and his soft touch around the rim allows him to be an effective low post scorer …  Good feel for the game and solid passer … A menace on the offensive glass … On defense, Gray has above-average surprising quickness to go along with his size and strength, which allowed him to move pretty well despite his size … Plays with great energy and seems to have decent conditioning to play minutes, despite his added weight … His effort was on display with his plethora of highlight reel come-from-behind chase-down blocks he accumulated over his college career …. Has experience and leadership qualities …","cons":"Lacks great length for a four. 6’10.75 wingspan is solid but not elite for a big … Conditioning still needs to improve … Still must improve upon his jump shot …  Even though he shot 51% from the field in the 2020-2021 season, he shot just 27% from behind the arc … He will not be able to bully weaker defenders in the paint to the same extent at the next level like he did in college ….  But, there is some hope, as Gray’s free throw percentage rose from nearly 70% in 2019-2021 to 76% in 2020-2021. This shows that he has the touch to be an effective shooter, but he still must improve shot selection and body control to shoot on the move … Still a bit of a below the rim player as he would likely benefit by losing 20-30 lbs and gaining more mobility …Outlook: Projected as a possible mid-second round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft … Started in 52 of the final 58 games he played at Florida State, helped lead them to a 73-20 record in his three seasons, started in all six NCAA tournament games he played in his career, and helped the Seminoles win their first-ever regular-season ACC championship … Hails from Ft. Lauderdale, FL .. the 6’8, 270-pound forward actually played point guard for Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, and helped lead them to a State championship in his junior season back in 2016.","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"DeJuan Blair","date_of_birth":"7/7/99","hometown":"Fort Lauderdale, FL","high_school":"Dillard","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":9,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":57,"big_board_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Paolo Banchero","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":250,"school":"Duke","pros":"Has good size and length for his position, standing 6’10”, 250 lbs … Has a good blend of strength and athleticism / fluidity … Moves well with and without the ball … Solid all-around player that can do a bit of everything … Stand out at creating shots for a player his size … Has a rare mix of moves for a big man – is comfortable crossing his defender up, making spin moves, and is able to remain on balance when attacking off the bounce … Excellent body control, and uses the body well to shield the ball from defenders on his shot attempts … Shot 33.8% from three during his year at Duke and projects to be able to make the NBA three with consistency due to solid mechanics and fluidity in his jumpshot. Is able to shoot off the catch or create for himself off the bounce … Is especially dangerous as a trail man where he can shoot the three or attack a late closeout from a defender … Possesses excellent footwork, especially in the post, that allows him to remain on balance and create advantages for himself by getting defenders out of position … Can score in a variety of ways in the post … Has a fadeaway jumper that is extremely difficult to contest, and can hit it with regularity … Uses his strength to power through contact and scores despite being fouled regularly … Can play above the rim and likes to finish plays with dunks instead of layups … Is not a selfish player, averaging 3.2 assists per game for his college career … Is comfortable playing as a roller or popping out looking for a jumper or driving lane when playing the pick and roll game … There really isn’t much he can’t do on the offensive end of the court. Is an instinctive player who reacts quickly and naturally to what opponents throw at him … What he lacks for in run/jump athleticism, he makes up for with dexterity, coordination, body control and great feel for the game …","cons":"For all of his offensive gifts, still has room to improve defensively snd may never be better than decent on the defensive end … lacks later quickness to defend on the perimeter … He doesn’t provide much rim protection, averaging less than a block per game … Will likely need to play center at the pro level, at least defensively to compensate for his lack of lateral quickness … He can struggle with turnovers, as he had 4 or more in 11 of his 39 games at Duke … Would like to see him shoot a bit higher than 72.9% from the free throw line … His outside shot can be streaky, which is good when it’s hitting, but not so much when he misses a couple early …Outlook: Banchero is an elite prospect with very few holes in his game … There’s very little he’s not capable of on a basketball court, especially on the offensive end. For that reason, he should be a surefire top three pick and is very much in the conversation for #1 overall. He is a bit limited on the defensive end, but not so much as to be considered a true liability as he will compete on both ends. He is probably the safest pick in the entire draft, as his offensive versatility makes it nearly guaranteed that he is an impact player at the next level. His ability to score at all three levels with consistency, handle the ball, and even lead the break make him a perfect fit in today’s NBA and he projects to be an All-Star sooner rather than later.","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Julius Randle","date_of_birth":"11/12/02","hometown":"Seattle, WA","high_school":"ODea","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":9,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":9,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":3,"big_board_rank":3,"overall_rank":99}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Chet Holmgren","year":2022,"height":84,"weight":195,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Extremely skilled frontcourt player who can initiate offense at every level of the floor … Has shown flashes of going coast-to-coast in the open floor, taking his defender off the dribble and getting to the rim before the opposing defense gets set … Great size (7-1) and long arms (7-6 wingspan) allow him to alter and/or block just about every shot taken in his vicinity … Elite interior defender in college who makes up for his lack of strength with length and tremendous timing in the post, though he’ll need strength to not get pushed around… Fluid shot motion and quick trigger allow him to dominate in the pick-and-pop game whenever his shot is on … Shot 39% on the season from beyond the arc, including 45% from early December until the NCAA Tournament … Can play both on and off the ball on the offensive end by attacking less mobile centers and generating space in the half-court offense with the threat of his outside jumper … Can attack opponents off the dribble and make bigger defenders pay who close out aggressively. His quick trigger and ability to put the ball on the floor make it nearly impossible to defend him fading away off screens. Long strides allow him to get from the perimeter to the rim with only one dribble and a spin … Generational talent who is bound to fill up a highlight reel every time he plays … Tremendous lateral footwork that allows him to defend 1-5 and alter almost any shot on the floor … Can pass with his back to the basket in the post and sitting at the top of the key reading off-ball movement … Decent rebounder who can get out and run any time he brings down a defensive board … Has the ball-handling and speed to lead the break in transition immediately after pulling down a rebound … Sky high  potential due to his measurements and skill set at only 20-years-old. Could become an Anthony Davis type of two way dominant player if he can fill out his frame and stretch his range while remaining consistent from beyond the arc … Impressive basketball feel and IQ for a young bigman. He can become a special NBA  player if his body develops and he can stay injury free …","cons":"Lack of physical strength (195 lbs) remains his biggest hurdle. Whether or not he can add significant weight and maintain his agility and mobility is a big question mark … While his combination of length and agility is extremely rare, it’s hard to imagine him being able to play on the perimeter as a facilitator as his size will eventually slow him down with time and age … Without better body strength, durability is a factor … More physical players can bully him under the rim and take away his length by getting him out of position and also attack him as long as they keep their dribble and put him into these difficult positions … Doesn’t get fully engaged on screens and shies away from contact, which limits the amount of separation his ball-handlers can get in this action … Struggles to stay out of foul trouble with nearly 4 fouls per 40 minutes in only season at Gonzaga … Didn’t put up great numbers against elite competition and disappeared for large periods at a time in these big games … 71% from the Ft line gives some pause to the idea that he’s an elite shooter … Appears that he can be an 80% FT shooter in the NBA due to his form and touch, but his college numbers did not prove that … Impressive shooting numbers from three giving him obvious intrigue as a perimeter scorer, but he did hit just 41 threes on the year and 1.3 per game (a low volume) and against a lower caliber of opponents playing in the WCC …Outlook: One of the rarest of players to come along in years … His combination of shooting, passing, shot blocking and speed and agility along with feel for the game is truly special. His upside is sky high, but questions linger about how his body will develop and how he will be able to handle the rigors of an NBA season as a post player with such an obvious weakness to his game … For a team that feels they can bulk him up sufficiently, he presents the ultimate swing for the fences pick in this year’s draft …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Kristaps Porzingis","date_of_birth":"5/1/02","hometown":"Minneapolis, MN","high_school":"Minnehaha Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":6,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":2,"big_board_rank":4,"overall_rank":97}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jabari Smith Jr.","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":220,"school":"Auburn","pros":"Wiry 6’10 combo / stretch four with long arms that allow him to shoot over defenders and be effective at all three levels … Among the best pull-up jump shooters in the country, particularly from beyond the arc and just inside the arc. 44% three-point shooter on over 5 attempts per game through 17 games … Has the length and size to elevate above most defenders and knock down jumpers whenever he gets to his spot …. Active, relentless defender with disruptive wingspan and good lateral quickness … Shows solid instincts and anticipation and gets blocks and steals without gambling … Versatile defender … Can switch onto 1-5 as a solid on ball defender on the perimeter and also holds his own in the post … Shows good feel as a help defender as well … Averaging 1.5 steals per game and around a block per game … Plays with a high level of energy at all times … Intelligent decision maker … Really seems to have a solid understanding of the game and plays with a lot of poise and maturity for a freshman … Also gives a high level of consistency with his effort and focus … Quality free-throw shooter (80% FT) , which is encouraging for continued success as a shooter at all three levels … Long strides and a quick first step allows him to get by most similar sized defenders with ease and gets to the rim in a flash … Good cutter who finishes lobs and layups around the basket with high efficiency … Elite athlete who can ignite a crowd and offense with flashy, powerful dunks in transition … Protects the ball with only 1.8 turnovers per game despite high usage rate (27%) … Stays out of foul trouble even with his aggressive, energetic, physical defensive style … Well-rounded two-way forward with great size and length combined with high degree of potential … Has the versatility/mobility to play as a small forward in big lineups, but appears best suited for the 4 position with his ability to create mismatches and rebound … Ability to defend the perimeter at his size is an added dimension missing from the other top bigs at the top of this draft … Emerging as potentially the top prospect in the top-heavy 2022 class as perhaps the safest floor combined with an intriguing ceiling …","cons":"Rebounding numbers could stand some improvement (6.2 per game), granted he’s playing away from the rim at times and has an elite bigman that he is sharing the front court with (Walker Kessler) … Added strength will allow him to play more physical around the rim … Average ball-handler who struggles to get to the basket on his own … If he can improve as an ISO guy it will open up his outside game further …. Decent passer but could improve in this department as well … Often settles for perimeter jumpers or lower percentage mid-range jumpers because of his reluctance/inability to get to the basket and create for others in the half-court offense … Still a small sample size offensively, but the physical traits are there to sustain efficient success with his jumper … Doesn’t create a ton of space for himself when he catches entry passes at the elbow. Usually settles for mid-range jumpers upon these entries … When he does drive, it is almost exclusively to his right as his drives to his left often end in turnaround jumpers … Needs to become a better ball-handler in order to improve upon these weaknesses …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Chris Bosh/Rashard Lewis","date_of_birth":"5/13/03","hometown":"Fayetteville, GA","high_school":"Sandy Creek","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":9,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":1,"big_board_rank":1,"overall_rank":100}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Keegan Murray","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":225,"school":"Iowa","pros":"A 6’8 225 frontcourt player with the frame, length, and mobility to play minutes all along the frontcourt in the NBA, especially as he fills out his frame … Agile; moves well laterally and has pretty decent leaping skills too, gets off the floor quickly off one or 2 feet … A smooth frontcourt player with the ability to move better than many similarly sized players, making him a big mismatch offensively at the college level with some translatable skills to the pros … Very good floor spacer, has a soft shooting touch and consistent shot mechanics from all 3 levels of the floor, and can do damage spotting up and hitting shots from long range (nearly 40% 3FG on 4.7 attempts), pulling up off the bounce and attacking closeouts, or using turnaround jumpers from the low or mid post … Also is effective in pick-and-pop situations, and shows budding ability to hit some jumpers with range off screens … Possesses a rangy 1st step that college frontcourt players struggled to defend all season when he attacked off the dribble, and knows how to slither in tight spaces or spin into the lane under control for high percentage shots when defenders happen to cut off his driving lanes … Solid post-up player, particularly when matched up on smaller players, and has a good command of jump hooks & up and under moves when he establishes position … More of a finesse player than physical, but shouldn’t be confused with a player who is afraid of contact in the paint, and will occasionally finish with authority at the rim … His huge production jump from his Freshman to Sophomore season (from 7.2 ppg to 23.5 ppg) is eye-opening and encouraging; but his shot selection to get that production was also outstanding (55% FG, career 54%) and he rarely looks like he’s forcing scoring opportunities outside of the offensive flow … Looks comfortable as a ball handler initiating transition opportunities after missed shots or turnovers … Will make some hustle plays and is active moving without the ball, gets a fair share of points without having plays drawn up for him as a cutter and in transition … Rebounds his area well (nearly 9 rpg), but is particularly effective as an offensive rebounder (nearly 3 Orpg as a Soph.) who regularly got put backs by being active on the glass and using his long arms … Effective shot-blocker (nearly 2 bpg as a Soph, career 1.6 bpg) showing nice timing and using his length to alter shots near the rim or get back into plays when beat off the bounce … Moves his feet well, rarely gets in foul trouble, and also has quick hands (over 1 spg); has the tools needed to be able to switch onto the perimeter and hold his own and sometimes even smother smaller matchups while guarding along the frontline as well … Gets to the line at a decent clip (over 5 attempts per game at around 75 FT%) … Doesn’t turn the ball over much (just 1.1 topg), especially for his usage … High IQ player and late bloomer who clearly works hard on his game giving his emergence from his 1st season to now …","cons":"Will have some questions about his true position at the next level; though his length allows him to play bigger than he is, at 6’8 he may be better suited as more of a PF or ‘small ball’ C than the combo forward he is seen as at the college level, especially as he fills out his frame … For as productive a scorer as he was for Iowa as a Soph., Murray didn’t quite prove to be a natural perimeter shot creator … Is comfortable handling in the open court and he’s hard to contain in the mid and high post, but he can be loose with the ball from the perimeter off the dribble and it’s tough to project him facing up and breaking down NBA level combo forwards on the perimeter consistently … Was an efficient shooter, but did have some inconsistency from deep this season at times and is still improving … Seems to prefer to drive and finish with his right, did have some awkward possessions when that side of the rim was cut off and he had to use his off hand … Defensively, Murray on occasion will rely too much on his length to gamble for steals/deflections by fronting post entry passes with no help around, and it can lead to easier shots in the paint when he’s unsuccessful … May struggle to defend on the perimeter as his lateral speed is not exceptional … May have been a function of his role on the team because he doesn’t seem selfish, but Murray doesn’t pass the ball much … Has underrated strength, but did at times struggle with his efficiency when defended by physical match ups who could contain his dribble penetration … Older than your average Soph. after spending a year in prep school before attending Iowa, will be 22 years old at the start of his rookie season …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Otto Porter/Michael Porter Jr.","date_of_birth":"8/19/00","hometown":"Cedar Rapids, IA","high_school":"DME Sports Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":9,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":6,"big_board_rank":6,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaden Ivey","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":195,"school":"Purdue","pros":"An aggressive explosive, 6’4 200 lb combo guard with solid length (wingspan rumored to be somewhere in the 6’7-6’9 range) and a strong frame that should allow him to match up well on the perimeter … Very quick-twitched, Ivey is a premier athlete in the 2022 draft class who runs the floor exceptionally well given his outstanding burst and speed, and has the explosive leaping ability off of one or two feet to play above the rim with ease … A terror in the open court, plays with a high motor and is always looking to attack and put pressure on the defense; whether filling the lanes for off ball run outs or handling the ball in transition himself … Attentive off the ball and will slip behind defenders for easy cuts to the rim if his match up is late to react/out of position..Finishes well at the basket even when contested amongst the trees, has enough power and touch to score through contact … Makes good things happen when the defense isn’t set but only needs half a step on his man to collapse the paint and get to the rim in the half court with or without a ball screen due to his very quick 1st step and long-striding speed … Ivey is comfortable driving and dishing and in pick and roll situations (especially going right); rewards Purdue’s big front court players with plenty of high percentage looks near the rim off the attention he gets from slashing (3.3 apg as a Soph.) … A really active, quick-handed defender who plays strong on-ball defense at the college level, but is just as adept at jumping passing lanes and causing deflections, likes to flip turnovers into points … Has the athleticism needed to get back in plays after getting beat, capable of making nice chase down blocks … Projects very well to being able to defend anywhere on the perimeter at the NBA level given his physical tools and intensity level, and is among the best overall defenders in this upcoming class … Also a willing rebounder (5.2 rpg) who looks to initiate offense off missed shots..A rapidly improving 3-point shooter (41% 3FG currently as a Soph. on 5 attempts per game, up from just 26% last season) who has made defenses pay when they give him space this season … Ivey possesses decent release speed and touch; has shown flashes of being able to make shots on the move using screens, but especially off the bounce and spotting up with his feet set … Has a couple of rangy step back moves he uses for separation at times to get his shot off … Sporadically uses runners and floaters in the mid-range area, both shots that would be useful to continue to develop considering his play style … Has become a very difficult match up at the college level with his improved shot, as it only adds to the pressure he can put on the defense and puts his matchups at his mercy for blow-bys when closing out on him … Rapidly improved overall scoring efficiency (just under 40% FG last season to 48% on increased volume so far as a Soph.) points to a hard working player who is playing to his strengths while putting in the time to improve his game elsewhere…Has fan favorite traits, given his energy level and highlight reel athleticism, but also will endear himself to coaches and teammates with his contagious effort and solid intangible traits…Gets to the foul line at a decent rate and is an OK FT shooter once he gets there (career 74% on just over 4 FTs per game)","cons":"Ivey’s hard charging energy and play style can be projected to be both a gift and a curse, as he can also straddle being too aggressive and being out of control on both ends … Gambles and reaches for steals and will pick up unnecessary fouls or get himself out of proper position, washing himself out of plays at times … High IQ players will undoubtedly be able to have some success using his aggressive approach against him, whether it be stepping in for charges or baiting him into live ball turnovers by getting caught in no man’s land … Offensively, if his speed doesn’t break down the help side level of the defense, he occasionally shows questionable patience and shot selection … Can stand to improve on switching up the pace he plays at more often … Should look to polish his mid-range game, would benefit from adding 1 and 2 dribble pull up shots when chased off the 3-point line …Improved passer but not quite a natural playmaker for others (3.3 apg/2.2 topg); leaves his feet to make passes often, which telegraphs and will allow  defenders the time to recover and close passing angles more quickly … Has some misdirection in his game, but is mostly an average ball-handler who prefers to use his speed and rangy strides to maneuver … Gets low lift on his jumper and shoots a set shot, which is less of a concern for him from the 3-point line given the improvement and shot-making range he’s shown this season, but it will likely make the development of his floaters and runners more imperative at the NBA level … Some consider him a potential point for the next level, but for now he is more of a wing than a true lead guard …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Anthony Edwards/Donovan Mitchell","date_of_birth":"2/13/02","hometown":"South Bend, IN","high_school":"La Lumiere Prep","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":9,"strength":9,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":4,"big_board_rank":2,"overall_rank":98}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Bennedict Mathurin","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":205,"school":"Arizona","pros":"6’7 wing with tremendous size, maturity, explosiveness and scoring skills that should help him make a quick transition to the next level … Elite spot-up shooter who can flourish in a lesser role early in his career before making strides to stardom later on … Shows some ability to utilize a floater … Aggressive slasher with a quick burst and powerful first step … Finishes with good strength and tremendous body control … Rim punisher who can bring the house down with athletic and pulverizing poster dunks (ie dunk vs TCU) … Plays with a ton of energy off the ball on offense with great cuts … Extremely athletic wing with good size for a scorer and long enough arms to be disruptive when he is locked in defensively … Sensational athlete who can elevate with anyone and really run in transition … Everyone on Arizona knows how to cut, but his change of direction is elite and he can create a lot of separation for himself in this department … Excellent form on his shot, with crisp mechanics and a consistent form … Incredible shooting range and big-shot maker with a ton of confidence (also see TCU game) … Good feel for his mid-range jumper and also makes decent reads in pick-and-roll action at the free-throw line … High energy offensive player who can crash the offensive glass with an NBA frame and plenty of upside at just 19-years-old until June … Clutch. High intangibles guy who really elevates his play in big situations … Very determined, hard working player as his immense improvement illustrates … Despite some lapses defensively, shows a ton of upside as a defender due to his athleticism and determination …","cons":"The biggest hurdle for Mathurin at this point is his inability to create offense consistently off the dribble … Defensive effort and intensity is  inconsistent … Still growing and learning the nuances of playing on the wing …  Doesn’t always work hard on box outs and can surrender a ton of offensive rebounds … Could struggle with high energy offensive players as most of his effort comes on the offensive end … Gets lost at times on the defensive end due to ball-watching and can get bullied when he does engage on box outs … Needs to show more energy in transition defense … Free-throw percentage took a dip from 84% to 76% but his volume went up and his mechanics are still sound … Lateral quickness and anticipation is a step behind on defense with smaller guards able to blow past him … Self-creation will need some time to develop, but he has the tools and potential to make this a strength in a few years time … Doesn’t possess the biggest wingspan, but appears to have solid length, with a wingspan likely a few (2-3) inches longer than his height …Outlook: The latest of foreign stars to excel with Coach Tommy Lloyd … Made a very wise choice to return for his sophomore season and develop under the new coaching staff and it should pay huge dividends to his career as an NBA player … He made incredible strides being one of the most improved players in the country along with Keegan Murray … Very high ceiling, is one of a small handful of players with an outside chance to be the best player to come out of this draft … Figures to be drafted in the 4-8 range on draft night …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Jason Richardson","date_of_birth":"6/19/02","hometown":"Montreal, Quebec, Canada","high_school":"NBA Academy Latin America","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":9,"strength":8,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":5,"big_board_rank":5,"overall_rank":97}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Shaedon Sharpe","year":2022,"height":77,"weight":200,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"An incredibly athletic wing who ranked as the top prospect in the 2022 recruiting class before reclassifying into the 2021 class and enrolling at Kentucky in January … An elite run/jump athlete with very good strength to play through contact and play physical … Against high schoolers showed three-level scoring ability and sound shooting mechanics … At  6’6, 210 pounds, Sharpe has a good NBA frame with potentially more growth on the way … Tremendous length with a near 7-foot wingspan … Big, strong hands give him excellent control of the ball … Versus high school kids, showed the ability to move well laterally on defense to stay in front of opposing ball-handlers and has long arms to create steals and disrupt offensive action … Shows good self-creation ability with tight handles and a step-back jumper that allows him to create a ton of separation … Has developed a patented fade to his jumper that gives him more space to get his shot away … Certainly has NBA range on his jumper that he showed during the EYBL tournament … Can seal off in the low-post and has a scoring arsenal with his back turned as well in the high post … One of the highest upside players available for this year’s draft …","cons":"Focus, intensity and maturity remain mysteries … Has some incredible high school footage, but these highlight clips can be misleading as they do not include the entire picture … Hasn’t played a competitive game since the 2021 Nike EYBL, making him a huge question mark in the upcoming draft … While there’s obviously a lot to be excited about, having seen him rise to being ranked by many as the top player in high school, the fact that he hasn’t proven it against a higher level of competition, at the college or G League level, is concerning … A real leap of faith pick if taken in the top half of the lottery … Gained a reputation in high school for not always bringing a high level of intensity and effort … Still extremely young and could have a long learning curve ahead of him … Quickness is solid, but doesn’t appear to have blow by speed to get by opponents off the dribble … Reclassifying athletes have struggled with the college game but Sharpe will have to make an even larger jump to the NBA game … Lack of true competition makes it more difficult to project him as a player, not to mention what kind of team player he is … Shot selection was questionable during his time at EYBL … Three-point shot could take some time to become efficient, has the tendency to try to shoot himself out of slumps, which won’t fly without solid production in the NBA …Outlook: Possesses immense upside but questions arose about his competitiveness and desire during his high school career … Has an extremely impressive highlight reel from his high school performances … Coach Calipari gave him the stamp of approval saying Sharpe would be the (2023) number one pick if he were to return to Kentucky next season … Has as high of a ceiling as any wing in this class with the explosiveness and talent to become a franchise player and superstar at the next level … Expectations are sure to be high assuming he is a lottery pick, so the situation that he ends up in could be a big factor in his long term success … Is he Andre Iguodala or Gerald Green? Only time will tell …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Player Comparison: JR Smith/Xavier Henry","date_of_birth":"5/30/03","hometown":"London, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"Dream City Christian","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":8,"big_board_rank":10,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jeremy Sochan","year":2022,"height":81,"weight":230,"school":"Baylor","pros":"The less heralded freshman Baylor forward, Sochan has flown up draft boards in recent weeks because of his rare physical traits and perceived versatility and upside … Perfect length and build for the modern forward, with the agility and verticality to cover every position … Can be utilized as a defensive chess piece, swarming smaller guards or using his long arms as a useful weak side rim protector … Still raw in certain basketball skills, but his youth (19 on draft day) and athleticism point to a very high ceiling … Got better as the season progressed, becoming a more consistent offensive weapon for the Bears, averaging 12.25 points over his final eight games, including hitting 17 twice over that stretch … The American born, Polish forward is a stellar rebounder despite his position, grabbing 9.1 rebounds per 36 minutes … Flashed some self-creation in smaller role (9.2 ppg in 25 minutes), but mostly scored off of assists … Could be a high-level scorer in a few years if he can build on a solid three-point shooting form … Has the length, strength and burst to attack the rim, generating scoring chances, especially while on the fast break … A high motor on the glass and in transition … One of the best defenders in the class despite his youth … 1.3 steals per game … Almost two assists per game even with limited time with the ball in his hands … Shows a good feel for the game …","cons":"Most lottery picks have more scoring production and efficiency while in college than Sochan, who shot just 47% from the floor, 30% from deep and 60% from the free throw line … Those numbers need to see a dramatic increase to be a useful offensive player at the next level … Can struggle with turnovers trying to create offense, turning the ball over four times in five games this season … Fouls attackers too often, and doesn’t go straight up near the rim … Needs to use his 7’0 wingspan to deter drivers rather than fouling … Will probably take a season or two to get consistent minutes because of his lack of polish and experience … Poor offensive advanced stats … Has very intriguing potential, but also has low floor because of his putrid shooting and efficiency on offense … Not a threat in the post while matched up against smaller defenders … Hasn’t yet discovered best use of his elite athleticism to score around the rim … His success could be contingent upon landing with a quality organization that excels in developing young players …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Kyle Kuzma","date_of_birth":"5/20/03","hometown":"Guymon, Oklahoma","high_school":"La Lumiere","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":13,"big_board_rank":12,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Johnny Davis","year":2022,"height":77,"weight":195,"school":"Wisconsin","pros":"A 6’5 190 SG/SF with the athleticism and wiry strong frame that project solidly for an NBA swingman…Runs the court hard and plays with an aggressive, confident mindset that bodes well looking at his potential on both ends at the NBA level…Nice transition player who is tough to contain when he has a head of steam on his way to the basket, being effective at both creating contact to draw fouls (over 6 FT a game on a solid 79% as a Soph.) and using his excellent body control to create space for driving lanes…Promising ability to post up smaller guards, is stronger than his size suggests and is skilled at using his shoulders to create space for turnaround jumpers…Looks good operating at the mid-range level, and is most confident as a shooter from about 15-18 ft…Pretty solid pull up jumper from the mid range…Is a factor in the dribble handoff & pick and roll game too, showing a nice rhythm pulling up off of 2 dribbles…Developing range and shotmaking ability, occasionally made defenders pay as a spot up shooter in the relatively few possessions he played off the ball..Put points on the board in a hurry (19 ppg) often for a team that played at a slow pace all season, and his emergence as a breakthrough player (over 12 ppg and 10 mpg increase from Fr to Soph season) is most impressive because of the amount of defensive attention he received as the year progressed…Projects to become a tough defender as well, where his competitive nature, solid fundamentals, and quick feet make him a nuisance on the ball currently…Impressed many college hoop observers with his willingness to guard the other teams best offensive wings regularly, even though he shouldered so much of an offensive load…Has enough of the twitchy athleticism and instincts needed to be a threat in the passing lanes (1.1 spg for his career), while also having quick reactions when contesting shots and recovering from getting around screens…Reads action instinctively and often diagnoses set plays before they unfold to force turnovers or bad shots…His nose for the ball and aggressiveness also shows itself on the boards, where Davis ranks among the very best in this class regardless of position statistically (8.2 rpg)…Somewhat of a late bloomer who has garnered experience both as a role player and go-to guy early in his prospect development, could be able to hang his hat in some playing roles that would allow him to contribute to an NBA rotation sooner than later while he refines other areas of his game…His massive improvements from his Fr to Soph season show that he is a hard-working player, while his ability to fight through late season injuries to help Wisconsin in conference and NCAA tourny games show his toughness and dedication to his team","cons":"Was asked to be a go-to scorer last season out of necessity, but his aggressive nature overshadowed that he doesnt have the most natural feel for the game offensively…Posted no better than an even A/TO in both of his college seasons (2.1/2.3 this past season), and didnt show the necessary court vision, timing or willingness passing the ball to project well to the primary ball handler role he so often played in college…Shot selection needs to improve (42% FG), he has some struggles getting into the paint against athletic defenders and with finishing at the rim amongst the trees once there, which leads him to try numerous heavily contested shots off the bounce with mixed results (just 46% FG from inside the arc in his career)…Some will point to his late season ankle injury for his explosiveness and efficiency tailing off, and while it did contribute to it, he hasn’t really posted more than average production finishing at the basket even when fully healthy…More rangy than sudden as a slasher, relies more on angles and off balanced defenders to create separation than ball-handling or quickness…At times Davis dribbles too much when creating and is somewhat predictable with his moves, as teams started to successfully anticipate his stepback jumper more and more as the season went along…Can sometimes play into high IQ defenders hands by being overly physical when creating offense, and gets called for fouls using his off arm to create space at times…Had occasional good moments as a 3-point shooter off the dribble, and while his shot isn’t broken he was not an efficient shooter from beyond the arc as a Soph (30% 3FG) and endured a long shooting slump from deep through the last 2 months of the season…Has an average release speed on his shot that makes him project better as an off-ball set shooter from deep, and though he has been solid at it in his career (ex. he shot 38% 3FG on limited attempts as a Fr) he hasnt really been given many chances to show it due to being mostly an on-ball player…Will likely have to use his defense, athleticism and hustle to earn rotational minutes in the early stages of his career while he polishes his offensive skills and learns certain nuances of the game (ie picking his spots and playing to his strengths offensively)Overall: Johnny Davis’ ascension from a bench player as a Fr to a consensus All American contributor as a Soph has him solidified as a high 1st round prospect currently…After winning a gold medal last summer in the FIBA U19 games, Davis used the momentum from that experience to get off to a scorching hot start to the 2021-2022 season that saw him raise his draft stock into Top 5 discussion in the first months of the season after lukewarm discussion about him as a 2022 prospect prior…He became by far the go-to guy offensively on a defensive-minded, methodical Wisconsin squad and put the team on his back & the college hoops world on notice with some huge performances, most notably in a win against 3rd ranked Purdue where Davis had 37 pts and 14 rebs and often matched up against; and got the better of, fellow projected 2022 lottery pick guard Jaden Ivey…Davis is a player with a football background, and it shows in his physical, aggressive nature on the court as well as his willingness to play through nagging injuries…He really competes and his increased production and role shows that he’s willing to work hard…His role at the next level projects to be different than in college, as he seems likely to play more off the ball as a wing at the next level and not as a true primary or secondary playmaker for himself and others…His potential as a prospect is largely tied to his ability to improve his consistency and range as a shooter and working on his shot selection…He seemed to wear down somewhat at the end of this past season due to a combination of injuries, big minutes and true 2-way responsibilities as the main scorer and best defensive player on his team…He could very well improve his efficiency and effectiveness with less of a burden to carry and more talented teammates in the future, and he has the toughness and intangibles to find a niche as a role player until his other offensive skills get more refined …Jorrye Nixon 5/5/22Strengths: Shooting guard with solid all around skill and understanding … Davis is capable of driving to the basket with either hand and finishes well around the rim with both hands … Crafty slasher who is deadly in the midrange and showcases a variety of post-scoring moves … Excellent shooter from all three levels with a 44/34/86 shooting split through ten games of his sophomore season … One of, if not the most, improved players in all of college basketball … Averaging 21 points per game for Wisconsin after averaging only 7 as a freshman … Outstanding intangibles and leadership skills … Big shot maker who never backs down from big moments … Great rebounding guard who averages more than 6 boards per game … Improving as a playmaker and passer every game and does a good job limiting turnovers despite his high usage rate (2.3 AST, 1.9 TO) … 34% three-point shooter with four attempts per game. Can knock down threes off the dribble or spotting up, but mostly creates for himself as the primary ball-handler without playmaking guards around him … Can flourish in any role, but his development as a star this year is putting him into lottery discussion … Physical, aggressive defender who can guard 1-4 and disrupt passing lanes off the ball. Currently averaging 1.6 steals per game which is fourth in the Big Ten … Easy to notice his long arms with his disruption and ability to alter and block shots as a guard with nearly a block per game … Moves very well laterally defensively to stay in front of defenders and avoid foul trouble. His fouls per 40 minutes are down from 3.5 to 1.6 this season … Could flourish as a 3-and-D guard early in his career before embracing his current role as a shot-creator with more development and bulkier frame … High potential player who is just starting to scratch the surface of his skill set …Weaknesses: Lacks ideal size at 6’5 for a shooting guard, but we’ve seen more players with this size find success in the league in recent years … Doesn’t always create a lot of space for himself on jumpers, but gets away with making contested jumpers against smaller defenders … Solid athlete with good wingspan, however … Doesn’t always appear to create separation against top level athletes. Speed remains one of his biggest question marks … Lacks elite level lateral speed … Needs to continue to improve as a playmaker and not just as a scorer off the dribble … Good, but not great athleticism, which raises concerns again about creating space for himself and also guarding top-level NBA guards …  A/TO ratio is just 1-1, so he can stand to improve his passing, ball handling and decision making to become a more well rounded shooting guard …Outlook: Recently emerged as a top player in the nation, which could be a simple hot streak that could fizzle out or a true indication of his development this summer … Though the first half of the season is on pace to be a lottery pick …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Kentavious Caldwell-Pope","date_of_birth":"2/27/02","hometown":"LaCrosse, WI","high_school":"Central","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":10,"big_board_rank":8,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen Williams","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":210,"school":"Santa Clara","pros":"A bulky wing with a great frame (massive 7-2 wingspan) and ball-handling skills to work as a secondary ball-handler and initiator … Took a huge jump from 27% to 40% as a perimeter shooter in his junior year, possessing the mechanics and production to translate this jumper to the next level … Can create separation on the perimeter to get his own shot and also play in a secondary, catch-and-shoot role on the outside … Got to the line over four times per game, knocking down 81% of his free throws … At Santa Clara developed into an efficient scorer from all three levels 81% / 40% / 51% … Versatile offensively who can play as a big point-guard, secondary ball-handler and scoring guard, or off-ball shooting wing with the size and strength to perform all three … Drives under control and excels at coming to a stop and creating space with pivots and spins in the lane … Active defender who is also versatile on this end of the floor … Good basketball instincts as he knows when to cut and when to help defensively … Isn’t afraid to drive left and finish with his left hand … Reads pick-and-rolls exceptionally well and is an accurate passer as well, averaging over four assists per game in his junior season … Decent first step to get by his defender, but then uses his solid frame to draw contact and finish around the rim … High IQ guy with very good versatility for a wing …","cons":"Definitely has some burst, but not the elite athleticism that will match the level of his opponents in the professional game … Lateral speed is a concern … Prone to letting smaller guards beat him off the dribble and needs to use his long arms more to his advantage to strip these guards in these situations … Can be a step slow on closeouts … Doesn’t have the same potential as some others in his draft range, but could plug a rotational hole for competing teams … Needs to get stronger fighting through screens and fighting in the post … Didn’t play a ton of great competition … Needs to put on more weight if he wants to replicate his collegiate play style centered around using his size and strength in the lane …Outlook: Used the 2022 NBA Draft Combine to show that he is one of the top players that participated. He utilizes his 7-2 wingspan very well and has a mature game with great poise and maturity along with versatility to overcome his lack of great speed … Had a late growth spurt in high school and was essentially a point guard throughout most of his youth, which helped develop his vision, ball handling and passing …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Joshua Primo","date_of_birth":"4/14/01","hometown":"Gilbert, AZ","high_school":"Perry","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":16,"big_board_rank":21,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen Duren","year":2022,"height":83,"weight":250,"school":"Memphis","pros":"A physically gifted, highly touted 6’11 250 big man prospect with powerful leaping ability and the mobility teams look for in a modern C in todays NBA … Is very long (7’5 wingspan) and covers massive ground on the court on both ends, with rare agility and lateral quickness for a prospect of his size … Showed very promising ability to switch and guard on the perimeter as a Fr., looking comfortable forcing difficult looks for smaller players and often maintaining good guarding position to come up with impressive possessions in pick and roll defense … Has the length and athleticism needed to get back in plays and alter shots even when beat off the bounce … Gets off the ground extremely quickly as a one or 2-footed leaper, which makes him a bouncy finisher (nearly 60% FG as a Fr.) as well as a formidable shot-blocker and overall defensive presence at the rim (just over 2 BPG) … Nearly automatic converting when he has both feet in the paint … Strong on the glass (8 RPG), showed improved assertiveness at Memphis and has the tools to increase his production more … Has arguably the quickest 2nd jump in the 2022 class, which also makes him an excellent offensive rebounder (3 ORPG) … Always must be accounted for as a lob threat; Duren has been known to throw down some ferocious dunks & he has the type of hands and wide catch radius needed to snag errant passes or rebounds out of his area … Potential in screen and roll action is intriguing to teams … Generally does a good job of keeping the ball/his hands high when he catches it, wastes little motion when catching and finishing … Runs the floor extremely well, especially after turnovers/blocked shot possessions, and should be rewarded often for it if matched with unselfish facilitator(s)…Already pretty strong for a young C prospect, and has the frame to add more muscle without loss of mobility…Not afraid to play through contact as a finisher and rebounder, and uses his strength well to defend the post…Potentially more than just a catch-and-finish big man, has a developing feel for the game and passing skills when facing up…Made a few good decisions when making reads in the mid post to find cutters this past season that are reason for intrigue…Likes to sporadically use a right handed jump hook in the paint when he can’t simply catch and finish…Likely would be the youngest prospect selected in the 2022 Draft after reclassifying to the 2021 HS class (wont turn 19 years old until the beginning the next NBA season) could likely just be scatching the surface …","cons":"Motivation level is one of the key Duren is a major work in progress offensively, especially in terms of low post skill level…Has virtually no back to the basket game at the current stage, and heavily relies on lobs, rim runs and offensive rebounds to do the majority of his scoring..Loses effectiveness and tends to disappear the slower the pace of the game is currently…Fundamentals and footwork are behind his physical ability and athleticism; pre-determines what he wants to do when he has the ball and struggles when he has to improvise, leading to some awkward possessions…Shows a middling basketball IQ…Shaky touch around the rim and as a short range shooter, and tends to take fadeaways more than someone with his tools should right now…FT shooting needs improvement (62 FT%), not someone who would be trusted on the floor in a late game situation…Can become foul prone when matched with more savvy bigs defensively (2.7 FPG), but also runs into trouble setting his feet which leads to moving screen fouls at times…A bit overzealous at times trying to protect the rim, can get himself out of position or bite on pump fakes trying to block shots..Occasionally gets beat off the dribble on perimeter switches when he’s caught playing too upright and relaxing his stance…Has the makings of a defensive stalwart, but definitely needs polish and more coaching to reach his full potential …Overall: Duren had a solid, productive Fr. season after arriving at Memphis as a blue chip recruit from Montverde Academy, and was a big reason the Tigers made their 1st return to the NCAA Tournament since 2014 and advanced to the Rd of 32 before bowing out in a hard fought game against Gonzaga … He has been lauded for his size and run-jump athleticism since his HS days, and it was on full display this season … His defensive presence led to Memphis being one of the best teams in the country on that side of the ball this past season, especially in terms of shot-blocking, and he seemed to adjust to the college game slowly but surely as the season went along and, in no coincidence, so did the Memphis team and coaching staff as a whole … He is not quite the sum of his parts yet; his on-court instincts, fundamentals and overall skill level on both ends all need work, but he fared admirably well for a raw 18 year old big man who was expected to be a 2023 draft class prospect (was a dark horse projection for the 1st pick in that class) until shortly before reclassification not long before this past season … He has some gifts that can’t be taught, and in a class that doesn’t have many highly projected true big men, he stands out as the most intriguing and currently is a projected lottery pick who should test well at pre-draft workouts…Duren could be a great find for the right team who focuses on his development correctly and lines him up with more unselfish-type facilitators than he played with at the college level … If he lands in the right situation at the next level, a team could look to mold him into a Bam Adebayo type of versatile center …Jorrye Nixon 4/21/22Strengths: 6’10 big man … Great length with a 7’5 wingspan and big hands … Very good mobility … Explosive athlete, gets up quick and effortless. Good second jump. Dunks everything within close … Efficient around the basket. Uses glass when appropriate. Averaged 10.3 points per game on 62.5% FG% at the U16 Americas Championship in 2019 … Good rebounder on both ends. Converts offensive boards into baskets and is good for a few tip-slams a game. Averaged 8.2 rebounds per game at the U16 Americas Championship in 2019 … Very good shot blocker and does a good job of contesting without fouling. Averaged 2 blocks per game at the U16 Americas Championship in 2019 … Grown man strength and frame. Finishes well through contact …Weaknesses: Isn’t always heavily involved with the offense. Limited in scoring and typically spends the majority of possessions sitting in the post. A bit reliant on put backs, lobs, and being found in position to score. Still has a way to go developing scoring technique and touch, as well as expanding post-game … Doesn’t set many on ball screens, will add more showing ability as a pick and roll big man … Face up game and ability to stretch the floor has a long way to go. Poor free throw shooter. Shot 40% (2-5) FT% at the U16 Americas Championship in 2019 … Minimal ability to put the ball on the floor, generally hands off to a guard after a defensive rebound or steal … Often times, the last player up the floor … Has a way to go in developing skills that are valued in big men for today’s game …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Andre Drummond","date_of_birth":"11/18/03","hometown":"Sharon Hill, PA","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":9,"strength":8,"quickness":6,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":15,"big_board_rank":16,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ochai Agbaji","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":215,"school":"Kansas","pros":"A lean, yet strong 6’6 215 wing who looks the part physically and should have no problem matching up on the wing at his size and length (6’10 wingspan) … Also has long striding speed and outstanding leaping skills, having measured with a 2-step vertical of 42” last summer at the NBA Combine … Has embraced the “Big Man on Campus” role as a Sr. after being a high-end role player most of his first 3 seasons, and is currently averaging about 20 ppg while shooting an impressive 43% from the 3-point line (on nearly 7 attempts), and has increased his attempts and efficiency from deep each season at KU … Has solid pre-shot footwork and a smooth, high release; and has fared better on contested shots this season compared to years past, a sign of increased confidence … Has made nice strides at operating using ball screens to score as a Sr., something he likely won’t be asked to do much at the NBA level, but it doesn’t hurt to be able to utilize this to your advantage on the perimeter … Has always had good projections into a traditional 3-and-D role at the next level, but has subtly progressed in his ability to hit shots off the bounce from 15-18 ft., and can make defenders pay for aggressive and/or lazy closeouts … Has experience defending the other team’s best wing and is effective switching all over the perimeter, with promising on-ball defensive skills … Solid ability as a transition player, can run the floor and finish at the rim well (career 53% FG inside the arc) but also is effective trailing or stepping into 1-2 dribble pull-ups in space … Excellent timing as a backdoor lob threat, looks to sneak behind the defense for dunks and high percentage shots … Has encouragingly shown a flair for the dramatic as a Sr, coming thru in the clutch a number of times with key shots and plays for Kansas … Has scored in double figures in every game so far this season, illustrating a more aggressive approach than in past seasons … Not quite as much of a low upside prospect as your typical 4-year college player, still learning the nuances of the game and was a late blooming recruit with a heavy soccer background before turning his attention strictly to basketball during HS …","cons":"Not particularly creative or shifty as a ball-handler, prefers to mostly go north and south with the ball having mixed results attacking set defenses when his initial move is cut off … Still not quite the sum of his parts as a player despite a big Sr. season, especially when looking at his instincts and awareness on the defensive end … Has been touted as a potential lockdown defender on the wing, but he has never quite been the type of playmaker on that end that his physical tools and athleticism suggest he could be in terms of forcing turnovers and getting deflections (just under 1 spg and 0.4 bpg for his career) … Plays strong on-ball defense, but plays somewhat upright and undisciplined fundamentally, meaning he can more easily be back cut or washed out of plays with screens by players that move well without the ball … Has been much less of a problem as a Sr., but Agbaji had a reputation of disappearing and coasting during big games/down the stretch of seasons a bit throughout his KU career … Not much of a playmaker for others (even 1.6/1.6 A/TO for his career), and shouldn’t be asked to be a secondary ball-handler at the next level… Feel for the game and basketball IQ are improving, but both are just middling for NBA standards currently … Doesn’t get to the FT line much (2.4 FT per game for his career) and his mediocre efficiency once there (career 70% FT shooter, career-best 73% as a Sr.) bringing some question to his touch and whether or not his hot shooting this season is sustainable … Just OK rebounding ability considering his physical skills (career 4.3 rpg)Overall: Ogbaji has done himself as big a favor as almost everyone in the 2022 draft class with his Sr. season after flirting with entering the 2021 draft this past summer…His measurables and athletic testing were strong as expected but he didn’t perform as well as he’d have liked in the drills and scrimmages, and decided to head back to KU to improve his stock…Now, as a 4-year starter, Ogbaji is having a breakthrough Sr. season that will undoubtedly have him in the running for the NPOY at the end of the season…He is next in line of talented Kansas wings that will play at the NBA level, and he has some clear strengths that could allow him to stick for many years…He fits in the mold of a Trevor Ariza or Mikal Bridges type who has the athleticism, perimeter defensive potential and floor spacing skills that could prove valuable on the wing, especially for a team with other shot creators on the perimeter…He does have some things to polish with his fundamentals and skill level on both ends of the court, and will be 22 years old as a rookie, but he has played himself into the lottery discussion after getting late 2nd round projections this past season, and could further solidify his spot and be the 1st upperclassman picked in the 2022 Draft if he continues his strong play in March","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Desmond Bane/ Kelenna Azubuike","date_of_birth":"4/20/00","hometown":"Kansas City, MO","high_school":"Oak Park","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":14,"big_board_rank":17,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Mark Williams","year":2022,"height":85,"weight":240,"school":"Duke","pros":"Developing center, rim runner, rim protector with tremendous size and intriguing athleticism … The seven-footer would register the fifth-longest wingspan among NBA centers if his reported 7’7 wingspan is true … One of the most athletic centers at the college level … He uses this length and size masterfully on the defensive end, altering almost every shot at the rim and blocking nearly three shots per game (2.9 blocks in just 24 mpg) … Great awareness of the positioning of opposing defenses as he is always finding himself on the receiving end of lobs … Strong finisher above the rim … Great touch around the rim, shooting a remarkable 72% from the field heading into the Final Four … Great free-throw shooter for a player of his size (75%) suggest he could expand his range out past the charity stripe with a few years of development on his jumper … Crashes the glass with strength and length with an average of 7.5 per game in just 24 minutes … Led the country in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and posted the 6th best career PER in the NCAA since 2009 … Athletic big man with great footwork who defends the pick-and-roll at an elite level because of it. Uses long arms to disrupt lobs and bounce passes in the lane and create turnovers … Defends at this elite level without fouling as he only averaged 3.4 fouls per 40 minutes … Decent court vision and passer who rarely turns it over with less than one turnover per game … Great frame at 7’0, 243 pounds who will only get stronger as he develops in the NBA … Some teams don’t like to draft big men early because their value has been marginalized to some degree, but Williams is a safe choice to make an impact and carve out a long career as an all-NBA defender with potential to grow offensively … Third on the Duke team in scoring, despite not having many plays calls for him … Started showing some ability to create baskets on the block towards the end of his sophomore year, an intriguing development. Granted a majority of his production came from the fact that 71% of his fgs were assisted plays at the rim …","cons":"Yet to show that his range can expand to an NBA level, but free-throw percentage indicates that could improve with a few seasons working on his craft … Can be taken advantage of in isolations against quicker opponents at the next level, but won’t be a total liability considering his good footwork … Doesn’t possess a lot of self-creation or ball-handling skills, but he makes up for it offensively with off-ball movement and positioning … Only one 3-point attempt in his 61-game career with the Blue Devils … Reasonable to expect someone with his size and strength to score more often in the post and/or get to the line against opponents who are, at least the vast majority, are less athletic, smaller and weaker … Averaged just 2 FT per game as a sophomore. Hard to be too critical as he was only able to do what was asked of him within the Duek System, but would love to see him play more physical and get to the line more … Played just 24 minutes per game, after playing just 15 mpg as a freshman. While this makes his numbers more impressive on a per-minute basis, the fact that he played limited minutes draws some questions regarding conditioning and stamina …Outlook: Scored 11.3 ppg and had some nice scoring outbursts, however his production was sporadic as he wasn’t used as one of the team’s primary offensive options … Williams emerged late in his freshman season at Duke and is exceeded expectations set for him in the summer with a tremendous sophomore season … Benefited from the unselfishness and great passing ability of freshman big Paolo Banchero … Projected as a mid to late first round pick …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Erick Dampier/Clint Capella","date_of_birth":"12/16/01","hometown":"Norfolk, VA","high_school":"Norfolk Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":18,"big_board_rank":13,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"AJ Griffin","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":220,"school":"Duke","pros":"Prototypical size for an NBA wing at 6-6, 220 pounds and a 7-foot wingspan … Great potential as a shooter … Prolific/Dangerous three point shooter, shot 45.4% from range showing a “pure shooting stroke” … Has excellent rotation on his shot … Stays down and in position to go up for a jumper off the catch … Has a very repeatable shot motion … Does an excellent job of staying on balance at all times … Can create space to get his own shot when needed … Good at driving out of a triple threat position … Shows the ability to attack defenses from multiple levels and strings moves together to keep attacks going – doesn’t just stop if a defender cuts off his first look … Has a really good spin move when driving into the paint … Can use some physicality to get to where he wants on the court and create space to get his shot off … Does a good job of keeping the ball away from defenders when going to the rim, making it hard to contest him inside if he has beaten his defender even a little … Has good athleticism, allowing him to finish strong at the rim. Uses his length well defensively …","cons":"Despite his great length and athleticism, lacks great foot speed to blow by opponents allowing them to crowd him on the perimeter … Can be a bit slow to react on defense, opening himself up to back cuts … Gets stuck on screens defensively … Was primarily a shooter/scorer for Duke – didn’t produce a lot in other categories. Also benefited being a complementary scorer, not having the same responsibility to carry his team like other top prospects, leaving some questions of how well he can perform in that role … Had some lackluster performances, in particular in Duke’s loss to UNC in the Final Four … Role with Duke expanded as season went along, but seemed to struggle some with how aggressive to be as a shooter … Doesn’t get quite as much lift on his jumper as you might want for the next level … Would like to see him speed up his release just a little to compensate for his lack of lift on jumper … Sometimes picks up his dribble without knowing where he’s going with the ball … Can rock with the ball while dribbling to get a rhythm, which can make him more predictable for high level defenders … Sometimes goes into a triple threat on the catch, allowing the defense to catch up, when he should just get the ball and go with it … Also seems to go side to side instead of trying to blow by defenders in ISO … Stronger attacking when going with his right hand, can look to pull back or go into a hesitation move more when the ball is in his left – A “tell”, allowing defenders to better predict what he’s looking to do … There are concerns about what he’ll give you on nights where he isn’t scoring …Outlook: Griffin is a player that can step in and play a role right now on an NBA team … For that reason, he has an extremely high floor for his NBA career … Some of his biggest weaknesses revolve around needing to refine his mechanics so it’s easier for him to get his shot off and making himself less predictable – things that can be learned. Even if he fails to address those issues, he can play the role of a spot up shooter with the hope of becoming a 3-and-D guy as he becomes more comfortable on the defensive end, which should come in time. However, if he is able to adjust his game so that he is better able to attack NBA level defenders and keep them off balance, he has legitimate All-Star potential. He’s essentially a shooter that has the athleticism to not only finish at the rim, but has the strength to finish through contact and the leaping ability to be able to dunk the ball on defenders which takes shot blockers out of the equation to some extent. Despite his fantastic skill level, he is a bit unrefined in areas, which makes me believe there is some room for growth in his game, and he could make a big jump during his second or third NBA season. It is certainly not out of the question that he becomes the type of player that goes out and scores 25 points …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Jamal Mashburn/Robert Covington","date_of_birth":"8/25/03","hometown":"White Plains, NY","high_school":"Archbishop Stepinac","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":11,"big_board_rank":7,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tari Eason","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":215,"school":"LSU","pros":"Versatile, athletic forward that can play either forward spot and can guard up to three positions at the next level … A standout on the defensive end … Can really be disruptive defensively by blocking shots (1.1 /game this season) and grabbing steals (1.9/game) … Excellent anticipation and reflexes to make steals … Instinctual player that can wreak havoc in passing lanes … Natural scorer putting up 17 ppg in just 24 minutes per game … Has good footwork on drives to the basket that allows him to react to how defenders are guarding him and still create space to get his shot off … Impressive ball handler for a combo forward allowing him to create scoring opportunities and utilize his athleticism well on drives to the rim … Extremely effective player in transition – always looks to run … Is aggressive in looking to dunk the ball when going to the rim and can elevate without needing an elongated gather … Shows good strength and plays with solid physicality … Creates contact on his drives to the rim, drawing fouls at a high rate and converts on those opportunities, shooting 80% from the free throw line … Has a quick jump that allows him to contest shots that opponents think are open looks … Rebounds the ball well, particularly on the offensive end … Excellent length with a 7-foot wingspan … Quality rebounder, with very solid 6.6 rebounding numbers in limited minutes off the bench .. Showed a willingness to find ways to contribute as a freshman at Cincinnati with more blocks and assists per game than at LSU, despite playing fewer minutes … Shot needs refinement but knocked down 28-78 three pointers for a solid (36%) clip, though on a fairly low volume (0.8/2.4 per game) …","cons":"Overall approach and game in need of refinement. At times lacks consistency and makes mental errors … Despite shooting a better percentage from three after transferring to LSU, needs to refine his shot mechanics as he currently shoots from beside his head with a low release point … Can be uncomfortable driving to his left … Often relies on straight line speed and athleticism, to get to his spots … Can be a bit erratic and inconsistent on offense … Was a liability in regards to turnovers with 2.2 per game to just 1.0 assists per game … Turns the ball over on 13.5% of his plays … Relies on teammates to create most of his offense within the half court … Needs to further develop his in-between game so that defenders can’t focus solely on stopping him at the rim …Outlook: Coming from an undisciplined LSU program, it’s hard to know how much better or how different his game would be with more structure and coaching … Eason will really benefit if put in the right situation at the next level … Eason is a high level defender who embraced his role as a sixth man at LSU … If he can refine his three point shot and extend his range, he could be the type of three-and-D player that teams covet on the wing … He rebounds the ball well enough to play the four, especially the way the league plays currently, but his defensive versatility will also allow him to see the floor as a three … As long as he isn’t asked to do too much offensively and can focus on the things he is best at – being a disruptive force on defense and getting out in transition – he should be able to find a role early on in his career … Projected late first round to early second round pick …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Marcus Morris","date_of_birth":"5/10/01","hometown":"Seattle, WA","high_school":"Garfield","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":17,"big_board_rank":19,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Dalen Terry","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":195,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Versatile wing with great length and solid agility and athleticism … Unique player who can impact games without scoring … His biggest area of improvement from freshman to sophomore year was his decision making and A/TO ratio going from just above even to nearly 3-to-1 (1.5/1.2 as freshman to 3.9/1.4 as a sophomore) … Length is slightly obscene with an 8’10 standing reach, which is bigger than a number of power forwards … His 7-foot wingspan on a legit 6-7 frame allows him to play a smothering brand of defense and gives him a lot of versatility when combined with his ability to play as a facilitator on the offense end … His length allows him to be a disruptive on ball defender … Strong finisher who had a number of impressive above the rim dunks on the break. Utilizes his great length well … Imaginative playmaker … High level passer with excellent vision to find the open man and make quick decisions and deliver the ball accurately … Moves the ball quickly and anticipates extremely well when a teammate breaks free … Really thrived in the role of finding teammates with passes on backdoor cuts with concise passes … His passing creates scoring opportunities, as well as a high level lob passer to teammates for ally oops … Solid decision maker on the break …  Jumps the passing lanes well using his long arms and anticipation and ignites the break when he gets the pilfer … Has a flare for the dramatic and does not shy away from the limelight … Improved his three point shooting to a solid 36.4%, though on a low volume (28-77) less than one make per game … Confident with the ball in his hands and loves to push the ball up the floor on the break … Excels in attacking the basket on the baseline and often catches opposing guards napping and is able to finish with a highlight dunk … Excellent rebounder for a guard at 4.8 per game … Considered a high character guy that impressed teams at the combine in his interviews …","cons":"Offensive game still needs a lot of work … Obviously has a lot of potential as a combo guard that facilitates but struggles to run a team … Plays a little upright with stiff hips and lacks great fluidity in his first step … Plays better in the open floor and needs to work on becoming better facilitating the pick and roll … Must develop his scoring ability … Averaged just 6.6 ppg in two seasons in Tucson … Only averaged 8 points per game as a sophomore on Arizona’s number one seeded tourney team … His shot has improved as evidenced by his 36.4% 3 point clip but still needs work … Shot selection and decision making improved but must continue to get better … Not a good spot up shooter … Really struggles to knock down shots from the mid range … Shot has a lot of motion, and takes a long time to get it off … 68% free throw shooter over Arizona career … Inconsistent shooting motion that breaks down as he gets further away from the basket and needs refinement … Slight hitch in his shooting form. Holds the ball too long instead of releasing as soon as he goes up … Also needs to focus on staying on balance and going up without leaning into his shots … High center of gravity due to long legs seems to affect his balance at times … Footwork needs to be improved … Could use some additional weight on his thin frame … Not the most explosive leaper, but his length allows him to play more athletically … Usually finds a way to get to the basket but will need to develop a floater to become more efficient in order to combat the interior length at the next level …Outlook: Terry projects as a late first/early second round pick who can contribute with his length, defense and play making ability as a secondary ball handler … He’s a bit of a project considering his shooting form, but has excellent upside if he gets with the right organization and continues to develop his offensive skills … Likely would have benefited from another season at Arizona, but made the decision that he was ready to turn professional …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Todd Day","date_of_birth":"7/12/02","hometown":"Tempe, AZ","high_school":"Hillcrest Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":6,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":21,"big_board_rank":31,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jake LaRavia","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":225,"school":"Wake Forest","pros":"Hard working, versatile forward who shows excellent determination and toughness …  Went from a solid player on a mid major (Indiana State) as a sophomore to transferring to Wake Forest and becoming and standout player on an ACC team … A solid leaper with the ability to throw down dunks on the break and on back door cuts … Solid passer with an unselfish, team approach … A solid shooter in the mid-range on catch and shoot plays … A career 37% three point shooter on 1.5 attempts per game … While not a huge weapon as an outside shooter, the potential is certainly there for him to become one … Despite being a junior, won;t be 21 until November making him young for his grade … Scored a solid 34 inch max vertical at the combine … Shows solid basketball instincts and plays an unselfish brand of ball. Has very good vision and passing skills for a forward at 3.7 assists per game to 2.7 turnovers … Solid though not outstanding on the boards at 6.6 per game. Lack of length hurts his ability to hunt rebounds against longer and more athletic opponents … Has very good instincts and anticipation as his 1.7 steals per game can attest …","cons":"Lack of speed makes fully utilizing his skill set a challenge at the NBA level … Unlikely to be able to get by NBA defenders off the dribble … Extremely slow feet will prove to be a big hurdle in defending and creating offense for himself … Benefits from today’s position-less game, however he may struggle as a slow forward lacking great speed on the perimeter and great athleticism and length on the block … Has just a 6’9 wingspan, so getting shots off in the paint could prove to be a challenge for him … A career 74% free throw shooter who has decent but not great touch on his shot. Scoring may be a challenge for him, and as a below average athlete, getting playing time as a defensive liability could prove difficult … 8’8 standing reach is not great for a player with just average leaping ability …Outlook: A late bloomer who spent two seasons at local Indiana State after not being heavily recruited out of high school … Had a strong performance in the Combine athleticism testing with a standout time in the shuttle run (sub 3 seconds), prompting some to conclude that he has a first round promise after he decided to skip the scrimmages (granted he doesn’t play fast and it would be unwise to put too much weight into combine testing numbers … Figures to be a second round pick with solid size and scoring ability as a combo forward … The key for LaRavia will be learning to score at the NBA level and using his versatility to exploit mismatches as a forward with both face up and post skills ….","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Luke Harangody","date_of_birth":"11/3/01","hometown":"Indianapolis, IN","high_school":"Lawrence Central","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":24,"big_board_rank":42,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Malaki Branham","year":2022,"height":77,"weight":195,"school":"Ohio St.","pros":"An athletic three-level scorer who can create points on his own and off the ball … Good body control on drives in the lane … Shot 41% from the perimeter on nearly three attempts per game and his 83% FT suggests that his shooting success should continue at the next level with solid mechanics and a great shooting stroke … Excellent cutter with good court vision on and off the ball … Great ball-handler and finisher at the rim (70% at the rim) … Drives with speed to his right to get around defenders and power to create room for himself when he doesn’t turn the corner … Can also drive to his left, but not with the same speed … Possesses an elite mid-range jumper and can stop on a dime off the dribble at his spots to knock down these jumpers … Good vertical and long arms allow him to score over defenders in the lane and grab rebounds on the wing … Plays with a head on a swivel on the defensive end and knows how to get out in transition … Sees the floor well and uses long strides to get to the other side of the rim on drives to avoid defenders and finish reverse layups because of this vision … Great size for someone who can initiate the offense at 6’5 with long arms, in the range of just under 7′ … Gained confidence as the season went on and seemed to play his best in big games …","cons":"Shoots smoothly as a spot-up shooter, but looks less in rhythm shooting off the dribble from the perimeter with a slower motion … Branham is at his best when he doesn’t have time to think and just trusts his mechanics and abilities whether that is shooting before contesting defenders arrive or pulling up in front of on-ball defenders … As efficient as he is as a mid-range scorer, he can tend to settle in this area when he can get to the basket instead where he is a more efficient scorer … Struggles to stay balanced and with his man going around screens on the defensive end … Long arms and athleticism should lead to more disruption defensively and more than just 0.7 steals per game and 0.3 blocks per game … Could struggle with contact-seeking wings as the on-ball defender in the post and on drives …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"  Khris Middleton","date_of_birth":"5/12/03","hometown":"Akron, OH","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":12,"big_board_rank":9,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Christian Braun","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":210,"school":"Kansas","pros":"A 6’7 215 SG/SF with good size, strength and athletic ability for a wing prospect … Competent floor spacer with consistent mechanics and footwork when spotting up (38% 3FG as a Jr., 37% for his career) and takes smart shots within the offensive flow … Was very good in transition as a college player; runs the floor with a purpose and is effective as a shooting valve when trailing … Showed he can handle the ball in the open court in spurts too, and that he can finish above the rim with no problem…Has enough strength and leaping skills to convert through contact with some success too (54% FG inside the arc as a Jr.) … Plays with a good feel for the game; makes timely cuts for easy finishes off the ball and finds open areas along the wing for shot opportunities when the defense collapses … Makes sound reads as a passer (2.8 apg as a Jr,), nothing flashy but is effective making dumpoff passes to bigs and finding open perimeter players via drive and dish … Decisive decision maker and the ball doesn’t stick to him for long … Has a knack for attacking aggressive closeouts and getting to the rim … Competitive with solid activity level; contributes on the glass on both ends (6.5 rpg), fights to get back in position when beat off the bounce or working through screens, and scraps for loose balls … The type of player who contributes in a number of ways, some that may not necessarily show on the stat sheet … Was often asked to match up with perimeter and frontcourt players alike in Kansas’ switch heavy defense (esp this past season) and didn’t back down from the challenge … Has good awareness as an off ball defender; understands how to position himself between ball and man to disrupt passing lanes and come up with deflections … Has shown enough strength and effort to hold up OK at the point of attack as a perimeter defender in the pros as well … Blocked 33 shots as a Jr. (tied for 2nd on the team), a nice number for a wing prospect…Improved his scoring exponentially every season (14 ppg as a Jr.), added polish to his floor game each season … Has experience and championship pedigree; will certainly have coaches and organizations that will be endeared to his skill set and intangibles","cons":"Can contribute in a number of ways, but doesn’t truly stand out in any particular skill … More good than bad as a jump shooter, but Braun was inconsistent with it during his career at Kansas despite rarely having to take difficult shots (mostly spot-ups with space) and endured a slump or 2 from deep in each of his last 2 seasons after shooting a scorching 44% from 3 in limited minutes as a Fr … Only OK FT shooter numbers (career 74% FT, 73% as a Jr.) shows that he’s solid but not elite with his shooting touch … Doesn’t always shoot with confidence and passes up open shots occasionally, can be unselfish to a fault … Offers very little in the way of a mid-range game, would help to develop a floater … Pretty bland repertoire of moves and gets stalemated if his initial driving lane is cut off … Mediocre ball-handling ability, not particularly fluid or quick off the dribble … Has the functional size and athleticism for the perimeter, but doesn’t possess the length that would allow the positional versatility and shot-blocking production he showed defensively this past season to translate well to the pros … A capable passer but more within the flow of the offense, does not project as a facilitator or true secondary playmaker who has much offense ran through them at the NBA level … Lacks great length with just a +1 wingspan (6’6.5)  in relation to his height …Overall: Braun was a rotational Fr. contributor before being a fixture in the starting 5 his last 2 seasons at Kansas … He contributes in most all facets of the game and nicely developed his skill set over the course of his career … His activity level and awareness on both ends of the court are very good, and he adds in some floor spacing, transition play and smart passing for good measure … He also admirably contributed on the glass and altering shots by necessity for Bill Self’s team … He tested out with a 40” vertical at the 2022 NBA Combine too, showing nice run-jump athleticism … Still, he has a “jack of all trades, master of none” label as a prospect and he will have to become a more consistent shooter from deep at the next level to alleviate his lacking in-between game … But he was a valuable contributor for a Kansas team that won the national title in 2022; largely due to Braun, the teams 2nd leading scorer, rising to the occasion at key moments throughout their tournament run … Somewhat of an overachiever type, Braun doesnt project to be a star; but has the kind of skill set and traits that would be perfect for a more veteran team with winning culture and an open roster spot for a young wing player …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Chase Budinger","date_of_birth":"4/17/01","hometown":"Burlington, KS","high_school":"Blue Valley Northwest","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":29,"big_board_rank":30,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Walker Kessler","year":2022,"height":85,"weight":255,"school":"Auburn","pros":"Has excellent size for the position at 7’1”, 245 pounds. He is an elite level shot blocker and shot disruptor inside, routinely blocking 4 or more shots in a game (currently averaging 4.7 per game) … Has nimble feet for a footer … Moves well, is not a statue in the paint, and has shown an ability to step out and defend in pick and roll situations while still being able to recover to his man … Despite being very aggressive looking to block shots, doesn’t pick up a lot of fouls, and does a good job of using verticality instead of swiping at the ball … Deters inside shots just by his mere presence in the paint … Does a good job of making contact with his man when shots go up before going to track down the rebound … Rebounds with two hands routinely … Good at finishing around the rim with dunks and excels at putting himself in position to be a threat in the lob game … Does a very good job in the pick and roll game offensively …","cons":"Can get his center of gravity a little too high when switched onto perimeter players, allowing them to get by him more easily … Isn’t much of a jump shooter from outside, making only 21.4% of his threes on 1.5 attempts per game thus far this season … Doesn’t secure the ball very well when posting up offensively, is prone to having it knocked away, resulting in turnovers … Can sometimes try to do too much on the offensive end instead of playing to his strengths … Is a liability anytime he dribbles the basketball … Has the ball knocked out of his hands more than he probably should for a player as strong as he is … Needs to improve his ability to pass out of the post and find open teammates … Is not a good free throw shooter, could improve on his career 61.4% free throw percentage … Despite  his ability to be a rim protector and shot blocker, his ability to switch on defensive assignments and stay in front of opponents when he guards the perimeter will be a challenge for him as a big and less mobile center …Outlook: Kessler is an elite level shot blocker who should be able to translate that skill well to the next level because of his ability to play physically without fouling while still maintaining the space needed to go up and actually block the shot … He’s a good but not great rebounder who will need to take better care of the ball as he plays against stronger players down low … It’s clear he wants to expand his offensive game, but his shot doesn’t look ideal mechanically, so he will likely get most of his offense from offensive rebounds, the pick and roll game, and from having teammates create shots for him … However, despite his offensive short comings, his high level defense will give him a chance to be a contributor at the next level and carve out minutes as a shot blocker that can step out on the perimeter and defend the pick and roll action … If he is able to develop his offensive skills, he could become a steal of this draft, but even if he doesn’t, his defensive ability could be enough to sneak him into the back end of the lottery …Eric Yearian 2/26/22","position":"Center","similar_player":"Myles Turner/Cole Aldrich","date_of_birth":"7/26/01","hometown":"Newnan, GA","high_school":"Woodward Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":27,"big_board_rank":27,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"David Roddy","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":260,"school":"Colorado St.","pros":"Strength-wise a mismatch for other teams, has a combination of size and power that can frustrate smaller forwards and slow big men alike … Has great length with a 6’11 wingspan … Uses his length to his advantage and understands when to post up, pull it out and drive or take a jump shot … Really improved over the past year on his three point shooting and volume, shot extremely well on catch and shoot three pointers which should immediately translate, can really give you offense from anywhere on the floor, proved that he can create his own shot  … Was often featured in ISO situations has real potential as a frustrating mismatch player, isn’t afraid of contact when getting into the paint, really can score from anywhere … Excellent footwork in the post isn’t afraid to back down or turn for a jumper can continue to expand his faceup game but the potential is there, strong with the basketball isn’t afraid to clear his opponent out on the drive, has pick and pop/roll potential and is a good ball handler for his position … Can be either the ball handler or screener, fluid jumper – really consistent form, good cutter with the ability to explode in traffic and off two feet, has the experience to past out of the post and has shown growth passing on the drive or when he stops short in the paint – isn’t afraid to move the ball and trusts his teammates, can improve defensively … Physicality helps him and he competes every possession … Size allows him to also be a good rebounder on both ends 7.5RPG (2 ORB) …","cons":"Really struggles with containing opponents defensively with very slow foot speed … Lacks verticality to finish and rebound against bigger opponents … Flat footed, slow hips, hard closeouts all lead to leaving the defenders behind him prone to an attacking player, speed of the game will determine if he can stay on the floor … Could end up in bad fouls from trying to recover or over-committing, not the most laterally quick and crafty guards with a good first step should have no problem getting around him … Big men will be stronger and taller which will allow them to back him down in the post, is going to be a challenge for him to fit into defensive schemes and how often teams are willing to attack him, while he has shown flashes on defense (especially when he walls up) he is going to need to really work on defending both on the perimeter and in the paint, hope for additional discipline on defense, he can continue to tighten his ball handling and play under control when heading toward the rim, to adjust for the speed of the game but has shown he can handle on the outside in college … Undersized, Roddy finding success in the post and additional consistency with volume from beyond the arc will help him gain some NBA minutes …Outlook:  An extremely gifted offensive player who can shoot from anywhere on the floor, efficiently, he has the size to make opposing defenses struggle to defend him … A player that was given the keys to a collegiate offense already knows how to create his own shot and can be a real offensive asset if he continues to be consistent from behind the arc, on an increased volume … While he has the physical attributes to guard multiple positions it will take time before he has a chance to get there … Roddy will need to work on his lower body and the discipline that comes with being a multi-positional defender if he wants to get there. As someone prone to making defensive lapses, especially on the perimeter, the make or break for the Colorado State forward could be if he can stay on the floor defensively.","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Georges Niang","date_of_birth":"3/27/01","hometown":"Minneapolis, MN","high_school":"Breck","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":6,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":65,"big_board_rank":85}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Blake Wesley","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":185,"school":"Notre Dame","pros":"NBA athlete with a great deal of upside left to develop … Shows the ability to break pressure and handle the ball as a lead guard … Explosive finisher and shows excellent speed to convert fast break dunks and a great first step to get by defenders off the dribble … Fiery competitor … Good ISO player with his ability to handle and a quick burst to get by defenders on the perimeter … Shows the potential to be a high usage type of player at the next level with his ability to create shots for himself and handle the ball proficiently … Could develop into a go to scorer with his natural nose for creating baskets and aptitude making plays off the dribble … Very comfortable bringing the ball up the floor, and doesn’t seem to be fazed by pressure as he can dribble through double teams or find the open man with ease when defenses decide to press … Puts forth great energy on the defensive end of the floor and appears to have solid understanding of spacing and getting into a low defensive stance … Excellent size for a shooting guard at 6’5 and with a near 7-foot wingspan … Great shooting form … Shooting near 40% from three through five games and appears to have a very smooth shooting motion with range out to college 3. He should be able to extend out to NBA 3 point range without much difficulty …","cons":"Due to being an unheralded recruit, may take some time to establish himself within the Notre Dame program … Currently a bench player, fighting for minutes (19 mpg) through consistent and mistake free play, instead of having the luxury to play more freely and make mistakes … Shows a great deal of potential, but is still in a sticky spot for being a one-and-done as he has players that have more seniority and experience in front of him on the Irish depth chart, and Notre Dame obviously has a vested interest in his returning next season … Needs to learn how to move better off the ball. Stay in motion more and set up defenders to run them off screens with timing … At 185 lbs, could stand to add an additional 10-15 lbs, an NBA weight training program will help him add core strength and become better balanced and able to withstand contact from opponents and finish through fouls around the rim … Hitting just 65% on FTs through five games. His shooting motion should allow him to be an 80%+ FT shooter eventually,Outlook: Projects as a two year lottery pick with a chance to go as high as top 5 with two years at Notre Dame. With 2022 being seen as a weak draft, there will likely be the opportunity for him to enter as a one-and-done and could go as high as 10-20 range if he continues on his current progression … Wesley has two way star potential for the NBA level, but needs to continue to develop and put in the work to get there. At this point he still has a long ways to go to cement his draft stock and convince NBA teams he’s worthy of a first round “project selection” a la Joshua Primo in 2021 …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Latrell Sprewell","date_of_birth":"3/16/03","hometown":"South Bend, IN","high_school":"Riley","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":6,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":20,"big_board_rank":18,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Wendell Moore Jr","year":2022,"height":77,"weight":215,"school":"Duke","pros":"A skilled and physical slasher with terrific playmaking skills … Can play from the wing or at the point and run the offense from both locations … Improved dramatically as a shooter this season, making him a legit threat to play on and off the ball in an offense … Started as a 21% 3-point shooter and improved by 10% in both his sophomore and junior seasons … Explosive driver who can punish defenders who go under screens and finish in the lane when they choose to go over … Also possesses a mid-range pull-up jumper, making him a capable scorer at all three levels in isolations and in the pick-and-roll … At his best getting to the rim with a quick first step and good body control to create space around the rim … Has a great feel for the game and rarely gets sped up in half-court offense … Athletic finisher who rocks the rim and has the vertical to finish reverse layups and avoid larger defenders in the paint … Finishes with both hands on drives … Physical defender who stays in front of the ball and moves his feet well on this end of the floor … Great rebounder from the wing with his vertical and great positioning thanks to smart movement off the ball … Five-star recruit who continued to improve all three seasons with the Blue Devils, which suggests further development could be right around the corner … Reliable player who averaged 34 minutes per game while starting every game in his junior season … Can be an instant starter and secondary ball-handler to generate offense … Takes care of the ball with 4.4 AST and only 2.0 TO per game … Stays out of foul trouble as he only averaged 1.9 FLS in 34 minutes per game as a junior … Team captain with good leadership skills … Gets to the line and converts at a high rate … Career 81.7 FT shooter shooting over 80% from the line in all three of his seasons at Duke, illustrating his ability and potential as a shooter … Converted 67% of his shots around the rim, (via Hoop-Math.com) showing his touch and athleticism … Steady improvement in each of his seasons at Duke points to further untapped potential … Still just 20 years of age, turning 21 in September, so he could be labeled a “young” junior … Possesses great length with a 6’11 wingspan …","cons":"Really struggled in his first two seasons at Duke, looking like he might be a bust related to his high school ranking, before finally coming into his own as a junior (granted he was a young freshman/soph and there’s not much room to play through mistakes on a title contender) … Tends to have a lot of bad misses from the perimeter, which combined with his poor shooting numbers for two seasons, could be a sign that he could struggle finding and converting quality looks at the next level … A bit inconsistent. has some ups and downs, although some of that is due to the level of talent at Duke and opportunities not always being there for everyone to score … Could struggle with more athletic, smarter defenders on the drive who can read his Euro step that he goes to when he doesn’t win with his first step and speed … Doesn’t have an extremely high ceiling, but is one of the most trustworthy role player prospects in the 2022 class … First two seasons at Duke he lacked offensive efficiency, but finally broke out as a junior from a production/efficiency standpoint … Could be criticized for not taking over enough and deferring too much, but that could be what ultimately makes him a great complimentary piece, as not every player is cut out to be a team’s star …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Caleb Martin/Bruce Brown","date_of_birth":"9/18/01","hometown":"Charlotte, NC","high_school":"Cox Mill","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":19,"big_board_rank":20,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Patrick Baldwin Jr","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":220,"school":"Wisconsin–Milwaukee","pros":"Has the type of size and length that stands out as he is a legit 6’10 230 PF/SF prospect with a nice frame … Has the makings of a floor spacer from deep with his pristine form and follow-through shooting the ball; came into college with a reputation as a knockdown shooter…High release makes his shots difficult to block … Can hit shots and rack up points in bunches at his best (12 ppg in 11 games played) … Capable of hitting shots on the move and is a good valve to have in transition as a trail man…Flashes of “tough” shot-making ability, and can hit shots fading away or using rangy crossovers when pulling up off the dribble sparingly … Squares his feet and shoulders to the basket quickly when getting into his form…Has the size to post up and seal smaller match ups successfully…Good ball-handler for a 6’10 player … Decent contributor on the glass (5.8 rpg) … Uses his length well to recover when beat, or to get the occasional deflection and blocked shot (nearly 1 spg & 1 bpg) … Not bad running the floor, is a long strider who is adequately mobile … May fare better with less responsibility to be a team’s top scoring option and more of an off-ball role …","cons":"Disappointing season shooting the ball for someone with his reputation coming out of HS and international play (26 3FG% and over 5 attempts/game) … Very underwhelming overall production for a former top 10 recruit playing against mid-major competition (34 FG%); really had a rough season and seemed to lose confidence as the season wore on … Will too often bail out defenders with spotty shot selection, took too many ill-advised and closely contested shots as a Fr. with minimal success … Feel for the game needs improvement … Lacks athleticism and explosiveness; tested poorly at the Combine with one of the lowest recorded vertical jump numbers in the events history (26”)…Also a stiff mover laterally who will struggle to contain dribble penetration against wings and a good amount of stretch 4s at the NBA level … Will need players around him to create shot opportunities for him, doesn’t project to be an efficient 1v1 scorer given his lack of burst to get clean looks…More finesse than physical; likes to play on the perimeter much more than near the rim on both ends and isn’t a banger … Durability concerns have plagued him for the better part of the last 2 years; with COVID forcing him to miss time as a Fr., as well as a nagging ankle injury that derailed him as a HS Sr. and shut him down after only 11 games this season that has given some teams pause about his physical being cleared and also possibly explaining his struggles this past season a bit … Seemed to get winded often and generally wasn’t a high effort player when on the court as a Fr …Overall: Baldwin Jr. was once seen as the #1 recruit in the 2021 class before missing his Sr season with an ankle injury … Still, he was a decorated HS prospect who ended up being a top 10 recruit and turning down offers from national powerhouses like Duke to play for his father at UW-Milwaukee where it was assumed he would put up gaudy numbers and dominate against mid-major competition while elevating the program…It did not go that way, and Baldwin Jr and UW-Milwaukee both struggled to win or produce quality numbers, and it led to the dismissal of Pat Baldwin Sr being fired and subsequently Baldwin Jr entering the transfer portal after just 11 games….It was a poor fit, as it seemed Baldwin Jr wasn’t quite ready for the attention or responsibility of being the alpha on a team with a lack of shot creation…There is chatter that his poor season can largely be attributed to the ankle injury from HS that maybe still hasn’t healed properly, and the missed games dealing with COVID affected his rhythm and attrition as the season wore on…But on the surface as a prospect he does offer nice size/length as a combo forward and the base of a promising shooting stroke that could be a useful floor spacing tool with more confidence and the right playmaking around him…He will have to prove he can defend his position(s) at the NBA level and continue to polish his overall game to show that his year in college was a fluke…His stock has taken a hit and is all over the place after coming into the season as a projected lottery selection, and his injury history will be paid close attention to, but he could hear his name called as early as the late 1st round based on perceived upside as a former ballyhooed recruit or he could slide and be picked by a team will to take a flyer on him later in the draft","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Jalen Johnson/Brian Cook","date_of_birth":"11/18/02","hometown":"Sussex, WI","high_school":"Hamilton Sussex","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":6,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":23,"big_board_rank":41,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"TyTy Washington Jr","year":2022,"height":75,"weight":195,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Good sized point with excellent shooting and scoring ability … Can play either guard spot. Excels as a scorer playing off the ball where he can get open by running off screens and using defenders’ momentum against them to get to his one and two dribble pull-ups … Recorded a Kentucky record 17 assists in a game against Georgia when asked to run the point full time … Has good shot mechanics and stays on balance on his jumper. .. Currently shooting 35% from behind the three point arc … Generally makes good decisions with the ball and limits turnovers (4.1 to 1.7 a/to rate)  … Is able and willing to involve his teammates and gets most of his offense within the confines of the offense, but can still go out and get a bucket when his team needs one … Has good body control and sees the floor well, allowing him to drive into gaps, keep his dribble alive, and still find scoring opportunities for himself and others … Strong basketball instincts – often finds himself in the right position for rebounds … Willing and able to do a little bit of everything and has a team-first mentality … Has a solid runner / floater game that allows him to drive and score without needing to get all the way to the rim … Has a knack for creating separation from defenders using his body … Good overall body strength …","cons":"Has underperformed in games against high level competition (Duke, Auburn, Kansas) although for two of those games he was dealing with an ankle injury … At only 6’3”, he lacks ideal size for an off-ball guard, but his game may actually be better suited to playing off ball … Lacks the initial burst and quick first step that you’d ideally see in a lead guard. Is more crafty than athletic and will struggle with good defensive guards guarding him … While he is a good shooter, he doesn’t get great lift on his outside jump shot, which could make it difficult to get his shot off in some situations … Often times does his work quietly – doesn’t always impact the game as much as his raw stats would have you believe … Older for a freshman as he turned 20 in November …Outlook: TyTy Washington is one of the top guards in this draft class. He may not be flashy, and he may not have elite size or athleticism, but he is very efficient and makes winning basketball plays … His ability to create offense for both himself and his teammates while limiting turnovers bodes well for his long-term future … He has a deadly one and two dribble pull up game, which will also allow for him to add the step back jumper into his arsenal … He’s the type of player that could assimilate to virtually any roster because of his wide range of skills and his competitiveness on both ends of the court as well as his ability to play either guard spot … He figures to be one of the top guards taken in the upcoming NBA draft.Eric Yearian 2/25/22","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Andre Miller","date_of_birth":"11/15/01","hometown":"Phoenix, AZ","high_school":"AZ Compass Prep","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":22,"big_board_rank":22,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Peyton Watson","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"UCLA","pros":"Highly rated recruit with a lot of upside but still extremely raw … Showed some flashes as a player that could create and knock down shots in the mid range … A high level athlete that was a top 10-15 recruit coming out of high school … Has NBA athleticism and great size at 6-8 with a 7-foot wingspan and 9 foot standing reach … Despite a lack of playing time, began to show signs of offensive development as the season wound down … A high level athlete who bought into Mick Cronin’s defensive oriented system, and to his credit did not pout of quit despite a season in which he struggled to see the floor … Has the potential to develop into a two way player as his length, athleticism and desire give him a solid foundation as a defender … His size gives him solid versatility to play either forward position at the NBA level, granted he needs strength to defend in the post … Ball handling ability is one of his best attributes and shows nice potential … His ability to create in ISO situations with a soft touch on his shot gives him intrigue … Despite lack of efficiency, his shooting touch and form show solid promise … Shows the ability to be disruptive defensively with his length as a shot blocker … Excellent rebounder .averaging 9.1 per 40 minutes ..","cons":"Lack of readiness makes him a project for the NBA level … A team that selects him or signs Watson will need to be patient and be committed to developing him into a contributing player a few years down the line … A player with a high situational dependence … At 203 lbs, still needs to add a lot of strength to compete with NBA forwards … Offensive efficiency numbers were not very good on top of a lack of playing time, with shooting spilts of 32.2 fg% 22.6 3p% 68.8 ft% … Would have benefited from another year of seasoning at UCLA, especially from an offensive perspective … His offensive efficiency was extremely porous from a statistical standpoint … Struggled to hit shots in spot up situations. Seems to lack great rhythm if he shots the ball without pulling up off the dribble … Also did not produce well in transition like you expect a player with his run/jump athleticism … Due to his lack of playing time at UCLA, he lacked the opportunity to showcase his abilities and get into a rhythm. The sample size is small, and it will likely cost him on draft night … Seems to be in a rush at times, and must learn to become more composed and patient out on the floor … Additional strength should allow to to fight through contact and attack the rim more aggressively … Averaged just 3.2 FTA per 40 minutes showing a need to play more physical …Outlook: Lack of playing time and production made his decision to announce early in the draft process that he would be staying in the draft a head scratcher … Benefit from the ability to develop in the G League and the fact that teams can draft him and look to develop him over the next few seasons … Despite leaving after just one season, drew praise from Coach Cronin for his attitude and work ethic while at UCLA … He had a loaded front court playing ahead of him with Jaime Jaquez, who elected to return … Would have been a projected first rounder with another season at UCLA, and enters the NBA projected as a second rounder at best … Could end up being a steal, especially if he lands in the right situation, as he’s a talented player, but his career could be negatively impacted by falling into a situation where his game doesn’t develop …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Trevor Ariza/Earl Clark","date_of_birth":"9/11/02","hometown":"Long Beach, CA","high_school":"Long Beach Poly","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":39,"big_board_rank":44,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Andrew Nembhard","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":195,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"A decisive floor general who is an expert at running efficient offense while making players better around him … A four-year starter with as much experience as any player in the 2022 NBA Draft class … Averaged over five assists per game with only two turnovers per game in his career … Disruptive defender with good size and length to switch 1-3 and hold his own on the perimeter against guards and wings … Significantly improved as a perimeter scorer in his senior year, shooting 38% on over four attempts per game with the Zags … Commanded the nation’s top scoring offense in both of his seasons in Spokane … Outstanding court vision with the accuracy and passing strength to make any pass on the floor … Has a terrific feel for pick-and-roll action and knows how to slow the game down for himself in these actions … Nembhard is everything you look for in a backup point guard with experience, poise and basketball IQ to lead an efficient and prolific offense … Knows how to play with tremendous pace and also slow the game down and thrive late in the shot clock … Has the potential to be a starter and/or role player for a long time in the NBA … Phenomenal performance at the NBA Draft Combine boosted his stock immensely …","cons":"Lacks elite level speed and athleticism for the NBA game … Jump shot only just recently came around and isn’t a major part of his game … Will struggle to create for himself in the same way he did collegiately … Doesn’t translate as more than a 10 PPG scorer in his career … Upside does not match many of the other PGs in his draft class in the late first/second round range … Will turn 23 at the beginning of the new year … Didn’t face the same level of competition as his peers in the WCC in his final two seasons, but excelled at Florida in his previous two seasons … Struggled against high-end competition in his final season","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Austin Reaves","date_of_birth":"1/16/00","hometown":"Aurora, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":33,"big_board_rank":34,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Caleb Houstan","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Lengthy 3-and-D wing with a skill set tailor made for the modern NBA game with his great range and shooting stroke … High level shooter with good mechanics who can knock down perimeter jumpers on the move and on spot ups … Shooting numbers probably don’t completely illustrate how lethal a shooter he could become (35.5% 3P, 78.3% FT) … Efficient pick-and-pop shooter who has the strength and quickness to create space for himself in these actions … Popularly described as a student of the game with an impressive IQ and feel for the game … Possesses great size at 6-8 and with a near 7′ foot wingspan …  Moves his feet well defensively and plays with tremendous energy on both ends of the floor. It’s rare to see him slacking off or catching his breath while the game is being played … Durable and trustworthy player who started every game as a freshman and averaged over 30 minutes per game … Reclassifying players have struggled a lot more than Houstan, so his ability to look the part of a college player bodes well for his transition to the professional game … The poise and confidence he had as a younger player make him beam with maturity and promise to succeed at the next level … Fights through screens well defensively … Solid body control and athleticism …","cons":"Lacks great fluidity and explosiveness as an athlete … Not much of a shot-creator and his ball-handling needs to get tighter … Nothing more than a solid role player at this point in his career although he has the potential and time to develop into more throughout his rookie contract … Didn’t create as many turnovers as you’d hope for a wing with his size and length … Slow release on his shot is part of why his efficiency wasn’t better shooting from the perimeter … Lacks great run jump athleticism and was exposed as not a very good creator off the dribble as he often gets lost trying to covert plays around the rim … Showed flashes of brilliance but his consistency and production were often underwhelming in his freshman season … Would do well to put on some pounds and some muscle as he looked thin on the floor in college, which will only become more pronounced in the NBA … Prone to forcing shots up, which hurt his efficiency numbers at Michigan … Can disappear for large stretches of games … Only averaged four rebounds per game despite great size for his position …Outlook: Skipped the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, which generated a lot of speculation that he has a first round promise, perhaps with OKC at the 30th pick … While he struggled as a freshman at Michigan with consistency and overall effectiveness, the intrigue was there during high school as he solidified himself as one of the top 10 prospects in a very strong class … If he can recapture the shooting efficiency and get stronger and gain fluidity in his hips and movements, he could very well be a good gamble with a late first round pick … But he’s clearly a project in need of time, and is a strong candidate to not succeed with his first stop in the NBA …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"RJ Hunter/Darius Miller","date_of_birth":"1/9/03","hometown":"Mississauga, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":35,"big_board_rank":38,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Christian Koloko","year":2022,"height":84,"weight":220,"school":"Arizona","pros":"A rangy 7’1 220 big man with the length (7’5 wingspan) and mobility to fill a traditional C role at the pro level…Also has the wide shoulders to add muscle to his frame without the loss of athleticism…A late bloomer who had a breakout season as a rim protector and at-the-rim finisher during his Jr season after being a modest contributor early in his career….Steadily learning how to use his length very well to smother players defensively and is a presence penetrators must locate on any slashes or cuts to the paint (nearly 3 BPG as a Jr)…Pretty fluid athlete for his size and can cover massive ground, making him a factor as a shot blocker even in the mid-range area and when switched on smaller players…Has strong hands and does a good job of keeping the ball high on rebounds and finishes, minimizing the chance of players from stripping him of the ball…An outstanding finisher at the rim (63 FG% as a Jr.) and usually looks to dunk the ball with authority in close….Active motor and shows a good nose for the ball on the offensive glass (2.5 ORPG the past 2 seasons); gets his fair share of putbacks and will take advantage if you don’t put a body on him when shots go up…Developing ability to shoot from mid-range is worth keeping an eye on, Koloko is currently more willing to take jumpers than at the beginning of his career…Solid FT % for a C shows potential signs of growth as a face-up threat (73 FT% as a Jr. after modest percentages his 1st 2 seasons)…Improving passer in the low to mid post area, it’s obvious the college game slowed down for him this past season","cons":"Needs to add more muscle; can at times get knocked off his pivot by physical defenders at the point of attack…Not much more than a lob threat or rim runner offensively…Becomes much less effective the further he gets away from the rim, doesn’t have the touch to be much of a scoring threat when he has to take shots that aren’t dunks…Very raw post game and has awkward possessions when he can’t simply dunk the ball or if his initial move is cut off…Will take some 12-15 ft shots if the defense gives him room, but is not much a threat as a shooter right now…Inconsistent fundamentally on defense; when he guards players facing him up outside the paint he often comes out of his stance and plays too upright leading to fouls and open driving lanes…Doesn’t contain crossovers and misdirection moves in space well enough to seamlessly adjust to the more switch-heavy principles of most current NBA defenses…Will bite on pump fakes and get overzealous attempting to swat shots…Can be a bit foul prone (2.8 FPG as a Jr.), though to his credit he did improve in that area this past season…A late bloomer but will be 22 on draft night and will have questions about how much further he can develop and improve his skill setOverall: Koloko is a Cameroonian prospect who moved to California as a HS Jr and emerged as a 4-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon in 2019…He played very limited minutes as a Fr. and was a rotational big as a Soph., but emerged in a big way for Arizona as a defensive presence, rebounder (7.6 RPG, 1st on the team) and inside scorer (12.6 ppg, 3rd in the team) for a squad that won the PAC-12 and reached the Sweet 16…He is one of the best shot-blockers in the 2022 class and also one of the most productive finishers…Still, he will have to show he can consistently switch and cover guys outside the paint without fouling and adjust to the speed and spacing of the NBA game…He also is an older prospect, which may give some teams pause about how much development is left to be tapped into with him…Still, he has some strengths that are intriguing and can’t be ignored in a C class that some consider shallow outside of the projected lottery selections, especially when it comes to traditional big men","position":"Center","similar_player":"Festus Ezeli","date_of_birth":"6/20/00","hometown":"Douala, Cameroon","high_school":"Sierra Canyon","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":38,"big_board_rank":39,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaylin Williams","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":235,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"A relentless, versatile center who is built for the modern game with his disruptiveness and defensive acumen … Top of the key offensive initiator with great court vision and powerful, accurate passing leading to 2.6 assists per game his sophomore season … High-level athlete who can put the ball on the floor and play mobile on both ends of the floor … Has the potential to expand his range beyond the 3-point line … Boxes out well with the size and length to be a great rebounder … Averaged nearly 10 rebounds per game at Arkansas this season … Extremely smart defender who was the best player in the nation at rotating over and drawing charges … It is an understatement to call him a pesky defender … Defensive versatility is his greatest strength as he can guard just about any player on the floor, allowing his team to switch anything … High motor player who sets the tone defensively and has the stamina to play for long stretches. Averaged nearly 32 minutes per game for the Razorbacks and significantly improved in staying out of foul trouble … Williams fouled nearly five times per 40 minutes as a freshman and reduced this to 3.3 fouls per 40 minutes as a sophomore … Active hands on entry passes … Isn’t afraid to put his body into opponents in the post on both ends … Meets players at the rim as he averaged over a block per game … Creates chaos and turnovers on defense with 54 drawn charges and 48 steals on the season … Showed out against elite big men like Chet Holmgren, Drew Timme and Mark Williams in the NCAA Tournament … Will give you everything he has whenever he is on the floor and simply knows how to win and make players better around him …","cons":"Is comfortable shooting on the perimeter and has the potential to be a capable threat, but that won’t come instantly at the next level and will probably need a few years to get to that point … Extremely hesitant to shoot outside of the paint … Averaged nearly two turnovers per game … It’s reasonable to expect more than a block per game from a player who roamed the paint as much as he did, so we might not see the same shot blocking prowess at the next level with longer and stronger athletes … Won’t put up great scoring numbers during his career, as most teams will solely desire his defensive traits and production … Doesn’t fear contact but could still get a little stronger …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Bobby Portis/Elden Campbell","date_of_birth":"6/29/02","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":37,"big_board_rank":26,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Max Christie","year":2022,"height":77,"weight":190,"school":"Michigan St.","pros":"A sweet shooting, slender 6’5 190 wing with decent length and the frame to add on more muscle … Adequate quickness and leaping ability as an athlete … Has the raw ability to score the ball in a few different ways, and tends to be most effective off the dribble looking to convert baskets from the 15-18 ft area … Is active and savvy without the ball; got a decent amount of easy shots at the rim just by running the floor in transition, awareness on the offensive glass and making smart cuts to openings in the defense …  Also utilizes screens well to get space and rise up into pull-up jumpers or get into the lane with floaters/runners when he can’t get all the way to the rim …. A right-handed player who seems to favor going left … Good rhythm shooter with a high release that he uses to shoot over smaller players well, and has 3-point range that is still developing consistency … Occasionally showed flashes of being able to hit shots from deep off the dribble too … Was an 82% FT shooter as a Fr., illustrating solid shooting touch … A willing defender, had some success on that end as a Fr. in a tough, veteran league like the Big 10 … Had 4 games with multiples blocked shots as a Fr., which is good for a guard prospect…Has earned praise for being very coachable in HS, AAU and in his lone collegiate season at Michigan State … Still very early in his development stages and would be a teenager through about half of the NBA season schedule as a rookie …","cons":"Needs to fill out his frame and get stronger, didn’t quite have the necessary physical or athletic traits to overcome his lack of strength consistently at the college level … Didn’t get into the paint or to the FT line much (2.1 FTA per game) this past season … Average ball-handler who doesn’t have a 2nd gear to cleanly blow by perimeter defenders & sometimes even your more athletic frontcourt match ups that he had in switches on an island, and in turn attempts a high number of contested jump shots leading to inefficiency (38% FG, 31% 3FG as a Fr.) … Settles more than some would like shot selection wise, and never quite seemed to be consistently within the flow of Michigan State’s offense last season … Not a natural playmaker (even 1.5 A/TO as a Fr.); tended to be overly deliberate in his approach with the ball in his hands offensively, making him easier to guard when advanced scouting and noticed tendencies came into play as the season progressed … The ability to hit the open man more when reading help defense would go a long way in opening up his offensive game … More steady than disruptive defensively … Had average production across the board for a draft prospect despite playing extended time (9.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg in 30 mpg), and isn’t truly special in any one particular element of the game currently … A green player who has the groundwork to be effective in a few skills but needs time and polish to get there …Overall: Christie came to Michigan State as a consensus 5-star prospect and was a Day 1 starter for a veteran Spartans team that made it to the Rd of 32 in 2022 … Christie played more of an off-ball role than he did previously in HS but he still showed the ability to help out teammates as a high IQ cutter and as a slasher with the ball … His mid-range game looked promising and he held his own defensively as a Fr. in a physically demanding, veteran Big 10 … Still, every area of his game could use more refinement and he needs to improve his physical strength to see other parts of his game rise (ie FT attempts, finishing through contact, dealing with the stronger build wings he’ll see at the pro level)…His shot selection and consistency will also need to develop, as well as his court vision and timing as a passer … All things considered he had an unspectacular Fr season, but he is still very young and there are some teams that will have interest him on Draft Day given his raw potential and HS pedigree …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Kevin Martin/Evan Fournier","date_of_birth":"2/10/03","hometown":"Arlington Heights, IL","high_school":"Rolling Meadows","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":28,"big_board_rank":15,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kennedy Chandler","year":2022,"height":73,"weight":170,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"A lightning quick guard who improved dramatically throughout his freshman season at Tennessee … Creates a ton of space for himself on the drive with a lightning fast first step and great speed when he gets downhill … Very good mid range shooter and implements a runner well to compensate for his lack of finishing ability at the rim … Became much more confident in his 3-point jumper as the season went on, which brought the most out of him as a slasher and playmaker as well. Shot 57% from the perimeter in the month of March on over four attempts per game … Accurate and crafty passer who is deadly passing to cutting wings and big men in the paint … The Volunteers used a lot of two-big lineups and Chandler frequently found space for one of them to finish at the rim … High level finisher around big men when he is driving to the rim … Capable of leaping above the rim to block shots from behind and contest big men at the rim from help positions … Good anticipation defensively as he averaged over two steals per game on the season, with most coming from jumping passing lanes and scoring in transition … Disruptive defender on and off the ball who can speed up opponents and generate turnovers … Runs the offense with poise and pace and can adjust based on the flow of the game … His speed and shooting give him nice potential and he should benefit from an extremely weak PG class in 2022 … Still only 19 years-old and a solid end to the season could put him in the lottery discussion especially for teams willing to be patient with his transition to the professional game","cons":"Small for a point guard in today’s NBA at 6’1 in shoes despite the solid wingspan (6’5) … On top of his lack of size, has a slight frame making him a bit of a liability on the defensive end … Free throw shooting is a major problem for a point guard who loves to get to the basket and create contact on drives … Chandler only shot 60% on three FT attempts per game, which is not only a problem for wasting possessions when getting to the line, but could suggest his 3-point percentage could be sporadic as well … Shooting motion is a little slow, which could force him to create more separation than others need to in isolations and self-creating opportunities … Lack of size at only 6’ feet is also problematic … Slow adjustment to the college game suggests it could take a few years for him to get accustomed to the professional game, as more successful college guards in previous years have needed adjustment time during their transition … Patience and trust will be needed from the team that drafts him, but Chandler’s intangibles and potential should help them reap the benefits whenever he gets comfortable in the pros … Played off the ball for a lot of freshman season, but it shouldn’t be a big detriment to his draft stock or future as a lead guard as he’s proven in multiple settings that he has lead guard skills …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Mario Chalmers","date_of_birth":"9/16/02","hometown":"Memphis, TN","high_school":"Sunrise Christian Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":30,"big_board_rank":25,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Bryce McGowens","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":180,"school":"Nebraska","pros":"A lanky 6’6 180 SG prospect with some interesting traits and untapped potential in his physical profile and overall floor game…A long striding athlete who covers ground well and shows pretty good explosiveness and leaping ability with the potential to add more juice once he gets stronger…Intriguing scoring package (nearly 17 ppg as a Fr), shows signs that he could become a dangerous weapon putting the ball in the hoop from all 3 levels of the court…Soft shooting touch and has shown some impressive flashes as a natural shot-maker, particularly off the dribble…Has developing 3-point range off the bounce and as a floor spacer; deep jumper is not as broken as his efficiency may indicate…Pretty good ball-handler with a rangy and deceptive 1st step to turn the corner and get into the lane…Will slither and contort his slender frame into tight spaces and make tricky shots in the lane at times…Is comfortable creating for himself with the use of on-ball screens…Uses defenders aggressiveness against them and has a nice feel for creating space to get into his floaters and pull-up jumpers in rhythm from mid-range…Can effectively switch his pace and uses head fakes & hesitation moves to freeze defenders and draw fouls when he has his man on his hip (over 6 FT/game on an excellent 83% clip)…Plays above the rim with ease in the open court and occasionally with a head of steam going downhill against set defenses; has physical tools that are tailor-made for transition play…Uses his length and leaping skills to contribute on the glass (5.2 rpg)…Gained experience going up against defenses that showed him extra attention in their gameplans on a nightly basis as a Fr., which doesn’t hurt his development in the grand scheme…Not yet the sum of his parts, could just be scratching the surface of his potential","cons":"A bit light in the britches; lacks strength and toughness at the current stage and even at the college level it had a noticeable impact on his effectiveness on both ends of the court…Base strength especially needs improvement, can struggle getting his legs underneath himself which leads to his shots falling short and off-balanced attempts off the dribble…Showed spotty shot selection (40% FG) as a Fr., tends to settle and hoisted up some questionable shots early in the shot clock quite a bit…Gets tunnel vision offensively (1.4/2.1 A/TO); played hero ball (out of necessity at times) and missed open teammates routinely when slashing…Was a bit of a “feast or famine” type player from game to game this past season, and many noticed that he generally struggled mightily with his efficiency when he played against the quality teams on Nebraska’s schedule…Doesn’t have the quickest or highest release at the moment, though his size allows him some leeway shooting over closeouts…Would have to greatly increase his shooting efficiency at the next level (27% 3FG) to justify some of the shots he takes…Feel for the game and overall awareness on the court are a work in progress…Tends to easily get bottled up by physical players, can be forced into stagnant possessions and turnovers when defenders pressure him with the ball…Gets pushed around and washed out of plays defensively right now, showing minimal interest fighting through contact on that side of the floor…A poor defender on a bad defensive team in college, had all kinds of issues containing dribble penetration and backdoor plays alike…Often does himself little favors with his underwhelming fundamentals and activity level on that end; doesn’t get into a stance consistently and the high center of gravity he plays with is an issue when he has to defend quick perimeter players in space…More foul prone than your usual guard prospect (2 fouls per game as a Fr.), gets handsy and starts reaching when he gets beat off the bounce…Can be a phantom on the court when he has an off shooting night, often doesnt contribute much outside of scoring currentlyOverall: McGowens was a blue chip level HS recruit who decomitted from Florida State to join Fred Hoiberg and Nebraska; a move many believe was largely made so he could be teammates with his older brother, Trey…He was a productive scorer on a Cornhusker team that needed all the points it could get, and showed intriguing flashes of shot-making and quickness throughout the season with some strong performances along the way (ie his 26 point game in a late season road win vs Ohio St)…Still, he needs a good deal of polish in his overall game and to work on his fundamentals to reach his potential, as well as adding strength to his rail-thin frame which would go a long way to helping him on both ends…He played on a bad, undisciplined squad and was a bit of an inconsistent performer with the extra defensive attention some teams gave him, and teams often made it a point to target him on the defensive end, but those experiences may have benefited him because he wont face as much attention as a younger player at the next level with more talented teammates, less of a burden to produce and veterans around him to show him the ropes…He is a somewhat polarizing prospect, but he could be a gem for the right team who can take their time with him as he gets stronger and irons out some of the kinks in his gameJorrye Nixon 5/13/22Strengths: McGowens is a skilled, lengthy and athletic 6’6 combo guard with a lot of bounce and a smooth jumper … A true three-level scorer who can get to the basket and contour his body to avoid contact and finish at the rim … Smart ball-handler and passer in the PNR … Solid vision as a PNR ball-handler … Intelligent cutter off the ball with an explosive first step … Freak athlete who plays above the rim … At his best offensively with dribble-drives showcasing his ball-handling and long strides … Mix of body control, shooting touch and twitchy athleticism are what make him special offensively … Can avoid contact at the rim, but also one of the best at finding contact to get himself to the line. He’s already attempted 62 free throws for the Cornhuskers and his high percentage of 84% at the line is encouraging for his eventual development as a perimeter shooter … Extremely high upside player … Smart player with high basketball IQ should carve out a major role for himself at the next level … Excellent rebounder due to impressive vertical and athleticism …Weaknesses: His three-point averages are down as a freshman, but with the high volume of threes and good free-throw percentage, we could easily see that improve … Struggles against high motor defenders, turning the ball over far too often for his number of assists (1.9 TO/1.8 AST) … Must improve upon his shot selection, partiiularly three point shots as he often settles for rushed shots when defenders are too near him … Defensive energy and engagement is inconsistent at this point and will require more attention in order to become a solid defender at the next level … Efficiency needs improvement with high point totals being more attributed to volume than productive efficiency … Still needs a little more time to develop. Would really benefit from another year in college … Needs to fine-tune his jump shot and take better shots, but the tools and athleticism are there to build a solid NBA career …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Spencer Dinwiddie","date_of_birth":"11/8/02","hometown":"Pendleton, SC","high_school":"Legacy Early College","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":36,"big_board_rank":37,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"E.J. Liddell","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":245,"school":"Ohio St.","pros":"A wide-bodied 6’7 235 lb PF with good length (7’ wingspan at the 2021 Combine) and physical strength, and he knows how to use his frame well to seal off players … Had a very productive college career on both ends of the court, and a big reason why is because he’s a cerebral player with excellent anticipation skills and the floor awareness that allows him to establish positioning and beat players to their spots, a key for front court guys who may lack great height … Unselfish player with good floor vision; made defenders pay numerous times with good kick out passes to open teammates when the defense collapsed on him in the post … Plays with a high motor and a solid base; is a tough player who will seek out contact … Got to the foul line at a good rate the past 2 seasons and is solid for his position when there (about 75% FT on over 6 FT/A per game the past 2 seasons) … Also showed improved conditioning as a Jr., playing nearly 5 more mpg than the previous season and visibly adding more mobility and quickness after slimming down … Shedding weight had a direct correlation to his increased shot-blocking production (from 1 BPG his 1st 2 seasons to over 2.5 BPG this past season), as he factored much more swatting shots in help side defense and on the move this year than just walling up at the point of attack like previous seasons … Likes to use right hand floaters and jump hooks from the 10 ft area … Often played as a C by necessity at Ohio State throughout his career, and could potentially steal minutes in a small lineup at that spot in the NBA … Made nice strides in his spot-up & pick-and-pop perimeter shooting over his career after starting as mostly a back-to-basket low post player (went from below 20% as a Fr. to an my above average 37% on nearly 4 attempts a game from deep as a Jr.), which has been a welcoming sight for NBA teams … Solid rebounder in his area (7.9 RPG as a Jr.) … An overachiever type who gets the most out of himself; his ability to improve and expand his game to better suit himself for an NBA role each year speaks to a player who not just works hard, but smart …","cons":"Has improved his athleticism and physical profile, but Liddell still lacks great explosiveness and though his length allows him to play bigger than he is, he is still undersized for NBA standards as a PF/C combo at 6’7 … Not a particularly quick or sudden player, and it shows most when he looks to create off the bounce when facing the basket, where he poses minimal threat to break down NBA-level frontcourt players…Has to use his body to create driving lane spacing to the rim due to a below average 1st step, which could potentially make him susceptible to picking up offensive fouls from more savvy pro defenders … Doesn’t get much lift on any of shots, which is particularly concerning on the low post amongst the trees where he tends to drift and fade away to get shots above contests … Wont play above the rim much and had a number of his shots in the paint altered/blocked at the college level when he couldn’t create daylight to score (very mediocre 49% FG, never shot above 50% FG in his 3 college seasons) … At times is foul prone and falls for pump fakes, though he did improve on that this year compared to the past (2.5 fouls a game as a Jr compared to 3 a game as a Soph) … His shooting footwork when he isn’t wide open from the perimeter is inconsistent also, doesn’t always handle contests well and at times wildly kicks his feet and elbows out in his followthrough … Pretty right-hand dominant, loses effectiveness when he has to improvise and use his off hand …Overall: Liddell is coming off a 1st Team All-Big 10 season as a Jr, where he led Ohio State in scoring with just over 19 ppg and anchored their pretty tough defense … He has always been a sturdy-bodied post player, but his steadily improving skill level has pushed his NBA Draft stock as high as it’s been in his career … He showed the ability to post and score, step out and hit from the perimeter as well as being a facilitating valve for the Buckeyes offense when defenses became to try and collapse on him to get the ball out of his hands…His shot blocking and all around defensive effort also stood out … He isn’t a great athlete and will always be more of an undersized frontcourt player; and he still needs to refine and polish his scoring arsenal at all 3 levels a bit more from a fundamental standpoint, but it’s hard to not like the motor … It’s worth noting that his lack of height is alleviated somewhat by the floor spacing and smaller lineups NBA teams frequently use too, and isnt as much of a glaring weakness at it had been before…Still, he projects favorably to being a frontcourt role player and could be a factor in a teams rotation in the mold of Marcus Morris type if he lands in the right situation…He’s projected as a late 1st round pick and has boosted his stock and improved on the main areas that the draft advisory spoke to him about polishing up in his NBA Combine debut after his Soph. season last summerNotes: Measured 6’5.5” barefoot, 6’7.0” in shoes 8’10.0” standing reach, 242.8 lbs, and 6’11.75” wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine …Jorrye Nixon 4/24/22","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Eric Paschell","date_of_birth":"12/18/00","hometown":"Belleville, IL","high_school":"Belleville West","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":31,"big_board_rank":32,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Trevor Keels","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":225,"school":"Duke","pros":"A physical, imposing combo guard who gets to the basket with his size and strength in the lane … Shifty defender who slides well and can harass guards both on and off the ball … Physical enough to play on the perimeter and switch onto forwards even with a size mismatch … Solid rebounder who isn’t afraid to challenge underneath or use his body to box out … Can score at all three levels although efficiency can be an issue in the mid-range and on the perimeter … Was thrown into point-guard duties, so he has the experience of running an offense, although he is more useful off the ball. Can get his own shot as a primary ball-handler … Capable spot-up shooter who has plenty of potential to improve … Generally takes care of the ball and stays out of foul trouble, averaging 1.3 in both categories in 30 minutes per game … Gets to the line thanks to his physicality and willingness to draw contact on drives with nearly three attempts per game … Beams with athleticism … Strong and durable frame … Five-star prospect with a lot of untapped potential and plenty of time to prove it at only 18-years-old … Proved to be extremely clutch, playing his best in the team’s biggest games of the season (Madison Square Garden on opening night, in New Orleans in Final Four against UNC) …","cons":"Not really a great fit at either guard position as his passing and speed doesn’t make him ideal to run the lead guard, and small and lacks outside shooting for an off guard … Was expected to be an elite shooter at Duke, due to his practice shooting, but struggled from the outside as only a 31% 3-point shooter and 42% overall shooter from the field … Tends to drive with his head down and gets himself caught in the lane with nowhere to go … Doesn’t have great court vision due to this fact and his playmaking skills reduce because of it … Can play a little selfish at times, which leads to his few turnovers per game … Can disappear for large periods at a time, which is expected on a team as talented as Duke, but his surrounding teammates are only going to get better at the next level … Needs to improve his free-throw shooting dramatically as he was only a 67% shooter at the line in his freshman season … Doesn’t have great size to play at the 2, but doesn’t have the playmaking skills to run the point either. Needs to improve his vision and accuracy as a passer","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Luguentz Dort/Rodney Stuckey","date_of_birth":"8/26/03","hometown":"Clinton, MD","high_school":"Paul VI","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":9,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":46,"big_board_rank":47,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Moussa Diabate","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":215,"school":"Michigan","pros":"A lean 6’10 215 C/PF prospect with nice length and the frame to add on significant mass without loss of mobility…Mobile and agile for his size; covers ground well laterally and is a long striding athlete in the open court…Uses his size and athleticism well around the rim (54 FG%), being able to finish above the rim or with the use of jump hooks that smaller frontcourt players had difficulty altering due to his length, touch and high release…Has pretty good hands…Active on the offensive glass (2.4 ORPG); can high point and snag boards out of his area thanks to his big catch radius…Will sometimes look to initiate fast breaks after grabbing rebounds, and has developing ability to handle the ball in space…Competes with good energy and will make hustle plays…Unselfish player and has more ability as a passer than his assist numbers at Michigan indicate…Makes himself available for dump off passes and knows how to find openings for high percentage finishes…Growing into his ability to operate facing the basket and showed he was willing to take shots as far out as the college 3-point line (sporadically) as a Fr…Will be able to match up with PFs and Cs, but also has enough length to smother and alter shots when switched on smaller players","cons":"Not very strong currently, and can be knocked off his base on both ends…Will have problems establishing position without getting uprooted against stronger, more experienced post players until he adds weight…Unpolished skill set; doesn’t really have an offensive skill that he can hang his hat on for production…Relies heavily on his length and athleticism offensively, his floor game in the halfcourt needs a good deal of work…Predictable post game with only a right hand jump hook in his back-to-basket arsenal…Did not have much success shooting the ball from mid-range or 3 this past season (21 3FG%)…Not as impactful a defender as his physical tools would lead you to believe (averaged less than 1spg and 1bpg as a Fr.)…Can be foul prone and jumpy when contesting shots (2.7 fpg in 24 mpg)…Shot only 62 FT%, which illustrates a need for improvement on his shooting touch…Pretty green prospect who will require patience from whoever selects himOverall: Diabate is a French-born prospect who established himself as a 5-star prospect in the 2021 class at IMG Academy…He then signed to Juwan Howard and Michigan and emerged as a starter early on in the season to form a supersized frontline with Hunter Dickinson…He was a hustling role player for Michigan who played around 25 mpg and put up averages of 9 ppg and 6 rpg…His activity level and fluid athleticism for a player his size stands out, and Diabate had his moments of strong play (ie his 28 point 8 rebound game in a road win vs Iowa) that are encouraging…Still, he is a raw prospect who was inconsistent as a Fr. and isn’t yet the sum of his parts…He will need to add more weight to his frame to help his reach his potential also…Still, if a team is patient they may be able to develop Diabate into a role-playing big who has the length to switch and defend adequately at the pro level with some rim-running potential …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Ekpe Udoh","date_of_birth":"1/27/02","hometown":"Paris, France","high_school":"IMG Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":68,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ryan Rollins","year":2022,"height":75,"weight":180,"school":"Toledo","pros":"A smooth, talented ball-handler and initiator with good size and basketball instincts … One of the top mid-major players/prospects in the country and a consistent triple-double threat during his time at Toledo … Good size at the point at 6’4 … Elite court vision with the ability to see over opposing guards … Tremendous slasher who can finish through contact and drive with either hand … Good body control on the drive to avoid defenders and get to the rim … While his shooting percentages weren’t great, he has solid shooting mechanics and a decent free-throw percentage to suggest that he can make the next step and turn into a great shooter with patience at the next level … Can create space for himself and score in the post with strength and fadeaways … Sound ball-handler who can run in transition at the same speed with or without the ball … Great rebounder who can start the fast break after a rebound. Loves to get out and run … Possesses a great pull-up jumper and loves to use it to attack in the mid-range … This shot helps him in ball-screen action when the space is provided to him by the opposing big … Can win with his first step on the perimeter, post you up if he doesn’t or pull-up from the free-throw line if you stay step for step … His scoring bag is deep and effective even if it was against weaker competition … Should be able to perform immediately at the next level and could wind up as a starter … Disruptive on the defensive end with great length with long arms (6-foot-10 wingspan, 8’4.5″ standing reach)  … 36.5 inch max vertical at the NBA Draft Combine shows above average athleticism …","cons":"Rollins put up great numbers in two seasons for the Toledo Rockets, but the level of competition is obviously not the same as many of the point guards in this class, and leaves questions about his translation to better competition in the NBA … Is often looking to score first when he puts the ball on the floor, so his assists numbers are not the greatest at only 3.6 per game … He does have the vision and accuracy to make any pass on the floor as long as he isn’t looking to score … Not a highly touted recruit with athleticism potentially becoming an issue as he takes a huge step from a competition standpoint … His shooting numbers weren’t great and it could be difficult to retain solid minutes if he doesn’t improve quickly in this area … Defensive effort is inconsistent and frustrating at times and still needs focus and work on this end of the floor …Outlook: Shaping up to be one of the draft’s top sleepers as a first round talent that could slip into the early to mid second round due to so many underclassmen keeping their names in this year’s draft … Has very good pick and roll abilities giving him added intrigue in today’s NBA … His 30% 3 point percentage could scare some teams off, however his form and FT percentage 80% leads one to believe that he may be a much better shooter than his 3 point percentage would indicate …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Anfernee Simons/Tre Mann","date_of_birth":"7/3/03","hometown":"Macomb, MI","high_school":"Dakota","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":44,"big_board_rank":36,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Josh Minott","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"Memphis","pros":"Excellent size for a wing at 6’8 and with a 6’11 wingspan … Above average athlete, finishes above the rim with ease and covers a lot of ground on drives … Good motor, consistently runs the floor … Excellent offensive polish for a player his age … Can score from anywhere on the court with range that extends to the 3PT line … Shows the ability to pull up off the dribble effectively as well as be a spot up shooter … Unselfish player. Very willing passer … Late bloomer who was not highly rated until his senior year of high school … Solid ball handler showing the ability to attack the rim off the dribble from the perimeter … Mature and focused individual …","cons":"Shooting form is the biggest issue at this point … Shot has improved over the past season, but may still need some minor tweaks … His shot starts on the left side of his body and his shoulders aren’t always squared to the basket when he shoots … Has room to get stronger but has a frame that should fill out well … Can be too quick with the trigger and shot selection can improve … Can be a bit out of control on layups, sometimes jumping from too far out. Picks up charges … Lacks technique offensively and as a finisher when he doesn’t dunk … Struggles moving laterally and changing directions when guarding quicker wings … Not the fastest player in the open floor, but not slow either …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Rondae Hollis-Jefferson","date_of_birth":"1/25/02","hometown":"Boca Raton, FL","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":48,"big_board_rank":48,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Vince Williams Jr","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":205,"school":"VCU","pros":"A talented and versatile wing defender who produces steals and blocks at a high rate … Experienced 3-and-D wing who has a huge 7’0 wingspan, which allows him to disrupt a lot of offensive action both on and off the ball … Solid playmaker and ball-handler who averaged three assists per game as a senior at VCU … Blossomed from a 22% shooter in his first two seasons to a 40% shooter from beyond the arc making him a floor-spacing wing with playmaking upside … Has a great feel for the game with the ball in his hands and sees the floor well as a tall initiator … Used his length and high motor to grab six rebounds per game as a senior … Efficient two-point scorer for a wing at 60% on four attempts per game from inside the arc … Rarely gets fatigued and was able to average 32 minutes per game as a senior …","cons":"Not a terrific athlete or ball-handler who could struggle offensively at the next level … Failed to take care of the ball with more playmaking responsibilities as a senior, averaging three turnovers per game to go with his three assists. Will lose all of his playing time if he is this careless with the ball at the next level … Foul trouble was a reoccurring issue as he averaged three fouls per game as a senior. Needs to show a sharper focus on both ends of the floor to stay out of foul trouble and take care of the ball when he is called upon … Doesn’t have a lot of upside and will turn 22 before the regular season starts … On-ball defense could use some improvement as he gets beat off the dribble too often, which will only get worse with faster guards who won’t allow him to catch up for chase-down blocks …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Naji Marshall","date_of_birth":"8/30/00","hometown":"Toledo, OH","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kendall Brown","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":200,"school":"Baylor","pros":"Brown pairs excellent size with top shelf athleticism, helping make him a destructive force running in transition … Perhaps the most explosive player available for this year’s draft. Elite level athlete … Is crafty around the rim, and makes layups and dunks from contorted angles … Shot an excellent 78% around the rim, and has a knack for punishing smaller defenders … Talented athlete with high potential tied to his youth … Can beat defenders with a combination of dribble moves and pace … Solid three-point stroke/ numbers (34% from 3) highlights potential to be at least an average long range shooter … Confident with the ball in his hands, Brown is decisive getting downhill … Has a wide array of moves to evade defenders near the rim … Tremendous bounce and cutting create easy alley oop chances …His size and lateral quickness make him an ideal defender in a switching defense … Length and instincts close passing lanes and disturb ball handlers … Averaged a steal per game last season … Played and started in every game this season … Understood his role, and played his part as a defensive fulcrum and off-ball role player on offense … Unselfish player. Vision and passing is one of his better attributes, averaging a solid 1.9 per game … Possesses a solid wingspan at 6’11 …","cons":"Skill set in need of refining … Scored 9.7 points per game this season, and had a very low usage rate and  productivity dropped off some at the end of the season … Lacks a good shooting form. Takes time to get his shot off and lacks a fluid motion and needs to refine his shot mechanics … Difficult to imagine him developing into a consistent scorer, and instead more as a pick-and-roll partner and cutter … Almost all of his points came on assists, and shot just 33% from mid-range … Sub 70% (68.9%) free throw shooter … 34% shooter from deep on low volume, Brown needs time to develop into a serviceable shooter…Is not a playmaker for others, averaging 1.9 assists and 1.7 turnovers this season … Essentially Brown will likely be very limited on offense, both as a scorer and distributor … Most of his best plays come on the fast break, and needs to utilize his speed and handling more often in the halfcourt … Not a great rebounder despite his strength and vertical … Some question his motor due to his lack of rebounding numbers,  being asked to be the energy guy … Faded some as the season came to an end … Could have a much more developed post game for bullying smaller forwards or guards that get switched onto him …Outlook: An additional year at Baylor would greatly benefit his long term outlook at the next level … A gifted athlete with intriguing potential, Brown has “NBA athleticism”, but is still a long ways away from being able to contribute at the offensive end … Like so many other young players, outside shooting is a swing skill, as even an average shot could greatly benefit his offensive game … An ideal defender for the modern game, Brown can smother almost any position on the court … Needs to be more confident in creating looks for himself and others, with that creation ability being critical to his offensive prowess … The freshman is likely a sought after prospect because of his bounce, defense and potential … If he can add more isolation scoring to his arsenal, he will be a tough player to stop …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Al-Farouq Aminu/Mo Harkless","date_of_birth":"5/11/03","hometown":"Cottage Grove, MN","high_school":"Sunrise Christian Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":41,"big_board_rank":45,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Isaiah Mobley","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":240,"school":"USC","pros":"An extremely mobile and athletic stretch-big who can run in the open floor and handle the ball well for his size … 36% 3-point shooter in his three years at USC … Solid rebounder … Strong frame at 6’10, 240 pounds with 7’3 wingspan … Large catch radius around the rim … Flexible in the air with solid body control allowing him to finish inaccurate passes thrown around the rim … Has the tools and size to become an impactful stretch-five, but still has plenty of work to do before getting to that point … Talented passer with terrific court vision at the top of the key and inside the arc. Averaged over 3 assists per game with the Trojans as a junior … Productive three-year player with the potential to be a solid rotational big if he can prove to be serviceable defensively","cons":"Has little-to-no shot blocking or disruption production in all three years at USC … Averaged under a block and steal per game despite massive wingspan and terrific size … Inability to protect the rim makes him a potential liability at the 5, but he is probably too tall and slow to play the 4. Needs to either slim down to play as a stretch-four or get coached by his brother to improve as a shot-blocker and rim-protector … One of the more inefficient two-point scorers among big men, shooting just 46% from the field and under 50% from inside the arc as a PF/C … Only an average free-throw shooter for his size at 68%. Given his prowess from beyond the arc, it’s reasonable to expect/hope for a percentage in the mid-high 70’s …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Stacey King","date_of_birth":"9/24/00","hometown":"Murrieta, CA","high_school":"Rancho Community Christian","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":6,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":58,"big_board_rank":85}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tyrese Martin","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":215,"school":"UConn","pros":"An athletic wing with good size and lock down defensive potential … Much improved perimeter shooter who jumped from 32% to 43% in his final season at UConn … Terrific finisher in transition with great speed and leaping ability to get out in front and throw down emphatic slams … One of the best rebounding guards in the country who always crashed the offensive glass with high energy. Huge reason why UConn was a top-five offensive rebounding team in the nation, corralling over two offensive boards per game … Swiss army knife type wing who can produce on both ends of the floor with physicality and energy … Versatile defender who can guard 1-3 and maybe some 4’s … Decent ball-handler who is comfortable putting the ball on the deck and getting to the hoop … Solid passer who averaged two assists per game for the Huskies … Projects as an immediate impact role player who can defend and shoot from all over the floor. Hawks can feel comfortable assigning him up to 20 minutes per game …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Amir Coffey","date_of_birth":"3/7/99","hometown":"Allentown, PA","high_school":"William Allen","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":95,"big_board_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"JD Davison","year":2022,"height":74,"weight":190,"school":"Alabama","pros":"A truly breathtaking athlete, Davison looks like he bounces off a trampoline when he skies to the rim … Smooth in transition, with great body control to pair with his vertical … Flashes a wide array of moves to evade defenders around the rim, and usually makes the right play while going full speed … Also possesses tremendous speed, creating breakaway chances on offense, and allowing him to help slow down transition chances for the opposing team … Only 19 years old, Davison has time to develop further, and become more of a true point guard instead of just a dynamic athlete … Solid passer, and can make some highlight reel passes … Has a smooth and quick release on three-point shots, and takes off-the-dribble threes with ease…Hustles for boards despite his smaller stature (6’3, 195lbs.) … Over 45% of his shots come at the rim, meaning the former five-star recruit understands his best strength is getting to the basket … Unselfish and lightning quick, Davison can be almost impossible from staying in front of, and when defenses rotate, he can pick out the open teammate … Feisty on ball defender, the freshman grabbed a steal per game.","cons":"Davison needs to develop a reliable outside shot to be a useful offensive weapon … Made just 30% of his threes, 33% of his mid-range jumpers and 72% of his free throws … Decision making still has a long ways to go … Turns the ball over way too much, with 2.9 per game this season, including six in the loss in the NCAA tournament to Notre Dame … Because of his size and lack of consistent shooting, Davison is not fit to play off the ball, or cover anyone but the opposing point guard … The lack of versatility on both ends of the court allows the coaching staff less flexibility when creating game plans … Struggles guarding off the ball, and can have mental lapses … Davison will need to add strength to be physically similar to other guards…Has trouble getting around picks, which can lead to easy layups or over-rotations from the big man … Sometimes gets hunted as the preferred option to score against…Ceiling seems like an attacking force of the bench, and may struggle to score in the half court for a few years.","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Dennis Smith","date_of_birth":"10/3/02","hometown":"Letohatchee, AL","high_school":"Calhoun","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":52,"big_board_rank":50,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Gui  Santos","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":200,"school":"Brazil","pros":"6-7 wing with a long wingspan 7-1, with tremendous ball handling and good feel for the game … Composed game … Can easily create offensive plays after dribbling, play with intensity and very aggressive in 5 x 5 situations, is developing cutting and shooting in his offensive arsenal, great in transition always looking for the easy basket … Patient with the ball, looking for the best offensive option … Smart. Committed to the game plan … Very active in offensive rebounds, generating new opportunities for his team … Good mentality and attitude, mature and not afraid of taking on responsibility … Comes up with good minutes in important international tournaments with his team … Defensively interested, he has good recovery and tries to occupy spaces well, creating difficulty for the attack, he is always present in the defensive rebound …","cons":"He is not a very fast or athletic player … Struggles to contain faster opposing wings … Even though he has a good shooting mechanism, he is still inconsistent, his high % in 2 pt is due to the fact that he attacks the rim and finishes close to it … Against bigger and more athletic opponents, he will not have this facility, to go up to the next level he must adjust mid-range and long-range shooting … Position adjustment in the NBA won’t be easy … He doesn’t have the physical strength to play SF and he doesn’t have the mobility of an SG … He need to work on the physique and needs to make better decisions about when to pass the ball and when to shoot …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Blake Stepp","date_of_birth":"6/22/02","hometown":"Brasilia, Brazil","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":92,"big_board_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jabari Walker","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":215,"school":"Colorado","pros":"Walker has an intriguing skill set as a position-less forward with shot making ability and solid fluidity … Combo forward. An undersized four who could create mismatches with his versatility to stretch the floor and play at either forward position … A high level rebounder at 9.4 per game … Shooting and scoring ability show solid potential as he has excellent form and touch and shows a nose for scoring … Averaged 14.6 ppg as a sophomore and appeared as though he could average more if he had more opportunities … A 78% career free throw shooter, while solid he should be able to improve upon that and become a low to mid 80% guy at the next level … While not a sky walker, shows the ability to make highlight plays at the rim when he gets a step on his opponent … Plays with good energy. Shows an understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level with solid performances in big games … Solid feel. Grew up around the game and seems to have a passion and love for the game … Knocked down 34% on three pointers as a sophomore (36/104), a solid output but a bit of a disappointment after hitting 23/44 (52%) as a freshman. The potential is there for him to become a threat from 3 at the next level … Shows some ability to attack the basket off the dribble, especially when faced up against slower opponents … Excellent hand eye coordination and dexterity …","cons":"A tweener. Lacks great foot speed to defend on the perimeter and get by opponents off the dribble … Measured with just a 6’10.75 wingspan, a solid number at nearly 7′ feet but appeared to be a few inches bigger on the floor … Struggled some with consistency as a sophomore … lacks great physical strength which limits his ability to finish after contact … Needs to add strength. A finesse player at this stage and lacks the raw athleticism and speed to get by without physicality … 3 point shooting dipped to 34% after a promising freshman season in which he hit 52% of his 3 pointers on a low volume … Became a bit turnover prone as a sophomore giving the ball up nearly twice as often as he made assists (1.2 to 2.3) somewhat a function of the necessity to create offense for Colorado, but still too high a TO rate … Appears to lack the speed to play as a full time wing … Appears better leaping off two feet. not the best one foot jumper which limits his effectiveness finishing on the break …Outlook: Did not break out into the star that some envisioned in his sophomore season at Colorado … Figures to be taken somewhere in the early to mid second round and could end up a real sleeper if he lands in the right situation … Projects as a poor man’s Pascal Siakam …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Jonas Jerebko","date_of_birth":"7/30/02","hometown":"Inglewood, CA","high_school":"AZ Compass Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":59,"big_board_rank":52,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Hugo Besson","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":180,"school":"France","pros":"Score-first combo guard… Good size for a point guard… Sneaky athlete, better than look at first glance… Body can fill up nicely… Has a quick first step… Can drive from either direction… Confident. Good basketball I.Q… Flashy ball handler, with a range of hesitation and change of pace dribbles… Creative and fearless on the offensive end… Microwave scorer, can score in bunches… Can create his own shot… Can score at 3 all levels… Fluid shooting mechanics… Good pull up shooter, with range going all the way out to 3-point line…Not afraid to go all the way to the basket and attack the rim… Creative finisher around the basket… Never gives up a play, can find himself taking the offensive rebound after his own miss or a block and score… Good at drawing fouls thanks to his quick first step and fearless approach to the game… Has a semi-dependable floater in his arsenal that uses from time to time… Can play on and off the ball… Good in off screen actions, knows his way around screens… Moves well without the ball, with nice cuts to the basket… Above average in Spot Up situations… Nice Pick and Roll concepts… Good passing instincts… A notch above average as a passer when he is motivated, can either find the rolling big or a 3rd player… Good rebounder for a guard… Can make some smart plays on defense …","cons":"Plays small. Undersized – in all concepts – for a shooting guard… Not an elite athlete… Average wingspan… Not strong or long enough to play as a shooting guard on a consistent basis at NBA level… Not a true point guard… Must add muscle to his body… He can be overconfident at times… More of a streaky shooter for now… Wild shot selection, takes some questionable shots at times, trying to find a rhythm … Hasn’t found a shot he doesn’t like yet… He could be more efficient as a scorer… He is too focused on scoring at times… Has tunnel vision at times when driving to the basket… Can’t always absorb contact when he goes to the rim, must fill up his upper body… Has some wild misses at the rim when he is driving in traffic… Should improve finishing plays with his left hand when driving to the basket… Turnover prone, his assist/turnover ratio is average… Should improve his decisions as a ball handler when reading defensive coverages in Pick and Roll situations… Surprisingly average lateral quickness for a player with his level of athleticism… Doesn’t always bend his knees and get low on defense… Has problems against athletic players… Not quick enough to guard point guards, and not big or strong enough to guard wings… Doesn’t really produce defensive stats… Bigger opponents can Post him Up …Outlook: Besson is a score first combo guard… A microwave scorer who can score in bunches and has some solid passing instincts, the French prospect is more of a shooting guard than a point guard at this stage… He is more of a scorer than a shooter, but it’s necessary for him to improve in Spot Up situations… At the same time, his defensive lapses limit his ceiling and he should improve considerably on that end if he wants to go up a level as a player …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Nando de Colo","date_of_birth":"4/26/01","hometown":"Angers, France","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"international_team":"New Zealand Breakers","athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":70,"big_board_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Brandon Miller","year":2023,"height":81,"weight":200,"school":"Alabama","pros":"An extremely talented 6’9 SF/PF with a lanky frame and very good length and athleticism … Has an intriguing scoring arsenal (leads all Fr with 18.8 ppg while shooting 45% from the field) … Can shoot over many wings due to his size and can also operate in the mid-range and occasionally in the post as well … A sniper from distance (44 3FG% on 7 attempts per game) with a quick release and range well past the NBA 3-point line whether spotting up, through screens or pulling up off the dribble … His size on the perimeter makes him effective at sticking contested shots … Has times when he can really get hot and take over games; as of now Miller has made 5 or more 3s in a game 5 times this season … Handles the ball adequately and is a threat creating offense for himself; needs little space to get his shots off … Makes good use of combo dribbles to free himself in the mid-range … Excellent transition player; runs the floor well and is an above the rim finisher in the open court … Versatility allows him to play as a SF or a ‘smallball’ PF … Good rebounding skills (8.2 rpg) and is much more physical than his slender frame would suggest … Competes on the defensive end and is able to guard effectively on the perimeter and along the frontcourt as well … Length and awareness allows him to be a pest shooting into passing lanes at times (1.1 spg), and he offers some resistance as a help side defender by swatting shots occasionally (nearly 1 bpg) … Unselfish player who’s willing to give the ball to open teammates … Makes hustle plays and works to get himself back in the action when out of position … Not afraid to take big shots down the stretch of games … Draws fouls at a decent rate and is solid when he gets there (82 FT% on 4.5 FTA per game) …","cons":"Though he has solid athleticism, he lacks great burst and explosiveness … Sometimes has a hard time separating off the dribble and has to take contested shots … Doesn’t get to the rim that much in half court offense … Nothing more than decent as a leaper, and Miller doesn’t convert amongst the trees at a great rate (46 FG% inside the arc) … Needs to add some muscle to his frame; not great at finishing through contact at the moment … At times falls in love with the jump shot; can stand to improve on picking his spots … Could look to add a little more arch to his shot which can be flat … Has moments when aggressive pressure throws him off his game, but he usually does a good job adjusting to the defense … Won’t realize his true defensive potential until he adds the muscle needed to defend bigger PFs … Willing to pass the ball, but isn’t much of a playmaker for others and is more so wired to score … Tough to see him posting up much at the NBA level given his lack of strength currently; can use his size to his advantage down low in college at times but that will be more difficult against longer NBA defenders … Will be 21 years old as a rookie; is older than your typical one-and-done prospect …Overall: Miller was a consensus 5 star prospect who came to Alabama after thinking about joining the G-League following his HS career, and has been a huge reason why the Crimson Tide have been a top 5 team for the vast majority of this season … The prolific shooting he displayed in his amateur career has carried over to the college level and he has completely taken over games and lit up the scoreboard throughout his Fr season, and that makes him a promising prospect … On top of that, he rebounds well, plays with enthusiasm, and is a switchable defender that is tailor-made for NBA action … Still, he lacks truly great quickness and needs to add strength to stand the grind of an 82 game season … Still, his shooting and scoring potential, as well as his rebounding are nice and give him the groundwork of a lottery selection in the 2023 NBA Draft who should have an immediate impact for whoever selects him …Jorrye Nixon 2/7/23Strengths: 6’9 versatile forward … Good size and versatility. Difficult matchup for anyone at this level. Can score inside and out. Very good iso scorer and a threat from anywhere on the floor … Fluid and high-level athlete, especially when he gets a full approach off one foot. Very good in the open floor … Good rotation and mechanics on shot with range that extends to the 3PT line. Good fadeaway in the post and from midrange. Solid pull-up jumper and has the ability to hit tough shots. Reliable free throw shooter … Good tools and versatility as a defender. Shows ability to switch onto each position at this level. Has a knack for chase down and help-side blocks, covering more ground than he would appear. Averaged 1.9 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 … Makes impressive passes, especially at his size. Capable of bullet passes off the dribble … Good rebounder. Averaged 8.9 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 …Weaknesses: Lacks scoring efficiency and 3PT consistency. Averaged 12.9 points per game on 43.1% FG% and shot 27.6% 3PT% on 1.9 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 … Quick with the trigger and settles for outside shots/pull-ups. Lacks slashing ability and wiggle as he usually struggles to get all the way to the rim … Good versatility defensively, but roams a bit at this stage, not really locking in … Not a bad ball-handler, handles well enough to keep the defense honest, but can improve handling in traffic and as mentioned earlier, doesn’t really get by anyone with his dribble. Averaged 2.3 assists to 2.5 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 … Drifts to the perimeter often and can get more movement off the ball. Doesn’t utilize his size advantage around the basket as often as he should … Wears his emotions at times. Can pick up intensity on both ends … Older for his class, will turn 20 around the start of his freshman season …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Paul George","date_of_birth":"11/22/02","hometown":"Antioch, TN","high_school":"Cane Ridge","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":2,"big_board_rank":3,"overall_rank":95}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Amen Thompson","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":215,"school":"Overtime Elite","pros":"Thompson is a 6’7 210 perimeter player who is physically gifted enough to play 1-3 at the pro level, with especially good size for the PG spot that he’s mostly viewed at as a prospect … Freakishly athletic; has outstanding speed, quickness and explodes off the floor as a leaper … Threatens the paint in a blur with his 1st step; even has success slashing against perfectly set defenders in the halfcourt because of his speed … Has an unorthodox rhythm with the ball that when mixed with his speed gives him the potential to keep defenders off balance and on his hip in the pick and roll game; allowing him to find open teammates or create slashing lanes to attack for himself … Likes handling and unselfishly finding streaking teammates in transition, being most comfortable passing on the move (6 apg in 22-23) … Developing ability to read the defense on the move and find the open man when bigs hedge or extra defenders collapse onto him … Has the good floor vision that generally comes with being a taller lead guard; makes good hit ahead passes and can whip cross-court passes to cutters and spot-up shooters when needed … Runs the floor like a deer and is an outstanding overall transition player … Easy above the rim finisher (32 dunks this season) who can convert even when he takes off much further out than the restricted area in the key … Glides in the air and can adjust to shot-blockers with reasonable success … Even shows good timing as a cutter off the ball to get easy finishes … Good rebounder (6 rpg) for a perimeter player; can create favorable transition opportunities after grabbing missed shots due to his speed with the ball and ability to attack before the defense can set … Matches up well PG-SF defensively on the perimeter given his physical tools, and he was a quick-handed ball thief with Overtime Elite (2.4 spg) … His coaches will want to develop his defensive acumen in hopes of him making an impact player on that end … Has drawn some positive reviews in his work ethic over the last year or 2, which is encouraging …","cons":"Jump shot is a big concern currently (25 3FG%); really needs to overhaul his mechanics … Has rigid form and an awkward follow-through that doesn’t even hold up well when left open, let alone when contested by a defender … Little in the way of a mid-range game or floater to alleviate 3-point shooting concerns; will be sagged off of and dared to shoot routinely in isolation or screening action & will need to be surrounded by shooting threats to best deal with spacing concerns … Poses minimal threat in half-court offense if he’s not handling the ball due to his lack of shooting … Not a natural scorer; lacks a go-to move and won’t do much damage outside of 5 ft from the basket … Also not a natural playmaker; doesn’t always make sound reads when the game slows down and will try to do too much as a passer looking for the home run play (3.3 topg, 1.74:1 A:TO) … Often doesn’t know what to do when he can’t break down the defense with his speed; would like to see him pick his spots a bit better … Below average FT shooter for a perimeter player (65 FT% on just over 4 FTA/G)…Defensive fundamentals are a work in progress; doesn’t deny dribble penetration the way his tools would suggest … Currently gets washed out of plays when screened often and plays ‘too tall’ as an oversized PG, allowing players with a lower center of gravity to beat him to spots … Overzealous trying to get steals or leak out for transition opportunities, leaving his teammates out to dry with difficult rotations to manage … A bit older for an Overtime Elite player at 20, which is worth note …Overall: Amen Thompson is a prospect who, alongside his twin brother and fellow projected 2023 lottery pick Ausur, has been a noteworthy prospect since around 2019 after moving from California to south Florida in 8th grade a few years prior … After a decorated HS career and garnering top 50 level recruit status, both Amen and his brother decided to skip their last season of HS and sign a 2-year contract to the Overtime Elite program based out of Atlanta in 2021 to prepare the NBA Draft … Thompson played against prep school, post-grad prospects and other Overtime Elite teams with age ranges from 16-20 and enjoyed productive seasons, including averaging about 15 ppg, 6 boards and 6 assists a night this past season … He showed his elite athleticism, speed and transition ability while also intriguing with his potential as a passer and defender, but also showed some clear flaws in his shooting and as a decision-maker that will need to be cleaned up if he’s to reach his potential as a prospect … It is worth note that he had 2 years to re-work his shooting form and grow his confidence but didn’t capitalize on it … His defense also needs some tuning despite some encouraging signs that may eventually come with more experience … He has an interesting profile, with clear strengths and flaws, and it will be interesting to see just how they are worked out in the future, but as it stands Thompson is very likely to be lottery selection in the 2023 NBA Draft and would fit best with a fast-paced squad who can let him play to his strengths, but he is a bit raw and will need time to develop his ability to operate outside of the paint  …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Latrell Sprewell","date_of_birth":"1/30/03","hometown":"Oakland, CA","high_school":"Overtime Elite","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":4,"big_board_rank":6,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ausar Thompson","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":220,"school":"Overtime Elite","pros":"Thompson is a 6’7 215 wing with the physical tools to fit seamlessly on the perimeter … Also possesses explosive athleticism, easy lateral movements and dynamic speed, possessing an extra gear that can stack players on their heels in a hurry … Great 1st step … An asset as an open court player with his ability to run the floor and jump out the gym; good finisher who gets plenty of alley-oops and projects be able to get himself some easy points just by filling lanes in transition … High level defensive potential … Can adjust in mid-air to convert pretty well against contests at the rim … Doesn’t always need plays drawn up for him to be effective; will make backdoor cuts and aggressively attack the offensive glass & generally displays a high motor … Unselfish player who shows good timing & feel as a passer from the wing (5.1 APG in ‘22-23), especially on the move … Makes good outlet passes … Pretty good at reading help defense and finding the open man … Solid rebounder (6.1 RPG) who can initiate offense and reward teammates who leak out with hit-aheads after missed shots … Has the tools and the right approach to be an impact player on the defensive end; moves his feet to deny penetration, gets steals (2.1 SPG) and likes to turn defense into offense … His willingness to help when his teammates get beat is commendable; rangy enough to freelance and disrupt action … Plays with good energy and is competitive; has been lauded for his intangibles and work ethic by many associated with the Overtime Elite program …","cons":"Can be too reliant on his athleticism; doesn’t really know how to improvise when his quickness and burst don’t suffice, at the moment … Not a natural scorer and doesn’t have much nuance to creating his own offense … Jump shot is a work in progress both spotting up and off the bounce … Only shot 65% from the FT line…Shot selection isn’t always the best in halfcourt offense; takes too many off-balance shots off the dribble that seem like bailouts … Would be well-served to work on his jumper with his feet set; would compliment his live athleticism well … Can get out of control and make wild passes and shot attempts when the defense corrals him … Doesn’t always play to his strengths offensively and needs to have a better understanding of his limitations to maximize his value on the court … Can be careless with the ball at times, particularly as a passer, and has a much higher turnover rate than your typical wing (3.3 TOPG) … Fundamentals on defense need some work; doesn’t get in a stance consistently leading to him giving up more dribble drive lanes than he should … Gambles and can leave his team defense out to dry at times, particularly when trying to come up with steals … Advanced age for OTE at 20 years old, which is worth note …Overall: Ausar Thompson who, alongside his twin brother and projected 2023 Draft lottery selection Amen, has been a prospect since around 2019 when he moved from California to South Florida prior to HS … He had a decorated HS career and solidified his standing as a top 50 prospect but decided to sign a 2-year contract to play in the Overtime Elite program based out of Atlanta in 2021 to prepare for the NBA Draft … He was productive, putting up over 16 PPG 6 RPG 5 APG and 2.1 SPG this past season while showing his outstanding athleticism that’s build for transition play, unselfishness and potential on the defensive end … He also showed that he’s a bit raw and has some work to do on his fundamentals on both ends of the court, could use some fine-tuning on his shooting both when stationary and off the dribble, and a need to work on his half-court skill level … The strides he made as a shooter are encouraging, and if he can continue to keep putting in work as a shooter, especially with his feet set, he has a good chance to carve out a role for himself given his unique athletic traits, defensive potential and ability to pass the ball in transition and when on the move … His work ethic has been praised, particularly by Kevin Ollie, a former NBA vet and college head coach who is a main person overseeing the Overtime Elite program, which is encouraging and something to build on, and we may not be looking at anything close to the finished product with Ausar Thompson … Thompson is currently being mocked as high as the top 5 and he definitely projects to be a lottery pick in the 2023 Draft, where he could be a productive player for a team that doesn’t rush him and allows him to play at his strengths while working hard to round out his game to help him maximize his ability ..","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Trevor Ariza","date_of_birth":"1/30/03","hometown":"Oakland, CA","high_school":"Overtime Elite","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":5,"big_board_rank":8,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Anthony Black","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":210,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"A physically gifted PG/SG who stands a legitimate 6’7 200 lbs with the frame to add muscle easily … A smooth athlete who has solid body control & leaping ability, and will likely improve his explosiveness with time in an NBA teams training program..Is most comfortable acting as a playmaker for his teammates offensively (4 apg as a Fr.); plays unselfishly, is more steady than flashy, and has promising floor vision as you’d expect from a taller lead guard … Likes to play in the pick and roll game, and was especially good at finding shooters and cutters when some of Arkansas’ main contributors were healthy earlier in the season … Lulls defenders and changes pace pretty well off the bounce to open slashing lanes for himself … Generally accurate making passes on the move and finding streaking players in transition … Isn’t bad when he calls his own number in transition either; gains a head of steam and can convert above the rim in the open floor … Uses his size well when looking to finish plays at the rim against smaller guards, should only get better with more strength (50.3 FG% inside the arc) … Has been an excellent defensive player this season and will be able to defend PG-SF as a pro eventually as he gains experience … Possesses very quick hands and anticipation to swipe and create turnovers (1.9 spg), but also smothers slashers with his length and active feet, forcing difficult shots … Rebounds nicely from the perimeter (5.3 rpg) and looks to get transition opportunities quickly with hit-ahead passes after getting boards and steals … Above average on the offensive glass for a guard prospect as well (1.3 orpg); seemingly has gotten a 2nd chance basket every game as a Fr … Seems to be more comfortable in command of the offense, but has shown that he can play off-ball and flashes the awareness necessary to cut to open spots for shots near the rim … Has the skill set of someone who will potentially be a triple double threat, competes with good energy and contributes in multiple ways when on the court","cons":"Handles contact pretty well but still has a lot of room to add strength … While it’s not a bad thing that he’s a selective driver and doesn’t force his impact on the offensive end, he doesn’t really break down the defense, even with his speed and ball-handling ability. Doesn’t typically slash to the basket until he finds that angle in the half-court or create a lot of scoring opportunities for himself … Can be more efficient as a shooter and scorer. Averaged 10.7 points per game on 42.1% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and 4.7 points per game on 32.4% FG% at the U18 Americas Championship in 2022 … More of a rhythm and streaky shooter than knock down, as he’s had events where he’s been a plus shooter from distance and other times he hasn’t been able to find his rhythm. Shot 35.7% 3PT% on 4.7 3PT attempts per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and 16.7 3PT% on 1 3PT attempt per game at the U18 Americas Championship in 2022 …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Josh Giddey/Steve Smith","date_of_birth":"1/20/04","hometown":"Duncanville, TX","high_school":"Duncanville","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":6,"big_board_rank":5,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Bilal Coulibaly","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":200,"school":"France","pros":"Ultra athletic wing, with great size … Excellent length (wingspan measured at 7-3) … Had a late growth spurt, going from 5-11 to 6-6 without losing mobility and still growing … Has nice shoulders, that could fill up nicely … Smooth athlete … Very good feel for the game … Great leaping ability either off one foot or two feet … Likes to play above the rim … Has nice hangtime when he jumps, which helps him finish plays at the rim … Has big strides that help him cover a lot of ground … Runs the floor like a deer … Can even do some Eurosteps in transition … At his best in transition … Has an explosive first step that helps him attack closeouts … Loves to attack the rim whenever he has the chance … Already a really good slasher … Excels moving away off the ball and making timely cuts to the basket … Good looking shooting release … Has shown potential in Spot Up situations … Looked comfortable with the ball in his hands when he played at a lower level … Has shown some flashes as a secondary creator, with an intriguing Pull Up game … Draws fouls at a good rate … Very good rebounder for a wing, likes to crash the offensive boards … Can do an occasional coast to coast … Knows how to feel the lanes in transition … Elite defensive profile … A true pest on defense … Versatile, has the potential to guard 1-4 in the future … Switchable on the defensive end, takes advantage of his length, athleticism and basketball I.Q … Great lateral quickness … Has always active hands on the defensive end, making a lot of steals … Knows how to fill the passing lanes on defense … Good shot blocker for a wing … Good help defender … Has shown potential as a roam defender …","cons":"He needs to bulk up considerably to play at the next level and not be bullied by bigger wings … Despite his natural feel for the game, he is far from a finished project … He is still pretty raw offensively for a wing … Has problems when the game is slowing down … Has the tendency to disappear from the game at times and be too passive on offense … Can be a little indecisive with the ball in his hands … Doesn’t exactly have the ball on a string when dribbling, ball handling is still kind of loose and needs polishing … Does not handle the ball in traffic well … Shooting release varies from Pull Ups to Spot Up shots, needs consistency … His mid-range game is iffy at best … Can’t really create his own shot yet because of his ball handling limitations … Struggles on offense against physical defenders, who  pressure him … It would be good to improve his ball handling with his left hand … He mostly depends on his teammates to score, at least for now … Spot Up 3 is still a work in progress, needs reps to be consistent … Has the tendency to drive into traffic, which leads to bad passes … Can’t completely absorb contact yet on senior level, he needs to add muscle on his upper body … Decision making needs work, assist/turnover ratio is 1/1 … Bigger opponents can Post him up and either score or draw fouls from him … Has problems against physical, strong wings …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"OG Anunoby","date_of_birth":"7/26/04","hometown":"Courbevoie, France","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"international_team":"Levallois Metropolitans 92","athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":11,"big_board_rank":12,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jarace Walker","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Houston","pros":"6’8 versatile forward/small ball five-man with a desirable modern skill set … Good length with a 7’2 wingspan … Filled out body frame with grown man strength. Plays well through contact and uses his body well … Very good mobility and athleticism. Effortless off the ground and doesn’t take a lot of time to load up when finishing, rebounding, or blocking shots … Good hands … Scores well inside/out and in iso situations. Rare combination of strength/power and finesse with soft touch scoring inside. Good pick and roll/pop potential. Shows a fadeaway and ability to score in the post … Scoring stats: 12.4 PPG 46.2% FG% Under Armour Association 2019, 10.6 PPG 56.3% FG% NBPA Top 100 2021, 5th best 16.7 PPG 2nd best 66% FG% NIBC 2021-22 … Shoots well from 3PT with good rotation coming out of his hand and high arc. Can pull up from midrange off the dribble … Good free throw shooter. Shot 84.8% FT% Under Armour Association 2019, 4th best 87.5% FT% NBPA Top 100 2021, 76.1% FT% NIBC 2021-22 … Good rebounder, pulls down with two hands and usually wins the battle if someone else has a hand on it. Can take a defensive rebound to the other end and start the offense. Averaged a 5th best 5.6 rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and a 2nd best 8.2 (2.4 offensive) rebounds per game over the NIBC in 2021-22 … Handles the ball well for his size with either hand and can push up the floor. Solid ability changing speed and direction with the ball. Moves well and shifty/swift with the ball for his size … Good court vision and passing ability in the half-court, post, or mid-drive. Alert and always has his head on a swivel. Doesn’t hold the ball, usually knows where he’s passing before he receives it. Averaged 3.5 assists per game over the NIBC in 2021-22 … Versatile defensively and good shot blocker. Averaged a 2nd best 2.2 blocks per game over the NIBC in 2021-22 … Sees the big picture on both ends and understands the roles/personnel of each individual on the court … Impacts the game in multiple areas …","cons":"While versatile, he doesn’t have great lateral quickness when defending on the perimeter and he’s bit stiff in the hips … Can tighten up as a ball-handler, as he can get loose when making moves … Can still polish up as a finisher as he has a tendency to duck his way to the basket without a plan to eventually put a shot up. While it can work at this level, he’ll need to expand his offense a bit more as he progresses, and opponents match his size/strength and other gifts … Can add consistency to jump shot and speed up release. While the foundation is there, he isn’t a consistent threat stretching the floor yet. Shot 30.8% 3PT% on 1.3 3PT attempts per game over the NIBC in 2021-22 …Outlook: Incoming Houston freshman … Recorded 11 points (5-10 FG), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in the 2022 McDonald’s All-American … Played in the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit … Named to the 2022 Iverson Classic …Evan Tomes 7/22/22","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Tim Thomas","date_of_birth":"9/4/03","hometown":"New Freedom, PA","high_school":"IMG Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":6,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":7,"big_board_rank":10,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Taylor Hendricks","year":2023,"height":81,"weight":215,"school":"Central Florida","pros":"Hendricks is a slender 6’9 215 PF/C prospect who has a good combination of size, mobility and athleticism to fit in different roles in the frontcourt … Has some versatility offensively, and has the potential to put up solid scoring production (15 ppg on nearly 48 FG%) without having to dominate the ball.. Finishes above the rim often and with good explosion & power, and shows promise converting through contact despite his thin frame (52 FG% inside the arc) … More of a face-up player than a true post-up guy, and has enough quickness to beat bigger players off the bounce with his 1st step … Decisive, unselfish decision-maker who takes what the defense gives him when it’s time to score or as a passer (1.4/1.4 A/TO) … Equipped with a soft touch and range out to the 3-point line (39 3FG% on over 4 3FGA), and is a knockdown shooter with his feet set particularly in and around the corners … Shouldn’t have many problems getting his shots off with his height and high release point … Not bad in the mid-post area either, and shows flashes of a turnaround jumper over his left shoulder … Can also extend and score over smaller forwards in the low post with his right-hand jump hook … Has good hands and a seemingly wide catch radius to snag inaccurate passes … Active player who competes hard and makes hustle plays; will work to get himself some easy points by cutting off the ball and crashing the offensive glass (2.4 ORPG) … Has potential as a screen-and-roll threat … Runs the floor like a deer and it’s easy to project him being an asset as a rim running scoring threat in transition … Has been outstanding defensively as a Fr., particularly off the ball, showing excellent overall instincts and timing as a rim protector (1.7 BPG) … Must be located by offensive players when slashing to the paint … Pretty rangy and can cover ground quickly to rotate and erase if his teammates get beat … Also does a really good job of positioning his arms straight up and keeping the shots he blocks in play, even when he makes emphatic rejections … Moves his feet well laterally and projects to be able to switch and guard on the perimeter nicely too; his size and timing at the point of attack was often bothersome for smaller players to try to shoot over at the college level…Active hands to deflects passes (1 spg) … Pretty good from the charity stripe (78 FT% on over 3 FTA) … Fits the bill as a modern frontcourt player with his 2-way ability and versatile skill set … A blossoming player who greatly exceeded expectations as a Fr., showing good consistency and becoming more assertive offensively as his season went along …","cons":"Will need to add more muscle to his frame, especially if he wants to establish his low post game with more consistency … Couldn’t consistently establish post position in the AAC so it would be difficult for that to translate at the NBA level without getting stronger … Not much of a shot-creator offensively; ball-handling needs tuning up and he usually needs others to get him the ball to produce … Was seen as a combo forward offensively early on, especially in HS, but is a work in progress as a creator on the perimeter and seems to project as more of a PF who can play as a small ball C in a pinch now … Not an especially creative offensive player; can struggle if you take away the things he wants to do and make him a playmaker which could limit his upside as a scorer at the NBA level…Doesn’t create much space off the dribble and is a straight-line slasher almost exclusively…Adequate rebounder in his area, but not quite as good on the glass defensively as he is on the offensive end (4.6 DRPG, 7 RPG overall), especially considering some of his physical/athletic tools …Overall: Hendricks is a Fr. who was a 4-star recruit out of southern Florida that picked Johnny Dawkins and UCF over some of the bigger in-state programs in the 2022 recruiting cycle…He was an immediate impact player in the AAC and among the very best Fr across the nation for a UCF team that started the season strong but ended up being an NIT team…Still, his production and physicals tools caught the eyes of numerous NBA scouts and execs as an outstanding, switchable defensive player who can match anywhere in the frontcourt and as a nice 3-point shooter and angry finisher at the rim to boot…He’s not polished on offense yet though, and needs to fine tune his shot-creating skills to play more as a SF as well as adding the physical strength to play more than spot minutes at the C spot…Still there is plenty to like about Hendricks, who should be able to earn minutes sooner or later given his versatility, shooting touch, athleticism and defensive acumen…He’s also a smart player with natural instincts and timing that you can’t always teach and he has played well enough that he should be in discussion to be a lottery pick in the 2023 Draft ..","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Pascal Siakam","date_of_birth":"11/22/03","hometown":"Fort Lauderdale, FL","high_school":"Calvary Christian Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":9,"big_board_rank":4,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cason Wallace","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":195,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Wallace may very well be the most physical perimeter defender in the draft this year … At 6’4”, he has a compact frame that despite being around 195 pounds, should be able to add weight and muscle  … Plays a hard-nosed style, especially on defense and does not back down from opponents … Plays passing lanes extremely well and has active hands defensively without letting himself get out of position in order to try to create turnovers … Averaged nearly 2 steals per game in college … Is able to get hands on the ball on opponent drives to disrupt drives to the rim … Stays out of foul trouble pretty well for someone that generally defends the opposing team’s best guard … Is an excellent chase down guy in transition, never gives up on plays and creates a lot of misses by contesting everything … Is a capable rebounder when given the freedom to chase them down, recording 9 in his final game … Is a really good spot up shooter on offense, and does a really good job of relocating after passing to find open spots … Shot 34.6% on threes in college, but a much higher percentage on catch and shoot opportunities … Developed a reputation for being an excellent outside shooter at the high school level … Has a solid runner/floater game, allowing him to score without having to get all the way to the rim … Elevates well for dunks in transition, even on drop steps, showing solid athleticism … Shooting ability is better than he was able to show at UK, making him a potential sleeper for the next level as a scoring combo guard …","cons":"Productivity (11.7 ppg)  and efficiency (34.6 3P%) were not great for such a talented player … Athleticism didn’t pop the same in Lexington as it did in high school … Struggles some when the offense runs through him, not a high volume scorer … While he shoots well off of catch and shoot, he doesn’t seem as natural creating his own three point shot opportunities … Doesn’t get to the free throw line as much as you would like, and can struggle a bit from the line at times (though 76% from the line is sold) … Can be a willing ball mover, but will not pass his teammates open … He is the epitome of a combo guard right now, and needs to further develop his offensive game to play the point full time at the next level … Can be easy to read: prefers to attack the rim strong when driving to his left, but is much easier to influence to a weak finish or pass out when driving to his right … If a defender can cut off his right hand drive, he will generally look to pass out and then relocate … Will need to diversify his offensive attack, as his bag isn’t super deep at this moment … Battled a back injury during his time at Kentucky which left him looking less explosive than he did in high school. Teams will need to evaluate if the back is a long term concern …Overall: Cason Wallace projects as a player that should be a solid piece and could be a terrific three-and-D player that will benefit from the additional spacing provided to him at the next level … Teams that consider drafting him will need to realize that he’s closer to Marcus Smart than a traditional point guard, but the things he does defensively could end up being elite, and with his shooting and finishing, is not a liability on the offensive end … He will benefit from playing with another ball handler, especially early on in his development … If his back injury doesn’t derail his development, he could be an extremely valuable piece to a team in the late lottery, top 20 range of the draft …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Immanuel Quickley/Marcus Smart","date_of_birth":"11/7/03","hometown":"Dallas, TX","high_school":"Richardson","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":14,"big_board_rank":13,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jett Howard","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":215,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Howard is a physically gifted swingman who stands a legitimate 6’8 215 with a good frame that should have little problems matching up on the wing at the pro level … Floor spacer; likes to shoot the ball from the perimeter and is promising at doing so (35 3FG% on a healthy 7.3 attempts per game in the regular season as a Fr.) with his confidence, range and touch … Has a high and compact shot release that looks good leaving his hands more often than not … Moves well without the ball and can be dangerous hitting shots when navigating screens and handoffs … Also has shown the ability to use subtle stepback and jab step moves off the dribble to free himself to create space for deep shots … Has proven to be an effective shooter from the mid-range area as well, whether going downhill for pull-ups after being chased off the line or utilizing runners … Possesses a good feel for knowing when to pass or shoot; plays patient, shows solid floor vision and generally takes what the defense gives him … Effective pick and roll player who prefers to shoot as opposed to attacking the paint, but also can use the attention he gets as a shooter to open passing lanes for his teammates out of ball-screen action (2.0 apg) … Shows flashes of a post game that he would be wise to continue to develop; as he has the size and touch to wall off and score against smaller perimeter matchups in the mid to high post area…Good FT shooter when he gets to the line (80% as a Fr.) … High IQ, well-coached player who takes care of the ball and plays to his strengths (1.3 topg)…Strong bloodlines as his father (and current head coach) Juwan Howard played in the NBA for 19 years …","cons":"Howard lacks much in the way of athleticism and explosiveness … Doesn’t seem to have much length and his physical profile will be worth monitoring closely during the pre-draft process to determine his athletic upside as well … Won’t strike fear in NBA defenders off the dribble, particularly in isolation, and usually needs a ball-screen and a running start to generate the momentum to get downhill into the paint … Doesn’t get all the way to the paint much at all, and struggles mightily with finishing for a 6’8 player when he does get there (only 42 FG% inside the arc) … Not to be confused with an above the rim player, especially in halfcourt offense…Not a crude ball-handler but is typically more effective the less he dribbles…Only 2.7 FTA a game, illustrating his tendency to shoot rather than aggressively slash … Hit the proverbial “freshman wall” in conference play; teams notably picked up on his tendency to favor going right, started forcing him to go to his off-hand more often and his effectiveness and efficiency decreased as his Fr season unfolded … Needs improvement defensively after often being targeted in both on and off-ball actions as a Fr … Below average lateral quickness, and doesn’t contain penetration that well when isolated … Has the potential to be somewhat switchable as a defender, but has struggled at times with both the more athletic wings he matches up with and the stronger PFs he sometimes will have to face as a smallball type PF … Doesn’t make many splash plays defensively either, with paltry steal and block totals (0.4 spg & 0.7 bpg)…Poor rebounding numbers (2.8 rpg); much more prone to leaking out to the perimeter in transition than chipping in on the glass","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Doug McDermott","date_of_birth":"9/14/03","hometown":"Miami, FL","high_school":"IMG Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":24,"big_board_rank":26,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Dereck Lively II","year":2023,"height":85,"weight":230,"school":"Duke","pros":"One of the best rim protectors in college basketball with his size, length and athleticism around the paint … On top of his physical characteristics, he’s got solid anticipation and natural shot blocking instincts … Has an exceptionally high block rate for his minutes played … Runs the break well and is great at rim running and catching ally oop lobs … Mobile and agile enough to roam the interior without racking up three-second calls at the next level … Disciplined pick-and-roll defender who is terrific in drop coverage … Gets excellent positioning as an offensive rebounder by following the play and finding the open space for putback dunks … Didn’t shoot a high percentage, but looks comfortable letting it fly from the perimeter, indicating that shooting and scoring could be a surprising element if incorporated positively into his game at the next level … His usage rate may have been low, but Lively took care of the ball, turning it over just over once per 40 minutes … A 72% shooter from inside the arc …  If he can get his offensive game to the point where he can make open shots and score within the flow, he could be a valuable big due to his defensive and athletic abilities … Defensively, makes up ground in a flash with long strides and long arms on these switches … Shooting motion looks solid. He needs to be able to shoot it with better pace and get it off cleanly in game speed, which will take time, but the mechanics are solid enough to give his shot and ability to improve offensively some intrigue …","cons":"Just 5.2 ppg in his freshman season on 15% from 3 and 60% FT shooter, not exactly numbers that instill confidence about his ability to contribute much offensively during his rookie contract … Doesn’t have the greatest lateral quickness, but can switch on screens on the perimeter  … He may struggle to stay on the floor at the end of games when teams look to mismatch him with pick and pop shooters … Didn’t show much in his freshman season as a back to the basket scorer with a rarely utilized hook shot and a lean frame … Still needs to fill out and put on muscle … Failed to earn consistent minutes early in the season and often found himself in foul trouble when he did get into the game … Averaged 2.7 fouls in just 20 minutes per game showing his struggles to stay on the court … Gets displaced under the basket often because of his lack of strength … Extremely low free-throw rate for someone with such a size advantage over his opponents with just one attempt per game … Only shot 60% in those attempts … Didn’t dominate as much as he should have on the glass with just five rebounds per game, but it’s hard to imagine those numbers not improving in time as he adds strength … Lack of rebounding brings up some toughness questions, so teams will obviously need to feel comfortable with this element of his game and that he can improve it … Feel for the game a work in progress … Not always that great at anticipating plays on the offensive end, can get better with his hands, catching the ball cleanly and making a polished offensive move … Has a long ways to go as a creator, offensively …Overall: Lively was rated by ESPN’s recruiting analysts as the top overall senior coming into the season, but his lack of overall production, polish and lean body type means he could really use an additional year in college, refining his skills and growing more comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter … Flashed nice potential against North Carolina in his “breakout’ 4 point, 8 block, 14 rebound game during his freshman campaign, which earned him a great deal of draft hype …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Jaxson Hayes/Willie Cauley-Stein","date_of_birth":"2/12/04","hometown":"Philadelphia, PA","high_school":"Westtown School","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":10,"big_board_rank":19,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Gradey Dick","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":205,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Has good size on the wing at 6’8 205, with the frame to easily put on around 10-15 lbs of muscle … Adequate athleticism with room to gain more explosiveness as he gets stronger … A knockdown shooter from distance who lets it fly with confidence (42 3FG% one over 5 attempts per game); possesses a high and compact release that holds up well when spotting up or off screens and hand offs … Steps into his shots and rises up with good elevation, allowing him to not be as phased by contested jumpers … Your man if you need a corner 3-pointer … Moves well without the ball; knows how to navigate to open spots whether for a deep shot on the move or a timely cut towards the basket as a drive and dish valve … Can stick 1 dribble pull-ups with ease when he gets a step after attacking closeouts … Doesn’t waste movement and is generally concise with what he wants to do on the court … Projects to be more of a floor spacer and shooting valve in transition at the next level, but he has been a factor making his way to the rim at Kansas, showing his underrated leaping ability when he has momentum going towards the basket with some above the rim flashes when he has daylight … Tilts the defense a bit with the threat of his shooting and makes it easier for his teammates to operate from the foul line extended down to the paint without as much help from sagging defenders … Will pressure the rim via backdoor cuts when the defense plays him overly close on the perimeter, and has been more willing to play through contact in the paint than he’s given credit for … Ball doesn’t stick to him for long; mostly shoots but also makes unselfish plays within the flow of the offense…Low turnover rate for a Fr. (1.3 topg); generally takes care of the ball and makes sound decisions … Chips in on the glass for a Jayhawks team that plays small lineups most times (5 rpg) … Projects to be able to match up with either wing position on most nights at the pro level … A steady defender at the point of attack, consistently plays with effort and gets down in his stance … Also shows active hands and awareness defensively (1.5 spg), constantly stripping the ball away from unexpecting slashers and reaching in the passing lanes to get a hand on lazy passes that occasionally lead to live ball turnovers and runouts … Knows his roles and responsibilities, and plays them with maturity beyond his years at this stage","cons":"Not an Elite athlete by NBA standards; not particularly fast or quick … Also lacks length, though his anticipatory skills help alleviate it defensively off the ball he likely won’t effect that many shot attempts when contesting because of it … Not afraid of contact but still needs to get stronger; sometimes can be washed out of plays by getting hung up going under screens and taking too long to get around to stick to the person he’s guarding … Quicker matchups can at times beat him off the bounce and get him on their hip to create slashing lanes to the rim or pick up foul calls … Heavily reliant on timing to offset his length and quickness deficiencies, may not be able to recover and get back into position the times he whiffs on his gambles for steals at the next level … Nothing more than ordinary off the bounce; ho-hum ball-handler who offers nothing more than straight-line slashes & basic 1-2 dribble pullups … Doesn’t show the ability to create much space for himself off the dribble … Will occasionally pick up charging calls the more he dribbles, at times barreling into the lane without a plan…Doesnt project to finish well in the paint amongst the trees at the next level, particularly against set halfcourt defenses … Has solid feel for the game for a player his age, but is still learning how to pick his spots…Good FT shooter (84 FT% as a Fr), but doesn’t get to the line that often (2.8 FTA per game) …Overall: Gradey Dick was the 2022 Gatorade National Player of the Year in HS and a McDonalds All-American who came to defending national champs Kansas as the crown jewel of their recruiting class … Bill Self thinks that he could arguably be the best shooter he’s signed at Kansas, which is saying something considered the history of sweet shooting wings that have played at Kansas during his tenure, many of whom were early draft picks … He has lived up to the hype in many regards, ranking 2nd of the team in scoring with 14.3 ppg, hitting over 40% of his shots from downtown and higher than 85% of his FT attempts…He also has been a quality defensive player and an asset in transition too, using his instincts to come up with a number of steals and deflections and using his jump shot to space the floor and create slashing lanes to pull up or finish when he gets an opening … There are questions about how his limited physical and athletic tools will allow certain parts of his game to translate to the next level, particularly as a finisher and against certain defensive matchups, and about how productive he can be when his shots aren’t falling, but he seems to have the kind of size, shooting and positional defense to help a team as he gain experience … He also seems to be a quick study who has shown plus decision making and basketball IQ for a 19 year old….Players with a standout skill and the smarts he displays generally find a way to stick in the NBA, and he certainly projects to at the very least be a 3-point weapon who can get his shot off in multiple different ways, and if his defense remains steady he will be a good fit as a 3-and-D specialist on the perimeter … He should hear his name called in the 1st round of the draft and possibly the lottery depending on team need …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Gordon Hayward","date_of_birth":"11/20/03","hometown":"Wichita, KS","high_school":"Sunrise Christian Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":15,"big_board_rank":7,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jordan Hawkins","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":185,"school":"UConn","pros":"Hawkins is slender, lengthy 6’5 185 SG prospect with good athletic ability … Possesses a sweet jump shot that is undoubtedly his bread and butter offensively (nearly 38 3FG% on over seven 3FGA per game) and he should only get better … One of the best and most confident shooters in the 2023 Draft class; can get rolling spotting up, in rhythm off the bounce in either direction, as a transition trail man, and impressively coming off screens and pin downs … Very clean and consistent shooting mechanics squaring himself up for shots; shoots a pretty ball with feathery touch and a hairpin trigger release … Moves exceptionally well off the ball and navigates off-ball motion as well as anybody in the college game … Can get hot and hit shots in bunches (16 ppg as a Soph.); as of writing has had 10 games where he made 4 or more 3-point shots as a Soph … Quick with solid footwork to get into the paint when guarded tightly on the perimeter … Will cut and occasionally slash to the rim when played aggressively by defenders who try to force him off the 3-point line, and has the explosive leaping ability off 1 or both feet to finish above the rim … Has some success pulling up from mid-range too … Will be a threat in transition with his athleticism & speed, and is a high flyer when he has a running start … Won’t be confused with a facilitator (1.3 APG this season), but is starting to sporadically use his shooting gravity to find open teammates for easy shots … Active defender who contests shots (17 blocks as a Soph.), works to get himself back into plays when beat off the bounce, and should be able to match up with either guard spot at the NBA level given his length and lateral quickness … Has had some encouraging flashes as an on-ball defender pressuring the ball and occasionally roaming around to get deflections as a help defender as well … Reliable FT shooter (88 FT% on over 3 FTA) which further illustrates his touch …","cons":"Not an efficient player right now (40 FG% as a Soph., career 39%) and doesn’t get to the rim as much as he should considering his twitchy athleticism and length … Shoots a ton of jump shots and has proven to be more streaky than consistent with it despite solid deep ball numbers … Mediocre ball-handling ability & feel for the game; posted a negative A/TO in both of his seasons at UConn (career 1/1.2) and settles quite a bit as a shot selector … Doesn’t pass the ball that much … Very right-hand dependent player; upside as an overall shot-creator and finisher at the rim amongst the trees will be limited until he improves using his left (45 FG% inside the arc) … Not a particularly physical or tough player and would benefit from adding muscle/getting stronger on both ends of the floor … Some concern that he will get washed out of plays often when working through screens defensively at the pro level … Somewhat foul prone for a guard (2.3 fpg as a Soph.) and will gamble and pick up ticky-tack reaching calls at times … Seemed to become more conservative as a help defender as the season wore along; didn’t force nearly as many turnovers down the stretch as he did at the beginning of the season …Overall: Jordan Hawkins was a 4-star recruit out of the powerhouse DeMatha Catholic program in Maryland who flashed nice potential as a Fr. for UConn in limited minutes behind some experienced guards in the 2021-2022 season … He was a popular preseason pick to breakout in the Big East as a Soph. and he did not disappoint, boosting his stats and efficiency across the board, nearly tripling his scoring totals and earning 1st Team all-conference honors … He had plenty of games where he lit up the scoreboard with his shooting stroke and put NBA scouts on notice with his twitchy athletic ability, illustrating good scoring potential and high intensity on the defensive end … He needs to get stronger and develop a better off-hand (both of which tie hand-and-hand with his lack of offensive efficiency) or he may be typecast into instant offense or 3-and-D type roles despite having the natural talent and physical tools of someone capable of more … Still, his ability to shoot in so many different ways without having to dominate the ball, his speed & athleticism to fit well in an up-tempo offense, and his lateral quickness and length defensively give him a higher floor as a SG prospect … He isn’t yet the sum of his parts, but he is fun to watch, has excellent potential and will be given plenty of hard looks by teams searching for a 2-guard that are selecting in the mid-to-late 1st round of the 2023 Draft …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Isaiah Joe","date_of_birth":"4/29/02","hometown":"Gaithersburg, MD","high_school":"DeMatha Catholic","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":13,"big_board_rank":15,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kobe Bufkin","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":185,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Bufkin is a lean 6’4 190 southpaw SG prospect who has smooth athletic ability and quickness as well as the frame to add mass without losing athleticism … Currently enjoying a bit of a breakthrough year as a Soph. after playing very limited minutes in his frosh season; has shown promise in his scoring from all over the court (nearly 14 ppg on 48 FG%) and significant improvement in his jump shooting (22 3FG% in ‘21-22, compared to around 35% on 3.6 3FGA this season) particularly down the stretch of Michigan’s Big 10 conference slate … Plays at his own pace, has some craftiness to his game and creates driving lanes for himself well … Rangy, downhill slasher who makes good use of ball-fakes in the lane and knows how to get defenders to lunge and take the bait to get space for his shots … Has good touch to convert around the rim and in the short corners with his floater (56 FG% inside the arc this season)…Shows signs of being able to hit 3-point shots off the dribble, using hand-offs and when running to open spots along the perimeter, and has started to prove capable of hitting enough shots from NBA range to keep defenders honest when they dive screens … Also has been solid off 1-2 bounce pull-ups from mid-range when chased off the line…Pretty solid handle and burst, with nice potential creating in the pick and roll game…Unselfish player who may get a long look at minutes as a lead guard in the future from some coaches after showing some decent ability as a passer this year (2.8 apg) despite only sporadically getting a chance to initiate the offense … Competes hard on defense and has held up well when asked to deny dribble penetration when isolated or fighting through screens … Has quick hands and times when to jump in passing lanes to get deflections well, while also making effort to contest shots near him on the perimeter (1.3 spg & 21 blocks in regular season play) … Should be able to defend either guard spot at the NBA level depending on the matchup … Is able to contribute in a variety of ways on both ends of the court … Decent rebounding skills for a guard (4.3 rpg) … Has been pretty good from the charity stripe when he gets there (nearly 84 FT% this season, career 82%) … A smart player whose accelerated development in one season points to a hard worker that has the potential to keep growing and is seemingly a safe bet to polish his areas of improvement … Young for a 2nd year player; would just be turning 20 at the start of training camp as a rookie this year … Listed at 6’4, but could be 6’5 in shoes and appears to have a 6’8 to 6’9 wingspan …","cons":"Though he’s improved as a shooter he still is somewhat inconsistent with it the further out his shoots … Will have to prove his long range shooting improvement is sustainable … Could do a better job with his shot selection at times; has possessions when he dribbles the ball too much or forces unnecessary contested jumpers … Not a particularly dynamic athlete or impressive physical presence and may find it more difficult to convert at the rim consistently against NBA frontcourt players like he has at Michigan this season, despite his length and savvy ability creating angles to finish … Sometimes overzealous defensively with his gambles for steals and gets himself out of position … Tendency to reach when looking to create turnovers also comes with unnecessarily foul totals, especially for a guard (2.4 fpg, fouled out of 4 games as a Soph.) … Has moments when his inexperience shows on both ends of the court, and isn’t quite the sum of his parts as a prospect yet …Overall: Bufkin came to Michigan as an in-state player who top 50 recruit in the 2021 HS class, but had to wait his turn behind a group of upperclassmen and highly touted Caleb Houston (averaged 3 ppg and 10 mpg) … This season he took advantage of the extended minutes available from the losses in the backcourt; more than quadrupling his scoring output, seeing upward trajectory in efficiency and overall production across the board, and going from a 2023 Draft afterthought to an intriguing 2-way prospect that has played his way into 1st round discussion as the season has progressed…He has combo guard potential, the makings of a nice 3 level scoring skill set, solid defensive effort and shows the type of basketball IQ that suggests he will continue to grow as a player as he earns more trust from whatever coaching staff he goes to … The end of Michigan’s season, as they currently fight for an at-large NCAA tourney bid during championship week, and his performance in pre-draft workouts will speak volumes about whether he gets a first round grade for the 2023 NBA Draft class that would be hard to pass up or if he decides to come back for his Jr. season … He may not come into the league ready to play from Day 1, as he has some polish to add to his game, mass to add to his frame, and consistency to add to his jumper, but he is definitely someone teams will keep a close eye on as a developmental prospect over the coming months and beyond …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jordan Poole","date_of_birth":"9/21/03","hometown":"Grand Rapids, MI","high_school":"Grand Rapids Christian","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":12,"big_board_rank":11,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Keyonte George","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":185,"school":"Baylor","pros":"George is a 6’4 185 SG prospect with adequate strength and a frame that has slimmed down since his HS days, being more toned but also able to add on muscle if necessary … Intrigues with his raw shot-making ability (15.3 PPG as a Fr.); had some impressive moments filling it up from all over the court that some teams will want to harness … Aggressive and is at his best attacking downhill when his match ups are on their heels … Can score in bunches at his best and likes to create his own offense, whether its using ball screens or by getting to his spots in isolation … Good handle and is tricky to contain in space due to his knack for changing his rhythm when attacking off the dribble … Flashes unpredictability with the angles and platforms that he will rise into shots from; utilizes drifting fadeaway jumpers and will slither/sidestep into tight spaces in the lane for floaters and lay-ups … Able to finish with either hand…Promising pull-up jumper, especially going to his right; had success in the mid-range but also hit enough long-range shots off the bounce to keep the defense honest…Fluid, compact shooting stroke with a high and tight release … Seems to be a better shooter than his numbers indicated as a Fr … Enough body control and footwork to become a factor as a shooter coming off screens … Willing to take tough shots, and can convert due to his touch and confidence … Not afraid of contact and drew fouls at a pretty good rate as a Fr. (79 FT% on 4.5 FTA/G) … Was willing to chip in on the glass from the perimeter as a Fr. (4.2 RPG) … Had to play off the ball more often than he’s accustomed to this past season, which in a way may have helped accelerate his development in rounding out his offensive game … Some flashes of pick and roll playmaking; will likely be given chances to develop into a secondary playmaker at the next level (2.8 APG) … Has instant offense/microwave scorer type traits …","cons":"Mediocre physical and athletic profile for an NBA guard prospect … Not really an above the rim finisher, relies heavily on skill and creativity to pressure the rim and finish in the paint … Can be a bit of a chucker currently (33.8 3FG% on about 7 3FGA/G); would probably see a spike in his efficiency by being more judicious with his shot selection (37.6 FG%) … Makes just enough lower percentage, contested shots to encourage himself to keep taking them and those shots will be more difficult to see success with at the pro level … More streaky than a truly reliable knockdown shooter right now despite his tools…Posted a negative A:TO (2.8:2.9), which is not ideal for a player considered to be combo guard and speaks to a lack of natural playmaking skills for others…Tends to be pretty deliberate with where he wants to go with the ball on his feeds and should work on not telegraphing his passes … Will at times over-dribble and try to create plays that aren’t there … Doesn’t handle being blitzed in pick and roll coverage very well right now; struggles to turn the corner off the dribble due to his middling speed and can get smothered or forced into wasted possessions … Feel for the game and basketball IQ are both a work in progress … Fair to question what type of impact he can have on games at the next level if his shots aren’t falling  …  Can have lapses on defense and should work on his fundamentals as an on-ball defender; particularly with consistently sinking his hips and moving his feet with a purpose … The idea of what he can become is greater than the sum of his parts right now; still pretty green and in need of polish & experience … Weight and conditioning will be something he has to stay focused on, as he has a history of weight gain …Overall: Keyonte George is a highly prospect originally from Texas where he spent the majority of his time in HS, before transferring to powerhouse IMG Academy in Florida and solidifying himself as a top 10 recruit in the 2022 Class … He would later commit to Baylor and had a productive season in the Big12, finishing 2nd on the team in scoring and assists for a Bears team that made it to the Round of 32 in ‘22-23 … He had to get in where he could fit in on a team that had 2 experienced guards who have proven to be productive in their own right in Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer, perhaps not being a seamless fit due to overlapping play styles, and George often didn’t have the ball in his hands as much as he probably would’ve wanted, partly resulting in a pretty inconsistent one-and-done season … Still, he showed enough talent and potential that there is optimism about his NBA future, and his experience off the ball, though maybe not ideal for him, may actually aid his transition to the NBA because he surely will have to share ball-handling duties at the pro level as well given his middling playmaking profile … He needs to shore up his shot selection and on-court decision making in general, as his overall efficiency wasn’t particularly encouraging as a Fr, but his shot creation ability and pedigree will pique the interest of teams picking late lottery and in the 2nd half of 1st round hoping to reign in George’s skills and potential fit within their team’s system …Jorrye Nixon 5/25/23Strengths: 6’4 combo guard … Strong build and body frame. Finishes well through contact … Good athlete. Jumps well off one or both feet with good body control … Good scorer in the half-court and has a knack for hitting difficult shots. Gets shots off with little space from the defender. Finished 2nd in scoring with 16.9 points per game on 48.8% FG% over the NIBC in 2021-22 … Can heat up quickly. Squares up and sets feet quickly, also has a quick release. Shot 42.1% 3PT% on 3.8 3PT attempts per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and 36.1% 3PT% on 6.1 3PT attempts per game over the NIBC in 2021-22. Good free throw shooter. Shot a solid 77.1% FT% over the NIBC in 2021-22 … Quick with the ball and stays under control when picking up speed. Changes direction well and gets into the paint. Good instincts and reactive to the defense with the ball. Drives well going to both his left and right. Good finisher at the rim … Can play on or off the ball … Solid passer, can make some impressive lead passes and thread the needle at times. Reads double-teams and avoids traps well … Stays engaged defensively. Defends well on the ball and has active hands …Weaknesses: Has room to tighten up and improve his body, has shown in his (lack of) athleticism and explosion/quickness closing out his high school career … Still has room to improve 3PT consistency as he’s more on the streaky side. Doesn’t consistently make his open knock-down opportunities but the foundation is there … Solid passer and ball-handler but has a way to go if he’s going to run the point, even as a combo, at the next levels. Only averaged 1.2 assists per game over the NIBC in 2021-22. Tends to have more turnovers than assists …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Cam Thomas/Markelle Fultz","date_of_birth":"11/8/03","hometown":"Lewisville, TX","high_school":"IMG Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":17,"big_board_rank":16,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen Hood-Schifino","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":215,"school":"Indiana","pros":"Hood-Schifino is a strong-bodied combo guard who stands 6’6 215 with good length (6’10 wingspan) … Mature build; is tailor-made for physical play on both ends of the court … Fits well in slower paced, half-court offense; is most comfortable handling the ball, being calculating and taking his time to find his favorite spots on the floor to score or find open teammates … High skill level and creativity with the ability to make ambidextrous passes and finishes near the rim and in the intermediate areas … Manipulates the defense with his eyes and whizzes passes to open players on the move … Excellent in the pick and roll and dribble handoff game; formed a prolific duo with Trayce Jackson-Davis in ‘22-23  … Unselfish and has solid floor vision, with a good feel for making passing lanes by tilting the defense one way creating openings for shooters or dump-offs to his bigs (3.7 APG) … Among the best mid-range pull-up scorers in college hoops this past season, and really hurts defenses the most with the ball in the 15-18 ft area (13.5 PPG) … A downhill slasher who uses his size/strength advantages at the point of attack to get smaller guards on his hip, but also has the hesitation dribbles to freeze help defenders and get good looks for himself and teammates … Very even-keeled; plays at his own pace and rarely ever seems rushed … Adequate handle and burst to exploit mismatches when bigs switch onto him … Competitive player who will take on tough defensive matchups and has the ability to ‘guard up’ on the perimeter, doesn’t just defend his position … Very good defensive potential on the perimeter and has the strength and toughness to develop into a major factor at the point of attack and fighting through screens … Uses his physical tools and solid footwork to wall off penetration well…Chips in on the glass (4.1 RPG) … Decent from the FT line when he gets there (77.6 FT%)  …","cons":"Lacks athleticism by NBA standards … Below the rim player that is more subtle than sudden … Not particularly quick or speedy … Doesn’t have great projections as a transition player … Only sporadically gets all the way to the rim against set defense … Low efficiency as a finisher speaks to his struggles when looking to convert amongst the trees (45 FG% inside the arc) … His patience with the ball can straddle with being too deliberate at times, making it easier for the defense to anticipate what he wants to do next as a passer and slasher (2.8 TOPG, 1.3:1 A:TO) … Not necessarily a natural PG; played enhanced minutes there due to injury and is still developing some decision-making & ball-handling nuance, particularly against athletic help defense that can crowd him and wont dive underneath screens often … 3-point shooting is a work in progress (33 3FG% as a Fr.), though he did show flashes as the season went along off the dribble and has the touch to continue to get better … Would greatly benefit as an off-ball player from at least being able to adequately hit spot-up shots from distance; his offensive profile would be really nicely rounded out with the threat of a deep ball … Doesn’t draw contact as much as he should given his size (only 2.4 FTA/G), can fall in love with the mid-range too much and bail out defenders at times … Has quick hands but didn’t force many turnovers in college (0.8 SPG), and is better defending on the ball than off at the moment …Overall: Jalen Hood-Schifino is a prospect who established himself as a consensus 5-star recruit during his Jr and Sr seasons at national powerhouse Montverde Academy, where he won 2 HS national titles and played in the Jordan Brand Classic … He joined Indiana as their highest rated signee since 2018 and was largely seen as the preseason favorite to be the Big 10 Freshman of the Year (which he did win at the end of the season) and largely lived up to the hype, helping lead Indiana to a Round of 32 finish…He started the season sharing ball-handling responsibilities but became the teams main ball-handler after an injury to their upperclassman starting PG Xavier Johnson, ultimately forming a blossoming connection and dynamic duo with All-American and fellow 2023 Draft prospect Trayce Jackson-Davis that was among the strongest 1-2 punches in the NCAA this past season…He also had some big moments this season, particularly his memorable 35-point, 6 3-pointer outburst in a win @ then-1st ranked Purdue in late February … Hood-Schifino’s pick and roll prowess with Jackson-Davis offered nice glimpses of his potential NBA role as a strong-bodied 6’6 slasher who used the threat of his big to torch teams in the mid-range area with his picture-esque pull-up J and instinctive passing ability on the move … He also was well-equipped to handle defensive responsibilities in the physical Big 10 as a Fr. and had some outstanding moments as an on-ball defender that project well to the pros … His lack athleticism does to a degree lower his upside, and he will need to continue to improve his shooting range, particularly with his feet set, to round out his offensive game and realize his potential versatility to play multiples spots along the perimeter offensively and not always have to operate with the ball in his hands, even though that’s when he’s clearly at his best … Still, Hood-Schifino’s game is really promising, as is his competitive nature, and he has a ton of traits & skills that translate well to NBA basketball today as a PG/SG … Look for him to be selected in the 1st round of the 2023 Draft, with a pretty good chance to be snagged in the lottery …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Malcolm Brogdon","date_of_birth":"6/19/03","hometown":"Pittsburgh, PA","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":16,"big_board_rank":14,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaime Jaquez Jr","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":225,"school":"UCLA","pros":"Extremely high intangibles guy that impacts games in ways that don’t always show on the boxscore … Unique skillset with his high IQ and feel for the game … Very soft stroke from midrange and loves the little fadeaways … High energy, always pushing the pace, especially on offense … Can be a hair slow-footed on defense, but makes up for it with smarts, his solid 6-9.5 wingspan, and good instincts … Was part of a UCLA squad that really excelled on defense … Has a strong body, and can really bump down low … seeks out contact on his way to the hoop… defending him looks exhausting… Has crafty finishing ability … In college he took a lot of post up opportunities … Highly versatile on offense — he has a more mature post game than you typically see these days of players of that size … Really brings it and competes hard … Appeared routinely stronger than defenders in college … Fairly quick release out to 3P range with good looking form, but he did not make many threes in college … Can make something out of nothing (chaos) … Utilizes bully ball to his advantage. Loves physical drives where he gets a half step past his defender, gets the shoulder into him, and holds position. From there he will often go into a spin move and silky smooth righty finish at the hoop … Determination. An engaged and aggressive defender with a fantastic motor … Dribbles very powerfully, really slams the ball on the ground making it difficult to steal, with control … He’s incredibly strong, especially when guarded by a two or three, and he really loves that little base line or mid range jumper … He tends to look a little out of control on the drive, especially in the full court. But the result is pure, he usually gets to his spot and can finish with a nice righty scoop lay up or jump stop into a floater … Especially if he can squeeze an extra few inches out of his shooting range and become proficient at least from the corner threes, it will likely make a big difference for his effectiveness at the next level … Insofar as you trust the stat in this context, his defensive rating remained around 89, which is very good. His UCLA teammate, and National Defensive Player of the Year Jaylen Clark had a defensive rating of 86 (which is elite). The question becomes to what extent did Jaquez benefit from playing with another elite defender, and within a great system, vs what his individual contribution and abilities are? All that said, he appears to have many skills, such as good hands and good instincts, that can help on the defensive end. His teammate Clark got a mind blowing 3.4 steals per game. But Jaquez was no slouch – second on the team with a still damn-good 1.9, a testament to his hands and instincts … Decent free throw percentage at just below 80%… it’s surprising he didn’t get there more often given his very physical style of play (less than 4 FTA per game) … Really turned into an elite rebounder his senior year at more than 8 per game total, and 2.5 offensive rebounds per game, a marked improvement over previous seasons …","cons":"Fast enough in a straight line. But he doesn’t have elite burst (from a standing position) … Measured an amazing 39 inch max vertical at the NBA Draft combine, but honestly did not play that athletic at UCLA … This lack of explosion was apparent on the defensive end, where he may be prone to getting beat by a quick first step. Relies on his strength and physicality … By all accounts is a smart team defender. But lateral quickness is a concern. There were a number of times we saw him get beat in an isolation situation off the dribble by a quicker ballhandler … There are many ways to mask and hide this in the NBA, but of course worth noting … At UCLA he had an anomalous nearly 40% 3P sophomore shooting season. But mostly he was only about 31% from three in his time at UCLA — not good enough for the next level… You’d love to see him rely a little less on the faraway, which can be a hard to shot to maintain consistency with, and instead establish position and go up with a simpler form … If he can maintain consistency in the fadeaway, then by all means, through … 8.3.5″ standing reach is on the small side for a combo forward … Turned 22 in February (16th) making him one of the older players, though what you would expect as a senior …Overall: A throwback. Strong, physical forward with a face up game. Has a reputation for being a bit slow-footed especially defensively, which is fair. And he rarely get more than 3-4″ off the floor. But there is a whole lot to like, even defensively, including his excellent hands and instincts and his 6’9.5″ wingspan in 6’7” frame… Can an NBA defensive scheme cover up his slower feet? Yes, and he’s capable of making it worth their while on the offensive end… Anyone who plays in the school yard knows “the old man’s game” and Jaquez has a lot of that. Smarts, craftiness, good hands, physicality, soft touch, and a very powerful spin move / drop step. Would love to see him bump up his 3P percentage, as she’s shown flashes of being capable of. Stylistically, he stands out in a few ways. Stylistically, the way he runs, it’s sort of like these short, choppy steps (but he has decent speed in a straight line). And as mentioned, he jumps more than a few inches inches off the ground … Has experience competing with the best of the best already, holding his own in Rico Hines summer runs with players such as Tyrese Haliburton and Trae Young, among others …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Jorge Garbajosa","date_of_birth":"2/16/01","hometown":"Camarillo, CA","high_school":"Adolfo Camarillo","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":23,"big_board_rank":24,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Brandin Podziemski","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":205,"school":"Santa Clara","pros":"Combo guard with pure shooting stroke and some intangibles to help make up for lack of ideal physical attributes … Head strong combo guard with excellent shooting ability and polished skills … Very good spot up shooter with great range and touch … Lefty has an excellent shooting stroke and has developed into a knock down outside shooter … Considered more of a shooting guard by most scouts, however he has the vision and passing skills to play the point, his speed may make it difficult to be more than a rotational lead guard … Creative passer … Great vision and anticipation … Sees the floor well and can zip half long passes on a dime effortlessly, setting up teammates for easy buckets … Has the handle and passing of a lead guard, just missing the quickness … Mature, intelligent kid who shined after transferring into the big fish in small pond dynamic at Santa Clara … 8.8 rebounds is a huge number of a guard, showing his willingness to play physical and ability to track down rebounds … A near 44% three point shooter (2.5 makes per game) as a sophomore, illustrating his elite shooting ability … Excellent ball handler. Crafty with use of cross overs and behind the back dribbles, and utilizes a step back to create space on pulls ups well … Utilizes the float game well … has a patented Euro step to extend drives … Crafty at using pump fakes and hesitation moves to get defenders off balance … Good at driving and dishing … Knows how to back down smaller opponents and use back to the basket post moves to score … Has solid upside if he lands in the right situation and his speed deficiencies are overcome/masked … Fun to watch, excellent feel for the game …","cons":"Not the fastest or most athletic guard, and does not have the “look” of an NBA athlete ..Lacks a great first step so defenders can overplay him and jam his shot openings …  Measured a surprising 39 inch max vertical, however he doesn’t necessarily play overly athletic … Struggled at Illinois to crack the rotation as a freshman before transferring to Santa Clara where he had a breakout sophomore season … Detractors will point to the inability to play in a big conference and question whether competition level is a factor … Lack of speed tougher to overcome at the guard positions … his shot is pure, but takes a little while to get off which may make a difference efficiency wise with NBA athletes closing out on him … Not overly strong or physical to help make up for speed shortcomings … Despite being 6’3.75″ barefoot, he lacks length with just a 6′ 5.5” wingspan and only a 8′ 0.5” standing reach, far below standard for an NBA shooting guard … Some questions regarding whether he can be a complimentary player and be a star in his role of a back up at next level … Getting open looks could be a challenge against quicker NBA defenders … Despite being a pure shooter, shot below 80% from the FT line over his two college seasons … Some positional question marks as it’s unclear how well he can operate off the ball and how much value he brings if he’s not able to be a primary ball handler l …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Matthew Dellavedova","date_of_birth":"2/25/03","hometown":"Greenfield, WI","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":21,"big_board_rank":23,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cam Whitmore","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":235,"school":"Villanova","pros":"6’7 explosive wing … Good strength level and build … Consistent high effort, energy, and tenacity … Explosive athlete, pops off the ground quickly, and translates it well on both ends. Finishes dunks when taking off and jumping from a distance. Jumps well off one or both feet and a highlight finisher, especially in transition. Good body control … Aggressive slasher and handles contact very well while driving to his left or right, tough to stop when attacking down-hill. Uses strength to finish inside, isn’t afraid to bully defenders and utilize his physical mismatch. Good combination of strength and swift feet … Solid ball-handler, can start the offense after a rebound and shows some ability to lead in transition. Can create offense off the dribble and consistent scorer. Averaged 15.7 points per game on 50.3% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and finished 2nd in scoring at the U18 Americas Championship in 2022 with 18.7 points per game on 63% FG% … Talented shot maker, can hit shots off the dribble, and when contested. 3PT shooting improved over his senior year. After only shooting 21.6% 3PT% on 3.4 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021, he shot 45.5% 3PT% on 3.7 3PT attempts per game at the U18 Americas Championship in 2022 … Tough, competitive, and versatile defender. Gets up quick and blocks shots well for position. Averaged 1.4 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 … Good rebounder for position on both ends. Averaged 7.7 rebounds (2.8 offensive) per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 6.3 per game over the U18 Americas Championship in 2022 … Solid passing ability … Younger for his class, turned 18 in July after high school graduation …","cons":"His floor game is a bit rough around the edges right now; too often did not look comfortable creating efficient shots for himself let alone others as a Fr … Will slash into the lane with either no plan or pre-determined plans too often, leading to bad shots or the occasional turnover … Relies heavily on his physical and athletic ability to contribute, and it can be a struggle for him to fit in the flow of the game when you take away his strengths … Teams started to collapse on him when he slashed more & more as the season progressed, and his inexperience handling added attention showed in the way of him over-dribbling into no man’s land or having to shoot over multiple defenders suffocating his airspace … Average ball-handling skills; doesn’t have much wiggle or misdirection to his game off the dribble … Would benefit greatly from adding a floater/pull-up J to his repertoire to make his game less predictable; almost exclusively either shoots 3s or tries to barrel his way into the lane for better or worse … Doesn’t get much elevation on his shot and has a deliberate release, which limits the types of shots he can take and makes him easier for defenders to contest … His patience with the ball can straddle with being too deliberate; was often an indecisive ball-stopper who stagnated the team’s offensive flow this past season … Got his shots blocked more than you’d expect for someone with his tools … Below average court vision and doesn’t pass the ball much at all, with some around Villanova at times accusing him of being a selfish player (0.7 apg/1.4 topg) … Defensive awareness and overall fundamentals are a work in progress; tends to be overzealous looking to create turnovers and gave up more open shots than you’d like to see this past season by lunging for steals or losing his assignment when navigating through bodies … Somewhat stiff laterally, more of a straight-line mover … Only got to the FT line 64 times in 26 games (2.5 FTA/G) and converted on a mediocre 70% of those attempts … Not the sum of his parts yet, still green …Overall: Cam Whitmore is a 6’6 230 SF who committed to Villanova as a consensus 5-star recruit out of HS, and entered the 2022-2023 season with fanfare after winning MVP of the FIBA U18 tournament and leading the East in scoring (19 points) in a McDonalds AA game win … He suffered a preseason thumb injury that caused him to miss 7 games and seemingly contributed to an up-and-down Fr. season in nonconference and the Big East slate for a Nova team that was in Year 1 of the Kyle Neptune era after the retirement of the legendary long-time coach Jay Wright … Whitmore used his high-flying athleticism and physical style of play to lock up Big East Freshman of the Year honors putting up over 12 ppg and 5 rpg over 26 games … You cannot teach his physical/athletic tools, and he has promising ability as a spot-up shooter and off-ball player, as well as his overall toughness, willingness to rebound and defend the point of attack … He does show inexperience on both ends as well and may never be a primary scoring option that you’d expect if you’re selecting him in the top half of the lottery given some of the limitations with his shooting platform and creativity off the bounce, but he certainly has the upside to be a key, versatile role player if a team is patient with him and allows him time and reps to add polish and develop his floor game and fundamentals …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Caron Butler/Jae CrowderStengths: Whitmore is a physically imposing young swingman with his 6’6 230 lb frame … Has at least adequate length with a sturdy build that will make his adjustment to the grown man leagues relatively seamless from a physical standpoint … Outstanding athleticism as well; gets up the floor in a hurry and has the explosive 2-footed leaping ability (whether on his 1st or 2nd jump) & powerful base to snag the ball at its apex even through contact … Shows very good body control … At his best going downhill as a driver; applies great pressure on the defense when operating with a head of steam (12.5 ppg on 47.8 FG% as a Fr) … Nice 1st step gives him advantages when matched up with bigger frontcourt players in space, and he has the wide frame to shield defenders and get angles early & with ease when slashing to the lane against smaller wings … Gets plenty of strong above the rim finishes and is among the best perimeter players in this draft class at converting in the paint amongst the trees (58 FG% inside the arc) … Has more finesse as a finisher than most would expect as well; being able to slither and contort into congested areas/around contests in the paint that are uncommon for burlier built wings in his mold..Effective off the ball and locates open spots as a cutter to get himself high percentage looks … Competitive and energetic; willing to match up and mix it up with bigger players in the paint … Has the physical tools and play style to see minutes anywhere from SG-PF at the pro level as he gains experience and polish … A “one move and go” penetrator who gets low and attacks when he sees daylight similarly to a running back … Patient; can freeze defenders with subtle hesitation moves and was effective slashing in either direction as a Fr … Not a bad shooter with his feet set (34 3FG%), and even utilizes jab steps to create space for shots off the bounce with reasonable success … Willing defender who denies penetration pretty well and actively contests shots … Shoots passing lanes (1.4 spg) and strips loose ball-handlers at the point of attack as well, showing strong hands … Will put up a fight before allowing players to establish position in the mid and low post; shows a junkyard dog mentality and embodies positionless basketball with his versatility…Solid rebounder for a primary wing (5.3 rpg) … An asset in the open court…A “young” Fr. who will turn 19 just after the 2023 DraftWeaknesses: His floor game is a bit rough around the edges right now; too often did not look comfortable creating efficient shots for himself let alone others as a Fr … Will slash into the lane with either no plan or pre-determined plans too often, leading to bad shots or the occasional turnover … Relies heavily on his physical and athletic ability to contribute, and it can be a struggle for him to fit in the flow of the game when you take away his strengths … Teams started to collapse on him when he slashed more & more as the season progressed, and his inexperience handling added attention showed in the way of him over-dribbling into no man’s land or having to shoot over multiple defenders suffocating his airspace … Average ball-handling skills; doesn’t have much wiggle or misdirection to his game off the dribble … Would benefit greatly from adding a floater/pull-up J to his repertoire to make his game less predictable; almost exclusively either shoots 3s or tries to barrel his way into the lane for better or worse … Doesn’t get much elevation on his shot and has a deliberate release, which limits the types of shots he can take and makes him easier for defenders to contest … His patience with the ball can straddle with being too deliberate; was often an indecisive ball-stopper who stagnated the team’s offensive flow this past season … Got his shots blocked more than you’d expect for someone with his tools … Below average court vision and doesn’t pass the ball much at all, with some around Villanova at times accusing him of being a selfish player (0.7 apg/1.4 topg) … Defensive awareness and overall fundamentals are a work in progress; tends to be overzealous looking to create turnovers and gave up more open shots than you’d like to see this past season by lunging for steals or losing his assignment when navigating through bodies … Somewhat stiff laterally, more of a straight-line mover … Only got to the FT line 64 times in 26 games (2.5 FTA/G) and converted on a mediocre 70% of those attempts … Not the sum of his parts yet, still green …Overall: Cam Whitmore is a 6’6 230 SF who committed to Villanova as a consensus 5-star recruit out of HS, and entered the 2022-2023 season with fanfare after winning MVP of the FIBA U18 tournament and leading the East in scoring (19 points) in a McDonalds AA game win … He suffered a preseason thumb injury that caused him to miss 7 games and seemingly contributed to an up-and-down Fr. season in nonconference and the Big East slate for a Nova team that was in Year 1 of the Kyle Neptune era after the retirement of the legendary long-time coach Jay Wright … Whitmore used his high-flying athleticism and physical style of play to lock up Big East Freshman of the Year honors putting up over 12 ppg and 5 rpg over 26 games … You cannot teach his physical/athletic tools, and he has promising ability as a spot-up shooter and off-ball player, as well as his overall toughness, willingness to rebound and defend the point of attack … He does show inexperience on both ends as well and may never be a primary scoring option that you’d expect if you’re selecting him in the top half of the lottery given some of the limitations with his shooting platform and creativity off the bounce, but he certainly has the upside to be a key, versatile role player if a team is patient with him and allows him time and reps to add polish and develop his floor game and fundamentals …Notes: Measured 6′ 5.75” barefoot, 8′ 7.50” standing reach, 235 lbs and a 6′ 8.50” wingspan and a 31.5 inch standing vertical and a 40.5′ inch max vertical at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine …Jorrye Nixon 4/26/23","date_of_birth":"7/8/04","hometown":"Odenton, MD","high_school":"Archbishop Spalding","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":9,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":8,"big_board_rank":9,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Noah Clowney","year":2023,"height":82,"weight":210,"pros":"Clowney is a sleek and mobile 6’10 210 C/PF who fits the mold of what teams look for in modern day bigs/frontcourt guys and has the frame to add significant mass … Runs the floor well and shows pretty solid leaping skills with a head of steam, making him a promising transition player on both ends of the court … Very rangy and long (reportedly has a 7’2 wingspan); can cover massive ground on the move and is a hard player to get shots over which makes him a promising frontcourt defensive player … Good timing as a shot-blocker (0.9 BPG), particularly as a help defender; can get his hands on shots at the highest point … Has the tools to switch and guard on the perimeter as he gains experience, and showed nice flashes of ability to be disruptive with his length against smaller players as a Fr … Has some of the best numbers in this draft class as a finisher in close, and is a player who can convert above the rim or with some finesse (67 FG% inside the arc) … Good hands & reflexes to grab both rebounds (8 RPG) and errant passes outside of his area … Solid on the offensive glass … Likes to face-up and has soft touch & 3-point range on his shot, with the potential to be a solid producer as a spot-up threat in time (34 made 3s as a Fr.) … Feel for the game is ahead of your typical raw bigman prospect; generally doesn’t force action or try to play outside of his role/strengths … Hustles and is a willing cutter who gets rewarded with alley-oops and dumpoffs … Likes to set screens and get himself shots by rolling to the rim or popping out for jumpers, making him a player who can feed off teammates and chip in as a scorer without having to create for himself directly (9.8 PPG) … Form on his shot give his scoring and shooting a lot of intrigue, despite unimpressive efficiency … May just be scratching the surface of the talent he possesses; more of a late blooming, diamond in the rough type who could grow into an important player with more experience … A ‘young’ Fr. who will just be turning 19 years old shortly after the 2023 Draft …","cons":"Needs to fill out his frame and improve his base strength and toughness; got knocked backwards when met with contact often at the college level by bigs and some wings, which doesn’t bode well taking a step up in competition … Sometimes can be overly reliant on his length to bail himself out defensively, and can be neutralized when slashers get into his chest/body which leads to fouls (2.5 FPG) … More of a linear run-jump athlete than a lateral mover due to his high center of gravity; really needs to work on sinking his hips and sliding his feet consistently … Bit of a ‘tweener’ big at the moment; could struggle with quickness switching in space on the perimeter and from some NBA PFs but also may struggle with the physicality of some NBA Cs … A face-up frontcourt guy but doesn’t show much handling the ball or creating offense … Haven’t seen him show much as a post scorer either; won’t have many plays drawn up for him … Shot looks solid fundamentally, but the efficiency is still improving as of now (28.3 3FG% on 3.3 3FGA/G) … Doesn’t pass the ball much (0.8 APG) … Drew fouls at an OK rate but needs improvement converting at the line once he gets there (65 FT% on 3.1 FTA/G) … Pretty green, not yet the sum of his parts …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Theo Ratliff","hometown":"Roebuck, SC","high_school":"Dorman","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":18,"big_board_rank":20,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Dariq Whitehead","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":220,"school":"Duke","pros":"One of the premier shooters in college basketball as a freshman at 43% on over three attempts per game … Efficient from beyond the arc both in spot-ups and off the dribble … Fluid shooting motion with a textbook high release … Excellent frame at 6’7 with a wingspan just over 6’10 … Filled out body at 217 pounds with a powerful lower half … Solid first step and flexible hip movement allow him to create remarkable space for himself before even putting the ball on the floor …  Complements this movement with a polished step back jumper that he can bury from both inside and outside the 3-point arc … Intelligent cutter from the corner and wing … Uses long strides and terrific body control to attack the basket and slither around contact … Switchable, active defender who has the length and athleticism to guard multiple positions … Not only has the length to disrupt action as a defender, but also possesses the instincts and quickness to read and jump passing lanes as an off-ball defender … Active hands as an on-ball defender who can frustrate ball-handlers trying to move across his body … Decent free throw shooter at just under 80% … Assist numbers were low, but the flashes of accurate passing and court vision are certainly there … One of the youngest players in the draft turning 19 on August 1st …","cons":"Despite coming in as one of the top recruits in the nation, Whitehead struggled to carve out a role for himself … Athleticism never looked right, was a step slow and unable to explode, most likely due to a foot injury that was lingering all season … Was most affected with his inability to get any lift when leaping and it had a clear effect on his ability to dunk and rebound … Grew more comfortable over time, but his inside-the-arc shot creation never flourished with the Blue Devils … A 41% shooting percentage from 2-point range supports that … Negative AST/TO ratio with 27 assists to 39 turnovers … Needs to be more aggressive offensively. Attempted only 28 free throws in 28 games for the Blue Devils as a freshman … Also needs to show more aggression on the glass with just 2.4 rebounds per game … A fractured foot in the pre-season certainly played a large role, and his in-game leaping ability became a major hindrance at Duke … He had a second foot surgery after the season that has made it impossible for him to work out for teams, so his feasibility as a first round pick is likely something organizations will have to discuss with their team doctors in order to figure out …Outlook: With such a premium put on shooting in today’s NBA, it makes Whitehead an obvious gamble in the late first round that he can rehabilitate his foot injury and regain the explosiveness that made him one of the top 5 prospects nationally in his class for most of his high school career … If Whitehead is unable to regain some of his pre-college explosiveness, it’s unlikely he will be able to have a productive pro career …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Anthony Morrow","date_of_birth":"8/1/04","hometown":"Newark, NJ","high_school":"Montverde Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":30,"big_board_rank":38,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kris Murray","year":2023,"height":81,"weight":215,"school":"Iowa","pros":"A 6’9 225 SF/PF southpaw with the size (6-11 wingspan), mobility and length to play all along the frontcourt, especially as he fills out his frame…Pretty agile and moves well laterally, and isn’t a bad leaper off one or both feet … Has a nose for the ball and a knack for scoring in chunks; opportunistic and doesn’t necessarily need plays drawn up for him to make his mark in the scoring column … Let’s the game come to him and rarely forces bad shots…Good court awareness and knows how to find open spots and get easy shots as a cutter or navigating along the perimeter playing off his teammates’ dribble penetration … Possesses very good hands and has been a magnet for offensive rebounds this year for Iowa (2.8 orpg); seemingly has missed shots that are tipped or rimmed out fall into his lap every game … Enjoying a breakout season as a Jr. after being a per-minute savant as the teams 6th man during his Soph. season, and has seen his scoring totals double with more playing time (9.7 to 20.4 ppg, both on 48 FG%) … A career 35 3FG% that has 3-level scoring ability, and possesses a soft touch with consistent mechanics … Has the size to shoot over most wings with ease…Is a versatile mismatch threat with his offensive package and has played minutes everywhere from SF-C in Iowa’s spaced out scheme … Shows above average footwork and quickness around the rim and does a nice job utilizing up-and-unders and occasional spin moves to create space for himself (shooting 59% inside the arc as a Jr.) … Nice floater and 1-2 dribble pull up when chased off the line … Has especially enjoyed major success off the bounce facing up the big guys in the Big 10, who are notoriously lumbering, by getting them to respect his jumper and forcing them to defend him away from the basket … Not selfish; looks to initiate transition opportunities after rebounds and is comfortable handling and dishing in the open court … Runs the floor and can finish above the rim in the open court … Continues to steadily improve as a defender; has been more aggressive using his length and timing to challenge shots (1.2 bpg) and step out on the perimeter to hedge screens or switch and smother smaller ball-handlers this year … Smart player who does a good job taking care of the ball, especially considering his massive role in Iowa’s offense, and usually seems under control (2/1.5 A/TO, 0.9 topg for his career) … Will be compared to his twin brother and rookie 2022 lottery pick Keegan often in the draft process, especially considering their similar play styles and respective breakthrough seasons happened in nearly identical ways (no pun intended) …","cons":"Murray wont be confused with a physical player and is clearly more finesse than a junkyard dog type … Should look to add more strength, though he does covert through contact at an adequate rate … Not quite as prolific a shooter as his brother and doesn’t show the same consistency from deep (34 3FG% as a Jr after 38% as a Soph.) … Had 3 games where he shot 0-5 or worse from deep … Doesn’t always have the same success breaking down the defense when defended by wings or other physically similar PFs that he does when playing as a smallball 5 … Not more than average as a ball-handler on the perimeter, has some misdirection but his moves can be timed by other wings … Clearly prefers to go with his left hand when driving and finishing more than his off-hand; had the quickness to avoid major issues with that approach in college but will have more problems with that against NBA defenders, particularly against help … Had his moments (ie 20 rebound game against GA Tech) but is mostly an area rebounder on the defensive end and finished the season with just OK production on the glass after missed shots despite heavy minutes at the PF/C spot (5.1 DRPG) … Older than usual for his class; will be 23 years old as a rookie which will call into question his overall upside … Struggled in his one tourney game (as Missouri’s featured player) with 15 and 9, but shot just 5-18 overall and 3-11 from deep …Overall: For a 3rd straight season Iowa has a frontcourt player who lights up the scoreboard as a 20 ppg star in their offense-friendly system … Kris Murray went from a productive 6th man playing limited minutes and watching his twin brother be the top scorer last year in a breakthrough All-America season to enjoying an All-American season of his own … Murray didn’t quite put up the scoring totals as his twin brother Keegan (23.5 ppg vs 20.4) despite playing more minutes, but their ascensions both were eerily similar and they have the same type of mismatch skills, moves and sweet jumpers that open up their entire scoring arsenal … Kris could stand to gain more consistency as a shooter, as well as continuing to polish his floor game off the dribble, but his growth speaks to a hard worker who understands how to build on his skills … He patiently waited his turn and earned his minutes, and now has experience playing as a role player and a star … He is older for his class, but that may play into his hands just fine as he could benefit from being selected by a team that likes his gaudy numbers and wants a combo forward that they prefer to plug and play immediately in their lineup/rotation…He seems to have solidified his spot as a 1st round selection and he could knock on the door of being a lottery pick …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Dorian Finney-Smith","date_of_birth":"8/19/00","hometown":"Cedar Rapids, IA","high_school":"DME Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":20,"big_board_rank":17,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Olivier-Maxence Prosper","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":210,"school":"Marquette","pros":"This man is strong. Long bodied forward who throws it down with authority, plays ferocious, tenacious defense, and is an interested and developing outside shooter … Excellent length, strength, and versatility. 7’1″ wingspan in a 6’8″ frame … When Prosper puts the ball on the floor it’s not the most fluid looking thing in the world. But he is able to impose his will (and strength) on the other team and get to the hole … Can reasonably be expected to defend positions 2-4 on ball, at minimum … The 3p shot is a relatively recent addition to his arsenal, but it is there, and continues to develop (34% this past season at Marquette) … At Marquette he was roughly a 76% FT shooter, proving he does have some shooting touch … Don’t let his basic box score stats fool you: A cornerstone of Prosper’s game is his defensive impact. He averaged a mind-bogglingly low 0.1 blocks per game across his entire college career, and less than 1 steal per game. However, his reputation is deserved — he is a dog on the defensive end … Very powerful, moves his feet well, applies constant pressure… About 1/3 of his rebounds were offensive rebounds…","cons":"Maybe we list blocks and steals as an area for improvement … They don’t tell the full defensive story, but they do at least play some part. And Prosper’s numbers in both were remarkably low in college … The 3-point shot is a relatively recent addition to his arsenal, and he is not yet a reliable outside shooter … While he is fairly accurate from mid-range, he will need to continue developing here and from outside to reach a level close to a Siakam type … Shot mechanics can improve … Often catches without his feet set, slowing his release … Takes a while to transfer the catch into the shot … Has not displayed much passing or playmaking ability … Turns the ball over at too high a rate … Has decent, but developing touch after a jump stop into a hook shot / floater in the lane … NOT overly quick. He is quite methodical in his movements … Rebounding numbers were underwhelming for a long athletic post player …Overall: Had standout measurements and athletic performance at the combine. Finished top-5 in nearly every athletic test (such as max vert). The 7’1″ wingspan in the 6’8″ frame is a big positive. Stylistically, he’s not the most fluid mover … He is a little harsh with his steps and change of direction. But also extremely powerful for his size, you rarely see him get knocked off balance — more likely he’s abusing his defender with his strength. A menace as an on ball defender and can be expected to guard most positions on the floor … Gives great effort. Despite not passing the eye test as a fluid mover, he does get to his spots, and is an effective finisher from 2-point range … As he develops his mid-range and 3-point shooting, he can turn into a viable option on the offensive end… His calling card, especially initially and probably always, will be his impact defensively …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Al Thornton","date_of_birth":"7/3/02","hometown":"Montreal, Quebec","high_school":"NBA Academy Latin America","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":25,"big_board_rank":27,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Marcus Sasser","year":2023,"height":74,"weight":195,"school":"Houston","pros":"Sasser is a 6’2 PG/SG with solid length (6’7 wingspan) and quickness on the perimeter; along with above average footwork, body control and agility … His perimeter J is his bread and butter offensively, where he shot 37% on a robust 7 3-point attempts per game for his career … Has NBA range, a smooth release & follow through, and unabashed confidence … Very comfortable taking deep shots pulling off the dribble going left or right, and is also a really consistent threat spotting up in rhythm with space … Shows wiggle and space creation skill and likes to utilize step-back jumpers…Had 11 games with 4+ made 3-point shots as a Sr, illustrating his ability to score in bunches with his jumper…Effective utilizing runners when chased off the line; a necessity for players who lack size … Career 82 FT% (85 FT% as a Sr on a career-high 4.2 FTA/G); won’t make many mistakes from the stripe late in games … Takes care of the ball and limits live ball turnovers (1.4 topg for his career) … Can operate in pick and roll offense adequately enough to not look out of place chipping in as a secondary playmaker; uses pace dribbles and the threat of his jumper to create passing lanes for occasional dump-offs to bigs … Decent transition player who can be used as a shooting valve off ball or occasionally applying pressure calling his own number getting downhill … Competitive defensive player who has the length and lateral quickness to cut off penetration, stagnate offensive possessions and force turnovers (1.6 spg) … Among the best point of attack perimeter defenders in the 2023 Draft class, but also shows solid awareness navigating through screens and can disrupt passing lanes off the ball…May see his efficiency rise at the pro level with less shot-creation responsibilities …","cons":"Average athleticism as he lacks much in the way of explosiveness and leaping skills … Below average physical profile outside of his relatively long arms, not being particularly impressive with his height, strength or frame … Shoots a ton of jumpers and has a tendency to settle and take ill-advised, closely contested shots … Doesn’t get to the rim very often in half-court offense and struggles to convert amongst the trees in the paint once he gets there due to a lack of elevation … Much more wired to score than facilitate; doesn’t show great playmaking instincts and usually prefers to use screens to get space for his own shots … Handled the ball a ton in college and doesn’t project to see nearly as many possessions for himself at the NBA level … Doesn’t break down the defense often enough in isolation to justify extended on-ball responsibilities, and had possessions when he pounded the ball too much when he should’ve swung it to his teammates … Middling efficiency (around 44 FG% his final 2 college seasons, career 40 FG%) and can be a bit streaky with his shot … Some durability concerns after missing parts of 2 seasons dealing with toe and groin injuries …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jevon Carter","date_of_birth":"9/21/00","hometown":"Dallas, TX","high_school":"Red Oak","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":34,"big_board_rank":40,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ben Sheppard","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":195,"school":"Belmont","pros":"An impactful 3-and-D wing who was outstanding in his four seasons at Belmont on both sides of the ball … Showed out in NBA Combine scrimmages, which included a 25-point game, one-point shy of an NBA Combine record … Smooth and efficient shooting stroke from beyond the arc at 41.5% as a senior … Showed impressive confidence initiating the offense and creating his own shot off the dribble at the NBA Combine. Decent playmaker on the wing as well with three assists per game … Playmaking background as he was named the best passer in the Atlanta area in 2019 and grew up as a point guard due to a late growth spurt … Quick trigger and high release allow him to get shots up without much space on the perimeter … Aggressive slasher who showed he can initiate contact and get to the line with over four attempts per game … More than just a floor-spacing shooter with his handles and finishing inside the arc … Disruptive and agile defender who can switch 1-3 on the perimeter and even onto smaller 4’s to contest outside jumpers … Averaged nearly a steal and a half per game … Extremely intelligent player who reads defenses well with precise passing and timely cuts to get open looks for himself … Positive AST/TO ratio as a three-year starter with Belmont … Showed a selfless understanding of his role at the combine, shifting from go-to scorer at Belmont to exceptional role player alongside the talented teammates around him … Great positional size … Positive rebounder with over five per game in his final season … Stays out of foul trouble …","cons":"Not the most explosive athlete with just a 35.5-inch max vertical. He’s also more quick than fast, often creating space for himself with shiftiness rather than straight-line speed … Faced low-level competition collegiality, compared to his draft competition, although he did show he belongs with that competition in the combine scrimmages … Taking these performances for what they were, just two scrimmages, and balancing that with four years of tape is the biggest challenge for evaluators … Turns 22 on July 16th, limiting his upside … Doesn’t have elite potential, but should be able to contribute as a role player if his efficiency carries over to the next level … Measurements, particularly wingspan, were slightly disappointing, but Sheppard plays much longer and taller than these measurements suggest … While his three point shot showed steady improvement throughout his college career, climbing to 40% as a senior, his FT percentage flat lined and hovered around and below 70% throughout four years at Belmont … Lack of efficiency from FT line clouds confidence in his ability to become a floor spacer/outside threat at next level …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Garrett Temple","date_of_birth":"7/16/01","hometown":"Atlanta, GA","high_school":"Greater Atlanta Christian","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":26,"big_board_rank":37,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Nick Smith Jr","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":185,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Smith Jr is a 6’5 185 lb combo guard prospect with very good length and nice athleticism for the NBA level … Really quick and speedy, and has the frame to add muscle … Likes to score the ball (12.5 ppg as a Fr.) and is pretty aggressive doing so, especially when it comes to slashing or hitting shots off the dribble … Can put up points in chunks at his best (5 20 point games in 17 games played) and is widely viewed as a ‘microwave’ scoring threat … Won’t have many problems breaking down the defense; has a combination of good ball-handling ability and a quick 1st step that gives him intriguing potential as a shot creator … Comfortable in the mid-range; can pressure defenders with his ability to stop on a dime and stick pull-up jumpers … Makes good use of runners and floaters in the lane as well … Occasionally makes some flashy lay-ins at the rim with his craftiness and touch … Not afraid to shoot from long range either, and showed some flashes from distance this season (1.4 made 3s game on over 4 attempts) … Can play on or off the ball and generally did a nice job of being active as a cutter or looking for ways to get open for shots when he was on the wing … Has all the tools to be an effective defender in the backcourt, and played with good energy in a demanding defensive system at Arkansas … Has strong on-ball defensive potential, but also has enough quickness and length to deflect passes and become more of a threat as a ball thief … Would fit well in an up-tempo offensive system with his speed and aggressive approach; has good projections as a open court player …","cons":"Not very physical and a bit light in the britches at the moment; needs to add more muscle to his frame … Can get steamrolled on the ball as a defender more than you’d like to see and really struggled as a finisher offensively (39.6 FG% inside the arc) … Shot selection needs improvement (37.6 FG%); often takes low percentage shots in the mid-range area when he would be better served moving the ball or attacking the rim … Pretty inconsistent 3-point shooter (33.8 3FG%), doesn’t handle contests that well right now and will often change his release with a hand in his face … Listed as a combo guard, but isn’t a natural playmaker for others (1.7 apg) … When he’s on ball he mostly only passes as a last resort after the defense collapses on him … Middling feel for the game and basketball IQ at this stage, will force action and try to make plays that aren’t there … Doesn’t have much impact on games outside of scoring; can be hard to justify playing him when his shots aren’t falling … Won’t contribute much on the glass and is a poor rebounder even for a backcourt player (1.6 rpg) … Pressed on but never quite gained his rhythm after missing a critical chunk of the season dealing with a knee injury …Overall: Nick Smith Jr was a ballyhooed prospect out of HS and was ranked as high as the #1 recruit in the 2022 Class, and was a main reason Arkansas was considered a preseason national title favorite with their highly regarded recruiting class … Injuries took their toll on Smith Jr and Arkansas as a whole, as he missed about 2 months of action dealing with a knee injury and Arkansas struggled a bit during the SEC schedule without him but eventually made it to the Sweet 16 … He showed the shot-making ability, burst and handle that made him a projected top 10 pick before the season in his 17 games played, as well as some potential on the defensive end given his length, intensity and quickness … There is something to be said about his potential as an instant offense threat … He wasn’t very efficient, needs to get stronger and more physical getting all the way to the bucket (which ties in with his ability to improve his efficiency) as well as being more productive outside of his scoring, but he had a limited sample size and could benefit from having more continuity and rhythm if his knee problems are behind him … He may have some naysayers in the top half of the draft but his potential is too great for him to not hear his name sooner than later in the 1st round of the 2023 Draft …Jorrye Nixon 4/17/23Strengths: 6’5 combo guard … Good size, length, and versatility for position. Can play on or off the ball … Hits shots off the dribble and just needs a little bit of space to get shot off. Quick release. Very dangerous midrange scorer with a very effective floater … Averaged 17.6 points per game on 49.2% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2021 … Good ball-handler, creates offense, and gets where he wants with his dribble, using either hand. Changes speed well with the ball and operates well in traffic. Stays under control when picking up speed … Sees the floor well, alert, and good passing ability. Knows his cross-court options as a passer. Good touch on lob passes … Defends well on and off the ball. Sits and consistently hounds the ball-handler. Fights over screens …Weaknesses: Slight frame and can get stronger. Finishing at the rim at higher levels may be an obstacle … Good athlete and smooth but isn’t overly explosive … Although he shoots well from midrange and shot a respectable 37.5% 3PT% on 4.8 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL, he can improve 3PT shooting consistency … Can be too content for midrange shots/floaters rather than getting to the rim … Although rebounding isn’t a heavy role for a guard, he doesn’t stand out in that area and his 3.5 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 is below other guards of his caliber. Has the tools and gifts to improve in that area …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jamal Crawford","date_of_birth":"4/18/04","hometown":"Jacksonville, AR","high_school":"North Little Rock","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":19,"big_board_rank":18,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Brice Sensabaugh","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":235,"school":"Ohio St.","pros":"Sensabaugh is a burly SF/PF at around 6’5 230, with a build resembling that of an NFL tight end … Also a solid athlete for his dimensions; shows good burst, body control and explosiveness … An offensive machine with mismatch scoring tools; has real 3-level scoring ability and can do damage in a variety of ways (16.3 PPG as a Fr.) … Soft touch shows up all in his 3-point shooting (40 3FG% on 4.5 3FGA/G), mid-range game, finishing around the rim, and as a post-up player (52 FG% inside the arc, 48 FG% overall) … Fluid release and shoots with confidence, making him a factor hitting shots when left open or against closeouts when spotting up … Strong first step and frame allow him to steamroll defenders on his slashes to the rim, particularly when operating on the perimeter against wings … Has a wide, sturdy base to power through contact; built for physical play and picked up a number of ‘and-1s’ this past season (83 FT% on 3 FTA/G) … Will occasionally flash some juice as a leaper and finish above the rim when he has momentum … Can seal in the low and mid post areas & has a good feel for using his shoulders to create space for his fadeaway & turnaround jumper … Outstanding production in the 15-18 ft area; is a threat facing up on short kickouts, screens or pulling up off 1 or 2 dribbles and sticking shots when chased off the line … Adequate ball-handling ability with both hands to create space & will use simple crossovers and stepbacks when overplayed … Makes sound reads and knows how to find open spots on the court, making him a promising off-ball scorer who won’t always have to create his own shots … A relative late bloomer who could just be scratching the surface after shooting up the HS rankings as a Sr. and enjoying a better than expected Fr. season; wasn’t on any 2023 draft boards prior to the season … Has a clear niche and that gives him a somewhat high floor as a prospect …","cons":"Unconventional physical tools with average height and length by NBA standards despite his wider frame, and is more powerful than athletic … Not especially quick or light on his feet, and his leaping ability & speed while not poor are that of a “build-up” variety … More of a below the rim player, particularly in the halfcourt … Physical nature and strength can be used against him at times, leading to his picking up charges against more savvy defenders…Defense is a work in progress currently; poor fundamentals and overall awareness at times landed him in the doghouse at Ohio State despite his offensive prowess … There are some legitimate questions about what positions he projects to consistently defend at the NBA level … Was often directly targeted by opponents at the point of attack but also seemed to be a step behind off the ball when it came to locating shooters and making controlled closeouts, which led to plenty of possessions with team defensive collapses and easy shot attempts … Doesn’t force many turnovers or disrupt passing lanes (0.5 SPG)…Fared slightly better defending post-ups and frontcourt players, but still gets shot over easily due to his lack of height, length and static leaping skills (0.4 BPG)…Average overall rebounding skills (5.4 RPG) and won’t grab many boards outside of his general area…Doesn’t pass the ball much; mostly wired to get his own shots and displayed a bit of tunnel vision (1.2 APG)…Should monitor his conditioning and diet closely (only played 24 MPG), as he has a body type that could easily struggle with injuries or weight issues in the future if he’s not careful","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Shake Milton/Matt Harpring","date_of_birth":"10/30/03","hometown":"Orlando, FL","high_school":"Lake Highland Prep","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":35,"big_board_rank":35,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Julian Strawther","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":210,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"3-and-D wing with a quick release and efficient scoring from beyond the arc … Flourished at Gonzaga in his 3-year career as a terrific floor spacer who attacks closeouts and finishes in the lane with a tremendous floater … Can also attack the rim on aggressive closeouts with excellent touch in and around the paint. Incredibly efficient inside the arc during his first two seasons at 70 and 66 percent before a dip to 52 percent as a junior … One of the best rebounding wings in the nation with six rebounds per game last season … Perfectly blended into Gonzaga’s fast-paced offense with his speed and intelligence to find his spot in transition … Can score in both spot-ups and off the dribble in isolation from beyond the arc … Excellent movement off the ball, especially running defenders off screens … Clutch performer. Showed a willingness and confidence to take the last shot in big moments, with a pair of clutch game-winning shots against BYU and UCLA, which came in the Sweet 16 … Won’t have an issue adjusting to NBA range with many of his 3-pointers coming from well beyond the arc … Great form and shooting mechanics on his jumper … Has added a solid floater to get baskets on drives … Excellent touch and body control around the rim to convert … His constant movement, quick changes of speed and long strides allow him to get to the basket without beating his man on his first step … Used timely backdoor cuts in Gonzaga’s motion offense to create easy looks for himself … Disciplined defender who has the length to block shots at a solid rate … Began to take over the role of Gonzaga’s go to player late in his junior season … Raised free throw percentage to near 80% as a junior … COnverted a solid number of ally oops …","cons":"Unorthodox release on his shot … Awkward base to his jump shot with his knees tucked inside more than his toes … Toughness received some criticism through his three year career … Not an explosive athlete as he relies more on lengthy strides and a relentless motor to win toward the basket … Doesn’t do much in the playmaking or shot creating departments in slower half-court sets. His assists rarely came off the dribble … Only an average free-throw shooter for a shooting wing at 74% for his career … His inability to consistently win off the dribble is supported by his low number of free throw attempts per game (3.1 attempts in 29 minutes per game over the last two seasons) … A lot of his worst games came against high-level opponents who were able to put high-level athletes on him. Due to his lack of top-notch athleticism, a lot of his success may be system-based if he is able to get out and run consistently … Slower paced teams may struggle to get him going outside of a floor-spacing/shooting role …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Doug Christie","date_of_birth":"4/18/02","hometown":"Las Vegas, NV","high_school":"Liberty","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":31,"big_board_rank":25,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kobe Brown","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Missouri","pros":"The “brown mamba” is a physical playmaking wing who can stretch the floor and create for others in half-court offense … Could make an argument that he is the best passing wing in the 2023 NBA Draft class with his vision and quick processing in transition and off the dribble … Uses his physical frame to finish through contact with efficiency around the rim. Can also contort his body with surprising acrobatics in the air to avoid contact if there is space near the hoop … Deceptive quickness with his first step to create an advantage on drives. Often makes the right decision when he wins off the bounce, either creating open looks for others or taking it all the way in for a bucket … Catch-and-shoot specialist, which will likely be much of his role early on in the NBA. But he is versatile enough on the offensive end to expand his role into a secondary ball-handler/shot creator in mismatches … Can create these mismatches with outstanding strength that could allow him to handle powerful big men in the post … Smooth ball-handler with a decent bag. Protects the ball extraordinarily well when he picks it up toward the basket … Can win in face-ups or with his back turned toward the basket … Above average post scorer from the wing … Uses the rim well to protect him on reverse layups and dunks … Aggressive rebounder who put up solid numbers all four years with Missouri (6.0 per game for career) … Developed into a terrific 3-point shooter, both on the move and in spot-ups as a senior (45.5%) … Growth as a free-throw shooter supported his growth as a 3-point shooter (79% FT in final two seasons) … Overcame a turnover problem as a junior (2.3 per game) and cut it down to 1.6 per game while growing more confident and courageous in his passing abilities … Also cut down on fouls per game (3.1 to 2.5) … Intelligent player who continuously developed, showing a strong work ethic and coachability … Makes up for lack of quickness with intelligent defending and excellent timing when going for strips and blocks. Averaged a steal and a half per game last season. Long arms helped his aggressive nature as an off-ball defender out on the perimeter, deflecting and intercepting passes that he otherwise wouldn’t be able to reach … Quick and fluid shooting stroke","cons":"Not the quickest lateral athlete or most explosive vertical athlete, as illustrated by his 32” max vertical leap at the combine … While his free-throw shooting as a junior backed up his growth from the perimeter, such a dramatic jump from 20.6% to 45.5% (from 3) raises concerns about Brown’s true shooting potential and if he will succeed from NBA range at a consistent rate … Had some bad misses throughout his career that could be red flags … Classic in-between positions player. Could be too slow to play the four and too short to play as a small-ball five, especially without much to show in the rim protection department … If he can’t bully his way to the basket or win off the dribble, his mid-range game lacks any confidence and often leads to thrown up shots or turnovers at the second level. Mostly a 3-point shooter or finisher around the rim without the second level scoring to his game … Will struggle in perimeter defending without great foot speed and quickness. Won’t be a defensive liability though, with his instincts and intelligence on that end of the floor …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Damien Wilkins","date_of_birth":"1/1/00","hometown":"Huntsville, AL","high_school":"Lee","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":56,"big_board_rank":58,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"James Nnaji","year":2023,"height":82,"weight":235,"school":"Nigeria","pros":"Athletic, mobile center … Very good size for a big … Has amazing length (reports suggest wingspan between 7’5 and 7’7 feet) … Bouncy, a very good leaper either off two feet or one foot … Already has an NBA body … Built like a tank, it’s really difficult even for physically imposing bigs to move him … Understands his role and limitations, doesn’t try to do too much … Coachable, will always do what his coach asks him to do… Has a translatable game to the next level … Likes to play physically, doesn’t back down to anyone … Runs the floor very well for a big… A great, strong finisher at the rim … Wants to dunk everything … Sets good, strong screens either on or off the ball … He doesn’t have a problem setting screens constantly during the same play… Good at setting picks in pick and rolls, has nice mobility in his hips … The definition of a rim runner… Very good in pick and roll actions, with dynamic dives to the basket … Occasionally slips in Pick and Roll to have a running start, catching his opponents off guard … A point guard’s ideal partner in Pick and Roll actions when it comes to lobs, he jumps high enough to grab almost any pass … Can absorb contact well when finishing at the rim… Moves well without the ball … He is effective when standing in the dunking spot to receive a pass … Great offensive rebounder, crashes the boards and adds pressure to his opponent … Makes his presence felt on defense … A good post up defender, knows how to use his body and length … A good rim protector due to size and athleticism, tries to contest every shot … Has shown promise when defending in flat or drop coverage in Pick and Roll actions … Has good enough mobility and lateral quickness to support switch defense to some degree …","cons":"Has average feel for the game … Game is still pretty raw and depends mostly on his instincts … Being a part of an established club had it’s consequences, since he had limited playing time for years … There is a concern that his limited playing time slowed down his development … Limited skillset offensively… Depends on his teammates to be effective on offense … His post up game needs a lot of work, it is kind of mechanical for now, with just a jump hook … He should add some counter moves, or any moves to that matter when Posting Up … He needs to improve finishing plays with his left (weak) hand … Has no shooting range, does all his damage in the paint … Shooting mechanics need work … A bad free throw shooter can be a target in games … He is kind of hit or miss when he does a short roll in Pick and Rolls, he can either dribble once and score, travel or make a bad pass … Playmaking isn’t there yet… Foul prone, he has the tendency to make an occasional “bad” foul due to his lack of experience and reps … It remains a question mark how he will react when he is matched athletically and physically against more polished bigs … Average defensive rebounder, depends too much on his physical tools and at times forgets to box out … Not always focused on defense when defending off the ball … Chasing for blocks leads to offensive rebound opportunities for his opponents … Has problems when he is asked to defend Pick and Rolls doing Hedge Out or Blitz, he occasionally turns his back to the ball and leaves his man open …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Udoka Azubuike/Ian Mahinmi","date_of_birth":"8/14/04","hometown":"Makurdi, Nigeria","rebounding":8,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"international_team":"FC Barcelona","athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":6,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":42,"big_board_rank":47,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen Pickett","year":2023,"height":75,"weight":200,"school":"Penn State","pros":"A mature and crafty point guard with tremendous strength … Loves to play a physical brand of basketball … Surprising post skills and shot creation with his back turned to the basket … Excellent efficiency and court vision from the low block allowed him to dissect opposing defenses with post scoring and timely passes out of double teams to create open looks for shooters on the perimeter … Crafty ball-handler who can keep his dribble going until a decision needs to be made … This helped prevent turnovers (2.3 TO) despite his high usage (27.3%) and assist rate (39.2%) for the Nittany Lions … Keeping his dribble so long also helped him obtain excellent position in the low post by continuously forcing his defender under the basket … Physical driver who isn’t afraid to draw contact and get to the line. His free throw attempts per game do not do justice to his willingness to create contact and finish through it at the rim … Covers a lot of ground with his step back jumper, allowing him to get his shot up from the mid-range or 3-point arc over lengthier defenders … Converted many of these fallaway jumpers on his way to a 17.7 point average in his final season in Happy Valley … High-level patience with the ball in his hand … Gritty player who scraps for rebounds (7.4 per game) and elevates the play of his teammates with his tenacity and leadership … Capable of a triple-double on any night in college with his well-rounded play. Can impact the game in many ways even when his shot isn’t falling … Productive in all five years of his college career, averaging no less than 12.9 points per game … Utilizes a deceptive shot-fake at all three levels to get out of tight quarters and steal points at the foul line … A savvy veteran who can contribute meaningful minutes running a second unit with efficiency and leadership … Decent foul-shooter at 76% … Physical style should allow him to switch onto most perimeter players and even into the post if need be … High IQ on both ends of the floor","cons":"Doesn’t boast great size or length at just 6’2 barefoot with a 6’7.5 wingspan as a combo gaurd … Not very gifted athletically, although he seems to make up for it with his craftiness and poise (33 inch vertical is below NBA average for guards) … Won’t blow by a defender to create penetration or get to the rim with pace … One of the oldest prospects in the draft class at 24 years old (October 22nd) by opening night … The exclusion of a five-second rule with your back to the basket in college allowed Pickett to stay patient backing players down, which he won’t be able to do at the next level … A lot of his effectiveness came with the time he was allotted to keep his back turned and keep his eyes on the shooters who would come open around him … Won’t match the athleticism of his counterparts in the backcourt, which will make it difficult for him to stay in front defensively … Although he can create immense space with his step-back jumper, the additional length in the NBA could provide more problems for him with his unorthodox style …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jeremy Pargo/Shelvin Mack","date_of_birth":"10/22/99","hometown":"Rochester, NY","high_school":"Aquinas Institute","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":37,"big_board_rank":41,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Leonard Miller","year":2023,"height":82,"weight":210,"school":"G-League","pros":"Miller is a long 6’10 215 PF/C with nicely developing strength, and he should only continue to fill out his frame in the future … Solid run-jump athlete that is most effective on the move … Has plenty of success as a rim-runner; can get up and down the floor before other big guys and did a great job of finishing strong around the hoop (60 FG% inside the arc) … Also shows good timing as a cutter and when operating as a roller in the screening game, being someone who can chip in easy points without having plays directly called for him (18 PPG on 55 FG%) … Nice hands and touch in close near the rim … Strong rebounding skills, particularly on the offensive glass, where he must be located to box out when shots go up and is a factor getting 2nd chance points (11 RPG, 3.2 ORPG) … On the defensive glass he shows flashes of being able to lead the break after grabbing missed shots, and he capable of handling the ball some in the open court … Above average 1st step for a 6’10 player and usually has a quickness advantage to face up & take bigs off the bounce when playing C … Has the tools to be able to successfully defend all along the frontcourt, with the footwork to switch on the perimeter and the budding strength to defend post-ups … Length (7’2 wingspan) makes him a more difficult matchup to shoot over and he showed flashes as a rim protector, especially as a weakside defender (0.9 BPG) … Plays to his strengths and sees the most success when he keeps it simple offensively … Made 79% of his FTs, which is encouraging to an extent for his potential to be a competent shooter as his range extends … His improvement from last year to now has been impressive; still continuing to make strides as a prospect and is a bit of a late bloomer …","cons":"Offensive skill level is raw and has some fundamentals that need to be refined, particularly in the halfcourt … Struggles as a floor spacer (32.7 3FG% on 2.2 3FGA/G); has a slow, mechanical shooting form that often led to flat misses … Too much wasted lower body motion and inconsistent footwork getting into his shot when spotting up … Plays with a high center of gravity operating with the ball that makes him susceptible to getting pick pocketed in traffic by help defenders and even sometimes on the ball … Not much of a shot creator against set defenses and generally has to find ways to get points by moving off the ball … Can struggle as a decision maker with the ball if you take away the things he wants to do or pressure him and make him read & react to action on the fly … Doesn’t really operate as a low block post scorer; prefers to face the basket almost exclusively … Budding playmaking ability but needs polish and to improve his feel and vision; will telegraph passes and at times commit awkward turnovers on what should be routine plays … Defensive fundamentals could use some work; his high center of gravity works against him here as well … Has struggled to sink his hips and chop his feet to keep the ball and man in front of him, which led to him being vulnerable against quick slashers and shot fakes on the perimeter … More of a PF than a wing or a big man, as he has some traits for both the perimeter and the paint but doesn’t exclusively play either role …Overall: Leonard Miller is a Canadian-bred prospect who played basketball in the Ontario area & represented Canada on the FIBA U16 team before transferring to schools in Utah & Florida to make a name for himself … After struggling with injuries and receiving little playing time he transferred back to Canada and began to emerge in around the fall of 2021 as a late blooming frontcourt player who had a big growth spurt (reportedly from 6’5 to 6’10 in less than 2 years) and made even more of a name for himself in the limited action he saw in the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit … Shortly after, he declared for the 2022 NBA Draft, presumably to get feedback heading into this past season, and after a month he decided to withdraw and join the G-League Ignite program as an 18 year old…He enjoyed an overall solid season where he continued to show the rim-running athleticism, flashes of open court handling and passing, while also showing encouraging defensive potential guarding near the basket … He still is learning the nuances of the game and is a bit of a project right now, with his athleticism and physical tools being ahead of his skill level at the moment…But his production was pretty impressive given his lack of experience and overall polish (14 double doubles in 24 games during the ‘22-23 season) and offers hope that he can develop into a worthwhile frontcourt guy who can play defense against modern NBA style frontcourt guys while also being a solid offensive contributor without having plays drawn up for him … He’s still growing into himself and getting used to operating the frontcourt, but he is an upside pick that teams in the mid to late 1st round will be intrigued by considering the strides he made from last summer until now …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Andray Blatche","date_of_birth":"11/26/03","hometown":"Thornhill, Canada","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":27,"big_board_rank":33,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Colby Jones","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":205,"school":"Xavier","pros":"A poised guard with versatility to defend and hit the 3 ball when left open … Has good size for a wing at 6’6 with a 6’8 wingspan … Terrific feel in the half-court as an offensive initiator showing some pick and roll ability … Despite a lack of ideal speed, does a solid job of getting opponents on his hip on drives and makes good reads in traffic … Three-level scorer who plays under control and finishes well through contact …  Intelligent player who reads the floor well on both ends … Solid upside as a shooter …. Despite average shooting numbers over his career, shows good form and touch on his shot and is becoming reliable when left open, with a solid form and relatively quick shooting motion … Active defender with the size and energy to switch along the perimeter … Efficient decision maker with a controlled game … Averaged 4.4 assists in the Big East while splitting lead-guard duties with Souley Boum with a 2:1 AST/TO ratio … Excellent vision and passing ability … Crashes the offensive glass extremely well and gets to the line often with a physical style of play … Posts up well for a guard and uses his court vision to create for others with kick outs … Understands floor spacing well and is a timely cutter with a terrific floater in the lane … A good defender who uses his size, strength and determination to deny opponents driving lanes and open looks … Projects as a role player who could find a niche in the right situation …","cons":"A below average athlete who lacks both leaping ability and speed to gain separation against high level athletes … A good shooter off the catch but struggles in ISO situations to generate his own offense, below average efficiency on pull ups … Has a reputation as a shooter after shooting over 40% from 3 early in JR season but numbers/volume don’t exactly reinforce the perceived high level shooting ability (75 threes made over 86 collegiate games)  … Knocked down 45 three pointers as a junior, and 75 over a three year career on 34.4% shooting, 67.9% from the line  … Free-throw percentage has dropped throughout his career from 76% as a freshman to 65% as a junior, leading to questions about the authenticity of his perimeter jumper … His jump from 29% to 38% from his sophomore to junior year could represent an outlier, considering his struggles at the charity stripe and shooting overall in his college career… Lack of consistency could be a function of confidence, which can improve … Doesn’t create a ton of space for himself off the dribble due to limited quickness and athleticism, often causing him to pass out of isolations to reset the offense … Gets his shots swatted too often and struggles to finish around the rim on the break due to limited explosiveness … Ability to function as a point guard remains a question mark against quicker and better athletes … 21 years of age as of May 28th … Not the most offensive minded player, may struggle some to be a high level scorer …Overall: Doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but is riding a nice wave of hype with some first round buzz among draft outlets, particularly early in the season … Plays a mature game and turned some heads with his versatility and 3 point accuracy and an innate ability to contribute winning plays on both ends …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Terence Davis/Josh Hart","date_of_birth":"5/28/02","hometown":"Birmingham, AL","high_school":"Mountain Brook","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":40,"big_board_rank":39,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Julian Phillips","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":195,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Raw, physical specimen with plenty of upside … Phillips was a McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit … Had modest success this past year as a freshman at Tennessee, but reportedly has been shining at pre draft events … At 6’8″ with a near 7′ wingspan, Julian has great size for the wing/forward position at the NBA level … Athletic ability is elite  … A player with “defensive versatility” to ultimately defend both 3 and 4 positions …. Led the entire 2023 NBA Draft Combine in vertical leap, jumping an eye-popping 43″ … This translates well to being a great open court finisher, rim runner, defender and rebounder at the next level … Watching Julian play, what stands out is indeed his explosiveness … Along with the physical tools, Phillips is also a highly interested, gritty, and tenacious defender, especially on the ball, making him a terror for opponents … This should translate immediately to the NBA … Phillips will mix it up and take a charge, and can be relied upon to absolutely hound the ball handler … His tenacity can also be seen on the boards … He averaged a strong, nearly two offensive rebounds per game… Offensively, Phillips is very raw … Has decent finishing ability around the hoop … Can catch an alley oop, lob pass … 82% from the FT line suggests he can become a better shooter from the floor …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Derrick Jones","date_of_birth":"11/5/03","hometown":"Blythewood, SC","high_school":"Link Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":33,"big_board_rank":30,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Andre Jackson Jr","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":210,"school":"UConn","pros":"An explosive, playmaking wing who loves to get out in transition and create for his teammates in fast-paced scenarios … The linchpin of UConn’s run-and-gun offensive sets predicated on constant movement … An above average passer with great vision and quick decision making … A player with defensive stopper potential … Instinctive defender who jumps passing lanes and rises high for rebounds and blocks from weakside positioning … Proved to be a leader and a clutch performer in UConn’s title run … Fluid athlete with long arms (near 6’10 wingspan) who uses his lateral quickness and length to switch and defend all positions on the floor … Active cutter and rim-runner who can finish acrobatically above the rim or with a running floater under control … Can work as the primary initiator with smooth ball-handling and excellent court vision … Pick and roll skill is very good for his size … Nimble and slippery enough to run around screens and disrupt offensive action … Disruptive defender and unselfish facilitator (1.1 STL, 0.5 BLK and 4.7 AST) as a junior at UConn … May never be much of an offensive threat, but makes up for it with an impressive basketball IQ … Possesses extraordinary passing accuracy in tight spaces … Excellent rebounder due to impressive leaping ability and length … Projects primarily as a versatile and talented defender with athletic finishing, transition prowess and playmaking upside … Affects the game in ways that don’t always show on the stat sheet… Durable, rotational wing who can provide an additional ball-handler and playmaker off the bench …","cons":"Lack of scoring ability is a major concern … Unselfish to a fault … Must become more aggressive hunting his own shots and a more efficient shooter … Lacks the offensive touch/feel and confidence to put up points consistently (just 6.0 career ppg) and at this point is not a two way impact guy … He Is an excellent playmaker in transition but can be an erratic decision maker who can get sped up in the open floor or in half-court sets … Has a thin frame that can be taken advantage of more at the next level than it was in college … Despite his tight handles, quickness and athleticism, Jackson rarely got to the free-throw line and shot a poor percentage (64%) when he did get there … His lack of efficiency at the line and awkward shooting motion suggest that his struggles as a jump-shooter will continue unless he can successfully revamp his shooting motion … Showed an increased willingness to shoot from the perimeter (2.5 attempts per game) to keep teams honest, but needs to improve efficiency at 28% …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Matisse Thybulle","date_of_birth":"11/13/01","hometown":"Amsterdam, NY","high_school":"Albany Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":36,"big_board_rank":29,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Hunter Tyson","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":215,"school":"Clemson","pros":"Floor spacing wing with great size and tremendous experience as a five-year contributor for the Clemson Tigers … Catch-and-shoot specialist who shot over 40% from beyond the arc as a super senior on six attempts per game … High release on his jumper allows him to shoot over aggressive closeouts, even over players with NBA size … Instant contributor who can fill out a rotation as a shooting threat who moves intelligently and is always ready to pull a quick trigger … Shoots well on the move and in spot ups … Elite rebounder by every definition. Averaged 9.6 rebounds per game this season … Can step into long two’s and exploit undisciplined closeouts … Takes care of the basketball with only one turnover per game this season … Efficient scorer from everywhere on the floor (58% from 2PT, 40.5% from 3 PT and 84% from FT) … Potential 50/40/90 role player with NBA size and veteran presence … Performed at an elite level in shooting drills at the 2023 G-League Elite Camp. Earned a call-up to the 2023 NBA Draft Combine for his efforts … Stays out of foul trouble. Should be able to contribute solid minutes and stay on the floor because of it … Improved each season at Clemson, growing into much more than a shooter with a 15-point average this season … Can take advantage of mismatches in the post with a decent post-scoring bag and a sound fadeaway jumper … Good finisher when he gets to the hoop","cons":"Not much of a shot creator and one of the oldest players in the draft at 23 years old … Will struggle to separate and get open looks for himself off the dribble … Doesn’t project to be much more than a shooter on the wing … Below average athlete who gets beat off the dribble often and rarely contests shots inside the arc. Could often be the guy that opponents exploit on defense both in the post and on the perimeter … Doesn’t have great length for his height, which can be seen with the lack of steal/block production on defense … Will need to improve drastically on the defensive end to earn consistent minutes … If his shot isn’t falling, he provides little value to an NBA team","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Brian Cardinal","date_of_birth":"6/13/00","hometown":"Monroe, NC","high_school":"Piedmont","rebounding":6,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":6,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"mock_draft_rank":60,"big_board_rank":72}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jordan Walsh","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":205,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Walsh is a physically gifted 6’7 205 wing with massive length (7’2 wingspan) that allows him to play much bigger and has the frame to easily add muscle … Good, rangy-type athleticism and movement skills; a long strider who runs the floor very well and is a factor in transition … An above the rim finisher who shows strong leaping ability … Really good projections as a versatile defensive player at the pro level; is competitive and instinctive with the active feet and toughness to guard PG-PF, especially as he fills out his frame … Knows how to use his length and athleticism to get back in plays when beat and consistently shows a high motor … Smothers players on the perimeter when defending at the point of attack and is a very hard player to shoot over when he keeps his hands up … Physical tools allow him to be a factor off the ball as he can rotate to disrupt slashers and still get back to close out and contest on jump shooters … Active hands to strip the ball, get deflections and pick pocket ball-handlers (1.1 SPG)…Instincts and hustle also flash on the offensive glass at times (43 offensive rebounds as a Fr), where he can highpoint some misses for 2nd chance points and even if he can’t corral boards he will tip the ball out for others to retain possessions … Is comfortable handling the ball in transition and is a simple, yet effective passer on the move … Will make the extra pass and generally doesn’t force the issue … Solid job moving without the ball and can get himself some easy baskets by cutting to open spots around the rim … Willing to sacrifice his body for loose balls and extra possessions … Contributes in multiple ways, some that may not show up in box scores, and seems to be an unselfish teammate willing to do whatever to win …","cons":"Offensive game is a major work in progress; particularly in the half court … Arkansas struggled hitting the deep ball all season long and his lack of shooting skills, even when in rhythm or left open, was one of the main reasons why the floor spacing in their offense was poor (27.8 3FG%, only 20 total 3s made as a Fr.) … High, yet slow release, mediocre touch and inconsistent footwork; will need significant improvement and time with a shooting coach to even get close to league-average range as a floor spacer … Very little mid-range game to pull-up for closer shots too … Often passes up open shots and tends to be a pretty easy player to guard, particularly 1-on-1 … Not a scorer; 18 points was his season-high as a Fr. and took 10 or more shots in only 3 games this past season (7.2 PPG) … Nothing special as a ball-handler, mostly a north-south slasher with minimal misdirection or shiftiness to his game … Mediocre efficiency as a finisher for someone with his physical tools and athleticism (51 FG% inside the arc) … Wont get to the FT line very often (1.8 FTA/G on 71 FT%) … Currently operates more like a PF than a wing offensively in terms of skill set and role … Has some playmaking skills that can be harnessed, but they are raw (0.9:1 A:TO) and teams lack of respect for his shooting skills often led to defenders sagging off and cutting off passing lanes … Can be overly reliant on his tools defensively and get very handsy and undisciplined on the perimeter, though he did get better about it as the season went on (2.9 fpg; fouled out of 7 games in ‘22-23)…  Foul trouble and shooting woes often limited his playing time last season, and he was demoted from starter to reserve during the SEC slate (24.4 MPG) … Green prospect with a fairly wide range of skills that need to be polished for him to reach his potential … Plays somewhat passive, not fully utilizing his athletic gifts with finishes around the rim as often as he should …Overall: Jordan Walsh was a highly touted, consensus 5-star recruit originally from the Dallas area before playing for the Link Academy as a Sr…He was a McDonalds All-American and part of an Arkansas recruiting class that was the highest rated in the country by some recruiting sites, which led to high preseason expectations after their trip to the Elite 8 in 2022…Walsh entered his Fr. season as a starter at forward and a projected 1st round pick in 2023 mock drafts, but seemed to have had growing pains adjusting to the speed of the game and often struggling to defend without fouling and assert himself offensively…He was eventually demoted to a reverse player, but seemed to buy in and settle into the role of a Swiss Army knife type off the Arkansas bench as the SEC conference kicked up and became a pretty invaluable player in their rotation with his timely deflections, suffocating on-ball defense, clutch offensive rebounds and overall knack for making winning plays…Due to his improved play during the critical stretch for an Arkansas team that struggled during the regular season but made it to the Sweet 16 in the 2023 NCAA tourney, Walsh revitalized himself into a prospect to monitor in 2023 Draft convos again after falling out of many mocks earlier in the season, which he further built on after a pretty good NBA Combine week in May…His tantalizing length, athleticism, intangibles and instinctive feel for the game on both ends of the floor are intriguing and teams will look to further build off those skills and traits…Still, there are some glaring holes in his game, as he is a major project on the offensive end, where he was often a liability against set defenses due to his poor shooting and underwhelming overall skill level with the ball…He also will need to work on staying out of foul trouble so his coaches can eventually trust him with an extended workload…Still, there is some upside with Walsh that is worth a team tapping into for the future and it seems that he has built his stock back up enough over the past few months that he’ll have a really good chance of hearing his name called in the 2nd round of the 2023 Draft …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"DeMarre Carroll/Renaldo Balkman","date_of_birth":"3/3/04","hometown":"Desoto, TX","high_school":"Link Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":45,"big_board_rank":43,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Mouhamed Gueye","year":2023,"height":83,"weight":215,"school":"Washington State","pros":"Wiry 6’10 center who advanced his game immensely after receiving feedback from NBA scouts and executives after his freshman season. Some of his developments included free-throw shooting (49% to 67% on double the attempts), court vision and passing execution (0.5 AST to 1.9 AST) and confident scoring (7.4 to 14.3 points per game) … Clearly very coachable player … Not just willing to shoot from beyond the arc, but also looks comfortable in his shooting stroke but below average efficiency (27% 3-PT) … Extremely mobile big man who can pop out of screens and slip to the basket quickly … Comfortable putting the ball on the deck and getting to the basket if the lane is there. Won’t force it if it’s not there … Can score in face ups as well as post ups. Has a decent mid-range jumper in that role … Energetic rebounder, on both ends, who thrives especially on the offensive glass with 3.4 per game as a sophomore … High upside big who can eventually spread the floor and be a fierce rim protector as he develops … Has the frame and athletic traits to be a long-term starter if he receives the right coaching and continues to build on the growth he’s made … Looks extremely polished considering he never played a game of organized basketball until he moved to the United States at age 16 … Could eventually be a solid draft pick, but will require patience … Despite having low efficiency shooting numbers, his form actually shows promise …","cons":"Still an extremely raw prospect who likely won’t be able to see the floor in big minutes … Good mobility, but  lacking in fluidity … Doesn’t have the strength to hang with the physical centers in the NBA … Likely to struggle to add strength with his body type … Never showed a ton of production as a shot-blocker, although he plays with the leaping ability to change that as he learns the timing and positioning he needs … Can be lackadaisical in offensive sets that require him to initiate at the top of the key … Looks to be a fast learner, but when sets don’t go according to plan, he looks lost and often turns the ball over … Still not a totally reliable shooter from the perimeter … Needs to be a much more productive defender as an NBA center. Block rate will only go down as he is forced to roam outside the paint … Jarringly inefficient for a big man with a sub-50% field goal percentage in each of his two seasons in college … Struggles to score over lengthier centers. Doesn’t boast a wide array of post moves and doesn’t use his body well enough to create the space he needs to score over either shoulder … Not NBA ready … Probably benefited from a weak class of centers …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Solomon Alabi","date_of_birth":"11/9/02","hometown":"Dakar, Senegal","high_school":"Prolific Prep","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":76,"big_board_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Maxwell Lewis","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":205,"school":"Pepperdine","pros":"Long, rangy athlete with a scorer’s mentality … A late bloomer who was somewhat unknown on the national level entering his sophomore season … Has blossomed into Pepperdine’s key player, and one of the top players in the nation, averaging 19 ppg on highly efficient 50/40/84 shooting splits … Very good shooting stroke with concise, fluid, repeatable motion … Has developed into a consistent and efficient scorer, taking the reigns for Pepperdine as the go to scoring option … Has demonstrated clutch play when they need a basket and has no problem shouldering a large chunk of the scoring load … Has the natural athleticism to play the wing on both ends at the next level … Very good catch and shoot ability. And can also get out in transition and make above the rim highlight finishes … Active on the glass at 6 rebounds per game … At just 20 years of age (turned in July), shows untapped physical potential. … Solid efficiency as a freshman at 11 ppg and efficient shooting clips (36% from 3, 80% FT) and has improved on those numbers … 2.7 assists per game shows some ability to find teammates when he’s unable to create for himself …","cons":"Lewis’ major weakness right now is his lack of defensive consistency, intensity and focus. He obviously showed the length and athleticism to be a solid defender but has a ways to go in becoming a dependable performer on that end of the floor … His offensive game would be greatly enhanced if his handles were better. Not proficient at beating opponents off the dribble and struggles to create when guarded by long, athletic opponents … Tends to get erratic and turn the ball over at times when he’s driving to the basket … Should look to add some weight to his frame to be able to finish stronger and become tougher defensively and on the boards … Basketball awareness still a work in progress, which is most apparent on the defensive end of the floor … Can get burned by his man off the ball and struggles some in the area of team defense … Level of competition at Pepperdine raises some question marks about his ability to perform at the same level of production and consistency against better players … Pepperdine has struggled to compete in Conference play, giving detractors fuel to criticize Lewis ability to carry team on his shoulders for wins …Outlook: Coach Romar who has coached numerous NBA players such as Brandon Roy,  Isaiah Thomas, Nate Robinson, Markelle Fultz, Dejounte Murray, Matisse Thybulle and Terrence Ross, said, “In 26 years as a head coach, I’ve never seen a player improve as much as (Lewis) has from the first day on campus until now. He’s made the biggest jump of anyone I’ve ever coached,” said Coach Romar …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Sean Elliott/Devin Vassel","date_of_birth":"7/27/02","hometown":"Las Vegas, NV","high_school":"AZ Compass","rebounding":9,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":6,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":28,"big_board_rank":28,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Amari Bailey","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":190,"school":"UCLA","pros":"Bailey is a 6’4 190 southpaw guard with adequate length (6’7 wingspan) and strength to match up fine in the backcourt in most situations … Also is a decent athlete with solid leaping skills, body control and short area quickness … Able to competently operate both on and off the ball offensively, which will give teams some lineup flexibility when he’s on the court … Comfortable operating in the pick and roll game and can slash, pull up or make simple dump-offs to bigs depending on how he’s played (49.5 FG%, 2.2 APG) … Solid downhill dribble drive player; is a tricky guy for defenders to prevent from getting to the lane due to his good handle and 1st step … Strong enough to handle contact and convert near the hoop (52 FG% inside the arc as a Fr.) … Is effective in transition as well, where his footwork and creativity as a finisher shines most … Will occasionally make timely cuts to the rim behind the defense for easy layups … One of the better mid-range players in the 2023 Draft class; shoots a good amount of pull-up jumpers and is solid hitting them from the 15-18 ft area…Was efficient with his feet set and space on the perimeter as a Fr. too, though his attempts are limited (39 3FG%, 21 made 3s) … Tough defender; takes pride in guarding the other team’s top perimeter player and has the makings of a potential defensive stopper in the backcourt…Moves his feet and forces difficult shots, but also can be a pest with his active hands to get deflections and steals (1.1 SPG) … Good basketball IQ and on-court awareness; puts himself in position to make plays on both ends of the court … Competitive; seems to embrace physical play and doesn’t back down from challenges or big moments … Didn’t have the ball in his hands as much in college as expected, especially earlier in the season, but the experience playing off-ball could help mold his overall game..Hit stride and played his best basketball during the most critical stretch of his team’s season, which is something encouraging to build on …","cons":"More of a tweener than a combo guard at the moment on both ends of the court … Can operate as a secondary ball-handler but doesn’t have the playmaking instincts or natural feel for the game to be a true PG … In addition, doesn’t have the confidence in his 3-pointer or (in some matchups) the size to fit seamlessly on the wing full-time … More comfortable with the ball than without it, but his decision-making was often too spotty this past season and will need to continue to improve at the next level to justify on-ball responsibilities (2.2:2.4 A:TO) … Sometimes tries to force the action and has plenty of moments when he should pick his spots better … Doesn’t always handle help defense, traps or hedges well and tends to be a bit erratic when the defense collapses on him … Jump shooting mechanics need work; has a slower release and below average elevation which may limit the types of shots he can take against contests from NBA-level athletes and gives pause to his efficiency as a Fr. translating to the next level … Will pass up open jumpers on the perimeter and attempt lower percentage shots, a tendency that wont hold up if teams dive his screens and dare him to shoot (1.7 3FGA/G) … Not a creative scorer (11.2 PPG), wont show much misdirection or improvisation in his game … Below average production getting to and converting at the charity stripe for a guard (70 FT% on 2.1 FTA/G) … Some versatility offensively, but doesn’t particularly stand out in many areas …Overall: Amari Bailey has one of the most touted and highly scrutinized prospects over the past 5 years or so, having been featured on Lifetime’s “Bringing Up Ballers” at around 13 years old and making a name for himself playing on the Sierra Canyon program around the Los Angeles area during his HS years … He was a standout immediately as a Fr and was seen as the #1 player in the 2022 HS Class on many recruiting sites by the time it was his Sr. season … Injuries hampered him a bit in 21-22 but he still was a consensus 5-star recruit before going to UCLA and playing for Mick Cronin … Cronin is a no nonsense, defensive-minded coach that your typical blue chip recruit may struggle to adapt to, and Bailey unsurprisingly went through some of those growing pains that cooled off the lottery pick hype he had in the preseason … He was in a perimeter rotation that was full of experienced upperclassmen and had to play more of a secondary role for a chunk of the season, but a key injury allowed him to take on more responsibilities as his Fr. campaign progressed and he really started to thrive down the stretch on both ends of the court … He embraced the physical, assignment sound defensive approach of his coach and emerged as a strong 2-way player…It feels like Bailey didn’t get to showcase his offensive ability to the fullest extent at UCLA, but you could see the confidence grow and the speed of the game slow down for him as the year progressed…He also played well in pre-draft workouts and scrimmages to further solidify his stock and build on the momentum from the end of the season…NBA teams will be encouraged by Bailey’s toughness, defense, mid-range game, and competitive nature as a prospect … He offers some versatility and is willing to adapt his game to do whatever he can to help his team win … Improving his confidence as a shooter and his decision making with the ball will be key to determining his upside and what role he will play at the next level, but Bailey has re-established himself as a potential draft pick in the 2023 Draft and currently has projections in the early-to-mid 2nd round ,,,","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jerryd Bayless","date_of_birth":"2/17/04","hometown":"Chicago, IL","high_school":"Sierra Canyon","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":38,"big_board_rank":42,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Rayan Rupert","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":195,"school":"France","pros":"Athletic wing with good size… Smooth, agile athlete … Excellent length (wingspan measured at 7-3) … Nice shoulders, with really long arms … Interesting body structure, looks like he can bulk up nicely in the future … Covers a lot of ground with his big strides … Good basketball I.Q … Versatile on both ends of the floor … Can drive from either side and attack closeouts, he might be even better going to his left (he is right handed)… Very good on the open floor as the ball handler, can make an occasional coast to coast … Has shown potential to finish plays with either hand at the rim… Has all the tools to become a playmaking wing in the future… Has shown promise as a secondary playmaker … Solid in the Pick and Roll, he can find the rolling big or a third player on the weak side … Has nice court vision … Good scorer when he takes the ball on the move … Can change direction with ease when driving to the basket … Nice shooting mechanics … His pull up game has potential … Has added a floater to his game with mixed results … Makes a lot of hustle plays … Can be a menace on defense and create havoc with his length and athleticism … Very good lateral quickness… Has active hands and makes a lot of steals … Knows how to cover the passing lanes on defense … Has potential to guard all perimeter positions and (if body fills up nicely) can be a defender who could cover 1-4 … Good weak side defender and good help defender … Good at chasing players around screens … Has the potential to support a switch everything defense … One of the youngest prospects available, Turns 19 less than a month before the draft (May 31st)…","cons":"Most of his deficiencies stem from his lack of strength and shooting … Needs to bulk up considerably to play at the next level … Struggles with inconsistency on the offensive end … Needs the ball in his hands to be effective … At times he can be too stationary, he should look to stay more active to get better looks… Has problems finishing at the rim through contact due to his thin frame … Ball handling can be loose and needs some polishing … Due to strength issues, still struggles in creating his own shot … Pull up game is inconsistent … Has a high shooting release point that lacks consistency … Has a tendency to take some questionable shots … Doesn’t draw enough fouls … Can improve from the line at 71% … Below average 3-point shooter, despite his good shooting mechanics, needs work in Spot Up  …  As a below average shooter, it is hard for him to attack closeouts, since opponents play off of him … Decision making is not there yet, still needs work in PnR actions … He should add some hesitation moves to his arsenal … Has problems against physical defense due to his average ball handling and thin frame … Doesn’t have a Post Game, he can’t really punish miss-matches… Average rebounder … Takes gambles on defense, which can lead to defensive breakdowns … He can be over aggressive at times on defense and commit unnecessary fouls … Not an NBA ready player, likely will require patience to realize his potential …Overall: Has the elite length (7-3 wingspan) that the NBA covets greatly and have shown a willingness to draft on upside … Will look to become the second French prospect (Ousmane Dieng) in as many years to be taken in the lottery following a one year stint in Australia … Rupert is an athletic guard/forward with great size … He is already a very good defender and has the potential to become a two-way player if his offensive game comes along at some point … He has shown promise as a secondary playmaker, but his offensive game needs a lot of work at this point … His ceiling will undoubtedly be determined by his offensive progress … If he manages to improve as a shooter, then he could become a prototypical 3-and-D player, if not, then he will have to settle as a defensive specialist and find other ways to be effective on the floor …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"OG Anunoby","date_of_birth":"5/31/04","hometown":"Strasbourg, France","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"international_team":"New Zealand Breakers","athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":22,"big_board_rank":22,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Sidy Cissoko","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":225,"school":"G-League","pros":"Possesses a filled-out, physical frame and a powerful lower body … Background as a point growing up explains his great versatility and advanced guard skills … Strong defender who reads passing lanes well and creates turnovers … Plays with great pace,  body control, especially when he’s attacking toward the basket. One of the best playmaking wings in the 2023 NBA Draft class …. Comfortable bringing the ball up the floor and creating shots from the wing ,,. Utilizes long strides and extreme strength to get where he wants attacking the basket … Has some flair dishing the ball in traffic to his bigs under the basket … Long, physical defenders don’t deter him at any level … Smooth euro-step and aforementioned body control allow him to score and pass on the move in the middle of the floor … Elite poise in the air. Will hang up in the air, wait for passing lanes to open and execute accurate passes in tight windows … Averaged a steal and a block per game in 28 games with the G-League Ignite this season … Produced against high-level competition on both ends of the floor … Can spread the floor as an off-ball shooter. Showed some development in his perimeter jumper, even if it’s still inconsistent … Only turned 19 in April … Lockdown defender who can take on the best athletes on opposing teams … Solid lateral quickness keeps opponents in front of him … Closes out on the perimeter with speed and control, contesting outside shooters as well as any wing in the draft … Proved NBA readiness as a 13-point per game scorer with over three assists per game against professional competition … High potential with outstanding defensive impact, impressive playmaking and developing 3-point jumper at a young age … Good size for a wing with a 6’10 wingpsan and 8’8 standing reach …","cons":"While his 3-point jumper steadily improved throughout the season, it’s still nowhere near a strength to his game … Failed to make a 3-pointer in 19 of his 43 total games with the G-League Ignite … Lacks ideal speed for a wing … Despite being an tenacious defender, foot speed could cap his potential as an on ball defender … Shot just 64% from the free-throw line this season, which doesn’t bode well in conjunction with his 3-point struggles for much of the season … Struggled to stay on the floor at times with over three fouls per game. Rotational rookies like Cissoko need to stay out of foul trouble to earn minutes early in their career … A player with his size and strength shouldn’t post the low rebounding numbers that he put up (2.8 per game) … Not a high-level athlete, posting just a 30.5 standing vertical and 35.5 max vertical leap, which ranked just inside the top-30 at the combine … Relies more on strength than speed/quickness … Could struggle to beat NBA defenders off the dribble without an elite first step or a deep bag of ball-handling moves … Failure to win off the bounce will result in Cissoko’s only immediate offensive strengths being limited at the next level … Will need to improve his 3-point range quickly in order to take advantage of closeouts and keep defenders honest to help him get downhill …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Mardy Collins","date_of_birth":"4/2/04","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"international_team":"G League Ignite","athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":32,"big_board_rank":34,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Seth Lundy","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":215,"school":"Penn State","pros":"6’ 5” 214 lbs wing that has a strong frame and is one of the draft’s best 3 point shooters … Great off ball scorer that excels shooting from deep … Does most of his damage coming off of screens and spotting up … Usually pretty consistent shooter (shot 40% from three this year) but also has the ability to get red hot and score in bunches … Makes it really hard for defenders to help off of him because any room he is given to shoot he will take … Smooth shot with a high release … Gets feet set quickly … Shows range out to NBA three point … Automatic from distance if left open, an attribute that should give him a defined role at the next level if his defense holds up … Rebounds well and has the size and frame to continue that in the NBA (AVG 6.3 RPG as a senior) … Above average defender who has proven he can guard multiple positions in college … Better perimeter defender than interior but can hold his own inside … A sneaky athlete with great length with a +6 inch wingspan over height … 35.5 inch max vert surprised some as he doesn’t necessarily always “play athletic” … Unorthodox body with long arms and broad shoulders …. Length and quick shot allows him to get shots off without a great deal of sunlight … Mature, headstrong player with excellent leadership ability …","cons":"Lacks ideal fluidity, speed and athleticism … Doesn’t create his own shots as often as you would like from a scorer … Outside of catch and shoot, his offensive repertoire is somewhat limited and predictable as he generally will try to create space with a one dribble, step back pull up … Lacks an elite first step which makes it hard to beat defenders off the dribble and create separation in ISO … Will only attack the rim if he has a clear path or mismatch … When he gets the ball it’s usually a shot or give the ball up quickly… Not much of a passer (Career 0.7 APG in 4 years at PSU) … Despite being a strong free throw shooter (80.7 FT%) he rarely gets to the line. Should look to create more contact, although a lot of that is due to him being more of a spot up scorer than an initiator  … Has a tendency to force shots while off balance … Not a standout athlete, though he can get off the floor when he gets his feet under him  … A bit of a two foot jumper that lacks great vertical on a sprint … Struggles to defend against players stronger than him … Turned 23 on April 2nd, making him one of the draft’s older prospects …Overall: Lundy came to Penn State during Lamar Stevens senior year and many people expected him to be the heir to one of the programs all-time greats due to their similar builds and playing styles. During his freshman season he did play a little more like Stevens and was more aggressive and willing to drive. As he developed though he turned into more of a shooter and relied more on the three pointer than his inside game. By his senior season he was no doubt a different player than Stevens. He took 62% of his shots behind the three point line this season. He’s got good size and a long wingspan and with his shooting ability he could be a solid 3 and D role player of the bench in the NBA.","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Dillon Brooks","date_of_birth":"4/2/00","hometown":"Paulsboro, NJ","high_school":"Roman Catholic","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":44,"big_board_rank":32,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jordan Miller","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":190,"school":"Miami","pros":"Tall, versatile guard who is brilliant attacking the basket to either side … Phenomenal positional rebounder who averaged over 6 per game playing small-ball four … Versatility on both ends of the floor is his calling guard … Shifty ball-handler who initiates and finishes through contact well, often earning trips to the foul line and scoring efficiently at the stripe (78% on 3.5 FTA per game) … Defends 1-3 but also has experience guarding 4s on the wing and should be able to have that translate with good size and athleticism … Excellent secondary ball-handler option who wins off the dribble and keeps his head up as a solid playmaker. Averaged nearly 3 assists per game without a high usage rate … Takes care of the ball masterfully, as he never averaged two or more turnovers per game in his five-year career … Experienced, savvy guard who can do it all offensively … Valuable addition to any rotation … 62% shooter from inside the arc in two years at Miami …","cons":"One of the oldest players in the class at 23 years old (will turn 24 in January) … Not an elite shooter, although he is comfortable letting it fly to keep defenders honest … Measured in shorter than expected which could limit defensive versatility … Limited potential with older age and more of a role player skill set … Might not have the burst or skills to win as consistently and create shots for himself at the next level … A little lean, which will present problems handling larger wings or preventing post ups against larger players. He was able to get away with it against college competition, but could struggle in NBA play …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Derrick Brown","date_of_birth":"1/23/00","hometown":"Middleburg, VA","high_school":"Loudoun Valley","rebounding":6,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":54,"big_board_rank":86}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Emoni Bates","year":2023,"height":82,"weight":190,"school":"Shooting Guard Eastern Michigan","pros":"Bates is a thin 6’9 180 swingman with good height for the perimeter…An aggressive volume scorer through and through; truly a hired gun who likes to put points on the board (19.2 PPG in ‘22-23)…Does the majority of his damage shooting the ball on the perimeter (76 made 3s as a Soph.) and he can get shots off the dribble, spotting up and running to spots along the wing in transition and occasionally off screens too…Not afraid to let it fly and shows range beyond the NBA 3-point line (career 6.4 3FGA/G, nearly 8 3FGA/G as a Soph.)…Can stick pull-up shots from the mid-range when chased off the line…Will take tough shots against close contests and has enough height to make these shots over smaller defenders, but also can quicken his release against like-sized defenders…Had some monster scoring outbursts this past season that illustrated his ability to put up points in bunches; 4 games with 30+ points and 2 games with 8 or more made 3-pointers….Decent ball-handling skills for his height and in combination with his good body control has some moves to create some separation when he can’t initially beat defenders…Drew fouls and converted at the charity stripe at a solid rate this past season (5 FTA/G on 78 FT%)…OK contributions on the defensive glass from the perimeter (5.8 RPG as a Soph.)…Has been a highly scrutinized prospect for years and has dealt with his fair share of adversity, but he’s revitalized himself as a legitimate NBA prospect again, and it’s important to note that he’s still only 19 and wouldn’t turn 20 until months into the 2023-2024 NBA season","cons":"Athleticism is mediocre at best, particularly in terms of quickness and explosiveness…Nothing special as a leaper or in terms of his ability to run the floor either…Has a frail frame and a short wingspan; outside of height his physical tools arent especially great and he clearly needs time in a weight training program…Feast or famine shooter/scorer (33 3FG%); one-dimensional player who won’t contribute much if he isn’t making shots…Doesn’t have a quick 1st step; it’s concerning that he struggled mightily to get clean looks and beat defenders at the MAC level off the dribble…Below average finisher around the rim for a 6’9 player and he also doesn’t play through contact well, mostly looking to avoid it or take tougher shots off the dribble (47 FG% inside the arc)…Alot of hero ball and unacceptable shot selection when watching him play; doesnt really play a style that’s conducive to winning at the moment…Dances with the ball and settles for low percentage shots too much (40 FG% in ‘22-23)…A bit selfish and wants things his way; was often a black hole on offense and the long leash he had at East Michigan won’t translate to NBA basketball…Doesn’t pass the ball much and isn’t accurate or quick to read the defense when he does look to swing it (1.4:2.5 A:TO)…Too often was a liability on defense at the mid-major level, which is concerning considering the leap in talent and speed of the game at the pro level…Lack of length shows as he doesn’t make much impact in passing lanes or altering shots (0.5 BPG, 0.7 SPG)…Doesn’t hold up well against quickness at the point of attack on the perimeter, but also doesn’t have the strength to guard taller players along the frontcourt either…Fundamentals are suspect; high center of gravity he plays with is less than ideal both on and off the ball & make him susceptible to blow-bys and backdoors…Often out of position and was a main reason EMU was one of the worst defensive teams in college hoops last season in terms of giving up points…Effort when recovering after getting beat and when getting through screens both need improvement…Some improved production and flashes as a Soph., but is still considered by many to be an underachiever considering his HS/AAU hype…Has off-court concerns after a gun/drug related arrest just before last season, though charges were eventually droppedOverall: Emoni Bates has been a storied prospect from Michigan since the fall of 2018 when he was only a 9th grader, generating hype on the internet due to his top-notch volume scoring arsenal as a 6’8 14 year old…The hype only continued to grow for the next 3 years, when during that time he won a state title as a Fr. and was the Gatorade National POY as a Soph…After his Jr. season, Bates would reclassify to the 2021 HS Class after initially being a 2022 prospect and committed to stay close to home and play for Michigan State at first, before flipping to sign with Memphis months later just before the season…A consensus top 5 recruit, Bates was projected to be a one-and-done prospect and a favorite to be one of the first picks in the 2022 Draft but his time at Memphis was a disappointment relative to the hype; with him missing roughly half the season due to injuries, never seeming to get in rhythm, and adjusting slowly after being asked to play PG which was a new position for him…He struggled with his defense and overall efficiency his Fr. year and decided to transfer to Eastern Michigan, his hometown school, for a change of scenery…Only a month after returning home, Bates was arrested on felony gun charges that he pleaded out to in exchange for the charges being dropped…The arrest did not help him in his fight to reemerge on draft radars again, but he seemed to find some motivation and started the season off well and had some memorable performers against a few of the power conference schools on Eastern Michigan’s schedule that caught the attention of scouts again (including a 30-point performance in the season opener against Michigan & 36 points against fellow 2023 Draft prospect GG Jackson and South Carolina)…But he also showed the same struggles that he had at Memphis with his shaky shot selection, poor defense and selfish approach on a bad Eastern Michigan team that gave up easy shots left and right and was among the worst teams in the country…Bates definitely had a hand in the poor defense played and the fact that he couldn’t impact winning at mid-major school after being a blue chip recruit and also didn’t stand out athletically is discouraging to many…The silver lining is that he is still only 19 years old and that gives him plenty of time to figure things out and grow, but he has to buy in to a more team-centered approach (even if it’s as instant offense off the bench or a floor spacer) to be successful at the NBA level after it mostly being all about him over the past 5 years…Bates is mostly being projected as a late 2nd round pick and a team could take a chance on him based on his shot-making upside and HS pedigree…Notes:  Measured: 6′ 8.25” barefoot, 8′ 9.00” standing reach, 179.2 lbs,  6′ 9.00” wingspan and a 32.5 inch maximum vertical at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine …Jorrye Nixon 6/14/23Strengths: 6’9 forward … Big-time scoring ability and skill-set. Creates for himself in a variety of ways. Very good in isolation. Can create scoring from scratch but also knows how to score in the flow of the game. Doesn’t rely on triple-threat, can get where he wants with a live dribble. Defense struggles to stop him at times even if they know he’s taking the shot. Can score from anywhere on the floor with ability to get to the rim, midrange scoring, and shooting range out to the NBA 3PT line. Good touch on floater … Good shooter: hits shots off step-backs and pull-ups. Good form on shot with proper arc, rotation, and high release point. Goes into his shot well off an array of dribble moves. Shoots well on the move: coming off pin downs, curls, etc. … Isn’t afraid to play physical. Very good at drawing fouls and very reliable free throw shooter … Good athlete. Gets up with ease and attacks with aggression. Good finisher at the rim, especially in transition … Very good ball handler. Creates well with it and stays under control pushing it up the floor at a high speed. Changes speed and direction well with the ball. Drives to the basket going to both his left and right … Solid passing ability. Good at avoiding traps and double-teams to hit the open man. Good timing on lead passes and alley-oops … Good rebounder … Sticks to his man defensively and good shot blocker for position … Consistent effort and stays engaged. Doesn’t go through the motions or take plays off on either end … Skilled all-around and doesn’t lack fundamentals. Very aggressive mindset. Well-documented hard worker and big-time competitor …Weaknesses: Not bad size for a wing but length is the same as height with a 6’9 wingspan … Obviously young and has physically maturing yet to fulfill but has room to get stronger, which isn’t a long-term issue … Puts up some deep and contested shots at times … Very good competitor but can wear his emotions …","position":"Shooting Guard  Eastern Michigan  Sophomore  Birthday 01/28/04 (20.5 yrs) Hometown Ypsilanti, MI High School Ypsi Prep Team Site Profile Team Site Profile Athleticism 7 Size 8 Defense 7 Strength 6 Quickness 7 Leadership 7 Jump Shot 8 NBA Ready 7 Ball Handling 8 Potential 8 Passing 7 Intangibles 7  2023 Mock 52","similar_player":"Lawrence Moten","date_of_birth":"1/28/04","hometown":"Ypsilanti, MI","high_school":"Ypsi Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":6,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":52,"big_board_rank":55,"overall_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Keyontae Johnson","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":240,"school":"Kansas State","pros":"A physically strong 6’6 230 F/G with excellent length (6’11 wingspan) that allows him to play ‘taller’ than his height and decent athleticism and leaping ability…Uniquely versatile player who has experience playing SG-PF on both ends of the court…Resourceful scorer with mismatch ability (18 ppg on 53 FG% currently); can bully smaller wings as a slasher or posting up from as far out as 12-15 ft but also has enough touch to convert pull-up jumpers and 3s when guarded by slower frontcourt players…Master at up-and-unders, and consistently draws fouls (over 5 FTA a game at 75%) and converts tricky layups because of it…Picks his spots pretty well and does a nice job of attacking as soon as he sees daylight…Also has a solid turnaround J in the mid range…Knows how to use his strong upper body to create space when looking to slash as well as convert shots in the paint, but also is creative using angles and taking advantage of the rim & backboard to shield the ball from shot blockers, which is key for shorter frontcourt players…A consistent shooter with his feet set; legitimate 3-point range (39 3FG% on nearly 3 attempts per game) and is very good as a valve for dribble penetration…Rebounds well, especially for a 6’6 player (8 RPG as a Sr., nearly 7 rpg for his career) and is effective on the offensive glass…Doesn’t shy away from contact or bigger players and shows a pretty high motor…Moves well without the ball and has made a number of timely cuts that have resulted in backdoor alley-oops or open layups this season, let alone over his career…Mentally tough, competitive player…An overachieving type who gets the most out of himself whenever he takes the floor…","cons":"At around 6’6 and more of a frontcourt player than a true wing, Johnson is undersized for NBA SF standards…His lack of height is more of a concern defensively, where taller players can rise and shoot over him relatively easily and convert shots in the paint…Offers little in the way of a shot-blocking threat (0.3 bpg for his career)…His physicality and motor at times works against him on D, as he can at times be foul prone and handsy when guarding on the perimeter…There are some questions about what position he will defend in the NBA…Relies heavily on his right hand for finishes, and at times attempts unnecessarily tough shots around the rim because of it…Doesn’t get much elevation on his jumper, which limits the types of jumpers he can take against set defenses…Average ball-handling ability, almost exclusively a straight-like slasher…At times gets tunnel vision looking to score, which leads to him driving into no-mans land and turning the ball over or picking up offensive fouls (3.1 TOPG as a Sr.)…There may still be concerns about his medicals in the draft process after scary 2020 incident, but the fact that he has been medically cleared by the NCAA should quell fears…Despite developing his shooting (43% from 3 as a senior) considerably, his 72% career FT number is still a concern …Overall: The feel good story of college hoops this season has been the return and outstanding play of Florida transfer Keyontae Johnson, who has been a main reason that Kansas State has gone from a team that was picked to finish last in the Big 12 a current Top 10 team…After a scary, career-threatening collapsing incident in the beginning of the 2020-2021 season that derailed him for 2 seasons while at University of Florida, Johnson has come back even stronger than his previous form and has re-established himself as an NBA prospect and Conference POY candidate once again…He is averaging a career best 18 ppg and 8 rpg and has been a double-double machine; using his physicality, mismatch skillset and soft touch to produce nicely for KState…He is a bit undersized for a frontcourt player, and it effects him defensively when matched up with taller player, comes with an obvious medical history that will be closely monitored and he’s an older prospect who will be 23 years old for his rookie season in the pros…Still, there is alot to like about his versatile offensive game, length and the physicality he plays with…He will certainly have opportunities to make an NBA roster and there is a good chance he will hear his name called at the 2023 NBA Draft as well …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Justin Anderson","date_of_birth":"5/24/00","hometown":"Norfolk, VA","high_school":"Oak Hill Academy","rebounding":6,"potential":6,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":51,"big_board_rank":51,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen Wilson","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":225,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Wilson is a 6’7 225 forward with good strength to adequately match up on the wing and as a smallball PF at the pro level from a physical standpoint … Displayed good versatility in college and liked to operate as a matchup ploy; with experience playing different roles all along the frontcourt during his career, from SF to even sneaking in stretches of minutes as a smallball C at times … Plays physical and likes to use his size to shield defenders from the ball and get to his spots, and had major success doing so this past season (career best 20.1 PPG) … Navigates screens off the ball well and likes to use the running starts to build up momentum to get downhill after the catch … Teams knew he mostly wanted to go right when he had the ball last season and he still got to his spots more often than not … Adequate 1-2 dribble pull-up jump shooter from mid-range … Made enough deep shots when he was dared to shoot to keep the defense honest last season (7 made 3FG) … Show good timing and awareness as a cutter … Draws fouls and exponentially improved his FT% each year (80 FT% on 5.5 FTA/G) … Put up big scoring numbers as a rJr., but his rebounding instincts may be his best attribute as a player (8.3 RPG in ‘22-23, career 7.7 RPG) … High motor and competitive on the glass; boxes out well and consistently fights for boards, even when competing in traffic against bigger players … Unselfish and a team player; played whatever role he was asked to and got the most out of himself during his career …","cons":"His size was often an asset on the wing and against PFs at the college level, but it does not stand out for a combo forward by NBA standards, especially given his average length (6’8 wingspan) and a standing reach fit for a combo guard (8’3.5″) … It also doesn’t help that Wilson shows a lack of athleticism, particularly in terms of leaping and explosiveness … A below the rim player who isn’t going to blow by defenders much at the next level and struggled to convert amongst the trees (48 FG% inside the arc) … Jumper is inconsistent the further out he shoots (33.7 3FG% on over 5 3FGA/G; career 31.6 3FG%); got a fair amount of open shots around the perimeter and still went through a few slumps throughout the season … Was a volume scorer by necessity last season but isn’t a natural at creating for himself; doesn’t possess the kind of ball-handling to make something out of nothing at a high level and his production was often scheme manufactured … Very right-hand dependent, which is a tendency that will be picked up on easier at the pro level…Mostly passes as a last resort; will get tunnel vision and force shots at times when he should kicked out (2.2:2:3 A:TO) … Was not an impact player on the defensive end; doesn’t force many turnovers (0.4 BPG, 0.9 SPG), possesses middling lateral quickness and awareness and will have some questions about what position he’ll defend at the NBA level … Might struggle to defend wings in space and he doesn’t have the size to really defend on the frontline … Should look to tone down his body some and focus on adding more speed …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"NBA Compsrison: Kenrich Williams/Anthony Lamb","date_of_birth":"11/4/00","hometown":"Denton, TX","high_school":"Guyer","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":6,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":43,"big_board_rank":50,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Toumani Camara","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":220,"school":"Dayton","pros":"Athletic and agile wing who is an outstanding rebounder and versatile defender on the wing … Drastic improvement throughout his college career as a 3-point shooter. Started at 17% on less than an attempt per game and evolved into a 36% shooter by the end of his career on over two attempts per game … Agile slasher who draws contact and finishes around the hoop with tremendous efficiency and touch (60.6% on 2-point attempts) … Averaged 8.6 rebounds per game this season, including over two rebounds on the offensive glass … Exceptional size on the wing, combined with plus athleticism should allow him to guard 1-4 at the next level as a defensive specialist. One of the most underrated defenders in the 2023 NBA Draft class … Keeps his head up when he slashes from the wing with quick twitches and solid footwork around the basket … Scores out of face ups and post ups with this footwork and shifty changes of speed … Can be an outstanding help side rim protector as he nearly averaged a block per game in his final three collegiate seasons … Above average playmaker for his size … Hard worker who can contribute as a spark plug off the bench with versatility on both ends of the floor … Filled out frame at 6’7, 220 pounds, allowing him to hold his own in the post … Projects as a rotational wing who brings energy and experience to the Phoenix Suns who need guys to fill out their rotation with the high percentage of the salary cap they are giving to four players … Can score with either hand in the post …","cons":"Emerged as a decent shooter from beyond the arc, but a lot of these looks were surrendered by opponents because of his inconsistency as a shooter. Might not pose enough of a threat from the perimeter to keep defenders honest and bring out the true strengths of his game … Took advantage of the athletic gap he had against the weaker competition in the A-10, which will come to a swift end in his first minutes in the NBA … Didn’t test as well athletically as many expected. Seems to play as much more of a leaper than his vertical tests indicated at the combine … Inefficient free-throw shooter at 63% for his career … Already 23 years old … Not an extremely high upside player. Projects as more of a sparingly played role player who needs to earn more minutes","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Torrey Craig","date_of_birth":"5/8/00","hometown":"Brussels, Belgium","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":57,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaylen Clark","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":205,"school":"UCLA","pros":"Suffocating perimeter defender who was widely recognized as the best perimeter defender in college basketball this season … Incredibly disciplined defender who laterally moves his feet masterfully and fully extends on contests without fouling … An aggressive defender who took on the toughest matchups, yet stayed out of foul trouble and rarely conceded easy buckets … Intelligent defender who loves to force ball-handler toward the baseline and still stay in front. Even when he gets beat for a step, he recovers well and can block shots from behind with a great wingspan for his size (6’4 height and 6’9 wingspan) … Great anticipation as a defender, both on and off the ball, to force turnovers on charges or steals. Lays his body on the line … Very effective guarding 1-3. Can hold his own in the post, even against taller 4’s with exceptional upper body strength … Defensive playmaker … Possesses Jose Alvarado type of energy, never taking a play off to allow lead ball-handlers to relax or bring it up the floor easily … Always thinking and moving off the ball on both ends. Simply makes plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet … Averaged 2.6 steals per game … Comfortable ball-handler who showed flashes of impressive scoring as a junior, doubling his scoring average from 6.7 points to 13 points per game … An absolute workhorse who will tire out an entire team with his constant movement on both ends of the floor … Finishes well around the rim as evidenced by a 54.4% career shooting percentage from inside the arc … Rebounded above his height with six total per game as a junior, including two offensive boards per game … Solid vertical athlete, at least pre-injury …","cons":"Funky shooting motion and poor shooting percentage in his career project him as an unreliable floor spacer, at least early in his career. Improved to a 33% shooter from the perimeter this season, but the mechanics and bad misses indicate he won’t be a consistent threat from 3-point range … Could benefit from a complete overhaul with his shooting mechanics … More smarts than speed as slasher, which won’t work often against high-level NBA defenders … Won’t keep opponents honest as a ball-handler, limiting how much he can score off the dribble as teams dare him to shoot off the bounce … Coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, the extent of which is unknown, but did require surgery shortly after it occurred in early March … Even if he’s available to start the NBA season, it will be tough to contribute consistent minutes with how little he brings to the offense at the next level. Excluding his off-ball intelligence that leads to easy layups on cuts, Clark’s presence could make it much easier to defend offensive sets if he can’t provide a shooting threat from the wing …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Bryant Stith","date_of_birth":"10/13/01","hometown":"Riverside, CA","high_school":"Etiwanda","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":53,"big_board_rank":64,"overall_rank":87}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jalen Slawson","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":220,"school":"Furman","pros":"Elite and versatile defender who developed into an impressive three-level scorer for a high flying Furman offense … Developed into more than just a reliable 3-point shooter, posting a 39% percentage from beyond the arc on three attempts per game this season … One of the most productive defenders in the country, averaging a steal and a half or more in both blocks and steals over the last two seasons … Can guard any player in the frontcourt effectively and should instill confidence in his coaches when he switches onto guards. Could obviously struggle in these matchups, but won’t be a liability by any measure … Instinctive off-ball defender who generates steals and projects as a solid help-side rim protector from either the 3 or 4 position … Impressive downhill driver who uses his physical frame to earn trips to the foul line, where he shoots at a solid 78% over the last two seasons. Averaged nearly five free throw attempts per game … Impressive playmaker from the wing as well, averaging over three assists per game the past two seasons … Powerful, versatile screener who can pop out for 3-pointers, slip to the basket and finish with strength or create for others in the short roll. Sacramento’s system of ball screens and floor spacing should play to all of Slawson’s strengths as a second-unit playmaker who should gel perfectly with De’Aaron Fox. Proved he can play with a skilled lead guard with Mike Bothwell at Furman … Extremely physical on ball defender, which can lead to foul trouble, but does show he can hang with NBA athletes … Long arms (6’11.75” wingspan) and lateral quickness allow him to recover defensively and block shots from behind even when he loses a step off the dribble … Runs the floor well in transition, sometimes as a ball-handler, always keeping his head up and reading the floor …","cons":"The largest gripe with Slawson is the lack of true competition he played against in the Southern Conference and a very old draft age (turns 24 on October 22) … While he looks the part of an elite slasher in his tape, he will find far more difficulty winning off the dribble at the next level. Boasted elite efficiency around the rim, but rarely had to go up against even average shot blockers … Long release to his outside jumper. Almost pushes it at the top of the release instead of going in one fluid motion … Staying on the floor has proved difficult throughout his career as he tends to miss large stretches of the game through foul trouble. Will be difficult to carve out a role if this continues at the next level … Right-hand dominant who is almost guaranteed to spin back to his right if he drives left … Smarter scouting will lead to heavy forces to his left, daring him to make a play going to his weaker side … Turnovers were a consistent problem with more than two per game in his final three seasons … Upside is low with his high draft age and glaring weaknesses from a foul trouble and left hand driving perspective that never improved despite his experience … Many of his assists were system dependent, but his accuracy and timing both in transition and in the half court are admittedly impressive","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Josh Minott","date_of_birth":"10/22/99","hometown":"Summerville, SC","high_school":"Pinewood Prep","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":69,"big_board_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Isaiah Wong","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":185,"school":"Miami","pros":"Wong is a 6’4 180 PG/SG with adequate athleticism, showing decent levels of quickness, leaping skills and agility … Productive guard who is at his best putting the ball in the basket (averaged at least 15.3 PPG in each of his last 3 seasons) … Can create for himself and was a tough player to defend at the college level because of his skill level and ability to score in different ways … Utilizes ball-screens well and generally makes good reads when calling his own number; will make defenders pay when they dive and can turn the corner on favorable switches … Good crossover and can freeze defenders to get space for step-backs and pull-up jumpers from mid-range and 3 … Also is not a bad shooter with his feet set; steps into shots with confidence and can operate off-ball as a dribble penetration or transition floor spacer (38 3FG% as a Sr., around 35 3FG% average for his career) … Body control and footwork allow him to step-through and maneuver around bodies and he shows enough touch to convert tricky shots … Smooth turnaround jumper to use defenders momentum against them … Good enough 1st step to threaten the paint and get into the teeth of the defense with some success, particularly with the help of a ball screen…Some ability to play above the rim in space and has some moments of success slashing and finishing in transition … Can make simple reads with the ball in transition & pick and roll offense, and handles hedges and tilted defenses reasonably well to get the ball to the open man (career-best 3.2 APG as a Sr.)…Takes care of the ball (1.7 TOPG for his career) … Seemed more and more willing to compete on the defensive end as his career went along, and he usually tries to get back in plays when beat (50 career blocks, career-best 1.4 SPG as a Sr.) … Chipped in on the glass from the perimeter a bit at the college level, and had some moments turning missed shots into transition opportunities (4.1 RPG career) … Experience playing both on and off the ball is a plus … Good FT shooter (career 80% on 4 FTA/G)…Accomplished player with winning pedigree and a reputation as a hard worker; was an All-Conference performer for 3 straight years and led Miami to some pretty deep, unexpected NCAA Tournament runs as an upperclassman …","cons":"Wong has an average physical profile by NBA standards for a combo guard and that might present a cap on the types of things he can do at the pro level compared to college … Is more of an undersized SG than a point; usually looks to handle the ball and use screens for his own scoring opportunities & shows average floor vision and instincts as a facilitator … Has his moments when he pounds the ball and tries to do too much when he should swing and let plays develop … Sometimes can be too reliant on ball screen action to create driving lanes for himself, and will settle at times … Takes some tougher, highly contested shots that may not work as well against bigger, more athletic professional players and his ability to finish efficiently was already mediocre at the college level as is (48 FG% inside the arc as a Sr.) … 3-point shot can be a bit streaky at times … Though not broken, he will need to be more consistent spotting up considering that he would probably see much more time off the ball than as a primary ball-handler in the NBA … Doesn’t project to be much of a disruptive defender at the next level, and he will likely have to either guard the smallest player on the court or the least viable scoring options every time…Tough to point out a true standout skill that he has by NBA standards …Overall: Isaiah Wong was a consensus 4-star recruit playing HS ball in both PA and NJ, and signed to Miami were he saw immediate key minutes and eventually won a starting job halfway into his Fr. season … From then he would become one of the most productive players in the ACC over the next 3 seasons and also one of the very best players in school history for the Hurricanes, wrapping up his career as the programs 4th all-time leading scorer with over 1800 points while helping led Miami to the Elite 8 & the school’s first ever Final 4 appearance … He often showed his shot-making prowess in those tournament runs, with 4 20-point games in his 9 career tournament appearances … As a prospect Wong brings some 3-level scoring ability and a nice skill level to the table, being able to operate on or off the ball to get buckets … He is a decent athlete, can make some tough shots and generally takes care of the ball as well … There are concerns about his average physical tools, lack of standout traits, and middling PG skills as a combo guard, as well as him being an older, lower upside type with some defensive matchup questions … But still his productive college career and ability to score in different ways make him a lower risk prospect to gamble on in the 2nd round of the 2023 Draft …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jared Butler","date_of_birth":"1/28/01","hometown":"Piscataway, NJ","high_school":"Monsignor Bonner","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":46,"big_board_rank":45,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Chris Livingston","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":220,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Strong, compact build (6’6”, 219 lbs) should allow him to handle NBA physicality … Rebounded the ball well to close his single season of college play, averaging 7.9 per game over the final 8 games despite playing next to the NCAA’s leading rebounder … Good explosiveness. Solid leaper who finishes well on the break … Recorded a 37 inch max vertical at the NBA Draft Combine … Excels at crashing the boards from the perimeter. Makes good cuts on offense that can allow him to get easy looks if playing next to a quality playmaker … Has a compact, consistent shot release that if honed, could develop into a threat – especially from the corners where many of his college attempts came from … Can finish strong on straight line drives to the rim. Will run the court in transition looking to get easy baskets. Can use his size and strength to bully smaller defenders around the paint …","cons":"Has no real concept of what he is as a player and what his limitations are – played a small ball four in college, but seems to believe he is more of a wing player. .. Extremely loose handle with no creation skill … Has very little wiggle to his game – isn’t going to go around anybody with the ball in his hand. Lacks offensive versatility, practically all of his offense came right at the rim or from three – nothing in between … Shot only 30.5% from three in college on 1.7 attempts per game. Most of his offense was the result of a teammate setting him up or from him getting an offensive rebound and putback. His slow, two footed gathers when attacking the rim will allow NBA level players enough time to recover and contest his looks at the rim. Has essentially two moves when driving to the rim, a weak euro step without mush side to side movement and trying to drive right through defenders which could lead to offensive fouls. Rarely gets to the free throw line (1.6 attempts per game). Ball tends to stick in his hands on offense and he doesn’t create looks for others (lowest assist rate on team amongst players with 200 minutes). Lacks lateral quickness to defend wing players at the next level … He’s an explosive athlete, but seems to lack ideal coordination and smoothness/flexibility in his movements …Outlook: Livingston is a player with a lot of physical tools, but is likely entering the draft before he’s ready … Despite being a highly regarded high school prospect, he seemed to peak at 16 years of age … He showed very little production in college (6.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, .7 assists, .4 blocks, .4 steals, on 42.9% shooting) and doesn’t have the dominant physical prowess to overcome that … He had the 8th slowest lane agility time at the combine, and didn’t flash in the other athletic testing … At the combine he measured in with a 6’11.5” wingspan, but at Kentucky’s Pro Day he measured 6’8”, so the length of his arms is a question … If an NBA team takes him, they are banking on his potential, as he’s young and has the type of body teams love for their wings. However, the mix of skills and athleticism just aren’t there yet … He’s at his best when he can just react and play off of playmaking teammates, but ultimately, he’s currently the type of player that NBA teams bring in one ten day contracts, not in the first round of the draft. If he gets selected, look for him to spend a lot of time in the G-League …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Mike Moser","date_of_birth":"10/15/03","hometown":"Akron, OH","high_school":"Oak Hill Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":62,"big_board_rank":86}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Reed  Sheppard","year":2024,"height":75,"weight":180,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"This year’s “analytics darling”, Sheppard’s combination of shooting efficiency, defensive metrics and overall statistical portfolio has the analytics based pundits and teams extremely enticed by him … Exceedingly efficient shooter (52.1% from three, 53.6% overall) … Extremely unselfish player that looks to get others involved … Heady player that will not force shots … Can score from all three levels, but is most comfortable scoring from mid range and out … Comfortable shooting off the catch and off the bounce … Good elevation on his jumpshot with a high release point … Very good at making outlet passes up the court, getting his team extra transition opportunities … Gets teammates easy looks with his passes … Extremely disruptive on the defensive end … Is adept at getting deflections and steals, led the SEC in steals this past year … Uses his defense to create transition run outs for himself and teammates … Blocks shots regularly, both at the rim and on the perimeter … Good at throwing the lob when help side cuts off his drives. Low ego player – will fill in the gaps for a team and was willing to come off the bench for all but 5 games his freshman year … NBA moving towards a shooting oriented league with added 3 point value plays into a player like Reed Sheppard hands … A sneaky athlete who is surprisingly more athletic and quick than he appears …","cons":"Lacks the ideal size and physique for the next level … Despite his ability to make big plays on defense, often finds himself out of position or gambling for a big play … Is not the type of player to be a top option offensively for his team – works best as a glue guy/connector piece … Can struggle to get off shots against good defenses – lacks creation skills … Will occasionally force passes trying to make something happen and it will result in turnovers (averaged 2 turnovers per contest) … Scoring can be very up-and-down from game to game (7 games scoring 20 or more, 12 scoring fewer than 10) … Doesn’t have a lot of moves to breakdown defenders, relies primarily on using angles to get to his spots … May need some time to adjust to the speed and athleticism at the next level … Game isn’t very versatile – best suited playing a specific role …Outlook: Reed Sheppard is a player that lacks the high ceiling you would generally hope for in a high draft pick … However, he also has a solid floor, as he is extremely coachable, smart, and is dedicated to playing a winning brand of basketball … He has sound fundamentals and shoots the ball extremely well … The fact that he is extremely disruptive on defense means that despite his shortcomings, he shouldn’t be a liability on the defensive end … He can play on ball or off ball on offense and should be able to find a role in the league … He exceeded expectations in college, so he could certainly develop further and do similar at the next level, but will be hurt by the fact that he will often be at a size disadvantage and always at an athleticism disadvantage at the NBA level. .. The spacing of the NBA game should enhance his offense even further, and he should play well off of elite scorers that can collapse defenses … Assuming he declares, he should benefit from a draft class that is weaker at the top than most years … He won’t make a lot of highlight plays, but his consistent threat from the outside will allow him to get minutes early in his career …Eric Yearian 3/28/24","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Mark Price/Jimmer Fredette","date_of_birth":"6/24/04","hometown":"London, KY","high_school":"North Laurel","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":3,"big_board_rank":3,"overall_rank":95}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Stephon Castle","year":2024,"height":79,"weight":210,"school":"UConn","pros":"Castle is a physically gifted SG/PG who stands 6’6 210 with pretty good strength and overall athleticism, showing excellent agility and body control while being a solid leaper off 1 or 2 feet with deceptive quickness … Tricky and unorthodox; plays the game at his own unique pace and keeps defenders off balance with his ability to change tempos when operating with the ball … Shifty and creative with above average ball-handling skills; likes to lull defenders before driving downhill and is a master of misdirection as an ambidextrous slasher who can operate on either side of the floor … Likes to use a quick spin move in either direction when played too much to one side … Strong around the rim; can finish above the rim with a head of steam and convert through contact (59 FG% inside the arc) … Promising court vision (3 APG as a Fr.) … Effective drive and dish player; seems most comfortable operating on the move as a passer whether in halfcourt or in the transition game … Pretty comfortable in the pick and roll too; made plenty of nice pocket passes and alley-oops for easy baskets to his big men this season … More comfortable with the ball than without it, but occasionally shows the off-ball awareness needed to find open areas and make timely cuts to get behind the defense … Looks good operating in transition … Shows signs of a back to the basket game in the mid-post area, which wouldn’t be bad to build on as a bigger combo guard … Willing rebounder from the perimeter (4.7 RPG) … Projects to be among the best perimeter defenders in the 2024 Draft class, especially on the ball … Can smother small guards but also has the size, strength and lateral quickness to defend bigger perimeter players…Ability to navigate and get through screens is beyond his years; had a number of excellent defensive possessions this season … Moves his feet and gets in a low stance that allows him to cut off dribble penetration effectively … Also an aware off-ball defender who had quite a few deflections that led to turnovers, and can make teams pay for telegraphed passes (25 steals) … Flashes some fringe triple-double potential due to his ability to chip in in multiple facets of the game…Pretty poised for such a young player …","cons":"Not a plodding athlete by any means but he’s much more smooth than explosive and much closer to average than elite … Currently is not a very good shooter (26 3FG%, 17 made 3s in 32 games as of writing), and he’s less confident the further out in range that he gets … Teams will inevitably dare him to shoot by going underneath screens and clogging up his driving lanes until he can keep them honest … His not-so-harsh shooting fundamentals and decent free throw percentage (76 FT% on just over 3 FTA/G) offer hope that he can figure this part of his game out, at the least becoming respectable when he has his feet set, but it has to improve to open up the rest of his game more … Effective offensively but not likely to be a prolific scoring threat at the next level (11 PPG) … Doesn’t have outrageous turnover numbers (1.5 TOPG) but at times is too deliberate; will force some action that isn’t there and occasionally seems to predetermine what he wants to do, which plays into a set defenses hand and can make him relatively mistake prone with added ball-handling responsibilities …Can handle some PG duties due to his natural ball skills, but doesn’t yet display the consistent decision-making or temperament of a real floor general …Doesn’t say much on the court and can at times come off aloof or lax, none of which are really the common traits of a lead guard … May be a bit of a “tweener” guard who has some of the traits of each backcourt position but doesn’t have some of the more necessary skills to play either position exclusively  …Overall: Castle was a blue chip consensus 5-star recruit and McDonalds AA from near the Atlanta area in HS who steadily rose in the rankings his last 2 seasons … He committed to Danny Hurley and UConn pretty early in his recruiting process and came in as an immediate starter in 2023-2024 … After spending most of his AAU & HS career operating as a de facto PG, he slid into more of an off-ball role in college with decent results on a UConn team that lost a few starters from their national title team a year before … A Day-1 starter, Castle’s poise, open court prowess, defensive ability and all-around offensive game showed promise and allowed him to seamlessly fit into a role on a veteran team that is the odds-on favorite to once again win the 2024 national title … He still has things he needs to work on; namely his jump shooting ability, especially from 3-point range, and processing when reading defenses … He also is a bit stuck between guard positions with both positive and negative traits that limit him in some way or another at both backcourt spots … Still, there is a good amount of upside to look into with the interesting Castle, who projects to easily be a name that will come off the board in the lottery or late teens  …Jorrye Nixon 4/5/24","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Dante Exum","date_of_birth":"11/1/04","hometown":"Covington, GA","high_school":"Newton","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":4,"big_board_rank":5,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ron Holland II","year":2024,"height":80,"weight":195,"school":"G-League","pros":"High motor wing with plenty of upside to develop on both ends of the floor … Has excellent size for a wing with a near 7 foot wingspan and good height at 6’6.5 barefoot … Defensive effort and energy is very impressive and gives him promise as lock down defender type for the next level … Developed a reputation in high school for his great motor and willingness to put in great effort as a defender … Despite struggles shooting in the G League, his lefty outside shot in high school appeared a lot more promising and effective … 75% free throw percentage gives some real credence to the idea that his shooting is better than his 3 point shooting would indicate … Still just 18 years of age, will not turn 19 until July making him one of the youngest prospects available … With his excellent length, has the size to develop into a player that can switch and guard some fours as well as wings and guards … Shows some glimpses of playmaking for others with good vision and passing … Capable of some bigtime highlight finishes on the break … Never seems to lack for confidence. He is willing to battle and does not shy away from contact … Can get down hill in a hurry and get by opponents off the dribble and finish at the rim … While not always the best decision, shows a willingness to take the ball into the teeth of the defense … Drive and dish game showed some flashes … Solid 6.6 rebounds per game show his activity level and willingness to bang … Defensive analytics confirm the eye test and are high level … 2.5 steals per game is an elite level of pilfers … He also registered .7 blocks per game which is good for a wing …","cons":"Struggled mightily with both shooting and turnovers in his season in the G League playing for the Ignite … Appeared unfocused and left a bad impression with scouts with his huge turnover numbers at 3 per game … Had a tendency to turn the ball over far too often on drives to the basket … Many quesiton his decision to join the Ignite, and whether he challenged himself to develop, with lower competition level overall than in college … More likely to be a quality role player than a star at the next level … A good athlete, but somewhat unorthodox as he lacks fluidity … Can get too enamored with creating off the dribble and over-penetrating into the teeth of the defense, instead of knowing when to give the ball up or pull up for mid range shots … Finishing ability comes under question with the number of lay ups he missed … Maturity and consistency need to improve. Had times where he seemed to lose focus and make a lot of mental errors with bad passes and bad shot selection … Shot just 24% on three pointers with the Ignite … Devleoping a reliable runner would helpo when he gets into the trees in the paint …Outlook: Projects as a potential defensive specialist with a chance to be more if his shooting improves … Likely to hear his name somewhere in the mid-llate lottery … Still has a number of holes to his game that need to be addressed …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Tari Eason/Will Barton","date_of_birth":"7/7/05","hometown":"Dallas, TX","high_school":"Duncanville","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":9,"big_board_rank":12,"overall_rank":93}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Donovan Clingan","year":2024,"height":87,"weight":280,"school":"UConn","pros":"Clingan is a colossal 7’2 265 lb C with plenty of length and reach as well as good body control and fluidity for someone with his size … Is already hard to move, and has the frame to add on 10-10 lbs of muscle with ease … Knows how massive he is and does a good job of using his size to his advantage on both ends of the court … Arguably the best interior defender in this draft class; size allows him to cut off driving angles and negate the spacing necessary to get off shots, and he must be located at all times by offensive players when he’s on the court … Makes players apprehensive when looking to get to the paint and score, and was an intimidating presence for even some of the best offensive players at the college level … Nearly impossible to score over … Excellent rim protector who can block shots at their highest point (2.1 BPG for his career, 2.5/G as a Soph.), and does a very good job of being straight up when defenders try to get to his chest to neutralize his length to get shots at the rim, as to avoid unnecessary fouling (career 1.9 FPG) … Has a nice basketball IQ, and shows plenty of signs of instinctive play that allows him to be effective defending in screen and roll situations, where he can use his size and mobility to contain dribble penetration without crowding his match up but also contest and block/disrupt shots and some passes in space  … Negates the mistakes of teammates; great player to have in the backline of the defense when your guard gets beat off the bounce … Adequately moves his feet and isn’t a college big who camps out in the paint all game … Effective rim runner who can easily seal and convert, especially when at the front of the basket…Will get his fair share of points via putbacks (career 2.4 ORPG) and can keep plays alive after missed shots … Plays through contact and will convert above the rim through and over defenders at times..Establishes position and seals defenders often, while giving players a big target to feed in the post … A safe bet to convert in close due to his size and soft touch (64.8 career FG%), being able to throw in jump hooks with his right hand and a dropstep that he converts much more often than not within 5 ft …Has the type of soft hands needed to grab passes away from his body with ease … More of a pick and roll player than a back to the basket post; sets good screens and knows how to make himself available for dumpoffs from guards … Pretty unselfish and usually makes timely decisions with the ball (1.5/0.8 A/TO); dropped off a good amount of well-timed passes to players cutting to the rim during his career … Has the footwork to add more moves to his post arsenal in time; may have some untapped potential offensively that can be realized in time … Shows a mean streak and aggressiveness that you don;t usually find in big men …","cons":"Though he’s more mobile than your typical mammoth-sized big, he isn’t a true standout athlete due to a lack of explosive foot speed, leaping skills and quickness … Misses some shot opportunities in close by taking too long to gather and rise, which could allow more athletic and physically gifted NBA bigs the split second needed to contest more of his attempts … Not as productive a rebounder as you’d expect for someone with his physical tools, particularly on the defensive glass (7.4 RPG, 6.5 career RPG) … Pretty solid at rebounding his own misses but won’t snag many boards that aren’t right in the paint on either end of the court … Isn’t terribly raw or unpolished in the post but isn’t exactly full of moves either; still growing his arsenal down low during the rare instances that his sheer size isn’t enough to get up a good shot … Jump shot is a work in progress; the touch is there to give him something to work with, but not enough instances of range in live action … Shot less than 60% from the FT line both of his college seasons (57 FT% as a Soph. compared to 51 FT% as a Fr.), further intensifying questions about his ability to extend his range and his true shooting potential …Willing to slide and move on defense, but could have some instances of trouble against the quicker guards the next level has to offer in space due to his own lack of quickness and the high center of gravity he plays with at times …Overall: Donovan Clingan was a consensus 4-star recruit from Bristol, Connecticut who stayed in-state to play for UConn after an extremely productive HS career … He earned limited minutes but was a key reserve and “per-minute” stat extraordinaire (7 PPG, 6 RPG and nearly 2 BPG in 13 MPG) as a Fr. on UConn’s national title team and really became a player to keep an eye on in draft circles during the teams dominant NCAA tournament run, where his eye-popping physical tools intrigued … As a Soph. he dealt with a foot injury that kept him out for a month of the season, but upped his production across the board (13 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2 BPG) while delivering on the promise he showed as a Fr. defensive stalwart, gradually boosting his draft stock and anchoring a UConn team considered to be the odds-on favorite to repeat and win it all again … Standing 7’2 with a ridiculous standing reach, nice mobility and a strong 265 lb body that’s still capable of adding muscle, it’s no doubt that Clingan has the tools and instincts to be a defensive anchor at the next level as well…He also is a highly efficient offensive player who plays smart, has underrated passing skills and is well aware of his size and how to use it to his advantage, as both a screener and finisher … He may not yet be the some of his parts offensively, given his still developing back to basket post game and lack of shooting range currently, and his just mediocre rebounding production may be worth monitoring, though it’s important to note that UConn has been a collective team rebounding unit this season which may skew his numbers a little … He likely will never be a top option offensively but he should be reasonably productive even without things running through him on that end just off his ability to convert in close, screen and roll, offensive rebound and rim run … His defensive presence would be very useful for a team in the first round of the 2024 Draft class, with the production he provides offensively being icing on the cake …Jorrye Nixon 4/2/24","position":"Center","similar_player":"Jakob Poeltl/Walker Kessler","date_of_birth":"2/23/04","hometown":"Bristol, CT","high_school":"Central","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":7,"big_board_rank":10,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Rob Dillingham","year":2024,"height":74,"weight":165,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"A shifty bucket-getter that scores in bunches … Excellent body control when driving through the paint – is able to slip between defenders and get into position to get shots up despite traffic and congestion in the paint. Is extremely creative at creating shots at all three levels … Excellent at using deceptive moves to beat defenders, especially head fakes and footwork while dribbling … Tends to bounce when trying to break down defenders, luring them into a false sense of security only to then quickly change direction and create a driving lane … Elite at putting spin on the ball and using multiple release angles to finish around the rim. Despite his lack of size, finishes very well around the rim and is not afraid of contact … Shot release is very quick. Excellent footwork while spotting up / moving around the perimeter keeps him shot ready and allows him to get shots up quickly after catching … Doesn’t need much room to get off a shot, due to the fact players struggle to crowd him because of his ability to drive … Streaky shooter who only needs to see one shot go in to become a microwave scorer … Shoots 44% from three on over 4 attempts per game … Despite a reputation in Overtime Elite for being a high volume shooter, is second on Kentucky in assists … Very good at playing a two man pick and roll game – puts defenders in difficult positions and punishes them for their poor positioning by either scoring himself or setting his teammates up … Trusts his teammates and makes a concerted effort to get them the ball in position for them to score. Uses his excellent finishing ability to set up lob attempts for his bigs when help defense comes over to stop him. Is willing to kick out to the perimeter for open threes when his drives are shut down … Despite not being a strong defender, has a high effort level on that end of the court. Showed maturity in accepting a bench role at Kentucky despite being one of their top producers …","cons":"Slight frame limits his ability on defense to some degree long term … He showed the ability to put weight and muscle on this past year, but his frame will likely always be slight. Needs to have the ball in his hands to be effective … Can force things at time … Will attempt to dribble into traffic and can lose the ball against players with active hands … Plays with the ball a little bit too much at times … Leads Kentucky in turnovers per game and turnovers per minute (among rotation players) … Can sometimes catch teammates off guard with passes when he gets caught in awkward positions and has to force a pass to avoid a turnover. Is susceptible to taking bad shots at times to try to get himself going … Not necessarily a bad thing, but he jumps on his free throw release a little bit. Is the type of player that can always shoot a team out of a game – but sometimes that team is his own … When dribbling to his right, he tends to look to get down hill and to the rim, but when going left is more likely to look for a jumper or a floater … Can create space for his jumper, but will need to further develop that skill to keep higher level / bigger and more physical defenders off balance at the next level …Outlook: Dillingham doesn’t have prototypical size for the next level, but his offensive skill set and ability to score in bunches makes him an intriguing prospect … He will be a microwave type scorer at the NBA level who can also play the role of a distributor … He can beat defenders off the bounce with his shifty moves, create shots for himself and others, and can also be an excellent spot up shooter … This will allow him to play within many different systems and alongside many different types of players … There will be many people that focus on his lack of size and defensive ability, but his propensity for scoring the basketball at a high level and ability to initiate scoring bursts in a variety of ways should allow him to have an immediate impact at the next level and find himself as a high lottery pick in a draft with a lot of question marks at the top …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Kemba Walker/Brandon Jennings","date_of_birth":"1/4/05","hometown":"Hickory, NC","high_school":"Overtime Elite","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":24,"big_board_rank":19,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Zach Edey","year":2024,"height":89,"weight":300,"school":"Purdue","pros":"Huge, and knows how to use his size very well … Shows a lot of determination and focus, a two time national player of the year and one of the dominant forces on the college level of the past few decades … Excellent rebounder… Has a nice, soft touch around the hoop. Is a very effective scorer with his back to the basket. .. Has an excellent traditional big man skill set … Incredible size with a 7’4 frame and a 9’7 standing reach, his cutting down the nets with no ladder is a lasting March Madness memory … Very strong base, has really developed in this area and is hard to move off his spot on the block … Holds his position defensively … Strong hands on the rebound. Grabs whatever is in his vicinity on the offensive and defensive boards … Does a decent job with not biting on fakes to stay out of foul trouble … Has made impressive progress in leaning his body out, staying strong and dropping body fat… At minimum, due to his size, strength, and smarts, could definitely carve out a niche in the NBA in spot minutes as a rim protector, and sneaky go-to offensive post presence …  A top ranked Purdue team essentially ran their offense through him, also relying on him to make plays for teammates, from the post … Benefits significantly from simply being so much larger than his opponents … Has improved at using his size to get physical and draw fouls… Free throw shooting has shown steady improvement to its current 70 percent mark, which is encouraging when considering his ability to have some offensive game away from the rim at the next level … Has really embraced a leadership role and being more outspoken as a senior …","cons":"Has significantly improved his body and mobility over college career, but remains a plodder for the next level that an NBA team will have to deploy a different playing style to accommodate him being on the floor … The big question about Edey is related to his foot speed. He does not move fast, nor particularly well laterally … He will not be a plus defender in a pick and roll situation in the NBA, but how much of a liability will he be? …  To what extent can he be hidden and kept out of being a pick and role liability? … Can his significant rim protection outweigh the negatives related to his perimeter defense?… He is not the most aggressive player, but this may be more commentary on style than an outright negative … Tends to hold the ball for a while, moves a bit in slow motion, including decision making … Could speed up his post possessions … Decent free throw shooter, considering his size, but 70% from the line can definitely still improve … Has a tendency to let smaller players strip him of the ball when he’s holding it for too long down low … While his hands are strong, sometimes appear to not have the coordination in his hands … Today’s game has moved away from slow footed players like he and UConn big Donovan Clingan …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Boban Marjanovic","date_of_birth":"3/14/02","hometown":"Toronto, Ontario, Canada","high_school":"IMG Academy","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":10,"size":7,"defense":9,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":21,"big_board_rank":25,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cody Williams","year":2024,"height":80,"weight":180,"school":"Colorado","pros":"Williams is a slim 6’8 180 wing with a great length (7’1 wingspan) and gliding-type athleticism … A long strider who covers ground in big swoops and runs the floor very well, making him a real threat in transition where he currently looks his best offensively (12 PPG with an impressive 55 FG%) … Really shined converting in close with a head of steam as a Fr., and can slash and finish with either hand with some decent ability to play above the rim for good measure (59 FG% inside the arc) … Nice body control; uses his sleek frame to slip and contort into tight spaces and attack unorthodox angles in the paint … Comfortable at the point of attack offensively and displays good ball-handling skills … Developing the feel & ability to create offense using ball screens in either direction; showed some flashes of potential in these situations … Adequate touch; utilized runners and floaters in the mid range area when he couldn’t get all the way to the rim with pretty good success … Has the height and length to shoot over smaller players on the perimeter … Found success as a spot-up shooter this past season, albeit on limited attempts (41.5 3FG% on 41 3FGA) and has range to pose a threat from 3 … Displays concise shot selection and doesn’t overly hunt for his own offense much … Possesses a high release and shows some awareness by finding open spots along the 3-point line when the defense collapses on dribble drives … Plenty of tools to utilize on the defensive end as well; has the height, length, and footwork to be a versatile defender as he grows physically and mentally … Doesn’t have eye popping assist numbers (1.6 APG) but is a willing passer …Very important to note that he dealt with various injuries and wasn’t nearly 100% healthy throughout the majority of his freshman season and particularly down the stretch … Could be just scratching the surface of his ability on both ends of the court … Played point guard in high school and has point forward potential for the next level …","cons":"Adding more muscle to his 180 lb frame would help considerably; possibly has more to gain athletically if he strengthens his lower body … A decent athlete with build-up speed, but isn’t particularly statically explosive which shows itself more in half-court situations … Against set defenses he doesn’t typically create a ton of space off the bounce without the help of a ball screen, showing mediocre creativity and 1st step quickness … Not a natural scorerNice efficiency stats, but straddles the line of judicious and hesitant shot selection too closely at times; had plenty of moments when he was a phantom on the court, particularly in big games … Had other talented teammates to share the rock with but could’ve stood to be a bit more aggressive last year; 13 FG attempts is the most shots he took in any game as a Fr … Was solid in his limited open spot-up shots from deep, but shoots more of a set shot and his average shot release quickness explains why he doesn’t try many traditional pull-up jumpers of any variety in the mid-range when chased off the line…Not particularly physical, and it shows in his propensity to avoid contact oppose to playing through it on both ends as well as in his meager rebounding numbers for a 6’8 player (3 RPG) … The idea of his upside as a defender is better than where he is right now; sometimes can struggle to contain dribble penetration due to a somewhat high center of gravity which led to some cheap reaching fouls (2 FPG) … Also wasn’t didn’t force as many turnovers or shot alterations as you’d expect with his length and athleticism (15 steals & 16 blocks 24 games as a Fr.) … Durability questions are fair as of now, due to his thin frame and nagging injuries this season … Concerns exist surrounding his competitive fire and determination, but it’s fair to point out that his freshman numbers trump his NBA standout brother jalen Williams’ sophomore season numbers playing in a Power 5 vs Mid Major …Overall: Cody Williams was a prized recruit out of Arizona who emerged as a 5-star prospect around the end of his Jr year of HS, later becoming the 1st 5-star recruiting commit in Colorado basketball history … After a busy summer on the HS All-Star circuit and being on Team USA for Hoop Summit before enrolling in college, he built up enough buzz to enter the 2023-2024 NCAA season mocked by numerous outlets as a top 5 pick for this years draft … He had some decent production on a Colorado team advanced to the Round of 32 and featured some experienced starters (and noteworthy NBA prospects in their own right in KJ Simpson and Tristen De Silva), operating as a complimentary scoring option to his older teammates … He didn’t really quite seem to be in a consistent rhythm though, dealing with an injury bug that caused him to miss 13 games and parts of others dealing with ankle & wrist problems, as well as a facial injury that required him to wear a mask  … Those injuries took their toll on him, particularly down the stretch of the season, as he clearly seemed less effective during the teams Pac 12 & NCAA tournament games … Still, he showed potential on both ends of the court and maintained nice efficiency all season … There’s alot to like about Williams in transition and in the paint, where his touch and length are both assets on the move … He also has the tools to defend anywhere on the perimeter as he gains experience … He needs to get stronger, more assertive & be willing to play physical, especially in halfcourt offense, but he can contribute by continuing to make instinctive cuts to the rim and by filling lanes on the wing for open jumpers with sporadic shot creation off the bounce … Williams is projected to be selected in the lottery with a chance to go as high as 4th to San Antonio …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Lamar Odom/Brandon Ingram","date_of_birth":"11/20/04","hometown":"Gilbert, AZ","high_school":"Perry","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":10,"big_board_rank":4,"overall_rank":95}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Matas Buzelis","year":2024,"height":82,"weight":195,"school":"G-League","pros":"Buzelis is currently a thin 6’10 195 forward with a frame that will be able to add significant muscle, giving him plenty of intrigue as a potential mismatch along the frontcourt … Also shows bouncy run-jump athleticism, body control and agility for a player his size that should only continue to improve as he adds more strength … Good ball-handling ability for a 6’10 player; comfortable facing the basket, operating on the perimeter and especially in transition where he can be potent when going downhill … Willing to initiate offense on his own after missed shots at times, whether going coast-to-coast or making outlet passes to advance the ball … Will slither around contact to create angles to score … Budding point-forward skills (49 assists last season with G-League Ignite) that will be worth continuing to develop given his strong floor vision and timing as a passer … Plays at his own pace and shows a good feel for the game; generally doesn’t force the issue and knows when to give up the rock vs when to call his own number … Can be a surprisingly emphatic finisher through contact for a thin player; made a good amount of posters just this past season alone (51 FG% inside the arc) … Moves without the ball; defenders have to look out for him on backdoor cuts … Has a soft touch that adds a layer of intrigue to his potential as a scorer (14.3 PPG on 45 FG%), and can find different ways to subtly get space to convert shots against contests … Willing to take shots from deep (24 made 3s) and has been productive with it in the past (45 3FG% as a Hs Sr.), particularly when he can set his feet … Given his height he likely won’t have many problems rising and firing shots over defenders when he can’t get all the way to the rim … Has a developing turnaround J over his left shoulder in the low and mid-post areas that would be useful to build on … The timing and instincts he shows on the offensive end are also evident defensively; the film shows that he will use his rangy strides and work his feet to cut off slashing angles on the ball & make smart rotations off the ball … Excellent shot-blocking production (2.1 BPG) highlight his quick leaping skills and willingness to rim protect as a helpside defender … Generally does a solid job of “walling” and being straight-up when contesting shots to avoid unnecessary fouls … Versatile player with experience playing on and off the ball, who at his best could subtly contribute in multiple ways …","cons":"Not very strong currently, and it impacts how effective he’s able to play on both ends of the court … Willing to finish through contact at times and shows at least decent toughness, but generally is a finesse player who looks to fade away or use his height to get shots off … Physical defense really can disrupt his game at his current strength level; struggles to consistently create slashing lanes or get to his spots cleanly against stronger players … Not particularly quick either, which allows more athletic defenders to be able to stay in front & force difficult looks, speed him up and represents another hindrance to his potential as a true primary shot-creator in halfcourt offense … Too light in the britches to establish any kind of consistent positioning in the post right now, which often negates his effectiveness on the low block … Got to the FT line at a poor rate, further illustrating a lack of physicality, and had mediocre at best success once there (2.2 FTA/G on 68%)…Flashes of point-forward skills are more of an idea than tangible production currently; had a negative A:TO in the G-League (1.9:2.1) and is more of an unselfish passing valve in an offense than a true facilitator at this point … Will also have to work on dealing with ball pressure at the point of attack to realize his playmaking potential…Relies heavily on timing and anticipation as a defender, could struggle to handle quicker players especially when matched up with on the perimeter … Plays with a high center of gravity that works against him on both ends of the court at times…Average rebounding skills for his height; could show more of a motor and tenacity on the glass (6.6 RPG) … Has shooting touch, but is a bit up-and-down from the perimeter (27 3FG% on 3.4 3FG/G) and it seems to due (at least in part) to trying to change his release point and quickness when contested … More effective with time and space than off the dribble…May be a “jack of all trades, master of none” type; doesn’t really have a particular skill he stands out at currently, though he is scratching the surface in a number of areas …Overall: Buzelis is a prospect from the Chicago area who comes from family were both of his parents were pro hoopers in Lithuania before moving to the US…He has a decorated amateur swimming background and eventually became one of the best HS basketball players in the nation as a consensus top 10 recruit in the 2023 HS class…He played in the 2022 Hoop Summit and was a McDonalds AA in 2023 as well…After stops that included basketball powerhouses Brewster Academy & Sunrise Christian Academy his last 3 years of HS, Buzelis chose to play for the G-League Ignite over going to college…It was a distrastrous season for the Ignite program, one that included a 2-32 record and a notice from Adam Silver that the NBA was shutting down the league, but Buzelis had a reasonably productive season…He showed pretty much all of the things we knew about him as a prep prospect; his nice size and physical tools as a 6’10 combo forward, versatility on both ends of the court, basketball instincts, exciting finishing ability and the budding point-forward skill set…He also is still going to need to polish all of his skills more and continue to grow into his body to maximize his athleticism and overall potential as a player, because there will be alot more of what he struggled with in the Ignite program to come at the NBA level if he doesn’t attack the weight room and add mass to his frame…The framework of a modern combo forward with mismatch skills and positional versatility is there, but its going to be about shoring up some key areas in all areas of his game that see him live up to his draft billing … Buzelis is projected to be taken in the first half of the lottery …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Franz Wagner","date_of_birth":"10/13/04","hometown":"Chicago, IL","high_school":"Sunrise Christian Academy","rebounding":9,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":5,"big_board_rank":7,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Nikola Topić","year":2024,"height":78,"weight":200,"school":"Serbia","pros":"Lead guard with good size for his position as a 6-6 point guard … Plays games at a high pace and his style is contagious to his teammates…Knows how to control the tempo of the game … Really mature for his age … Great feel for the game … Has high basketball I.Q … Not an elite athlete by NBA standards, but has sneaky athleticism that helps him against athletic opponents in ISO and Pick and Roll situations … Playmaking is in his blood … An elite passer with great court vision, his passing is the most translatable skill at the next level… Knows his way around ball screens and takes advantage of any situation… A Pick and Roll maestro and a great decision maker already at a young age, he can either find the rolling big, a player on the weak side or finish the play himself … If he is surrounded with a rolling big and three shooters, he can be lethal … He can make almost every pass thanks to his size, instincts and I.Q … A joy to watch in transition as the ball handler, he knows how to keep his teammates happy… Loves to attack the basket and is a very good – and creative – finisher in the paint despite the fact that he has below average athleticism … Draws a lot of fouls due to playing style … Has shown potential as a shooter in Pull Up 3s, if he manages to become more consistent, he could become a 3-level scorer … His free throw percentage is in the mid 80’s, which is encouraging for his development as a shooter … Strong rebounder for his position … Knows how to use his size to make up for lack of speed on defense … Smart defender, can jump passing lanes and make steals …","cons":"He is considered an average athlete by NBA standards … Has a good  – but not great – first step, which could make it difficult for him to blow by and create his own shot at the next level against quicker, more athletic opponents … He has to bulk up a little to sustain the physicality and pace of the NBA… Can have some problems against aggressive ball pressure from smaller guards … Finishing against contact could become an issue on the next level against elite length and athleticism … He has to add a more dependable floater in his arsenal to be able to use… He is an inconsistent shooter from mid-range for now … Not really a threat in Spot Up 3s … Shooting numbers have not proven that he is above average, despite a solid looking stroke … He needs the ball in his hands to be more effective for now, he might struggle on  the next level at first if he plays off the ball … He must prove that he can make Pull Up shots consistently against Drop coverages in Pick and Rolls on the next level if he wants to unlock his true potential and become the best version of himself … Defense figures to be one of his major challenges facing the speed of NBA guards … Has average lateral quickness by NBA standards … It is a question mark who he will guard on the next level… He could raise his intensity on the defensive end at times …Has problems against smaller, quicker opponents on defense … Gets stuck behind ball screens in Pick and Rolls at times, leaving the ball handler open… Has problems chasing players around screens … Off ball defense needs work, at times he is too focused on the ball and loses his player… Bigger opponents can punish him in the post …Outlook: Nikola Topic is considered one of the best international players of his generation, who has been exposed to the senior level at a very young age and didn’t just hold his ground, but actually excelled … A true Pick and Roll maestro, who can make every pass, Topic is a special playmaker, who is a consistent Jump Shot away from becoming a real offensive threat … Enters the NBA draft with a lot of hype, but missed a lot of what was supposed to be both a developmental season playing against the best in Europe as well as a “prove it” season, in which he never really proved it at the highest level (for Red Star as opposed to Mega) … has a special quality which will likely make him a star in Europe if he doesn’t have the wares for the NBA level …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Vasilije Micic","date_of_birth":"8/10/05","hometown":"Novi Sad, Serbia","rebounding":8,"potential":9,"post_skills":9,"international_team":"KK Crvena Zvezda","athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":14,"big_board_rank":23,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Devin Carter","year":2024,"height":75,"weight":195,"school":"Providence","pros":"Carter is a 6’3 190 combo guard with impressive length (6’8 wingspan) and strength on the perimeter that allows him to play bigger than he’s listed … Excellent athlete; an agile mover who dazzled with his leaping skills (42” running vert) & speed (Combine record 2.84 3/4 court sprint) during testing at the NBA Combine, showing his explosiveness …  An aggressive player through and through, Carter was a unit for Providence as a Jr. offensively (Big East-leading 19.7 PPG on 14 FTA/G at 47 FG%), particularly when he had to pick up the scoring void left by C Bryce Hopkins’ injury … Very good vision and timing operating off the dribble; a deliberate slasher who attacks the rim as soon as he sees daylight or when the defense is off balance … Comfortable in ball screen action; had some strong moments creating for himself and occasionally his teammates when mismatched with big frontcourt players … Got to the FT line at a solid rate (5.2 FTA/G on 75% as a Jr., career 4.6 FTA/G on 72%) … Likes to drive and dish, and is effective making dumpoffs to teammates when the defense collapses onto him (3.6 APG) … His high level athleticism, strength and physicality made him an asset finishing amongst the trees (56 FG% inside the arc as a Jr.), with flashes of above the rim finishing ability too … Really improved his 3-point shot this past season, going from sub 30% his 1st 2 collegiate seasons to nearly 38% on a healthy 6.8 3FG/G as a Jr … Is so much more confident in his shooting that he can make shots in a variety of ways, including off the bounce, using handoffs and screens, as well as running to open spots in transition … Shot form, though still a bit unorthodox, is less mechanical than it was in the past as he looked really solid when in rhythm this past season … Whether with his feet set or 1 to 2 dribbles, the groundwork is there for his shotmaking to continue to become more translatable against pro defenders … Among the best and most feisty defensive players in this draft class; flies around and is always looking to create turnovers (1.8 SPG) that lead to transition opportunities … Shows great awareness off the ball, with excellent shot-blocking production from the perimeter added in for good measure (averaged over 1 BPG in each of the past 2 seasons) … The physical tools and nonstop motor he has also allowed him to produce some truly stellar rebounding numbers from the guard position (8.7 RPG as a Jr., career 6 RPG); is willing to mix it up and throw his weight around with bigger players…A Tasmanian devil on the court who is instinctive and simply has a keen nose for the ball … Easy to see him hounding the other teams best guards on a nightly basis, with the ability to defend taller wings in a pinch too..An energetic, overachieving type who leaves it all on the court and was willing to play whatever role that was needed as a collegiate player … NBA bloodlines as the son of former NBA veteran PG Anthony Carter only helps his learning curve …","cons":"Carter was productive throughout his career but he will not be tasked with as much responsibility in the NBA as he was in college, especially on the offensive end … A bit of a tweener guard; at 6’3 he doesn’t project to handle the scorer duties or creation for teammates consistently enough to be positioned as a PG or a SG exclusively … Unlikely to have nearly as much freedom or possessions at the point of attack at the NBA level as at Providence, and will likely have to settle into a secondary or “specialist” role … Not a natural playmaker for others (1.3 A/TO), and will make shaky decisions with the ball or dribble into no man’s land when he has to make more intricate reads or navigate around scrambling bodies to get teammates open looks … Could use some work at playing at different speeds; can be out of control at times with more savvy defenders using his aggression against him leading to wasted possessions and charging fouls … Though his jumper is improved it is still a pretty deliberate shot with wasted motion that will make it a split second easier for defenders to contest, especially off the dribble … Midrange game isn’t anything to write home about currently … Though he rarely missed games in his career, he plays with enough reckless abandon that his durability will be worth monitoring as a smaller player who sacrifices his body on the court frequently …Overall: Devin Carter was a top 150 recruit in 2021 who started his college career playing under Frank Martin at South Carolina, where he had a pretty solid Fr season before transferring to play for Providence for his Soph and Jr seasons … He enjoyed success moonlighting as the team’s best defensive stopper and perimeter scoring threat the past 2 years, with some gaudy counting stats on both ends of court that ultimately led to him being the Big East Player of the Year in 23-24…Watching Carter play, it’s easy to root for him giving his athleticism, livewire energy and willingness to put his fingerprints in just about every facet of the game…He showed lionhearted toughness, particularly on the defensive end, and his standout NBA Combine performance shows he also will fit right in at the pro level athletically as well…He will need to continue to polish his guard skills offensively as well as continuing to work on his jumper, but the big strides he made in that area in the short time he played under Kim English make it not-so-wise to write off his shooting splits from this past season as a fluke or magic in a bottle…He is a high floor prospect with some well-defined strengths and traits that make him intriguing and versatile, so if he’s able to prove he poses a threat shooting the ball at the NBA level he can undoubtedly become a valuable contributor to winning basketball…After a highly productive season and a string of strong workouts this offseason, Carter is believed to have positioned himself to hear his name called in the lottery of the 2024 NBA Draft …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Ayo Dosunmu","date_of_birth":"3/18/02","hometown":"Miami, FL","high_school":"Brewster Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":11,"big_board_rank":13,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kel'el Ware","year":2024,"height":85,"weight":230,"school":"Indiana","pros":"Supremely talented bigman with prototypical size, length and athleticism for the NBA center position … Shows a great deal of upside with the ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor … Excellent fluidity and coordination for a bigman … Averaged 42% from three as a sophomore. granted he only made 17-40 shots over the season, but still an encouraging statistic for a 7-footer … Shows very good form on his shot … Effective catch and shoot guy with range out to college three, he has the potential to become a three point threat and floor spacer at the next level, giving him added value …  Became a much more effective scorer in the paint adding efficiency (Shows good hands, catching the ball and grabbing boards … Shows an effective turnaround jumper … Has the basics down as a bigman than can defend in space, protect the rim as well as effectively play in the post … Very strong rebounder, at 10 per game, showing solid fundamentals and understanding of positioning and boxing out … An explosive athlete with rim running ability … Added solid strength to his body from his sophomore year, 230 lbs and should naturally fill out and add another 15-20 lbs as he hits his early to mid 20s … Very good leg and core strength and shows good ability and willingness to fight for position in the post … Very solid improvement from freshman season with a near 10 point jump in scoring from 6.6 to 15.9 ppg … 1.9 blocks per game, he has a massive frame at 7-1 with a 7-4 wingspan and also has very good leaping ability with a 36 inch vertical … NBA Combine shuttle numbers showed that he has amazing foot speed with a sub 11 second lane agility run which was better than many of the wings … Despite shooting 63% as a sophomore and 66% in his college career, shows excellent form on shot and can easily develop into an 80% FT shooter at the NBA level … Solid but not great passer, he can find the open man cutting and get himself out of double teams, but not a guy you can expect to run plays through … Can be successful if given the right role with the right teammates, preferably a great passing lead guard …","cons":"Productive numbers but with his talent level, one might question whether he has underachieved some at the college level … Did not establish himself as a go-to offensive threat … Doesn’t really look to create offense yet or given much opportunity, and scores mainly on the block or on rim runs and garbage buckets on put backs … 16 ppg suggests he can score, but perhaps lacks an aggressive scorer’s mentality …. Questions remain regarding his determination and focus. Is he truly dedicated to being the best version of himself, or does he not have the drive to become a great player? … Limited creating off the bounce when facing the basket … Very laid back demeanor, often looking somewhat low energy and lethargic … He figures to be a player that will be somewhat dependent on the right situation …  Decision making can be frustrating at times, 1.6 turnovers per game versus 1.5 assists … Doesn’t always show great anticipation, particularly on the defensive end where he can be slow to react to opponents attacking the basket and getting by him … Free throw shooting went backwards from FR season, dropping from 71% to 63% … Shot blocking didn’t nearly see the double that his minutes did (going from 1.3 to 1.9 as a sophomore, the shot blocking upside is there, but could be more impactful … Not a vocal or emotional leader, should look to become more assertive and vocal on the court …Outlook: Came into college along with Derrick Lively, rated similarly (top 10),  so he will probably always get compared to him, and could find similar success if put in a similarly ideal situation at NBA level … Born on 4/20, so having recently turned 20 years of age, he still has a great deal of potential … With much better mobility and similar skills, the upside is there for him to be every bit as good as a player being hyped as a possible top 5 pick in Donovan Clingan … Ware figures to be draft somewhere in the late lottery / mid-first round, as a player with considerable upside but still somewhat of a project …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Jarrett Allen","date_of_birth":"4/20/04","hometown":"North Little Rock, AR","high_school":"North Little Rock","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":6,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":9,"mock_draft_rank":22,"big_board_rank":17,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jared McCain","year":2024,"height":75,"weight":205,"school":"Duke","pros":"6’3 combo guard … Good strength and balance … Can play on or off the ball … Prolific shooter. Shoots well off the catch, dribble, or on the move with good balance. Creates space to get his shot off fairly well. Gets into the midrange at a nice rate, can stop on a dime, and has much success with his pull-up. Solid floater … Can score in bunches … Good form and catches the ball already squared up with no wasted motion in 3PT shot. Quick release. Shooting range extends to the NBA 3PT line. Won the McDonald’s All-American 3PT Contest … Reliable free throw shooter. Shot 80% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 and 86.4% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Solid court vision and ball-handler … Committed and tough on ball defender. Defends well off the ball. Averaged 1.7 steals per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Highly confident and competitive. Knows how to play aggressive without being selfish …","cons":"More wired to score than facilitate and doesn’t have great size as he’s more of a two-guard … Isn’t a real explosive athlete … Can work on getting to the rim more, tends to live on pull-ups. May struggle against length when scoring at the rim at the next levels. Can improve scoring efficiency: 11.3 PPG 37.5% FG% NBPA Top 100 2021, 11.2 PPG 41.5% FG% U18 Americas Championship 2022, 15.2 39.4% FG% EYBL 2022 … While he can definitely light it up from outside, he can still improve 3PT shooting consistency: 22.2% 3PT% 6 3PTA U18 Americas Championship 2022, 26.7% 3PT% 3 3TPA NBPA Top 100 2022, 34% 3PT% on 5.7 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Doesn’t heavily contribute in other areas outside of scoring … Lack of ideal size, athleticism, and diverse scoring arsenal hinder his projection as an off-ball guard in the NBA … Older for his class, turned 19 in February of his senior year of high school …Outlook: Duke freshman … Scored 9 points in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game … Scored 10 points (5-9 FG) in the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit … Won Gold at the 2022 U18 Americas Championship … 2022 and 2023 California Gatorade Player of the Year … 2023 Naismith High School Boys All-American Honorable Mention …Evan Tomes 9/12/23","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Bryn Forbes","date_of_birth":"2/20/04","hometown":"Sacramento, CA","high_school":"Centennial","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":9,"athleticism":6,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":13,"big_board_rank":20,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Dalton Knecht","year":2024,"height":78,"weight":210,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Explosive, rangy, and powerful do it all wing… Has shown incredible improvement from his high school playing days, aided by a huge growth spurt. But his skill level has also reaches new heights each year… Rangy 6’6″ with a long wingspan (official measurement is tbd, but we will not be surprised to see 6’10″+)… Relentless… Always in attack mode. Has a scorer’s mindset… Can hit defenders with 2–3 moves on the same drive and get to his spot… Crafty finisher around the hoops… When he doesn’t get directly to the rim can finish with tough scoops and floaters… Every game might have a play or three where he comes out of nowhere and throws it down even in a halfcourt set… Can catch the lob for the throwdown as easily as many forwards… Catches it on the perimeter and converts it immediately into his move, doesn’t dilly dally on the perimeter… Not elite, but a very good shooter (40% from three this season) with pure mechanics… Efficient overall scorer at just below 50% from the field and just below 80% from the FT line… Takes care of the ball (just 1.4 turnovers per game)… Solid rebounder, including with the putback dunk… Smart off-ball mover, excellent with the backdoor cut… Great body control, dunks it through contact… Mixes it up in the post and hits the mid range fadeaway with a high release… Ultra confident scorer… Good catch and shoot player, transfers the pass into the three point shot at an NBA level… With the rate of improvement he’s displayed over the past 5 years, “growth” has to be mentioned as a skill. He has progressed at a remarkable rate relative to nearly any one of his peers… Shows toughness, had a nasty looking ankle sprain and returned without much missed time, he’s surely playing the second half of the 2023–24 season hobbled but still producing at a very high level (has had weeks-long stretches where he’s been arguably college basketball’s best player)… Can go on these insane hot streaks where he hits 6+ shots in a row… Good hands and overall control… On the older side of this draft, can likely slot in and help an NBA team immediately… Feels like he was in consideration for mention in our Stock Watch series almost every week, as each week he did something even more impressive than the previous throughout the 2023–24 season…","cons":"Despite his length and mobility, he doesn’t stand out as a lockdown defender… Has never averaged > 0.8 steals nor blocks (not the only way to measure defense, but it’s one surprising input given his tools)… Could use his length more effectively… Not much of a playmaker. Gets his own but has not displayed much in terms of passing… While he’s explosive above the rim, he doesn’t blow past his guy in the open floor nor off the dribble (he is effective off the dribble but his game is more predicated on deception and absorbing contact)… Not the fastest in a straight line… He imposes his will, physically, against mostly younger college competition. Can he do the same at the pro level, or tweak his game to rely less on physicality?… Super Senior. Will turn 23 in April making him one of the oldest players in this year’s draft …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Mike Miller/Rex Chapman","date_of_birth":"4/19/01","hometown":"Thornton, CO","high_school":"Prairie View","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":9,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":9,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":6,"big_board_rank":6,"overall_rank":94}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tristan da Silva","year":2024,"height":81,"weight":215,"school":"Colorado","pros":"Smooth scoring wing with good length  and solid athleticism … Has a mature game with the ability to shoot it and score in a variety of ways … Polished offensive game … Very good size at 6-9, his 6-10 wingspan and 8’8.50 standing reach, plus 35.5 inch max vertical are all strong numbers for a wing  … Focused, mature player who really developed his shooting throughout his four year college career … Shot 39.4% and 39.5%, hitting 54 and 64 threes in his junior and senior seasons respectively … 83% free throw shooter as a senior, illustrating that he has high level shooting ability … Comfortable handling the ball and attacking the basket off the bounce …. Very good in catch and shoot situations, and loves to hover around the 3 point line, which will help a team spread the floor at the next level … A surprisingly good passer for a wing, showing the ability to drive and kick and the vision to set up teammates for easy baskets … Solid defender, averaging over a steal per game in each of his junior and senior seasons … Has some nifty moves around the basket including a turn around lefty hook … Solid back to the basket game for a wing … Intelligent player with a positive 2.4 / 1.7 a/to ratio. Solid feel for the game …","cons":"Turned 23 in May … Due to his age, lacks the upside of some of the other prospects projected in the same late first round area … A little on the slow side for a wing and may struggle some to create space in ISO against better athletes at the NBA level … Productivity plateaued between junior and senior seasons … Trips to the FT line somewhat limited due to not having a very physical style of play. Adding weight and strength should allow him to absorb contact and not shy away from playing physical in the future … At 215, he’s not too far away from optimum playing weight … Not very good at creating outside shots off the dribble … Should look to move more on the offensive end, can get stagnant instead of moving to get open looks …Outlook: Experienced wing with a smooth floor game …  Teams looking for a smart, tough, plug and play, NBA ready shooter will certainly consider da Silva in the mid-to-late first round of the draft ..","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Cody Martin","date_of_birth":"5/15/01","hometown":"Munich, Germany","high_school":"Ludswigsgymnasium Munich","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":15,"big_board_rank":18,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ja'Kobe Walter","year":2024,"height":77,"weight":200,"school":"Baylor","pros":"Walter is a sleek 6’5 195 swingman who has solid length and adequate athleticism on the wing, as well as the frame to put on more muscle … At 6’5 with a 6’10 wingspan, he has a solid frame as a NBA 2-guard … Jump shot is his bread and butter offensively; shows good confidence, range and is not bashful about letting it fly (6.3 3FGA/G) … Can make shots in bunches; had 8 games with 4+ made 3-pointers as a Fr (14.5 PPG) … Has the raw ability to stick shots from distance (75 made 3s as a Fr.) and will get them up in different ways; is a threat spotting up, off screens and by simply moving to open spaces along the perimeter as a dribble drive valve…Maintains a high, quick release and consistent mechanics … Moves pretty well without the ball…Floor awareness shines in transition and when the offense is in improvisation mode; shows a knack for knowing when to cut to the rim or run to the 3-point line based on what the defense gives him…Straight-line slasher who uses the threat of his shot to open up driving lanes and will attack aggressive closeouts to get to the paint…Good touch when he gets to the rim and has a developing floater, which would be of good use for him to continue to build on in the future…Drew fouls and got to the FT line at a very nice rate for someone who was more of an off-ball player in his teams offense, and was generally solid once there (79 FT% on 5.2 FTA/G) … Wiry strong and can make shots through contact at times…Plays with good intensity and is a willing defensive player; has all the tools of a prototype 3-and-D perimeter player … Has enough length and functional athleticism to  match up fine on the perimeter, particularly on the wing … Can be a factor in the passing lanes and chip in as a help defender (1.1 SPG)…Willing rebounder on the wing (4.4 RPG) … A competitive, energetic player who gives it his all on the court …","cons":"Athleticism does not stand out, especially from an explosiveness standpoint … Burst, leaping skills and quickness are all middling for a wing at the NBA level … Below average ball-handling skills for a SG prospect; loses effectiveness the more he dribbles and doesn’t look totally comfortable creating his own offense in isolation situations … Got the ball stripped and poked away from him more than you’d like to see, particularly when going left … Looked somewhat rigid operating in the pick and roll game … Not much of an above the rim finisher and struggled to get to the basket consistently much less convert shots amongst the trees as a Fr (42 FG% inside the arc) … Teams adjusted to his game as the season went on and he saw his efficiency plummet during conference play (37 FG%) … Began to rush and settle for shots off the dribble more as the season went on …. Doesn’t pass the ball very much; shows a bit of tunnel vision when slashing … Is a willing defensive player but his fundamentals and awareness on that end could use work … Had possessions when he struggled to contain dribble drives because he didn’t move his feet or was too upright in his stance when closing out on the perimeter…Sometimes will get caught ball watching and lose track of his matchup off the ball, though those types of mistakes tend to happen when talking about 1st year players…A bit green and in need of more live game action to continue to round out his gameOverall: Walter was a consensus 5 star prospect and McDonalds AA who started out as a highly regarded player from the Dallas area before playing for Link Academy during his Sr season, where his team won the GEICO National Championship…Also participated in the Nike Hoop Summit for Team USA…Came into Baylor with plenty of hype and did not disappoint, making an immediate impact from his 1st career game when he scored 28 points on in a victory against Auburn, which is a Baylor freshman record…He went on to lead the team in scoring and earned All-Big 12 honors on a Bears squad that made it to the Round of 32 in 2023-2024…Walter showed intriguing shot-making ability and lit up the scoreboard while also having solid projections on the defensive end as an energetic player who played with good competitive spirit throughout the season…He is somewhat raw with his floor game, has just a decent physical profile and needs to tighten up his ability to create for himself, while also rounding out some on defense, but he has the makings of a solid 3-and-D who could possibly turn into more if he’s able to polish some of his more correctable flaws fundamentally…There should be a landing spot for Walter in the 1st half of the 2024 draft with his clear projections as a 2-way player …Jorrye Nixon 4/4/24","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Reggie Bullock/Kentavious Caldwell-Pope","date_of_birth":"9/4/04","hometown":"McKinney, TX","high_school":"Link Academy","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":16,"big_board_rank":11,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaylon Tyson","year":2024,"height":79,"weight":220,"school":"California","pros":"Versatile, crafty, strong offensive minded player with a good all around game … A nightmare to defend, because he is always moving and a remarkably smart and tricky offensive weapon … Good and controlled on the drive… Effective and willing passer and playmaker, a bit of a point forward… Has a nice, soft touch in the lane including a polished floater …  Does not blow away with vertical leap. But has nice hang time, stays controlled, and does well on the delayed finish after absorbing contact in the air … Can hit the pull up mid-range off the dribble … Excellent set of simple but effective dribble moves, hesi-stops opponents in their tracks… Relatively strong guard who keeps position on the drive by out-muscling his opponent … Excellent at getting a half-step past the defender and holding his ground via the Chris Paul offensive “box out”… Can mix it up in the post, hit a drop step and finish with the slam in a halfcourt set … Faster in the open floor and on the fast break than he appears … Prolific offensive player … In his junior season at Cal put up 19.6 / 6.8 / 3.5 (points / rebounds / assists) averages on solid 46.5 / 36.0 / 79.6 percentages from FG / 3P / FT … Smart and tough player with an advanced feel and all around game … At 21 and a half, relatively young for this year’s draft class …","cons":"Not the fastest wing … Can be somewhat methodical / predictable in his dribble driving . Despite this he may find ways to be effective off the dribble despite lack of blow by speed … Not a standout vertical athlete … Lack of great foot speed affects his on ball defensive upside  … Does not possess blow by speed but is excellent at getting to his spots … At Cal was really a feature offensive player … Can he fit seamlessly into an offensive scheme with a reduced role?  … Upside may be seen as somewhat limited as a player with a polished game and filled out body …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Desmond Bane","date_of_birth":"12/2/02","hometown":"Plano, TX","high_school":"Pope John Paul II","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":9,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":23,"big_board_rank":16,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Yves Missi","year":2024,"height":84,"weight":230,"school":"Baylor","pros":"A seven foot pogo stick. Bigman with elite size and athleticism … 7-2 wingspan on a 7-foot frame with a 37 inch max vert, these are elite center stats and he plays as athletic as the numbers would indicate … Rim runner, ally-oop extraordinaire … Really explosive dunker and plays with a high motor … Tries to dunk everything and gets a lot of highlight plays at the rim … If his feel for the game continues to improve, there’s a lot to be excited about with Missi’s upside … Plays with a lot of determination and intensity … Very good rim runner … Gets a lot of dunks on ally oops … Showed solid progress as the season went along and even became more adept at putting the ball on the floor and using his speed advantage to get by opposing bigs off the dribble getting to the basket … Big potential as a shot blocker. A good shot blocker with rim protector potential, if he can continue to learn spacing and not bite on fakes … Shows very good timing and anticipation on blocks … Good hand eye coordination and soft / strong hands … Does a very good job of grabbing boards and catching passes, even out of his area … Excellent body control for a big … Listed at May, 2004 born making him just 20 years of age, giving him plenty of upside from a strength and development standpoint … Shows a lot of upside with not only his effort and size/ath package but also some touch on his shot … Displayed some nice touch on shots around the rim that were not dunks … At 230 lbs, has solid core strength, showing the ability to fight through contact and not get knocked off balance easily … Strong second jump … Showed solid competitiveness to step up his level of play against better competition …","cons":"Lacks great feel for the game and polish on both ends of the floor … Offensively still very limited in terms of creating baskets and playing the pick and roll/pop game … Still has a lot of plays where his lack of experience and feel for the game are exposed … Defensively he gets lost too easily and does not have a great feel for positioning and where to be in help defense … Shot form needs work. Big hands get in the way and create side spin on his shot release. Really has no shooting range to speak of at this point and his improvement in this area will surely require time … While more of the nuance aspects that can be learned and improved over time, it means that he’s probably not ready to hit the court and produce right away, making him a bit more of a project than the average bigman being considered in his draft range … Just a 61% FT shooter and gets most of his baskets on assisted plays at the rim … Not the most fluid athlete in the open floor, while he runs fast, his body type and athleticism make him appear less athletic … Averaged 10 ppg, and has yet to show he can be much of a factor offensively outside of rim running … Lack of assists, 0.4 apg to 1.1 to, and passing ability exposes his low level feel for the game … A solid rebounder but can improve on technique and boxing out etc, hit the boards hard but can improve … Averaged just 5.6 rpg in 23 mpg …Outlook: A boom or bust type pick who could really develop into a force at the next level or struggle to adapt and fall short of his vast potential … Projects as a likely mid first rounder, likely in the mid teens to early 20s on draft night …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Kevon Looney/Clint Capela","date_of_birth":"5/14/04","hometown":"Yaounde, Cameroon","high_school":"Prolific Prep","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":17,"big_board_rank":28,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"DaRon Holmes II","year":2024,"height":82,"weight":235,"school":"Dayton","pros":"Bouncy, wiry athletic big with sweet shooting ability from the perimeter … Really explosive around the rim and Very prolific and efficient junior season at Dayton averaging 20 ppg, knocking down 1 three point shot a game 32/83 (38%) on the season … Shows a lot of explosiveness off of two feet in the paint for dunks and rebounds … Attacks the rim with real aggression … Post game is solid as he has some effective spin moves and fakes that he utilizes to free himself from defenders … Junior bigman who showed a lot of improvement in the past season both in output and efficiency … Shows dedication and willingness to put in hard work … Added 15 lbs of muscle between sophomore and junior seasons. He obviously became committed to the weight room / training and it showed in his gains as an athlete … A legit 6-10 in shoes with a 7-1 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach, which is center size … 34 inch max vert is very solid for a bigman at the next level … Shows potential as a rim protector, averaging 2 blocks per game in each of his three seasons … Passing and decision making showed solid improvement over college career: 2.6 to 2.2 a/to as a junior … Shows spot up ability with range out to NBA three … Creates good balance, wide base and rhythm before the shot. Solid form on his shot with good shooting motion, quick release and follow through. Nothing major needing to be changed in terms of his shooting. He’s got a younger brother in AZ (high school) that is already showing signs of being a high level outside shooter as well … In the post, does a good job of sealing his man and if he gets a step on a defender in the paint, it’s a wrap, and usually will result in a dunk … Progressed as a rebounder over college career, 8.5 a game as a junior shows his willingness and raw ability … Explodes well after contact allowing him to dunk right on top of defenders … Shows some creative passing ability … Developing ball handling ability … Shows the ability to face the basket with use of pump fakes and driving to the rim …","cons":"Not the most fluid of athletes, sort of runs stiff, like an older player, and has tight hips that make him appear less athletic than he actually plays .. Perhaps his flexibilty can be improved with better stretching and focus on it … Seems to jump better off of two feet, which isn’t a huge concern but does cause him to slow down some before exploding to the rim, at times …  Upside is affected to a degree by his age. Turns 22 in August making him the age of a senior but a spring chicken in relation to a number of other “super seniors” projected in this year’s late first round area … While his outside shooting shows nice potential. Still a bit unproven as a shooter having struggled over much of his three year career, before knocking down a solid clip as a junior … Career 67% FT shooter, though he did imrove to 71% from the line as a junior. Numbers show shooting potential, but not that of a reliable shooter to this point … Dominated as a junior but playing in a lower level conference adds some skepticism about how effective he would be playing better competition on a nightly basis … At 235 lbs and (nearly) 22 years of age, his ability to add weight is questionable. Could stand to gain 15-20 lbs of muscle. Likely will remain a wiry big, but 235 lbs is not bad in today’s NBA …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Zeke Nnaji/Nic Claxton","date_of_birth":"8/15/02","hometown":"Goodyear, AZ","high_school":"AZ Compass Prep","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":28,"big_board_rank":30,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"AJ Johnson","year":2024,"height":77,"weight":165,"school":"USA","pros":"AJ Johnson is a long, wiry, quick combo guard with untapped potential … “Tantalizing” skill set, physical attributes and long term potential … Has elite level speed, with great ability to get by defenders off the dribble … Defense shows upside with very quick feet and long arms … Can become a lock down defender over time if he gets stronger and sets his mind to it … Longer than he looks with legit 6’5 size , a near 6’9 wingspan and 8’6 standing reach, which is standout size for a combo guard … Explosive leaper, as his 38 inch max vertical illustrated at the NBA Draft Combine … Despite limited minutes and productivity in the NBL, playing in Australia gave him valuable experience … He learned better structure and discipline than what he had become accustomed to, and also gained perspective … Despite not gaining a great deal of playing time, kept a positive demeanor and remained focused to help the team … A good ball handler … Has a smooth ISO game, with a quick first step and the ability to score off pull ups and runners … Shows flashes of considerable potential … Huge wingspan helps him to get shots as well as be disruptive defensively … A very intriguing development project, who put in the right situation could really thrive … Has the makings of a high level isolation player … Shot form shows nice potential …","cons":"Physical strength remains a challenge … Lacks readiness … Has clearly worked on improving his shot, higher release point and better follow through, but remains inconsistent … Shooting efficiency has been below average, to this point … Toughness and focus are areas that he must continue to improve … He’s put on some weight but still has a long ways to go at 167 lbs … May always be on the thin side, as he seems to have a naturally thin build … Unproven as a volume scorer, go to player … Shooting shows potential, but lacks consistency in games … Has never had a season in high school or college where he put up a high volume of scoring … Likely a few years away from being able to contribute anything at the NBA level … The fear is that he will be a guy that does not make it with his first NBA team and ends up being a development project for a number of seasons before becoming a well rounded player … Lack of strength still an issue on both ends of the floor … Can be overpowered defensively, and struggles to finish plays off after contact … Unlikely to contribute much for a couple seasons, as his strength will need improvement … Struggles to impact games for long stretches and consistency will be the key for him … Has the street ball handles and skill set, but at times can be too enamored with creating, and over-dribble … The key will be utilizing the creativity within his game without being out of control …Outlook: A high ceiling, low floor, boom or bust type of pick. Considered a likely second round pick for the 2024 NBA Draft … Had a strong performance in one of the 2024 NBA Draft Combine games, with 13 points on 5-7 shooting. He also displayed some ability to play point guard, opening some eyes in Chicago … De-committed from Texas and spent the 2023-24 season playing for the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian NBL … Averaged 16.7 points, 4.7 assists and 2.6 rebounds as a junior for Taft (Woodland Hills) high school n the 2021-2022 season … Following collapse of Donda program, transferred to Southern California Academy for 2022-23 season … Proponents of his game see a bigger Louis Williams type of scoring combo guard … Wowed with some highlight plays at the CP3 camp in Los Angeles following his senior season in high school …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Malcolm Lee","date_of_birth":"12/1/04","hometown":"Woodland Hills, CA","rebounding":8,"potential":9,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":9,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":40,"big_board_rank":35,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kyshawn George","year":2024,"height":80,"weight":210,"school":"Miami","pros":"6-8 “point forward” who oozes potential as a player with polished ball skills, forward size and an innate feel for the game … Swiss forward who came a long ways in a short time playing this season at Miami …  Late bloomer who shows point forward potential with his ability to pass and handle as well as knock down three point shots … A smooth athlete who never appears rushed … Very crafty passing off the dribble, his PnR game shows a lot of upside, but still needs refinement … When he gets his feet set and has space, his three point shot is a thing of beauty (40% from 3) … Shows solid ability to create off the dribble, with solid feel and decision making … Shows a good feel for when to pull up and when to pass … Plays well within the construct of team and keeps the ball moving … Has an intriguing combination of guard skills and forward length … Solid body. At 210 lbs, and strong legs and frame, weight/ strength shouldn’t be a long term issue  … Prolific three point shooter, knocking down 1.7-4.2 per game … 2.2-1.5 A/TO ratio shows solid decision making, although he did not prove it on high volume …","cons":"Still very unproven (7.4 ppg) from a productivity and impact standpoint … Upside is clearly there, but will be drafted with the hope that he develops into the player he has shown flashes of … Already 20 and a half years old, and still far from a finished product … The upside is tantalizing, but if he’s drafted too high it may create unrealistic expectations … First step and foot speed leave some question marks about his ability to Isolate and create against top level talent … Not a bigtime athlete, has length but not very fast or explosive … Tends to get stagnant on offense, parking outside the three point line and not moving much to free himself for shots … Will need to work on conditioning and also work a lot harder off ball on the offensive end to gain separation for shots … His outside shooting is very effective, however he needs to work on diversifying his game and improving as a scorer inside the arch … ISO game seems predicated on maintaining momentum from bringing the ball up the floor … Amazingly, 68.4% of his shots came from beyond three point range … Struggles to get to the rim, which decreases his ability to create fouls and easy scoring opportunities at the line … Still adjusting to the intensity of American game … Needs to speed up his game and add more sense of urgency to his shot release … Defense needs more intensity …Outlook: George has a physical and facial resemblance to Cam Johnson. he’s a little more versatile and a little longer, but is less quick and bouncy and has a much less refined outside shot, but shows similar upside as a shooter … His floor game resembles Joe Ingles as a change of speed guy and a crafty passer and playmaker … George is one of the most unproven prospects in this draft but shows a lot of upside … He’s a bit of a swing for the fences type pick and makes sense somewhere in the late teens, to early twenties as a guy that needs time but could develop into something special …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Cam Johnson/Joe Ingles","date_of_birth":"12/12/03","hometown":"Monthey, Switzerland","high_school":"Lycée Emiland Gauthey","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":18,"big_board_rank":21,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Dillon Jones","year":2024,"height":78,"weight":235,"school":"Weber St.","pros":"Skilled, experienced wing with the ability to create offense for himself and others off the dribble … Sneaky length with a near 7-foot wingspan and a plus+ 6 inch wingspan to height differential (6-11 to 6-4.5 barefoot) … Masterful floor game … A highly skilled player with the ability to shoot, pass and handle … Sets up the drive well with a surprising first step and gets opponents on his hip well and then seals them on drives … Handles the ball on a string and toyed with the competition in the Big Sky with his high skill set offensively … Does a good job of creating space for his shot with head fakes and hesitation moves, and his long arms help to get shots over defenders on fadaway and step back jump shoots … Extremely prolific numbers with 20 and 10 scoring and rebounding average … At 235 lbs, he loves to play bully ball and knows how to use his thick frame and big posterior to create space … Likes to drive and run into opponents and let the bowling pins fall, creating fouls by initiating contact … A good shooter. Shot over 80% for his career in college. Beautiful looking stroke on the pull up … Shows a great feel for the game … Excellent passer at 5.2 per game, showing great vision off the dribble … very creative passer with great vision. Always seems to make the right read and delivers passes on a dime, creating easy buckets for teammates … 6-11 wingspan allowed him to get a lot of dunks off steals despite much lift … Shows good use of finishing with either hand … Four years of college experience and showed steady improvement every year … Averaged over 10 boards per game over his last 3 seasons, showing the determination and toughness he plays with …","cons":"Does not pass the eye test as an NBA player with a round “stocky” body and under the rim athleticism a la Ron Harper Jr … The question must be asked whether his productivity and efficiency would have been nearly the same in a Power 5 conference … A below the rim athlete … Lacks speed and it hurts him in the open floor as he lacks much of a burst … Uncertain how effective he can be without the luxury of dominating the ball at the next level … Despite being an 80% FT shooter, his three point shooting never seemed to become a big strength 32% as a senior and for his college career … As the primary ball handler at Weber State, he was usually the one setting up others for shots, so it may have come at the expense of three point efficiency … Has a quick first step, considering his speed, however he’s extremely slow for a wing and will struggle both defending and creating offense with the same efficiency due to his athletic limitations … Loves to find teammates running the pick and roll or attacking the rim and then stopping and finding a cutting teammate … At times gets caught up over dribbling the ball, and a little too much East / West action … Played most of his career againt low level competition, so he’ll have a bigger adjustment with regard to NBA speed and athleticism … Will need to work on conditioning and losing 10-15 lbs and possibly adding some speed and mobility … Despite being a Junior, already 22 and a half years of age …Outlook: One of the most exciting “Non-athletes” in college ball with his amazing ability to overcome the athletic deficiencies with his advanced floor game … Has an old school, rec-league skill set, with all the tricks in the book and incredible anticipation and feel for the game … Jones absolutely destroyed the Big Sky Conference playing in Ogden, Utah for the Weber State … At 235 lbs, the question is how much success he can have stepping up the level of athleticism … His 6-11 wingspan will help him to overcome some of the speed and athleticism issues, but questions remain about how well his game will “translate” … Registered a 33.5 inch vertical, which was surprisingly higher than how he plays …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Ron Harper Jr./Talen Horton-Tucker","date_of_birth":"10/29/01","hometown":"Columbia, SC","high_school":"Sunrise Christian Prep","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":47,"big_board_rank":44,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Terrence Shannon Jr.","year":2024,"height":79,"weight":225,"school":"Illinois","pros":"Bigtime scorer with a variety of ways to gets points … Absolute bully of a lefty wing … Defenders opposite Shannon risk being put on a poster … Looks to rip the rim off. One of the more ferocious attackers and dunkers in college basketball …  Relentless attacker who is on another level in terms of strength compared to peers. Even in the NBA, strength, especially on the drive, is likely to continue to be his calling card … Will likely continue to be one of the strongest players at his size and position in the pros … Is an equal threat to attack the basket on the break, in the half court off the dribble, or half court on a cut … Finishes through contact, gets the and-1 … Gets to the line a lot (9 free throw attempts per game as a senior) and converts at an excellent rate (80%) … Known more at this point for his scoring, but is a capable and interested defender… Strong base allow him to move his feet quickly and absorb contact on the defensive end … Good size at 6’7 with a 6’8 wingspan and 8’6 standing reach … Capable of scoring in volume and with excellent efficiency (48% from the field during 2023-24) … Generally good selection … Third in the country in scoring at 23 ppg and shows the versatility to score from all three levels … Only player in college basketball with 7 made FT and 2 made 3P per game (only one player in NBA with that statistic – Luka Doncic) …","cons":"Has a bit of a funky and low release on his shot. It starts low and it’s a sort of a fling (release has some similarity to Damien Lillard)  … But release is quick, and results are reasonably strong (36% from three in 2023-24 season) but could improve… Not the most prolific playmaker for teammates … Passing and vision are not his strong suit … He is not close to being someone that you can run an offense through… Handle could improve and overall ability to get his own shot and create for teammates … Doesn’t have the best outside shot yet, and ability to knockdown the three is likely to be a very important part of his game at the next level … Does not have great length, but has not shown any signs of suffering on the defensive end as a result so far …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Donovan Mitchell/Mitch Richmond","date_of_birth":"7/30/00","hometown":"Chicago, IL","high_school":"IMG Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":25,"big_board_rank":14,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ryan Dunn","year":2024,"height":79,"weight":215,"school":"Virginia","pros":"A freak athlete with one of the best highlight reels of any player in the draft … Shows flashes of immense ability … The good plays make him appear to be a first round talent … Can really get out on the break and is a menace making plays at the rim with highlight finishes … His 7-1 wingspan and 38 inch vertical, allows him to play extremely athletic, and bigger than his 6-7 size  … Shows a lot of defensive potential with not just the attributes, but willingness … Solid 1.3 steals per game illustrates his anticipation and ability to play the passing lanes and force steals … Has an exceptionally athletic game and really causes havoc as a shot blocker and rim runner … Loves going baseline for ally oop finishes … Makes it difficult for opponents to get easy looks in isolation … Good rebounder, who uses his length and explosiveness well, Had a solid 6.9 boards per game in 27.5 mpg … Could potentially play some small ball 4 in today’s NBA … Despite being just 21, there’s optimism that with the right development, there’s a lot of potential yet to be realized … Shooting stroke would lead one to believe that he can become a better offensive player …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Kendall Brown","date_of_birth":"1/7/03","hometown":"Freeport, NY","high_school":"Perkiomen School","rebounding":9,"potential":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":7,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":35,"big_board_rank":34,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Isaiah Collier","year":2024,"height":76,"weight":205,"school":"USC","pros":"Collier is a 6’4 215 PG/SG with a chiseled, NBA-ready frame on the perimeter, as well as very good speed, body control and burst … Physical and sturdy guard who seeks contact and has the strength to steamroll matchups on his way to the rim; is at his best getting downhill slashing to the basket looking to score or drive and dish (16.3 PG & 4.3 APG as a Fr.) … Very powerful first step and his nice ball-handling ability with either hand make him tough to contain and allow him to turn corners and pressure the rim … Looks really good in transition; consistently keeps guys on their heels in the open floor…More of a score-first guard than a playmaker, but has shown some signs of adequate floor vision with the ability to drop off some nicely timed passes to cutters or bigs rolling to the basket … Capable of making some big-time passes and is particularly effective rewarding players who run the floor with hit ahead passes … Can effectively convert at the rim through contact (54 FG% inside the arc) and draws fouls at a high level already (nearly 6 FTA/G) … Will make tricky lay-ins and does a good job using the rim and backboard to shield the ball from potential shot-blockers…Has some shiftiness to him and will subtly get space utilizing hesitation moves when guarded too closely … Promising pick-and-roll ability and poses a threat for big men to handle when they switch onto him…Applies pressure when he has the ball and will eat up space even when defenders sag off at times…Promising ability to post up smaller players … Efficient scorer (49 FG% on 11.6 FTA/G); had seven games that he scored at least 20 points in and only took 20 shots in one of those games … Shoots passing lanes and forces turnovers that lead to runouts (1.5 SPG) … Has the tools to matchup well defensively on the perimeter, particularly in the backcourt … Competitive with some leadership qualities you look for in a lead guard prospect … Played some of his best, most clean basketball down the stretch of the season after returning from an injury (1/11 games with 5+ turnovers post-injury, compared to 5/16 games pre-injury) … High floor prospect who could serve as an effective instant offense piece even if he isn’t quite ready or doesn’t work as a teams floor general …","cons":"His ability to pick his spots and process things against set defenses are a work in progress for a lead guard … Currently tends to try to strong-arm his way to where he wants to go on the court rather than taking what the defense gives him, which leads to some unsightly possessions, bad turnovers and offensive fouls (3.3 TOPG) … Fundamentals can stand to tighten up as well; sometimes is loose and too casual with his handle and delivering passes, particularly when the defense blitzes him or collapses the paint … Jump shot will need to improve to maximize his offensive game (34 3FG% on 3 3FGA/G)…Showed some raw flashes of shot-making ability at the beginning of the season but lost effectiveness and confidence as the season wore on (only made multiple 3-pointers in 5 games) … Fundamentals need work here too, as he does not get much elevation on his shot and uses mostly upper body, which leads to him having a rather erratic follow-through even when his feet are set … Sporadically hit shots pulling up from mid-range but needs to do so more often…FT numbers were not so great for a guard as a Fr (68 FT%), which further illustrate his mediocre shooting and somewhat nullified the very good rate that he took trips to the charity stripe … Has the tools to be effective on defense and even was pesky when dialed in, but once again his fundamentals need considerable work on this end, as well as his awareness … Struggled to deny penetration and navigate screens as a Fr., mostly due to closing out on the perimeter too upright in stance and leaving himself out of position to resist dribble penetration … Can be a bit handsy defensively at times too (2.4 FPG) … Adequate leaping ability but he isn’t the most explosive vertical athlete …Overall: Collier was a blue chip 5-star prospect out of the Atlanta area who was ranked the #1 player in the 2023 Class by multiple recruiting services … He committed to Andy Enfield and USC early in his Sr season of HS and was part of a top 3 ranked class that included highly-regarded prospects Bronny James and HS teammate Arrington Page among others … Though he had some down moments, Collier made an immediate impact with his mature build and aggressive play style as an All Pac 12 Freshman Team performer in what can be categorized as a down year for USC as a team, partially due to injuries (including to Collier, who missed a month of the conference slate due to a hand injury) … He brings ready made physical tools, promising scoring ability, pick and roll skills, transition play and flashes of really nice passing to the table as a young prospect right now … How his jump shot, decision-making and fundamentals/polish on both ends of the court round out and improve over time will determine if he reaches the potential that saw many peg him as a favorite to be the 1st pick in the 2024 Draft before the season started, though his turnovers did drop a bit after he returned from his hand injury … He’s fun to watch when he’s on his game (ie his 18 point 5 assist game against KState or his 31 point outburst against Washington) and he’s a huge threat in the open court which projects well to the wide open style in the NBA … Collier draft stock isn’t likely in the neighborhood of being the 1st pick as it was maybe this time last year, but he probably is still in good position to be a lottery selection in 2024 … Measured 6′ 2.50” barefoot, 8′ 1.50” standing reach, 204.6 lbs, 8′ 1.50” wingspan, 30 standing vert, 34 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine …Jorrye Nixon 4/2/24Strengths: 6’5 point guard … Good size for position … Powerful build and strength level. Good body control. Plays balanced even through contact. Can bully defenders and often too physical for opposing guards … Good athlete and gets up fairly effortless. Attacks the rim with a quick first step. Handles the ball well in the half-court as well as picking up speed in transition. Speed and strength with the ball make him difficult to contain when going downhill. Instinctive off the dribble … Draws fouls at a good rate. Shot 5.5 free throws per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good court vision, ball-handling, and passing ability. Good timing, threads the needle and makes impressive lead passes. Makes proper reads and sees plays ahead of time. Makes accurate lobs and crosscourt passing in the half-court, consistently hits open shooters when they’re open on the weakside. Best passer and pick and roll ball-handler in the class; getting to the rim, hitting the roll when appropriate (bullets, lobs, or bounce passes), or even splitting the defense. Controls the pace, stays poised and doesn’t get sped up. Doesn’t force offense and impacts the game without scoring, keeps teammates involved and engaged, not to mention makes the game easier for them. Impressively low turnover count considering his volume/usage. Averaged a 4th best 3.7 assists to 2.8 turnovers per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and led the Nike EYBL in assists with 6.5 per game to 1.9 turnovers per game in 2022 … Moves well off the ball … Jump shot has made impressive strides in the past year, showing more consistent 3PT range with a lot of arc and ball rotation. Shot 41.9% 3PT% on 3.9 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Has shown a developed and reliable midrange pull-up … Finishes well at the rim and doesn’t hesitate to use his left hand. Despite his physical superiority over most defenders, he can be a crafty finisher as well … Averaged 18.4 points per game at 54.7% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good strength, quickness, and commitment as a defender. Sticks well on the ball-handler and has a knack for clean swipes on the ball. Defends with physicality without fouling. Averaged 1.2 steals per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and 1.8 per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Alpha dog. Vocal leader. Confident and good competitor …Weaknesses: Size is good for position, but his length isn’t great relative to size with a 6’4 wingspan … Looks for contact on drives at times rather than converting the simpler finish … His EYBL 3PT shooting was good at 41.9%, but he’s still on the streaky side. Playmaking without consistent shooting generally isn’t enough at the NBA level … Can improve as a free throw shooter. Shot 50% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and 68.2% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good athlete and can play above the rim but not top tier explosive … Isn’t real diverse scoring, his strength moving forward will be centered around his facilitating …Outlook: USC freshman … MVP of the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game with 25 points (9-14 FG, 2-4 3PT) … Scored 11 points in the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit … 2023 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year … 2023 Naismith Player of the Year … 2023 Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year … MVP of the 2022 Curry Camp … MVP of the 2022 UA Next Elite 24 with 20 points (7-14 FG) …Evan Tomes 8/20/23Strengths: 6’3 point guard … Powerful build and strength level. Plays balanced even through contact. Can bully defenders … Good athlete and gets up fairly effortless. Attacks the rim with a quick first step. Speed and strength with the ball make him difficult to contain when going downhill. Instinctive off the dribble … Draws fouls at a good rate. Shot 5.5 free throws per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good court vision, ball-handling, and passing ability. Good timing, threads the needle and makes impressive lead passes. Makes proper reads and sees plays ahead of time. Accurate lobs and crosscourt passing in the half-court. Good pick and roll ball-handler; getting to the rim, hitting the roll when appropriate (bullets, lobs, or bounce passes), or even splitting the defense. Poised and doesn’t get sped up. Doesn’t force offense and impacts the game without scoring. Impressively low turnover count considering his volume/usage. Averaged a 4th best 3.7 assists to 2.8 turnovers per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and led the Nike EYBL in assists with 6.5 per game to 1.9 turnovers per game in 2022 … Moves well off the ball … Jump shot has made impressive strides in the past year, showing consistent 3PT range with a lot of arc and ball rotation. Shot 41.9% 3PT% on 3.9 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Finishes well at the rim and doesn’t hesitate to use his left hand … Averaged 18.4 points per game at 54.7% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good strength, quickness, and commitment as a defender. Sticks well on the ball-handler and has a knack for clean swipes on the ball. Defends with physicality without fouling. Averaged 1.2 steals per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and 1.8 per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Vocal leader …Weaknesses: Looks for contact on drives at times rather than converting the simple finish … His improved jump shooting definitely relieves concern, but he can still improve as a free throw shooter. Shot 50% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 and 68.2% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2022. Can’t deny his 3PT shooting numbers but the sample size was small (8 games), as he missed most of the summer with a knee injury, still has a label of streaky shooter but can erase that during his senior year … Good athlete and can play above the rim but not top tier explosive … Isn’t real diverse scoring, his strength moving forward will be centered around his facilitating …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Jeff Teague/Eric Bledsoe","date_of_birth":"10/8/04","hometown":"Atlanta, GA","high_school":"Wheeler","rebounding":8,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":9,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":19,"big_board_rank":15,"overall_rank":92}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Baylor Scheierman","year":2024,"height":79,"weight":200,"school":"Creighton","pros":"Scheierman is a 6’7 200 southpaw F/G with solid strength and size as well as adequate length for the perimeter … A highly productive and skilled offensive player (18.5 PPG as a Sr., over 2200 points scored in his career); is known for his prolific shooting numbers (career 39 3FG%, 356 made 3s in his career) and he lit teams up from downtown and in the mid-range throughout his time in college … A knockdown shooter with a quick, high release when he has his feet set and he does a good job of moving to open spots and taking whatever the defense gives him … Good in transition, off DHOs and with rhythm pull-ups too, and shows enough savvy & subtle body control to lean in or fade away and create some room to get shots off even when guarded by quicker defenders at times…Nice mid-range game … Has solid footwork and always seems to have his legs underneath him, wasting little motion getting where he needs to on the court … A tricky and unorthodox player; uses the threat of his jumper to manipulate the defense’s attention expertly, particularly in ball screen situations, and is arguably as effective a passer on the move as he is a shooter (4 APG as a Sr.)…Played extended time as a PG early in his career and makes quick decisions; with his sound timing and vision he is often a step ahead of the competition in reading what’s happening on the court…Doesn’t need to dominate the ball or stagnate possessions to produce, which bodes well for him at the pro level … Plays at his own pace and rhythm; shows a good feel for the game…Though more of a finesse type player, he isn’t afraid of contact … Sound ability to rotate and be at the right places defensively; a tad underrated in his ability to do things like fight through screens and wall up against dribble penetration to funnel slashers into helpside defenders too … Outstanding rebounding production for a wing (9 RPG as a Sr., 7.8 career RPG); grabbed missed shots and initiated offense often at the college level … Experience and well-defined skills set up well to see immediate playing time, depending on the situation he’s drafted into of course …","cons":"Below average athleticism; lacks quickness and shows sub-optimal leaping ability and explosiveness for NBA standards … Lacks foot speed and lateral speed defensively … Though he had surprising efficiency as a finisher (career 55 FG% inside the arc, 50 FG% as a Sr.) he didn’t get to the rim much at the college level, and that will figure to hold true in the pro ranks against bigger, more athletic defenders … Prefers pulling up almost exclusively when slashing in either direction, even in transition or occasionally when defensive collapses give some daylight to get to the paint … Not enough 1st step quickness or creativity handling the ball to pressure the rim much against set defenses, and generally relies on ball screens to get space … Has struggles handling quick players in space defensively; will likely be targeted often in switches and have to be either hidden or in a highly disciplined scheme to mask his athletic deficiencies on this end … Even on possessions when he was in the right spots teams often scored over and around him, particularly near the rim where he is able to offer minimal resistance…Hard to see him forcing many turnovers at the next level, as he takes a pretty conservative approach to defending by trying to always be in position and not having to worry about recovering much…Upside questions; 5-year college player who be 24 years old as a rookieOverall: Scheierman has climbed the ranks after being an unheralded recruit from the state of Nebraska, where he was record-setting HS QB in football and a productive basketball player…He committed to South Dakota State for college without much fanfare and played limited minutes off the bench for the Jackrabbits as a Fr., averaging 6 PPG…He broke out as a Soph. and upped his production & efficiency during his next 2 seasons at SDSU, averaging 16 PPG on a blistering 44 3FG% and 50 FG% his final 2 years in the Summit League, winning conference POTY honors and leading his team to the 2022 NCAA tourny as a Jr…He then transferred closer to home at Creighton where he had a solid 2-year run, including being named a 3rd Team All-American as a Sr…His size, shot-making ability, passing skills, and college pedigree are all worthy of getting in the door for an opportunity in the pros…His athletic limitations, as well as advanced age for a draft prospect put somewhat of a cap on his upside (esp on defense), but the skill set is definitely worth monitoring as most teams can stand to take a chance on a role-player whose style has the capability to play alongside other shot creators whether they need off-ball or (occasional) on-ball help…After a stellar, accomplished college career and a strong showing at the 2024 NBA Combine, where he was lauded for his play in the scrimmages, Scheierman’s stock is as high as ever and there is significant 1st round buzz around him in the 2024 Draft after being seen as a likely 2nd rounder prior to the past month or so …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Sam Hauser","date_of_birth":"9/26/00","hometown":"Aurora, NE","high_school":"Aurora","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":27,"big_board_rank":70,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jonathan Mogbo","year":2024,"height":79,"weight":215,"school":"San Francisco","pros":"Mogbo is a 6’7 220 C/PF with a massive 7’2 wingspan that allows him to play bigger than his height might suggest …A springy, mobile athlete who gets off the floor quickly and has as good a 2nd jump as just about anybody in this class … Did the vast majority of his scoring near the basket, where his aforementioned leaping skills and wingspan made him a huge factor converting plays in close, with most plays ending in an emphatic dunk (14.2 PPG on 63 FG% this season) … An active player with a strong nose for the ball (10.2 RPG this season); always looking to cut to open spaces and make himself available for dumpoff passes & is also a productive offensive rebounder who gets plenty of putbacks (3 OPRG the past 2 seasons) … Great hands and has a wide catch radius to snag balls that are out of his area … Runs the floor very well and is excellent in transition, with intriguing ability to initiate fast breaks and make things happen for himself or his teammates on the move … Ball-handling & change of direction ability are definitely above average for a PF/C, especially in the open court…Also shows a good feel for passing in the high post (3.6 APG, 2:1 A:TO this season), with some impressive feeds to cutters and other bigs in hi-lo actions … Length and activity level give him the makings of a versatile defensive player that can switch up and down the lineup…Gets his hands on the ball and can smother passing lanes with aggressive ball denials (1 BPG & 1.4 SPG the past 2 seasons) … Makes good rotations as a help defender and can come up with the occasional strong weakside rejection (28 blocks this season) … Makes hustle plays and isn’t afraid of contact which gives him easy projections to be the ‘junkyard dog’ in a teams rotation … Improved FT shooting touch offers hope he can continue to extend his range outside the paint in the future (69 FT% this season, up from 43% in ‘22-23) …","cons":"Physical profile outside of his length isn’t great; at 6’7 220 he’s both short and on the lighter side for a strictly frontcourt player … Has wiry strength, especially in his upper body, and seems willing to bang but is going to be at a size disadvantage when matched up with most NBA C’s … Poses no threat as a shooter; does not score outside of the paint currently and that puts a cap on how much his offensive game will translate to the NBA level … Adding a mid-range game at the least wouldn’t hurt; will be dared to shoot which will lead to passing and driving lanes being clogged as defenders drop back … Nothing more than mediocre in terms of post moves or footwork with his back to the basket, and his lack of height makes that part of his game even more doubtful to translate well to the pros…Worked hard to get his points but is not a natural scorer or shot-creator against set defenses … Much more effective getting points in the open court than as a half-court player and is heavily reliant on his athleticism and motor to produce … Doesn’t always go up quite as strong against players with comparable size and athleticism, and will face a learning curve going from the bigs in the MVC & WCC to the NBA … Older prospect; will be 23 years old as a rookie which casts questions about his upside and development, particularly when talking about improving his perimeter skills …Overall: Jonathan Mogbo is a prospect who grew up in the West Palm Beach area, experiencing a late growth spurt and having no offers out of HS in the 2020 Class … He played at 2 JC programs before transferring to Missouri State as a 3rd year player, and he had a decent season that included leading the team in rebounds … He decided to transfer again, this time to University of San Francisco and enjoyed a real breakthrough season on a squad he led to the NIT, being named the league’s Newcomer of the Year and 1st Team All-WCC while leading the conference with 17 double doubles … He showed off an interesting mix of skills as a passer, rebounder and transition player as a 6’7 big that is statistically amongst the best finishers in this class with a penchant for powerful dunks and open court creation…Also plays strong and has the athleticism and length to be versatile on defense … Showed he is a bit raw in halfcourt situations though and offers little in the way of shooting or perimeter skills in general, and his advanced age makes many wonder if he’ll ever add range to his offensive profile…The FT shooting increase offers some hope but there is still plenty of work to be done … All in all, Mogbo has done himself a favor by building on his productive season with some impressive NBA Combine testing and scrimmage play, and now is firmly on NBA scouts radar with a growing buzz that could see him get an  mid 2nd round pick that a team takes a flyer on due to his intriguing combination of skills …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Naz Ried","date_of_birth":"10/29/01","hometown":"West Palm Beach, Fla","high_school":"Forest Hill High","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":31,"big_board_rank":27,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kyle Filipowski","year":2024,"height":84,"weight":230,"school":"Duke","pros":"Solid big with determination and good level of coordination and productivity … A hard worker, mentally tough, no nonsense type of player … Solid mobility considering his size and has solid body control, though rarely leaves his feet for long  … Plays with a lot of confidence and consistency … Has a good feel for the game with the ability to shoot and pass it … Productive scorer, does a solid job of taking what the defense gives him and using his size to his advantage against smaller players … Good touch around the rim … Post footwork and skill set are solid, and uses technique with pump fakes and drop steps to gain angels to the basket … Boxes out well for boards… Post ability, in particular rebounding, is enhanced by attention to detail and fundamentals … Shows toughness, to fight for position in the post and grab rebounds …. Good at setting picks and popping or rolling to the basket … Not averse to contact … Will bully ball opponents when he can …  Improved as a spot up outside shooting threat, adding some efficiency as a sophomore (35% from three) … Jump shot shows solid form and some potential to further improve on efficiency .. Shows a lot of toughness, both mentally and physically …  Decent running in the open floor with good mobility for a 7-footer … At 20 and a half, is one of the younger prospects slated to go in the first round … Good dunker off two feet when he gets into open space and sheds a defender … Showed some improvement in his ability to handle the ball and take slower opponents off the dribble, particularly on broken plays or with the defense not set … Decision making and passing showed improvement in his sophomore year, he has nice vision for a big and will find cutting teammates with crisp passes … 2.8 assists per game. His passing ability is probably the most underrated aspect of his game, and coaches love bigs with vision, passing and understanding of the game …","cons":"Solid floor but low ceiling type of prospect. Upside is questionable … Below the rim type …  An underwhelming athlete, not particularly fast or explosive … Shooting numbers improved from three, but nothing outstanding from behind the arch or stripe … Improved to 35% from three as a sophomore (28 as a FR) on one make per game … FT shooting actually dipped from FR to SO seasons (76 to 67%) if he can become a more reliable outside threat, it enhances his ability to stretch out the floor at the next level … Lack of length and explosiveness makes it difficult for him to score (and rebound) against athletic bigman … Lack of lateral speed hurts his ability to defend some … While he added some efficiency, his numbers did not improve dramatically from freshman season, granted he was one of the most productive freshmen in the nation playing at Duke … Lacks great length with a wingspan the same as his height (granted standing reach at 8’11 is good for a 4, but a little small for a 5) … Not a rim protector. Gives up defense, meaning offense needs to become better to compensate … Lacks much of a feel for shot blocking and timing and his lack of explosiveness is especially apparent in a defensive position … Recorded a 32.5 inch max jump, which is not terrible, but illustrates his physical limitations … Despite not turning 21 until November, his athleticism and statistical gain suggest he’s peaked to some degree … Not a plodder, but somewhat mechanical in his movements …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Isaiah Hartenstein","date_of_birth":"11/7/03","hometown":"Westtown, NY","high_school":"Wilbraham and Monson Academy","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":34,"big_board_rank":31,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tyler Smith","year":2024,"height":82,"weight":225,"school":"G-League","pros":"Long lefty, (7-1 wingspan) versatile forward with a jumper … Built for the modern NBA given his length, shooting, and mobility … Strong, aggressive dunker, can catch the lob, and can receive a pass on a pick and roll and throw it down … Very confident shooter with a quick (and very high) release … Mobile and runs the floor well, especially considering his size … Excellent coordination and control given his size, gets putback dunks with ease … Decent timing in the air to block shots … Projects as a specialist in the NBA, who shows good ability to take threes and dunk … Overall a high risk / high reward prospect… 19 and a half. One of the younger bigmen prospects available as he is not turning 20 until November … Measured surprisingly high vertical numbers with a 38 inch max vert at the NBA Combine, although his vertical measurements might have been inflated as his standing reach may be closer to 8’11 … Hit 38% from three on a decent volume of 1.4 makes on 4 shots per game … While 72% from FT is not great, considering his age and form, the makings are there for him to be an efficient (80%+) FT shooter in future …","cons":"He has a very clear-cut skill set (threes, dunks and shot blocking) but his numbers were somewhat average at 47% from the floor and 13.7 ppg and only one block per game in 22 minutes … Will he evolve into a high enough output and efficiency player?. … Is he strong enough to keep his position and be an effective rebounder in the NBA? … ISO game still limited … While he is mobile in the open court, has not shown much of an ability, nor interest in creating his own shot in the half court … Needs to put in more skill development work on his post game … Lacks standout speed and fluidity … Could benefit by working on flexibility … A smooth athlete but does not play overly explosive … Solid defender, but foot speed is a concern in open space …  Rebounding could be better, added strength and focus on technique and positioning will help. 5 RPG in 22 MPG not enough for a standout near 7-footer …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Kelly Olynyk/PJ Brown","date_of_birth":"11/2/04","hometown":"Houston, TX","high_school":"George Bush International Team G League Ignite","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":32,"big_board_rank":32,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Tyler Kolek","year":2024,"height":74,"weight":195,"school":"Marquette","pros":"Makes the game look incredible easy … Scrappy left-handed guard that competes at the highest level night in and night out … One of the top facilitators in the country and a leader on the court with great vision and basketball IQ … Has improved his scoring each year and become a reliable scoring threat for Marquette … Excellent free throw shooter at 88 percent and can shoot it from deep as well at 40 percent from three … Showed steady improvement with his shot each year in college … A winner who can step up when needed as a leader and put the team on his back … Makes up for lack of athleticism and build with tough and relentless play… Played through a shot to the face that left him bleeding and came right back down to hit a three… Excellent feel for the game and knowing what the team needs whether it’s scoring or facilitating … Controlled, mature player that can get to his spots and finish with runners or lay it off to his teammates for an easy basket … Can be a good role player/backup guard in the league and potentially help teams instantly  … Great touch and can use both hands, not restricted to the left when driving. Not afraid to use his body to drive into defenders and get to where he wants to go… Plays at his own pace and rarely looks rushed or out of sorts … Knows what he is capable of and plays to his own strengths and uses that to his advantage against those that underestimate him … Figures to be a player that will gladly assume a complimentary role at the next level, provided he has the talent to stick in the league …","cons":"Kolek’s speed, size and athleticism is going to be the main concern with scouts for the draft … Doesn’t jump out athletically with his vertical ability and will need to test well at combine to put some of those doubts at bay … Defensively not elite, may struggle against NBA caliber players which could hurt him and limit his minutes … Will be difficult for him to match up with quicker and bigger guards at the next level … While the shooting has improved, Kolek hasn’t shown a real willingness to shoot it with volume from deep (attempting just 3.9 3’s per game this year) … Has a little bit of an awkward shooting form that may make it tough to get shots off and over defenders in the league … His play style may not translate in the NBA with how different the speed of the game is, won’t be as in control as he has been in college … Turning 23 in March so a bit older for a guard in the draft … Questions  if exist about whether he will be able to get by NBA defenders or be shut down… He will need to add muscle to keep up with the physicality of the league … He will need to show his offensive game and work ethic makes up for defensive struggles …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"TJ McConnell/Payton Prichard","date_of_birth":"3/27/01","hometown":"Cumberland, RI","rebounding":6,"potential":9,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":6,"quickness":9,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":29,"big_board_rank":37,"overall_rank":90}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Johnny  Furphy","year":2024,"height":81,"weight":190,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Athletic, tough, and versatile wing … Can score in a variety of ways, including from beyond the 3 point arc – in his freshman season, over half of his field goal attempts come from three point range, where he converts at 35%… Does not need to be featured on offense to be effective … Goes after offensive rebounds, showing toughness on the boards … Has a smooth shooting stroke with a consistent and quick shooting motion … Team guy and solid decision maker … A quality free throw shooter (77%) who should be able to improve to being an 80+% FT shooter over time … Despite having good explosive ability, generally absorbs contact and finishes with crafty below-the-rim layups at the hoop rather than an explosive dunk … Should be able to learn to utilize his athleticism as he ages and gets stronger … Good soft touch around the hoop… Great size and skill set as a modern NBA wing … Turned 20 in December making him one of the younger prospects for this year’s NBA Draft …","cons":"Seen as a development project and on top of that not a bigtime athlete … Has a good feel, but it’s apparent he’s still extremely raw and in need of time … At this point is more of a catch and shoot / finish player than someone who creates off the dribble… is a decent passer but has a ways to go in polishing his decision making … Can be a bit slow footed and / or upright on defense, needs to work on mechanics and focus … Has shown good leaping ability, off two feet but needs to improve in body control in order to utilize it to finish above the rim … Needs to add strength at just 22 lbs …Good height but lacks length …  Lacks a huge wingspan, arms length appear to be just average and probably has a near equal or close to equal height to wingspan …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Sam Dekker/Gordon Hayward","date_of_birth":"12/7/04","hometown":"Melbourne, Australia","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"international_team":"Center of Excellence, Australia","athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":30,"big_board_rank":29,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Bobi Klintman","year":2024,"height":82,"weight":210,"school":"Sweden","pros":"Long, combo forward with good shooting ability and offensive potential … Shows some decent anticipation to jump passing lanes and make steals that lead to break away dunks … Got a number of 2-hand flushes off of cuts and fast breaks … Averaged just under 10 ppg in a solid NBL league for Cairns, and had decent efficiency numbers, playing 20 mpg … Can hit the three ball at a solid rate on catch and shoot … Was a 36% 3pt shooter and a 79% FT shooter … Shows some vision to find teammates when they cut to the basket …Plays with good energy and effort level … Solid team player, unselfish, not a player looking for individual stats or accolades … Figures to make a good role player at the NBA level as he shows a willingness to do the dirty work and give a team whatever is necessary to help a team win … Ability to shoot gives him some intrigue. If he can become better at creating offense, he can unlock his shooting ability …","cons":"Not a stand out athlete, solid length and decent leaping ability but underwhelming athleticism for NBA … Lacks fluidity and great hands … Not a great second leaper and may struggle to rebound against NBA bigs with more natural strength and explosiveness … Sort of a tweener in a bad way, as his lack of speed limits his perimeter ability and lack of strength is a factor in the paint … Feel for game still not at a high level … Not great in ISO situations … Not a great ball handler and struggles to create for himself due to lack of ball skills … Lack of a quick first step also creates problems, as he struggles to create separation … May get crowded at the next level, forcing him to become better at attacking the basket and driving … Turnover prone … A/TO ratio (0.7 A to 1.6 TO) was more than negative 2-1. Needs to cut down on turnovers and become better at protecting the ball with his dribble as well as limiting forcing bad passes … Not the most fluid of athletes, plays somewhat upright defensively … Just 212 lbs, and should look to add more weight / strength to his frame … At 21, appears somewhat limited in terms of polish and upside … Probably a guy that can play at NBA level, but may struggle to be an impact guy … Testing numbers were among the poorest in speed and lane agility among non centers, confirming the lack of great speed shown in game footage … 32 inch vert is underwhelming for an energy type player …Outlook: Turned 21 on March 5th … Swedish National with a season of experience under his belt in both NCAA with Wake Forest and in the NBL with Cairns … In 21.3 mpg, averaged 9.7 ppg, 35.7% from three, 52% from 2, and 79% from FT in the NBL for the Cairns Taipans … Projected as a late first to early second round pick … Declared for 2023 NBA Draft but withdrew his name … Has declared himself eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft …","position":"Power Forward","similar_player":"Maxi Kleber/Jonah Bolden","date_of_birth":"3/5/03","hometown":"Malmo, Sweden","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":7,"size":8,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":41,"big_board_rank":39,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ajay Mitchell","year":2024,"height":76,"weight":195,"school":"UC Santa Barbara","pros":"Lefty lead guard plays with some flair, and is a fun watch … Uses constant motion to his advantage, he never stops moving and often finds opportunities as a result … Seeks out contact on the drive. Doesn’t have top tier quickness but with a little bit of deception and constant motion can often get a foot in the paint on offense … Smooth in the open floor, can get downhill and maintain control to go into a spin move and finish on the break … Stays in control on the drive both in the half court and open floor … Strong free throw shooter at better than 80%, and he gets to the line often (6+ FT attempts per game)… Good distributor and is careful with the ball (has roughly a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio) … Willing and capable passer with good vision … Active hands defensively and takes pride on that side of the ball… Lacks defensive accolades but does show interest there.","cons":"In his collegiate career, Mitchell’s three point shooting success has been all over the map. He shot just 27% from deep last year. So far in 2023–24, though, the outside shot has been a major strength. He’s converting on a very good 47% this season on about two attempts per game. Can he sustain his newfound shooting prowess and bump his range out to the NBA three-point line?… Mitchell is the best player on a very successful UCSB team that wins the vast majority of its games. But UCSB has faced only one ranked team in in the past three years. It was in a blowout loss in 2023 to Baylor in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Mitchell played nearly the whole game and did ok individually, but did not stand out… Mitchell has good height, but does he have the strength and control to create separation at the next level?… Has decent length, but does he have the motor and focus to become a plus defender?… Has had the ball in his hands quite a bit in college. Can he be effective off ball as well?Outlook: This lefty lead guard with international and professional experience has a smooth and smart all-around game. While he’s always been effective overall, he struggled early in his collegiate career with his outside shot. During his junior season, he flipped the story and became a plus-three point shooter. … Will be 22 years old at the 2024 NBA Draft and currently projects as a second round pick with upside as a big lead guard with some pizzazz on the offensive end … Questions scouts have are related to his ability to create separation on the offensive end at the next level, whether he can sustain his outside shooting prowess and bump his range back beyond NBA three point range, and defensive intensity and focus …","position":"Point Guard/Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Lester Quinones","date_of_birth":"6/25/02","hometown":"Ans, Liege, Belgium","high_school":"Sainte Marie Namur","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":36,"big_board_rank":41,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jaylen Wells","year":2024,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"Washington State","pros":"Wells is a slender 6’8 205 SG/SF with the smooth athletic ability for the perimeter…Has good height for either wing position and the frame to continue to add muscle…One of the better shooting threats in the 2024 Draft; there is plenty to like about his potential as a floor spacer at the NBA level (12.6 PPG, 42 3FG% as a Jr.)…A safe bet to knock down shots when he has his feet set, and he possesses consistent & compact shot mechanics that held up well to contests given his nice size on the wing…Possesses the floor awareness to find open spots along the perimeter when the defense collapses on his teammates drives…Shows flashes of deep range and doesnt need much space to let shots fly…Also able to pull up and make rhythm jumpers and runners in the mid-range area when chased off the line due to his good body control and soft touch…Decent ball-handling skills; not uncomfortable with using pick and rolls or DHO actions to create offense on the move…Has some ability to shoot/score over smaller defenders when he’s near the rim, with sporadic flashes posting up guards…Not bad with his shot selection and rarely hunts shots or stagnates possessions (43 FG%)…Good at the FT line (81 FT%, 79 made FTs)…Decisive; good feel for the game and takes care of the ball (0.7 TOPG)…Functional ability to defend his position on the wings and could eventually be able to defend some stretch 4s with added muscle…Classic late bloomer; former D-2 player who has been trending upward with each passing season and adjusted well to playing P5 ball…Will be 21 during his rookie season, making him slightly younger than your typical prospect entering the draft 3 years removed from HS …","cons":"Not a plodder, but possesses just middling athleticism in terms of quickness, burst and explosiveness…Despite being reasonably good as a finisher, he doesn’t get to the rim often and shows just an average 1st step…Could stand to get stronger and more physical…Doesn’t consistently separate from defenders, leading to him having to pull up and settle for tough 2s at times (46 FG% inside the arc)…Pretty simple offensive reportoire; mostly a straight-line dribbler who currently doesn’t show many moves and counters as a shot creator…Wouldn’t describe him as a selfish player but shows nothing more than average court vision (1.2 APG)…Adequate on defense but not impactful (only 17 steals in 23-24) and sometimes had lapses fundamentally that led to him allowing penetration that collapsed his teams defense…Has some things to learn in terms of positioning himself to better see ball and man as an off-ball defender and navigating through screens too…Raw and sometimes showed some bad, yet correctable habits adjusting to his jump in competition level on both ends of the court …Overall: Jaylen Wells’ unconventional path to the 2024 Draft began in Sacramento, where he had a productive 2-year varsity career that saw him emerge out of nowhere as a Jr. after not being on the schools team his 1st 2 years of HS…Having flown under the radar he went to Sinoma State, a D2 school, and had another productive 2-year run that now had finally garnered him interest from P5 colleges…He ended up transferring to Washington State with little fanfare, starting his Jr. year coming off the bench on a team with low expectations coming into the season…After a few impressive shooting performances in the nonconference slate he was placed in the starting lineup, and he responded to his extended minutes by scoring double figures in 18 of WSU’s final 20 games, finishing 3rd on the team in points and being a main contributor for a surprising Cougar squad that made the NCAA Tournament for the 1st time in 16 years and advanced to the Round of 32…Wells impressively put up 18 PPG and 50 FG% in 2 tournament games and thus started generating buzz as an NBA prospect, showing good size and shot-making ability on the perimeter under the bright lights…He’s had a good draft process and has improved his standing to be firmly in the discussion, so after being more of a longshot to be selected this year a few months ago Wells has been mocked in the 2nd round consistently as of late","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Rodeny Hood/KZ Okpala","date_of_birth":"8/26/03","hometown":"Sacramento, CA","high_school":"Folsom","rebounding":7,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":33,"big_board_rank":24,"overall_rank":91}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Adem Bona","year":2024,"height":81,"weight":245,"school":"UCLA","pros":"Long, athletic shot blocking big who has potential as a defensive anchor … Good timing on the shot block … Very long and has a quick jump …7-3 wingspan combined with a 40 inch max vert are elite numbers … Isn’t the most fluid looking running, but Bona is very fast in a straight line in the open court and does run the break … Ferocious dunker … Has good hands to catch a lob or a bounce pass on a pick and roll into a slam … Aggressive with the ball in his hands … Showed solid improvement in free throw shooting at UCLA (57% as a freshman to 70% last season) … Decent hands around the hoop overall … Shows some semblance of a post game and a quick, fluid, and powerful drop step into a baby hook shot, but likely will need to develop further polish … Sets a decent screen, but sometimes gets impatient and leaves for the role a bit early … Had one of the best standing reach and wingspan measurements at the Draft Combine, especially considering his height …","cons":"Averaging only 26.5 minutes per game, fouled out a staggering 7 times this past season. Also reached 4 fouls 12 times. Needs more discipline on the defensive end … Decent, but not dominant rebounder … Given physical tools, you’d like to see his rebounding numbers a bit bigger… Will likely need to get more aggressive, particularly on the offensive boards … No passing ability has been demonstrated yet… Does not shoot it. Attempted zero three pointers in his college career. Face up mid-range shooting is also fairly non-existent. He has taken a few of these shots in game, and the form looks solid. But at UCLA, he simply wasn’t taking these shots often. Can he develop his shooting? …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Bismack Biyombo","date_of_birth":"3/28/03","hometown":"Ebonyi, Nigeria","high_school":"Prolific Prep International Team Pınar Karşıyaka","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":6,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":9,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":55,"big_board_rank":51,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"KJ Simpson","year":2024,"height":73,"weight":185,"school":"Colorado","pros":"… Small but efficient point guard … Explosive leaper. Capable of highlight dunks when he gets an open path to the basket, or on the break …  Extremely efficient stats with a 2-0 assist to turnover ratio and high level shooting splits (47.5 43.4 87.6) … Quick player, with excellent speed in the open floor … one of the draft’s top shooters … Shot is 43% from three and near 90% (87) from FT, all of which on high volume … Very determined and motivated player … Quick release on his shot should help some with size getting shots away … Solid in pick and roll actions, making good reads on when to shoot and when to get it to his roll or pop man … 6’4 wingspan helps make up for his lack of size somewhat … Still just 21 years of age, turning 22 in August, a “baby” in terms of age for a senior in the 2024 NBA Draft … Doesn’t who any major holes offensively, besides size potentially making it difficult to get easy looks … Analytics really enhanced by rebounding production … 5.8 boards per game is exceptional for a 6’1 point guard … Mentally tough competitor …","cons":"Very small in today’s NBA at just 6’0 barefoot and a 7’9 standing reach … Size creates problems on both ends of the floor both defensively and getting shots off cleanly … Size limits his effectiveness in other areas when he’s not directly involved in scoring or assisting … Not a rebounder, not a disruptor on defense, so the offense has to be that much better to compensate for the negatives analytically … At 187 lbs, probably close to maxing out physically, but decent strength in relation to many guards his size … Has a transition to make with playing against bigger, longer and more athletic opponents every time out …Outlook: Probably deserved Pac 12  player of the year but was edged out by Arizona’s Caleb Love … Was one of the nation’s most prolific and efficient scorers … Projected as a late second to undrafted player for the 2024 NBA Draft … Solid potential to ultimately make it with teams that value undersized, good shooting, back up point guards …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Markus Howard","date_of_birth":"8/8/02","hometown":"West Hills, CA","high_school":"Chaminade","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":6,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":65,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Pelle Larsson","year":2024,"height":78,"weight":210,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Sweet shooting wing with very good ball skills … Has a tough mindset and NBA readiness … Excels in spot up situations where he has a very good shooting stroke and connects at a good rate … Textbook jumpshot … Gets his feet set very quickly and has a fast and concise release, a player that cannot be left open … Showed development as a pick and roll facilitator … Very good feel for the game. Seems to always know where to be on both ends of the floor … Has surprising leaping ability to finish off plays in transition … A career 81% FT shooter and 39.7% three point shooter, numbers that definitely back up the possibility that he can be used as a floor spacing shooting specialist at the next level … Tough minded competitor … Unselfish player and very willing passer … A very good passer for a wing with 3.7 apg as a senior, and 2.8 apg over his college career … Shot 43% from three as a senior … Very team oriented, coachable player … Shows a decent ability to create off the dribble with a surprising first step and crossover to get by slower defenders … Also shows the ability to create a shot on dribble step back … Good pull up juspshot ability off the drive … Tough player who doesn’t mind playing physical …","cons":"Below average for his position in terms of length and height. Considering his skill set, he would benefit if he were a few inches taller …  … Where his lack of foot speed hurts him most is on the defensive end where he struggles to defend on ball … At 23 years of age, he’s another super senior who will need to produce immediately as there is not as much room for growth at his age … Despite being a high level shooter and having a nose for scoring, he averaged below 10 ppg over his career, and was only above double digits (12 ppg) in the season in which he was 22.  Which likely signals that he will struggle going against better athletes, as the talent level of his competition takes a major jump … Tends to play a little upright defensively … Free throw percentage fell to 75% as a senior, surprisingly low considering his overall shooting numbers in college …","position":"Shooting Guard/Small Forward","similar_player":"Sam Merrill / Coby Karl","date_of_birth":"2/23/01","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":9,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":39,"big_board_rank":38,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Jamal Shead","year":2024,"height":73,"weight":200,"school":"Houston","pros":"Tough nosed, diminutive point guard with strength and great defensive ability … A winner, has lead a Houston team to three very productive seasons as their starting point guard … Shooting touch. A career 77% shooter, shows that despite lacking range there’s optimism he can become a good outside shooter … Has the physique of an NFL hlaf back … Muscle bound … Just 200 lbs, but extremely physical player, and will fight for loose balls and hound opponents with his physical strength … Despite being just 6’1 in shoes, he’s a defensive standout who should be an absolute pest on that end at the next level … Loves to play defense and has a tough guy demeanor to take on all opponents … Despite being very average overall on offense, he does excel in the PnR game, throwing a lot of lobs to bigs for easy dunks .. His drive and dish game is one of his best skills … Excellent passer with a 3-1 A/TO ratio … 6.3 assists per game … Limits turnovers at just 2 per game …. Efficient and consistent floor general. Maintained a similarly high A/TO ration throughout college career … An absolute ball hawk at 2.2 steals per game … Strong leadership qualities … Team player who completely bought into Sampson defensive system …","cons":"Undersized for a point guard at just 6′ feet barefoot and a 6’3 wingspan … Not a great shooter, though he has shown some improvement in his shot off the dribble in the mid range … Lacks range on his shot. Will need to extend his shot out and become a more efficient shooter from NBA range in order to cement himself as a viable backup in the league … Not much of a scorer. Was at 12.9 ppg as a senior, granted in a bit of a slow it down system … Struggles when asked to create shots for himself in isolation and actually shoots it better in catch and shoot than pulling up off the dribble … Perhaps he was more focused on creating offense for others and was forced to take shots late in shot clocks in Houston’s offense, but he needs to improve in this area … Can get a little too gamble happy anticipating and trying to jump passing lanes, leaving his man open …","position":"Point Guard","similar_player":"Jevon Carter","date_of_birth":"7/24/02","hometown":"Manor, TX","high_school":"Manor","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":6,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":6,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":44,"big_board_rank":59,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Antonio  Reeves","year":2024,"height":78,"weight":185,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"A 6’6” wing that is wired to score the basketball. Highly efficient. 51.2 FG%, 44.7 3P, 86.3 FT% shooting split, one of the best in college … Averaged 20 points per game for two different teams (Illinois States and Kentucky). Shot 39% from three each of his past three seasons, culminating in 44% from deep his final season on 5.7 attempts per contest. Has good footwork on the catch – does a good job of getting his feet under him and ready to elevate for his jumper. Can create open looks for jumpers with his step back. Has added a lethal runner that he uses when defenders run him off the three point line. Is able to score reliably at three different levels. Is able to absorb contact at the rim and knocks down his free throws at a high rate -86.3% this season. Has good, although not elite, body control when attacking the rim and the strength to finish tough close range shots. Has developed a solid euro step and shown the ability to mix up his speeds on drives to create open shot angles. Showed significant growth defensively in terms of competitiveness on that end as well as taking more responsibility on that end of the court.","cons":"Age will be a factor for him, as he will turn 24 at the start of his rookie year – played five years of college basketball. Despite growth on the defensive end, is not a stopper on that end – but will compete. Not especially bouncy on the drive, mostly finishes below the rim. Can go cold, especially in big games (2-9 against UNC, 7-25 (3-17 from 3) against Kansas, 1-15 against Kansas St. in the tournament in 2023). Needs to be a complementary piece at the next level. Doesn’t have a strong enough handle to break defenders down off the dribble reliably. Projects as a wing only – lacks the versatility teams value. Can sometimes settle offensively when the offense stagnates. Lack of high level athleticism limits his ceiling and role at the next level.Outlook: Reeves has really developed his game over the last few years as he transitioned from the Missouri Valley Conference to the SEC. He was an inefficient scorer early who has found ways to build his game around his shooting ability from deep. Having become a more diverse, three level scorer that understands how to find his shots, he is much better equipped to be a role player in the league than he was at this time last year. Due to his age, he likely has a fairly low ceiling. However, he has shown the ability to expand his game as the opportunity has presented itself. Between his skill set and physical maturity, he looks primed to be a wing player off of the bench for whichever team he ends up with. The spacing of the NBA game should allow him to find scoring opportunities, but he will need to further develop his creation abilities for both himself and others if he is to maximize his abilities.","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Justin Holiday","date_of_birth":"11/20/00","hometown":"Chicago, IL","high_school":"Simeon","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":6,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":42,"big_board_rank":40,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Harrison Ingram","year":2024,"height":78,"weight":235,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"Defensive oriented forward with the ability to defend multiple positions … A mature, smart forward with three years of college experience, Despite being a junior, turns 22 in November, so the upside is not as high as some other wings … At 233, has excellent strength and physicality for a wing … Size and strength gives him the versatility to guard both forward positions … Very good rebounder at 7.2 per game over his career and 8.8 as a junior at North Carolina … 7-foot wingspan along with great strength allows him to be a very good defender … Has developed as a adequate spot up shooter from the mid-range …  1.4 steals per game as a junior shows his improvement in anticipation and ball hawking … Solid passer … Raised his three point shot to 38% as a junior and has a very good corner three … high motor, effort player … Composed, smart individual who shows a willingness to put team first …","cons":"Just 6’5.25″ barefoot, 8′ 6.5″standing reach, both small for a combo forward … Not the fastest or most athletic player … Lacks a great ability to create offense for himself … Very slow first step, not very good at facing the basket and attacking off the dribble … Foot speed is an issue defensively as well on the perimeter, in space … Should learn to become a better post player, adding a back to the basket games would help him to utilize his strength advantage facing wings … Below average shooting ability … Shot just 62% over his three year college career … needs to cut down on turnovers …Outlook: Played 2 seasons at Stanford before transferring to North Carolina for his Junior season … Figures to be a role guy at the NBA level with a good chance to be selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft, having received a second round green room invite. Projects as a guy with great physicality and length, who if he can improve on his offensive game can carve out a role for himself …","position":"Small Forward","similar_player":"Ryan Gomes","date_of_birth":"11/27/02","hometown":"Dallas, TX","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":8,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":6,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":6,"mock_draft_rank":64,"big_board_rank":86}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Enrique Freeman","year":2024,"height":81,"weight":210,"school":"Akron","pros":"Has an old school skill set with a large number of his baskets coming from post ups and hook shots over his left shoulder … Has a giant 7’2 wingspan which allows him to play much bigger than his 6’9 frame … A near +7 wingspan to height differential … Bouncy center who runs the floor well and finishes with dunks around the rim every opportunity he gets …Very hard working player, has shown steady improvement throughout college career … Shows decent touch on his shot, despite some mechanical issues on jumper that should be corrected. 72% FT as a senior. Shot 37% from three on around 1.5 attempts per game … Willing to play physical and go after rebounds with reckless abandon … Uses his great length to the tune of 12 boards per game over the past two seasons (10.6 over college career) … Extremely active on the glass, every rebound is his in his mind, despite being just 212 lbs … Rebounding output a testament to his determination and toughness … Good mobility and speed for a big … Solid athleticism with a 35 inch max very, his length allows him to play even more athletically … A good lob option, who anticipates well and gets a number of flushes on ally oops … Solid 1.7 blocks per game, shows some ability as a shot blocker/rim protector …","cons":"Will turn 24 in July making him one of the oldest players in this year’s draft … At 6’7.5 barefoot, he’s short for an NBA center … Jumpshot comes from his shoulder and takes too long to get the shot off. His form actually improves from further out from the basket. Should work on developing a higher release point on his shot … Playing in a mid-major, in the Mid-American Conference for Akron, his statistical production gets discredited to some degree … His play in workouts and predraft events helps, but is unproven playing a season against higher level competition and will likely need an adjustment period … Lack of strength hurts him some when defending against stronger post players … Post defense can use some work. His footwork can be lacking at times … Struggles some in guarding in pick and roll situations … Will likely always be somewhat thin, but could stand to gain some weight to play center at the next level …Outlook: Was one of the best performers in the pre-draft camps, earning an invite to Chicago NBA Draft Combine and making the most of his opportunities …A possible late draft pick with the energy, effort level and work ethic teams are looking for …","position":"Center","similar_player":"Louis Amundson/Chris Gatling","date_of_birth":"7/29/00","hometown":"Cleveland, Ohio","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":7,"defense":6,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":7,"nba_ready":8,"mock_draft_rank":58,"big_board_rank":60,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Quinten Post","year":2024,"height":85,"weight":245,"school":"Boston College","pros":"Late blooming Dutch center with developing skill set … Five years in NCAA, became adept in many areas … Shows a good feel for the game … Best attribute is his high level touch and shooting ability … A good passer, showing good vision and ability to find cutters from the high post … Shows very good shooting ability, knocking down 1.4 threes per game in his senior season … Improved each season in college and showed progress even in his senior season in both productivity and efficiency … Shot well over 80% from FT over the past two years … Good form on shot should allow him to extend it from college to NBA three … Showed solid improvement as a rim protector and post defender with 1.7 blocks per game as a senior … Good knock down shooter from catch and shoot … Shows some ability to attack the basket off the dribble … Shows a nifty turnaround hook shot … Massive 9’4 wingspan allows him to rim protect …","cons":"Already 24 years of age, limiting his potential … Lacks much in the way of leaping ability, as illustrated by his 27 inch max vertical … Lack of verticality will make it tougher for him to create offense in the paint … Struggles to defend in space … Game probably more suited to 1980s than 2020s … Not a great athlete, lacking much explosiveness … Late development suggests that his success may have been more due to playing against younger competition … Has a developing “post” game but still has a ways to go and is better as a face up guy … Lack of great quickness impacts his ability to run the floor and defend …","position":"Power Forward/Center","similar_player":"Travis Knight/Mehmet Okur","date_of_birth":"3/21/00","hometown":"Amsterdam, The Netherlands","high_school":"Cartesius Lyceum","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":9,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":8,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":87,"big_board_rank":89}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Cam  Spencer","year":2024,"height":76,"weight":200,"school":"UConn","pros":"Spencer is a crafty combo guard and will knock down shots when left open… Excellent 3-point shooter that can hit from all over the court, shot 44 percent from beyond the arc in 2023-24 — fifth in the NCAA… Tremendous feel for the game and team mentality … Competitive player who loves to challenge the opposing team’s top players verbally and mentally … Fits into any offense with his floor spacing and awareness on the court. A deadly shooter that knows when and where to get his shots and can make plays in them id-range … A proven winner that elevated his game going from the Patriot League to becoming First Team All-Big East and named to Final Four All-Tournament team … Rebounds well for his size and makes all the right plays, finished eighth in the nation with a 3.6 assist-to-turnover ratio showcasing his high IQ… Shot 91.1 percent from the free throw line — career leader in UConn history. One of, if not the best shooter on every team that he’s played for. Can run the pick and roll and has a lot of basketball knowledge and experience after playing five seasons of Division 1 basketball. Spencer can be a role player and add bench depth and shooting for teams at the next level. Scrappy guard that can provide a spark at any time and light it up when his team needs it.","cons":"While a great shooter who can get open shots, Spencer’s athleticism and agility could be put to the test at the next level… Lack of foot speed could prove difficult to overcome against NBA athletes … Lacks great size for a combo guard 8’2 standing reach … Might not have the size, speed and strength to defend at a high level in the league which could keep him off of the court in the long run especially if the shots aren’t falling. History of injuries including a hip injury that required surgery that took him out for most of his first two years of college. Not great defending on the ball and against players larger than him… Does better as an off-ball spot up shooter, struggles with creating his own shot off of the dribble… Role player seems to be the best outcome for a player of his size and athleticism at the next level … Already 24 years of age, so what you see is what you get to some degree, and upside is not as high as other picks …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Kyle Guy","date_of_birth":"4/6/00","hometown":"Davidsonville, MD","high_school":"Boys Latin School of Maryland","rebounding":6,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":7,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":9,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":46,"big_board_rank":42,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Anton Watson","year":2024,"height":81,"weight":235,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Decorated and experienced forward who has done a lot of winning in his career… Smart offensive player with excellent FG%, moderate assist numbers and low turnovers … Routinely shooting between 55 and 60% from the field… also a smart defender. Is finishing second all time at Gonzaga behind some guy named Stockton in steals… Even though it was on low volume, shows promise from three-point range shooting 41% last season… it’s easy to envision three point shooting becoming a part of his game… Not a standout explosive athlete, but has quickness and smoothness to his game and is always under control… Has a nice little floater and soft touch inside 15 feet…Solid length at 6’7.5 barefoot, with a 7-foot wingspan … Has some versatility to play both forward positions … Showed steady improvement throughout college career …","cons":"Bad free throw shooter. Has hovered between 55% and 70%, which is disappointing given his otherwise advanced feel on offense… Not a high octane weapon. lacking high level scoring ability or any real go to moves … Has good size but does he have the athleticism for his defensive prowess to translate … Below average leaper (32 inch max vert) Is not a great lob threat, is below average for an NBA forward vertically … Will turn 24 in October …Outlook: Was a winning standout high school player in the Seattle area that actually underachieved to some extent over his Gonzaga career, perhaps his game will translate better to NBA than college …Notes Went to high school at Gonzaga prep and then college at Gonzaga… fFnishes his career as No. 2 in Gonzaga program history in steals, trailing some guy named Stockton… Watson led Gonzaga Prep to a pair of Washington State 4A titles … Was named the Associated Press and Seattle Times All-State Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019 … Was a two-time state tournament MVP …","position":"Small Forward/Power Forward","similar_player":"Chuma Okeke","date_of_birth":"10/6/00","hometown":"Spokane, WA","high_school":"Gonzaga Prep","rebounding":6,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"mock_draft_rank":67,"big_board_rank":73}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Bronny James","year":2024,"height":75,"weight":210,"school":"USC","pros":"One of the more powerful, explosive combo guards in the class … Athletic — speed, leaping, strength, control… capable of highlight reel dunks as well as crafty finishes around the hoop… Has a nice lay-up package … Excellent in transition, both in decision making and finishing through contact… definitely an NBA-caliber athlete (40 inch vert) … Can be both smooth and/or explosive on the finish, with soft touch around the hoop … Showed good ability to finish through contact … Loves to get to the hoop, float, hold the ball, draw the contact, and finish on the way down … Outside shooting and playmaking have come a long way. Initially projected as more of an off-ball threat, but developed rapidly over the past 1-2 years (jumped from a top-50 recruit to top-25 high school player) and ultimately considered a lead guard option … Becoming a standout defensive player and outside shooter would raise his game to the next level that can help an NBA team … Fast baseline to baseline with solid quickness … Has a nice Eurostep and can put spin on the ball for creative finishes off the glass on the drive … His  shooting form can look a bit stiff, but overall is quite good at this point … Our inside sources tell us he comes from a good family … While basketball was likely Bronny’s “default” since day one, (LeBron has not kept it a secret that he wants to play with Bronny in the NBA), he does appear to love the game and have his own presence and internal and genuine drive to play at the highest level …","cons":"A bit small for an NBA off guard (6’1.5″ barefoot) , and lacking great feel and insticts as a point guard … Lacks experience and skill to play either guard position at the moment …  Bronny has good vision and is a smart player, and he can get to his chosen spots off the dribble, but experience at point guard is the concern for now … Has not demonstrated ability to play lead guard. .. How is his motor? His defensive tools are there, but he has yet to get after it with the absolute ferocity and tenacity that you’d love to see from a player with his skill set … Also, he’s never been the standout best player on his team, and has never had to shoulder a huge offensive load … Does he have a go-to set of moves to create his own shot? … Does not project as an ultra-high scorer, tends to “fit in” offensively as opposed to stand out and dominate … What is his standout skill, other than his athleticism and finishing at the rim? You’d love to see him develop as a knockdown outside shooter and/or monster defender like a Gary Payton II … Did not have a productive season and enters the draft after his freshman year boosted by “being who he is” — the son of LeBron James. He is an NBA caliber athlete, but a bit undersized, and he did not prove himself in his lone season at USC … There were plenty of issues outside his hands during the season, but the truth remains that he was not a productive player this past season …Outlook: Bronny had a scary incident just prior to his freshman season at USC in which he suffered a cardiac arrest at a practice. Details were understandably kept somewhat sparse. But the good news is that he appears to have made a full recovery. He suited up for USC for the 2023-24 (albeit well after the season started), which was very much up in the air when the news was first reported. Bronny selected USC in what was one of the highest profile college recruitments of recent memory… Bronny made a huge leap in his development, going from top-50 to top-25 in his class from junior to senior year (high school) … Was selected for, and then showed out in the McDonald’s All American game, finishing with 15 points on 5-8 from 3P range … Undoubtedly was using the game to show off his improved outside shooting … Also finished second in the McDonald’s All American Dunk Contest … Played well at the Nike Hoop Summit, finishing with 11 points and playing a key role in sparking a 4th quarter run that ultimately put Team USA over the top against the World Team in the 6 point win…","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Jeremy Pargo","date_of_birth":"10/6/04","hometown":"Los Angeles, CA","high_school":"Sierra Canyon","rebounding":8,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":7,"size":7,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":6,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":56,"big_board_rank":47,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Kevin McCullar Jr.","year":2024,"height":78,"weight":205,"school":"Kansas","pros":"McCullar is a 6’7 200 SF/SG with decent length, strength and mobility on the wing … Experienced player who showed some improved savvy on both ends of the court at the college level with each year … Was having a breakthrough season as a 5th year Sr. before a knee injury slowed him; became the Jayhawks go-to scorer on the perimeter (18.8 PPG on 45 FG% in ‘23-24) … Reads the floor and will find openings; backdoor cutting for points is a staple for Kansas wings and McCullar was no stranger to success with it … Also was pretty good in the open court getting some easy points …I s slowly but surely becoming more confident in his spot-up 3-point shooting, which is welcomed given his 3-and-D projections as a pro (4.5 3FGA/G, 39 made 3s in 26 games in ‘23-24)…Unselfish player with somewhat underrated versatility (posted 2 triple doubles as a Sr.); willingly played different roles out of necessity at various points of his college career … Decent floor vision; does what he can in terms of moving the ball in the flow of the offense and finding the open man (career best 4.1 APG in ‘23-24) … Willing to get physical, even against bigger players, and was a productive rebounder in college (6.5 RPG in his 2 season at KU)…Was consistently among the best defensive players in college basketball throughout his career, and that will also be his calling card in the NBA … Competes and will likely be asked to match up with the other teams best wing scorer in any event that he’s on an NBA court … Defended some of every position in college and generally held his own, showing his toughness, and it’s fairly easy to see him being someone who can defend anywhere on the perimeter as a pro and occasionally even at the 4 spot …","cons":"Nothing special as an athlete and can struggle to contain quick players on the wing, looking somewhat heavy-footed at times … Aggression was occasionally used against him defensively, leading to him being “handsy” and foul prone at times during his career (multiple seasons with 3 FPG, fouled out of 4 games in ‘22-23 season )… Despite his big jump in production at Kansas, doesn’t project to be more than a last resort scoring option offensively at the NBA level … Comfort as a floor spacer has improved but he still wasn’t a true knockdown shooter (33 3FG% was a career best), and he still could stand to improve on the fundamentals of his shot as he has a somewhat hitched release … Not a natural scorer and has a very basic reportoire when it comes to creating offense…Won’t make something out of nothing with his lackluster 1st step and handles, and his offensive production was more the product of the scheme he played in and necessity than his actual talent … Took on a playmaking role this past season but doesn’t project to have the ball in his hands enough for that to translate nearly as much in the pro ranks … Older prospect who would be 24 at the end of his rookie season … Was not much of a scorer or shooter until his “super” senior season …Overall: Kevin McCullar was a 4-star recruit from San Antonio when he signed to Texas Tech as an early graduate and redshirted his 1st season, which is when the Red Raiders made an appearance in the 2019 national game, to rehab a broken leg that he suffered in his last HS game … He stepped into the role of 6th man as a Fr. before establishing himself as a hard-nosed defensive stopper, secondary playmaker and opportunistic scorer his next 2 seasons at Texas Tech … He then transferred to play for Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks, where he started for 2 seasons and was having an All-American type year as a 5th year Sr. before a nagging knee injury took a toll on him and he shut down his season around March Madness time to prepare for the pros …. Him sitting out was seemingly a big deal for a Jayhawk team that was lacking depth this past season, and they sputtered to end the season…McCullar was clearly a valuable player to them as their top perimeter scoring threat, defensive stopper and his emergence as a playmaker they ran plenty of offense through … He was beginning to establish himself firmly as a lock to be drafted, even projected at early points of the season to be as high as a mid 1st round pick potentially…His perimeter defense and toughness will be his main selling point as a pro prospect, and teams will also be interested to see if they can build on his improvement shooting from distance, which would make him more easily appealing as a 3-and-D wing…He’s older, has dealt with multiple lower extremity injuries and has some limitations to his game that plateau his upside, but McCullar could hear his name called in the 2024 Draft given his college pedigree and the clear value he has as a potential stopper … Best case he develops into a player in the mold of a Malcolm Brogdon / Josh Hart …","position":"Shooting Guard","similar_player":"Justin Anderson","date_of_birth":"3/15/01","hometown":"San Antonio, TX","high_school":"Karen Wagner","rebounding":6,"potential":7,"post_skills":7,"athleticism":8,"size":8,"defense":8,"strength":7,"quickness":8,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":7,"mock_draft_rank":43,"big_board_rank":50,"overall_rank":88}
{"source":"NBADraft.net","name":"Ulrich Chomche","year":2024,"height":83,"weight":230,"school":"Center Cameroon","pros":"Great length at 6–11 with a 7–4 wingspan … A good athlete with great frame … His shooting form and the way the ball comes off his hand when he shoots is very intriguing for a player with his size, length and athleticism … Has very strong hands and often gets the “50/50” balls … Has shown strides in developing his offensive game, including spot up outside shooting like from the corner three spot and the free throw line … Really fast in the open floor and a big threat to catch a lob pass and throw down, either on a halfcourt back cut or on the fast break … Decent hands for a big on the catch … Sneaky good passer who can find cutters, decent court vision and general feel to keep an offense flowing (not a black hole in the post) … Reportedly known among peers and coaches as very humble and with a great work ethic… Takes huge running strides absorbs contact well on the drive (he is very strong, with good core strength). While right now the excitement is more over his defensive ability, and he has a very long way to go to develop as a go-to offensive threat, you can’t help but see the potential on that side of the ball as well, especially given that he’s already shown a good feel and good vision / passing and moves with control … Shows a Eurostep on the break to avoid charges  … Shows the makings of some traditional bigman post skills and is very very tough around the basket, enjoying contact …","cons":"Extremely raw prospect… Late start to playing the game is apparent … Seems to lose balance and equilibrium easily … Unproven, having only played against high school level competition, making him a project  … Much closer to making an impact at the defensive end compared to offense at the next level  … Moves better vertically and in a straight line compared to laterally at this point … As a rim protector, lateral movement doesn’t necessarily need to be his calling card … But in a pick-and-roll-switch-heavy modern NBA, there needs to be some baseline ability there … Outside shot has a slow release … Overall, besides shot blocking, he remains a raw prospect … But one who needs to continue improving in essentially all facets of his game … The physical tools and length are top notch, though … lacks any face up dribble game … Can improve as a free throw shooter over time as the form and touch is there , but the consistency is not … Becoming a 70-75% Ft shooter appears in his grasp in the future, but he is not there yet … His PnR game can use work on both ends, learning the nuances and becoming a better screener, as well as on defense anticipating better …Outlook: Potentially eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft as a 2005 born player … A high upside player, who could become a first rounder despite being extremely early in his development process …","position":"Center  Cameroon  International  Birthday 12/30/05 (18.6 yrs) Hometown Bafang, Cameroon High School NBA Academy Africa International Team F.A.P Cameroon Team Site Profile Team Site Profile Athleticism 8 Size 9 Defense 8 Strength 8 Quickness 7 Leadership 7 Jump Shot 8 NBA Ready 5 Rebounding 7 Potential 8 Post Skills 7 Intangibles 7  2024 Mock 57","similar_player":"Channing Frye","date_of_birth":"12/30/05","hometown":"Bafang, Cameroon","rebounding":7,"potential":8,"post_skills":7,"intangibles":7,"athleticism":8,"size":9,"defense":8,"strength":8,"quickness":7,"leadership":7,"jumpshot":8,"nba_ready":5,"mock_draft_rank":57,"big_board_rank":43,"overall_rank":89}
{"source":"Base","name":"Markelle Fultz","year":2017,"rank":1,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Lonzo Ball","year":2017,"rank":2,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jayson Tatum","year":2017,"rank":3,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Josh Jackson","year":2017,"rank":4,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"De'Aaron Fox","year":2017,"rank":5,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jonathan Isaac","year":2017,"rank":6,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Lauri Markkanen","year":2017,"rank":7,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Frank Ntilikina","year":2017,"rank":8,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Dennis Smith","year":2017,"rank":9,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Zach Collins","year":2017,"rank":10,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Malik Monk","year":2017,"rank":11,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Luke Kennard","year":2017,"rank":12,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Donovan Mitchell","year":2017,"rank":13,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Edrice Adebayo","year":2017,"rank":14,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Justin Jackson","year":2017,"rank":15,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Justin Patton","year":2017,"rank":16,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"D.J. Wilson","year":2017,"rank":17,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"TJ Leaf","year":2017,"rank":18,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"John Collins","year":2017,"rank":19,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Harry Giles","year":2017,"rank":20,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Terrance Ferguson","year":2017,"rank":21,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jarrett Allen","year":2017,"rank":22,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"OG Anunoby","year":2017,"rank":23,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Tyler Lydon","year":2017,"rank":24,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Anzejs Pasecniks","year":2017,"rank":25,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Caleb Swanigan","year":2017,"rank":26,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Kyle Kuzma","year":2017,"rank":27,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Tony Bradley","year":2017,"rank":28,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Derrick White","year":2017,"rank":29,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Josh Hart","year":2017,"rank":30,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Frank Jackson","year":2017,"rank":31,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Davon Reed","year":2017,"rank":32,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Wesley Iwundu","year":2017,"rank":33,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Frank Mason","year":2017,"rank":34,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Ivan Rabb","year":2017,"rank":35,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jonah Bolden","year":2017,"rank":36,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Semi Ojeleye","year":2017,"rank":37,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jordan Bell","year":2017,"rank":38,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jawun Evans","year":2017,"rank":39,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Dwayne Bacon","year":2017,"rank":40,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Tyler Dorsey","year":2017,"rank":41,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Thomas Bryant","year":2017,"rank":42,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Isaiah Hartenstein","year":2017,"rank":43,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Damyean Dotson","year":2017,"rank":44,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Dillon Brooks","year":2017,"rank":45,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Sterling Brown","year":2017,"rank":46,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Ike Anigbogu","year":2017,"rank":47,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Sindarius Thornwell","year":2017,"rank":48,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Vlatko Cancar","year":2017,"rank":49,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Mathias  Lessort","year":2017,"rank":50,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Monte Morris","year":2017,"rank":51,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Edmond Sumner","year":2017,"rank":52,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Kadeem Allen","year":2017,"rank":53,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Alec Peters","year":2017,"rank":54,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Nigel Williams-Goss","year":2017,"rank":55,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jabari Bird","year":2017,"rank":56,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Aleksandar Vezenkov","year":2017,"rank":57,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Ognjen Jaramaz","year":2017,"rank":58,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jaron Blossomgame","year":2017,"rank":59,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Alpha Kaba","year":2017,"rank":60,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Deandre Ayton","year":2018,"rank":1,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Marvin Bagley III","year":2018,"rank":2,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Luka Doncic","year":2018,"rank":3,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jaren Jackson Jr.","year":2018,"rank":4,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Trae Young","year":2018,"rank":5,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Mohamed Bamba","year":2018,"rank":6,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Wendell Carter Jr.","year":2018,"rank":7,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Collin Sexton","year":2018,"rank":8,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Kevin Knox","year":2018,"rank":9,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Mikal Bridges","year":2018,"rank":10,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander","year":2018,"rank":11,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Miles Bridges","year":2018,"rank":12,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jerome Robinson","year":2018,"rank":13,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Michael Porter Jr.","year":2018,"rank":14,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Troy Brown","year":2018,"rank":15,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Zhaire Smith","year":2018,"rank":16,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Donte DiVincenzo","year":2018,"rank":17,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Lonnie Walker","year":2018,"rank":18,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Kevin Huerter","year":2018,"rank":19,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Josh Okogie","year":2018,"rank":20,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Grayson Allen","year":2018,"rank":21,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Chandler Hutchison","year":2018,"rank":22,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Aaron Holiday","year":2018,"rank":23,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Anfernee Simons","year":2018,"rank":24,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Moritz Wagner","year":2018,"rank":25,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Landry Shamet","year":2018,"rank":26,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Robert Williams","year":2018,"rank":27,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jacob Evans","year":2018,"rank":28,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Dzanan Musa","year":2018,"rank":29,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Omari Spellman","year":2018,"rank":30,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Elie Okobo","year":2018,"rank":31,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jevon Carter","year":2018,"rank":32,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jalen Brunson","year":2018,"rank":33,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Devonte' Graham","year":2018,"rank":34,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Melvin Frazier","year":2018,"rank":35,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Mitchell Robinson","year":2018,"rank":36,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Gary Trent Jr.","year":2018,"rank":37,"round":2}
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{"source":"Base","name":"Seth Lundy","year":2023,"rank":46,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Mojave King","year":2023,"rank":47,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jordan Miller","year":2023,"rank":48,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Emoni Bates","year":2023,"rank":49,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Keyontae Johnson","year":2023,"rank":50,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jalen Wilson","year":2023,"rank":51,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Toumani Camara","year":2023,"rank":52,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jaylen Clark","year":2023,"rank":53,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jalen Slawson","year":2023,"rank":54,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Isaiah Wong","year":2023,"rank":55,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Tarik Biberovic","year":2023,"rank":56,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Trayce Jackson-Davis","year":2023,"rank":57,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Chris Livingston","year":2023,"rank":58,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Zaccharie Risacher","year":2024,"rank":1,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Alex Sarr","year":2024,"rank":2,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Reed  Sheppard","year":2024,"rank":3,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Stephon Castle","year":2024,"rank":4,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Ron Holland II","year":2024,"rank":5,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Tidjane Salaün","year":2024,"rank":6,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Donovan Clingan","year":2024,"rank":7,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Rob Dillingham","year":2024,"rank":8,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Zach Edey","year":2024,"rank":9,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Cody Williams","year":2024,"rank":10,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Matas Buzelis","year":2024,"rank":11,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Nikola Topić","year":2024,"rank":12,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Devin Carter","year":2024,"rank":13,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Bub Carrington","year":2024,"rank":14,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Kel'el Ware","year":2024,"rank":15,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jared McCain","year":2024,"rank":16,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Dalton Knecht","year":2024,"rank":17,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Tristan da Silva","year":2024,"rank":18,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Ja'Kobe Walter","year":2024,"rank":19,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jaylon Tyson","year":2024,"rank":20,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Yves Missi","year":2024,"rank":21,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"DaRon Holmes II","year":2024,"rank":22,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"AJ Johnson","year":2024,"rank":23,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Kyshawn George","year":2024,"rank":24,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Pacôme Dadiet","year":2024,"rank":25,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Dillon Jones","year":2024,"rank":26,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Terrence Shannon Jr.","year":2024,"rank":27,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Ryan Dunn","year":2024,"rank":28,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Isaiah Collier","year":2024,"rank":29,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Baylor Scheierman","year":2024,"rank":30,"round":1}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jonathan Mogbo","year":2024,"rank":31,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Kyle Filipowski","year":2024,"rank":32,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Tyler Smith","year":2024,"rank":33,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Tyler Kolek","year":2024,"rank":34,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Johnny  Furphy","year":2024,"rank":35,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Juan Núñez","year":2024,"rank":36,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Bobi Klintman","year":2024,"rank":37,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Ajay Mitchell","year":2024,"rank":38,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jaylen Wells","year":2024,"rank":39,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Osasere Ighodaro","year":2024,"rank":40,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Adem Bona","year":2024,"rank":41,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"KJ Simpson","year":2024,"rank":42,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Nikola Djurisić","year":2024,"rank":43,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Pelle Larsson","year":2024,"rank":44,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Jamal Shead","year":2024,"rank":45,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Cameron  Christie","year":2024,"rank":46,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Antonio  Reeves","year":2024,"rank":47,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Harrison Ingram","year":2024,"rank":48,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Tristen Newton","year":2024,"rank":49,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Enrique Freeman","year":2024,"rank":50,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Melvin Ajinça","year":2024,"rank":51,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Quinten Post","year":2024,"rank":52,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Cam  Spencer","year":2024,"rank":53,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Anton Watson","year":2024,"rank":54,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Bronny James","year":2024,"rank":55,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Kevin McCullar Jr.","year":2024,"rank":56,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Ulrich Chomche","year":2024,"rank":57,"round":2}
{"source":"Base","name":"Ariel Hukporti","year":2024,"rank":58,"round":2}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Cade Cunningham","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":220,"school":"Oklahoma State","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Competing with good energy and helping control tempo making an effort to grab and go off the defensive glass, Cunningham was strikingly solid for stretches defensively last season given the burden he carried offensively.","analysis":"An attentive defender with good length and a solid frame who had some very positive moments both on and off the ball, Cunningham often more than held his own as a freshman. He allowed 0.45 point per isolation possession [85th percentile], fared pretty well switching to guard multiple positions, chipped in on the glass, and made an effort in rotation on the perimeter.\n• Taking some risks but showing good instincts in the passing lanes, Cunningham was more physical and aggressive some games than others, but was a reliable contributor for a team that leaned heavily on his ability to get stops\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"9/25/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jalen Green","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":178,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"G","grade":"G League","profile":"Learning on the job defensively in a shortened season, Green had some solid stretches against more seasoned competition.  While he gave up strength in many matchups defending both guard spots and his consistency remains a work in progress, his quickness was a factor on the ball and in the passing lanes.","analysis":"Green possesses solid tools as a defender, but faced a steeper learning curve defensively than he did offensively in the G League.  With the quickness and dimensions to hold his own at both guard spots as he matures, he showed more consistent energy last season than he did at the prep level but is still learning how to deal with physicality and stay disciplined possession-to-possession.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"2/9/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Evan Mobley","year":2021,"height":84,"weight":215,"school":"USC","position":"C","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Getting touches in a variety of ways, Mobley was as the most prolific finisher in college basketball last season.  His size and athleticism made him an ideal target rolling to the rim, a constant threat to finish lobs, a viable threat in the open floor, and an efficient put back scorer.  Looking more aggressive sometimes than others with opportunities to operate out of the post and attack from the perimeter, he nonetheless flashed a unique combination of shooting touch, coordination with the ball, and vision as a passer for a 19-year-old 7-footer.","analysis":"Mobley was the driving force behind a defense that allowed a Division I-best 45% shooting in finishing situations in the half court.  Not only did he block shots at a strong rate with his impressive combination of length and timing, but he effected many others as well.\n• Sliding his feet impressively to stay in front of smaller players when switching on the perimeter, his lateral speed gives him schematic versatility a lot of rim protectors in his mold tend to lack.\n• Allowing 0.57 points per post up possession [88th percentile], Mobley held his own more consistently in some matchups on the block than others at the college level.  Able to challenge shots effectively without leaving the floor and doing an excellent job avoiding fouls, he held up well for the most part, but found mixed results in spots against more imposing back to the basket scorers and physical rebounders.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"6/18/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Scottie Barnes","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":225,"school":"Florida State","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"An enthusiastic defender with the tools to guard multiple positions, Barnes was a natural fit in Florida State’s switch-heavy system. Able to slide with some guards and use his length to contest shots inside at the college level, he has the ingredients to contribute in a variety of ways at the next level defensively.","analysis":"Making use of his energy at the top of Florida State’s press but still chipping in on the glass and in the passing lanes, Barnes did a lot of little things defensively last season as his tools and intensity give him intriguing versatility.\n• Allowing 0.56 points per one-on-one possession [74th percentile], Barnes more than held his own as an individual defender at the college level.  Willing to get low and slide on the perimeter, he had some very impressive moments being disruptive at the point of attack.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"8/1/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jalen Suggs","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":205,"school":"Gonzaga","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Playing with great energy on the defensive end, Suggs was a constant factor in the passing lanes, hounded opposing ball handlers, and showed a willingness to get on the floor pursuing loose balls as his competitiveness and instincts give him the potential to be a difference maker on both ends.","analysis":"A very good defender for a freshman with a great motor and a nose for the ball, Suggs displayed apparent two-way potential as a freshman. Not overly long with a 6’6 wingspan, he nonetheless was prolific in the passing lanes flashing impressive instincts, intensity, and timing pursuing deflections.\n• Despite often defending the opposing team’s top offensive threat for stretches of games, Suggs allowed only 0.60 points per one-on-one possession [75th percentile]. Doing a lot of little things rotating to draw charges and pursuing rebounds out his area, he impacted games in a variety of ways defensively at the collegiate level.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"6/3/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Josh Giddey","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":200,"school":"Adelaide (Australia)","position":"G","grade":"International","profile":"Ranking in the top-5 in the NBL in rebounds and displaying good timing getting in the passing lanes, Giddey’s strong feel for the game translated to the defensive end as well, but his ability to become more physical could be key to his ability to hold his own at the next level.","analysis":"Making use of his size and instincts on the glass, Giddey finished the year ranked among most productive rebounding guards in NBL history. Making some plays in the passing lanes, his anticipation skills translated off the ball as well.\n• Giving up physicality in some matchups and lacking a degree of length, Giddey has room to grow as an individual defender to ease his transition to the next level.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"10/10/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jonathan Kuminga","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":210,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"F","grade":"G League","profile":"Possessing excellent tools defensively with an NBA-ready frame to go along with good quickness, Kuminga had some terrific moments guarding on the ball and competing for rebounds last season but is still learning how to make the most of his versatility consistently.","analysis":"Possessing an intriguing combination of length, strength, and agility, Kuminga had some impressive moments when he put everything together defensively last season. Whether he was recovering to block shots, switching on the perimeter, or vying for rebounds, he flashed significant upside on that end of the floor against far older competition in the G League.\n• Biting on fakes and lacking a degree of discipline, Kuminga could go a long way towards establishing himself in the NBA if he can cut down on the correctable mistakes that hampered him at times last year.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"10/6/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Franz Wagner","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":220,"school":"Michigan","position":"G-F","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"An active defender with significant experience at the professional level already, Wagner did a lot of little things on that end of the floor for the Wolverines last season getting in the passing lanes with good timing and making an effort to help protect the rim and rebound.  He made major strides with his frame as a sophomore that helped him play a more physical brand of defense and still looks like he has room to get stronger which could afford him some opportunity to slide between the forward spots.","analysis":"Wagner is a diligent defender with a strong grasp of the fundamentals both on and off the ball.  Making an effort to rotate, box out, fight around screens, and get a hand up on shooters, he was very solid last season.\n• Though Wagner gave up quickness and strength in some high-end matchups, he showed good instincts getting in the passing lanes and using verticality around the rim as a team defender.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"8/27/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Davion Mitchell","year":2021,"height":73,"weight":202,"school":"Baylor","position":"G","grade":"Junior","profile":"Mitchell proved to be a stifling defender as well.  With the quickness to pressure opposing ball handlers into mistakes, the toughness to defend bigger guards, an urgency closing out shooters, and a knack for getting a hand on the ball, Mitchell took over several big games for the Bears with his ability to make an impact on both ends.","analysis":"Mitchell is a mature defensive player with an impressive combination of quickness, intensity, and toughness.  He allowed 0.77 points per isolation possession [45th percentile] last season while often guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer regardless of position. Doing a terrific job beating opposing ball handlers to spots, he proved adept at drawing charges or getting a hand on the ball.\n• An attentive off-ball defender with a nose for the ball and a competitive streak, Mitchell may not be overly long, but has more versatility than most players his size and figures to have a chance to hold his own on the defensive end early in his career.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"9/5/98"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ziaire Williams","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":185,"school":"Stanford","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Holding his own defensively for a Stanford team that hung its hat on that end of the floor, Williams lacks a degree of physicality, but has a feel for guarding off the ball, solid lateral speed, and the reach to effect shooters.","analysis":"Possessing good lateral speed and solid length for his size, Williams made some athletic plays as a freshman. He had some positive moments both on and off the ball as he showed a willingness to make rotations and cover ground to contest shots.\n• Williams did a nice job sliding with smaller guards and executing against ball screens for the most part but will have a chance to evolve into more versatile defender as his frame matures.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"9/12/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"James Bouknight","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":190,"school":"Connecticut","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"A capable defender who was more aggressive sometimes than others as a sophomore, Bouknight is not the most physical stopper, but did a nice job using his quickness and length to contain the ball and get a hand up on shooters when he was dialed in last season. ","analysis":"Meet draft prospect James BouknightAndy Katz sits down with Connecticut's James Bouknight ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft.\nDraft Home | Draft Board | Teams | Prospects\nAbout James Bouknight \n• James Bouknight is an effortless scoring guard with the ball on a string who emerged as one of the most dynamic scoring guards in the country as a sophomore while leading Connecticut to an NCAA Tournament berth.  Widely regarded as a top-60 prospect in the high school class of 2019 after his senior year at The MacDuffie School (MA), Bouknight emerged as a key contributor for Head Coach Dan Hurley as a true freshman averaging 13 points per game.  Fighting through injuries as a sophomore, Bouknight nonetheless had a breakout year averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game to earn All-Big East 1st Team honors and lift the Huskies to their first postseason appearance since  2016.\n• Listed at 6’5 with a wiry 190-pound frame to go along with good length and tremendous explosiveness, Bouknight has terrific physical tools for a shooting guard. \n• A prolific shot creator who scored in a variety of ways as the Huskies’ clear-cut first-option last season, Bouknight’s ability to create separation changing speeds, rise into his pull-up jumper, and finish emphatically around the rim allowed him to score in bunches when his shot was falling.  Looking more confident from beyond the arc as the year wore on, he had some ups and downs in terms of consistency but ranked among the most dynamic guards in the college game last season. \n• A capable defender who was more aggressive sometimes than others as a sophomore, Bouknight is not the most physical stopper, but did a nice job using his quickness and length to contain the ball and get a hand up on shooters when he was dialed in last season. \nAdvanced Stats\n• Creating nearly a third of his possessions out of ball screens or isolations but finding another quarter via hand offs and off screens, Bouknight not only had the freedom to create his own shot but was also the target of many of the Huskies’ designed actions on the perimeter last season.\n• Despite that, he did his best work around the rim averaging 1.37 points per shot around the rim in the half court [86th percentile].  Showing the ability to change speeds, get downhill, and finish creatively at the rim, Bouknight was exceptionally efficient around the rim last season.  Some of that can be traced to his ability to finish designed lobs and instincts hunting put back dunks, but he did a nice job picking and choose his spots attacking the rim as well.\n• Scoring 0.83 points per pull-up jump shot in the half court [59th percentile], Bouknight showed the ability to get to his jump shot in a variety of ways covering a lot of ground with his step back in particular.  Using the threat of his first step to keep defenders off balance, he scored in bunches when he found his range on the perimeter but ran hot and cold from the perimeter for extended stretches as a sophomore.\n• Averaging 0.62 points per catch and shoot jump shot in the half court [11th percentile], Bouknight has room to grow as a floor spacer as he found very mixed results in limited attempts operating off the ball.  He also has room to evolve as a passer.  As well as he can manipulate defenders to create his own shot, he is still learning how to make plays for others—particularly out ball screens.\n• Ranked 1st in the Big East in isolation scoring (1.9 points per game)\n• Ranked 2nd in the Big East in hand off scoring (1.7 points per game)\n•Ranked 5th in the Big East in transition scoring (3.7 points per game)\n• Ranked 5th in the Big East in off screen scoring (1.5 points per game)\nDefensive Analysis \n• Bouknight is a capable defensive player whose length and quickness helped him hold his own on the perimeter for stretches last season.  He allowed 0.69 points per Isolation possession [56th percentile] as a sophomore, holding up pretty well at the point of attack.\n• Rotating with a more of a sense of urgency sometimes than others, Bouknight had some encouraging defensive efforts late in the year as the Huskies clawed their way off the NCAA Tournament bubble.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"9/18/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Chris Duarte","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":190,"school":"Oregon","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"An active defender with good instincts in the passing lanes and decent lateral quickness, Duarte emerged as a playmaker for an Oregon team that played a mixture of man and zone defense. He was a second late closing out in spots, but made an effort to get in a stance and move his feet on the perimeter.","analysis":"Coming up with a lot of steals this season, Duarte was aggressive in the passing lanes. He did a better job coming up with deflections than he did effecting shooters when closing out, but played with a solid activity level overall.\n• Possessing nice length and quickness for a guard, Duarte allowed 0.81 points per Isolation possession [39th percentile] doing a pretty good job containing the ball despite giving up quickness in some matchups.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"6/13/97"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Moses Moody","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":211,"school":"Arkansas","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Possessing tremendous length for his size, Moody defended multiple positions last season as Arkansas often played multiple guards.  Getting low, sliding his feet, and contesting impressively some possessions, Moody is a willing defender and rebounder who has room to become more solid off the ball.","analysis":"Possessing terrific length for a wing, Moody held his own defensively as a freshman. Allowing 0.79 points per one-on-one possession [42nd percentile], he fared pretty well on the ball often getting low, trying to play angels on the perimeter, and even putting a body on bigger forwards in the post.\n• Moody also had some positive moment closing out shooters, even if he is still learning how to make rotations consistently. His length was often a plus when contesting shots on the perimeter and around the rim.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"5/31/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Corey Kispert","year":2021,"height":79,"weight":223,"school":"Gonzaga","position":"G-F","grade":"Senior","profile":"A competitive defender with no shortage of big-game experience and the physicality to put a body on bigger forwards, Kispert held his own at both forward spots last season even if he was not always able to effect shooters rotating off the ball.","analysis":"Kispert is a steady, experienced defender with a good motor and whose physicality outweighed his lack of length at the collegiate level.  Allowing 0.72 points per isolation possession [51st percentile], he held his own on the ball in many matchups but gave up quickness to more dynamic shot creators and could not always effect shooters when looking to contest on the perimeter.\n• Making an effort to use verticality contesting inside and box out bigger forwards, Kispert did some little things and was seldom out of place on the defensive end as a senior.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"3/3/99"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Alperen Sengun","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":240,"school":"Besiktas (Turkey)","position":"C","grade":"International","profile":"Displaying impressive anticipation on the defensive end, Sengun is not overly quick or long, but found ways to make some disruptive plays last season anyways.","analysis":"An instinctive defender who lacks a degree of quickness in space and size for a center, Sengun nonetheless showed some ability to get in the passing lanes and block shots thanks to his timing and instincts. Faring better in some matchups on the block than others, he has room to grow as a defender.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"7/25/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Tre Mann","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":190,"school":"Florida","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Possessing good size and feet defensively, Mann was a factor in the passing lanes in spots as a sophomore but has room to be more physical on the ball and consistent making rotations.","analysis":"Flashing the ability to contain the ball and allowing 0.63 points per one-on-one possession [73rd percentile], Mann has good feet defensively, but is not especially physical on the ball. Still getting stronger and learning how to play with urgency consistently, he did a better job being in the right spots off the ball as a sophomore than he did as a freshman.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"2/3/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Kai Jones","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":221,"school":"Texas","position":"F","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Possessing tremendous lateral speed and leaping ability, Jones had some eye-opening moments defensively at the collegiate level.  While he lacks a degree of physical strength and polish, his ability to slide his feet on the perimeter, leaping ability pursuing blocks, and energy made him a difference maker for the Longhorns and give him intriguing long-term upside.","analysis":"Possessing terrific lateral speed and solid length for his size, Jones made some extremely athletic plays on the defensive end over his two seasons in Austin.  Altering shots, containing smaller guards, and covering a lot of ground off the ball, Jones is still learning how to use his tools consistently on the glass and where to be in rotation, but stood out at times last season.\n• Allowing 0.82 points per one-on-one possession [40th percentile], Jones fought foul trouble some nights, but showed the ability to recover when beat to throw shots off the glass as well.  His potential as a multi-positional stopper is intriguing if his frame and game continue to mature.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"1/19/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jalen Johnson","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":210,"school":"Duke","position":"G-F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Similarly flashing the ability to guard multiple positions, get in the passing lanes, and help protect the rim, Johnson impacted the game on the defensive end in spurts but was more physical and engaged sometimes than others.  While he has significant room to mature as a defender, his tools give him appealing versatility—especially as his frame matures.","analysis":"With the quickness to get in the passing lanes and the athleticism and size to help chip in around the rim, Johnson had some strong moments making plays on the defensive end.  Rebounding the ball pretty prolifically in limited action, he stuffed the stat sheet for stretches as a freshman.\n• While Johnson was more energetic sometimes than others last season, he has the tools to be a versatile defensive player.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"12/18/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Keon Johnson","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":184,"school":"Tennessee","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Playing with great energy on the defensive end, Johnson emerged as a ball hawk early in the year doing a terrific job pressuring opposing guards, making plays in the passing lanes, and even rotating to block shots.  He has room to get stronger, but already offers some versatility as a stopper.","analysis":"Johnson proved to be a tremendous fit for the Volunteers defensively as their early success was predicated on their ability to string together stops.  Possessing the quickness to guard multiple positions, staying active in the passing lanes, and making several remarkable plays protecting the rim over the course of the year, Johnson’s competitiveness and tools shined for stretches last season.\n• Not immune to an occasional freshman mistake while giving up strength to opposing wings in some matchups, Johnson has some things to work on, but possesses the ingredients to grow into a versatile stopper.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"3/10/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Isaiah Jackson","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":205,"school":"Kentucky","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Possessing tremendous timing as a rim protector and fluidity sliding on the perimeter, Jackson had some eye-opening moments with his competitiveness defensively last season. While he lacks a degree of physical strength and struggled with foul trouble for stretches, he ranked among the top per-minute shot blockers in college basketball and more than held his own switching on the perimeter.","analysis":"Possessing a terrific combination of length and quickness off his feet, Jackson altered shots prolifically as a freshman, frequently challenging multiple shots on the same possession. His energy played against him in spots as he fouled out of a half dozen games last season, but it also made him one of the most valuable defenders in the SEC.\n• Lacking a degree of physicality against more traditional centers but faring well guarding one-on-one on the perimeter, Jackson allowed 0.72 points per one-on-one possession [67th percentile] overall as he has the feet and size to grow into a versatile stopper as his frame matures.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"1/10/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Usman Garuba","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":229,"school":"Real Madrid","position":"F","grade":"International","profile":"Not looking out place guarding some of the top players in the sport outside of the NBA, Garuba did much of his best work defensively last season.  The 19-year old has a promising blend of intensity, timing, and fluidity.","analysis":"Showing the ability to slide on the perimeter and make some plays with his length and motor inside, Garuba is still maturing in some ways, but made an impact on the defensive end for stretches this season anyway. Allowing 0.78 points per one-on-one possession [65th percentile], he held up better at times on the perimeter than in the post, but flashed significant versatility.\n• Chipping in on the glass and as a rim protector, Garuba is not the most explosive defender, but did a lot of little things for a 19-year-old competing against high-level competition.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"3/9/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Josh Christopher","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":215,"school":"Arizona State","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Christopher was effective in spurts last season on the defensive end. He possesses impressive tools and flashed some energy making multiple effort plays, but, like many young guards, was still learning how to stay solid off the ball.","analysis":"Christopher has the physical tools to hold his own on the defensive end and did for stretches as a true freshman. Still learning how to be disciplined, he has some things to clean up off the ball, but he used his combination of quickness and strength to contain opposing ball handlers pretty impressively in spots last season.\n• Showing anticipation in the passing lanes and using his athleticism on the glass, Christopher flashed some playmaking ability as a freshman.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"12/8/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Nah'Shon Hyland","year":2021,"height":75,"weight":173,"school":"VCU","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"An improving defender with terrific instincts in the passing lanes, Hyland’s ability to get stronger to help him contain the ball more consistently is a key point in his development.","analysis":"An improving defensive player, Hyland’s length and instincts helped him make a consistent impact in the passing lanes in VCU’s aggressive defense. He allowed 0.80 points per Isolation possession [40th percentile] as a sophomore giving up a degree of physicality in some matchups.\n• Making an effort to rotate off the ball, Hyland’s length was a plus contesting shots on the perimeter.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"9/14/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Cameron Thomas","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":210,"school":"LSU","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Possessing the physical tools to hold his own defensively, Thomas was more consistent some games than others last season—particularly off the ball.","analysis":"Thomas is an inconsistent defender with the tools to hold his own but had some ups and downs on and off the ball as a freshman. Showing some fight as an individual defender in spots in LSU’s switch-heavy system, he allowed 0.76 points per Isolation possession [45th percentile].\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"10/13/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jaden Springer","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":205,"school":"Tennessee","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"A very competitive defender for a freshman, Springer was consistently physical at the point of and engaged off the ball despite his relative youth. Active with his hands and willing to make some hustle plays, his maturity on that end of the floor was key for a Tennessee team that relied on their ability to get stops consistently.","analysis":"Springer proved to be a terrific fit for one of the nation’s top defenses as a true freshman. Possessing the physicality and feet to guard multiple positions, his competitiveness made him an easy fit for the Volunteers.  Trying to be in the right spots on and off the ball, he more than held his own last season.\n• Allowing 0.56 points per isolation possession [74th percentile], Springer gave up little off the dribble and showed good timing poking the ball away from opposing ball handlers.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"9/25/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Day'Ron Sharpe","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":265,"school":"North Carolina","position":"C","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Spending time guarding both frontcourt positions, Sharpe held his own inside and was a presence on the boards as his strength lies on the interior. He appeared more comfortable as a drop defender than chasing power forwards away from the paint.","analysis":"Providing a presence on the defensive glass, Sharpe’s physicality helped him hold his own around the rim as a freshman. Allowing 0.67 points per post up possession [78th percentile], he did a pretty good job using verticality and walling off some possessions, but has room to become more of a presence rotating to contest shots around the rim.\n• Giving up quickness on the perimeter when sliding to the power forward spot, Sharpe found mixed results away from the paint.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"11/6/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Isaiah Todd","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":219,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"F","grade":"Draft Eligible","profile":"Competing with good energy on the defend end, Todd, like most young forwards, has some things to clean up off the ball, but showed intriguing potential with his combination of length and mobility.","analysis":"Possessing good length and agility, Todd had some impressive moments on the defensive end last season competing with steadier intensity than one might expect from a 19-year-old.  Allowing 0.65 points per isolation possession [68th percentile], he was not overly productive on the glass or in the passing lanes, but held his own switching to guard multiple positions on the perimeter.\n• Showing some ability to rotate and help protect the rim, Todd has the potential to grow into a very well-rounded defensive player as his frame continues to mature.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"10/17/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Herbert Jones","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":206,"school":"Alabama","position":"G-F","grade":"Senior","profile":"Guarding every position at some point last season, Jones is a terrific defender with great length, good feet, and the combination of competitiveness and technique to do a lot of little things.","analysis":"Among the best defenders in college basketball, Jones is a long, competitive, and experienced wing who can come up with a chasedown block on one play and stunt and recover to deter a dribble drive on the next.  Capable of guarding multiple positions but still finding a way to do a lot of little things, Jones set the tone for one of the most improved defensive teams in the country.\n• Allowing 0.63 points per one-on-one possession [65th percentile], making an impact off the ball, and communicating consistently, Jones has the makings of a valuable, versatile defender, particularly if his frame continues to improve.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"10/6/98"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ayo Dosunmu","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":200,"school":"Illinois","position":"G","grade":"Junior","profile":"Competing with a good activity level to complement his length on the defensive end, Dosunmu was more consistently solid off the ball and active on the glass last season than he was as an underclassman. Making strides with his frame, he held his own guarding multiple positions.","analysis":"A diligent defender with good positional length, Dosunmu held his own last season doing a nice job fighting over screens, showing a sense of urgency closing out shooters, and sticking with plays.  He allowed 0.67 points per one-on-one possession [59th percentile] but was able to contain the ball more consistently in some matchups than others.\n• Chipping in on the glass and showing some timing off the ball, Dosunmu is a solid, well-rounded defender whose physical improvement should ease his transition to the next level.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"1/17/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jared Butler","year":2021,"height":75,"weight":195,"school":"Baylor","position":"G","grade":"Junior","profile":"Competing with toughness and timing defensively, Butler was a key part of Baylor’s defensive renaissance two seasons ago and remained one of peskier guards in college basketball as a junior.","analysis":"Playing with good intensity defensively and flashing very quick hands, Butler held his own guarding on the perimeter and forced an impressive volume of turnovers. A well-rounded defender who stays active off the ball, he helped set the tone for one of the top units in the country last season.\n• He may not have obvious versatility but is a scrappy defender who guarded a variety of players on the perimeter last season and allowed 0.61 points per one-on-one possession [67th percentile].\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"8/25/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Isaiah Livers","year":2021,"height":79,"weight":232,"school":"Michigan","position":"F","grade":"Senior","profile":"Playing hard on the defensive end, Livers is not the most imposing forward from a physical perspective, but more than held his own throughout his collegiate career with a strong combination of intensity and fundamentals.","analysis":"An active, polished defender, Livers is not overly quick to slide with guards consistently or especially big for a power forward but possesses a terrific motor and feel for where to be off the ball. Faring better closing out shooters than defending one-on-one, he proved to be a very consistent system defender at Michigan.\n• Showing some toughness on the glass, Livers did a lot of little things for the Wolverines on both ends after solidifying his role as a sophomore.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"7/28/98"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Greg Brown","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":205,"school":"Texas","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Competing with good intensity on the defensive end, Brown had some eye-opening moments covering ground on the perimeter and rotating to block shots inside. He remains somewhat green on that end of the floor, but has obvious potential his combination of tools and energy.","analysis":"Possessing a terrific combination of speed and quickness off his feet, Brown showed the ability to make an impact protecting the rim, slide with guards on the perimeter, and contribute on the defensive glass as a freshman.\n• Lacking a degree of physicality and polish while often struggling with fouls, Brown still has some room to grow and a lot to learn defensively, but his tools give him obvious long-term potentia.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"9/1/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"David Johnson","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":203,"school":"Louisville","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Flashing promising versatility as his length and strength allowed him to defend multiple positions, Johnson had some strong stretches when he was dialed in last season.","analysis":"Possessing a very good combination or length, strength, and agility, Johnson did a nice job containing the ball as a sophomore, spent some time guarding opposing power forwards, and looked to get involved on the glass.\n• Proving more disruptive and holding up better off the ball sometimes than others, Johnson still has room to mature as an all-around defender to complement his versatility.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"2/26/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Sharife Cooper","year":2021,"height":73,"weight":180,"school":"Auburn","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Making some plays with his quickness defensively but looking more dialed in sometimes than others in his shortened freshman season, Cooper has room to get stronger and more polished on that end of the floor.","analysis":"Cooper possesses impressive quickness but gave up size in many high-end matchups last season. Allowing 0.89 points per Isolation possession [67th percentile], he nonetheless showed some instincts poking the ball away from opposing ball handlers. While he was pesky in spots last season, he has room to be more active away from the play to help mitigate his lack of great length.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"6/11/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Filip Petrusev","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":235,"school":"Mega Basket (Serbia)","position":"C","grade":"International","profile":"Spending time guarding both frontcourt positions in recent seasons, Petrusev looked more comfortable as an individual defender in the post than on the perimeter. He showed some timing as a rim protector and instincts on the glass, but did not provide a consistent presence around the rim defensively.","analysis":"Possessing the size to hold his own one-on-one on the block, Petrusev allowed 0.62 points per post up possession [86th percentile]. He showed the ability to use verticality as a rim protector when the action came to him but did not rotate to challenge shots prolifically last season.\n• While Petrusev has solid feet, he appeared more comfortable defending inside than on the perimeter in the ABA League.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"4/15/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Luka Garza","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":243,"school":"Iowa","position":"C","grade":"Senior","profile":"Lacking a degree of agility covering ground on the defensive end, Garza nonetheless made marked strides on the defensive end as an upperclassman after struggling to avoid foul trouble early in his career.","analysis":"An intense defender who lacks a degree of quickness in space, Garza nonetheless held his own inside as a senior.  Facing a huge volume of post up possessions as teams aggressively looked to get him in foul trouble, he allowed 0.74 points per post up possession [66th percentile] as he did a far better job walling up without fouling to keep himself in the game in his final two seasons at Iowa than he did early in his career.\n• A capable area rebounder who blocked shots at a nice rate on the ball and by sticking with plays, Garza is not a prolific rim protecting presence, but showed some instincts when they action came to him.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"12/27/98"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Charles Bassey","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":235,"school":"Western Kentucky","position":"C","grade":"Junior","profile":"Doing a nice job using his length to protect the rim and clean the glass as a junior, Bassey is more comfortable defending around the rim than rotating on the perimeter, but held his own more frequently guarding one-on-one in space than he did a year ago.","analysis":"Among the most productive per-minute shot blockers and rebounders in college basketball last season, Bassey was a presence around the rim in Conference USA. He is not especially quick off his feet, but shows good timing blocking shots on the ball and does a terrific job rebounding his area.\n• Allowing 0.60 points per Post Up possession [84th percentile] showing better fundamentals on the ball in some matchups than others, Bassey did a very good guarding without fouling last season. Frequently camping out inside, he showed some ability to slide when switched on the perimeter, but has some things to sort through at the next level in terms of technique away from the rim.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"10/28/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Sandro Mamukelashvili","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":240,"school":"Seton Hall","position":"C","grade":"Senior","profile":"Holding his own for stretches defensively last season, Mamukelashvili has decent feet for his size, but is not an especially prolific rebounder or impactful rim protector.","analysis":"Possessing some length and instincts, Mamukelashvili is not particularly versatile or impactful protecting the rim, but showed competitiveness in spurts on the defensive end as a senior.\n• Giving up some bulk to opposing centers but doing a better job sliding to contain opposing forwards on the perimeter sometimes than others, he allowed 0.87 points per one-on-one possession [34th percentile].\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"5/23/99"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"RaiQuan Gray","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":269,"school":"Florida State","position":"F","grade":"Junior","profile":"Guarding every position at some point last season, Gray is a diligent defender whose ability to slide on the perimeter stands out for a player with his dimensions.  Doing some little things rotating to protect the rim and showing some improvement as a rebounder last season, he brings some intriguing tools to the defensive end.","analysis":"Bringing more energy and far better agility than most wide-framed forwards to Florida State’s switch-everything defense, Gray held his own against smaller guards, centers and everything in between as a junior.\n• Allowing 0.33 points per one-on-one possession [94th percentile], Gray was a key cog for the Seminoles.  Showing some instincts off the ball and as a rim protector, he is not the most impactful presence inside, but is a competitive player who has steadily improved his fundamentals after struggling with foul trouble early in his career.\n \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"7/7/99"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Paolo Banchero","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":250,"school":"Duke","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Possessing the tools to hold his own defending one-on-one and use verticality to chip in as a rim protector, Banchero nonetheless has room to be more physical as a rebounder and consistent all-around defender.","analysis":"Holding his own as an individual defender allowing 0.54 points per one-on-one possession [89th percentile] last season, Banchero’s combination of size and athleticism stood out at times when containing the ball on the perimeter and challenging shots inside. \n• Showing some timing and instincts to make plays on occasion, Banchero still has room to become a more consistent contributor on the defensive end as he remains early in his development as a defensive rebounder and off-ball defender.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"11/12/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Chet Holmgren","year":2022,"height":84,"weight":195,"school":"Gonzaga","position":"C","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Filling a complementary role alongside several established seniors, Holmgren ranked among the most efficient offensive players in college basketball last season.  His size and athleticism made him a constant threat to finish lobs and his spot up shooting touch made him a matchup problem for opposing big men.  Flashing some of the shot creating ability that garnered him attention during his prep career, his ability to put the ball on the floor, find the open man on the move, and rise into jump shots off the dribble were not a major part of his role at Gonzaga, but nonetheless shined in limited doses serving as a reminder of his rare foundation of perimeter skills for his size.","analysis":"Holmgren was the driving force behind a defense that allowed a Division I-best 44% shooting in finishing situations in the half court.  Not only did he block shots at a strong rate with his impressive combination of length and timing, but he affected many others as well.\n• Sliding his feet impressively to stay in front of smaller players when switching on the perimeter, his lateral speed gives him schematic versatility a lot of rim protectors in his mold tend to lack.  His productivity on the defensive glass is also rare for a player who pursues blocks the way he does—a testament to his effort-level.\n• Allowing 0.78 points per post up possession [60th percentile], Holmgren held his own more consistently in some matchups on the block than others at the college level.  While he makes an effort to hold ground, he found mixed results in spots against more imposing back to the basket scorers.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"5/1/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jabari Smith Jr.","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":220,"school":"Auburn","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Showing dynamic jump shooting ability for a college freshman, Smith filled a fairly unique offensive role in his lone collegiate season as Auburn’s only particularly consistent shot-maker and leading scorer.  Making shots from all over the floor both off the catch and off the dribble out of a variety of actions, his shooting consistency held a prominent role in Auburn’s half court offense.  His ball ability to create high percentage shots off the dribble and finishing consistency remain early in their development, but his utility as a shot-maker is of obvious value at the NBA level.","analysis":"Impacting games defensively in ways that do not show up in a box score, Smith’s talent on that end of the floor was an important factor in Auburn’s rise to prominence last season.  Showing a lot of fight regardless of how things were going for him on the offensive end, getting low while containing smaller guards on switches, and covering a lot of ground trying to make things happen off the ball, he is a multi-positional defender who competes with rare consistency. \n• Allowing 0.55 points per one-on-one possession [86th percentile], Smith held up exceptionally well guarding on the ball this season but still has some natural room to grow as an off-ball defender as he picks up high-level experience. \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"5/13/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Keegan Murray","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":225,"school":"Iowa","position":"F","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Playing quite a bit of small-ball center last season, Murray held his own on the block while showing the ability to guard multiple positions and the timing to provide some rim protection. ","analysis":"Competing with a very steady demeanor and strong instincts, Murray is not the most imposing defensive presence, but his size, feet, and feel afford him valuable versatility. Allowing 0.78 points per one-on-one possession [62nd percentile], he demonstrated the ability to guard some bigger players in the post and smaller wings on the perimeter.  \n• Doing a nice job using verticality to help protect the rim and seeking out opportunities to go coast to coast fighting on the glass, Murray played quite a bit of center with the Hawkeyes going small and playing zone regularly last season.  \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"8/19/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jaden Ivey","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":195,"school":"Purdue","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Ivey has the tools to be a playmaker on the defensive end but was more aggressive on the ball and steady off of it some possessions than others in his final collegiate season.","analysis":"Proving to be a very good on-ball defender when he wanted to be last season, Ivey has the length and quickness to more than hold his own guarding on the perimeter but was more intent on impacting the game on that end some possessions than others.\n• Ivey’s off-ball defense remains more of a work in progress.  He had some impressive moments getting in the passing lanes, but Purdue played a relatively conservative style that often proved to be a test of his ability to stay solid on the weak side. \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"2/13/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Bennedict Mathurin","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":205,"school":"Arizona","position":"F","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Possessing the length and quickness to more than hold his own defensively, Mathurin was more intense and physical some nights than others as a sophomore.  ","analysis":"Possessing a strong combination of length and quickness, Mathurin had some nice moments guarding the ball when he was locked in last season but remains early in his development as an off ball defender.\n• He was able to make some plays getting in the passing lanes and even blocking shots thanks to his physical gifts when the action came to him, but is still figuring out how to be a consistent difference maker.\nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"6/19/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Shaedon Sharpe","year":2022,"height":77,"weight":198,"school":"Kentucky","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Possessing the tools to hold his own defensively long-term, Sharpe has some catching up to do on the that end at the next level given how significant his physical advantages were at the prep level.","analysis":"With all the tools but little experience playing high-level defense, Sharpe is a bit of a blank slate on that end of the floor. Flashing some instincts in the passing lanes in the EYBL and a willingness to rebound on the prep circuit, he looked more intent to make an impact defensively sometimes than others.\n• The 19-year-old guard figures to face a learning curve early in his NBA career as he tries to pick up the nuances of guarding off the ball and adjusts to the league’s physicality and athleticism.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"5/30/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Dyson Daniels","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":195,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"G","grade":"Draft Eligible","profile":"Playing with unique maturity on the defensive end, Daniels is a diligent competitor whose size gives him the ability to guard multiple positions. He has great instincts on the glass and in the passing lanes to go along with a rare dedication to being in the right spots off the ball for a player his age.","analysis":"Bringing a sense of urgency to the defensive end, Daniels got the most out of his size and lateral quickness in the G League last season.  Allowing just 0.64 points per one-on-one possession [72nd percentile], the 19-year-old held up well on the ball despite the room his frame still has to fill out.  \n• Showing a knack for tracking the ball on the glass and great instincts in the passing lanes, Daniels made an impact in a variety of ways defensively.\n• Closing out shooters with a sense of urgency and bothering opposing guards with his reach, he was far more solid off the ball than the vast majority of players competing at a high level for the first time.  \n","date_of_birth":"3/17/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jeremy Sochan","year":2022,"height":81,"weight":230,"school":"Baylor","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Guarding multiple positions throughout the season and regularly sliding up to the center spot out of necessity late in the year, Sochan displayed a promising blend of versatility and intensity on the defensive end at Baylor.  He is not overly long to be an imposing rim protector or quick to stay in front of small guards, but has excellent instincts, mixes it up pursuing loose balls, and shows a lot of tenacity making multiple efforts.","analysis":" An engaged, energetic defender who showed some ability to switch on the perimeter, protect the rim, hold his ground in the post, and make crisp rotations to closeout shooters, Sochan helped Baylor sustain their high standard on the defensive end coming off their National Championship season.  \n• Despite giving up quickness and size on some crossmatches, he allowed just 0.63 points per isolation possession [69th percentile] and 0.58 points per post up possession [89th percentile] bringing steady intensity and consistently working to get back in plays when he was beat.\n• Finding a body on the glass and hustling off the ball, Sochan filled in a lot of blanks on the defensive end last season for an 18-year-old.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"5/20/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Johnny Davis","year":2022,"height":77,"weight":194,"school":"Wisconsin","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Competing with a steady motor and rebounding the ball at a high level for a guard, Davis was terrific on the defensive end, especially for the massive role he filled offensively.","analysis":"Competing with steady energy on the defensive end, Davis has the tools to hold his own on the ball and shows nice intensity looking to recover when he makes mistakes.  Despite seldom leaving the floor some nights and dealing with a sore ankle late in the year, he steadily played with toughness on both ends.\n• Bringing a sense of urgency when closing out shooters and doing an excellent job chipping in on the glass, Davis possesses a nice blend of instincts and fundamentals on the defensive end.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"2/13/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ousmane Dieng","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":205,"school":"New Zealand Breakers (NZ)","position":"F","grade":"International","profile":"Facing a spike in expectations defensively in the NBL, Dieng had some rookie moments in his first season competing at a high level and possesses some natural room to grow on that end as his frame continues to mature and he gains experience.","analysis":"Benefitting from his rare size for a wing when contesting shots and crashing the glass, Dieng provided some intriguing flashes of defensive potential in the NBL even if his inexperience was a limiting factor for stretches as well.\n• He remains early in his development as an off-ball defender and will need to get stronger to maximize his versatility on it, but has good feet and got better as the year went on in terms of technique.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"3/21/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jalen Williams","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":209,"school":"Santa Clara","position":"F","grade":"Junior","profile":"Showing a sense of urgency and using his length while contesting shots, Williams was solid on the defensive end at the collegiate level but was more active on the glass and in the passing lanes some nights than others.","analysis":"Possessing rare length, Williams had some positive moments contesting shots and staying active defensively, while opposing offenses looked to run him ragged in the pick and roll. Guarding as many ball screens as almost any player in the country, he had some solid moments blowing up perimeter actions with his length, but was not immune to lapses and gave up quickness in some matchups.\n• Coming up with more rebounds and steals some nights than others, Williams has room to be a more consistent factor off the ball as he showed good instincts in spurts.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"4/14/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jalen Duren","year":2022,"height":83,"weight":250,"school":"Memphis","position":"C","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Using verticality effectively and sometimes going out of his area to block shots at the last possible moment, Duren had some very impressive stretches protecting the rim and covering ground defensively last season.  He struggled at times with foul trouble, was more physical some moments than others, and was inconsistent handling switches as he still faced a steep learning curve in terms of his technique from his junior year of high school.","analysis":"Impacting the game defensively with his ability to block and challenge shots around the rim, Duren often made up for his lack of experience with his sheer physical tools.  Spiking some shots and blocking several dunks, his highs were very high last season as a rim protector.\n• Using verticality well in many instances but committing some aimless fouls as well, finding a body on the glass consistently some nights but getting beat to balls on others, and looking much more comfortable sliding his feet on the perimeter some plays, there were a lot of things Duren showed the ability to do in small doses defensively.  As impactful as was, he was still early in the process of learning how to play to his potential consistently.  \nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n \n","date_of_birth":"11/18/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ochai Agbaji","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":215,"school":"Kansas","position":"F","grade":"Senior","profile":"Contributing as a freshman with his energy and length guarding multiple positions on the defensive end, Agbaji has had no shortage of impressive nights guarding one-on-one and chasing opposing shooters over his four collegiate seasons.  He still has room to be more consistent off the ball, but did a nice job maintaining his effort level as his role evolved over time.","analysis":"Possessing a strong combination of length, quickness, and strength, Agbaji has a nice base of tools to work with defensively and no shortage of big game experience.  He was not immune to lapses off the ball as a senior, but allowed only 0.63 points per isolation possession [69th percentile] while doing a nice job fighting over screens doing good work at the point of attack.   \n• Making some very athletic plays, chipping in as a rim protector and on the glass, Agbaji fills in a lot of blanks on the defensive end in his best moments but has room to apply his physicality around the rim more consistently as he transitions to the next level.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"4/20/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Mark Williams","year":2022,"height":86,"weight":242,"school":"Duke","position":"C","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Ranking among the better per-minute shot blockers in college basketball, Williams’ size helped him put a lid on the rim for stretches.  Showing some growth as a rebounder but doing a better job guarding one-on-one in the post and using angles on the perimeter some possessions more than others, he has some things to clean up to allow himself to anchor a defense at the next level.","analysis":"Impacting the game defensively with his ability to block and challenge shots around the rim, Williams was spectacular for stretches on the defensive end.  Blocking a lot of shots on the ball and as a second defender, Williams also had some very impressive moments using his mobility making late recoveries to take away layups at the last moment.  \n• Looking more comfortable hedging and recovering in some games than others, Williams has some things to prove in terms of schematic versatility at the next level.  Allowing 0.62 points per post up possession [84th percentile], but getting pushed around in some matchups, he has room to get stronger as a one-on-one defender as well.\n• Making some subtle strides as a rebounder from his freshman year and cutting back on his fouls, Williams has shown an ability to develop and adjust, leaving some room for optimism about his upside on the defensive end.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"12/16/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Tari Eason","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":216,"school":"LSU","position":"F","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Guarding every position on the court while often serving as a small ball center for an LSU team that switched everything, Eason showed the ability to use his length inside, his quickness on the perimeter, and making disruptive plays covering ground in impressive fashion.","analysis":"With the tools to be a multi-positional playmaker at the net level, Eason had some impressive moments moving his feet containing the ball on the perimeter at LSU.  Allowing just 0.75 points per one-on-one possession [52nd percentile], he showed the ability to slide with guards and battle more physical slashers alike.\n• Filling a unique role playing at the top of the Tigers’ press, occupying different spots in their switching scheme, and generating a huge volume of deflections due to how aggressive has was allowed to be, Eason stuffed the stat sheet as a sophomore.  \n• He has room to get stronger and find a body on the glass more consistently, but has all the tools to be a difference maker at the next level with his versatility.\nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"5/10/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Dalen Terry","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":195,"school":"Arizona","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Playing on and off the ball for the Wildcats but not filling a feature role finishing as the team’s fifth leading scorer, Terry did his best work in the open floor where his energy filling lanes and ability to push the ball himself off rebounds and deflections stood out.  Doing a nice job taking what defenses gave him attacking the rim and moving the ball unselfishly, he often kept things simple off the dribble. His lack of jump shooting ability was a limiting factor on his production early on — particularly when he was playing off the ball, but he caught fire late in the year from beyond the arc and at the foul line.  While he is not the most dynamic shot creator or half-court weapon, he fills in a lot of blanks, can play alongside a variety of players, and becomes an easy fit on a lot of rosters if he can sustain the momentum he built late in the year as a spot-up shooter.  ","analysis":"Bringing a lot of energy to the defensive end, Terry got the most out of his size and lateral quickness last season.  Allowing just 0.68 points per one-on-one possession [62nd percentile], the 19-year-old held up well on the ball while guarding multiple positions.\n• Showing a knack for tracking caroms on the glass and good instincts in the passing lanes, Terry made an impact in a variety of ways defensively.\n• Closing out shooters with a sense of urgency but still figuring out where to be off the ball consistently, he was not immune to some lapses, but often covered for them by making multiple efforts.  \nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"7/12/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jake LaRavia","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":227,"school":"Wake Forest","position":"F","grade":"Junior","profile":"LaRavia’s lack of length and great lateral quickness played against him in some matchups defensively, but he still made disruptive plays on instincts and often compensated against more athletic forwards with multiple efforts and physicality.   ","analysis":"Competing diligently on the defensive end, coming up with some steals and blocks on instincts and timing, and understanding where to be off the ball, LaRavia proved to be a very good team defender last season.\n• Giving up size and length in some individual matchups on the block and quickness against more athletic forwards on the perimeter, he still showed some ability to hold his own on some switches and consistently made multiple efforts in his first season playing at the high major level.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"11/3/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Christian Braun","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":209,"school":"Kansas","position":"F","grade":"Junior","profile":"Braun is a sound, multi-positional on-ball defender whose polish off the ball and intensity shined for the Jayhawks.  While he lacks great length, he still blocked and contested shots and rebounded the ball at strong rates for a wing–a good reflection of his feet, timing, and toughness.","analysis":"Possessing a good combination of quickness and strength to go along with a great blend of fundamentals and instincts, Braun has a nice base of tools to work with defensively even if he lacks length.  \n• Allowing 0.61 points per isolation possession [71st percentile], Braun did an excellent job containing the ball and closing space to contest shots on the ball last season.  He came up with a surprising number of blocks for a player without great length.\n• Consistently being in the right spots off the ball, Braun is a very good all-around team defender.  \nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"4/17/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Walker Kessler","year":2022,"height":85,"weight":256,"school":"Auburn","position":"C","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Ranking among the better per-minute shot blockers in the last decade, Kessler’s length, timing, and feel for making rotations stood out all season as he drove Auburn’s success on the defensive end. Switching on the perimeter in spots and still rebounding his area effectively, the 20-year-old was arguably the most impactful defensive anchor in the college game last season.","analysis":"Impacting the game defensively with his ability to block and challenge shots around the rim, Kessler was spectacular for stretches on the defensive end and recorded two 10-block triple-doubles.  Making a huge leap with his ability to block shots without fouling this season, the 20-year-old redefined himself in his lone season at Auburn.  Competing with consistent energy but showing dramatically better timing, his size made him impactful but his remarkable timing is what helped him put together one of the best shot blocking seasons in recent college basketball history.\n• Looking more comfortable handling some switches than others but steadily holding his own against stronger big men in the post, Kessler allowed  0.70 points per one-on-one possession [70th percentile].  Doing a nice job leaving a cushion on the perimeter that still allowed him to block quite a few jumpers, he did a nice job playing angles against quicker guards even if he could not always contain the ball when stuck on an island.  \nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"7/26/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"MarJon Beauchamp","year":2022,"height":77,"weight":197,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"G","grade":"Draft Eligible","profile":"Playing exceptionally hard on the defensive end for much of the year, Beauchamp was not immune to an occasional rookie mistake but also locked down more seasoned swingmen for stretches too.  He still has room to get stronger and improve his technique, but his combination of length, agility, and effort gives him considerable defensive potential.","analysis":"Looking like a different player than he had at points early in his career, Beauchamp rebranded himself this season by bringing consistent effort to the defensive end.  \n• He’s always had intriguing tools, but found a sense of urgency smothering opposing ball handlers, getting in the passing lanes, and guarding multiple positions.  \n• As well as he played defensively this season, Beauchamp still has some room to improve.  He has high-level tools, but could conceivably guard some bigger forwards as his frame improves and has some things to clean up in terms of technique off the ball as well.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"10/12/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Blake Wesley","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":187,"school":"Notre Dame","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Possessing the length and quickness to be a factor defensively, Wesley had some impressive moments busting up perimeter actions and got more consistent with his effort as the year wore on.  He was not immune to freshman mistakes but still has some natural room to improve as he picks up high level experience and gets stronger.","analysis":"Finding a more consistent sense of urgency as Notre Dame worked its way back into the NCAA Tournament field over the second half of the season, Wesley began making more of an impact with his tools as the year wore on.  \n• His combination of length and agility stood out at times when he was containing the ball, darting into the passing lanes, or stunting at the ball, but his technique and consistency remain a work in progress.\nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"3/16/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Wendell Moore Jr","year":2022,"height":77,"weight":217,"school":"Duke","position":"F","grade":"Junior","profile":"Using his length and physicality well on the ball, Moore showed the ability to guard multiple positions and flashed some instincts on the glass and in the passing lanes.  He still has room to improve his consistency as an off ball defender but has the tools to more than hold his own at the next level.","analysis":"Possessing a good combination of length and strength, Moore showed a willingness to put a body on opposing forwards and the ability to slide with many guards on the perimeter flashing intriguing versatility.\n• Showing some hustle on the glass and denying off the ball, Moore was very solid for the most part last season but was not immune to lapses.\nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"9/18/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Nikola  Jovic","year":2022,"height":83,"weight":223,"school":"Mega Mozzart (Serbia)","position":"F","grade":"International","profile":"Competing on the defensive end with more urgency as the year wore on, Jovic still has room to develop both on and off the ball.  While he showed some instincts on the glass and chipping in as a rim protector in spurts, his consistency remains a work in progress.","analysis":"Holding his own more frequently on the defensive end as the year wore on, Jovic is still early in his development on the defensive end.  While he had some solid moments on the ball, he was more locked in off the ball, quick over screens, and more diligent inside some games than others.\n• Flashing some instincts using his size to contest shots and tap rebounds to himself, his ability to do the little things as a team defender is a point of interest as he will face a steep learning curve as an individual defender.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"6/9/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Patrick Baldwin Jr","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":231,"school":"Milwaukee","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Holding his own defensively in FIBA play, Baldwin was not especially aggressive as a freshman.  His size is a factor contesting shots, but he has room to get stronger, be more physical, and find ways to become more of a factor as a helpside defender.","analysis":"Looking solid on the defensive end for stretches in recent years, Baldwin has some instincts and feel but does not always rotate decisively, use his frame on the glass, or change directions well against quicker forwards.\n• His ability to become stronger on the interior or contain dribble penetration more consistently on the perimeter could determine just what kind of role he can play at the next level.  He has shown the ability to use his size and discipline to hold his own in other settings leaving some room for optimism projecting ahead.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"11/18/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"TyTy Washington Jr","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":196,"school":"Kentucky","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Getting better defensively as his freshman year wore on, Washington still has some things to clean up off the ball, but began making a more consistent effort to get over screens and had a bigger impact with his quick hands down the stretch.","analysis":"Coming into the year with some questions to answer defensively, Washington made some real strides on that end of the floor in his only season at Kentucky.  While he has quick hands and good length, his effort level improved significantly over the course of the year as did his technique in some key areas.\n• Looking like a freshman at times off the ball throughout the season, but using his frame better late in the year to contain dribble penetration while coming up with quite a few steals digging down as s second defender, the 20-year-old seemed to turn a corner.\nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"11/15/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Peyton Watson","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":203,"school":"UCLA","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Possessing significant upside on the defensive end thanks to his length and athleticism, Watson had some freshman moments, but some spectacular ones too using his athleticism to pressure the ball and block shots inside making multiple efforts.","analysis":"With the tools to be a multi-positional playmaker on the defensive end, Watson had some impressive moments moving his feet containing the ball on the perimeter, covering ground to block shots, and not giving up on plays.\n• Producing blocks, steals, and rebounds at strong per-minute rates, Watson stuffed the stat sheet in limited action. While he is still picking up the nuances of the game, he brings frenetic energy at times that helped him make the most of his tools in spots at UCLA.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"9/11/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Andrew Nembhard","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":196,"school":"Gonzaga","position":"G","grade":"Senior","profile":"Competing with a sense of urgency defensively and displaying a strong understanding of where to be off the ball, Nembhard held his for the most part last season, but gave up quickness in some high-end matchups.","analysis":"Defending with good energy and strong fundamentals, Nembhard was steady on that end of the floor even if he was not always able to stay in front of more explosive guards.\n• Doing some little things trying to help rebound and protect the rim in transition, he is a disciplined and smart team defender.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"1/16/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Caleb Houstan","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"Michigan","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"A disciplined defender with solid technique and some instincts in the passing lanes, Houstan is not particularly rangy, but held his own at the college level competing with steady energy.","analysis":"Bringing nice intensity to the defensive end, Houstan had some positive moments both on and off the ball as a freshman.  He is not particularly long for his size, but makes an effort to be quick over screens and sound with his feet when closing out shooters.  \n• Allowing 0.61 points per isolation possession [71st percentile], he held his own for the most part but has room to fill out to better matchup with more physical swingmen at the NBA level.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"1/9/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Christian Koloko","year":2022,"height":84,"weight":221,"school":"Arizona","position":"C","grade":"Junior","profile":"Anchoring Arizona’s defense with his ability to put a lid on the rim and hold his own on switches on the perimeter, Koloko also took a big leap defensively. While his improved frame was notable, his ability to stay out of foul trouble is what helped him most last season. He still has room to be more disciplined, but his maturation from his sophomore year on multiple fronts was stark.","analysis":"Impacting the game defensively with his ability to block and challenge shots, Koloko’s rim protection proved key in several of Arizona’s wins. Showing good timing, rotating to the ball inside and getting a hand up guarding on the ball, he did a much better job contesting without fouling than he did as a sophomore.\n• Showing the ability to move his feet guarding ball screens and when switched onto smaller players, Koloko allowed 0.63 points per isolation possession [69th percentile] as his agility helped him hold his own on the perimeter at the collegiate level and gives him some schematic versatility.  \n• Doing a better job holding ground in the post than he did as an underclassman, Koloko allowed 0.72 points per post up possession [71st percentile] though he will need to continue to get stronger to ease his transition to the NBA.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"6/20/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jaylin Williams","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":237,"school":"Arkansas","position":"C","grade":"Sophmore","profile":"Williams’s lack of elite length and lateral quickness limit him in some ways defensively, but much like on the offensive end, his rare feel for the game makes him a difference maker. His strong instincts allowed him to draw charges at a remarkable rate, be in the right spots consistently, rebound the ball at a high level, and anchor the Arkansas defense without blocking a high volume of shots.","analysis":"Making some plays blocking shots and deflecting passes with effort and instincts, Williams makes his biggest impact on the defensive end with his intelligence. While he competes with a steady motor, the timing he shows rotating early to draw charges, the way he uses his body to secure rebounds, and the manner in which he baits players into bad decisions shined at the collegiate level.\n• Managing some switches on the perimeter and allowing 0.82 points per post up possession [54th percentile] he showed a lot of fight as an individual defender despite giving up quickness and size in some matchups.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"6/29/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Max Christie","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":189,"school":"Michigan State","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Competing defensively against some daunting individual matchups and possessing nice length and quickness, Christie held his own at times defensively but faced an uphill battle against more physical slashers.  He has a nice base of tools to work with but quite a bit of natural room to improve as he gets stronger. ","analysis":"Bringing nice intensity to the defensive end, Christie did a nice job using his quickness chasing shooters and his length contesting shots on the perimeter.  \n• Not always able to contain more physical, aggressive slashers, Christie otherwise held his own on the ball making his ability to add strength an x-factor projecting ahead.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"2/10/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jaden Hardy","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":190,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"G","grade":"Draft Eligible","profile":"Holding his own guarding one-on-one in spots and coming up with some steals in the passing lanes, Hardy fared better on the defensive end some nights than others as he was still learning how to be solid on and off the ball.","analysis":"Showing some energy getting over screens, closing out shooters, and crashing the glass on occasion last season, Hardy’s inexperience was apparent in his inconsistency on the defensive end.  He held up far better some nights than others on and off the ball.\n• Possessing solid positional size, length, and improving frame, the ingredients are there for Hardy to hold his own long-term.\nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"7/5/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Kennedy Chandler","year":2022,"height":72,"weight":172,"school":"Tennessee","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Possessing great quickness and nice length for his height, Chandler was a pest defensively all season and grew more vocal late in the year.  While he lacks a degree of size and will benefit from continuing to get stronger, his competitiveness helped him maximize his impact on that end of the floor in his lone collegiate season.","analysis":"Competing with great intensity on the defensive end, Chandler not only picked the pocket of opposing ball handlers but made an effort to be in the right spots off the ball as well.  He allowed just 0.63 points per isolation possession [70th percentile] giving up little to more experienced guards off the dribble.  While he was not immune to shading himself out of plays, he was remarkably solid for a freshman guard giving up size in many matchups.\n• Chipping in on the glass, pressuring the ball beyond half court, and coming up with several memorable blocks, his diligence figures to be an asset at the next level, especially as his frame matures.\nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"9/16/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Bryce McGowens","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":181,"school":"Nebraska","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Doing a nice job using his length to contest shots and get in the passing lanes on occasion as a freshman, McGowens remains early in his development on the defensive end.  Still learning the nuances of defending off the ball and lacking a degree of strength against more physical slashers, he has some natural room to grow as he gains experience and gets stronger.","analysis":"Possessing nice length and some instincts using it in the passing lanes, on the glass, and sliding on the perimeter, McGowens made some contributions defensively.  His length of strength was a limiting factor at times, and he has some natural room to grow as a frame fills out. \n• Still learning where to be when defending off the ball and how to apply his tools consistently, McGowens brought more intensity some nights than others and is still picking up the nuances of the game on that end of the floor.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"11/8/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"E.J. Liddell","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":243,"school":"Ohio State","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Turning a corner as a shot blocker, Liddell emerged as a defensive anchor for the Buckeyes as a junior as he rotated with purpose, showed improved intensity on switches, and competed steadily against bigger players on the interior.  While he fared better against true centers some nights than others, he consistently made an impact on and off the ball as a junior flashing intriguing versatility.","analysis":"Emerging as a real presence protecting the rim, Liddell’s improved ability to use verticality to contest shots and diligence trying to chase down plays moved the dial for the Buckeyes’ defense.  Pursuing shots with reckless abandon some nights, his explosiveness for his build stood out in spots.\n• Rebounding the ball with physicality, showing some ability to switch on the perimeter, and holding his ground pretty steadily against opposing centers on the block, Liddell proved to be a well-rounded defender.  He lacks a degree of size for a power forward from an NBA perspective, but has the strength and athleticism to hold his own.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"12/18/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Trevor Keels","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":224,"school":"Duke","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Competing with toughness on the defensive end, Keels held his own despite frequently matching up with smaller guards. While he could not always stay in front of dynamic ball handlers, he often compensated with multiple efforts which translated off the ball as well where he showed a sense of urgency closing out shooters and regularly came up with deflections.","analysis":"Possessing a good combination of length and strength, Keels showed a willingness to put a body on opposing wings and make multiple efforts trying to contain smaller guards.  \n• Showing some hustle on the glass, in the passing lanes, and when closing out shooters, he played hard and made an effort to do the little things as a true freshman. \nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"8/26/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Moussa Diabate","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":217,"school":"Michigan","position":"F-C","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Showing good lateral speed to switch on the perimeter and some quickness rotating for blocks, Diabate made many positive contributions defensively throughout his freshman year, but faced an uphill battle at times against the traditional centers of the Big Ten and still has room to improve his consistency as an off ball defender.","analysis":"With the tools to be a factor contesting shots around the rim and defending pick and rolls in a variety of ways, Diabate made an impact at times with his length and agility last season.  Allowing 0.74 points per isolation possession [54th percentile], he held his own against mismatches, often faring better on the perimeter than against more physical centers on the block.\n• Gaining 20 pounds over the last two years, Diabate’s body is heading in the right direction which should help him hold his ground inside and be more of a factor on the defensive glass over time, but he also has considerable room to improve his comfort level making rotations on the perimeter and become a more consistent presence protecting the rim.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"1/21/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ryan Rollins","year":2022,"height":75,"weight":179,"school":"Toledo","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Making an impact with his length and quickness when he was dialed in last season, Rollins had some positive moments on the defensive end and as a rebounder, but could benefit from becoming more consistent with his energy level and with his technique when playing off the ball.  ","analysis":"Possessing terrific length, Rollins had some positive moments contesting shots, chipping in on the glass, and getting in the passing lanes defensively.  While he lacks a degree of consistency, has room to get stronger, and was not immune to lapses, he flashed some tenacity in spurts.\n• Allowing 0.70 points per one-on-one possession [65th percentile], Rollins held his own on the ball, but did not always apply pressure the way he did other times.  Even so, at his best, he showed the ability to impact the game defensively to complement what he brought consistently on the offensive end.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"7/3/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Josh Minott","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":197,"school":"Memphis","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Lacking a degree of polish but bringing great energy to the defensive end, Minott has upside as a playmaker and multi-positional defender on that end of the floor as his body and game mature.","analysis":"With the tools to be a multi-positional defensive playmaker, Minott had some impressive moments moving his feet containing the ball on the perimeter, covering ground to block shots, and not giving up on plays.\n• While he was impactful in spurts, he still has a lot of room to improve his technique and consistency as an on and off ball defender.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"11/25/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ismael  Kamagate","year":2022,"height":83,"weight":227,"school":"Paris Basketball (France)","position":"C","grade":"International","profile":"Making some impressive plays on the defensive end blocking shots and sliding his feet on the perimeter, Kamagate’s tools translate on the other end as well.  He is not quite as consistent as one might hope as a rim protector and has room to improve as a rebounder, but has evolved steadily in recent years.","analysis":"Impacting the game defensively with his ability to block shots around the rim and step out and slide on the perimeter, Kamagate made some eye-opening plays with his physical tools. Allowing 0.75 points per one-on-one possession [65th percentile], he frequently held his own on the perimeter and in the post despite how much room he still has to fill out and his lack of exposure to Pro A prior to this year.\n• Proving more productive on the glass and challenging more shots some nights than others, Kamagate is still learning how to make the most of his physical gifts consistently. \n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"1/17/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Kendall Brown","year":2022,"height":79,"weight":205,"school":"Baylor","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Possessing significant upside on the defensive end thanks to his length and athleticism, Brown had some freshman moments off the ball, but some spectacular ones using his athleticism to guard multiple positions. ","analysis":"With the tools to be a multi-positional playmaker on the defensive end, Brown had some impressive moments moving his feet containing the ball on the perimeter.  Allowing just 0.55 points per isolation possession [80th percentile], he did his best work on the ball frequently stifling smaller guards.\n• Still early in his development as an off ball defender and rebounder, Brown was a somewhat mixed bag on both fronts last season.  He was productive in spurts on the glass when he was looking to be aggressive and had some nice helpside possessions, but is still learning scratching the surface of the impact his tools could allow him to have long term.  \nProfile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"5/11/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Hugo Besson","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":180,"school":"New Zealand Breakers (NZ)","position":"G","grade":"International","profile":"Facing a spike in expectations defensively in the NBL, Besson had some ups and downs on that end of the floor last season.","analysis":"Facing a steep jump in competition, Besson held his own more consistently on the defensive end sometimes than others.  \n• He has good instincts on the glass and is active with his hands, but lacks a degree of length and physicality.  His ability to get stronger, stay more consistent with his energy level, and improve his technique is a point of interest at the next level.\n— Profile by Synergy Sports\n\n","date_of_birth":"4/26/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Victor Wembanyama","year":2023,"height":88,"weight":237,"school":"Metropolitans 92 (France)","position":"C","grade":"International","profile":"Victor Wembanyama is spending the 2022-23 season with Metropolitans 92 of the French Betclic Elite league. He will not participate in the NBA combine, as his season will still be in play. As of May 10, he was averaging 21.9 points on 47/29/83 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.1 blocks in 32.3 minutes. He’s posted season highs of 33 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, six blocks, three steals and four three-pointers. The big man has played professionally since 2019, initially starting with Nanterre 92 before moving on to ASVEL two years later, where he won the Pro A title. As a French national team member, he won two silver medals at the youth level and set the FIBA record for blocks per game in a single tournament at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.","analysis":"Wembanyama’s height combined with his well-rounded skillset makes him one of the highest-ceiling prospects most scouts have ever seen. Despite being well over seven feet tall, he can handle and shoot the ball like a playmaking wing, but he has skills in the post as well, allowing him to simply shoot over smaller defenders. He’s a willing passer, able to punish double-teams. Wembanyama’s length will make him extremely disruptive as a defender and rebounder. His relative quickness will allow him to defend some on the perimeter, where he’s capable of blocking jumpers.","projection":"Wembanyama is practically a lock to go No. 1 in the 2023 NBA Draft, and it would be shocking if he didn’t immediately start. He could be vying for All-Star nods sooner than later, and it’s hard to calculate how high his ceiling might be down the line. There’s not a strong NBA comparison for him, as his play-style mixed with his height make him completely unique.\n2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Victor Wembanyama\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"1/4/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Brandon Miller","year":2023,"height":81,"weight":200,"school":"Alabama","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Brandon Miller played his lone college season at Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide to the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. In 37 appearances for Alabama, Miller put up 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 38.4 percent from three on 7.5 attempts per game. Miller registered 14 games with at least 20 points and four games with at least 30, headlined by a season-high 41 points in a win over South Carolina on Feb. 22. In a win over Jacksonville State on Nov. 18, Miller drained seven three-pointers on his way to 28 points and eight rebounds. Later in the season, in a Jan. 14 win over LSU, Miller again hit seven 3-pointers, this time finishing with 31 points and nine boards. At the end of the season, Miller was named the SEC Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Tournament MVP and a consensus All-American. As a high school senior, Miller was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Tennessee. He went on to play in both the Jordan Classic and the McDonald’s All-American Game.","analysis":"An elite scorer who’s equally comfortable attacking the rim as he is launching threes, Miller has excellent size at 6-foot-9 with a wingspan approaching seven feet. While he’ll need to eventually add weight, Miller is already a crafty scorer who uses his length and athleticism to get to the hoop and finish over and around defenders. Scoring is his calling card, but Miller is a willing passer who displays high-level vision traits as a ballhandler and in the pick and roll. Mechanics-wise, Miller’s jumpshot is nearly flawless, and his three-point (38.4%) and free-throw (85.9%) percentages portend borderline-elite shooting at the next level. Defensively, Miller is active and engaged and should have the size to keep up with most NBA wings.","projection":"If not for Victor Wembanyama, Miller would be firmly in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. While he wasn’t necessarily in that discussion entering his freshman  season, Miller quickly established himself as the best player in college basketball. A projected top-three pick, Miller is the type of prospect who will likely start and handle a heavy workload from Day 1. Miller’s game very closely resembles that of Paul George, almost to an uncanny degree. He also displays shades of Brandon Ingram, Andrew Wiggins and Buddy Hield.\n2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Brandon Miller\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/22/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Scoot Henderson","year":2023,"height":74,"weight":195,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"G","grade":"G League","profile":"Scoot Henderson played high school basketball at Carlton J. Kell High School where he was a five-star recruit. As a junior, he averaged 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists and was selected Class 6A Player of the Year. He graduated at 17 years old, before his senior year, to join the G League Ignite, becoming the youngest player to ever play in the G League. He started in 18 of his 19 appearances for the Ignite, averaging 16.5 points on 43/28/76 shooting, 6.5 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 30.7 minutes. In Feb. 2022, the guard appeared in the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star weekend. Later in Oct. 2022, he played a pair of exhibition games against Metropolitans 92, the French team that Victor Wembanyama plays for.","analysis":"Henderson is a hyper-athletic, traditionally-sized point guard with excellent feel for the game. He thrives with a head of steam in both transition and the half court, searching to attack the rim. When he gets defenders on their heels, he can pull up from the mid-range with a jumper or runner. His vision in the pick-and-roll keeps all of his teammates involved and helps them get easy looks. Defensively, Henderson has the athleticism to launch himself into passing lanes or rise up for help-side blocks.","projection":"There is star potential with Henderson, who understandably noted that one of his favorite players is Russell Westbrook – their games being similar, though Henderson may have more patience in the half court. At 6-foot-2 with great playmaking ability, he’s definitely a point guard, so the team selecting him very early in the draft should have ideas to give him the keys to the offense as a rookie.\nProfile: Scoot Henderson is eager to realize his NBA dreams.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"2/3/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Amen Thompson","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":200,"school":"Overtime Elite","position":"G","grade":"Overtime Elite","profile":"Amen Thompson, a five-star recruit by ESPN, won a state high school basketball title with Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He and his brother, Ausar, bypassed their senior years to play in the Overtime Elite. In 2021, he played for Team OTE where he averaged 14 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals. Last season, he moved to City Reapers where he averaged 16.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.4 steals in 28.2 minutes. His team won the league title in a 3-0 sweep over the YNG Dreamerz.","analysis":"Thompson has been operating as a ballhandler and playmaker with wing size and elite athleticism. He plays best with spacers around him, as opponents often go under screens. Even with that being the case, Thompson’s quickness and vertical leap help him blow past and rise over defenses with acrobatic finishes. When teams collapse, he finds the right man with an accurate pass. He’s bothersome on defense and can beat his man to the spot and has shown good IQ in help situations.","projection":"Thompson will likely need the ball in his hands at the NBA level to unlock his full potential, which could be All-Star level, but how quickly he gets there may depend on if he lands on a team with or without an established point guard. Unquestionably, he’ll get easy points and make a defensive impact through his top-shelf athleticism, but playing off ball isn’t his strong suit. Thompson holds similarities to a wing-sized Ja Morant or a more athletic Ben Simmons.\nAmen and Ausar Thompson could go from Overtime Elite to the 1st twins to be selected as Top 10 picks in the same Draft.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"1/30/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ausar Thompson","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":205,"school":"Overtime Elite","position":"G-F","grade":"Overtime Elite","profile":"After being deemed a five-star recruit during his time at Pine Crest High School, Ausar Thompson decided to sign with the Overtime Elite basketball league with his brother, Amen, rather than play collegiately. Instead of playing high school basketball as a senior, Thompson was part of Team Elite during the 2021-22 season, where he won the inaugural OTE title and was named the Finals MVP. During the 2022-23 season, he joined City Reapers, where he was named MVP behind 16.3 points on 48/30/67 shooting, 6.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.3 blocks in 27.6 minutes per game. Again, Thompson led his team to an OTE championship and won the Finals MVP.","analysis":"Thompson’s highlight-reel offensive plays get most of the attention, but the wing’s defense might be where he makes the biggest impact out of the gate. He’s hyper-athletic and versatile, which may allow him to defend all positions but center, especially when the other team runs small. He’ll jump in passing lanes and pick pockets to start fast breaks, and he’s a great shot-blocker for his size. Offensively, he’s best with a head of steam toward the basket, whether that be on or off the ball. When he has the ball in his hands, he’s an excellent passer who has demonstrated patience and precision.","projection":"Thompson has the look of a potential star, though he may need to follow in the steps of other two-way playmaking wings without knockdown-jumpers. Most NBA comparisons come with a caveat – a more passing-focused Jimmy Butler, a longer Markelle Fultz, a bouncier Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It may not be in Year 1, but Thompson could end up as the primary ballhandler for a team soon.\nAmen and Ausar Thompson could go from Overtime Elite to the 1st twins to be selected as Top 10 picks in the same Draft.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"1/30/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Anthony Black","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":210,"school":"Arkansas","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Anthony Black was a five-star recruit in the high school class of 2022 who played his lone collegiate season at Arkansas. Starring alongside fellow highly touted freshmen Nick Smith and Jordan Walsh, Black started all 36 of his appearances and averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.6 blocks in 34.9 minutes per game. The Texas native shot 45.3% from the field, 30.1% from deep and 70.5% from the free-throw line. Prior to arriving at Arkansas, Black spent time at Coppell High School in Duncanville, Texas before transferring to Duncanville High School for his senior season. Earlier in his high school career, Black was not considered an elite prospect, but he closed his senior season as a consensus top 20 player in his class.","analysis":"Black is an excellent on-ball defender and a willing passer who prefers to set up teammates rather than create his own shot, but his size is his biggest asset. Black is essentially a point guard with the body of a wing, enabling him to work over and around defenders with ease. He’s a good finisher at the rim and an above-average athlete, but operating as a playmaker in the pick-and-roll is where he’s most comfortable. At this stage in his development, Black is not a great three-point or free-throw shooter, so developing confidence and better mechanics will be a priority.","projection":"Black projects as a high-to-mid-lottery pick in 2023 and figures to be an instant-impact player as a rookie. His size, athleticism and willingness to pass should make him an attractive fit for several teams in the lottery. Black draws comparisons to current NBA players like Cade Cunningham, Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels.\n2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Anthony Black\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"1/20/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Bilal Coulibaly","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":195,"school":"Metropolitans 92 (France)","position":"F","grade":"International","profile":"Bilal Coulibaly is a teammate of super prospect Victor Wembanyama, joining his fellow Frenchman on Metropolitans 92 of France’s LNB Pro A. Coulibaly is an 18-year-old wing with great athleticism, impressive hops and defensive upside. He’s been an established name on France’s FIBA youth squads and European Championship U18 team. Coulibaly did not attend the NBA Combine due to the Metropolitans 92 being amid a playoff run. He was a late addition to the 2023 draft cycle, with some believing he would declare in 2024 instead.","analysis":"Coulibaly is a difference-maker around the rim, moving well without the ball, pouncing on offensive rebounds and attacking the rim whenever possible. He pairs this explosiveness with good shooting in a small sample size, connecting on 43.8 percent of 38 three-point attempts this season. Most of those attempts were spot-up looks, and Coulibaly’s self-creation and scoring polish is still a work in progress in the half-court. Defense is where he’s been making the most impact. Pairing his athleticism with his size, Coulibaly could be a massive disruptor in switching schemes.","projection":"Defense will keep Coulibaly on the floor as a rookie, especially with his energy and versatility. It’s unlikely he’ll be tasked to make plays on offense, and his shooting is unproven, but he’s an active cutter and can explode to the rim. His shooting development will ultimately determine an NBA comparison, but until we know more, Tari Eason shares similarities.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"7/26/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jarace Walker","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":235,"school":"Houston","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Jarace Walker had an impressive high school career, where he averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a senior. He was invited to the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit. The five-star recruit decided to play collegiately at Houston. As a freshman, Walker won AAC Rookie of the Year and was voted to the All-AAC Second Team behind 11.2 points on 47/35/66 shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.23 combined blocks-plus-steals. He posted career marks of 25 points, four threes, 13 rebounds, five assists, six blocks and three steals. Houston was the runner-up in its conference tournament and made it to the third round of the NCAA tournament.","analysis":"Walker’s bulkiness mixed with his lateral movement as a forward has made him into one of the best defensive prospects in his class. He’s shown the ability to both prevent bigs from bullying him and switch out on the perimeter to cut off ballhandlers. The off-ball instincts are great as well, so he can rack up helpside blocks and jump into passing lanes. Offensively, he showed catch-and-shoot three potential at Houston, which he’ll need to utilize if playing next to a traditional big. But Walker’s strong from and vertical athleticism still make him an option in the pick-and-roll. When defenses collapse, he often makes the right pass.","projection":"If Walker reaches his ceiling, there’s Defensive Player of the Year potential due to his size, quickness and instincts. He won’t be running an offense, but he should be able to play within the flow of almost any system, whether than be as a bulky four or a small-ball five. His vision will really shine on a team where movement and sharing the ball is encouraged for all five players on the floor. Due to his frame, he draws comparisons to Larry Johnson or Corey Maggette, but he may end up playing more like Draymond Green tilted more towards scoring rather than passing.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"9/4/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Cason Wallace","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":195,"school":"Kentucky","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Cason Wallace declared for the NBA Draft following his freshman year at Kentucky. He started 31 of 32 games, averaging 11.7 points on 45/35/76 shooting, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 32.1 minutes – landing him on the SEC All-Freshman Team. Shortly before Christmas, on Dec. 21, Wallace had a monster performance against Florida A&M, where he posted 27 points (10-15 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 2-5 FT), nine assists, four steals and two rebounds in 32 minutes. Leading up to college, the combo guard attended Richardson High School in Richardson, Texas and was the Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year in the state while averaging 19.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He also played in the McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic games, where he combined for 22 points, seven assists and three steals in 45 minutes.","analysis":"The 6-foot-4, 193-pound Wallace dropped plenty of dimes for Kentucky but projects as more of a combo guard at the NBA level, especially since he has a smooth catch-and-shoot jumper. The assists should come though, as he has the vision to pump fake, drive and find the open man. The real standout of his game, however, is his defense. He can make life difficult and wall off opposing ballhandlers, and he’s good at finding opportunities off the ball for help-side blocks or jumping in the passing lanes. He should be able to switch onto NBA wings if needed.","projection":"Wallace has drawn understandable comparisons to Bucks’ Jrue Holiday, another bullying two-way combo guard that can hit open threes. Wallace’s ability to disrupt opposing point guards and make the right play offensively should provide him with a significant NBA role to start his career. If his great spot-up three-point shooting becomes even more reliable, a starting role for a team that needs a 3-and-D jolt could be in the cards sooner than later.\n2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Cason Wallace\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/7/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jett Howard","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":215,"school":"Michigan","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Jett Howard is the son of Juwan Howard, a former NBA All-Star, who coached him at Michigan. Howard started 28 of his 29 appearances as a one-and-done freshman, averaging 14.2 points (on 41/37/80% shooting splits), 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 31.7 minutes per game. Those numbers earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Third Team and the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. He posted season highs of 34 points, seven 3-pointers, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and four blocks. Before college, Howard was a four-star recruit and was invited to both the Jordan Brand Classic and Iverson Roundball Classic.","analysis":"Howard is first and foremost a 3-point shooter, whether it be off of standstill catch-and-shoots or even movement with the basketball. He can also pump-fake and drive into mid-rangers and floaters, but if help defense pushes up, his passing ability helps create good looks for his teammates. Howard’s good length for a wing allows him to shoot over contests.","projection":"Howard’s ability to knock down 3-pointers and be a secondary playmaker could make him a plug-and-play option for most teams, especially those in need of perimeter shooting off the bench. His game is comparable to a more 3-point oriented Chandler Parsons or a bigger Tim Hardaway Jr. Teams can run plays for Howard, or he can find action in the flow of the game — both of which are useful in the NBA.\n2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Jett Howard\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"9/14/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Gradey Dick","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"Kansas","position":"G-F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Gradey Dick spent his lone collegiate season at Kansas, where he averaged 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game en route to Second Team All-Big 12 honors. A consensus five-star recruit out of high school, Dick was named a McDonald’s All-American, as well as the Gatorade National Player of the Year for 2021-22. Dick started all 36 of his appearances at Kansas, reaching double-figures 24 times and scoring at least 20 points on seven occasions. In a win over Oklahoma State on Feb. 14, Dick went for a season-high 26 points with four 3-pointers. Earlier in the season, during a Nov. 23 victory over North Carolina State, Dick drained a season-high six 3-pointers on his way to a 25-point night. On the year, Dick shot 44.2% from the field, 40.3% from deep and 85.4% at the free-throw line. ","analysis":"At 6-foot-8, Dick has prototypical size for an NBA wing, and he projects to slide between shooting guard and small forward at the next level. Outside shooting projects to be his biggest asset, but Dick is far more than just a three-point specialist. Dick drained nearly 49% of his two-point attempts at Kansas and worked his way to the free-throw line 3.0 times per 40 minutes. He also boasts above-average length and athleticism for his size and competes extremely hard with tangible passion on both ends of the floor.","projection":"Viewed as a mid-to-late-lottery prospect, Dick figures to have a great chance to be a key contributor right away in Year 1. Landing spot will ultimately determine his immediate upside, but Dick has the size, smarts and skillset to be a rotation player as a rookie. If he were to land with a rebuilding team, he could easily compete for a starting spot at two-guard or small forward. In terms of an NBA comparison, Dick displays shades of Gordon Hayward, Bojan Bogdanovic and Saddiq Bey. Tyler Herro also comes to mind, as Dick displays similar confidence and shot-making ability, though he’s bigger than Herro and not quite as shifty.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/20/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jordan Hawkins","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":186,"school":"Connecticut","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Jordan Hawkins played two seasons at UConn, where he broke out as a sophomore and helped propel the Huskies to the 2023 national championship. After appearing in 27 games (four starts) as a freshman and making the Big East All-Freshman team, Hawkins emerged as a regular starter in 2022-23, averaging 16.2 points per game as well as 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.9 made 3-pointers (38.8%) per game. During UConn’s run through the NCAA Tournament, Hawkins had back-to-back 20-point efforts in wins over Arkansas (24 points) and Gonzaga (20 points). He drilled three 3-pointers in the national championship game en route to 16 points and a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team. As a high school prospect, Hawkins was named the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year during his senior season at DeMatha Catholic High School. A consensus four-star recruit, Hawks posted 19.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.3 spg and 1.9 bpg as a senior.","analysis":"Hawkins profiles as a prototypical NBA two-guard who excels as a shooter thanks to his quick release, relentless off-ball movement and impressive mechanics. Hawkins shot nearly 50 percent on spot-up 3-pointers as a sophomore at UConn but is plenty comfortable pulling up off the dribble, as well. At this point in his development, he’s a shoot-first player, though Hawkins upped his assist rate to 8.2% during his sophomore season. More than 63% of his field-goal attempts came from beyond the arc, and he drilled at least five 3-pointers seven times last season. Defensively, the rangy Hawkins may need to add weight to avoid being hunted in switch situations at the NBA level.","projection":"Hawkins projects as a first-round pick who could go in the late-lottery. Any NBA team would covet Hawkins’ ability to space the floor, and further development could unlock other areas of his offensive game. While he may never project as a plus defender, Hawkins has the athleticism to improve and has all the makings of a future starter at shooting guard in the NBA. At this juncture, Hawkins’ skillset is reminiscent of Klay Thompson, Richard Hamilton and Terrence Ross.\n2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Jordan Hawkins\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"4/29/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Kobe Bufkin","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":187,"school":"Michigan","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Bursting onto the scene down the final stretch for Michigan, Kobe Bufkin’s sophomore year emergence earned him Third-team All-Big Ten honors. Over Michigan’s final 12 games, Bufkin averaged 17.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals-plus-blocks per game while shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 45.1 percent from beyond the arc. Bufkin was a McDonald’s All-American in 2021, and he’s very young for his class, not turning 20 until September 2023.","analysis":"Bufkin is a do-it-all combo guard specializing in scoring at the basket. His body control and offensive polish are impressive. He’s a well-built lefty at 6-foot-5 that can score at all three levels. Bufkin makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, is a great rebounder for a guard, and has a size that yields natural versatility. Finding a prospect with so few holes, flashy skills, and above-average size at a premium position is rare.","projection":"The sample size on Bufkin is small, but there are strong indicators that he’s fundamentally sound with a high ceiling. He’ll need some reps orchestrating an NBA offense, but his hustle will earn him minutes, and his shooting is already credible. The slashing should translate. Bufkin may be locked into a sizable role by the later stages of his rookie season and could become a reliable sixth man sooner than later.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"9/21/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Keyonte George","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":185,"school":"Baylor","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Keyonte George played his only collegiate season at Baylor, where he averaged 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.3 3-pointers per game on his way to Big 12 Rookie of the Year honors. George was also an All-Big 12 Second Team and Big 12 All-Freshman Team selection. George scored in double figures in 23 of his 33 games, topping out with 32 points and seven rebounds in a win against West Virginia on Jan. 11. George reached the 20-point mark 11 other times, including in games against Norfolk State (Nov. 11) and Kansas State (Feb. 21) when he rained in a career-high six 3-pointers. As a high-schooler, George was considered a top-10 prospect and a consensus five-star recruit.","analysis":"A true combo guard who could play both backcourt spots in the NBA, George is a bit of a tweener at 6-foot-4, but his athleticism and body control allow him to create space and get his shot off against bigger defenders. George is an excellent scorer off the dribble, capable of getting to the rim with either hand while also using footwork to generate space. George was a hot-and-cold 3-point shooter at Baylor (33.8%), but he shot nearly 80% at the free throw line and projects as a plus floor-spacer at the next level.","projection":"Like most mid-to-late-lottery prospects, George will require some development, but the tools are there for him to develop into a starting-caliber combo guard in the NBA. In a best-case scenario, George could develop into an All-Star-level talent such as Bradley Beal or Jamal Murray.\n2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Keyonte George\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/8/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jalen Hood-Schifino","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":216,"school":"Indiana","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Jalen Hood-Schifino spent the 2022-23 season with the Indiana Hoosiers. In his first and only collegiate season, he was awarded Big Ten Freshman of the Year and voted to Second-team All-Big Ten behind 13.5 points on 42/33/78 shooting, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 33.1 minutes per game. Arguably the best game of his campaign occurred Feb. 25 against Purdue, where he accumulated 35 points (14-24 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Prior to college, the guard won back-to-back GEICO High School Basketball National titles in his junior and senior years at Montverde Academy in Florida. He was invited to play in the Jordan Brand Classic, where he scored 14 points and drilled four triples, and he worked out with NBA players, including Paul George.","analysis":"Hood-Schifino is a big point guard, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 215 pounds. He has lead point guard skills – great vision, passing and handling – which helped him thrive in traditional pick-and-roll settings. He likes the mid-range jumper, but has the size to bully smaller guards on hard drives. Given his size and quickness, he could defend multiple positions in the NBA and was aggressive on that end of the floor in college.","projection":"It’s unlikely Hood-Schifino will be given the keys to an NBA offense out of the gate, but his upside as a combo guard that can run an offense and make his presence felt on defense gives him a strong chance at a meaningful reserve role to begin his career. There are shades of Bradley Beal, Spencer Dinwiddie and CJ McCollum to Hood-Schifino’s game, especially in terms of size, but the prospect projects as more of a passer and less of a 3-point shooter than those three.\n2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Jalen Hood-Schifino\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"6/19/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Cam Whitmore","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":235,"school":"Villanova","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Cam Whitmore arrived at Villanova as a consensus five-star recruit and was named the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2022-23. Whitmore appeared in 26 games, making 20 starts and posting 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 3-pointers per game for the Wildcats. He poured in a season-high 26 points against Xavier on Jan. 7, draining three 3-pointers and finishing 11-of-18 from the field while adding two rebounds and an assist. In Villanova’s Big East Tournament victory over Georgetown, Whitmore went for 19 points and 10 rebounds in just 28 minutes of action. As a high school senior, Whitmore was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game. He also played for Team USA at the FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship in 2022, where he was named the MVP of the tournament.","analysis":"A strong, athletic wing who attacks the rim with ferocity, Whitmore projects as a true wing/small forward in the NBA. He’s well-developed, physically, for his age and has a 6-foot-8 wingspan, which should enable him to be a solid defender and rebounder at the next level. While Whitmore averaged less than 1.0 assist per game at Villanova, he’s a willing passer who was asked to function more as a score-first player in college. Whitmore will have to prove he can consistently shoot the three from NBA range, but it’s encouraging that he knocked down better than 34 percent of his attempts (4.2 3PA/G) in college.","projection":"A likely mid-lottery pick, Whitmore has the skillset and body to be an impact rotation player right away. Time will tell whether he can develop into a star-caliber player, but the talent is certainly there. In terms of an NBA comparison, Whitmore’s game resembles shades of Miles Bridges, Keldon Johnson and Jae Crowder.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"7/8/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Noah Clowney","year":2023,"height":82,"weight":210,"school":"Alabama","position":"F-C","grade":"Freshman","profile":"A four-star recruit at Dorman High School with averages of 17.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as a senior, Noah Clowney committed to Alabama, where he was a one-and-done. Clowney started 32 of his 36 appearances as a freshman, averaging 9.8 points on 48.6 percent shooting, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 combined blocks-plus-steals in 25.4 minutes. Those numbers got him voted to the SEC All-Freshman Team. He also put up career highs of 22 points, five threes, 15 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. Alabama won its conference tournament and made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.","analysis":"Clowney is a wiry big who may spend time at the four and five at the NBA level depending on the team’s system and/or how consistent his three-pointer becomes. Offensively, he showed upside to space from the corners and work in the pick-and-pop, and his length and soft hands allow him to catch and finish off cuts to the hoop. He’s an impactful rebounder. Defensively, he’s mobile and disciplined, so he may be extra valuable to a team that switches and hedges its bigs onto perimeter players.","projection":"Mobile, lengthy bigs that can drill the three are highly sought after in the switch-y, spaced-out modern NBA. He’ll be most valuable to a team that embraces that style, and if the jumper continues to develop, it’s easy to imagine him making an impact off the bench in Year 1. From there, there’s a path to starting. Clowney’s role feels malleable based on which team drafts him and what sort of progress he makes on his three-ball and physicality, but there’s potential for a Jarrett Allen-type with a three-ball or a defensively-tilted John Collins.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"7/14/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Dariq Whitehead","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":217,"school":"Duke","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Dariq Whitehead is among the most decorated high school players in recent memory. The 18-year-old won Mr. Basketball USA and was awarded the Naismith Prep Player of the Year award in 2022 while also being the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP that season. More strong play at Montverde Academy, the Nike Hoops Summit, and the Jordan Brand Classic led Whitehead to be a top recruit at Duke. Whitehead needed foot surgery before coming to Duke, and he had a second surgery on the same foot within the past few weeks, confirming speculation that he was far from healthy throughout his freshman campaign. Whitehead still averaged 8.3 points per game while burying 42.9 percent of 3.5 three-point attempts per game at Duke.","analysis":"Whitehead’s game possesses serious explosiveness and attacking that was not displayed at Duke. He is likely better perceived from his pre-college film than his Duke film. Whitehead has a tall, thick, muscular frame that allows him to absorb contact, and he can work both on and off the ball. Defensively, he has off-ball instincts and a long wingspan to jump in passing lanes and get some blocks.","projection":"Whitehead is a lottery-level talent. He’s projected to be healthy for the start of the upcoming season. He missed time early in his career with foot injuries, but a silver lining is its positive impact on his shooting craft and footwork. He could slip in the draft to a playoff contender, and with the proper development and nurturing of his body, Whitehead’s ceiling is among the highest in the draft.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"8/1/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Kris Murray","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":212,"school":"Iowa","position":"F","grade":"Junior","profile":"Kris Murray moved firmly onto the draft radar in 2022-23. Jumping from 9.7 points in his sophomore season to 20.7 points in his junior season, Murray’s third-year breakout earned him a spot on First Team All-Big 10 and All-American honors. In addition to his scoring, Murray averaged 7.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 steals and a 1.33 assist-to-turnover ratio. Murray and his twin brother, Keegan of the Sacramento Kings, were unranked recruits coming out of high school. They then took a gap year at DME Academy to further develop before blossoming at Iowa. Their father, Kenyon Murray, played for Iowa from 1992-1996. ","analysis":"Murray has a lanky, athletic frame with a knack for making winning plays. His hustle, rebounding, and reliable defense make him a plug-and-play contributor regardless of system. Most of Murray’s offensive game occurs around the basket and beyond the arc. The forward shot 33.5% on 6.8 3-point attempts per game. It’s a simple yet productive style.","projection":"Murray profiles as a glue guy and mid-rotation player. In the same way Christian Braun plays quality minutes for Denver in the playoffs, a team could be interested in Murray joining the rotation immediately.  A two-way, stretch-four is a coveted need for many teams. Comparing him to his brother is stereotypical but accurate.\n2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Kris Murray\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"8/19/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Marcus Sasser","year":2023,"height":73,"weight":196,"school":"Houston","position":"G","grade":"Senior","profile":"Marcus Sasser played his four seasons at Houston, going from a role player as a freshman to a regular starter by his sophomore season. Sasser had a career-best season as a junior but was limited to just 12 games due to injury. He was also impressive as a senior, averaging 16.8 points, 3.1 assists and 2.8 rebounds across 30.8 minutes per game in 36 starts. Sasser was named the 2022-23 AAC Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. The 6-foot-1 guard was named All-AAC twice during his four-year college career. His best game of the 2022-23 season game was against South Florida on Jan. 11, when he scored a season-high 31 points while adding four assists. He scored at least 20 points in 13 games throughout the season, including the postseason.","analysis":"Sasser is an elite shooter and stands out in that department, making 37% of his 3-point shots throughout his career and shooting close to 40% from deep over his last two seasons. However, he’s more than just a spot-up shooter and may be capable hitting off the dribble in the NBA. The guard thrives on the perimeter but can drive to the basket with solid handles. He’s savvy defensively and thrives as an off-ball defender due to his above-average instincts and ball-hawk mentality. His ceiling might not be as high as other players, though, as he’ll turn 23 during this rookie season.","projection":"Sasser can eventually become an impactful role player in the NBA. Given his excellent shooting ability and instincts, a best-case comparison could be the Toronto Raptors’ Fred VanVleet. Both undersized guards can shoot the ball at an elite level while thriving defensively. Another comparison may be a more scoring-tilted De’Anthony Melton, who can space the floor and thrive defensively despite his lack of size.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"9/21/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Brice Sensabaugh","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":235,"school":"Ohio State","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Named Florida Mr. Basketball as a senior at Lake Highland Preparatory School, Brice Sensabaugh was a four-star recruit before committing to play for Ohio State. Named Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week three straight times, Sensabaugh came off the bench for the first eight games of his career before ultimately starting 22 of his 33 appearances. As a starter, he averaged 17.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 50/41/81. That led to the prospect being named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and Freshman Team.","analysis":"Sensabaugh is a big-bodied wing/guard who’s aggressive in his pursuit to score. He’s comfortable breaking opponents down off the dribble for mid-rangers, nailing catch-and-shoot threes and even punishing down smaller defenders in the post. He makes tough shots. Passing wasn’t what he was asked to do at Ohio State, but he’s shown good vision.","projection":"Many sixth men in the NBA are shifty guards, but Sensabaugh could fill that role for an NBA team as a shorter Julius Randle or a bigger Joe Johnson. More focus on playmaking and defense could push him into starter territory. A team lacking an assertive bench scorer could benefit from his skillset.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"10/30/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Julian Strawther","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":208,"school":"Gonzaga","position":"G-F","grade":"Junior","profile":"Julian Strawther was a 2023 WCC First-Team honoree, fueled by 15.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He was a backup on Gonzaga’s 2020-21 run to the National Championship game. Strawther also plays for Puerto Rico during international FIBA play. A native of Las Vegas, Strawther’s older sister played basketball at UNLV.","analysis":"Strawther is the epitome of a cookie-cutter NBA wing. He buried 40.8 percent of 5.3 three-point attempts per game last season. Strawther held his own as a perimeter defender but didn’t show much growth as a true defensive asset schematically. He brings good size and a respectable repertoire around the basket. Strawther’s athleticism is another question mark, but he’s been consistently reliable for Gonzaga’s winning program.","projection":"Strawther’s spot-up shooting skills are proven, and he isn’t a liability on defense. Beyond that, it’s tough to gauge what components of Strawther’s game could be true differentiators. He has the chance to stick if he can evolve as a defender. Stawther assuming a back-end role similar to Sam Hauser with the Celtics is plausible.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"4/18/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Colby Jones","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":199,"school":"Xavier","position":"G-F","grade":"Junior","profile":"Colby Jones began his basketball career playing for Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Alabama, before transferring to Mountain Brook High School for his junior year. There, he played alongside Portland Trail Blazers forward Trendan Watford and was named the 2020 Alabama Class 7A Player of the Year. Jones then committed to play for Xavier as a four-star recruit. He was named to the 2020-21 Big East All-Freshman Team. In his sophomore year, he was awarded the NIT Most Outstanding Player after leading the Musketeers to win it all. In 2022-23, the junior forward averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals across 36 games on 50.9% shooting from the field and 37.8% on 3-pointers. Jones’ strong campaign helped him earn All-Big East Second Team honors.","analysis":"Jones has the size to play either shooting guard or small forward at the next level. He excels at scoring in transition but has also developed into a quality spot-up shooter. He can handle the ball in the pick-and-roll while being a willing and capable passer. Defensively, Jones has active hands that help him create turnovers at a high rate.  ","projection":"Jones can be a quality bench option right away in the NBA while having the potential to develop into a regular starter. His play style is reminiscent of Caleb Martin and Cedi Osman, as he has two-way capability at both the guard and forward spots. Jones can play in an off-ball role as a spot-up shooter and cutter while also being able to create for his teammates as a secondary playmaker.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"5/28/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Julian Phillips","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":197,"school":"Tennessee","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Julian Phillips started in 25 of his 32 appearances with the Tennessee Volunteers during his freshman year and averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.5 blocks across 24.0 minutes on a veteran-laden Tennessee team. His best game of the season came against USC on Nov. 24 when he scored a season-high 25 points while adding eight rebounds. However, the forward had just five games with 15 or more points. He recorded three games with at least 10 rebounds and tallied two double-double performances. Phillips also dished out a season-high six assists against Georgia on Jan. 25.","analysis":"Phillips was forced to play near the rim more often than one would expect, given his size. He’s a long, wiry 6-foot-7 wing with good athleticism and a massive wingspan. Phillips uses his size and athleticism to be a capable defender both inside and outside. He’s not afraid to do the dirty work when needed and provides an energy spark off the bench due to his intensity and hustling. The Tennessee product is a good rebounder for his size and projects to be an above-average defender at the next level. There are some concerns regarding his offensive game as he only shot 41.1 percent from the field and 23.9 percent from three-point range. He made 82.2 percent of his free throws, however, so the shooting touch is there. He’s raw offensively but NBA-ready from a defensive perspective.","projection":"Phillips has raw talent and needs reps to keep improving his game, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to contribute in an NBA rotation right away. He’s a player that will likely start his career at the G League level while crafting his offensive game but might be a solid role player in the future. If Phillips can hone his outside shot, the forward has the profile to be a competent three-and-D wing. Even if that’s not the case, his defensive instincts should give him a place in the league, even if he has to work hard for it.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/5/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jordan Walsh","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":205,"school":"Arkansas","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Jordan Walsh spent his first and only collegiate season playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks. As a freshman, he started in 22 of his 36 appearances and averaged 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals. The forward helped lead the Razorbacks to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Before Arkansas, Walsh was a five-star and consensus top-25 recruit out of high school. He played his first three seasons at Faith Family Academy in Dallas, Texas, before transferring to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, for his senior year. Walsh was selected to play in the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.","analysis":"Walsh has impressive size and athleticism for a modern-day forward. He has a good feel of when to cut and is a relentless finisher at the rim. His length allows him to bother opponents all over the floor and create turnovers. ","projection":"Walsh’s skillset has shades of Jonathan Kuminga and Tari Eason. His elite athleticism and length give him the potential to be a top-tier defender in the NBA. Being one of the younger prospects in the draft, it will likely take time for him to see consistent minutes and be a high-level contributor. \n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"3/3/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Mouhamed Gueye","year":2023,"height":83,"weight":213,"school":"Washington State","position":"C","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Mouhamed Gueye was raised in Dakar, Senegal, prior to moving to California at age 16 and attending Prolific Prep. During his time at Washington State, Gueye was named to the 2022 Pac-12 All-Freshman team and First Team All-Pac 12 this season. Gueye nearly doubled his stats in his sophomore campaign, jumping from 7.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists to 14.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He recorded 15 double-doubles this season, including four games with 15-plus rebounds. He also supplied eight games with at least 20 points.","analysis":"Gueye is an offensively-oriented center with admirable activity defensively. He’s exceptionally fluid for his size. Standing 6-foot-11 in shoes with a wingspan exceeding 7-foot-3, Gueye has a natural existence as a shot alterer. He also showed improvement as a rebounder and looked much more comfortable with the ball in his hands as a sophomore. While those growth points help plug holes in Gueye’s game, he also stagnated as a 3-point shooter, leveling out at 27.5% on 1.2 attempts per game. ","projection":"With continued shooting growth, Naz Reid is a potential offensive comparison. Gueye shot 37.8% on 82 midrange field-goal attempts, which ranks above the collegiate average for 2022-23. Defensively, Gueye profiles similarly to Jaxson Hayes, who brought length and energy to New Orleans. Gueye is a project, but he’s a physical anomaly and seems destined for a Summer League audition at minimum.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/9/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Maxwell Lewis","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":207,"school":"Pepperdine","position":"F","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Maxwell Lewis began his high school basketball career at Clark High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, before transferring to Somerset Academy and finally to AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona. He gave up his senior year of high school basketball to train for the 2021 NBA Draft but ultimately decided to go to college. The forward committed to Pepperdine as a four-star recruit, where he spent the last two seasons. In 2021-22, Maxwell was named to the WCC All-Freshman team and then to the 2022-23 All-WCC team in his sophomore year. Last season, he averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 31.4 minutes across 31 games on 46.9% shooting from the field and 35.1% from deep. Maxwell has also spent the offseason preparing for the 2023 NBA Draft by going through shooting drills with San Antonio Spurs guard Blake Wesley. ","analysis":"Lewis combines outstanding length and impressive athleticism with fluid movement skills. He can create his own shot and has shown the ability to score at all three levels. The wing is also adept at leveraging his scoring gravity to generate open looks for his teammates around the basket or from the perimeter. Lewis’ length allows him to bother opponents when he is the primary defender.","projection":"Lewis’ scoring potential should allow him to be a contributor off the bench early in his career with the ability to develop into a starter down the line. He possesses a similar skillset to Cam Reddish with his smooth jumper and ability to create space. Lewis can play as an off-ball guard or forward in today’s NBA. \n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"7/27/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Amari Bailey","year":2023,"height":75,"weight":191,"school":"UCLA","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Born in New Orleans, raised in Chicago, and attending UCLA after a stellar career at Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles, Amari Bailey has blue-chip prospect status. The winner of California’s Mr. Basketball in 2021, a McDonald’s All-American in 2022, and a Pac-12 All-Freshman Team nod for 2022-23 all solidify his reputation. Bailey’s combo-guard skills settled in nicely alongside fellow NBA prospects Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Campbell. Bailey averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals across three NCAA tournament games. Overall, he connected on 49.5% of 9.1 shots per game this season.","analysis":"UCLA boasted a fantastic team, with Jaylen Clark and Adem Bona also representing quality NBA prospects. It was the perfect environment for Bailey to look good. That said, he still flashed a versatile offensive game. Bailey’s comfort in the midrange, above-the-rim athleticism, and solid spot-up shooting is an excellent combination. UCLA’s team context disguised him defensively, but he doesn’t project as a total liability. ","projection":"Bailey could settle into the league as a third guard within his first few seasons. His self-creation abilities and size are significant strengths. He declared for the 2023 draft when he could have been a potential lottery pick in 2024. Could he have a late first-round draft promise?\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n \n","date_of_birth":"2/17/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Sidy Cissoko","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":224,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"F","grade":"G League","profile":"Sidy Cissoko spent the 2022-23 season with the G League Ignite, averaging 12.8 points, 3.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks across 29.3 minutes per game in 28 games. The Frenchman also featured in the G League All-Star Game, finishing with six points, two rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes. Cissoko also averaged 9.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 15 games (10 starts) in the Showcase Cup. His best game occurred against the Memphis Hustle on Feb. 24, where he finished with 24 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block in  30 minutes. Cissoko scored at least 20 points eight times, with six of those games coming since the beginning of February.","analysis":"Cissoko is a player who thrives on his instincts and elite athleticism to make plays, particularly on the defensive end. He’s a 6-foot-5 wing who can defend multiple positions. Cissoko can handle both guards and forwards with equal success, and he is big enough to guard power forwards in small-ball lineups. Cissoko is not just a defender, though. His great measurables allow him to attack the rim easily, and while he isn’t blinding quick, he’s still a menace in transition. Cissoko is not a score-first player, but he can still make an impact on offense due to his excellent vision.","projection":"Cissoko has the potential to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but that doesn’t mean he will carve a role right away. His Summer League showing could be pivotal to determining just how NBA-ready he is. Spending time in the G League suggests he’s already tested at that level, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he starts his NBA career playing in the G League once again. He figures to end up as a bench player in his first NBA season, with the best-case scenario being he is a key reserve or impactful role player down the road.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"4/2/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Mojave King","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":195,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"G","grade":"G League","profile":"Mojave King hails from New Zealand, where he began playing competitive basketball in 2018 for the Brisbane Capitals of NBL1 North. King later spent time with the Cairns Taipans, Adelaide 36ers and Southland Sharks of the NBL in New Zealand. In 2020, the Taipans signed King as a 17 year old as part of the NBL’s “Next Stars” program. King went on to average 6.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. In his final season in the NBL (2022), King joined the Southland Sharks and averaged 18.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in 16 appearances. In the fall of 2022, King signed with the NBA G League Ignite, marking his first foray into American basketball. King appeared in 30 games for the Ignite during the 2022-23 season, making eight starts and averaging 25.1 minutes per game. King posted 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.6 made threes per game while shooting 41.3 percent from the floor.","analysis":"King is a strong, well-developed guard whose size and length should translate well to the NBA. He’s an effortless, bouncy athlete (42” max vertical leap) at 6-foot-5 and should be able to swing between shooting guard and wing. Defensively, King can guard multiple positions, and his athleticism and long arms enable him to contest shots and pull down rebounds in traffic. At this point in his development, King is tracking more as a role player on offense, but he has a smooth shooting stroke that should improve with time. King shot 24.3 percent from downtown in the G League, but he was a markedly better three-point shooter throughout his time in the NBL.","projection":"King is trending toward being a potential second-round prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft. He has plenty of upside on both ends of the floor, but he’ll likely be viewed as a developmental piece in the immediate future. In the right situation, King could turn into a solid, two-way role player at the NBA level. King displays some traits similar to KJ Martin, Josh Green and Josh Okogie.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"6/11/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Emoni Bates","year":2023,"height":81,"weight":190,"school":"Eastern Michigan","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Emoni Bates’ story begins in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he was crowned the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2020, representing the first-ever sophomore to win the award. He averaged 32.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game that campaign. Bates was a consensus top-five recruit and committed to play collegiate basketball with new coach Penny Hardaway at Memphis. Then, Bates dealt with injury and adjusting to college hoops, prompting him to transfer to his hometown school, Eastern Michigan. After averaging 9.7 points as a freshman at Memphis, Bates rebounded with a 19.2 point per game season at Eastern Michigan, shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from deep.","analysis":"Bates has the look of an elite shotmaker. His lanky, 6-foot-9 frame resembles Brandon Ingram, and Bates has a knack for tough-bucket getting. His lack of efficiency at Eastern Michigan was subpar, with scoring being the central selling point. Notably, he was excellent in Combine drills, sinking 25-of-30 off-the-dribble shot attempts to tie Penn State’s Seth Lundy at the top of the leaderboard. Bates is an active defensive rebounder and can be revved up defensively. ","projection":"Bates has not been in an environment to comfortably and consistently showcase his game since displaying dominance during his sophomore year of high school. Bates’ midrange prowess isn’t a fit everywhere, but his upside as a microwave scorer gives him sixth-man potential. Bates could spend time in the G League, especially if NBA teams determine he needs to add weight or needs time to acclimate. All of the tangibles remain present for the 19-year-old to capitalize on his skills.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"1/28/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jalen Wilson","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":230,"school":"Kansas","position":"F","grade":"Junior","profile":"A national champion with Kansas in 2022, Jalen Wilson is the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and Julius Erving Award winner. His game made a giant leap in year four at Kansas, with his offensive volume nearly doubling from 8.7 shots per game last season to 16.0 in 2022-23. He also averaged 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 35.4 minutes. Williams is one of the most decorated players in men’s Kansas basketball history.","analysis":"Wilson spent 48.5% of his possessions as a pick-and-roll ballhandler and spot-up shooter. He shouldered some tough-bucket getting for Kansas, but his 0.95 AST/TO ratio indicates his shaky PnR playmaking, and his 33.7% shooting from beyond the arc dents his shooting upside. Wilson is a fine defender but will likely be pigeonholed to guarding bigger guards and smaller wings versus NBA competition. His career-high 8.3 rebounds per game was great, and Wilson is still demonstrating annual growth heading into his age-23 campaign.","projection":"Wilson excelled at exploiting mismatches during his time at Kansas. There will be significantly fewer mismatches to exploit at the next level. Josh Hart has proved that rebounding prowess and good defense can counteract subpar shooting. Wilson will need to carve out his own niche, but proven winners are capable of doing so.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/4/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jaylen Clark","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":205,"school":"UCLA","position":"G","grade":"Junior","profile":"Although Jaylen Clark’s stellar 2022-23 season with the Bruins was spoiled by an Achilles injury in the final game of the regular season, his junior campaign was a breakout performance overall. Clark earned Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honors in addition to his second consecutive Pac-12 All-Defensive Team nod. Clark averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.6 steals per game while shooting 48.1% from the field and 32.9% from deep. His defensive acumen helped guide UCLA to the second-best adjusted defensive efficiency in the country. Despite getting surgery in early March, Clark opted to keep his name in the NBA draft pool. ","analysis":"Clark measured 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan at the NBA Combine. His athleticism, technique, and turnover-forcing skills on defense are rare. Clark is strong with impressive agility. He also graded as one of the better pick-and-roll ballhandlers in the country this season. Clark is a righty who is comfortable finishing everywhere around the basket. He shot 67.4% at the rim in 2022-23, fueled by good off-ball activity and a handle that allows him to knife inside fluidly. ","projection":"Clark was on track to potentially be a top-40 selection before suffering his Achilles injury. His skills as a smothering individual and team defender could still result in his name being called on draft night. Clark is switchable across all guards and some small forwards, with a knack for turning defense into offense. That versatility should translate to NBA competition. After making only six starts and hitting under 25% of his total 3-point attempts in his first two seasons at UCLA, Clark’s 32.9% clip from deep in 2022-23 bodes well for continued growth.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"10/13/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jalen Slawson","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":222,"school":"Furman","position":"F","grade":"Senior","profile":"Jalen Slawson grew up in Summerville, South Carolina and won Area Player of the Year as a senior at Pinewood Preparatory School with averages of 14.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.1 blocks and 3.5 assists per game. He committed to playing college basketball at Furman for his freshman year in 2018-19. Slawson started to make a lasting impression his true senior season in 2021-22, averaging 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks. He was named SoCon Defensive Player of the Year (Coaches) and to the All-SoCon First Team. The accolades piled up again as a fifth-year senior with Slawson again making All-SoCon First Team in addition to SoCon Player of the Year (Coaches). The forward averaged 15.6 points on 56/39/78 shooting, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. With Slawson leading the way, Furman won the Conference Tournament and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.","analysis":"Slawson is a fantastic defender, and he’s talented enough to switch onto some guards and bigs when necessary. He’s strong off the ball as well. Motor isn’t a question. Offensively, he’s best going to the basket with a head of steam, whether that be in the halfcourt or in transition. While he lacks handle and shiftiness with the ball, he’s able to read when he’s forced a defense to collapse and make the right pass. Slawson’s perimeter shooting is inconsistent.","projection":"Slawson may benefit from getting G League reps as a rookie, rather than sitting at the end of the bench for an NBA team. If his shot comes along, Slawson could be a role player sooner than later, as his defensive IQ will make coaches want him on the floor. Slawson’s defensive ability makes him a bit like a jumbo Matisse Thybulle, though the former is a more talented playmaker.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"10/22/99"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Trayce Jackson-Davis","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":240,"school":"Indiana","position":"F-C","grade":"Senior","profile":"In his redshirt junior campaign in 2022-23, Jackson-Davis averaged 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.9 blocks in 34.6 minutes per game. For his efforts, he was voted as a consensus First-Team All-American, Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year 2023 Semifinalist, All-Big Ten First Team, and All-Big Ten Defensive Team. Jackson-Davis finished his career at Indiana not only as a two-time captain but also third in Hoosiers’ history for career points (2,258) and first in career rebounds (1,143) and blocks (270). Before college, the big man played at Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Ind., where he was named a 2019 McDonald’s All-American and Gatorade Indiana Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Jackon-Davis also won the gold medal for the United States at the 2018 FIBA U-18 Americas Championship.","analysis":"Jackson-Davis has impressive mobility and athleticism for a center. He can dominate the paint on both ends, scoring with various post moves and erasing opponents’ shots at the rim. He runs the floor hard and can pick up easy points in transition or by getting to the free-throw line. Jackson-Davis is more than a capable and willing passer out of the post.","projection":"Jackson-Davis will likely be an undersized center at the next level who can boost a team with his energy and activity. His ability to block shots while staying out of foul trouble should allow him to be a positive defender in the NBA. Jackson-Davis has a similar play style to Montrezl Harrell and Brandon Clarke, with a relentless ability to finish inside and rebound with larger bigs.\n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n \n","date_of_birth":"2/22/00"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Chris Livingston","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":220,"school":"Kentucky","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Chris Livingston is a product of Oak Hill Academy and a 2022 McDonald’s All-American. He also participated in the Jordan Brand Classic and was the MVP at FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship for the United States. In his lone campaign at Kentucky, Livingston earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2023 while starting all 34 games. Livingston played 55.4% of the Wildcats’ total minutes, specializing in defensive versatility and toughness. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds on 43/31/72 shooting splits.","analysis":"Livingston has been boosting his draft stock throughout the pre-draft process. A fill-in invite at the NBA Combine, Livingston measured 6-foot-6 with a strong 6-foot-11 wingspan. At 220 pounds, Livingston is a bulky, mismatch forward that could be a defensive chess piece. He was a reliable pick-and-roll defender for Kentucky and limited opponents to 37.5% shooting as a primary defender.","projection":"Livingston’s build aligns with the modern NBA, with his physicality making him capable of guarding slashing jumbo wings and athletic forwards. However, his offensive game is much less projectable. Livingston operated in a limited scoring role at Kentucky, attempting just 5.4 shots per game. His aforementioned efficiency is a work in progress as well. Livingston profiles similarly to Jae’Sean Tate of the Houston Rockets, although his blue-chip pedigree throughout his youth could lead to an upside swing. \n \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"10/15/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Zaccharie Risacher","year":2024,"height":81,"weight":215,"school":"JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France)","position":"F","grade":"International","profile":"Widely viewed as a prospect who could come off the board in the high-lottery, Risacher is an intriguing blend of size, length and shooting ability. The 19-year-old Frenchman has developed into a knockdown shooter this season, drilling nearly 39 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc and shooting better than 46 percent from the floor, overall. Risacher rebounds well for his position and has plenty of range on the defensive end, though at this stage he’s more of a catch-and-shoot threat than a player who can consistently create off the dribble. Risacher is also averaging less than 1.0 assists per game for JL Bourg (France), so playmaking will be an area of focus when it comes to his development. ","analysis":"At 6-foot-8 with a rangy wingspan, Risacher has prototypical size for an NBA wing. Shooting is his primary calling card, though he took a massive leap in efficiency this season after hovering around 30 percent from three-point range in 2022-23. He’s also a middling free-throw shooter (71.6% FT this season), so Risacher will have to prove that the jump in outside shooting is for real at the NBA level. To reach his ceiling, Risacher will likely need to add some weight to his 200-pound frame, but that’s not a major concern at this stage in his development. Ideally, Risacher would land with a team that’s willing to be patient with his development. He’s unlikely to be an instant-impact player in Year 1, but down the road his shooting and decision-making could make him a valuable rotation piece.","projection":"Risacher may not quite be a true “project” player, but in the immediate future the focus will be on developing his body and rounding out his ballhandling and defensive awareness. While Risacher is not a premier athlete, he moves well laterally and should be able to swing between both forward positions in the NBA. At this stage, he projects as more of a long-term role player, as opposed to a No. 1 or even No. 2 option on a contending team, but that’s not a knock on his long-term potential. In terms of his size and skill set, Michael Porter Jr., Cameron Johnson and Kelly Oubre are reasonable NBA comparisons.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"4/8/05"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Reed  Sheppard","year":2024,"height":74,"weight":182,"school":"Kentucky","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Sheppard was named Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022 and Kentucky Mr. Basketball in 2023. A consensus four-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, Sheppard started only five of his 33 games during his freshman season at Kentucky with averages of 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 28.9 minutes per game. He led the nation in shooting 52.1% from three and made seven three-pointers in a game twice en route to being named SEC Freshman of the Year and national Freshman of the Year by USBWA and NABC. Sheppard’s father, Jeff, also played for Kentucky and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1988 NCAA Tournament before playing for the Hawks in the NBA. ","analysis":"At 6-foot-2, Sheppard is a fantastic catch-and-shoot player who can create his own shot at times and is a willing passer. He has elite defensive instincts, which allows him to jump passing lanes and poke the ball away from opposing ballhandlers, but he needs to get stronger before being considered a solid NBA defender. ","projection":"Sheppard turns 20 a few days before the Draft, and while he has some areas to improve, he is probably the most polished product in this 2024 Class and could contribute immediately. In 2023-24, Grayson Allen led the NBA in three-point percentage and Sheppard led the NCAA, but the former had a little more offensive athleticism than the latter did coming out of college. However, Sheppard is a better playmaker and defender, showing off some Jalen Suggs-esque tenacity during his lone season at Kentucky. Sheppard profiles as the classic three-and-D guy in a starting lineup, but he could also be utilized as a primary offensive weapon off the bench.  \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"6/24/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Stephon Castle","year":2024,"height":78,"weight":210,"school":"Connecticut","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Castle went to Newton High School in Covington, GA where he averaged 20.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.0 blocks in his senior year, and was selected to play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game. He impressed scouts enough to be upgraded from a four-star recruit to a five-star recruit. Castle also played at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship for USA’s under-18 basketball team, averaging 5.5 points and 2.2 rebounds en route to winning a gold medal. At UConn, Castle was named Big East Freshman of the Year behind averages of 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 27.0 minutes. The Huskies won the 2024 NCAA Tournament where Castle scored a combined 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in the final two games of the tournament.","analysis":"A sturdy 6-foot-6 guard/wing, Castle can use his physicality and change of pace to create offensive advantages and finish at the rim. He’s shown a nice passing ability, and he’s a tough defender. However, his shooting is a project. Castle went 20-for-75 (27%) from deep, and his 83-for-110 (76%) efficiency from the charity stripe is acceptable. Defenses routinely played far off him, daring him to launch from deep.","projection":"Castle’s ultimate ceiling will depend greatly on his ability to develop a perimeter shot. Ideally, he could go to a system using a floor-spacing five to minimize his weakness in that area. Overall, Castle should be able to impact the game physically on both ends of the floor, getting his teammates involved on offense and tiring out the opposing team’s best guard/wing on the other end. Castle’s all-around skillset combined with a poor jumper is reminiscent of the Thompson twins in last year’s draft, but he’s not as elite of an athlete as Amen and Ausar.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/1/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ron Holland II","year":2024,"height":79,"weight":197,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"F","grade":"G League Ignite","profile":"From Duncanville, Texas, Holland was the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022-23 en route to landing a spot on Team USA for the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit and being named a 2023 McDonald’s All-American. He was a consensus five-star prospect and ESPN’s No. 2 player in the class of 2023. Holland opted to forego college and played for the G League Ignite in 2023-24, but he made only 14 appearances before undergoing surgery to repair a tendon rupture in his right thumb. He’s expected to make a full recovery and be healthy for the NBA’s Summer League. Holland averaged 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.5 steals with 44.3/24.0/75.7 shooting splits during his brief G League action.","analysis":"At 6-foot-8, Holland has elite fluidity for his size. His jumper looks smooth, and he can pull up from anywhere on the court and get his shot off, but his shooting percentages need to improve. He’s not a natural point guard, but he draws plenty of attention and is willing to find the open teammate. Defensively, Holland has all the tools, but he’s a work in progress on both ends of the floor.","projection":"Holland can develop into an elite three-level scorer and defensive player early in his career. His defensive prowess is reminiscent of Herbert Jones, but to reach his full potential he may need to sit on the bench for a few years like Jonathan Kuminga.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"7/7/05"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Rob Dillingham","year":2024,"height":73,"weight":164,"school":"Kentucky","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"From Hickory, N.C., Dillingham led the USA under-16 team to the 2021 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico and was named MVP after posting 31 points, six boards, four assists and three steals in the finale against Argentina. He skipped his senior year of high school to join the Cold Hearts of Overtime Elite and was an ESPN five-star recruit before joining Kentucky, though he originally committed to NC State. In his lone season at Kentucky, Dillingham was a reserve (he started only once) and averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 23.3 minutes per game. He was stellar from deep, connecting on 44.4% of his 4.5 3-point attempts per game. ","analysis":"At 6-foot-1, Dillingham has an elite offensive package that will translate to the NBA. He has a quick first step and can score at all three levels, like many other NBA guards who went to Kentucky. He will also find the open shooter but needs work as a playmaker to be considered a true point guard, as his shot selection and ball security can be spotty. Building his frame should help correct those issues, as Dillingham was at 164 pounds at the Combine. Dillingham won’t turn 20 until January of 2025, which makes an ideal prospect at the top of the 2024 NBA Draft. ","projection":"Dillingham needs to put on some weight and improve a few areas of his game to develop into a star like Tyrese Maxey, so he may have to settle for an offensive spark-plug role as a sixth man role like Immanuel Quickley did. Currently, Dillingham has a similar frame to Bones Hyland, but a good landing spot should allow Dillingham to thrive early. \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"1/4/05"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Zach Edey","year":2024,"height":88,"weight":299,"school":"Purdue","position":"C","grade":"Senior","profile":"Zach Edey grew up in Toronto, Canada and didn’t play basketball until he was a sophomore in high school. After showing promise, he transferred to IMG Academy and was a three-star recruit before committing to Purdue. Edey was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team in 2021 and then transformed into one of the best players in the country, finishing with at least 22 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks per game as a junior and senior. He won back-to-back National Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year awards to end his collegiate career, including a 2023 Big Ten Tournament MVP and NCAA scoring title in 2024 (25.2 points per game). Edey was the first player to win back-to-back National Player of the Year awards since Ralph Sampson. He also represented Canada at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Asia. ","analysis":"At 7-foot-4, Edey dominated collegiate opponents with ease. He was a great screener, attacked the boards, displayed solid footwork and an efficient touch around the rim. Edey had great discipline defensively (less than 2.0 fouls per game as a junior and senior) and rarely needed to leave his feet to swat shots as an amateur. His large base allowed him to move defenders out of position and get to his spots. Edey was also a quality free-throw shooter for a center, making over 71 percent from the stripe in three of four seasons at Purdue. There’ll be a stiff learning curve at the professional level, and Edey is far from a polished product. However, given he’s been playing the game for only six years, there’s no reason to believe he’s anywhere near his peak yet. ","projection":"The traditional center is an endangered species in the NBA. However, there are some guys floating around the league that give a guy like Edey some hope for a stable career. While he still has plenty of room to improve, the Purdue product is way more fluid than Boban Marjanovic, who is essentially the same size as Edey. Marjanovic was also 27 when he made his NBA debut, while Edey is 21. Edey (7-4, 300 lbs) is also a lot bigger than traditional centers like Ivicia Zubac (7-0, 240 lbs) and Steven Adams (6-11, 265). If he improves his footwork on both ends of the court, Edey could be a starting-level center in the NBA like Ivica Zubac. If he improves his rebounding, Edey could be a glass eater like Steven Adams. If he improves his shot-blocking timing and can stay out of foul trouble, Edey could be a defensive force like Walker Kessler. If he fails to become elite in any of the aforementioned categories, Edey would probably end up as a journeyman backup like Marjanovic and Alex Len. \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"3/14/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Cody Williams","year":2024,"height":79,"weight":178,"school":"Colorado","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Born in San Luis Obispo, California, Williams attended Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona after his family moved there while he was young. He was an extremely accomplished high school player, named Premier Region Player of the Year as a junior and winning the Class 6A state title. As a senior, he led his team to a 30-1 record and a second straight championship. The five-star recruit played in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Boys game and Nike Hoops Summit. Williams also participated in the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, playing for the United States team, coached by Colorado head coach Tad Boyle. Williams would go on to attend Colorado for college, where he was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in 2024. In 24 appearances (18 starts), the forward averaged 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 28.1 minutes.","analysis":"Williams fits the coveted prototype of a lengthy, athletic wing. His explosiveness isn’t jaw-dropping, but he can push the ball in transition and turn the corner on slower defenders in the halfcourt. His best offense comes when he can get a head of steam toward the rim and finish over rim protectors. If the defense commits too hard, he’s capable of making the right passing read. On the other end of the court, Williams can make life tough for almost any offensive player and would most likely thrive in a switch-heavy scheme. He’s lengthy and can move his feet. Like many young players of his skillset, he’s thin, which can limit him on both sides of the ball, but NBA teams probably won’t ask him to be a playmaker on offense or guard centers on defense. His shot is still somewhat of a question mark. He went 17-for-41 from deep (42%) but shot just 55-for-77 (71%) from the charity stripe.","projection":"Williams’ development track will depend a lot on his jumper and whether or not he can develop some more playmaking. If he can hit threes reliably, he’ll fit the mold of numerous lengthy three-and-D wings around the Association. If the shot is unstable but he develops as a playmaker, there could be similarities to someone like Aaron Gordon. If both aspects develop, the ultimate ceiling may look something like Pascal Siakam. But as it stands, the reason teams should be interested in Williams is the high floor his defense and physical tools provide him. He could slot into almost any team construction and be valuable.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/20/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Matas Buzelis","year":2024,"height":81,"weight":197,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"F","grade":"G League Ignite","profile":"Buzelis is a Lithuanian-American who grew up in Chicago. However, his basketball career has given him many homes. As a junior, Buzelis won 2021-22 New Hampshire Player of the Year. He then transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy for his senior campaign where he was the 2022-23 Kansas Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Buzelis was named to the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game and participated in the Basketball Without Borders camp during the 2023 NBA All-Star weekend, collecting MVP honors there. He played in the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit and the 2023 Jordan Brand Classic, too. Buzelis was a consensus five-star recruit before opting to play for the G League Ignite in 2023-24. He averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.1 blocks and 0.9 steals during his first professional campaign and finished with 44.5/27.3/67.9 shooting splits.","analysis":"At 6-foot-10, Buzelis is an excellent ballhander for his size and can finish with authority, but he also has solid touch on his floaters and stepbacks. He looks more comfortable as a catch-and-shoot 3-point option in the corners, but overall, his jumper needs to be more consistent (though his inefficiency for the Ignite was likely a byproduct of a bad team). Buzelis has elite defensive instincts, displaying fantastic patience and timing when contesting shots. He’s also agile enough to be a solid perimeter defender.","projection":"Buzelis turns 20 in October and already has a year of professional ball under his belt, but he still has plenty of room to grow and likely fits best with a rebuilding team. Franz Wagner has carved out a leading role for himself in Orlando, and Buzelis could do the same for a team in the lottery. However, if Buzelis hits another growth spurt and improves his jumper, his elite defensive instincts could put him in a world with Chet Holmgren.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"10/13/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Jared McCain","year":2024,"height":74,"weight":203,"school":"Duke","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"McCain is one-and-done after joining the Blue Devils as a five-star recruit, a 2023 McDonald’s All-American and California Mr. Basketball. McCain also won gold while representing the United States at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship. A viral content creator with nearly three million followers on TikTok, McCain averaged 14.3 points on 46.2% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 36 starts this season","analysis":"McCain’s pedigree carried over to two 30-point performances in the NCAA Tournament, as well as seven games with at least four made 3s this season — flashes of serious next-level scoring ability. Scoring is the appeal, as McCain is a two-way competitor but shouldn’t be considered as a sure-fire asset on the defensive end in the NBA. Offensively, he ranked in the 81st percentile for off-the-dribble shooting efficiency, while also knocking down 42.1% of 160 catch-and-shoot 3s on the year. McCain can put the ball on the deck as well, converting 62.5% of his shots at the rim while ranking in the 37th percentile for frequency among guards nationwide. Being an attentive defender and possessing a sturdy frame work in his favor as well, but McCain’s size nonetheless shifts pressure to his offense  translating.","projection":"McCain almost never turned the ball over (453rd-lowest TO rate in the nation), finishing with a modest but commendable 68/47 assist-to-turnover ratio. His decision-making as a freshman shows combo-guard upside, but expect McCain to settle in as a shooter off the bench in his first NBA season. Lonnie Walker IV is a more explosive athlete (McCain only had one dunk at Duke), but an offensively-oriented guard like Walker – or the ongoing twilight years of Eric Gordon – represent the vision of McCain’s floor. His ability to shoot off screens will provide offensive utility, while a swing factor to monitor will be his handle.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"2/20/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Dalton Knecht","year":2024,"height":77,"weight":212,"school":"Tennessee","position":"G","grade":"Senior","profile":"Knecht was born in Fargo, North Dakota but grew up in Thornton, Colorado, where he attended Prairie View High School. While Knecht averaged 21.0 points and 6.5 rebounds as a senior, he was only 6-foot-1 at the time and did not receive any Division I offers. Knecht opted to begin his college career at Northeastern Junior College, where he grew an additional five inches over two years. In 2021, Knecht transferred to Northern Colorado, spending two seasons with the Bears before committing to Tennessee for his fifth and final year of eligibility. While Knecht established himself as a big-time scorer at Northern Colorado, he truly burst onto the scene in the SEC, bringing home conference Player of the Year honors and finishing the 2023-24 season as a consensus All-American. Across 36 games (30.6 MPG), Knecht posted 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.6 3s per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.7% from deep.","analysis":"Knecht is one of the more unique and polished players in the 2024 Draft class, though at age 23 there’s a chance that teams could view him as a relatively low-ceiling prospect. Still, Knecht has excellent size and is comfortable handling the ball, shooting off the catch and pulling up off the dribble from well beyond the 3-point line. Knecht’s confidence and seemingly unlimited range are what make him such a dangerous offensive player. He’s not overly quick or athletic, but defenders are forced to respect his ability to pull up at a moment’s notice. Knecht had 11 games with at least four made 3s last season, including a 6-for-12 performance in the Vols’ Elite 8 loss to Purdue. The 6-foot-6 wing tends to run hot and cold, but when he’s locked in, he’s one of the most difficult players in the country to stop. Defensively, Knecht will almost certainly be a liability at the NBA level. Improving his quickness and positioning will be key points of emphasis. Even so, he’s a heady player on both ends, so the hope is that his instincts and IQ help offset some of the physical limitations.","projection":"Knecht profiles as a potential lottery pick in a 2024 Draft class littered with uncertainty. Unlike many players who may come off the board before him, Knecht should be the type of prospect who could contribute to a playoff-caliber team right away. He may have to learn the ropes of settling in as a role player in the NBA, however, after often operating as a one-man show at Northern Colorado and Tennessee. Long-term, Knecht’s handle and finishing ability should allow him to be much more than a spot-up 3-point shooter. He’s able to consistently work his way into the lane, absorb contact and maintain plus touch around the rim with both hands. The question is whether he’ll be given the license to do so early in his career.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"4/19/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ja'Kobe Walter","year":2024,"height":76,"weight":198,"school":"Baylor","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"As a high school junior in McKinney, TX, Walter won the state championship. For his senior campaign, he transferred to Link Academy in Branson, MO where he was selected to play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game and for Team USA in the Nike Hoops Summit. A five-star recruit, he committed to playing college ball for Baylor. During the 2023-24 season, Walter was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and voted Third-Team All-Big 12. Across his 35 appearances, he averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.3 minutes.","analysis":"First and foremost, Walter is a three-point shooter. Of his 10.9 shot attempts per game, 6.3 of them came from distance. He drained 2.1 per game at 34.1 percent. While that’s not an elite number, he took plenty of difficult movement triples. He’s capable of pump faking and driving off his three-point threat, but he’s not a top-shelf athlete and needs to work on his finishing around the basket. He’ll often pump fake to push in and shoot a mid-ranger. Taking a step forward as a ballhandler and passer would do wonders for his potential. Defensively, Walter struggles from a lack of footspeed and may be better off guarding bigger players given his 6-foot-10 wingspan on a 6-foot-5 frame.","projection":"Walter’s gravity as a three-point shooter, especially one who can move off-ball, should be valuable to any NBA franchise. At the very least, he could operate as a specialist. If he can continue developing as a playmaker and defender, Walter could grow into a role similar to Devin Vassell. While Walter may not project as a primary offensive engine, he could develop into someone who can run secondary actions and make tough jumpers near the end of the shot clock.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"9/4/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Yves Missi","year":2024,"height":83,"weight":229,"school":"Baylor","position":"C","grade":"Freshman","profile":"Missi a bouncy center with Belgian-Cameroonian origins who played his high school ball at Prolific Prep in California. Born in Belgium before moving to Cameroon for his childhood, Missi ultimately blossomed into a five-star recruit and graded as ESPN’s 13th-best player in the 2023 class. He earned Big 12 All-Defensive and All-Freshman honors in 2024, finishing his one-and-done campaign with averages of 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in just 23.0 minutes per game while shooting 61.4% from the field and generating 4.1 free-throw attempts per game.","analysis":"A dangerous rim-runner, Missi ranked eighth in the nation with 76 dunk attempts this season. Deriving 32.2% of his offensive possessions from rolling in pick-and-roll plays marked the 17th-highest frequency in the nation, displaying a clear niche to translate to the pros. Another 34.4% of Missi’s possessions came via offensive rebounding and cuts around the basket, so he profiles strictly as a play-finisher at this time. His 14.4% offensive rebounding rate was the 32nd-highest mark in the nation. In addition to his rim presence on offense, Missi’s 7.1% block rate ranked 66th in the nation. The big man was also able to protect the rim at a high level without fouling out of a single game in 34 appearances.","projection":"Missi compiled a 12/39 assist-to-turnover ratio, but his 12.0% turnover rate was a relatively clean number. Nonetheless, that figure indicates Missi will not be able to step in as a short-roll passer and decision-maker out of screening action. Getting downhill, generating extra possessions and making his presence felt in the paint on both ends — in the same vein as Dereck Lively II — will be Missi’s role. Lively was a better offensive player last season at Duke, but he is a good physical comparison for Missi, so somewhere between Lively and Nick Richards profiles as a plausible expectation for the Baylor big.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"5/14/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"AJ Johnson","year":2024,"height":76,"weight":167,"school":"Illawarra (Australia)","position":"G","grade":"International","profile":"Johnson was born in California and played his senior year of high school basketball at Southern California Academy. Coming out of high school, Johnson was a four-star recruit and initially committed to play college basketball for the University of Texas before de-comitting and opting to play for the Next Stars program in the NBL. He spent the 2023-24 campaign with the Illawarra Hawks, averaging 2.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.7 minutes across 26 appearances. Johnson has a close relationship with the No. 2 pick in 2021 NBA Draft, Jalen Green.","analysis":"At 6-foot-5, Johnson has the ideal size and athleticism for a guard at the next level. He flashed the ability to create his shot and has the vision to find open teammates. Defensively, Johnson’s length gives him the tools to bother opponents on the perimeter.","projection":"Johnson’s skillset is similar to Jalen Hood-Schifino’s due to both having the size and athleticism to operate as combo guards at the next level. Like Hood-Schifino, Johnson will likely need time to develop in the NBA G League before making a true impact in the NBA, as he saw limited playing time in his first taste of professional basketball in the NBL.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"12/1/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Kyshawn George","year":2024,"height":79,"weight":209,"school":"Miami","position":"F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"When George signed with Miami, he stood at 6-foot-5, but the 20-year-old has grown several inches since his 2022-23 campaign with Élan Chalon of the French Pro B League. George was born and raised in Monthey, Switzerland and won FIBA’s U16 Euro Championship B in 2019. George’s father, Deon, is from Canada and played basketball professionally in Switzerland","analysis":"It’s a relevant red flag that George logged just three dunks across 713 minutes of action, as the 6-foot-7 guard continuing to develop as a finisher would be strongly reinforced with an above-the-rim style. Even still, converting 58.5% of his attempts alongside a potent 42.7% clip off 96 catch-and-shoot 3s creates multi-level scoring upside. George has deep range, advantageous size to release his shot and a handle to create separation at will. Development is needed, however. Among all players with at least 50 pick-and-roll ball handler possessions, George turned the ball over 26.9 percent of the time to rank 835th out of 884 qualifiers. He had similar struggles taking care of the rock and making decisions in transition, but his physical profile and shooting touch are huge pillars to work from. George is not an on-ball hound defensively, but he was a critical component of Miami’s defense -with the Hurricanes performing 10.8 points better with George on the court and ranking in the 82nd percentile nationwide in defensive rating during those minutes.","projection":"George will need additional reps as a ballhandler to adjust to next-level pressure, gain experience orchestrating offense, clean up his handle and capitalize on creating advantages in traffic. Even without the additional reps, George’s blend of size and rhythm is rare for a 20-year-old. Becoming an off-ball sniper and second-side weapon in the NBA, such as Amir Coffey, is a projectable outcome barring serious growth as a lead guard.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"12/12/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Dillon Jones","year":2024,"height":77,"weight":237,"school":"Weber State","position":"G","grade":"Senior","profile":"Jones started in all but two contests during his final three years with the Wildcats. His numbers improved with each season, ultimately posting career-best figures in points (20.8), assists (5.2) and steals (2.0) per game during the 2023-24 campaign. Jones also led the Big Sky Conference in total points, defensive rebounds and assists per game in 2023-24, and he was named to the All-Big Sky 1st Team in his last two seasons. He was also named the 2023-24 Big Sky Player of the Year.","analysis":"There are questions regarding whether Jones will end up as a shooting guard or as a small forward at the next level, and there’s a chance his physical development will lean him one way or the other. He possesses enough power, strength and tenacity to defend forwards at the next level, although he has also enough lateral quickness to handle smaller guards if needed. An area where he particularly thrives is rebounding as Jones is elite on the glass for his size. His 3-point shooting will likely be a swing skill because, even though he can be a double-double machine, his long-range shooting will determine whether he can be a regular starter or a situational rotation piece. Jones is an above-average passer, really smart and fluid off the ball on offense. He finishes plays with efficiency near the rim but has enough vision to create for others if needed.","projection":"Weber projects as a shooting guard at the next level, though he won’t be ready to start right away as a rookie, and he might need to be brought along slowly as he adjusts his game to the next level. He has the scoring ability and size to eventually make an impact as a role player in the NBA, but he could develop into a reliable starter if he develops a 3-point shot. He projects as a late first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"10/29/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ryan Dunn","year":2024,"height":78,"weight":214,"school":"Virginia","position":"G","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Dunn began his high school career at powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. As a junior, he transferred to Long Island Lutheran High School, where he played for two years. After graduating, Dunn attended the Perkiomen School in Pennsylvania for a postgraduate year. There, he finished as a four-star recruit and committed to play college basketball at Virginia. Dunn had a relatively quiet freshman campaign, playing just 12.9 minutes per contest over 31 appearances. However, he enjoyed a breakout season in 2023-24, averaging 8.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals in 27.5 minutes across 34 starts. The 6-foot-8 forward’s 2.3 blocks per contest ranked 16th in the nation. Dunn was named to ACC All-Defensive Team and named to the Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year Watch List. ","analysis":"Dunn’s elite athleticism, prototypical size and instincts allow him to be a menace on defense. He can protect the rim from his position while also being able to smother opponents on the perimeter. Offensively, Dunn lives at the rim and can finish over shot-blockers. The 21-year-old is also an elite rebounder for his position.","projection":"Dunn’s skill set is similar to that of Matisse Thybulle and Andre Roberson, as he can guard the interior and perimeter at an elite level. Dunn also brings exceptional rebounding abilities for his position. He is still developing an outside shot, so his offensive game is currently capped to off-ball cutting and transition finishing. However, Dunn’s impressive defensive ability, his ideal size and athleticism provide him a path to a valuable role at the next level. \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"1/7/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Kyle Filipowski","year":2024,"height":83,"weight":230,"school":"Duke","position":"F-C","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Filipowski spent the two years of his college career at Duke, starting each of his 72 appearances for the Blue Devils. He thrived as a freshman, averaging 15.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field. His progress wasn’t linear, but he experienced an uptick in several categories as a sophomore, posting career-high marks in points (16.4), assists (2.8) and blocks (1.5) per game, seeing an improvement in his shooting (55.9 percent from the field) while cutting down on turnovers (2.1 per game compared to 2.5 as a freshman). Filipowski was named to the 2022-23 All-ACC Second Team and the 2023-24 All-ACC First Team. He was also named the 2023 ACC Tournament MVP while being part of the 2023-24 Consensus All-American Second Team.","analysis":"A seven-footer who can play both power forward and center, Filipowski seems like one of the safest picks in the 2024 NBA Draft among players widely projected to be in the lottery due to his high floor and elite basketball instincts. He has an excellent assist rate, has proven to be a solid shooter with a range that stretches beyond the three-point line and owns a decent offensive game near the rim, where his efficiency plays at his best. There are question marks as to how he’d handle the league’s physicality, but he seems to have a strong enough frame since he’s a 248-pound seven-footer. He’s not the most athletic big man out there, but he compensates for the lack of athleticism with above-average passing and an ability to stretch the floor. Filipowski needs to improve defensively, particularly as a rim protector, and he’s an absolute liability from the free-throw line, but overall, the positives outweigh the negatives when determining his potential as a prospect.","projection":"Given his above-average ballhandling and passing skills for a big man, he could be compared to Kelly Olynyk and Santi Aldama among current NBA players. His game still needs to be worked on, but he seems good enough to be part of an NBA rotation in his rookie year. If he improves his shot creation, Filipowski could see an uptick in his potential, as he’s drawn comparisons to Lauri Markkanen as a best-case scenario. That would be a borderline All-Star player at his best. Even if he doesn’t reach that ceiling, Filipowski should be good enough to have a lengthy career in the NBA.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/7/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Tyler Smith","year":2024,"height":81,"weight":224,"school":"G League Ignite","position":"F","grade":"G League Ignite","profile":"Smith was born in New Orleans but relocated to Houston with his family after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He blossomed into a five-star recruit and took his talents to the Overtime Elite program, opting for OTE over Kansas, Baylor, Texas and others. Following two campaigns at OTE, the 19-year-old joined the G League Ignite in 2023-24, generating 0.969 points per possession, which ranked in the 73rd percentile among all G League players, despite the Ignite finishing with a ghastly 7-45 record in total. In addition to his scoring efficiency, Smith chipped in 5.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks while logging just 23.3 minutes per game.","analysis":"A true power forward who will hit threes and be a constant lob threat, Smith’s services are always a positional commodity. Smith is best when he can get downhill out of pick-and-roll, setting up dunks and showcasing his fluidity and ambidexterity. He is worse at finishing in traffic, converting just 49.1 percent of his layups, which ranked in the 24th percentile among all G League players. Smith knocking down 37.7 percent of 180 catch-and-shoot threes this year must be respected and is extremely gravitational for a frontcourt player. A 56:53 AST:TO ratio is  a strong starting foundation for his offensive processing, especially in the context of an Ignite  environment that could be dysfunctional at times.","projection":"Smith exits the 2024 NBA Combine with nearly identical measurements to John Collins, emblematic of the his next-level athleticism.  If Smith improves his technique as a finisher, he has serious upside as an elite role player and/or capable starter. His physical profile makes him an impactful offensive rebounder, multi-level defender and screener — with athleticism and shooting to be a dynamic offensive weapon via rolling and popping after screening. Smith runs the floor hard and is a fiery competitor. Smith is best viewed as a play-finisher, but the iteration of Christian Wood who averaged 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals plus blocks in 2021-22 across a full season with Houston is the ceiling for Smith. An all-around impact similar to Tari Eason is also on the table. Smith’s ability to defend on the wings is indicative of his modern-day skills, but 2005 No.2 overall pick Marvin Williams’ late-career balance can be drawn as a parallel to Smith, as well. \n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/2/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Tyler Kolek","year":2024,"height":73,"weight":197,"school":"Marquette","position":"G","grade":"Junior","profile":"From Cumberland, Rhode Island, Kolek played his freshman year at George Mason and was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year after averaging 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists. However, Dave Paulson was fired in the offseason, so Kolek transferred to Marquette. In his first season as a Golden Eagle, he led the team with 5.9 assists per game. The following campaign, he was named the Big East Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 Big East Tournament. As a senior, he led the NCAA with 7.7 assists per game and added 15.3 points en route to being named a 2nd-Team All-American.","analysis":"At 6-foot-3, Kolek is a polished floor general who’s fantastic at picking apart defenses via pick-and-rolls. He looks confident shooting from the top of the key when defenders go under screens, but he’s better as a catch-and-shoot option than a player hunting his jumper. Kolek shot better than 38% from deep in his final two campaigns at Marquette and finished his collegiate career with a 35.5 mark. He’s patient in the paint and has great touch around the rim with both hands. Kolek is an instinctual defender and can read passing lanes, but he has a lot of work to do on that end before being considered a strong two-way player at the pro level.","projection":"Kolek is a couple inches shorter than Luke Kennard and Austin Reaves but a couple inches taller than T.J. McConnell. The Marquette product’s game is a blend of all three NBA vets, but Kolek is likely better off operating as the primary ballhandler and offensive initiator for a second unit, similar to what McConnell has done for many years in Indiana. Kolek would likely need to be a 40% shooter from beyond the arc to be worthy of a starting spot on most NBA squads.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"3/27/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Johnny  Furphy","year":2024,"height":80,"weight":189,"school":"Kansas","position":"G-F","grade":"Freshman","profile":"After averaging just 13.7 minutes per game through Kansas’s first 15 contests this season, injuries and a need for more shooting yielded an opportunity for Furphy to step into a starter’s workload, and the freshman capitalized. He proceeded to average 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals while knocking down 35.4 percent of 4.4 three-point attempts per game in 32.7 minutes of action across the Jayhawks’ final 18 games of the season.","analysis":"Overall, three-point attempts accounted for 61.2 percent of his shots, but Furphy was excellent in a limited sample at the rim as well, knocking down 74.2 percent of 66 attempts around the basket — ranking in the 96th percentile nationwide. The Melbourne, Australia native isn’t shifty, so he relies on off-ball movement to create some of his advantages getting downhill, but his nearly 6-foot-7 size and smooth finishing with both hands helps offset his lack of pop athletically. Murphy knocked down 36.4 percent of 118 catch-and-shoot threes, although he has yet to display any success as a movement shooter.","projection":"The limited nature of Furphy’s self-creation caps his upside at this juncture, as 70.0 percent of his twos and 97.1 percent of his threes were assisted by teammates. This aligns with the lack of athletic advantage creation and 4-for-27 shooting in the midrange. Still, pedigree shooting in a 6-foot-7 frame is a commodity, with Trey Murphy and Sam Hauser representing examples. Hauser is the better comparison given Murphy’s track record as a versatile defender and above-the-rim athlete, but Furphy becoming a team defender in the same vein as Hauser is a fair trajectory.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"12/7/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Bobi Klintman","year":2024,"height":81,"weight":212,"school":"Cairns (Australia)","position":"F","grade":"International","profile":"Klintman emerged down the stretch at Wake Forest during the 2022-23 season, ultimately earning an opportunity to join the Cairns Taipans of the Australian NBL. Prior to initially coming to America, Klintman was raised in Sweden and climbed the ranks of domestic pro leagues as a successful youth player. He then came stateside for a year at prestigious Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas prior to beginning his college tenure at Wake. His recently concluded tenure in Australia is high-quality professional experience, so his production should be viewed in a slightly different light than his draft peers playing collegiate ball in America. Klintman averaged 9.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.8 steals while shooting 44% from the field across 23 appearances with Cairns.","analysis":"With Cairns, Klintman finishing just 47.2% of his non-dunk attempts at the basket is a poor mark, but his size, fluidity and first step to attack closeouts and make moves off the dribble remain eye-catching. The former is trending towards being a real part of his game moving forward, as Klintman knocked down 36% of 75 catch-and-shoot 3s in Australia. He ranked fifth on the team in total possessions used as the Taipans finished with a 13-18 record. He continues to have appeal as a connective component of an offense but his 24/45 assist-to-turnover ratio underwhelms after posting a similar 26/34 mark in his last year at Wake Forest. Defensively, Klintman excels at jumping passing lanes and moves well in space on the perimeter, but his pick-and-roll coverage and secondary rim protection will be swing factors.","projection":"At 6-foot-10, Klintman can grab-and-go with the best in the world at his size, even taking into account his lack of rim-finishing polish. His handle impresses as well, but he isn’t agile enough to knife through traffic. Klintman pairs good cutting and active rebounding with his transition prowess and passable shooting, and he likely has enough defensive versatility to make an impact. If his connectivity and defensive instincts grow, an Aaron Gordon or Jalen Johnson-esqe trajectory is plausible, while Trendon Watford represents his floor.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"3/6/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ajay Mitchell","year":2024,"height":75,"weight":197,"school":"UC Santa Barbara","position":"G","grade":"Junior","profile":"Mitchell played three seasons for UC Santa Barbara and was a regular starter throughout his campaign, being ever-present in the starting unit in both his sophomore and junior years. Mitchell averaged double-digit points in each season, but took his game to another level as a junior in 2023-24, averaging 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 29 starts. Mitchell was an efficient scorer, making at least 50% of his field goals in each of his three seasons. He was named to the All-Big West First Team in the last two seasons and was second in the Big West in points per game last season.","analysis":"Mitchell is the son of a former professional basketball player, and that’s noticeable in the way he approaches the game, particularly his awareness when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. Mitchell has a solid frame at 6-foot-3 and has continued to add strength to his body, so he has the perfect size to defend guards at the next level. His lateral quickness isn’t excellent, something he compensates for with above-average awareness and defensive instincts. He must work on his shooting, as he has struggled with his mechanics and release time. But even if his shooting doesn’t improve drastically, he has the size and speed to be an effective cutter who can finish near the rim. Mitchell has the potential to be a solid mid-range scorer.","projection":"Mitchell has to work on both ends of the court if he wants to have a shot at playing in an NBA rotation for years to come. But, the potential to be a solid contributor is there, even if it ends up being in an off-the-ball role. He does show promise on offense and has excellent defensive instincts, but he must work on his shooting form. Considering he’s 22 years old and his overall feel for the game and upside are undeniable, it wouldn’t be shocking if he’s selected in the latter stages of the first round or the early stages of the second. Mitchell has enormous potential despite having things to iron out in his game.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"6/25/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Adem Bona","year":2024,"height":80,"weight":243,"school":"UCLA","position":"C","grade":"Sophomore","profile":"Bona started in all but one of his 66 appearances for UCLA during his two-year career with the Bruins. While he was a highly productive player for the Bruins, his game took a massive jump between his freshman and sophomore seasons, particularly on the offensive end of the court. He averaged 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds across 22.9 minutes per game in his first year with the program, but those numbers bumped to 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 blocks across 26.5 minutes per game as a sophomore. However, Bona saw a drastic decrease in efficiency, as he shot 67.5% from the field as a freshman but “only” 58.8% in his second. Bona was named the 2022-23 Pac-12 Rookie of the Year, and he was also named to the 2023-24 All-Pac-12 First Team. Bona also got recognized as the 2023-24 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.","analysis":"Bona is an explosive and quick player on both ends of the court. That works in his favor on the offensive side of the ball as he can stretch the floor and drive to the rim despite being a non-factor as an outside shooter. He’s also one of the most efficient rim finishers in the country, and that’ll likely be his bread and butter at the next level, especially if the shooting doesn’t improve. He’s also a better passer than he’s given credit for. Bona is a bit undersized to play power forward at the next level, but he compensates for his lack of length with his explosiveness and mobility. Bona shouldn’t have issues handling the physicality of playing against tougher or taller opponents. Other areas of improvement are his tendency to commit fouls and lack of activity on the glass, two areas in which he needs to work to improve his NBA profile as a non-shooting big man.","projection":"Bona is ready to make an impact at the NBA level with his defensive ability as he has the explosiveness, bulk and mobility to be a competent defender even if he’s not the best rebounder and if he fails to read coverages properly at times. His offensive game still needs work, but Bona can be effective as a backup big man in his rookie year at the next level. His work on his offensive game will ultimately determine if he can be an NBA-caliber starting big man, but the potential and physical traits are there.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"3/28/03"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Pelle Larsson","year":2024,"height":77,"weight":212,"school":"Arizona","position":"G","grade":"Senior","profile":"Larsson played four years at the college level, spending his freshman year with Utah and the subsequent three campaigns with Arizona. Larsson started in 18 of his 25 appearances as a freshman for the Utes, averaging 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. He moved to Arizona as a sophomore, but his tenure with the Wildcats didn’t begin well, as Larsson started in just two of his 37 appearances while logging a career-low 20.7 minutes per game. Larsson started 18 times in his junior year and experienced a statistical uptick across the board, but he would break out for good in his senior year. Larsson started in each of his 36 appearances with the Wildcats in 2023-24, averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting an impressive 51.9% from the field and an elite 42.6% from beyond the arc. Larsson was named to the 2023-24 All-Pac 12 Second Team, a year in which he also finished sixth in assists per game.","analysis":"A 6-foot-5 guard with a strong frame, Larsson already looks the part of an NBA player who should be capable of holding his own on the defensive end. However, his biggest asset lies on offense, as he’s emerged as a reliable shooter, both in catch-and-shoot and off-ball situations. Due to his athleticism and strong frame, he’s a threat when finishing at the rim, but there’s a strong chance his offensive game at the next level will rely primarily on his shooting ability. Larsson can also thrive in pick-and-roll situations, particularly as the ball-handler due to his excellent vision. Larsson can potentially fulfill the role of a secondary ball-handler at the NBA level, though he’d thrive even more as a catch-and-shoot alternative with enough athleticism to attack the rim if given enough space. Defensively, he should be ready to make an impact at the next level since he’s a shooting guard with the build of a small forward, though he doesn’t profile to be a difference-making presence on that end of the floor.","projection":"Larsson’s mold can be found often in the NBA right now. He’s a versatile guard who can defend multiple positions while emerging as a reliable catch-and-shoot threat, with the possibility of an even more significant role on offense if his game keeps developing. That should warrant a long career in The Association, as teams all over the league have the need for a competent wing who can make his presence felt on both ends of the court.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"2/23/01"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Harrison Ingram","year":2024,"height":77,"weight":234,"school":"North Carolina","position":"F","grade":"Junior","profile":"Ingram played at St. Mark’s High School in Dallas, Texas. As a senior, he was named Texas State Private School Player of the Year, a McDonald’s All-American and won a gold medal for Team USA in the 2021 FIBA U-19 World Cup in Latvia. Coming into college, Ingram was a consensus five-star recruit and committed to Stanford. He played for two years at Stanford before transferring to North Carolina for his junior year. In 2023-24, the 6-foot-7 forward averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.8 minutes across 37 games. For his efforts, Ingram was named All-ACC 3rd Team.","analysis":"Ingram’s improved jump shot and plus defensive traits him a prototypical 3-and-D prospect. He brings energy every time he steps on the court with his offensive rebounds and hustle plays on the defensive end. Offensively, Ingram has developed into a reliable spot-up shooter with the ability to find open teammates.","projection":"Ingram’s skill set is a combination of Josh Hart and Aaron Nesmith due to his exceptional rebounding ability for his position, a capable outside jumper and the ability to harass opponents on the defensive end. At the next level, Ingram could serve as an energy boost off the bench who can create turnovers while also spacing the floor.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"11/27/02"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Bronny James","year":2024,"height":74,"weight":210,"school":"USC","position":"G","grade":"Freshman","profile":"The eldest son of LeBron James, Bronny averaged 14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals as a senior for Sierra Canyon in California and was a consensus four-star recruit. He was a McDonald’s All-American and played in the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit in 2023. He committed to USC, but at a practice in July ahead of his freshman season, James collapsed after experiencing cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect. He was released from the hospital a few days later and ultimately got some action for the Trojans after missing the first eight games of the 2023-24 campaign. James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 steals in 19.4 minutes across 25 appearances (six starts) while shooting 36.6% overall, 26.7% on 3-pointers and 67.6% on free throws. He improved his draft stock with a stellar shooting display at the combine.","analysis":"James excels in catch-and-shoot situations and shows great energy and instincts on defense. At 6-foot-2, he lacks size at the NBA level, but his athleticism is considered elite. James can handle the ball and is a willing passer but isn’t a true point guard.","projection":"James projects to be a 3-and-D player at the NBA level, drawing comparisons to De’Anthony Melton. However, given his lack of experience in college, James may need to develop in the NBA G League. James’ defensive prowess has drawn comparisons to Patrick Beverley and Jrue Holiday, too.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"10/6/04"}
{"source":"NBA.com","name":"Ulrich Chomche","year":2024,"height":82,"weight":232,"school":"NBA Academy Africa","position":"F","grade":"International","profile":"Chomche is the youngest player eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft and barely reached the age limit as he was born Dec. 30, 2005. There’s a tiny sample size regarding his stats as he spent the 2023-24 season with the NBA Academy Africa. He only played three games for them during the Basketball Africa League qualifiers in which he averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal per game while shooting 42.4% from the field, 38.1% from 3-point range and 75% from the foul line. The numbers were impressive and so was his two-way versatility, though the eye test quickly indicates he’s far more polished on the defensive end.","analysis":"Comche is an intriguing center prospect with elite upside as a two-way threat at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan. But he’s also extremely raw and needs development. He’s far more advanced on the defensive end of the court, where he projects as an elite shot blocker and rim protector due to his size, length and above-average quickness. He has very good mobility and good defensive instincts to mix up with his above-average athleticism. However, his offensive game needs a lot of work, so he’s not much of a threat outside of put-back dunks and lobs. His defensive ability is catching a lot of attention, but he needs to get better offensively to reach his full potential.","projection":"Chomche must be one of the most challenging prospects to analyze in terms of his future role at the NBA level, as he has sky-high potential but also too many areas to work on to gauge how his career might look. He needs to develop some kind of offensive game in the first two years of his career. He’s widely expected to begin his career in the G League.\n— Profile by RotoWire\n","date_of_birth":"12/30/05"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Zion Williamson","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":285,"school":"Duke","pros":"Capable of running pick-and-roll as a ball handler; the team that drafts him can use him in virtually any role on offense. A potential five-position defender with a rare combination of strength, agility, and anticipation skills; he can comfortably switch on-ball screens. Zion’s explosive jukes and hop-steps are glitches in the laws of physics; a player his size shouldn’t be able to create separation the way he does. A wrecking-ball finisher who can finish through and above contact; his size, athleticism, and ballhandling ability will lead to a lot of defensive fouls drawn. Dangerous on dives to the rim via pick-and-rolls and handoffs; he can flush lobs like DeAndre Jordan or pass on the short roll like Draymond Green. A smart, unselfish passer who thrives in transition; he lacks supreme vision, but his excellent rebounding and coast-to-coast ability are valuable tools. Punishes smaller players on perimeter drives and post-ups. Has basic moves now, but displays the dexterity and body control necessary to improve. An active and aware cutter who can exploit holes in defenses, even when they sag off him on the perimeter. Hustles and plays with a winning mind-set: dives for loose balls, rebounds out of his area, and pursues chasedown blocks. Defensive playmaker who alters shots and jumps passing lanes to spark transition chances, though in a pro system he’ll have to gamble less frequently. MINUSES Clunky spot-up shooting mechanics; he brings the ball to his set point too early, which hurts momentum into his shot. Also needs to kick his strange habit of jab-stepping before he shoots. Developing a jumper off the dribble is the key to unlocking his full potential; he shoots the ball flat and looks uncomfortable even from the elbow. Must learn how to change gears to minimize sloppy passes or out-of-control drives that lead to charges. He can be predictable: He overuses the drop step on post-ups, and he rarely uses his right hand on shots near the rim. He needs a more diverse arsenal of moves on drives and post-ups. Defensive awareness could use fine-tuning; often falls into upright stance, ball-watches, and misses help rotations. Defensive discipline is lacking; though he makes explosive plays, savvy opponents will throw moves that make him leave his feet, or crash the boards when he overhelps. With his size and explosiveness, health is always a question: He suffered a right foot bruise in high school that put him in a walking boot, sprained his MCL at Duke, and has been out of shape in the past. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Clunky spot-up shooting mechanics; he brings the ball to his set point too early, which hurts momentum into his shot. Also needs to kick his strange habit of jab-stepping before he shoots. Developing a jumper off the dribble is the key to unlocking his full potential; he shoots the ball flat and looks uncomfortable even from the elbow. Must learn how to change gears to minimize sloppy passes or out-of-control drives that lead to charges. He can be predictable: He overuses the drop step on post-ups, and he rarely uses his right hand on shots near the rim. He needs a more diverse arsenal of moves on drives and post-ups. Defensive awareness could use fine-tuning; often falls into upright stance, ball-watches, and misses help rotations. Defensive discipline is lacking; though he makes explosive plays, savvy opponents will throw moves that make him leave his feet, or crash the boards when he overhelps. With his size and explosiveness, health is always a question: He suffered a right foot bruise in high school that put him in a walking boot, sprained his MCL at Duke, and has been out of shape in the past.","position":"Big","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":22.6,"pts_per40":30.1,"reb_total":8.9,"reb_per40":11.8,"ast_total":2.1,"ast_per40":2.7,"efg":70.8,"fga":435,"stl_total":2.1,"stl_per40":1.8,"blk_total":1.8,"blk_per40":2.4,"tpt":33.8,"tpa":71,"ft":64,"fta":203,"main_selling_point":"Versatility/athleticism","age":18.9,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":103,"similar_player":"Charles Barkley, Blake Griffin, Julius Randle","analysis":"Gravity-breaking athlete with the all-around skill to be one of the league’s best superstars."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ja Morant","year":2019,"height":75,"weight":175,"school":"Murray State","pros":"Electric passer who generates open space for teammates with speed and sleights of hand, and then accurately delivers the ball using either hand off the dribble. Excellent shot-creation upside. He has a quick first step and uses slippery crossovers, spins, in-out dribbles, and changes of pace to create space. Major potential as a transition threat with his handle, speed, and unselfish passing ability. Touch from the line and around the rim suggests he could be a good shooter if he makes the necessary mechanical changes. Terrific athlete who explodes for open-floor dunks and has the top-gear speed to zoom by defenders. Crafty finisher who absorbs contact well, though he still must get stronger. Has the instincts of a role player, too: does the little things like cutting, rebounding, and facilitating within the flow of the offense. Solid on-ball defender when he’s playing with intensity, which doesn’t happen often enough. MINUSES Too tricky with his dribble, forces passes into shutting windows, and is nonchalant making simple passes, all of which lead to avoidable turnovers. Needs to overhaul his shooting mechanics: His release is too low and his elbow sticks out. The ball gets pushed from his forehead. He’s a natural lefty who shoots righty. Must improve his right hand. Becoming more of a one-foot leaper would enhance his finishing, too. Struggles shooting jumpers off the dribble largely due to his poor mechanics, which cause him to transition slowly into his release. Motor and focus wane when defending off-ball, leading to backdoor cuts and open shooters. Is it due to his heavy offensive role, or is it for a lack of interest? Narrow frame limits his defensive upside. He’s not someone who can switch onto larger players. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Too tricky with his dribble, forces passes into shutting windows, and is nonchalant making simple passes, all of which lead to avoidable turnovers. Needs to overhaul his shooting mechanics: His release is too low and his elbow sticks out. The ball gets pushed from his forehead. He’s a natural lefty who shoots righty. Must improve his right hand. Becoming more of a one-foot leaper would enhance his finishing, too. Struggles shooting jumpers off the dribble largely due to his poor mechanics, which cause him to transition slowly into his release. Motor and focus wane when defending off-ball, leading to backdoor cuts and open shooters. Is it due to his heavy offensive role, or is it for a lack of interest? Narrow frame limits his defensive upside. He’s not someone who can switch onto larger players.","position":"Point guard","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":24.5,"pts_per40":26.8,"reb_total":5.7,"reb_per40":6.2,"ast_total":10,"ast_per40":11,"efg":55.3,"fga":531,"stl_total":1.8,"stl_per40":1.9,"blk_total":0.8,"blk_per40":0.9,"tpt":36.3,"tpa":157,"ft":81.3,"fta":272,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism","age":19.9,"wingspan":79,"similar_player":"Skinny John Wall, Donovan Mitchell, Dennis Smith Jr.","analysis":"Athletic wonder and clever playmaker who needs to develop his jump shot and curb turnovers to unlock his true star potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"R.j. Barrett","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":202,"school":"Duke","pros":"Good athlete in space with smooth footwork who seeks contact on drives. Dangerous ball handler who takes long strides and uses a bevy of herky-jerky maneuvers like Euro-steps and hesitations to get to the rim. Effective shooter off the dribble from midrange: He’s comfortable transitioning into his shot, especially when driving left, and he’s flashed a slick stepback. Good ball handler and passer for his size who can make any type of pass off the dribble. Though he’s not a pure playmaker, he can fit into any multi-ball-handler offense. Excellent rebounder for his position; when he snatches boards, he’s a constant threat to go coast-to-coast. Competitive defender at lower levels, especially playing for Team Canada. He has the physical profile to be a versatile defender with long arms and strong frame. Team Canada has poured resources into his development; he has a strong work ethic, and a history of improvement suggests he’ll continue progressing. MINUSES He induces face-palms by forcing contested shots early in the clock, barreling into defenders instead of passing to open players, and attempting wild passes to bail himself out. He rarely uses his right hand, as if it were tied behind back. It’s critical that he improve his off hand to diversify his shot-creation ability. His lousy percentages from 3 and the line are alarming since he has good, consistent mechanics. Lacks natural touch, an issue that is compounded by his diminished athleticism in tight space, which hinders his at-rim scoring. Inactive off-ball player on offense: He rarely ever cuts or screens at Duke, though his athleticism and versatility could make him a potential threat down the road. He’s a ball watcher off-ball who routinely misses defensive rotations; on-ball, he often falls out of his stance possibly due to a lack of interest, awareness, or energy. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He induces face-palms by forcing contested shots early in the clock, barreling into defenders instead of passing to open players, and attempting wild passes to bail himself out. He rarely uses his right hand, as if it were tied behind back. It’s critical that he improve his off hand to diversify his shot-creation ability. His lousy percentages from 3 and the line are alarming since he has good, consistent mechanics. Lacks natural touch, an issue that is compounded by his diminished athleticism in tight space, which hinders his at-rim scoring. Inactive off-ball player on offense: He rarely ever cuts or screens at Duke, though his athleticism and versatility could make him a potential threat down the road. He’s a ball watcher off-ball who routinely misses defensive rotations; on-ball, he often falls out of his stance possibly due to a lack of interest, awareness, or energy.","position":"Forward","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":22.6,"pts_per40":25.7,"reb_total":7.6,"reb_per40":8.6,"ast_total":4.3,"ast_per40":4.9,"efg":50.6,"fga":702,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1,"blk_total":0.4,"blk_per40":0.5,"tpt":30.8,"tpa":237,"ft":66.5,"fta":224,"main_selling_point":"Scoring","age":19,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":102,"similar_player":"Jalen Rose, alpha Andrew Wiggins, Harrison Barnes, Rudy Gay","analysis":"Physically gifted scorer who’s won at every level, but needs to sharpen his raw skills to flourish in the pros."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"De'andre Hunter","year":2019,"height":79,"weight":225,"school":"Virginia","pros":"Good spot-up shooter who has a sense for relocating and cutting, though he should quicken his shooting release. His shot creation has improved considerably; he can get to the rim on straight-line drives, make basic one- or two-dribble pull-ups, and face up from the post. Good on-ball perimeter defender due to his notable combination of mass, length, and quickness. Plays sound positional defense off-ball; he rotates well, minimizes mistakes, and has the bulk to neutralize rim runners when helping in the pick-and-roll. Stout post defender due to strength, length, and strong base; he’s hard to overpower. Useful pick-and-roll screener who can pop outside for 3s, or can beat mismatches with drives to the rim or post-ups. MINUSES Average first step and a clunky handle limits his scoring upside. While a good defender, he does tend to get smoked by quicker, explosive players—which he’ll see far more of in the NBA. Unless he has space to gather, he’s a below-the-rim finisher who doesn’t finish well inside against contact or lengthy defenders. Questionable feel for the game; he’s a ball stopper who makes delayed reads, though he has made slight progress as a passer each season. Lacks defensive playmaking skill; doesn’t log many explosive plays in the blocks or steals columns though it’s partially a product of Virginia’s defense scheme. Solid rebounder, though he’ll need to show more skill to excel in a small-ball frontcourt role. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Average first step and a clunky handle limits his scoring upside. While a good defender, he does tend to get smoked by quicker, explosive players—which he’ll see far more of in the NBA. Unless he has space to gather, he’s a below-the-rim finisher who doesn’t finish well inside against contact or lengthy defenders. Questionable feel for the game; he’s a ball stopper who makes delayed reads, though he has made slight progress as a passer each season. Lacks defensive playmaking skill; doesn’t log many explosive plays in the blocks or steals columns though it’s partially a product of Virginia’s defense scheme. Solid rebounder, though he’ll need to show more skill to excel in a small-ball frontcourt role.","position":"Forward","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":15.2,"pts_per40":18.8,"reb_total":5.1,"reb_per40":6.3,"ast_total":2,"ast_per40":2.4,"efg":57.9,"fga":394,"stl_total":0.6,"stl_per40":0.7,"blk_total":0.6,"blk_per40":0.7,"tpt":48.3,"tpa":105,"ft":78.3,"fta":157,"main_selling_point":"Defensive versatility","age":21.5,"wingspan":86,"similar_player":"Luol Deng, DeMarre Carroll, Jae Crowder","analysis":"Unflashy 3-and-D forward who will translate in the NBA as a multipositional defender and reliable spot-up shooter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Darius Garland","year":2019,"height":74,"weight":175,"school":"Vanderbilt","pros":"Seasoned pick-and-roll playmaker with tremendous feel and tempo; he uses elusive moves like half-spins, hesitations, and hang dribbles to generate space. The ball doesn’t slow him down; he’s a speedster in the open floor able to split defenders, and he’s agile when changing directions. Smooth shooter with NBA range off the dribble, off the catch, and off movement; his versatility will enable him to easily excel in a multiple ball handler offense. Dexterity makes him a constant threat to pass or score from anywhere; he’s not a great at-rim finisher yet, but makes acrobatic extension layups with either hand. Creative passer who throws accurate lobs and cross-court passes with either hand off the dribble. Son of a former NBA player, Winston Garland. MINUSES Undersized point guard; he’s thin, lacks length, and isn’t an elite athlete; who does he effectively guard? Gambles too much as an off-ball defender. Doesn’t draw a ton of fouls and is a below-the-rim athlete; with his lean frame, finishing could be a challenge despite his skill. Shooting has never been an issue for him at lower levels, but his release is a little low, so it’ll be worth monitoring how it translates against NBA length. Needs to limit unnecessary risks where he tries to be flashy instead of making a fundamental play. A torn meniscus in his left knee ended his season at Vanderbilt. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Undersized point guard; he’s thin, lacks length, and isn’t an elite athlete; who does he effectively guard? Gambles too much as an off-ball defender. Doesn’t draw a ton of fouls and is a below-the-rim athlete; with his lean frame, finishing could be a challenge despite his skill. Shooting has never been an issue for him at lower levels, but his release is a little low, so it’ll be worth monitoring how it translates against NBA length. Needs to limit unnecessary risks where he tries to be flashy instead of making a fundamental play. A torn meniscus in his left knee ended his season at Vanderbilt.","position":"Point guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":16.2,"pts_per40":23.3,"reb_total":3.8,"reb_per40":5.5,"ast_total":2.6,"ast_per40":3.7,"efg":63.9,"fga":54,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":1.2,"blk_total":0.4,"blk_per40":0.6,"tpt":47.8,"tpa":23,"ft":75,"fta":16,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter scoring","age":19.4,"wingspan":77,"standing_reach":97,"similar_player":"Damian Lillard, Jeff Teague, Nick Van Exel","analysis":"Vibrant score-first guard who can shoot from all over the court and has shown imaginative playmaking skills."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Coby White","year":2019,"height":76.75,"weight":191,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"Effective spot-up 3-point shooter from NBA range with a quick release. White has long-term potential off screens and handoffs due to his ability to balance himself midair, but he wasn’t efficient in this area during his freshman season. Creates tons of space off the dribble, especially on his stepback jumper. There’s go-to scoring potential if he masters his shot and handle. Can glide past the defense with an elite first step, yet also displays a feel for stop-and-go hesitations and hang dribbles. Solid facilitator who can make basic passes off the dribble; will need to enhance this part of his game to complement his scoring ability at the next level. Competitive defender who moves well laterally and will spend the majority of his time defending the opposing point guard. MINUSES Has a quick release, soft touch, and good elevation on his jumper, but his low shooting release could be a potential fatal flaw against longer NBA defenders. Doesn’t get much elevation at the rim on drives; he handles contact well but gets blocked often. Adding strength, improving his off hand, and mastering his floater would help. Struggled to shoot off the dribble even after creating space for open looks. Has wild misses to the left and right when pulling up. Forces shots and tries to do too much with his dribble to get through traffic; he’ll need to play a steadier brand of basketball at the next level to earn the trust of coaches. Needs to add strength and play with sound fundamentals to overcome his slight frame and short wingspan; he’s not going to be versatile. Mobility and effort can make him a good overall defender, especially off the ball, but at this stage his fundamentals remain sloppy in terms of footwork and positioning. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Has a quick release, soft touch, and good elevation on his jumper, but his low shooting release could be a potential fatal flaw against longer NBA defenders. Doesn’t get much elevation at the rim on drives; he handles contact well but gets blocked often. Adding strength, improving his off hand, and mastering his floater would help. Struggled to shoot off the dribble even after creating space for open looks. Has wild misses to the left and right when pulling up. Forces shots and tries to do too much with his dribble to get through traffic; he’ll need to play a steadier brand of basketball at the next level to earn the trust of coaches. Needs to add strength and play with sound fundamentals to overcome his slight frame and short wingspan; he’s not going to be versatile. Mobility and effort can make him a good overall defender, especially off the ball, but at this stage his fundamentals remain sloppy in terms of footwork and positioning.","position":"Point guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":16.1,"pts_per40":22.5,"reb_total":3.5,"reb_per40":5,"ast_total":4.1,"ast_per40":5.7,"efg":51.6,"fga":444,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":1.5,"blk_total":0.3,"blk_per40":0.4,"tpt":35.2,"tpa":233,"ft":80,"fta":130,"main_selling_point":"Scoring","age":19.3,"wingspan":77,"standing_reach":97.5,"similar_player":"Jamal Murray, Brandon Knight, Rodrigue Beaubois","analysis":"Speed demon who has no fear when scoring the ball; he’s at his best in the open floor and should benefit from NBA spacing."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jarrett Culver","year":2019,"height":78.75,"weight":194,"school":"Texas Tech","pros":"Intelligent player who moves well without the ball, fills lanes on the break, and plays hard. Good straight-line driver who mixes in spin moves and finishes with either hand around the rim, though he must improve at finishing versus length. Solid dribble-jumper shooter; comfortable taking side dribbles into 3s, pull-ups, and stepbacks, though his footwork will need to improve at the pro level. Makes tough shots, especially from midrange. If those 2s become 3s, he could become an end-of-game scorer. Flashes upside shooting off screens and handoffs, though his below-average free throw percentage and lack of touch on floaters are worrisome indicators for his actual shooting ability. Unselfish passer who facilitates well within the system and can make plays off the bounce for others. Shows good feel with change-of-pace moves in the pick-and-roll. Competitive rebounder who can initiate a fast break as a scorer or playmaker. Versatile defender who can comfortably defend multiple positions and be relied on off-ball to make smart rotations and take calculated risks going for steals. MINUSES Stiff ball handler with an average first step. He lacks shake after his initial move, which forces him into a ton of tough shots. Tweaked his shooting form to remove a hitch, though his slow and rigid release raises questions about his accuracy at the next level. Takes far too many unforced midrange 2-pointers early in the clock. Telegraphs too many passes and lacks accuracy, so at this stage he’s more of a secondary ball handler than a primary creator. Limited ceiling as a defender: He has room to get stronger, but he still has a relatively lean frame, and he has only average lateral quickness against guards. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Stiff ball handler with an average first step. He lacks shake after his initial move, which forces him into a ton of tough shots. Tweaked his shooting form to remove a hitch, though his slow and rigid release raises questions about his accuracy at the next level. Takes far too many unforced midrange 2-pointers early in the clock. Telegraphs too many passes and lacks accuracy, so at this stage he’s more of a secondary ball handler than a primary creator. Limited ceiling as a defender: He has room to get stronger, but he still has a relatively lean frame, and he has only average lateral quickness against guards.","position":"Guard","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":18.5,"pts_per40":22.8,"reb_total":6.4,"reb_per40":7.9,"ast_total":3.7,"ast_per40":4.6,"efg":54.2,"fga":551,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":1.8,"blk_total":0.6,"blk_per40":0.7,"tpt":30.4,"tpa":161,"ft":70.7,"fta":208,"main_selling_point":"All-around game","age":20.3,"wingspan":81.5,"standing_reach":100.5,"similar_player":"Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb","analysis":"Versatile wing who can fill myriad roles and has a lane to become a primary shot creator if his handle keeps improving."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cam Reddish","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":208,"school":"Duke","pros":"Wide upper body with a long wingspan that can support more muscle, though his hips are slender; added strength could improve some of his weaknesses. Fluidity, size, and an array of ball-handling moves and hesitations enable him to hit pull-up perimeter jumpers that most players can’t. Projects as a plus shooter off the catch due to his quick, high release. With his size, he could develop into a pick-and-pop threat. Does a fine job of relocating off-ball and cutting, though the results aren’t great due to a lack of explosiveness inside and a streaky shot outside. Good passer for his size: He’s adept at creating space and making reads in the pick-and-roll, though he’s had limited opportunities due to the presence of star teammates. Switchable defender with long arms and quick hands to swipe at ball handlers; he defends on his heels too much, though, which hinders his lateral quickness. Though Reddish underwhelmed at Duke, he accepted his role without any complaints, which bodes well for his ability to do what his future team asks of him. MINUSES Reddish doesn’t maximize his physical gifts. He’s long but takes short, choppy steps attacking the rim; he’s large, but avoids contact when driving or rebounding. Loses balance on drives to the rim; he lacks coordination, slips and falls, and will fumble the ball even without pressure. Settles too much for jumpers despite only appearing like a knockdown shooter; his mechanics look smooth, but he’s shot low 30 percent from 3 throughout his career. Not an above-the-rim finisher in traffic, and he avoids using his off hand; converts on plays around the rim at a much lower rate than you’d expect. Telegraphs too many passes; he plays a casual overall game, and needs to put zip on the ball to get it where he wants it to go. Lacks discipline on defense: He falls for pump fakes, reaches too often, and gambles in situations when he should just play positional defense. Defensive effort flutters too much; his mind-set could be the difference between becoming Paul George or Jeff Green. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Reddish doesn’t maximize his physical gifts. He’s long but takes short, choppy steps attacking the rim; he’s large, but avoids contact when driving or rebounding. Loses balance on drives to the rim; he lacks coordination, slips and falls, and will fumble the ball even without pressure. Settles too much for jumpers despite only appearing like a knockdown shooter; his mechanics look smooth, but he’s shot low 30 percent from 3 throughout his career. Not an above-the-rim finisher in traffic, and he avoids using his off hand; converts on plays around the rim at a much lower rate than you’d expect. Telegraphs too many passes; he plays a casual overall game, and needs to put zip on the ball to get it where he wants it to go. Lacks discipline on defense: He falls for pump fakes, reaches too often, and gambles in situations when he should just play positional defense. Defensive effort flutters too much; his mind-set could be the difference between becoming Paul George or Jeff Green.","position":"Forward","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":13.5,"pts_per40":18.1,"reb_total":3.7,"reb_per40":5,"ast_total":1.9,"ast_per40":2.6,"efg":45.9,"fga":432,"stl_total":1.6,"stl_per40":2.1,"blk_total":0.6,"blk_per40":0.8,"tpt":33.3,"tpa":267,"ft":77.2,"fta":114,"main_selling_point":"Scoring upside","age":19.8,"wingspan":84.5,"standing_reach":105.5,"similar_player":"Paul George, Rashard Lewis, bigger Ben McLemore","analysis":"Polarizing prospect who looks the part of a future star scorer, but his production leaves much to be desired."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Nassir Little","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":224,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"Ideal body for positionless basketball with a thick, muscular frame, long arms, and explosive athleticism. Switchable defender who can potentially lock down multiple positions due to his strength and raw quickness—but only if his fundamentals dramatically improve. Stout defender against bigs and larger forwards due to length and strength; he’s hard to move with his strong base. Good rebounder at the wing thanks to his athleticism. Lob threat off cuts. He could also be used as a roller in the pick-and-roll due to his explosiveness and ability to absorb and finish through contact. Comfortable attacking closeouts to get to the rim. Shows flashes pulling up from short midrange. He’s also a good free throw shooter, which suggests he has long-term 3-point upside. MINUSES Flaky off-ball defender who loses track of his man due to ball-watching, fails to help, and has trouble navigating screens. Gets caught out of position too often defending quicker players, which leads to blow-bys. He’s too much of a turnstile for a player with his physical profile and effort level. Adding weight in college has allowed him to be a big for UNC, but it’s sapped him of the lateral quickness that made him an elite high school defender. Looks puzzled on offense. He record-scratches the offense, pauses, settles for contested pull-ups, and dribbles into traffic instead of locating open teammates. Lacks fluidity driving the ball. He has some crossovers and in-out dribble moves, but he’s stiff. Struggles spot-up shooting. He has some bad misses, including air balls. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Flaky off-ball defender who loses track of his man due to ball-watching, fails to help, and has trouble navigating screens. Gets caught out of position too often defending quicker players, which leads to blow-bys. He’s too much of a turnstile for a player with his physical profile and effort level. Adding weight in college has allowed him to be a big for UNC, but it’s sapped him of the lateral quickness that made him an elite high school defender. Looks puzzled on offense. He record-scratches the offense, pauses, settles for contested pull-ups, and dribbles into traffic instead of locating open teammates. Lacks fluidity driving the ball. He has some crossovers and in-out dribble moves, but he’s stiff. Struggles spot-up shooting. He has some bad misses, including air balls.","position":"Forward","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":9.8,"pts_per40":21.5,"reb_total":4.6,"reb_per40":10.1,"ast_total":0.6,"ast_per40":1.4,"efg":50.5,"fga":273,"stl_total":0.5,"stl_per40":1.2,"blk_total":0.5,"blk_per40":1.2,"tpt":26.9,"tpa":52,"ft":77,"fta":100,"main_selling_point":"Defensive upside","age":19.3,"wingspan":85.25,"standing_reach":104.5,"similar_player":"Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, Stanley Johnson","analysis":"Explosive, highly regarded 3-and-D recruit who hasn’t shown much in college, but was a late bloomer in high school and history could repeat itself."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jaxson Hayes","year":2019,"height":83.5,"weight":219,"school":"Texas","pros":"Above-the-rim finisher with the hands and coordination to reel in tough passes. He runs the floor hard in transition, and can finish fluidly even after a couple of dribbles. With a wide frame, he should get significantly stronger, which will help him finish against contact, rebound, and defend the interior. Good free throw shooter who also has soft touch on hook shots from the short midrange; there’s a chance he could someday develop a spot-up jumper. Has the potential to become an elite rim protector: alters shots with his mere presence, and his long wingspan allows him to clog passing lanes. Excellent lateral quickness defending on the perimeter. May one day be able to switch, or defend pick-and-rolls regardless of the coverage. High-effort, attentive defender who’ll recover for chase-down blocks, which can mask some of his raw fundamentals. Multisport athlete until his senior year of high school, when a late growth spurt forced him to quit football and focus entirely on basketball. High-character, hard-working player who was raised by parents who had successful athletic careers: His dad played 12 years in the NFL, and his mom played college basketball. MINUSES Gets caught in no-man's-land defending the pick-and-roll; he often looks confused, an understandable symptom of his inexperience. Commits careless fouls biting on pump fakes and reaching instead of using the rule of verticality. He gets overpowered on the boards, and sealed off underneath the rim, which currently limits his defense and rebounding. Does he lack toughness or strength? Lacks basic post skills. Banging down low won’t be a focus, but he needs to improve at burying defenders underneath the rim and finishing at tough angles. Inexperienced: He’s often a beat late making reads, doesn’t screen well, and sloppily executes simple plays like dribble handoffs. Reluctant with his left hand; he dunked nearly everything in college, but finishing at an elite level in the NBA requires more dexterity. Potential health concerns. He got banged up a few times over the course of the season, and sustained a bone bruise to his left knee, ending his freshman campaign. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Gets caught in no-man's-land defending the pick-and-roll; he often looks confused, an understandable symptom of his inexperience. Commits careless fouls biting on pump fakes and reaching instead of using the rule of verticality. He gets overpowered on the boards, and sealed off underneath the rim, which currently limits his defense and rebounding. Does he lack toughness or strength? Lacks basic post skills. Banging down low won’t be a focus, but he needs to improve at burying defenders underneath the rim and finishing at tough angles. Inexperienced: He’s often a beat late making reads, doesn’t screen well, and sloppily executes simple plays like dribble handoffs. Reluctant with his left hand; he dunked nearly everything in college, but finishing at an elite level in the NBA requires more dexterity. Potential health concerns. He got banged up a few times over the course of the season, and sustained a bone bruise to his left knee, ending his freshman campaign.","position":"Big","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":10,"pts_per40":17.1,"reb_total":5,"reb_per40":8.6,"ast_total":0.3,"ast_per40":0.5,"efg":72.8,"fga":169,"stl_total":0.6,"stl_per40":1,"blk_total":2.2,"blk_per40":3.8,"tpt":0,"tpa":0,"ft":74,"fta":100,"main_selling_point":"Rim protection","age":19,"wingspan":87.5,"standing_reach":110.5,"similar_player":"Clint Capela, JaVale McGee, Deyonta Davis","analysis":"Athletic center whose experience playing wide receiver in high school has given him the ideal tools for a rim-running big."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Sekou Doumbouya","year":2019,"height":81,"weight":230,"school":"Limoges CSP / France","pros":"Outstanding physical tools with a thick frame and long arms; he’s a fluid above-the-rim athlete who can dunk or block shots from afar. Theoretically a versatile defender due to his blend of strength, length, and mobility, though he needs to stay locked in and dramatically improve his fundamentals. Productive rebounder. Good footwork on drives to the rim; his handle is still catching up, but his feet look natural on Eurosteps and rip-throughs; he played soccer growing up and his agility translates to the court. Assertive offensive player with a quick first step and alluring shot-creation skills for his size. Solid post scoring potential. He moves well and gets to his hook shot, but lacks advanced moves. MINUSES Fumbles the ball often—and that’s on straight-line drives, never mind more advanced maneuvers. He needs to learn to control the rock better to maximize his physical gifts. Poor decision-maker who wears blinders, missing open teammates for easy passes. Often settles for jump shots, even though he’s a subpar shooter. Untamed jump shot; he has good natural touch, but inconsistent mechanics and footwork make his percentages plummet. Poor defensive fundamentals. He defends flat-footed, which slows him down laterally, and falls out of his stance, putting his hands down or wildly opening his hips when changing directions. Effort wanes constantly. He goes from sprinting in transition to taking breathers and failing to contest shots; his conditioning may need to improve, too. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Fumbles the ball often—and that’s on straight-line drives, never mind more advanced maneuvers. He needs to learn to control the rock better to maximize his physical gifts. Poor decision-maker who wears blinders, missing open teammates for easy passes. Often settles for jump shots, even though he’s a subpar shooter. Untamed jump shot; he has good natural touch, but inconsistent mechanics and footwork make his percentages plummet. Poor defensive fundamentals. He defends flat-footed, which slows him down laterally, and falls out of his stance, putting his hands down or wildly opening his hips when changing directions. Effort wanes constantly. He goes from sprinting in transition to taking breathers and failing to contest shots; his conditioning may need to improve, too.","position":"Forward","grade":"NANA","pts_total":6.7,"pts_per40":14.4,"reb_total":3,"reb_per40":6.4,"ast_total":0.7,"ast_per40":1.5,"efg":54.9,"fga":147,"stl_total":0.6,"stl_per40":1.2,"blk_total":0.4,"blk_per40":0.9,"tpt":32.2,"tpa":58,"ft":77.4,"fta":29,"main_selling_point":"Untapped athleticism","age":18.4,"wingspan":83,"standing_reach":107,"similar_player":"Tranquilized Pascal Siakam, Al-Farouq Aminu, Trevor Booker","analysis":"Unpolished physical specimen with the potential versatility at the forward spots to be a mismatch nightmare if his skills continue to develop."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Rui Hachimura","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":230,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Tremendous physical tools with a thick frame, long arms, and fluid athleticism. He’s activated these traits with improved ballhandling moves going coast-to-coast after rebounds. Potential mismatch scorer who can be used all over the court: He’s an effective post scorer, a powerful straight-line driver, a willing cutter, and an improving spot-up shooter. Comfortable handling the ball and shooting off the dribble from the short midrange; at his rate of improvement, perhaps he’ll someday extend his range to 3. Versatile close-range finisher who can score above the rim with touch using either hand. He’s a willing screener and could be useful in the pick-and-roll. Has the tools to be a versatile defender with a sturdy frame, long arms, athleticism, a willingness to learn, and a proven track record of making improvements. Hard worker on and off the floor who has gotten better each season. Hachimura didn’t start playing organized basketball until he was 14; he’s in the early stages of his development. MINUSES The game moves too fast for him on offense; he’s a poor decision-maker who’s slow to read the floor. Even when he does pass, he delivers the ball inaccurately. Needs to be stronger with the ball; he powered through college players but savvier defenders knew to strip the ball because of his tendency to bring it down. Reads the floor on defense at Windows 98 speeds; he’s a liability in the pick-and-roll, gets caught in no-man’s-land, and is late to rotate in help situations. Needs to be more physical to improve his rebounding, which would help compensate for his defensive imitations. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"The game moves too fast for him on offense; he’s a poor decision-maker who’s slow to read the floor. Even when he does pass, he delivers the ball inaccurately. Needs to be stronger with the ball; he powered through college players but savvier defenders knew to strip the ball because of his tendency to bring it down. Reads the floor on defense at Windows 98 speeds; he’s a liability in the pick-and-roll, gets caught in no-man’s-land, and is late to rotate in help situations. Needs to be more physical to improve his rebounding, which would help compensate for his defensive imitations.","position":"Forward","grade":"Junior","pts_total":19.7,"pts_per40":26.1,"reb_total":6.5,"reb_per40":8.6,"ast_total":1.5,"ast_per40":2,"efg":60.8,"fga":465,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1.3,"blk_total":0.7,"blk_per40":1,"tpt":41.7,"tpa":36,"ft":73.9,"fta":222,"main_selling_point":"Offensive versatility","age":21.3,"wingspan":86,"similar_player":"The Morris twins, Jabari Parker, washed Carmelo Anthony","analysis":"Raw talent born in Japan who’s progressed considerably in college to become a versatile scorer, but still has so far to go before his game can translate to the NBA."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Pj Washington","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":230,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Good passer for his position; has vision from all over the floor, though he does tend to force some passes into tight windows. Makes up for below-the-rim finishing on drives with a quick first step, decisive moves, and ambidexterity on his layups. Rapidly improving spot-up 3-point shooter who projects to have NBA range. Mobile on-ball defender with long arms and a stout frame, though he doesn’t quite have the size to be an enforcer. Active offensive player with a knack for crashing the boards and beating the defense up the floor in transition. If only he consistently brought the same effort on defense. MINUSES Lacks explosiveness in traffic, which means he won’t be much of a pick-and-roll threat to throw down lobs or finish with power. Needs to diversify his offense: He rushes too many wild shots and lacks any advanced post moves; defenders will know he’s going to his right hook. Below-average defensive rebounder who doesn’t display a nose for the ball; his teams may get abused on the boards if they use him as a small-ball 5. Inconsistent motor and focus while defending off-ball or boxing out; doesn’t always make hustle plays like diving for loose balls and taking charges. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks explosiveness in traffic, which means he won’t be much of a pick-and-roll threat to throw down lobs or finish with power. Needs to diversify his offense: He rushes too many wild shots and lacks any advanced post moves; defenders will know he’s going to his right hook. Below-average defensive rebounder who doesn’t display a nose for the ball; his teams may get abused on the boards if they use him as a small-ball 5. Inconsistent motor and focus while defending off-ball or boxing out; doesn’t always make hustle plays like diving for loose balls and taking charges.","position":"Big","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":15.2,"pts_per40":20.7,"reb_total":7.6,"reb_per40":10.4,"ast_total":1.8,"ast_per40":2.5,"efg":56.7,"fga":364,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1.2,"blk_total":1.2,"blk_per40":1.7,"tpt":42.3,"tpa":78,"ft":66.3,"fta":178,"main_selling_point":"Scoring","age":20.8,"wingspan":86.25,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Taj Gibson, Jerami Grant, Brice Johnson","analysis":"Strong-bodied big man who has rapidly improved his scoring and passing as a sophomore."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Nickeil Alexander","year":2019,"height":77.5,"weight":204,"school":"ALKER Guard Virginia Tech","pros":"Ambidextrous dribbler and scorer, comfortable with executing in-out dribbles and crossovers, and at-rim finishes and floaters, with either hand. Good spot-up shooter who displays instincts for relocating and cutting to get open. Passing might be his best NBA skill: He’ll wow you with off-the-dribble left-handed passes to shooters in the corner. Fluid ball handler who plays with poise in the pick-and-roll; it looks like he’s coasting but he’s always under control. Flashes post scoring skills; with his playmaking, he could use the post as a source for playmaking as a big guard like Evan Turner. Long, competitive defender who should be able to effectively defend both guard spots. MINUSES Struggles finishing in the paint since his average athleticism means he doesn’t get much elevation. More likely a secondary playmaker than a primary due to his lack of burst. Ineffective 3-point shooter off the dribble, possibly due to his catapult-like shooting mechanics, where he brings the ball back to his forehead and then launches. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Struggles finishing in the paint since his average athleticism means he doesn’t get much elevation. More likely a secondary playmaker than a primary due to his lack of burst. Ineffective 3-point shooter off the dribble, possibly due to his catapult-like shooting mechanics, where he brings the ball back to his forehead and then launches.","position":"#NAME?","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":16.2,"pts_per40":18.9,"reb_total":4.1,"reb_per40":4.8,"ast_total":4,"ast_per40":4.6,"efg":54.6,"fga":401,"stl_total":1.9,"stl_per40":2.2,"blk_total":0.5,"blk_per40":0.6,"tpt":37.4,"tpa":155,"ft":77.8,"fta":144,"main_selling_point":"Size and playmaking","age":20.8,"wingspan":81.5,"standing_reach":102,"similar_player":"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Malcolm Brogdon, Tyler Johnson","analysis":"Versatile scoring wing who can play on or off the ball and serve as a playmaking presence."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Romeo Langford","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":215,"school":"Indiana","pros":"Good physical profile with a wiry frame and long arms. He’s agile with or without the ball, and has a quick first step. Innate scoring instincts show in the way he moves, creates space using crossovers and stepbacks, and handles contact at the rim. Solid perimeter scorer off the dribble. He’s a confident shooter from anywhere on the floor who smoothly transitions from his dribble into his jumper. Flashes pick-and-roll playmaking skills; though he’s raw, creating for others off the dribble should be a developmental priority at the NBA level. Good rebounder for his position. He can turn defensive possessions into offense. Defensive upside due to his strong body and athleticism; he could be useful switching screens if he starts to try consistently. MINUSES Needs to overhaul his shot form or he’ll remain an inefficient shooter. His feet are never set the same and he releases an inaccurate ball due to unusual wrist flexion. Currently uncomfortable off the ball: He struggles at spot-up shooting and he’s not an aware cutter. He’s a ball stopper. Though he can complete basic passes to rollers or to shooters for kickout 3s, he has a bad habit of pausing before making a dribble move or picking up his dribble before passing. Decision-making needs to improve: He dribbles into traffic too often, and though he drew a lot of fouls at Indiana, he’s a below-the-rim player who may not draw as many at the next level. Spacey defender who falls asleep off the ball and makes slow reads even when he’s paying attention, both serious concerns for his long-term defensive upside. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Needs to overhaul his shot form or he’ll remain an inefficient shooter. His feet are never set the same and he releases an inaccurate ball due to unusual wrist flexion. Currently uncomfortable off the ball: He struggles at spot-up shooting and he’s not an aware cutter. He’s a ball stopper. Though he can complete basic passes to rollers or to shooters for kickout 3s, he has a bad habit of pausing before making a dribble move or picking up his dribble before passing. Decision-making needs to improve: He dribbles into traffic too often, and though he drew a lot of fouls at Indiana, he’s a below-the-rim player who may not draw as many at the next level. Spacey defender who falls asleep off the ball and makes slow reads even when he’s paying attention, both serious concerns for his long-term defensive upside.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":16.5,"pts_per40":19.4,"reb_total":5.4,"reb_per40":6.3,"ast_total":2.3,"ast_per40":2.8,"efg":49.1,"fga":395,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":0.9,"blk_total":0.8,"blk_per40":1,"tpt":27.2,"tpa":125,"ft":72.2,"fta":194,"main_selling_point":"Isolation scoring","age":19.6,"wingspan":83,"standing_reach":103,"similar_player":"Larry Hughes, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, MarShon Brooks","analysis":"Natural scorer at the wing who must refine his decision-making and jumper for his effortless offensive talents to translate in the NBA."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tyler Herro","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":192,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Quick shooting release with NBA range; he’s capable of catching and shooting the ball at tough angles. Herro’s upside shooting off the dribble is his most tantalizing skill. He’s comfortable with sidestep pull-ups, especially going to his left. Natural feel for off-ball relocation to get open for spot-up jumpers or cuts to the basket; he’ll wear out defenders with his constant, deceptive movement. Has potential as a crafty interior finisher; he has a soft floater and he’s adept at using his off hand on layups. Intelligent passer who knows how to leverage his height to pass over the defense. Runs hard in transition to the wings and corners for 3s. Hustles on defense and crashes the boards. His physical profile should support more muscle, which would allow him to defend stronger NBA wings and forwards. Works hard and models his game after Devin Booker, who had eerily similar strengths and weaknesses entering the NBA. MINUSES Struggled to shoot off of screens and handoffs at Kentucky; his form makes him look like an elite knockdown shooter, but results aren’t supportive. Sluggish first step turning the corner on drives to the rim limits his shot-creation ability. Lacks explosiveness to regularly finish once he gets inside. Doesn’t have the lateral quickness to effectively defend quicker players on switches; he got burned in Kentucky’s final game against Auburn. Has the requisite length and effort to be an effective defender, but needs to develop more attention to detail. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Struggled to shoot off of screens and handoffs at Kentucky; his form makes him look like an elite knockdown shooter, but results aren’t supportive. Sluggish first step turning the corner on drives to the rim limits his shot-creation ability. Lacks explosiveness to regularly finish once he gets inside. Doesn’t have the lateral quickness to effectively defend quicker players on switches; he got burned in Kentucky’s final game against Auburn. Has the requisite length and effort to be an effective defender, but needs to develop more attention to detail.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":14,"pts_per40":17.2,"reb_total":4.5,"reb_per40":5.5,"ast_total":2.5,"ast_per40":3,"efg":53.6,"fga":403,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":1.3,"blk_total":0.3,"blk_per40":0.4,"tpt":35.5,"tpa":169,"ft":93.5,"fta":93,"main_selling_point":"Scoring versatility","age":19.4,"wingspan":75.25,"standing_reach":100.5,"similar_player":"Devin Booker, C.J. Miles, Courtney Lee","analysis":"Shooting is a premium skill in the NBA, and Herro displays the potential to be a dynamic shot maker and a well-rounded two-way player."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Brandon Clarke","year":2019,"height":80.25,"weight":207,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Impressively logged as many blocks as missed shots during the regular season at Gonzaga. Explosive leaper with soft hands to catch tough passes, and the ambidexterity and spatial awareness to finish in a crowd. Good decision-maker. The type of player who plays “good to great” basketball by grabbing a rebound and locating an open teammate instead of forcing up a careless, contested shot. Handles the ball well for his size; he can take rebounds and go coast-to-coast. He’s mostly a straight-line driver but likes using a spin move to his right. Sets solid screens, and has good feel and timing on dives to the rim; with his passing and dribbling skill, he could be a weapon on the short roll. Strong indicators that he will develop a perimeter game: touch on floaters, post fadeaways, hook shots, and midrange jumpers. Plays his ass off. Makes the extra effort, attacks the offensive boards, dives for loose balls, and hustles back in transition. Excellent shot blocker. He’s a fast-twitch leaper who perfectly times his jumps and uses the rule of verticality to alter shots without fouling. Projects well as a pick-and-roll defender. Has the agility to hedge and help, and the recovery speed, anticipation, and switchability to take on wings and guards. MINUSES Unless he develops a spot-up 3, he’ll need to play like a center on offense, which could create matchup issues for his team. Ideal role is small-ball 5, but a lack of length and strength will hinder his ability to defend larger elite bigs like Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns. Underwhelming defensive rebounder given his athletic gifts. Shooting upside is only theoretical: He overhauled his form after transferring from San Jose State to Gonzaga, but he still has rigid release and shoots a mediocre percentage from the line. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Unless he develops a spot-up 3, he’ll need to play like a center on offense, which could create matchup issues for his team. Ideal role is small-ball 5, but a lack of length and strength will hinder his ability to defend larger elite bigs like Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns. Underwhelming defensive rebounder given his athletic gifts. Shooting upside is only theoretical: He overhauled his form after transferring from San Jose State to Gonzaga, but he still has rigid release and shoots a mediocre percentage from the line.","position":"Big","grade":"Junior","pts_total":16.9,"pts_per40":24.1,"reb_total":8.6,"reb_per40":12.2,"ast_total":1.9,"ast_per40":2.7,"efg":69.3,"fga":374,"stl_total":1.2,"stl_per40":1.7,"blk_total":3.1,"blk_per40":4.4,"tpt":26.7,"tpa":15,"ft":69.4,"fta":157,"main_selling_point":"Defensive versatility","age":22.7,"wingspan":80.25,"standing_reach":102,"similar_player":"Paul Millsap, Pascal Siakam, Kris Humphries","analysis":"A super-versatile defender who plays team-first basketball and has made encouraging progress on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Keldon Johnson","year":2019,"height":78,"weight":216,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Decisive scorer; he grabs the ball and goes when attacking closeouts or sprinting in transition, taking long strides on his way to the rim. Improving 3-point shooter who has good touch on floaters, which helps dampen any concerns about his funky, leaning shooting form. Hard-nosed rebounder unafraid to mix it up with bigs. Plays with effort and passion. He’ll dive for loose balls, close out hard on the perimeter, and take a charge. Theoretically a good defender due to his energy if his fundamentals improve. MINUSES High, loose dribble limits his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself. He relies on brute force on straight-line drives, and lacks any finesse with the ball in his hands. Robotic passer who doesn’t make advanced reads. A below-the-rim finisher in traffic who doesn’t handle contact well and lacks the length to extend for layups. He also rarely uses his left hand finishing and dribbling. He’s heavy-footed moving laterally since he’s on his heels, and he bites for far too many fakes. He’s a ball watcher prone to allowing backdoor cutters and open shooters. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"High, loose dribble limits his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself. He relies on brute force on straight-line drives, and lacks any finesse with the ball in his hands. Robotic passer who doesn’t make advanced reads. A below-the-rim finisher in traffic who doesn’t handle contact well and lacks the length to extend for layups. He also rarely uses his left hand finishing and dribbling. He’s heavy-footed moving laterally since he’s on his heels, and he bites for far too many fakes. He’s a ball watcher prone to allowing backdoor cutters and open shooters.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":13.5,"pts_per40":17.6,"reb_total":5.9,"reb_per40":7.6,"ast_total":1.6,"ast_per40":2.1,"efg":52.3,"fga":374,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":1,"blk_total":0.2,"blk_per40":0.2,"tpt":38.1,"tpa":118,"ft":70.3,"fta":155,"main_selling_point":"Effort","age":19.6,"wingspan":81.25,"standing_reach":104,"similar_player":"Otto Porter Jr., Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Garrett Temple","analysis":"High-effort defender and complementary offensive player."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Goga Bitadze","year":2019,"height":83,"weight":250,"school":"KK Mega Bemax / Georgia","pros":"Skilled interior scorer off of cuts and in the pick-and-roll. He’s a fluid ball handler and ambidextrous finisher with touch on floaters and layups. Bitadze is the best screener in this draft class; excels at the little things that young bigs often struggle with, like dribble handoffs and high-low passes. Capable of attacking off the dribble, which suggests long-term potential attacking closeouts, developing advanced post moves, and—hopefully—shooting. Projects as a positive spot-up shooter; he has the touch and smooth, consistent mechanics to continue to extend his range beyond the NBA 3-point line. Good passing vision, especially on the short roll, locating and accurately delivering the ball to shooters and cutters. Smart and competitive defender who understands proper positioning and fundamentals; he’s long, and has the potential to effectively drop in pick-and-roll coverages. Engaged off-ball defender who rotates well to alter shots or close out, though his lateral mobility must improve. Hard-nosed rebounder who chases boards out of his area and boxes out. MINUSES Moves laterally like he has sandbags around his ankles; he currently struggles to stay in front of quicker forwards and is hopeless when switching against guards and wings. Needs to be perfect fundamentally to thrive defensively since he’s so slow-footed; he’ll need to develop as a drop pick-and-roll defender like Jusuf Nurkic. Gets into foul trouble because he leaps at pump fakes and gets too handsy on the perimeter when he’s a beat late due to his slow feet. Lacks explosiveness, which hinders his finishing against larger players and limits his rim-protection upside. Emotional player; got visibly frustrated in past seasons, though he’s gotten better at controlling his temper and not letting adversity impact his performance. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Moves laterally like he has sandbags around his ankles; he currently struggles to stay in front of quicker forwards and is hopeless when switching against guards and wings. Needs to be perfect fundamentally to thrive defensively since he’s so slow-footed; he’ll need to develop as a drop pick-and-roll defender like Jusuf Nurkic. Gets into foul trouble because he leaps at pump fakes and gets too handsy on the perimeter when he’s a beat late due to his slow feet. Lacks explosiveness, which hinders his finishing against larger players and limits his rim-protection upside. Emotional player; got visibly frustrated in past seasons, though he’s gotten better at controlling his temper and not letting adversity impact his performance.","position":"Big","grade":"NANA","pts_total":12.1,"pts_per40":18.4,"reb_total":6.4,"reb_per40":9.7,"ast_total":1.2,"ast_per40":1.8,"efg":57.5,"fga":93,"stl_total":0.5,"stl_per40":0.7,"blk_total":2.3,"blk_per40":3.5,"tpt":31.3,"tpa":16,"ft":71.4,"fta":70,"main_selling_point":"Two-way upside","age":19.9,"wingspan":86,"similar_player":"Jusuf Nurkic, Shot-Blocking Enes Kanter, Kyle O’Quinn","analysis":"Strong-bodied center with a versatile offensive skill set, but needs his feet to catch up with his mind on defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kevin Porter","year":2019,"height":77.5,"weight":213,"school":"R. Guard USC","pros":"Excellent physical profile with a strong frame and long arms; NBA spacing could someday allow him to be an explosive force driving to the rim. Projects as a shifty ball handler; his left-to-right crossover is currently his best move, though he’s too loose and high with his right-hand dribble. Flashes perimeter shot-creation skills. He has confidence in his stepback jumper, which could someday be his go-to shot. Showed solid passing instincts and a greater willingness to create for others after returning from a foot injury in February. Great rebounder and shot blocker for his position, since he’s such a quick leaper. Potentially a super versatile defender given his agility and strength—so long as his defensive fundamentals improve and he stays locked in. MINUSES Shooting form has issues: It’s a low, flat release, and there is a lot of lower body movement; inconsistent landings may be the cause of his inconsistencies, especially off the catch. Inactive off-ball player, though that might’ve been a symptom of the college offense he played in. His ballhandling is largely flash and little substance at this point due to his looseness while attempting most moves. Lacks off-ball defensive awareness. He gets caught looking at the ball and loses his man. His motor is inconsistent, and he has to learn when to gamble. Doesn’t stay seated in an on-ball defensive stance, and he’s often flat-footed; he also swipes at the ball and bites on fakes, causing him to stumble out of position. Maturity is a concern: He was suspended indefinitely midseason at USC for an undisclosed off-court reason, and tends to take poor shots outside of the offensive system on the court. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Shooting form has issues: It’s a low, flat release, and there is a lot of lower body movement; inconsistent landings may be the cause of his inconsistencies, especially off the catch. Inactive off-ball player, though that might’ve been a symptom of the college offense he played in. His ballhandling is largely flash and little substance at this point due to his looseness while attempting most moves. Lacks off-ball defensive awareness. He gets caught looking at the ball and loses his man. His motor is inconsistent, and he has to learn when to gamble. Doesn’t stay seated in an on-ball defensive stance, and he’s often flat-footed; he also swipes at the ball and bites on fakes, causing him to stumble out of position. Maturity is a concern: He was suspended indefinitely midseason at USC for an undisclosed off-court reason, and tends to take poor shots outside of the offensive system on the court.","position":"J","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":9.5,"pts_per40":17.2,"reb_total":4,"reb_per40":7.2,"ast_total":1.4,"ast_per40":2.6,"efg":56.1,"fga":157,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":1.5,"blk_total":0.5,"blk_per40":0.9,"tpt":41.2,"tpa":68,"ft":52.2,"fta":46,"main_selling_point":"Scoring upside","age":19.1,"wingspan":81,"standing_reach":103,"similar_player":"J.R. Smith, Rodney Stuckey, James Young","analysis":"Strong, stylish scorer who flashes the skills to someday become a star, but needs to put all the pieces together."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Nicolas Claxton","year":2019,"height":83.75,"weight":217,"school":"Georgia","pros":"Good ball handler who can grab-and-go in transition, or score with finesse on cuts and rolls. He stays low on his drives and scores like a guard around the rim with dexterous layups. Effective passer who could easily thrive as a scorer or playmaker on the short roll. He’s particularly comfortable making left-handed passes off the dribble. Avoided careless turnovers despite being forced into being a primary playmaker; he won’t have the same role in the NBA, but his skills will make him a tough cover in the pick-and-roll. Didn’t play with a point guard, which hurt his percentages: He shot 34.6 percent in two years on catch-and-shoot jumpers, which isn’t good but it’s something to build on. Good rebounder considering his underdeveloped body, though stronger bigs will move him off his spots until he adds muscle. Impressive defensive potential once his fundamentals improve: He’s mobile moving laterally and plays hard, plus has the length and reaction time to contain guards and wings. Good shot blocker who can alter perimeter jumpers and recover when beaten to swat away shots from behind; he’s an attentive off-ball defender who steps up for weakside blocks, too. MINUSES Lacks physicality and avoids contact; he gets pushed around a lot. He had a late growth spurt, so either he’s just adjusting to his new body or lacks a degree of toughness. He should be considered no more than a theoretical shooting threat because of his average touch near the rim and his subpar percentages on his jumper and from the line. Must do a better job of establishing post positioning, especially when sealing defenders underneath the basket on cuts and rim runs. Thin frame allows beefier players to plow through him on the post and perimeter drives; he needs to get significantly stronger to effectively defend bigs. Too often stands upright or opens his stance on the perimeter, which allows opponents to blow by him. He needs to stay seated in his stance and move laterally on his heels. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks physicality and avoids contact; he gets pushed around a lot. He had a late growth spurt, so either he’s just adjusting to his new body or lacks a degree of toughness. He should be considered no more than a theoretical shooting threat because of his average touch near the rim and his subpar percentages on his jumper and from the line. Must do a better job of establishing post positioning, especially when sealing defenders underneath the basket on cuts and rim runs. Thin frame allows beefier players to plow through him on the post and perimeter drives; he needs to get significantly stronger to effectively defend bigs. Too often stands upright or opens his stance on the perimeter, which allows opponents to blow by him. He needs to stay seated in his stance and move laterally on his heels.","position":"Big","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":13,"pts_per40":16.4,"reb_total":8.6,"reb_per40":10.8,"ast_total":1.8,"ast_per40":2.3,"efg":49,"fga":298,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":1.3,"blk_total":2.5,"blk_per40":3.2,"tpt":28.1,"tpa":64,"ft":64.1,"fta":192,"main_selling_point":"3-and-D big skills","age":20.1,"wingspan":86.5,"standing_reach":110,"similar_player":"Al Horford, Mason Plumlee","analysis":"A tall, lanky center who projects as a super-switchable defender and versatile offensive player—if he develops his jumper."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Bol Bol","year":2019,"height":86.5,"weight":208,"school":"Oregon","pros":"Fluid, coordinated athlete who moves surprisingly gracefully with the ball in his hands for a player his size; he’ll be a threat attacking defenders who are closing out. Lob threat with an excellent catch radius and the soft hands to corral any pass. He keeps the ball high when finishing, not giving mortals a chance to swipe at the ball. Terrific spot-up shooter, despite his funky mechanics. If his screening improves, he’ll become a pick-and-pop weapon. Tantalizing upside as a scorer off the dribble; few bigs can dribble and shoot as well as he does. However, his lack of strength and burst do limit his upside creating against a set defense. Flashes post upside with basic moves that culminate in a right hook. He’ll need to get stronger to carve out space closer to the rim. Potential deterrent around the rim due to his sheer length. He’s so long that his presence can alter opponents’ shots. He’s mobile when he chooses to be. MINUSES Poor shot selection: He floats too much on the perimeter and settles for jumpers off the dribble. While that’s the most tantalizing area of his game, he needs to rein it in for now. Beanpole frame hinders his screening; he barely ever makes contact, since defenders can so easily sneak around him. Putting actual effort into his screens would pay dividends. Slow to react to pressure when playing in the post; it often seems like he doesn’t realize that passing the ball is an option. Poor effort plagues his defense: He fails to contest shots, help, communicate, and box out for rebounds. You won’t find him hustling back on defense. Lacks fundamentals; he plays high defending the post and can’t get low on the perimeter, which probably isn’t solvable due to his high center of gravity. NBA scouts question his work ethic and conditioning, on top of the durability concerns due to his frail body: He suffered a stress fracture to the navicular bone in his left foot at Oregon. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Poor shot selection: He floats too much on the perimeter and settles for jumpers off the dribble. While that’s the most tantalizing area of his game, he needs to rein it in for now. Beanpole frame hinders his screening; he barely ever makes contact, since defenders can so easily sneak around him. Putting actual effort into his screens would pay dividends. Slow to react to pressure when playing in the post; it often seems like he doesn’t realize that passing the ball is an option. Poor effort plagues his defense: He fails to contest shots, help, communicate, and box out for rebounds. You won’t find him hustling back on defense. Lacks fundamentals; he plays high defending the post and can’t get low on the perimeter, which probably isn’t solvable due to his high center of gravity. NBA scouts question his work ethic and conditioning, on top of the durability concerns due to his frail body: He suffered a stress fracture to the navicular bone in his left foot at Oregon.","position":"Big","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":21,"pts_per40":28.2,"reb_total":9.6,"reb_per40":12.8,"ast_total":1,"ast_per40":1.3,"efg":61,"fga":132,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":1,"blk_total":2.7,"blk_per40":3.6,"tpt":52,"tpa":25,"ft":75.7,"fta":37,"main_selling_point":"Defensive upside","age":19.5,"wingspan":91,"standing_reach":115.5,"similar_player":"Kristaps Porzingis in 480p, present-day Brook Lopez, Thon Maker","analysis":"Massive physical specimen like his father, Manute Bol, though he has far more offensive upside. His medical report will make or break his draft stock."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Mfiondu Kabengele","year":2019,"height":82.25,"weight":256,"school":"Florida State","pros":"Good spot-up shooter, and he’s comfortable on the pick-and-pop, which creates the space he needs for straight-line drives to the rim. Bouncy interior finisher who can finish lobs or score with touch, though he’d be even better if he breaks his habit of bringing the ball down to his waist before leaping. Active offensive rebounder with a nose for the ball; can grab the ball then quickly spring back up for putbacks. Energetic shot blocker; he has natural timing paired with quick-twitch leaping ability and length. He’s most visibly impactful in help defense situations when chasing down opponents. Major potential defending the pick-and-roll; he has improved in college and does a solid job of dropping to defend both his man and the ball handler. His length is a natural deterrent. Projects as a capable perimeter defender if his fundamentals improve. He lacks discipline, but has mobility recovering to his man laterally. MINUSES Once he gets a touch, he’s not giving the ball up; he is a total black hole who record-scratches the offensive flow by holding the ball and then dribbling into traffic. Must improve drastically at simple role-player skills such as screening, boxing out, and executing plays. Foul trouble is an issue; it’s as if he were conditioned to leap at pump fakes and swipe for the ball. Savvy NBA veterans will exploit this tendency. He’s often out of position and frenzied in his defensive approach, causing him to fall off-balance in man-to-man situations. Average defensive rebounder who relies too heavily on athleticism instead of boxing out. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Once he gets a touch, he’s not giving the ball up; he is a total black hole who record-scratches the offensive flow by holding the ball and then dribbling into traffic. Must improve drastically at simple role-player skills such as screening, boxing out, and executing plays. Foul trouble is an issue; it’s as if he were conditioned to leap at pump fakes and swipe for the ball. Savvy NBA veterans will exploit this tendency. He’s often out of position and frenzied in his defensive approach, causing him to fall off-balance in man-to-man situations. Average defensive rebounder who relies too heavily on athleticism instead of boxing out.","position":"Big","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":13.2,"pts_per40":24.5,"reb_total":5.9,"reb_per40":11,"ast_total":0.3,"ast_per40":0.6,"efg":53.8,"fga":327,"stl_total":0.6,"stl_per40":1.1,"blk_total":1.5,"blk_per40":2.8,"tpt":36.9,"tpa":65,"ft":76.1,"fta":180,"main_selling_point":"Rim protection","age":21.8,"wingspan":87,"standing_reach":109.5,"similar_player":"Serge Ibaka, Brandon Bass, Khem Birch","analysis":"The nephew of Dikembe Mutombo has inherited his uncle’s shot-blocking instincts, while also flashing a modern skill set."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Matisse Thybulle","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":200,"school":"Washington","pros":"Beast off-ball defender potential: He’s both athletic and smart. He closes out strong, alters shots, and recovers well after penetration. Remarkable anticipation skills and reaction time allow him to jump passing lanes like he’s Deion Sanders. Doesn’t take his athleticism for granted; constantly hustles, pursues loose balls, and hurries back in transition to stop the ball or contest a shot. Projects as a switchable man-to-man defender with long arms and good fundamentals moving laterally and staying seated in his stance. Despite his hyperactivity on defense, he rarely commits fouls, though he’ll need to break his freelancing habit in the NBA. Above-average 3-point shooter with compact form, and a good free throw shooter with touch around the rim. Smart player who passes well within the flow of the offense and avoids careless mistakes. Ambidextrous below-the-rim interior finisher who can score well off cuts and closeouts. MINUSES Tough to evaluate his man-to-man defense since he last played it as an underclassman when Lorenzo Romar used a switching scheme that hemorrhaged points. Weirdly a nonfactor on the defensive boards despite his athleticism and instincts. Timid, deferential offensive player. It’s not necessarily a bad thing since he knows his role, but he’s yet to tap into his athleticism. Needs to speed up his jump shot release, and too often flares out his elbow, which may be a cause of inconsistency. Not someone who will create many at-rim chances for himself. He can make simple moves but hasn’t shown he can keep the ball on a string. At-rim finishing is lacking but could improve if he develops athleticism leaping off one foot. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Tough to evaluate his man-to-man defense since he last played it as an underclassman when Lorenzo Romar used a switching scheme that hemorrhaged points. Weirdly a nonfactor on the defensive boards despite his athleticism and instincts. Timid, deferential offensive player. It’s not necessarily a bad thing since he knows his role, but he’s yet to tap into his athleticism. Needs to speed up his jump shot release, and too often flares out his elbow, which may be a cause of inconsistency. Not someone who will create many at-rim chances for himself. He can make simple moves but hasn’t shown he can keep the ball on a string. At-rim finishing is lacking but could improve if he develops athleticism leaping off one foot.","position":"Guard","grade":"Senior","pts_total":9.1,"pts_per40":11.7,"reb_total":3.1,"reb_per40":4,"ast_total":2.1,"ast_per40":2.8,"efg":50,"fga":270,"stl_total":3.5,"stl_per40":4.5,"blk_total":2.2,"blk_per40":2.8,"tpt":30.5,"tpa":151,"ft":85.1,"fta":67,"main_selling_point":"Lockdown defense","age":22.3,"wingspan":84,"similar_player":"Danny Green, Gary Harris, Tony Allen","analysis":"Disruptive defender who posted all-time great block and steal numbers as the pillar of Washington’s zone."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kz Okpala","year":2019,"height":81.5,"weight":210,"school":"Stanford","pros":"Impressive physical profile with long arms and the frame to add muscle. He’s an above-the-rim athlete who quickly covers a lot of ground in the open floor. Improved his ballhandling ability following his freshman season, which activated his scoring on drives. Solid passer within the offensive flow, and he has developed a feel in the pick-and-roll, delivering accurate passes with velocity. Tweaked his shooting mechanics to remove a hitch and improved off the catch as a sophomore. There’s still room for improvement. Flashes elite defensive potential with his length and mobility, though he’ll have to develop his strength and fundamentals. Grew up a multisport athlete playing basketball and football, until a growth spurt turned him into the tall, slim athlete we see today; he’s still learning how to use his body. MINUSES Poor shooter off the dribble whose mechanics fall apart even on simple one-dribble pull-ups. Gets stripped often on drives to the rim; his handle is still too loose and he frequently goes into traffic. Average scorer in the paint because he’s not good at handling contact. Getting stronger could help, though his natural touch isn’t great. Defensive fundamentals are lacking. He has poor footwork closing out and loses his man off the ball. He also should get lower to gain leverage when defending the post. He should rack up impactful defensive plays with his length and mobility but he doesn’t, largely due to his lagging reaction speed. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Poor shooter off the dribble whose mechanics fall apart even on simple one-dribble pull-ups. Gets stripped often on drives to the rim; his handle is still too loose and he frequently goes into traffic. Average scorer in the paint because he’s not good at handling contact. Getting stronger could help, though his natural touch isn’t great. Defensive fundamentals are lacking. He has poor footwork closing out and loses his man off the ball. He also should get lower to gain leverage when defending the post. He should rack up impactful defensive plays with his length and mobility but he doesn’t, largely due to his lagging reaction speed.","position":"Forward","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":16.9,"pts_per40":20.7,"reb_total":5.7,"reb_per40":7,"ast_total":2,"ast_per40":2.4,"efg":51,"fga":368,"stl_total":1,"stl_per40":1.2,"blk_total":0.5,"blk_per40":0.6,"tpt":37.5,"tpa":88,"ft":67.1,"fta":173,"main_selling_point":"Offensive versatility","age":20.1,"wingspan":85.75,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Brandon Ingram, Trevor Ariza, Wes Johnson","analysis":"Versatility is king in the NBA, and he has all the tools to be a malleable two-way wing if his raw skills continue to develop."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ty Jerome","year":2019,"height":77.5,"weight":194,"school":"Virginia","pros":"Smooth 3-point shooter with a knack for relocating off the ball after making a pass, and the ability to hit shots off of screens and handoffs. He’s equally potent taking one- or two-dribble pull-ups. Intuitive passer with touch and vision to throw strikes off the dribble to rollers, cutters, and shooters. Can already run pick-and-roll at an NBA level. He gets where he needs to on the floor with exceptional footwork, deceptive ball fakes, and his ability to look off defenders. Unselfish teammate who keeps the ball moving and knows how to execute plays. He plays hard, crashes the boards, and boxes out. Competes hard defending man-to-man, plays with good fundamentals, and anticipates where opponents want to go. He’s not a lockdown defender, but he can be a vital part of a cohesive defensive unit. He communicates, focuses off the ball, and is almost always in the right position. MINUSES Overcoming his athletic limitations is no guarantee at the next level. He will struggle to generate space in certain matchups, limiting his upside to that of a high-end role player. Subpar below-the-rim finisher who tends to settle for floaters since he lacks the burst to get all the way to the basket. With a somewhat low shooting release point, he’d benefit from increasing the speed of his gather to launch the ball quicker. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Overcoming his athletic limitations is no guarantee at the next level. He will struggle to generate space in certain matchups, limiting his upside to that of a high-end role player. Subpar below-the-rim finisher who tends to settle for floaters since he lacks the burst to get all the way to the basket. With a somewhat low shooting release point, he’d benefit from increasing the speed of his gather to launch the ball quicker.","position":"Guard","grade":"Junior","pts_total":13.6,"pts_per40":16,"reb_total":4.2,"reb_per40":5,"ast_total":5.5,"ast_per40":6.4,"efg":53.2,"fga":409,"stl_total":1.5,"stl_per40":1.8,"blk_total":0,"blk_per40":0,"tpt":39.9,"tpa":198,"ft":73.6,"fta":91,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking","age":21.9,"wingspan":76,"standing_reach":98,"similar_player":"Taller Jose Calderon, Malcolm Brogdon, Greivis Vasquez","analysis":"Talented playmaker and shooter who moves at 3G, but his mind calculates actions on the floor at 5G."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Terence Davis","year":2019,"height":76.5,"weight":192,"school":"Ole Miss","pros":"High shot-creation potential: He has a quick first step and looks comfortable creating off the dribble. He needs to tighten his advanced moves to excel in traffic. Capable passer who displays vision in the pick-and-roll and transition, though he’s likely to top out as a secondary playmaker. Improved shooter as a senior who can hit tough, contested shots off the dribble or spot up. He’s at his best in the pick-and-roll pulling up from the perimeter. Active off-ball player who cuts and finds open space, and races up the floor on the break. Effective on-ball defender who has excellent lateral quickness and long arms to defend both guard positions; effort should never be a question about him. Attentive off-ball defender who jumps passing lanes, rotates well, and crashes the boards; he’s not afraid to mix it up with big guys. MINUSES Shot well as a senior but still shot only 34.1 percent from 3 and just 73.8 percent from the line over his final three seasons; he’s an unnatural shooter. Takes a lot of midrange jumpers and 3s with his feet right at the line, so he may need to extend his range and change his habits to accommodate the demands of a modern NBA offense. Doesn’t get a ton of lift in traffic, so most of his driving shot attempts come below the rim; he also doesn’t draw many fouls. Shaky decision-maker who tries to do too much with his dribble and telegraphs passes; he also has a habit of picking up his dribble instead of passing off the dribble. Undersized guard with a lean frame who lacks ideal defensive versatility. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Shot well as a senior but still shot only 34.1 percent from 3 and just 73.8 percent from the line over his final three seasons; he’s an unnatural shooter. Takes a lot of midrange jumpers and 3s with his feet right at the line, so he may need to extend his range and change his habits to accommodate the demands of a modern NBA offense. Doesn’t get a ton of lift in traffic, so most of his driving shot attempts come below the rim; he also doesn’t draw many fouls. Shaky decision-maker who tries to do too much with his dribble and telegraphs passes; he also has a habit of picking up his dribble instead of passing off the dribble. Undersized guard with a lean frame who lacks ideal defensive versatility.","position":"Shooting guard","grade":"Senior","pts_total":15.2,"pts_per40":19.6,"reb_total":5.8,"reb_per40":7.5,"ast_total":3.5,"ast_per40":4.5,"efg":52.5,"fga":403,"stl_total":1.6,"stl_per40":2.1,"blk_total":0.6,"blk_per40":0.8,"tpt":37.1,"tpa":175,"ft":77.2,"fta":101,"main_selling_point":"3-and-D skills","age":22.1,"wingspan":80.75,"standing_reach":101,"similar_player":"Will Barton, E’Twaun Moore, Dion Waiters","analysis":"Wiry, hard-nosed guard with 3-and-D upside, though his skills are largely underdeveloped, even as a senior."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Eric Paschall","year":2019,"height":79.25,"weight":254,"school":"Villanova","pros":"Covers a lot of ground attacking closeouts with his quick first step and long strides. He’s a solid ball handler for his size and explodes at the rim when he has room to launch off two feet. Sets strong, fundamental screens; he could develop into a dynamic on-ball screen threat. He’s also a savvy cutter and tends to execute plays well. Flashes passing vision off the dribble and changes speeds well in the pick-and-roll; he could develop into a secondary playmaker who can leverage his size to create mismatches. Average 3-point shooter who could improve his consistency issues by steadying his unruly lower body; it looks like his legs have a mind of their own. Though it won’t be his primary source of offense, he’s a capable shooter off the dribble because of his handle; his numbers and range do need to improve, though. Disciplined defender who worked hard to improve his fundamentals after transferring to Villanova. With his mobility and strength, he could become a versatile defender. Good team defender who locks in off-ball; he rotates well, communicates, and hustles; he brings an energy that can set a tone for the defense. MINUSES He slides well laterally but his initial movement turning his hips leaves him prone to getting smoked by quicker guards. He needs to get even quicker to amplify his versatility. Best suited for a switching scheme on defense; he’s so physically wide that fighting through screens against speedy opponents can be a challenge. Shorter wingspan limits his upside as a rim protector and rebounder in small-ball lineups; he’s more of a wing who can spell as a small-ball power forward. Less effective finishing off one foot around the rim; he doesn’t explode nearly as much. Improving his off hand would help in this regard. He’s a modern tweener without a defining skill or a clear position he can lock down on defense; he needs to prove he can be either a versatile defender or a reliable shooter. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He slides well laterally but his initial movement turning his hips leaves him prone to getting smoked by quicker guards. He needs to get even quicker to amplify his versatility. Best suited for a switching scheme on defense; he’s so physically wide that fighting through screens against speedy opponents can be a challenge. Shorter wingspan limits his upside as a rim protector and rebounder in small-ball lineups; he’s more of a wing who can spell as a small-ball power forward. Less effective finishing off one foot around the rim; he doesn’t explode nearly as much. Improving his off hand would help in this regard. He’s a modern tweener without a defining skill or a clear position he can lock down on defense; he needs to prove he can be either a versatile defender or a reliable shooter.","position":"Big","grade":"Senior","pts_total":16.5,"pts_per40":18.3,"reb_total":6.1,"reb_per40":6.8,"ast_total":2.1,"ast_per40":2.4,"efg":52.8,"fga":436,"stl_total":0.7,"stl_per40":0.8,"blk_total":0.5,"blk_per40":0.5,"tpt":34.8,"tpa":201,"ft":74.6,"fta":181,"main_selling_point":"Versatile defense","age":22.6,"wingspan":83.75,"standing_reach":103.5,"similar_player":"Young Paul Millsap, Noah Vonleh, Ryan Gomes","analysis":"Bowling-ball scoring forward who projects as a versatile defender, though his potential will hinge on the consistency of his jump shot."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Grant Williams","year":2019,"height":79.5,"weight":240,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Crafty interior scorer who finishes with either hand and uses deceptive pump fakes to create space; loves to carve out space for his left-handed runner. Excellent screener who can facilitate on the short roll or pop for 3s; can be a playmaking weapon on switches. Tennessee runs its offense through him on the post; he loves absorbing contact, can finish over either shoulder, and throws accurate fastballs to cutters and shooters. Improved spot-up 3-point shooter. He must extend his range, but his touch from the line and midrange is a positive indicator for his projected shooting ability. A high-IQ defender who is always in the right position rotating as a help defender, and plays with strong fundamentals moving laterally. Plays tough, physical individual defense. He closes out hard and shows active hands, plus he’s an instinctual rebounder who boxes out. Hard-working, unselfish player. Lost weight and got better each season. He’ll take a charge or dive for a loose ball. Bonus: He does a good job of accentuating contact to draw fouls. MINUSES Reluctant to shoot 3s, passes up open looks, and dribbles into short midrange pull ups. Does he lack confidence or is he aware of his limitations? Lacks verticality, so scoring inside against NBA length will require an adjustment. He doesn’t project as a shot creator because of his average first step and lack of shake as a ball handler. Tweeners don’t exist in today’s NBA, but athleticism still matters: He might not have the mobility to be a top-shelf defender on switches against guards and quicker wings. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Reluctant to shoot 3s, passes up open looks, and dribbles into short midrange pull ups. Does he lack confidence or is he aware of his limitations? Lacks verticality, so scoring inside against NBA length will require an adjustment. He doesn’t project as a shot creator because of his average first step and lack of shake as a ball handler. Tweeners don’t exist in today’s NBA, but athleticism still matters: He might not have the mobility to be a top-shelf defender on switches against guards and quicker wings.","position":"Forward","grade":"Junior","pts_total":18.8,"pts_per40":23.6,"reb_total":7.5,"reb_per40":9.4,"ast_total":3.2,"ast_per40":4,"efg":58.2,"fga":415,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":1.4,"blk_total":1.5,"blk_per40":1.9,"tpt":32.6,"tpa":46,"ft":81.9,"fta":260,"main_selling_point":"Glue-guy skills","age":20.5,"wingspan":81.75,"standing_reach":104.5,"similar_player":"P.J. Tucker, Spurs-era Boris Diaw, Treveon Graham","analysis":"Team-first player who runs the show from the post in college but will need to expand his game to the perimeter at the next level."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Darius Bazley","year":2019,"height":81,"weight":209,"school":"Princeton High School","pros":"Skillful, fluid ball handler who changes gears and uses hesitation dribbles along with his swift first step and long stride to get to the rim. Good at-rim finisher who’s comfortable attempting difficult, off-balance shots with either hand. Capable of hitting tough, contested shots from all over the floor; his shot consistency needs to improve, though. Flashes playmaking upside for his size: He uses his height to make passes over the defense, and he looks comfortable even when pressured delivering accurate passes with velocity. Competitive rebounder who can grab and go or make quick outlet passes to jump-start the offense. Long arms and mobility give him the tools to be a highly versatile defender. MINUSES Raw and inconsistent: Struggled in his first NBA combine scrimmage, but shined in the second one—those on-off performances continue a trend from his high school years. Shot selection is an issue. He pounds his dribble too much, ruining offensive flow. His tough shot-making ability is intriguing, but he loves the midrange a bit too much. Slow, awkward shooting release and average touch on his jumper. Lacks a degree of toughness inside. He can score with finesse using face-ups and turnarounds, but doesn’t seem to seek contact as you’d ideally like to see from a player his size. He lacks feel and makes some extremely poor passes, firing the ball into traffic. He missed a full season of on-court development after de-committing from Syracuse to play a season in the G League, but then opted to take an internship with New Balance instead of playing competitive basketball. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Raw and inconsistent: Struggled in his first NBA combine scrimmage, but shined in the second one—those on-off performances continue a trend from his high school years. Shot selection is an issue. He pounds his dribble too much, ruining offensive flow. His tough shot-making ability is intriguing, but he loves the midrange a bit too much. Slow, awkward shooting release and average touch on his jumper. Lacks a degree of toughness inside. He can score with finesse using face-ups and turnarounds, but doesn’t seem to seek contact as you’d ideally like to see from a player his size. He lacks feel and makes some extremely poor passes, firing the ball into traffic. He missed a full season of on-court development after de-committing from Syracuse to play a season in the G League, but then opted to take an internship with New Balance instead of playing competitive basketball.","position":"Forward","grade":"NANA","main_selling_point":"Versatility","age":19,"wingspan":84,"standing_reach":107,"similar_player":"Nicolas Batum, Anthony Randolph, Bruno Caboclo","analysis":"Looks the part of a super versatile player with his long arms and athleticism, though his raw skills make him a gamble."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Luka Samanic","year":2019,"height":83,"weight":227,"school":"Union Olimpija / Croatia","pros":"Displays intriguing ballhandling potential for a player at his position, with crossovers and spin moves. Skilled interior finishing upside: He can make acrobatic attempts and finish with power in space, though he must improve scoring against contact and master his off hand. He has good footwork no matter the situation; he’s a patient post scorer yet a decisive attacker against closeouts or when rolling to the rim via cuts and screens. Active off-ball player who cuts, runs the floor hard in transitions, and relocates to get open for 3s; he’d be best suited for a fast-paced, motion-based offense. Instinctual rebounder, especially on offense, though on defense he must commit to boxing out. Could become a threat to throw outlets or grab and go to spark a break. Potentially a highly versatile defender if his body and fundamentals improve drastically; his coaches often trust him to switch screens, and he plays hard, though the results are mixed. Good help defender who’s active and aware in the passing lanes. MINUSES He gets tossed around like a rag doll by larger players, which hinders his ability to defend the paint; he needs to add significant weight and muscle. Quicker players tend to smoke him. He has good mobility but defends from an upright position. His footwork is sloppy when closing out, often causing him to fall off-balance. Displays strong passing vision with difficult cross-court passes, yet he often can’t place the ball accurately on simple entry passes. Below-average 3-point shooter who can improve with a few mechanical tweaks; he brings the ball to his release point too early, and his feet could be turned slightly to alleviate tension. Not yet a factor shooting jumpers off the dribble. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He gets tossed around like a rag doll by larger players, which hinders his ability to defend the paint; he needs to add significant weight and muscle. Quicker players tend to smoke him. He has good mobility but defends from an upright position. His footwork is sloppy when closing out, often causing him to fall off-balance. Displays strong passing vision with difficult cross-court passes, yet he often can’t place the ball accurately on simple entry passes. Below-average 3-point shooter who can improve with a few mechanical tweaks; he brings the ball to his release point too early, and his feet could be turned slightly to alleviate tension. Not yet a factor shooting jumpers off the dribble.","position":"Forward","grade":"NANA","pts_total":8,"reb_total":4.8,"ast_total":0.9,"efg":53.1,"fga":289,"stl_total":0.5,"blk_total":0.4,"tpt":33.8,"tpa":80,"ft":72.2,"fta":126,"main_selling_point":"Switchability","age":19.4,"wingspan":82.5,"standing_reach":107,"similar_player":"Maxi Kleber, Thon Maker","analysis":"Fluid athlete who looks the part of a stretch big, but his shooting numbers and lack of physicality leave much to be desired."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Dylan Windler","year":2019,"height":79.5,"weight":196,"school":"Belmont","pros":"Knockdown spot-up shooter with smooth footwork and an effortless lefty release. He has a nice feel for moving off-ball, and uses screens well. Potent shooter off the dribble with basic one-two dribble pull-ups. He has a tight handle with a good first step; he’s even begun to successfully utilize a James Harden–style stepback. Instinctual off-ball player who relocates well and uses savvy cutting to get open; he can finish athletic lob plays, or with touch using either hand while absorbing contact. He’s decisive attacking closeouts and finishes well; he’s a perimeter-oriented player, but is capable of also running secondary pick-and-roll due to his tight, low handle. Adept passer who makes quick reads within the flow of the offense and in transition. He rarely commits sloppy turnovers and tends to deliver accurate passes, even off the dribble. Competitive rebounder with a nose for the ball. It looks like he knows where the ball is going before it’s there, especially when crashing the offensive boards. High-effort on-ball defender with solid fundamentals and nimble foot speed moving laterally against wings. He’s a competitor who will take a charge or dive for a loose ball. Reliable off-ball defender who makes proper rotations and doesn’t ball-watch. His awareness is top-notch, which shows in his instincts jumping passing lanes for deflections and steals. MINUSES He’s a fluid athlete who can wow the crowd with loud dunks, but he must add weight to his slight frame to maximize his overall abilities. Doesn’t have the strength to consistently drive to the rim in pick-and-rolls. Shot only 71.2 percent from the line over his first three seasons. He also occasionally has wild misses, and his 3-point percentage drops in a small sample of games against top-100 defenses. He shoots more accurately when he doesn’t need to rush his shot, though he’d benefit from adding the hop to his jumper instead of always one-two stepping. Lacks the size to contain larger forwards and the lateral foot speed to keep in front of speedy point guards; he sometimes defends on his heels or sloppily closes out. Takes some unnecessary risks defending man-to-man, like reaching around his man to poke at the ball instead of staying in front. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He’s a fluid athlete who can wow the crowd with loud dunks, but he must add weight to his slight frame to maximize his overall abilities. Doesn’t have the strength to consistently drive to the rim in pick-and-rolls. Shot only 71.2 percent from the line over his first three seasons. He also occasionally has wild misses, and his 3-point percentage drops in a small sample of games against top-100 defenses. He shoots more accurately when he doesn’t need to rush his shot, though he’d benefit from adding the hop to his jumper instead of always one-two stepping. Lacks the size to contain larger forwards and the lateral foot speed to keep in front of speedy point guards; he sometimes defends on his heels or sloppily closes out. Takes some unnecessary risks defending man-to-man, like reaching around his man to poke at the ball instead of staying in front.","position":"Forward","grade":"Senior","pts_total":21.3,"pts_per40":25.6,"reb_total":10.8,"reb_per40":13,"ast_total":2.5,"ast_per40":3.1,"efg":65.1,"fga":450,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":1.7,"blk_total":0.6,"blk_per40":0.7,"tpt":42.9,"tpa":233,"ft":84.7,"fta":137,"main_selling_point":"Shooting","age":22.7,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":104.5,"similar_player":"Joe Ingles, Bojan Bogdanovic, Morris Peterson","analysis":"Sweet shooter who led Belmont to the NCAA tournament this year; he projects as a 3-and-D wing at the next level."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cameron Johnson","year":2019,"height":80.5,"weight":205,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"Good spot-up shooter with a compact form and good footwork. He has the body control to balance himself midair to hit shots off movement. Uses screens and relocates at an NBA level. If he masters his off-screen shooting, he could become a tough cover due to his size. Runs the floor hard in transition. He’s a leak-out threat who will benefit from NBA pace. Average passer who won’t be tasked with playmaking responsibilities, but he tends to make the right play within the flow of the offense. Selfless player who accepts his role next to more ball-dominant players. He’s happy playing a role, cutting and spotting up. Projects as a solid positional defender who resists fouling while sliding and has solid off-ball awareness. MINUSES Underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left hip in 2018 to correct a bone impingement and a torn labrum. He gets banged up often during games, too. Unable to create much off the dribble. Average athlete with a slow first step; he takes short, choppy steps on drives. His shot also isn’t quite as accurate off the dribble. Subpar at-rim finisher against length, and he rarely draws fouls. Despite his height, he’s also not a post threat. Improved perimeter defender following his hip procedure but he’s still stiff moving laterally, and struggles to contain scorers who change directions quickly. Lacks ideal strength to be an effective defender on switches against larger players. He’s also not a great rebounder for his size. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left hip in 2018 to correct a bone impingement and a torn labrum. He gets banged up often during games, too. Unable to create much off the dribble. Average athlete with a slow first step; he takes short, choppy steps on drives. His shot also isn’t quite as accurate off the dribble. Subpar at-rim finisher against length, and he rarely draws fouls. Despite his height, he’s also not a post threat. Improved perimeter defender following his hip procedure but he’s still stiff moving laterally, and struggles to contain scorers who change directions quickly. Lacks ideal strength to be an effective defender on switches against larger players. He’s also not a great rebounder for his size.","position":"Forward","grade":"Senior","pts_total":16.9,"pts_per40":22.6,"reb_total":5.8,"reb_per40":7.7,"ast_total":2.4,"ast_per40":3.2,"efg":62,"fga":418,"stl_total":1.2,"stl_per40":1.6,"blk_total":0.3,"blk_per40":0.4,"tpt":45.7,"tpa":210,"ft":81.8,"fta":110,"main_selling_point":"Shooting","age":23.3,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":103,"similar_player":"Nemanja Bjelica, Jonas Jerebko, Dorian Finney-Smith","analysis":"Effective shooter who presents value for teams in need of a tall, floor-spacing role player."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Bruno Fernando","year":2019,"height":82.25,"weight":237,"school":"Maryland","pros":"Body seems to have been built in a lab; possesses a thick frame and long arms to go with agility and explosiveness. Ambidextrous interior finisher who displays good footwork finding space for layups—that is, when he isn’t already in position to throw down pulverizing dunks. Soft interior touch and clean shooting form suggest he has a projectable shot to the NBA 3-point line. Made drastic improvements as a passer as a sophomore; he puts velocity on the ball and can effectively facilitate on the short roll and in the low and high post. Maryland plays at a snail’s pace, but Fernando is a force like Montrezl Harrell running the floor when he’s empowered. Good rebounder who can follow his boards with strong outlet passes. Considering his quick first step and aptitude for straight-line driving, maybe he can also handle in transition. Long-term rim-protection upside; his fundamentals must improve but he has what you can’t teach—length and mobility. Plays with better, more consistent intensity on defense than he did as a freshman; his overall improvement is a sign of a willingness to learn. MINUSES Sets a lot of moving screens that’ll get called early in his pro career. Needs to be careful about bringing the ball down while loading up before dunks, since it leaves him prone to being stripped. He doesn’t handle the pressure of college double-teams well; will standard NBA pressure and length by superior defenders also give him issues executing plays? Unaware defender who often gets caught in no-man’s-land; he lacks positional awareness in the pick-and-roll and is still learning the intricacies of help defense. Athleticism can only go so far without fundamentals: He has improved but still bites on too many pump fakes inside and reaches too much on the perimeter. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Sets a lot of moving screens that’ll get called early in his pro career. Needs to be careful about bringing the ball down while loading up before dunks, since it leaves him prone to being stripped. He doesn’t handle the pressure of college double-teams well; will standard NBA pressure and length by superior defenders also give him issues executing plays? Unaware defender who often gets caught in no-man’s-land; he lacks positional awareness in the pick-and-roll and is still learning the intricacies of help defense. Athleticism can only go so far without fundamentals: He has improved but still bites on too many pump fakes inside and reaches too much on the perimeter.","position":"Big","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":13.6,"pts_per40":18.1,"reb_total":10.6,"reb_per40":14.2,"ast_total":2,"ast_per40":2.7,"efg":61.2,"fga":285,"stl_total":0.6,"stl_per40":0.9,"blk_total":1.9,"blk_per40":2.5,"tpt":30,"tpa":10,"ft":77.9,"fta":145,"main_selling_point":"Rim running","age":20.8,"wingspan":87.25,"standing_reach":110,"similar_player":"Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Festus Ezeli","analysis":"Athletic marvel who projects as a skilled offensive big man, but his defense needs to catch up."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Talen Horton","year":2019,"height":76,"weight":235,"school":"UCKER Guard Iowa State","pros":"Shot-creation skills are uncommon for a player with his body: He unleashes NBA Street–style moves to generate space to get buckets. Solid spot-up shooter from a stationary position, though his low, robotic release may not be as effective against NBA length. Makes difficult cross-court passes off the dribble, and has keen passing vision that could be cultivated in the NBA. Good rebounder who high-points the ball and sparks transition offense by taking the ball up the floor. Long arms and strong frame theoretically give him the ability to switch screens, using his length to swallow guards and bulk to battle bigs. Youth. He turned 18 in November, so there are untapped skills for a team to mature. MINUSES Poor free throw shooter who doesn’t display touch on floaters or layups, which doesn’t inspire much confidence in the upside of his jumper. Shot selection is problematic. He takes far too many contested pull-ups with lots of time left on the shot clock. Erratic decision-maker driving the ball. He forces wild shots underneath the rim instead of locating shooters. Loose handle that sometimes comes up above his shoulders. He needs tighten it up or won’t be nearly as effective in an NBA setting. Slow moving laterally on defense. He’s often out of position and plays float-footed, but with his thick frame and wide hips, he just might not be quick enough on the perimeter. Low-effort defender who doesn’t play with passion, toughness, or focus. Defensive consistency is a teamwide issue though, so he could be a product of the environment. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Poor free throw shooter who doesn’t display touch on floaters or layups, which doesn’t inspire much confidence in the upside of his jumper. Shot selection is problematic. He takes far too many contested pull-ups with lots of time left on the shot clock. Erratic decision-maker driving the ball. He forces wild shots underneath the rim instead of locating shooters. Loose handle that sometimes comes up above his shoulders. He needs tighten it up or won’t be nearly as effective in an NBA setting. Slow moving laterally on defense. He’s often out of position and plays float-footed, but with his thick frame and wide hips, he just might not be quick enough on the perimeter. Low-effort defender who doesn’t play with passion, toughness, or focus. Defensive consistency is a teamwide issue though, so he could be a product of the environment.","position":"#NAME?","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11.8,"pts_per40":17.4,"reb_total":4.9,"reb_per40":7.1,"ast_total":2.3,"ast_per40":3.4,"efg":47,"fga":382,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":1.9,"blk_total":0.7,"blk_per40":1,"tpt":30.8,"tpa":159,"ft":62.5,"fta":88,"main_selling_point":"Raw talent","age":18.5,"wingspan":85.25,"standing_reach":103,"similar_player":"Eric Gordon, Deonte Burton","analysis":"Unusual athlete who has the body to defend large players and the raw skills to play guard on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Carsen Edwards","year":2019,"height":72.25,"weight":199,"school":"Purdue","pros":"Proficient shooter with limitless range off the dribble. He uses an assortment of moves using his tight handle to generate space to launch from anywhere. Good shooter off the catch who thrives using screens, and displays the intelligence to move without the ball in space. He can change a game with his scoring ability, either fueling a break or generating something out of nothing in the half court; in college, he thrived despite intense defensive attention. Short, but stocky: His at-rim finishing numbers aren’t good, but he’s able to get into the lane whenever he pleases thanks to his handle and strong frame. MINUSES Undersized guard who will be targeted on defense by opponents when he’s on the floor. Subpar at-rim finisher who lacks explosiveness. Doesn’t project as a player who will draw a lot of fouls, either. He’d benefit from adding a floater to his game. Tasked with scoring at Purdue, not passing. Still, his lack of progress as a playmaker is worrisome, as last season he still forced shots instead of distributing. Tends to deliver an inaccurate ball when attempting difficult passes, and he tends to stick to basic first reads in the pick-and-roll anyway. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Undersized guard who will be targeted on defense by opponents when he’s on the floor. Subpar at-rim finisher who lacks explosiveness. Doesn’t project as a player who will draw a lot of fouls, either. He’d benefit from adding a floater to his game. Tasked with scoring at Purdue, not passing. Still, his lack of progress as a playmaker is worrisome, as last season he still forced shots instead of distributing. Tends to deliver an inaccurate ball when attempting difficult passes, and he tends to stick to basic first reads in the pick-and-roll anyway.","position":"Point guard","grade":"Junior","pts_total":24.3,"pts_per40":27.4,"reb_total":3.6,"reb_per40":4.1,"ast_total":2.9,"ast_per40":3.3,"efg":49,"fga":703,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":1.5,"blk_total":0.3,"blk_per40":0.3,"tpt":35.5,"tpa":135,"ft":83.7,"fta":185,"main_selling_point":"Scoring","age":21.2,"wingspan":78,"standing_reach":94.5,"similar_player":"Lou Williams, Shabazz Napier, Salim Stoudamire","analysis":"Undersized with a knack for performing clutch moments; he projects as a classic sixth man scoring guard."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Luguentz Dort","year":2019,"height":76.25,"weight":222,"school":"Arizona State","pros":"Drives to the rim with power: He has a quick first step, takes long strides, and draws a lot of fouls inside. Shifty ball handler with long-term go-to scoring upside. Creates space with advanced right-to-left crossovers and spin moves. One of the best cutters in the draft. He changes directions rapidly and has a good feel for when to make his move; he’s an explosive leaper who can finish lob dunks, too. Plays like he wants to win: If he starts the play from behind, he’ll often outsprint opponents to get up the floor before they do. His hustle in transition is encouraging. Displays solid vision and delivers an accurate ball when playing within the system and isn’t taking enormous risks as a passer. There’s a secondary playmaker upside in him. Intense, versatile defender. He has the excellent lateral quickness and anticipatory skills to contain speedy guards, plus the strength to switch onto larger players. Defensive playmaker who jumps passing lanes for steals and deflections; he’s also an aggressive rebounder who can turn boards into fast breaks. MINUSES He drives the ball into crowds in the paint like he’s a moth flying toward light; his decision-making and shot selection are usually infuriating. Million-dollar moves and 10-cent finishes at the rim are common; he rarely uses his left hand and has average touch. Subpar shooter off the dribble with no consistency to his footwork as he gathers or elevates; his mechanics need a lot of work for him to be a reliable go-to scoring option. Poor set shooter off the catch with a tense release and a high-arcing moon ball that yields wild results. He’s also a subpar free throw shooter. Defensive awareness must improve. He suffers lapses off-ball and he’ll need to be careful about being too handsy on defense; veteran scorers may bait him into reaching in. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He drives the ball into crowds in the paint like he’s a moth flying toward light; his decision-making and shot selection are usually infuriating. Million-dollar moves and 10-cent finishes at the rim are common; he rarely uses his left hand and has average touch. Subpar shooter off the dribble with no consistency to his footwork as he gathers or elevates; his mechanics need a lot of work for him to be a reliable go-to scoring option. Poor set shooter off the catch with a tense release and a high-arcing moon ball that yields wild results. He’s also a subpar free throw shooter. Defensive awareness must improve. He suffers lapses off-ball and he’ll need to be careful about being too handsy on defense; veteran scorers may bait him into reaching in.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":16.1,"pts_per40":20.4,"reb_total":4.3,"reb_per40":5.4,"ast_total":2.3,"ast_per40":2.9,"efg":46.7,"fga":430,"stl_total":1.5,"stl_per40":1.9,"blk_total":0.2,"blk_per40":0.3,"tpt":30.7,"tpa":176,"ft":70,"fta":145,"main_selling_point":"Defensive versatility","age":20.1,"wingspan":80.5,"standing_reach":99.5,"similar_player":"Victor Oladipo, Marcus Smart, Rawle Alkins","analysis":"A power wing built like an NFL defensive end, with shot-creation skills plagued by iffy shooting and decision-making."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Louis King","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":195,"school":"Oregon","pros":"Talented shooter off the dribble who uses nifty stepbacks or side dribbles to create space; he takes far too many midrange jumpers, but has shown that he has NBA 3-point range. Good spot-up 3-point shooter with smooth mechanics; while he’s yet to emerge as a consistent shooter off screens and movement, his proficiency off the dribble suggests that can be developed. Has theoretical shot-creation ability in the pick-and-roll and on isolations, as he uses hesitations well and has flashed spin moves and crossovers. Unselfish player who delivers accurate passes off the dribble, though his ability to read the floor must improve. Active rebounder who crashes the offensive boards and uses defensive boards to spark transition chances. Has to commit to boxing out more. Has the length, strength, and agility to defend multiple positions, even if he’s been inconsistent on that end of the floor. He’s an aggressive offensive player who just needs to bring it more on defense. MINUSES Has a tendency to stop the ball and halt his team’s offensive flow, opting to jab step from a triple-threat position instead of making decisive moves. Loses his handle on straight-line drives, never mind when trying advanced maneuvers. Also lacks burst while turning the corner, resulting in botched drives into traffic or careless shot attempts. Struggles to score around the rim. He needs to look for more controlled shots, taking one extra dribble toward the basket and growing more comfortable using his off hand. Lacks defensive fundamentals fighting around screens, often giving up upon contact; in man-to-man situations he can be caught flat-footed, leading to easy penetration for opponents. Went down with a torn meniscus during his senior year of high school and has been nagged by various leg injuries throughout his teenage years. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Has a tendency to stop the ball and halt his team’s offensive flow, opting to jab step from a triple-threat position instead of making decisive moves. Loses his handle on straight-line drives, never mind when trying advanced maneuvers. Also lacks burst while turning the corner, resulting in botched drives into traffic or careless shot attempts. Struggles to score around the rim. He needs to look for more controlled shots, taking one extra dribble toward the basket and growing more comfortable using his off hand. Lacks defensive fundamentals fighting around screens, often giving up upon contact; in man-to-man situations he can be caught flat-footed, leading to easy penetration for opponents. Went down with a torn meniscus during his senior year of high school and has been nagged by various leg injuries throughout his teenage years.","position":"Forward","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":13.5,"pts_per40":17.7,"reb_total":5.5,"reb_per40":7.3,"ast_total":1.3,"ast_per40":1.7,"efg":52.2,"fga":340,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1.1,"blk_total":0.2,"blk_per40":0.3,"tpt":38.6,"tpa":153,"ft":78.5,"fta":79,"main_selling_point":"Shooting","age":20.2,"wingspan":84.25,"standing_reach":104.5,"similar_player":"Otto Porter Jr., Tall Rodney Hood","analysis":"Modern wing with enviable height, length, athleticism, and knockdown shooting ability, though his defensive effort and fundamentals must improve."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Chuma Okeke","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":230,"school":"Auburn","pros":"Good 3-point shooter with relaxed, simple mechanics. He can also straight-line drive to the rim; eventually, he could become a pick-and-pop threat. Instinctive cutter who’s a good finisher around the rim with enough touch to make circus finishes using either hand; however, his lack of explosiveness limits him against length or contact. Good post scorer who could use his size to his advantage against switching defenses; if a double comes, he has the passing vision to locate open teammates. Great passing instincts; he never seems panicked and delivers an accurate ball even when pressured. He’s a post playmaker and makes smart outlet passes in transition. Hyperalert off-ball defender who makes sound rotations and creates deflections with his remarkable anticipation skills and swift hands. Winning player who will dive on the floor for a loose ball, chase down rebounds, and run the floor, all of which should help him earn the trust of his coaches. MINUSES Slow shooting release is the only cause concern for his jump shot; he’s also a nonfactor shooting off the dribble from all ranges. Lacks athleticism; he’s not that quick, and he’s a below-the-rim player. If he gets stronger and adds weight to better play at the 4, it’s critical that he ensures the bulk doesn’t slow him down. Needs to tighten his handle and footwork so he’s called for fewer travels when attacking closeouts. Stiff in guarding man-to-man when he doesn’t stay seated low in his stance; his technique must improve so he can trigger his theoretical versatility as a multipositional defender. Tore his left ACL in March; he had previously suffered a bone bruise in the same knee in June 2017 during tryouts for the Under-19 USA Basketball team. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Slow shooting release is the only cause concern for his jump shot; he’s also a nonfactor shooting off the dribble from all ranges. Lacks athleticism; he’s not that quick, and he’s a below-the-rim player. If he gets stronger and adds weight to better play at the 4, it’s critical that he ensures the bulk doesn’t slow him down. Needs to tighten his handle and footwork so he’s called for fewer travels when attacking closeouts. Stiff in guarding man-to-man when he doesn’t stay seated low in his stance; his technique must improve so he can trigger his theoretical versatility as a multipositional defender. Tore his left ACL in March; he had previously suffered a bone bruise in the same knee in June 2017 during tryouts for the Under-19 USA Basketball team.","position":"Forward","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":12,"pts_per40":16.5,"reb_total":6.8,"reb_per40":9.4,"ast_total":1.9,"ast_per40":2.6,"efg":57.7,"fga":339,"stl_total":1.8,"stl_per40":2.5,"blk_total":1.2,"blk_per40":1.7,"tpt":38.7,"tpa":142,"ft":72.2,"fta":90,"main_selling_point":"3-and-D upside","age":20.8,"wingspan":84,"similar_player":"Robert Covington, Maurice Harkless, Donyell Marshall","analysis":"Hustling defender who offers complementary offensive skills as a spot-up shooter and passer"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Admiral Schofield","year":2019,"height":77.25,"weight":241,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Not to be superficial, but he plays like he looks: tough, intense, and musclebound. Explosive finisher in space. He runs the floor hard in transition and will be a lob threat off cuts in the half court. Good spot-up 3-point shooter with a compact form. He also is capable shooting 3s off one or two dribbles, though it’s a limited sample. Capable post scorer who can use his big frame to bury defenders underneath the rim; he’s also a reliable passer, so perhaps he could develop as a post playmaking presence. Good rebounder who chases balls out of his area and boxes out. His effort applies to defense, too: He hustles and gives his all in man-to-man defensive situations. Effective defender against forwards thanks to his size and solid strength; he could someday be a highly versatile defender. Let’s be honest here: Admiral Schofield is an all-time great name. MINUSES Takes a lot of midrange jumpers since he lacks the burst and the ballhandling ability to get all the way to the basket. As a featured scorer for the Volunteers, he frequently stopped the ball upon catching it; in the NBA, those isolations will be a big no-no. He must get in the habit of keeping it moving. Average lateral quickness limits his potential switching onto guards; he doesn’t swing his hips quickly when changing directions, which leads to his eating their dust. With such a beefy frame, it’ll be naturally difficult for him to angle himself around screens. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Takes a lot of midrange jumpers since he lacks the burst and the ballhandling ability to get all the way to the basket. As a featured scorer for the Volunteers, he frequently stopped the ball upon catching it; in the NBA, those isolations will be a big no-no. He must get in the habit of keeping it moving. Average lateral quickness limits his potential switching onto guards; he doesn’t swing his hips quickly when changing directions, which leads to his eating their dust. With such a beefy frame, it’ll be naturally difficult for him to angle himself around screens.","position":"Forward","grade":"Senior","pts_total":16.5,"pts_per40":20.8,"reb_total":6.1,"reb_per40":7.7,"ast_total":2,"ast_per40":2.6,"efg":54.8,"fga":502,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1.1,"blk_total":0.5,"blk_per40":0.6,"tpt":41.8,"tpa":177,"ft":69.8,"fta":86,"main_selling_point":"Muscles","age":22.2,"wingspan":81.75,"standing_reach":102.5,"similar_player":"Semi Ojeleye, Stanley Johnson","analysis":"Sports a physique that’d make bodybuilders blush and has the potential skill set of a 3-and-D forward."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Deividas Sirvydis","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":190,"school":"Lietuvos Rytas / Lithuania","pros":"Releases his 3s in a jiffy from an assortment of angles; he can shoot from a standstill or comfortably shoot off movement. His best move off the dribble is a left-to-right crossover that he uses to get to the basket, where he shows touch finishing with either hand. Good playmaker for his position who avoids mistakes and always looks to make the extra pass. Solid positional defender who makes smart, timely rotations and plays with effort. MINUSES He’s a good shooter, but he’s not a knockdown guy; he’s average from the line and often misses wildly off the dribble. There’s still plenty of room for improvement. Loose handle with a lack of burst and dynamic moves; his ball handling must develop for his passing skill to be fully realized. Lacks an ideal physical profile to thrive on defense with a lanky frame and short arms. He’s slow laterally, and not strong enough against larger players. If he’s getting abused playing in Lithuania, what happens in the NBA? NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He’s a good shooter, but he’s not a knockdown guy; he’s average from the line and often misses wildly off the dribble. There’s still plenty of room for improvement. Loose handle with a lack of burst and dynamic moves; his ball handling must develop for his passing skill to be fully realized. Lacks an ideal physical profile to thrive on defense with a lanky frame and short arms. He’s slow laterally, and not strong enough against larger players. If he’s getting abused playing in Lithuania, what happens in the NBA?","position":"Forward","grade":"NANA","pts_total":5.4,"pts_per40":14.2,"reb_total":1.9,"reb_per40":4.9,"ast_total":0.6,"ast_per40":1.7,"efg":63.7,"fga":62,"stl_total":0.1,"stl_per40":0.2,"blk_total":0,"blk_per40":0,"tpt":46.3,"tpa":41,"ft":76.5,"fta":17,"main_selling_point":"Shooting","age":19,"wingspan":79.25,"similar_player":"Rodney Hood, Kevin Huerter, Allen Crabbe","analysis":"Smooth lefty shooter who passes the ball at a high level for his position."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Lecque","year":2019,"height":76.25,"weight":185,"school":"Brewster Academy","pros":"Shifty ball handler who gets where he wants on the floor with advanced dribbles using either hand, plus a quick first step that he uses to blow by defenders at the point of attack. He’s capable of scoring over or through contact in the paint and is a potential free throw magnet who barrels into the paint with reckless abandon. Passed the ball well at the NBA combine with various difficult passes off the dribble, including a left wraparound to a rolling big man, which is a sign of pick-and-roll playmaking upside. Combination of lateral quickness, verticality, and agility, with long arms and a strong frame, which gives him upside to be a sturdy on-ball defender against guards and wings. Disruptive off-ball defender who can leap for blocks and jump passing lanes with excellent closing speed like an NFL cornerback. MINUSES Plays too fast: He has tunnel vision as a passer, bobbles the ball, and loses control on drives; how effective can he be in the half court? Subpar shooter with mechanics in need of adjustment. He’ll also need to learn how to take more efficient shots instead of settling for contested midrange jumpers. Likely never will be an efficient perimeter scorer due to his poor touch, but it’s his defense, athleticism, and brilliant flashes that make him worthy of a selection late in the draft. Decided to spend a full year training for the draft instead of attending NC State, or playing overseas; scouts question his mind-set. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Plays too fast: He has tunnel vision as a passer, bobbles the ball, and loses control on drives; how effective can he be in the half court? Subpar shooter with mechanics in need of adjustment. He’ll also need to learn how to take more efficient shots instead of settling for contested midrange jumpers. Likely never will be an efficient perimeter scorer due to his poor touch, but it’s his defense, athleticism, and brilliant flashes that make him worthy of a selection late in the draft. Decided to spend a full year training for the draft instead of attending NC State, or playing overseas; scouts question his mind-set.","position":"Guard","grade":"NANA","main_selling_point":"Athleticism","age":19,"wingspan":80.5,"standing_reach":98.5,"similar_player":"Dennis Smith Jr., Trevon Duval","analysis":"The best athlete in the draft not named Zion; he’s electric with the ball in his hands, though he’s a raw playmaker with a shaky jumper."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Isaiah Roby","year":2019,"height":80.5,"weight":214,"school":"Nebraska","pros":"Solid ball handler for his size who can drive and finish near the rim with either hand; he could develop into a major pick-and-pop threat if his shot develops. Unselfish passer who keeps the ball moving and does a good job of locating cutters and spot-up shooters; however, his passes are often inaccurate. Capable post scorer who’s comfortable on either block using either hand. Potentially switchable defender who flashes lateral quickness sliding against guards; he stays low in his stance and has good footwork changing directions with the length to alter shots. He could become versatile in defending the pick-and-roll in all different schemes, like hedging, dropping, or switching. Bouncy athlete who’s a threat to protect the rim from the weak side, though he isn’t an enforcer. MINUSES Passive player who doesn’t assert himself on offense. He also avoids physicality, too; on the roll, he’ll often dribble into a jump hook or floater instead of challenging defenders at the rim. He looks good shooting, but the results aren’t there; he lacks touch near the rim and from the line, both of which are concerning when projecting his 3-point-shooting upside. Often gets stuck in no-man’s-land defending off-ball or in the pick-and-roll when recovering; his motor also regularly wanes. Dealt with plantar fasciitis that affected his heel last summer, and suffered a groin injury during the season. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Passive player who doesn’t assert himself on offense. He also avoids physicality, too; on the roll, he’ll often dribble into a jump hook or floater instead of challenging defenders at the rim. He looks good shooting, but the results aren’t there; he lacks touch near the rim and from the line, both of which are concerning when projecting his 3-point-shooting upside. Often gets stuck in no-man’s-land defending off-ball or in the pick-and-roll when recovering; his motor also regularly wanes. Dealt with plantar fasciitis that affected his heel last summer, and suffered a groin injury during the season.","position":"Forward","grade":"Junior","pts_total":11.8,"pts_per40":15.2,"reb_total":6.9,"reb_per40":8.9,"ast_total":1.9,"ast_per40":2.5,"efg":49.7,"fga":326,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":1.6,"blk_total":1.9,"blk_per40":2.4,"tpt":33.3,"tpa":84,"ft":67.7,"fta":133,"main_selling_point":"3-and-D upside","age":21.3,"wingspan":85,"standing_reach":106,"similar_player":"Thaddeus Young, Trey Lyles, Rodions Kurucs","analysis":"Combo forward with all the physical tools to succeed, but is marred by his inconsistency and lack of physicality."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Zach Norvell","year":2019,"height":77.5,"weight":206,"school":"R. Guard Gonzaga","pros":"Versatile lefty spot-up shooter who can drain 3s off movement, screens, and handoffs. He loves to hustle up the floor to the corners and wings for transition 3s. Good shooter off the dribble who can side-dribble or step back into 3s with fluidity. Effective at-rim finisher who has touch on his left-handed attempts, and finishes strong in traffic, though he isn’t an elite athlete. Quality passer who delivers accurate passes off the dribble and limits his turnovers. He makes simple reads, though he’ll occasionally toss a tasty dime. Serviceable defender who improved his on-ball fundamentals as a sophomore; he moves well laterally and can hold his own against wings. Nicknamed Snacks because of his love for candy, baked sweets, and chocolate milk. MINUSES Inconsistent shooter who will disappear for long stretches. He has the confidence to shoot through his struggles, but his shot selection needs to improve. A lack of on-ball creativity and dynamic moves will make it hard for him to be more than just a catch-and-shoot player at the next level. He’s not long or strong, and lacks quickness and explosiveness. He’s not someone who can lock down guards and he’s not big enough to defend against large forwards or bigs. It’s vital that he fine-tune his defensive decision-making to limit mistakes on rotations. He makes too many errors watching the ball and sloppily closes out onto shooters. Nicknamed Snacks because of his love for candy, baked sweets, and chocolate milk. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Inconsistent shooter who will disappear for long stretches. He has the confidence to shoot through his struggles, but his shot selection needs to improve. A lack of on-ball creativity and dynamic moves will make it hard for him to be more than just a catch-and-shoot player at the next level. He’s not long or strong, and lacks quickness and explosiveness. He’s not someone who can lock down guards and he’s not big enough to defend against large forwards or bigs. It’s vital that he fine-tune his defensive decision-making to limit mistakes on rotations. He makes too many errors watching the ball and sloppily closes out onto shooters. Nicknamed Snacks because of his love for candy, baked sweets, and chocolate milk.","position":"J","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":14.9,"pts_per40":19.5,"reb_total":4.3,"reb_per40":5.6,"ast_total":3.1,"ast_per40":4.1,"efg":55,"fga":419,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":1.7,"blk_total":0.1,"blk_per40":0.1,"tpt":37,"tpa":262,"ft":86.7,"fta":105,"main_selling_point":"Shooting","age":21.5,"wingspan":78,"standing_reach":101,"similar_player":"Eric Gordon, Josh Richardson, R.J. Hunter","analysis":"Fearless shooter who improved significantly in college as a ball handler and defender, but remains a streaky player."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Mcdaniels","year":2019,"height":81.75,"weight":192,"school":"San Diego State","pros":"Dribbles low to the ground like a guard, with a quick first step enhanced by fluid crossovers and hesitations; he likes driving left to get to the rim, shoot a runner, or pull up from the midrange. Projects to be an effective shooter in the NBA, though he made only 30.1 percent of his 93 catch-and-shoot 3s and 75.8 percent of his 240 free throw attempts in college. He has good form, soft touch on floaters, and the ability to hit shots off movement. Coordinated finisher at the rim who can use either hand from tough, off-balance angles. He’s an active cutter and runs the floor hard. Flashes playmaking skills with accurate cross-court passes from the post or drive-and-kicks to shooters and cutters; if he further tightens his handle, he could even run some pick-and-roll. Small-ball big potential: Projects as a valuable on-ball screener if his shooting improves since he can pop, attack off the dribble, roll and finish with finesse, or locate open teammates. Excellent perimeter defender who moves well laterally when sitting low in his stance, and who recovers and closes out well. He has the makings of a super-switchable defensive presence. Impactful off-ball defender who hustles and displays good awareness with his rotations; though he’s not a rim protector, he can disturb opponents with his attentive weakside help. Always willing to take a charge or dive for a loose ball. His aggressive style also allows him to rebound much better than his slim frame would suggest. MINUSES Thin upper and lower body will limit his ability to add muscle, and therefore to effectively defend stronger, beefier bigs; he gets pushed around a lot. Lack of length and leaner frame could limit his success protecting the rim. At least he can switch or hedge. Takes too many midrange attempts; it’s critical that he maximizes his shooting potential to extend his range and unlock his offensive impact. Prone to lose control of the ball when bumped, though most of his college turnovers were the result of defensive pressure with players doubling him on drives or post-ups. Should be a mismatch nightmare against smaller players in the post, but his lack of strength and post moves and his tendency to settle for pull-ups are concerning. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Thin upper and lower body will limit his ability to add muscle, and therefore to effectively defend stronger, beefier bigs; he gets pushed around a lot. Lack of length and leaner frame could limit his success protecting the rim. At least he can switch or hedge. Takes too many midrange attempts; it’s critical that he maximizes his shooting potential to extend his range and unlock his offensive impact. Prone to lose control of the ball when bumped, though most of his college turnovers were the result of defensive pressure with players doubling him on drives or post-ups. Should be a mismatch nightmare against smaller players in the post, but his lack of strength and post moves and his tendency to settle for pull-ups are concerning.","position":"Big","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":15.9,"pts_per40":20.5,"reb_total":8.3,"reb_per40":10.7,"ast_total":2.1,"ast_per40":2.7,"efg":49.2,"fga":455,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":1.4,"blk_total":0.5,"blk_per40":0.6,"tpt":32,"tpa":75,"ft":73.2,"fta":127,"main_selling_point":"3-and-D upside","age":21.3,"wingspan":84.25,"standing_reach":105.5,"similar_player":"Kyle Kuzma, Jonathan Isaac","analysis":"Versatile player built for today’s league, with the height of a big and the perimeter skills of a wing."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Daniel Gafford","year":2019,"height":82.5,"weight":238,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Explosive lob threat who finishes strong against contact and draws a lot of fouls; Arkansas rarely ran pick-and-roll, but that’ll be his primary skill in the NBA. Displays fluidity that could translate into greater pick-and-roll upside if his ballhandling and touch develop. Excellent on-ball and off-ball screener who displays an understanding of timing and angles. Relentless rebounder. Grinds hard defending man-to-man, plus has terrific shot-blocking instincts from the weak side and on the perimeter. MINUSES Partially tore his meniscus in high school. Nonthreat outside of the paint due to average touch and funky shot form; he’s also a poor free throw shooter. Lacks passing vision. Heavy feet defending on the perimeter, which limits his effectiveness on a switch. His lean frame and average length also limits him against beefy centers. Commits too many careless fouls biting for pump fakes, reaching, and attempting to block shots he has no chance at. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Partially tore his meniscus in high school. Nonthreat outside of the paint due to average touch and funky shot form; he’s also a poor free throw shooter. Lacks passing vision. Heavy feet defending on the perimeter, which limits his effectiveness on a switch. His lean frame and average length also limits him against beefy centers. Commits too many careless fouls biting for pump fakes, reaching, and attempting to block shots he has no chance at.","position":"Big","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":16.9,"pts_per40":23.6,"reb_total":8.7,"reb_per40":12.1,"ast_total":0.7,"ast_per40":1,"efg":66,"fga":324,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1.3,"blk_total":2,"blk_per40":2.8,"tpt":0,"tpa":0,"ft":59.1,"fta":193,"main_selling_point":"Rim running","age":20.7,"wingspan":86.25,"standing_reach":110,"similar_player":"Clint Capela, Willie Cauley-Stein, JaVale McGee","analysis":"An unheralded high school prospect who has emerged as an ideal, high-energy center."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jordan Poole","year":2019,"height":77.5,"weight":191,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Impressive ball handler who can break down defenders one-on-one using a bevy of moves, spins, and hesitations. Smooth spot-up shooting stroke: He hops into his shots, which gives him a quick release. He projects to have a dynamic ability to shoot off screens if he masters his footwork. Potent shooter off the dribble with deep range. Has analytical shot selection in that he uses side dribbles to take 3s instead of settling for long 2s. A pick-and-roll threat from anywhere. Dynamic at-rim finisher who can score athletically with touch layups off the glass. Solid passer when he wants to be; he willingly distributes in the pick-and-roll and delivers passes with acceptable accuracy. Flashes of defensive intensity leave room for optimism. He’s a good athlete who moves well laterally. His effort, focus, and fundamentals will all have to get better, though. MINUSES At best, his offense is a dopamine rush; at worst, it’s a massive headache. There is no in-between. He takes wild, hero-mode shots off the dribble too often. Often picks up his dribble before passing, especially in pick-and-roll situations, when he should keep a live dribble. He doesn’t think the game on defense. His close-outs are sloppy; he’ll rotate off good shooters to help on bad ones; he struggles to navigate through screens and falls asleep off the ball. Could someday become a solid on-ball defender, but his laziness, lack of awareness, poor fundamentals, and lack of discipline (plus his average wingspan) mean he has a long way to go. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"At best, his offense is a dopamine rush; at worst, it’s a massive headache. There is no in-between. He takes wild, hero-mode shots off the dribble too often. Often picks up his dribble before passing, especially in pick-and-roll situations, when he should keep a live dribble. He doesn’t think the game on defense. His close-outs are sloppy; he’ll rotate off good shooters to help on bad ones; he struggles to navigate through screens and falls asleep off the ball. Could someday become a solid on-ball defender, but his laziness, lack of awareness, poor fundamentals, and lack of discipline (plus his average wingspan) mean he has a long way to go.","position":"Guard","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":12.8,"pts_per40":15.4,"reb_total":3,"reb_per40":3.6,"ast_total":2.2,"ast_per40":2.6,"efg":53.8,"fga":369,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":1.3,"blk_total":0.2,"blk_per40":0.3,"tpt":36.9,"tpa":75,"ft":83.3,"fta":75,"main_selling_point":"Iso scoring","age":20,"wingspan":78.75,"standing_reach":99.5,"similar_player":"J.R. Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, Mario Hezonja","analysis":"Highlight-reel scoring wing who looks the part, but frustrates as much as he excites."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Shamorie Ponds","year":2019,"height":72.5,"weight":180,"school":"St. John's","pros":"Dynamic pick-and-roll ball handler who uses behind-the-back and spin moves to generate space; he can split screens to penetrate the paint or pull up over the top. Solid spot-up shooter with a smooth lefty stroke; he’s also productive shooting off screens and handoffs. Crafty finisher around the rim who uses scoop shots, finger rolls, and touch releases to compensate for his middle-of-the-pack athleticism; he also improved his ability to finish with his right hand in the past year. Displays advanced vision in the open floor and delivers difficult kickouts off the dribble; he’s a better playmaker than he often gets credit for, and the spacing in the NBA could unleash his passing. Active off-ball defender who jumps passing lanes and closes out well, though he’ll need to gamble less often in the pros. MINUSES Frustrating shot selection: He overdribbles and takes too many contested pull-ups early in the shot clock; it was his role to score in college, but it would’ve been nice to see him show some more advanced playmaking. Streaky shooter with wildly fluctuating numbers; backup point guards who stick in the league usually are more consistent. Small stature with midtier athleticism and quickness. He makes a ton of tough shots, but at his age you’d hope he’d create more separation. Struggles to score in the paint against good rim protectors; though he has a soft floater, it’s only an average shot for him at this stage. His defensive effort fluctuated in college and he’ll need bring it consistently to survive at the next level. Undersized defenders get relentlessly picked on by NBA competition. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Frustrating shot selection: He overdribbles and takes too many contested pull-ups early in the shot clock; it was his role to score in college, but it would’ve been nice to see him show some more advanced playmaking. Streaky shooter with wildly fluctuating numbers; backup point guards who stick in the league usually are more consistent. Small stature with midtier athleticism and quickness. He makes a ton of tough shots, but at his age you’d hope he’d create more separation. Struggles to score in the paint against good rim protectors; though he has a soft floater, it’s only an average shot for him at this stage. His defensive effort fluctuated in college and he’ll need bring it consistently to survive at the next level. Undersized defenders get relentlessly picked on by NBA competition.","position":"Point guard","grade":"Junior","pts_total":19.7,"pts_per40":22.4,"reb_total":4.1,"reb_per40":4.7,"ast_total":5.1,"ast_per40":5.8,"efg":52.1,"fga":477,"stl_total":2.6,"stl_per40":3,"blk_total":0.3,"blk_per40":0.3,"tpt":35.3,"tpa":184,"ft":83.6,"fta":183,"main_selling_point":"Shot creation","age":20.9,"wingspan":75.5,"standing_reach":96.5,"similar_player":"Austin Rivers, Smaller Cuttino Mobley","analysis":"Score-first point guard with a tight handle and deep range who can carve out his spot in the league as a shot-making spark plug."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cody Martin","year":2019,"height":77.5,"weight":192,"school":"Nevada","pros":"Experienced pick-and-roll playmaker with the vision to locate teammates and the skill to deliver on-target passes; he’s also capable of pulling up or finishing at the rim as the ball handler. Solid spot-up shooter despite his funky mechanics; he thrives attacking closeouts since he can score at the rim or make clever passes. Flashes shooting skill off the dribble, particularly from midrange, though he extended his range as a senior and shot well from the college 3-point line. Good transition playmaker who throws accurate outlets, makes wise decisions, and hustles to get ahead of the defense. Competitive on-ball defender with long arms and a sturdy frame who can slide laterally against guards and wings; he stays locked in off the ball, makes smart rotations, and rebounds. MINUSES Lacks ideal athleticism; he’s not quick with the ball in his hands or a leaper around the rim. Streaky shooter with unnatural mechanics; will his shot translate to the NBA line? Will it be consistent enough to make him a threat to the defense? Solid ball handler but he could compensate for some athletic limitations by further tightening his handle and adding advanced moves to beat lengthy defenders off the dribble. There is a limit to his upside; in addition to not being an exceptional athlete, he’s almost 24. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks ideal athleticism; he’s not quick with the ball in his hands or a leaper around the rim. Streaky shooter with unnatural mechanics; will his shot translate to the NBA line? Will it be consistent enough to make him a threat to the defense? Solid ball handler but he could compensate for some athletic limitations by further tightening his handle and adding advanced moves to beat lengthy defenders off the dribble. There is a limit to his upside; in addition to not being an exceptional athlete, he’s almost 24.","position":"Forward","grade":"Senior","pts_total":12.1,"pts_per40":14,"reb_total":4.5,"reb_per40":5.2,"ast_total":4.9,"ast_per40":5.7,"efg":56.2,"fga":299,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":1.6,"blk_total":0.7,"blk_per40":0.8,"tpt":35.8,"tpa":95,"ft":76.3,"fta":97,"main_selling_point":"Defense","age":23.7,"wingspan":82.25,"standing_reach":102.5,"similar_player":"Malcolm Brogdon, DeAndre’ Bembry","analysis":"Jumbo ball handler who controls the tempo and has natural feel, plus the versatility to defend multiple positions."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jontay Porter","year":2019,"height":83,"weight":210,"school":"Missouri","pros":"Excellent passer from all over the floor; he makes quick reads and delivers accurate passes. Could become one of the NBA’s better passing bigs. Fluid ball handler who uses crossovers, hesitations, and spin moves to attack the basket from the perimeter or high post. Elite screener for his age; he could develop into a multidimensional screening threat on the pop, short roll, and dives. Good shooter off the catch; a creative coach could even utilize him off screens since he’s effective setting his feet after movement. Solid positional defender who tends to make good rotations; he’s not a rim protector, but there’s value in not screwing up. Projects as a sturdy low-post defender if he adds muscle, due to his effort level and positioning. Porter comes from a basketball family; Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is his brother. MINUSES Subpar athlete who lacks quickness; an NBA strength and conditioning coach could help turn his youthful blubber into professional brawn. Poor rebounder for his position, though his basketball IQ suggests he can get better at boxing out. Doesn’t have the length to protect the rim nor the agility to roam the perimeter, meaning he may be exploitable on defense. Struggles to score around the rim due to lack of pop; he misses an unusual amount of easy shots. Can clearly shoot the rock, but his set form and low release could use some refinement to assure it translates to the NBA. Tore his right ACL during a scrimmage in October 2018, then re-tore it in March; Porter admits he disobeyed his doctor’s orders and rushed back to the court. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Subpar athlete who lacks quickness; an NBA strength and conditioning coach could help turn his youthful blubber into professional brawn. Poor rebounder for his position, though his basketball IQ suggests he can get better at boxing out. Doesn’t have the length to protect the rim nor the agility to roam the perimeter, meaning he may be exploitable on defense. Struggles to score around the rim due to lack of pop; he misses an unusual amount of easy shots. Can clearly shoot the rock, but his set form and low release could use some refinement to assure it translates to the NBA. Tore his right ACL during a scrimmage in October 2018, then re-tore it in March; Porter admits he disobeyed his doctor’s orders and rushed back to the court.","position":"Big","grade":"Sophomore","main_selling_point":"Playmaking","age":19.6,"wingspan":84,"standing_reach":109.5,"similar_player":"Thrift shop Nikola Jokic, Detlef Schrempf, Drew Gooden","analysis":"Skilled big who spaces the floor and does all the little things offensively, but has torn his right ACL twice in six months."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Zylan Cheatham","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":220,"school":"Arizona State","pros":"Tireless defender who will bust through screens and close out on shooters like his life depends on it. Has the strength, athleticism, and wingspan to defend across positions and switch screens. Rim protector who hustles for chase-down and weakside blocks; he rotates like he has an innate feel for the play before it happens. An excellent defensive rebounder who can make an outlet pass or take the ball coast to coast himself. Herky-jerky ball handler who uses in-out dribbles and hesitations to penetrate the paint; he can run pick-and-roll and be relied on to make the simple play and difficult cross-court passes. Good screener who could thrive on the short roll, unselfishly passing to open shooters or attacking the basket himself, where he can finish with either hand through contact. Displayed a willingness to change by overhauling his shooting mechanics after transferring; if he learns to shoot, he’ll be tough to handle when attacking closeouts. MINUSES Poor shooter with ugly mechanics even after changing his form. Defenses won’t pay attention to him when he’s spotting up. Turnover prone, as he takes some unnecessary risks as a passer, though it’s one of the byproducts of his playmaking mind-set. Post skills could use work in regard to carving out space and sealing opponents under the rim. He could improve his accuracy on jump hooks. Lacks the bulk to effectively defend traditional bigs with a post game, but he’ll battle. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Poor shooter with ugly mechanics even after changing his form. Defenses won’t pay attention to him when he’s spotting up. Turnover prone, as he takes some unnecessary risks as a passer, though it’s one of the byproducts of his playmaking mind-set. Post skills could use work in regard to carving out space and sealing opponents under the rim. He could improve his accuracy on jump hooks. Lacks the bulk to effectively defend traditional bigs with a post game, but he’ll battle.","position":"Forward","grade":"Redshirt Senior","pts_total":12.1,"pts_per40":15,"reb_total":10.3,"reb_per40":12.7,"ast_total":3.2,"ast_per40":3.9,"efg":55.4,"fga":268,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":1,"blk_total":0.8,"blk_per40":1,"tpt":44,"tpa":25,"ft":61.8,"fta":186,"main_selling_point":"Defensive versatility","age":23.7,"wingspan":84.5,"similar_player":"Draymond Green Lite, Jerami Grant, Alfonzo McKinnie","analysis":"Tremendous defender as an undersized big who has a knack for playmaking for a player his size."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Naz Reid","year":2019,"height":81.5,"weight":256,"school":"LSU","pros":"Ambidextrous finisher around the rim who uses his long arms to extend for layups; he also displays a feel for cutting and consistently hustles in transition. Capable of scoring off the bounce after attacking closeouts and dives out of the pick-and-roll with floaters and touch finishes in the paint. He’s a flat-footed shooter, though his soft touch suggests potential room for significant improvement from 3 and the line. Good ball handler for his size who’s a threat to shoot off the dribble. He’s fluid when transitioning into pull-up and stepback jumpers, or taking the ball to the rim. Has a nose for the ball on rebounds, especially on the offensive boards, where he often chases his own misses. MINUSES Lack of speed on the post and subpar verticality limits his scoring upside near the rim; he could overpower smaller college defenders, but NBA size will be a challenge. His guardlike habits can be friend or foe; he’s a shaky decision-maker who dribbles into crowds and forces a contested shot. He needs to focus more on making simple plays. Not explosive, which limits his shot-blocking and overall rim-protection potential. You can’t knock the hustle, but he’s sluggish moving laterally on the perimeter despite his efforts; switching onto guards could be problematic and he could fall into foul trouble. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lack of speed on the post and subpar verticality limits his scoring upside near the rim; he could overpower smaller college defenders, but NBA size will be a challenge. His guardlike habits can be friend or foe; he’s a shaky decision-maker who dribbles into crowds and forces a contested shot. He needs to focus more on making simple plays. Not explosive, which limits his shot-blocking and overall rim-protection potential. You can’t knock the hustle, but he’s sluggish moving laterally on the perimeter despite his efforts; switching onto guards could be problematic and he could fall into foul trouble.","position":"Big","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":13.6,"pts_per40":20,"reb_total":7.2,"reb_per40":10.6,"ast_total":0.9,"ast_per40":1.3,"efg":50.7,"fga":365,"stl_total":0.7,"stl_per40":1.1,"blk_total":0.7,"blk_per40":1,"tpt":33.3,"tpa":84,"ft":72.7,"fta":128,"main_selling_point":"Size and shooting","age":19.8,"wingspan":87.25,"standing_reach":109,"similar_player":"Andray Blatche, Troy Murphy, Jared Sullinger","analysis":"Fits the blueprint of a modern big with his shooting ability and effort level, but his lack of athleticism could hold him back."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Daquan Jeffries","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":216,"school":"Tulsa","pros":"High-IQ player who rarely commits avoidable mistakes or forces unwarranted shots; he’s an unselfish passer and delivers an accurate ball even off the dribble. Solid spot-up 3-point shooter who’s at his best from a standstill, but the way he hops to set his feet suggests he could get better at shooting off movement. Excellent interior finisher whose patience, pump fakes, and big hands help him control the ball in a crowd—he’s especially explosive when attacking closeouts. Active offensive rebounder and solid screener who excelled playing power forward as a senior; he may be best suited long term as a small-ball big. Strong-bodied defender with a thick frame and good fundamentals. Plus, he constantly communicates and hustles; he’ll fly in for weakside blocks, take a charge, and box out. Attentive off-ball and has good technique on closeouts; a constant threat to jump passing lanes for deflections. MINUSES A nonfactor shooting off the dribble, and lacks advanced ballhandling moves to create for himself or others. Could affect his ability to score in the paint at the next level. A solid shooter, but not a knockdown one; he has only above-average touch, though it’s encouraging that he was comfortable from the NBA line at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Despite his vertical athleticism, he has average lateral quickness with stiff hips; with NBA strength and conditioning, it should be a fixable flaw. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"A nonfactor shooting off the dribble, and lacks advanced ballhandling moves to create for himself or others. Could affect his ability to score in the paint at the next level. A solid shooter, but not a knockdown one; he has only above-average touch, though it’s encouraging that he was comfortable from the NBA line at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Despite his vertical athleticism, he has average lateral quickness with stiff hips; with NBA strength and conditioning, it should be a fixable flaw.","position":"Guard","grade":"Junior","pts_total":13,"pts_per40":18.6,"reb_total":5.6,"reb_per40":7.9,"ast_total":1.8,"ast_per40":2.6,"efg":58.4,"fga":138,"stl_total":1,"stl_per40":1.4,"blk_total":1.2,"blk_per40":1.7,"tpt":36.6,"tpa":123,"ft":75.5,"fta":110,"main_selling_point":"Defensive versatility","age":21.8,"wingspan":83.25,"standing_reach":104,"similar_player":"P.J. Tucker, Mickael Pietrus, Semi Ojeleye","analysis":"Strong-bodied defender who constantly communicates and hustles"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Miye Oni","year":2019,"height":77.75,"weight":206,"school":"Yale","pros":"Strong-bodied wing with long arms and athleticism to finish with power at the rim when he has space in transition; NBA spacing could improve his half-court success. Good spot-up shooter who can hit a standstill 3; he’s also a solid straight-line driver who finishes creatively with both hands around the rim. Smart passer who can accurately deliver complex passes off the dribble; he can throw drive-and-kicks to 3-point shooters or thread the needle with bounce passes to cutters. Good on-ball defender who has quick lateral quickness to stick with wings and some guards; he has good fundamentals fighting through screens. Active defender who makes hustle plays, grabs rebounds, and pursues weakside blocks. He is focused off-ball and displays sound fundamentals rotating and recovering to shooters. MINUSES Has stiff shooting mechanics; he lacks the fluidity to be a dynamic shooter off movement in screen and handoff situations. Commits avoidable turnovers due to his loose handle on crossovers and advanced moves; simplifying his role responsibility should help minimize them. Takes off from too far away from the rim on many of his finishes, leading to heavily contested layups. Improving his footwork on drives could enhance his finishing. Lacks experience against top-level competition as an Ivy League player; he has regularly struggled in those matchups, which is worrisome. Inconsistent defender, possibly due to his heavy offensive workload in college, but he'll need to stay locked in to maximize his full defensive tools in the NBA. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Has stiff shooting mechanics; he lacks the fluidity to be a dynamic shooter off movement in screen and handoff situations. Commits avoidable turnovers due to his loose handle on crossovers and advanced moves; simplifying his role responsibility should help minimize them. Takes off from too far away from the rim on many of his finishes, leading to heavily contested layups. Improving his footwork on drives could enhance his finishing. Lacks experience against top-level competition as an Ivy League player; he has regularly struggled in those matchups, which is worrisome. Inconsistent defender, possibly due to his heavy offensive workload in college, but he'll need to stay locked in to maximize his full defensive tools in the NBA.","position":"Guard","grade":"Junior","pts_total":17.1,"pts_per40":22.1,"reb_total":6.3,"reb_per40":8.1,"ast_total":3.6,"ast_per40":4.6,"efg":51.5,"fga":379,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1.2,"blk_total":1.3,"blk_per40":1.6,"tpt":37.1,"tpa":151,"ft":79.3,"fta":135,"main_selling_point":"Complementary scoring","age":21.8,"wingspan":82.75,"standing_reach":100.5,"similar_player":"Norman Powell, Glenn Robinson III, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot","analysis":"College standout who projects as a role player able to hit spot-up 3s and make selfless plays off the dribble."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tremont Waters","year":2019,"height":70.75,"weight":172,"school":"Guard LSU","pros":"Controls the game: He skillfully navigates pick-and-rolls and uses his slick handle and sleight of hand to generate passing lanes to find open shooters. Accurate passer off the dribble who makes good decisions. Threat to pull up from deep range to hit 3s off the dribble. He’s a constant threat to pull up. Great spot-up shooter who was rarely used off screens but displays the skills that suggest he can develop shooting prowess off movement. Plays hard on defense; he slithers through screens, stays in his stance, and focuses off the ball. MINUSES Undersized guards rarely thrive in the NBA: He’ll get picked on defensively, like any small player does. While competitive, he won’t be able to reliably switch screens. Below-the-rim finisher who will need to master his raw floater to be a scoring threat in the paint. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Undersized guards rarely thrive in the NBA: He’ll get picked on defensively, like any small player does. While competitive, he won’t be able to reliably switch screens. Below-the-rim finisher who will need to master his raw floater to be a scoring threat in the paint.","position":"Point","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":15.3,"pts_per40":18.8,"reb_total":2.8,"reb_per40":3.4,"ast_total":5.8,"ast_per40":7.2,"efg":50,"fga":400,"stl_total":2.9,"stl_per40":3.6,"blk_total":0.1,"blk_per40":0.1,"tpt":32.7,"tpa":171,"ft":81.3,"fta":128,"main_selling_point":"Pure point ability","age":21.4,"wingspan":74.25,"standing_reach":93.5,"similar_player":"Tyler Ulis, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf","analysis":"Tiny, sweet-shooting point guard with an instinctive feel for how to manage tempo."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"John Konchar","year":2019,"height":77,"weight":210,"school":"Purdue Fort Wayne","pros":"Served as a primary playmaker in college, and though it won’t be his role in the NBA, he can at least be relied on to make smart plays off the dribble and keep the ball moving. Ambidextrous finisher who attacks going left or right; he lacks shake or elite burst, but his quick first step, dexterity, and feel make him a serviceable live dribble threat. Displayed an aptitude for shooting off movement with handoffs or side-dribble pull-ups, though his current success rate off the dribble from 3 is subpar. Plays hard on defense by rotating, communicating, and staying seated in his on-ball stance. MINUSES Lacks agility as a ball handler and changes directions rather mechanically, which raises questions about his ability to do more off the bounce than attack in a straight line. May struggle to score inside due to his short wingspan and lack of lift; he can finish strong with room to gather and jump, but isn’t a true leaper in a crowded space. Not long or bulky enough to lock down top forwards, and he’s not agile enough to contain most guards, so there might be a defined ceiling to his potential as a defender. Has limited experience against top competition in college; it’s no certainty that his game translates at the highest levels. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks agility as a ball handler and changes directions rather mechanically, which raises questions about his ability to do more off the bounce than attack in a straight line. May struggle to score inside due to his short wingspan and lack of lift; he can finish strong with room to gather and jump, but isn’t a true leaper in a crowded space. Not long or bulky enough to lock down top forwards, and he’s not agile enough to contain most guards, so there might be a defined ceiling to his potential as a defender. Has limited experience against top competition in college; it’s no certainty that his game translates at the highest levels.","position":"Guard","grade":"Senior","pts_total":19.5,"pts_per40":22.7,"reb_total":8.5,"reb_per40":10,"ast_total":5.4,"ast_per40":6.3,"efg":60.9,"fga":231,"stl_total":2,"stl_per40":2.3,"blk_total":0.9,"blk_per40":1.1,"tpt":38.1,"tpa":139,"ft":71.3,"fta":178,"main_selling_point":"Reliability","age":23.2,"wingspan":79,"similar_player":"PLUSES","analysis":"SHADES OF: Landry Fields, Pat Connaughton"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ignas Brazdeikis","year":2019,"height":79.25,"weight":221,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Good spot-up shooter who’s capable of hitting one- or two-dribble pull-ups with his lefty stroke. He’s also comfortable attacking closeouts to his left or right with straight-line drives. Instinctual off-ball player who has good timing on cuts, migrates to space behind the arc, screens well, and willingly crashes the offensive boards. Good footwork on drives to the rim and he’s effective finishing with either hand from tough angles below the rim, which helps overcome his lack of quickness. Sprints up the floor in transition to get open for corner 3s. He can push the ball up the floor himself and loves using a right-to-left crossover to get to the rim. Played hard on defense, and rebounds despite being a primary option on offense. He battles against players of different sizes and has the potential to be a solid team defender. MINUSES Below-the-rim finisher when leaping off one foot in a crowd. He finished well in college, but there will be a significant learning curve against NBA length. Doesn’t create enough separation off the dribble to become a dynamic scorer because of his slow first step, short strides, and average handle. Telegraphs passes when pressured. If he improves, he can be a solid passer within the flow of the offense. Lacks length and lateral quickness: Even when he’s locked in, he tends to get blown by; he’s not quick enough against guards or big enough against forwards. Critical that he masters his defensive fundamentals to stay on the floor. He gets caught off-balance in man-to-man situations and when closing out to contest shooters. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Below-the-rim finisher when leaping off one foot in a crowd. He finished well in college, but there will be a significant learning curve against NBA length. Doesn’t create enough separation off the dribble to become a dynamic scorer because of his slow first step, short strides, and average handle. Telegraphs passes when pressured. If he improves, he can be a solid passer within the flow of the offense. Lacks length and lateral quickness: Even when he’s locked in, he tends to get blown by; he’s not quick enough against guards or big enough against forwards. Critical that he masters his defensive fundamentals to stay on the floor. He gets caught off-balance in man-to-man situations and when closing out to contest shooters.","position":"Forward","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":14.8,"pts_per40":20,"reb_total":5.4,"reb_per40":7.3,"ast_total":0.8,"ast_per40":1.1,"efg":53.1,"fga":407,"stl_total":0.7,"stl_per40":0.9,"blk_total":0.5,"blk_per40":0.7,"tpt":39.2,"tpa":143,"ft":77.3,"fta":150,"main_selling_point":"Shooting","age":20.4,"wingspan":81.25,"standing_reach":102,"similar_player":"Harrison Barnes, Pat Connaughton, Matt Harpring, a Bond villain","analysis":"Hard-nosed scoring wing who plays hard on defense, though he’s athletically limited."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Terance Mann","year":2019,"height":78.5,"weight":205,"school":"Florida State","pros":"Smart player who keeps the ball moving and has skill passing off the dribble, locating cutters and shooters; he ran a lot of pick-and-roll in college and rarely made silly errors. Active off-ball player who times cuts to catch defenders off guard, and who willingly screens away from the action. Gritty man-to-man defender with a great frame who moves well laterally, can switch screens, and communicates. Loves to battle inside as a rebounder. He’ll box out on defense and crash the boards on offense. High-character person who works hard, makes a difference in the community, and loves the game of basketball. MINUSES Shot the 3 well as a senior, but it came on a low volume. He shot only 32.7 percent from 3 and 67 percent from the line across all four seasons, plus has average touch on layups and floaters. Non-factor shooting off the dribble. Right-hand dominant finisher who would benefit from adding a left to overcome his lack of elite athleticism around the rim. He ran some point in college, but doesn’t project as a primary ball handler in the NBA given his lack of burst and the looseness of his ballhandling. Capable of defending multiple positions, but at what level is the question: He doesn’t quite project as a lockdown guy, and has only an average wingspan. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Shot the 3 well as a senior, but it came on a low volume. He shot only 32.7 percent from 3 and 67 percent from the line across all four seasons, plus has average touch on layups and floaters. Non-factor shooting off the dribble. Right-hand dominant finisher who would benefit from adding a left to overcome his lack of elite athleticism around the rim. He ran some point in college, but doesn’t project as a primary ball handler in the NBA given his lack of burst and the looseness of his ballhandling. Capable of defending multiple positions, but at what level is the question: He doesn’t quite project as a lockdown guy, and has only an average wingspan.","position":"Guard","grade":"Senior","pts_total":11.4,"pts_per40":14.4,"reb_total":6.5,"reb_per40":8.2,"ast_total":2.5,"ast_per40":3.2,"efg":55.7,"fga":291,"stl_total":0.7,"stl_per40":0.9,"blk_total":0.3,"blk_per40":0.4,"tpt":39,"tpa":77,"ft":79,"fta":124,"main_selling_point":"High IQ","age":22.6,"wingspan":79.75,"standing_reach":101,"similar_player":"Luc Mbah a Moute, Dorian Finney-Smith","analysis":"Big wing who defends with heart and has feel on offense, though he must prove his 3-ball is for real."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Justin Wright","year":2019,"height":74,"weight":190,"school":"OREMAN Guard Hofstra","pros":"Shifty ball handler who gets where he wants on the floor thanks to his slick footwork and tight handle, featuring spins and crossovers; he changes speeds and directions instantly. Knockdown lefty shooter who is fearless off the dribble: He has deep range and can pull up, step back, or sidestep into any shot—especially when going to his right. Impressive at-rim finisher. He can score acrobatically through contact using either hand due to his elite body control and soft touch. Plus, he has an excellent floater. Projects as a versatile off-ball shooter due to his ability to balance himself in midair, though he largely shot off the dribble in college. Underrated passer: He flashes serious playmaking skills by making difficult cross-court passes to shooters and bounce passes to cutters. Strong frame for his height should allow him to at least hold his own defensively, provided he puts in full effort; he had to relax often in college due to his heavy offensive load. MINUSES Forces too many contested midrange jumpers; it was his role at Hofstra, but there will be an adjustment period adapting to a lower-usage role that requires him to take smart shots. Average floor vision. While he can pass, he’ll sometimes throw the ball straight into traffic instead of locating a more open teammate. Streaky shooter who misses wildly on jumpers, including air balls; it could be a mechanical flaw that hasn’t yet impacted his percentages, but it’s noteworthy since his shot is crucial to his success. Undersized player who will get picked on defensively in playoff situations when teams frequently attack the opponent’s weaker links. He played zone in college, so he’ll need to prove he can adapt to a man-to-man scheme, fighting over screens and rotating. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Forces too many contested midrange jumpers; it was his role at Hofstra, but there will be an adjustment period adapting to a lower-usage role that requires him to take smart shots. Average floor vision. While he can pass, he’ll sometimes throw the ball straight into traffic instead of locating a more open teammate. Streaky shooter who misses wildly on jumpers, including air balls; it could be a mechanical flaw that hasn’t yet impacted his percentages, but it’s noteworthy since his shot is crucial to his success. Undersized player who will get picked on defensively in playoff situations when teams frequently attack the opponent’s weaker links. He played zone in college, so he’ll need to prove he can adapt to a man-to-man scheme, fighting over screens and rotating.","position":"#NAME?","grade":"Senior","pts_total":27.1,"pts_per40":28.7,"reb_total":4,"reb_per40":4.3,"ast_total":2.9,"ast_per40":3.1,"efg":59.6,"fga":646,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":0.9,"blk_total":0.2,"blk_per40":0.2,"tpt":42.5,"tpa":110,"ft":86.4,"fta":178,"main_selling_point":"Scoring","age":21.6,"similar_player":"Lefty Lou Williams, Brandon Jennings, Speedy Claxton","analysis":"Score-first guard who must mature his playmaking chops, but could thrive as an energizing scoring presence."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Sagaba Konate","year":2019,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"West Virginia","pros":"Amazing shot blocker with excellent instincts and fundamentals. Has full command of the rule of verticality, keeping his hands straight up without fouling. Strong post defender. Once his technique improves enough to maximize his low center of gravity, he’ll be like a brick wall inside. Plays his ass off on the perimeter. He closes out, contests shots, and stays in his stance. He’s not quick laterally, but the effort is there. Great rebounder who is a threat for putback dunks. He has strong hands and rarely gets stripped after offensive boards. Solid free throw shooter and midrange shooter with good touch inside. Lob threat, though he needs more experience and coaching in the pick-and-roll. Also didn’t run the floor much in college. Improved his shooting each season and started hitting 3s as a junior, though he toes the line and must extend to NBA range. MINUSES Average perimeter defender, which is unsurprising considering the bulk he carries. He may not be a player who can switch onto faster players. Very raw at reading the floor and will need to learn how to defend pick-and-roll, something he has very little experience doing. Limited passer, screener, and ball handler. Teams won’t want the ball in his hands much on offense. Slow decision-maker who can mostly only be relied on to make very basic passes at this stage of his career. Brings the ball down to load up for dunks. He needs to learn how to go straight up and take advantage of his quick leaping ability. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Average perimeter defender, which is unsurprising considering the bulk he carries. He may not be a player who can switch onto faster players. Very raw at reading the floor and will need to learn how to defend pick-and-roll, something he has very little experience doing. Limited passer, screener, and ball handler. Teams won’t want the ball in his hands much on offense. Slow decision-maker who can mostly only be relied on to make very basic passes at this stage of his career. Brings the ball down to load up for dunks. He needs to learn how to go straight up and take advantage of his quick leaping ability.","position":"Big","grade":"Junior","pts_total":13.6,"pts_per40":22.6,"reb_total":8,"reb_per40":13.3,"ast_total":1.4,"ast_per40":2.3,"efg":48.8,"fga":85,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":1.2,"blk_total":2.8,"blk_per40":4.6,"tpt":39.1,"tpa":23,"ft":81.3,"fta":32,"main_selling_point":"Shot-blocking","age":22.2,"wingspan":84,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Tristan Thompson, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle O'Quinn","analysis":"The West Virginia big man looks like the Incredible Hulk and plays like a Ben Wallace impersonator."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Killian Hayes","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"pros":"Playmaking is his best skill. He can whip passes off the dribble with accuracy and hit cutters or rollers with precision. Creative pick-and-roll facilitator. Despite his weak right hand, he gets where he wants and knows how to manipulate defenses to create passing angles and openings to score. Fluid ball handler with the size to outmuscle smaller guards. Excellent touch with his left hand finishing difficult floaters and runners, often after initiating contact. Displays major potential as an off-the-dribble 3-point shooter with Hardenesque moves. Added a stepback and sidestep 3 to his arsenal and uses hesitations to get into pull-ups. His catch-and-shoot shooting numbers are concerning, but he has smooth form, a soft touch inside, and a free throw percentage over 80—all of which suggest he’ll figure it out. Tall, with a strong frame and long arms, making him a projectably versatile defender against guards and wings. Active off-ball menace who could develop into a disruptive defensive helper. MINUSES Left-hand dominant: He might as well tie his right hand behind his back considering how little he uses it—there are some passes he can’t make since he relies on his left hand so much. Limited athlete who lacks burst and bounce, which hinders his finishing ability, especially since he rarely uses his right hand. Lacks an advanced handle. Picks up his dribble too often, which gets him into trouble. He’s shifty but doesn’t create a ton of separation and doesn’t string together advanced moves to break down defenses. Experiences lapses on defense, missing rotations and falling out of his on-ball stance. He needs to be more vocal as a lead guard to take better command of the team. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Left-hand dominant: He might as well tie his right hand behind his back considering how little he uses it—there are some passes he can’t make since he relies on his left hand so much. Limited athlete who lacks burst and bounce, which hinders his finishing ability, especially since he rarely uses his right hand. Lacks an advanced handle. Picks up his dribble too often, which gets him into trouble. He’s shifty but doesn’t create a ton of separation and doesn’t string together advanced moves to break down defenses. Experiences lapses on defense, missing rotations and falling out of his on-ball stance. He needs to be more vocal as a lead guard to take better command of the team.","pts_total":11.6,"pts_per40":16.8,"ast_total":5.4,"ast_per40":7.8,"tpt":29.4,"tpa":102,"ft":87.6,"fta":89,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Perimeter Shooting, Feel For The Game, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":80.25,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"D’Angelo Russell, Manu Ginobili","analysis":"Dynamic left-handed shot maker who’s made rapid progress at age 18, though he’s raw in some technical areas."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Anthony Edwards","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Georgia","pros":"Powerful driving to the rim; when he initiates contact, defenders bounce off him. Finishes with athleticism and displays soft touch with either hand. Dynamic shot-maker off the dribble; he fluidly transitions from complex dribbles, spins, and hesitations into pull-ups, stepbacks, and side steps. A freight train in transition; though his shot selection was iffy at Georgia, wide-open spacing in the NBA could lead to far more shots at the rim. Solid passer. Doesn’t possess elite court vision, and tends to react rather than create opportunities for teammates, but he can execute basic reads to shooters and cutters. Potentially a super-versatile defender thanks to his rare blend of size, strength, and agility. MINUSES Not a pure shooter; he settles for jumpers even against mismatches, which is especially frustrating for a player with his size and strength. Best suited to be in a multiple-ball-handler system next to a pass-first player because of his underwhelming playmaking instincts. Inconsistent effort. At times he plays hard by cutting, running up the floor, and crashing the boards. But then he’ll disappear—teams will need to do extensive background to gauge his mentality. Despite his athleticism, he struggles as an off-ball defender, lacking focus and often losing track of his man. Fundamentals and effort must improve while defending on-ball; lockdown flashes are mired by far too many moments of apathy. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Not a pure shooter; he settles for jumpers even against mismatches, which is especially frustrating for a player with his size and strength. Best suited to be in a multiple-ball-handler system next to a pass-first player because of his underwhelming playmaking instincts. Inconsistent effort. At times he plays hard by cutting, running up the floor, and crashing the boards. But then he’ll disappear—teams will need to do extensive background to gauge his mentality. Despite his athleticism, he struggles as an off-ball defender, lacking focus and often losing track of his man. Fundamentals and effort must improve while defending on-ball; lockdown flashes are mired by far too many moments of apathy.","position":"Guard","grade":"freshman","pts_total":19.1,"pts_per40":23.1,"reb_total":5.2,"reb_per40":6.3,"ast_total":2.8,"ast_per40":3.4,"efg":47.3,"fga":505,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Ballhandling","age":22.2,"wingspan":81,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Victor Oladipo, Eric Gordon, Dion Waiters","analysis":"Bruising scorer who can create space with his dribble and make tough shots from all over the court, but his decision-making leaves much to be desired."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Lamelo Ball","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"pros":"Ambidextrous passer with pinpoint accuracy and omnidirectional vision. He sees everything on the court, creating opportunities for teammates that most players simply don’t see or can’t pull off thanks to his innate ability to manipulate defenders. Excellent ball handler who uses hesitations to put defenders on skates. He uses advanced moves but always remains in control, dictating the pace like a drummer would a song’s tempo. Elite touch. Though he attempts too many floaters and shys away from contact, his ability to score creatively with either hand suggests he could develop into a finisher at the rim. Attentive off-ball player who cuts and adjusts to space well behind the arc. Great rebounder for his position like his older brother Lonzo. His instincts pop up here when tracking down boards. Versatile defender. He’s quick laterally and quite large for a point guard. He has the size to comfortably switch onto wings. MINUSES Ball is a great passer, but he can’t be classified as a great playmaker yet because of his decision-making. He jacks up poor shots early in the clock and settles far too often rather than attacking the rim. Poor shooting mechanics: He has no consistency with his form, other than his low release. As a solid free throw shooter with good touch on floaters, he has obvious upside. But his form—much like his brother’s—must be overhauled. Rarely initiates contact and avoids it around the rim. He doesn’t stay in his defensive stance and often keeps his hands down when closing out—or as Mark Jackson would say: “Hand down, man down.” Defensive discipline: He defaults to switching instead of fighting over screens and he falls out of position off-ball when chasing steals. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Ball is a great passer, but he can’t be classified as a great playmaker yet because of his decision-making. He jacks up poor shots early in the clock and settles far too often rather than attacking the rim. Poor shooting mechanics: He has no consistency with his form, other than his low release. As a solid free throw shooter with good touch on floaters, he has obvious upside. But his form—much like his brother’s—must be overhauled. Rarely initiates contact and avoids it around the rim. He doesn’t stay in his defensive stance and often keeps his hands down when closing out—or as Mark Jackson would say: “Hand down, man down.” Defensive discipline: He defaults to switching instead of fighting over screens and he falls out of position off-ball when chasing steals.","pts_total":17,"pts_per40":19.6,"reb_total":7.6,"reb_per40":8.7,"ast_total":6.8,"ast_per40":7.9,"efg":42.5,"fga":199,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Feel For The Game, Ballhandling","age":22.2,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Jason Williams, Lonzo Ball, Shaun Livingston","analysis":"Passes like he’s on the Harlem Globetrotters, and it somehow works; he needs to dramatically improve his scoring efficiency, but he has the upside to become one of the NBA’s best playmakers."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Deni Avdija","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"pros":"Great playmaker for his position. He’s savvy in the pick-and-roll, rarely makes mistakes, and attentively locates cutters and shooters. He keeps the ball moving in the half court and pushes the ball ahead on the break. Solid ball handler. At 6-foot-9, he doesn’t have much shake, but he knows how to change speeds with enough aptitude to clear room for his passes. His best role could be as a playmaking hub from the post and on the short roll due to the combination of his height and passing ability. Strong finisher who can use either hand and scores through contact. Loves to pump-fake. He’ll fearlessly drive into the paint and challenge rim protectors. Excellent team defender who rotates well and typically finds himself in the right position. He’s not an athletic player, but can make an impact with his positioning as a reliable help defender. Good intangibles. He knows how to use his strength: He plays hard and constantly competes. He also takes analytics-friendly shots by mostly scoring on 3s and layups. MINUSES Worrisome shooting: He has solid form but has posted poor percentages from the floor and the line. Off the catch, he tends to pause as he adjusts the ball in his hands. He’s streaky, but he also may just lack touch. Doesn’t have top-end burst or springs, so he’ll really need to master his ball handling to maximize his ability to create space and shots. He’s an active on-ball defender but lacks the lateral quickness to contain quicker players. He works hard, though, and NBA conditioning programs should help. Lacks the length to be an effective rim protector—both as a small-ball big and as a help defender in traditional lineups. He shot 56 percent on 363 free throw attempts since 2017, per RealGM data. There is little historical precedent for a player with such poor free throw numbers to ever become a reliable shooter. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Worrisome shooting: He has solid form but has posted poor percentages from the floor and the line. Off the catch, he tends to pause as he adjusts the ball in his hands. He’s streaky, but he also may just lack touch. Doesn’t have top-end burst or springs, so he’ll really need to master his ball handling to maximize his ability to create space and shots. He’s an active on-ball defender but lacks the lateral quickness to contain quicker players. He works hard, though, and NBA conditioning programs should help. Lacks the length to be an effective rim protector—both as a small-ball big and as a help defender in traditional lineups. He shot 56 percent on 363 free throw attempts since 2017, per RealGM data. There is little historical precedent for a player with such poor free throw numbers to ever become a reliable shooter.","pts_total":7.7,"pts_per40":14.1,"reb_total":4.1,"reb_per40":7.4,"tpt":33.6,"tpa":119,"ft":52,"fta":75,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Feel For The Game, Interior Scoring, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":81,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Danilo Gallinari, Nicolas Batum, Dario Saric","analysis":"Versatile forward with the playmaking ability of a guard, though the development of his jumper will be key to his success."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"James Wiseman","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Memphis","pros":"Elite measurables with long arms and a strong frame. He runs the floor like a gazelle, and he explodes vertically when he has space to launch. Active rebounder. He displays a high motor and great instincts tracking the trajectory of missed shots on the offensive glass. His best offensive role is as a screener who rolls hard to the rim since he can finish lobs or with touch. But he can also mix in pops to generate shots from the perimeter and keep defenses honest. Strong post-up potential. Displays a rare blend of power and finesse and does a nice job of sealing off his man. But he currently lacks advanced power moves, instead defaulting to fadeaways. Shooting upside: He has good mechanics and soft touch. But he lacks range and doesn’t have a track record of success shooting from midrange and 3. Athletic rim protector whose mere presence can deter opponents. He’s good at assessing what’s in front of him. If his positioning and court awareness improves, he has elite potential. High-character person who works hard on and off the court. He’s intelligent, too; These are positive personality traits that could aid his development. MINUSES Poor shot selection in high school; he played like he thought he was the second coming of Dirk Nowitzki. In college, he played more to his strengths, which needs to continue at the NBA level; the context of his situation will be key to his success. He’s an all-world athlete in an open gym, but he slows down in games when he has to read the floor. Simplifying his role will be vital early on. He has a weak handle, which limits him off the dribble. And as a playmaker, he misses open cutters and delivers inaccurate passes. He’s best suited to finish rather than create. Chases too many blocks and ends up falling for pump fakes. Sluggish lateral movement on the perimeter due to a lack of quickness and shoddy footwork. Defenders blow by him too often. At this stage, he’s not switchable. Shaky team defender who tends to find himself in the wrong position or a beat late when rotating. He reads the floor slowly, so his pick-and-roll defense is particularly underwhelming. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Poor shot selection in high school; he played like he thought he was the second coming of Dirk Nowitzki. In college, he played more to his strengths, which needs to continue at the NBA level; the context of his situation will be key to his success. He’s an all-world athlete in an open gym, but he slows down in games when he has to read the floor. Simplifying his role will be vital early on. He has a weak handle, which limits him off the dribble. And as a playmaker, he misses open cutters and delivers inaccurate passes. He’s best suited to finish rather than create. Chases too many blocks and ends up falling for pump fakes. Sluggish lateral movement on the perimeter due to a lack of quickness and shoddy footwork. Defenders blow by him too often. At this stage, he’s not switchable. Shaky team defender who tends to find himself in the wrong position or a beat late when rotating. He reads the floor slowly, so his pick-and-roll defense is particularly underwhelming.","position":"Big","grade":"freshman","pts_total":19.7,"pts_per40":34.2,"reb_total":10.7,"reb_per40":18.6,"efg":76.9,"fga":26,"blk_total":3,"blk_per40":5.2,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Shot Blocking, Rebounding","age":22.2,"wingspan":90,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Mild-mannered Rasheed Wallace, high-energy Hassan Whiteside","analysis":"Athletic marvel who flashes massive two-way potential, but in the short term will be best suited for a simple, rim-running role."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Devin Vassell","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Florida State","pros":"Elite team defender who will immediately help any NBA rotation. He is hyper-alert on rotations, disrupts opponents’ actions with timely digs, and deters shooters from firing with fundamental closeouts. Never stops hustling. Even when a play seems over, he’ll fly out of nowhere for a chase-down block or last-second deflection. Impactful on-ball defender with the right blend of agility and length to defend guards and wings, though he must get stronger. Good spot-up shooter with a high release and displays awareness moving and cutting off the ball. Tightened his handle to become a potent shooter off the bounce; he hit a single dribble jumper as a freshman and then 39 as a sophomore, with many of them contested out of the pick-and-roll. Displays high-level passing vision for a wing, though he’s not a primary ball handler. MINUSES Lacks burst to beat defenders off the dribble and get to the rim—and even if he gets to the paint, he struggles to finish against contact. Wiry frame may limit his versatility against larger, stronger opponents. Not a dynamic shooter off the catch, though considering his dramatic improvement off the dribble he may develop that ability. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks burst to beat defenders off the dribble and get to the rim—and even if he gets to the paint, he struggles to finish against contact. Wiry frame may limit his versatility against larger, stronger opponents. Not a dynamic shooter off the catch, though considering his dramatic improvement off the dribble he may develop that ability.","position":"Wing","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":12.7,"pts_per40":17.6,"efg":56.5,"fga":294,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":1.9,"tpt":41.5,"tpa":106,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense, Perimeter Shooting, Hustle, On-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Khris Middleton, Robert Covington, Matisse Thybulle","analysis":"One of the best defenders in this year’s class, with a developing offensive game that could make him more than just a shooter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Patrick Williams","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Florida State","pros":"Efficient at-rim scorer who uses either hand on athletic extended finishes. Talented scorer off the dribble who can rise—and sometimes hang —before draining tough, contested jumpers. Sound decision-maker who plays within the system. He doesn’t pause possessions; he keeps the ball moving. Nor does he force bad shots; he looks for an open man. Good playmaker for his size due to his solid handle and excellent passing vision. He loves to use hesitations, especially in the pick-and-roll, and he can deliver accurate passes off the dribble. Does the little things like cutting, screening, and rebounding. With his size and skill, it’s projectable for a team to use him like a big as an on-ball screener who can pop for 3s or dive to the rim. Smart, athletic team defender who communicates and disrupts actions with timely help defense. Gritty player who hustles hard on defense. He’s had a handful of inspired chasedown blocks. As a rim protector, he’ll put in multiple efforts to get stops. Flashes versatility on-ball in a switch-heavy scheme at Florida State. With improvements to his athleticism, he could shine. MINUSES Still developing as a spot-up shooter. He had to improve his form in high school to become a good free throw shooter (84 percent), but still struggles off the catch with a low, slow release. He totaled nearly double the number of turnovers (50) as he did assists (29). Despite a knack for playmaking, he got called for countless travels due to raw footwork and forced drives into traffic. Stiff man-to-man defender without the versatility to reliably switch onto guards and wings. He’s clunky moving laterally and changing directions, so he gets burned regularly. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Still developing as a spot-up shooter. He had to improve his form in high school to become a good free throw shooter (84 percent), but still struggles off the catch with a low, slow release. He totaled nearly double the number of turnovers (50) as he did assists (29). Despite a knack for playmaking, he got called for countless travels due to raw footwork and forced drives into traffic. Stiff man-to-man defender without the versatility to reliably switch onto guards and wings. He’s clunky moving laterally and changing directions, so he gets burned regularly.","position":"Wing","grade":"freshman","pts_total":9.2,"pts_per40":16.4,"ast_total":1,"ast_per40":1.8,"tpt":32,"tpa":50,"ft":83.8,"fta":74,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Perimeter Shooting, Shot Blocking, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":83,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Danilo Gallinari, P.J. Tucker","analysis":"Versatile offensive threat who can serve as a shot creator or as a screener; he can fill a range of roles."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tyrell Terry","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Stanford","pros":"Elite shooter with a quick, high release. He can run off screens and find his balance midair (48 percent on catch-and-shoot 3s), or unload off-the-dribble jumpers from deep behind the arc (32 percent). Advanced off-ball movement: He manipulates defenders with pivots and fakes to get himself open. The Curry family would be proud of his tendency to relocate for corner 3s after giving up the ball. Crafty interior finisher with an expansive layup package. He has a keen sense for how to contort his body on layup attempts, and the soft touch to score from awkward angles or against contact. Makes an impact in the pick-and-roll. He has the burst to turn the corner and generally makes smart decisions when deciding whether to shoot or pass. Solid passer who can make fundamental plays, plus the more advanced ones like whips to 3-point shooters and wrap-arounds to rolling bigs. Competitive defender who will take a charge and dive for loose balls. On switches, he’ll try to battle against bigger players. MINUSES Developing a stepback and side-dribble 3 is the next step for him. At this stage, the far majority of his dribble-jumper 3s are pull-ups. When he takes wild shots—which were often necessary at Stanford—his mechanics often fall apart; he kicks his legs out and lands wide instead of releasing with sound fundamentals. He needs to improve his off-hand to score better around the rim against length and contact. Picks up his dribble too often on drives to the rim. He should keep it alive and learn how to circle through the lane or look for the open man. Goes through the motions at times as a playmaker. He needs to put zip on the ball. Undersized point guards get targeted on defense no matter how hard they compete, and at 160 pounds he’ll have a huge target on his relatively small back. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Developing a stepback and side-dribble 3 is the next step for him. At this stage, the far majority of his dribble-jumper 3s are pull-ups. When he takes wild shots—which were often necessary at Stanford—his mechanics often fall apart; he kicks his legs out and lands wide instead of releasing with sound fundamentals. He needs to improve his off-hand to score better around the rim against length and contact. Picks up his dribble too often on drives to the rim. He should keep it alive and learn how to circle through the lane or look for the open man. Goes through the motions at times as a playmaker. He needs to put zip on the ball. Undersized point guards get targeted on defense no matter how hard they compete, and at 160 pounds he’ll have a huge target on his relatively small back.","position":"Guard","grade":"freshman","pts_total":14.6,"pts_per40":18,"ast_total":3.2,"ast_per40":3.9,"tpt":40.8,"tpa":152,"fta":110,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Feel For The Game, Hustle","age":22.2,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Mark Price, CJ McCollum, Jason Terry","analysis":"Potentially a game-changing shooter with limitless range, but players his size historically have had limited potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tyrese Haliburton","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Iowa State","pros":"Always in control; he lacks lightning speed or explosiveness, but he uses subtle gear changes to throw defenders off balance, create room, and then strike. Takes long strides on drives to the rim and displays good timing when gathering his dribble before using his length to score at the rim. Creative playmaker with extraordinary vision and ambidextrous handles to deliver passes at all angles; he manipulates defenders with his eyes and dribble in the pick-and-roll, and has pinpoint accuracy on passes to rollers and shooters. Good spot-up shooter with deep NBA range, despite his odd form. A coach’s dream: He does all the little things on the court, from smart, timely defensive rotations to making rapid decisions to keep the offense flowing. MINUSES Lack of athleticism and burst limits his upside as a primary shot creator. Generally avoids contact at the rim, which forces him to settle for tough layups or low-percentage floaters. Made progress off the dribble as a sophomore, but still didn’t shoot well, and his stiff form raises concern. Man-to-man defense: He stands in too much of an upright stance and moves laterally on his heels. Also takes poor angles fighting around screens. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lack of athleticism and burst limits his upside as a primary shot creator. Generally avoids contact at the rim, which forces him to settle for tough layups or low-percentage floaters. Made progress off the dribble as a sophomore, but still didn’t shoot well, and his stiff form raises concern. Man-to-man defense: He stands in too much of an upright stance and moves laterally on his heels. Also takes poor angles fighting around screens.","position":"Guard","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":15.2,"pts_per40":16.6,"reb_total":5.9,"reb_per40":6.4,"ast_total":6.5,"ast_per40":7,"efg":61.1,"fga":244,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Off-Ball Defense, Feel For The Game","age":22.2,"wingspan":80,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Sam Cassell","analysis":"Genius playmaker who can be a major building block of a contending team."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Onyeka Okongwu","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"USC","pros":"Excellent finisher with soft hands that catch tough passes, a pillowy touch around the rim, and the quick-leaping ability to score with power. Good post scorer. He does a nice job of getting into position by sealing off defenders. Once he gets the ball, he displays flashes of advanced ability with spins, drop steps, and fakes. Handles the ball like a wing. He has a quick first step with an arsenal of moves, including crossovers and rip-throughs, that he uses to get to the rim. But he doesn’t overdo it; he makes good decisions and plays within himself. He makes slick passes, loves to throw outlets, and passes well out of the post. He needs to make quicker reads off rolls to the rim and from the perimeter, but he’s in a good place at his age. Does the little things: He hustles, screens well, rebounds all over the floor, and makes clutch plays. Excellent pick-and-roll defender. He’s mobile and versatile, able to drop, switch, or hedge. When he’s protecting the rim in either pick-and-roll or help situations, his positioning, timing, and instincts lead to effective shot alterations. He’s usually in the right spot, which is rare for a player his age. MINUSES Inconsistent shooting mechanics from the field and the line. He’ll have some bad misses, though his inside touch offers optimism for improvement. He’s quiet and doesn’t communicate much on defense either. As a rim protector, he needs to be more talkative to help the defense stay connected. Chases blocks. Bites on too many fakes inside. He’s slightly undersized for a center at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. He also needs to get significantly stronger to contain elite post-up bigs like Joel Embiid. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Inconsistent shooting mechanics from the field and the line. He’ll have some bad misses, though his inside touch offers optimism for improvement. He’s quiet and doesn’t communicate much on defense either. As a rim protector, he needs to be more talkative to help the defense stay connected. Chases blocks. Bites on too many fakes inside. He’s slightly undersized for a center at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. He also needs to get significantly stronger to contain elite post-up bigs like Joel Embiid.","position":"Big","grade":"freshman","pts_total":16.2,"pts_per40":21.2,"reb_total":8.6,"reb_per40":11.3,"efg":61.8,"fga":284,"blk_total":2.7,"blk_per40":3.5,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Shot Blocking, Interior Scoring, On-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":85,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Bam Adebayo, young Antonio McDyess, Taj Gibson","analysis":"Do-it-all big with rare versatility as a defender. Always competes and has a knack for making big plays."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Isaac Okoro","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Auburn","pros":"Great finisher who delivers through contact, draws fouls, and displays a pillowy touch with either hand. Smart decision-maker who moves the ball, can run some pick-and-roll, and doesn’t force bad shots—instead of taking a contested runner, he’ll almost always kick it out to an open shooter. Displays a good handle with either hand on crossovers, spins, and hesitations. He could have untapped, long-term upside as a shot creator. Versatile on-ball defender with the strength to battle bigger players, and the ideal blend of fundamentals, quickness, and intelligence to play on the perimeter. A high-IQ, competitive defender who excels within the team concept by rotating well and disrupting opponents’ actions. MINUSES Stiff shooter with clunky mechanics—defenses already sag off him. He brings the ball to his shot pocket too soon, ruining the timing of his release. Nonfactor off the dribble. Subpar free throw shooter, which doesn’t provide much optimism for the development of his jumper. Lacks burst and quickness on drives to the rim, so his flashes of shot-creating ability may never translate to the NBA. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Stiff shooter with clunky mechanics—defenses already sag off him. He brings the ball to his shot pocket too soon, ruining the timing of his release. Nonfactor off the dribble. Subpar free throw shooter, which doesn’t provide much optimism for the development of his jumper. Lacks burst and quickness on drives to the rim, so his flashes of shot-creating ability may never translate to the NBA.","position":"Wing","grade":"freshman","pts_total":12.8,"pts_per40":16.3,"ast_total":2,"ast_per40":2.6,"tpt":28.6,"tpa":70,"ft":67.4,"fta":132,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense, Playmaking, Interior Scoring, On-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":81,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Gerald Wallace, Justise Winslow","analysis":"Superb defender with a perfect skill set for the modern positionless game, but needs to improve his jumper to have more value on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Obi Toppin","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Dayton","pros":"Glides through the air for ferocious dunks; he’s a major threat in the pick-and-roll, cutting, and running the break. He also possesses a soft touch with either hand around the rim. Nimble ball handler who can attack from the perimeter; he’ll be a weapon in fake dribble handoffs since he can facilitate, shoot, or get to the basket. Good shooter from NBA 3-point range, but he hasn’t fallen in love with his shot like many modern bigs. Strong playmaker. He makes quick decisions out of the short roll and could develop into a playmaking hub from the post. Has the leaping ability and quickness to theoretically be an effective shot blocker. MINUSES Brutal pick-and-roll defender who displays little recognition or feel for reading a screen; he’s almost always out of position. High center of gravity limits his defensive ability in the post. He’ll often get pushed around for low-post positioning—Zion would bury him under the rim. Doesn’t change directions well laterally; he has tight hips, which means NBA offenses will attack him relentlessly one-on-one. Poor help defender and rebounder who doesn’t play with great awareness or effort. Lacks an arsenal of low-post scoring moves and is raw shooting off the dribble. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Brutal pick-and-roll defender who displays little recognition or feel for reading a screen; he’s almost always out of position. High center of gravity limits his defensive ability in the post. He’ll often get pushed around for low-post positioning—Zion would bury him under the rim. Doesn’t change directions well laterally; he has tight hips, which means NBA offenses will attack him relentlessly one-on-one. Poor help defender and rebounder who doesn’t play with great awareness or effort. Lacks an arsenal of low-post scoring moves and is raw shooting off the dribble.","position":"Big","grade":"redshirt sophomore","pts_total":20,"pts_per40":25.3,"reb_total":7.5,"reb_per40":9.5,"efg":67.4,"fga":387,"tpt":39,"tpa":82,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Interior Scoring, Shot Blocking","age":22.2,"wingspan":83,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Amar'e Stoudemire, Kyle Kuzma, Bouncy Marcus Morris","analysis":"Pure athlete who runs the floor with grace and jumps with explosive power."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Aleksej Pokusevski","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"pros":"Versatile shooting potential: He has good footwork and body control, with a compact release coming off screens and off the dribble; he can rise and fire even with a hand in his face. Nifty passer who can deliver a variety of precise dimes. At 7 feet, he can make passes over the top of the defense in the pick-and-roll that most players can’t. He has good handles for his size, using hesitations, crossovers, and long strides to create separation. His movements are also decisive; there are very few record scratches when he possesses the ball. It’s easy to envision an offensive role for him as a floor spacer and secondary handler in the half court, and as a transition playmaker who rips down rebounds and jump-starts possessions. Potentially a versatile defender if he gets stronger. He has agility and fluidity, and he can swarm smaller opponents with his 7-foot-3 wingspan. Attentive off-ball defender who communicates and jumps passing lanes to deflect passes. MINUSES He’s so skinny; few players with his frame find success in the NBA. He may never be a good one-on-one defender because of physical limitations. It is vital that he finds an excellent strength-and-conditioning program. Inconsistent defensive effort. He plays like he’s 6 feet sometimes, not even bothering to contest shots with his long wingspan. Tries to do too much on offense. He forces tough shots and tries ill-advised moves rather than making the sensible play. Doesn’t hold his follow-through on jumpers, which is one of the reasons for his streakiness; better fundamentals will lead to better results. Potentially a skilled interior finisher since he can use either hand, but he struggles against size and length. He also hasn’t shown any moves in the post. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He’s so skinny; few players with his frame find success in the NBA. He may never be a good one-on-one defender because of physical limitations. It is vital that he finds an excellent strength-and-conditioning program. Inconsistent defensive effort. He plays like he’s 6 feet sometimes, not even bothering to contest shots with his long wingspan. Tries to do too much on offense. He forces tough shots and tries ill-advised moves rather than making the sensible play. Doesn’t hold his follow-through on jumpers, which is one of the reasons for his streakiness; better fundamentals will lead to better results. Potentially a skilled interior finisher since he can use either hand, but he struggles against size and length. He also hasn’t shown any moves in the post.","pts_total":9.9,"pts_per40":16.7,"reb_total":7.3,"reb_per40":12.2,"efg":48.1,"fga":105,"blk_total":1.7,"blk_per40":2.8,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Playmaking, Perimeter Shooting","age":22.2,"wingspan":87,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Detlef Schrempf, Lamar Odom, Dragan Bender","analysis":"A lanky 7-footer who moves like a wing and passes like a guard, but needs to grow into his thin frame to thrive in the NBA."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Precious Achiuwa","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Memphis","pros":"Pick-and-roll upside: He can roll and finish with athleticism or put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. Active rim runner in transition. He can also pull down rebounds and sprint ahead with the ball himself. Good rebounder, and he’s especially active on the offensive glass. Athletic defender who makes plays in the passing lanes as a mobile helper. With his length and strength, he could develop into a rim protector in smaller lineups. High defensive potential thanks to his physical measurements and quickness, but his fundamentals and discipline must improve. MINUSES Turnover prone: He doesn’t read defenses well and often forces shots or drives into a sea of defenders. In the pick-and-roll, he needs to master the short roll pass. Poor shooting touch: He shot 60 percent from the line, 26 percent on floaters, and 30 percent on jumpers. With shaky lower-body mechanics, there’s a lot of work to be done to make him passable at the pro level. Struggles with inconsistency as a defender. His footwork hinders his ability to slide and stay in front of quicker players, but it’s fixable. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Turnover prone: He doesn’t read defenses well and often forces shots or drives into a sea of defenders. In the pick-and-roll, he needs to master the short roll pass. Poor shooting touch: He shot 60 percent from the line, 26 percent on floaters, and 30 percent on jumpers. With shaky lower-body mechanics, there’s a lot of work to be done to make him passable at the pro level. Struggles with inconsistency as a defender. His footwork hinders his ability to slide and stay in front of quicker players, but it’s fixable.","position":"Big","grade":"freshman","pts_total":15.8,"pts_per40":20.7,"reb_total":10.8,"reb_per40":14.2,"blk_total":1.9,"blk_per40":2.5,"fta":187,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Hustle, Rebounding","age":22.2,"wingspan":86,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"James Johnson, Montrezl Harrell","analysis":"Energetic big with potential to be a multipositional defender and versatile scorer, though he’s still in the early stages of his development."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tyrese Maxey","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Clever finisher at the rim who can score from awkward angles using the glass and absorb contact to find an angle using either hand. Shot only 32 percent on jumpers, but his compact form, soft touch, and high percentage from the line bodes well for his future as a shooter. Comfortable shooting off the dribble in either direction. He lacks elite burst but he makes rapid movements stopping and transitioning into his shot. Good pick-and-roll scorer who can get to the rim or pull up and shoot. Excellent on-ball defender with a strong frame and long arms. He plays hard, shifts his feet, and flips his hips to move well laterally and defend pick-and-rolls. He’s strong enough to power through screens or defend larger wings. Off-ball defense: Stays engaged, rotates well, and anticipates where the ball will be to beat opponents to their spots. MINUSES Lacks top-end quickness and acceleration. He’s at his best playing off others, but he’ll need to improve his handle to be a reliable scorer. Attempts a lot of tough, contested shots due to his inability to generate space off the dribble. Low release may contribute to his streakiness as a shooter. He has good overall form but has some really inaccurate misses that occasionally clank off the glass. Average pick-and-roll playmaker who makes simple passes but doesn’t show advanced vision. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks top-end quickness and acceleration. He’s at his best playing off others, but he’ll need to improve his handle to be a reliable scorer. Attempts a lot of tough, contested shots due to his inability to generate space off the dribble. Low release may contribute to his streakiness as a shooter. He has good overall form but has some really inaccurate misses that occasionally clank off the glass. Average pick-and-roll playmaker who makes simple passes but doesn’t show advanced vision.","position":"Guard","grade":"freshman","pts_total":14,"pts_per40":16.2,"ast_total":3.2,"ast_per40":3.7,"efg":47.4,"fga":351,"fta":120,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Off-Ball Defense, On-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":78,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Kyle Lowry, Bradley Beal, Carsen Edwards","analysis":"Shot maker with a knack for making clutch plays on offense and defense; he’s a winner."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Saddiq Bey","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Villanova","pros":"Good spot-up shooter with a lightning-quick release, and a comfortable scorer off the dribble and off movement; he can take a pull-up or run off a simple screen. Flashes secondary playmaking skills in running pick-and-rolls, attacking in straight-line drives, and while facing up in the post. Smart decision-maker who attacks closeouts and delivers accurate passers to cutters and shooters. Versatile defender capable of matching up across positions due to his blend of size and agility; he also sets the tone with his intensity. Aware off-ball defender who rotates well and communicates with teammates. MINUSES Not an explosive player; he lacks a quick first step, and shows little burst on the drive or hops around the rim. Clunky off-hand dribbler with limited shot-creation ability against pro defenders. Screening must improve so teams can use him in set actions, taking advantage of his deft post abilities against smaller players. Releases the ball in front of his body, and his shooting success has come within a small sample. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Not an explosive player; he lacks a quick first step, and shows little burst on the drive or hops around the rim. Clunky off-hand dribbler with limited shot-creation ability against pro defenders. Screening must improve so teams can use him in set actions, taking advantage of his deft post abilities against smaller players. Releases the ball in front of his body, and his shooting success has come within a small sample.","position":"Wing","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":16.1,"pts_per40":19,"reb_total":4.7,"reb_per40":5.6,"ast_total":2.4,"ast_per40":2.8,"efg":58.4,"fga":367,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Hustle, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Tobias Harris, DeMarre Carroll, Jae Crowder","analysis":"Ideal 3-and-D wing with versatility on both ends, plus he makes an impact even if he’s not scoring."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Smith","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Maryland","pros":"Talented shooter with sound mechanics. He excels off screens and handoffs. His size and position make him even more valuable. Dynamic screening threat: He sets strong, fundamental picks, and forces defenses to respect his ability to dive to the rim or pop out for a 3. Good interior finisher with either hand. He has touch, and he can finish with power, especially on putbacks when crashing the boards. Runs the floor hard. He’ll beat defenses for dunks and layups, but he can also trail and drain 3s. High-motor, high-IQ defender. Solid shot blocker with a savvy sense of timing. Boxes out on the boards and rebounds well. MINUSES A bit slow to elevate around the rim. He excelled in college but will need to become quicker in the pros. Doesn’t establish deep seals to get ideal post positioning due to his weak lower-body strength. Subpar passer. He panics when pressured, especially on the post. Even when he has space, he telegraphs passes like a quarterback staring down his receiver. Lacks agility changing directions, which especially hurts him on defense. Even if he recognizes a play, he can be a beat late. Stiff lateral movements hurt his pick-and-roll and perimeter defense. Guards blow by him too often. He needs to put in significant work on his body, especially his hips, to improve quickness. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"A bit slow to elevate around the rim. He excelled in college but will need to become quicker in the pros. Doesn’t establish deep seals to get ideal post positioning due to his weak lower-body strength. Subpar passer. He panics when pressured, especially on the post. Even when he has space, he telegraphs passes like a quarterback staring down his receiver. Lacks agility changing directions, which especially hurts him on defense. Even if he recognizes a play, he can be a beat late. Stiff lateral movements hurt his pick-and-roll and perimeter defense. Guards blow by him too often. He needs to put in significant work on his body, especially his hips, to improve quickness.","position":"Big","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":15.5,"pts_per40":19.8,"reb_total":10.5,"reb_per40":13.4,"blk_total":2.4,"blk_per40":3,"tpt":36.8,"tpa":87,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Shot Blocking, Rebounding","age":22.2,"wingspan":85.5,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Serge Ibaka, Kelly Olynyk, Thomas Bryant","analysis":"Coordinated big man who can shoot and handle the ball, though he’ll need to make strides on defense to become a full-time starter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kira Lewis Jr.","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Alabama","pros":"Dynamic shot creator who blends speed, acceleration, and body control with quality crossovers and hesitations to find high-percentage shots. Pick-and-roll playmaking habits bode well for his potential. He does a great job getting into the paint and then whipping the ball to perimeter shooters. Smooth stroke with bouts of streakiness, but his form, free throw percentage, and shot selection are all positive long-term indicators. Agile on-ball defender who moves well laterally and fights through screens; but he needs to get a lot stronger to contain bigger guards. Active off-ball defender who does a good job helping, digging, and getting in passing lanes without taking too many risks. MINUSES Drives recklessly since he’s still learning how to slow down and play with pace; doing so may also improve his vision and ability to finish. A good-but-not-great playmaker. He doesn’t have the tightest handles or the most advanced moves. The ball often gets poked away and his inaccurate passes can cause shooters to fall off balance. Needs to improve shooting off the dribble, especially when going right. He also lacks a reliable floater. Shows a willingness to draw contact, but needs to improve at finishing off-balance shots with touch. Not a switchable defender due to his size: He’s incredibly light, and lacks a frame to support much more weight. Fundamentals must improve on defense: He stands too upright on-ball instead of staying low, and gets crossed up on closeouts. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Drives recklessly since he’s still learning how to slow down and play with pace; doing so may also improve his vision and ability to finish. A good-but-not-great playmaker. He doesn’t have the tightest handles or the most advanced moves. The ball often gets poked away and his inaccurate passes can cause shooters to fall off balance. Needs to improve shooting off the dribble, especially when going right. He also lacks a reliable floater. Shows a willingness to draw contact, but needs to improve at finishing off-balance shots with touch. Not a switchable defender due to his size: He’s incredibly light, and lacks a frame to support much more weight. Fundamentals must improve on defense: He stands too upright on-ball instead of staying low, and gets crossed up on closeouts.","position":"Guard","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":18.5,"pts_per40":19.6,"ast_total":5.2,"ast_per40":5.6,"efg":52.1,"fga":449,"stl_total":1.8,"stl_per40":1.9,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Hustle, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":78,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Darius Garland, Lou Williams, Ish Smith","analysis":"Speedster point guard who pressures the rim and generates shots for himself around the perimeter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Desmond Bane","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"TCU","pros":"Knockdown shooter who thrives running off screens and using manipulative moves to shake loose from defenders. Despite unorthodox mechanics, he shot 43 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line in four years at TCU. Comfortable shooting off the dribble. He won’t be an iso threat in the pros, but can attack a mismatch or pull-up to punish a scrambling defense. Excels at pick-and-roll decision-making, playing with pace and delivering accurate passes all over the court. Solid finisher who can use either hand around the rim. He has touch, which is vital since he lacks hops. Decisive player who reads the floor at a high level. He cuts and relocates well and facilitates effectively and intentionally. Excellent defensive fundamentals: He sits in his stance and rapidly reacts to cut off drives. With a strong frame and quick hands, he has versatility. MINUSES He needs to tighten his handle to create space against athletic defenders. Though he improved in that area at TCU, he still has room to grow. Lack of burst or a quick first step, plus his short arms, could limit both his at-rim finishing ability and his defensive impact. Defensive versatility is questionable on paper because of his physical and athletic profile. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He needs to tighten his handle to create space against athletic defenders. Though he improved in that area at TCU, he still has room to grow. Lack of burst or a quick first step, plus his short arms, could limit both his at-rim finishing ability and his defensive impact. Defensive versatility is questionable on paper because of his physical and athletic profile.","position":"Wing","grade":"senior","pts_total":16.6,"pts_per40":18.4,"reb_total":6.3,"reb_per40":7,"ast_total":3.9,"ast_per40":4.3,"tpt":44.2,"tpa":208,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Hustle, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":77,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Malcolm Brogdon, Alex Caruso, Lamar Patterson","analysis":"High-IQ guard who plays hard. He already has a veteran skill set and projects favorably as a rotation player."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Robert Woodard Ii","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Mississippi State","pros":"PLUSES Smart team player who cuts and moves well off-ball. With his size and fluidity, he could have value as an on-ball screener in smaller lineups. Skilled finisher at the rim who can pull off acrobatic layups. Good passer; he makes quick decisions with the ball and tends to deliver with accuracy. Improved as a shooter from his freshman to sophomore seasons (27 percent to 43 percent from 3 and 58 percent to 64 percent from the line). Flashes the ability to pull up from midrange—his shot actually looks more fluid here than it does on catch-and-shoot attempts. Active rebounder and terrific team defender. He’s sound inside, helping bigs and then closing back out on shooters. With a long wingspan, he can disrupt passing lanes. MINUSES Loose handle, which leads to the majority of his turnovers. Lacks quickness to comfortably defend guards on switches. Stiff-looking shooter. Despite his improved numbers, he needs to prove a lot from NBA range against high-level defenders. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Loose handle, which leads to the majority of his turnovers. Lacks quickness to comfortably defend guards on switches. Stiff-looking shooter. Despite his improved numbers, he needs to prove a lot from NBA range against high-level defenders.","position":"Wing","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":11.4,"pts_per40":13.7,"reb_total":6.5,"reb_per40":7.9,"efg":54.9,"fga":275,"tpt":42.9,"tpa":70,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Rebounding, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":85,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Marvin Williams, DeMarre Carroll, Dorian Finney-Smith","analysis":"Winning player who puts in constant effort, and his improved jumper promotes confidence in his ability to be a successful pro."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Rj Hampton","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"pros":"He can hit turbo on drives to the rim, and has explosiveness when elevating for layups. He stays low on crossovers, and displays advanced moves with herky-jerky hesitations. Displays the fundamentals, craft, and body control to become a good interior finisher. Playmaking potential. Loves one-handed whip passes off the dribble, and throws them with precision. Doesn’t make advanced reads but flashes the ability to develop in pick-and-roll. Good off-ball player: He’s an aware cutter, relocates well around the perimeter, and runs like Forrest Gump in transition. Gotta love the hustle. Long-term defensive upside because of his athleticism. MINUSES Inconsistent footwork hurts his jump shot. His feet always seem to be lined up differently, though they’re generally too close for him to cleanly release his shot. His upper body looks good, though. Without a reliable jumper, his strengths will be diminished. Selecting him is a big bet on the development of his shooting ability. Though his at-rim finishing is an overall positive, he must get stronger so he can absorb contact better and not overly rely on crafty finishes. He’s a raw playmaker still figuring out how to make his teammates better. He makes some bad reads and occasionally forces passes. Inexperienced defender with poor habits and fundamentals. Doesn’t stay in his stance and has yet to unlock his raw potential. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Inconsistent footwork hurts his jump shot. His feet always seem to be lined up differently, though they’re generally too close for him to cleanly release his shot. His upper body looks good, though. Without a reliable jumper, his strengths will be diminished. Selecting him is a big bet on the development of his shooting ability. Though his at-rim finishing is an overall positive, he must get stronger so he can absorb contact better and not overly rely on crafty finishes. He’s a raw playmaker still figuring out how to make his teammates better. He makes some bad reads and occasionally forces passes. Inexperienced defender with poor habits and fundamentals. Doesn’t stay in his stance and has yet to unlock his raw potential.","pts_total":8.8,"pts_per40":15.4,"ast_total":2.4,"ast_per40":4.2,"efg":45.9,"fga":123,"fta":28,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Hustle","age":22.2,"wingspan":79,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Will Barton, Dante Exum, taller Rodrigue Beaubois","analysis":"Shifty athlete with a speedy first step, but activating his talent will require developing his jumper."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Josh Green","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Good spot-up 3-point shooter who boasts the touch to hit easy pull-ups. Nifty player with a natural feel for making behind-the-back passes or spinning into a shot, though he needs to settle for fewer floaters. Energetic on-ball defender with good footwork and anticipatory skills, mirroring movements of his opponent. Versatility to switch on screens with the combination of lateral quickness against guards and strength against larger wings. Energetic off-ball defender who stays engaged and rotates well; he’s a smart helper who will disrupt plays and rack up deflections and steals. MINUSES Displays some semblance of body control at the rim, but needs to improve against contact and with his left hand to become an effective finisher. Loose handle; he shows flashes but currently lacks control. With a slow first step, he’s limited as an isolation and pick-and-roll scorer. Though he is a smart decision-maker, he occasionally throws inaccurate passes that could otherwise have resulted in easy shot attempts. Underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in 2019. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Displays some semblance of body control at the rim, but needs to improve against contact and with his left hand to become an effective finisher. Loose handle; he shows flashes but currently lacks control. With a slow first step, he’s limited as an isolation and pick-and-roll scorer. Though he is a smart decision-maker, he occasionally throws inaccurate passes that could otherwise have resulted in easy shot attempts. Underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in 2019.","position":"Wing","grade":"freshman","pts_total":12,"pts_per40":15.5,"reb_total":4.6,"reb_per40":5.9,"ast_total":2.6,"ast_per40":3.4,"efg":47.6,"fga":288,"main_selling_point":"Feel For The Game, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":82.25,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Gary Harris, Danny Green, Mickael Pietrus","analysis":"Fits into any roster as a 3-and-D wing who understands his role as a shooter, slasher, and cutter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Aaron Nesmith","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Vanderbilt","pros":"Unlimited range; spaces the floor by demanding a defense’s attention. Skilled shooter off screens who takes tight routes, makes smart reads, and has elite fundamentals from catch to release. Comfortable shooting 3s off the dribble. He has a nice side step and stepback 3 with clean footwork. Straight-line driver who is decisive attacking closeouts. With his size and strength, he could develop into a good finisher. Understands his role and excels within it. He’s a great screener, executes plays, takes smart shots, and keeps the ball moving. Competitive on-ball defender; with some improved fundamentals and athleticism, he could become far more versatile. Intelligent defender. Though he’s not a great athlete, his positioning makes him a deterrent at the nail and around the rim. MINUSES Struggles finishing at the rim against length and contact. He’s not much of a leaper and is prone to getting his shot blocked or heavily altered. Shot-creation ability: He lacks shake as a ball handler, burst on drives, and explosiveness in the paint. Passing vision: He can make basic reads, but he isn’t going to make any advanced plays or deliver the ball with precision. Man-to-man defense needs work. He’s slow laterally and would struggle against speedy guards. Improving his pliability would help him. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Struggles finishing at the rim against length and contact. He’s not much of a leaper and is prone to getting his shot blocked or heavily altered. Shot-creation ability: He lacks shake as a ball handler, burst on drives, and explosiveness in the paint. Passing vision: He can make basic reads, but he isn’t going to make any advanced plays or deliver the ball with precision. Man-to-man defense needs work. He’s slow laterally and would struggle against speedy guards. Improving his pliability would help him.","position":"Wing","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":23,"pts_per40":25.8,"reb_total":4.9,"reb_per40":5.4,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":1.6,"tpt":52.2,"tpa":115,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Hustle","age":22.2,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Dale Ellis, Danny Green, taller Buddy Hield","analysis":"Possesses a flamethrower jump shot; he projects easily as a high-end role player, though he flashes raw ability off the dribble."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jaden Mcdaniels","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Washington","pros":"Excellent ball handler for his size with nifty side-to-side moves that help him get into pull-up jumpers out of the pick-and-roll. He has deep range, and is also comfortable launching from midrange. Good spot-up shooter with smooth mechanics. He’s shown the ability to hit 3s off handoffs, though that might not be part of his NBA role. Potentially a versatile defender thanks to his blend of length and quickness. He’s proved to be an effective weak-side shot blocker, and fared well in college on switches against speedy guards. MINUSES Poor finisher who struggles at dislodging defenders on his drives and at handling contact in the paint. With such a thin frame, he may never be able to pack on weight to be more effective. Defenses can comfortably switch smaller players on him; he isn’t strong enough to exploit them with drives or post-ups. Lacks playmaking skills. Coaches will be frustrated by his bad decisions; it seems like every quarter he hurls his body into a crowd rather than looks for a simple kick-out pass. So skinny that beefier opponents will overpower him on defense. He’s incredibly foul-prone. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Poor finisher who struggles at dislodging defenders on his drives and at handling contact in the paint. With such a thin frame, he may never be able to pack on weight to be more effective. Defenses can comfortably switch smaller players on him; he isn’t strong enough to exploit them with drives or post-ups. Lacks playmaking skills. Coaches will be frustrated by his bad decisions; it seems like every quarter he hurls his body into a crowd rather than looks for a simple kick-out pass. So skinny that beefier opponents will overpower him on defense. He’s incredibly foul-prone.","position":"Wing","grade":"freshman","pts_total":13,"pts_per40":16.7,"reb_total":5.8,"reb_per40":7.5,"ast_total":2.1,"ast_per40":2.7,"efg":46.9,"fga":336,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Ballhandling, Athleticism","age":22.2,"wingspan":83.5,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Rashard Lewis, Andrew Wiggins, Nemanja Bjelica","analysis":"Hyped-up prospect who underwhelmed as a freshman but retains appeal with his size, shooting ability, and defensive versatility."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Leandro Bolmaro","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"pros":"He can make every pass in the book using either hand. He sees passing lanes that few others can, and makes the reads so quickly that it’s as if he’s two steps ahead. Slick ball handler who gets where he wants on the floor with his change-of-pace moves and tempo despite a lack of elite athleticism. Good touch on floaters, runners, and layups, which bodes well long term for his subpar jump shot. Intelligent off-ball player who cuts and relocates like a veteran. High-effort defender who beats opponents to spots and does a great job of fighting over screens. Alert team defender who rotates well, digs down in the post, and provides overall cohesion. MINUSES He needs to improve his off-hand to compensate for the fact that he’s a below-the-rim finisher who struggles against length. Without a reliable jumper, most of his strengths are moot. He shot 28 percent from 3 and 66 percent from the line in three professional seasons overseas. There are some quirks in his jumper, especially in his wrist, that need to be ironed out. Less effective as a shot creator when defended by smaller players who get underneath him; he’ll need to make advancements to survive. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He needs to improve his off-hand to compensate for the fact that he’s a below-the-rim finisher who struggles against length. Without a reliable jumper, most of his strengths are moot. He shot 28 percent from 3 and 66 percent from the line in three professional seasons overseas. There are some quirks in his jumper, especially in his wrist, that need to be ironed out. Less effective as a shot creator when defended by smaller players who get underneath him; he’ll need to make advancements to survive.","pts_total":8,"pts_per40":16.4,"ast_total":2.5,"ast_per40":5.2,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":2.6,"tpt":27.9,"tpa":68,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Playmaking, Feel For The Game","age":22.2,"wingspan":80,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Joe Ingles, Evan Turner","analysis":"Impeccable playmaking skills and instincts give him a foundation for success, but his jumper will determine his upside."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Isaiah Joe","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Versatile shooter with deep range off a full sprint and off screens; he also knows how to cut and relocate. Effective marksman off the dribble; he loves to cross over from his right to his left hand into a stepback shot. Displays great touch around the rim, though he rarely attacks the paint. Solid passer within the flow of the offense, swinging the ball or delivering entry passes; if he starts attacking the basket more often, he could unlock some playmaking potential. Possesses great fundamentals and lateral quickness on the defensive end, which makes him an effective on-ball defender despite a lack of strength. Energetic off-ball defender who chases opponents through screens and makes smart rotations. MINUSES Inconsistent shooter. He hit 41 percent of his 3s as a freshman but only 34 percent as a sophomore. He also took a lot of difficult shots due to his demanding role in the offense, with over 10 3-point attempts per game. Takes a lot of unwarranted shots, which is possibly attributable to his role, but also due to his tendency to jack jumpers rather than attack the rim or make an available pass. Thin frame hinders his versatility defensively; he was often overpowered in college. Underwent arthroscopic debridement surgery on his right knee, ending his sophomore season early. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Inconsistent shooter. He hit 41 percent of his 3s as a freshman but only 34 percent as a sophomore. He also took a lot of difficult shots due to his demanding role in the offense, with over 10 3-point attempts per game. Takes a lot of unwarranted shots, which is possibly attributable to his role, but also due to his tendency to jack jumpers rather than attack the rim or make an available pass. Thin frame hinders his versatility defensively; he was often overpowered in college. Underwent arthroscopic debridement surgery on his right knee, ending his sophomore season early.","position":"Guard","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":16.9,"pts_per40":18.7,"ast_total":1.7,"ast_per40":1.9,"efg":49.7,"fga":360,"tpt":34.2,"tpa":275,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Luke Kennard, Allen Crabbe, RJ Hunter","analysis":"A dynamic and prolific 3-point threat, though he needs to round out the rest of his game."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cole Anthony","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"Talented shooter. He knows how to relocate off-ball, balance himself midair, and drain off-the-catch 3s. Constant threat to score thanks to his ability to hit stepbacks and pull-ups from all over the floor. Ambidextrous finisher with hops, body control, strength, and touch; he’s much better than his numbers indicate because of North Carolina’s horrific spacing in the half court, often with two nonshooting bigs on the floor. Dynamic ball handler who could thrive with more room as a pick-and-roll threat. He strings together combo moves, showing off a mix of change-of-pace dribbles with crosses using either hand. He looks to score first, but can make basic passes. Dangerous transition threat. He’s an excellent defensive rebounder, and he can provide a jolt by sprinting down the floor on the break. Feisty on-ball defender who has a sturdy frame and excellent lateral movement. Impactful off-ball defender who keeps his head on a swivel and makes timely, fundamental rotations and occasionally flies in for weak-side blocks. MINUSES Shot selection: He forces too many contested looks instead of looking to pass, which causes bouts with streakiness. Not a pure playmaker, nor does he naturally make his teammates better. He needs to work on making advanced reads, but even on the simple passes his accuracy is underwhelming. Defensive versatility: He plays hard and smart, but he’s still undersized and likely to be targeted by opponents on switches or against elite guards. Underwent surgery in 2019 for a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Shot selection: He forces too many contested looks instead of looking to pass, which causes bouts with streakiness. Not a pure playmaker, nor does he naturally make his teammates better. He needs to work on making advanced reads, but even on the simple passes his accuracy is underwhelming. Defensive versatility: He plays hard and smart, but he’s still undersized and likely to be targeted by opponents on switches or against elite guards. Underwent surgery in 2019 for a partially torn meniscus in his right knee.","position":"Guard","grade":"freshman","pts_total":18.5,"pts_per40":21.2,"reb_total":5.7,"reb_per40":6.5,"ast_total":4,"ast_per40":4.6,"efg":45.1,"fga":345,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Athleticism, Hustle","age":22.2,"wingspan":76.5,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Kemba Walker, Austin Rivers, Patty Mills","analysis":"Energetic score-first point guard who at worst projects as a microwave scorer off the bench and at best can lead an offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Theo Maledon","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"pros":"Plays with a controlled pace in the pick-and-roll. He loves to use hesitations to compensate for his lack of athleticism. He’s a dual threat, dangerous as both a passer and shooter off the dribble. Shoots well off the catch and off the dribble. He’s not dynamic, but has nice form and can score when called upon. Crafty finisher who is comfortable scoring off the wrong foot or with his off-hand. He has a nice touch on off-balance layups, finger rolls, and floaters. Sturdy frame with long arms; he projects as a reliable man-to-man defender if his fundamentals improve. He has made steady progress each season and possesses a high work ethic. He’s also mentored by Spurs legend Tony Parker. MINUSES Struggles to create space despite his change of pace and use of in-out dribbles and crossovers. He gets enveloped by quality defenders who beat him to his spot, and currently lacks the ability to counterattack. Doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the rim as a ball handler, which may limit his value as a playmaker if he’s not creating angles for kickout 3s. The flashes are there, but he must master his handle. Despite his size, he hasn’t had success on switches against larger players, offering little resistance. He defends on his heels, which slows down his lateral slides. And he bites on too many shot fakes. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Struggles to create space despite his change of pace and use of in-out dribbles and crossovers. He gets enveloped by quality defenders who beat him to his spot, and currently lacks the ability to counterattack. Doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the rim as a ball handler, which may limit his value as a playmaker if he’s not creating angles for kickout 3s. The flashes are there, but he must master his handle. Despite his size, he hasn’t had success on switches against larger players, offering little resistance. He defends on his heels, which slows down his lateral slides. And he bites on too many shot fakes.","pts_total":7.3,"pts_per40":15.1,"ast_total":2.7,"ast_per40":5.6,"efg":49.6,"fga":261,"fta":98,"main_selling_point":"Feel For The Game, Interior Scoring","age":22.2,"wingspan":80.5,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Derek Anderson, Nate McMillan, Kirk Hinrich","analysis":"Strong floor general who’s become a potent shooter, though his lack of burst may limit his upside."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Malachi Flynn","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"San Diego State","pros":"Delivers accurate passes in the pick-and-roll using either hand to rolling bigs or spot-up shooters. He isn’t a great athlete, but compensates with savvy hesitation moves. Good perimeter scorer who is most comfortable pulling up for jumpers. His skills also translate off the catch, as he displays a feel for relocating then firing in rhythm. Takes pride in his on-ball defense. He fights over screens and slides laterally quickly, and though he’s not a defender suited for all switches, you can bet that he'll give his all during the play. His hard-nosed defensive mind-set also applies to the boards as he forcefully crashes to help secure the ball. Aware off-ball defender despite his heavy offensive workload in college; he makes smart decisions and takes calculated risks when going for steals or deflections. MINUSES Lacks elite athleticism and handles, which limits his ability to get to the rim; to improve his driving, he must enhance his ball handling. Below-the-rim finisher whose shots are easily altered by bigger opponents. It’s important that he add more crafty finishes so he isn’t overly reliant on his floater, which is a lower-percentage shot. Doesn’t have great strength or length, so he’ll get overpowered by stronger guards; he also doesn’t have much versatility on switches. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks elite athleticism and handles, which limits his ability to get to the rim; to improve his driving, he must enhance his ball handling. Below-the-rim finisher whose shots are easily altered by bigger opponents. It’s important that he add more crafty finishes so he isn’t overly reliant on his floater, which is a lower-percentage shot. Doesn’t have great strength or length, so he’ll get overpowered by stronger guards; he also doesn’t have much versatility on switches.","position":"Guard","grade":"junior","pts_total":17.6,"pts_per40":21.1,"ast_total":5.1,"ast_per40":6.1,"stl_total":1.8,"stl_per40":2.1,"tpt":37.3,"tpa":204,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Feel For The Game","age":22.2,"wingspan":75,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Aaron Holiday","analysis":"Dynamic pick-and-roll playmaker with a polished offensive game ready-made for the pros."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Isaiah Stewart","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Washington","pros":"High-motor big who runs hard on the break. He frequently beats defenses up the floor, and displays great coordination on finishes. Savvy post scorer who displays a wide range of moves, including drop steps, face-ups, and up-and-unders from either side of the block. Battles hard in the paint, using his broad shoulders to seal off defenders and seize close positioning. Flashes occasional shooting ability. He hit only 32 percent of his jump shots in college, but converted 77 percent of his free throws. He has the soft touch and confidence to improve. Bully on the boards; he could be a weapon on the offensive glass because of his instincts for tracking the ball. Aggressive defender with a knack for blocking shots; he did well playing in zone as the anchor of the defense. MINUSES Lacks explosiveness, which hinders his ability to finish inside on rolls or second-chance opportunities. He’ll need to master touch finishes. Poor passer who looks to shoot too often with the ball in his hands. When he does pass, it’s often inaccurate or forced through traffic. His shooting mechanics are inconsistent—his feet often flare wildly—but the long-term potential is there. Needs to improve his lateral quickness to survive defending on the perimeter. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks explosiveness, which hinders his ability to finish inside on rolls or second-chance opportunities. He’ll need to master touch finishes. Poor passer who looks to shoot too often with the ball in his hands. When he does pass, it’s often inaccurate or forced through traffic. His shooting mechanics are inconsistent—his feet often flare wildly—but the long-term potential is there. Needs to improve his lateral quickness to survive defending on the perimeter.","position":"Big","grade":"freshman","pts_total":17,"pts_per40":21.1,"reb_total":8.8,"reb_per40":10.9,"efg":57.7,"fga":337,"blk_total":2.1,"blk_per40":2.6,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Rebounding, Shot Blocking","age":22.2,"wingspan":88,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Derrick Favors, Domantas Sabonis minus passing, Michael Cage","analysis":"Muscular big man who plays his tail off and possesses a vintage, interior game."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Zeke Nnaji","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Fantastic interior finisher with good hands who can explode at the rim. He can finish with power, though he’s equally effective scoring with finesse by using pump fakes to create space. Good shooting potential: He hit 44 percent of his jump shots outside of 17 feet and 76 percent of his free throws as a freshman. He does need to extend his range to 3, though. Runs the floor hard on the break; he does a great job of sealing defenders underneath the rim, catching the ball then quickly turning for a layup. Active rebounder who boxes out and battles for the ball. There are concerns defensively, but he does display the athleticism and hustle required to become a reliable defender; he also has a high work ethic. MINUSES Slow to read the floor as a passer; he looks uncomfortable with the ball in his hands. He'll miss passing lanes or struggle to execute simple plays like pick-and-rolls and handoffs. Perimeter defense: Gets roasted too often. He's flat-footed and is slow to react. Rim protection: Sometimes he doesn't contest shots at all, and when he does, his impact is inconsistent. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Slow to read the floor as a passer; he looks uncomfortable with the ball in his hands. He'll miss passing lanes or struggle to execute simple plays like pick-and-rolls and handoffs. Perimeter defense: Gets roasted too often. He's flat-footed and is slow to react. Rim protection: Sometimes he doesn't contest shots at all, and when he does, his impact is inconsistent.","position":"Big","grade":"freshman","pts_total":16.1,"pts_per40":21,"reb_total":8.6,"reb_per40":11.3,"ast_total":0.8,"ast_per40":1.1,"blk_total":0.9,"blk_per40":1.1,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Rebounding","age":22.2,"wingspan":85,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Ersan Ilyasova, Meyers Leonard, Channing Frye","analysis":"Fluid athlete who has all the tools to be an effective two-way big, though his defense needs to develop."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Xavier Tillman Sr.","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Michigan State","pros":"Good finisher in the paint; he knows how to use his thick frame to carve out space and has soft touch with either hand, which is necessary since he lacks explosiveness. Decisive passer who makes rapid reads accurately all over the floor. He would fit best alongside an elite point guard, which would activate his secondary playmaking to pick apart defenses. Pick-and-roll threat: He sets excellent screens and rolls with a veteran’s feel for the game. If his shooting improves, he’ll also be a weapon on the pick-and-pop. He’s a good ball handler who can attack closeouts and make smart decisions. Solid rebounder who uses his strong body to box out; also an aware outlet passer. Smart defensive player who communicates well and is usually in the perfect position to disrupt a play. Stout interior defender; he’s strong defending the post, and though he’s not an explosive shot blocker, his high-level awareness and technique allow him to effectively alter shots. Defensive mobility: He’s not a lockdown defender, but a coach can be comfortable with him switching on the perimeter. MINUSES Shot only 27 percent from 3 and 70 percent from the line in college; his form isn’t bad, so there may be room for improvement. Undersized for a big man at only 6-foot-8, though in today’s NBA that’s less of an issue in small-ball lineups. Lack of explosiveness around the rim could become problematic against NBA athletes; his shots tend to get altered by lengthier defenders. He dramatically cut down on his fouls as a junior, but still bites on too many pump fakes, making him foul prone. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Shot only 27 percent from 3 and 70 percent from the line in college; his form isn’t bad, so there may be room for improvement. Undersized for a big man at only 6-foot-8, though in today’s NBA that’s less of an issue in small-ball lineups. Lack of explosiveness around the rim could become problematic against NBA athletes; his shots tend to get altered by lengthier defenders. He dramatically cut down on his fouls as a junior, but still bites on too many pump fakes, making him foul prone.","position":"Big","grade":"junior","pts_total":13.7,"pts_per40":17.1,"reb_total":10.3,"reb_per40":12.9,"ast_total":3,"ast_per40":3.7,"main_selling_point":"Feel For The Game, Playmaking, Interior Scoring, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":85,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Horace Grant, P.J. Tucker","analysis":"Winning player who can easily pair with star shot creators because of his playmaking and versatility."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Payton Pritchard","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Oregon","pros":"Understands how to control the game with his dribble and his voice. He’s a team leader and could slide into a spark-plug point guard role and provide scoring and reliable playmaking. Smart decision-maker who makes accurate passes and doesn’t force the issue. If he drives, he won’t force a shot; he’ll kick it out and then relocate to the 3-point line. Knockdown shooter. His potency off movement and off the dribble suggests suggests he can be a dynamic offensive weapon. Solid ball handler who won’t necessarily break down defenders, but has good ball control and limits careless turnovers. He's at his best in the pick-and-roll. High-effort on-ball and off-ball defender who could become a pesky defender if he maximizes his limited athleticism. MINUSES Forced a ton of shots in college, which was largely due to his do-everything role. He’ll have to adjust to being a complementary contributor in the NBA. Doesn’t draw many fouls largely due to his lack of explosiveness. Undersized: He projects as a limited defender unless he makes dramatic improvements to his athleticism and plays full throttle in his minutes, much like Fred VanVleet did after making it to the NBA. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Forced a ton of shots in college, which was largely due to his do-everything role. He’ll have to adjust to being a complementary contributor in the NBA. Doesn’t draw many fouls largely due to his lack of explosiveness. Undersized: He projects as a limited defender unless he makes dramatic improvements to his athleticism and plays full throttle in his minutes, much like Fred VanVleet did after making it to the NBA.","position":"Guard","grade":"senior","pts_total":20.5,"pts_per40":22.4,"reb_total":4.3,"reb_per40":4.7,"ast_total":5.5,"ast_per40":6.1,"tpt":41.5,"tpa":212,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Playmaking, Feel For The Game","age":22.2,"wingspan":76,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Fred VanVleet, Shabazz Napier","analysis":"Sizzling scorer and steady playmaker who plays a winning style by making big plays and grinding hard from the opening tip."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Yam Madar","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"pros":"Nifty ball handler with high-level footwork who changes speeds and pace to generate space. Crafty finisher around the basket who can hit layups and floaters from awkward angles; his touch is just as soft with his left hand as with his right. Intuitive passer who uses his eyes to manipulate defenders, creating passing lanes to cutters or spot-up shooters. The flashy plays he makes—like no-look or over-the-head passes—are made with intention. Great feel all around: He’s always moving, makes smart decisions, adjusts when he needs to, and plays hard on defense. Hard-nosed on-ball defender who has quickness laterally, stays in his stance, and fights over screens; few players his age are so advanced on defense. Physical defender against larger players on a switch; if he gets posted up, a coach might even feel comfortable enough to not send a double-team. Aware off-ball defender who disrupts passing lanes, rotates, and recovers well. MINUSES Makes too many inaccurate passes, which is partially a by-product of the ambitious passes he attempts. Subpar shooter who hit only 27 percent of his 3s last year; he has a rigid form that needs to be tweaked, but his soft touch around the rim and from the line (81 percent) are both encouraging long-term indicators. Lack of size limits his defensive versatility; try as he might, teams with bigger scorers may exploit him. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Makes too many inaccurate passes, which is partially a by-product of the ambitious passes he attempts. Subpar shooter who hit only 27 percent of his 3s last year; he has a rigid form that needs to be tweaked, but his soft touch around the rim and from the line (81 percent) are both encouraging long-term indicators. Lack of size limits his defensive versatility; try as he might, teams with bigger scorers may exploit him.","pts_total":10.1,"pts_per40":14.8,"ast_total":3.4,"ast_per40":5,"tpt":26.7,"tpa":86,"ft":81.2,"fta":85,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Feel For The Game, Playmaking, On-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Patrick Beverley, TJ McConnell, Jevon Carter","analysis":"Electric point guard who plays with fire on defense and flare on offense, but his upside will be determined by the development of his jumper."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Devon Dotson","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Manufactures baskets even against a set defense because of his tight handle and speed. He has advanced moves and a quick first step, and accelerates in a flash. Excellent driving to the rim; he’s fearless and draws a ton of fouls. Can generate space or contact with advanced footwork and an array of moves. Ambidextrous finisher and explosive jumper who knows how to use his body to shield off defenders. Shot 81 percent on 300-plus attempts from the free throw line, which bodes well for his long-term 3-point shooting ability if he improves his form. Constantly improving as a playmaker; he’s learned how to draw defenders in to create open looks for teammates. He’s not a passing savant, but he does his job well and limits mistakes. Feisty defender who plays bigger than his 6-foot-3 wingspan would suggest. With a strong frame, he can at least battle and mirror opponents laterally. MINUSES Shooting off the dribble: He doesn’t transition fluidly into his shot, and hit only 27 percent of his dribble jumpers in two seasons. Spot-up shooting mechanics look tense; he hit only 35 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s in college. Plays too fast for his own good at times, driving into the lane and tossing up wild shots or passes. Lacks versatility on defense; undersized guards get picked on, and at 6-foot-2 he’ll be a target despite his motor. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Shooting off the dribble: He doesn’t transition fluidly into his shot, and hit only 27 percent of his dribble jumpers in two seasons. Spot-up shooting mechanics look tense; he hit only 35 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s in college. Plays too fast for his own good at times, driving into the lane and tossing up wild shots or passes. Lacks versatility on defense; undersized guards get picked on, and at 6-foot-2 he’ll be a target despite his motor.","position":"Guard","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":18.1,"pts_per40":20.8,"ast_total":4,"ast_per40":4.6,"stl_total":2.1,"stl_per40":2.4,"tpt":30.9,"tpa":123,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Interior Scoring","age":22.2,"wingspan":75.25,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Jeremy Lin, Eric Bledsoe","analysis":"Shot creator who pushes turbo to get into the paint, where he’s a talented finisher and playmaker. Needs to improve his 3-point shot to complete his game."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tyler Bey","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Colorado","pros":"Intriguing offensive upside as a center: He’s a good screener and an athletic finisher. If his 3-point progress is for real, he’ll also be able to stretch defenses. Displays potential as a spot-up shooter. He has some funky mechanics, but they’ve gotten him this far. He has good touch from the line too. Excellent off-ball defender who communicates well and keeps his head on a swivel. He’s fearless, too; he’ll contest shots even if he risks being put on a poster. Typically, he’ll alter or block shots with his verticality and length. High-level on-ball defender. Quick laterally and can also switch on screens. He’s capable of containing guards and wings, though his thin lower body might limit him against bigs. MINUSES Used as an interior player in college, which won't be his role in the NBA. He’ll need to make adjustments to play on the perimeter. Turnover-prone: Weak handle limits his scoring ability, and he doesn’t react well to pressure when he’s in control of the ball. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Used as an interior player in college, which won't be his role in the NBA. He’ll need to make adjustments to play on the perimeter. Turnover-prone: Weak handle limits his scoring ability, and he doesn’t react well to pressure when he’s in control of the ball.","position":"Wing","grade":"junior","pts_total":13.8,"pts_per40":19.1,"reb_total":9,"reb_per40":12.5,"stl_total":1.5,"stl_per40":2.1,"blk_total":1.2,"blk_per40":1.6,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Shot Blocking","age":22.2,"wingspan":85,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Otto Porter, Trevor Ariza, thinner Larry Nance Jr.","analysis":"Versatile defender who can serve as a linchpin on defense and be a complementary component on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jahmi'us Ramsey","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Texas Tech","pros":"Flashy scorer who has confidence to pull up from anywhere. He can comfortably step back or side-step into 3s. Good shooter off the catch. Texas Tech ran him off screens and he showed upside manipulating defenders to create space before launching shots. At his best in the open floor. He has fluidity scoring on the break, and explosiveness scoring around the rim. Strong frame for a guard with long arms. If he’s able to improve some of his fixable weaknesses, it’s easy to see him becoming a dynamic scorer due to his ability to generate shots. Potentially a good man-to-man defender if his fundamentals improve thanks to his length and frame. Athletic off-ball defender who can make noise in passing lanes and disrupt shots. MINUSES Struggles scoring around the rim. His lack of burst is a detriment since he’s not able to shed defenders off the dribble. He rarely uses his left hand and ends up settling for too many low-percentage floaters. Streaky shooter. While he made 43 percent of his 3-point attempts in college, he hit just 64 percent of his free throws. How real is his jumper? Shot selection: He takes a lot of tough shots in situations when he should pass or drive to the rim. He’s presently not a primary option due to his shaky handle, but he plays like he is. Subpar playmaker who lacks feel in the pick-and-roll and misses too many open teammates. Loses interest on defense and lacks basic fundamentals. His NBA team will need to work extensively with him in pretty much all areas, from man-to-man defense to closing out on shooters. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Struggles scoring around the rim. His lack of burst is a detriment since he’s not able to shed defenders off the dribble. He rarely uses his left hand and ends up settling for too many low-percentage floaters. Streaky shooter. While he made 43 percent of his 3-point attempts in college, he hit just 64 percent of his free throws. How real is his jumper? Shot selection: He takes a lot of tough shots in situations when he should pass or drive to the rim. He’s presently not a primary option due to his shaky handle, but he plays like he is. Subpar playmaker who lacks feel in the pick-and-roll and misses too many open teammates. Loses interest on defense and lacks basic fundamentals. His NBA team will need to work extensively with him in pretty much all areas, from man-to-man defense to closing out on shooters.","position":"Guard","grade":"freshman","pts_total":15,"pts_per40":19.3,"ast_total":2.2,"ast_per40":2.9,"tpt":42.6,"tpa":141,"fta":78,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Perimeter Shooting","age":22.2,"wingspan":78,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Lonnie Walker IV, Dion Waiters, J.R. Smith","analysis":"Fearless shot-maker who needs to improve his playmaking but has intriguing potential as a two-way guard."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ty-shon Alexander","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Creighton","pros":"Good shooter who hit 37 percent of his 3s and 81 percent of his free throws in three seasons at Creighton, and got notably better each season. He’s at his best off the catch, though he can also drain 3s off one or two dribbles. Smart player who limits turnovers; he also makes plays that go beyond the box score by cutting or relocating to create proper spacing for his team. If his handle keeps getting better, he has the skills to run more point in the NBA; he’s a secondary ball handler in the pick-and-roll who can score from each level. Plays extremely hard. He runs the floor, crashes the glass, dives for loose balls, and chases down players on the break. High-level on-ball defender who disturbs smaller opponents with his length, quickness, and instinctual positioning. He gets in their face and moves well laterally to contain penetration. Excellent off-ball defender who busts plays with his instincts and navigates screens as if he knows the opponent’s entire playbook. MINUSES Basic ball handler without an elite first step or great burst; he needs to add more manipulative moves to improve his shot-creation ability. Subpar finisher who lacks an off-hand. A bit undersized to contain larger wings and forwards, which could limit his defensive versatility since they can shoot over him. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Basic ball handler without an elite first step or great burst; he needs to add more manipulative moves to improve his shot-creation ability. Subpar finisher who lacks an off-hand. A bit undersized to contain larger wings and forwards, which could limit his defensive versatility since they can shoot over him.","position":"Guard","grade":"junior","pts_total":16.9,"pts_per40":19.5,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":1.5,"tpt":39.9,"tpa":203,"ft":86,"fta":136,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Perimeter Shooting","age":22.2,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Josh Richardson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alec Burks","analysis":"Winning player who grinds on defense and makes big-time shots on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Immanuel Quickley","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Knockdown shooter who hit 40 percent of his 3s and 90 percent of his free throws in two seasons at Kentucky. He has a lightning-quick release off the catch. Excellent shooting off screens by creating separation through deceptive, change-of-pace moves. Potent off the dribble. With a speedy first step, he’s easily able to create space for one- or two-dribble pull-up jumpers. Team player who swings the ball. He’s not a primary ball handler, but he understands his role and plays it well. Undersized, but has a 6-foot-10 wingspan that made him into an elite defender in college; in the NBA, he projects as a plus defender, at minimum. Competes on both ends. He rebounds well for a smaller guy and he’ll battle against bigger players. He accepted his role at Kentucky and excelled. MINUSES Poor finisher at the rim; he lacks verticality, an off hand, and a sense for using touch. Lacks playmaking chops; he’s a reactive passer, not a creator. And though he can handle, he’s not breaking down NBA defenders. Despite his length, he still lacks pure size and strength, which will limit his versatility against bigger wings and as an impact off-ball defender. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Poor finisher at the rim; he lacks verticality, an off hand, and a sense for using touch. Lacks playmaking chops; he’s a reactive passer, not a creator. And though he can handle, he’s not breaking down NBA defenders. Despite his length, he still lacks pure size and strength, which will limit his versatility against bigger wings and as an impact off-ball defender.","position":"Guard","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":16.1,"pts_per40":19.5,"reb_total":4.2,"reb_per40":5.1,"ast_total":1.9,"ast_per40":2.3,"tpt":42.8,"tpa":145,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Hustle","age":22.2,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Ben Gordon, B.J. Armstrong, Jeff Hornacek","analysis":"Elite shooter with a high basketball IQ, but lacks ideal passing skills for a guard his size."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Nico Mannion","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Shot maker who can fire 3s off the dribble or run off screens. Comfortable finishing around the rim using either hand. He has one of the softest touches in the class, with a floater that’s effective out to the elbows. Savvy pick-and-roll presence thanks to his change-of-pace play. He can pull up or split defenders to get into the paint. Instinctual passer with a high IQ; he makes rapid decisions facilitating. He weaponizes his shooting ability to create passing lanes, and loves to attack the baseline before wrapping around passes to bigs. Dynamic player in transition. He can race ahead of the defense for 3s and loud open-floor finishes, or handle the ball and facilitate scoring chances. Active defender who’s agile moving laterally and attentive off the ball. MINUSES Lacks burst off the dribble, which hinders his ability to attack the basket. Struggles to turn the corner. Doesn’t possess advanced moves to create separation. Settles for too many floaters, and he makes many of his at-rim attempts harder than they should be. He hunches over when he shoots from deep. It’s a mechanical issue that may be the cause of his disappointing 3-point percentages in college. Lacks defensive versatility due to his lack of size and length; he’s a one- or two-position defender. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks burst off the dribble, which hinders his ability to attack the basket. Struggles to turn the corner. Doesn’t possess advanced moves to create separation. Settles for too many floaters, and he makes many of his at-rim attempts harder than they should be. He hunches over when he shoots from deep. It’s a mechanical issue that may be the cause of his disappointing 3-point percentages in college. Lacks defensive versatility due to his lack of size and length; he’s a one- or two-position defender.","position":"Guard","grade":"freshman","pts_total":14,"pts_per40":17.3,"ast_total":5.3,"ast_per40":6.6,"efg":46.5,"fga":367,"stl_total":1.2,"stl_per40":1.5,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Feel For The Game, Perimeter Shooting","age":22.2,"wingspan":74.5,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Seth Curry, Landry Shamet, T.J. McConnell (with a jumper)","analysis":"One of the best passers in this class. His physical dimensions may limit his upside, but he can thrive in an offense that shares ballhandling responsibilities."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Elijah Hughes","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Syracuse","pros":"Ran the offense at times for Syracuse last season and displayed solid playmaking instincts. He’s not a dynamic ball handler, but he can make basic moves and positive plays. While he needs to improve his shot, he does a nice job relocating off-ball to get open, attacking closeouts off the catch, or backdoor-cutting toward the rim. Can be effective as a go-to scorer when pulling up or shooting fadeaways in the midrange. Runs the floor hard in transition, chases down blocks on defense, and doesn’t sulk after committing errors. Could become an effective man-to-man defender, though it was difficult to assess his game when he played in Syracuse’s zone. MINUSES Inconsistent 3-point shooter; he hit just 29 percent of his 3s off the dribble and 36 percent off the catch. He also forces too many shots, which might be a product of Syracuse’s lack of other shot creators, but it’s a habit that must change. Inefficient interior scorer, as he lacks skill around the rim. Subpar man-to-man defender during his freshman season at East Carolina due to a lack of agility, though his body and athleticism have improved since. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Inconsistent 3-point shooter; he hit just 29 percent of his 3s off the dribble and 36 percent off the catch. He also forces too many shots, which might be a product of Syracuse’s lack of other shot creators, but it’s a habit that must change. Inefficient interior scorer, as he lacks skill around the rim. Subpar man-to-man defender during his freshman season at East Carolina due to a lack of agility, though his body and athleticism have improved since.","position":"Wing","grade":"redshirt junior","pts_total":19,"pts_per40":20.7,"ast_total":3.4,"ast_per40":3.7,"tpt":34.2,"tpa":228,"ft":22.7,"fta":166,"main_selling_point":"Hustle","age":22.2,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"DeAndre’ Bembry, Marcus Thornton, Iman Shumpert","analysis":"A developing well-rounded scorer who performed well in college despite heavy defensive attention."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Grant Riller","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"College of Charleston","pros":"Ambidextrous finisher who hits turbo on drives and displays excellent body control and touch in the paint. Keeps the ball on a string when getting to the basket or when generating space to launch stepback, side-step, and pull-up attempts. Spot-up shooting: He hit 41 percent of his 256 catch-and-shoot 3 attempts in college, per Synergy Sports. He lacks experience off screens, but his ability to hit tough shots off the dribble suggests the skill could be unlocked. Flashed defensive ability when he put in the effort. Teams will need to determine whether his lapses were due to conserving energy for offense. MINUSES Playing at a midmajor, he faced weaker competition, so his experience against top talent is limited. He played only four games against a top-25 opponent in four seasons. In those games, he scored just 45 points on 47 shots. Often forces shots instead of hitting open teammates, largely due to his tunnel vision with the ball. Poor defender who lacks focus, tends to bite on fakes, and doesn’t put in the effort defending man-to-man and closing out on shooters. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Playing at a midmajor, he faced weaker competition, so his experience against top talent is limited. He played only four games against a top-25 opponent in four seasons. In those games, he scored just 45 points on 47 shots. Often forces shots instead of hitting open teammates, largely due to his tunnel vision with the ball. Poor defender who lacks focus, tends to bite on fakes, and doesn’t put in the effort defending man-to-man and closing out on shooters.","position":"Guard","grade":"senior","pts_total":21.9,"pts_per40":26.1,"ast_total":3.9,"ast_per40":4.7,"tpt":36.2,"tpa":130,"fta":214,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Perimeter Shooting, Athleticism","age":22.2,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Ricky Pierce, Marcus Thornton","analysis":"Versatile scorer who can hit contested shots from deep, though he has limited exposure against top competition."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Paul Reed","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"DePaul","pros":"Athletic finisher who can score in a variety of ways. In the NBA, he could flourish from the dunker’s spot on the baseline or as a screener in the high pick-and-roll. Good finisher with touch using either hand. Can get into the paint with advanced moves including Euro-steps. Bouncy leaper who can block shots and rebound. He plays hard and pushes the break after boards. Multipositional defender with the lateral quickness to contain perimeter players and the size and length to battle against leaner bigs. Active help defender who closes out, rotates to contest shots, and jumps passing lanes. MINUSES Shooting mechanics: He’s as stiff as cardboard. There’s no fluidity to his shot. But at 74 percent from the line and 33 percent from 3, he clearly has potential if he’s able to improve his form. Erratic decision-maker who forces frustrating shots and passes. The flare can work for him, but he needs to calculate when to take risks and when to make the safe play. Lacks crispness as a ball handler. He flashes behind-the-back moves and Euro-steps, but they often force him to lose control or slow down. If he tightens his handle, it’ll unleash his dribble-drive game. Takes too many risks defensively, especially trying to chase down blocked shots—it leads to opponents driving by him and often gets him into foul trouble. Lean frame limits him defensively against true bigs; he gets swallowed inside, which again causes him to foul. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Shooting mechanics: He’s as stiff as cardboard. There’s no fluidity to his shot. But at 74 percent from the line and 33 percent from 3, he clearly has potential if he’s able to improve his form. Erratic decision-maker who forces frustrating shots and passes. The flare can work for him, but he needs to calculate when to take risks and when to make the safe play. Lacks crispness as a ball handler. He flashes behind-the-back moves and Euro-steps, but they often force him to lose control or slow down. If he tightens his handle, it’ll unleash his dribble-drive game. Takes too many risks defensively, especially trying to chase down blocked shots—it leads to opponents driving by him and often gets him into foul trouble. Lean frame limits him defensively against true bigs; he gets swallowed inside, which again causes him to foul.","position":"Big","grade":"junior","pts_total":15.1,"pts_per40":19.1,"reb_total":10.7,"reb_per40":13.5,"blk_total":2.6,"blk_per40":3.2,"tpt":30.8,"tpa":52,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, On-Ball Defense, Shot Blocking, Hustle","age":22.2,"wingspan":86,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Paul Millsap, Taj GIbson","analysis":"Impactful defender across positions who plays with a flare on the offensive end."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cassius Winston","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Michigan State","pros":"High-IQ point guard who avoids mistakes and shows savvy in generating shots for himself and his teammates. Excellent shooter who hit 43 percent of his 3s and 85 percent of his free throws in four seasons. He’s equally potent off the dribble and off the catch, displaying the ability to drain 3s off screens and make defenders pay if they go under. Good ball handler who facilitates offense all over the court. He can step back or side-step into 3s, or use a hesitation to get into the paint for a floater or layup. Displays nice feel in the pick-and-roll; he can get better at making advanced passes, but he’s above-average already. Good team defender who stays focused off-ball when rotating and closing out. Plays with heart, performing well even while battling injuries. MINUSES Lacks a second gear off the dribble, which could limit his ability as a shot creator at the next level. Undersized player without top-end athleticism, which hurts his defensive versatility and upside. Injuries are a concern: He has dealt with nagging tendonitis in his right knee, and he played through a bone bruise in his left knee last season, among other injuries over the years. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Lacks a second gear off the dribble, which could limit his ability as a shot creator at the next level. Undersized player without top-end athleticism, which hurts his defensive versatility and upside. Injuries are a concern: He has dealt with nagging tendonitis in his right knee, and he played through a bone bruise in his left knee last season, among other injuries over the years.","position":"Guard","grade":"senior","pts_total":18.6,"pts_per40":22.8,"reb_total":2.5,"reb_per40":3.1,"ast_total":5.9,"ast_per40":7.2,"tpt":43.2,"tpa":169,"main_selling_point":"Feel For The Game, Perimeter Shooting, Playmaking","age":22.2,"wingspan":77.25,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Kyle Lowry, Yogi Ferrell","analysis":"Gritty, unselfish point guard who plays winning basketball and made progress each season as a scorer."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tre Jones","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Duke","pros":"Reliable playmaker in pick-and-roll and transition. Plays with control and discipline; he limits turnovers by making smart decisions. Improved shooter as a sophomore—he went from 26 percent to 36 percent on 3s. His soft touch from the line (77 percent) and on floaters offers more promise. Lockdown defender against guards with advanced technique fighting over screens. High-IQ team defender who rotates, communicates, and disrupts the opponent with timely rotations that put him in the passing lanes. MINUSES He knows how to conduct an offense at a high level, but he’s not an improviser who breaks down defenders off the dribble and generates magical passes. Mediocre finisher, as he lacks burst off the dribble and explosiveness as a leaper. He shot only 43 percent at the rim, per Synergy. Unproven shooter. Despite his progress, it came on a small sample; he’ll need to improve his abilities during (virtual?) pre-draft workouts. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"He knows how to conduct an offense at a high level, but he’s not an improviser who breaks down defenders off the dribble and generates magical passes. Mediocre finisher, as he lacks burst off the dribble and explosiveness as a leaper. He shot only 43 percent at the rim, per Synergy. Unproven shooter. Despite his progress, it came on a small sample; he’ll need to improve his abilities during (virtual?) pre-draft workouts.","position":"Guard","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":16.2,"pts_per40":18.3,"ast_total":6.4,"ast_per40":7.2,"tpt":36.1,"tpa":108,"fta":140,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Feel For The Game","age":22.2,"wingspan":76,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Mookie Blaylock, Cory Joseph, Chris Duhon","analysis":"Floor general with an unselfish, team-first playing style and an impactful defender."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Killian Tillie","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Knockdown 3-point shooter with an effortless release from deep range. Gonzaga ran actions to get him spot-up 3s as if he were a wing. He’s not a threat off the dribble, but he can pick-and-pop or run off a flare screen. Excellent ambidextrous finisher around the rim; he has a feel for finding open spaces to avoid getting blocked, putting English on the ball off the glass. High-IQ player who can fit into any offense. He knows when to cut, relocate off the ball, and how to make the smart pass. Also capable of beating mismatches in the post, a valuable skill considering how often defenses switch. Instinctive passer who reads the play before it happens; he’ll catch the ball then immediately fire a bull's-eye pass to get teammates open. In the NBA, he could feast in the pick-and-roll because he can shoot, finish, and pass. Physical man-to-man defender who battles in the paint and moves well laterally on the perimeter. Alert team defender who rotates well, communicates, and puts himself in proper position to help. MINUSES Endured a litany of injuries and surgeries at Gonzaga, including knee surgery, a torn ligament in his foot, a stress fracture in his ankle, a hip pointer, and sprained ankles. Lost some of his mobility defending on the perimeter due to his injuries. Not an effective rebounder for his size. Underwhelming athlete: He’s not a threatening rim protector due to his lack of length and verticality. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Endured a litany of injuries and surgeries at Gonzaga, including knee surgery, a torn ligament in his foot, a stress fracture in his ankle, a hip pointer, and sprained ankles. Lost some of his mobility defending on the perimeter due to his injuries. Not an effective rebounder for his size. Underwhelming athlete: He’s not a threatening rim protector due to his lack of length and verticality.","position":"Big","grade":"senior","pts_total":13.6,"pts_per40":22.1,"reb_total":5,"reb_per40":8.1,"tpt":40,"tpa":90,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Feel For The Game, Playmaking, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.2,"wingspan":82,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Robert Horry, Davis Bertans","analysis":"Lottery talent with a game built for the NBA, but his injury history is concerning."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Vernon Carey Jr.","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Duke","pros":"Imposing post scorer. He’s good at establishing position and has slick footwork on his power moves; he also draws a ton of fouls. Shows promise as a reliable spot-up 3-point shooter thanks to good mechanics. Solid ball handler for a big man. He didn’t get a ton of chances to show it at Duke, but he can go coast-to-coast and attack closeouts. Great rebounder with a sense for reading the trajectory of the ball; on the offensive glass, he’s stellar at grabbing the ball, staying patient, then scoring. Nimble perimeter defender for a player his size; he’s inconsistent but has potential to be switchable. MINUSES Frustrating decision-maker: On one possession, he’ll throw a dart across the court to a spot-up shooter. On the next play, he’ll spin into a crowd and turn the ball over. Overuses his dominant left hand. There are instances when he can dribble into a right-handed layup but settles for a lefty floater instead. Despite his strong mechanics, he has always struggled at the line, shooting just 67 percent at Duke. Lacks the explosiveness or fundamentals to make up for his average wingspan, which limits his upside as a rim protector. Struggled as a ball-screen defender at Duke, especially in drop situations, because he’d find himself caught in no-man’s-land; his effort also remains inconsistent. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Frustrating decision-maker: On one possession, he’ll throw a dart across the court to a spot-up shooter. On the next play, he’ll spin into a crowd and turn the ball over. Overuses his dominant left hand. There are instances when he can dribble into a right-handed layup but settles for a lefty floater instead. Despite his strong mechanics, he has always struggled at the line, shooting just 67 percent at Duke. Lacks the explosiveness or fundamentals to make up for his average wingspan, which limits his upside as a rim protector. Struggled as a ball-screen defender at Duke, especially in drop situations, because he’d find himself caught in no-man’s-land; his effort also remains inconsistent.","position":"Big","grade":"freshman","pts_total":17.8,"pts_per40":28.6,"reb_total":8.8,"reb_per40":14.1,"tpt":38.1,"tpa":21,"ft":19.7,"fta":218,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring","age":22.2,"wingspan":84,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"DeMarcus Cousins on the Warriors, Jared Sullinger","analysis":"Throwback big man with a modern touch, though questions remain about his shot and effectiveness on defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Daniel Oturu","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Minnesota","pros":"Skilled inside scorer. He does a good job of sealing off his defender and establishing post position; scores using drop steps, hooks, and face-ups. Nimble ball handler who can score on the attack, whether facing up or driving on closeouts. Sets strong screens. He would do well in a pick-and-roll system with skilled ball handlers. Improved 3-point shooter. He shoots a set shot, though it works for him. He hit 37 percent of his 3s on only 54 attempts, but shot only 67 percent from the charity stripe. Active rebounder; he has the prototypical size and intensity of a big man who can dominate the boards. Agile and explosive interior defender. He’s blessed with a thick frame and long arms. MINUSES Turns the ball over too often in the post. He needs to be quicker at reading defenses and feeling pressure. Lacks an off hand around the rim; he’d get blocked less frequently if he adds it to his game. He’ll need to adjust to the NBA game; he was a primary post option in college, and may now go for games without being fed a single back-to-the-basket touch. Conditioning seems to be an issue; his feet move like they’re in sludge toward the end of his stints on the floor, which especially hurts him in help defense situations. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Turns the ball over too often in the post. He needs to be quicker at reading defenses and feeling pressure. Lacks an off hand around the rim; he’d get blocked less frequently if he adds it to his game. He’ll need to adjust to the NBA game; he was a primary post option in college, and may now go for games without being fed a single back-to-the-basket touch. Conditioning seems to be an issue; his feet move like they’re in sludge toward the end of his stints on the floor, which especially hurts him in help defense situations.","position":"Big","grade":"sophomore","pts_total":20.1,"pts_per40":23.7,"reb_total":11.3,"reb_per40":13.3,"blk_total":2.5,"blk_per40":2.9,"tpt":36.5,"tpa":52,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Rebounding, Shot Blocking","age":22.2,"wingspan":86,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Alex Len","analysis":"Throwback big man with an improved 3-pointer; he made dramatic overall progress from his freshman to sophomore seasons, but is still an unfinished project."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cassius Stanley","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Duke","pros":"Major lob target in the half court and in transition. He’s unselfish and runs the floor, and executes off-ball plays in the half court to get open. Good spot-up shooter, though he needs to show more dynamic ability by shooting off of movement. Excellent rebounder for a player of his size, largely thanks to his hops. High potential as an on-ball defender against guards with his quickness and athleticism, though his fundamentals must improve. MINUSES Tunnel vision is a problem on offense: Too often, he’ll catch the ball, aimlessly dribble, and take a tough shot instead of making an easy pass. Struggles to execute the simple play, whether it’s an entry pass to the post or a bounce pass to a cutter breaking toward the rim. Loose handle, which prevents him from creating much separation on drives or pull-ups. Lack of length and size limits his defensive effectiveness against larger scorers. Ball-watches far too often on defense, which puts him out of position to recover and make a play. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Tunnel vision is a problem on offense: Too often, he’ll catch the ball, aimlessly dribble, and take a tough shot instead of making an easy pass. Struggles to execute the simple play, whether it’s an entry pass to the post or a bounce pass to a cutter breaking toward the rim. Loose handle, which prevents him from creating much separation on drives or pull-ups. Lack of length and size limits his defensive effectiveness against larger scorers. Ball-watches far too often on defense, which puts him out of position to recover and make a play.","position":"Wing","grade":"freshman","pts_total":12.6,"pts_per40":18.3,"reb_total":4.9,"reb_per40":7.1,"ast_total":1,"ast_per40":1.5,"tpt":36,"tpa":86,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Rebounding","age":22.2,"wingspan":79,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Gerald Henderson, Rodney Hood, Gerald Green","analysis":"Ridiculous athlete who competes hard, an encouraging mix for someone who has upside but needs improvement."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Udoka Azubuike","year":2020,"height":80,"weight":250,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Mammoth 7-foot-7 wingspan. He’s quite mobile for his size, as his agility improved in his four years at Kansas. Excellent finisher around the rim. He can score over and through defenders when cutting or diving to the rim out of the pick-and-roll. And he has good hand-eye coordination to corral tough passes. Bully on the low post when it comes to battling for position. He has a nice short hook shot. Though he won’t see the ball much, there’s value in his aggressiveness wearing down opponents. Fights for offensive boards and does a nice job of kicking the ball back out to shooters when he’s not able to flush a putback dunk. Imposing rim protector thanks to his size and relentless attitude. He does a nice job of defending without fouling. MINUSES Shot 42 percent from the line in four seasons and is a nonfactor as a shooter; it looks like he pushes the ball rather than releases it. Opponents will intentionally hack him. He wasn’t asked to do much at Kansas as a passer. In the NBA, he’ll need to develop the ability to hit a quick pass off the roll to a corner shooter, or deliver a high-low pass from the elbow. Commits too many avoidable turnovers when executing plays. Has struggled with conditioning and weight issues in the past, although he showed significant improvement his senior season. Looked better defending on the perimeter as a senior, but likely won’t be quick enough to do it effectively against NBA-level go-to scorers without further leaps in athleticism. NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA","cons":"Shot 42 percent from the line in four seasons and is a nonfactor as a shooter; it looks like he pushes the ball rather than releases it. Opponents will intentionally hack him. He wasn’t asked to do much at Kansas as a passer. In the NBA, he’ll need to develop the ability to hit a quick pass off the roll to a corner shooter, or deliver a high-low pass from the elbow. Commits too many avoidable turnovers when executing plays. Has struggled with conditioning and weight issues in the past, although he showed significant improvement his senior season. Looked better defending on the perimeter as a senior, but likely won’t be quick enough to do it effectively against NBA-level go-to scorers without further leaps in athleticism.","position":"Big","grade":"junior","pts_total":13.7,"pts_per40":19.8,"reb_total":10.5,"reb_per40":15.1,"blk_total":2.6,"blk_per40":3.7,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, Athleticism, Rebounding","age":22.2,"wingspan":91,"standing_reach":106.5,"similar_player":"Clint Capela, Omer Asik, Kendrick Perkins","analysis":"Old-school bruiser with a thick, chiseled frame; he could be a valuable piece in a playoff series against an opposing big man."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cade Cunningham","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":220,"school":"Oklahoma State","pros":"Dictates offensive tempo with the poise of a veteran point guard. Potentially dominant pick-and-roll shot-creator with great feel and footwork. Uses hesitations and deceptive moves to generate space., Smart passer who already understands how to manipulate defense with his dribble, gaze, or patience. He can make every pass in the book—whether it’s one-handed cross-court feeds, wraparounds to a rim runner, or slick passes off the dribble., Strong at-rim finisher who can use either hand to finish with touch or power; can hit challenging extension layups, and isn’t fazed by contact., Good shooter who’s made immense progress draining shots off the dribble and off screens., Skilled post scorer whose size and strength make him a mismatch nightmare for smaller players., Comfortable playing off-ball—cutting, relocating, crashing the boards, and even screening., All-Defensive team upside. Blends elite measurables and winning mindset with defensive intelligence. Snuffs out opponent plays, stays active in the passing lanes, and hustles., Versatile man-to-man defender., Team leader.","cons":"Expanding his database of dribble moves and tightening his handle would make up for his lack of elite explosiveness and quickness off the dribble. Occasionally tries to force passes through closed windows, leading to turnovers. Must improve lateral quickness to maximize his ability to lock down smaller, quicker guards—beyond just holding his own.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":20.2,"pts_per40":0.586,"ast_total":3.6,"ast_per40":29,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":0.8,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Off-Ball Defense, Interior Scoring, Perimeter Shooting","age":19,"similar_player":"Supersized Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Shorter Ben Simmons With a Jumper","analysis":"Cade Cunningham Can Do It All. But Can He Anchor an NBA Team?"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Evan Mobley","year":2021,"height":84,"weight":215,"school":"USC","pros":"Elite pick-and-roll potential: He can pop for jumpers, attack off the dribble, pick apart defenses out of the short roll, make hook shots with either hand, dribble to the rim, or throw down lobs., Excellent interior finisher with touch to score away from the rim and the hops to finish with powers., One of the rare bigs with go-to scoring potential. Has touch, handle, feel, and fluidity., Unselfish player who distributes the ball with accuracy and velocity. Shows good patience when pressured and has the potential to be an offensive hub around the elbows like Bam Adebayo or Nikola Vucevic., All-defensive upside with rare versatility for a big. Already a savvy pick-and-roll defender who can drop, hedge, or switch., Aware off-ball defender who rapidly processes what’s happening on the floor; he can explode when changing directions or when leaping to alter shots, and he can close out onto the perimeter to contain shooters., Disciplined. Rarely commits fouls or careless turnovers.","cons":"Thin frame and high center of gravity limit his upside for physical battles against the likes of Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic; early in his career, at least, he’s best suited in lineups with a stronger big. Lacks an advanced low post game. As my colleague Jonathan Tjarks wrote, “Shaquille O’Neal will probably hate him.” Extending his range will take time. He’s a subpar free throw shooter, and not a reliable 3-point shooter. Needs to tighten his handle as he occasionally loses control of the ball when trying more complex moves.","position":"Big","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":16.8,"pts_per40":0.63,"reb_total":8.6,"reb_per40":14.3,"blk_total":3,"blk_per40":0.9,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, On-Ball Defense, Feel for the Game, Interior Scoring","age":19,"similar_player":"Chris Bosh, Christian Wood","analysis":"Evan Mobley Is the Biggest Prize in the 2021 NBA Draft"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Green","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":180,"school":"Ignite","pros":"Electric athlete who can fly to the rim or explode out of dribble moves into drives inside and stepback jumpers. A constant lob threat., Fluid ball handler who can thrive in the pick-and-roll; can generate a shot from anywhere using tight crossovers. Tightening his handle will only enhance his ability to generate open opportunities., Crafty at-rim finisher who also invites contact and does a good job of finishing through it., Hits more than 80 percent of his free throws and has good touch away from the rim, which bodes well for his 3-point shooting potential., Playmaking potential: He’s a willing passer and a learner who needs to gain experience and invest time to master specific passes., Made progress as an off-ball defender this past year with more aware defensive rotations and better fundamentals on closeouts.","cons":"Incorporating change of pace and learning to play slow will be the next step for his development as a scorer. Displayed improved passing chops in the G League, but still needs to develop better feel for timing and accuracy. Doesn’t make many advanced passes off the dribble, such as kickouts to corner shooters. Streaky shooter, especially off the catch. Thin frame limits his defensive versatility; may be best suited defending only smaller scorers and some wings. Currently lacks attention to detail on defense, such as staying in his stance on-ball, playing with active hands in the passing lanes, and simply bringing a consistent level of intensity.","position":"Guard","grade":"N/A","pts_total":17.9,"pts_per40":0.613,"ast_total":2.8,"ast_per40":23.4,"stl_total":1.5,"stl_per40":0.3,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting","age":19,"similar_player":"Zach LaVine, Bradley Beal, Malik Monk","analysis":"Highlight reel waiting to happen who can score from all over the court but needs to polish the technical aspects of his game."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Suggs","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":205,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Smooth and decisive playmaker who takes care of the ball and has the vision to deliver passes on the floor that most players won’t dream of. Unselfish: He will look for the extra pass in the half court or throw it ahead on the break., Confident scorer with a tight handle who can be fed the ball when his team is in need of buckets., Speedy player who can change gears pressuring the paint, with the awareness to kick out passes if defenses commit to him., Intelligent off-ball player who can cut, relocate, and screen. Not a knockdown spot-up shooter, but already a good one., Strong, athletic frame built for absorbing contact at the rim, crashing the boards, and defending multiple positions. His blend of size, agility, and a winning mindset could turn him into an effective versatile defender., Locked-in defender who can match up against opposing stars man-to-man while rarely suffering lapses off-ball., Leadership qualities; plays with poise, is well-liked by teammates, and sets a strong example on the floor with his effort and unselfishness.","cons":"Streaky shooter who lacks dynamic 3-point shooting ability off screens and handoffs, though his fluidity suggests he has the potential. He should incorporate more offbeat or wrong-foot finishes inside instead of relying on his athleticism to fly toward the basket. He added a floater in college, which is one step forward.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":14.3,"pts_per40":0.602,"ast_total":4.5,"ast_per40":24.6,"stl_total":2.8,"stl_per40":0.5,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Playmaking, On-Ball Defense","age":19,"similar_player":"Brandon Roy, Chauncey Billups, Jamal Murray","analysis":"High IQ plus excellent skill and athleticism equals an NBA-ready player with All-Star upside."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Scottie Barnes","year":2021,"height":79,"weight":225,"school":"Florida State","pros":"Incredible physical profile, with long arms and a huge, bulky frame mixed with quickness. Most importantly, he plays with a relentless defensive mindset. At worst, he’ll be a good defender; at best, he will win defensive accolades throughout his career., Florida State used him all over defensively: guarding lead ball handlers, battling on the post against bigs, and playing the back line of the zone as a rim protector. , Plays point guard in college. A willing facilitator who pushes the ball ahead with long outlets and makes the extra pass in the half court. , Could be a playmaking threat out of dribble handoffs and the short roll. Solid open-floor playmaker who can throw darts across the court to corner 3-point shooters or hit the roller with a lob., Takes big, long strides to the rim and barrels through defenders on drives while holding the ball in one hand to extend for layups. A freight train in the open floor who could become a major mismatch problem in the half court if he keeps advancing offensively., Active offensive rebounder., Competitor. Hustler. Crashes the offensive glass, races up the floor in transition, and sprints back on defense.","cons":"He’ll need to get even quicker laterally on defense to become a player who can not only contain, but bother elite perimeter scorers. Scoring from the perimeter appears foreign for him; he’s an interior-based scorer who lacks the dribbling moves to break down defenders for jumpers and he looks uncomfortable shooting, even from a standstill. Shooting mechanics need to change. Looks stiff from the line and the floor. Has solid touch on layups, so there’s some potential if he finds the right shooting instruction. Lacks an advanced low-post game. If he doesn’t develop as a shot creator, how much will his playmaking matter? Like Lonzo Ball, he might first need a jumper to develop as an effective pick-and-roll playmaker.","position":"Forward","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11,"pts_per40":0.547,"ast_total":4.2,"ast_per40":2.3,"ft":60.9,"fta":64,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense, Hustle, Rebounding","age":19,"similar_player":"Draymond Green, Pascal Siakam, Taller and Bulkier Michael Carter-Williams","analysis":"Elite defender with playmaking skills, but needs to improve his jump shot to reach his full potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"James Bouknight","year":2021,"height":75.5,"weight":190,"school":"UConn","pros":"Explosive athlete with a quick first step to pressure the paint and the hops to play above the rim., Finishes acrobatically inside by leaping off either foot and using either hand for touch layups or loud dunks. Also draws a lot of fouls with deceptive moves and body control., Slippery ball handler who loves using hesitations to generate space for his jumpers. Can hit tough, contested shots off the dribble., Instinctual player who relocates and cuts., Speedy defender who could become an effective stopper against opposing guards and some wings. Made strides as a sophomore, especially focusing off-ball and making an impact in the passing lanes.","cons":"Playmaking instincts: He forces some passes that aren’t there and misses some open opportunities. And he too often kills his dribble. Streaky spot-up shooter whose issues could be due to his mechanics. Has a relatively stiff shot out of stationary positions. Inconsistent on-ball defender. Suffered a torn meniscus as a junior in high school.","position":"Guard","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":19,"pts_per40":0.557,"ft":81.3,"fta":75,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Athleticism","age":20,"similar_player":"Donovan Mitchell, CJ McCollum, Jordan Clarkson","analysis":"Spark-plug scorer whose silky ballhandling and competitive edge are tailor-made for the pros."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jonathan Kuminga","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":220,"school":"Ignite","pros":"Excellent physical profile with a large frame and elite athleticism. , Has elite defensive potential if he ever decides to lock in mentally and improve his fundamentals. Capable of someday shutting down smaller, quicker players if he decides to play with intensity., Talented but raw shot creator with a fluid handle. Gets low to the floor and takes massive strides to get to the basket in one or two dribbles., Flashes advanced shot-creation abilities with crossovers, spin moves, and hesitations; with his explosive athleticism, size, and strength, he could be a handful for any defense if his skills develop., Good first-read passer. Can make simple dump-off passes to cutters or find the roller. Has intriguing potential as a screener who could score on the roll or locate open teammates with a pass., Ambidextrous at-rim finisher., Active rebounder.","cons":"Decision-making: He gets flustered when his first read isn’t available and ends up jacking a ton of contested shots instead of looking for a pass or creating a higher-quality shot for himself.  A ball stopper who needs to be better at playing within the flow of the offense. Inconsistent shooter who’s never had good percentages despite looking comfortable and confident from deep range, both off the catch and dribble. Has subpar touch away from the basket. Aloof defender who finds himself out of position on rotations and often doesn’t put in effort on rotations. Also bites on pump fakes.","position":"Forward","grade":"N/A","pts_total":15.8,"pts_per40":0.497,"ast_total":2.7,"ast_per40":2.6,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Rebounding","age":18,"similar_player":"Danny Granger, Luol Deng, Jeff Green","analysis":"Tantalizing athlete who has raw skills that need years of seasoning, but has every tool a patient team would look for."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Davion Mitchell","year":2021,"height":72,"weight":202,"school":"Baylor","pros":"Dynamic shot creator who has a speedy first step and can change directions on a dime. He shifts gears with his dribble to keep opponents off-balance, creating space for pull-up jumpers or drives to the rim., Made a huge leap as a 3-point shooter, going from 31 percent over his first two seasons to 45 percent as a junior. It could be an outlier season, but he looks the part., Comfortable finishing below the rim with either hand. On his drives, he plays with patience using subtle hesitations and fakes., Good playmaker who delivers accurate passes to spot-up shooters and rolling bigs. He also looks comfortable handling pressure., Excellent defender who sets the tone with his intensity, focus, and hustle. He’ll sprint for chase-down blocks, take charges, and dive for loose balls., Switchable defender with active hands who’s excellent at moving laterally against quick guards. He’s also strong and tough enough to handle larger scorers., Disciplined pick-and-roll defender who can fight through screens and stick to his man., High-IQ off-ball defender who is always in the right position, makes smart rotations, and closes out quickly on shooters.","cons":"Lacks the type of wingspan possessed by most elite defenders. Below-the-rim finisher who lacks elite athleticism and could struggle against NBA rim protectors. Rarely got to the free throw line in college. Subpar free throw shooter, which raises questions about his high 3-point shooting percentage as a junior.","position":"Guard","grade":"RS Junior","pts_total":14,"pts_per40":0.619,"ft":64.1,"fta":64,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Hustle","age":22,"similar_player":"Jrue Holiday, Donovan Mitchell, Norman Powell","analysis":"Elite competitor who took an offensive leap as a junior to become a lottery talent."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Alperen Sengun","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":240,"school":"Beşiktaş","pros":"He’s a dancer on the low post. He has unbelievable footwork, doesn’t predetermine his moves, and he can finish through tons of contact using either hand from difficult angles. He lives at the free throw line., Sets strong screens and finishes at a high level on rolls to the rim thanks to his good hands and feel. He’ll use spins, fakes, and pivots to create space off the bounce. He can also finish loudly if he has space to leap., Excellent passer with the upside to be an offensive hub. He facilitates from the post, the elbows, and even brings the ball up the court. , Untapped shooting potential: He shot nearly 80 percent from the line this past year and has good touch around the rim., Heat-seeking missile as an offensive rebounder., Good on-ball defensive potential if his athleticism improves in the pros. He has fluidity but needs to work on his technique., Active off-ball defender. His hustle and spirit are major positives when projecting forward as he continues to hone his fundamentals and discipline.","cons":"He’s a nonshooter right now, but he has potential if he changes his mechanics—he has inconsistent footwork and it looks like his off-hand might be affecting his shot.  He’s undersized as a true center so it might be a challenge for him to battle on the post against larger bigs. What is his position defensively? His slow feet and lack of verticality and length hold him back, meaning he’ll need to learn to be a positional defender.","position":"Big","grade":"N/A","pts_total":19.2,"pts_per40":0.707,"blk_total":1.7,"blk_per40":1.3,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Rebounding","age":18,"similar_player":"Nikola Vucevic, Domantas Sabonis, Enes Kanter","analysis":"Throwback interior big with a sweet post skill set and a knack for playmaking, though he needs to improve his range and defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Franz Wagner","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":220,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Good spot-up 3-point shooter who can drain shots off one or two dribbles., Unselfish playmaker who has great court vision for his size and the ability to deliver accurate passes straight off the dribble., Rarely turns the ball over., In some systems, he could be a major threat facilitating from the elbow areas, running dribble handoffs with shooters or serve as the ball handler or screener in the pick-and-roll. , Coordinated and decisive scorer who attacks with a plan the moment he receives a pass., Glue-guy skills on offense: keeps the ball moving, relocates, screens, and has innate timing on his cuts., Does an excellent job of sealing off smaller defenders on the post, which could be of great value against switching defenses., Has a computer brain on defense. Reads plays instantly and disrupts actions by beating opponents to their spots. He will make a significant impact as an off-ball defender throughout his career., Reliable on-ball defender who’s stout against players his size, with the lateral quickness to switch screens onto some smaller players. Agility improved dramatically after his freshman season and could be enhanced further in an NBA strength and conditioning program., Brother of NBA player Moe Wagner.","cons":"Lacks shake-and-bake moves scoring off the dribble, which likely limits upside as a go-to option. Also reluctant to drive or finish with his left. Improving his off-hand would help his finishing at the rim, though he does compensate some with his swooping runners in the lane. Not an above-the-rim athlete.","position":"Forward","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":12.8,"pts_per40":0.604,"ast_total":2.9,"ast_per40":1.3,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":1.1,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Off-Ball Defense, Feel for the Game","age":19,"similar_player":"Lamar Odom, Danilo Gallinari, Xavier Tillman","analysis":"Impactful as a versatile defender and an offensive weapon who can be utilized in a wide range of roles."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cameron Thomas","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":210,"school":"LSU","pros":"Throwback isolation scorer who thrives from midrange. He has every move in his bag to create off the bounce. And he has the confidence to launch from anywhere, including way beyond the 3-point line., Skilled off-ball cutter who can relocate or come off screens from all angles and drain shots thanks to pristine footwork., Good interior finisher who draws a ton of fouls using pump fakes and his body. When he sees open space, he attacks, especially in transition., He has the physical tools to be an impactful defender if his fundamentals improve.","cons":"A bit of a ball-stopper who lacks passing vision. He may need to change his game to thrive in a motion offense, though his ideal role early in his career could just be as a bench spark plug. Needs to lock in defensively. He doesn’t stay in a stance, falls out of position, and rarely puts in extra effort.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":23,"pts_per40":0.553,"ft":88.2,"fta":220,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling","age":19,"similar_player":"CJ McCollum, Terrence Ross","analysis":"Score-first guard with a vintage game who has a knack for getting buckets."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Josh Giddey","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"Adelaide","pros":"Manipulates defense using a wide variety of change-of-pace moves. He understands how to take certain angles to open passing windows better than many NBA veterans., Ambidextrous passer who fluidly distributes the ball off the bounce. Whether it’s a basic pocket pass or a high-level dish to a shooter or cutter, he delivers with accuracy., Skilled finisher who can contort his body at the rim and score from awkward angles. He also displays soft touch on floaters., Instinctual rebounder who gobbles up boards out of his area, and is a threat to take the ball coast to coast., Solid off-ball defender who displays a desire to make plays in the passing lanes, though he must improve his fundamentals and court awareness.","cons":"Subpar spot-up shooter who needs to revise his mechanics. It looks like he brings the ball up to his release point too early, which means power isn’t transferring from his legs up to his hands. His footwork is also inconsistent. Can’t make defenders pay for going under screens in the pick-and-roll because of his shaky dribble jumper. Struggles defending man-to-man against quicker players and against bigger ones due to his lean frame.","position":"Guard","grade":"N/A","pts_total":11.4,"pts_per40":0.52,"ast_total":7.4,"ast_per40":3.2,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game","age":18,"similar_player":"Joe Ingles, Kyle Anderson, Evan Turner","analysis":"Tall playmaker with the ability to make any pass on the court, though he must answer questions about his shooting and defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Trey Murphy","year":2021,"height":79.5,"weight":206,"school":"Virginia","pros":"Elite shooter with a quick release who can catch fire from 3. He has a strong feel for when to get open for a jumper and when to cut to the rim., Has the potential to be an elite screener due to his size and his ability to both pop out for 3s and roll to the rim to finish with athleticism., Reliable passer who keeps the ball moving. He makes quick decisions, executes simple plays, and can make accurate passes off the dribble., Excellent defensive fundamentals, awareness, quickness, and length give him significant potential on that end. He stays in his stance man-to-man, and he fights through screens and handoffs like a veteran., Versatile on-ball defender who could be utilized as an on-ball stopper in certain matchups. He can also switch screens and stay in front of smaller players., Sentry off-ball defender who racks up deflections, picks off passes, and makes timely rotations., Displays good habits boxing out when he’s near the rim, though his role was to sprint out on offense rather than crash the boards.","cons":"Elementary ball handler at this stage of his career who lacks the dribbling skills to create his own shot or get to the rim. Unproven shooter off the dribble. He lacked opportunities at Virginia but also didn’t look comfortable when he did take jumpers off the bounce. He can still improve as a shooter coming off movement. Mastering this skill would make him a major weapon as a perimeter scorer. He’ll need to get stronger and become a better rebounder to be an effective small-ball center.","position":"Forward","grade":"Junior","pts_total":11.3,"pts_per40":0.67,"ft":92.7,"fta":41,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":21,"similar_player":"OG Anunoby, De’Andre Hunter, Cam Johnson","analysis":"Stars in his role as a tall knockdown shooter and versatile defender."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Moses Moody","year":2021,"height":76.5,"weight":211,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Excellent physical dimensions. Uses his strong frame and long arms to alter shots as a help defender near the rim or harass opponents man-to-man on the perimeter., Good stationary shooter, but needs to speed up his release on 3s off screens and handoffs., Unselfish player who excelled in an off-ball role. Does a good job of reading the floor off the dribble to make simple passes using either hand. Has intriguing potential as a screener who can thrive on the short roll., Capable of pulling up from midrange after one or two dribbles., Anticipatory rebounder with a nose for the ball, especially on offense., Versatile on-ball defender who invites contact from larger players and has the agility to contain smaller, quicker perimeter scorers., Intelligent off-ball defender who always seems to be in the right position.","cons":"Struggled to generate open shots against better defenders. Doesn’t project as a primary scorer unless his handle dramatically improves, and lacks the fluidity of players who develop that skill. Lacks a floater. Draws a lot of fouls but doesn’t finish well inside. A below-the-rim finisher. Needs to add more touch on finishes. Lives in the midrange off the dribble. Needs to extend his range to 3 to hit more one-dribble side-step shots like high-level role players can.","position":"Wing","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":17.4,"pts_per40":0.587,"ft":81.7,"fta":164,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Hustle, Rebounding","age":19,"similar_player":"Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Morris Peterson","analysis":"Safe bet to be a productive player for years. His ceiling, however, is unknown."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Usman Garuba","year":2021,"height":80,"weight":229,"school":"Real Madrid","pros":"Plays with elite defensive effort and intelligence. He’s always locked in and flies around the floor for blocked shots, steals, and deflections., Switchable defender with the bulk to handle bigger players and the agility to match up against quicker wings and even guards. He’s aware and does a good job of using his hands to shut passing windows., Skilled passer who immediately finds the open man and delivers the ball with precision. If his scoring improves, he could facilitate in the half court using dribble handoffs and his solid handle., A strong rebounder and a threat to push the ball on the break if he’s not outleting it to a sprinting teammate.","cons":"He doesn’t have a big vertical, which hurts him as a finisher around the rim. Struggles shooting the ball. He has a poor percentage from the line and hasn’t shown much touch away from the rim. Past opponents left him wide open behind the arc, just as they will in the NBA.","position":"Forward","grade":"N/A","pts_total":5.7,"pts_per40":0.553,"reb_total":5.4,"reb_per40":17.5,"ft":65.6,"fta":32,"main_selling_point":"Hustle","age":19,"similar_player":"OG Anunoby, Kenneth Faried","analysis":"Hyper defender who always makes the extra effort but needs to define an offensive role."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kai Jones","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":221,"school":"Texas","pros":"Lethal rim-running threat: He’s a bouncy athlete who gets above the rim with ease for lobs, and a coordinated ball handler if he needs to put it on the floor to get to the basket. If he catches the ball from a standstill, he has the patience to use pump fakes to draw defenders, then the explosive verticality to score through contact., Excellent straight-line driver with unusually smooth moves for a player his size. Has a natural feel for shifting gears and changing directions—plus, the footwork to occasionally unleash a Euro-step., Fluid pulling up for jumpers off the dribble. The results aren’t there yet, but bigs who can generate their own shots from the perimeter are hard to find., Incredibly mobile defender capable of switching across positions. Stays in his stance and often deters scorers from even driving inside. Off-ball, he rotates or recovers quickly to alter shots.","cons":"Hesitant shooter who often pump fakes before launching or attacking off the dribble, which will often result in traveling calls due to his raw footwork. Average pass-catching hands. Fumbles some passes. Lacks any semblance of a post game. Sluggish decision-maker. Inconsistent shooting mechanics and below-average free throw percentage. Stronger opponents plow through him, both on drives to the rim and the boards. Has the frame to add muscle, but is years from adding that weight. Retaining his quickness will be critical if he does get heavier. Still learning the game after picking it up at age 15, so he occasionally misses off-ball rotations or finds himself in the wrong position as the help defender in the pick-and-roll. It’ll be a steep learning curve, so the team that drafts him will need to make a major investment in him.","position":"Big","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":8.8,"pts_per40":0.639,"ast_total":0.6,"ast_per40":1.3,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, Athleticism","age":20,"similar_player":"Christian Wood, JaVale McGee","analysis":"Bahamian big man with tantalizing perimeter skills and the raw versatility to someday become a multi-positional defender."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Corey Kispert","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":224,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Elite shooter both off the catch and the dribble. Quick release from all over the floor. A potential 50-40-90 player., Creates simple shots for himself. With the ball, he can throw a pump fake then score by attacking closeouts. Without the ball, he has the awareness to find open space for jumpers or cuts to the rim., Helps facilitate the flow of the offense by making smart, rapid reads., Reliable, hard-nosed positional defender who puts himself in the right spots, whether in off-ball help situations or in man-to-man matchups., Strong work ethic, which resulted in massive improvements in each of his four college seasons.","cons":"Lacks the handle or athleticism to be a lead ball handler; even in his limited role, he hasn’t displayed a ton of advanced abilities shooting off the dribble. Can improve lateral quickness on defense to stay in front of opposing guards.","position":"Wing","grade":"Senior","pts_total":19.2,"pts_per40":0.69,"ast_total":1.8,"ast_per40":1.3,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":0.4,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Hustle, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":22,"similar_player":"Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Harris, Gary Trent Jr.","analysis":"Three NBA Draft Prospects Who Could Shoot Their Way Up Big Boards"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Chris Duarte","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":190,"school":"Oregon","pros":"Elite spot-up shooter who can score off movement using screens, handoffs, and relocations., He's not a dynamic shot creator, but he is a knockdown shooter off the bounce, able to punish defenders for going under screens or pull up and side-step defenders off spot-up situations. , Ambidextrous finisher who has the body control to bend and angle himself to score., A hustler who goes out of his way to make plays on the ball, and a willing rebounder for his position., Active and aware in the passing lanes as an off-ball defender. He makes reads like a defensive back and creates a ton of steals and deflections., Good defensive fundamentals. He stays in his stance and plays hard. He needs to improve his lateral movement, but the tools are there.","cons":"Subpar playmaker at this stage of his career. He’s a willing passer but he’s inaccurate, especially off the dribble in pick-and-roll situations. Likely not a very switchable defender, as he’s not quick enough to handle speedy guards or big enough for larger, stronger forwards. He’ll be 24 by draft night.","position":"Wing","grade":"Senior","pts_total":17.1,"pts_per40":0.657,"stl_total":1.9,"stl_per40":0.8,"ft":81,"fta":79,"main_selling_point":"Hustle","age":23,"similar_player":"Modern Rip Hamilton, Gary Trent Jr., Danny Green","analysis":"A strong shooter who could stick in the league for a long time, especially if he makes progress as a playmaker and on-ball defender."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Keon Johnson","year":2021,"height":75.5,"weight":185,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Accelerates like a Tesla, with fluid change of direction and the explosiveness to launch up to the rim., Already a force as a straight-line driver and has long-term upside to be a threatening pick-and-roll scorer if his ballhandling skills improve., Lean but has the frame to add muscle. He could live at the free throw line as he gets stronger and his skills improve., Active on-ball defender who displays good technique and aggressiveness fighting through screens and moving laterally to stay in front of opposing lead guards. At his size and length, he projects to be versatile., Instinctual off-ball defender who’s impactful in the passing lanes. Will try to take charges and will crash the boards., Already a lottery-caliber prospect despite not playing organized basketball full-time until high school.","cons":"Inconsistent shooter who needs to tweak his mechanics and extend his range. Has a slight hitch in his release, which might be the cause of his dry spells. Fixing it could also help with his ability to hit 3s: He lived in the midrange and didn’t make a single pull-up 3 all season. Needs to tighten his handle and add more advanced moves to maximize his clear upside as a shot creator. A lot of his moves need to be quicker. Shaky decision-maker at this stage—too often over-dribbles himself into traffic, leading to sloppy turnovers.","position":"Wing","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11.2,"pts_per40":0.525,"ft":70.7,"fta":99,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Hustle","age":19,"similar_player":"Latrell Sprewell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Gary Harris","analysis":"Explosive athlete with raw skills who flashes the ability to someday become an excellent go-to scorer."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Johnson","year":2021,"height":79.75,"weight":210,"school":"Duke","pros":"Playmaking is his best skill. Delivers an accurate ball off the bounce and has great court awareness. Would have averaged far more assists if his Duke teammates hit shots., Has great open-floor speed and athleticism. If his jumper develops, he could thrive in the pick-and-roll, as he has the height to see over the defense and make passes smaller players can’t., Clearly has half-court value as a screener and interior finisher off cuts and dump-off passes. The way the Sixers utilize Ben Simmons is a road map to getting production out of him., Isn’t much of a low- or high-post scorer yet but already shows good passing chops., Active rebounder who can grab-and-go on the break., Versatile on-ball defender with the lateral quickness and strength to contain players of all sizes., Good off-ball defender rotating to help at the rim or closing out to shooters.","cons":"Ineffective shooter with stiff mechanics. Hit more than half his shots off the catch, but his form, low free throw percentage, and lack of success shooting at lower levels doesn’t inspire much confidence in his potential. Averse to contact at the rim. Prefers to finish with finesse. Though a good finisher as is, there’s room to improve. Overconfident passer who commits too many avoidable turnovers. Inconsistent defender who goes through stretches when he gets caught ball-watching or doesn’t put full effort in to get a stop. Teams worry about his character after leaving IMG Academy during his senior year of high school, then departing from Duke after just 13 games.","position":"Forward","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11.2,"pts_per40":0.575,"ast_total":2.2,"ast_per40":2.5,"stl_total":1.2,"stl_per40":1.2,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Rebounding","age":19,"similar_player":"Aaron Gordon, Rudy Gay, Bigger RJ Barrett","analysis":"Versatile forward who pressures the rim in the open floor, though his half-court skills need to come a long way."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ziaire Williams","year":2021,"height":80.25,"weight":188,"school":"Stanford","pros":"Fluid ball handler for his size who can change speeds and pivot with ease to create space off the dribble., Go-to-scorer potential if he irons out the kinks in his shooting mechanics; his free throw percentage is a positive indicator for his future., With such a dynamic handle, he also displays playmaking upside. He’s a score-first player, but a willing passer too., Heady defender who uses length and anticipation to be a problem in passing lanes. He’s also a good help defender around the rim who can alter shots and take charges.","cons":"Needs to revise his shooting form by smoothing out his release and making it more of a clean, one-motion movement. Doesn’t finish well in traffic and avoids contact at the rim, opting instead for more difficult floaters or deep layups. He also isn’t explosive as a leaper unless he has space to launch off both feet. Lean frame limits his ability to add weight and muscle, which will determine how effectively he'll be able to defend multiple positions.","position":"Wing","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":10.7,"pts_per40":0.473,"ft":79.6,"fta":49,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense","age":19,"similar_player":"Brandon Ingram, Cam Reddish","analysis":"Lanky shot creator who needs to improve his jumper and his body to maximize his immense two-way potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Day'ron Sharpe","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":265,"school":"North Carolina","pros":"Potential as a passer since he makes quick decisions with the ball within the flow of the offense., He sets strong screens and finishes well at the rim, which could make him an effective pick-and-roll option., Hungry offensive rebounder with a nose for tracking the ball. He has a quick second jump to go back up and score. Also a great defensive rebounder who consistently boxes out., Makes hustle plays and is an aware off-ball defender who jumps passing lanes and makes proper rotations., Solid rim protector who’s active in the paint. With a strong torso, he’s built to battle against true post bigs., Despite his size, his best defensive attribute is his agility. He displays the potential to switch screens, which would raise his ceiling on defense.","cons":"Lacks a reliable perimeter jumper and doesn’t shoot well from the free throw line. Loose handle diminishes his ability to be a shot creator out of handoff and post actions. Defensive fundamentals must improve to maximize his raw ability, particularly with his stance when moving laterally on the perimeter.","position":"Big","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":9.5,"pts_per40":0.521,"ft":50.5,"fta":101,"main_selling_point":"Hustle","age":19,"similar_player":"Richaun Holmes, Kendrick Perkins","analysis":"Interior big man who plays his butt off and has upside on the defensive end."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Sharife Cooper","year":2021,"height":75.5,"weight":180,"school":"Auburn","pros":"One of the best passers in the draft. Makes pinpoint deliveries using either hand, whether it’s lobs, kickouts, or drop-offs. He loves to use subtle feints and fakes to draw defenders out of position, and then make the pass., Comfortable commanding the offense, especially in the pick-and-roll., Slippery ball handler who can suddenly shift directions to get where he wants on the court., Ambidextrous finisher who displays crafty potential, a necessity for a player of his size. He also invites and initiates contact inside., Shooting potential: He shot above 80 percent from the line and displayed soft touch on floaters. He’ll need to overhaul his mechanics, but there is certainly untapped potential.","cons":"Tiny frame raises concerns about his ability to handle the physicality of the NBA, especially on defense. Defensive fundamentals: At Auburn, he was frequently out of position off the ball and did a poor job of fighting through screens to stick with his assignment. Uncomfortable 3-point shooter. He barely jumps, instead taking more of a set shot. He sprays misses all over. Without a reliable jumper, teams will be able to go under screens to limit his playmaking. Takes unnecessary risks as a passer.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":20.2,"pts_per40":0.519,"ast_total":8.1,"ast_per40":4.2,"ft":82.5,"fta":103,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Feel for the Game","age":19,"similar_player":"Rajon Rondo, Ish Smith, Sebastian Telfair","analysis":"Intelligent floor general who needs to improve his jump shot to maximize his offensive potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jaden Springer","year":2021,"height":75,"weight":202,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Tenacious on-ball defender who can get into a scorer’s grill and bother them by mirroring their movement and using quick hands to swat at the ball. Isn’t highly versatile but will battle on a switch versus larger players., Communicative off-ball defender who vocalizes rotations and always seems to be aware of what’s happening. An energizer on the court., Drives to the rim like a running back shredding tacklers and can hit shots through the contact. If he can’t get to the rim, he has a soft floater., Decisive decision-maker who has great timing as a passer locating cutters and shooters. Shows early signs of being able to manipulate defenders to open passing windows, though he’ll need to improve his handle., Good shooting potential. Hit more than 80 percent of his free throws and nearly 40 percent of spot-up 3s, though both were on a small sample., Always seems to be in control. Lacks a great first step and dynamic dribble moves but moves with purpose. Uses change of pace and excellent body control to fire difficult passes. Would be best suited in a multi–ball handler offense that promotes sharing the ball., Produces at a high level despite sharing a backcourt with multiple talented players—which shows his ability to coexist with other talent.","cons":"Takes way too long to unleash his shot off the catch, which gives defenders time to close out. Even if he’s still open, he’ll often pass up opportunities. Struggled to shoot pull-up jumpers from close range and took very few from outside of 17 feet. Has tried only nine dribble-jumper 3s. Lacks burst and a creative handle to break down defenders one-on-one. It’s pivotal that he adds more dynamic moves. Below-the-rim finisher who frequently has shots blocked or altered when contested. Was inefficient scoring in the pick-and-roll, and things will only get harder in the NBA since he won’t be able to overpower defenders.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":12.5,"pts_per40":0.575,"ast_total":2.9,"ast_per40":26.3,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":0.5,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Feel for the Game","age":18,"similar_player":"Kyle Lowry, Malcolm Brogdon","analysis":"Energizer on both ends of the floor who consistently makes winning plays, but needs to fine-tune his shot-creation abilities."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jared Butler","year":2021,"height":74.25,"weight":193,"school":"Baylor","pros":"Shifty ball handler who moves quickly side-to-side, and uses deception to generate space., Good scorer off the dribble; he’s most potent in the pick-and-roll, as he can pull up for deep 3s or split screens and get to the rim, where he can finish with either hand., Versatile spot-up shooting threat who relocates like a veteran around the perimeter and has excellent footwork coming off screens., Creative passer. He displays the necessary vision and skills that could help him make the jump from secondary playmaker to primary., High-effort on-ball defender and instinctive team defender who jumps passing lanes for deflections and rotates to protect the rim.","cons":"Below-the-rim finisher. He doesn’t shy from contact, which is encouraging, but doesn’t finish well or draw many fouls either. He’s a risk-taker who occasionally tries to make a difficult pass when he should make a safe one, and he doesn’t always put enough velocity on the ball. Undersized, which limits his upside on the defensive end.","position":"Guard","grade":"Junior","pts_total":16.7,"pts_per40":0.599,"ast_total":4.8,"ast_per40":2.8,"stl_total":2,"stl_per40":0.4,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, On-Ball Defense","age":20,"similar_player":"Goran Dragic, Avery Bradley with a handle","analysis":"Microwave scoring guard who has improved as a playmaker during his three years in college."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Isaiah Todd","year":2021,"height":80.75,"weight":219,"school":"Ignite","pros":"Strong at-rim finisher with touch and the bounce to dunk in traffic., Good shooter off the catch who can hit from a standstill or fluidly move into his shot in action., Isolation scoring potential with his ability to drain turnaround jumpers. If he extends his range to 3, he could become a go-to scoring threat., Willing passer who displays the vision to deliver a variety of passes out of the post and the roll., With his mobility and athleticism, he has excellent defensive potential if he bulks up and improves his effort.","cons":"Shot selection. He settles for contested midrange jumpers when he should pass. Prefers to play on the perimeter and doesn’t make much of an impact rebounding the ball or protecting the basket. Lacks toughness defending on the interior. Bigs plow through him underneath the basket.","position":"Forward","grade":"N/A","pts_total":12.3,"pts_per40":0.53,"reb_total":4.9,"reb_per40":10.8,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism","age":19,"similar_player":"Chris Bosh, Michael Beasley, Marvin Bagley","analysis":"Floor spacer who can make plays off the bounce but needs to find himself on defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Joshua Primo","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":189,"school":"Alabama","pros":"Good shooter off the catch with a high release and deep range. He also has the ability to hit shots on the move using handoffs and screens., Shooting threat off the bounce using one or two dribbles to create room for his jump shot., Intelligent offensive player with a feel for when to cut and how to relocate off the ball., Active on-ball defender with great fundamentals and length who defends with his feet and not his arms, sliding laterally to mirror opponents and rarely committing careless fouls., Hard-nosed player who fights at every opportunity, whether it be after a switch against a bigger player or in an off-ball situation when he must help in the paint then hustle back to his man.","cons":"Lacks the type of ball-on-a-string handle and explosive first step found in players with go-to scoring upside. He projects more as a complementary player. Below-the-rim athlete who struggles to finish around the hoop. He displays touch on crafty right-handed layups but avoids contact and lacks a reliable left hand. Negative assist-to-turnover ratio due to his tendency to make risky passes and his lack of a strong handle.","position":"Wing","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":8.1,"pts_per40":0.565,"ft":75,"fta":44,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting","age":18,"similar_player":"Caris LeVert, Anfernee Simons","analysis":"Lights-out shooter who plays selflessly and could fit on any NBA team despite his youth."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tre Mann","year":2021,"height":75.25,"weight":178,"school":"Florida","pros":"Shifty ball handler who’s a knockdown shooter from deep off the bounce. He naturally shifts speeds and uses deceleration to get into stepbacks or pull up on a dime. He needs to tighten his handle to become a true first option, but the flashes are apparent., Pillowy soft touch on his floater when attacking the rim or leaning off-balance away from the basket., Solid playmaker who understands how to weaponize his scoring to open up teammates, especially out of the pick-and-roll., Is he still getting taller? Mann grew 2 inches and gained 15 pounds after his freshman season at Florida. His game could blossom even further if he keeps growing.","cons":"Will need to thrive in spite of his athleticism. He lacks an elite first step and doesn’t possess much explosiveness around the rim. Becoming a crafty finisher and ball handler is the key to his success. Defensive fundamentals: He’s sloppy on closeouts and falls out of his stance on the ball.","position":"Guard","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":16,"pts_per40":0.579,"ast_total":3.5,"ast_per40":2.8,"ft":83.1,"fta":89,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling","age":20,"similar_player":"D'Angelo Russell, taller Darius Garland","analysis":"Knockdown shooter with a slick handle who went through a recent growth spurt that caused his upside to skyrocket."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Isaiah Jackson","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":206,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Incredible athlete who explodes off the floor and has the fluidity to cover a lot of ground and defend on the perimeter., Excellent rim-protecting potential if his fundamentals improve since he’s such an eager and instinctual shot blocker. He can swat away shots using either hand., Intuitive offensive rebounder who forces defenses to be aware at all times or he’ll take advantage., Above-the-rim finisher who’s a constant threat to finish lobs., Solid face-up game: He has a quick first step, and attacks aggressively off the dribble.","cons":"Lacks the necessary size and strength at this stage of his physical development. He’ll need to add a ton of weight without hindering his mobility. Undisciplined defense. He often falls into foul trouble or out of position entirely when on the ball, biting on pump fakes or attempting to block shots when he should stay down and box out. Defensive fundamentals are also lacking: prone to be attacked off the dribble due to his poor stance. Sometimes he makes up for it with his athleticism, but doing that in the NBA will be a whole different challenge. Back-to-the basket scoring: Even when he seals off defenders inside, he lacks fluidity when turning around and putting the ball up. Playmaking skills. He’s not a proactive offensive player. If his first move is covered, there’s a strong chance a turnover or sloppy shot will follow. Still developing into a reliable shooter, which will be the key to unlocking his full potential as a face-up scorer.","position":"Big","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":8.4,"pts_per40":0.587,"reb_total":6.6,"reb_per40":17.3,"blk_total":2.6,"blk_per40":0.8,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, Rebounding","age":19,"similar_player":"Nerlens Noel, Nic Claxton","analysis":"Explosive rim runner on offense who has elite long-term potential on defense if he improves his fundamentals."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Miles Mcbride","year":2021,"height":73,"weight":195,"school":"West Virginia","pros":"Unselfish playmaker who makes quick decisions in the open floor and has the potential to thrive in a spaced-out pick-and-roll offense., Comfortable shooter off the bounce with NBA range who can use stepbacks and side steps from any spot. He’s also a knockdown shooter off the catch., Relentless defender who’s a pest with constant on-ball pressure. It’s like he defends from inside his opponent's jersey., Offers rim protection from the perimeter because of his elite ability to contain dribble penetration, forcing pull-ups and floaters., Excellent potential as an off-ball defender. He makes timely rotations and makes an impact despite his lack of size.","cons":"Doesn’t create a ton of space off the dribble. He has good-but-not-great ball handling and burst. Though he’s an explosive leaper in the open floor, he too often plays below the rim on layups and frequently gets blocked or heavily contested.","position":"Guard","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":15.9,"pts_per40":0.544,"ast_total":4.8,"ast_per40":1.8,"stl_total":1.9,"stl_per40":0.3,"main_selling_point":"Hustle","age":20,"similar_player":"Jrue Holiday, Jevon Carter","analysis":"Gritty player with a winning mentality and an insatiable appetite for getting stops on defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ayo Dosunmu","year":2021,"height":75.5,"weight":194,"school":"Illinois","pros":"Wiggly ball handler who controls offensive tempo. Isn’t going to break ankles with his dribble; instead, predominantly uses strength and change of pace to create space., Accurate passer on simple deliveries to shooters and rollers, though he shouldn’t be expected to make advanced reads., Motors the ball up the floor in transition with hit-ahead passes or his own dribble to get into the paint for baskets or kickouts., Will need to adjust to playing a lower-usage role in the NBA, but it should be a simple adjustment, as he’s shown the feel for moving the ball and cutting., Improved in each of his three college seasons as a free throw shooter; this was his best season shooting from 3, though it came on about only three attempts per game. , Versatile on-ball defender. Had multiple games playing lockdown defense, despite also carrying a heavy offensive workload., Good awareness as an off-ball defender., Leads by example with hard work on and off the court. Also has a knack for coming through in clutch moments.","cons":"Shooting: has a low release point, shoots a low percentage on spot-up 3s, and has a small sample of success off the dribble. Below-the-rim finisher who needs to improve his craftiness inside. Attempts far too many high-risk passes; if he ends that habit, he’ll dramatically cut down on turnovers. Right-hand dominant as a ball handler and finisher.","position":"Guard","grade":"Junior","pts_total":20.7,"pts_per40":0.568,"ast_total":5.3,"ast_per40":30,"main_selling_point":"Hustle","age":21,"similar_player":"Jumbo Jrue Holiday, Delon Wright, Elfrid Payton","analysis":"Tone-setting player who led his team in college and will bring winning qualities to the pros, though he needs to improve as a shooter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jt Thor","year":2021,"height":80.5,"weight":203,"school":"Auburn","pros":"Explosive leaper who can attack in a straight line off the bounce. In transition, he runs the floor hard to make himself a target for outlets., Flashes 3-point shooting potential: He showed clean, repeatable mechanics at the NBA combine, and shot 74 percent from the line as a freshman, which offers hope for his jumper., Superb on-ball defender who moves laterally with guard-like swiftness and can also regularly contest shots with his length., Athletic off-ball defender who can jump passing lanes for deflections and recover quickly enough to alter or even block spot-up 3s., Rim-protecting presence with an enormous 7-foot-3 wingspan. He can defend pick-and-rolls by dropping, blitzing, or switching. And when off the ball, he displays great instincts helping inside.","cons":"Inconsistent 3-point shooter. Despite some hot streaks, he hasn’t shown dynamic ability coming off screens or pick-and-popping. Turnover prone. He struggles to execute simple plays and he panics when pressured by defenders. Even if he has time and space to make a read, he telegraphs passes, giving defenders easy chances to pick it off.","position":"Forward","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":9.4,"pts_per40":0.547,"blk_total":1.4,"blk_per40":0.8,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense, Athleticism","age":18,"similar_player":"Jonathan Isaac, Jaden McDaniels, Al-Farouq Aminu","analysis":"A versatile and switchable defender who has shown flashes on offense, though he’s still a raw passer and shooter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Herb Jones","year":2021,"height":78,"weight":206,"school":"Alabama","pros":"Athletic at-rim finisher who thrives in the open floor. He also displays excellent awareness cutting off-ball to get open for dump-offs or lobs., Skilled ball handler who has great passing vision. He can bring the ball up the floor off defensive rebounds. In the half-court, he could thrive in scheme screening for a dynamic shot-making guard by setting picks and rolling to the basket., Improved his shooting mechanics as a senior and shot the best percentage of his career from 3 and the line., Elite defensive potential as a switchable player. He can lock down quicker guards due to his quickness and fundamentals sliding laterally, but he’s also strong enough to bother bigger wings and forwards., Good rim protection. He excels at jumping vertically with opponents to alter their shots without fouling. There’s small-ball center potential in him., Headsy off-ball player who understands proper angles when fighting around screens or defending the pick-and-roll. He recognizes opponent actions to make proper rotations, and with his length and athleticism he frequently racks up blocks and steals.","cons":"Non-factor on the perimeter with the ball in his hands. Defenses will sag off him, limiting passing angles. Though he can pass from the post, he lacks the moves or the touch to score with efficiency. In the half court, he can get a bit reckless with his dribble. Stiff shooter who needs to prove he can become average in spot-up situations. He’s not a threat off the dribble. His college scheme allowed him to gamble on defense, but in the NBA he’ll need to be more disciplined.","position":"Forward","grade":"Senior","pts_total":11.2,"pts_per40":0.528,"stl_total":1.7,"stl_per40":1.1,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense, Hustle, Playmaking","age":22,"similar_player":"leaner Draymond Green, Andre Roberson","analysis":"Energizing presence who can defend across positions, but he’s a limited offensive threat."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Nah'shon Hyland","year":2021,"height":74,"weight":169,"school":"VCU","pros":"Threat to launch stepback and pull-up 3s off the dribble from Dame territory, or he can spot up to shoot off the catch., Has a herky-jerky style, mixing in hesitations and change of pace to create space in the midrange., Crafty interior finisher who uses his long arms to stretch out and flip the ball up to the rim from unusual angles with either hand., Long wingspan and agility give him defensive upside, as long as his fundamentals and effort improve.","cons":"Loose ball handler who needs to tighten his control to become a reliable and consistent shot creator at the next level. He has blinders on when he has the ball and frequently misses opportunities to pass to open teammates. Extremely skinny player who avoids contact near the rim on offense and physicality on defense. Lacks toughness on defense. He rarely stays in his stance when defending man-to-man and won’t go out of his way to help away from the ball.","position":"Guard","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":19.5,"pts_per40":0.596,"ast_total":2.1,"ast_per40":3.1,"stl_total":1.9,"stl_per40":0.2,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting","age":20,"similar_player":"Jamal Crawford, Ben Gordon","analysis":"Fearless scorer who can pull up from anywhere, giving him the upside to be a go-to starter or a spark off the bench."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Josh Christopher","year":2021,"height":75.25,"weight":215,"school":"Arizona State","pros":"Athletic threat in the open court who can elevate in a crowd around the rim. He can initiate contact and still finish inside, and in transition he’ll often throw down thunderous dunks., Tough shot maker off the bounce who doesn’t need a screen to create space for his jumper. He’s a rhythmic ball handler who utilizes change-of-pace moves and fluidly transitions from dribble to shot., Good in-between game with floaters and runners, or he can pump-fake a jumper then step through into a layup., High defensive upside. He has length, athleticism, and strength to become a multi-positional defender. Off the ball, he uses those qualities to make an impact as a weak-side help defender with a habit of blocking shots.","cons":"Awkward shooter who goes through long stretches where the ball doesn’t even hit the rim, especially when shooting off the catch, when he looks far less comfortable than he does off the dribble. Decision-making: He lacks passing vision and forces too many jump shots. Inconsistent defender who lacks fundamentals and often gets caught ball-watching.","position":"Guard","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":14.3,"pts_per40":52.9,"stl_total":1.5,"stl_per40":0.5,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism","age":19,"similar_player":"Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Nick Young","analysis":"Dynamic scoring threat who needs to iron out his consistency issues and improve as a playmaker to fulfill his potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jason Preston","year":2021,"height":75,"weight":181,"school":"Ohio","pros":"Decisive playmaker who can make any pass off the dribble. He knows how to manipulate opponents by weaponizing the defense and delivering laser-beam passes., Creative facilitator who frequently makes no-look passes that pop up on highlight reels, but he’s intelligent with the ball and minimizes careless turnovers., Plays at his own pace, utilizing hesitations to penetrate the paint. He understands angles and uses them to keep defenders on his back., Knockdown shooter off the catch with deep range way behind the arc., Skilled scorer who has an arsenal of crafty finishes and floaters., Instinctual rebounder for his position; he averaged more than seven rebounds per game in his final college season., Anticipatory defender who has the potential to be reliable within a team’s scheme once he improves his body, athleticism, and positioning.","cons":"He doesn’t create a ton of space off the dribble, which leads to inconsistent pull-up jumpers and failed attempts at getting to the basket. Shot only 70 percent from the line in three college seasons. Average athlete who finishes below the rim and lacks the burst to blow by defenders. Needs a lot of work on defense. He doesn’t move well laterally against quicker players and lacks the strength to contain bigger ones.","position":"Guard","grade":"Junior","pts_total":15.7,"pts_per40":0.583,"ast_total":7.3,"ast_per40":3,"ft":59.6,"fta":47,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game","age":21,"similar_player":"Malcolm Brogdon, Lonzo Ball, Ty Jerome","analysis":"Cerebral point guard who runs the offense with a veteran’s savvy, though he must progress as an athlete."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Juhann Begarin","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":192,"school":"Paris Basket","pros":"Above-the-rim finisher who can dunk in traffic. He accelerates quickly and fluidly changes directions with the ball in his hands. If his game clicks, he’ll draw a ton of fouls., Displays good passing vision, though he needs to improve the accuracy of his passes., Flashes lockdown ability as an on-ball defender thanks to his strong frame, 7-foot wingspan, and agility., Impactful off-ball defender when he’s in the right position; he’s so bouncy that he’s a threat to block shots from the weak side.","cons":"Streaky shooter who lacks touch in the paint and from the free throw line. He has stiff mechanics shooting off the catch and needs to make changes. Shot selection: He loves midrange jumpers even though it’s not a great shot for him. Defensive fundamentals require improvement to complement his physical profile. Lacks awareness defending off-ball. He makes too many mistakes, either because he’s ball-watching or just doesn’t know where to be.","position":"Guard","grade":"N/A","pts_total":11.9,"pts_per40":0.558,"ast_total":3.1,"ast_per40":2.3,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":0.5,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism","age":18,"similar_player":"Iman Shumpert, Lonnie Walker","analysis":"Fast, explosive guard who can attack downhill, but at this stage is still an inefficient and inconsistent player."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"David Johnson","year":2021,"height":75.25,"weight":203,"school":"Louisville","pros":"Selfless player who displays the vision to deliver cross-court feeds to shooters or pocket passes and lobs to rim runners. And he can make those passes with accuracy using either hand., Savvy pick-and-roll playmaker. He’s most comfortable navigating defenses in the half-court following a screen, which is a trademark of NBA offenses., Improved his shooting as a sophomore., Potentially a versatile weapon who could be used in a role like Bruce Brown on the Nets, setting screens and rolling to finish inside. He also has post skills, which teams could activate., Excellent defensive potential with a strong physical profile for his position. He shows an enthusiasm for getting stops, toughness, and next-level awareness.","cons":"Ballhandling must improve dramatically with his off hand. Most of his turnovers are because of his inability to consistently get to the basket, leading to reckless passes. Defenders sag off him and dare him to shoot because he struggles scoring off the dribble from 3 and midrange. He also just doesn’t look very comfortable even dribbling into those shots, failing to create separation.","position":"Guard","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":12.6,"pts_per40":0.504,"ast_total":3.2,"ast_per40":3.2,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":0.3,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game","age":20,"similar_player":"Markelle Fultz, Bruce Brown","analysis":"Hard-nosed defensive guard with playmaking skills who could blossom at the next level if his jump shot improves."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Austin Reaves","year":2021,"height":76.5,"weight":197,"school":"Oklahoma","pros":"Smooth ball handler who has a good first step and can fluidly change direction, snaking through defenders to get where he wants with the ball. He’s not fast, but he’s shaky., Acrobatic and physical finisher around the rim who can use either hand and mixes in soft floaters away from the basket., Strong catch-and-shoot marksman who also hit 86.5 percent of his free throws as a senior, which bodes well for his future as a shooter. He also looked comfortable from NBA range at the combine., Has shown potential as a consistent knockdown shooter off the dribble. Considering his overall shooting touch, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he begins knocking down 3s., Creative playmaker who sees passing windows before they open, and he can deliver the ball using either hand from awkward angles., Reliable off-ball defender who plays with activity and attentiveness, helping and then recovering to his own man. He’ll willingly take a charge or dive for a loose ball.","cons":"Tries to do too much at times by going for home run passes instead of the simple play. That’s partially due to his high-usage role, but he’ll need to prove he can adapt and minimize mistakes. Undersized as a wing standing at just 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-6 wingspan, so he could be limited defending larger wings and forwards. Lacks the lateral quickness to stick with speedy guards. He could develop enough on defense to earn minutes, but lacks upside.","position":"Wing","grade":"RS Senior","pts_total":18.3,"pts_per40":0.579,"ast_total":4.6,"ast_per40":3,"ft":86.5,"fta":170,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking","age":23,"similar_player":"Joe Ingles, Grayson Allen","analysis":"Passionate player with a slippery shot-creating style and a knack for coming up in the clutch."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Charles Bassey","year":2021,"height":81.25,"weight":230,"school":"Western Kentucky","pros":"Great rim-running potential. He’s a lob target in transition and he’s a bouncy finisher even when contested., Good hands around the rim, and he goes up with the ball without bringing it down., High-effort rebounder, especially on the offensive end. He does a nice job of guiding the ball into the basket on tip-in opportunities., Displays untapped offensive upside by hitting an occasional 3-pointer and fluidly handling the ball in the open floor., Elite dimensions on defense with a strong frame and long arms. He’s a nimble athlete who can leap for blocks and quickly change directions.","cons":"Stiff shooting mechanics. Limited post player. He has a weak handle and lacks advanced moves. Switching defenses could neutralize him. Inaccurate passer who struggles to execute high- and low-post passes. He also stops the ball too frequently. Lacks switchability on defense. Injury history: He suffered a left leg tibial plateau fracture in 2019.","position":"Big","grade":"Junior","pts_total":17.6,"pts_per40":0.643,"reb_total":11.6,"reb_per40":22.4,"ft":75.9,"fta":116,"main_selling_point":"Rebounding, Athleticism","age":20,"similar_player":"Jusuf Nurkic, Richaun Holmes, Daniel Gafford","analysis":"Former top high school prospect who still has exciting two-way potential following three up-and-down college seasons."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kessler Edwards","year":2021,"height":79,"weight":203,"school":"Pepperdine","pros":"Good shooter despite his funky push-shot mechanics, and he has the versatility to shoot off movement., Tough straight-line driver off closeouts, and he’s an ambidextrous finisher inside., Strong overall defender with good agility and fundamentals. He’s aware when playing off the ball and makes an impact helping in the paint as a shot blocker.","cons":"Limited ball handler. His dribble is often loose and he lacks advanced moves to counter a defender in his way. Lacks playmaking ability off the bounce. There’s concern about whether his jumper will translate to the NBA because of his odd mechanics, as he really struggles shooting off the dribble.","position":"Forward","grade":"Junior","pts_total":17.2,"pts_per40":0.606,"reb_total":6.8,"reb_per40":11.7,"blk_total":1.2,"blk_per40":1,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Perimeter Shooting","age":20,"similar_player":"Rui Hachimura, Robert Covington","analysis":"Two-way player who’s a smart defender and a knockdown shooter, though he’s yet to show any shot-creation skills."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Joe Wieskamp","year":2021,"height":77.75,"weight":205,"school":"Iowa","pros":"Elite marksman who can drain shots coming off screens and handoffs. Defenses must always account for him., Flashes shot-creation skills in the open floor. He can run pick-and-roll and fire accurate passes, though he’s best suited for a more limited role., Does all the little things on offense. He’s an aware cutter and a good passer who can keep the ball moving., A competitive defender who shined at the combine, displaying NBA-level quickness on the perimeter and physicality inside as a rebounder.","cons":"Loose handle when it comes to creating in isolation situations. To be more of an on-ball threat, he needs to tighten his crossovers and advanced moves to break down defenders. Lacked flexibility to switch on to larger players in college, as he’d get overpowered on back-downs inside.","position":"Wing","grade":"Junior","pts_total":14.8,"pts_per40":0.616,"ft":67.7,"fta":96,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting","age":21,"similar_player":"Luke Kennard, Kevin Huerter, Aaron Nesmith","analysis":"One of the draft’s best shooters; has teased shot-creation skills as a scorer and passer."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Quentin Grimes","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":205,"school":"Houston","pros":"Good 3-point shooter with a quick release and the ability to make contested shots. Also displays a savvy ability for getting open on the perimeter., Flashes upside to create room off the dribble and hit 3-point jumpers, either using a screen or out of an isolation. There’s no question about his ability to do it off simpler actions, like a side dribble when a defender closes out., Strong-bodied defender with a high motor and excellent fundamentals. He anticipates action and moves his feet well. He could become an on-ball stopper.","cons":"Doesn’t create much separation off the dribble due to his rigid ballhandling. Lacks passing feel and skill, often appearing rushed when pressured. In-between game needs improvement if he’s going to be more than a shooter and slasher on offense. Struggles to get into pull-up jumpers or floaters.","position":"Wing","grade":"Junior","pts_total":17.8,"pts_per40":55.8,"reb_total":5.7,"reb_per40":9.6,"ft":78.8,"fta":89,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":21,"similar_player":"Khris Middleton, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Josh Hart","analysis":"Gutsy player who hits big-time shots, crashes the boards, and hustles on defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jeremiah Robinson-earl","year":2021,"height":79.75,"weight":242,"school":"Villanova","pros":"Versatile defender with the strength and size to handle bigger players and the lateral quickness to comfortably switch onto smaller ones. He has excellent technique, staying in his stance and reading opponents’ moves to contain dribble penetration., Savvy off-ball defender who rotates well and communicates., Skilled at attacking closeouts and getting to the rim. Contact doesn’t bother him in the paint., Flashes shot-creation upside but he needs to improve his pull-up jumper. At this stage, he already has smooth footwork closer to the rim. Now he needs to expand it outward., Great cutter and off-ball mover who can relocate behind the arc to get open for 3s., Versatile player in the half court who can operate from all over—spotting up on the perimeter, being active on the baseline or in the low post, or setting screens for a pick-and-roll., Good passer who can be trusted to make the right play from all areas of the court., Excellent rebounder for his position who constantly hustles.","cons":"Streaky shooter who struggles to convert when contested. He’s also better from a standstill and not much of a movement shooter. Lacks above-average athleticism, which hurts him as an interior defender. He’s sometimes too active of an on-ball defender and falls out of position in one-on-one situations, leading opponents to blow by him.","position":"Forward","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":15.7,"pts_per40":0.558,"reb_total":8.5,"reb_per40":14.7,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Interior Scoring","age":20,"similar_player":"Chuma Okeke, Grant WIlliams, Donyell Marshall","analysis":"Brings all the qualities teams look for in a high-end role player with his intelligence, feel, and unselfishness."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Rokas Jokubaitis","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":194,"school":"Žalgiris Kaunas","pros":"Pick-and-roll playmaking is an untapped area of his development. He has a feel for shifting gears and using fakes to create space, and he throws accurate passes on the move. With his height, he can take advantage of angles that smaller players can’t., Projects long term as a good 3-point shooter due to his touch pulling up from midrange, his use of floaters, and his performance at the free throw line., Aggressive finisher at the rim who can use either hand., Active and aware defender who competes on and off the ball. He makes plays in the passing lanes and if he improves his lateral quickness, he has the traits to be a good on-ball defender.","cons":"Must extend his range off the dribble from midrange to 3. He’ll often dribble into deep pull-ups instead of stepping back or to the side for 3s. He’s a better playmaker than his stats indicate due to his off-ball role overseas, but his lack of great athleticism and burst does put a cap on his shot-creation upside.","position":"Guard","grade":"N/A","pts_total":7,"pts_per40":0.537,"ft":75.6,"fta":41,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game","age":20,"similar_player":"Tomas Satoransky","analysis":"Crafty playmaker with good size who needs to extend his shooting range to maximize his scoring potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Brandon Boston","year":2021,"height":77.75,"weight":188,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Slippery shot creator with height and body control, which gives him clear potential as a scorer. He has a hard-to-contain stepback jumper going to his left and looks comfortable pulling up., Displays great shooting potential. He’s capable of hitting off-balance shots in the lane and 3s off movement from the perimeter., Talented passer who shows the ability to make complex dishes off the dribble with accuracy. He does a good job of dribbling into space to draw help in order to open up teammates., Shows defensive flashes by getting his long arms into passing lanes to cause deflections, plus he’s an active rebounder.","cons":"Light frame at only 188 pounds. Physicality has hindered his scoring around the rim, and things will only get harder for him in the NBA. Takes too many reckless shot attempts and he’s overreliant on his streaky jumper, partially because he can’t consistently get to the basket due to his lack of strength.","position":"Wing","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11.5,"pts_per40":44.7,"ast_total":1.6,"ast_per40":1.4,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking","age":19,"similar_player":"Kevin Martin, DeMar DeRozan lite","analysis":"Former top recruit who struggled as a freshman but retains massive upside with his combination of shot creation and height."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Joel Ayayi","year":2021,"height":77,"weight":180,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Outstanding cutter with natural feel for angles and timing to get open, and is a strong catch-and-finisher around the rim., Great shooter with a clean release from NBA range. He’s at his best off the catch but he’ll hit an occasional shot off a screen, handoff, or pull-up., Good playmaker who can make every basic pass and push the ball up the floor on the break. He also displays vision to make more complex plays., Active on-ball defender who consistently puts effort into getting stops. With his combo of a high IQ and effort, he should fit in the league.","cons":"Lacks shake as a primary ball handler. He doesn’t have dynamic moves like stepbacks or side steps, and he’s not a speedy or explosive athlete. He’s more likely a secondary shot-creating presence. Improved every college season on defense, though he must continue to get stronger and quicker laterally to retain his versatility.","position":"Guard","grade":"Junior","pts_total":12,"pts_per40":0.665,"ast_total":2.7,"ast_per40":1.4,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":0.2,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Hustle","age":21,"similar_player":"Vernon Maxwell, Wesley Matthews","analysis":"Team player who makes a winning impact on both ends of the court, especially as a shooter and cutter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Mckinley Wright Iv","year":2021,"height":71.25,"weight":192,"school":"Colorado","pros":"Flourishes shooting from the midrange using pull-ups and stepbacks, but his floater is his trademark shot. He can hit it from anywhere inside the arc, and at a high rate., Though he shoots a low percentage from 3, he’s not a lost cause because of his outstanding midrange touch and his high free throw percentage. , He’s at his best as a playmaker in the pick-and-roll. He weaponizes his scoring to create passes with kick-outs to shooters and interior deliveries to bigs., Seasoned post scorer with smooth footwork and the ability to score from both sides using turnarounds and hook shots. It’s a rare skill set for a guard., Does all the little things. He rebounds. He takes charges. He communicates. He’s a true team defender., Hungry on-ball defender who can swallow opposing guards. He has a nastiness and determination to his defense that most players lack. From a technical standpoint, he’s extremely adept at fighting through screens and reading plays.","cons":"Subpar shooter from 3 with iffy shot selection. Forces too many jumpers despite his inefficiency. Rarely gets to the basket or draws fouls due to a reliance on his floater. Getting more freebies at the line would boost his offensive value. Must continue to improve as a trustworthy ball handler. He drives into crowds and takes too many tough shots, though he made significant progress during his senior season. Undersized guards don’t have a great track record of success in the NBA unless they’re excellent playmakers or scorers, because even if they compete, their defense often isn’t quite enough.","position":"Guard","grade":"Senior","pts_total":15.2,"pts_per40":0.568,"ast_total":5.7,"ast_per40":25.1,"tpt":30.1,"tpa":93,"ft":84.4,"fta":122,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense, Playmaking","age":22,"similar_player":"T.J. McConnell, Jevon Carter, Eric Bledsoe","analysis":"Tough-minded player who has a hunger to make stops, though he needs to improve as a perimeter scorer."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Raiquan Gray","year":2021,"height":78.5,"weight":269,"school":"Florida State","pros":"Bowling ball who overpowers defenders, but he also has shimmy to his game with crossovers and the fluidity to change direction. Florida State used him similarly to how the Pelicans use Zion, with dribble handoffs at the top of the key to launch him toward the rim., Solid shooting upside because of his touch near the rim, though he’s never been above average from 3 or from the line., Good shot-creation potential because of his handle and burst. He can penetrate the paint and then make tough passes to shooters., Hustler who will take a charge, race up the floor for a chasedown opportunity, or simply crash the boards for a rebound., Versatile defender with the brute strength to defend bigger players, though he also has some quickness to use against wings. Even against guards, he showcases quick feet to slide laterally when he’s not fouling.","cons":"He hasn’t shot the ball well throughout his career and has stiff form. Overeager defender who gets into too much foul trouble. He’s heavy. Weighed in at 269 pounds at the NBA draft combine. Teams will want his weight to go down to maximize his versatility.","position":"Forward","grade":"RS Junior","pts_total":11.9,"pts_per40":0.582,"reb_total":6.4,"reb_per40":14.1,"tpt":26.7,"tpa":30,"ft":76.3,"fta":93,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring","age":22,"similar_player":"Paul Millsap, ground-bound Zion Williamson","analysis":"Positionless athlete who can be utilized in a wide range of roles, though he needs to get into professional-level shape."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Aaron Henry","year":2021,"height":76.5,"weight":210,"school":"Michigan State","pros":"Capable ball handler for a wing; he can attack a closeout and throw in spins and tight crossovers. As a junior, he effectively utilized change-of-pace dribbles., Creative midrange scorer who can use either hand on floaters., Versatile defender thanks to a chiseled frame, great quickness, and length. He can switch onto bigs and withstand bumps inside, or slide with guards outside., Fundamental off-ball defender.","cons":"Streaky shooter with rigid mechanics. He also needs to extend his range to 3. Overdribbles and it often leads to nothing since he’s a limited scorer off the bounce and a subpar passer.","position":"Wing","grade":"Junior","pts_total":15.4,"pts_per40":0.521,"blk_total":1.3,"blk_per40":1.3,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense","age":21,"similar_player":"Justise Winslow","analysis":"Tough defender who shows 3-and-D ability when his shot is on, but he is still raw on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Santi Aldama","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":224,"school":"Loyola (Maryland)","pros":"Good shooting potential with smooth mechanics: He made 37 percent of his 3s and 69 percent of his free throws., Solid post scorer who can back down smaller players or use finesse against bigger ones. Once he gets to the rim, he can finish using either hand., Intelligent offensive player with a feel for moving off the ball, cutting to the basket, using screens, and relocating for jumpers., Suave ball handler for his size. Teams could use him as a weapon in dribble handoffs or the pick-and-roll., Good rebounder who can take the ball coast-to-coast after rebounds., Clever playmaker with a natural ability to read the floor. He goes through progressions like a quarterback., Aware defender who makes smart rotations and uses his length without fouling.","cons":"Lacks explosiveness as a finisher around the rim. He can make circus shots but he won’t dunk over defenders. Lack of mobility on defense limits his upside switching onto guards and wings. Needs to add significant weight to handle the rigors of defending the paint. Faced a low quality of competition and played only 26 games in two seasons. He underwent knee surgery.","position":"Big","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":21.2,"pts_per40":0.594,"reb_total":10.1,"reb_per40":16.9,"tpt":36.8,"tpa":87,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game","age":20,"similar_player":"Mason Plumlee, Mike Muscala","analysis":"Talented passing big with perimeter scoring skills, though he faced a low level of competition in college."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Filip Petrusev","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":225,"school":"Mega Soccerbet","pros":"Great interior finisher who has touch, footwork, and the explosiveness to dunk in open space. He does a nice job of sealing off defenders in the post and using hook shots or power moves., Good shooter from 3 and from the line. He can also face up from the post and drain jumpers., Decisive decision-maker passing the ball, especially out of the post, and knows when to attack off the catch., Far better rebounder than his numbers indicate, since he often played with a second big, but he boxes out and displays awareness tracking the ball., Aware, intelligent defender who does a good job in the pick-and-roll. He isn’t an elite shot blocker, but he makes an impact with his positioning.","cons":"Lacks an in-between game off the bounce, though his progress as a spot-up shooter is encouraging as he continues to develop ballhandling. Light frame limits him on the defensive end. He isn’t especially mobile on the perimeter, either, nor is he sturdy enough to defend physical bigs.","position":"Big","grade":"N/A","pts_total":23.6,"pts_per40":0.655,"reb_total":7.6,"reb_per40":14.7,"blk_total":1.1,"blk_per40":0.5,"main_selling_point":"Great interior finisher who has touch, footwork, and the explosiveness to dunk in open space. He does a nice job of sealing off defenders in the post and using hook shots or power moves., Originally a post scorer who went overseas and expanded his game to the perimeter, and then won the Adriatic League MVP.","age":21,"similar_player":"Zach Collins, Dewayne Dedmon","analysis":"Originally a post scorer who went overseas and expanded his game to the perimeter, and then won the Adriatic League MVP."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Neemias Queta","year":2021,"height":83.25,"weight":248,"school":"Utah State","pros":"Sprints in transition to get open for easy buckets. He’s not just a dunker, either. He’s a dexterous finisher around the basket who can make acrobatic plays for a big., Active off-ball player. Sets hard screens and carves out space inside. The post isn’t a primary source of offense, but his ability to duck in and finish with either hand or draw fouls is valuable., Good passer who makes quick reads and delivers the ball with accuracy to shooters. It’s easy to envision him thriving as a playmaker off cuts and rolls to the rim., Displays a soft touch on hook shots, suggesting he could eventually develop a jumper. His improving free throw numbers also indicate some potential., Competitive rebounder who throws his body around. He’s tough and won’t back down from anyone., Great upside as a dropping or hedging defender in the pick-and-roll. His length is a natural deterrent, and effort isn’t a question., Good low-post defender who absorbs contact and plays with an attitude; he should develop enough to handle elite bigs in single coverage.","cons":"Only average quickness changing directions when defending the pick-and-roll. He’ll be prone to blow-bys if he’s caught flat-footed or out of position. Gets into trouble by biting on pump fakes and swiping at guards, though he showed more discipline as last season went on. He’s not the quickest leaper and takes some time to load up for dunks, so he’s not a major lob threat. His hands are good, not extraordinary. Closes out short when recovering to shooters in the pick-and-roll; it might be by design in the scheme, but against potent shooting bigs he’ll need to contest shots harder. Hasn’t been truly tested defensively playing in the Mountain West; predraft group workouts and the NBA combine scrimmage will be indicative of his perimeter skills.","position":"Center","grade":"Junior","pts_total":14.9,"pts_per40":0.592,"reb_total":10.1,"reb_per40":19,"blk_total":3.3,"blk_per40":1.1,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking","age":22,"similar_player":"Mo Bamba, Jakob Poeltl, Aron Baynes","analysis":"Throwback center with a tree-trunk frame and a penchant for blocking shots."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Greg Brown","year":2021,"height":79.25,"weight":206,"school":"Texas","pros":"Athletic finisher who could flourish on a team that utilizes him primarily as an on-ball screener and a lob or dump-off threat from the dunker’s spot. That would also put him in position to lean on his rebounding ability., Potential mismatch problem on offense if he’s able to tighten his handle., Displays excellent defensive potential fueled by his athletic plays. He has the length to bother scorers as a help defender inside or on the ball, but he needs to improve his discipline and fundamentals.","cons":"Subpar and streaky shooter who has stiff mechanics from both the field and the free throw line. Turns the ball over far too often because of his limited ballhandling skills. He goes left all the time and lacks fluidity using crossovers or spins to get back to his right hand. Lacks awareness defending off the ball. Commits too many fouls.","position":"Forward","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":9.3,"pts_per40":0.535,"blk_total":1,"blk_per40":0.6,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism","age":19,"similar_player":"Jerami Grant, Kelly Oubre","analysis":"Raw two-way talent who needs to dramatically improve his fundamentals to reach his potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jericho Sims","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":250,"school":"Texas","pros":"Athletic leaper who can screen and finish at the rim. He has good hands catching the ball around the basket, and is always looking to dunk., Capable of putting the ball on the floor for a few dribbles, driving hard to the rim for finishes inside., Active rebounder., His hands are shot-blocking magnets. He hustles for weak-side contests, and his length and bounciness works well as a deterrent., Physical post defender who can stonewall opponents using his frame. With his length, he can alter shots even if he doesn’t get a hand on the ball., Agile perimeter defender who can put the clamps on big players and can switch screens onto many wings and some guards.","cons":"Struggles as a playmaker. Slow to read the floor. Poor free throw shooter who’s a threat to get hacked. He may not be able to finish games.","position":"Center","grade":"Senior","pts_total":9.2,"pts_per40":0.658,"reb_total":7.2,"reb_per40":16.4,"blk_total":1.1,"blk_per40":0.7,"tpt":0,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Hustle","age":22,"similar_player":"DeAndre Jordan, Robert Williams","analysis":"Explosive rim runner with potential as a highly versatile defender."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Isaiah Livers","year":2021,"height":77.75,"weight":232,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Knockdown 3-point shooter off the catch who can drain shots even when they’re heavily contested., Good at straight-line driving to the rim and can finish with power., Average passer within the flow of the offense, though he’s not a shot creator., Competitive rebounder for his position., Quality defender with the bulk to battle bigger players, and possesses some agility to keep up against quicker wings.","cons":"Lacks scoring ability off the bounce and as a finisher in the paint. He doesn’t have an advanced handle or the vision to generate shots off the dribble. Not the quickest player laterally, so his versatility will be limited against speedy guards unless he improves. Suffered a stress fracture in his right foot as a senior.","position":"Forward","grade":"Senior","pts_total":13.1,"pts_per40":0.605,"reb_total":6,"reb_per40":11.1,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting","age":22,"similar_player":"Georges Niang","analysis":"Shooting is his ticket to getting drafted, but he’ll need to improve as a defender to have a long career."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Sandro Mamukelashvili","year":2021,"height":81,"weight":240,"school":"Seton Hall","pros":"Excellent playmaker who can deliver any pass in the book. He dribbles the ball with the fluidity and vision of an orchestrating guard. An NBA team could get creative utilizing his passing. , Pick-and-roll weapon since he can handle the ball or set strong screens. He flashes skill on the short roll and he can pop out for 3s., Good shooting potential and he’s confident from deep, though he needs to work on his consistency., Puts in strong efforts on defense and the glass.","cons":"Inconsistent shooter due to his wild mechanics.  He’s at his best as a shot creator in the open floor. In the half court, he doesn’t create much separation and could primarily play off the ball. He has size, but doesn’t know how to use it when a smaller player is on him. He lacks a post game and the brute strength to back down opponents. Flat-footed perimeter defender who gets smoked by even marginally quick players. In the pick-and-roll, he can’t switch, but he also lacks the agility to blitz and the length to effectively protect the rim using drop coverage.","position":"Big","grade":"Senior","pts_total":17.5,"pts_per40":0.525,"ast_total":3.2,"ast_per40":3.3,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game","age":22,"similar_player":"Upside-down Ben Simmons, Alen Smailagic","analysis":"Jumbo-sized playmaker with a special ability to create shots for his teammates, but he must improve as a shooter and defender."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Justin Champagnie","year":2021,"height":77.75,"weight":206,"school":"Pittsburgh","pros":"Good at-rim finisher. He has strength, but also moves with grace. Even if he’s in a crowd, coming off a cut or a catch near the rim, he can absorb contact and score. He also showcases these attributes in the post, bullying smaller players, though post-ups won’t be a heavy part of his NBA diet., Keeps the ball moving within the flow of the offense, though he lacks advanced skills creating off the dribble., Elite rebounder for his position. He rebounds with such ferocity, and chases loose balls with such intent, that he probably calls the basketball “my precious.”, He can defend across multiple positions because of his mix of strength, agility, intelligence, and fundamentals. He’s tough., Energetic off-ball defender. He makes plays at the rim as a helper, recovers well, and competes hard in a way that sets a tone.","cons":"Uncomfortable spot-up shooting from the perimeter. He has rough mechanics, and his dribble-jumper game is nonexistent. He has average touch from all areas, including the line. He doesn’t make much of an impact with the ball in his hands unless he’s near the rim. He’s clunky handling on the perimeter. Lacks high-end lateral quickness for his size. He’ll need to get quicker to hang with the league’s better guards.","position":"Forward","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":18,"pts_per40":0.55,"reb_total":11.1,"reb_per40":18,"blk_total":1.3,"blk_per40":1.2,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense, Hustle, Rebounding","age":20,"similar_player":"Semi Ojeleye, Abdel Nader","analysis":"Hard-nosed defender who plays like a big on offense, but needs to stretch his game to the perimeter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Luka Garza","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":243,"school":"Iowa","pros":"Great finisher around the rim with slick footwork in the post. At Iowa, he often plowed through double-teams and even triple-teams to score., Reliable 3-point shooter who can score off screens, which should translate well to NBA pick-and-pops. In his final two seasons at Iowa, he hit 40 percent of his 3s., Good decision-maker who makes timely passes and limits turnovers., Smart rebounder who makes a beeline for the ball and displays elite coordination going up for putbacks. He consistently boxes out., Improved defensively as an upperclassmen after working on his conditioning. He lost 30 pounds before the NBA draft combine., Though he’s limited athletically, his work ethic is a positive quality. And if he were a boxer, he’d be known for his iron chin. He was battered by opponents at Iowa and never relented.","cons":"Matador on defense, despite his effort level. He’s stiff when changing directions and regularly gets punished by quicker players. He’ll be exposed defensively against teams that run a heavy dose of pick-and-rolls, which is most teams. Needs to continue extending his range to be as threatening of a floor spacer as possible, and his subpar free throw percentage is concerning.","position":"Center","grade":"Senior","pts_total":24.1,"pts_per40":0.62,"reb_total":8.7,"reb_per40":14.6,"blk_total":1.6,"blk_per40":0.7,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring","age":22,"similar_player":"Alex Len, Robin Lopez","analysis":"Skilled offensive big man who plays with contagious effort, but his athleticism must improve for him to survive defensively."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Matthew Hurt","year":2021,"height":80.5,"weight":232,"school":"Duke","pros":"Elite shooter even with defenders draped all over him. He has a pillowy soft touch., Comfortable using his dribble to get into pull-ups from midrange. If he can extend to 3, it’ll add more value., Good interior finisher off cuts and rolls to the rim. He can also get to the basket using post-ups, displaying smooth footwork with his back to the basket., He takes good care of the ball and rarely turns it over, though he’s not much of a playmaker.","cons":"He was asked to be a scorer, but he too often had tunnel vision and missed chances to find an open teammate. TV broadcasts often compared him to Larry Bird because of the look of his catapult jumper, but he needs a lot of work on his defense to even become Matt Bonner. His feet were stuck in cement at Duke. He lacks quickness, length, and athleticism.  With his lack of size, there’s little hope for him as a rim protector or rebounder if he were asked to play center.","position":"Forward","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":18.3,"pts_per40":0.663,"ast_total":1.4,"ast_per40":22.8,"tpt":44.4,"tpa":126,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring","age":21,"similar_player":"Channing Frye, T.J. Leaf","analysis":"Filthy shooter, especially for his size, but he needs to make dramatic improvements on defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Daishen Nix","year":2021,"height":75,"weight":226,"school":"Ignite","pros":"Strong-bodied driver who can finish inside with either hand and through contact. He’s a load to handle at his height and weight., Displayed improved mechanics on his jumper at the NBA draft combine., Skilled pick-and-roll playmaker who can make advanced passes, finding spot-up shooters, cutters, and rollers., When he looks for his own shot, he excels at imposing his will with his body. Once in position, he is comfortable finishing through contact.","cons":"Below-the-rim finisher who also lacks a floater or pull-up jumper. Makes a lot of turnovers. He telegraphs too many passes without zip on the ball, or takes unnecessary risks often because he lacks a jump shot as a counter to a closed passing lane. Lacks a reliable 3-point shot off both the catch and the dribble. Struggles defensively. He doesn’t move well laterally, and regularly got burned in the G League. Off the ball, he doesn’t bring much intensity.","position":"Guard","grade":"N/A","pts_total":8.8,"pts_per40":0.481,"ast_total":5.3,"ast_per40":2.9,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game","age":19,"similar_player":"Andre Miller, Jalen Brunson, Raymond Felton","analysis":"Pass-first guard with natural instincts, though he lacks seasoning and needs to improve his jump shot."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Aaron Wiggins","year":2021,"height":76.5,"weight":190,"school":"Maryland","pros":"Projects primarily as a spot-up 3-point shooter, but he can make some plays off the bounce from midrange, showing he could be more than a specialist., Capable passer who can find the open man., Plays hard. He sprints up the floor in transition and hustles back on defense., Switchable defender with strength and long arms to hold his own against multiple positions.","cons":"Solid, but not good or great as a 3-point shooter. He’s not exceptionally quick on defense, nor is he exceptionally large, limiting his overall defensive potential.","position":"Wing","grade":"Junior","pts_total":14.5,"pts_per40":0.55,"reb_total":5.8,"reb_per40":10.6,"tpt":35.6,"tpa":160,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting","age":22,"similar_player":"Pat Connaughton","analysis":"Solid 3-and-D wing who still has room to improve to reach his potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Yves Pons","year":2021,"height":77.5,"weight":206,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Exceptional leaper who often looks like he’s floating when he goes up for dunks, blocks, and rebounds., He could thrive as a roller to the basket in an offense with a high-powered guard. He’s a solid lob threat and can score off one or two dribbles., Extraordinary defender at the college level whose strength, agility, and mindset should translate well to the NBA as someone who can contain wings and also play small-ball center.","cons":"Improved as a shooter in college, but he still hit only 32 percent of 3s and 69 percent of free throws as an upperclassmen. His touch is average. Lacks passing vision. Doesn’t process actions quickly.","position":"Forward","grade":"Senior","pts_total":8.7,"pts_per40":0.538,"blk_total":1.8,"blk_per40":0.7,"tpt":27.4,"tpa":62,"ft":78.9,"fta":38,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":22,"similar_player":"Kenneth Faried","analysis":"Otherworldly athlete with a muscular frame who can defend across positions, but needs to find a role on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Sam Hauser","year":2021,"height":78.75,"weight":217,"school":"Virginia","pros":"Excellent shooter with deep range and size who can be utilized in a variety of actions, like screens and handoffs. , Good post scorer because of his ability to face up., Does the little things. He’s a smart cutter. He can screen. He limits turnovers., He plays hard on defense and displays good spatial awareness.","cons":"Lacks athleticism and skill off the bounce, which hinders his ability to create shots or score inside. Struggles defensively. He’s not big enough to defend stronger, taller players, and in college he wasn’t quick enough against wings. Improving laterally will be the key to him having a successful NBA career.","position":"Forward","grade":"RS Senior","pts_total":16,"pts_per40":0.635,"ft":89.6,"fta":48,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting","age":23,"similar_player":"Davis Bertans","analysis":"One of the best shooters in the class, but he needs to prove he can survive on defense to stick around."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Dalano Banton","year":2021,"height":79,"weight":204,"school":"Nebraska","pros":"Fluid ball handler at his size and a talented passer, giving him the ability to run an offense. He can get where he wants with the ball, and accurately spray passes around the court., With his height, he can see over anyone, which gives him the ability to be used in new types of actions in the NBA., Ambidextrous and crafty at-rim finisher, which is necessary since he isn’t an explosive leaper., Potentially a versatile defender if his fundamentals improve.","cons":"Struggles as a shooter from 3 and needs to overhaul his form, which he began to do after the college season. His touch outside of the paint and from the line, though, has been subpar at best. He needs to be better on defense at the next level. He’s average at moving laterally, lacks great size and toughness, and his focus wavers.","position":"Wing","grade":"RS Sophomore","pts_total":9.6,"pts_per40":0.495,"ast_total":3.9,"ast_per40":2.5,"ft":65.9,"fta":88,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking","age":21,"similar_player":"Kyle Anderson","analysis":"Tall playmaker who needs to improve his jumper and defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Moses Wright","year":2021,"height":79.75,"weight":226,"school":"Georgia Tech","pros":"Bouncy at-rim finisher who runs the floor like a wing. He can score off rolls to the rim or on lobs. He’s skilled at attacking closeouts to get to the rim, and someday he’ll put people on posters in the NBA., Had the best shooting season of his career as a senior, looking more comfortable than ever, though he still needs to prove he can sustain that success., Good on-ball defender with a blend of size, length, and agility. Though he’s undersized as a true big, his athleticism, strength, and aggression give him small-ball 5 potential., Super active off-ball defender who makes impact plays with deflections, steals, and weak-side help around the rim. His activity can be contagious., Still learning how to play big after a late growth spurt and just starting to play competitive basketball during high school.","cons":"Struggles to hit shots off the dribble. He doesn’t have advanced moves and looks uncomfortable launching, even when open.  Inaccurate passer who lacks vision to make advanced passes. His lack of size occasionally impacts his rebounding, and he also needs to be better about consistently boxing out opponents. Iffy pick-and-roll defender. He’s undisciplined and his lack of size hurts him. Though he could still play a role in switching schemes, developing this area of his game would make him a more complete defender.","position":"Forward","grade":"Senior","pts_total":17.4,"pts_per40":0.57,"reb_total":8,"reb_per40":14.5,"blk_total":1.6,"blk_per40":1.5,"tpt":41.4,"tpa":29,"main_selling_point":"Hustle","age":22,"similar_player":"Brandon Bass, Jordan Bell","analysis":"Potential small-ball 5 with versatility on defense and explosiveness on offense if he refines the edges of his game."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Scottie Lewis","year":2021,"height":76,"weight":188,"school":"Florida","pros":"Good at-rim finisher who can use either hand. He shows awareness on cuts and drives to the rim., Solid passer who displays the ability to find open shooters with kick-outs., He has the potential to be a lockdown defender. He doesn't take plays off. Off the ball, he's always focused; on the ball, he stays locked in his stance. , Intangibles. He's a selfless player whose teammates like him.","cons":"He hasn’t improved much as a ball handler in two collegiate seasons. He’s a bit wild. Has long struggled as a shooter, and mechanical tweaks haven’t helped his percentages. He may simply lack touch since he’s also subpar away from the rim and at the line.","position":"Wings","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":7.9,"pts_per40":0.535,"stl_total":1.6,"stl_per40":1,"tpt":31.8,"tpa":44,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense","age":21,"similar_player":"Otto Porter","analysis":"Tremendous athlete who utilizes his gifts on defense, but he needs to find himself on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jose Alvarado","year":2021,"weight":179,"school":"Georgia Tech","pros":"Reliable ball handler who limits mistakes and does a good job of steadying the ship, though he won’t be breaking down defenses., Shooting potential: He improved his range each year and has good touch, plus he hit 79 percent of his free throws in four years., Potentially a good shooter off the dribble. He has a quick first step and expanded his range to become more efficient from 3., Smart player who can serve as an off-ball threat spotting up and cutting., Feisty defender with quick hands. He pokes at the ball, disrupts offensive sets, and is generally just an absolute pest on the court.","cons":"Undersized guards have a slim margin for success in the NBA. He still needs to improve his jump shot, and he lacks an explosive burst to get into the teeth of the defense. He may be overmatched on defense in some matchups due to his lack of height.","position":"Guard","grade":"Senior","pts_total":15.2,"pts_per40":0.621,"stl_total":2.8,"stl_per40":0,"tpt":39,"tpa":118,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense, Hustle","age":23,"similar_player":"J.J. Barea","analysis":"Small but determined defensive player who disrupts offenses and can reliably run the offense as a playmaker."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Vrenz Bleijenbergh","year":2021,"height":82,"weight":170,"school":"Antwerp","pros":"Outstanding passer for his size with the vision to locate teammates out of the corner of his eye, and the ability to deliver the ball on target. He’s not necessarily a primarily ball handler at this stage, but he can comfortably run the pick-and-roll., Solid shooting potential. He has clean mechanics and touch near the rim, though his percentages have always been below average., At his best in the open floor, showcasing his smooth handle and passing ability. Also thrives in the half court as a slasher and cutter.","cons":"Lacks wiggle off the bounce, which hinders his ability to get to the basket or shoot consistently. It also leads to some turnovers since he doesn’t have reliable escape dribbles. He gets smoked too often on defense. It’s critical that he improve his lateral quickness. With a lean frame, he will have his limits defending stronger opponents.","position":"Forward","grade":"N/A","pts_total":9.5,"pts_per40":0.495,"ast_total":3.9,"ast_per40":2.8,"stl_total":1.5,"stl_per40":0.6,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking","age":20,"similar_player":"Bootleg Aleksej Pokusevski","analysis":"Gifted playmaker who must master his jump shot to realize his potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ej Onu","year":2021,"height":83,"weight":240,"school":"Shawnee State","pros":"Smooth shooting stroke for his size when he has time to launch. He’s solid, but not a major threat at just 31.8 percent from 3 in college. The intrigue is in his upside if he’s able to get closer to 40 percent., Solid rolling to the rim thanks to his size and bounce., Long-armed defender with a 7-foot-9 wingspan and a knack for blocking shots. He’s also a hustler, and has the obvious athletic traits to succeed., At his best as a help defender, showcasing good awareness and fundamentals rotating over and impacting an opponent’s ability to get to the basket.","cons":"He has limited playmaking ability because he doesn’t process the floor quickly and struggles to handle the ball. Playing at NBA speed is a concern; he had 45 assists and 233 turnovers playing for an NAIA school. Still learning how to make quick decisions on defense as a rim protector.","position":"Big","grade":"Senior","pts_total":16.9,"pts_per40":0.66,"blk_total":4.6,"blk_per40":0.7,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking","age":21,"similar_player":"Dewayne Dedmon","analysis":"Alluring, raw prospect who’s worth a flyer in the late second round or as an undrafted free agent."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Paolo Banchero","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":250,"school":"Duke","pros":"Versatile scorer who can post up and feast inside off lobs and cuts. He can also operate outside. He grew up playing guard, growing from 6-foot-1 at the start of seventh grade to almost 6-foot-5 by the end. Now he stands at nearly 7 feet, ripping down defensive boards and still going coast to coast., Skilled interior scorer who uses power and finesse on post-ups. He’s too quick for many bigs. Overall he’s a talented finisher who does a nice job of scoring through contact. He’s also a strong offensive rebounder who has a feel for reading the trajectory of the ball., Fluid ball handler with good footwork. He changes pace and has some shake, while mixing in hesitation moves using his left hand. With his size, he could thrive facilitating from the elbows., Confident shooter, though not a pure knockdown guy. Off the bounce, he can stop on a dime and pull up or fade away from midrange. He has great body control. He also gathers the ball quickly off the catch., Creative passer off the dribble who can deliver difficult passes. If his shot develops, it’ll open the entire floor for him as a playmaker. , A strong and quick defender who could potentially develop into a versatile on-ball stopper. He can slide laterally against smaller guys and might be best suited as a small-ball 5 due to his comfort switching screens., Effective help defender who can alter shots around the rim using his length and athleticism—when he’s trying.","cons":"Defensive effort fluctuated in high school and has absolutely evaporated in college. Every game, he has instances when he doesn't even bother to contest a shot or rotate to help. He’ll sometimes lose track of his man and he could be better about boxing out more frequently. Banchero shoulders a lot of responsibility on offense, so he might be conserving energy.  While he doesn’t lack confidence in his jumper, it can be inconsistent. His improvement since high school provides reason for optimism, but he still needs to make progress to be effective in the NBA. Shot selection could stand to improve. Sometimes he drives with a plan to shoot rather than reading the floor and waiting to make his choice. It’s a coachable flaw. Prefers to finish using his right hand. Needs to improve his off hand to get even better scoring inside.","position":"BIG","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":17.1,"pts_per40":0.545,"reb_total":7.7,"reb_per40":13.5,"ast_total":3.1,"ast_per40":2.5,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Ballhandling, Playmaking, Feel for the Game","age":19.6,"similar_player":"Chris Webber, Julius Randle","analysis":"Seasoned prospect with the upside to blossom into a star perfectly geared for the positionless league."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jabari Smith Jr.","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":210,"school":"Auburn","pros":"Lethal spot-up shooter with an undeniable jump shot. An NBA offense will be able to install countless wrinkles to allow Smith’s perimeter talents to flourish. Auburn didn’t run him off many screens or handoffs, but he looked comfortable setting his feet then turning to shoot. , Smith can pull up and make jumpers from anywhere even under pressure, or hit turnaround shots from the post. Few players boast both Smith’s size and shooting skill. Some of the clutch shots he’s made this year looked awfully like Kevin Durant. Smith lacks KD’s handle, but he’s already good enough to get a bucket even against a tightly contested defender., Bruce Pearl called Smith the best player he’s ever coached and he has empowered him with the ball. Smith frequently runs plays from around the elbows and wings, and his role as a shot creator has steadily increased as the season has passed., Smith’s father played four seasons in the NBA and taught his son strong habits and inspired his love for the game. People around the NBA say Smith is among the more mature and hardest-working prospects in this draft class., Sets a tone with his defense. He brings constant energy. He competes, flies around the floor, fights through screens, and rotates to help in the paint. On-ball, he has flashed some lockdown potential across positions. With his length, versatility, and mindset, he has the upside to make All-Defensive teams.","cons":"He doesn’t get very low with the ball, and he doesn’t have the tightest handle. There’s tightness to Smith’s lower body on drives to the rim, which limits his fluidity. This is where the MPJ comparison comes from. Considering his shooting prowess, he doesn’t need to improve much to thrive as a scorer. But becoming a guy who can get into the paint would make him virtually unstoppable. Sometimes the blinders go on when he’s dribbling and he misses open teammates with passes. The positives outweigh the negatives, but this specific area could use improvement. Rim protection is about his only notable weakness on defense. He is tall but not much of a presence defending the paint. But that’s not his role. He’s playing next to a dominant college rim protector in Walker Kessler, which works to show exactly how NBA teams will want to use him as a perimeter weapon. As Smith grows stronger and learns more, his interior defense should only grow stronger.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":17.1,"pts_per40":0.586,"reb_total":6.9,"reb_per40":13,"blk_total":1,"blk_per40":1.1,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, On-Ball Defense, Hustle","age":19.1,"similar_player":"Two-way Rashard Lewis, Taller Harrison Barnes, Michael Porter Jr.","analysis":"Hard worker with an unblockable jump shot and elite versatility on defense, making him a safe pick who still possesses star upside."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Chet Holmgren","year":2022,"height":84,"weight":195,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Elite ambidextrous shot blocker with incredible coordination. His mere presence deters players from challenging the paint. He has a desire to stop opponents from scoring and will put his body on the line to make a play., Capable of sliding his feet laterally on the perimeter at a competent enough level to bother opponents using his length, which would be useful on NBA switches. He’s the type of big who could excel at defending any pick-and-roll scheme., Turns defense into offense. He’s at his best following a defensive rebound or block, then bringing the ball up the floor himself. He’s a dynamic finisher in space, plus he can pass and shoot. It’s a genuine pleasure to watch a player his size smoothly dribble into a pull-up 3 on the break or use the threat of his jumper to drive hard into the lane., Minimizes errors on offense and can be relied on to make the smart play. Even if he isn’t a flashy playmaker, he has the size, skill, and vision to find cutters over the top of defenses., In the half court, he’s an attentive cutter who elevates quickly around the rim as a finisher. And on the break, he runs the floor hard and also has a knack for trailing catch-and-shoot 3s., Elite interior finisher. He can use either his left or right hand, plus he elevates quickly., Coordinated ball handler who gets low to turn the corner while maintaining control of his dribble., Good shooting touch from the line and near the rim, and his smooth form offers optimism he’ll be a 3-point shooter in the NBA. Holmgren didn’t shoot nearly as well at lower levels, but he might just be blossoming now. In high school, he regularly was making turnarounds and face-ups from the mid-post, he just didn't get those reps playing next to Drew Timme. But all together, Holmgren can be a star if his shooting progress is for real.","cons":"Skinny frame hurts him as a post defender. Smaller guys are able to back him down. He needs to get much stronger in general, especially to have any hope of battling talents like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. Lack of strength affects his ability to handle contact when driving to the rim or finishing in the paint. Though Holmgren has coordination, he still needs to tighten it even more since players his size are susceptible to getting stripped. Struggles to establish deep post positioning. Also doesn’t have a strong repertoire of back-to-the-basket moves. Defenses will match up smaller players against him, similar to how they treat Kristaps Porzingis, unless he’s able to prove he can make them pay.","position":"BIG","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":14.2,"pts_per40":0.704,"reb_total":9.6,"reb_per40":19.2,"blk_total":3.6,"blk_per40":0.8,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, Off-Ball Defense, Perimeter Shooting, Feel for the Game","age":20.2,"similar_player":"Gen Z Pau Gasol, Rudy Gobert with perimeter skills","analysis":"Massive shot blocker with guard-like skills on offense as a passer and shooter, though he needs to get significantly stronger to become the next great big."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Shaedon Sharpe","year":2022,"height":76.25,"weight":198,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Blossomed physically as a high school junior, sprouting from 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-6. He’s an above-the-rim athlete who skies for dunks in space and blocks on the break. His movements are shifty and have a certain elasticity. He’s such a quick leaper that teams could use him in the half court on lobs or finishes from the dunker’s spot., With long arms and lateral quickness, he’s able to utilize his athleticism to get stops on the ball, help in the paint, and rack up deflections., Good ball handler with an advanced layup package. If he drives baseline and gets contested, he can soar underneath and score on a reverse from the other side. As an explosive, ambidextrous finisher, drawing more fouls and adding more craft could make him a top-tier scorer., Shoots the hell out of the ball. He can drain jumpers out of isolation using a variety of moves. Off the ball, he can relocate or run off a handoff then launch. He’s a little streaky, so he’ll need to prove he’s an elite shooter rather than just a good one., Gritty player on offense. He crashes the boards, cuts, and would probably screen if his coach asked him to. He’s able to score off scrappy plays with no wasted motion., Willing passer who shows an effort to weaponize his scoring. For example, in multiple high school games I reviewed, he dribbled into a stepback going to his left and could have taken the shot but instead kicked it out for a corner 3. He’s a score-first player, but passes like those signal that he wants to make his teammates better., Late bloomer in high school who went from unranked to the top of draft boards. Now he has an outside chance to become the third Canadian to get picked first in NBA history.","cons":"Sharpe didn’t play basketball at Kentucky, electing to sit out the year to better prepare for next season. He already lacked significant big-game exposure in high school, so the jump to the NBA will be both a major physical and mental challenge. Off-ball defense. He sometimes falls out of position when defending his man, leading to closeouts from rogue angles. When rotating, he’s sometimes a beat late to make a read.  Lacks experience running the pick-and-roll, which should be a staple of his offense in the NBA. He also doesn’t have the tightest handle, though he’s made enough progress to suggest that will further improve. Shot selection can be an issue. He’s a streaky shooter who too often falls in love with his jumper. If he drove all the way to the basket rather than settling for pull-ups and floaters, his percentages from the perimeter would be better.","position":"WING","grade":"Freshman","main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Athleticism, On-Ball Defense, Ballhandling","age":19,"similar_player":"Paul George, Tall Bradley Beal, Jalen Green","analysis":"Blossomed into a star high school prospect as an upperclassman."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jaden Ivey","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":195,"school":"Purdue","pros":"Dynamic shot creator out of isolations and pick-and-rolls. He has one of the quickest first steps in the draft. He can use stepbacks or pull-ups for jumpers. He makes 33.3 percent of his 3s off the dribble. And he shot 35.5 percent on catch-and-shoot 3s this season, according to Synergy., He’s most intoxicating on drives to the rim. He takes long strides and looks like he’s gliding. Some athletic drivers are anxiety-inducing, but Ivey is both calming and thrilling. He’s an ambidextrous at-rim finisher who can score through contact. He also has this leaning fadeaway and a floater that can sky over shot blockers., Active cutter and mover without the ball. Purdue loved to use him in handoff and screening actions that would slingshot him toward the basket. , When he’s not scoring, he shows creativity delivering passes to teammates, including kickouts and entry feeds. He lacks great experience and natural feel in the pick-and-roll, but it’s not like he can’t execute. On the break, there are few players more threatening with or without the ball in their hands. , Ivey makes some remarkable highlight plays on defense. He showed how capable of a defender he can be when he locked in during the Big Ten tournament. His issue is consistency. If he uses his athleticism and 6-foot-9 wingspan to his advantage to lead Purdue in the NCAA tournament, he could move up draft boards., Athletic family. His mom is an ex-WNBA player and the current Notre Dame head coach. His father and grandfather were both in the NFL.","cons":"Often falls asleep on defense, losing track of his man. He stands there doing nothing a lot of the time, as if he’s tired, apathetic, or both. Struggled to shoot 3s as a freshman. Though his improvement seems to be for real, we have seen outlier shooting seasons in the past. He’s streaky and had some poor shooting performances, such as his 1-for-8 night from 3 in the Big Ten championship game. He projects as a lead guard, but he doesn’t really run the show for Purdue, averaging just 3.2 assists per game. He dribbles right almost all the time, rarely ever going left. Maybe he’s the type of player where it won’t matter, and he can do exactly what defenses don’t want him to do because he’s so electric. But maybe not.","position":"GUARD","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":17.2,"pts_per40":57.7,"ast_total":3,"ast_per40":2.5,"tpt":37,"tpa":146,"ft":73.1,"fta":175,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Ballhandling, Perimeter Shooting, Interior Scoring","age":20.3,"similar_player":"Donovan Mitchell, Jumbo Darius Garland, Victor Oladipo","analysis":"Powerful guard with an elite first step and the kind of electric shot-making ability that could make him a star, but he needs to improve his defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Bennedict Mathurin","year":2022,"height":76.5,"weight":205,"school":"Arizona","pros":"His role was to spot up and shoot 3s during his freshman season and he drilled 41.8 percent of them. As a sophomore, he was asked to do a lot more but he still made 38.3 percent of his catch-and-shoot triples, which includes a large number on extremely high difficulty. He’s a dynamic weapon who can shoot off movement, or attack straight off the catch., If he’s able to shoot a better percentage from 3 off the bounce (34.7 percent), it’ll only make him a more dynamic threat. He is a speedy ball handler who’s beginning to add change-of-pace moves into his repertoire., He’s a daredevil passer who’s fun to watch. He’ll whip the ball to his rolling big or to an open 3-point shooter on the wing. If he’s playing with a talented playmaking big man, he has exciting potential in the two-man game at the wings and elbows. He can pull up for 3s over the top, or attack the paint to find kickout opportunities for teammates. He’s a baller., Fans will love watching him run the break. He’s always ready to run ahead of the defense, eager to turn stops into points. He can drain 3s or throw down explosive dunks when he has space to launch., With his athleticism and length, he has shown plenty of impressive flashes on defense. He can move his feet quickly from side to side, and with both long arms and a strong frame, he can withstand drives to the rim. There are NFL-cornerback vibes to his off-ball defense with the way he intercepts passes or strips driving attackers.","cons":"Defensive consistency is his biggest issue right now. He has lockdown moments, but lacks proper footwork on simple stuff like closeouts. He’s slow to fight over on-ball screens. And he fouls way too often as a result of his overaggression and improper positioning. Sometimes, he just doesn’t put as much energy into defense as he should.  He shouldn’t be expected to be a lead playmaker. He’s probably best suited to play in an offense that features multiple ball handlers. He’s not a main facilitator because his playmaking is solid but not spectacular. Think about him like Jamal Murray, whose game is enhanced by Nikola Jokic. Turnover prone. He can get a bit careless with the ball, hurling it into closed passing windows or driving into contact. Improving his shot selection and his decision-making as a passer should be areas of focus. He lacks scoring touch around the rim when facing length or contact. In no way does he shy away, though. He’s tough, but right now the results aren’t following when he’s met inside.","position":"WING","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":17.3,"pts_per40":58.7,"reb_total":5.7,"reb_per40":9.5,"tpt":37.9,"tpa":174,"ft":75.2,"fta":137,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Athleticism","age":20,"similar_player":"Jamal Crawford, Caris LeVert, Prime Victor Oladipo","analysis":"Knockdown shooter with shot-making ability off the dribble, though he needs work as a passer and defender."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Dyson Daniels","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":195,"school":"Ignite","pros":"Doesn’t need plays run for him to make an impact. He’s an aware cutter and offensive rebounder. He’s good at reading mismatches and makes smart improvisational plays. He can score and facilitate from inside with the size to back down or shoot a turnaround jumper over smaller players. If he starts hitting spot-up 3s, he’ll have all the skills he needs to thrive., Much like fellow Australian Josh Giddey, Daniels’s passing is his real appeal. He’s such an advanced pick-and-roll artist that he’s already able to draw in defenders with the threat of his floater and pull-up, only to throw a jump pass to his rolling big man. He just executes at a high level. When a shooter comes off a screen, he puts the ball right in their pocket. If a play is called for a lob, he makes it easy for the guy leaping to the basket. There’s no pass that he can’t make., Coordinated ball handler who plays at his own pace. He has clean footwork on spins and he can glide into runners. Though he isn’t especially explosive, he knows how to use his skills to his advantage with angles and touch., Excellent defender with the versatility to defend guards and wings. His intelligence translates on this end with the way he positions himself and sticks to his man. But he’s not just a basketball nerd who studies hard—he plays his ass off and sets the tone for his teammates. Fans will love this guy immediately.","cons":"Subpar shooter who made only 29.9 percent of his 3s and 53.3 percent of his free throws. He has touch on floaters and layups but it hasn’t translated to the perimeter. When he shoots, he looks like a chair unfolding. Improving his shot, whether that requires changing his form or not, should be his first priority. With a more reliable jumper, his play would evoke shades of Tyrese Haliburton. He’s a slower-footed shot creator who needs to tighten his handle to have the same type of success generating space at the next level. Kyle Anderson went through the same adjustment as a rookie in the NBA and now he's in his eighth season. Since he isn’t explosive, he tends to attempt a lot of difficult layups. It works for him in the G League, but scoring against NBA length will be a whole different challenge.","position":"GUARD","pts_total":11.3,"pts_per40":54,"ast_total":4.4,"ast_per40":2.4,"tpt":25.5,"tpa":51,"ft":73.7,"fta":19,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Playmaking, Hustle, Feel for the Game","age":19.2,"similar_player":"Derrick White, Kyle Anderson, Evan Turner","analysis":"Australian playmaker taking advantage of the G League route by showcasing his trustworthy facilitating and lockdown defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Keegan Murray","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":215,"school":"Iowa","pros":"Super versatile on-ball defender who can handle wings and bigs, and possibly serve as a small-ball center. With his positional instincts, intelligence, and length he could just be starting to tap into his defensive potential., Skilled scorer who can pick-and-pop for 3s or run off screens. Though he isn’t an ankle-breaker off the dribble, he has excellent body control. He keeps his dribble low and can glide toward the basket from unusual angles to take leaning layups. He also flashes a nasty stepback going to his left that he can use behind the arc or from midrange., Low-maintenance scorer who makes timely cuts, seals underneath the basket to make himself an easy target, and relocates to get open. He runs the floor hard in transition, always positioning himself for an outlet. But if the team is in need of a bucket, he also has a diverse post skill set with drop steps, jump hooks, and turnarounds., He has the game of a trustworthy veteran. He just makes smart plays, rarely committing mistakes. He knows when to crash the boards. If he gets a touch, he’ll rapidly assess the situation and decide whether to attack or pass. He knows when to give it up, too, which is an important skill. , If he’s playing small-ball center, or next to center who can shoot 3s, he could be dangerous as a roll man to the basket. Iowa calls lob plays for him, and he’s shown the ability to finish in the open floor. He’s not an explosive leaper, but with his handling, scoring, and feel he projects as a major weapon in ball screens.","cons":"Older prospect who will be 22 as a rookie. Nor is he a tremendous athlete at a position where there are many of them. Lacks significant experience playing against high-level competition that could expose his flaws. He’ll need to improve as a scorer in the paint against length. Larger teams, like Illinois, tend to give him more trouble, which could be a preview of the type of resistance he’ll see in the NBA on a nightly basis. He’s a good-but-not-great shooter, and he’s still relatively unproven. He's a career 73.2 percent shooter from the line, but hit just 29.6 percent of his shots from 3 last season compared to 38 percent this season.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":23.3,"pts_per40":0.632,"reb_total":8.6,"reb_per40":14.9,"blk_total":2.1,"blk_per40":1.3,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Hustle","age":21.8,"similar_player":"Pascal Siakam, Al Horford, TJ Warren","analysis":"Late bloomer who was unranked in high school but now projects as a do-it-all forward with only nitpicky flaws."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jeremy Sochan","year":2022,"height":81,"weight":230,"school":"Baylor","pros":"Elite defensive prospect who can defend across all positions. He’s super active, a total pest for offenses. NBA switching schemes are perfect for his skill set. He has the toughness and strength to handle bigger players inside, plus the length and mobility to handle quicker players on the perimeter. He hustles hard, communicates, and displays excellent awareness all over the court. He can serve as a rim protector in pick-and-roll or defend at the point of attack. There is nothing he can’t do., Active on the boards and consistently boxes out. Following a defensive board, he’s a talented open-floor passer who rewards running teammates., He’s a playmaker with a fluid handle that features misdirection and sudden movements to generate space. At 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, he’s too big for smaller players to contain. And even though he’s a limited shooter, defending him with a big means he’ll just drive right by them. He’s a potential mismatch nightmare with his combination of size and speed., Skilled interior player. He can score with either hand around the rim or take off from the dunker spot when he’s hit with a dump-off pass. When he attacks, he leans on a spin move. With a deep bag, he’s able to draw a ton of fouls. If paired with a knockdown shooter, he could feast on the short roll due to his combo of passing, handling, and finishing., Unproven shooter but his potential is intoxicating when he’s making turnaround jumpers from the elbow area. He has a high, unblockable release and the coordination to unleash tough shots. But his efficiency is an issue., He’s the son of two athletes; both his mom and dad played college ball at Oklahoma.","cons":"Lacks a reliable shot. He’s made just 31.7 percent of catch-and-shoot 3s and only 57.5 percent of his free throws. He has a slow, methodical release off the catch that doesn’t look nearly as fluid as his pull-up. He’s shooting 35.7 percent on pull-up 2s and floaters, but hasn’t taken many pull-up 3s. Without a proven jumper, defenses will dare him to shoot. He hasn’t displayed the ability to successfully post up, which would be a valuable tool considering his size. Being able to post up a smaller player or draw double-teams would also mitigate the need for him to improve as a shooter, which is a much tougher task. Takes some occasional risks on defense, including mistakenly jumping passing lanes. And he’s not always on point with his fundamentals, such as closing out without proper technique. Then again, his risk-taking is also what makes him so disruptive.","position":"WING","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":8.7,"pts_per40":0.55,"reb_total":6.1,"reb_per40":14.4,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":0.7,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Feel for the Game, Playmaking","age":19.1,"similar_player":"Ben Simmons, Draymond Green, Aaron Gordon","analysis":"Capable of excelling as an athletic two-way player who can defend all five positions, and if he develops a jump shot he has limitless potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ousmane Dieng","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":200,"school":"New Zealand","pros":"His best skill is ball handling. Despite his size, he’s able to get where he wants with this dribble using low crossovers and hesitations. He has a quick first step, too. After stringing together a series of moves, he has the control to deliver passes off the dribble or glide into right-handed layups and floaters., Similarly, he’s able to generate space for pull-up jumpers. The results have not been great so far, but he looks fluid getting into shots. It’s just a matter of getting them to fall. Extending his range will be key., Shows good passing vision. He can spot cutters then throw jump passes over the defense; also, if he draws help on a drive, he can find the open man outside. He could be plugged into a playmaking role if his perimeter shooting develops, but even if it doesn’t his talents could be featured in a role as a screener, cutter, and slasher., Projects as a highly versatile defender thanks to his length and quickness. On-ball, he displays the agility to slide with guards and wings. His movement looks effortless. Away from the ball he has the potential to become an effective help defender in the paint if his awareness improves.","cons":"It’s brick city for him as a shooter right now. He shot just 35.6 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from 3-point range in the NBL. Though he looks good shooting the ball, he has never been efficient. Avoids contact at the rim. He ends up settling for difficult floaters or off-balance shots. In his first 12 games before injuring his wrist this season, he attempted only four free throws. Since he returned on March 5, he’s averaging 2.6 per game. That’s still a low number, but any type of progress is notable evidence that he is being more aggressive as a scorer. Though he has good passing vision, his accuracy needs to improve. Too often the ball is off target, so a good look can be wasted because a defender has time to close the gap with the shooter. Defensive awareness is an issue, especially off-ball. So many NBA defenses are switching screens these days that often the big man is pulled away from his protection duties near the paint. So that responsibility can fall on wings like Dieng. He has the size to be a nuisance, but too often he doesn’t rotate quickly enough to make a difference.","position":"FORWARD","pts_total":7,"pts_per40":0.405,"reb_total":2.9,"reb_per40":8.3,"ast_total":0.9,"ast_per40":1.3,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Playmaking","age":19.1,"similar_player":"Brandon Ingram, prime Chandler Parsons, Evan Turner","analysis":"One of the highest-upside prospects in the draft thanks to his blend of defense, size, and smooth shot creation, but he’s yet to prove he can score efficiently."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Aj Griffin","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":222,"school":"Duke","pros":"Creative bucket-getter who uses subtle pump fakes, hesitations, and shimmies to throw defenders off balance. He dribbles at his own rhythm to get into pull-up jumpers and stepbacks going to his left., From midrange, he can draw contact and score in ways that resemble Jimmy Butler. On top of that, he’s also a knockdown shooter who would have led the NCAA in 3-point percentage if he had qualified. It came on just 3.9 attempts per game, but with a higher usage Griffin could have exploded., Does all the little things on offense as a savvy cutter and willing passer who can fire on-target dimes to open teammates. He’s still developing a feel for creating opportunities but he keeps the ball flowing with quick decisions while limiting turnovers., Great defensive potential largely thanks to his tough mindset and impressive measurables (including a 7-foot wingspan). He has a wide, sturdy frame and the pound-for-pound strength of a big man. If he’s able to master his fundamentals he could become a lockdown defender., Griffin missed nearly two years of basketball due to injuries in high school. For him to play this well against the best competition of his life reflects the positive intel about him. Scouts say he has a great head on his shoulders, works hard on his weaknesses, and absorbs feedback from coaches. He comes from an athletic family as the son of 10-year NBA veteran Adrian Griffin, and his mother Audrey ran track in college.","cons":"Knee and ankle injuries have plagued Griffin’s young career. The medical reports that teams receive will be key in determining his final draft positioning. He shows effort on defense but he’s not always reliable due to his inexperience. He takes awkward angles on rotations and sometimes loses track of his man when off the ball. Learning proper positioning should come in time, but it doesn’t always. Rigid shooting mechanics could limit his upside unless he’s able to make a change. From 3-point range off the catch and from certain angles pulling up, he needs to go into a set shot. There’s a slight pause that can give defenders time to close out. Removing that hitch would make him even more dynamic as a shooter. Inexperienced pick-and-roll operator without a good feel for timing, angles, and leveraging screens. Considering his isolation scoring skills, becoming more advanced using ball screens could allow him to blossom.","position":"WING","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":10.3,"pts_per40":0.647,"ast_total":1.1,"ast_per40":0.7,"ft":75.7,"fta":37,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Ballhandling","age":18.8,"similar_player":"Jaylen Brown, TJ Warren","analysis":"One of the most talented scorers in the draft, though he missed most of two years with knee and ankle injuries in high school."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Duren","year":2022,"height":82,"weight":230,"school":"Memphis","pros":"Elite upside as a shot blocker. He’s unafraid to get physical and his 7-foot-5 wingspan and nimble feet make him a sentry defending the paint. He can also defend on the perimeter on an occasional switch or recovery to a shooter. He already does a great job of trailing ball handlers and using his length to block shots from behind, a trademark of the NBA’s best rim protectors., Excellent interior finisher. Throw him the ball anywhere and he’ll catch it. In lineups with four shooters, he has the leaping ability to pressure the rim with his rolls., Flashes passing upside from the perimeter, which is ironic considering he’s an interior scorer. But whether he’s diving to the basket out of the short roll or operating from the high elbow, he does a solid job of locating teammates. , Good offensive rebounder.","cons":"Off-ball defense. He still needs to improve his awareness. He sometimes gets caught ball watching, though he often makes up for it with his activity. Occasionally struggles with simple things, such as boxing out or falling into foul trouble too regularly. He needs to cut down on his physical and mental lapses so that his skills and athleticism can fuse.  Lacks passing accuracy and discipline out of the low post. He takes too many risks with the ball, as if he’s predetermined where he wants to go with it rather than reacting to what the defense gives him. Struggles with shooting, both from the free throw line and from the field. Back-to-the-basket game is not a strength. Even when trying to establish positioning, he often gets pushed off his spots. Getting more skilled against switching defenses could lead to many mismatches for him.","position":"BIG","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11.9,"pts_per40":0.625,"reb_total":7.5,"reb_per40":16.7,"blk_total":2.2,"blk_per40":0.8,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Interior Scoring, Shot Blocking, Off-Ball Defense","age":18.6,"similar_player":"DeAndre Jordan, Robert Williams","analysis":"Explosive shot blocker and leaper who can fill a role right away. Plus, he’s the youngest player likely to be drafted."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Johnny Davis","year":2022,"height":76.25,"weight":196,"school":"Wisconsin","pros":"Tough shot-maker who lives in the midrange. He has every move in the book and he uses them to get open despite not having a quick first step or even the tightest handle. With a smaller offensive role, and less of a need to force shots, his shooting percentages could increase., Daring playmaker. He may not have the handle or passing vision of a lead guard, but he’s absolutely capable of being one of the main figures within an offense thanks to his scoring potential and his passing ability., Good shooter off the catch. When attacking closeouts, he displays solid at-rim finishing as he handles contact inside or finds teammates with simple passes., À la Chauncey Billups, Davis is a guard who loves to work in the post. He has a nasty turnaround jumper, and when he draws help, he’s excellent at feeling the pressure and finding an open teammate with an on-target pass., With the way teams switch on defense, he can attack slower-footed players from the perimeter or punish smaller ones on the post. Even if his scoring efficiency isn’t great at the college level, there’s a realistic path toward him being a mismatch problem., Players with enormous offensive usage rates like Davis ordinarily don’t put their heart and soul into getting stops on defense. But on top of having a strong frame and long arms, Davis hustles and shows a desire to fight through screens. He brings spirit.","cons":"If there’s one flaw to his defense, it’s the fact he’s lean and lacks great athleticism. He may not be able to switch and hang with bigger players. He’s not an efficient shooter. This season on dribble jumpers, he made 35.5 percent from the midrange and just 30.6 percent from 3, according to Synergy Sports. Off the catch, he made only 34 percent of his 3s. At times, he’s hesitant to pull the trigger. Below-the-basket finisher. He does a good job of finishing with either hand, but he has moments when he gets swallowed up by length.","position":"GUARD","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":20,"pts_per40":53.8,"reb_total":8.1,"reb_per40":13.7,"tpt":33.3,"tpa":99,"ft":78.2,"fta":174,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":20.3,"similar_player":"Devin Harris, Khris Middleton, Shaun Livingston","analysis":"Bucket-getting guard who thrives from midrange and plays excellent defense, but needs to improve his shooting."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Mark Williams","year":2022,"height":84,"weight":242,"school":"Duke","pros":"A massive 7-foot-7 wingspan combined with fluid hips and strong fundamentals made Williams one of the best rim protectors in college basketball. His skills should immediately translate to the NBA, which is atypical for young bigs., Fundamental post defender who rarely commits careless fouls. He’s also a stout defensive rebounder who boxes out., Good hands to catch difficult or surprising interior passes, plus the athleticism to elevate and finish. He’s an aware cutter, timing his motion from the dunker’s spot to get open. He’s also an explosive leaper who can flush lobs over the defense, making him a major weapon as a screener in the pick-and-roll., Capable ball handler who can take a few dribbles when necessary. Can create his own shot by sealing off a defender away from the rim or simply posting up., Excellent offensive rebounder with a natural feel for whether to go right back up or find a shooter with a pass. He has a high basketball IQ and good vision to target teammates as quickly as he does., Could there be untapped shooting potential? He made 5 of 9 jump shots this season, and 74.6 percent of his free throws. His form looks pure. Plus, his soft touch near the rim bodes well for his ability to become a spot-up 3-point shooter.","cons":"Lack of lateral quickness on the perimeter will limit his ability as a switch defender. If a team spaces with five shooters during March Madness, NBA teams will watch closely to see how he performs. Lacks a natural perimeter skill set. As a playmaker, he does only the basics and doesn’t facilitate from the elbows like so many other bigs. Early on, he might be limited to the pick-and-roll.","position":"CENTER","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":11,"pts_per40":0.723,"reb_total":7.1,"reb_per40":17.7,"blk_total":2.8,"blk_per40":0.4,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, Off-Ball Defense, Interior Scoring, Rebounding","age":20.5,"similar_player":"Consistent Hassan Whiteside, Robert Williams","analysis":"Explosive interior big man who embraces his role, though he has flashed untapped perimeter potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Williams","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":209,"school":"Santa Clara","pros":"Mature playmaker who stays under control at all times. Selfless passer who can seamlessly pass off the dribble using either hand. On the break, he makes tremendous outlets., Good ball handler who has improved each year in college. Granted he played at a mid-major, but his height, feel, and vision are translatable at any level. He can facilitate pick-and-rolls and handoffs, or just keep the ball moving when he isn’t involved in an action., He made 44.3 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s as a junior and looked comfortable shooting in every way imaginable—off screens, handoffs, relocations, you name it. Though he didn’t shoot a high percentage in prior seasons, he always had good numbers from the line and displayed soft touch on floaters., Talented off-the-dribble scorer who is comfortable dribbling into midrange jumpers, runners, or even 3s. At a minimum, he looks like a player who can run secondary actions and attack closeouts and mismatches., Does all the things a role player should do, including being a headsy cutter who runs the floor hard in transition., High-effort defender who, despite a lack of quickness, always stays active and engaged. He has a never-give-up attitude.","cons":"Unless he has space to launch, he’s a below-the-rim finisher without much burst off the dribble, so his shot creation could be neutralized. He didn’t pop until his junior season even in the WCC, so there is some risk attached. Gets a bit loose with his left hand, leading to sloppy drives to the rim.  Sluggish moving laterally on defense, which doesn’t bode well early in his career unless he gets significantly quicker during pre-draft training or in his team’s strength and conditioning program.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Junior","pts_total":18,"pts_per40":0.601,"ast_total":4.2,"ast_per40":2.1,"stl_total":1.2,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, Feel for the Game","age":21.2,"similar_player":"TJ Warren, OG Anunoby","analysis":"Late bloomer who is just beginning to realize his two-way talents."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Malaki Branham","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":195,"school":"Ohio State","pros":"Talented ball handler who gets low to the ground as he attacks the basket. He can break down defenders one-on-one to get into his pull-ups and he does a good job of slithering into the paint and finding room for layups. Even against elite defenses with NBA length, he has come up big in multiple games., Great shooter off the dribble who can drain 3s, though he also thrives in the midrange with turnarounds and fadeaways. He uses hesitations to create space, and his strength helps him shed defenders., Consistent shooting mechanics, though he should make his release point a little higher. With his good handle, he’ll be a weapon receiving passes on the perimeter then attacking., Post scoring is a lost art for guards but he has the tools to be a throwback player if he’s defended by a smaller man., Impactful defender with a sturdy frame and long arms, which he can use to defend both guard positions and some wings. He brings great effort.","cons":"Playmaking is the next step. He’ll always be a score-first guy, but creating shots for teammates would elevate his ceiling. He wears blinders too often right now. He didn’t shoot 3s well until college, but his success came on a small sample. He also lacks dynamism coming off screens or handoffs, which could make it hard for him to develop.","position":"GUARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":13.3,"pts_per40":0.59,"ast_total":1.9,"ast_per40":1.6,"ft":82.6,"fta":92,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting, On-Ball Defense","age":19.1,"similar_player":"Khris Middleton, Caris LeVert","analysis":"Unexpected one-and-done player thanks to his blossoming scoring talents, though he needs to prove he can sustain his 3-point success."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jaden Hardy","year":2022,"height":76,"weight":190,"school":"Ignite","pros":"Smooth ball handler with a deep bag of moves to create space and launch shots off the bounce. He can elevate without setting his feet and find his balance in midair. Since high school, isolation scoring has been the center of his game. Now, he needs to extend his range as a shooter to continue to excel. This season, he made 35.7 percent of pull-up 2-point jumpers compared to only 27.4 percent of 3s off the dribble, per Synergy., Potential knockdown shooter who can drain 3s after running around screens. He’s the type of player who can run hard into the catch, turn, and shoot. He made 36.6 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s in the G League, according to Synergy., Made solid progress as a pick-and-roll ball handler in the G League. He operates with newfound patience navigating screens., Though he’s not a stopper, he battles on defense, fighting through screens and even taking charges. With long arms, he could be a quality defender if his level of consistency improves.","cons":"Lacks vertical pop and a quick first step, leading to him struggling at the rim. He flails around at impact. As a counter, he needs to develop his floater and download a craftier layup package. Decision-making. He was asked to be a scorer in high school but needs to prove he will take smart shots as a playmaker. He improved with the Ignite but still misses some open teammates in favor of forcing tough looks. Frequent defensive liability who at times appeared apathetic and unmotivated, losing focus off the ball and not even getting into a stance one-on-one. Is he just a volume scorer or can he become efficient? For the most part, iso scoring has always been his calling card. Teams wonder whether he’ll ever develop any other NBA skills.","position":"WING","pts_total":17.7,"pts_per40":0.482,"ast_total":3.2,"ast_per40":3.5,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":0.3,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling","age":19.9,"similar_player":"Bradley Beal, Cam Thomas, Dion Waiters","analysis":"Pure bucket-getter who needs to improve his efficiency and playmaking."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tari Eason","year":2022,"height":78.75,"weight":217,"school":"LSU","pros":"Gritty defender equipped to thrive in the NBA with the body of a forward and the quickness of a guard. He’s also one of the more active off-ball defenders in this class. He racks up steals and blocks while playing the majority of his minutes at center, where he showed the positional awareness and length to protect the rim. His agility shines in the tight quarters of the paint, where he rotates and pivots to alter shots., A stellar open-floor scorer who can turn steals and rebounds into transition opportunities. He has the coordination to take long gather steps to get all the way to the cup, rather than just settling for floaters. He’s at his best when finishing layups with either hand, soaring for dunks, or drawing fouls at the rim., Foul magnet who averages 5.6 free throw attempts in only 24.3 minutes per game, one of the highest rates in all of college basketball. Playing center means he can attack slower-footed players with his herky-jerky handle, but when matched up with guards he’s too overpowering. If he’s able to improve his shooting off the dribble, it’ll open up even more driving lanes., Improved shooter as a sophomore, making 37 percent of his 3s and 79 percent of his free throws (compared to 24 percent and 57 percent as a freshman at Cincinnati). Speeding up and raising the height of his release could lead to more consistent results. Right now, he’s at his best shooting off the catch., Though he’s known for his athleticism and highlight dunks, he also displays a desire—and the vision—to facilitate. Even if he never becomes a lead ball handler, these skills could manifest in a big way playing a secondary role as a slasher, screener, and cutter.","cons":"Gets out of control with the ball in his hands. He attempts foolish passes through closed windows and often travels off the catch. Even if he’s just bringing the ball up the floor, slight pressure can be enough to cause him to fumble. There’s a creative player somewhere in there, but his skill set has a ways to go. Fouled out of six games, including one against Florida in only seven minutes, despite coming off the bench and averaging just 24.3 minutes. He played backup center so some of his fouls are due to being overmatched, but plenty are due to a lack of awareness.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":16.9,"pts_per40":0.61,"reb_total":6.9,"reb_per40":15.9,"stl_total":2,"stl_per40":1.1,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Interior Scoring","age":21.1,"similar_player":"Tall Jae’Sean Tate, Jerami Grant, James Johnson","analysis":"Plays with a burning desire to win by doing the little things, though he still needs to season his game to truly thrive."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Dalen Terry","year":2022,"height":78,"weight":195,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Quirky ball handler with a tight enough dribble to run some point. He has a knack for locating cutters and shooters. He played lots of point guard for Arizona and would similarly benefit from a multi-creator NBA offense., Projects as a good spot-up shooter. He made progress from his first to second year in college. This past season, he made 36.8 percent of spot-up 3s. Though he isn’t a knockdown guy, he’s good enough to warrant respect., Turns defense into offense with deflections and help blocks. His activity is a contagious attribute that could allow him to earn early minutes. Even if he’s not the one grabbing the ball, he’ll always be running hard up the floor., Projects as a highly versatile defender thanks to his long arms, mindset, and awareness. He was an All-Defensive player in the Pac-12. As a bonus, he’s an attentive rebounder.","cons":"Unproven shooter, especially off the dribble, due to a small sample size. Needs to learn when and when not to take risks, whether it’s as a playmaker forcing the ball into the paint or helping off a shooter on defense.","position":"WING","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":8,"pts_per40":0.584,"ast_total":3.9,"ast_per40":1.4,"stl_total":1.2,"stl_per40":0.3,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Hustle, Feel for the Game","age":19.9,"similar_player":"Andre Iguodala, Will Barton","analysis":"Brings energy to the court with his defense and passing, but his shooting needs to improve."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Blake Wesley","year":2022,"height":75,"weight":187,"school":"Notre Dame","pros":"Knives through the defense using crossovers and hesitations for leaning layups. He can also stop on a dime in the midrange. In the half court, he can use combo moves off the dribble to get into his jumper. There’s an unpredictability factor that makes him a handful to contain in isolations and pick-and-rolls., Though he isn’t yet a knockdown shooter, he has a strong foundation to build upon with his ability to create space from any spot on the court. Someday he’ll need to make defenders that go under screens pay by making open 3s., Willing passer who looks particularly comfortable making live-dribble passes to his rolling big man or cutters heading to the basket. Playing point in some capacity will be a necessity in the NBA., Has the potential to be a lead playmaker in the future. He’s a score-first player, but not a gunner. He’s reliable, minimizes careless mistakes, and deals well with defensive pressure., Athletic interior finisher when he has space to launch for dunks. He’s shooting below 52 percent at the rim in the half court, but spacing should be much better in the pros., Energetic defender with long arms. He’s often assigned the opponent’s best scorer, and he’s always locked in off the ball to disrupt actions. He’s had countless games when it felt like he was the source of inspiration for the team’s collective energy., Good transition player. Whether off a steal or a rebound, he immediately hits go to jump-start the offense. Without the ball in his hands, he sprints to get ahead.","cons":"Inconsistent shooter with poor mechanics, and he has below-average shooting percentages. His ceiling as a scorer is intoxicating, but at this point it’s just an idea. Teams will have to decide whether he’s worth a gamble in the lottery; otherwise, he could return to Notre Dame to improve his draft stock. He doesn’t draw many free throws, instead preferring to avoid contact. He also lacks a floater as a counter. If he doesn’t become a great shooter, then he’ll need to finish around the rim at a much more efficient rate.","position":"WING","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":14.6,"pts_per40":0.509,"ast_total":2.5,"ast_per40":2.2,"stl_total":1.2,"stl_per40":0.1,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Feel for the Game","age":19.2,"similar_player":"Tyler Herro, Jamal Crawford, Bones Hyland","analysis":"Slippery ball handler who can get a bucket from anywhere, though he could return to college to improve his stock."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"E.j. Liddell","year":2022,"height":77.5,"weight":243,"school":"Ohio State","pros":"Boasts a muscular 240-pound frame that can handle the rigors of the interior. He played center for most of his sophomore season despite standing at 6-foot-7. He’s an excellent shot blocker, especially in help situations rotating into the paint. In February, he had success defending Illinois star Kofi Cockburn. , Defensive versatility. As a junior, Liddell came back a better perimeter defender than ever. Early in the season, he shut down Paolo Banchero all over the court, and then continued to bother players across positions. In a switching defense, he can handle any position., Good spot-up shooter with comfortable mechanics. He has improved every season from behind the arc, so defenders close out hard and he’s able to dribble into pull-ups or get all the way to the basket., Skilled post player who’s at his best facing up because he can take a jumper or attack off the dribble. With his improved shooting range, he has begun to tap into his isolation scoring., Quality passer who delivers an accurate ball to teammates. He won’t be a primary initiator of offensive sets but he’s skilled in the open floor and can run some pick-and-roll.","cons":"To score in the NBA like he did at Ohio State, he’ll need to tighten his ballhandling and improve his first step. He’s a bit loose with his handle by pro standards, which would limit his ability to generate space. Decision-making could improve. Sometimes he gets tunnel vision and barrels into two defenders, missing opportunities to swing the ball and find an open teammate. However, his role at Ohio State was to score.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Junior","pts_total":19.4,"pts_per40":59.9,"reb_total":7.9,"reb_per40":14.5,"blk_total":2.6,"blk_per40":0.5,"tpt":37.5,"tpa":112,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, Hustle, On-Ball Defense, Perimeter Shooting","age":21.5,"similar_player":"Paul Millsap, PJ Washington","analysis":"Went back to school to improve as a shooter and perimeter defender, which he has done."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ochai Agbaji","year":2022,"height":76.5,"weight":217,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Agbaji attended the 2021 NBA combine before returning to college to refine his offensive game, but he was already on the draft radar because of his defense. He has a strong 215-pound frame and long arms, giving him versatility on the positional spectrum. He’s even strong enough to battle in the post against bigs., Made major improvements as a shooter his senior year. He’s making 41.1 percent of his 3s and is at his best in transition, making 7 of 14 shots off the dribble. He is dynamic with crossovers, creating space for his shot., Aware off-ball cutter with the leaping ability to throw down lobs., Dangerous when attacking against a rotating defense as a secondary ball handler. He is so strong with the ball and respectable enough of a dribbler to muscle his way into the paint.","cons":"Still an inconsistent shooter. He made 45.6 percent of his 3s over his first 22 games of this season but only 31 percent over his past eight leading into the conference tournament. In the half court, he is shooting only 27.1 percent on pull-up 3s and 29.4 percent on pull-up 2s. Lacks a degree of shiftiness off the dribble, which hurts him when finishing around the basket. He’s sometimes contact-averse. When his offensive role was less demanding, he hustled harder on defense. But the energy isn’t there as often anymore.","position":"WING","grade":"Senior","pts_total":19.8,"pts_per40":0.602,"ast_total":1.7,"ast_per40":2,"ft":76.7,"fta":120,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, On-Ball Defense, Perimeter Shooting","age":22.1,"similar_player":"Jae Crowder","analysis":"A senior who took a major leap to become a potential lottery pick. He can guard multiple positions and drain 3s, but has been a streaky shooter throughout his career."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Marjon Beauchamp","year":2022,"height":77.25,"weight":197,"school":"Ignite","pros":"Excels playing off the ball. He knows how to utilize screens and handoffs as a slingshot to attack downhill., With a quick first step and a good handle for his size, he’s a major threat attacking closeouts. He’s an explosive leaper, so when he has space to launch, he finishes above the rim., He’s a smart, intelligent player who hustles and is always looking for chances to cut to the rim., Played a lot of guard growing up, which is evident in his handle. He’s especially comfortable attacking in transition, often throwing long bounce passes to teammates sprinting past the defense., Tone-setting defender who plays hard regardless of the score., With a 7-foot-1 wingspan and great lateral quickness, he can swarm ball handlers. He has solid technique fighting through screens both on and off the ball. On a switch against a post player, he has the frame and length to absorb bumps and contest. Not to mention he’s an excellent rebounder.","cons":"He needs to improve as a 3-point shooter to become a rotation regular in the NBA. His mechanics look smooth and he shot well from the line in high school, but his success has not translated to behind the arc. It was a long and winding road for Beauchamp to get to this point, playing at four different high schools and one community college before going to the G League.","position":"WING","pts_total":15.1,"pts_per40":63.8,"reb_total":7.3,"reb_per40":9.8,"stl_total":1.6,"stl_per40":0.7,"tpt":24.2,"tpa":33,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Hustle, Rebounding","age":21.7,"similar_player":"Kelly Oubre Jr., Matt Barnes","analysis":"Physical wing with the ingredients to be a high-level role player, but he needs to improve as a shooter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Walker Kessler","year":2022,"height":84.25,"weight":256,"school":"Auburn","pros":"At 245 pounds with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, he blocks 4.5 shots per game, swatting everything in sight around the rim while avoiding fouls. He’s so big and yet so nimble, fluidly changing directions to act as a deterrent. Opponents don’t even bother testing him. Factor in his discipline and IQ, and he has a chance to become one of the game’s best defenders., He’s primarily a drop defender in the pick-and-roll but has shown the agility to get stops on the perimeter. He’s comfortable sliding his feet away from the basket and has elite body control, slamming the breaks then pivoting directions to stay with attackers., Competitive rebounder who boxes out on defense. When he gobbles up defensive boards he does a nice job of locating his outlet with a pass., Good finisher inside with soft hands and the leaping ability to clean up around the rim. He’s so smooth off the catch, there’s never any wasted motion to allow a defense the time to strip the ball., Sets solid screens and has a good feel for a big’s responsibilities, utilizing dribble handoffs and passing to cutters inside., A modern big with chops as a ball handler and playmaker thanks to his training. Bigs are now raised doing guard drills. By no means will he run an offense, but he can make plays when needed., Comes from a basketball family—his brother played in college, his dad played overseas, and his uncle played four years in the NBA.","cons":"Has shot just 21.6 percent from 3 and 57.6 percent from the line in college. He was a better shooter in high school, though never a knockdown threat. He’s not an incredibly explosive player and has struggled in some matchups against physical and lengthy defenders. Lacks an advanced set of post moves.","position":"CENTER","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":11.5,"pts_per40":0.64,"reb_total":8.2,"reb_per40":16.9,"blk_total":4.5,"blk_per40":1.1,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, Off-Ball Defense, Interior Scoring, Hustle","age":20.9,"similar_player":"Jarrett Allen, Jakob Poeltl","analysis":"Massive interior force with elite shot-blocking and finishing skills. Developing his shot would be the cherry on top."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Nikola Jovic","year":2022,"height":81.5,"weight":227,"school":"Mega Basket","pros":"At his best with the ball in his hands in the open court or in the pick-and-roll. He’s capable of getting into his shot from any area of the floor. He doesn’t force it, though. Jovic has good shot selection and has the vision as a passer to make his teammates better., Shot creation in the open floor is his best skill. He is able to change his pace and use hesitations while taking long strides toward the basket. He has a good handle and smooth footwork, which allows him to keep his dribble alive while deciding whether to score or facilitate., With the ability to run the pick-and-roll and set solid screens at 6-foot-10, he could create major matchup advantages. Against a switch, he has the size advantage down low if he develops a post game. Against a blitz, he can pass as the ball handler or make plays for himself off the bounce. Against drop coverage, he has displayed the ability to shoot off the dribble if given space. Like many young players, he needs to improve his efficiency, but the building blocks are there., Intelligent off-ball player on offense who has great instincts for cutting into the paint. Plus he has good hands., Theoretically a versatile defender if he’s able to improve his sloppy fundamentals and get quicker laterally. Right now, he is at his best defending in help situations at the rim. Even if he’s not a shot blocker, his pure size still makes him more of a deterrent than smaller players in the same position.","cons":"He’s an inefficient offensive player right now, including from three-point range. He struggles finishing near the rim. He lacks bounce in the paint, and though he has size he doesn’t always know how to use it. He’s not particularly physical, and he has no post game to speak of. Subpar defensive player who suffers through stretches of low intensity. He’s a bit sluggish, which limits him as a switch defender. And he lacks beef on his body, so battling against NBA centers is a no-go.","position":"FORWARD","pts_total":10.9,"pts_per40":0.529,"reb_total":4.3,"reb_per40":9.5,"ast_total":3.3,"ast_per40":2.6,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking","age":19,"similar_player":"Danilo Gallinari, NOT Nikola Jokic","analysis":"Late bloomer who grew up playing guard, and it shows in his game as a talented playmaker with size who’s still learning how to thrive near the rim."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tyty Washington Jr.","year":2022,"height":74.25,"weight":196,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Looks like a point guard who studies moves from great point guards who weren’t reliant on athleticism, such as Chris Paul, with his stutters and head fakes as he runs the pick-and-roll. He can tap or slam on the brakes, always shifting tempo to keep the defense guessing. He sees the whole floor and can make every pass, whether it’s a lob, a dish to a cutter, or a kickout., Lethal midrange scorer who makes 52.5 percent of his floaters and 43 percent of his dribble-jumper 2s. He has every move he needs to become a potent 3-point shooter with side steps and stepbacks, though he’s made just 30.4 percent of dribble-jumper 3s at Kentucky., Washington wasn’t asked to run off many screens to shoot 3s in John Calipari’s offense, but his ability to set his feet and launch jumpers using handoffs is an indication he could develop into a threat with or without the ball. , Lengthy defender who made progress from a fundamental standpoint throughout the season, showing increased awareness with rotations and better positioning navigating the perimeter.","cons":"Lacks the explosiveness to score at the rim or draw fouls, which will put a cap on his scoring upside unless he becomes an incredible 3-point shooter. His lack of burst when turning the corner in the pick-and-roll is also worrisome. He has yet to translate his shooting touch to 3-point range with any consistency. He made only 36.4 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s. He’s not a great athlete and lacks quickness, which affects him on defense when fighting through screens. He also lacks great defensive versatility.","position":"GUARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":12.2,"pts_per40":0.534,"ast_total":4.1,"ast_per40":1.6,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":0.2,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Perimeter Shooting, Feel for the Game","age":19.6,"similar_player":"Immanuel Quickley","analysis":"Versatile shot-creator with a great feel for making his teammates better, though he’ll unlock new dimensions to his game if he extends his range behind the arc."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Max Christie","year":2022,"weight":189,"school":"Michigan State","pros":"Looks the part as a shooter with smooth shooting mechanics, even when running off screens. With good touch from the line and inside the arc, he just needs to extend his range. Despite his inconsistency as a freshman, there’s plenty of reason for long-term optimism., Capable shooter off the bounce. Though he largely pulls up from midrange using one or two dribbles, he could someday develop a side-dribble 3. He also flashes potential hitting contested shots off the bounce, including fadeaways and spin moves., Selfless playmaker who keeps the ball moving on offense, whether he’s swinging it around the arc or locating an open man. He has vision. He just needs seasoning., Versatile defender with the blend of quickness and length to contain multiple positions. He plays hard and has excellent fundamentals, meaning there aren’t any qualities he lacks to excel as a multi-positional stopper.","cons":"Lacks burst off the dribble. There isn’t much explosion with his first step and he doesn’t have a second gear on drives. Without great athleticism, he struggled trying to score around the rim in college. He doesn’t handle contact all that well, and doesn’t get to the free throw line with any regularity. Turnover-prone; he too often dribbles into traffic or throws interceptable passes without much velocity behind them. He’s lean and needs to get stronger.","position":"WING","grade":"Freshman","main_selling_point":"9.3, .494 TS%, 3P%, 31.7, 123 3PA, REB, 3.5, 6.4 REB%, AST, 1.5, 1.5 TPG, Lanky wing with versatile defensive skills and long-term shooting upside., On-Ball Defense, Hustle","age":19.3,"similar_player":"Khris Middleton, Jeremy Lamb","analysis":"PPG"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Christian Koloko","year":2022,"height":82.75,"weight":221,"school":"Arizona","pros":"Excellent interior finisher who slams home lobs when cutting from the baseline or rolling to the paint. He’s also adept at sealing off his defender deep in the paint, making himself a target, and then fluidly finishing or turning into a jump hook., Improved as a free throw shooter his junior season, hitting a career-high 72.2 percent. He even looked smooth on the limited number of midrange jumpers he took. He’ll certainly work on his ability to hit spot-up 3s leading up to the draft. If it’s working for him, his draft stock will rise because we’ll see shades of Bucks Brook Lopez., Much better passer than his numbers indicate. On the post, he has a feel for drawing in the defense to create an opening for a teammate. Granted, he won’t be asked to frequently post up in the NBA, but it does show his ability to read the floor. He’s also fully capable of operating on the perimeter in dribble handoffs., Nasty shot blocker in help situations. He has good floor sense and can rapidly change directions to block or alter shots. He’s also solid when defending pick-and-rolls as a drop defender., Very mobile for his size. He flourished when switching onto guards and wings at Arizona. He gets a bit too handsy at times when he should back off, but once he gets in a film room and in the practice court with NBA coaches, hours of studying Rudy Gobert should help., Added 15 pounds since his freshman season and has since become a far more effective post defender. Getting even stronger, especially in the lower body, should be prioritized as long as it doesn’t come at the cost of his quickness.","cons":"He’s come a long way, but he’s still raw. Koloko started to take basketball seriously at age 15 but primarily played soccer until he was 17. He’s made a lot of progress, but he remains unrefined in some areas. Struggled throughout his first two seasons at Arizona and battled inconsistency before his junior season. Maybe things just clicked for Koloko as he grew into his body and matured.  Fundamentals still need more development. He makes off-target passes to cutting players and he forces some post entries to Azuolas Tubelis, a 6-foot-11 big who starts next to him. He also sets too many moving screens. But these flaws are easily fixable and his progress is an indicator that he will figure them out. Made only 55 percent of his free throws as a freshman and sophomore. He’ll need to prove he can maintain his improved percentages (up to 72.2 percent this year) to cement his stock.","position":"CENTER","grade":"Junior","pts_total":11.8,"pts_per40":0.641,"reb_total":7,"reb_per40":15.6,"blk_total":2.8,"blk_per40":0.7,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, Athleticism, On-Ball Defense, Interior Scoring","age":22,"similar_player":"Clint Capela, Ed Davis","analysis":"Cameroonian big man who emerged this year as one of the NCAA’s best rim protectors and finishers, though he must get stronger to excel in the NBA."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Bryce Mcgowens","year":2022,"height":77.25,"weight":181,"school":"Nebraska","pros":"Skilled ball handler who freezes defenders with hesitation dribbles. He lacks elite burst but makes up for it with long strides, sort of like Brandon Ingram., Encouraging potential as a shooter with soft touch on his floaters and a high percentage from the line. If he becomes a more consistent shooter, his handle could turn him into a go-to scoring option. , Good interior finisher even against significant contact, and he's pro-ready at drawing fouls by flailing his body around like a veteran., Occasionally makes a slick pass off the dribble that makes you wonder what he could become if he valued playmaking as much as scoring. With his fluidity and athleticism, it’s the area that could help make him take a leap., At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, he has the body to become a strong defender, but he’s shown only limited flashes of potential. If he can make quick rotations and get his long arms in passing lanes, he could make things difficult on opponents.","cons":"Reluctant passer. He loves to isolate, overdribble, and then launch contested jumpers instead of finding open teammates. Even when the ball does leave his hands in the direction of a teammate, it’s rarely on target.  Currently a low efficiency perimeter shooter who front-rims a lot of shots. He made 30.5 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s and struggled with consistency. He struggled against superior competition in college. His percentages shooting off the dribble plummeted, and he didn’t make up for it as a playmaker. He doesn’t use his off hand very often when it comes to handling and finishing. Sloppy defender without technique, desire, or awareness at the college level. He needs to improve in every way, including his stance on-ball since he’s often flat-footed. And when I say everything, I mean it. He struggles closing out. He reaches in too much. He gets destroyed on screens. He loses focus off-ball.","position":"WING","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":16.8,"pts_per40":0.533,"ast_total":1.4,"ast_per40":2.1,"ft":83.1,"fta":195,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Athleticism","age":19.6,"similar_player":"Zach LaVine with less hops","analysis":"Tremendous upside if he improves his overall fundamentals because of his dynamic scoring ability."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kennedy Chandler","year":2022,"height":71.5,"weight":172,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Advanced ball handler who operates like a veteran. He values possessions and limits turnovers while still exploiting defenses. And with his change-of-pace moves, he can manipulate a defense to find open teammates., Fluid shooter off the dribble. He’s comfortable pulling up from 3 or midrange. He also shot 40.5 percent on 79 catch-and-shoot attempts. With a quick release and tight handle, there’s upside for him to become a lethal shooter if he develops consistency., Would be at his best in a system with multiple ball handlers, since one of his best skills is slashing off the catch. He’s a decisive player who cuts and attacks closeouts with a vengeance on his way to the paint., Active defender who displays impressive awareness rotating off the ball, deflecting passes, and logging steals.","cons":"At 6-foot-1 with a lean frame, he’s an undersized guard, which will make him a target on defense no matter how much he’s hustling. Streaky 3-point shooter who made only 60.6 percent of his free throws and 32.4 percent of his floaters, according to Synergy. This raises questions about his upside as a perimeter scorer. As a freshman, he was ineffective getting buckets off screens and handoffs, scoring just 0.52 points per screen and 0.75 points per handoff, according to Synergy. Though his impact goes beyond scoring because of his playmaking ability, developing the ability to drain 3s off movement actions would give him significantly more value on offense.","position":"GUARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":13.8,"pts_per40":0.538,"ast_total":4.6,"ast_per40":2.5,"stl_total":2.1,"stl_per40":0.3,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Playmaking","age":19.7,"similar_player":"Darius Garland, Tyrese Maxey, Jameer Nelson","analysis":"Undersized speedy point guard who excels with or without the ball and is a pest on defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Patrick Baldwin Jr.","year":2022,"height":81.25,"weight":231,"school":"Milwaukee","pros":"Smooth shooting stroke with an unblockable release point. In the midrange, he has the body control to turn in midair to line up with the rim. He shot the ball far better in high school than he did in college, which provides some optimism that he’ll be able to improve his percentages as he gets more open jump shots in an NBA setting., Even though the results aren’t there, he looks comfortable getting into his shot out of virtually any play type. He can pick-and-pop, run pick-and-rolls, spot up in the corner, bring the ball up, and pull up in transition. You name it. If the results someday follow, he could begin to match his high school hype., Against a switching defense, he has the handle and size to score over smaller defenders who might be matched up on him., Solid off-ball defender who can alter shots at the rim using his long arms., The argument in favor of Baldwin is his NBA role will not at all resemble what he was asked to do in college. To start his career, teams will ask him to be a 3-and-D role player, not someone who runs the offense. If he can hit spot-up 3s and play hard on defense, he’ll have a chance to stick around.","cons":"Complete ball-stopper who takes far too many shots outside of the system, including heavily contested jumpers early in the shot clock. In no way did he make his teammates better. Baldwin played for his father, who was fired following the season, and he got the type of usage you would expect. Sluggish first step limits his shot-creating ability, plus he lacks the burst and handle to get all the way to the basket consistently. He struggles to finish through contact, so he ends up settling for floaters and heavily contested jumpers. Lacks on-ball defensive fundamentals, causing him to always be off-balance. It’s as if he thinks constant motion matters more than proper positioning. As a result, opponents drive right by him.  Suffered a left ankle injury that caused him to miss part of his senior year of high school, and has continued to hamper him.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":12.1,"pts_per40":0.45,"reb_total":5.8,"reb_per40":11.2,"ast_total":1.5,"ast_per40":2.1,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling","age":19.6,"similar_player":"Harrison Barnes, Kevin Knox, Jabari Parker","analysis":"Theoretical mismatch nightmare with size and scoring ability, though the results haven’t necessarily been there."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Peyton Watson","year":2022,"height":78.75,"weight":203.4,"school":"UCLA","pros":"Switchable defender with excellent length and the quickness to pressure guards and wings on the ball. He's tall but plays like someone who’s used to defending guards., He's a tone-setter. Active rebounder. Brings effort on the ball. When he gets beat, he'll recover to alter or block shots. As a help defender, he alertly makes rotations to get in the paint or the passing lanes., Ball handling is his best skill on offense. He fluidly handles the rock using either hand and features a bevy of crossovers and hesitations. He’s most comfortable pulling up from midrange., Good playmaker for his size with the skill to make interior passes wrapping his long arms around defenders. He can also deliver an accurate ball to the perimeter.","cons":"Struggles to handle contact at the rim. He has all the moves as a ball handler, but can’t handle contact or finish through it. He made only 34.8 percent of his shots at the rim, per Synergy. Stiff shooting form off the catch. He's a threat to launch an occasional air ball. But he does shoot a respectable 68.8 percent from the line and had success from midrange, so there’s some reason for optimism.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":3.3,"pts_per40":0.394,"reb_total":2.9,"reb_per40":13.3,"ast_total":0.8,"ast_per40":0.9,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, On-Ball Defense, Hustle, Off-Ball Defense","age":19.7,"similar_player":"Herb Jones","analysis":"Top high school recruit who was a late bloomer in high school and then underwhelmed in college, but he still displayed his upside as a shot creator and versatile defender."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Andrew Nembhard","year":2022,"height":75,"weight":195.6,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Glides and plays under control in the pick-and-roll while limiting mistakes. He’s at his most comfortable playmaking in these situations because of his feel for using pace and hitting his rolling big man. He’s excellent at making interior reads and throwing lobs, and if defenders commit he can throw cross-court passes to shooters behind the arc., Deceptive scorer who uses hesitations and stop-on-a-dime maneuvers to get into pull-up midrange jumpers. He’s capable of shooting 3s off the dribble too., Plays hard on defense and rebounds well for his position. He’s not a stopper but capable of holding his own.","cons":"Lacks great athleticism, which limits his defensive upside and hurts him at the rim when finishing through contact or against NBA-caliber length. Unproven shooter who made only 32.6 percent of 3s and 76.5 percent of free throws over his first three college seasons before making 38.3 percent of 3s and 87.3 percent of free throws as a senior.","position":"GUARD","grade":"Senior","pts_total":11.8,"pts_per40":0.564,"reb_total":3.4,"reb_per40":5.6,"ast_total":5.8,"ast_per40":1.9,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Playmaking","age":22.4,"similar_player":"Malcolm Brogdon","analysis":"Mistake-free point guard who can come in right away and contribute."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jake Laravia","year":2022,"height":78.75,"weight":227,"school":"Wake Forest","pros":"Plays his role at a high level. He's a savvy cutter off-ball who uses ball fakes to finish inside. On the break, he runs the floor hard to the corners. , Selfless passer who makes the ball flow any time he’s on the floor. With his blend of size, cutting, and playmaking ability, he could be a major threat on the pick-and-pop or short roll. If defenses switch, he also has the height and footwork to score from the post with hook shots and drop steps., Solid spot-up shooter who displays confidence., Hard-nosed on-ball defender with the versatility to defend multiple positions. He also has excellent off-ball awareness. His positioning and effort are enough, but he should improve athletically anyway once he’s in an NBA strength and conditioning program.","cons":"Lacks a reliable jump shot off the dribble. He’s not a primary shot creator at this stage. His limitations as a ball handler can put him into precarious situations in the middle of the floor, forcing him into difficult passes. He shot a lower percentage off the catch during his sophomore season, which raises some questions about his success as a junior. He doesn’t have ideal athleticism for a defensive wing.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Junior","pts_total":14.6,"pts_per40":0.649,"ast_total":3.7,"ast_per40":2.7,"stl_total":1.7,"stl_per40":1,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, Feel for the Game, Hustle","age":20.6,"similar_player":"Kyle Anderson","analysis":"Highly skilled player who makes his teammates better with his passing, cutting, and defending."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kendall Brown","year":2022,"height":78.25,"weight":201,"school":"Baylor","pros":"Outstanding athlete with a great sense for how to get open. It helps that he’s a leaper who explodes even in traffic and possesses expert body control. While handling the ball, he does a nice job of using angles to generate space. He should ideally be plugged into a Bruce Brown or Matisse Thybulle–like role that involves screening and cutting., Projectable shooter. He makes 37 percent of his 3s and 70 percent of his free throws, while showing soft touch near the basket on floaters and close pull-ups. , Displays good passing instincts, especially with some of the more complicated cross-court kickouts he’s able to put on target. Sometimes he will deliver the ball a beat late, but the intentions to make the right play are there., Brown is versatile on defense when he’s fully engaged mentally. He has had multiple lockdown moments against guards, enveloping them with his length while mirroring their every movement. He can be an aggressive defender, fighting through picks and pressuring opponents.","cons":"Inconsistent defender. Too often he doesn’t even get in a stance. Off the ball, he’s been back cut on too many occasions.  He’s only a theoretical shooter at this point. He makes a good percentage of his 3s but it’s on a low volume and he typically is looking to drive or pass. Without a reliable jump shot, teams would have to worry about him only as a slasher and cutter, limiting his upside. On multiple occasions, defenses have put their center on him because of his reluctance to shoot. NBA teams will do the same. Disappears at times because of his unproven jump shot and lack of skills as a lead playmaker. He’ll be best suited sharing the court with a primary ball handler that would allow him to feast on secondary matchups rather than have to worry about creation.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":10,"pts_per40":0.642,"reb_total":4.9,"reb_per40":10.5,"ast_total":1.9,"ast_per40":1.8,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Athleticism","age":19.1,"similar_player":"Grant Williams, Kenrich Williams","analysis":"High-flier who finishes everything above the rim, though he needs to progress as a shooter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Caleb Houstan","year":2022,"height":80,"weight":205,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Good spot-up shooter with an economical shooting release. He made 38.7 percent of catch-and-shoot 3s last season, per Synergy., One of the most savvy off-ball players in the draft. He has a natural feel for cutting to the basket. When his shot is falling, he has excellent spatial awareness and can find soft spots in the defense., Reliable passer who limits mistakes on offense. Whether he’s attacking a closeout, running on the break, or simply spotting up from behind the arc, he tends to make the right play., Strong team defender who constantly stays engaged in the play and makes smart rotations. On-ball, he fights hard and has good fundamentals and positioning to compensate for his lack of elite athleticism.","cons":"Lacks scoring ability off the dribble. In college, he didn’t have burst or advanced moves to get into pull-up jumpers. When he gets to the basket, he’s a below-the-rim finisher who is easily contested. Limited athleticism and length puts a cap on his defensive upside, especially on the ball.","position":"WING","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":10.1,"pts_per40":0.53,"reb_total":4,"reb_per40":7.5,"ast_total":1.4,"ast_per40":1.5,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Feel for the Game, Perimeter Shooting","age":19.4,"similar_player":"Cam Johnson","analysis":"Projectable 3-and-D role player who plays smart basketball and could excel on some winning teams."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Justin Lewis","year":2022,"height":78.25,"weight":235.4,"school":"Marquette","pros":"Explosive athlete who can finish with power at the rim off one or two feet. He can also slash to the hoop on straight-line drives., Improved shooter as a sophomore, increasing his percentages from both behind the arc (21.9 percent to 34.9 percent) and the line (57.7 to 76.1)., Excellent upside as a defender with an NBA frame, including a 7-foot-2 wingspan. He moves well laterally even against quicker guards, though he's best suited to defend wings. Against bigs he needs to add strength but he’s physical and willing to rotate to contest shots.","cons":"Sloppy ball handler and playmaker. He'll lose control of the ball under mild pressure. NBA defenses will hound him. Takes too many contested layups and lacks an off-hand, which hurts his finishing ability. Lacks discipline and fundamentals on defense, especially when it comes to containing dribble penetration on the perimeter. In the paint, he often falls for pump fakes and goes for blocks instead of staying grounded to make a strong contest using his length.","position":"WING","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":17.1,"pts_per40":0.549,"reb_total":7.9,"reb_per40":13.4,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":0.6,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism","age":20.2,"similar_player":"Jeramy Grant, Eric Paschall, Carl Landry","analysis":"Versatile defender with the physical tools to defend across multiple positions, though he is streaky on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Wendell Moore Jr.","year":2022,"height":76.25,"weight":217,"school":"Duke","pros":"Smooth ball handler who’s at his best when straight-line driving against a rotating defense. He runs ball screens with patience and limits turnovers, and he’s a selfless passer with vision and accuracy. He ran Duke’s offense by initiating the pick-and-roll, bringing the ball up the floor, inbounding, and feeding post players. In the NBA he likely projects as a secondary ball handler, but still brings tremendous value., Crafty finisher with both hands and has a sturdy frame that can handle contact., Intelligent cutter who understands how to use fakes or the angle of a screen to get himself open going toward the basket., Moore shoots an easy ball, especially from off the catch. He was a limited spot-up shooter until his junior season, though he’s always shown touch from floater range and the line. His shot used to look rushed, but now it looks calm and controlled., You’ll often see him fly out of nowhere to crash the boards. , With a near-7-foot wingspan, he has the versatility to switch across positions. He’s even strong as a post defender. When he’s engaged on defense, he appears to take pride in getting stops by focusing off-ball.","cons":"Lacks the explosive first step or advanced handle to regularly penetrate deep into the paint, which caps his upside. Equipped with the handling and shooting touch to become a guy who can hit jumpers off the bounce. His percentages at Duke were not great, though, and he often passes on shots he should take when defenders sag off him in the pick-and-roll. A chunk of his turnovers, an issue for him in the past, occur on charges because he lacks the shake to get around a defender. He still occasionally commits some face-palm-worthy mistakes, which speaks to his trajectory as a secondary but not primary ball handler. Since college was a big adjustment for him, the NBA could be too because of his athleticism. He still needs to prove he can sustain success as a shooter after just one strong season at Duke. Defensive intensity comes and goes. Playing a more minimal offensive role on a winning team would help him learn how to thrive as a high-level role player.","position":"WING","grade":"Junior","pts_total":13.1,"pts_per40":60.8,"ast_total":4.6,"ast_per40":2,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":0.2,"tpt":41,"tpa":100,"main_selling_point":"Playmaking, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Hustle","age":20.7,"similar_player":"Josh Green, Josh Hart, Gary Harris","analysis":"Playmaking wing who got off to a slow start in college, but has emerged as a do-it-all player in his junior season who could fill a number of different NBA roles."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Trevor Keels","year":2022,"height":75.25,"weight":224,"school":"Duke","pros":"Seasoned passer who can make accurate dishes and kickouts to teammates with ease off the dribble. He’s aware of his surroundings and can use deceptive look-offs to open passing windows. Though he isn’t a lead ball handler, he can thrive off closeouts and secondary actions., Football-player body with wide shoulders and a strong upper body that he uses as a bruising attacker off the dribble who can deliver and finish through contact., Confident scorer who can pull up off the dribble, so if he improves his shooting ability he could have go-to upside., Aggressive transition threat with or without the ball in his hands. He’ll sprint up the floor following a rebound or take the ball up himself., Hard-nosed defender who started the year looking like a lockdown player. If he improves his quickness, he also has the toughness and strength to defend larger players. He could be a highly versatile defender if he puts it all together.","cons":"At Duke, he drew a ton of fouls and finished well inside, but at the NBA level he’ll need to improve his floater and his off hand. He doesn’t get much lift off the ground. To play a role similar to Bruce Brown or Gary Payton II, screening and cutting to the basket, he’ll need to improve. Inconsistent shooter who has a solid form but hasn’t seen results from the field or the line. He needs to get quicker laterally to stick with guards. It’s the most critical area he needs to develop, otherwise minutes will be limited early on.","position":"WING","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11.5,"pts_per40":0.52,"ast_total":2.7,"ast_per40":1.3,"stl_total":1.2,"stl_per40":0.1,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game","age":18.8,"similar_player":"Lu Dort minus elite defense","analysis":"A battering ram going to the basket with strong playmaking skills, though he needs to improve his shooting consistency."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"David Roddy","year":2022,"height":76.5,"weight":261,"school":"Colorado State","pros":"Nimble athlete with a quick first step who uses spins, rip throughs, and up-and-unders from the post with either hand. With a wide frame, he can rumble into and finish through contact., Though go-to scoring won’t be a primary part of his game early in his career, he can hit fadeaways, runners, and pull-ups when facing up. He’s also strong in actions such as cutting, attacking closeouts, and rolling to the basket., Selfless passer who looks for the open man. In addition to basic passes within the flow of the offense, he shows a feel for weaponizing his scoring to create passing lanes, whether he’s spraying the ball out to the perimeter or dishing it inside., Developed into a reliable spot-up 3-point shooter as a junior. He’s even running around screens and balancing his body in midair like he’s a thicker JJ Redick. He can hit pull-ups, too. Though it all comes on a small sample, he has shown touch from the line and from close midrange in prior seasons. He’ll need to prove his new percentages are sustainable, but his past success is reason for optimism., Hard-nosed defender with excellent awareness patrolling the interior. He lacks height, but puts himself in position to make plays using the rule of verticality or by intercepting a pass. When defending the perimeter, he does a solid job sliding his feet to stick with quick scorers.","cons":"What would happen if he slims down by 15 to 20 pounds? That’s the question on the mind of NBA teams. Strength and size are pluses for him in many respects, but losing a little bit of bulk could make him a more versatile defender. He has a tough time changing directions when defending one-on-one on the perimeter and closing out on spot-up shooters.  Unproven shooter. One season of success doesn’t erase his subpar percentage on his jumper (23.6 percent from 3) in the past. He’s not an elite athlete who plays above the rim. Even if he improves athletically, he still projects as a player who will need to rely on angles, positioning, and feel to make positive plays. Lacks experience against top competition. Colorado State plays a weak schedule compared to many first-round prospects.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Junior","pts_total":19.5,"pts_per40":65.3,"reb_total":7.6,"reb_per40":14.8,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":1.1,"tpt":46.2,"tpa":93,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Feel for the Game, Hustle, Interior Scoring","age":21.2,"similar_player":"Grant Williams, DeJuan Blair, Admiral Schofield","analysis":"Supersized wing with shot-creation skills, but players with his body type rarely succeed in the NBA"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"John Butler","year":2022,"height":83.75,"weight":174.4,"school":"Florida State","pros":"Knockdown shooter from a standstill. He shows potential in pick-and-pop situations, which could translate to shooting off screens and handoffs., Aware cutter. He’s not someone who will sky over defenders, but when he has space to leap he can catch lobs., Active help defender who can rotate into the paint to block shots using either hand., Versatile man-to-man defender. He’s at his best moving his feet on the perimeter. He does a good job staying with guards and wings, and when a player drives he knows how to contest shots without fouling by keeping his long arms straight up to contest.","cons":"He weighs just 175 pounds. He shot only 26.9 percent on layups at the rim, per Synergy. With his lack of strength, he is unable to handle contact. Limited ball handler with a nonexistent game scoring off the bounce as a freshman at Florida State. He unsurprisingly is a subpar passer, and he tends to get panicked and make careless decisions when pressured. He's far too skinny to be a small-ball 5. He's a big wing, not a big. But to reach his potential he still needs to add strength without losing quickness.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":5.9,"pts_per40":0.512,"reb_total":3.2,"reb_per40":9.8,"blk_total":1.2,"blk_per40":0.8,"main_selling_point":"Perimeter Shooting","age":19.5,"similar_player":"Chris Boucher","analysis":"A 7-footer who can hit jumpers and defend multiple positions, though his lack of strength needs to be addressed."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ismael Kamagate","year":2022,"height":83,"weight":230,"school":"Paris","pros":"Tremendous measurables with a long wingspan and a wide frame., Athletic rim runner who can finish through defenders. He projects long term as a screener, and he also flashes creative passing ability on short rolls., Runs the floor hard in transition. Makes himself available and has the ability to catch tough passes but still finish with fluidity., Capable of dribbling the ball a few times with his back to the basket, which aids his ability sealing off defenders on the break or following a cut. He can hit a hook shot, or get into a layup., Shot blocker with quick leaping ability and a strong feel for tracking the trajectory of the ball.","cons":"Poor shooter at this stage of his career. Struggles with foul trouble on defense. He lacks great positioning containing pick-and-rolls and doesn’t have natural feel for making reads as a help defender.","position":"CENTER","pts_total":11.3,"pts_per40":27.1,"reb_total":6.3,"reb_per40":0.7,"blk_total":1.6,"blk_per40":1.7,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, Interior Scoring","age":21.4,"similar_player":"Clint Capela, Jaxson Hayes","analysis":"A throwback center with an interior presence, but not much to show for on the perimeter yet."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Christian Braun","year":2022,"height":77.5,"weight":209,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Strong off-ball defender who makes proper rotations while also freelancing and baiting opponents into making bad passes. Braun can be a nuisance, and he’s energetic on the ball with the quickness and toughness to battle one-on-one. He’s also an active rebounder, snatching over six per game., Shot 44.4 percent from 3 as a freshman, then 34 percent as a sophomore, and now 38.3 percent as a junior. So who is he really? If he’s able to shoot like he did during his freshman year, then he’ll be in the league for a long time. His percentage drops off the dribble, but he shot 38.3 percent on all catch-and-shoot 3s this season, according to Synergy., Capable ball handler in the open floor. He’s comfortable on the break, dribbling with his head up and looking for the open man. In the half court, he’s at his best attacking off the catch to get to the basket, where he’s a crafty finisher using either hand. , Reliable passer who plays a bigger on-ball role for Kansas than he likely will in the NBA. Braun knows how to find the open man in the pick-and-roll and he makes rapid decisions, whether it’s whipping a cross-court pass to a shooter or throwing a bull’s-eye lob. The ball doesn’t stick with him. And given his height, he’s able to make passes others can’t., Active offensive rebounder who can make big plays on putbacks through contact. He sets a tone with his emotional play, and any team that drafts him should give him the freedom to crash the boards.","cons":"Struggled to score efficiently against superior competition, which could be a sign of things to come in the NBA unless he quickens his shooting release. When shooting a jumper off the dribble, he has a slight stutter as he gathers the ball and he doesn’t quickly elevate. Kansas rarely has him shoot off screens and handoffs. He has not scored efficiently in isolations, either, and occasionally passes up open looks.  Though he’s capable of getting to the basket, he doesn’t project as a player who will draw a ton of fouls. So he’ll need to improve his floater. As a freshman and sophomore, he was 7-of-27 (25.9 percent). This season, he's up to 35.7 percent on a higher volume (56 attempts). He needs to get more comfortable and more choosy with his shot selection.","position":"WING","grade":"Junior","pts_total":14.9,"pts_per40":59.8,"ast_total":2.7,"ast_per40":2.3,"tpt":38.3,"tpa":107,"ft":73.2,"fta":112,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Athleticism, Feel for the Game, Hustle","age":21.1,"similar_player":"Alex Caruso, Kevin Huerter, Wesley Matthews","analysis":"Spirited two-way wing with the athleticism to dunk in traffic and sky in for blocks."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Josh Minott","year":2022,"height":80.75,"weight":196,"school":"Memphis","pros":"Bouncy athlete who can fill a highlight reel. But he's more than just a leaper. He has a feel for moving without the ball, crashes the offensive glass, and hustles on the break. Early in his career, he will be an energy player who screens, cuts, and hangs around the basket with limited perimeter responsibilities., Projects as a versatile on-ball defender who could reach a stopper level if his fundamentals improve. With long arms and quick reflexes, he's effective in disrupting passing lanes. He's already a constant off-ball threat for blocks or alterations. He logged multiple chasedown blocks in transition during his freshman season., Someday, he might have utility as a small-ball 5. Though he’s too lean for the role today, his length and technique defending the interior in addition to his consistent will to box out are positive indicators for his long-term ability to play like a big on defense.","cons":"Loose ballhandling ability limits his ability to beat defenders off the bounce. It’s encouraging that he's a willing passer, but he often moves too fast when making decisions. He occasionally takes unnecessary risks and sometimes struggles to execute simple plays like post-entry passes and handoffs. Non-threat to shoot jumpers. He has a stiff, uncomfortable-looking form that needs revising. He shoots well from the line but there's no guarantee it translates to the floor. Needs to add a ton of weight to maximize his defensive versatility.","position":"FORWARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":6.6,"pts_per40":0.571,"reb_total":3.8,"reb_per40":14.4,"ast_total":0.9,"ast_per40":0.9,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism","age":19.5,"similar_player":"John Collins, Darius Bazley","analysis":"High-flying, hard-working athlete who flashes excellent defensive versatility but is years away from reaching his offensive upside."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jaylin Williams","year":2022,"height":80.75,"weight":236.6,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Playmaking hub at the college level who operated from the post and elbows, which put on display translatable short-roll playmaking skills., Excellent defensive communicator who calls out rotations and emotionally reacts to plays. He's a pest with active hands, always ready to attack passing lanes., Best charge-taker in the draft. In help situations, he'll be the first in line to sacrifice his body—even if it's Zion Williamson driving down the lane. Though he's not a traditional rim protector who blocks a ton of shots, he's always in the right position in help or in pick-and-roll coverage.","cons":"Subpar athlete who lacks foot speed and explosiveness. He's a below-the-rim finisher who takes too many heavily contested floaters, a shot he'll need to remove from his NBA diet unless it improves. Lacks shooting range and is a slightly below-average free throw shooter with limited touch. Defenders even sagged off him in college, which will happen even more in the NBA. Because of his lack of quickness, he wasn’t much of a switch defender at the college level. His work ethic means he’ll maximize his tools, but his ceiling is limited as a stopper.","position":"BIG","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":10.9,"reb_total":9.8,"ast_total":2.6,"main_selling_point":"Hustle","age":19.9,"similar_player":"Taj Gibson, Old Blake Griffin","analysis":"Does all the dirty work at a high level, but his limitations on the perimeter raise concerns about his upside."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Moussa Diabate","year":2022,"height":82.25,"weight":217,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Multi-positional defender with length and tenacity who can switch across positions. He projects as a wing stopper who sometimes defends bigs and can switch onto guards., Aware off-ball defender who was often in help situations at Michigan since he shared the floor with another big, which displayed his ability to read penetration, rotate, and recover., Skilled pick-and-roll screener who can finish loudly at the rim when he has space, or take a few dribbles to get into the paint. If he’s unable to dunk or lay the ball up, he can turn his back to get into his right-handed hook., Energetic offensive rebounder with good awareness for the trajectory of the ball.","cons":"Unproven shooter. Though he has good touch on his hook shots, he struggles shooting from midrange and from 3 while making only 61.9 percent of his free throws. Becoming a reliable shooter will require altering his mechanics. Subpar passer who’s slow to make reads and often delivers an inaccurate ball. There’s at least a desire to move it, but he lacks great vision. Rarely uses his off hand (left) to dribble or score at the rim, which severely limits him as a finisher.","position":"BIG","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":9,"pts_per40":0.565,"reb_total":6,"reb_per40":14.5,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense","age":20.4,"similar_player":"Harry Giles","analysis":"Long-armed defender who brings energy on the floor, though he needs to expand his offense away from the rim."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Hugo Besson","year":2022,"height":76.5,"weight":180,"school":"New Zealand","pros":"Crafty scorer capable of generating room to get into his shot from anywhere on the floor. He has a floater, a smooth midrange pull-up, and a deep bag of tricks behind the arc., Projects as a good shooter thanks to soft touch from the line and midrange. Though that skill hasn’t regularly translated into 3-point success, there are enough positive indicators for a fearless shooter like him who can drain 3s off the catch and get buckets off the bounce., Strong finisher around the rim who can use either hand to lay it up from awkward angles., Creative passer who loves using bounce passes to hit cutters inside, and he fires lasers off the dribble to corner 3-point shooters. Even if he’s not scoring he can provide value as a pick-and-roll facilitator., Smart player with an understanding for executing plays. He makes quick decisions, and without the ball he reads the floor well as a cutter.","cons":"Streaky shooter who has been up and down with his percentages throughout his career. Offenses will target him as a defender. He’s undersized and often lacks focus, which you’d hope he overcomes due to his athletic limitations.","position":"WING","pts_total":13.9,"pts_per40":0.512,"ast_total":2.3,"ast_per40":1.8,"ft":79.5,"fta":83,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Feel for the Game","age":21.1,"similar_player":"Jalen Brunson, Bogdan Bogdanovic","analysis":"Scorer with a flair who can create space off the dribble and make plays for others."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Khalifa Diop","year":2022,"height":85,"weight":240,"school":"Gran Canaria","pros":"Solid finisher at the rim with either hand. Makes himself a target in transition. He draws a ton of fouls because he hoists himself into defenders and has no issues handling contact., Capable of handling the ball in the open floor and making short roll passes. Good at locating players with wraparound interior passes and kickouts to shooters., Active rebounder., Mobile big man with a high motor and the length to alter shots around the rim. He has the upside to be a versatile pick-and-roll defender who can drop and use his length to protect the rim. Though his technique needs work, he could someday effectively hedge and blitz to pressure the perimeter.","cons":"Raw defender who currently lacks the spatial awareness to maximize his tools and consistently make an impact. Despite the flashes, he often falls out of position and gets called for fouls. Chases too many blocked shots. Slow to read the floor, often a beat late on rotations. Just average hands. Too many bobbles. Takes a long time to load up on interior finishers. Shoots line-drive jumpers. Lacks shooting range and struggles from the free throw line.","position":"CENTER","pts_total":6.7,"pts_per40":63.9,"reb_total":4.3,"reb_per40":16,"ast_total":0.4,"ast_per40":1.4,"blk_total":0.7,"blk_per40":0.4,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking","age":20.4,"similar_player":"Clint Capela, Kendrick Perkins","analysis":"Raw big man with great athletic tools, but is best served as a draft-and-stash before making the leap to the NBA."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jd Davison","year":2022,"height":72.5,"weight":191.8,"school":"Alabama","pros":"Viral dunker who plays hard, always looking to cut in the half court and go full sprint on the break. Finishes well around the rim even when he's not dunking the ball. He has touch using either hand and loves using pump fakes., In the pick-and-roll, he frequently uses hesitations to create room and he displays creativity locating shooters or lob threats. He doesn’t have the tightest handle but plays fast and knows how to use his body to spin and get into the paint., Excellent rebounder for a guard. He crashes the boards on defense without hesitation., Solid defender when he’s playing at his best who displayed some switchability at the college level, though in the NBA he’ll primarily need to stick to bigger guards.","cons":"Made only 32.7 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s, per Synergy. His numbers are lower shooting off the dribble, at 26.5 percent from 3, and on midrange floaters, at 30.1 percent. Sloppy decision-maker who gets careless with the ball in his hands. He also doesn’t break down defenders with his handle, often dribbling the air out of the ball. At this stage, his NBA team would rely on him to get buckets but not steady the ship. Inconsistent defender who’s at a disadvantage because of his size. Stronger players can plow through him and taller ones can shoot over him. If he’s able to improve his discipline as he matures, he’ll be able to hang.","position":"GUARD","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":8.5,"pts_per40":0.558,"reb_total":4.8,"reb_per40":9.8,"ast_total":4.3,"ast_per40":2.9,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism","age":19.7,"similar_player":"Dennis Smith Jr.","analysis":"Exciting shot-maker who needs to improve his decision-making to thrive as a playmaker at the next level."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jean Montero","year":2022,"height":73,"weight":172,"school":"Overtime","pros":"Flashy playmaker with the craftiness to get where he wants on the court. He quickly gets into his shots, which is critical for an undersized guard. He can play at any speed, whether it’s fast in the break, slow in the pick-and-roll, or either out of isolation. In the open court, he’s unselfish and pushes it., Athletic in small spaces with the ability to get low on drives. He’s comfortable finishing at the rim with either hand and from awkward angles, and he can hit both floaters and pull-ups when he doesn’t get all the way to the paint. , Though the results are inconsistent so far, he’s a smooth shooter off the dribble. For years, he displayed great touch near the paint and from the free throw line, so improving his 3-point and midrange shooting may just be a matter of time.","cons":"He’s a skinny 6-foot-3 guard at an increasingly tall position, which limits his defensive upside. He also lacks focus. If he played hard, he could survive as a scrappy smaller guard. Unless he starts defending with consistent intensity, it’s hard to see him contributing to much winning basketball. Getting where he wants on the court is one thing, but finishing is another. He’s not overly explosive, so most of his finishes are below the rim. And though he makes some selfless passes, he’s also turnover prone and takes far too many risks.  NBA teams are a bit puzzled by him. He left Gran Canaria in the Spanish League to play in the Overtime League, which is made up of younger and lower-level players. He didn’t exactly outperform the competition, either.","position":"GUARD","pts_total":2,"pts_per40":5.8,"reb_total":1.2,"reb_per40":0.2,"ast_total":0.4,"ast_per40":1,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling","age":18.9,"similar_player":"Dennis Schröder, Stretched-Out J.J. Barea","analysis":"Speedy guard who can create his own shot from anywhere, though he needs to work on finishing plays all over the court."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Victor Wembanyama","year":2023,"height":88,"weight":230,"school":"Metropolitans 92 (LNB)","pros":"Towers over opponents at 7-foot-4 and shoots an unblockable jumper. He can spot up from way behind the line and hit 3s off movement from pick-and-pops, relocations, or transition sprints. He has battled streakiness with his shot but has improved his mechanics and frame dramatically in a year., Enhances his perimeter skill with a functional handle. Wembanyama can attack closeouts to get to the basket or create offense for himself. He’s capable of drilling stepbacks or sidesteps from behind the arc and from midrange., A potential signature shot for him is his floater from behind the arc. As wild as the shot is, he has tried it on multiple occasions and at his enormous height it looks proportional to a guard taking a midrange jumper., Skilled post scorer who can hit fadeaways, turnarounds, and hook shots. Defenses currently put smaller defenders on Wemby, and though he can shoot over them, he should also work to add power moves. Then there’d be no scheme that can slow him down and he’d draw constant double teams, activating his playmaking skills., Even if Vic is having an off shooting night, he can offer major value as a sturdy screener and a devastating finisher. He can catch the ball on the short roll and take a few dribbles to get inside, or rise above the defense to throw down thunderous lobs. With soft touch around the basket and a knack for finding cutting angles, he’s always an open target., Wemby is a score-first player, but he also has a feel for playmaking. He selflessly looks for outlet passes, and in the half court he's particularly adept at making high-low passes to cutters or bigs sealing off smaller defenders under the rim. Off the roll, he’s made pinball-like redirection passes where the ball comes his way and then he taps it toward a teammate., Strong rebounder who can take the ball up the court and create offense for his teammates. In the half court, he barely needs to jump to tip in second chances or dunk over the opponent., A perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate who uses his 8-foot wingspan to deter opponents from even sniffing the paint. He has the quick hands to poke at the ball against would-be attackers and he can block shots using either hand. He even makes blocking jumpers look easy because of his length, outstanding closing speed, and constant effort., Communicative interior defender who calls out defensive coverages and is a motivator. He screams and fist pumps when his teammates make plays. He talks in huddles. There’s an emerging leader in him., Versatile defender who can play in different schemes. If he were on the Bucks, he could play either the Giannis Antetokounmpo role as a help defender or the Brook Lopez role in drop coverages. On the Raptors, he could thrive as a switch defender since he’s comfortable moving laterally against wings and forwards. And if he’s out of position, he can take one step and be ready to alter a shot. There isn’t a coverage he can’t excel in, giving his coaching staff immense flexibility., Relentless worker who understands who he is and what’s at stake in his career. There has been no negative feedback on his character. He’s a selfless player who wants only to win and reach his full potential.","cons":"He could improve his off hand both near the basket—which would make him an even more dominant finisher—and as a playmaker. Right now, most of his passes come using both hands or his right. Though Mets 92 empowered him to do so, he occasionally settled for midrange jumpers early in the clock. He’d dribble the ball up on the break and pull up, rather than attack the basket or look for a shooter. With his leaner frame, he’ll probably be best suited to share the floor with someone who can battle interior bigs, like P.J. Tucker or Steven Adams. Wembanyama will be capable of playing center full time, but strategic placement would help alleviate his workload. Only health can derail him from a Hall of Fame career. He’s already suffered a fibula stress fracture, a scapula contusion, and an issue affecting the psoas muscle in his back. There’s a long history of unusually tall humans like him having durability issues in the NBA. But Wembanyama will invest everything he can to maximize his odds of a long, fruitful career. He increasingly faced traps on the perimeter and double teams when posting up for Mets 92, and he was a bit sluggish at reading the help. Though he’d occasionally pass out of trouble, his dishes were sloppy or lacked velocity. And if he’d dribble out of it, he’d often get stripped. How good of a shooter is he really? He made only 31 percent of catch-and-shoot 3s (27 percent guarded, 36 percent unguarded, per Synergy). And he made only 22 percent of dribble jumper 3s. There are positive indicators, though: He made 82 percent of free throws, and 43.3 percent of midrange jumpers with many of them contested. If he keeps making progress, the results will be scary.","grade":"France","pts_total":20.8,"pts_per40":56.8,"reb_total":10.4,"reb_per40":19.5,"tpt":27.2,"tpa":4.7,"main_selling_point":"Potential Goat, Interior Scoring, Human Highlight, Got That Dog in Him","age":19.4,"similar_player":"Gen-Z Kareem Abdul-Jabbar","analysis":"The NBA’s greatest prospect in decades with the ceiling to be an all-time great, and unlike anyone the game has seen before."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Brandon Miller","year":2023,"height":81,"weight":200,"school":"Alabama","pros":"Elite shot-maker who displays an aptitude for hitting movement 3s off of handoffs and pick-and-pops. He has clean, effortless mechanics., Flashes potential scoring ability off the dribble with high-arcing shots over smaller defenders from midrange, and deep pull-ups behind the arc. As the season has progressed, he’s getting to the rim with greater regularity., Makes passes that players his size often don’t attempt, which is why he says he loves stealing moves from Paul George. He can drive into the paint and then rise over the defense to whip a pass to the opposite corner. He can also run a pick-and-roll, draw a blitz, then zip a pass to his rolling big. He has a great feel for the game when the ball is in his hands, and a bit of a flair, too, given his love for looking off defenders., Active on-ball defender with the lateral quickness and length to contain multiple positions. Off the ball, he hustles and displays good instincts for navigating screens. He regularly logs chasedown blocks., Crafty ball handler who dramatically improved as an at-rim finisher during his season, hitting over 65 percent of shots at the rim from early December until March.","cons":"Needs to improve his burst off the dribble. He doesn’t quite have a second gear as he turns the corner, which played into his up-and-down season finishing in the paint. He’s skinny in the legs and in the chest, so he can’t move some defenders out of his way on drives to the rim. Getting stronger would improve his ability to finish and draw fouls. He also needs to get stronger to improve his defensive versatility. Right now, he’d get pushed around by anyone with beef. Struggled during March Madness while dealing with a groin injury, causing him to struggle like he did early in the season when he didn’t show a tight enough handle to break down defenders off the dribble. Tuscaloosa police testified that Miller brought former teammate Darius Miles the gun which was later used in a fatal shooting. He has not been charged or suspended.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":18.8,"pts_per40":58.3,"reb_total":8.2,"reb_per40":13.1,"blk_total":0.9,"blk_per40":2.4,"main_selling_point":"Human Highlight, Feel for the Game, Positional Versatility, Perimeter Shooting","age":20.5,"similar_player":"Paul George, Danny Granger","analysis":"Tall scorer with playmaking skills who can do everything on the court."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Scoot Henderson","year":2023,"height":74,"weight":195,"school":"G League Ignite","pros":"High-flying athlete who needs little space to dunk over defenders. He sets a tone for teammates and gets fans going, often flexing or talking trash to opponents. Russell Westbrook is one of his favorite players, and he sure looks like he’s doing his own impression blended with some of Allen Iverson’s shiftiness., Good at-rim finisher, even if he doesn’t have space to dunk. He’s ambidextrous, though he’s at his best using his right hand for touch shots high off the glass, reverses, and layups from all angles., Has a quick first step and can shift gears on drives. He makes effective use of hesitations and pace alterations to generate space. And he keeps the ball on a string even under pressure, staying composed against blitzes and traps., Spicy playmaker out of isolations and pick-and-rolls. He already has a feel for drawing in defenders to open up opportunities for teammates. He can make accurate kickout passes or creative interior feeds under the rim. It’s easy to see him growing into a guard who can settle an offense as much as energize one., Willing shooter off the dribble unafraid to launch from midrange, though he needs to find consistency and extend his range to 3., Previously a shaky spot-up shooter, he’s worked to smooth his mechanics and improve his efficiency. His sample of success is small this season, but encouraging when projecting his ability to play with other primary ball handlers., Active defender who’s at his best in off-ball situations. He will battle for loose balls, and fly in for help-side contests or even blocks because of his verticality. He plays with purpose, looking the part of a player who takes pride in getting stops despite also carrying such a heavy load on offense., Made only 28.1 percent of his catch-and-shoot jumpers in the G League, which needs to improve quickly to play off of other primary ball handlers. He worked on his mechanics but the results didn’t improve during his second G League season.","cons":"Shot selection and shooting efficiency is worth monitoring. He takes so many contested midrange 2s, especially early in the clock, but in two G League seasons he made only 39.4 percent from midrange, per Synergy. He’s only 6-foot-2, so he’ll be a target on defense no matter how hard he’s playing. He needs to extend his range off the dribble. He made just 31.3 percent of his dribble-jumper 3s this season. Doing so would give them the ability to shred drop coverages, forcing defenses to come up higher, which would only open up more passing and driving lanes. Commits some sloppy turnovers as if he’s not seeing defenders. He jumps too often in the lane before passing, which puts him into tough positions. And he occasionally struggles with accuracy. Gets punished by bigger players. He offers little resistance on drives from the perimeter and he gets buried if posted up.","grade":"USA","pts_total":16.5,"pts_per40":53.7,"ast_total":6.5,"ast_per40":3.5,"stl_total":1,"stl_per40":1.6,"tpt":27.5,"tpa":2.7,"main_selling_point":"Human Highlight, Feel for the Game, Athleticism, Got That Dog in Him","age":19.3,"similar_player":"Russell Westbrook, Collin Sexton","analysis":"Great athlete who wants to bury his opponents with ferocious dunks, plus he has the skills to lead an offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ausar Thompson","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":218,"school":"Overtime Elite","pros":"Bouncy athlete with a rare combination of speed and body control even for an NBA player. He has great burst on drives to the basket, and has the ability to go from slow to fast when needed., Crafty finisher who absorbs and often initiates contact. He’s shooting a much lower percentage near the basket this season, but shot over 60 percent last season with OTE. He’s more of a slasher than a pick-and-roll creator, but regardless of how he drives he’s hard to stop from going to the rim., Quick decision-maker as a passer, with a creative nature to his style. He doesn’t pound the ball, instead often taking one or two dribbles and then moving it. But he can make any type of pass with precision., Has shown improvement on his jumper with changed mechanics. He looks most comfortable pulling up from midrange or using post fades. As a spot-up shooter, he was previously reluctant to fire but now does so much more willingly even if the results are still subpar., Active rebounder with an eye for the ball who can immediately spark transition chances. His speed and creativity are on full display in the open floor., Lockdown defender with the versatility to contain multiple positions. He has excellent lateral quickness, footwork, and fundamentals fighting through ball screens, giving him the ability to harass ball handlers. Though he’s more of a wing, he can still battle in the post against larger players to deny passes and backdowns., Offers helpside rim protection as a shot blocker. He explodes vertically. When focused, he has the potential to be one of the best defensive playmakers in the game thanks to his speed and athleticism.","cons":"Must improve as a spot-up shooter. Defenses already sag off of him, and NBA defenses will treat him as a non-threat until he shows the ability to consistently hit shots. His mechanics have changed a lot with OTE, but he’s still shooting just 33 percent from 3, and his percentage from the free throw line is in the mid-60s. Fit will be complicated for him without a reliable jumper. His handle is also a bit loose, though it has tightened up this past year. He may have to find additional ways to contribute as a screener and cutter, if his shot doesn’t develop.","grade":"USA","pts_total":16.3,"pts_per40":55.4,"reb_total":6.9,"ast_total":6.1,"ast_per40":3.4,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Human Highlight, Off-Ball Defense, Positional Versatility","age":20.3,"similar_player":"Shaun Livingston with elite athleticism","analysis":"Blur of an athlete who makes a significant two-way impact with lockdown defense and aggressive downhill scoring."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Amen Thompson","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":214,"school":"Overtime Elite","pros":"Otherworldly athlete. He has open-floor speed, quick-twitch bodily movements, functional control of his body, burst off the dribble, and rocket-ship verticality., Playmaker who goes through his reads like a quarterback. He delivers every type of pass with accuracy, and with his height he can see over the defense to make passes from high angles., Turns into Mario with a super star when he gets the ball. It speeds him up even more, but he stays under control by using hesitation moves. Going from fast to slow allows him to get wherever he wants on the court. He needs to tighten up some of his moves, but that should happen in time., Turns steals and defensive rebounds into instant offense with immediate outlet passes. If he plays with bigs who run, he will reward them. Or he’ll rev his engine and push the ball up the court himself for powerful interior finishes., Excellent at applying ball pressure, moving laterally, and navigating screens, consistently showing great fundamentals. He has active hands, using them to poke at the ball or simply disturb the opponent’s rhythm. But when he needs to just play solid defense, he can execute., Makes all the right plays in help situations. If he’s rotating into the paint to stop a drive, he’s explosive enough to offer rim protection and speedy enough to close out on 3s. And if he’s switched on to a larger player trying to post him up, he battles hard to deny entry passes.","cons":"Defenses already dare him to shoot. NBA teams will do the same by going under ball screens or sagging off him when he’s spotting up. If his shot doesn’t develop it’ll complicate his team fit in the same way it does with Ben Simmons. There’s little reason for optimism that he’ll become any more than a passable shooter. He struggles from the line and from the field. He’s shown a willingness to change his mechanics, but the results haven’t improved. He’ll need to prove himself as a half-court scorer against higher-level competition. One of his best opportunities to prove himself to scouts came in the Basketball Tournament against a team of former Creighton players, and he showed a lack of counters when his initial penetration attempt was contained.","grade":"USA","pts_total":16.3,"pts_per40":60.8,"reb_total":6.4,"ast_total":6.2,"ast_per40":3.2,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Human Highlight, Ballhandling, Positional Versatility","age":20.3,"similar_player":"Tall Ja Morant, Beanpole Zion Williamson","analysis":"Electric shot creator with a distinguished combination of passing vision and zippy athleticism."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Taylor Hendricks","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":214,"school":"UCF","pros":"Heady interior defender who played some center in high school. Though he’s too lean to be a regular small-ball 5, he can do it in limited doses against smaller lineups and provide rim protection with his excellent hand-eye coordination and quick leaping ability. He doesn’t bite on many pump fakes despite his appetite for contesting shots, both when directly involved in actions and as a hustling help defender., Willing to take a charge, fight for a loose ball, or get posterized for the sake of contesting a shot. He’ll deter more attempted highlights than he will be the victim of them, though. Most importantly, his effort sets an intense tone., Agile perimeter defender who stays seated in his stance and slides laterally to stick with guards and wings. He needs to prove himself against speed demons but he displays the potential to defend effectively across skill positions., Versatile pick-and-roll target who will be most useful on the pick-and-pop since he can hit 3s and penetrate off the bounce. He also has the athleticism to roll for lob chances. And since he’s a fluid ball handler and at his best attacking in a straight line, he’s also capable of short rolling to create off the bounce., Bouncy leaper who’s comfortable around the rim. He knows how to make himself available for dump-offs and lobs, and he has soft hands to catch tough passes., Face-up threat from the perimeter. He loves to jab and take jumpers over the defense, or use one- or two-dribble pull-ups. Sometimes, he’ll rip through to get all the way to the basket., He does a lot of the little things on offense. He runs the floor hard in transition. He’ll set screens, though he slips them often. And he’ll crash the boards hard when needed., He has made 39.4 percent of his 3s in college, compared to only 34 percent in high school events tracked by Cerebro Sports. It's encouraging that he has made progress, showing more consistent shooting mechanics. He's also making over 80 percent of his free throws.","cons":"He has not received chances to initiate pick-and-roll as the ball handler in college. It also wasn’t part of his repertoire at the high school level. He is unproven against top college competition, making his transition to the pros a bit hazier than other prospects.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":15.1,"pts_per40":58.9,"reb_total":7,"reb_per40":12.6,"blk_total":1.7,"blk_per40":6.1,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Positional Versatility, Pull-up Threat, Hustle","age":19.5,"similar_player":"Clifford Robinson, Jerami Grant","analysis":"Springy athlete with the type of two-way versatility that makes him an ideal fit for any system."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jarace Walker","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":249,"school":"Houston","pros":"Walker has a basketball player’s height (6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan) and a football player’s sturdy frame, and he matches his impressive physical dimensions with an insatiable appetite for getting stops., Competitive defender with the physical tools to thrive in a switching scheme. He has the lateral quickness and motor to compete against guards and wings and the strength and length to battle bigs., Versatility will be one of the perks of drafting Walker since he will be able to play some small-ball five in the NBA, thanks to his instincts as a shot blocker and verbal leadership skills. If he must play more off the ball, he’s also active in the passing lanes and when making rotations., Good rebounder who can finish through contact on the offensive glass. On defense, he will box out and just move opponents out of the way. On the break, he looks for outlet opportunities., A potential major pick-and-roll threat. He rumbles into the paint on the roll, but Houston doesn’t use many ball screens. On cuts and dives inside, defenders move out of his way, or he steamrolls over them. Since he can dribble, he can take the ball out of the short roll and get to the rim on his own. He can make acrobatic finishes, too, with leaning layups against contact. If his shooting range expands, the pick-and-pop will be an option, too., Talented interior finisher beyond just his power. He has fluid footwork, the ability to sidestep defenders, and the touch to flip or float the ball up to the rim., Skilled playmaker who will excel out of the short roll. He already throws bull’s-eye passes across the court to spot-up shooters, and he’s adept at delivering the ball to the dunker’s spot. His assists tend to come within the flow of the offense. He keeps it moving, never really record scratching possessions., As a high school senior at IMG, he was given more freedom to handle the ball from the perimeter and operate out of the mid-post, facing up to attack the basket or pull up from midrange. At Houston, he has improved his spot-up jumper mechanics and shooting from behind the arc.","cons":"Despite his improved form, he’s still an unproven 3-point shooter who has yet to show sustained success from NBA range. He’s also a subpar free throw shooter, which raises concerns about his overall shooting potential. For a player with his size and strength, he settled for a lot of midrange jumpers at the high school level. He hasn’t shot the ball as often for Houston. His handle is a bit loose. He can be a bit careless with the ball, dribbling into traffic or forcing the ball through closing windows.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11.2,"pts_per40":53.4,"reb_total":6.8,"reb_per40":14.6,"blk_total":1.3,"blk_per40":6.2,"main_selling_point":"Positional Versatility, Interior Scoring, Athleticism, Feel for the Game","age":19.7,"similar_player":"Larry Johnson, Carl Landry","analysis":"A versatile wrecking ball on defense and skilled playmaker on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kobe Bufkin","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":187,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Versatile half-court talent who can thrive with or without the ball. Michigan used him in pick-and-rolls and handoffs, and he showed potential for improvising as a cutter and relocator. Pairing him with an offensive hub would be ideal., Excellent, ambidextrous at-rim finisher who can hit flip shots without even leaving his feet. But when he does elevate, he glides through the air for acrobatic at-rim touch finishes, and he doesn’t need a ton of space to get above the rim for dunks., Dramatically improved his efficiency as a shooter during his sophomore season, showcasing reliable ability off the catch and smooth, consistent mechanics., Flashes upside as a dribble-jumper scorer who can get super hot from midrange. He has pull-ups, side steps, and stepbacks all in his bag. He looks especially comfortable dribbling laterally to get into his shots, a valuable tool when facing pressure., As a playmaker capable of making both simple reads and complex feeds even when under duress, he offers more on offense than just his scoring., Blends excellent fundamentals with playmaking skill as a defender. He sits in a stance and keeps his arms wide and high when sliding man-to-man, but he also loves to jab at the ball to force turnovers or bother the opponent., Hustles with intensity when away from the ball. He helps on drives, flies in to contest at the rim, sprints up the floor for chase-down blocks, and rebounds well for a smaller guy.","cons":"Gets out of control at times as a ball handler and commits too many careless turnovers, throwing the ball into traffic when searching for the roller. Unproven shooter off the dribble: He made 37.5 percent and 34.3 percent of his 3s, per Synergy. But he took barely any attempts at all as a freshman, so that’s at least an improvement. Weighed in at only 195 pounds as a sophomore, so he will get picked on defensively at the next level. Improving at defending without fouling will be a priority.","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":14,"pts_per40":57.8,"reb_total":4.5,"reb_per40":7.8,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":2.3,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, On-Ball Defense, Pull-up Threat, Hustle","age":19.7,"similar_player":"Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley fused together","analysis":"Dynamic two-way presence who will fill up highlight reels. If his jumper keeps trending up, he has All-Star potential."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Anthony Black","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":210,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Selfless playmaker who can whip the ball upcourt in transition and sees plays develop early in the half court. Much like Lonzo Ball, he can serve as a connector. He tends to make the smart play, creating easy shots for teammates, often using touch passes or swing passes to open shooters. These natural skills are enhanced by his height, opening holes that smaller guards can’t find., Already looks like an advanced pick-and-roll playmaker. He snakes from side to side and has the feel to keep defenders on his back., Good finisher through contact, with amazing touch from tough angles. He also draws a lot of fouls, which is critical since he isn’t someone who finishes above the defense or creates a ton of space., There’s a suddenness to his movements. He’s shifty, but there’s also a decisiveness in the steps he takes. On the ball, he’ll adjust speeds to throw off defenders. Off the ball, he loves to catch and go. Factor in his propensity for making good decisions and he more than makes up for his lack of a great first step. He changes rhythm like a veteran, a skill that could be unlocked in the pick-and-roll with NBA spacing., Solid athlete when he has space to leap. Arkansas often runs him off screens away from the ball to set up lobs at the rim, though he can also improvise with timely cuts to create opportunities., Versatile on-ball defender who keeps his arms up, fights over screens, and has the quickness to slide with guards and the size to defend wings., Defensive playmaker who loves to stunt or dig from an off-ball position to poke the ball away from driving opponents. When he gets his hands on it, it’s an instant defense-to-offense moment. He generally finds himself in the perfect position to help thanks to his excellent awareness.","cons":"He doesn’t create a ton of space off the bounce. In college, where he isn’t surrounded by a ton of great shooters, it’s already a limiting factor in his ability to create shots for himself in isolation. Still an unproven shooter off the dribble. He has so far been ineffective from any range because of his clunky mechanics and subpar creation ability. Opponents go under screens, sagging off of him and further limiting his driving. Shot in the low 60 percent range from the free throw line in high school. Factor in his average touch on floaters, and there’s reason for pessimism regarding his long-term shooting prospects.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":12.8,"pts_per40":54.9,"ast_total":3.9,"ast_per40":3,"stl_total":2.1,"stl_per40":3.4,"tpt":30.1,"tpa":2.6,"main_selling_point":"Floor General, Feel for the Game, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":19.4,"similar_player":"Lonzo Ball","analysis":"Enhances star teammates by instantly processing plays while thriving in any role."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Bilal Coulibaly","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":194,"school":"Metropolitans 92 (LNB)","pros":"Superb measurements, a long wingspan, and a wide frame give him elite defensive upside. But he also brings grit and a consistent approach, actively contesting hard on closeouts, jumping passing lanes, and flying in to help in the paint as a shot blocker., Even at his young age, he’s got the strength to compete at the pro level as a defender who switches across positions., Explosive at-rim finisher who takes long strides to the basket and needs little space to elevate for loud dunks., He’s best as a straight-line driver and displays skill using an occasional change-of-pace move or Euro steps., Plays within himself by keeping the ball moving and looking for cutting opportunities. A creative NBA offense could take advantage of his athleticism by using him as a screener to get him going to the basket., Improved 3-point shooter off the catch (35.1 percent) and a solid free throw shooter (76.6 percent), both way up from his first season with the Mets 92.","cons":"Raw ball handler who often attacks the paint without a plan, leading to charges or sloppy passes. Early in his career, his team will ask him to stick to simple plays. Unproven shooter who’s experienced streaky stretches. He has relatively stiff mechanics as he loads the ball up, so he’ll need to prove that it can translate. Defenses don’t have to worry about him taking jumpers off the dribble, as he lacks fluidity and quickness going from his dribble into his shot.","grade":"France","pts_total":10.9,"pts_per40":62,"reb_total":4.1,"reb_per40":10.2,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":3.1,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Interior Scoring, Athleticism","age":18.8,"similar_player":"O.G. Anunoby, Torrey Craig","analysis":"Fast-rising prospect who is luring in teams with his defense and intriguing offensive flashes."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cam Whitmore","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":235,"school":"Villanova","pros":"He explodes off the dribble like a semi truck with a Ferrari’s accelerator. He can drive as a straight-line slasher in the half court and as a transition threat, but he also has some wiggle off the dribble. He features a tight crossover and displays a feel for changing pace, so there's a chance he turns into a shot creator., Explosive athlete who doesn’t need space to elevate for dunks. If there’s an offensive rebounding opportunity, he’s coming for your head., Active cutter who looks for opportunities to sneak past dazed defenders, and in certain offenses he could emerge as a lob threat., Flashes the ability to keep the ball moving around the perimeter within the flow of the offense, though he needs to cut down on his ball-stopping., Versatile on-ball defender with stopper upside., Has the tools to be an impactful off-ball defender who can disrupt actions by reaching his arms through handoffs, exploding through screens, or flying in from the weak side for blocks., Aware defensive rebounder who does a great job of tracking misses. With his handle, he can then spark transition offense., Ball stopper who catches and then goes into a triple-threat position where he likes to use jab steps to create an edge, rather than attack straight off the catch, which would better activate his athleticism.","cons":"Lacks experience in the post, but his collection of skills suggests he could become a mismatch attacker if he develops some moves. Unproven shooter. He has shown progress over the past year, but historically isn’t that accurate from the perimeter. He’s a bit rigid and mechanical with his motion, both on and off the dribble. He’s also underwhelmed from the free throw line. He doesn’t create a ton of space with his array of dribble moves. Though he has them in his bag, he still ends up taking a lot of tough shots. Takes too many reckless shots in the lane, bypassing opportunities to move the ball to open teammates. Lacks fundamentals as an off-ball defender. He gets lost chasing shooters around screens, has iffy timing on help, and ball-watches far too often.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":12.5,"pts_per40":57.1,"reb_total":5.3,"reb_per40":12.9,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":3.2,"main_selling_point":"Positional Versatility, Athleticism, Feel for the Game, Got That Dog in Him","age":18.9,"similar_player":"Miles Bridges, Corey Maggette","analysis":"Relentless competitor who has a high floor and has flashed signs of stardom."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Gradey Dick","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":204,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Flawless shooting release with no wasted movement. He can hit any type of shot, whether it’s transition sprints that require him to stop dead in his tracks or handoffs in which he must turn and balance himself in midair. He’s in constant motion off the ball, making him the type of player who requires constant defensive attention., He’s far more than a shooting specialist because he looks for opportunities to cut into the paint and can attack closeouts when covered behind the arc., Good athlete with excellent body control and touch at the rim, finishing layups and floaters with either hand., Talented playmaker who can hang in the air and still fire bull’s-eye passes to spot-up shooters or cutters. With such great vision, he’s a connective piece who will always keep the ball moving and make his teammates better., Makes hustle plays by attacking the offensive boards for tip outs and putbacks., High-effort defender. He’s willing to take a charge and always fights on the ball to try to compensate for his lean frame. He’s also a good help defender when making rotations or closing out on shooters.","cons":"Lacks the burst off his dribble to create space and get all the way to the basket. He’s more of a tough shotmaker. Defensive liability at this stage of his career: He has a skinny frame and a lack of strength, and his subpar lateral quickness makes him a target even at the college level, so there will be no place for him to hide in the pros.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":14.1,"pts_per40":58.1,"reb_total":5.1,"reb_per40":9.4,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":2.5,"main_selling_point":"Catch-and-shoot Threat, Pull-up Threat, Feel for the Game, Hustle","age":19.5,"similar_player":"Reggie Miller, Bojan Bogdanovic","analysis":"Sharpshooting wing with playmaking skill that’ll make him more than just a specialist."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Hood-schifino","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":217,"school":"Indiana","pros":"At his best in the pick-and-roll. He plays with great pace, using his screen to get into the middle of the floor, where he can pull up from midrange or dissect the defense with various passes to his rolling big., Good midrange pull-up shooter capable of draining shots off movement. If he’s successful in extending his range behind the NBA line, he could become a drop-coverage killer. , Though he’s not a great at-rim finisher yet, he doesn’t shy away from contact. With his size and midrange touch, he has the potential to become a foul magnet., Versatile defender with a muscular frame and great technique. He does a nice job of sliding his feet laterally to stick with his opponent, whether it’s out of an isolation or when fighting over screens., Handsy defender who pokes on the ball, breaks up handoffs, and is capable of racking up deflections off the ball.","cons":"He’s been an incredibly inconsistent shooter in college, with a handful of superb performances, but there has been many a cold night. In high school, he made just 23.5 percent of his 3s and 64.6 percent of free throws. His spot-up attempts at Indiana have sprayed both left and right, suggesting there’s a mechanical issue with his release. Loose handles affect his performance in the half court. He doesn’t apply a ton of pressure on the basket, and even when he does get to the rim, he makes only about half of layups. He takes a lot of floaters and pull-ups, but he’s also turnover prone when pressed on the ball by defenders. He lacks experience scoring out of isolations.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":13.5,"pts_per40":49.2,"reb_total":4.1,"reb_per40":7.5,"ast_total":3.7,"ast_per40":2.8,"main_selling_point":"Pull-up Threat, On-Ball Defense, Feel for the Game, Hustle","age":20,"similar_player":"Spencer Dinwiddie","analysis":"Big, cerebral guard who thrives as a playmaker from the midrange."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Keyonte George","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":185,"school":"Baylor","pros":"Comfortably creates space even when heavily pressured by defenses. He always looks like he’s in control no matter how he’s zig-zagging his way into the paint or into jumpers., Pull-ups. Stepbacks. Half-spins into re-screens before side-stepping into his shot. You name it, he can shoot it from the perimeter. Though he’s shooting only 33.7 percent from 3 for Baylor, he made 38.1 percent of his 3s in high school competitions tracked by Cerebro Sports. Add in his 80-plus percent rate from the line and he projects as a knockdown shooter., Plays an analytics-happy style of play, focusing largely on shooting 3s and getting into the paint. Though he’s capable from midrange with pull-ups or floaters, he works to get all the way., Crafty finisher with a pillowy ambidextrous touch and a contortionist’s body control. Though he’s not the most explosive athlete, he can still get up over the rim when he has space to launch and projects as a player who could draw a lot of fouls., Flourishes in pick-and-rolls and isolations, showing a feel for manipulating defenders by using the threat of his scoring to open up teammates. He’ll probe near the free throw line to draw help, then fire a pass across the court for a corner 3. When driving into the lane, he’ll fluidly throw a lob to a cutting big the moment he’s open. He has vision, and the accuracy to deliver tough passes, looking the part of someone who can help handle the load., Sturdy frame that resembles a safety or linebacker. He fights over screens and has the lateral quickness to mirror his assignment. Though he’s not tall, his strength allows him to withstand contact. And with quick hands he’s able to swat at the ball to bother the ball handler, or even cause a deflection.","cons":"He doesn’t have the quickest first step so he’ll need to prove himself against elite defenders with length and speed. He struggled in three games against top-25 competition early on this season, shooting a combined 14-for-40 from the field while averaging 14 points. Upcoming games against Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, and TCU will be important barometers. Commits some avoidable turnovers by driving into too many defenders, or spinning into a help defender because he didn’t see them coming and then getting stripped. No matter how much effort he puts into his defense, he is only 6-foot-4. Opponents will target him.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":15.3,"pts_per40":52.4,"ast_total":2.8,"ast_per40":2.9,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":2.3,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Pull-up Threat, Interior Scoring, Float Game","age":19.6,"similar_player":"Bradley Beal, Jaden Hardy","analysis":"Lively scorer with the ability to shred defenses, though his playmaking and defensive intensity give him the upside to be a complete guard."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Dereck Lively Ii","year":2023,"height":85,"weight":230,"school":"Duke","pros":"Great finisher off rolls and cuts. He has soft hands for catching fastballs and the massive wingspan to catch passes above the rim. With bouncy athleticism, he’s a constant lob threat in the half court. Though Duke doesn’t run much pick-and-roll, that’ll be his primary way to contribute at the next level., He has a knack for playmaking despite lacking a low-post skill set. He can fire lasers to spot-up shooters, and he does a good job of locating cutters. There could be a role for him as a low- to mid-post playmaking hub. If his shot develops, he could even be used in dribble handoffs., He displays touch near the rim and could eventually develop into a 3-point threat. He’s most comfortable from the corners. He could have untapped potential as a spot-up shooter., He loves to run the floor in transition to get ahead of the defense., Mobile rim protector capable of stepping out and hedging, blitzing or switching. Even if he gets beat, he’s able to recover and use his 7-foot-8 wingspan to alter or block the shot from behind. If he masters his fundamentals, he could become a versatile big capable of excelling in any scheme., Impactful help defender who covers a lot of ground and takes off in a blink for blocks inside.","cons":"Plays like a gentle giant at times, not going back up for putbacks following offensive boards. Instead, he just kicks it out. This isn’t inherently a bad thing. Some coaches instruct bigs to do this. But the aggression would be nice to see in a player who came in with such great expectations. He hasn’t shown the ability or desire to create his own looks, rarely even dribbling the ball. With a borderline-hackable free throw percentage, he could be a liability if he’s not finishing at the basket. He’s not vacuuming up defensive rebounds like he did in high school, in part because he’s dealing with larger bodies than ever before. He needs to get better at boxing out since he can’t get by on just athleticism anymore. Getting stronger is a priority. Defensive fundamentals need to improve. He finds himself out of position at times, especially when defending perimeter actions like handoffs. He’d probably be best utilized in a switching scheme early in his career as he continues to learn the intricacies of defending actions.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":5.2,"pts_per40":66.2,"reb_total":5.4,"reb_per40":15.6,"stl_total":0.5,"stl_per40":1.5,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Positional Versatility, Feel for the Game, Shot Blocking","age":19.3,"similar_player":"Mitchell Robinson","analysis":"Versatile big man who can protect the rim and also may have untapped potential beyond at-rim finishing."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Cason Wallace","year":2023,"height":74,"weight":195,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Defends much bigger than his height would suggest. Much like Jrue Holiday, he hounds opponents with his length, toughness, and fundamentals. On the ball, he stays seated in a low stance with arms wide, ready to poke at the ball or position himself to disrupt the path of opponents. With great strength, he’s able to withstand contact from stronger scorers, using his footwork to beat big wings to spots and then absorb contact without moving., Instinctual off-ball defender who can make highlight-reel chasedown blocks and interceptions in passing lanes. He’ll win over fans with his hustle plays, whether it’s a dive for a loose ball or a charge taken., Knockdown spot-up shooter with a quick release. Even if the pass is off target, he fluidly gets into his shot. Though Kentucky rarely used him off of movement actions like screens and handoffs, he’s shown a knack for getting open off of movement. In high school, he was provided chances off of screens and flourished., Soft touch from all over the floor. He’s comfortable using floaters and runners. At the rim, he can use either hand. He’s also a good free throw shooter., Turnover-averse shot creator. He takes good care of the ball and resists unnecessary risks. In the pick-and-roll, he’s best at hitting the roller. But he’s more of a straight-line driver at this stage, rather than someone who breaks down defenders in isolations. He’s best suited for a ball-sharing offense since he’s more of a combo guard.","cons":"Unproven shooter off the dribble, especially from behind the arc. He’s more comfortable from midrange, especially going to his right. But he hasn’t shown the ability to use crossovers to generate space for jumpers. In part, it’s because he lacks an elite first step to get by defenders as he begins his attack. Considering his lack of burst off the dribble and his lack of an elite handle, he may not have the go-to scoring upside that some teams desire in a top pick. Fit will matter for him, because he needs to be paired with a primary guard that he can thrive off of. But as guards like Tyrese Haliburton have shown, those shotmaking skills can develop over time. Limited by a persistent back injury throughout his freshman season.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11.7,"pts_per40":54.3,"ast_total":4.3,"ast_per40":2.1,"stl_total":2,"stl_per40":3.6,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Catch-and-shoot Threat, Feel for the Game, Off-Ball Defense","age":19.6,"similar_player":"Jrue Holiday, De'Anthony Melton","analysis":"Game-changing point-of-attack defender who also fills gaps on offense as a playmaker and shooter."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Brice Sensabaugh","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":235,"school":"Ohio State","pros":"Methodical ball handler who doesn't create a ton of separation but manages to hit contested shots anyway. He loves stopping on a dime and pulling up from close midrange, though he can also extend out behind the line for tough side-step 3s., Knockdown shooter off the catch with smooth mechanics. He has the upside to become a player that hits 3s off movement because of his ability to fluidly get into his shot when relocating., Loves to back down defenders in the post, where he can use his strength to get into prime position for simple turnarounds, a valuable tool against switching defenses., Aware mover off the ball, always looking for opportunities to cut into the paint or reposition himself for a handoff that hurls him toward the basket. He does a great job of filling lanes in transition., He’s a reluctant passer but he shows flashes that suggest he could develop his playmaking if he wants to. Against Maine, he racked up seven assists by locating rollers and cutters. If you just watched that game, you’d think he was a facilitator and he should tap into those skills more moving forward this season.","cons":"Suffered two meniscus injuries in high school, and he’s not a great athlete. He doesn’t have much burst off the dribble and he’s not an above-the-rim finisher. Tough shot-makers in college don’t always translate to the NBA. He moves slowly with the ball and doesn’t create much separation on his shots. At the next level, he might not be able to create any room at all. Ohio State had him start the season off the bench because of his defensive shortcomings. He lacks quickness on the ball and a degree of toughness you’d hope for from a player with his size. He finds himself in foul trouble far too often. Getting leaner would help, but effort is an issue too. Inconsistent off-ball defender who loses track of his man and doesn’t show much agility helping inside or recovering to his man. When he’s looking to pass, he telegraphs the ball to teammates especially on entry passes from the perimeter.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":16.3,"pts_per40":58.7,"reb_total":5.4,"reb_per40":13.5,"ast_total":1.2,"ast_per40":2,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Pull-up Threat, Catch-and-shoot Threat","age":19.6,"similar_player":"Mini T.J. Warren","analysis":"Pure bucket-getter who wasn’t projected to be a one-and-done but shined as a freshman scorer."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Leonard Miller","year":2023,"height":81,"weight":213,"school":"G League","pros":"Grew to 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a strong, wide frame as a high school upperclassman. He uses his length to sky above opponents for rebounds and poke into passing lanes. He could become a versatile on-ball defender if his fundamentals improve., Takes long strides on drives to the basket and has a fluid handle using either hand. He’s at his best when attacking a closeout, attentively cutting into the paint, or pushing the ball in transition. Once he’s near the rim, he shows ambidextrous finishing ability, with a preference for going right., Comfortable midrange shooter. He can take short pull-ups or pivot into contested fadeaways. If he’s ever able to extend his range behind the arc, it’d be a game changer for his upside., Willing passer who shows his point guard instincts when executing simple plays, whether it’s as a handler out of pick-and-rolls or in post-ups. At the next level, he could find great value as a screener and blend his ability to finish at the basket with his playmaking instincts.","cons":"Underwhelming 3-point shooter. He has fine form on catch-and-shoot attempts but has never consistently hit more than 30 percent of his 3s. But he does have average results shooting from the line and from midrange, which suggests he can still improve. Forces some shots outside the offensive flow after stopping the ball. He’d benefit from learning how to catch and go with greater frequency. He’s still learning how to play like a big man. He doesn’t rack up as many weakside blocks as his athleticism and reach would suggest he can. That is partially because he’s a bit flaky off the ball. A bit spacey as a defender. He’s late to closeouts, which especially hurts him since he isn’t the quickest laterally on the perimeter.","grade":"Canada","pts_total":18,"pts_per40":64.5,"reb_total":11,"reb_per40":19.9,"blk_total":0.9,"blk_per40":2.7,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Ballhandling","age":19.5,"similar_player":"Leaner Paul Millsap","analysis":"Big man with guard skills but he’s still growing into his body."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Noah Clowney","year":2023,"height":82,"weight":210,"school":"Alabama","pros":"Super mobile defender with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and great energy. He constantly hustles, showing a willingness to step in front of drives to contest shots. He makes second and third efforts, and does it with great awareness and anticipation. Despite his youth, he also shows good discipline by not biting on fakes., Projects as a versatile piece of a defense that asks its bigs to switch, hedge, and drop depending on the opponent. He had a play against Houston in which he hedged a ball screen, recovered to his original man, then rotated to a corner 3 shooter and elevated to block his shot. A combination of athleticism, effort, and intelligence was required to make the play., Hard-nosed rebounder who boxes out and fights for boards., Versatile ball-screen threat since he could become a shooter, and he’s already skilled on the roll. He has soft hands to catch tough passes, and in the paint he has great patience going up for layups. If he can’t fly for a dunk off the catch, he will use multiple pump fakes if necessary to generate space. And if he catches the ball on the short roll, he handles it well enough to attack off the bounce and spray passes around the court., Looks the part as a 3-point shooter with comfortable mechanics on standstill tries from the corner or pick-and-pops from above the break. He’s making 31.4 percent from 3 on the season, including a long 38.5 percent stretch after starting 2 for 16., One of the youngest players in the class. He doesn’t turn 19 until July, yet already brings a mature, selfless attitude.","cons":"Adding strength is a priority in order to handle post defense against stronger interior players. Despite his success behind the arc so far in his freshman season, he’s still an unproven shooter who shoots only 54.9 percent from the free throw line and has shot below 30 percent from 3 going back to high school.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":9.8,"pts_per40":57.6,"reb_total":7.9,"reb_per40":16.3,"blk_total":0.9,"blk_per40":3.4,"tpt":28.3,"tpa":3.3,"main_selling_point":"Positional Versatility, Hustle, On-Ball Defense, Interior Scoring","age":18.9,"similar_player":"Wendell Carter","analysis":"Plays with an edge and possesses the type of defensive versatility valued in the NBA."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jett Howard","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":215,"school":"Michigan","pros":"Knockdown 3-point shooter with the potential to hit off movement. He’s also comfortable pulling up from midrange and loves using a floater., High-IQ wing who knows how to be a playmaker, not just a scorer. He thrives in NBA-style actions, a lot like Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks do for the Grizzlies. He’ll slingshot around screens or handoffs toward the middle of the floor, take a dribble to draw the defense, and then fire a pass to a big man rolling to the basket. It’s an action every pro offense runs, and he runs it to perfection because of his improvisational feel., He wants to be a good defender. Effort is never an issue; it’s just his positioning and awareness. But he hustles to recover to shooters, logs help blocks, and fights over screens. In overtime against Ohio, he made multiple clutch plays down the stretch to help Michigan get the win with on-ball stops and blocks., He’s the son of former NBA All-Star Juwan Howard, who played 19 years in the league.","cons":"On the ball, struggles to contain faster perimeter scorers. He gets too flat-footed, which hurts his lateral quickness. Loses track of his man too often while off the ball since he ball watches. There are instances when he’ll completely leave his man open behind the arc because of confusion about who he’s supposed to match up against.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":14.2,"pts_per40":56.2,"ast_total":2,"ast_per40":1.3,"blk_total":0.7,"blk_per40":2.1,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Catch-and-shoot Threat, Float Game, Clutch Gene","age":19.7,"similar_player":"Desmond Bane","analysis":"Slick offensive threat who could shine next to a lead playmaker."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"James Nnaji","year":2023,"height":82,"weight":251,"school":"Barcelona (ACB)","pros":"Defensively alters everything around the basket. He can thrive as a drop defender, and his skills translate into help situations. He’s aware when defending off the ball and does a great job of timing blocks using either hand. It’s not uncommon for him to rocket off the floor for swats., Plays as strong as he looks. He battles on the post and fights relentlessly for rebounds, whether he boxes out or repositions himself to follow the trajectory of the ball., Good defender in space. He can slide his feet laterally to stick with guards coming off screens or handoffs. If he needs to switch, he’s more than capable., Sets strong fundamental screens with a wide frame, making it hard for opponents to fight through. He rolls hard and can handle lobs., Excellent interior finisher who can dunk through contact but also shows natural instincts, making himself available with relocations and basket cuts. He can put the ball on the floor once or twice to score. Or he’ll use pump fakes to draw defenders before elevating., With his adequate straight-line handle and ability to make high-low passes, he could have untapped upside in dribble handoffs.","cons":"He hasn’t played heavy minutes for Barcelona since he’s a teenager playing in the EuroLeague and Spanish league. Commits avoidable mistakes, whether it’s making off-target passes or being called for moving screens. Hackable free throw shooter who shoots around 50 percent. He also hasn’t shown the touch to hit shots outside the paint.","grade":"Nigeria","pts_total":3.7,"pts_per40":68.6,"reb_total":2.2,"reb_per40":15.5,"stl_total":0.2,"stl_per40":0.9,"blk_total":0.6,"blk_per40":6.5,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking, On-Ball Defense, Interior Scoring, Rebounding","age":18.8,"similar_player":"Clint Capela","analysis":"Long-armed big man who’s built like a tank and has the mentality to dominate on both ends of the paint."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Olivier-maxence Prosper","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":212,"school":"Marquette","pros":"Explosive athlete in all regards. He leaps out of the gym, has a quick first step, and moves very well laterally. He posted outlier-level athletic testing numbers at the NBA draft combine., He exemplifies the spirit of a role player. He’ll chase down a rebound, dive on the floor for a loose ball, and race to get back on defense., Aware off-ball cutter both in designed plays and when improvising. Upon receiving the ball, he loves using pump fakes and shoulder shimmies to generate space when he doesn’t have room to launch for dunks. He’d thrive in an offense that allows him to set on-ball screens., Capable spot-up shooter as a junior, making 33.9 percent of his 3s. But that number needs to improve., Versatile defender with the bulk to handle switches against bigger players and the quickness to slide his feet on the perimeter., Hyperactive off-ball defender who flies around in the passing lanes and often blows up opponent actions on the perimeter. Despite his big frame, he moves with great fluidity, sticking to players who are using screens.","cons":"Lacks playmaking skill. He gets a bit sloppy with the ball even when initiating simple handoffs. He needs to be more of a straight-line attacker rather than dancing and spinning with the ball. Despite excelling in his lone NBA combine scrimmage, he did make only one of his five shots from behind the arc. Before his junior season, he made only 28.2 percent of 3s.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":12.5,"pts_per40":61.7,"reb_total":4.7,"reb_per40":10.1,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1.8,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Interior Scoring, Positional Versatility, Got That Dog in Him","age":20.9,"similar_player":"P.J. Tucker","analysis":"Tenacious, disruptive defender with an effective, no-frills offensive game."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Brandin Podziemski","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":204,"school":"Santa Clara","pros":"Knockdown shooter off the catch. He’s best in spot-up situations, though he’s shown the ability to hit off movement. It may only be a matter of time until he becomes a more dynamic scorer coming off screens., Displays pillowy-soft touch when tossing up teardrop floaters and hook shots that, even when heavily contested, miraculously swish through the net., Primary shot creator for Santa Clara. He needs to improve his quickness but has shown a good feel for using hesitations, spins, and smooth footwork to generate space., Skilled playmaker who can rapidly diagnose defenses and deliver on-target passes straight off the dribble. He limits turnovers, too., Comfortable with his back to the basket. He has a diverse set of moves in the post. A creative coach could find a variety of ways to use him., Outstanding rebounder for a guard, with a magnetic feel for tracking the trajectory of boards. He also brings toughness when boxing out opponents and a general tenacity on defense., Active off-ball defender who racks up steals and blocks.","cons":"Struggled creating advantages off the dribble against lengthier defenders due to his slow first step, limited burst, and lack of length. He also doesn’t have a ball-on-the-string handle, so he tends to get caught in tough spots rather than being able to keep his dribble alive. What’s his position on defense? He’s a subpar on-ball defender who got roasted by quicker players even when facing lower level of competition. He’s not big or strong enough to defend slower-footed guys, either.","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":19.9,"pts_per40":60.2,"ast_total":3.7,"ast_per40":2.3,"stl_total":1.8,"stl_per40":2.8,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Hustle, Perimeter Shooting, Float Game","age":20.3,"similar_player":"Donte DiVincenzo and D’Angelo Russell blended","analysis":"Inventive shot creator with funky shotmaking skills."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Nick Smith Jr.","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":185,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Incredibly fluid athlete with excellent body control when the ball is in his possession. He has a tight handle that he uses to create shots from all over the court. He naturally changes cadence with hesitations, hang dribbles, and virtually every other move in the book., Effortless shooter, but his results from behind the arc have been inconsistent. Still, it’s hard not to be optimistic considering his soft touch from the line and on layups, floaters, and pull-ups., Crafty finisher thanks to an array of runners and layups using either hand., Playmaking upside was clear in high school, but only flashed occasionally in college, mainly in the pick-and-roll. He can snake to the middle of the floor and throw dimes off the dribble. He’s unlikely to be a lead playmaker, and he’s coveted for his scoring anyway, but he is on a path toward being a useful option., Though he’s primarily an on-ball scorer, he thrives off-ball as a cutter, much like Jamal Murray or Tyler Herro. It’s easy to imagine him plugging into a team that uses a big to run dribble handoffs, or on a team that allows him to spot up and look for cuts or relocations., High motor on defense. He brings the same activity and springiness he has on offense to the defensive end.","cons":"Strength is a limitation for him. He doesn’t absorb contact well on offense and it limits his ceiling on defense. He’s so lean that even if he’s playing hard he’ll likely be targeted. He forces so many unwarranted shots, usually floaters or contested jumpers from midrange. Over the season, it would be encouraging for him to tap into his playmaking or improve at getting all the way to the rim. Sometimes he moves a bit too fast for his own good, complicating his ability to read the floor.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":12.5,"pts_per40":47.2,"reb_total":1.6,"main_selling_point":"Jamal Murray, Tyler Herro, Ballhandling, Float Game, Interior Scoring, Pull-up Threat","age":19.1,"similar_player":"SHADES OF","analysis":"1.7"}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jaime Jaquez Jr.","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":226,"school":"UCLA","pros":"The cleanest footwork of anyone in the draft. He can change rhythms like a Tool song, and he uses fakes and pivots to get defenders flying off the floor. With manipulative movements, he’s able to generate space on drives and post-ups at the college level, and it should be translatable to the pros., Equipped to bully mismatches in the post because of his size, strength, and array of moves., Comfortable pulling up from midrange. He’s made 40.6 percent of dribble-jumper 2s and 36.5 percent of dribble-jumper 3s in four years at UCLA. Add in his 74.5 percent from the line, and there’s reason for optimism that he’ll someday become a reliable shooter off the catch., Can make virtually any pass, from lobs to wraparounds to cutters. If he draws attention on drives or post-ups, he stays composed and finds the open man with accurate fastballs., Excellent off-ball defender who doesn’t miss rotations. He has a great feel for reading plays and strong fundamentals for executing what he’s seeing., Hustles hard defending on the ball. He has a never-give-up attitude, whether he’s sliding with faster players or battling for rebounds against bigs. UCLA has him defend the frontcourt more often, but he’s undersized for the next level and will need to defend more wings.","cons":"Still an iffy 3-point shooter who will need to prove that he can regularly hit catch-and-shoot chances to raise his draft stock. He’s made 31.1 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s in four years at UCLA, per Synergy. Needs to maximize his lateral quickness to reach his defensive potential. Even at the college level, he can struggle to keep in front of faster players. His lack of verticality and quickness will make it challenging for him to generate space in the NBA. He’s been consistent finishing against length in college but may need to add a floater.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":17.8,"pts_per40":54.3,"reb_total":8.2,"reb_per40":15.4,"stl_total":1.5,"stl_per40":2.8,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Feel for the Game, Off-Ball Defense, Rebounding","age":22.3,"similar_player":"Kevin McHale impressionist","analysis":"Nifty scorer and hustling defender who just needs an improved jumper to have a fruitful career."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Colby Jones","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":199,"school":"Xavier","pros":"Soft touch on layups, floaters, and post hooks. Though his shooting numbers have been slow to develop, these are positive indicators of improvement. He’s ready to contribute attacking closeouts, rumbling toward the rim off handoffs, or running some pick-and-rolls., Intelligent player within a team concept. He keeps the ball moving, relocates to get himself open, and makes attentive cuts to the basket., Patient ball handler who doesn’t get overly sped up; does a good job of using his large frame to create space and absorb contact, compensating for his lack of elite athleticism. He’s also a sound playmaker capable of slinging the ball around the court with either hand., Relentless defender who doesn’t let his offense dictate his effort. He flourishes dodging screens to stick to opponents, chasing down every rebounding opportunity, and thriving as a roamer off the ball. He doesn’t back down no matter how often he gets hit in the face—which seemingly happens every game.","cons":"Lacks a reliable pull-up jumper. Unproven spot-up shooter who made under 70 percent of his free throws in his three-year college career, and only 30.3 percent of his 3s over his first two seasons.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":15,"pts_per40":58,"ast_total":4.4,"ast_per40":2.3,"stl_total":1.3,"stl_per40":2.1,"main_selling_point":"Float Game, Pull-up Threat, Catch-and-shoot Threat, Got That Dog in Him","age":21,"similar_player":"Malcolm Brogdon","analysis":"Team player with NBA-ready qualities as a connective piece on offense and a versatile defender."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Trayce Jackson-davis","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":240,"school":"Indiana","pros":"Constant lob threat. Indiana runs screening plays to get him skying toward the rim., Primarily a post scorer in college. Although that won’t be his role in the NBA, it’s still a valuable tool. He can dribble into post-ups and expose mismatches. And he’s excellent at sealing off defenders under the rim to create easy scoring chances., Displays soft touch on hook shots and floaters., Helpful playmaker who can bring the ball up the floor to initiate dribble handoff actions. With his rolling ability, his value will be heightened when he’s paired with shooters who can deliver accurate passes. He does a good job of throwing cross-court passes in the post to shooters, a skill that can translate to any spot or situation on the floor., Quick second-leaping ability enhances his chances of making plays around the basket—whether he’s fighting for putbacks on offense, or altering shots on defense., Scheme-versatile defender who is effective in drop coverage because of his great athleticism and coordination blocking shots, but he’s also agile enough to comfortably switch screens.","cons":"Left-hand-dominant player. The ball rarely even touches his right hand unless he’s dunking with both hands. Unproven shooter. He’s making only 67.5 percent of his free throws in his college career, and he has attempted only three shots from behind the arc, missing all of them. Undersized centers will always have limitations in certain matchups. If he needs to be paired with a beefy big to match up against someone like Nikola Jokic, then it may suffocate offensive spacing unless that teammate can also shoot 3s. Otherwise, it’s important for TJD to acquire that skill himself.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":20.9,"pts_per40":60.9,"reb_total":10.8,"reb_per40":18.5,"ast_total":4,"ast_per40":2.6,"blk_total":2.9,"blk_per40":8.9,"main_selling_point":"Positional Versatility, Athleticism, Interior Scoring, On-Ball Defense","age":23.3,"similar_player":"John Collins","analysis":"High-flying lefty center who plays with an edge and intimidates opponents near the rim."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Rayan Rupert","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":193,"school":"New Zealand Breakers (NBL)","pros":"Harasses opponents using his 7-foot-3 wingspan. He can pressure the ball handler taking the ball up the floor or disrupt opponent actions in the half court by slipping around screens. Effort is not a concern., Active hands in all situations on defense. He jumps passing lanes and attentively looks for chances to pickpocket unsuspecting post players. He might someday lead the league in deflections., Skilled ball handler who looks fluid dribbling into pull-up jumpers even if his results as a scorer aren’t there yet. With his height and length, he can shoot over the top of any defender., Potential secondary creator who could bring the ball up the floor and motor by defenders in transition to get to the basket. He makes some tasty passes such as crosscourt skips to corner 3-point shooters, and he follows up by relocating behind the arc., Savvy mover without the ball. He looks for chances to cut to the basket, and he has the athleticism and touch to finish., He comes from a highly accomplished basketball family. He’s the son of French national team captain Thierry Rupert, and his sister, Iliana, was a WNBA first-round draft pick who won a championship her rookie season.","cons":"Suffered a broken wrist in early November that sidelined him for two months. Doesn’t handle contact well. He opts for pull-up 2s and floaters rather than leaning into defenders to get to the rim. Streaky shooter who looks the part but hasn’t seen any consistency from 3 or midrange. During the NBL playoffs, defenses sagged off him to clog the paint—a tactic NBA defenses will also employ—and his minutes dwindled in the finals. His lack of progress is worrisome. The only saving grace is that he’s a solid free throw shooter with soft touch around the basket. He’s a defensive ace overseas but will need to be more selective about when to go for steals in the NBA.","grade":"France","pts_total":6.8,"pts_per40":48.9,"reb_total":2.4,"reb_per40":7.5,"stl_total":0.7,"stl_per40":2.1,"main_selling_point":"On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Ballhandling, Got That Dog in Him","age":19,"similar_player":"Tony Allen, Otto Porter","analysis":"Lockdown defender who shows flashes on offense and could eventually become a complete player."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jordan Hawkins","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":186,"school":"UConn","pros":"Elite shooter with a lightning-quick release and the stamina to run around the floor all game and the intelligence to find open space at a high level. NBA teams will be able to utilize him in off-ball screening actions from Day 1., Major transition threat who races up the floor to the wings or corners, making himself available for open 3-point opportunities. He’s potent at the 3s in which he must stop on a dime, then rise and fire. But if he must put the ball on the floor for one- or two-dribble side-dribble 3s he can still thrive., The ball doesn’t stick in his hands. Even though he can stroke 3s he’ll pass up a contested shot on the wing for a teammate to launch an open corner 3, or he’ll attack a closeout then kick it out again., Smart off-ball defender who actively makes rotations, and helps cover for mistakes or gambles by teammates. Many of his fastbreak chances come as a result of his hustle, whether he’s chasing a loose ball or a rebound., Solid on-ball defender. He’s a good but not great athlete, so there are limits to his on-ball defensive upside. In a game against the Clippers, he’s not the guy a defense sticks on Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. He’s the guy you can put on Reggie Jackson or Norman Powell.","cons":"Hawkins isn’t a primary ball handler who will run the offense. He lacks the handle and wiggle to break down defenders off the dribble or run pick-and-roll like the game’s true point guards. Under-the-rim at-rim finisher who would benefit from adding a floater and some more touch layups to his repertoire. Though he's shooting the ball at an elite level as a sophomore, he made only 33.3 percent of his 3s as a freshman. He doesn’t really have an NBA body type. He’s lean all over. Will he be able to survive deep in the playoffs when being heavily targeted by opponents?","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":16.2,"pts_per40":58.4,"ast_total":1.3,"ast_per40":1.4,"stl_total":0.7,"stl_per40":1.4,"main_selling_point":"Catch-and-shoot Threat, Pull-up Threat, Feel for the Game, Off-Ball Defense","age":21.1,"similar_player":"Richard “Rip” Hamilton, Max Strus","analysis":"Flawless shooter who bangs 3s all over the court and brings tons of other winning qualities."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kris Murray","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":213,"school":"Iowa","pros":"Low-maintenance scorer who doesn’t need touches to exert great effort while looking for opportunities to get buckets. He makes intelligent cuts, relocates off the ball to get open for jumpers, and loves to battle on the low block for positioning and easy buckets., Knockdown spot-up 3-point shooter with smooth mechanics off the catch. He doesn’t fly around screens but projects as a player who can hit basic shots off pick-and-pops and other movements., Does all the little things well. He’s a good passer and sets screens within the flow of the offense. In the same way his brother Keegan has fit into the complexities of the Kings’ motion offense, Kris will be a plug-and-play contributor., Following a similar trajectory as his twin brother, Keegan, who emerged as an on-ball offensive presence in his final season at Iowa. Kris is increasingly showing prowess as a creator who can punish defenders with jumpers off the dribble. Or he can get all the way to the rim with simple straight-line drives., Versatile on-ball defender capable of switching screens. He’s incredibly physical and also has great spatial awareness.","cons":"He’ll turn 23 before his rookie season begins. He tested the NBA waters following his sophomore season and decided to go back. Lacks a dynamic handle off the dribble. Though he has a quick first step, he doesn’t have great speed or shake-and-bake moves.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":20.2,"pts_per40":57.2,"reb_total":7.9,"reb_per40":13.6,"blk_total":1.2,"blk_per40":3.4,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Catch-and-shoot Threat, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":22.8,"similar_player":"Left-handed Keegan Murray","analysis":"Intelligent player who understands his 3-and-D role and thrives within it."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Dariq Whitehead","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":193,"school":"Duke","pros":"Good athlete with ambidextrous at-rim finishing ability. He does a solid job of scoring while absorbing contact., Tough shotmaker off the dribble in high school who became increasingly comfortable at Duke pulling up from midrange. He features a good right-to-left stepback jumper., He makes quick decisions with the ball in his hands. He can seamlessly pass off the dribble, especially when it comes to finding a rolling big., Active mover without the ball. He has the athleticism to catch lobs in the half court or on the break., A 6-foot-9 wingspan gives him the length to offer value as a helper in the paint and in the passing lanes. He plays hard, intense defense and has the IQ and awareness to match. On the ball, he plays physically against guards and wings, giving him scheme versatility., Improved dramatically as a shooter off the catch his freshman season at Duke, making 45.3 percent of spot-up 3s. With a high release, he isn’t disturbed by hard closeouts.","cons":"Suffered a fractured foot in August 2022 that sidelined him to start his college season, likely setting back his developmental timeline. He underwent a second surgery during the pre-draft process. Lacks advanced ballhandling moves. He’s barely basic at this stage with crossovers and stepbacks. He needs to incorporate more change of pace to get to the rim, or simply allow himself to slow down and read the floor to activate more of his playmaking.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":8.3,"pts_per40":54.8,"ast_total":1,"ast_per40":1.4,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":2.2,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Pull-up Threat, Feel for the Game, Off-Ball Defense","age":18.8,"similar_player":"Lonnie Walker","analysis":"Skilled on-ball scorer and a hard-nosed defender who’s underwent two foot surgeries in recent years."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Maxwell Lewis","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":207,"school":"Pepperdine","pros":"Knockdown 3-point shooter off the catch with flawless mechanics. He’s not a dynamic threat off screens or handoffs, but he is excellent at one-dribble or two-dribble pull-ups and stepbacks. He loves using pump fakes to get defenders in the air, which gives him space to attack with jumpers or drives., Deceptive ball handler with a deep bag of wide crossovers and hesitations., Skilled back-to-the-basket scorer who can overpower smaller defenders to get close to the rim for hook shots. If he’s too far away, he can pivot into a post fadeaway jumper., Aware cutter with a natural feel for finding open space, whether he’s relocating for a 3 or going to the basket. He uses subtle stop-and-go moves to keep defenders off balance., He’s not a lead guard, but he has the playmaking skill and vision for dishing to bigs in the dunker spot or throwing darts to spot-up shooters. When involved in two-man games, his combo of shooting, passing, and perception make him a constant threat., High-effort defender with a large frame and good length. Has the upside to become a super versatile defender if his quickness and focus improves.","cons":"Isolation scoring isn’t part of his game yet because of a lack of burst off the dribble. He has moves but they aren’t quick enough to create consistent separation. He doesn’t draw many fouls either. Athleticism is good but not great. He occasionally gets exposed when defending quicker guards on the perimeter. Teams target him. In college he makes up for it with consistent effort, but in the NBA he’ll need a strength and conditioning program to improve his lateral mobility. Ball watches at times on defense, which might be part of his responsibilities as a roaming defensive playmaker. But it’s a habit he’ll need to change in the NBA. Regressed as a defender his sophomore season, possibly due to his increased offensive load. He brought better effort as a freshman. He doesn’t stay in his stance and often gets blown by on simple moves.","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":17.1,"pts_per40":56.8,"reb_total":5.7,"reb_per40":10.4,"ast_total":2.8,"ast_per40":3.3,"main_selling_point":"Pull-up Threat, Feel for the Game, Catch-and-shoot Threat, Hustle","age":20.8,"similar_player":"Devin Vassell","analysis":"High-floor prospect with 3-and-D qualities, though his recent progress suggests he can be much more."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Sidy Cissoko","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":224,"school":"G League","pros":"Energetic defender who locks in off the ball. He offers great rim protection and frequently picks up weakside blocks on unsuspecting players going up for layups. He had a play this season in which he blocked a lob in transition, fell down, got back up, and then swatted a layup attempt., Competitive on-ball defender with the length and frame to become a versatile piece of a switching defense., At his best slashing to the rim and driving with a full head of steam. He’s an excellent finisher around the rim, even when contested. He can adjust midair if need be or yam it on a rim protector., Can deliver wraparound passes to cutters or kickouts to shooters whether he’s dribbling or in midair., He’s shooting well from 3 off the catch for the first time in his G League career, making 37.8 percent of his attempts this season., He’s more of a secondary creator than a primary; he isn’t breaking down defenders with advanced moves. But on drives to the rim, he can mix in crossovers or spin moves to get into the paint.","cons":"Unproven shooter who has never shot a high percentage from the perimeter, despite having normal form. He’s a below-average free throw shooter and lacks natural touch finishing around the basket. Commits some careless turnovers driving into or whipping passes into crowds. Cissoko got beaten off the dribble far too often early in the season. Though he’s made progress throughout the year, he did have a tendency to get flat-footed that remains noteworthy moving forward.","grade":"France","pts_total":12.8,"pts_per40":60.1,"ast_total":3.5,"ast_per40":1.9,"stl_total":1.2,"stl_per40":2.1,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Interior Scoring, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":19.2,"similar_player":"Jeff Green","analysis":"Physical presence who brings intensity on defense and complementary playmaking on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ben Sheppard","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":194,"school":"Belmont","pros":"Developed into a dominant shooter, making 40.4 percent of catch-and-shoot 3s as a senior, with many of them contested. He’s also excelled at coming off screens or sprinting in transition., If a defender effectively closes out on him, he’s a capable pull-up shooter from both midrange and 3., Grew up playing point guard until a late growth spurt, and he retains his playmaking feel, making beautiful bounce passes to rollers in the half-court and teammates running up the floor on the break. He can be trusted to make the right decision and quick “good to great” reads, though he also has the creativity for crosscourt dishes and interior wraparounds., Solid on-ball defender who always plays hard. He looked effective fighting over screens at the NBA draft combine, sticking to his opponents to challenge them., Active off-ball defender who is usually in the right when he tries to jump passing lanes for steals and deflections.","cons":"What level is he really on as a shooter? Sheppard made 69.6 percent of his free throws in four years at Belmont and only 34.6 percent of his 3s his first three seasons. Sheppard looked like a knockdown guy this season and then carried it over to the combine, but it’s still not a long track record of success. Below-the-rim finisher who struggled against length in traffic.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":18.8,"pts_per40":58.2,"ast_total":2.9,"ast_per40":2.2,"stl_total":1.4,"stl_per40":2.3,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Catch-and-shoot Threat","age":21.9,"similar_player":"Quentin Grimes, Alec Burks","analysis":"Sharpshooter with a knack for movement who shows on-ball flashes thanks to his playmaking roots."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jordan Walsh","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":204,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Explosive athlete with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, a relentless approach, and good instincts. He comes up with 50-50 balls by diving on the floor. He takes charges. He flies around and makes second and third efforts on single possessions. He’s everywhere., Versatile defender with the size, strength, and length to defend across perimeter positions. He possesses excellent fundamentals fighting through screens for a player his age, though his best value will come in a switching scheme. He doesn’t back down from a battle against a big, either., Menace in transition. He sprints the floor hard and always makes himself available for lobs. His handle is strong enough that he can steal the ball or rip down defensive boards and then bring it up himself., He’s enough of a shooter to warrant attention from the defense, and if they close out against him he’s comfortable dribbling into a jumper or straight-line driving to the rim., When he attacks off the bounce, he gets low and displays good instincts for delivering lobs and kickout passes. He has feel for making the right play.","cons":"His make-or-break skill is his shooting. He has good form, but has a below-average percentage from the line and from behind the arc going back to high school. Unless he starts hitting shots with greater regularity he’ll cap out as a solid contributor but not much more. Gets out of control at times on drives to the basket, leading to avoidable turnovers, and on defense sometimes he’ll get too antsy, leading to silly fouls.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":7.1,"pts_per40":51.3,"reb_total":3.9,"reb_per40":9.9,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":2.6,"tpt":27.8,"tpa":2,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, Positional Versatility, Feel for the Game, Got That Dog in Him","age":19.2,"similar_player":"Supercharged Jae Crowder","analysis":"Two-way player who sets a contagious tone with intense defense and selfless offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Andre Jackson Jr.","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":198,"school":"UConn","pros":"Tone-setting defender with excellent athleticism who is always focused off the ball and sits in his on-ball stance like a player who craves stops. And, in fact, he gets those stops against both guards and wings., If he can’t prevent a player from penetrating the paint, he remains engaged enough to activate his elite athleticism for high-flying blocks., Don’t move your eyes off the screen when there’s a rebound opportunity because Jackson makes some genuinely awesome plays on the boards, skying over defenders to snatch the ball., Dynamic transition player who can turn defense into instant offense because he has a good handle and a desire to whip the ball around the floor., In the half court, he thrives in motion coming off handoffs or cuts. When the defense is off-balanced, he does a terrific job of finding the open man., He's shot very well in a small sample of dribble-jumper 3-pointers over his past two years with Connecticut, but he looks so much more fluid off the bounce than he does off the catch. As a 70-plus percent career free throw shooter with solid touch at the rim, this offers some hope for his ability to be an off-ball threat. If not, he can at least hit some 3s off the bounce since he will have the ball in his hands.","cons":"Poor spot-up shooter who's totally uncomfortable launching off the catch. Defenders sag way off him. When he receives the ball, he usually takes a dribble or jabs before shooting and missing. Fit will be an issue for him in the NBA if he’s not a threat to shoot. Opponents ignore him behind the arc, which mucks up a half-court offense. A team will need to get creative with him, perhaps using Bruce Brown or Derrick White as a blueprint for him to find success. Both of them have become effective spot-up shooters on lower volume. He puts pressure on the rim largely off movement actions, not out of pick-and-rolls and isolations. Though in college he’s at his best with the ball in his hands, he’s not yet a player who will be running the show in the NBA.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":6.7,"pts_per40":50.9,"reb_total":6.2,"reb_per40":12.8,"ast_total":4.7,"ast_per40":2,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":2.2,"main_selling_point":"Athleticism, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense, Got That Dog in Him","age":21.5,"similar_player":"Honey Badger","analysis":"Menace of a defender who often baits opponents into mistakes, leading to easy blocks and steals."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Tristan Vukcevic","year":2023,"height":83,"weight":223,"school":"KK Partizan","pros":"Talented big man shooter who can hit 3s on the move and even drain stepbacks. Those skills translate to the midrange as well: He has the ability to drain fadeaways, pull-ups, and floaters., Fluid ball handler who keeps the rock moving within the flow of the offense. Some NBA offenses could incorporate him heavily in dribble handoffs because of his ability to drive, handle, and shoot., Good at-rim finisher who can smoothly catch the ball low, then bring it up to score., Effort didn’t fluctuate on defense even though he saw limited time on the floor in the Adriatic League and EuroLeague, which is typical for a player of his age. Defense is not a strength, but his effort puts him at a good starting point.","cons":"Tightening his handle would open up new possibilities for him as an offensive presence. His left hand could use work. Lacks an off hand as a scorer. Doesn’t go over his right shoulder using his left hand often enough. Though he has great touch, he needs to add more variety as an interior scorer. Requires lots of work on defense. He’s not quick enough to stick in front of speedy players and struggles to get low in a stance, which limits his ability to switch or blitz. He’s also not stout enough to dominate the interior, and frankly, he just often finds himself out of position. To make matters worse, he has a habit of falling for pump fakes.","grade":"Serbia","pts_total":5.6,"pts_per40":66.5,"reb_total":2.4,"reb_per40":14.7,"ast_total":0.9,"ast_per40":0.8,"main_selling_point":"Pull-up Threat, Catch-and-shoot Threat","age":20.2,"similar_player":"Kelly Olynyk with sprinkles of Lauri Markkanen","analysis":"Stretch big with the skill to score from all over the floor and major steal potential if his defense progresses."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Julian Strawther","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":209,"school":"Gonzaga","pros":"Improved as a shooter every collegiate season, turning from a low-volume non-threat to a high-volume flamethrower off the catch. Gonzaga runs him off screens and Strawther does a good job of fluidly getting himself set for his shots. And now, he’s even pulling up from deep behind the arc., Decisive ball handler who can run an occasional pick-and-roll, though he’s best-suited playing off-ball in an NBA offense to take advantage of his ability to attack a rotating defense, relocate, or cut to the basket., Super comfortable getting into his efficient floater from awkward angles and deeper ranges closer to the elbows., Competitive defender who plays hard with the on-ball quickness to contain guards, and the size to handle wings. He’s also active when defending off-ball, showing awareness rotating into the paint and crashing the glass.","cons":"Despite his activity as a defender, he doesn’t generate many steals or blocks—usually an indicator of defensive success in the NBA.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":15.2,"pts_per40":60.2,"reb_total":6.2,"reb_per40":12.1,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":1.5,"main_selling_point":"Catch-and-shoot Threat, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":21.1,"similar_player":"Bojan Bogdanovic, Morris Peterson","analysis":"Highly efficient offensive threat with the versatility to thrive in different roles."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"G.g. Jackson","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":214,"school":"South Carolina","pros":"Youngest player in the class and previously the top-ranked prospect in the 2023 high school class. Despite his youth, he already has a strong frame and the functional athleticism suited to handle the physicality of the NBA., Hard worker on offense who cuts, screens, and crashes the boards. He seals off defenders for post-ups, fighting for low positioning, and he’ll sprint up the floor on the break, too. If he’s not rewarded with the ball, he won’t stop hustling., Good spot-up shooter, though he’s making only 34.5 percent of spot-up 3s this season. Although he’s currently an inefficient shooter off the dribble, he sure looks the part with fluid crossovers that allow him to create tons of space. He comfortably gets into his shot, and with a soft touch near the basket on layups, he could someday become a reliable shooter., Ambidextrous finisher who can convert contested shots from awkward angles. If his handle and decisive nature are factored in, he could end up an excellent slasher. At the least, he’s a constant threat to go coast-to-coast after ripping down boards., He capitalizes on his physical tools by giving his all on defense. He battles through screens, calls out rotations, and boxes out. As long as his technique catches up, he should become a plus defender.","cons":"His game needs buffing. Shot selection is an issue, and he often forces wild layups. But it’s not all his fault since South Carolina’s offense lacks the type of stabilizing point guard he should have in the NBA, and there is a lack of spacing. So it’s often on him to take tough shots. Lacks accuracy as a passer. If he’s running a pick-and-roll, sometimes his bounce pass to the roller will be too far ahead of them. Or his kickouts lack accuracy. He sees the pass, but he’s not always on target. His free throw percentage has never been all that good dating to high school, which raises concerns about his shooting upside. He has size but lacks the length or beef of a player who can moonlight as a small-ball center, making him more of a big wing.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":15.4,"pts_per40":47.4,"reb_total":5.9,"reb_per40":11.4,"blk_total":0.8,"blk_per40":2.8,"tpt":32.4,"tpa":5.3,"main_selling_point":"Catch-and-shoot Threat, Interior Scoring, Ballhandling, Hustle","age":18.5,"similar_player":"Nimble Marcus Morris","analysis":"Elastic forward who can create shots for himself."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Julian Phillips","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":197,"school":"Tennessee","pros":"Disruptive defender who will take a charge, make a second effort on block attempts, and hustle in transition to swipe at the ball., With an excellent size and a long wingspan, he will be able to effectively guard multiple positions., Crashes the boards. He displays good instincts for reading the trajectory on shots and has the athleticism to snatch rebounds out of the air., Good passer. Tennessee uses him as a playmaking hub at the top of the key, from the high post, and in the middle of a zone. He can throw passes from multiple angles and deliver the ball with accuracy., Headsy cutter and slasher who consistently finds openings to attack the basket. With good hands, coordination, and toughness, he throws his body at the defense and draws a ton of fouls even if he’s not able to finish., He makes over 80 percent of his free throws, so while he doesn’t shoot well outside of the paint, he is efficient from the line.","cons":"Struggles as a shooter, even from a standstill. He has stiff mechanics and too wide of a stance, and he frequently hoists up air balls. He needs to change his form or revert back to what he did in high school, when his shot was smoother. Inefficient finisher around the basket. He isn’t an above-the-rim guy in traffic, so he ends up taking some wild shots when he should be looking to pass instead.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":8.3,"pts_per40":53.6,"reb_total":4.7,"reb_per40":11.8,"blk_total":0.5,"blk_per40":2.9,"tpt":23.9,"tpa":1.4,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Off-Ball Defense, Feel for the Game, Rebounding","age":19.6,"similar_player":"Gerald Wallace","analysis":"Athletic wing who brings grit on defense and an attack-focused mindset on offense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Amari Bailey","year":2023,"height":75,"weight":191,"school":"UCLA","pros":"Exhibited a high IQ, impressive creativity, and composure as a ball handler at the NBA draft combine. This came as a bit of a surprise since he was a score-first player at lower levels., Plays with pace out of the pick-and-roll and seems to be developing a feel for balancing scoring and playmaking., Crafty finisher at the rim, showcasing the necessary tools for an undersized NBA guard and the ability to control his body and absorb contact., Good spatial awareness without the ball in his hands. He’s a savvy cutter, and if his jumper development is real, he’ll be dangerous when relocating on the perimeter., Aggressive player in transition who loves to spark quick offense with kick-ahead passes or downhill drives., Shows two-way potential and has quick footwork and a sturdy frame. After teammate Jaylen Clark went down this season, he stepped up on defense.","cons":"Posted a negative assist-to-turnover ratio in college, looking rushed at times when pressured by defenses. As a below-the-rim player in traffic, he’d be served well by developing a floater or runner. He has a little midrange pull-up game, but it was an inefficient shot for him at UCLA. Unproven shooter, despite his progress late in his freshman season. He has never shot a great percentage or displayed strong mechanics, and he is still below average from the line. He’s on the smaller, leaner side as a guard, which means he’ll get picked on by opponents no matter how hard he tries.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":11.2,"pts_per40":55.3,"ast_total":2.2,"ast_per40":2.4,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":2.5,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling","age":19.3,"similar_player":"Delonte West","analysis":"Five-star high school recruit in the process of transforming from a scorer to a facilitator."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Keyontae Johnson","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":239,"school":"Kansas State","pros":"After collapsing on the floor in 2020 due to heart inflammation while attending Florida, he returned to play for Kansas State after taking a two-year break and was named to the All-Big 12 first team. Now 23 years old, he missed two years of developmental experience, but in May he was medically cleared for the NBA draft., Made 45.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s this season, per Synergy. The majority of them came via standstills in the half-court or transition chances., Though he made only 29.6 percent of his dribble jumpers, it’s a big improvement from his previous collegiate seasons. Since he also displays soft touch on runners and spot-up 3s, it may only be a matter of time until his success translates into dribble jumpers., Tough downhill driver with a quick first step, especially when attacking closeouts and face-ups. He’s at his best attacking in a straight line, though he can also stop on a dime and pivot to create space for floaters and layups., Kansas State threw designed lob passes to him, though he also had a good feel for improvising with backdoor cuts or transition sprints to make himself available. He could perhaps be used as an occasional screener in inverted actions at the next level., Versatile defender with good length and toughness; he’s best suited for a switch-heavy scheme. Also competes on the boards.","cons":"Posted a negative assist-to-turnover ratio. He gets loose with his dribble at times or forces the issue instead of making the simple play. He lacks feel as a decision-maker. He doesn’t make rapid choices and too often throws the ball into trouble. Falls out of position as an off-ball defender and struggles with tracking opponents through screens.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":17.4,"pts_per40":59.3,"reb_total":6.8,"reb_per40":12.5,"ast_total":2.1,"ast_per40":2.9,"main_selling_point":"Catch-and-shoot Threat, Float Game, Positional Versatility","age":23,"similar_player":"Cam Johnson crossed with Stanley Johnson","analysis":"Burly wing with the baseline skills to be a solid role player, plus a wiggly game off the dribble."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Chris Livingston","year":2023,"height":78,"weight":219,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"Possesses an NBA frame with long arms and a thick upper body, which he uses to do a lot of the dirty work on offense. When he’s in the teeth of the defense, he uses that strength and athleticism to finish through contact., Projects as an effective straight-line driver who can attack closeouts and rumble his way to the basket., Super active rebounder for his position. He might be able to play some small-ball 4 in the NBA like he did at Kentucky., Flashed good defensive potential toward the end of his freshman season. Despite his struggles on offense, he still hustled.","cons":"Lacks an in-between game on offense. Super inefficient on pull-ups and floaters. This is in part due to his loose handle, lack of playmaking feel, and inability to create space off the bounce. His shooting form looks good, and he’s only slightly below average from the free throw line, but success has never translated off the catch from 3. Those who have seen him work out predraft say he’s shooting better than ever before though. For the most part, his defensive upside is just theoretical. He gets lost at times defending off-ball. Improving here will be the key to sticking on the floor, but he was also a bit sluggish moving laterally in man-to-man situations. He had games as a freshman where he hemorrhaged points.","grade":"Freshman","pts_total":6.3,"pts_per40":51.3,"reb_total":4.2,"reb_per40":11.4,"blk_total":0.4,"blk_per40":1.7,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Rebounding","age":19.6,"similar_player":"Keith Bogans, Dwayne Bacon","analysis":"Hardworking wing with size who needs to refine the rough edges around his game to become a versatile role player."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Seth Lundy","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":214,"school":"Penn State","pros":"Mobile shooter who can race off screens, catch the ball, and balance himself in midair as he fades behind the arc. His form is a bit unusual for a knockdown shooter, as he brings the ball up top before he even leaves the ground. But it works for him., Need someone to stand in the corner and attack closeouts? He can do that. Need someone in constant motion to affect defenses? He can do that too. Need someone to run dribble handoffs? He can also dance with a big in the two-man game., He does more than fulfill the 3-and-D archetype because he’s a capable shooter off the bounce. He’s at his best off one or two dribbles to combat a closing-out defender, though he has also shown success out of isos and pick-and-rolls. If he’s given space, he’ll rise up., Hard-nosed defender with an extremely long wingspan, which helps make up for his height. As he continues to master the technique of pick-and-roll defense, he could become a very reliable option against wings and some guards.","cons":"How great of a shooter is he, really? It wasn’t until his senior season that he shot well from 3 on contested attempts. As a senior, he made 38.4 percent of 3s when \"guarded,\" per Synergy. But over his first three seasons, that number was just 30.7 percent. His performance at the NBA combine suggests his progress is for real, but he still needs to sustain it. Defensive mobility against speedier players needs work, in part because he just isn’t the quickest moving laterally. But he also gets slowed by on-ball screens.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":14.2,"pts_per40":60.9,"ast_total":0.9,"ast_per40":0.9,"stl_total":0.8,"stl_per40":1.5,"main_selling_point":"Catch-and-shoot Threat, Feel for the Game, Off-Ball Defense","age":23.2,"similar_player":"Caleb Martin","analysis":"Flexible scorer and a late riser who can thrive in any system."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Marcus Sasser","year":2023,"height":73,"weight":196,"school":"Houston","pros":"Hard-nosed perimeter defender who fights through screens by getting skinny and sticking to opposing ball handlers like glue. He’s a menace as an off-ball defender in passing lanes, too. When he needs to recover, he closes out with fundamentals. Effort is never a question., Deep-range shooter, but he’s streaky and so far much more consistent off the catch. He has a smooth release and has no issues getting his shot off even under pressure. Though he lacks reps coming off screens, he shows an ability to hit 3s coming off movement., Shifty ball handler with a low and tight handle. He loves using a high-arcing teardrop floater when he can’t get all the way to the rim. Though he needs to play like Damian Lillard for Houston, he’ll need to embrace his inner Patrick Beverley in the NBA.","cons":"Below-the-rim finisher who takes most of his shots away from the basket. He’s forced to settle for a lot of tough floaters or contested jumpers. He’s not a true point guard. Rather than passing seamlessly off the bounce, he often picks up his dribble, which gets him into a bind when attacking the paint. And he lacks a lead playmaker’s vision, meaning he likely won’t be able to operate as a sixth man who can settle an offense. Undersized guards are always at a disadvantage on defense, so he’ll be targeted by NBA offenses. It’s critical for him to add more value on offense outside of his scoring to regularly earn minutes at the next level.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":16.8,"pts_per40":59.7,"ast_total":3.1,"ast_per40":1.6,"stl_total":1.6,"stl_per40":3.2,"main_selling_point":"Pull-up Threat, Float Game, Got That Dog in Him","age":22.7,"similar_player":"Lindsey Hunter, Eddie House","analysis":"Spark-plug scoring guard who also plays hard on defense."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Mouhamed Gueye","year":2023,"height":82,"weight":213,"school":"Washington State","pros":"Explosive finisher who could thrive in a spaced-out offense with a playmaking guard. He’s a constant lob threat, and with his handling ability, he can attack the basket himself for loud dunks inside., Capable of affecting the game in different ways, showing potential in face-up situations since he can pull up from midrange and get to the basket., Made progress as a shooter in college, making 49.3 percent of free throws as a freshman and then 67.4 percent as a sophomore. Though he hit under 30 percent of his 3s in both seasons, he has displayed solid touch on pull-ups, hook shots, and finishes around the rim., Solid passer. Though he occasionally telegraphs the ball, he can make interior bounce pass feeds and quickly recognize kick-out opportunities following offensive rebounds. With his handle, he can also run dribble handoffs., Active offensive rebounder. He loves to fly in for putbacks., With his 7-foot-3 wingspan and great verticality, he could theoretically become a highly effective rim protector. Despite low block stats in college, he projects as an effective helper inside the paint., Washington State occasionally trusted him to defend perimeter players, which led to some mixed results, but the best moments suggest he could thrive in a switch-heavy defense.","cons":"Gets a bit sloppy with the ball. Defenders often swipe to strip him, especially when he’s in the post. On drives to the basket, he’s reluctant to finish with his left hand, always trying to get back to his right. Unproven perimeter shooter. What position does he defend best? He’s lean, with a light frame. He would get overpowered by strong bigs and even some wings. But as a switch defender, he also gets too flat-footed at times, leading to blowbys. Fundamentals must improve on defense. He’s often out of position in pick-and-roll and help situations.","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":14.3,"pts_per40":53.2,"reb_total":8.4,"reb_per40":16.3,"ast_total":1.9,"ast_per40":2.3,"blk_total":0.8,"blk_per40":2.7,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Positional Versatility","age":20.6,"similar_player":"Christian Wood, Thon Maker","analysis":"Above-the-rim athlete who flashed intriguing perimeter skills as a sophomore."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Colin Castleton","year":2023,"height":83,"weight":234,"school":"Florida","pros":"Good screener, roller, and finisher. He’s also able to seal off defenders under the rim and score with touch., Solid passer who, despite drawing doubles in college, stayed composed and delivered passes to cutters and shooters. He's not a virtuoso by any means, but he displays the requisite skills to execute the easy plays., Mobile rim protector who alters and blocks a ton of shots around the rim and can even roam out to the perimeter on a switch. His foot speed could translate to versatile pick-and-roll coverages., Competitive rebounder.","cons":"Lacks a perimeter game. Doesn’t shoot 3s and is inefficient from midrange, though he shoots above 70 percent from the line.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":16,"pts_per40":55.5,"reb_total":7.7,"reb_per40":13.9,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1.7,"blk_total":3,"blk_per40":9.2,"main_selling_point":"Shot Blocking","age":23,"similar_player":"Tyler Zeller, JaVale McGee","analysis":"High-energy big man who could provide a spark off the bench."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Kobe Brown","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":252,"school":"Missouri","pros":"Patient at-rim scorer who leverages his size and strength to generate space for layups., Post presence with the ability to score over either shoulder. At the next level, he could thrive against switches., Steady playmaker who minimizes mistakes. Missouri used him as a passing hub around the elbows. NBA teams could similarly rely on him in dribble handoffs, and he brings the versatility to handle pick-and-rolls., Active rebounder who can crash the boards and jump-starts offense with coast-to-coast possessions., Anticipatory defender who snuffs out opponents’ plays and constantly communicates with his teammates.","cons":"Is he a reliable 3-point shooter? Brown went from making a dismal 23.7 percent of his 3s over his first three seasons on 207 attempts to an outstanding 45.5 percent on 112 attempts as a senior. Bully ball was Brown’s go-to way of creating offense in college, but he’ll be facing bigger, stronger players in the NBA, making it a hard transition for him.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":15.8,"pts_per40":65.5,"reb_total":6.4,"reb_per40":13.6,"stl_total":1.5,"stl_per40":2.8,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Positional Versatility, Hustle","age":23.4,"similar_player":"Paul Millsap, David Roddy","analysis":"Competitor who blends the strength of a forward and the finesse of a guard."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Terquavion Smith","year":2023,"height":74,"weight":163,"school":"NC State","pros":"Constant threat to launch jumpers off the dribble. He’s squirmy and creates separation with ease. Though he’s hit only about 30 percent of his dribble-jumper 3s in college, he’s made more than 40 percent of his pull-up 2s and projects to improve his efficiency as he gets stronger., He made 41.7 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s as a freshman, and he’s still at 39 percent as a sophomore. Most of them are in standstill situations or simple relocations, but he’s shown improvement coming off screens, getting his feet set and rapidly launching., Scoring around the rim improved as a sophomore after making only 42 percent of his layups as a freshman, per Synergy. He’s near 60 percent now because he’s better at slowing down on drives. If he gets a switch, he’s smarter about when to attack. And once he’s in the paint, he’s able to tap the breaks instead of driving through the glass at 90 miles per hour., Playmaking progress has also led to improved interior efficiency. Rather than forcing wild shots, he’s now looking for teammates. He’s not a pure point but his manipulative handling ability allows him to draw defenders and create easy passing opportunities., Speedy defender who can make plays in the passing lanes because of his quick-twitch change-of-direction ability. He frequently communicates off-ball, often looking like a linebacker signaling calls.","cons":"At 6-foot-4 and 160 pounds, he’s a lightweight who needs to add a significant amount of weight to withstand the rigors of the NBA. He’s a subpar defender mainly due to his undersized frame. He needs to improve as a passer and/or boost his scoring efficiency to establish a regular rotation role. Right now he looks the part of a spark-plug guard but he doesn’t have a knockdown shot off the dribble, he’s still an unproven finisher, and he’s not a true playmaker.","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":17.9,"pts_per40":49.4,"ast_total":4.1,"ast_per40":2.2,"tpt":33.6,"tpa":8,"main_selling_point":"Pull-up Threat, Catch-and-shoot Threat, Off-Ball Defense","age":20.4,"similar_player":"Jordan Clarkson","analysis":"Springy athlete and one of the best pull-up shooters in this draft, but the rest of his game needs work."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Adama Sanogo","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":258,"school":"UConn","pros":"Shows elite efficiency away from the basket on 2-point attempts, whether it’s hook shots from the post, floaters following a Euro-step, or little runners in the lane., Effective post player who uses his strong frame to carve out positioning, which is beneficial when sealing off defenders and crashing the offensive boards., Blossoming shooting potential: He was primarily an interior player at UConn, but he improved as a free throw shooter in each of his three seasons (58 to 69 to 77 percent) and also made 19 of 52 3-point attempts (36.5 percent) as a junior., If his shooting progress continues, his coordinated ballhandling will allow him to attack closeouts or even face up from the perimeter., At the NBA draft combine, he displayed interior feeds and quick skip passes to shooters off the roll, the type of playmaking teams desire from a big., Displays flashes of mobility on defense. While he may not be a full-time switch defender, he can at least hedge on the perimeter or defend up to touch and then recover. He’s got quick recovery speed for blocks around the basket., Brick wall of an on-ball defender. Opponents can't power through him.","cons":"A large percentage of his turnovers in college came from doubles in the post. Though he won’t be in that position as often at the next level, it does show his need to improve at handling pressure from defenders. Lack of explosive verticality puts a cap on his rim protection as a drop defender. He would probably be best off roaming against non-shooters.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":17.2,"pts_per40":64.8,"reb_total":7.7,"reb_per40":17.4,"blk_total":0.8,"blk_per40":3.2,"tpt":36.5,"tpa":1.3,"main_selling_point":"Interior Scoring, Positional Versatility, Hustle","age":21.3,"similar_player":"Kevon Looney, thicc Serge Ibaka","analysis":"Championship-winning starting center who’s stepped up in big moments in all phases of the game."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jordan Miller","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":192,"school":"Miami","pros":"Classic slasher with a playground-style finishing package from any angle. He hit 66 percent of shots at the basket at Miami, per Synergy., The type of player who just finds a way to make positive plays, whether it’s by crashing the boards, cutting to the basket, or making a smart pass to a teammate., A savvy cutter and effective finisher at the rim. It would be interesting to see him in an offense that emphasizes inverted screening for a larger ball handler., Has a trademark fadeaway jumper from the post that he used often at Miami. Though he may not take many of those in the NBA, they represent his flexibility and feel from midrange since he can also hit runners., Super active rebounder with a nose for the offensive boards. He frequently flies in and shows excellent touch on tip-ins. And if he brings down the ball, he does a good job of deciding between a pass and a putback., Highly versatile on-ball defender with the length and strength to defend all perimeter positions. Modern defenses will likely ask him to switch, though he also displays great fundamentals when fighting through screens., Aware off-ball defender who nails rotations. He doesn’t rack up a ton of steals and blocks but performs reliably.","cons":"Not yet a reliable shooter. He takes 3s at a low volume and has made only 32.9 percent of them in five collegiate seasons. He also made only 72.9 percent of his free throws. Didn’t run many pick-and-rolls in college and doesn’t project as a primary ball handler at the next level, either.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":15.3,"pts_per40":61.6,"reb_total":6.2,"reb_per40":11.1,"ast_total":2.7,"ast_per40":1.3,"main_selling_point":"Got That Dog in Him, Feel for the Game, Positional Versatility, On-Ball Defense","age":23.4,"similar_player":"Bruce Brown","analysis":"Winning role player who affects the game positively in every category."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Hunter Tyson","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":2019,"school":"Clemson","pros":"Versatile knockdown shooter off the catch. He can screen, then slip the pick into the wing for a 3; run off screens at different angles, then get his feet set as he launches; or do the simple stuff like relocate to get open., Loves to show the ball to get defenders off-balance before attacking closeouts. At the rim, he has soft touch with either hand and the power to dunk., Totally comfortable playing in motion. He knows how to cut and make passes within the flow of the offense, and he rarely commits turnovers., Committed defender who plays hard, makes good rotations, and rebounds.","cons":"Lacks quickness on defense when moving laterally on the perimeter. He’ll be targeted early in his career. It wasn’t until his fifth season at Clemson that he really popped as a 3-point shooter. Over his first four seasons, he made just 33.5 percent of 3s and 75.2 percent of free throws. His rate of progress each season offers optimism, but his slow start is worth noting.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":15.3,"pts_per40":63.1,"reb_total":9.6,"reb_per40":16.8,"ast_total":1.5,"ast_per40":1,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Catch-and-shoot Threat","age":23,"similar_player":"Terrence Ross, Corey Kispert","analysis":"Late bloomer with the feel and shooting prowess to excel next to a star shot creator."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jaylen Clark","year":2023,"height":76,"weight":204,"school":"UCLA","pros":"Monstrous defender with the versatility to defend guards, wings, and many forwards. He’s a pest on the ball and an aggressive off-ball defender with elite anticipation skills when reading plays and jumping passing lanes. He sticks to opponents like glue, even when navigating screens., Possesses an imposing physical presence combining strength and explosiveness. Factor in his high-intensity approach, and the combination explains why he was one of the country’s best defenders and rebounders as a wing., Plays within the flow of the offense as a cutter, which is where he finds the most success. He’s also a solid facilitator when making basic reads. Perhaps his NBA role will somewhat resemble Bruce Brown’s for Denver—cutting and screening.","cons":"He shot 30.2 percent from 3 and 66.1 percent from the line in three years at UCLA, showing minimal improvement of his touch or form. Limited ball handler who doesn’t display much aptitude for running pick-and-rolls. When attacking closeouts, he almost always goes left. His limited creation ability and athleticism put a cap on his at-rim finishing skill. He’s not a high-flying lob threat even on designed plays, as evidenced by the fact that he logged only four dunks in the half-court in three seasons at UCLA. Suffered an Achilles injury that prematurely ended his season at UCLA.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":13,"pts_per40":55,"ast_total":1.9,"ast_per40":1.2,"stl_total":2.6,"stl_per40":5.1,"tpt":32.9,"tpa":2.6,"main_selling_point":"Got That Dog in Him, On-Ball Defense, Off-Ball Defense","age":21.6,"similar_player":"Minkah Fitzpatrick","analysis":"Defensive menace who has the skill to lock down opponents’ best scorers."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Charles Bediako","year":2023,"height":84,"weight":225,"school":"Alabama","pros":"Has good hands catching the ball and displays a feel for finding the rim. He doesn’t bring the ball down too often and instead goes straight up or, when necessary, uses pump fakes or shimmies to create space., Sets strong screens and can be relied on to execute simple plays like dribble handoffs., Aggressive offensive rebounder., Great shot blocker who anchored one of the nation’s top defenses.","cons":"He’s more of a throwback center who lacks some of the modern skills found in many bigs, including shooting range and defensive versatility. Shot below 50 percent from the free throw line across two college seasons. Lean frame needs to fill out before he can reach his upside as an interior presence who can defend post-ups and box out behemoths.","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":6.4,"pts_per40":61.5,"reb_total":6,"reb_per40":15.1,"stl_total":0.6,"stl_per40":1.6,"blk_total":1.8,"blk_per40":7.9,"main_selling_point":"Rebounding, Shot Blocking","age":21.2,"similar_player":"Lean Kendrick Perkins","analysis":"Rim-running and rim-protecting center who plays hard and within his role."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Ricky Council Iv","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":208,"school":"Arkansas","pros":"Electrifying athlete who’s a constant lob threat in the open floor and in the half-court., He’s an active, aware cutter. When he spots up from 3, he loves to catch and attack or pump and go., Slippery at-rim finisher who looks like he can float in midair and shows good touch using either hand., Displays solid passing vision when delivering feeds straight off the dribble., If there’s hope for his 3-point jumper, it’s because of his soft touch near the rim, his solid midrange jumper, and his 78.6 percent shooting from the free throw line., Clutch performer. He made five free throws in the closing moments of a tournament win over Kansas., Solid defender when he’s locked in, as he was at the NBA draft combine.","cons":"Subpar 3-point shooter who lacks range. His form also stiffens behind the arc compared to midrange. Takes too many risks as a passer, leading to careless turnovers. Inconsistent defender with effort and intensity that waver. He can also get a bit spacey off the ball.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":16.1,"pts_per40":54.2,"reb_total":3.6,"reb_per40":6.5,"ast_total":2.3,"ast_per40":2.1,"stl_total":1.1,"stl_per40":1.8,"main_selling_point":"Human Highlight, Athleticism, Interior Scoring, Clutch Gene","age":21.8,"similar_player":"Naji Marshall crossed with Ricky Davis","analysis":"Explosive finisher at the rim who flashes perimeter skills that give him sleeper upside."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Emoni Bates","year":2023,"height":80,"weight":179,"school":"Eastern Michigan","pros":"Exceptional shotmaker off the dribble who can confidently rise and fire even with a hand in his face. He can pull up going left or right, toss up soft floaters, take one-legged fadeaways, launch stepbacks, and use change-of-pace moves to get into those shots., Could he become a movement shooter? He has deep range and gets into his release quickly, even from awkward angles. The raw skills are there. From mostly standstills, he’s also hit nearly 40 percent of catch-and-shoot 3s in college., He showed a willingness to evolve at the NBA combine, trying to play more within himself and limit risky decisions. He said all the right things in interviews, but his actions will speak louder., Team fit could make or break his future. He needs a team with positive veteran influences who can guide him along early in his career.","cons":"Weighed in at only 179 pounds at the combine. Opponents will target him over and over until he puts on weight. And even then, there are concerns about his effort, focus, and fundamentals. He was a total liability in college, to the point where it seemed he didn’t care. His skinny frame also affects him on drives. He can’t dislodge defenders, which hinders his ability to create space off the dribble. Selfish scorer who doesn’t even look to pass. He dribbles the air out of the ball and posted 65 assists to 118 turnovers in college. When he did move the ball, he was reckless with his decisions, putting his teammates into poor positions or totally misfiring. Not an elite athlete. He has a short wingspan and small hands for his height, and he doesn’t explode as a finisher at the rim except for when he has space to launch. This is part of the reason he’s so reliant on his jumper. Maturity needs a lot of work. He loses his composure on the court. He talks a ton of trash, too much for a player with his flaws. Bates found himself in legal trouble during his lone season at Eastern Michigan. He was charged with carrying a concealed firearm with altered ID marks. Charges were later dropped.","grade":"Sophomore","pts_total":19.2,"pts_per40":52.8,"reb_total":5.8,"reb_per40":10.7,"ast_total":1.4,"ast_per40":2.5,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Pull-up Threat","age":19.3,"similar_player":"Tall Bones Hyland","analysis":"Hyped prospect who displays rare scoring prowess for his size, but his star has fallen after on- and off-court troubles."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Wilson","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":230,"school":"Kansas","pros":"Versatile ball handler who was a nightmare mismatch at the college level, where he carried a massive load. Kansas used him as a transition creator, on post-ups, in pick-and-rolls, and on cuts to the basket., Because of his size, solid handle, and knack for left-to-right spin moves, he was too quick for bigs and too strong for smaller players. These attacking skills could translate to the NBA as long as his jumper progresses., Shot a career-best 79.9 percent from the free throw line as a senior, which raises some optimism about his long-term projections as a spot-up shooter. He also shot above 40 percent on dribble-jumpers as a senior., Wide shoulders, a thick frame, and solid lateral quickness give him some defensive versatility. He’s also an aggressive rebounder, though he lacks great athleticism.","cons":"Made only 31.6 percent of his 3s in college, and his numbers worsened in spot-up situations as time progressed. As a senior, he made 40.3 percent of open catch-and-shoot 3s but only 27.5 percent when guarded, per Synergy. This could be viewed optimistically, but it was his first season shooting well even when open, so it’s a small sample. Contained by Arkansas’s Jordan Walsh in the NCAA tournament, raising concerns about his ability to generate space off the dribble against pro-caliber defenders. Adding some playmaking vision would help. Not an above-the-rim athlete, which limits his finishing ability despite his height. To make matters worse, he also had shaky shot selection from midrange in college and hoisted up some tough, contested attempts. Needs to improve athletically to become a better defender, especially in help situations, since he doesn’t get much lift on contests at the rim.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":20.1,"pts_per40":54,"reb_total":8.3,"reb_per40":14,"ast_total":2.2,"ast_per40":2.3,"stl_total":0.9,"stl_per40":1.5,"main_selling_point":"Positional Versatility","age":22.6,"similar_player":"DeMarre Carroll","analysis":"Big wing who must improve as a shooter to thrive as an NBA role player."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Toumani Camara","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":220,"school":"Dayton","pros":"Versatile offensive role player capable of playing in an inverted scheme because he’s such an attentive cutter, willing screener, and savvy player. In a condensed role, he’d have intriguing upside playing like a big out of short rolls., Skilled finisher who’s comfortable at the rim with either hand. He can also dunk with ease without needing much time or space., Improving shooter who made 40.4 percent of his 89 open catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts over two seasons with Dayton, per Synergy. However, he shot just 25.5 percent on 47 attempts when guarded, which raises questions about his true ability., Well-rounded defender and rebounder for his position. He’s smart, he’s tough, and he has good instincts. In a switch-heavy scheme, he’d thrive, since he’s capable of both tracking shooters off screens and battling stronger players.","cons":"Elementary ball handler who shouldn’t be asked to do much creation. He accordingly doesn’t have much midrange game with pull-ups and floaters. Negative assist-to-turnover ratio. Dayton asked him to do more as a decision-maker than he’ll need to do in the NBA though.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":13.9,"pts_per40":60.9,"reb_total":8.6,"reb_per40":17.9,"stl_total":1.2,"stl_per40":2.6,"main_selling_point":"Hustle, Positional Versatility","age":23.1,"similar_player":"Torrey Craig","analysis":"Big man skills in a wing’s body with a developing 3-point shot."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Slawson","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":222,"school":"Furham","pros":"Excellent scorer at the rim with explosive one-foot leaping ability and a propensity to cut and run the floor., Natural passer who ran Furham’s offense. Though he’s not a lead ball handler, he showed the skills to make just about every pass, whether he’s lasering passes out of the post, running handoffs from the elbow, or sprinting in transition., Hard-nosed on-ball defender who can handle most forwards, plus some guards and bigs. He’ll thrive in a switch-heavy scheme, and depending on the opponent, he’ll adjust his level of aggression, reaching for steals or playing more conservatively to prevent drives., Superb off-ball defender who flies in to contest or block shots at the rim. He’s straight up one of the best help defenders in the class. He reads the floor like he’s got a computer brain, cleaning up mistakes made by teammates., Never stops hustling. He racks up a ton of chase-down blocks and loose-ball rebounds.","cons":"Sloppy ball handler who lacks shake-and-bake moves. Even his spins look clunky. He’s better off sticking to straight-line drives to take advantage of his strength, unless he improves elsewhere. Lacks a reliable jumper. He made only 32.9 percent of 3s in college, and he doesn’t have much of an in-between repertoire. If he becomes a reliable shooter, it’ll be a game-changing skill for him since it’d add so much half-court offensive versatility.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":15.6,"pts_per40":65.2,"reb_total":7.1,"reb_per40":14.1,"blk_total":1.5,"blk_per40":5.3,"main_selling_point":"Off-Ball Defense, Hustle","age":23.6,"similar_player":"Josh Smith crossed with Kyle Anderson","analysis":"Switchable defender with a knack for standstill playmaking and at-rim finishing."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Jalen Pickett","year":2023,"height":74,"weight":198,"school":"Penn State","pros":"Uses his strength and especially his backside to back down defenders, steering them away to create space for leaning layups or fadeaway jumpers. Sometimes, he’ll even post up defenders all the way from the 3-point line., Sets strong picks, which is a useful skill considering how many teams use inverted screens nowadays., Spot-up shooting progressed in his final year of college. He made 38.1 percent of 3-point attempts. If this development is for real, it wouldn’t come as the biggest shocker, considering his soft touch on floaters, hook shots, and layups., Skilled playmaker who limits mistakes., Physical rebounder who racks up a ton of board for a guard.","cons":"It might be a challenge finding a fit for him in the NBA since he has such an odd style of play. What’s his real potential as a shooter? Made 34.7 percent of 3s and 73.3 percent of free throws over his first four seasons of college. Solid numbers, but nowhere near his production as a fifth-year senior.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":17.7,"pts_per40":57.7,"reb_total":7.4,"reb_per40":12.7,"ast_total":6.6,"ast_per40":2.3,"main_selling_point":"Feel for the Game, Float Game, Interior Scoring","age":23.6,"similar_player":"Mark Jackson","analysis":"Unorthodox player who operates like both an oversized guard and an undersized big."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Isaiah Wong","year":2023,"height":75,"weight":178,"school":"Miami","pros":"Won ACC Player of the Year as a senior and made All-ACC teams in three consecutive years. Though at 22 he’s an older prospect, he’s made progress every year and has produced on the biggest stages, playing in an Elite Eight and Final Four in consecutive years., Knockdown shooter as a senior who made 40 percent of his spot-up 3s as a senior and 39.7 percent of all his 2-point and 3-point dribble jumpers, per Synergy. He has distinguished shooting mechanics and a significant lean forward, but it works even when he’s heavily contested on pull-ups, sidesteps, stepbacks, and turnarounds., At the NBA draft combine, he was more active cutting off the ball and attacking closeouts, finishing the types of plays he’ll need to at the next level., Competitive defender with solid length, which helps him survive despite being undersized. He’s active in the passing lanes and crashes the boards.","cons":"Streaky shooter, in part because of his shot selection at Miami. He’ll need to tone it down and be more selective in the NBA. He also shot just 34 percent from behind the arc over his first three seasons in college. Miami didn’t require him to be a facilitator, so he lacks reps looking for teammates, though at the combine he displayed more of an aptitude for it than he had in college. Undersized, which puts a cap on his defensive upside and makes him a target.","grade":"Junior","pts_total":16.2,"pts_per40":57.8,"reb_total":4.3,"reb_per40":8,"ast_total":3.2,"ast_per40":2.1,"main_selling_point":"Ballhandling, Pull-up Threat","age":22.3,"similar_player":"Gabe Vincent","analysis":"Three-level scorer who displays creativity and plays at a deliberate pace off the dribble."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Oscar Tshiebwe","year":2023,"height":79,"weight":254,"school":"Kentucky","pros":"One of the best rebounders in college basketball history. He’s like Gollum in pursuit of his ring. Even if it means ripping the ball away from his teammates, he never stops hustling for his precious., Good at-rim finisher who made 65 percent of half-court shots in the area, per Synergy Sports., During the predraft process, he has worked on shooting corner 3s, which would be a game-changing skill for him to develop. As a senior, he made 40.4 percent of catch-and-shoot 2-point jumpers, per Synergy, and made 72.9 percent of free throws. So it’s not as if he's without touch, even though he rarely takes shots., Stands at only 6-foot-7 but has a 7-foot-4 wingspan. With his nonstop motor, he has good shot-blocking ability.","cons":"Sloppy passer. Struggles with making basic reads and delivering the ball with accuracy. It could be a severe limitation for him, and his NBA team will need to simplify the game for him at first. Needs to make progress setting solid screens without moving; otherwise, referees will pick on him with constant whistles. He’s more of a shot blocker than a rim protector. He has subpar positioning in pick-and-roll defense, and he doesn't really deter players from driving on him. And with a lack of switchability, he also can’t reliably step outside yet.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":16.5,"pts_per40":60.3,"reb_total":13.7,"reb_per40":25.2,"ast_total":1.6,"ast_per40":2,"stl_total":1.6,"stl_per40":2.9,"main_selling_point":"Got That Dog in Him, Hustle, Rebounding","age":23.5,"similar_player":"Reggie Evans, short Andre Drummond","analysis":"A relentless rebounder and runner who empties the tank every time he steps on the floor."}
{"source":"The Ringer","name":"Andrew Funk","year":2023,"height":77,"weight":200,"school":"Penn State","pros":"College teams had to constantly worry that he'd launch 3s, and they had to treat him like he averaged 35 points per game by hounding him all over the court., Willing screener who's comfortable popping or slipping into 3s.","cons":"Lacks a quick first step and burst off the dribble, limiting his ability to attack closeouts all the way to the basket. He’s not a leaper in the lane either. Streaky shooter off the catch during his first three years in college. He progressed as a senior with Bucknell before transferring to Penn State for his fifth year. He’ll be targeted on defense due to his subpar measurables and athleticism.","grade":"Senior","pts_total":12.5,"pts_per40":62.2,"reb_total":3,"reb_per40":5.4,"ast_total":1.1,"ast_per40":0.8,"main_selling_point":"Catch-and-shoot Threat","age":23.7,"similar_player":"Buddy Hield, Joe Harris","analysis":"A constant 3-point presence, but he will need to add more layers to be more than a shooting specialist."}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Markelle Fultz","year":2017,"school":"Washington","college_abbreviation":"WASH","post_draft_analysis":"Fultz is the perfect fit for the Sixers. They needed a big guard who can play both on and off the ball, stretch the floor and guard both backcourt positions. He's the perfect complement to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. The Sixers now have their big three. If they can stay healthy, they'll terrorize the league in a few years. -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Lonzo Ball","year":2017,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA","post_draft_analysis":"Lonzo Ball has as much talent as anyone in the draft. Forget about the hype and his father. He's the most talented passer to come into the draft since Jason Kidd. He makes everyone on the court better. He should help facilitate the development of their young players dramatically next year.  -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jayson Tatum","year":2017,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","post_draft_analysis":"The Celtics went with a guy they felt could really improve their offense. Tatum is the best scorer in the draft and perhaps the most NBA-ready prospect. With so many defensively minded players on the perimeter, Tatum should be able to help open up the floor offensively.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Josh Jackson","year":2017,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU","post_draft_analysis":"Jackson gives the Suns the aggressive defender they've lacked the past few years. His ballhandling also allows him to play some point. He should be lethal paired on the wing next to Devin Booker. -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"De'Aaron Fox","year":2017,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","post_draft_analysis":"Fox is the perfect player to take over this young Kings team. He's tough, aggressive, hardworking on the defensive end and a leader on and off the court. The Kings are looking for a culture-changer and I think Fox can deliver. -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jonathan Isaac","year":2017,"school":"Florida State","college_abbreviation":"FSU","post_draft_analysis":"Isaac fits the mold of players whom new front office executives Jeff Weltman and John Hammond have loved in the past. He's a long, athletic, multi-positional forward who can score in a lot of different ways and defend multiple positions. I think he has as much upside as Fultz and Ball. He's a project, but he's worth it. -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Lauri Markkanen","year":2017,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ","post_draft_analysis":"This pick is reportedly headed to the Bulls in the Jimmy Butler trade.  Markkanen may be the best shooter in the draft. With Nikola Mirotic hitting restricted free agency, Markkanen could be a bigger, better-shooting replacement at the 4. I like the Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and Markkanen rebuild.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Frank Ntilikina","year":2017,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","post_draft_analysis":"I think Ntilikina has major upside. He has a huge wingspan and great court vision, and has already been a starting PG in the French league finals. He needs to continue to improve his jump shot, but he could be really good down the road. The Knicks needed a point guard, hopefully one who can grow alongside Kristaps Porzingis if he remains in New York.  -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dennis Smith","year":2017,"school":"NC State","college_abbreviation":"NCSU","post_draft_analysis":"He's not a perfect fit for the Mavs, but they were blown away by his workout. He's quite possibly the best athlete in the draft. He has the potential to be an explosive scorer.   His lack of size and length are issues, but the Mavs decided to gamble on his upside. If Smith pans out, he could form a formidable young big three with Harrison Barnes and Nerlens Noel.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Zach Collins","year":2017,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ","post_draft_analysis":"Collins is reportedly heading to the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade with the Kings (Blazers trade picks No. 15 and No. 20 for No. 10.)  Collins is a great fit with the Blazers. They've been looking for an upgrade at the 4 who can both stretch the floor and protect the rim. They've tried several players, but none of them has the upside of Collins. He needs to get stronger, but he was worth No. 15 and No. 20 -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Malik Monk","year":2017,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","post_draft_analysis":"Monk is the most explosive scorer in the draft. He's going to be instant offense off the bench behind Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum. I think he's been a bit undervalued in this class. This is a very good fit for him. - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Luke Kennard","year":2017,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","post_draft_analysis":"Kennard is one of the two or three best shooters in the draft and the Pistons really wanted more perimeter touch. He's also tough, can play some point and has great leadership qualities. He's a good fit for the Pistons at No. 12.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Donovan Mitchell","year":2017,"school":"Louisville","college_abbreviation":"LOU","post_draft_analysis":"Mitchell is reportedly headed to the Utah Jazz after a trade with the Denver Nuggets.  Mitchell gives the Jazz more toughness and versatility in their backcourt. Most importantly, they were looking for an athlete who can defend both backcourt positions. He's got major upside and the Jazz had really cooled on Trey Lyles after a disappointing sophomore season.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Edrice Adebayo","year":2017,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","post_draft_analysis":"Adebayo is a super-athletic big man with great feet. His ability to guard three spots on the floor at his size is his biggest strength and was part of the appeal to the Heat, who had a hole to fill at the 4. His offensive game looked raw at Kentucky, but he has enough upside to justify this pick.  -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Justin Jackson","year":2017,"school":"North Carolina","college_abbreviation":"UNC","post_draft_analysis":"Jackson is reportedly heading to the Sacramento Kings via a trade with the Blazers  The Kings got their point guard of the future with their first pick, now they get a Rudy Gay replacement at the 3 with Jackson. Teams are drafting him for his shooting, but I think he's streakier than his reputation. This is the first pick that I don't really like in the draft. I would've grabbed OG Anunoby here. He would've added a lot more toughness and defense. -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Justin Patton","year":2017,"school":"Creighton","college_abbreviation":"CREI","post_draft_analysis":"Patton is headed to the Timberwolves via a trade with the Bulls  Patton is raw, but there is a lot of upside there. The Wolves obviously already have an incredible big man in Karl-Anthony Towns, but down the road, Patton could probably play on the floor with him.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"D.J. Wilson","year":2017,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","post_draft_analysis":"Wilson is a bit of a surprise here. He stretches the floor and he's a great athlete, but he's got a reputation for being soft in the paint. His ability to guard on the perimeter was the big appeal for the Bucks. I think they reached, but the upside is clear.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"TJ Leaf","year":2017,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA","post_draft_analysis":"The Pacers wanted a skilled scorer to put on the floor with Myles Turner at the 4. Leaf is one of the best scorers in the draft. He's a defensive liability, but the Pacers hope that they can use Turner to hide him some.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"John Collins","year":2017,"school":"Wake Forest","college_abbreviation":"WAKE","post_draft_analysis":"With Dwight Howard gone and Paul Millsap likely to follow as a free agent this summer, the Hawks needed size. Collins can play both the 4 and the 5. He's a good rebounder, a solid shot blocker and has an emerging perimeter game. He's also the youngest sophomore in the draft. There's good value here at No. 19.  -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Harry Giles","year":2017,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","post_draft_analysis":"Giles is headed to the Kings via a trade with the Blazers.  I love this pick for the Kings. I thought Giles was worth a pick from No. 10 on. He has as much upside as anyone in the draft. With De'Aaron Fox, Giles, Skal Labissiere and Buddy Hield in Sacramento, I love the Kings' young core. Not as sold on Jackson, but if he hits shots, they'll be a very good team down the road.  -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Terrance Ferguson","year":2017,"school":"Australia","college_abbreviation":"Australia","post_draft_analysis":"Ferguson was considered a top-10 prospect before he skipped Arizona to play pro ball in Australia. He's a very good (but streaky) shooter and athlete. The Thunder are always looking for wings who can stretch floor. He's not ready yet, but he's a good upside prospect.  -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jarrett Allen","year":2017,"school":"Texas","college_abbreviation":"TEX","post_draft_analysis":"Allen is an upside guy who runs the floor, blocks shots and rebounds, but he needs to add strength and offensive polish. With Brook Lopez off to the Lakers, the Nets needed to start grooming a young big. His mobility is really appealing.  -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"OG Anunoby","year":2017,"school":"Indiana","college_abbreviation":"IU","post_draft_analysis":"I love this pick for Toronto. The Raptors love tough, defensively-minded players who can guard multiple positions and stretch the floor. Anunoby might be better at that than anyone in the draft. He slid because of concerns about his ACL injury, but when he's healthy, this will be a steal for the Raptors.  -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyler Lydon","year":2017,"school":"Syracuse","college_abbreviation":"SYR","post_draft_analysis":"Lydon is headed to the Nuggets via a trade with the Jazz.  Lydon is an interesting prospect and fits the Nuggets' need for a player who can defend and shoot from both forward positions. He needs to get stronger and at times he can be passive, but there's a lot of upside here.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Anzejs Pasecniks","year":2017,"school":"Latvia","college_abbreviation":"Latvia","post_draft_analysis":"Pasecniks is headed to the Sixers via a trade with the Magic Pasceniks is a very skilled big man who thrives more as a face-the-basket big. He's had a great season in Europe. I suspect the Sixers will stash him, but he's great value here.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Caleb Swanigan","year":2017,"school":"Purdue","college_abbreviation":"PUR","post_draft_analysis":"Swanigan is one of the most skilled big men in the draft. If he stays in great shape, he can stretch the floor and bang in the paint. The Blazers are clearly shoring up their frontcourt with him and Zach Collins.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kyle Kuzma","year":2017,"school":"Utah","college_abbreviation":"UTAH","post_draft_analysis":"Kuzma is headed to the Lakers via a trade with the Nets  Kuzma feels a bit like a stretch. A very good performance at the draft combine really helped his stock. He can defend and during the combine he shot the ball well. The Lakers can use both of those things, but I saw higher upside picks still on the board.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tony Bradley","year":2017,"school":"North Carolina","college_abbreviation":"UNC","post_draft_analysis":"Bradley is headed to the Jazz via a trade with the Lakers.  Bradley was one of the more underrated prospects in the draft. He's a great rebounder, and when he gets in better shape, I think he'll show more athleticism. The Jazz need a long-term answer as a backup to Rudy Gobert. Bradley is a good get here.  -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Derrick White","year":2017,"school":"Colorado","college_abbreviation":"COLO","post_draft_analysis":"White was another darling at the draft combine. He's an athletic guard who can play and defend both positions in the backcourt. With Tony Parker aging and Manu Ginobili likely to retire, they really needed depth in their backcourt.  - Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Josh Hart","year":2017,"school":"Villanova","college_abbreviation":"VILL","post_draft_analysis":"Hart is headed to the Lakers via a trade with the Jazz.  Hart is the only senior to be selected in the first round. He's not a sexy pick, but he does just about everything well. He has a great feel and plays hard. He also shoots and passes well. He just lacks great athleticism or size for his position. With D'Angelo Russell and Nick Young gone, the Lakers needed some help here. -- Chad Ford"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Frank Jackson","year":2017,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Davon Reed","year":2017,"school":"Miami","college_abbreviation":"MIA"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Wesley Iwundu","year":2017,"school":"Kansas State","college_abbreviation":"KSU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Frank Mason","year":2017,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ivan Rabb","year":2017,"school":"California","college_abbreviation":"CAL"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jonah Bolden","year":2017,"school":"Australia","college_abbreviation":"Australia"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Semi Ojeleye","year":2017,"school":"Oregon","college_abbreviation":"ORE"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jordan Bell","year":2017,"school":"Oklahoma State","college_abbreviation":"OKST"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jawun Evans","year":2017,"school":"Florida State","college_abbreviation":"FSU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dwayne Bacon","year":2017,"school":"Oregon","college_abbreviation":"ORE"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyler Dorsey","year":2017,"school":"Indiana","college_abbreviation":"IU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Thomas Bryant","year":2017,"school":"Germany","college_abbreviation":"Germany"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Hartenstein","year":2017,"school":"Houston","college_abbreviation":"HOU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Damyean Dotson","year":2017,"school":"Oregon","college_abbreviation":"ORE"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dillon Brooks","year":2017,"school":"SMU","college_abbreviation":"SMU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Sterling Brown","year":2017,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ike Anigbogu","year":2017,"school":"South Carolina","college_abbreviation":"SC"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Sindarius Thornwell","year":2017,"school":"Slovenia","college_abbreviation":"Slovenia"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Vlatko Cancar","year":2017,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Mathias  Lessort","year":2017,"school":"Iowa State","college_abbreviation":"ISU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Monte Morris","year":2017,"school":"Xavier","college_abbreviation":"XAV"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Edmond Sumner","year":2017,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kadeem Allen","year":2017,"school":"Valparaiso","college_abbreviation":"VAL"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Alec Peters","year":2017,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nigel Williams-Goss","year":2017,"school":"California","college_abbreviation":"CAL"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jabari Bird","year":2017,"school":"Cyprus","college_abbreviation":"Cyprus"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Aleksandar Vezenkov","year":2017,"school":"Serbia","college_abbreviation":"Serbia"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ognjen Jaramaz","year":2017,"school":"Clemson","college_abbreviation":"CLEM"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaron Blossomgame","year":2017,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Alpha Kaba","year":2017}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Deandre Ayton","year":2018,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ","pros":"Incredibly gifted physical specimen in terms of size, length, frame and mobility.- Exceptionally skilled for a player his size. Can dribble, pass and shoot. Inside-out threat.- Terrific rebounder (career 15.2 per 40 minutes).","cons":"Often a step slow defensively. Instincts/awareness leave a lot to be desired at times. Didn't affect the game (0.7 steals, 2.3 blocks per 40) as much as you'd expect at college level. Can he anchor a defense?- Work ethic is average according to those who have worked with him.- Fancies himself as more of a power forward than a center. Would rather pop than roll. Will he be willing to do the dirty work/little things?Projected role: Franchise centerFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Suns have secured their center of the future with the No. 1 pick. Ayton is physically ready to step in right away and be a significant contributor for a team that has lacked an inside presence. His ability to improve his instincts defensively will play a large role in how quickly Phoenix is able to make another playoff push. Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Marvin Bagley III","year":2018,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Great size, athleticism and frame. Fluid and agile. One of the better rim-runners in this draft. Quick off his feet with an excellent second jump. Strong first step. Powerful finisher.- Has terrific scoring instincts. Averaged 25 points per 40. Doesn't need plays run for him. Made 23 of 58 3s in 33 games (40 percent). Solid ball handler. Likely has better shot-creation potential with more spacing. - Plays with a high intensity level, outstanding on offensive glass.","cons":"Skill level is a work in progress. Extremely left-hand dominant. Relied heavily on his physical advantage for production at the college level. Below-average passer. - 3-point shooting came on a small sample size; 63 percent free throw shooter. - Defensive instincts leave a lot to be desired. Often a split-second late on rotations. The reason Duke was forced to go zone exclusively? Shows potential switching but doesn't protect the rim at all. Per-40 combo of 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks is a major red flag historically. Can he anchor a modern defense?Projected role: Stat-stuffing energy big manFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"From the moment they landed the No. 2 pick in the lottery, it was clear the Kings were locked in on Bagley as their big man of the future. He fills a massive hole at power forward, and he's going to be an instant contributor on offense. His scoring ability, athleticism and rebounding prowess should look great alongside De'Aaron Fox. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Luka Doncic","year":2018,"school":"Slovenia","college_abbreviation":"Slovenia","pros":"Electric transition player who rebounds and pushes with a purpose. Powerful athlete once he can get momentum going. Creative open-floor playmaker.- Ball-screen savant who picks apart defenses with his elite vision, timing and creativity (7.3 assists per 40). Punishes defenders for going under screens with deep pull-ups. - Smart off-ball defender who shows good activity when his offense is going (8.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per 40). Elite instincts on both ends.","cons":"Struggles with aggressive ball pressure. Lacks a degree of wiggle in shot-creation situations. Needs another creator next to him. - Questions about his defensive upside. Can he hold up against NBA wings? - Prone to occasional emotional outbursts. Doesn't always handle adversity well.Projected role: Big playmakerFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Mavs traded a future first-round pick to the Hawks to move up and take Doncic here. The Mavs needed another ball handler alongside Dennis Smith Jr., and they got one. Doncic's basketball IQ, ballhandling and creativity will be great fits under head coach Rick Carlisle.  Doncic is obviously thrilled to end up in Dallas. His camp mentioned the Mavericks numerous times throughout the pre-draft process as a dream destination. He was reportedly not incredibly excited to go to Memphis, in particular. General manager Donnie Nelson and chief scout Tony Ronzone are as enamored with international basketball as any executives you'll find in the NBA."}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaren Jackson Jr.","year":2018,"school":"Michigan State","college_abbreviation":"MSU","pros":"Impressive physical profile. Extremely agile.- Lockdown defender who can switch 1-5. Plays in a deep stance on the perimeter. Elite rim protector (5.5 blocks per 40). - Soft touch from the perimeter with time and space -- 38-of-96 from college 3 (39.6 percent) and 79.7 percent from the foul line. Unorthodox push shot but gets it off quickly. Can straight-line drive when run off his spots.","cons":"Foul-prone defender who lacks a degree of discipline (5.9 fouls per 40 ranks as the third-most in our Top 100). - Instincts on the defensive glass leave much to be desired at times. Had a reputation of being a bit soft early on in his high school career. Reverts back to that for stretches. - Offensive upside is a bit limited. Doesn't think the game at a high level. Not going to create offense from the mid-post.Projected role: 3-and-D centerFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Grizzlies viewed this as a four-player draft and will be happy to end up with Jackson. His perimeter shooting prowess and mobility should allow him to play right away alongside Marc Gasol while also logging time as a backup center. He's a great, young building block regardless of the direction the organization goes with Gasol and Mike Conley. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Trae Young","year":2018,"school":"Oklahoma","college_abbreviation":"OU","pros":"Deadly pull-up shooter with deep range. Loves transition quick hitters. Kills pick-and-roll under coverages.- Shifty ball handler who has it on a string. Uses his pull-up threat to set up the rest of his game. Has a knack for drawing fouls despite his size. - Excellent passer (9.8 assists per 40 with a not-so-inspiring supporting cast). Should look even better with NBA spacing and talent around him.","cons":"Underwhelming physical profile for a starting NBA point guard. How much will he be able to fill out? Lack of elite physical tools along with uninspiring effort lead to serious questions about who he'll be able to defend at the NBA level. While partially due to role, he showed a lack of toughness defensively at Oklahoma. - Struggles to finish in traffic against length and athleticism. Relied heavily on getting to the free throw line at the collegiate level -- 9.7 times per 40 -- but his efficiency took a dive when the whistles dried up. - Brilliant court vision but can be careless with the ball, especially in a crowd. Lack of elite size limits his ability to see over the top of the defense. Gets bumped off his spots. Turned the ball over on 20.6 percent of pick-and-roll possessions.Projected role: Lead guardFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Atlanta ownership was able to compromise with its front office and land a future first-round pick in exchange for moving back two spots to land Trae Young. Young brings shotmaking, pick-and-roll prowess, passing and -- most importantly -- star quality. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Mohamed Bamba","year":2018,"school":"Texas","college_abbreviation":"TEX","pros":"Excellent size (7-foot-9 wingspan will be the longest of any player in the NBA). Relatively thin but has a frame that should fill out nicely in time. Quick off his feet.- Has significant potential defensively. Shows some versatility stepping outside of the paint and switching onto smaller players. - Career 68 percent free throw shooter. Made 14 3s on the season. Seems to have soft touch and might have more potential as a shooter than he demonstrated in college. Good hands. Will be able to space the floor vertically.","cons":"Has a tendency to float. Doesn't always look engaged or purposeful enough in terms of boxing out, setting screens, rolling to the rim and using his size to his advantage. - Offensive game is a major work in progress. Doesn't have any consistent means of scoring at the moment. Decision-making can be poor. Below-average passer. - Sixteen months older than Jackson. Has a lot of work to do on his physicality, skill and approach. One of the bigger boom-or-bust prospects in this draft.Projected role: Rim-protecting, vertical-spacing centerFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Magic wanted Trae Young to fall here, but the Mavericks-Hawks trade forced Orlando to alter its plans. The Magic will still be very happy to have ended up with Mohamed Bamba, whom many feel has the potential to be the best player in this draft. He's going to fit in nicely with the length and athleticism of Aaron Gordon (restricted free agent) and Jonathan Isaac. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Wendell Carter Jr.","year":2018,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Strong physical profile. Powerful and explosive off two feet. Uses verticality to protect the rim.- Polished, versatile, intelligent player on both ends of the floor. Has soft hands to go along with strong footwork and touch. Good shooting mechanics; made 19 of 46 3s (41 percent) to go along with 74 percent of his free throws. Good passer and rebounder. - Lauded for his outstanding intangibles as a worker and teammate. Has a very high floor.","cons":"Not as explosive as some of his peers. Floor is high, but ceiling is also lower. - Looks heavy-footed at times trying to defend in space. Might struggle to step out in pick-and-roll situations. Has good instincts, but will need to continue to hone his technique. - Doesn't always play with the type of physicality and confidence you might hope, especially in pressure-packed situations. Comfortable blending in.Projected role: Starting fills-in-the-blanks centerFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Chicago picks up a big center who can slide in right next to Lauri Markkanen's finesse game up front. He has excellent hands and touch around the basket, and his shot-blocking prowess will fit in nicely with the Bulls. They explored some trade scenarios to move up, but the Atlanta-Dallas trade prevented that from happening. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Collin Sexton","year":2018,"school":"Alabama","college_abbreviation":"ALA","pros":"Brash, ultra-confident competitor who plays the game with boundless energy and a huge chip on his shoulder. Worker off the floor. -  Not overly tall, but strong and long. Athletic guard who can play above the rim in space and has hxcellent burst in the open floor. Strong ball handler who operates at different speeds effectively. Moves the defense and gets into the paint frequently. -  Instinctive scorer and off-the-dribble shot-maker who struggled with efficiency, but still made 3s at a nice volume while hitting 78 percent of his free throws.","cons":"Skill level is a work in progress. Court vision is average. At his best in drive-and-dish situations. Tends to overdribble. Gets very wild with his decision-making at times. -  Not the biggest guard. Can he stay healthy playing the same relentless style? -  Two-foot jumper who was very reliant on drawing fouls at the college level. Lack of size affects him in traffic. Finished just 46 percent of his half-court attempts in the paint. Projected role: Lead guardFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The latest report on Michael Porter's back, commissioned by all teams drafting in the lottery, put a damper on the Cavs' plans to select him here. The Cavs went with the next-best player available on their board -- despite LeBron James' future looming over their offseason. Collin Sexton brings the type of athleticism, aggressiveness and toughness the Cavs have sorely lacked in a secondary ball handler over the past few years. Even if James decides to stay, Sexton will be able to help with his scoring instincts, competitiveness and defense. Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kevin Knox","year":2018,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Impressive physical profile at 6-foot-9, 213 pounds with a 9-foot standing reach. Has the size and reach to play the 4 comfortably, especially as his frame fills out. Can play above the rim in space. Fluid in transition.- Versatile offensive attack. Greatly improved shooter with great rotation and soft touch -- 57th percentile on unguarded catch-and-shoot jumpers. 1.9 made 3s per 40 minutes. Capable of attacking a closeout or stepping into a pull-up jumper when run off his spots. Spent most of the season sprinting around screens for midrange jumpers and floaters. Added ability to shoot on the move. Tremendous touch on floaters -- 25-61.- Tools to defend multiple positions in time.","cons":"Lacks a degree of physicality and toughness. Only 6.7 rebounds per 40 minutes. Is he tough enough to play the 4? Will disappear for long stretches. Confidence fluctuates. Shies away from contact in the paint as a finisher. Settles for perimeter jumpers. Sees himself as more of a wing than a modern forward. - Plays with a high center of gravity. Handle is a bit loose. Not much of a shot-creator at this stage of his development. Feel for the game is average. Had 53 assists and 85 turnovers in 1,198 minutes at Kentucky. Doesn't make his teammates better. - Struggled defensively at Kentucky. A bit tight in the hips. Can do a better job of sitting down and sliding on the perimeter. Not the defender his tools suggest. Up and down motor.Projected role: Versatile combo forwardFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Knicks zeroed in on Kevin Knox a few weeks back, and they never looked back seemingly. He rose up draft boards quickly once teams were able to see his physical gifts, shooting prowess, and multi-positional defensive potential in the flesh during the workout process. Knox is an intriguing fit alongside Kristaps Porzingis as part of a modern frontcourt, although his average ball-handling ability may lead to some growing pains as the Latvian likely sits out most of next season recovering from a torn ACL; Knox will be asked to shoulder a heavier load offensively than maybe he should at this point in his development. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Mikal Bridges","year":2018,"school":"Villanova","college_abbreviation":"VILL","pros":"Tremendous measurables for a wing. Long strides to the rim. - Extremely efficient offensive player (led Power 5 conference players in half-court efficiency). Greatly improved shooter who has excellent balance. Knocked down 2.6 3s per game at a 43.5 percent clip as a junior (and ranked in the 94th percentile on catch-and-shoot jumpers, according to Synergy). - Has the tools to be a versatile defender at the NBA level, especially guarding 1-3. Averaged 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per 40.","cons":"Limited ball handler who isn't going to create much offense. Struggles to make shots off the dribble. - Can be a bit passive at times. Lacks a degree of physicality and toughness. Has worked to add to his frame but still 204 pounds. How much 4 can he play? Average rebounder. - Not always the defender he should be given his length. Gets beaten off the dribble more than you'd hope. Projected role: 3-and-D wingFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"After being selected at No. 10 by Philly, Bridges was traded to the Phoenix Suns for the draft rights to Zhaire Smith and a 2021 first-round pick. In Phoenix, Bridges will bring reliable catch-and-shoot 3-point shooting to the Devin Booker-Deandre Ayton pick-and-roll. Plus, he and Josh Jackson can combine for a scary defensive wing tandem in time.-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander","year":2018,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Elite size and length for a lead guard. Slithery athlete who gets to spots on the floor with long strides. Impressive side-to-side agility.- Polished ball-screen player. Splits screens instinctually. Good pace as a facilitator. Can pass or finish with either hand. Crafty around the rim. Improved standstill shooter.- Tools to become a multi-positional defender in time. Good instincts.","cons":"Not overly explosive or physical. Gets by on skill and craft. PG skills could still use some polish.- How will he score in the half court? Slow, flat-footed pull-up that's easy to contest.- Not always the defender he could be. Reaches rather than contains. Level of toughness is inconsistent.Projected role: Lead guardFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Hornets traded this pick to the Clippers in exchange for the 12th pick (Miles Bridges) and two second-round picks The Clippers have long coveted the size, length and multi-positional versatility offered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and they were able to secure a trade with Charlotte on draft night to get him to LA. He's an interesting fit with a smaller combo guard like Lou Williams who usually struggles to find a defensive matchup on most nights. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Miles Bridges","year":2018,"school":"Michigan State","college_abbreviation":"MSU","pros":"Chiseled, powerful athlete. Vertically explosive. Potential dunk-contest participant. -  Has made 3-pointers with nice volume consistently. Converted 38 percent from beyond the arc at the college level. Can shoot coming off screens with time and space. -  Excellent potential defensively with the strength and quickness to guard multiple positions. Terrific rebounder. Solid passer. Lauded for his off-court intangibles.","cons":"Clunky ball handler who struggled to create offense efficiently in the half court. Didn't get to the free throw line much. Pull-up jumper looks crude and he was very streaky. -  Ideally would see a lot of minutes operating as a small-ball 4 but 6-foot-9 wingspan is on the shorter side. -  At his best playing off of stars. Might struggle if asked to take on too heavy of a scoring load. Projected role: 3-and-D combo forwardFull scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Charlotte passed up the opportunity to pair Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Malik Monk, instead preferring to add the powerful athleticism of combo forward Miles Bridges. The Hornets have been looking for a small forward in his mold for some time, but still have quite a few questions to answer regarding the outlook of their roster long term. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jerome Robinson","year":2018,"school":"Boston College","college_abbreviation":"BC","pros":"Nice size for a combo guard. - Productive and efficient junior season -- 20.8 points per game with a 61.2 true shooting percentage (up almost 10 percent from his sophomore season). Offers a healthy blend of versatility. Comfortable operating on or off the ball. Tremendous footwork and shot-prep in catch-and-shoot situations. Excellent balance and elevation. Flat trajectory at times but can shoot on the move -- 40.9 percent from 3. Does a great job playing off pindowns. Creates space with step backs. Played point guard as a freshman. Has three-level pick-and-roll scoring potential. Can rise up off the dribble from 3 or mid-range. Capable of making most basic reads as a playmaker. - Strong intangibles and feel for the game. Improved every season at BC, especially as a shooter -- 13.1 PER as a freshman, 17.8 PER as a sophomore, 21.4 PER as a junior.","cons":"Not overly long, physical or freakishly explosive from an NBA perspective. - Struggles to finish at the rim against length at times. Could stand to add more finesse in the paint -- 6-for-18 on floaters in 35 games. - Defensive upside is a bit limited. Lacks a degree of toughness. Not all that rangy. Only 1.0 steals and 4.0 rebounds per 40 minutes as a junior. How does he impact the game if he's not making shots? Projected role: Versatile combo guardFull pre-draft workout video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Jerry West and the Clippers fell in love with Jerome Robinson early in the process and will pair him with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in an intriguing modern backcourt. The two complement each other's strengths and weaknesses fairly well. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Michael Porter Jr.","year":2018,"school":"Missouri","college_abbreviation":"MIZ","pros":"Excellent size and reach for a modern forward (9-foot standing reach). Light on his feet when healthy. - Versatile scorer as a mismatch 4. Impressive on-the-move shooter for a player his size. Can pick-and-pop to space, sprint off screens or rise up off the dribble, even from beyond NBA 3 at times. - Good instincts on the glass and defensively when fully engaged.","cons":"Plays with a high center of gravity and slight hunch on both ends. Struggles to beat opposing wings off the dribble. Questions about his long-term health and durability. - Not the toughest prospect you'll find, partially due to his thin base. Gets knocked off balance on his way to the rim. - Doesn't think the game at a high level. Plays catch-and-hold basketball. One of the oldest freshmen in the draft.Projected role: Mismatch forwardFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Michael Porter's long night ended mercifully with the Nuggets' selecting him at the tail end of the lottery. The Nuggets were happy to absorb any risk associated with his health status in exchange for the sheer talent and long-term upside offered by the former projected No. 1 pick in the draft. The Nuggets have the luxury of bringing Porter along slowly and potentially even \"redshirting\" him his rookie year. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Troy Brown","year":2018,"school":"Oregon","college_abbreviation":"ORE","pros":"Good combination of size, length and frame for a NBA wing. Big enough to play some small-ball 4. - Versatile player. Grew up playing point guard. Good passer with a high basketball IQ. Moves the ball ahead regularly. Keeps the offense flowing with timely feeds. Tough, competitive defender who should be able to guard anywhere from 1-4. Unselfish player who likes doing the little things. Willing rebounder. Good cutter. Jumper isn't broken. Made 74 percent of his free throws. - Doesn't turn 19 until the end of July. Third youngest college player projected to be drafted. Very strong background. Consistently described as an outstanding teammate and worker.","cons":"Wasn't overly productive offensively in college. Struggled to score efficiently as a freshman. Seemed to lose his confidence at times. Made just 29 percent of his 3s. - Just an average athlete. Lacks explosiveness and wiggle with his first step. Wasn't able to consistently create shots off the dribble for himself as a freshman. - Youth and lack of impact on a non-NCAA tournament team means he likely needs a few years to develop. Projected role: Versatile 3-and-D wingFull scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Wizards searched for depth in the backcourt all season, as their bench units were highly inconsistent. Troy Brown's ability to play anywhere from 1 to 4, along with the unselfishness, basketball IQ and defensive versatility he offers, are attractive. He's one of the youngest players in the draft, and thus has potential to grow if he can find a way to become a more consistent shooter. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Zhaire Smith","year":2018,"school":"Texas Tech","college_abbreviation":"TTU","pros":"One of the most explosive athletes in the draft. Fluid and quick off his feet. Not very tall, but has a plus wingspan that allows him to play bigger than his size. Frame that should fill out nicely in time. -  Multi-positional defender. Played power forward extensively in college. Toughness and grit makes up for lack of size. Will be the type of player coaches sic on the opposing team's best offensive player. -  Strong intangibles that bode well for his long-term development. One of the youngest prospects in the draft. Lauded by coaches for his work ethic, competitiveness and willingness to do the little things. Late bloomer who is on a different development trajectory than most prospects. Shows a little more feel than you might expect at times. Stays in his lane, doesn't make many mistakes, especially relative to his lack of experience.","cons":"Limited offensive player. Made only 18 3-pointers in 37 games. Posted the lowest usage rate of any college player currently projected to be drafted. Doesn't create much offense for himself. Ball-handling skills are unrefined. Will he be able to score enough to stay on the floor early in his career? -  Measured just 6-2.75 without shoes. Will likely need to transition to playing the 2 eventually. Will need to be surrounded with skilled teammates, at least early on. -  Lacks experience in a major way. Needs time to develop, particularly offensively. Projected role: Athletic, energizing wing defenderFull pre-draft workout video Full scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Zhaire Smith had two excellent workouts in Philadelphia, piquing the 76ers' interest with his combination of length, athleticism, toughness and defensive versatility. It's an interesting move to trade local Villanova product Bridges -- who would've been a great fit next to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid -- for a fairly unknown prospect in Zhaire Smith. It's a bold move for a front office without a GM. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Donte DiVincenzo","year":2018,"school":"Villanova","college_abbreviation":"VILL","pros":"Good size for a combo guard at a shade under 6-5. Strong frame. Terrific athlete. Has 42-inch vertical.- Tough, physical and aggressive defender. Picks up opponents full-court and is very disruptive. Great instincts and awareness helping off the ball. Active hands. Puts his body on the line. Steps in for charges. Dives on the floor for loose balls.- High-level shooter with deep range and a beautiful stroke. Quick release and unlimited confidence. Makes deep pull-ups from well beyond the NBA line. Doesn't turn it over. Plays with zero fear. Team player.","cons":"His 6-6 wingspan may make it difficult for him to defend bigger wings. At his best guarding point guards.- Average ball-handler. At his best playing alongside another playmaker. Struggles to create in the half court. Picks up his dribble. Doesn't get to the free throw line much.- Age 21 and only really had one standout season in college. Wasn't considered an early-entry candidate until he exploded in the Final Four.Projected role: 3-and-D combo guardProjected role: Shotmaking bench guardFull scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Bucks have been looking for a two-way combo guard who can make shots and bring toughness. Donte DiVincenzo looks like one of the more ready players to come in and play a role immediately alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is likely to shoulder most of the ballhandling responsibilities. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Lonnie Walker","year":2018,"school":"Miami","college_abbreviation":"MIA","pros":"Impressive combination of length, strength and explosiveness. Plays above the rim with ease in space. Tremendous in transition. Potential to develop into a 2-3 position defender in time. - Dynamic on-the-move shot-maker. Can rise into his jumper off the dribble or sprint into catch-and-shoot jumpers off screens. - Not a great ball handler now, but ability to get to his pull-up along with his raw athleticism gives him potential to develop into a ball-screen threat and potential shot-creator in time. High upside.","cons":"Goes long stretches without having much of an impact. How does he contribute to winning when he's not making shots? Needs to add more value as a defender and rebounder. - Struggles to get past experienced defenders because of his handle. Can improve his decision-making. - Shooter who doesn't always make enough? Impressive mechanics but a bit more streaky than you'd hope. Projected role: Scoring two-way guardFull strengths and weaknesses scouting video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Spurs potentially get one of the biggest steals in the draft in Lonnie Walker, an athletic freak with terrific shot-making ability both with his feet set and off the dribble. Concerns about his health were overblown, according to NBA teams with which ESPN spoke. These reports have been out there for weeks but didn't play a major role in where he was selected. There might not be a better player for Walker to prove teams wrong, as he will be surrounded by an elite culture, coaching staff and player development structure. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kevin Huerter","year":2018,"school":"Maryland","college_abbreviation":"MD","pros":"Good positional size at 6-7.25 in shoes. Still only 19.7 years old despite being a sophomore -- younger than freshmen Michael Porter Jr., Mohamed Bamba and Deandre Ayton. Solid athlete.- Complete offensive player. Great balance on his catch-and-shoot jumper. In the 88th percentile as a spot-up player. Excellent timing attacking closeouts. Can sprint off screens into shots with range. Tremendous balance. Ball comes out cleanly. Outstanding passer out of a variety of actions. Quick thinker out of pindowns. Can see over the top out of pick-and-roll, uses both sides of the floor. Hits the roller comfortably. Delivers the ball with either hand. Can rise into pull-ups off the dribble or get to the rim in space. Touch on floaters. Smart cutter. Had 64.2 true shooting percentage as a freshman.- High intangibles. Competitive. Rebounds his position. Tremendous feel. Impressing teams throughout the interview process. Will maximize his potential.","cons":"Not a prolific or overtly aggressive scorer -- 15.0 points per 40 minutes in two seasons at Maryland. Comfortable ball-handler but not overly shifty.- Shies away from contact at times in the paint. Shot only 3.6 free throws per 40 minutes as a sophomore and 1.2 as a freshman. Wants to load up off two feet.- Defensive upside is a bit limited. Not overly long for his position. Can be a bit upright on the perimeter. Caught on screens. Doesn't quite have the frame to contain legitimate NBA wings right now.Projected role: High-IQ shotmakerFull scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"After picking Trae Young as their point guard of the future, it makes sense for Atlanta to bring in a sharpshooting wing like Kevin Huerter. His addition will give the Hawks perhaps the most lethal shooting combination in the draft. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Josh Okogie","year":2018,"school":"Georgia Tech","college_abbreviation":"GT","pros":"Outstanding combination of age and physical tools. Powerful athlete in space. Plays above the rim. Excellent in transition. Stud frame with a proportionate upper and lower body. Younger than a handful of freshmen projected in the top 10.- Has the physical profile to guard at least three positions in the modern NBA. Motor dips a little more than you'd expect given his reputation as a \"defender\" (partially due to offensive responsibility at Georgia Tech) but he's tough overall; 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per 40 minutes. Covers ground on closeouts. Wingspan a major factor on the defensive end. Has shown a willingness to embrace the role of defender in the past. Rebounds his position. Has made tremendous strides since we first evaluated him at the 2015 Nike Global Challenge.- Improved standstill shooter who made 38 percent of his 3s and 82.1 percent of his free throws; 93rd percentile on 62 catch-and-shoot jumpers. Was tasked with the role of primary shot-creator on an underwhelming Georgia Tech team, which played a big part in his inefficiencies offensively.","cons":"Extremely rigid ball handler. Shouldn't be tasked with shot-creation duties in the half court. Struggles to change speeds and directions. Feel for the game is still a work in progress. Unable to execute simple passes. Partially a function of developed bad habits given his role in college but settles for low-percentage shots in the half court. Head down to the rim. Career 119 assists to 134 turnovers.- Still has questions to answer as a shooter, especially off the dribble. Shoots a set shot on the move. Doesn't get much lift. Needs time and space.- Not the finisher his tools suggest. Career 45.4 percent from 2 on 768 attempts. Shot 43.2 percent from 2 as a sophomore. Shot 44.6 percent at the rim in the half court and 0-for-10 on floaters.Projected role: 3-and-D wingFull scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Wolves have been coveting wing depth all season, and they made a logical selection with Josh Okogie, who brings length, defensive versatility and budding shooting prowess. Younger than some freshmen who were selected, Okogie has significant potential to grow into. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Grayson Allen","year":2018,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Made a large volume of 3s throughout his college career (38 percent). 85 percent free throw shooter. Shoots it with deep range pulling up off the bounce or with his feet set. Can come off screens and shoot on the move.- Good athlete in the open court. Explosive leaper in space. Attacks closeouts with excellent footwork. Makes a lot of hustle plays. Gets in the passing lanes frequently. Energetic, tough and competitive. Willing to do the little things.- Can play some point guard in a pinch. Runs the offense. Passes ahead in transition. Can drive and dish some. Unselfish player overall. Academic All-American. Ticks a number of boxes NBA teams look for in a role player.","cons":"Clunky ball-handler. Lacks a degree of wiggle and shiftiness. Two-footed jumper who lacks the length to finish efficiently inside the paint. Doesn't get to the free throw line at a great rate. Mostly a straight line driver. Relies heavily on pull-up jumpers. - Heavy footed defender. Doesn't cover ground well. Gets burned off the bounce too frequently. - Didn't show much improvement from his sophomore to senior year. Was an inconsistent player overall. Numbers stagnated against elite-level competition. Struggled to handle pressure at times. Tripping incidents.Projected role: Energetic shooting backup combo guardFull pre-draft workout video Full scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Jazz desired a perimeter shooting combo guard to pair with the likes of Donovan Mitchell, Dante Exum (restricted free agent) and Ricky Rubio. They get one of the better marksmen in the draft in Grayson Allen. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Chandler Hutchison","year":2018,"school":"Boise State","college_abbreviation":"BOIS","pros":"Great size and length. Projectable frame that has improved over the years. Has the tools to be a multi-positional defender at the NBA level.- Long strides to the rim. Super fluid in the open floor. At his best as a straight-line driver. Comfortable ball handler in space. Lives at the free throw line (8.7 attempts per 40 minutes). - Strong feel for the game. Impressive passer on the move for his position. Can facilitate out of ball screens. Uses both sides of the floor. Excellent cutter.","cons":"Shows flashes but still finding himself as a shooter. Turns down too many rhythm 3s. Can stand to speed up his release. - How does he score efficiently in the half court in the NBA? Not much of a threat to pull up off the bounce. Unable to utilize his straight-line slashing with defenders sagging off and packing the paint. - Turnover prone (5.5 per 40 minutes). Can be a bit careless with his decision-making. Takes a lot of tough floaters in the lane. Struggles to play in traffic. Can still stand to get tougher.Projected role: Do-it-all wingFull scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Bulls promised Chandler Hutchison they would select him at No. 22 more than a month ago despite not being under much pressure of him possibly being picked higher. Encumbering their pick during the entire pre-draft process might have hurt their chances of moving up from the No. 7 pick, as like they attempted to do repeatedly with Atlanta and Memphis. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Aaron Holiday","year":2018,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA","pros":"Strong frame with excellent length (6-7.5 wingspan) despite measuring only 6-0.75 in shoes. Good athlete who has the quickness to put pressure on the rim in the half court. Doesn't shy away from contact in traffic. -  Excellent blend of shotmaking and penetrating -- 21.6 points per 40 minutes. Tremendous balance and touch. Made 2.8 3-pointers per 40 minutes at a 42.9 percent clip as a junior. Rates 98th percentile on guarded catch-and-shoot jumpers. Comfortable operating on or off the ball. Maintains balance on pull-ups, even after advanced combo moves and step-backs. Deep range. Has a killer mentality. Not afraid to take and make big shots. -  Pitbull defender who should be able to earn minutes early in his career because of his defense. Pressures the ball. Gets skinny over screens.","cons":"Doesn't have elite size for a point guard at 6-0.75 in shoes. -  Struggles to play in traffic at times because of his size. In the 49th percentile as a finisher at the rim in the half court. Shot 45.4 percent from 2-point territory against teams with a win percentage over .500 (24 games). -  Still developing as a facilitator. Doesn't have great peripheral vision. Struggles with hard hedges and aggressive pick-and-roll coverages. Had 4.4 turnovers per 40 minutes against teams with a win percentage over .500 and 18.6 turnover percentage in pick-and-roll overall. Projected role: Tough scoring guardFull pre-draft video Full scouting report --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Pacers were looking for a versatile guard who can play on and off the ball and a player they can groom long term, as both Cory Joseph and Darren Collison enter the final years of their contracts. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Anfernee Simons","year":2018,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","post_draft_analysis":"Simons was the lone player the Trail Blazers brought in twice for a workout, and they obviously liked what they saw both times around. He's an intriguing long-term prospect to groom between fellow scoring guards Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, and he likely will require time in the G League to make up for not having played college basketball. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Moritz Wagner","year":2018,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","post_draft_analysis":"The Lakers found success in last year's draft by picking older and established college players with high skill levels and character. They continued along that same path this year by picking NCAA tournament darling Mo Wagner. With Brook Lopez's contract expiring, there is certainly room on the roster for a shooting big man in his mold. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Landry Shamet","year":2018,"school":"Wichita State","college_abbreviation":"WICH","post_draft_analysis":"The Sixers went with the guard who complements Ben Simmons, as Landry Shamet is one of the better shooters in the draft and has the size to play either the 1 or 2. His feel for the game and ability to operate in a half-court setting will fit in nicely in Brett Brown's system, giving him some added versatility to work with in the backcourt. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Robert Williams","year":2018,"school":"Texas A&M","college_abbreviation":"TA&M","pros":"Prototype physically. Explosive athlete who covers ground unbelievably and is incredibly fast off his feet. Tremendous lob target. - Great defensive potential. Blocks shots on the interior and perimeter; switches onto smaller players. No. 1 rebounder and No. 3 shot-blocker among likely draft picks on a per-minute basis. - Better passer than you might think. Has some upside as a shooter.","cons":"Doesn't have a consistent means of scoring. Plays very sped-up and settles for jumpers more than you'd hope. Feel for the game is a major work in progress. - Doesn't always make the type of impact defensively he should. Relies too much on his talent and tools. Bites on fakes. Doesn't box out. Rarely keeps his blocks in bounds. - Boom-or-bust prospect. No question about his talent, but there are concerns about his motor and overall approach to the game. Projected role: Rim-protecting, vertical-spacing centerFull pre-draft workout video Full scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Danny Ainge does it again. The rich get richer, as the Celtics add the No. 12 player in the ESPN 100 all the way down at the 27th pick. Concerns about Williams' off-court habits and some question marks about his knee sank his stock, but this might end up being the steal of the draft. Williams' ability to protect the rim is something the Celtics covet, and he's now in a perfect situation to continue to develop his basketball IQ in one of the NBA's best cultures and player-development systems. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jacob Evans","year":2018,"school":"Cincinnati","college_abbreviation":"CIN","pros":"Good combination of size, frame and length for the wing position.- Versatile player who ticks a number of boxes NBA teams look for at his position. Shot 38 percent from 3 in his three seasons in college, while posting a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Was asked to play some point guard his junior year and did a good job of facilitating for teammates. Multi-positional defender at the college level.- Young for his class. Similarly aged with sophomores projected to be drafted.","cons":"Average athlete. Doesn't have a great deal of juice off the dribble. Plays mostly below the rim.- Difficult to see him emerging as a prolific shot-creator despite his solid feel for the game. Tends to blend in at times.- Shooting mechanics are unorthodox.Projected role: 3-and-D wingFull scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Warriors fell in love with Jacob Evans' shooting, basketball IQ and defensive versatility through the season and pre-draft process. Evans' ability to play multiple positions is coveted in their positionless basketball structure, and the fact that he has three years of college under his belt might help him see minutes already next season for a team that lacked depth at times this past season. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dzanan Musa","year":2018,"school":"Bosnia & Herzegovina","college_abbreviation":"Bosnia & Herzegovina","pros":"Has excellent size for the wing at 6-8 without shoes. Theoretically can play some 4, despite having a wing skill-set. - Gifted, aggressive scorer with a nose for putting the ball in the basket. Has done it at every level he's played. Career 23 points per-40 minutes in 228 games. Averaged over 22 points per-40 in an efficient manner, playing against top European competition as an 18-year-old, an extremely rare feat historically. Can create his own offense impressively and make tough shots off the dribble. Advanced pick-and-roll player. Great in the open floor pushing rebounds off the defensive glass. Takes and makes 3-pointers prolifically. - Instinctive, competitive player. Has toughness. Doesn't mind contact. Draws fouls in bunches. Finds teammates creatively. Solid rebounder. Gets in the passing lanes. Plays with a chip on his shoulder. Loves the big moments. Infatuated with the NBA. Idolizes Kobe Bryant.","cons":"Just an average athlete. Upper body is hunched, causing him to play smaller than his size. Needs to continue to improve his frame. Hasn't put on all that much weight over the past few years. Major question marks about his ability to defend his own position. - Competitive nature can get the best of him. Rubs teammates and coaches the wrong way at times. Body language leaves something to be desired. - Shot-selection and decision making could stand to improve. Likes to catch, hold and iso, which won't be his role early on and may not be viable long-term with his average tools. Career 31 percent 3-point shooter on 680-plus attempts. Projected role: Microwave scorerFull scouting report --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Nets add one of the better scorers in the draft in Dzanan Musa, a player who was projected significantly higher for much of the season but ended up slipping due to his insistence on coming to the NBA right away as opposed to being stashed. Musa's scoring instincts, youth and competitiveness make him a prospect worth investing in. He has put up points in bunches in every setting he's played in at every level. <-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Omari Spellman","year":2018,"school":"Villanova","college_abbreviation":"VILL","post_draft_analysis":"The Hawks complete the first round with Omari Spellman, a stretch big man who played a huge role in Villanova's national championship run. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Elie Okobo","year":2018,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","pros":"Nice size and length. Frame has improved. Smooth athlete. Can play at different speeds. Shows flashes as a defender.- Extremely productive and an NBA-caliber shotmaker with deep range. Streaky and shoots a bit of a set shot with a low release point but he made a big jump this year with his consistency -- 41.3 percent from 3 on 172 attempts. Punishes guards for going under screens. Creates space with step backs. Really comfortable off the dribble. Savvy pick-and-roll player with 3-level scoring potential. Knows how to manipulate ball screens. Soft touch on floaters. Had 63.4 true shooting percentage in 35 Pro A games last season.- Improving facilitator. Can make pick-and-roll pocket passes. Shows flashes of creativity on the move. High intangible prospect.","cons":"Still developing his PG skills. Gets a bit lackadaisical with his handle against ball pressure. Plays a bit upright. Not always the most comfortable playmaker in traffic. Inaccurate passes. Doesn't always have the best feel for when to facilitate and when to get his own shot. Wants to settle for tough pull-ups. More of a ball-screen player than one-on-one shot creator.- Not always the most engaged on- or off-ball defender. Relaxes in his stance too often. Needs to play with more consistent effort on that end.- Benefited from having ultimate freedom with Pau-Orthez. Has battled bouts of inefficiency (31.3 2-point percentage at the 2017 under-20s) and inconsistency in the past. Struggles to finish through contact. Still improving his off hand.Projected role: Shotmaking bench guardFull scouting report --Mike Schmitz"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jevon Carter","year":2018,"school":"West Virginia","college_abbreviation":"WVU","pros":"Strong frame at 198 pounds. Loves to take less physical guards into the post, where he spent 8.1 percent of his offense last season and finished in the 98th percentile as a scorer. Has short turnarounds and jump hooks. Can pass from the block.- Extremely efficient offensive player with a 64.1 true shooting percentage and a 2.59 assist-to-turnover ratio. Reliable standstill shooter (97th percentile on catch-and-shoot jumpers) and capable off the dribble with time and space (91st percentile on 161 attempts). Strong feel for the game. Can make most basic reads in the half court. Rarely plays outside of himself.- High intangible guard with two national championships. Competitive defender. MVP of the 2015 U19 Worlds that also featured Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles, Josh Jackson.","cons":"Not a very shifty athlete. Lacks wiggle with the ball, playing mostly at one speed. Struggles to break down athletic big men after switches. Capable shotmaker with room but not all that dynamic creating space. Plays more of a ground-and-pound style. Tough positional defender in college but can he stay in front of quicker NBA guards? Average length.- Has feel but not quite the playmaker his numbers suggest. Benefitted from Villanova's system. Was more of a scorer at the high school level. Doesn't always play with his head up. Doesn't use both sides of the floor as a pick-and-roll playmaker.- Will have to add more finesse around the rim as a finisher. Attempted only seven floaters last season. Plays mostly below the rim. Very left-hand dominant. Doesn't get great extension.Projected role: Old-school backup PGFull scouting report --Mike Schmitz"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Brunson","year":2018,"school":"Villanova","college_abbreviation":"VILL"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Devonte' Graham","year":2018,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU","pros":"Physical specimen. Measured 7-foot tall without shoes with a long wingspan and gigantic standing reach. Huge hands. Wide shoulders. Decent legs. Fluid, mobile, explosive athlete. Quick off his feet. Bouncy. - Has a degree of natural skill and talent that is difficult to teach. Soft hands. Great touch around the basket and even stretching it out past the 3-point line. Long strides in the open court. Covers a huge amount of ground with a single dribble. Plays a coveted role as a rim-running, pick and roll finisher.- Possesses significant upside. One of the best shot-blockers and offensive rebounders in Nike EYBL history, a traditionally strong level of competition. Highest PER in event history. Has significant potential defensively with his physical tools, ability to cover ground and solid timing.","cons":"Has made a series of bad decisions that give NBA teams reason for pause. Twice committed and abandoned Western Kentucky, the college he surprisingly elected to attend. Didn't attend the NBA combine. Already on his second agent. Background intel is concerning. Has barely been seen by NBA teams outside of workouts.- Still a project. Hasn't received much coaching and has poor fundamentals outside of his natural talent. Has a great frame but needs to get much stronger to handle the rigors of the NBA, especially in the lower body. Has high hips that cause him to play the game very upright and get knocked off balance too easily. Can he develop his ability to switch ball-screens and be a factor stepping outside the paint defensively?- Doesn't really know what he is at this stage. Wants to step outside and shoot 3s. Fancies himself a power forward. Motor, confidence and approach to the game fluctuate. Feel on both ends leaves something to be desired. Lacks any type of real experience playing against high-level competition.Projected role: Vertical spacing, rim-running shot-blockerFull scouting report --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Melvin Frazier","year":2018,"school":"Tulane","college_abbreviation":"TULN","pros":"Not overly tall at a shade under 6-4 in shoes but has a massive 6-10.5 wingspan that should allow him to defend any of the backcourt positions. Strong frame.- Highly efficient offensive player. Career 58 percent 2-point shooter and 41 percent from 3. Hit 67 percent of his free throws as a senior. A good passer. Understands his role. Rarely turns the ball over. Strong feel.- One of the better defenders in the draft. Physical player who brings a consistently high energy level. Talks non-stop. Showed the ability to guard anywhere from 1-4 at the college level. Doesn't get posted up despite lack of size. Gets in the passing lanes consistently. Career 2.0 steals per-40. Coaching staff raves about his approach to the game and intangibles.","cons":"Not a prolific offensive player. Was a role-player most of his college career. Doesn't have much wiggle with the ball. Rarely gets to the free throw line. At his best making spot-up jumpers and attacking in the open floor. Struggles to shoot off the dribble.- Already 22 years old. One of the older players projected to be picked among potential first rounders.- Lack of size isn't ideal at 6-2.5 barefoot coupled with his lack of ball skills. Will need to be surrounded with creators at the 1 and 3.Projected role: 3-and-D wingFull scouting report --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Mitchell Robinson","year":2018,"school":"Western Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"WKU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Gary Trent Jr.","year":2018,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Khyri Thomas","year":2018,"school":"Creighton","college_abbreviation":"CREI"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaac Bonga","year":2018,"school":"Germany","college_abbreviation":"Germany"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Rodions Kurucs","year":2018,"school":"Latvia","college_abbreviation":"Latvia"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jarred Vanderbilt","year":2018,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Impressive frame and length for a combo guard at 193 pounds with a 6-8.5 wingspan. Proportionate upper and lower body that should continue to fill out. Not overly explosive but long strides. Has some side-to-side agility. - Versatile defender who can check either guard spot. Competitive on that end of the floor. Elite basketball instincts. Tremendous anticipation in the passing lanes. Quick hands. Digs off the ball. Rotates for blocks. One of the best rebounding guards in the draft; 5.1 steals, 3.1 blocks and 12.3 rebounds in twp games at the combine. Always around the ball. Not afraid to play with physicality. Great cutter.- Impressive vision as a playmaker -- 5.1 assists and 2.6 turnovers per 40 minutes as a freshman. Willing passer in transition. Can hit the roller or shooter circling up in pick-and-roll. Capable of moonlighting as a point guard for stretches. Improved shooting mechanics as well.","cons":"Not overly dynamic with the ball. Very dominant right-hand as a ball-handler. Plays mostly at one speed. Handle limits his ability to play on the ball for long stretches. Needs to play next to a more ball-dominant guard.- Only 12.3 points per 40 minutes as a freshman. Not a very instinctual scorer. More of a ball-mover on offense. Greatly improved shooting mechanics but still questions to answer from the perimeter. Shot only 28.4 percent from 3 as a freshman. Lacks range off the dribble. Not going to create much offense for himself.- Struggles to finish in a crowd. Not overly explosive in traffic.Projected role: 3-and-D off guardFull scouting report --Mike Schmitz"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Bruce Brown","year":2018,"school":"Miami","college_abbreviation":"MIA","pros":"Prototypical size, length and frame for a combo forward. Big enough to play some 5 in smaller lineups.- Versatile and prolific scorer at the college level. Made almost two 3s. Can handle the ball smoothly with long strides. Good in the open floor. Can shoot off the dribble with a high release point.- Has impressive potential defensively when dialed in. Can switch onto guards, wings, forwards and big men alike. Uses his length to get in the passing lanes and make plays around the rim. Solid rebounder.","cons":"Doesn't always play with a consistently high energy level, particularly defensively.- Shot-selection leaves something to be desired at times.- Second-oldest prospect projected to be picked in the first round after Grayson Allen. Wasn't overly impressive his first three years at Ohio State. Missed most of 2016-17 season with a foot injury.Projected role: Two-way combo forwardFull scouting report --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Justin Jackson","year":2018,"school":"Maryland","college_abbreviation":"MD"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Issuf Sanon","year":2018,"school":"Ukraine","college_abbreviation":"Ukraine"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Hamidou Diallo","year":2018,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"De'Anthony Melton","year":2018,"school":"USC","college_abbreviation":"USC"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk","year":2018,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Keita Bates-Diop","year":2018,"school":"Ohio State","college_abbreviation":"OSU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Chimezie Metu","year":2018,"school":"USC","college_abbreviation":"USC"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Alize Johnson","year":2018,"school":"Missouri State","college_abbreviation":"MOST"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tony Carr","year":2018,"school":"Penn State","college_abbreviation":"PSU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Vince Edwards","year":2018,"school":"Purdue","college_abbreviation":"PUR"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Devon Hall","year":2018,"school":"Virginia","college_abbreviation":"UVA"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Shake Milton","year":2018,"school":"SMU","college_abbreviation":"SMU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Arnoldas Kulboka","year":2018,"school":"Lithuania","college_abbreviation":"Lithuania"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ray Spalding","year":2018,"school":"Louisville","college_abbreviation":"LOU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kevin Hervey","year":2018,"school":"UT Arlington","college_abbreviation":"UTA"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Thomas Welsh","year":2018,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"George King","year":2018,"school":"Colorado","college_abbreviation":"COLO"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kostas Antetokounmpo","year":2018,"school":"Dayton","college_abbreviation":"DAY"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Zion Williamson","year":2019,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"A physical specimen unlike any we've seen in recent memory at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds. Will be one of the most explosive athletes in the NBA right away, but is also blessed with incredible fluidity, coordination, body control and power. Does unprecedented things seemingly every game that inspire sheer astonishment.- Extremely skilled and instinctive. Will be very difficult for opposing defenders to slow down due to his ability to create offense with the ball in his hands. Absolutely lethal in transition, but also a very dangerous option in the half court. Excellent ball handler who changes speeds effortlessly and gets incredibly low to the ground with his array of moves. Uses polished footwork and generates amazing force en route to finishing around the rim and drawing fouls. Also a strong passer thanks to his extremely high basketball IQ. Can also score in the post, blowing past traditional big men and overpowering smaller players with his huge frame. Much improved shooter as well. - Appears to have ideal NBA superstar personality. Outstanding teammate and competitor. Unselfish. Loves to do the little things needed to help win games. Deflects all of the attention he receives back toward the team. Brings frenetic energy defensively when locked in, showing the ability to guard positions 1-5. Won't turn 19 until July.","cons":"Difficult to project given his unique game. Some NBA scouts struggle with the fact that they can't find anyone to compare him to, which is part of the evaluation process. Doesn't have a traditional position in yesterday's NBA, but in the modern game will likely become a team's primary creator offensively. Will need a creative coach and the right personnel around him to unlock his full potential. Needs to be surrounded by shooting to be most effective, perhaps similar to Ben Simmons in that regard. - Just an average shooter. Made only 24 3-pointers in 33 games at Duke, as well as 64 percent of his free throw attempts. Mechanics leave a lot to be desired. Ball comes off the side of his hand. Not very fluid in his lower body getting into his jumper. - Can he stay healthy playing the same wrecking-ball style over the course of 82 games? Will likely need to learn to dial back the intensity at times. Had some minor knee issues in high school and has a body type that can get thick quickly if he's not careful. Will be the second-heaviest player in the NBA right off the bat, despite his height.Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"New Orleans has undergone one of the biggest reversals in fortune in league history over the past month, with the most important one being adding Zion Williamson to its incredible stable of assets at No. 1. The Pelicans will want to surround Williamson with shooting in a similar way to what the Bucks have done with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and that begins with their other top-10 pick coming up later tonight.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ja Morant","year":2019,"school":"Murray State","college_abbreviation":"MUR","pros":"Dynamic athlete who excels in the open court. Transition speed demon who can shift gears on a dime and put pressure on the rim. Explosive two-foot leaper with the ability to put defenders on a poster with ease. Shifty nature allows him to get into the teeth of the defense with or without a ball screen, using electric change-of-pace moves to get to his patented left hand. Although thin, has positional size and doesn't shy away from contact. - Excellent passing instincts with a slick handle. Unselfish hitting ahead in transition (99 of his 323 assists came in the open court). Soft touch on lobs. Loves to deliver the ball off a live dribble with his left hand. Can hit the roller over the top or shooters in the weakside corner. High basketball IQ. Led the nation in assists. - Greatly improved perimeter shooter. After making only nine pull-up jumpers as a freshman, knocked down 35 as a sophomore, several of which came from beyond NBA range. Has added more ways to get to his pull-up, unlocking his half-court scoring when coupled with his dynamic driving and passing. Shines when the lights are brightest. Praised for his work ethic and intangibles.","cons":"Undisciplined defender who didn't show much fight or consistency. Part of that is due to his offensive load, as he was tremendous defensively at the CP3 camp, but he still has bad habits to squash. Stands around off the ball. Gambles for steals. Can he be more than a one-position defender at 170 pounds? - Risk-reward passer who opts for flash over substance at times. Found so much of his success in transition at Murray State. Still learning the nuances of making every pick-and-roll read against a set defense. Led the nation in turnovers. Too casual when the ball isn't in his hands. Needs to stay locked in and remain a threat when off the ball. - How efficient will he be as a scorer early in his career? There are still questions about his pull-up jumper (low release set shot) as well as his ability to finish through contact given his frame and the fact that he doesn't have a consistent floater at this stage. Left-hand dominant as a driver. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Memphis ushers in a new era by handing the keys of the franchise to Ja Morant, who will have every opportunity to learn the ropes on the job alongside one of the top rookies in the NBA last year in Jaren Jackson Jr. Morant's speed, playmaking ability and flair for the spectacular will help transform the Grizzlies overnight into one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the NBA on a nightly basis, even if it will likely take time for that to translate to the win column.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"RJ Barrett","year":2019,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Has prototypical size, length and frame for an NBA wing at 6-foot-7 with a 6-10 wingspan at 208 pounds. Unique athlete in terms of coordination, fluidity, body control and quickness. Plays at different speeds. - Has evolved over his career into a ballhandling guard who is comfortable as a primary creator and facilitator. At his best in the open court, but is also a very capable option in pick-and-roll and isolation situations. Uses his size and high basketball IQ to see over the top of defenses and deliver pinpoint passes. He's also a solid shooter off the dribble. Incisive driver who uses his strong frame to get into the paint, initiate contact, finish from awkward angles and get to the free throw line at a prolific rate. - Has an alpha-dog mentality and wants to win at all costs. Plays with a laser focus and is not afraid of big moments. Competitor who plays with toughness and physicality. Won't turn 19 until the week of the draft.","cons":"Improved shooter, but still made only 31 percent of his 3s this season and 67 percent of his free throw attempts. Doesn't have the most natural shooting stroke -- jumper looks rigid and flat at times, leading to bad misses. - Not a very efficient overall scorer. Very left-hand dominant. Killer mentality, aggressiveness get the best of him at times. Shot-selection and decision-making were questionable at times as a freshman, especially in late-game situations. Lack of shooting around him at Duke made it easier for opposing defenses to accentuate his weaknesses. - Shows great potential at times defensively, but isn't consistent enough in this area. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Knicks didn't seem completely sold on this pick from day one -- like New Orleans and Memphis were at 1-2 -- but they eventually settled in on the idea of drafting RJ Barrett, which seems like a match made in heaven. Barrett's shot-creation prowess, scoring instincts, killer mentality and willingness to embrace the spotlight should allow him to emerge as a Rookie of the Year candidate and eventual franchise player for the Knicks, who still have quite a bit of work left to do in their rebuilding process.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"De'Andre Hunter","year":2019,"school":"Virginia","college_abbreviation":"UVA","pros":"Strong measurements for a combo forward prospect at 6-foot-8, 227 pounds with a 7-2 wingspan. - Arguably the best defender in college basketball. Often tasked with guarding the other team's best player, be it a point guard or power forward. Has impressive technique containing opposing ball handlers off the dribble, as well as switching onto big men inside the paint with his strong frame and terrific physicality. Extremely active and aware off the ball. - Scored both prolifically (21.3 points per 40 minutes pace adjusted) and efficiently (61 percent true shooting percentage) in college. Impacts winning at a high level. Brings terrific toughness and versatility at a position that is rare and important in modern basketball.","cons":"Good, not great, athlete. Lacks a degree of quick-twitch explosiveness for a potential top-five pick. - How does he score consistently in the NBA? Made only 67 3s in 71 games in college. Doesn't have the most natural shooting stroke and appeared to lose confidence in his jumper at times. Straight-line driver who looks clunky trying to create offense at times and doesn't do a great deal of facilitation for others. - Second-oldest player projected to be picked in the top 20. Does he have enough long-term upside to warrant being a top-five pick considering his age and limitations with athleticism and scoring? Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Hawks traded up to No. 4 to select De'Andre Hunter here.  The Hawks have targeted De'Andre Hunter every step of the way, according to all indications we've received, supposedly being the only team to work him out privately, right after he skipped out on the NBA draft combine. Atlanta was aggressively trying to trade up to ensure it got him, eventually using its huge stable of picks to get a deal done with New Orleans. Hunter's maturity, defensive versatility, 3-point shooting, national championship experience and strong frame should make him ready to step in from day one alongside Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter. Having so many offensive weapons around him means Hunter shouldn't have to shoulder too heavy of an offensive burden, which is one of his biggest downsides.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Darius Garland","year":2019,"school":"Vanderbilt","college_abbreviation":"VAN","pros":"High-level pull-up shooter with deep range who can get to his shot at will out of pick-and-roll or isolations thanks to his ball-on-a-string handle and polished footwork. Creates space with step-back jumpers in either direction. Live feet with quick-twitch athleticism. Comfortable shooting off the catch as well, sprinting off screens or hopping into 3s out of handoffs. Allows for more lineup versatility with his ability to play off the ball offensively. Clean, simple mechanics with a quick release. - Plays off the threat of his jumper to get into the lane. Shifty ball handler. Good feel for when and how to change speeds and directions. Tough to keep in front in the half court. Not a great finisher yet but shows potential with floaters and creative scoops. Has passing instincts when he breaks down the defense. Has shown he can hit the roll man or find shooters after the defense collapses. - Competitive with strong intangibles. Has the quickness and instincts to develop into a solid one-position defender as his frame fills out.","cons":"Still evolving as a facilitator. A little too trigger-happy from 3 at times. Although he had little help, finished his freshman season with 13 assists and 15 turnovers in 139 minutes. Scoring is ahead of his passing right now. - Struggles to finish in traffic against length and contact. Not a physically imposing prospect or a threat to go up and finish above the rim. Has to rely on finesse and creativity, of which he's shown glimpses. - Lacks a degree of defensive upside. Quick hands and feet but might struggle early in his career against more powerful guards. How will he hold up against switches? Coming off an MCL injury that sidelined him for most of his freshman campaign. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"On paper, the fit between Darius Garland and last year's top-10 pick, Collin Sexton, doesn't look seamless. Both players stand 6-foot-3 or shorter with lean frames, and both need the ball in their hands to be successful. However, teams have made a mistake in the past by picking for need over talent, especially at this stage of the draft. Garland has a strong case to be considered the fourth-most talented player in this class. There have been some rumblings about how much teammates at Alabama and Cleveland liked playing with Sexton, and he still has things to prove as a facilitator to show that he is indeed the long-term building block at point guard. In the meantime, the Cavaliers will play a Trail Blazers-style backcourt with plenty of shooting and pick-and-roll prowess. And the Cavs very likely will be right back here in Brooklyn picking at a similar slot next year, as they are at a very early stage of their rebuilding process.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jarrett Culver","year":2019,"school":"Texas Tech","college_abbreviation":"TTU","pros":"Prototypical size with a great frame. Strong legs. Above-average straight-line athlete who can play above the rim in space or change speeds going to his right. Physical around the rim. Doesn't shy away from contact. Should look more explosive to the rim with NBA spacing. - Shot creator who can generate offense for himself or others from all over the floor. Played a fair amount of point guard for Tech. Can make pick-and-roll pull-ups, get to the rim against drop coverages or make most basic ball-screen passes. Loves to operate out of the mid-post. Can get to turnarounds or short pull-ups, where he's most comfortable. - Two-way potential. Strong defensive fundamentals and tools. Should be able to check positions 1-3 at the NBA level. Will stick his nose in and defensive rebound. Praised for his work ethic. Young for a sophomore.","cons":"Inconsistent shooter who overhauled his mechanics between his freshman and sophomore seasons. Shot well under 30 percent from 3 the last 25 games after a hot start. Unnatural pause near the top of his release. Shoots on the way down at times. Much more comfortable off the dribble than the catch. Turns down open spots for contested pull-ups. How effective will he be playing off the ball early in his career if he goes into a shooting slump? Will the team that drafts him be willing to hand over the ball and allow him to generate offense as a rookie? - Not the shiftiest ball handler. More of a straight-line athlete. Lacks a degree of wiggle. Struggles to get by elite defenders in the half court, largely due to his shaky 3-ball and lack of creativity with his handle. Can he generate enough high-percentage offense against NBA defenders? Shot much better against bad teams. - Offensive confidence and defensive physicality tend to fluctuate more than his reputation suggests. Went into a major slump in Tech's last three tournament games. Prone to occasional defensive lapses. Average length. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Timberwolves traded up to No. 6 to select Jarrett Culver here.  Minnesota didn't have to give up too much to move from 11 to 6, and the Timberwolves should like the fit of Jarrett Culver with their existing backcourt of Jeff Teague and Tyus Jones -- which should allow them to ease the Texas Tech product into playing both guard spots. Setting a culture is often the first thing a new NBA executive tries to do, and recently hired Timberwolves general manager Gersson Rosas will like the toughness, versatility and basketball IQ that Culver brings to the table.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Coby White","year":2019,"school":"North Carolina","college_abbreviation":"UNC","pros":"Energetic scoring guard who can fill it up in a hurry. Puts relentless pressure on the rim in transition, pushing aggressively after made baskets (30.7 percent of his offense came in the open court). Fast with positional size and the ability to pull up or get all the way to the rim. Doesn't shy away from contact. Extremely confident. Plays with spirit and a high motor. - Shotmaker with deep range both off the catch and the dribble (3.3 made 3s per 40). Ranked in the 93rd percentile on catch-and-shoot jumpers. Catches on the hop. Quick trigger with simple mechanics. Despite lack of pull-up efficiency, more than capable of creating space with step-backs. Pull-up potential makes him a threat in pick-and-roll. Great at splitting ball screens. - Made strides as a passer over the course of the season. Has some creativity when he chooses to unleash it, especially in space. Praised for his intangibles and approach. Could be a serviceable defender in the right environment.","cons":"Wild decision-maker. Frenetic pace works for and against him (19.1 turnover percentage in transition). Knows only one speed. Still learning how to run a team in the half court. Will fire contested step-backs early in the possession. Doesn't always see the simple plays out of pick-and-roll. Has a tendency to over-dribble. Struggles with aggressive ball pressure. How much of his stellar production was a product of having the ultimate green light in UNC's up-tempo system? - More streaky of a shooter than you'd hope. Low release point makes him easier to contest. Finished in the 27th percentile on pull-ups on 116 attempts. Career 34.9 percent 3-point shooter on 393 attempts. - Lacks ideal length with a negative wingspan and small hands. Shows glimpses defensively but wasn't a consistent factor on or off the ball as a freshman. Lack of length limits him around the rim as well, especially because he's more quick than bouncy. Needs to add a floater. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Chicago has a glaring hole at point guard and will be happy to see the draft's fourth-best guard sitting here at 7. Despite the fit, it's possible this could be viewed as somewhat of a reach down the road. No prospect in this draft was better positioned to succeed than Coby White at North Carolina, considering the situation he was in, but things might be a little different in the NBA. Nevertheless, the Bulls likely will put the ball in White's hands early and often, which should help his transition to the NBA, although efficiency might be an issue in the short term. Adding more shot creation to the roster -- something the Bulls reportedly are exploring with veteran point guards -- and being able to take advantage of White's deadly spot-up shooting might be beneficial to his growth.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaxson Hayes","year":2019,"school":"Texas","college_abbreviation":"TEX","pros":"Excellent physical profile at 7-foot with a 7-3 wingspan and a huge standing reach. Big hands. Terrific frame that will continue to fill out. Fluid athlete who is highly coordinated and quick off his feet finishing lobs or protecting the rim. Beats opposing big men down the court regularly. Lauded for his off-court intangibles and should continue to make significant strides physically and skill-wise as he gains experience. - Ranked as the second most efficient scorer in college basketball with a 75 percent true shooting percentage. Catches and dunks everything. Mobility, reach, reliable hands and soft touch make him an ideal pick-and-roll finishing option. Knows who he is offensively and is comfortable in his role. Made 74 percent of his free throw attempts. - Second-best shot-blocker in college basketball among likely draft picks. Shows some agility and coordination stepping outside of the paint in ball-screen situations. Mobile enough to recover and make plays at the rim when beat.","cons":"Struggled to stay on the floor at times for Texas due to foul trouble (six fouls per 40 minutes). - Lacks a degree of physicality on the defensive glass. Averaged only 8.9 rebounds per 40. Game moves a little too fast for him at times. Generated only one assist every 83 minutes played, by far the worst rate among likely draft picks. - Will need to add strength. Likely will need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA game. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Pelicans traded down to No. 8 to select Jaxson Hayes here. New Orleans was set to go into the season with only Jahlil Okafor under contract at center, which certainly would not have been ideal. That prompted the Pelicans to select the player most people viewed as the top center prospect in the draft, Jaxson Hayes, who will immediately make the New Orleans frontcourt one of the most athletic in the NBA. An extremely late bloomer who didn't even start in high school until his senior year, Hayes will need time to build up his frame, learn the nuances of NBA defenses and find more ways to score (outside of being spoon-fed dunks). However, David Griffin and the Pelicans have nothing but time on their hands, and they can afford to be patient with his development.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Rui Hachimura","year":2019,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ","pros":"Elite physical profile for a modern forward with a chiseled, powerful 234-pound frame, long arms and huge hands. Finishes through contact, converting 25 and-1s through 37 games. Generated 7.9 free throws per 40 minutes last season. Can finish above the rim in space thanks to his length and hand size. - Mismatch scorer who can take more traditional bigs onto the perimeter and wings onto the block. Shot a career-best 41.7 percent from 3 on 36 attempts as a junior. At his best pulling up for mid-range jumpers. Can attack in a straight line with physicality. Quick and powerful in the mid-post. - Has the tools to be a sound defender given his length, agility and overall size. High-intangible prospect noted for his work ethic and eagerness to learn. Still has untapped potential despite his age. Can his perimeter game blossom with more freedom and space in the NBA?","cons":"Mediocre feel for the game. Finished with more turnovers than assists every season at Gonzaga. Head-down ball-handler who misses open teammates. Predetermined with his moves. Had a 73.0 true shooting percentage (TS%) against losing teams and a 61.7 TS% against winning teams. - Reluctant 3-point shooter. Shoots a flat ball with his hand on top at times. Although he has good touch inside the arc and has improved throughout the pre-draft process, there are no guarantees that his jumper is totally projectable in live action. Took more pull-ups than catch-and-shoot jumpers as a junior. Career 30.9 percent from 3 on 162 attempts. - Not the defender his tools suggest. Upright in his stance on the perimeter. Struggled to keep wings and guards in front during the season. Off-ball instincts have room to improve. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Wizards don't have much depth at the power forward position, and they should be able to offer Rui Hachimura -- at 21, one of the older players to be selected in the first round -- immediate playing time, thanks to his physical tools, scoring instincts and aggressiveness.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cam Reddish","year":2019,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Elite physical profile. Looks like an NBA All-Star on first glance. Has the dimensions of a power forward but has played all of the perimeter positions throughout his career, giving him unique lineup versatility in the modern game. Smooth, fluid athlete with a frame that will continue to fill out impressively in time. - Dynamic shooter who makes jumpers pulling up off the dribble, with his feet set and running off screens. Strong mechanics, footwork and rotation. Ranked fourth among projected draft picks in terms of quantity of 3-pointers made per minute. - Tantalizing prospect in terms of pure talent and long-term upside. Shows incredible flashes as a ball handler, passer and defender.","cons":"Teases his actual productivity. Wasn't an impactful or efficient player at the college level. Ranked last among projected draft picks in PER (13.8). Shot just 39 percent from 2-point range, a historically poor rate. Disappeared in many key games for Duke. Mysteriously sat out an NCAA tournament game. - Lacks a degree of explosiveness athletically in terms of his ability to get by defenders and finish with verticality around the rim. Not a physical player on either end of the floor. Effort level, focus and confidence fluctuate. - Stroke looks good mechanically, but has been extremely inconsistent throughout his career. Hit only 33 percent of his 3s at Duke. Career 32 percent 3-point shooter in 510 attempts overall, according to our scouting database. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Hawks continue to add multi-positional forwards to the roster after drafting De'Andre Hunter with the fourth pick. Cam Reddish's talent is undeniable, and at this stage in the draft, that makes him worth taking a flier on, especially since he won't be called upon to do too much in terms of shot creation, which should accentuate his strengths. Reddish and Hunter form an intriguing forward combination, and they are excellent fits alongside the pick-and-roll passing prowess of Trae Young -- all of which should generate quite a few open looks.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cameron Johnson","year":2019,"school":"North Carolina","college_abbreviation":"UNC","pros":"Nice size for a wing. Not physically imposing but at least has the positional size to develop into a decent space defender. Had some success gapping and contesting guards and wings, as opposed to bodying up more physical forwards. - The best shooter in the draft, knocking down 40.3% of his career 3s on 630 attempts. Outstanding shot preparation. Can catch on the hop or 1-2 step into shots. Hands and feet always ready. Great balance. One of the quickest releases in basketball. Simple, compact mechanics. Can shoot off screens. Capable of knocking down a one- or two-dribble pull-up if run off his spots. Has mid-post turnarounds over either shoulder.- Mature, productive player who can have an impact right away. Knows how to play. Doesn't need many dribbles to contribute offensively. Can pass out of quick actions. Understands his role. Smart getting out in transition.","cons":"Lacks a degree of physicality and toughness. Struggles to defend more physical forwards. Still has a ways to go on the defensive end of the floor. Not the most intense rebounder in traffic. - What does he do for you when he's not making shots? Limited pick-and-roll ball handler. Not going to generate much offense. Impressive career shooting percentages, but is his 34.1% from 3 as a junior something to keep an eye on? Was a shooter who didn't always make big shots prior to his senior season. - Not the most physical or explosive finisher. Small hands. Frail frame. Below-the-rim guy in traffic. Doesn't finish well through contact. Gets knocked off his spots easily. Averaged only 3.2 free throw attempts per 40 minutes during his collegiate career. One of the oldest players in the draft. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Suns traded down to No. 11 to select Cameron Johnson here. The Suns made the first truly shocking move of the night by reaching significantly for the oldest player in the draft in UNC's 23-year-old Cameron Johnson. Johnson was not one of the 24 players invited to sit in the NBA draft green room, and there was some talk that he might fall to the second round, prompting us to drop him on draft day from the early 20s to the last pick in the first round in our projections. Ignoring the shock value of the Suns dropping from 6 to 11 to take Johnson, while only picking up Dario Saric, there are some things to like about Johnson's size, shooting, and ability to come off screens. History will judge whether the Suns got enough value here or whether they could have dropped down 10 spots or so and picked up other assets.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"PJ Washington","year":2019,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Not particularly tall at 6-8 in shoes, but has a chiseled frame, big hands, a 7-3 wingspan and an 8-11 standing reach that should allow him to see minutes as a small-ball center. Fairly quick off his feet and has solid explosiveness off two feet. - Developed into a versatile offensive player in his sophomore season, converting 42% of his 3-point attempts and 55% of his 2s. Was utilized in a variety of ways at Kentucky -- both facing and with his back to the basket, playing as a pick-and-roll finisher and moving off the ball in open spaces. Creative finisher with good hands and touch. - Can make an impact as a defender and rebounder thanks to his length and improved conditioning and activity level. Showed a lot of toughness by playing through injury in the NCAA tournament. Ticks quite a few boxes on both ends of the floor. Has a high floor.","cons":"Awareness is average on both ends of the floor. Not a great passer -- posted a negative assist-to-turnover ratio. Split-second late rotating and making decisions defensively at times. Didn't always play with a consistent motor earlier on in his career. - Shot the ball well as a sophomore (33-of-78 from 3) but that was on a small sample size and an outlier compared to the rest of his career. Made just 63% of his free throws in college.- Spent nearly the entire pre-draft process in a boot after injuring his foot and playing through injury in the tournament. Well-known player to teams, but inability to conduct private workouts may not be ideal. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Charlotte has a need at the power forward position, with much of its frontcourt depth being diminished a year from now. This made drafting one of the safer prospects in the draft, PJ Washington, attractive here. Washington can play either the power forward or center positions with his strong frame, long arms and ability to step outside and make 3-pointers. He looks like a solid building block for the Hornets to add to their roster at this stage of the draft.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyler Herro","year":2019,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Solid positional size for a combo guard at 6-6 in shoes despite short arms. Decent frame at 192. Scrappy defender who shows an impressive competitive level on and off the ball. - High-level shooter who can fill it up out of a variety of actions, especially off the dribble. Can hop or 1-2 into pull-up 3s. Capable of creating space with step-backs. Great elevation and balance. Catches on the hop in transition. Can sprint off screens or into handoffs. Shot 93.5% from the free throw line as a freshman. Picturesque shooting stroke. - Has offensive upside beyond shooting. Played some PG at the prep level. Comfortable in second-side pick-and-roll. Can make basic reads out of pin-downs or ball screens. Changes speeds to get into his pull-ups. Has touch on floaters.","cons":"Lacks a degree of defensive upside. Likely at his best guarding point guards in the NBA given his wingspan. Good but not great feet. Struggled with quicker guards like Jared Harper at the collegiate level. Will have to get by on feel and toughness in the NBA. - Live-dribble game and finishing package are still developing. Made only 24 shots at the rim in the half-court in 37 games. Shot under 50% at the rim and generated only 3.1 free throws per 40 minutes. Has a floater but lacks deceptive finishes. Not overly explosive as a leaper and doesn't get great extension. - Given his role as a shot-maker, you'd like to see him knock down more than 35.5% of his 3s once he gets to the NBA. Looks much more comfortable off the dribble, as he ranked in the 47th percentile on catch-and-shoot jumpers (and only the 25th percentile when contested). Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Miami's backcourt is highly unsettled from a long-term perspective, which makes drafting a combo guard such as Tyler Herro an attractive proposition. His ability to play off the likes of Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow with his deadly jump shot should allow Herro to get on the court early in his career. As he continues to mature, Herro should be able to develop into more of a ball handler and playmaker, as he has significant potential operating in the pick-and-roll, shooting off the dribble and creating for others.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Romeo Langford","year":2019,"school":"Indiana","college_abbreviation":"IU","pros":"Has prototypical physical tools for an NBA wing at over 6-foot-6 in shoes, with a strong frame and a 6-11 wingspan. - Smooth and fluid athlete who is at his best with the ball in his hands and shows significant potential pushing ahead in transition and operating out of pick-and-roll. Has strong footwork and body control. Changes speeds naturally with the ball. Good vision and creativity finding teammates. Offensive instincts and overall upside suggest he can develop into a player capable of shouldering a significant load as a shot-creator, which is difficult to find in this draft class, especially at his size. - Shows enough flashes as a defender, passer, rebounder, finisher and shot-maker to leave plenty of room for optimism regarding how his game will continue to round out over time. Has both a relatively high ceiling and floor.","cons":"Shot only 27 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, partially due to the hand injury but wasn't known as a great shooter coming into college. Could stand to tweak his mechanics and release point. Had very little shooting around him at Indiana, which made it easy for opposing defenses to load up on him as the season moved on. - Faced a significant learning curve on the defensive end in college. Has substantial potential on that end with his length, quickness and solid instincts, but will have to improve his intensity level, particularly off the ball. Has a casual demeanor that works against him at times. - Uneven, injury-plagued freshman season left scouts with more questions than answers. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Celtics coach Brad Stevens had told colleagues in the lead-up to the draft that he was enamored with Romeo Langford, as he was very familiar with the Indiana product since both grew up in the Hoosier State. Langford was one of the most hyped players in Indiana high school basketball history, which likely helped quite a bit in masking his somewhat disappointing freshman season, which was hampered by a wrist injury. Langford falls into an ideal situation, in which he will be asked to utilize his intriguing ballhandling and playmaking ability in a variety of different roles and positions on a Boston roster that is in quite a bit of flux at the moment.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Sekou Doumbouya","year":2019,"school":"Guinea","college_abbreviation":"Guinea","pros":"Excellent physical profile for a modern combo forward at 6-foot-9 with an 8-11 standing reach, giving him the tools to easily play either forward spot. After donning extra weight in the past, he's done a great job of getting in the best shape of his life, looking much more capable of playing on the wing. Fluid athlete who loves to run the lanes in transition. Big reach and leaping ability allow him to hammer home dunks in space. - Versatile defender who can check positions 1-4 when fully engaged. Flies around for blocks (1.1 per 40) and steals (1.7) when he's revved up. Can cover ground impressively on closeouts. Tools allow him to have an impact on the glass. - More untapped skill than most defensive-minded forwards in the NBA. Soft touch from 3 when disciplined with his mechanics. Gets great rotation. Shooting a career-best 30.3 percent from 3 on 4.9 attempts per 40. Can push in transition on occasion. Doesn't turn 19 until Dec. 23.","cons":"Doesn't have the most natural feel for the game. High, loose handle without much vision off the dribble (more turnovers than assists every season). Shot selection leaves much to be desired. - Erratic shooter who often lofts the ball up on the rim with incredible arc, not staying in his shot with a follow-through. Career 28 percent shooter from 3 on over 260 attempts. Doesn't have great shot preparation. Flat-footed, lazy stroke at times. Needs to become more consistent to add value in the half-court offense. - Inconsistent with his energy levels. Imposes his physical gifts on the game some nights, yet looks lethargic and uninterested others. Level of focus wavers. Lacks fundamentals and discipline on the defensive end. Needs to clean up his technique to fully tap into his defensive potential. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Detroit stopped the minor fall of Sekou Doumbouya, making him the first non-collegiate international player drafted. It was the first time since 2013 that no international player went in the lottery. It will be intriguing to see how Doumbouya is utilized in Detroit with Blake Griffin under contract, as there might not be too many minutes available for Doumbouya early on at his natural position of power forward. As the youngest player in this draft class -- Doumbouya won't turn 19 until late December -- the Pistons can afford to be patient with his development. And they likely view his selection as an upside play, as Doumbouya easily could have been considered a top-10 prospect in this draft. Coach Dwane Casey will like the athleticism and multi-positional defensive versatility Doumbouya offers and will likely find ways to get him on the court, eventually, as his skill level evolves.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Chuma Okeke","year":2019,"school":"Auburn","college_abbreviation":"AUB","post_draft_analysis":"Orlando wasn't daunted by Chuma Okeke likely missing most or all of the 2019-20 campaign after tearing his ACL in March, adding him to its stable of forwards that includes Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon with an eye on the long term. Okeke going 16th with a torn ACL makes you wonder how high he might have gone had he not injured himself in the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 against North Carolina. He is a prototype for the modern NBA with his chiseled frame and long arms combined with an ability to play pick-and-roll, make 3-pointers, switch onto big men and even provide some ballhandling at times.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nickeil Alexander-Walker","year":2019,"school":"Virginia Tech","college_abbreviation":"VT","pros":"Nice size for a combo guard. Long strides to the rim in space. Greatly improved defender. Has the tools and motor to check positions 1-3 in a pinch. Strong instincts -- 2.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per 40 minutes. High-intangible prospect known for his work habits and maturity. - Sound shooting stroke with his feet set, ranking in the 76th percentile on catch-and-shoot jumpers while cashing in on a career 38.3% of his 3s in 67 collegiate games. Can make a pull-up 3 when given time and space. - Comfortable ball handler and capable pick-and-roll playmaker who can make virtually every pass with his left hand. Shoots right-handed yet favors his left as a driver and passer. Able to hit the roll man from all different angles. Has the size to see over the top. Can hit the weakside corner as well. Does a great job of changing pace.","cons":"Struggles to get by defenders when operating as the primary ball handler. Knows how to change speeds and directions but unable to do so with much quickness or force. Methodical nature limits his on-ball upside somewhat. Lacks a degree of bounce at the rim. Predominantly a left-handed finisher who will have to rely on touch and craft at the NBA level. Leans on his left hand as a driver and passer as well.- Ranked in the 53rd percentile on pull-ups. Will have to become a more dynamic off-the-dribble shooter given his lack of shiftiness with the ball in his hands. - Still rounding out his decision-making (1.39 assist-to-turnover ratio). Still finding the right balance between scoring and playmaking. Solid across the board but doesn't quite have an elite skill on the offensive end of the floor. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Pelicans traded down to No. 18 to select Nickeil Alexander-Walker here.  Nickeil Alexander-Walker is at his best playing off another creator who can allow him to be a secondary ball handler and use his superior feel for the game, and he'll be able to do that playing alongside Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson. In a draft devoid of shooting, Alexander-Walker certainly stands out with that part of his game, something the Pelicans went into this draft knowing they will need to add more of.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Goga Bitadze","year":2019,"school":"Georgia","college_abbreviation":"Georgia","pros":"Has tremendous size, listed at 7-feet tall with a reported 7-3 wingspan and 9-2 standing reach. Big, strong frame, tipping the scales at over 250 pounds. Moves well. Light on his feet. Can play above the rim in space. Shows impressive timing as a rim protector. Led the EuroLeague and Adriatic League in blocks on both a per-game and per-minute basis. - Skilled offensive player. Excellent target as a pick-and-roll finisher thanks to his mobility, footwork, timing, reliable hands, big reach and soft touch. Can also play with his back to the basket some. Has hit 41% of his 3-pointers on the season. - High-floor prospect who produced at historic rates relative to his age in EuroLeague. Basketball junkie who has improved considerably over the years and will likely continue to make strides thanks to his work ethic and character.","cons":"Struggles to cover ground defensively, especially when on an island on the perimeter. Projects as mostly a drop defender in pick-and-rolls. - Average passer who struggles to make quick decisions with the ball in his hands. Plays a sped-up brand of basketball at times. - Isn't always as decisive of a perimeter shooter as you might hope, especially relative to his strong percentages. Career 63% free throw percentage indicates he has room to improve in this area. Gets in his own head at times. Could stand to improve his toughness. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"On paper, the fit here doesn't make a ton of sense, with Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis already in the fold. But there's an argument to be made that Goga Bitadze is one of the better prospects on the board from a talent standpoint, something that has to be considered at this point in the draft. His size, skill, shot-blocking and ability to score from inside and out made him the likely second-best center in the draft.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Luka Samanic","year":2019,"school":"Croatia","college_abbreviation":"Croatia","pros":"Great size for a modern big man at 6-11 with an improved frame and an 8-11 standing reach, which should allow him to play either big spot as he continues to mature physically. Extremely light on his feet. Incredible coordination for a player his size. Moves fluidly on both ends of the floor. Capable of playing above the rim in space. - Does a little bit of everything on offense. Can push off the break, make a standstill 3, attack slower-footed bigs off the dribble, operate in the post and make basic reads. Agility, positional handle and shooting potential should make him a tough cover with NBA spacing. Can move him all over the floor because of his mobility and skill level. - Greatly improved defensive toughness. Has the feet to switch comfortably on the perimeter.","cons":"Can do a little bit of everything but doesn't quite have an elite skill. Career 31.9% from 3 on 332 attempts. Mechanics break down a bit when he's heavily contested. Confidence seems to come and go from the perimeter. Can make basic reads but not quite a great passer -- 2.0 assists and 3.0 turnovers per 40 minutes in 49 games last season. When he's not making shots, what does he do at a high level offensively? - Doesn't always handle adversity well. When he misses his first couple shots, the wheels can come off quickly. Severe highs and lows over the course of his career. - Doesn't always play through contact well. Can he finish through NBA physicality and over length? How will he react to defending the league's more traditional bigs? Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Spurs have a long track record of drafting international players, and they decided to do it once again in picking Luka Samanic, one of the biggest standouts at this year's NBA combine. The Spurs have very little depth at the forward spots and might be able to spoon-feed minutes fairly early on to the Croatian player who is at an early stage of development physically and needs to continue to improve his skill level and basketball IQ. Question marks about his toughness caused his stock to drop from the lottery to the second round in the midst of a difficult season in Slovenia, but he was able to rebound from that with a strong pre-draft process. His ability to make 3-point shots, switch on screens and create his own shot from the perimeter are attractive, considering he stands 6-foot-11.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Matisse Thybulle","year":2019,"school":"Washington","college_abbreviation":"WASH","pros":"Prototype wing tools at 6-6 with a 7-0 wingspan, big reach and a projectable frame. Fluid athlete. Tools allow him to play above the rim in space. - One of the most impactful defenders in the draft. Averaged 4.4 steals and 2.8 blocks per 40 minutes playing on the perimeter, though Washington's zone defense was a factor. Elite instincts in the passing lanes. Quick hands. Tremendous at blocking jumpers from behind. Has the tools and instincts to check positions 1-3 at the NBA level. - Solid feel for the game offensively and understands his role. Averaged 2.8 assists per 40 minutes for his career with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. Will make the extra pass.","cons":"Shot over 36% from 3 in each of his first three college years on 350-plus total attempts, yet cashed in only 30.5% of his triples as a senior. Rigid mechanics. Shoots it somewhat flat and across his face. Turns down open spots. Mechanics break down when closely contested. - Extremely limited overall offensively. Averaged just 12.5 points per 40 minutes over his four-year career. Not an advanced ball-handler. Limited to mostly transition runouts and spot ups. Lacks a degree of aggression overall. Feel around the rim as a finisher isn't great. Will he ever be more than a fifth option on offense? - Elite defender but doesn't play with the most physicality. Can he check power wings or is he better off against 1s and 2s in the NBA? Doesn't play well in a crowd or have a knack for drawing fouls. Averaged just 4.1 rebounds per 40 minutes over the course of his career. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The 76ers traded up to No. 20 to select Matisse Thybulle here. Matisse Thybulle was rumored to have a promise from the 76ers at No. 24, and it appears the Celtics snuffed that out and forced their hand in making a trade, which is a very Danny Ainge move. The Sixers get arguably the best defender in this class in Thybulle, who broke every record in college basketball with his combination of blocks and steals while operating out of Washington's zone. The question will be whether Thybulle can score enough to stay on the court for Philadelphia, as the track record of NCAA seniors who averaged single-digit scoring in their final year of college and went in the first round is extremely poor. Philly stars Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler (free agent) will love how few touches Thybulle needs to be happy; but Thybulle will need to show he can make perimeter jumpers if he is to prove that he needs to be guarded.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Brandon Clarke","year":2019,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ","pros":"Pogo-stick athlete who finishes everything around the rim. Lob and tip-dunk threat. No. 1 finisher in college basketball in the half court (minimum 175 attempts), converting 74.3 percent of his shots at the rim. Has touch on floaters as well. Uses his leaping ability and high motor to have an impact on the offensive glass (4.4 offensive rebounds per 40). - Versatile defender who can switch onto the perimeter and rim-protect despite his sub-par length. Picture-perfect verticality technique. Outstanding timing and instincts with quick-leaping ability. Ranks third in ESPN's Top 100 in block percentage (10.8). Blocks 4.3 shots per 40 minutes. Shot-blocking allows him to play the 5 in small-ball lineups, which is his most advantageous position offensively. Quick feet on the perimeter. Looked comfortable stepping out and defending guards like Jarrett Culver for stretches. Perfect defensive fit in the modern NBA. - Solid offensive feel for the game. Can facilitate from the elbows. Savvy interior passer. Embraces his role. Plays a super efficient brand of basketball. Shows some potential as a jump shooter despite low volume (his 69.4 percent from the free throw line is encouraging).","cons":"Doesn't possess elite physical tools for a modern 4/5 at 6-foot-8 with narrow shoulders, short arms and small hands. Lacks a degree of physical upside at age 22.6. Upright runner with choppy steps. Can he handle the league's jumbo bigs when he's at center? - Offensive game is better suited for the center spot, because he doesn't space the floor as a shooter or handle the ball that cleanly. Shoots on the way down in mid-range spots. Has taken only 25 career 3s in 2,631 minutes. Upright with the ball in his hands. Predictable off the bounce, too often driving hard left and trying to spin back right. - Lacks a degree of fundamentals defensively. Upright in his stance. Gets by on instincts and athletic gifts at this stage. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Grizzlies traded up to No. 21 to select Brandon Clarke here. Memphis continues with its impressive moves after getting strong value for Mike Conley, then using one of those picks to acquire Brandon Clarke -- an analytics favorite who will make for a fascinating pairing with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant. The Grizzlies are building what appears to be one of the most athletic teams in the NBA and at the very least will be a NBA League Pass favorite for die-hards. Between the Grizzlies and the Tigers, Memphis fans will have plenty of entertainment value to offer at FedExForum next season.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Grant Williams","year":2019,"school":"Tennessee","college_abbreviation":"TENN","pros":"High-IQ player on both ends of the floor. Can make most reads necessary from the elbows and the post, averaging 3.9 assists per 40 minutes as a junior. Has a strong understanding of his role and abilities. - Hard-nosed defender who can step out onto the perimeter or body up on the interior. Immovable in the post and always in the right position off the ball. Great verticality and timing defensively despite his underwhelming length. Willing to do the little things necessary to function as a small-ball big in the NBA. - Inside-outside game as a scorer. Improved perimeter shooter. Shot a career-best 31.8% from 3 (44 attempts) and 81.8% from the free throw line this year. Comfortable operating from the elbows and punishes switches in the post.","cons":"Subpar length (6-9.75) and reach (8-8.5) for a modern big man. Plays below the rim in a crowd. Ground-bound style of play. Would benefit from adding a short-roll floater to neutralize shot-blockers. How will his defense translate given his so-so length and explosiveness? - Improved shooter but still has yet to prove he can space the floor consistently from the NBA level. Will need to have at least a league-average 3-ball to maximize his offensive potential. - Relied quite a bit on getting to the free throw line at the college level with a smashing style. How will that part of his game translate? Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Boston has some major holes in the frontcourt to address with Al Horford likely departing, prompting the Celtics to select one of the most productive big men in college basketball in Tennessee's Grant Williams. Williams' toughness, basketball IQ and defensive versatility will fit right into what the Celtics wanted their culture to look like before things went off the rails for them, which might be one of the reasons they elected to add him to the fold. NBA executives had question marks about Williams' lack of size and explosiveness, but the Celtics' strong player-development structure might be able to mitigate that by helping him continue to improve his shooting range, which already looked better than advertised in the pre-draft process.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Darius Bazley","year":2019,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","pros":"Good physical profile for a wing/combo forward, standing 6-9 in shoes with a 7-foot wingspan and 8-11 standing reach. Improved his frame during his year off. Smooth, fluid athlete who is quick off his feet and plays above the rim effortlessly. Has big shoulders and a solid base, giving him plenty of room to continue to fill out as his frame reaches physical maturation. - Has some guard skills. Shows nice potential handling the ball, passing out of pick-and-rolls creatively and changing speeds with long strides in the open court. Finishes with either hand and throws in 3-pointers with soft touch. - Projects as a multipositional defender who can check guards, wings and forwards alike. Sits down in a stance, covers ground fluidly and makes plays getting in the passing lanes and contesting shots. Has the size and length to defend big men once his body fills out. Plays with solid energy.","cons":"Has unconventional shooting mechanics that could lead to inconsistent results. Only made 30% of his 3s in the 50 games in our database. - Lacks experience in a serious way. Has gotten stronger but is still on the skinny side. Late bloomer physically and skill-wise who played for a smaller high school and was inconsistent even at lower levels of competition. - Feel for the game is a work in progress on both ends of the floor. Can be mistake-prone. Will need plenty of time, patience and development after skipping college. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Thunder traded down to No. 23 to select Darius Bazley here. Darius Bazley was one of the biggest risers of the pre-draft process, showing impressive talent at the NBA combine and in workouts -- at 6-foot-9 -- with his ability to handle, pass and shoot. Bazley drew significant criticism for his decision to skip college at Syracuse, but he made it immediately evident that he had put significant work into his body and skill level during his downtime. He looks like one of the most talented long-term prospects in the draft, having just turned 19 years old. Bazley likely will need time to find his footing with Oklahoma City, which doesn't appear to be cutting corners despite the ticking clock represented by Russell Westbrook's and Paul George's primes.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ty Jerome","year":2019,"school":"Virginia","college_abbreviation":"UVA","pros":"Solid positional size despite his underwhelming length and athletic metrics. Underrated, competitive defender with quick hands and outstanding instincts, logging 1.8 steals per 40 minutes despite Virginia's packline defense. Size allows him to play either guard spot in a pinch. High-intangible guard who has won at every level. - Arguably the best pick-and-roll passer in the draft. Moves defenses with his eyes, regularly staring down opponents to open up teammates. Can pass off a live dribble accurately with his right hand. Does a great job of hitting the weakside corner from the perimeter. Size and feel allow him to pick defenses apart without having to get a piece of the paint. - Deep range and soft touch on his jumper. Career 39.5% 3-point shooter on 488 attempts. At his best with his feet set. Ranked sixth in Division I in catch-and-shoot efficiency (1.45 points per possession). Can shoot off screens as well. Not explosive or shifty but uses his footwork and change-of-pace to play off his jumper to get an angle to the rim. Elite floater game.","cons":"Only a 6-4 wingspan and 8-2 standing reach. Lacks fluidity in his lower body. Plays completely below the rim. Finished with a sub-50% 2-point clip in both his sophomore and junior seasons. Doesn't generate free throws. - Struggles to get by rangier defenders in the half-court. Is he better off functioning more as a combo guard next to another shifty ball handler? Virginia played with the slowest pace in college basketball. How will he adjust to a team that wants to get out and run? - Solid defender at the collegiate level, but how will he hold up against more explosive guards in the NBA? Gets caught flat-footed at times. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Suns traded into No. 24 to select Ty Jerome here. The Suns clearly went into this draft looking to add experience and perimeter shooting, picking Cam Johnson at No. 11, then adding another player in that mold in national champion combo guard Ty Jerome. He is an intriguing fit in the backcourt alongside Devin Booker, who has developed his ballhandling and playmaking ability significantly. Jerome has good size, deep range, a high basketball IQ and excellent competitiveness. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nassir Little","year":2019,"school":"North Carolina","college_abbreviation":"UNC","pros":"Physical specimen at 6-6, 224 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan. Terrific athlete who is quick off his feet for rebounds and finishes. Has significant potential defensively with his length, strength, physicality and lateral agility, giving him multi-positional potential on the interior and perimeter. Fits the mold of what many teams are looking for in the modern game. - Didn't convert 3-pointers at a high rate but has promising mechanics and touch. Made 77 percent of his free throw attempts in his lone year in college. Averaged 22 points per 40 minutes despite never truly finding his way offensively. - Consensus top high school recruit who may have more potential than he was able to demonstrate at UNC. Looked like a different, more confident player in other settings. Consistently lauded for his strong intangibles off the court.","cons":"Didn't make the impact most expected as a freshman, playing only 18 MPG. Didn't improve as much as scouts hoped throughout the year in terms of his skill-level and feel for the game. - Rudimentary ball-handler and shot-creator who struggles to generate high-percentage offense at times. Below-average passer who doesn't see the floor particularly well and was often a split-second late with his decision-making. - Has terrific potential defensively, but wasn't always impactful on that end this season. Mistake prone -- struggled to make the right reads off the ball. Awareness and energy level fluctuate. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Portland ended the surprising slide of Nassir Little, a player who started the year in the top five of most mock drafts but ended up sliding to No. 25 on draft night. The Trail Blazers have a significant need for a player in Little's mold; Al-Farouq Aminu is entering free agency, and Mo Harkless is approaching the final year of his contract. Little's shredded frame, impressive athleticism and budding 3-point shooting will fit right into their roster while playing off the likes of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Little also has significant upside to grow into. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dylan Windler","year":2019,"school":"Belmont","college_abbreviation":"BEL","post_draft_analysis":"After adding another ball handler in Darius Garland at No. 5, the Cavs drafted a player who doesn't need the ball to be successful in Dylan Windler -- considered one of the best perimeter shooters in this draft. Windler is the second player drafted in the first round from the Ohio Valley Conference, after Ja Morant.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Mfiondu Kabengele","year":2019,"school":"Florida State","college_abbreviation":"FSU","pros":"Measured impressively at the combine in terms of length (7-3), reach (9-1 .5) and bulk (256 pounds). Mobile big man with good agility defending on the perimeter. - Skilled offensive player with impressive scoring instincts. Made 37% of his 3-pointers and 76% of his free throws. Looks comfortable shooting the ball out to NBA range with his high release point and clean mechanics. Shows nice footwork inside the post and soft touch on his turnaround jumpers. Can attack a closeout and is adept at creating his own offense from the perimeter. Draws fouls at a prolific rate. - Shows potential switching on pick-and-rolls and moving his feet, while also providing solid rim protection in the paint. Pretty physical inside the paint with his strong frame.","cons":"Lack of experience shows up frequently in his decision-making. Somewhat of a black hole offensively -- dished out just 11 assists in 800 minutes. Can get a little predictable at times, looking to shoot at the first sign of daylight. - Not always a disciplined defender. Averaged over five fouls per-40 minutes, which partially explains why he played only 22 MPG. Fundamentals and awareness are a work in progress at times, especially defending off the ball. - Will turn 22 in August, potentially limiting his upside case. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Clippers traded up to No. 27 to select Mfiondu Kabengele here. Florida State's Mfiondu Kabengele is a versatile big man who can score inside and out. Kabengele's ability to make 3-pointers should allow him to operate as a center alongside a power forward such as Danilo Gallinari or in bigger lineups with a player such as Montrezl Harrell, giving Kabengele nice lineup versatility. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jordan Poole","year":2019,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","post_draft_analysis":"Jordan Poole is a player with intriguing shot creation and perimeter shooting ability, something the Warriors might need a lot more than previously thought, considering the injuries to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. Poole will have to show better decision-making and defensive potential than he did at Michigan to earn minutes for the NBA finalists. But he does have some upside to grow into, thanks to his natural scoring instincts and all-around talent.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Keldon Johnson","year":2019,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Has good physical tools for an NBA wing at 6-6, 216 pounds with a 6-9 wingspan and 8-8 standing reach. Strength and length should allow him to slide up to the power forward position at times in smaller lineups - Aggressive, versatile player on both ends of the floor. Powerful attacking in a straight line or in the open floor. Capable outside shooter with feet set. - Highly competitive rebounder and defender. Plays with toughness, intensity and confidence. Has a relatively high floor thanks to his dimensions, ability to guard and make an open shot.","cons":"Not yet a dynamic shooter at this stage, especially pulling up off the dribble or on the move. Has improved, but he's still very streaky (38% from 3; 70% on free throws). Doesn't have the quickest release. - Powerful, but not an especially fluid or explosive athlete creating in the half-court. Struggles to create high-percentage offense for himself or others when he can't get by opponents in a straight line. Average passer. - Energetic defender, but not the rangiest or most instinctive player around. Struggles at times to stay in front of smaller and quicker players. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Keldon Johnson's surprising slide was halted by the Spurs, who always are on the lookout for toughness, perimeter shooting and defensive versatility. With very little depth at the small forward position, Johnson could push for minutes immediately, depending on which direction they head in free agency.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kevin Porter Jr.","year":2019,"school":"USC","college_abbreviation":"USC","pros":"Impressive combination of sheer strength, shiftiness and leaping ability. Powerful frame. A load when he gets going downhill in the open floor, where he did most of his damage. Transition made up 23.6 percent of his offense (89th percentile). Changes speeds and directions with ease and power. Can play above the rim in space off one or two feet. Comfortable playing out of the post as well. - Ultra-talented shot-creator with a dynamic live-dribble game. Can get to his pull-up at will with a variety of different combo moves. Uses violent left-to-right crossovers, step-backs, pull-backs and behind-the-back stomps. Good decelerator who can make 3s off the bounce. Uses the threat of his jumper to set up the dribble-drive. Can finish with either hand around the rim and take contact. Has shown flashes as a passer when fully engaged. - Has the physical tools to be a useful defender given his strong base and quick feet. Can rotate for plays with instincts -- 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per 40 minutes. Improved on that end as the season progressed. Good positional rebounder (7.2 per 40 minutes) who isn't afraid to throw his body around.","cons":"Undisciplined player who adds little value when he doesn't have the ball in his hands. Floats when he's off the ball. Not all that comfortable playing out of spot-ups. How good of a shooter is he? Poor shot prep off the catch. Low release point from the right side of his face. Shot 52.2 percent from the foul line as a freshman. Narrow base on his jumper and almost always lands on one leg. Branded as a scorer but averaged only 17.2 points per 40 minutes at USC. - Erratic decision-maker. Settles for contested pull-ups rather than using his physical gifts to get to the rim. Jump shots made up 73.6 percent of his field goal attempts. Not always efficient with his dribble. Misses open teammates in transition and in the half court. Finished the season with 30 assists and 39 turnovers. Needs to develop his feel, as he's most useful with the ball in his hands. - Wildly inconsistent defender who shifts between energetic and lethargic. Engagement on and off the ball needs work. Emotional on the floor. Body language needs to improve. Questions among scouts about his work ethic. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Cavaliers traded up to No. 30 to select Kevin Porter Jr. here. With the last pick of the first round, the Cavs decided to roll the dice on the upside of Kevin Porter Jr., who was ranked as high as the top 10 during portions of the season but ended up tumbling significantly due to question marks about his intangibles and off-court approach. It will be interesting to see how Porter is utilized alongside two ball-dominant point guards in Darius Garland and Collin Sexton, as Porter struggled to make an impact at USC when he wasn't the focal point of the offense himself. At this late stage in the draft, though, his size, frame, perimeter shooting and scoring instincts are intriguing enough to take a flier on.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nic Claxton","year":2019,"school":"Georgia","college_abbreviation":"UGA","pros":"Interesting physical profile standing just under 7-feet in shoes with a 7-2.5 wingspan and a huge 9-2 standing reach. Wide shoulders and late-blooming trajectory suggest he'll continue to fill out his frame in time. Fluid athlete who is light on his feet and covers ground extremely well. - Has a lot more versatility than most players his size. Very good ball handler who is at his best grabbing and going off the defensive glass. Shows the ability to change speeds some in the open floor. Can attack closeouts with smooth footwork. Not afraid to hoist up jumpers. Drops glimpses of talent that are rare and unique for a big man. - Has significant potential defensively with his intriguing combination of mobility, timing and reach. Rotates impressively from the weakside to block and alter shots around the rim. Shows flashes of being able to switch on the perimeter and move his feet staying in front of guards. Plays with good energy.","cons":"Frame has a long ways to go at just 217 pounds. Got overpowered defensively by relatively mediocre big men in college. Just an average rebounder. - Very much a project as a prospect, and doesn't always know his limitations. Game moves too fast for him at times. Lacks discipline on both ends of the floor. Not a great passer. - Will likely need to continue to develop his perimeter shooting to find a way to score early in his career. Made 30% of his 3s in college and 61% of his free throws. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Nets took a flier on the upside of big man Nic Claxton -- who offers intriguing mobility, ballhandling and defensive versatility -- with the No. 31 pick. Claxton was a late invite to the NBA draft green room but ended up sliding to the second round, likely due to his thin frame and average feel for the game. The Nets likely will give him plenty of minutes in the G League to try to shore up his perimeter shooting and decision-making skills, as he does have some potential to grow into as his frame matures.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"KZ Okpala","year":2019,"school":"Stanford","college_abbreviation":"STAN","pros":"Impressive physical profile. Terrific frame that will fill out nicely in time. Has significant upside to tap into both physically and skill-wise. - Brings the size and length of a power forward, but was utilized as a big playmaker tasked with significant shot-creation responsibility at Stanford, operating out of isolation or pick-and-roll. Shows good footwork while attacking closeouts with long strides, on straight-line drives and while changing speeds in the open court. Improved perimeter shooter who made 37% of his 3s as a sophomore. - Has multipositional defensive versatility with his size, length and ability to cover ground fluidly at his size. Moves like a wing with rangy strides.","cons":"Still fairly raw in terms of his feel and overall polish. Doesn't demonstrate the type of court vision or passing ability you hope to see from a modern wing player. Shot selection and decision-making leave something to be desired. - Made strides as a perimeter shooter but was streaky from beyond the arc overall. Made just 67% of his free throws in college. Inconsistent mechanics with a slow, low release. Not very dynamic in terms of shooting off movement or pulling up off the bounce. Mostly a spot-up, catch-and-shoot player at this stage. - Didn't always have the defensive impact you might expect, particularly off the ball. Lacks a degree of physicality and toughness at times. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Heat traded into No. 32 to select KZ Okpala here. KZ Okpala's somewhat surprising slide to the second round ended here with Miami, which will try to mold his intriguing size, length and ballhandling ability into a functional rotation player by developing his perimeter shooting, frame and basketball IQ. Okpala is a late bloomer who is on a different trajectory than most prospects in this draft and could benefit from added seasoning in the G League.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Carsen Edwards","year":2019,"school":"Purdue","college_abbreviation":"PUR","post_draft_analysis":"The Celtics traded down to No. 33 to select Carsen Edwards here. The Celtics picked Carsen Edwards, one of the best shooters in this draft, with this pick that they extracted from the 76ers. Edwards put on one of the most impressive performances in NCAA tournament history against Virginia in the Elite Eight, and while not possessing prototypical size or court vision for a point guard, he has the type of athleticism, scoring instincts, range and confidence you look for at this stage in the draft.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Bruno Fernando","year":2019,"school":"Maryland","college_abbreviation":"MD","post_draft_analysis":"The Hawks traded into No. 35 to select Bruno Fernando here. Fernando was considered one of the best big men prospects in this draft, thanks to his chiseled physique and improved skill level, but he ended up falling to the second round due to the diminishing value teams seem to be placing on traditional centers in his mold. The Hawks could develop him into a functional backup, as there are some things to like with his size, athleticism and motor.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Marcos Louzada Silva","year":2019,"school":"Brazil","college_abbreviation":"Brazil","post_draft_analysis":"The Pelicans traded into No. 35 to select Marcos Louzada Silva (better known as Didi) here. Brazilian wing Didi found a spot fairly high in the second round, after helping his draft stock significantly at the Nike Hoop Summit this spring. Didi's intensity level, solid perimeter-shooting stroke and defensive versatility give him a chance to develop into a potential 3-and-D rotation player for New Orleans.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cody Martin","year":2019,"school":"Nevada","college_abbreviation":"NEV","post_draft_analysis":"Charlotte took a flier on long-armed, 6-foot-6 wing Cody Martin, a versatile player who saw quite a few minutes at point guard for Nevada and impressed with his defense and toughness.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Deividas Sirvydis","year":2019,"school":"Lithuania","college_abbreviation":"Lithuania","post_draft_analysis":"Detroit traded into the No. 37 pick to select Lithuanian player Deividas Sirvydis, who they reportedly had promised with the No. 45 pick but decided not to take a risk on waiting for. Sirvydis has terrific size at 6-foot-9 and is one of the better perimeter shooters in this class, having just turned 19 years old recently.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Daniel Gafford","year":2019,"school":"Arkansas","college_abbreviation":"ARK","pros":"Mobile, bouncy center with solid length.- Can play above the rim with ease. Threat as a vertical spacer. Good offensive rebounder. Soft hands and overall touch. - Protects the rim when fully engaged, posted 3.8 blocks per 40 minutes as a freshman. Flashes of defensive energy.","cons":"Motor fluctuates. Doesn't like physicality on either end of the floor. Allows duck-ins. Doesn't always find a body on the defensive glass. Blends in at times. - Defensive fundamentals are still a work in progress. Not the perimeter defender his tools suggest. - Limited to mostly finishes and offensive rebounds to score. Not a reliable playmaker or scorer at this stage.","post_draft_analysis":"Chicago added some frontcourt depth with explosive Arkansas sophomore Daniel Gafford, another center who saw his stock fall during the pre-draft process due to the diminishing interest around the NBA in big men in this mold. Gafford is a bouncy athlete who could carve out a niche as a rim-running vertical spacer if his motor improves.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Alen Smailagic","year":2019,"school":"Serbia","college_abbreviation":"Serbia","post_draft_analysis":"Golden State got the player it has been pursuing for the better part of three years in Serbian teenager Alen Smailagic, making two different trades in the second round to ensure it could select him. Many scouts questioned whether Smailagic's upside warranted the amount of attention that he received from the NBA finalists, who went to great lengths to secure his rights, and it will be interesting to see how his career turns out.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Justin James","year":2019,"school":"Wyoming","college_abbreviation":"WYO","post_draft_analysis":"Wyoming's Justin James, a versatile ball handler who was somewhat of an afterthought in the pre-draft process, was picked at No. 40.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Eric Paschall","year":2019,"school":"Villanova","college_abbreviation":"VILL","pros":"Physical, explosive leaper off two feet in space. Long arms with a strong frame. One of the draft's best finishers, converting 68.2% at the rim in the half-court (94th percentile). Should look even more explosive with NBA spacing. - Versatile, energetic defender who has the strength and length to body up bigs on the interior and the feet to step out and switch onto the perimeter. Will stick his nose in and rebound as well, even if his metrics say otherwise. Competitive and physical on the defensive end of the floor. Willing to do the little things to impact winning. - Improved perimeter shooter and offensive player. Shot around 35% from 3 in each of his last two seasons at Villanova. Career 76.7% free throw shooter. Capable of pulling up in mid-range spots or getting to the rim in a straight line on a spaced floor. Better passer when surrounded by talent and playing more of a complementary role.","cons":"Streaky shooter who gets caught between a set and a jump shot at times. Shoots on the way down from 3 on occasion. Career 32.9% 3-point shooter on 505 attempts. - Feel for the game is average. Not an advanced decision-maker. At his best when he keeps things simple. Rudimentary ball-handler. Doesn't always create high-percentage shots, settling a lot for contested mid-range pull-ups. Much better leaper off of two feet than one. - Strong and bouncy but slightly undersized for a modern big man with an 8-7.5 standing reach. How will he handle more traditional bigs on the defensive end? Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"Villanova big man Eric Paschall took a bit of a slide but ended up at No. 41. His toughness, defensive versatility and budding 3-point shooting give him a chance to carve out a long NBA career.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Admiral Schofield","year":2019,"school":"Tennessee","college_abbreviation":"TENN","post_draft_analysis":"Tennessee's Admiral Schofield had an excellent senior season, and he has some things to build on with his shredded frame and spot-up 3-point shooting ability. His ballhandling and feel for the game will need to develop in order to carve out a niche in the NBA, but he has made significant strides with his game every year in college.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaylen Nowell","year":2019,"school":"Washington","college_abbreviation":"WASH","post_draft_analysis":"Washington's Jaylen Nowell landed a spot at No. 43 by winning Pac-12 player of the year honors. His ballhandling and scoring instincts will serve him well in the G League as he attempts to develop his 3-point shooting and defense enough to earn NBA minutes.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Bol Bol","year":2019,"school":"Oregon","college_abbreviation":"ORE","pros":"The tallest and longest player projected to be drafted. Barely needs to jump to dunk thanks to his extraordinarily long standing reach. Moves extremely well for a player his size. Fluid and agile athletically. - Talented and skilled offensive player with impressive scoring instincts. Extremely effective in the limited action he saw at the college level, scoring more prolifically than any player in the draft (on 64 percent true shooting). Fairly dynamic shooter despite his unorthodox mechanics who can execute complicated step-backs and pull-ups with ease. Hit over half of his 3-point attempts and 76 percent of his free throws. Handles and passes the ball impressively for his size. Has elite footwork and touch. - Brings significant potential as a rim-protector thanks to his physical tools and mobility. Ranked as the third-best per-minute shot-blocker among likely draft picks. Blocks shots on the ball in the post, challenging shooters on the perimeter, rotating from the weak side and chasing down players in transition.","cons":"Has high hips, long legs and a high center of gravity that makes him susceptible to getting knocked off balance easily, especially in the post. Conditioning is fairly poor; needs frequent rest. Fractured navicular bone is a scary injury for a player his size. Can his body handle the rigors of an 82-game season? - Effort level leaves a lot to be desired. Doesn't always show the type of intensity or physicality you might hope to see while getting back on defense or battling in the post. Has a difficult time stepping outside of the paint defensively on pick-and-rolls. Primarily fancies himself a stretch guy offensively. - Came into college with plenty of questions regarding his approach to the game, especially regarding his work ethic. Full scouting report","post_draft_analysis":"The Denver Nuggets were the team that eventually decided to trade in order to draft Bol Bol, who apparently had such extraordinary red flags with his injury history and off-court approach as to make him fall all the way to the No. 44 pick. Bol's talent is undeniable at 7-foot-3, with impressive mobility, ballhandling, perimeter shooting and rim-protection prowess. It will be fascinating to see how his career unfolds, as he has a lot of work to do on his frame, his ability to step outside the paint defensively and his approach to reach the lofty potential many saw him in.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Roby","year":2019,"school":"Nebraska","college_abbreviation":"NEB","post_draft_analysis":"Isaiah Roby finally found a home halfway through the second round at No. 45. He offers intriguing athleticism, defensive versatility and ballhandling, as well as budding 3-point shooting ability. But he has significant work to do on his frame, toughness and consistency before carving out a niche for himself at the NBA level. Roby has upside and is a project worth investing in.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Talen Horton-Tucker","year":2019,"school":"Iowa State","college_abbreviation":"ISU","post_draft_analysis":"The Lakers traded into No. 46 to select Talen Horton-Tucker here. Horton-Tucker took a tumble deep into the second round, as question marks about his conditioning and approach took a toll on his stock, despite his intriguing upside. Horton-Tucker is the youngest college player to be drafted, has a wingspan that is nearly a foot larger than his height, and has intriguing ability to handle the ball and make perimeter jumpers, making him a player who is worth rolling the dice on to see how he develops in the G League.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ignas Brazdeikis","year":2019,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","post_draft_analysis":"The Knicks traded into No. 47 to select Ignas Brazdeikis here. Brazdeikis earned a spot in the late second round thanks to his aggressive scoring instincts and toughness, which helped him earn Big Ten freshmen of the year honors. The Lithuanian-Canadian will need to improve his defense and perimeter shooting consistency to stick in the NBA.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Terance Mann","year":2019,"school":"Florida State","college_abbreviation":"FSU","post_draft_analysis":"Florida State's Terance Mann had a strong pre-draft process by showcasing his impressive defensive versatility and high basketball IQ. The Clippers will attempt to hone his scoring ability in the G League with the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario to the point that he will need to be guarded, but there are some things to like about his physical tools and versatility.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Quinndary Weatherspoon","year":2019,"school":"Mississippi State","college_abbreviation":"MSST","post_draft_analysis":"Mississippi State's Quinndary Weatherspoon had a strong pre-draft process starting at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and continuing at the NBA combine, earning himself a spot in the draft with his toughness, defensive versatility and budding 3-point shooting.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jarrell Brantley","year":2019,"school":"Charleston","college_abbreviation":"COFC","post_draft_analysis":"The Jazz traded into No. 50 to select Jarrell Brantley here. College of Charleston's Brantley has the honor of being the first player not in the ESPN 100 to be drafted. He had a strong showing at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, but didn't receive an invite to the G League or NBA Combines. Brantley's shredded frame and impressive shot-creation ability are unique for a big man, and will make him a load for opposing big men to contain in the NBA G League next year.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tremont Waters","year":2019,"school":"LSU","college_abbreviation":"LSU","post_draft_analysis":"LSU's Tremont Waters fell deep in the second round due to concerns around his lack of size and slender frame, but he may be able to earn a roster spot in the NBA down the road thanks to his excellent ballhandling skills, shiftiness, pull-up jumper and court vision.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen McDaniels","year":2019,"school":"San Diego State","college_abbreviation":"SDSU","post_draft_analysis":"Jalen McDaniels' size, ballhandling and defensive versatility are interesting enough to warrant a pick at this stage of the draft, even if his slender frame will have to improve to earn a roster spot eventually.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Justin Wright-Foreman","year":2019,"school":"Hofstra","college_abbreviation":"HOF","post_draft_analysis":"Hofstra's Justin Wright-Foreman was one of the best scorers in college basketball and should continue to do the same at the G League level with his deep range, ability to make jumpers off the bounce, and explosive athleticism. Wright-Foreman will need to improve his court vision and defensive intensity. But he has some intriguing ingredients to work with as one of the younger seniors to hear his name called.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Marial Shayok","year":2019,"school":"Iowa State","college_abbreviation":"ISU","post_draft_analysis":"Iowa State's Marial Shayok earned a spot in the late second round by exploding in his fifth year of college basketball and developing into one of the best players in the Big 12. While slender at under 200 pounds, the wing of South Sudanese heritage has a 7-foot wingspan that allows him to play bigger than his size.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kyle Guy","year":2019,"school":"Virginia","college_abbreviation":"UVA","post_draft_analysis":"Kyle Guy was the third player to be drafted off of Virginia's national championship squad. Guy is one of the best shooters in the draft, capable of coming off screens, but also able to attack closeouts, boasting a little more versatility than your typical spot-up shooter. His lack of size, length and poor frame may hinder him defensively at the NBA level, but he does have one skill he can hang his hat on with his ability to stretch defenses from beyond the 3-point line.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaylen Hands","year":2019,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA","post_draft_analysis":"The Nets traded down to No. 56 to select Jaylen Hands here. UCLA's Hands is one of the better athletes selected in the second round, and also has some interesting perimeter shooting ability, giving him two skills that can possibly be developed at just 20 years old. Hands' slender frame, average decision making and defensive intensity will need work to earn a roster spot at the NBA level eventually.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jordan Bone","year":2019,"school":"Tennessee","college_abbreviation":"TENN","post_draft_analysis":"The Pistons traded into No. 57 to select Jordan Bone here. Bone ranked among the best athletes tested in nearly every category at the NBA combine, and also had a winning pedigree as the point guard of a Tennessee team that significantly exceeded expectations the past two seasons. Bone's basketball IQ and scoring consistency will have to improve to carve out a roster spot in the NBA, but his quickness, ability to change speeds and explosiveness playing above the rim are hard to find.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Miye Oni","year":2019,"school":"Yale","college_abbreviation":"YALE","post_draft_analysis":"The Jazz traded into No. 58 to select Miye Oni here. Yale's Oni is the first player drafted from the Ivy League since 1995, and he does have some things he can hang his hat on with his size, length, perimeter shooting and passing ability. Oni is raw in a few different areas, namely his ballhandling and decision-making, but he does have the outlines of a 3-and-D player if his body improves.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dewan Hernandez","year":2019,"school":"Miami","college_abbreviation":"MIA","post_draft_analysis":"Dewan Hernandez lost his entire junior season by a surprisingly harsh ruling made by the NCAA. But he was able to get his draft stock back on track at the G League combine, and then the NBA combine, by virtue of his terrific motor. Hernandez's energy will help the Raptors 905 initially, and he may be able to push for a roster spot eventually if his perimeter skill set and defensive consistency improves.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Vanja Marinkovic","year":2019,"school":"Serbia","college_abbreviation":"Serbia","post_draft_analysis":"Vlade Divac drafted fellow Serbian Vanja Marinkovic with the final pick of the NBA draft. Marinkovic had a strong season in Partizan as a volume scorer from the perimeter. He'll likely be stashed for a few years and will have an opportunity to earn a roster spot if his athleticism, defense, ballhandling and shooting consistency improve.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Anthony Edwards","year":2020,"school":"Georgia","college_abbreviation":"UGA","pros":"Powerful guard with elite length and explosiveness. Tough to contain, especially in transition. Strong first step and bouncy off one or two feet in space. Embraces contact in the paint.- Three-level scorer who can function on or off the ball. Capable shooter with his feet set but most intriguing with the ball in his hands. Made 42 pull-up jumpers in 32 games, regularly elevating over the top of defenders with ease. Can splash a pull-up 3 if the defense goes under, rise up in midrange spots or use his strength and explosiveness to get all the way to the rim in a straight line. Shows potential as a facilitator, particularly in the open court.- Strength, length and quickness to be a lockdown defender who can check three positions at the NBA level. Doesn't always buy in on that end but has shown glimpses. Can sit down and slide. Has the tools to make plays off the ball.","cons":"Still learning how to play on both ends. Decision-making is a work in progress. Tends to settle for contested jumpers rather than using his physicality to get all the way to the rim. Still learning how to play with elite players. Reputation for inconsistency in his production.- Streaky perimeter shooter. Shot 29.1% from 3 on 237 attempts at Georgia.- Undisciplined defender who isn't always engaged. Motor and intensity on that end fluctuates. Completely upright in his stance at times.Projected role: Star scoring guard--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Timberwolves went through a long and odious journey in researching every detail under the sun with at least a half dozen prospects before electing to make this pick, leaving no stone unturned in the process. They kept their intentions perfectly masked from their colleagues in the NBA, fans and media alike, in a way we haven't seen since Anthony Bennett went No. 1 in the 2013 NBA draft, which they hope this No. 1 pick doesn't share many more parallels with in terms of bust potential. In the end, they decided to play it \"safe\" and make the pick that made the most sense from a positional standpoint in Anthony Edwards. This helped avoid any potential tension with incumbent primary ball handler D'Angelo Russell and, by extension, Russell's good friend Karl-Anthony Towns. Edwards brings both explosive scoring instincts and ideal physical tools. The Timberwolves will need to surround him with the right type of talent and coaching staff to develop his immense talent and ensure he reaches his full potential. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"James Wiseman","year":2020,"school":"Memphis","college_abbreviation":"MEM","pros":"Incredible frame standing over 7-feet in shoes and 250 pounds with a 7-5 wingspan and gigantic standing reach. Exceptional athlete for his size in terms of his ability to get up and down the floor, cover ground and elevate around the rim quickly with explosiveness and power. - Has a good skill set. Agile in the post and as a pick-and-roll finisher with impressive body control. Capable of handling and creating for himself. Shows some creativity with his footwork. Has a soft touch around the rim and even extending out to 3. - Impact player as a rim protector when locked in and operating at maximum intensity thanks to his reach, timing and quickness. Also capable of switching on the perimeter with excellent mobility.","cons":"Feel for the game is a work in progress on both ends. Average passer who shows questionable instincts and awareness defensively, especially guarding pick-and-rolls. Can be foul-prone. - Doesn't always know his best role offensively. Has been intent on proving his skill on the perimeter rather than using his frame to his advantage inside the paint. Elongated release, side spin and questionable percentages from the free throw line raise doubts about his shooting ability. - Has left scouts wanting more at times in terms of his offensive efficiency, rebounding and defensive impact. Has stretches in which he looks like he's in cruise control. Projected role: Franchise center--Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Warriors explored many different scenarios, including trading back or out of the draft, before ultimately deciding to pick James Wiseman. A last-minute injury to Klay Thompson did not alter their plans, signaling that the Warriors feel comfortable attempting to return to the NBA Finals with Andrew Wiggins shouldering a heavy offensive load alongside Stephen Curry. The Warriors were said to be torn between the long-term upside of LaMelo Ball and the immediate fix Wiseman would bring with his strong natural tools at the center position, ultimately electing to go with Wiseman. He'll bring an ideal combination of size, length, strength and physicality along with excellent finishing ability, rebounding prowess and a huge presence defensively inside the paint. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"LaMelo Ball","year":2020,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","pros":"Has elite size for a point guard at 6-foot-7. Controls the game from his unique vantage point with impressive creativity, flair, poise and instincts operating off a live dribble. Gifted ball handler who plays at different speeds and can make every pass with either hand, especially operating out of pick-and-roll. Throws 90-foot outlets, makes magical touch passes. - Has a chance to be an adequate defender due to his combination of terrific size, quick feet and instincts, particularly when he's playing with energy. Already has some impressive moments rotating for steals and contesting shots around the basket. Excellent rebounder for a guard. - Won't turn 19 until well after the draft. Will be one of the youngest players picked in the first round. Might still be growing.","cons":"Has struggled to score efficiently throughout his career. Shot just 46% from 2-point range and 25% from 3. Shoots jumpers with unorthodox mechanics, including a two-handed release while kicking out his legs. The touch he shows on floaters and career 82% free throw percentage leaves room for optimism, but his inability to buy a basket at times this season in the half court was discouraging. - Lacks a degree of high-end explosiveness creating offense from a standstill and beating opponents off the dribble. Doesn't have the strength to finish what he does create around the basket. Relies on a lot of tough floaters and other difficult attempts inside the arc. - Indifferent defender for much of his career. Still reverts back to that frequently, especially off the ball. Struggles to get over screens due to his lack of strength. Has been maligned at times for his work ethic and level of focus. Projected role: Franchise point guard--Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Hornets had signaled early in the draft process that they viewed this as a three-player draft, and made the logical decision to select the third player in that group who fell to them in LaMelo Ball. Ball will immediately be handed the keys to the Charlotte offense, which should make the team must-watch television despite likely being nowhere close to playoff contention with a roster that still has several glaring holes. Ball is arguably the most talented player in the draft, and he brings a huge amount of star power to a team that has been sorely lacking it for years. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Patrick Williams","year":2020,"school":"Florida State","college_abbreviation":"FSU","pros":"Has an ideal physical profile for a forward at 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, with a wingspan around 7-foot. Length and athleticism to defender smaller players, plus a powerful frame that should allow him to switch onto big men. - Showed some flashes of touch shooting off the dribble from midrange, as well as stepping into spot-up 3-pointers confidently. Hit 84% of his free throw attempts. - Second-youngest player in this draft class. Somewhat of a late bloomer who appears to have considerable upside.","cons":"Raw offensive player. One of the least prolific scorers among projected first-round picks, and he wasn't particularly efficient relative to his role. - Game moves a little too quickly for him at times. Posted the third-worst assist-to-turnover ratio among projected draft picks who aren't big men. - Intensity level and effectiveness defensively come and go. Projected role: 3-and-D combo forward --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Williams was the big winner of the pre-draft process, rocketing up draft boards thanks to his combination of ideal physical tools, multipositional defensive versatility and budding skill as a shot-maker and passer. The brand-new front office and coaching staff in Chicago picked a player who has huge upside to grow into at a position of need, signaling their faith in both the existing roster as well as their player development staff. For the new Bulls regime, it makes sense to take a patient approach in studying the existing pieces in place first and evaluate where changes need to be made before electing to make significant moves. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaac Okoro","year":2020,"school":"Auburn","college_abbreviation":"AUB","pros":"Has ideal physical tools for an NBA wing. Was one of the most impactful defenders in the college game and has All-NBA potential thanks to his excellent lateral quickness, high intensity level and sound technique. Was often tasked with shutting down the point of attack for Auburn, but has the size, strength, length and toughness to defend power forwards as well. - Has plenty of room to grow offensively, but already shows enough flashes as a ball handler and passer to leave plenty of room for optimism. Attacks the rim with purpose and finishes well inside the paint, while also showing potential operating out of pick-and-roll. Has good court vision, can playmake with either hand and generally shows a high basketball IQ. - Lauded for his approach to the game. Impacts the game without scoring. Excellent rebounder. Plays a position and role that is extremely hard to find in today's NBA.","cons":"Is he a good enough overall scorer to warrant being a top-10 pick? His 16 points per 40 minutes is the lowest scoring rate of any college player currently projected in the top 20. - Perimeter shooting struggles are especially concerning. Made just 29% of his 3s and 67% of his free throw attempts. - Didn't come into college projected as a one-and-done lottery pick and could have benefited from showing his ability to impact winning in the SEC and NCAA tournaments. Projected role: Versatile two-way role-player--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Cavaliers made the first \"surprise\" pick of the night, shunning local favorite Obi Toppin for the defensive versatility and upside of the much younger Isaac Okoro. Possessing ideal physical tools and showing promising flashes of ballhandling and passing ability, Okoro will have to answer questions about his inconsistent perimeter shooting. Lauded for his intangibles and approach to the game, Okoro has been a winner in every setting he has competed in, can impact the game without scoring and will have a long leash to continue to hone his offensive game on a Cleveland team that is still early in its rebuilding process. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Onyeka Okongwu","year":2020,"school":"USC","college_abbreviation":"USC","pros":"Strong, mobile center who finishes above the rim with ease off two feet. Vertical spacer thanks to his hands and leaping ability. Tremendous offensive rebounder thanks to his quickness, strength and bounce. - Versatile defender with outstanding shot-blocking instincts. Averaged 1.6 steals and 3.5 blocks per 40 minutes. Great timing. Can step out and switch onto the perimeter even if his technique isn't great. Generally stays down on shot fakes. Contests jumpers effectively. - Excellent interior skills and sharp footwork. Comfortable dropping in jump hooks over either shoulder. Better passer than his metrics would suggest and feels double teams well. Soft overall touch in midrange spots. Shot 72% from the free throw line at USC. Praised by coaches for his approach to the game.","cons":"Has some struggles with more traditional centers given his size at 6-9. Not the most physical post defender. Generally plays hard but had some no-show energy games. - Strictly a 5 on offense at this stage. Took only 10 3s in 42 high school games, according to Krossover's database. Went 1-for-4 from 3 at USC. Decent mechanics from the free throw line but doesn't extend beyond that quite yet. Capable passer but not advanced. Not the most comfortable ball handler. - Does he have the offensive upside to be more than a role player? If not, is he special enough defensively at 6-9 to warrant serious consideration in the top 10? Projected role: Lob-catching, shot-blocking center--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Hawks made a big step in improving their biggest weakness, defense, by picking the player many feel is the most versatile defender in this draft. A fractured toe derailed Okongwu's ability to conduct workouts, but it did not ultimately affect his stock, as he is expected to make a full recovery in time for the regular season. Okongwu's ability to play with or behind both John Collins and Clint Capela makes him a strong fit positionally on this roster, and his soft hands and the quickness with which he gets off of his feet should make him a popular lob target for Trae Young. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Killian Hayes","year":2020,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","pros":"Great size for a lead guard at 6-5. Strong frame. Has the tools to defend either guard spot when fully motivated. Can change speeds and directions with the ball. Fairly fluid athlete who can use his size to overpower smaller guards. - Comfortable pick-and-roll player with three-level scoring potential and creativity as a passer when he's able to get to his left hand. Has also improved as a shooter. Can rise into midrange pull-ups or even bounce out to 3 with step-backs. Shows glimpses of finesse as a finisher with his left hand in the paint. - Fairly experienced and productive for his age having played 72 pro games (BBL, France Pro A, EuroCup). Should be able to have an instant impact if he's in a situation where the ball is in his hands.","cons":"Average athletically both in terms of burst and vertical explosion. Struggles with aggressive ball pressure. Turned the ball over on 25% of his possessions. Can change speeds and directions but doesn't quite have the shiftiness to beat rangy defenders off the dribble consistently. Will have to become a more consistent shooter to combat that. Doesn't get to the free throw line at a high rate. - Extremely left-hand dominant as a driver, passer and finisher. Lack of willingness to use his right hand limits him all over the floor. - Defensive intensity comes and goes. Struggles with speedy guards. While improved, his approach to the game was a question in the past. How much of his success is a product of the freedom and volume he was given with Ulm? Has looked ordinary at times in camp settings when surrounded by strong athletes. Projected role: Big playmaker--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Pistons have a glaring hole at point guard, and they elected to hand the keys of the franchise over to the first international player drafted in Killian Hayes, a somewhat polarizing prospect who has drawn sharply different opinions from talent evaluators across the league. Supersized for a guard with a huge frame, Hayes is one of the most creative passers in the draft -- an elite pick-and-roll player who improved significantly as a pull-up shooter in an oversized role in Germany this year. How Hayes' skills translate to the NBA game, especially with his ability to utilize his off hand and defend opposing point guards, will go a long way in deciding how successful of a pick this becomes. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Obi Toppin","year":2020,"school":"Dayton","college_abbreviation":"DAY","pros":"Explosive leaper with solid size. Big hands. Runs the floor hard. One of the most efficient transition finishers in college basketball. Lob threat out of pick-and-roll and from the dunker spot. - Versatile offensive skill set. Can space the floor vertically, pop out to 3 with sound mechanics and score in the post. Takes advantage of switches with jump hooks over either shoulder or quick spins. Comfortable post passer. Handles double teams fairly well. Sound feel for the game. - Has fairly sharp defensive instincts even though he's a bit limited on that end. Plays the passing lanes and is comfortable protecting the rim in a pinch. Spent most of the season playing center and has decent verticality and shot-blocking timing when he's fully engaged.","cons":"Lacks a degree of versatility and upside on the defensive end. Upright mover with choppy strides. Struggles to sit down and slide with perimeter forwards. Doesn't change direction all that well. Discipline comes and goes as a pick-and-roll defender. Has issues with more physical bigs given his light base. Buried in the post regularly. Not always the most engaged rebounder. Can he play any small-ball 5 in the NBA? - Not the most polished perimeter player for a modern 4. Benefited from playing the 5 with shooting and skill surrounding him. Upright ball handler. Not really a dynamic shooter. - Gets moved off his spots easily in the paint. Doesn't always maintain balance in a crowd. Was effective on the block in college, but will he be able to punish switches regularly in the NBA? High floor but what's his ceiling at age 22 with some limitations on the defensive end? Projected role: Run-and-jump big with stretch skills--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"With a preexisting relationship in place between Toppin and newly appointed president Leon Rose, the Knicks had targeted the explosive Dayton product from an early stage, even exploring trade opportunities to move up and select him. Toppin, the best player in college basketball last season and arguably the most exciting, will generate a huge amount of enthusiasm among fans in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks get a ready-made player who won't need much time to translate his productivity from college to the NBA. Toppin, a late bloomer who was an afterthought in high school recruiting circles, has more upside than your typical 22-year-old, but will battle the stigma of disappointing older top picks in recent years. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Deni Avdija","year":2020,"school":"Israel","college_abbreviation":"Israel","pros":"Big enough to play PF but has the ballhandling, creativity and playmaking skill of a PG. At his best operating out of pick-and-roll, where he displays excellent timing and vision, allowing him to make every read and pass in the book. Aggressive offensive player who is in attack mode every time he steps onto the floor. Loves shooting pull-up 3-pointers in transition. Brings toughness, competitiveness and swagger. - Was learning how to play without the ball this season in a more compact role at the pro level. Elite cutter thanks to his strong feel for the game. Capable of playmaking out of secondary ball-handling situations. - Has made significant strides on defense. Covers ground well and plays with real intensity getting over screens, battling on the glass and rotating to protect the rim. Gets in passing lanes, blocks quite a few shots and rebounds well.","cons":"Inconsistent shooter who has converted just 32% of 3-pointers and 58% of free throws over a large sample. Mechanics have been tweaked repeatedly to the point that you rarely see him shooting the same way, sometimes kicking his legs out excessively or looking stiff with his release. - Wasn't asked to do much in terms of creating his own shot in isolation, pushing in the open court or playing pick-and-roll this season. - Struggles to create offense from a standstill. Right-hand dominant and much more limited when pushed to dribble or finish with his off hand. Reliant on changes of speed and using his body to create space, which might prove more difficult against NBA defenders. Projected role: Big playmaker--Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Considered a candidate to be picked as early as 4, Avdija's falling to 9 was one of the big surprises of draft night. It is an outcome his camp (who allowed only select teams, including Washington, access to him) and especially the Wizards will be thrilled with. A big guard with outstanding versatility on both ends of the floor, Avdija is a polished, experienced player who should be ready to step in and make an immediate impact for Washington. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Smith","year":2020,"school":"Maryland","college_abbreviation":"MD","pros":"Has good size for an NBA power forward, at 6-foot-10, 225 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. Saw most of his minutes at center this season and should be able to play both big man spots in the NBA. - Versatile offensive player. Made 37% of his 3-pointers and 75% of his free throws on a fairly large sample. Capable of attacking slower defenders from the perimeter or scoring in the post with either hand. Made more than 60% of his 2-point attempts. - Competitive on both ends. Length and excellent timing made him an effective shot-blocker. Uses both hands to protect the rim. Also a productive rebounder.","cons":"Doesn't cover ground very well defensively. Hunched in his stance. Gets beaten off the dribble. A step slow to defend power forwards on the perimeter and lacks a degree of size and bulk to guard more traditional centers inside. - Thin lower body. Struggles to operate in traffic. - Below-average passer. Doesn't have much court vision when asked to create offense. Projected role: Floor-spacing, shot-blocking big --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Suns shocked the NBA world in passing on top five-pick candidate Tyrese Haliburton for Maryland product Jalen Smith, who nevertheless represents a solid positional fit on a team that could use another stretch-4 option. Smith moved up draft boards rapidly in the pre-draft process with his length, soft shooting touch and rim-protection prowess. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Devin Vassell","year":2020,"school":"Florida State","college_abbreviation":"FSU","pros":"Intriguing physical profile at around 6-foot-7 with a reported 7-foot wingspan. Late bloomer physically. Wiry and agile. Light on his feet. Not the most explosive athlete, but length allows him to finish above the rim in transition.- 3-and-D potential. Not the most traditional shooting mechanics, but he hit 41.7% from 3 on 168 attempts throughout his collegiate career. Disruptive on the defensive end of the floor: 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per 40 minutes. Chased around point guards at times.- Has a little more shot-creation potential than most 3-and-D wings. Improving as a ball handler. Can play some pick-and-roll. Comfortable rising up in midrange spots off the dribble.","cons":"Feel for the game is a work in progress on both ends. Game moves a little quickly for him at times. Average passer who shows questionable instincts and awareness defensively, especially guarding pick-and-rolls. Can be foul-prone.How much stronger can he get? Can he defend the NBA's premier wings, or is he better off checking a guard?- More fluid and agile than explosive. A lot of his shot-creation possessions end in contested midrange jumpers. Doesn't get all the way to the rim or to the free throw line often. Comfortable making basic reads but not an advanced passer.- How will his 3-ball translate to the NBA? Much better from the corners than above the break in college. Career 72% free throw shooter.Projected role: 3-and-D wing--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Spurs and Vassell have long been viewed as a strong fit thanks to his positional size, length, perimeter shooting and multipositional versatility. The type of high-character, hardworking role player Gregg Popovich typically covets, Vassell is a strong fit on a Spurs roster that is sorely lacking depth on the wing. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyrese Haliburton","year":2020,"school":"Iowa State","college_abbreviation":"ISU","pros":"Has good size for a point guard at 6-5 with a 6-7.5 wingspan that should allow him to defend either guard position. Fluid athlete who changes speeds with long strides, polished footwork and smooth body control. Still developing physically. - Has one of the highest basketball IQs of any player in the draft. Creative passer who empowers teammates with outlet passes and makes the game easy with the tremendous vision in pick-and-roll. Size, length and feel make him a factor on the glass, getting in passing lanes and even blocking shots on occasion. - Career 43% 3-point shooter and 78% free throw shooter at the college level. Reliable with his feet set despite his unconventional mechanics. Has outstanding touch on floaters.","cons":"Has played off the ball quite a bit in his college career due to his struggles creating offense from in the half court. Can't always beat better defenders off the bounce cleanly. Low release on his pull-up jumper makes it difficult for him to get his shot off at times. Likely will be at his best operating alongside a high-volume shot creator. - Light frame limits him on both ends. Gets knocked off his path easily and forced to settle for difficult shots from outside the paint. Has a propensity for avoiding contact. Attempted only 71 free throws in 57 games in college. - Team went just 10-12 with him on the roster this season. Going to be more appealing to teams with existing pieces in place, which limits his ceiling among bad teams picking at the top. Projected role: Secondary ball-handling 3-and-D guard--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"A candidate to be picked as early as No. 4, Haliburton falling to the 12th pick was one of the biggest surprises of draft night. The Kings will be thrilled to add a polished, intelligent and versatile guard who should be an outstanding fit playing behind De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield, and even alongside them in three-guard lineups. Haliburton's perimeter shooting and basketball IQ will get him on the floor early for the playoff-contending Kings, and the fact that the team has scoring weapons in place alongside him means that his weaknesses as a primary creator won't be exposed. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kira Lewis Jr","year":2020,"school":"Alabama","college_abbreviation":"ALA","pros":"One of the quickest players in the draft -- can change speeds or directions on a dime. Doesn't need a ball screen to get a piece of the paint. Plays off of hesitations effectively. - Soft touch on floaters from all over the floor. Shows some craft at the rim. Sharp Eurostep footwork. - Improving perimeter shooter: 36.1% from 3 and 79% from the free throw line in two college seasons. Capable live-dribble passer. Highly productive for his age.","cons":"Slight frame at 165 pounds that shows up on both ends of the floor. Not the most disciplined defender. Quick hands and good feet but struggles with physicality. How will he handle more aggressive guards in the NBA? Falls asleep off the ball at times. - Not a great finisher with physicality. Right-hand dominant at the rim. Mostly needs time and space with his jumper. - Still finding the right blend between scoring and playmaking. Misses basic kickouts or pick-and-roll reads. Projected role: Speedy lead guard --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Pelicans found a potential Jrue Holiday replacement in Kira Lewis Jr., one of the fastest players in this draft class and a compelling fit alongside Lonzo Ball. Lewis is younger than most freshmen after skipping his senior year of high school, and he made significant improvement as a playmaker and shooter in his sophomore season. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Aaron Nesmith","year":2020,"school":"Vanderbilt","college_abbreviation":"VAN","pros":"Possesses an impressive physical profile at 6-foot-6, 213 pounds, with a near 7-foot wingspan. Above average athlete whose strength and length give him good upside to grow into on both ends of the floor. - Arguably the best shooter in the draft. Made more than four 3-pointers per game and converted 50% of his attempts. Can hit jumpers in a variety of ways off movement, screens, pull-ups and difficult spot-ups with a hand in his face. Career 83% free throw shooter. - Lauded for his work ethic and leadership.","cons":"Played only 14 games due to a stress fracture in his foot. Team played a weak out-of-conference schedule, limiting NBA scouts' opportunities to evaluate him against quality competition. - Not a prolific shot-creator. Average ball handler who has plenty of room to improve his passing. - Has good tools and versatility defensively but didn't always make a major impact. Gets beat off the dribble -- not the rangiest or most agile defender. Projected role: Versatile, shooting wing --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"With few holes on their roster, the Celtics elected to take one of the best shooters in the draft in Aaron Nesmith, whose outstanding positional size and ability to come off screens should allow him to compete for immediate playing time despite joining one of the deepest teams in the NBA. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cole Anthony","year":2020,"school":"North Carolina","college_abbreviation":"UNC","pros":"Aggressive, confident scorer who has been productive at virtually every stop. Good open-court athlete who changes ends quickly. Creates space for himself with crossovers and step-backs going left. Can knock down pull-ups with range, change speeds and directions and initiate contact in the paint. - Glimpses of competitiveness on the defensive end. Has shown the willingness to fight through ball screens. Quick hands and feet when fully engaged. - Impressed NBA scouts at the Nike Academy, competing in every session and going toe-to-toe with NBA players. Plays with a lot of confidence. Can play off the ball some with ability to shoot off the catch.","cons":"Much more of a scorer than facilitator at this stage. Can make basic drop-offs and kickouts, but he's still learning how to manipulate defenses. Tends to pound the ball a little too much. Shot selection has room to improve. - A bit streaky, shooting 35% from the high school 3-point line on 464 attempts and 35% from 3 at the collegiate level. Shows deep range and the ability to rise up in the midrange, but scouts will have a close eye on his consistency. Lacks finesse at the rim. Right-hand dominant finisher. - While quick-footed and fairly strong for his height, average size and length limits his defensive versatility. Ball-watches defensively and gives up open looks to shooters. Does his production translate to winning? Projected role: Shot-creating lead guard--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"On the hunt for a guard to complement Markelle Fultz, the Magic elected to pull the trigger on Cole Anthony, one of the most explosive scorers in the draft. Anthony saw his stock fall out of the top five in an injury-plagued and inefficient season. His perimeter shooting ability and unbridled confidence as a scorer will allow him to play behind as well as alongside Fultz, who has ample size to defend shooting guards, making for a potentially highly potent backcourt. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Stewart","year":2020,"school":"Washington","college_abbreviation":"WASH","pros":"Shredded, powerful frame. Already has the body to battle with NBA bigs. Wide shoulders, long arms. Mobile for his size. Body type that could thicken up but has done a great job of staying in shape -- 7-4 wingspan helps him play above the rim when he has a runway.- Plays with tremendous intensity. Relentless pursuing offensive rebounds. Has the strength to defend the post and clean up the defensive glass as well. Sets hard screens.- Made 77% of his free throws in college. Should be able to expand his range to 3 in time. Gets great rotation with sound overall mechanics. Can make basic reads as well.","cons":"Strong and long but lacks elite height at 6-foot-9 and doesn't make up for it with great leaping ability.- Struggles to defend on the perimeter. Will compete on switches but has to rely more on energy to get by than foot speed. Not a natural rim protector. Lack of standstill pop hurts him in that regard. How does he fit in to an NBA defense if he's not going to guard the perimeter or protect the rim? Zone defense should helped hide some of his defensive deficiencies.- Touch around the rim comes and goes vs. length. Can make face-up jumpers and has stretch ability, but still adding more ways to score to his repertoire. Not an advanced passer.Projected role: Energy big--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Pistons traded into No. 16 to select Isaiah Stewart here. The Pistons continued to reshape their roster and attempted to fill a major hole at center by selecting Washington product Isaiah Stewart. Considered by many to be the toughest player in the draft, Stewart will bring the type of physicality and intensity the team sorely lacked in recent years. Stewart's draft stock rose steadily in the pre-draft process thanks to strong interviews, workouts and background intel.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Aleksej Pokusevski","year":2020,"school":"Serbia","college_abbreviation":"Serbia","pros":"Has unique dimensions for a perimeter player, standing more than 7-foot in shoes, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and 9-foot-1 standing reach. Smooth and fluid for his size. He is the youngest player in this draft class, not turning 19 until late December. - Skilled and versatile offensive player. Can make 3-pointers running off screens or pulling up off the dribble. Takes defensive rebounds coast to coast. Attacks closeouts with either hand. Can play pick-and-roll and pass off a live dribble. - Effective rebounder who gets in passing lanes and rotates impressively to protect the rim.","cons":"Hasn't been scouted as thoroughly as other international draft prospects. Played only 254 minutes this season in the Greek second division, a low level of competition. Was out for nearly three months because of an injury. - Weighs only around 200 pounds. Frame looks several years away from being NBA-ready. Lacks toughness and physicality even beyond his lack of strength. Frequently beaten off the dribble. Shies away from contact inside the paint. - Has struggled to put the ball in the basket efficiently for much of his career. Career 40% 2-point and 32% 3-point shooter. Shows impressive shot-making prowess at times but lacks consistency. Projected role: Mismatch, playmaking 4 --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Thunder traded up to No. 17 to select Aleksej Pokusevski here. Pokusevski being targeted by and subsequently picked by the Thunder was one of the worst-kept secrets in the entire draft process, one that has reportedly been in the works for the better part of the past year. With most of the NBA aware of the Thunder's intentions, Sam Presti was forced to get creative and orchestrate a trade to move into the mid-teens to ensure that they were able to draft him. Arguably the most unique prospect in the draft as a 7-footer who handles and passes the ball like a guard, Pokusevski is years away from contributing from a physical standpoint, but has the type of perimeter talent and versatility that is very difficult to find, giving him one of the highest upsides of any prospect in the draft. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Josh Green","year":2020,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ","pros":"Ideal physical profile for an off guard/wing with a great frame, long arms and impressive open-court, run-and-jump athleticism. Good straight-line speed running the floor. Finishes above the rim off one or two feet with ease. At his best in transition. - Versatile defender who competes on and off the ball. Great feet. Can slide up and check 1s or body up with physical wings. Has gotten tougher on the floor over the years. Will stick his nose in on the offensive and defensive glass. - Improved perimeter shooter and decision maker. Capable of making a standstill 3, quick-swing passes and close-out attacks. High floor as a prospect. Known for having strong intangibles.","cons":"Good in a lot of areas but doesn't quite have an elite skill on the offensive end. Not the most dynamic perimeter shooter. Not an advanced ball-handler or passer. Feel is good, not great. What does he give you offensively if he's not making shots? - Explosive but finishing finesse is still improving. Can drop in occasional floaters but very right-hand dominant. Much better shooter with his feet set than off the dribble. - Doesn't always have a next-play mentality. Projected role: 3-and-D wing--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Green is an easy fit into modern NBA rosters thanks to his ideal combination of size, length, frame and run-jump physical ability. He's a sound perimeter shooter, a competent passer and a multipositional defender with upside to continue to develop as his ballhandling improves. The Mavericks could stand to improve their wing depth, and they might find a role for Green early in his NBA career if he finds consistency with his jump shot playing off of Luka Doncic. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Saddiq Bey","year":2020,"school":"Villanova","college_abbreviation":"VILL","pros":"Versatile player with a solid physical profile at 6-foot-7, 216 pounds with a 6-foot-11 wingspan. One of the more efficient combo forwards in college basketball. Late bloomer who improved every season at Villanova. - Competitive. Has the ability to defend multiple positions in a pinch. Makes winning plays. Good offensive rebounder. Has been both a role player and a featured starter. Likely NBA contributor from day one. - Shot 45.1% from 3 on 6.7 attempts per game as a sophomore. Can handle in pick-and-roll, function as a screener or play out of the post. Solid feel for the game. Played some point guard for stretches.","cons":"Not a great athlete, given his dimensions. Doesn't always finish above the rim in traffic. - Low steal and block rates relative to his size and length. Can he be a true defensive stopper? - How will his jumper translate to the NBA line? Unorthodox mechanics. Career 73% free throw shooter. Does a little of everything, but what's his elite NBA skill? Projected role: 3-and-D forward --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Pistons traded into No. 19 to select Saddiq Bey here. After two selections that might be considered reaches by some, the Pistons got real value with their third first-rounder in selecting the sliding Saddiq Bey, who most teams felt would have been selected anywhere in the 10-14 range. Bey should find immediate minutes on a Pistons team that lacks much in the way of wing depth, bringing strong perimeter shooting, multipositional defensive versatility and the type of high IQ NBA teams have come to expect from the Villanova school of role players. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Precious Achiuwa","year":2020,"school":"Memphis","college_abbreviation":"MEM","pros":"Elite physical profile and ideal defensive versatility. Has the strength (234 pounds) and standing reach (9-1.5) to slide all the way up to the center spot in small lineups. Explosive above the rim in space. Light on his feet. Long arms (7-2 wingspan), big hands. Has the tools to check either forward spot in the NBA while also switching onto the perimeter. - Has grab-and-go potential with the ball. At his best attacking the rim in space as a mismatch 4. Aggressive mentality. - Shows glimpses of upside as a shooter, sometimes even knocking down shots off the dribble. Poor free throw shooter but made 32.5% of 40 3-point attempts at Memphis.","cons":"Feel for the game is a major work in progress. Tunnel vision with the ball in his hands. Can handle in space but rigid with the ball in traffic. Settles for contested midrange jumpers. Finished the season with 30 assists and 87 turnovers. Has improved but didn't always want to accept his role as an energy defender. - Needs to become a more consistent 3-point shooter. Shoots on the way down in midrange spots. Shot 59% from the free throw line on 187 attempts at Memphis. Doesn't have great touch around the rim. - Defensive fundamentals and discipline can improve. Doesn't always sit down in a stance like he could. Gets lost off the ball at times. Projected role: Versatile defender--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"After an improbable run to the NBA Finals, the Heat scored big on draft night as well by picking the sliding Precious Achiuwa, who easily could have been selected 8-10 spots in front of them. Achiuwa is a perfect fit both positionally on their roster as well as characterwise fitting into the #HeatCulture, as he's arguably the best athlete in the draft and also one of the most versatile defenders in the class. If Achiuwa can continue to make strides with his jump shot, he could end up being one of the biggest steals of the draft, giving him huge value with the 20th pick. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyrese Maxey","year":2020,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Versatile guard who has the size, strength and length to play either backcourt position. Only 6-3 but has a strong frame and a near 6-8 wingspan. Has a feel for the game that allows him to contribute in a variety of ways. Played mostly off the ball for Kentucky but showed flashes of basic playmaking operating out of pick-and-roll, including the ability to manipulate a ball screen and get to his spots on the floor. - Instinctive scorer who excels in transition and shows the ability to put the ball in the basket from all over the floor. Plays at different speeds and has an advanced floater game for his age. Finishes through contact. Confident shot-maker with range and touch. - Physical player defensively. Uses his strong frame, length and anticipation skills to his advantage. Fearless player with toughness and swagger.","cons":"Not a freakish athlete from a run/jump standpoint. Doesn't have blazing speed. Game revolves more around changes of speed, strength and pace. Struggles to finish over length at times. Can't always create high percentage shots for himself or others. Made just 49% of his 2-pointers at Kentucky. - Shot-selection and decision-making are works in progress. Has demonstrated flashes of being able to make others better but was inconsistent in that area. Posted just a 1.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. - Makes 3s with some volume, but has been streaky throughout his career. Made just 29% of his 3-pointers at Kentucky. Has a low release point on his jumper that hinders him at times when closely contested. Projected role:Versatile two-way combo guard--Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"With his first pick at the helm of the Philadelphia 76ers, Daryl Morey got strong value by selecting Kentucky combo guard Tyrese Maxey. A tough, aggressive, prolific scoring guard who can defend multiple positions and loves to play downhill, Maxey has significant upside to grow into with the Sixers. Maxey will need to find consistency with his jump shot to earn immediate playing time operating alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Zeke Nnaji","year":2020,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ","pros":"Physical big man who makes his presence felt on the offensive glass with his strength. Mobile for his size. Versatile athlete. Can step out and hedge ball screens. Solid laterally for a center prospect. Embraces contact on both ends. - Has touch on jump hooks. Shows potential as a mid-range shooter. Historically a good free throw shooter who should continue to expand his range. Shoots 3s fairly comfortably in practice. - Noted for his impressive approach to the game. Knows his role and consistently brings energy and intensity to the floor. Type of project you bet on improving every year.","cons":"Still a work in progress offensively despite his numbers. Not a comfortable ball-handler or facilitator. Lack of reach hurts him around the rim against length at times. Functions as a center offensively but isn't quite dangerous enough of a lob-catcher/finisher or skilled enough as a post scorer. Does a lot of his damage on put-backs. - Not much of a rim protector. Plays hard but instincts are still developing and lack of elite length hurts him as a defensive anchor. Not the most instinctual defensive rebounder, either. Bobbles boards at times. - Good feet overall but discipline can improve in 1-on-1 perimeter defense situations. Can be a little bit handsy. Will bite on fakes. You bet on him improving, but can he be more than an energy guy in the NBA? --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"With Mason Plumlee entering free agency, the Nuggets opted to plug an immediate hole at backup center with Zeke Nnaji, who also offers the ability to potentially play spot minutes next to Nikola Jokic if his 3-point shot can improve as expected. A hard-playing big man who can switch on pick-and-rolls and get off the ground quickly for finishes, Nnaji has several role-playing attributes winning teams like the Nuggets covet. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Leandro Bolmaro","year":2020,"school":"Argentina","college_abbreviation":"Argentina","pros":"Good size at 6-foot-7 for someone who can play point guard. - Creative ball handler who plays at different speeds and shows excellent passing ability off a live dribble. Manipulates defenses with pace, skill and feel. Uses floaters and touch shots to finish creatively around the basket. - Plays with energy defensively. Attentive and aware both on and off the ball. Quick feet sliding and containing in small spaces. Gets into passing lanes.","cons":"Lacks a degree of strength and explosiveness athletically. Can't always beat better defenders from a standstill. Has struggled to put the ball in the basket at times against higher-level competition. - Career 30% 3-point shooter on more than 300 attempts and a 68% free throw shooter. Just how good of a shooter can he become? Low, clunky release limits him at times against better defenders. - Hasn't been seen nearly as much as other international players in this draft. Played only 388 minutes this season, rotating between Barcelona's first and second teams. Projected role: Big two-way playmaker --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Timberwolves traded into No. 23 to select Leandro Bolmaro here. Having gotten their man with the No. 1 pick in Edwards, the Timberwolves took a swing on Argentinean combo guard Bolmaro, who will likely be stashed for the season in Europe. Should Gersson Rosas prefer to develop his new pick stateside, he does have the ability to buy out Bolmaro's contract from Barcelona immediately if he so chooses. Bolmaro brings terrific creativity as a passer and ball handler, as well as energy and defensive intensity. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"RJ Hampton","year":2020,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","pros":"Quick, explosive athlete with nice size for a combo guard. Has grown three inches over the past few years and is far from a finished product physically. Plays above the rim with ease in space. Explosive first step with the ability to shift gears on a dime. Uses Eurosteps well in the open floor. - Versatile offensive game. Can play on or off the ball in a pinch. At his best putting pressure on the rim with his speed in transition and the half court. Streaky, yet developing shooter who can make a spot 3 or a midrange pull-up with nice elevation. Holds quite a bit of playmaking potential. Sound feel for the game. At his best in drive-and-kick situations. - Fundamentals need work but has the tools to defend either backcourt spot in time. Quick feet when fully engaged. Positional length allows him to contest shots on the perimeter. Covers ground quickly on closeouts.","cons":"Solid foundation overall but doesn't quite have one elite skill. Needs to become a more consistent 3-point shooter, especially off the dribble. Will turn down rhythm 3s once he misses one or two. Handle slows him down against elite defenders. - Can stand to toughen up both as a finisher and defender. Shot only 3.6 free throws per 40 minutes despite his athletic tools. Gets taken advantage of by stronger guards defensively. - Defensive technique needs work. Gets hit on screens far too often, more due to fundamentals than lack of strength. Doesn't direct the ball handler in one position or another. Narrow base and hunched frame. Focus comes and goes off the ball. Projected role: Creating combo guard--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Nuggets traded into No. 24 to select RJ Hampton here. The Nuggets got tremendous value by trading for Hampton, who slid into the 20s after starting the season projected in the top 5. The move gives them another high-upside prospect to develop on a team that is increasingly stacked with young talent despite coming off a run to the Western Conference finals. An explosive athlete who is blessed with excellent scoring instincts, Hampton has far more upside than your typical prospect found at this point of the draft. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Immanuel Quickley","year":2020,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","post_draft_analysis":"The Knicks traded down to No. 25 to select Immanuel Quickley here. Few expected Kentucky guards Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley to be drafted too close together, a strong indication of the premium NBA teams put on perimeter shooting, which happens to be Quickley's biggest strength. An excellent defender as well as an outstanding teammate, Quickley's decision-making and versatility make him a strong candidate to play alongside the ball-dominant RJ Barrett. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Payton Pritchard","year":2020,"school":"Oregon","college_abbreviation":"ORE","post_draft_analysis":"One of the best players in college basketball, Payton Pritchard's deep shooting range, toughness, experience and character will likely make him a fan favorite in Boston early in his career. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Udoka Azubuike","year":2020,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU","pros":"Elite physical tools. Dominant in the paint with his 270-pound frame, 7-foot-8 wingspan and 9-foot-4 standing reach. - Strong contender for national player of the year honors as the best and most important player on the top team in college basketball. Incredibly productive as a rebounder and finisher. Has shown significantly improved hands and timing as a finisher. - Made significant strides on the defensive end, thanks to improved conditioning, a significantly higher intensity level and experience. Had some great moments this season hedging and switching ball screens.","cons":"How much more can he realistically improve, and how will he fit in the modern game? - Shot a very low 44% on free throws. - At times had an inconsistent approach to the game, which led to some friction between him and Kansas' coaching staff. Projected role: Imposing, throwback big --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"After trading Tony Bradley to the Pistons, it made sense for the Jazz to target a center like Azubuike to back up Rudy Gobert. The Kansas product has exceptional physical tools with his size, strength, length and explosive leaping ability, which should give the Jazz a very different look in stretches thanks to his physicality and lob-catching prowess. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaden McDaniels","year":2020,"school":"Washington","college_abbreviation":"WASH","pros":"Interesting blend of size, length and agility at 6-foot-10 with an 8-11 standing reach. Can play above the rim in space with relative ease. - Holds considerable defensive upside given his agility and size. Has shown the ability to sit down and slide with wings.Finished the year averaging 1.0 steals and 1.6 blocks per 40 minutes. Improved motor. - Versatile offensive attack with his ability to make a standstill 3, handle in the open floor and create for others on occasion. Although he made only 34% of his 3s at Washington, he has sound touch and solid mechanics. Can rise into 3s and mid-range pull-ups. Good footwork overall. Has touch on floaters. Changes speeds and directions with the ball. Shows glimpses of feel as a playmaker.","cons":"Body hasn't improved much. Narrow shoulders, rail-thin legs. How much weight can he put onto his frame? Struggles to play through contact.Can he defend more physical forwards? - Tends to fade in and out of games. Led the Pac-12 in turnovers and fouls. Erratic with his decision making. - What gets him on an NBA floor early in his career? Not the most consistent shooter. Has his wow moments but still finding his elite skill. Scouts see him as more of a long-term prospect. Projected role:Two-way forward--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Timberwolves traded down to No. 28 to select Jaden McDaniels here. Having started the season in the top 10, McDaniels' stock cratered in the midst of a disappointing season both individually and especially from a team perspective. Still, at this point in the draft there's little risk in selecting a long and lanky forward who can handle the ball and shoot off the dribble the way he can. McDaniels will need to improve his frame, ability to play through contact, shot selection and decision-making, but there is plenty of raw talent to work with considering how deep in the draft he was selected. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Malachi Flynn","year":2020,"school":"San Diego State","college_abbreviation":"SDSU","post_draft_analysis":"Starting two point guards together in the backcourt for much of the season, the Raptors were in the market for depth at the position in either the draft or free agency. Flynn was one of the best point guards in the college game, winning both player of the year and defensive player of the year honors for San Diego State, which spent much of the season ranked in the top 5. Flynn's polish, understanding of the game and perimeter shooting ability should allow him to compete for immediate playing time for the Raptors. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Desmond Bane","year":2020,"school":"TCU","college_abbreviation":"TCU","post_draft_analysis":"The Grizzlies traded into No. 30 to select Desmond Bane here. Considered one of the best shooters in the draft, Bane improved his draft stock with strong workouts and even stronger interviews, elevating himself into the first round. His basketball IQ and toughness, along with his deep range, should allow Bane to compete for minutes immediately on the wing for a Grizzlies team trying to put the right pieces around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyrell Terry","year":2020,"school":"Stanford","college_abbreviation":"STAN","post_draft_analysis":"Terry had more internet draft buzz than affection from NBA GMs, causing him to fall to the second round. Nevertheless, he's an interesting long-term play for the Mavericks thanks to his youth and shooting ability, making him a potential option to play alongside Luka Doncic as his defense and frame continue to evolve. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Vernon Carey Jr","year":2020,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Physically imposing paint presence who has done a great job of improving his body and conditioning. Able to catch deep in the paint. Powerful athlete. Mobile for his body type. - Has the makings of an inside-outside game. At his best in the post. Likes to drop in basic right-shoulder jump hooks. Lives at the free throw line thanks to his strength. Polished footwork. Agile with spin moves. Shows potential as a perimeter shooter, though inconsistent at this point. Should eventually make NBA 3s with his feet set. - Excellent positional rebounder. Does a great job of keeping bigs on his back, pursuing defensive rebounds and getting the ball out quickly. Can protect the rim in a pinch when he's not asked to cover much ground.","cons":"Dealt with nagging injuries in high school and conditioning fluctuated. Below the rim in traffic. Will have to rely more on skill and touch than physicality in the NBA. Good-not-great length and reach for a center. - Struggles to defend in space. Effort level comes and goes on that end. Projects as a drop pick-and-roll defender at best. Fundamentals and discipline still improving. Not the defensive anchor he'd need to be to make up for some of his shortcomings on the perimeter. - Doesn't see the floor as a passer. Ball rarely comes back out after it's entered to him. Needs to improve greatly as a passer and perimeter shooter for his game to translate seamlessly. Has been much more aggressive as a freshman than in the past, as he was prone to floating through games in other settings. Projected role: Throwback center--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Concerns around Vernon Carey Jr.'s defensive outlook caused him to fall to the second round, but several teams were enamored with the Duke product's analytic profile, as he posted one of the most efficient and prolific scoring campaigns for a freshman in recent memory.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Daniel Oturu","year":2020,"school":"Minnesota","college_abbreviation":"MINN","post_draft_analysis":"The Clippers traded into No. 33 to select Daniel Oturu here.Although he's one of the most skilled and productive big men in the draft, Daniel Oturu's lack of lateral quickness and occasionally inconsistent approach relegated him to the second round. But that won't prevent him from carving out an NBA career. Oturu was extremely productive in his two seasons at Minnesota, and still has plenty of upside to grow into thanks to his terrific touch and scoring instincts. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Theo Maledon","year":2020,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","pros":"Excellent size for a point guard at 6-foot-5. Has a good frame and a long wingspan, which will allow him to defend point guards, shooting guards and potentially even small forwards. - Career 36% 3-point and 79% free throw shooter. Has clean, compact shooting mechanics. Capable both with his feet set and off the dribble, even if he's been inconsistent at times. - Efficient player who keeps mistakes to a minimum and plays with impressive poise. Arguably the most experienced player in the draft in terms of the minutes he's received against quality competition. Draws rave reviews for his work ethic and approach to the game.","cons":"Didn't play a huge role for ASVEL as one of three point guards on the roster. Started some games, but only averaged 17 MPG. Often operates alongside a lead guard in more of a spot-up role. Wasn't too efficient this season, posting a high turnover rate and average shooting percentages. - Lacks a level of aggressiveness. Just an average athlete in terms of pure speed and shiftiness. Looks too focused at times on minimizing mistakes. Will likely be best suited operating alongside a scoring guard who can shoulder the bulk of the shot-creation responsibilities, at least early in his career. - Career 48% 2-point shooter, partially due to lack of strength but also because of his lack of explosiveness and methodical style of play. Relies heavily on craft and touch shots. Gets caught up on screens and struggles with the physicality of handling switches. Projected role: Secondary creator and 3-and-D guard--Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Thunder traded into No. 34 to select Theo Maledon here.Starting the year projected as a lottery pick, Maledon dropped to the second round after an uneven season in France. The fact that Maledon wishes to come to the NBA immediately as opposed to being stashed in Europe likely hurt his draft stock to an extent, as the uncertainty around the G League has put roster spots at a premium. Maledon is a highly versatile guard with strong passing and shooting ability. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Xavier Tillman","year":2020,"school":"Michigan State","college_abbreviation":"MSU","post_draft_analysis":"The Grizzlies traded up to No. 35 to select Xavier Tillman Jr. here.Concerns around Xavier Tillman's conditioning and medical prevented the analytics darling from being drafted in the first round. As one of the most versatile big men in the college game, Tillman's potential as a shooter and passer make him a very modern option who has the potential to develop into a steal for the Grizzlies. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyler Bey","year":2020,"school":"Colorado","college_abbreviation":"COLO","pros":"Terrific athlete with a 7-foot wingspan that allows him to play bigger than his height. - Conference defensive player of the year. Quick off his feet and agile covering ground. Defends everyone from point guards to big men. Impactful in the passing lanes while being capable of protecting the rim in a pinch. Excellent rebounder relative to his size. - Made 42% of his 3s this season on a small sample. Career 74% free throw shooter. Touch and clean mechanics leave room for optimism regarding his development as a shooter.","cons":"Played mostly on the interior in college but stands only 6-foot-7 and weighed 197 pounds last summer. Will need to add strength to handle big men in the NBA. - Will likely become more perimeter-oriented in the NBA, but he has a lot of work to do on his skill level, especially his ballhandling, passing and perimeter shooting. - Decision-making isn't great on either end of the floor. Takes difficult shots at times. Doesn't always know the scouting report defensively. Projected role: Versatile defender --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Mavericks traded into No. 36 to select Tyler Bey here. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Tyler Bey's athleticism and multipositional defensive versatility are intriguing traits that could help him carve out a niche at the NBA level if his perimeter shooting improves. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Vit Krejci","year":2020,"school":"Czech Republic","college_abbreviation":"Czech Republic","post_draft_analysis":"The Thunder traded up to No. 37 to select Vit Krejci here.Vit Krejci's season came to a disappointing end in September when he tore his ACL, but that did not prevent him from being drafted fairly high in the second round regardless. A 6-foot-7 versatile guard with strong athletic ability, Krejci is a more consistent jump shot away from making a push for an NBA roster spot down the road. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Saben Lee","year":2020,"school":"Vanderbilt","college_abbreviation":"VAN","post_draft_analysis":"The Pistons traded into No. 38 to select Saben Lee here.The son of former NFL player Amp Lee, Saben is one of the quickest end-to-end players in the draft class, able to get anywhere he wants on the floor with herky-jerky ballhandling ability and terrific body control. Lee's inconsistent jump shot and thin frame are things he'll have to work on to carve out a niche, but Lee's scoring instincts and agility are intriguing traits projecting to the NBA. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Elijah Hughes","year":2020,"school":"Syracuse","college_abbreviation":"SYR","post_draft_analysis":"The Jazz traded into No. 39 to select Elijah Hughes here.One of the best wing shooters available, Elijah Hughes is an instinctual scorer with strong physical tools who has a good chance to stick in the NBA if he can defend his position adequately. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Robert Woodard II","year":2020,"school":"Mississippi State","college_abbreviation":"MSST","pros":"Has prototypical dimensions for a modern forward at 6-foot-7, 230 pounds, with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. Powerful leaper. - Versatile defender who guards positions 1-4. Active and attentive off the ball. Smothers opposing ball handlers with his length. Should be able to switch onto big men in time. - Made 43% of his 3-pointers with sound mechanics. Shows some ability to attack closeouts, straight-line drive and find the open man. Knows his limitations.","cons":"Scored only 13.8 points per 40 minutes. Played out of position on a slow-paced team with very little passing or shooting, which hampered his production. - Didn't make a large volume of 3-pointers this season. Career 62% free throw shooter in college. - Doesn't create much offense for himself or others. Just an average ball handler and decision-maker. Projected role: 3-and-D combo forward --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Kings traded down to No. 40 to select Robert Woodard II here.With measurements similar to OG Anunoby's, and strong defensive versatility, Robert Woodard II is the type of wing many teams covet in today's NBA. While he shot over 40% from 3, his middling free throw percentage and lack of ball skills caused teams to hesitate in anointing him a first-round pick. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tre Jones","year":2020,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","post_draft_analysis":"The reigning ACC and defensive player of the year, Tre Jones might have been disappointed to slide this far in the draft but should be encouraged by the fact that he was selected by one of the best developmental teams in the NBA in the San Antonio Spurs. A stacked class of point guards and questions around his shooting consistency hurt his draft stock, but Jones could certainly carve out an NBA career thanks to his sure-handed playmaking and the toughness he brings defensively. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nick Richards","year":2020,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","post_draft_analysis":"The Hornets traded into No. 42 to select Nick Richards here.One of the most versatile defenders in the college game, Richards' significant improvement in his junior year propelled Kentucky to the top of the SEC and resurrected his draft stock. He'll have to show he can add a little bit offensively to stick in the NBA, but Richards' physical tools and rim-protection prowess will certainly give him a fighting chance. -- Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jahmi'us Ramsey","year":2020,"school":"Texas Tech","college_abbreviation":"TTU","pros":"Strong, powerful frame. Aggressive getting downhill in a straight line. Good athlete in space. - Three-level scorer who can knock down standstill or on-the-move 3s. Soft touch on floaters. Shows glimpses as a pick-and-roll creator. Can make basic reads. - Has defensive potential when fully engaged, with the strength to contain bigger guards.","cons":"Lives off a lot of tough, contested jumpers. On-court decision making is still a work in progress. - Not the shiftiest ball handler, and he can be a bit predictable off the bounce. Much more explosive off of two feet than one. Right-hand dominant. Not that crafty as a finisher. Only a career 63.4% free throw shooter. - Has occasional defensive lapses both on and off the ball. Projected role: Scorer --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"At one point considered a potential top-20 pick, Ramsey saw his stock slide into the middle of the second round due to an uneven draft process. Still, he's a strong-framed downhill scorer who shot 43% from 3 as a freshman, and at just 19 years old he has significantly more upside than most players picked in this draft. -- Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Marko Simonovic","year":2020,"school":"Montenegro","college_abbreviation":"Montenegro","post_draft_analysis":"Simonovic initially announced his intentions to withdraw from the draft, then changed his mind, signaling to NBA front offices that a team had promised it would select him. Simonovic is a highly skilled big man with 3-point range who can also pass and attack closeouts effectively. His defense needs work in order for him to carve out a niche in the NBA, but he's in an outstanding developmental situation with Mega SoccerBet and has been posting impressive numbers this season thus far. -- Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jordan Nwora","year":2020,"school":"Louisville","college_abbreviation":"LOU","post_draft_analysis":"One of the best shooters in this class, Jordan Nwora had his first-round chances extinguished by an up-and-down season in the ACC, but it did not prevent him from hearing his name called in the middle of the second round. Nwora's aggressiveness and the quickness with which he gets off his feet, combined with his range, could help him carve out an NBA career. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"CJ Elleby","year":2020,"school":"Washington State","college_abbreviation":"WSU","post_draft_analysis":"An aggressive wing who put up huge scoring numbers in the Pac-12 in his first two seasons, CJ Elleby still has upside to develop into at just 20 years old. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Yam Madar","year":2020,"school":"Israel","college_abbreviation":"Israel","post_draft_analysis":"A quick, confident and tough-minded guard with an ultra-aggressive approach, Yam Madar burst onto the scene with an outstanding FIBA U20 European Championship. He's one of the best draft-and-stash prospects in the draft, as his thin frame and streaky jumper could very well look different after a few years of seasoning. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nico Mannion","year":2020,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ","pros":"Offers a healthy blend of scoring and playmaking at the lead guard spot. Has potential as a three-level scorer with his ability to make shots off the dribble with range, change speeds and directions, pull-up in midrange spots and finish with floaters. Struggled at the rim in the half court but can drop in floaters from different angles. - Can make virtually every read necessary to run a team. Gets trigger-happy from time to time but overall understands when to get his own and when to facilitate. - Even-keel demeanor and a strong feel for the game. Can function off the ball some next to bigger guards thanks to his ability to spot shoot.","cons":"Nothing special physically at 6-3 with a fairly narrow frame and a negative 6-2.5 wingspan. Solid leaper but lack of a standing reach limits him as an at-rim finisher. Doesn't get to the free throw line consistently. Lack of tools limits him on the defensive end. - Doesn't have many ways to create separation off the dribble. Could stand to add more dynamic combo moves and get to his jumper more quickly. - Needs to become a knockdown shooter given some of his physical limitations. Shot just 32.7% from 3 on the season. Has touch but is a little streaky. Confidence came and went from 3. Projected role: Skill-based point guard--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Considered a potential top-10 pick after a huge performance at the Nike Hoop Summit in the spring of 2019, Nico Mannion had a steep and surprising fall after an inconsistent season at Arizona. Mannion has terrific passing instincts and deep shooting range, and extreme youth, giving him significantly more upside than your average player projected in this range. His frame and defense need work, but this is a surprising outcome for the talented Mannion. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Joe","year":2020,"school":"Arkansas","college_abbreviation":"ARK"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Skylar Mays","year":2020,"school":"LSU","college_abbreviation":"LSU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Justinian Jessup","year":2020,"school":"Boise State","college_abbreviation":"BOIS","post_draft_analysis":"With good size, deep shooting range and a high basketball IQ, Justinian Jessup emerged from obscurity to become a legit NBA prospect, boosting his draft stock by finding a strong stash situation for next season with the Illawarra Hawks in the Australian NBL next season. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kenyon Martin Jr.","year":2020,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","post_draft_analysis":"The Rockets traded into No. 52 to select Kenyon Martin Jr. here.Straight out of IMG's post-graduate team, Kenyon Martin's son KJ was considered a second-round sleeper by some teams as one of the best athletes in the draft thanks to his ambidextrous passing ability and intriguing defensive versatility. His shooting is a major work in progress, but considering his youth, there's a lot to work with in the long term. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cassius Winston","year":2020,"school":"Michigan State","college_abbreviation":"MSU","pros":"One of the most polished pick-and-roll point guards in the draft. Sets up screens really well. Plays at his own pace. Soft touch on lobs. - Punishes teams for going under ball screens. Loves to pull up from 3 in transition. Great touch in midrange spots and comfortable shooting off the catch. Hit 43% from 3 on more than 600 collegiate attempts. - Three-year starter who is ready to help an NBA team immediately.","cons":"Not the most physically imposing prospect at around 6-foot-1, with a somewhat pudgy frame. Decent length relative to his height but nothing spectacular. - Likely to struggle defensively against bigger NBA guards. - Can get to his pull-up in pick-and-roll but doesn't create space consistently against athletes. Crafty finisher, but he could have trouble against NBA rim protectors. Projected role: Skilled backup PG --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Wizards traded into No. 53 to select Cassius Winston here."}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cassius Stanley","year":2020,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jay Scrubb","year":2020,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","post_draft_analysis":"The Clippers traded up to No. 55 to select Jay Scrubb here."}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Grant Riller","year":2020,"school":"Charleston","college_abbreviation":"COFC"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Reggie Perry","year":2020,"school":"Mississippi State","college_abbreviation":"MSST","post_draft_analysis":"The Nets traded down to No. 57 to select Reggie Perry here."}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Paul Reed","year":2020,"school":"DePaul","college_abbreviation":"DEP"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Harris","year":2020,"school":"Nevada","college_abbreviation":"NEV","post_draft_analysis":"The Bucks traded down to No. 60 to select Sam Merrill here."}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Sam Merrill","year":2020,"school":"Utah State","college_abbreviation":"USU"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cade Cunningham","year":2021,"school":"Oklahoma State","college_abbreviation":"OKST","pros":"Has excellent size for a point guard. Listed at 6-foot-8, 220 pounds with a wingspan that exceeds 7 feet. Fluid athlete who plays at different speeds, passes and handles with both hands and plays a selfless style. Can bully smaller guards in the post. Difficult for bigger defenders to handle due to his shot-creation skill. - Outstanding physical tools defensively that allow him to cover guards, wings and bigs. Has excellent timing, feel and intensity. Likes to crash the glass aggressively and ignite the break on his own. Competitive and attentive off the ball. - Much improved shooter who confidently knocks down pull-up jumpers from midrange and 3. Excellent free throw shooter. Shows soft touch around the basket.","cons":"Lacks a degree of explosiveness beating defenders from a standstill. Relies more on size and strength to get by opponents in the half court. - Struggles to score over length in traffic at times. Can he be efficient creating offense as a No. 1 option? - Plays for an Oklahoma State team that lacks much perimeter shooting and creation. Opponents are aggressive with double-teams intended to get the ball out of his hands. May not be able to show the full extent of his arsenal operating out of pick-and-roll. Projected role: Big playmaker --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Tension between the front office and ownership regarding the timetable of Detroit's rebuild were eased significantly in landing the No. 1 pick, but may still bubble up down the road if the team doesn't show progress soon. The Pistons were said to be exploring several potential trade scenarios in recent weeks but ultimately decided to stand pat and committed to Cade Cunningham Thursday morning. Cunningham isn't an ideal fit on paper with last year's lottery pick Killian Hayes, the ball-dominant guard who is coming off a disappointing rookie campaign. But he's widely viewed as the best prospect in the draft and brings the type of shot-making, defensive versatility and feel that will allow him to play in many different lineup configurations anywhere from point guard to power forward. He emerged as one of the most clutch players in the college game, taking over games with several memorable second-half performances that cemented his standing as the type of big, versatile, multi-positional playmaker that every NBA team covets in the modern game. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Green","year":2021,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","pros":"Explosive guard. Has a rare extra gear changing speeds in the open court. Doesn't have glaring holes in his game that can't be fixed with added experience and polish. - Strong finisher with long strides, tremendous body control and nice creativity finishing around the rim with touch. Excellent scoring instincts. Has shown toughness and control in several high-profile settings. - Much improved perimeter shooter who shows glimpses of impressive shot-making prowess pulling up off the dribble with deep range.","cons":"Isn't the biggest shooting guard around at 6-5 with a lean frame. Doesn't possess great length to compensate. - Plays an iso-heavy style that isn't always efficient. Relies heavily on his pull-up game, which can be streaky at times. Shows flashes as a creator but will need to prove he also makes others better, particularly operating with his left hand. - Defensive intensity fluctuated at the high school level. Gambles for steals. Doesn't always get over screens. Projected role: Creating combo guard --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Rockets are still picking up the pieces from a messy divorce with James Harden that left their present, and future prospects in disarray. Landing the No. 2 pick was a major step in the right direction, as it's clear the team needs a star to emerge as the face of the franchise and help point them in the right direction. The Rockets have significant hope for Kevin Porter Jr. and the future first-rounders and pick swaps it acquired from Brooklyn in the Harden trade, but has a long way to go in rebuilding its locker room and culture. It's something that will likely take several years, and prompted players like Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs to attempt to discourage the Rockets from picking them. Jalen Green has arguably the most star power of any player in this draft, with the type of scoring instincts that could help him emerge as one of the NBA's premier bucket-getters in time, and a bonafide franchise player. How he's able to coexist with the mercurial Porter and John Wall, in the short term will be something to monitor, but there's little doubt that Green will provide significant excitement for Houston's fanbase as the team attempts to add more winning pieces around him. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Evan Mobley","year":2021,"school":"USC","college_abbreviation":"USC","pros":"Ideal physical profile for a modern big man. Outstanding coordination for his size. Quick off his feet. Explosive leaper in space. Finishes above the rim with ease. Lob threat. Tools make him a factor on the offensive glass. - Elite rim protector with great timing and a 7-4 wingspan. Rotates well from the weak side. Can step out and switch onto guards. Sound pick-and-roll defender who should be a major asset on the defensive end of the floor. - Modern skill set. Great hands. Has the touch and mechanics to knock down NBA 3s with regularity in time. Comfortable in midrange spots. Smooth handle and excellent passer with either hand. Should be able to play next to another center in certain lineups.","cons":"Not a physical defensive rebounder. High center of gravity. Gets wedged out of position by stronger bigs. - Looks as if he's coasting at times. Incredible talent who leaves you wanting more for stretches. - Can he ever be a No. 1 or No. 2 scoring option on a great team? Doesn't have many ways to go get himself a bucket in the half court at this stage Projected role: Franchise center --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Cavs will want to show progress in the fifth year of the Koby Altman regime by fielding a team that will compete for a playoff spot, with the big questions of Kevin Love's health and Collin Sexton's looming extension eligibility the most pressing issues to consider this summer. League insiders expect center Jarrett Allen to be retained after he was acquired at last year's trade deadline.    Evan Mobley is viewed by many respected talented evaluators as being one of the biggest gems of this draft class, with his outstanding combination of mobility, perimeter skill, defensive versatility and feel for the game giving him sky-high upside to grow into as his frame fills out. He'll likely start games at power forward for the Cavs, alongside Allen while soaking up backup center minutes, which suits his slender frame best at this stage of his physical development. Acquiring a big wing who can slide to power forward, such as Scottie Barnes or Jonathan Kuminga, looked like the most pressing need on the roster.  In actuality, the Cavs need to stockpile as much talent as possible regardless of fit, and Mobley has a chance to be the most talented player in the draft. Many teams tried to move up to this pick with Mobley in mind, but the Cavs showed little interest in doing anything but selecting him. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Scottie Barnes","year":2021,"school":"Florida State","college_abbreviation":"FSU","pros":"Excellent size and length for a modern forward at 6-8 with a 7-2 wingspan and a strong frame. Has the tools to slide up and play some small-ball center in a pinch. - High motor defender who can defend 1 through 5 at the collegiate level. Regularly picks up point guards in the back court. Good technique on the ball. Crowds opposing guards and takes them out of their offense. Can switch every screen onto bigs. Active off-ball defender. - Mismatch facilitator with a great feel for the game. Plays point guard for FSU. Unselfish moving the ball ahead in transition. Comfortable ball handler. Fills in the gaps on offense. Keeps plays alive on the offensive glass.","cons":"Unnatural shooting stroke with unproven results. Lack of floor spacing makes him a tough fit on the offensive end of the floor. Needs shooters around him at all times to make him most effective. - Limited all-around scorer in the half court. Doesn't have great touch or much to go to in his scoring arsenal. - Mobile for his size but lacking a degree of quickness and burst off the dribble. Plays below the rim in the half court. Not much of a leaper. Elite collegiate defender, but will he have the foot speed to lock up elite NBA wings? Projected role: Two-way point forward --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Raptors underwent a challenging season entirely away from home that unsurprisingly ended with a disappointing record. They were rewarded for their efforts with the fourth pick in what some view to be a four-player draft, an ideal development as the team likely transitions out of the Kyle Lowry era. With several promising building blocks already in place, the Raptors look well-suited to bounce back into playoff contention, and most of the draft's top prospects, including Jalen Suggs and Evan Mobley, appeared to view and target them as the most attractive destination in the lottery. The Raptors explored the candidacy of Jalen Suggs, James Bouknight, Franz Wagner and Jonathan Kuminga, but ultimately came away most enamored with Scottie Barnes. Barnes is far from the flashiest or most naturally skilled scorer in this draft, but he's a proven winner who is arguably the best defender in the class. Barnes is an outstanding passer who should be able to slide all over the floor for the Raptors, playing anywhere from point guard to center in different lineup configurations. Perhaps most importantly for Toronto, he's a culture-setter who will empower teammates with his unselfishness and work ethic. The team believes deeply in its player development staff's ability to improve Barnes' biggest weakness, his outside shot, the same way they did with Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and others. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Suggs","year":2021,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ","pros":"Nice size for a lead guard at 6-4. Strong, compact frame. Finishes above the rim in space, especially off of two feet. Great body control. Embraces contact. Downhill driver who can change speeds. Great in transition. Active cutter who can play on or off the ball. - Mature decision-maker on the court with a great feel for the game. Unselfish hit-aheads in transition. Poised pick-and-roll passer who uses both sides of the floor. Rewards cutters and makes the extra pass to shooters. Takes care of the ball at a high level. - Tough defender who wants to defend the other team's best player. Great feet on the ball, dialed in off the ball. Excellent anticipation in the passing lanes. Will mix it up for rebounds.","cons":"Streaky shooter. Sound mechanics and good balance but a career 27% from 3 on 190 attempts, according to our database. Nothing to suggest he won't become a reliable shooter, but the results just aren't there yet. - Not the most nuanced finisher. Relies more on power and two-foot explosiveness than finesse. Would benefit from adding a more reliable floater and additional deception around the rim. - Average length relative to his height. Projected role: Franchise point guard --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Magic hit reset on their roster at the trade deadline by trading their three most established players for a bevy of picks and promising young prospects. It puts them in a strong position to execute a quicker and hopefully less painful rebuild than many of their peers in the lottery are currently undergoing, especially if Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz can hit the ground running after missing last season with injury. The team is still getting a handle on exactly what it has with the likes of Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, Chuma Okeke, Wendell Carter and Mo Bamba, which will likely be one of their goals of this upcoming season after executing a coaching change. When Toronto surprisingly decided to pass on Jalen Suggs in favor of Scottie Barnes, the Magic pounced. Their backcourt isn't established enough to pass on a player like Suggs, with the competitive makeup, off-the-dribble shooting prowess, defensive intensity and a strong blend between scoring and facilitating he brings. Suggs will have no issue playing with, behind and in the same backcourt as Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton, as he's capable of playing on or off the ball, guarding bigger and smaller perimeter players alike and doing the little things needed to help win games.  Perhaps most importantly for the Magic, he's been a winner everywhere he's played and has shown no problem sacrificing touches and stats for the good of the team, something that should pay significant dividends in the locker room in helping to avoid the type of long cycles of mediocrity and dysfunction that has plagued other rebuilding teams. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Josh Giddey","year":2021,"school":"Australia","college_abbreviation":"Australia","pros":"Super-sized point guard at 6-9. Third-youngest player currently projected to be drafted. Has grown three inches in the past three years and is at an early stage of development physically. - Led the competitive Australian NBL in assists at 7.4 per game. Pick-and-roll maestro who is arguably the best passer in the draft in terms of vision, creativity and awareness. Outstanding ball-handler who plays at different speeds fluidly and shows a propensity for manipulating defenses from his unique vantage point with pinpoint passes all over the floor operating off a live dribble. - Not a good defender, but shows terrific instincts as a rebounder and ball-thief. Ranked top-5 in the NBL in rebounding despite his youth and lack of strength. Size and instincts should allow him to improve on this end of the floor as his frame fills out.","cons":"Not the most prolific or efficient scorer at this point at 10.9 points per game with a middling 51% true shooting percentage. Lacks a degree of strength, explosiveness and physicality separating from defenders and finishing around the basket in one-on-one situations. - Shot just 29% from beyond the arc. Set-shot mechanics don't leave much margin for error shooting off the dribble. Is he a good enough scorer to be given the keys to a NBA offense? If not, can he consistently punish NBA defenses while operating off the ball early in his career? - Apathetic defender who was taken advantage of consistently by the high-level competition he faced this past season. Has great size but just an even wingspan. Struggles to get through screens and gets blown by off the dribble due to his thin frame, high center of gravity, and lack of high-end quickness. Projected role: Big playmaker --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Thunder's \"process\" hit a snag on lottery night as the team both dropped out of the top-five and saw Houston retain their pick, but they are still in an enviable position with several dozen draft picks on the horizon, financial flexibility and plenty of young talent. Keeping those players already on the team engaged will be a priority if the Thunder elect to chase ping-pong balls in the lottery again. There may be diminishing returns eventually with incoming draft picks impacting incumbents in looking to establish themselves in the NBA while chasing the touches and stats needed to get paid down the road. At 18, Josh Giddey is both a best prospect available type-pick at this stage, as well as a fairly easy player to slot in many lineup configurations due to his elite size and feel for the game, which should allow him to play on or off the ball. His shooting and defense need to improve, something that will hopefully come as he gains strength, but he'll likely find enough ways to get on the floor and make plays early in his career thanks to his instincts and passing ability. Analytics models love his youth and the way he fills up the box score and he gained plenty of momentum in practices and in an impressive exhibition game with the Australian national team during their training camp in Las Vegas. The Thunder should be able to help him improve his frame and empower him with the type of offensive responsibility needed to reach his sky-high potential as a big playmaking guard. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jonathan Kuminga","year":2021,"school":"Congo","college_abbreviation":"Congo","pros":"Has an ideal physical profile for a combo forward at 6-8, 225 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan. Possesses an outstanding frame and is explosive in the open court with an impressive combination of strength, quickness and fluidity. - Shows intriguing shot-making prowess, making 42 3-pointers in 19 Nike EYBL games. Has smooth mechanics and looks capable of making jumpers in a variety of ways, including off the dribble and even running off screens at times. - Has excellent defensive potential when engaged. Strong enough to defend big men but has quick-enough feet to stay in front of guards.","cons":"Feel, decision-making and overall polish are works in progress. Not an efficient offensive player. Settles for the first shot he can find. Drives with his head down. Not the easiest teammate to play with. Needs to show he can impact winning when his pull-up jumper isn't falling. - Has tools and versatility but is a below-average defender at this stage. Competitiveness and intensity fluctuate. Relies too heavily on his length. Technique off the ball leaves a lot to be desired. Has a tendency to stand around and gamble in passing lanes or bite wildly on fakes. - Has some questions to answer about his approach to the game. Body language leaves something to be desired, and he hasn't gotten much high-level coaching. Didn't show a great deal of progress with his feel for the game in his final year of high school. Projected role: Two-way forward --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Warriors are trying to thread a difficult needle in trying to keep their championship window open with veteran All-Stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green while incorporating high draft picks like 2020 No. 2 pick James Wiseman and now another teenage lottery pick. Curry's soon-to-expire contract looms in the background as missing the playoffs again could put the franchise in uncertain territory. Under those circumstances, nailing this pick, and helping Wiseman rebuild his value after a disappointing season, will be imperative. Jonathan Kuminga's fit on this roster looks far from ideal with his ball-stopping tendencies, streaky shooting and defensive lapses, but there is a reason he was once considered a candidate for the No. 1 pick despite question marks about his background. He's arguably the most gifted player in the draft physically, has undeniable scoring talent and should be able to develop into a plus defender with better coaching and effort. The Warriors can afford to ease him into a role with the backup forward minutes behind Andrew Wiggins and Green while attempting to coax better scoring efficiency and defensive intensity, hoping he makes the type of strides needed throughout the season to become a trusted option when games matter most. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Franz Wagner","year":2021,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","pros":"Has outstanding positional size for the wing at 6-9. Young for his class, not turning 20 until late August, making him the same age or younger than many freshman. Has grown considerably over the past few years and has a well-proportioned frame that should continue to fill out nicely in the coming years. Despite his youth, is one of the most experienced players in the draft, having played 59 games professionally in Europe as well as being the best player on a No. 1 seed NCAA tournament team this past season. - Highly impactful defender on or off the ball. Big enough to guard most power forwards. Plays with strong intensity and has terrific technique and smarts in team settings, helping him make an impact in passing lanes and as a rim-protector and helping his Michigan team rank top-five in defensive efficiency. - Excellent passer who operated as somewhat of a point-forward facilitator in the halfcourt for Michigan's well-spaced, highly efficient offense. Does an excellent job of driving with his head up, delivering timely bounce passes, wrap-arounds and touch passes to keep the offense humming. Has demonstrated positive shooting indicators with his career 81% free throw percentage and soft touch around the rim on floaters and layup attempts off the glass.","cons":"Lacks a degree of quickness and explosiveness. High center of gravity on both ends of the floor. Will get beat off the bounce at times in one-on-one situations and gets knocked off his path somewhat easily en route to the rim. Will need to get stronger and become more physical with his approach to reach his full potential on both ends of the floor. - Not a prolific scorer at just 12.5 points per game. Has a tendency to blend in, lacking a degree of aggressiveness. Unlikely to emerge as a primary offensive option early in his NBA career as he's not the most natural ball-handler or creator in one-on-one situations. - Converted just 32.5% of his 3-pointers in college. Confidence from the perimeter fluctuates. Will pass up open shots at times. Release on his jumper looks low and slow at times, especially off the dribble. Will have to work to expand the range on his pull-up. Projected role: Two-way wing/combo forward --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Magic will likely want to be mindful of the plethora of young talent already on its roster (and still coming in the future with several picks owed down the line) in attempting to construct a coherent roster that allows its existing players to flourish and provides some semblance of floor-spacing. Franz Wagner in many ways represents an ideal compromise between building for the future and trying to win now, while also providing a strong positional fit at the 3/4 spots after selecting Jalen Suggs at No. 5. Wagner is the same age essentially as all of the freshmen picked in the top five, but brings several ancillary skills with his off-ball defense, passing ability, and promising shooting indicators that are difficult to find in a 6-foot-9 wing player. Wagner doesn't have the type of shot-creation or explosiveness to project star-type upside, but he looks ready to play an immediate role and has plenty of room to grow as a 19-year-old as his frame fills out and his shooting consistency improves. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Davion Mitchell","year":2021,"school":"Baylor","college_abbreviation":"BAY","pros":"Naismith and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Arguably the best on-ball defender in the draft. Strong frame. Sturdy lower body. Lightning-quick feet. Does a tremendous job of taking on-ball charges. Great anticipation. Fights over the top of screens. Battles on switches. Plays much bigger than his measurements suggest. Elite defender from day one in the NBA. - Very few weaknesses on the offensive end of the floor. Elite slow-to-fast burst. Tremendous open court speed and quickness. Can beat his defender without a ball screen. Excellent feel for the game as a passer -- 2.23 assist to turnover ratio. Delivers passes off the dribble with either hand. Gets to his pull-up out of a variety of different NBA-caliber dribble moves -- crossovers, pull-backs, hesitations. Can also shoot it off the catch and has experience playing in multi-guard lineups. Shot 45% from 3 last season. Gets the ball up on the glass quickly as a finisher. - Coaches and teammates rave about his work ethic and approach to the game. Has improved every season. National champion. On a different development curve than most 22-year-olds. Incredibly high floor because of his intangibles, defense and winning mentality.","cons":"Doesn't have elite size or length, which limits his ability to see over the top of the defense as a passer in traffic. Finished product physically. Will be 23 years old in September. - Will have to continue developing a floater: made only 5 floaters in 30 games last season. Good finisher at the collegiate level but will have an adjustment to NBA length. Shot just 2.7 free throws per 40 minutes in 2020-21. - A career 66% free throw shooter. Greatly improved from 3 last season, but how will he adjust to the NBA line? Can stand to speed up his release, especially off the catch. Projected role: Franchise point guard--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Kings haven't made the playoffs in fifteen years and have plenty of work to do in surrounding their promising duo of De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton with enough talent to compete in the West. A new front office was put in place last year, but the coaching staff from the previous regime retained, leading to curiosity among NBA executives about which direction the franchise will head in, be it a strategic rebuild or a run-it-back approach of trying to improve from within. This draft pick, and the ensuing free agency, especially the decision for whether to invest significant capital in resigning Richaun Holmes, will shed some light on the direction the franchise, and especially ownership, will attempt to head in. Davion Mitchell exploded in his fourth year in college to become arguably the best two-way player in the country, propelling Baylor to the Final Four and helping win the national championship with several scintillating performances in the NCAA tournament. Detractors, especially in analytics departments, point to his age, diminutive size, and inconsistent shooting indicators, which ultimately caused him to fall out of the top-10. There is little doubt that Mitchell's explosive ability, high-intensity level defensively and much-improved playmaking ability will get him on the floor early in his career, which surely played a major role in being selected here. Their backcourt looks a little bit crowded tonight, with Buddy Hield still in the fold (but maybe not for long), but this is a team that should be looking to stockpile as much talent as possible. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ziaire Williams","year":2021,"school":"Stanford","college_abbreviation":"STAN","pros":"Tall, fluid wing at 6-8 with a 6-10.5 wingspan. Big reach. Light on his feet. Can finish above the rim in space. Changes speeds and directions comfortably. - Shows major shotmaking potential both off the catch and the bounce. Has the footwork to rise into pull-ups smoothly and can create space with step backs. Comfortable ball handler with great balance who can play pick-and-roll. Handle and shotmaking potential give him quite a bit of upside as a creator. Willing passer with strong court vision. - Strong off-ball defender who has good instincts in the passing lanes. Will rotate for blocks or charges.","cons":"Rail thin at 185 pounds with narrow shoulders. How much will he fill out long term? Lack of strength limits him defensively and as a finisher. Toughness comes and goes in part because of his lack of physicality. Gets pushed around at times and caught on screens defensively. - Still finding the right balance between when to be aggressive and when to facilitate. Settles for contested jump shots far too often. Doesn't get to the free throw line. Needs to do a better job getting downhill. Will go long stretches without having much of an offensive impact and then take an out-of-rhythm jumper. - Relatively streaky shooter given his reliance on shotmaking. Confidence in his shooting comes and goes. Projected role: Wing shot creator --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Grizzlies traded into the 10th pick to select Ziaire Williams With a star in place in Ja Morant and a plethora of productive role-players and promising young building blocks surrounding him, the Grizzlies outlook appears significantly rosier now than it did several years ago. They have the financial flexibility to add pieces, either in free agency or trades, and should continue to grow organically as Morant gains strength, improves his shooting and develops more chemistry with his teammates through continuity. That flexibility became immediately evident with the trade they made to move up from the No. 17 spot to No. 10, taking on salary commitment in the form of Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe and landing a 2022 first-round pick by way of the Lakers. The Grizzlies front office has been reshaped from being the butt of many jokes around the NBA to a force to be reckoned with in the past few years, and they will likely continue to make savvy moves around the edges to build around Morant and make even more progress in the win column. Ziaire Williams started the season projected as a top-5 pick but saw his stock drop after a disappointing, disjointed campaign at Stanford. He was able to rebound from that in the pre-draft process by showing his significant talent in workouts, and measuring a hair under 6-foot-10 in shoes, giving him tremendous size to go along with elite-level shot-making prowess. The Grizzlies are betting that Williams' projection in the NBA is closer to that of what we saw in high school compared to the version at Stanford. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"James Bouknight","year":2021,"school":"UConn","college_abbreviation":"CONN","pros":"Nice size and length for a scoring guard at 6-5. Good, open-court player. Plays above the rim with relative ease. Has the feet and length to be a plus defender in time, especially against point guards. Good positional rebounder. Shows you glimpses defensively. - One of the best scorers in the country. Smooth with the ball in his hands. Changes speeds and directions impressively. Shotmaker who can get to his pull-up out of a variety of different moves. Elite hesitation move going left. - Creative finisher. Uses deception really well in the paint. Can finish off of either foot with either hand and has a floater game.","cons":"Had a tendency to fade in and out of games in the past, on both ends of the floor. Jump shot is on the streaky side. Defensive impact fluctuates. - Better shooter off the dribble than off the catch at this stage of his career. Can improve his ability to add value off the ball. How does he fit alongside other ball-dominant shot creators? - Shows glimpses as a facilitator but has more turnovers than assists during his career. Can he develop into more of a lead guard, or is he better off as a bucket-getter? Projected role: Scoring guard --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Hornets hit a home run last year in landing LaMelo Ball and will now look to surround him with the right type of players to maximize his brilliant passing and creativity. A lob-catching big man, and additional shooting on the wings and forward spots, will likely be a priority for Charlotte moving forward, both tonight and in free agency. In James Bouknight, the Hornets acquired the type of instinctual, professional scoring option every team covets in the backcourt and hopes to mold into the next Devin Booker or Jamal Murray. He looks like a strong fit playing off Ball with his sweet-shooting stroke and terrific cutting ability. To reach his potential, Bouknight will need to show better ability as a passer, shooter and defender than he did in his up and down two seasons at UConn, where we may not have seen the full extent of his talent due to injury. At times he dropped flashes of offensive brilliance that carried over into a strong pre-draft process and helped him establish himself as a lottery pick. Teams seemed to be considering him as high as 6 or 7, but an elbow injury that was identified from high school (which required a screw be inserted), ultimately hurt his stock and dropped him a few spots from where he entered the night projected as. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Joshua Primo","year":2021,"school":"Alabama","college_abbreviation":"ALA","pros":"Youngest prospect in the draft, not turning 19 until late December. Younger than most of the high school seniors projected as one-and-done candidates in the 2022 NBA draft. Has good size and length with a projectable frame that will likely be very impressive in time. -  Fluid, graceful athlete who plays with interesting pace operating at different speeds. Mostly a shooter at this stage, but shows flashes of passing ability off a live dribble as well as creativity operating in mid-range spots and as a finisher inside the arc. Competes defensively. -  Versatile shooter who converted 38% of his 3-pointers as a freshman. Confident in his shooting stroke with excellent mechanics, both with his feet set and off the bounce.","cons":"Lacks strength and experience defensively. Gets beat off the dribble more than you'd hope. Can't always get over screens. -  Not very efficient offensively right now. Needs to develop his handle to improve his shot-creation skill. Struggles to finish at times around the rim due to his lack of strength. -  Likely not ready to play in a competitive NBA game early in his career. Needs strength and reps and a team that is willing to be patient with his development. Projected role: Versatile shot-maker --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Spurs have seemingly been in transition mode for the past half-decade since the retirement of Tim Duncan. It's likely only a matter of time until major changes are underway in San Antonio with an aging frontcourt, DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay and Patty Mills all entering free agency, and head coach/franchise figurehead Gregg Popovich in his 70s. The team has missed the playoffs two consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Rather than try to put a bandaid on what ails them, the Spurs went with the best player available selection, swinging for the fences with the youngest prospect in the draft. Josh Primo looks like a prototype for what the NBA covets at his position in terms of his raw skill-set and physical ability. He would have been likely to enter next season as a projected lottery pick had he elected to return for his sophomore year where he still would have been younger than virtually all of the potential one-and-done freshmen first-rounders, and he ended up as a 2021 NBA Draft lottery pick anyway. Primo will need to be brought along slowly with seasoning in the G League to polish his ball-handling, decision making and defense a likely scenario. His shot-making ability should allow him to carve out a nice role in the not-too-distant future if he develops as expected. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Chris Duarte","year":2021,"school":"Oregon","college_abbreviation":"ORE","pros":"One of the best shooters in the draft -- 42% from 3 on 5.5 attempts per game last season. Elite shot preparation and mechanics. Not just a catch-and-shoot guy either. Great footwork creating space with step-backs. Excellent balance on his pull-up. Made 44 pull-ups in just 26 games last season. Comfortable with side steps or mid-range pull ups when run off the line. Can run off of screens a little bit. Incredibly efficient inside the arc at 63.1% from 2. True shooting percentage over 66%, rare for a perimeter player. - Can handle and pass more than most players in his mold. Ranked in the 94th percentile on 71 pick-and-roll possessions last season. Good leaper off two feet in space. - Instinctual defender with good feet as the primary defender and strong anticipation off the ball. Averaged 2.3 steals and 0.9 blocks per 40 minutes last season. NBA-ready on both ends of the floor.","cons":"Already 24 years old. How much of his production and efficiency is a product of him being 3 to 5 years older than most of his competition? - Good tools for an off guard but not quite as big and long as a 3-and-D style wing. Sound defender but is he a defensive stopper against elite perimeter players? How much of his steal and block numbers are a product of Oregon's defensive scheme? - Plays more off two feet than one foot when inside the arc. Great collegiate finisher but can stand to add more nuance around the rim against NBA rim-protectors. Doesn't get to the free throw line at a high rate. Projected role: Versatile shot-maker--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Indiana is coming off a messy year, cycling through three coaches in 10 months among a consistent backdrop of discontent from the locker room. Myles Turner's development has seemingly stagnated, partially due to injury and his fit with All-Star Domantas Sabonis has always looked tenuous. The Pacers looked destined to run it back with cosmetic changes, as the hiring of head coach Rick Carlisle is a clear sign that the team wants to win now. Chris Duarte, who stands 6-foot-6 and shot 42% from 3, could fit any NBA team's roster with his feel for the game, polished skill-set, efficient style and strong playmaking instincts defensively. He's a plug-and-play wing who will be on a rookie scale contract until he's 28 years old, something that boosted his stock throughout the pre-draft process as teams look to balance their cap sheets with savvy roster construction and what they hope to be instant contributors. The track record of 24-year-olds being picked in the first round isn't kind, but Duarte's floor looks high enough to make up for the fact that he doesn't share the same upside as some of the younger players that will be picked in this range. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Moses Moody","year":2021,"school":"Arkansas","college_abbreviation":"ARK","pros":"Excellent length for a wing at 6-6 with a wingspan around 7-1. Wide shoulders. Fluid. Big reach for a wing. Length makes up for some of his lack of burst or bounce. - Ranks in the top 10 in halfcourt scoring efficiency among players with over 400 possessions -- one of only two perimeter players (Max Abmas) in that group. Shot 36% from 3 and 81% from the free-throw line. Capable with his feet set. Can rise up in mid-range spots also. Has a little more than most 3-and-D style wings. Shot 6.9 free throws per 40 minutes. Has a knack for drawing fouls. Shows glimpses as a passer. - Has the tools to defend multiple positions. Can be disruptive with his length when fully engaged. Will step in and take a charge. 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per 40 minutes. Does a lot of things well on both ends of the floor and will likely look better in a more simplified role as opposed to the one he was asked to play at Arkansas.","cons":"Shot just 42% from 2 and 31% from 3 in 21 games against teams with a winning record, compared to 60% from 2 and 43% from 3 in 11 games against teams with a losing record. Limitations as a shot-creator and finisher (53% at the rim) were a little more pronounced against elite defenses. Lives off of tough jump shots at times, and is a good but not great shooter at this stage. Shoots it a bit flat when heavily contested. - Defensive intensity comes and goes. Has the tools to be a multi-positional defender but has to rely more on length, fundamentals and energy than sheer quickness or physicality. Frame is still on the light side. Doesn't have the size of a lot of the elite wing defenders. - Will go long stretches without having an impact. Very quiet on the floor. At his best when he's able to play off of other shot creators and ball handlers like we saw at Montverde alongside Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes. Projected role: 3 and D wing--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"With the second of their two lottery picks, after swinging for the fences in Kuminga at No. 7, the Warriors continued to look to stockpile talent by adding another teenager, not showing too much concern with the accelerated timetable of their aging roster, which many believed would put them in win-now mode in the draft. Moses Moody looks like an ideal player to blend with surrounding talent, thanks to his defensive versatility, perimeter shooting prowess and sound feel for the game, drawing some comparisons to the likes of Danny Green. He is one of the youngest players in this draft, having just turned 19, which should give him some upside to grow into as well despite his just-average mobility and shot-creation prowess. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Corey Kispert","year":2021,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ","pros":"Strong frame at 6-7, 220 pounds. Nice size for a wing. Strength allows him to battle wings in the mid-post despite his lack of length. Competitive.  - Arguably the best shooter in the country -- 48% from 3 on over 6 attempts per game. Automatic with his feet set, especially in transition. Catches on the hop. Excellent balance. Can shoot it on the move. Sprints around screens and gets square in the air. Deep range. Comfortable off the dribble also when given space. Soft touch on floaters if he's run off his spots.  - Highly intelligent player on both ends of the floor. 2.8 assist to turnover ratio. Doesn't waste any dribbles. Smart passer out of handoffs and second-side pick and roll. Comfortable hitting the roll man. Incredibly efficient. Doesn't take bad shots. Good cutter. Aware team defender. Knows where to be off the ball. Understands player tendencies. Improvement areas  - Not overly long, fluid or rangy. Good two-foot leaper in space but lack of extension around the rim figures to limit him some as a finisher in the NBA. Still improving his ability to play off of one foot around the rim. Could stand to add more deception in the paint.  - A little bit one-dimensional at the NBA level. Not much of a shot-creator off the bounce. Mostly a straight-line driver when he does put it down. Doesn't change directions all that well as a ball-handler. Will kill his dribble inside the arc and come to a jump stop. Makes basic reads but still improving as an off the dribble passer.  - Rock-solid team defender but better off ball than on ball. Doesn't project as a defensive stopper. Not great at stopping and starting defensively. Will have to rely on strength and smarts to add value on the ball defensively. Projected role: Shooter  -- Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Wizards are operating under a delicate timetable dictated by the player-option in Bradley Beal's contract next summer, which could very well lead them in the direction of older players who can help build on last season's playoff appearance, despite the extremely savvy move they pulled off on draft night unloading Russell Westbrook's onerous contract for several more manageable pieces. Corey Kispert is one of the best shooters in the class and has elite size for the wing at 6-foot-7 with a strong frame. More than just a catch and shoot player in college, he's also a strong decision-maker who is capable of scoring in the open floor or attacking closeouts and looks ready to make an impact after an All-American season for national championship runners-up Gonzaga. He looks like one of the readiest players in the draft at 22 and should be able to slide into a role immediately for the Wizards. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Alperen Sengun","year":2021,"school":"Turkey","college_abbreviation":"Turkey","pros":"Arguably the most productive 18-year old in high-level European basketball history. Led his team to the semifinals of the Turkish league playoffs, averaging 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals in 28 minutes per game, shooting 67% from the field and 81% from the free throw line. - Dominant interior scorer with preternatural instincts crashing the glass, creating for teammates, getting in passing lanes, and protecting the rim. Nimble, flexible and quick off his feet with outstanding footwork, hands and touch. - Started to show more perimeter skill as the season moved on in terms of knocking down jump shots and creating for others. Should continue to modernize his game as his career moves forward, as he's one of the youngest players projected to be drafted, not turning 19 until late July.","cons":"Faces significant question marks on the defensive end. Maybe too slow-footed to defend power forwards, and doesn't have great size or length for a center. Looks apathetic at times on this end of the floor, struggling to cover ground in space in pick-and-roll situations. - Career 23% 3-point shooter on 227 attempts in 201 games according to our database. Only went 7-of-36 in 43 games this season. Shooting indicators are positive but will clearly take him time to transition his game to the NBA 3-point line, which will be imperative for him to reach his full potential. - Comes from a situation where he was the focal point of his club and was clearly being showcased for the purposes of receiving a buyout. Turkish league was not as competitive this season as in the past, causing some to question his production. Projected role: Stat-stuffing traditional big man --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Rockets traded into No. 16 to select Alperen Sengun The Thunder acquired this pick from Boston in exchange for absorbing the more than 30 million dollar difference in guaranteed salary between Al Horford and Kemba Walker's contracts, setting the market to an extent for shedding salary in advance of free agency. After picking 18-year-old Josh Giddey at No. 6, the Thunder traded this pick to Houston for two future first-round picks from the Wizards and Pistons, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. After adding Jalen Green to the backcourt, the frontcourt looks like an obvious place for improvement for the Rockets through the draft. Alperen Sengun should bring immediate scoring ability inside the paint as an instinctual passer and rebounder. How much he's able to improve defensively will determine the trajectory of his career, but the productivity playing against men in one of the best leagues in Europe suggests he will emerge as a double-double threat early on if he can hold his own enough defensively to stay on the floor. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Trey Murphy III","year":2021,"school":"Virginia","college_abbreviation":"UVA","pros":"Excellent physical profile for an NBA combo forward at 6-9, 206 pounds with a 7-0 wingspan and 8-9.5 standing reach. Measurements resemble Darius Bazley, Cam Reddish and Jayson Tatum. Late bloomer who graduated high school at around 6-5. On a different trajectory than your typical 21-year-old college junior. Fluid player who can play above the rim in space. Has the tools to defend wings and guards alike as he continues to fill out physically. -  One of the best shooters in the draft with his feet set. Ranked in the 89th percentile on catch and shoot jumpers, shot 43% from 3 and made 93% of his free throws as a junior. Not a lot of moving parts to his shot. Shot over 40% from 3 on 452 attempts over the course of his 82-game collegiate career. -  Showed a willingness to play a refined role at Virginia. Incredibly efficient. One of only three regular starters to shoot over 60% from 2, 40% from 2 and 90% from the free throw line. Doesn't need many dribbles to be effective offensively. Smart cutter. Ball moving mentality. Has impressed throughout the interview process. Great understanding of opponent's weaknesses and scouting reports. NBA-ready contributor thanks to his tools, feel for the game, defensive potential and maturity.","cons":"Great shooter with his feet set, but not overly dynamic on the move at this stage. Made just 4-of-12 pull-up jumpers last season (10-of-30 as a sophomore). Generated 1.5 points per possession on 70 \"unguarded\" catch-and-shoot jump shots last season as opposed to just 0.93 points per possession on 44 'guarded' attempts. Showed more versatility off the dribble at Rice than Virginia. - Not an overly physical driver or finisher. Gets knocked off line at times. Generated just 3.0 free throws per 40 minutes during his collegiate career (and 2.2 at Virginia). Better playing off of two feet than one right now. Not the most advanced ball handler or facilitator at this stage of his development. -  Frame is still filling out. Is he better off chasing around guards than trying to contain big wings, like we saw from Mikal Bridges early in his career? Wasn't known as much of a defender prior to transferring to Virginia, which is why he chose Tony Bennett and the Cavaliers. Projected role: 3 and D Forward --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Pelicans swapped picks with the Grizzlies at No. 17 to select Trey Murphy III The Pelicans are going on their third coach in the past 11 months, putting significant pressure on the front office to surround Zion Williamson with the type of talent needed to make the playoffs and at least be competitive once there. The word around the league during the pre-draft process was the team wasn't in love with any of its options at No. 10 and was more focused on making a splash in free agency, possibly by adding a veteran like Kyle Lowry, who would require the team shedding one or both of the contracts of Eric Bledsoe and/or Steven Adams. That came to a head in the days leading up to the draft where they executed a trade with Memphis that will allow them to open up more than 36 million in cap room, presumably to pursue backcourt help. Management is also reportedly high and expecting a breakout sophomore season from last season's lottery pick, Kira Lewis, who turned 20 not long ago and received inconsistent backing from the previous coaching staff. Trey Murphy III rocketed up draft boards in the pre-draft process as teams got an up-close look at his terrific size, physical and shooting ability after converting 43% of his 3-pointers at Virginia. At 21, he looks mature enough to be a relatively immediate contributor but is such a late bloomer that teams hope he could still very well have upside still left to tap into on both ends of the floor as his frame continues to improve. The Pelicans needed to find an immediate contributor and Murphy looks like one of the most NBA-ready players left on the board. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tre Mann","year":2021,"school":"Florida","college_abbreviation":"FLA","pros":"Smooth ball handler who can change speeds and directions impressively. Creates space to get to his pull-up. Has step back and pull back moves. Great footwork. -  - Soft touch from all over the floor. Shot over 40% from 3 as a sophomore. Deep range. Ranked in the 90th percentile on pull-ups last season. Feathery floaters from inside the arc. Combination of handle, range and touch on floaters makes him a threat to score it at all three levels in pick-and-roll. - Improved passer who can make most basic reads out of pick-and-roll. Ball screen passes generated 1.2 points per possession for Florida, ranking in the 87th percentile in the country according to Synergy. Late growth spurt (now 6-5) helps him see over the top.","cons":"Can stand to play with more toughness and consistency on the defensive end of the floor. Has grown and improved his frame but has a negative wingspan (6-4), which limits his versatility on that end of the floor. - Still working toward making next-level reads. Improved passer but 4.3 assists to 3.5 turnovers per 40 minutes. Finding the right blend between scoring and playmaking. - Finesse over physicality style of player. Struggles in a crowd at times. Will settle for touch shots or pull-ups when he has an opportunity to attack or get into the body of a defender. Projected role: Shot-making point guard--Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Thunder are in no particular rush to win, giving them the freedom to build slowly through the draft and develop their picks with steady doses of minutes and touches. That could easily lead them in the direction of younger, rawer prospects with higher ceilings, the type of player playoff contenders might not have the patience to invest several years in for an ultimate payoff. Tre Mann's talent with the ball, positional size -- which should allow him to play either guard spot -- and upside is attractive at this spot. He'll need to add strength and improve his consistency as a decision-maker and defender to carve out a niche in a rotation short-term, but he has the type of shot-making prowess, creativity and versatility NBA teams covet with the bonus of being a late-bloomer physically who still has room for growth as his frame continues to evolve. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kai Jones","year":2021,"school":"Texas","college_abbreviation":"TEX","pros":"Incredibly agile for a 6-foot-10 big. Track and field background, and it shows with his feet. Gets up and down the floor as well as any other big in the draft. Scores 1.29 points per possession in transition. Footwork shows on the defensive end. Very comfortable switching onto guards and wings. Projects as an asset in switch situations. Can play above the rim in space. - Plays with great energy more often than not. Very active. Crashes the offensive glass: 3.4 offensive boards per 40 minutes. Will fly around for steals and blocks. - Shows glimpses of skill on the offensive end. Shot 38% from 3 as a sophomore. Will attack a closeout into a finish, drop off or kick out. Has potential as a shooter, passer and ball handler as the game slows down for him.","cons":"Doesn't have a lot of high-level experience yet. Late to the game growing up in the Bahamas, which shows in some of his decision-making and sped-up nature on both ends of the floor. 26 assists to 59 turnovers during his collegiate career. Foul-prone. Still learning the nuances of team defense. - Body is still developing -- was just 169 pounds as a 16-year-old at Basketball Without Borders Americas. Not a great defensive rebounder at this stage -- 5.0 per 40 minutes last season. Can improve his ability to play through contact offensively and battle on the interior defensively. - Blank canvas of sorts. Does a little bit of everything but what is his elite, NBA-caliber skill? How quickly will he be able to play consistent minutes? Projected role: Energy big with modern traits --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Hornets traded into No. 19 to select Kai Jones here.  This pick originally belonged to the New York Knicks, who traded it to Charlotte for a future first-round pick, per Adrian Wojnarowski, much to the chagrin of the local crowd at the Barclays Center. The Hornets selected Kai Jones, who possesses significant potential defensively with his excellent size, huge standing reach, and outstanding energy he plays with. His offense is a major work in progress, but he's on a different trajectory than most players his age having picked up the game late. Jones will provide for an outstanding lob target for LaMelo Ball while benefiting from the spacing that No. 11 pick James Bouknight allows with his shooting. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Johnson","year":2021,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Impressive combination of strength and explosiveness at 6-9, 220 pounds. Strong lower body. Plays with physicality. - Extremely versatile defender. Can shift anywhere from 1 to 5 in a pinch. Good instincts off the ball. Rotates for blocks and charges. Aggressive rebounder on both ends. - At his best pushing in the open court. Fluid ball handler for his size and crafty passer. Excellent straight-line driver who can change speeds.","cons":"Rigid shooting stroke. Long release with mixed results. Doesn't have many ways to score in the half court outside of energy plays. - A bit predictable as a shot creator. Likes to catch, jab right, drive left. A little too turnover prone for a playmaker. - Not overly long relative to his height. Does he have enough offensive game to ever be more than a third or fourth option on a playoff team? Projected role: Two-way combo forward --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Hawks had an outstanding year that ended in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals and provided plenty of optimism and substance to build on long-term. With one of the NBA's biggest young stars in place in Trae Young and a plethora of versatile talent around him at every position, the Hawks main concern will be staying healthy and finding a way to keep their luxury tax situation in order as the likes of Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter see their rookie-scale contracts expire and expect major paydays that appear well-deserved. Once considered a potential candidate for the No. 1 pick after a scintillating start to the college season, Jalen Johnson's star fell due to injury, inconsistent play, and an abrupt decision to leave Duke mid-season, which generated significant backlash. Regardless, few players in this draft share Johnson's talent as a 6-foot-9, ball-handling point forward who's explosive and has intriguing instincts defensively. His jumper will need to improve, but there are few players in this range of the draft who have as high a ceiling as Johnson does if he reaches his significant potential. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Keon Johnson","year":2021,"school":"Tennessee","college_abbreviation":"TENN","pros":"Powerful first step in the open court. Explosive accelerating from a standstill and getting off his feet for dunks and blocks. Frame is at an early stage of development but should fill out in time. - Aggressive, competitive prospect who maximizes his tools on both ends of the floor. Versatile defender who can stay in front of guards and wings. At his best sliding his feet and containing the point of attack. Generates plenty of turnovers with his instincts, quickness and activity level. - Shows flashes of playmaking, shot-making and feel for the game that indicate he has significant room for growth.","cons":"At an early stage of development offensively. Lacks experience and polish in the half court. Ballhandling, decision-making are a work in progress. - Frame is on the leaner side; he weighs 186 pounds. Will need to add bulk to be able to play through contact on both ends of the floor. - Pull-up jumper is slow and lacks accuracy under duress. Struggled from the free throw line earlier in his career. Projected role: Two-way wing --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Clippers traded into No. 21 to select Keon Johnson here.  The Knicks traded this pick to the Clippers, moving down from No. 21 to No. 25 for an unspecified return. With Kawhi Leonard expected to miss all of next season, the Clippers have some issues they won't be able to solve at this point in the draft. With one of the highest payrolls in the league, this is still a chance to add a cheap contributor on a rookie scale contract that they won't get too many more stabs at, with three of their next first-round picks heading to Oklahoma City from the Paul George trade. In turn, the Clippers selected Keon Johnson, blessed with elite leaping ability and incredible speed, which makes him a terror in the open court and as a defender. His shooting and ball-handling ability are a work in progress, but the flashes he shows as a playmaker and the little things he does to impact winning give him huge upside to develop into as his frame and skill level evolve. This is a good value pick for LA, as Johnson was ranked No. 11 on the ESPN 100, and he will provide an immediate injection of explosiveness and energy that could reap immediate benefits if surrounded with enough shooting. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Jackson","year":2021,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Elite physical profile at 6-11 with a 9-5 standing reach. One of the best players in the college game in terms of his ability to run the floor and get off his feet quickly for dunks and blocks. Covers ground exceptionally well thanks to his coordination and agility. - Difference-maker defensively thanks to the elite timing he displays as a rim protector. Also an excellent rebounder. - Shows significant flashes offensively with his ability to handle, pass and shoot the ball. Still at a very early stage offensively but has good hands, soft touch and upside.","cons":"Weighed just 206 pounds at the Kentucky pro day. Lack of strength, especially in the lower body, can get taken advantage of on both ends of the floor. - Does incredible things defensively but isn't consistent enough with his fundamentals or approach. Falls asleep at times. Needs to improve his technique and maintain his intensity level off the ball. Struggles to defend perimeter players in space. - Not a prolific or efficient scorer at this stage. Can be mistake-prone, as his decision-making is a work in progress. Doesn't always know his limitations. Projected role: Rim-protecting, vertical-spacing center --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Wizards made one of the biggest moves in the night in trading Russell Westbrook for smaller contracts that will improve their cap situation and save them significant money long-term. They also picked up one of the best shooters in the draft in Corey Kispert with the No. 15 pick, and then took a swing at the upside of Isaiah Jackson. Jackson was at one point projected as a lottery pick but saw his standing fall during the pre-draft process as teams prioritized perimeter shooting and experience. Gaining strength should allow him to play with more physicality than he was able, something that will take time as he was among the most foul-prone players in the draft this past season, but still dropped some impressive glimpses of skill to go along with his jumping-jack verticality and outstanding shot-blocking instincts. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Usman Garuba","year":2021,"school":"Spain","college_abbreviation":"Spain","pros":"Rock solid resume competing at the highest levels of basketball outside the NBA. Played nearly 90 professional games this past season for Real Madrid, the top team in Spain. Won the Rising Star trophy, given to the EuroLeague's best player under the age of 22, as well as the \"Best Young Player\" of the 2020-2021 ACB season. Won gold medals at the U16 and U18 European Championships and a U18 club championship at the ANGT. - Arguably the best defender in the 2021 draft. Not incredibly tall at 6-8, but has a 7-3 wingspan, as well as quick feet, excellent hands and outstanding intensity. Regularly tasked with guarding the Euroleague's top point guards, but strong and long enough to bang with most big men. Should be able to slide and contain opposing team's star playmakers with his versatility and smarts. - Has shown the ability to push the ball off the defensive glass and make plays for teammates with strong passing ability at the youth level. Showed progress with his perimeter shooting late in the season after getting off to a slow start. Has always displayed a willingness to embrace his role and do the little things to help his team win games. Beloved by teammates and coaches because of his approach to the game.","cons":"Not much of a scorer, averaging just 4.8 points in 17 minutes per game this season. Mostly stays out of the way for Real Madrid, being tasked with very little offensive responsibility as a screener and floor-spacer. - Career 26.5% 3-point shooter and 57% from the free throw line through 216 games. Mechanics and confidence waver from beyond the arc. Misses at times in concerning fashion. - Plays a somewhat mechanical style that may prevent him from ever emerging as more than a fifth option offensively. Isn't blessed with elite explosiveness to compensate. Projected role: Versatile defender --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Rockets were one of the most active teams in the league in the leadup to draft night, attempting to discern the value of their two late first-rounders as well as the future pick swaps and draft assets they acquired in the James Harden trade. They used two of those heavily future-protected firsts to move up to No. 16 to select Alperen Sengun, keeping No. 23 and No. 24 in the process, and seemingly getting nice value with the Turkish big. It's important for Houston to nail these picks as they don't have much else in their coffers that the league truly covets, as skepticism remains around the talented Kevin Porter Jr. after he was unceremoniously dumped by Cleveland just six months ago, despite some impressive play in both the G League and late in the NBA season. After taking one big man in Sengun, the Rockets again went for another international big man in Usman Garuba, who actually complements him quite well on paper. Garuba turned 19 in March but is one of the most experienced prospects in this draft. He's played in nearly 90 games at Europe's highest levels of competition with Real Madrid this season and has an Olympics appearance under his belt. He's one of the draft's most intense and versatile defenders, regularly tasked with guarding the EuroLeague's best shot-creators. There's little doubt of his potential to impact winning, something he's done at every step of his career thus far. To get on the floor early in the NBA, he'll need to prove he can make shots with a little more consistency than he's demonstrated thus far while continuing to develop the intriguing playmaking ability he flashed versus lower levels of competition. With five more years remaining on his contract with Real Madrid and a very high NBA buyout ($3 million Euro) that will eat into his NBA paycheck significantly throughout his rookie scale deal, the fact that he can pay Real Madrid this amount in installments over time will allow him to come to the NBA immediately. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Josh Christopher","year":2021,"school":"Arizona State","college_abbreviation":"ASU","post_draft_analysis":"With significant minutes and opportunities to offer in Houston, where little in the way of long-term keepers standing in the way, the Rockets have a chance to continue to add talent and improve their long-term outlook with this pick. Josh Christopher was a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school who started the season projected as a lottery pick. He only played 15 games at Arizona State, leaving the team after highly inconsistent play, although he did drop impressive glimpses of talent that could be honed into significant weapons in time. Christopher has rare physical gifts with his strong frame, outstanding fluidity and explosiveness, as well as polished scoring instincts. His jumper is streaky but has looked much better than advertised in the pre-draft process, although shot-selection, decision making and defensive lapses are still things Christopher is working through. For a team that believes in its player development program, there aren't many more players in this draft range that share the scoring prowess and upside that Christopher offers, and he'll likely have plenty of opportunities here alongside Jalen Green on the wing. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Quentin Grimes","year":2021,"school":"Houston","college_abbreviation":"HOU","post_draft_analysis":"The Knicks traded into No. 25 to select Quentin Grimes here. The Knicks exceeded expectations in securing home-court advantage in the playoffs while maintaining significant financial flexibility and a small hoard of draft picks. The team is now in the process of deciding whether to put all its chips in, continue to grow from within, or wait for a star like Damian Lillard, Brad Beal or Karl-Anthony Towns to emerge on the trade market. The Knicks have a strong nucleus in place with Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett but could certainly stand to add more pieces around them, especially on cheap rookie-scale contracts. They started the night with the No. 19 and 21 picks, but moved down to No. 25 and picked up a future first and future second-round pick. Quentin Grimes helped lead Houston to the Final Four but didn't truly emerge as a major draft prospect until he posted two outstanding games at the NBA draft combine. He led in scoring and showed significantly more ball-handling and passing ability than advertised. Most importantly Grimes displayed the ability to play with toughness and confidence, things that he struggled with early in his career. He shot 40% from 3 on the season on a huge amount of attempts, and was an important cog for one of the best defenses in college basketball -- attributes that give him strong role-playing credentials. Having just turned 21 two months ago, Grimes has the right combination of youth, experience and productivity teams look for to hopefully emerge as an immediate contributor on the wing for the Knicks. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nah'Shon Hyland","year":2021,"school":"VCU","college_abbreviation":"VCU","post_draft_analysis":"With Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter and Aaron Gordon in the fold, the Nuggets are as well-positioned as any team in the NBA long-term. Murray's unfortunate ACL injury, which will likely cause him to miss most or all of next season, is the main obstacle they'll have to work through in the short term. Looming are the financial implications of sizeable long-term deals they'll be expected to offer Gordon and Porter to retain them. With that in mind, finding players who can contribute on a rookie-scale contract would be helpful, as splurging on veterans in free agency might be difficult luxury tax-wise in a year's time. Nah'Shon \"Bones\" Hyland was considered a sleeper even before his sophomore year but didn't fully emerge as a first-round caliber prospect until a scintillating showing in the opening game of the NBA draft combine. Hyland showed off his impressive change of pace game, his length as a defensive playmaker and glimpses of passing ability that were few and far between throughout the season at VCU. Combine that with deep off the dribble shot-making prowess and it's easy to see why teams are high on the lanky combo guard as he plays exactly the type of bucket-getting role many NBA teams are actively seeking off the bench. He'll have plenty of opportunities to show he's ready to contribute in Denver's backcourt until Murray returns to full strength, which likely won't be a for a while. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cameron Thomas","year":2021,"school":"LSU","college_abbreviation":"LSU","pros":"Confident, instinctual scorer who has put up points in bunches from all over the floor in every setting he's played. Does it relatively efficiently thanks to his ability to get to the free throw line in huge volume and make a career 88% of his attempts once there.  - Shot-maker with deep range on his jumper. Has to be accounted for every moment he's on the floor. Can go get his own out of isolation, pulling up out of pick-and-rolls or using sharp step-backs. Has a full arsenal of shot-creation weapons thanks to his powerful first step, polished footwork, outstanding body control and ability to bounce off of defenders with his strong frame.  - Game comes fairly easy for him. Instinctual getting in passing lanes. Has never been asked to defend or pass. Shows glimpses of being able to do both in very small doses as he clearly sees the court and has proven to be a playmaker off the bounce.","cons":"Indifferent defender on, but especially off the ball. Plays a very casual style that works against him intensity-wise. Bites on every fake. Allows himself to get buried on switches. Gives up on plays. Completely upright off the ball. Could stand to tone his frame and get into better shape.  - Plays a fairly selfish brand of basketball predicated on making difficult shots or getting to the free throw line. Takes a huge volume of 3s and converts them at an average rate. Looks off open teammates and looks like he can be frustrating to play with. Averages more turnovers than assists.  - Body language can be a little questionable when things aren't going his way. Projected role: Scoring guard  -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Nets could easily point to injuries and bad luck as reasons why their championship hopes did not materialize this season, giving them every reason to run back their team and see if they can come up with a different result. Already on the hook for the second-highest payroll in the league, with only eight players under contract and before even pondering the possibility of bringing back the likes of Spencer Dinwiddie, Jeff Green, Bruce Brown, Blake Griffin and others, there are some financial implications to consider as well, which may start with moves they make on draft night. Cameron Thomas represents the best of both worlds for some front offices. He's a 19-year-old with room to grow while coming off a historic season in the SEC after averaging 23 points and establishing himself as one of the best scorers in college basketball regardless of class. His style of play and personality certainly isn't for everyone, which is the reason he was drafted where he was. Teams should know exactly what they are getting here in a player who is capable of scoring in bunches likely from day one, but whose efficiency, shot selection and defense will surely need to improve to reach his full potential. Thomas will find a coach in Steve Nash who empowers players and isn't afraid to offer the green light, making him an excellent fit in their high-octane offense, although he'll need to be a little more judicious with his shot-selection when playing alongside James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaden Springer","year":2021,"school":"Tennessee","college_abbreviation":"TENN","post_draft_analysis":"The Sixers' outstanding regular season was derailed by a surprise second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks, leaving the team to deeply consider its roster construction. It starts with the viability of Ben Simmons as a leading figure in playoff campaigns moving forward. Simmons-centered chatter will dominate the conversation in Philadelphia, but the weakness of the team's bench, a lack of shooting in the frontcourt and not enough shot-creation prowess in the backcourt also played a role in several second-half collapses. Few, if any of those issues can be solved with a late first-round pick, but the Sixers will want to keep stockpiling good players on cheap contracts with the third-highest payroll in the league and several rotation players entering free agency. One of the youngest prospects in the draft at 18 years old, Jaden Springer is an analytics favorite thanks to the versatility he brings to the box score as well as strong shooting indicators. Springer is a strong-framed wing with a powerful first step, aggressive scoring instincts, outstanding defensive intensity and good enough mechanics to project his set-shot jumper becoming a weapon in time. His propensity for hunting difficult shots, lack of a pull-up game and bully-ball style in the paint will need to evolve to carve out a niche in the NBA in the short term, but there's enough to like here with his ability to score while using his tough, fearless nature to his advantage defensively to eventually find his way. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Day'Ron Sharpe","year":2021,"school":"North Carolina","college_abbreviation":"UNC","post_draft_analysis":"The Nets traded into No. 29 to select Day'Ron Sharpe here. The Nets added a second first-round pick by sending Landry Shamet to Phoenix in exchange for Jevon Carter, allowing them to select Day'Ron Sharpe. He improved his standing in the pre-draft process by shedding weight and showing more potential as a shooter than he had demonstrated in his somewhat underwhelming lone season at North Carolina. He's drawn comparisons to big men like Thomas Bryant thanks to his outsized personality and terrific intensity level. His skill component as a passer and shooter will likely determine what type of role he's able to carve out for himself in the NBA. --  Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Santi Aldama","year":2021,"school":"Loyola Maryland","college_abbreviation":"L-MD","post_draft_analysis":"The Grizzlies traded into No. 30 to select Santi Aldama here. Utah traded this pick to Memphis as part of an undisclosed package. They surprised many around the league by selecting Santi Aldama from Loyola (MD). Aldama made a name for himself on the international FIBA circuit playing for the Spanish national team, winning the U18 European Championship in 2019 and being named MVP of the tournament. Aldama had a mysterious draft process, not conducting any publicly known workouts with NBA teams and electing to decline an invitation to the NBA draft combine, citing a desire to \"continue his career in Spain.\" He openly discouraged teams from selecting him, going as far as to turn down Zoom interviews after returning to his home country. Most NBA teams assumed he received some type of assurance that he'll be drafted (a \"promise\") or will receive a two-way contract after going undrafted, and hearing his name called Thursday likely confirms that he was shut down by Memphis several months ago, likely much higher than what they thought they needed to when they made the promise. Aldama is a unique prospect at 6-foot-11, posting fantasy numbers in the Patriot League as a sophomore at 21.2 points, 10.1 rebounds 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks, shooting 59% from 2-point range and 37% from 3. Despite having the height of a big man, Aldama was asked to play a primary creation role for Loyola, pushing the ball off the defensive glass and being utilized frequently in pick-and-roll sets where he showed intriguing ball-handling and passing ability, changing speeds fluidity out of hesitation moves, and finishing with creativity around the basket. His defense and lack of speed were considered his big shortcomings along with his at-times streaky jumper. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Todd","year":2021,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","post_draft_analysis":"This pick was traded by Indiana to Washington, via Milwaukee. Isaiah Todd was a pleasant surprise in the G League bubble, scoring nearly a point every two minutes while dropping impressive glimpses of shot-making prowess both inside and outside the arc. Standing 6-foot-10 with strong mobility, he's a competitive player and has had some good moments switching on pick and rolls. With that said, he has a lot of work to do on his awareness off the ball and ability to play through contact, as the game often moves too fast for him on both ends of the floor, and his passing and decision-making are major works in progress. Still only 19, Todd is likely to need additional seasoning in the G League but does have some upside to grow into as a stretch-4.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jeremiah Robinson-Earl","year":2021,"school":"Villanova","college_abbreviation":"VILL","post_draft_analysis":"The Thunder traded into No. 32 to select Jeremiah Robinson-Earl here. The co-Big East player of the year, despite being only a sophomore, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl brings a strong resume and pedigree to the table. Scouts have long admired his toughness, competitiveness, intelligence and versatility, even if his streaky jump-shot did keep his draft stock in check somewhat after at one point being projected as a first-round pick. Robinson-Earl's defense will be his calling card early in his career as he shows good versatility switching on the perimeter and is an unselfish passer who stays within himself and knows how to play winning basketball. Although there might be a ceiling on Robinson-Earl's upside, head coaches will like the approach he brings daily, and he'll have a chance to carve out a career for himself if he can find a way to become more consistent with his 3-point shot.  --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jason Preston","year":2021,"school":"Ohio","college_abbreviation":"OHIO","post_draft_analysis":"The Clippers traded into No. 33 to select Jason Preston here. One of the best passers in the college game, Jason Preston led Ohio to the second round of the NCAA tournament with an upset win over Virginia and then proceeded to help himself even further with a strong showing at the NBA draft combine. He has excellent size and length for a guard, which helps compensate somewhat for his skinny frame and lack of speed and explosiveness, things that his detractors point to as issues. He'll have to work through translating his outstanding feel for the game from college to the NBA ranks, his inconsistent jumper, and at times his porous defense. Preston has some of the best basketball instincts of any player in this class and is capable of making every read a point guard needs operating out of pick-and-roll. With the dearth of true point guards this size, Preston is likely a more consistent jumper away from carving out a niche in the NBA as he brings several winning intangibles to the table that teams covet with his unselfishness and overall basketball instincts.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Rokas Jokubaitis","year":2021,"school":"Lithuania","college_abbreviation":"Lithuania","post_draft_analysis":"The Knicks traded into No. 34 to select Rokas Jokubaitis here. Jokubaitis is coming off an outstanding season in the EuroLeague, winning runner-up honors for the competition's best young player and helping Zalgiris achieve respectability on a nightly basis playing an important role against some of the top teams in the world outside the NBA. At 6-foot-5, he has excellent size for a point guard, even if he was often asked to play off the ball. He's a highly creative passer who shows a flair for creating offense for himself or others in unorthodox lefty fashion. Just an average shooter, Jokubaitis' ability to punish defenses for going under ball screens will be a major key to showing he's worthy of an NBA roster spot, as he has just average physical skills, which hampers him at times defensively as well. Jokubaitis just inked a new contract with Barcelona in Spain that will reunite him with his ex-coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. The deal has NBA outs every summer, including now in the unlikely event New York wants to bring him over right away, but he'll almost certainly be stashed for the next year or two to gain more experience and try to iron out the wrinkles in his game.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Herbert Jones","year":2021,"school":"Alabama","college_abbreviation":"ALA","post_draft_analysis":"Recipient of both the SEC's Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors, Herbert Jones rebounded from an underachieving first three years at Alabama to emerge as one of the best two-way players in the college game, leading the Crimson Tide to perhaps their best season in program history. Standing over 6-foot-7 with a wingspan over 7-feet, Jones is capable of defending guards, wings, forwards and even some big men, thanks to his outstanding feet, length, technique, awareness and intensity. Offensively, he's never been known as a prolific scorer, often struggling to scratch double-digits in college as he's a poor perimeter shooter who often didn't need to be guarded by opponents. To counter that, Alabama used Jones quite a bit at point guard, taking advantage of his excellent feel for the game to facilitate for teammates as well as find ways to score cutting off the ball or operating out of the post. Playing with a more consistent level of aggressiveness will be a major key for him in the NBA as he was often criticized for his passivity early in his career. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Miles McBride","year":2021,"school":"West Virginia","college_abbreviation":"WVU","post_draft_analysis":"The Knicks traded into No. 36 to select Miles McBride here. Miles McBride brings an interesting confluence of skills to the table as a strong-framed, long-armed combo guard with impressive shot-making prowess and outstanding defensive intensity. He'll likely be best-suited playing off the ball early in his career due to his average ball-handling and shot-creation ability, which at times caused him to settle for the first shot he could find at West Virginia.  McBride's rock-solid intangibles and late-blooming trajectory give him plenty of room to grow as his career evolves, as he's only 20 years old and has made significant improvement over the past two years. There's little doubt that he is a Tom Thibodeau-type player. --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"JT Thor","year":2021,"school":"Auburn","college_abbreviation":"AUB","post_draft_analysis":"The Hornets traded into No. 37 to select JT Thor here.  One of the youngest players in the draft, not turning 19 until late August, JT Thor is a long-term play who needs a strong development structure to reach his lofty potential. He has great size at 6-foot-9 for a player who primarily plays on the perimeter, along with exceptionally long arms (7-foot-3 wingspan) and intriguing touch from beyond the arc, even if he's still figuring out the difference between a good and bad shot due to his underdeveloped feel for the game.   Thor's potential defensively is significant with his combination of length, mobility and budding instincts as a rim protector and getting in passing lanes, although his extremely thin frame and lack of physicality are issues he'll have to work through long-term. --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ayo Dosunmu","year":2021,"school":"Illinois","college_abbreviation":"ILL","pros":"One of the best players in the college game. Consensus first-team All-American and winner of the Bob Cousy Award, presented to the nation's top point guard. Averaged 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 39% from 3-point range and 78% from the free throw line, leading Illinois to the Big Ten Conference tournament title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. - Big combo guard at 6-foot-4 with a 6-9 wingspan. One of the most efficient pick-and-roll scorers in the college game. Plays with good pace, timing and smarts. Effective shooter off the dribble who can also create for teammates unselfishly. - Swiss-army knife who excels in the open court, crashes the glass aggressively and communicates defensively off the ball.","cons":"Lacks a degree of high-end strength and explosiveness. More of a secondary ball-handler than a high-volume creator in the halfcourt. Game is heavily reliant on skill and instincts; doesn't have the highest margin for error due to his average tools. Just an average finisher in the halfcourt. Struggled at times against bigger and stronger defenders in the Big Ten. - More of a mid-range bucket-getter than a true long-distance shooter from beyond the arc. Career 34% 3-point shooter. Shot four times as many 2s as 3s this past season. Will need to show he can space the floor effectively while increasing his volume of attempts. - Somewhat of a jack of all trades, master of none. Good all-around basketball player who will likely need to improve as a creator, finisher, shooter and one-on-one defender to find a niche at the highest levels. Productive, versatile player who may lack a degree of upside. Projected role: Versatile two-way bench scorer --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Ayo Dosunmu made significant improvements throughout his college career, eventually becoming one of the best players in the nation while leading Illinois to an outstanding season behind some memorable clutch performances. At 6-foot-5, with a 6-foot-10-plus wingspan, Dosunmu has the size and length to guard any of the backcourt or wing positions, which will likely be his primary role early in his career. How his offense evolves, especially his perimeter shooting, will help determine how much of a niche he's able to carve out early in his career as he was primarily a mid-range shooter in college and isn't the strongest or most explosive guard around.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Neemias Queta","year":2021,"school":"Utah State","college_abbreviation":"USU","post_draft_analysis":"Neemias Queta was one of the best big men in the college game, named Mountain West Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year after making a big jump from his sophomore to junior seasons, partially thanks to improved health. He's huge at a hair under 7-foot-1, 259 pounds with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, making him a significant presence as a rebounder and defensively protecting the basket. Playing the game with incredible joy, Queta has a good feel for the game that manifests itself in his terrific passing ability and overall craft that allows him to score in several old-school ways. Queta's mobility stepping out on the perimeter is the biggest thing he'll need to improve on to carve out a role on an NBA team roster down the road, while eventually figuring out how to make 3-pointers would also surely help. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jared Butler","year":2021,"school":"Baylor","college_abbreviation":"BAY","pros":"Has one of the strongest resumes of any player in this draft. First-team All-American who won the national championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament. Young for his junior class, not turning 21 until the end of August. - Versatile, efficient offensive player who can score from all over the floor but is comfortable creating for others. Flashy ball-handler who can operate out of a ball screen and knows how to play on or off the ball. Versatile shot-maker with his feet set or pulling up sharply off step-backs. Converted 42% of his 3-pointers and 78% of his free throw attempts. - Improved defender who puts a solid effort in chasing shooters around screens, walling off one-on-one and being disruptive getting in passing lanes and digging down for steals.","cons":"Not the most physically imposing guard around. Has average size and length to go along with a slight frame. Poor rebounder for his position. Probably best equipped to defend point guards but hasn't shown he can consistently run a team in the halfcourt. Decision-making leaves something to be desired at times. - Lacks a degree of physicality as a finisher around the basket. Career 48% from inside the arc. Doesn't get to the free throw line very often. Projected role: Secondary creating bench scorer -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The NCAA Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, Jared Butler was unanimously cleared to play by an NBA medical panel for a heart condition that required surgery and kept his draft stock in check despite his outstanding tournament performance that culminated in a national championship.  He had a case to be drafted higher than this but was unable to have a normal pre-draft process as he was awaiting clearance from the league that finally came less than two weeks ago. The fact that his knee was also red-flagged by NBA doctors was eventually too much for teams picking in the first round, causing him to slide all the way to 40 where he could very well end up being one of the best value picks of the draft. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Joe Wieskamp","year":2021,"school":"Iowa","college_abbreviation":"IOWA","post_draft_analysis":"Joe Wieskamp emerged as one of the best shooters in college basketball, hitting 46% of his 3-pointers on the season and then proceeding to absolutely scorch the nets at the NBA draft combine. He scored 34 points in 48 minutes while converting 8 of his 13 attempts from beyond the arc in two games. At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, he has good size and length for the wing and might be able to play some power forward as he gets stronger, which he did a lot of in college. Mostly a shooter at this stage of his career, despite not showing the quickest release, Wieskamp's defense will need work to carve out a role in the NBA. He struggles with physicality, doesn't have very quick feet, and will need to add bulk to handle the bulkier wing and combo forward-type players he'll encounter at times. Still, in a league that is obsessed with shooting, Wieskamp's ability to stretch defenses is intriguing if the rest of his game evolves. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Livers","year":2021,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","post_draft_analysis":"Isaiah Livers was in the midst of an outstanding senior season (second-team All-Big Ten) when an unfortunately timed foot injury ended his college career just before the start of postseason action. Converting 43% of his 3-pointers this past season, Livers has long been considered an elite shooter but also brings quite a bit to the table as a passer and defender. He's capable of guarding either forward position while showing terrific feel making timely rotations off the ball. Livers' lack of ball-handling ability and age (23) limit his ceiling to an extent, but every team in the NBA is looking for wing players in his mold which should give him plenty of opportunities to stick long-term if he can stay healthy. He's expected to be out until October, per media reports.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Greg Brown","year":2021,"school":"Texas","college_abbreviation":"TEX","post_draft_analysis":"The Trail Blazers traded into No. 43 to select Greg Brown III here. Greg Brown started the season projected as a top-20 pick but saw his stock slide as he struggled to put the ball in the basket with any consistency. He looked sped-up with his decision-making and had a difficult time finding a position to consistently defend with his underdeveloped 206-pound frame, causing him to slide out of Texas' rotation by season's end.  Brown's highlight-reel-caliber explosiveness, aggressive approach and strong intensity level gives him plenty of room to grow as he is still only 19 years old and was a top-10 recruit coming out of high school. Improving his feel for the game on both ends of the floor and finding more consistency as a shooter will be a priority for Brown with plenty of seasoning in the G League likely in his future. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kessler Edwards","year":2021,"school":"Pepperdine","college_abbreviation":"PEPP","post_draft_analysis":"Kessler Edwards is considered one of the best defenders in this class with an ideal physical profile for a forward at 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan. He's capable of slowing down guards, wings and big men alike, showing excellent footspeed, technique and awareness off the ball -- coveted traits in the modern NBA. Edwards will need to answer whether he'll be able to score enough to stay on the floor in the NBA. He shot 40% from 3 in his college career, but sports highly unorthodox mechanics that looked far from translatable to the NBA line at the draft combine, where he scored just six points on eight field goal attempts in 41 minutes.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Juhann Begarin","year":2021,"school":"Guadeloupe","college_abbreviation":"Guadeloupe","post_draft_analysis":"Juhann Begarin has outstanding physical tools, standing 6-foot-6 with a shredded 214-pound frame and a near 7-foot wingspan despite not turning 19 until August. His offensive game is a work in progress, particularly his ball-handling and shot-creation ability, while his jumper is prone to streakiness. When engaged, Begarin can be an outstanding defender, capable of slowing down guards and wings alike, although his intensity level fluctuates and he can still be somewhat naive off the ball.  Few players in his draft range share his upside, as he likely would have entered this upcoming season as a projected top-20 pick had he elected to withdraw his name from the draft at the deadline. Instead, Begarin intends to come to the NBA immediately and work his way up through the G League, unless the Celtics can convince him to reconsider that after summer league. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dalano Banton","year":2021,"school":"Nebraska","college_abbreviation":"NEB","post_draft_analysis":"A 6-foot-9 playmaker from Canada, Banton was one of the more unique players in college basketball. He's at his best with the ball in his hands, as he's a fluid, instinctual ball-handler who excels in pick and roll seeing over the top of defenses and using his excellent vision and creativity to make the game easy for teammates. Banton is slow-footed, but highly instinctual and aware defensively and is a poor shooter who opposing defenses did not respect in the Big Ten. He's likely to sign a two-way contract and begin his career in the G League where he'll have every opportunity to expand his game and show he's worthy of an NBA roster spot. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"David Johnson","year":2021,"school":"Louisville","college_abbreviation":"LOU","pros":"Great size for a lead guard at 6-5, 210 pounds with long arms. A smooth player who can change speeds, play with physicality and get above the rim. Good in transition. Length and creativity allow him to finish from different angles. Uses his size to get to his spots. Likes to play out of the post. Comfortable shooting over smaller guards. - Creative passer who can whip the ball all around the floor with his right hand. Strong ball handler. Wants to get his teammates involved. Comfortable in pick-and roll. Capable lob passer who also finds shooters on the move. - Tools give him potential on the defensive end. Plays with energy and toughness for stretches. Uses his length effectively to contest jump shooters. Active off the ball. Good rebounder.","cons":"Doesn't have the most fluid shooting stroke, despite recent improvement. Turns down catch-and-shoot 3s. Confidence seems to fluctuate from beyond the arc. - Right-hand dominant as a driver, passer and finisher. A little bit loose as a decision-maker at times. Not afraid to take risks but can do a better job of taking care of the ball. - Defensive discipline fluctuates and he can be a bit foul prone. Projected role: Big playmaker --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"David Johnson started the season as a projected top-20 pick but saw his stock fall after a lackluster showing in ACC play. He elected to enter the draft regardless and was able to win back some fans with a solid showing at the NBA draft combine, showcasing his defensive versatility, ability to play off hesitation moves, and willingness to make the extra pass and do the little things needed to help a team win.  At nearly 6-foot-5, with a 6-foot-10 1/2 wingspan and strong frame, Johnson has the physical tools to defend guards and wings alike with the type of feel needed to play a variety of roles on and off the ball. His shooting will likely determine whether or not he's able to carve out a role for himself, and in what capacity, but there are certain things to like about the 20-year-old combo guard. --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Sharife Cooper","year":2021,"school":"Auburn","college_abbreviation":"AUB","pros":"One of the most productive freshmen in the country -- averaged 20.2 points and 8.1 assists in just 33 minutes over the course of 12 games at Auburn. Plays with incredible confidence for a player his size. Gets to the free throw line more than most players with his frame -- 10.3 attempts per 40 minutes. Soft touch on floaters. - Slick ball handler who has a great pace to his game. Changes speeds and directions effortlessly. Has the ball on a string. Allows him to get anywhere he wants on the floor. - Arguably the draft's best passer. Reminds you of Trae Young at times with his handle, passing and confidence. Tremendous vision in pick-and-roll. Can make virtually every read necessary for a lead guard. Hits the roll man in stride with either hand. Great off-the-dribble passer. Throws lobs with pinpoint accuracy. Can hit the weak side corner or the wing shooter lifting up. Not afraid to take risks.","cons":"Doesn't have elite size of length for a starting PG, which limits his versatility on the defensive end of the floor. Has a slim margin for error defensively and doesn't always play with the intensity he needs to both on and off the ball. Needs to ramp up his defensive motor. Teams figure to pick on him defensively, especially in the playoffs. Lack of elite size will also force him to continue finding more ways to manipulate defenses with his eyes and create passing angles, especially because he can be a little relaxed with some of his decisions (5.0 turnovers per 40). - Shot just 23% from 3 as a freshman. Good free throw shooter (83%) but struggled to consistently make teams pay for going under screens. Just 10 for 39 (0.64 PPP) on pull-up jumpers. So much of his game is predicated off of his pick-and-roll brilliance, making it imperative that he becomes at least a league-average shooter who forces his defender to go over the top of pick-and-roll. - Needs the ball in his hands to be effective. Has to find more ways to add value in multi-guard lineups. Over 46% of his offense came in pick-and-roll or isolation. Becoming more reliable in catch-and-shoot situations and as a ball-mover will be key. Projected role: Pick-and-roll playmaker --Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Sharife Cooper's size and streaky jumper surprisingly kept him from hearing his name called in the top-45 picks of the draft, one of the biggest surprises of the night. In a draft devoid of great point guard options, Cooper's ball-handling ability, creativity and speed stand out. He lived at the free-throw line at Auburn and was one of the best passers in the college game. He has a chance to be one of the biggest steals of the draft, as few players in this draft possess the talent he does with the ball in his hands.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Marcus Zegarowski","year":2021,"school":"Creighton","college_abbreviation":"CREI","post_draft_analysis":"A first-team all-Big East member, Marcus Zegarwoski was one of the best shooters in college basketball, converting 42% of his 3-pointers in his college career. A strong ball-handler who excels in pick and roll stringing out his dribble and operating out of hesitation moves, Zegarowski has real talent with the ball in his hand.  To carve out a niche in the NBA, he'll have to improve his frame, defense and passing ability as he struggled at times with physicality and had a difficult time operating in traffic due to his average size. --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Filip Petrusev","year":2021,"school":"Serbia","college_abbreviation":"Serbia","post_draft_analysis":"Filip Petrusev was named WCC Player of the Year as a sophomore and looked en route to an All-America caliber season at Gonzaga before electing to return home to Serbia at the onset of the pandemic. He had an outstanding season with Mega Basket in the Adriatic League, winning MVP honors and posting gaudy scoring production while showcasing new-found shooting range and an extremely high skill level around the basket. Questions about his defense and toughness have long plagued him, and will likely be significant factors in his ability to carve out a niche in the NBA, as well as his evolution as a playmaker. There's a shortlist of 21-year-olds who have produced the way Petrusev did in a league that has developed plenty of draft picks. It wouldn't be surprising to see him on an NBA roster eventually with his ability to score and generally be solid playing either big man spot. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Brandon Boston Jr","year":2021,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Good dimensions for the wing at 6-7 with a near 7-foot wingspan. Fluid player who is at a very early stage of development physically. - Creative scorer who plays at different speeds smoothly. Has excellent body control, polished footwork, long strides and a natural pace operating out of pick-and-roll. Shows flashes of shot-making potential pulling up off step-backs and passing off a live dribble. - Physically weak but shows some toughness crashing the glass and getting in passing lanes.","cons":"Weighs only 185 pounds. Has been slow to add bulk to his frame. - Has struggled to adapt to the physicality of the college game early, especially finishing in traffic and defending. Gambles excessively. Intensity comes and goes. - Still working on fine-tuning his ballhandling to create high-percentage looks around the rim. Lives off tough shots in the midrange. Deep ball hasn't fallen early in his college career. Has a tendency to hunt difficult attempts off isolation moves. Can be a reluctant passer at times. Projected role: Shot-maker and secondary creator --Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Clippers traded into No. 51 to select B.J. Boston here. B.J. Boston entered the season as a top-5 recruit who looked destined to carry Kentucky on a deep NCAA tournament run while solidifying himself in the lottery. Instead, he struggled badly to put the ball in the basket with any type of consistency or efficiency, got lit up defensively on the regular and generally had a very difficult time handling the athleticism and physicality of the college game. His frame hasn't improved much since his dominant showing on the Nike EYBL circuit two years ago and his pre-draft process didn't shed much insight for NBA teams either, as he skipped the NBA draft combine and mostly opted to conduct one-on-zero workouts. Still, at this stage of the draft, there's little risk in taking a flyer on a player like Boston who was at one point thought of as a potential No. 1 pick candidate, if only to kick the tires on the idea that this pandemic year caused his stock to slip much lower than he otherwise would have and hope he can rediscover the potential he showed earlier in his career. Boston didn't help himself in the pre-draft process by refusing to play in the combine and electing to conduct mostly one-on-zero workouts rather than showing he can compete against his peers, which likely sealed his fate in the late second round.  --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Luka Garza","year":2021,"school":"Iowa","college_abbreviation":"IOWA","post_draft_analysis":"The consensus national player of the year, Luka Garza won every individual award after a stellar season at Iowa in which he averaged 24 points in 32 minutes per game, shooting 58% from 2 and 44% from 3. He had his way with collegiate opponents all season long with his huge 6-foot-11, 245-pound frame, as he plays with insatiable intensity, setting bruising screens, catching everything thrown his way, and showing outstanding touch finishing around the basket. He's brutally effective with his back to the basket, drawing fouls in bunches, but can also step into 3-pointers, pass out of double-teams, and shows some ability to attack closeouts in a straight line. In short, Garza was a complete offensive weapon in college who proved nearly unstoppable on most nights. It's the other end of the floor that concerns NBA executives, as he has short arms and is heavy-legged stepping out on the perimeter and will likely struggle badly defending the pick-and-roll. With all that said, players who were as productive as Garza was in college usually find a way to make an impact in some capacity in the NBA, even if it's clear the game has moved away from big men in this mold over the past few years.  --Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Charles Bassey","year":2021,"school":"Western Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"WKU","post_draft_analysis":"A top-10 recruit coming out of high school, injuries hampered Charles Bassey from reaching his potential early. Nevertheless, he emerged as one of the best big men in the college game as a junior, with some dominant performances against top-level competition. While not the most modern big man around, Bassey has excellent size and length to go along with intriguing flashes of shooting touch, rim-protection instincts and rebounding prowess.  Continuing to stay healthy, playing each possession with a high-intensity level, finding more consistency as a shooter and emerging as a better defender stepping out on pick-and-rolls will be the keys to Bassey reaching his full potential, as there is certainly a lot to like about his productivity and skill-level. He was at one point projected as a first-round pick, but a medical red flag with his formerly fractured tibia sunk his stock to the end of the second round.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Sandro Mamukelashvili","year":2021,"school":"Seton Hall","college_abbreviation":"HALL","post_draft_analysis":"Georgian-born big man Sandro Mamukelashvili blossomed into the co-Big East player of the year as a senior, unleashing a versatile offensive game that made him a unique and difficult matchup for opposing coaches to game-plan for. At 6-foot-10, \"Mamu\" has legitimate ball-handling and passing ability, often pushing the ball off the defensive glass to ignite fast-breaks on his own or being asked to initiate pick and roll sets on his own. While not very consistent, he's also proven to be capable of making shots from beyond the arc as well, hitting 37% of his attempts on a solid sample size in his final two seasons at Seton Hall. With that said, he's an average rebounder who brings little as a rim protector and looks very upright defending on the perimeter. For every brilliant play Mamukelashvili made, he would make a head-scratching turnover on the next possession seemingly. Finding a way to make better decisions with the ball, improve his shot selection, and especially improve defensively will be major keys to showing he can play a role in the NBA.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Aaron Wiggins","year":2021,"school":"Maryland","college_abbreviation":"MD","post_draft_analysis":"Aaron Wiggins looks the part and then some as a 6-foot-5 wing with a near 6-foot-10 wingspan and an impressive frame that should be able to carry plenty of bulk in time. He's shown impressive flashes of defensive versatility and shot-making prowess.  Wiggins has been inconsistent throughout his college career in terms of game-to-game productivity as his ball-handling ability and decision-making are still a work in progress. He knocked down just 33% of his 3-point attempts in his final two years at Maryland. Wiggins appears to have more upside than your average 22-year-old and plays a position of real need in the NBA as a 3-and-D style wing, which means he'll have many bites at the apple to hang around the league and carve out a long-term niche.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Scottie Lewis","year":2021,"school":"Florida","college_abbreviation":"FLA","post_draft_analysis":"At one point projected as a lottery pick, Scottie Lewis had a disappointing two seasons at Florida, struggling to put the ball in the basket with any type of consistency, especially from beyond the arc. Regardless, he has strong potential defensively with his 7-foot wingspan and outstanding intensity level. He'll likely see time in the G League working on his ball-handling, passing and shooting but does have some upside to tap into at 21 years old.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Balsa Koprivica","year":2021,"school":"Florida State","college_abbreviation":"FSU","post_draft_analysis":"Balsa Koprivica was a surprise early-entrant prospect after just two seasons at Florida State, where he made real strides as a sophomore. His biggest appeal lies in his tremendous size, at 7-foot-1 in shoes with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and 252-pound frame. He was a major lob target for Florida State's offense who showed some potential this past season switching on pick-and-rolls in small doses. Koprivica is a likely candidate to be stashed in Europe for a few years to see how he develops.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jericho Sims","year":2021,"school":"Texas","college_abbreviation":"TEX","post_draft_analysis":"Jericho Sims is one of the few big men in NBA draft combine history to record a vertical leap over 44 inches. That shows up on the court in a major way as he was one of the most prolific dunkers in the college game, often making appearances on SportsCenter for his highlight-reel style of play. At 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Sims can bring immediate value on the defensive end with his ability to switch on the perimeter, move his feet with impressive agility and challenge shots getting off his feet in the blink of an eye.  At times criticized for playing passively, lacking confidence, and being far too quiet, the game moved too fast for Sims early in his career. He was turnover and foul-prone with a limited skill-set offensively that renders him almost strictly a catch and finish threat. He made progress in each of his four years, especially defensively, and had one of the best showings of any player at the combine, showing that his best basketball is likely in front of him.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"RaiQuan Gray","year":2021,"school":"Florida State","college_abbreviation":"FSU","post_draft_analysis":"RaiQuan Gray is a unique prospect, a huge mismatch at 6-foot-8, 270 pounds who can handle and pass the ball impressively and showed great versatility defensively as his career moved on at Florida State. His outside shot is a major work in progress, as is his conditioning level but Gray has real upside to tap into with his unique dimensions and skill.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Georgios Kalaitzakis","year":2021,"school":"Greece","college_abbreviation":"Greece","post_draft_analysis":"The final pick in the draft is the long guard from Greece with a terrific frame who can play a few different positions. Georgios Kalaitzakis was the most productive guard at the U20 European Championships in 2019 but saw his stock stagnate the past two years after seeing little playing time with Panathinaikos. He has good tools for his position but is an average decision-maker and shooter.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Paolo Banchero","year":2022,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"There really isn't much Banchero can't do on either end of the floor. Unlike the other two candidates for the No. 1 pick, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith, Banchero projects as the type of NBA player a team can run their offense through right off the bat early or late in the shot-clock, soaking up a significant number of possessions and be reasonably efficient in the process, while also keeping teammates happy. Banchero is equally comfortable creating from the high, mid, or low post. He can play pick and roll, go one-on-one, is breathtaking pushing off the defensive glass, and is an extremely skilled finisher thanks to his polished footwork, smooth body control, extraordinary touch around the basket and creativity using either hand. Banchero's strength allows him to operate effectively through contact and draw plenty of fouls, but he's also an impressive passer who shows strong vision dishing off a live dribble. Banchero is also a capable shooter, averaging one 3-pointer per game, 77% of his free throw attempts, and a significant volume of mid-range jumpers and difficult short range attempts demonstrating his soft touch as a scorer that bodes well for his chances of extending his range and becoming more consistent from the perimeter in time.  At 6-foot-10, 250 pounds, with exceptional scoring instincts, versatility and feel for the game, Banchero won't need any time at all to transition to the NBA either physically or skill wise. Defensively, he's more than capable one-on-one, has the strength to hold his ground effectively versus power forwards and centers alike, and is switchable on the perimeter thanks to his good feet and solid instincts. His energy comes and goes, but when engaged, he does some very impressive things sliding his feet versus smaller players, putting a body on bigger guys inside, and making plays getting in passing lanes or protecting the rim that suggest he could be outstanding if he brought a more consistent level of intensity on every possession.  The fact that we're not talking about him as the sure-fire No. 1 pick speaks to the strength of this class.","cons":"While NBA teams all uniformly love Banchero's talent, some have question marks about how much his style of play will translate to winning, at least early in his career if he doesn't improve his shortcomings. Banchero doesn't always bring the level of engagement you might hope on either end of the floor in terms of the consistency of his approach. He can be a ball-stopper who tends to let defenders off the hook by settling for difficult shots in the mid-range, doesn't always play with the type of physicality you might hope, and has some lazy habits off the ball defensively that better teams in the ACC have punished for easy points.  While Banchero has been dealing with pretty cramped spacing at times, playing alongside a traditional center with several streaky shooters in the backcourt, his efficiency has really waned against Top-100 competition, where he's shooting under 50% from 2-point range, 30% from 3 and posting more turnovers than assists. The player we saw in early November in the Champions Classic against Kentucky, and then in one of the most spectacular halves of the season versus Gonzaga, hasn't been there as vividly in-conference play. It's very possible that the high-stakes of the NCAA Tournament brings back that same level of engagement from Banchero we saw early in the season, which would put him squarely back in the conversation for the No. 1 pick, which he's faded from somewhat over the past few months. Comps at the next level (ceiling/floor): Julius Randle and prime Blake Griffin (a perennial All-Star and five-time All-NBA player prior to injuries) are comparisons you hear most often associated with Banchero -- more so due to their style of play now and less than how they played in college. Banchero is not nearly as explosive as Griffin was at his peak, but was also far more skilled from the perimeter at the same age, which can similarly be said in comparison with Randle, who also didn't start shooting 3s in earnest until his fifth NBA season. Those comparisons hint at some of the questions Banchero might face defensively early in his career, especially in the small-ball era where teams will likely want to see him play fairly significant minutes at center. Chris Webber is another comparison teams may point to skill-wise, although he played in a different era in which NBA big men didn't shoot 3-pointers as today's game. Optimal/practical NBA team fits: Banchero's ability to play both power forward or center, and operate equally effectively on the perimeter or the paint makes him an easy player to fit onto almost any NBA roster. The Detroit Pistons would be an excellent fit for Banchero, pairing him with a fellow cornerstone backcourt player in Cade Cunningham with some good young pieces to play alongside in Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart. Orlando is another, as he's versatile enough to play alongside either Wendell Carter, Jr. or Mo Bamba, while providing another playmaker to pair with Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner. Houston would likely have a great deal of interest as well, as he could bring a great deal of firepower alongside either Christian Wood or Alperen Sengun, bringing the type of physical inside presence the team currently lacks. Indiana could very well be in the market for another frontcourt scoring option after trading Domantas Sabonis for Tyrese Haliburton. Oklahoma City has very little scoring prowess in the frontcourt and would likely have a great deal of interest in Banchero's ability to create offense and also finish plays around the basket.  -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Orlando's decision to flip the switch and enter rebuilding mode with the trades of Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon has netted them several intriguing young prospects and allowed them to lose enough games to land the No. 1 pick. The Magic have quite a bit of talent at almost every position, but no one sure-fire All-Star caliber player they can point to yet, which makes this an important turning point in the front office's tenure. Getting a better handle on the team hierarchy, both in the backcourt with Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs all overlapping to some degree, and the frontcourt, where Jonathan Isaac's return looms with the emergence of Franz Wagner, will be important in where this pick slots into the pecking order of this deep, talented young roster. A bevy of cap space this summer provides further flexibility for a franchise that could become a real player in the Eastern Conference in the coming years if they nail the final stages of their rebuild.  Orlando surprised most of the league by electing to draft Paolo Banchero first, without the benefit of a private workout or visit to their city. The Magic did interview Banchero at the NBA draft combine and ultimately decided he is the best prospect in the draft and the player worth investing the top pick in. Banchero projects as the type of NBA player a team can run their offense through right off the bat early or late in the shot-clock, soaking up a significant number of possessions and be reasonably efficient in the process, while also keeping teammates happy. A 6-10, 250-pound, shot-creating dynamo who can carry a significant load with his ability to handle, pass and shoot, there really isn't much Banchero can't do on either end of the floor. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Chet Holmgren","year":2022,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ","post_draft_analysis":"Oklahoma City is in as good of a shape as any team can reasonably expect after losing 70% of their games the past two seasons. There's a strong core of young talent in place, headlined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, 14 future first-round picks over the next five drafts, a clean cap sheet, and a coaching staff that has drawn rave reviews from rostered players -- making the Thunder a more attractive destination currently than most would expect. Landing the No. 2 pick was important after the season they endured, giving the front office an opportunity to add another potential star and possibly signaling the end of their rebuilding process and a pivot towards respectability with the immense flexibility and assets the front office has stockpiled.  Who we consider the draft's best prospect fell right into the laps of the Thunder in Chet Holmgren. He was the most impactful two-way player in college basketball as a freshman. His timing, length, mobility and toughness made him an absolute force both as a rim-protector and covering ground on the perimeter. He's effective guarding pick-and-roll in a variety of different schemes with his ability to hedge, trap, drop or switch and contain smaller players, getting in a deep, agile stance, turning his hips to rotate from one side of the paint to another, and using his 7-6 wingspan and quick instincts to challenge jumpers and layups and usually be first off the ground for defensive rebounds.  Holmgren is similarly versatile offensively as well. Operating alongside two of the best college upperclassmen in Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard, Holmgren played a complementary role for Gonzaga last season, mostly being used as a floor-spacer, rim-runner, cutter, offensive rebounder and pick-and-roll finisher. He was brutally efficient, hitting 39% of his 3-pointers and a scorching 74% of his 2s, finishing with 56 dunks and the second-highest true shooting percentage in this draft class. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jabari Smith Jr.","year":2022,"school":"Auburn","college_abbreviation":"AUB","post_draft_analysis":"Houston is in the thick of rebuilding in the wake of the James Harden and Daryl Morey eras, finishing with the league's worst record for two consecutive seasons. With the bulk of the assets from the Harden trade coming in the form of future picks and pick-swaps from Brooklyn over the next five years, how much value the Rockets ultimately see from the deal will depend heavily on how the Nets look in the coming years. The Rockets will continue to look to add star-power in the draft, after selecting the electrifying but still youthful Jalen Green in 2021, who showed significant promise as a rookie. Falling two spots on lottery night was discouraging, but with little consensus among the NBA regarding who the draft's best long-term prospect is, they can still hope to emerge with a star, who also happens to play a position of need in the frontcourt.  The Rockets are early in their rebuilding process and had an easy choice when presented with the surprising slide of Jabari Smith. Drafting arguably the most dynamic shooter in the class in Auburn's Smith -- who made 42% of his 3-pointers and stands 6-10 -- makes sense. No draft pick that size has ever converted the volume of 3-pointers he made with that type of accuracy in college basketball history. Running off screens, pulling up in transition, making iso step-backs, and hitting impossible fadeaways out of the post, no shot appears to be too difficult for Smith thanks to his high release point and soft touch, which also makes him near-automatic on corner 3s. The intensity level, footwork, balance and versatility Smith brings defensively will be attractive as well, along with the fact that he just turned 19 years old and checks every box the Rockets look for from a character and competitiveness standpoint. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Keegan Murray","year":2022,"school":"Iowa","college_abbreviation":"IOWA","post_draft_analysis":"In the midst of a NBA-record 16-year playoff drought, the Kings hired their 12th coach this summer since last making a playoff appearance in Mike Brown, hoping to reverse the fortunes of a downtrodden franchise. After swapping the promising Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis at the trade deadline, it's not entirely clear how close the team is to returning to respectability, but moving up on the night of the lottery three spots to the No. 4 pick surely helps matters, even though most talent evaluators feel there is cut-off in this year's draft after the third pick. With ownership gunning for a playoff run, but the front office only under contract for one more year, NBA executives have many question marks about the direction the franchise will look to head in. Trade rumors swirled around this pick for weeks prior to draft night.  Murray was the most productive player in college basketball, becoming the first player since Glen Rice in 1989 to average over 23 points per game, shooting over 60% from 2 and 39% from 3. He also fits a position and role every NBA team is looking for as a big wing who can operate as an ultra-versatile power forward or slide up as a small-ball center, which he did with great success at Iowa. Jumbo lineups with Murray at small forward are also a distinct possibility in the NBA, as he shows the ability to cover ground effectively in space, was often utilized at the top of Iowa's press and shows strong instincts as a shot-blocker as well.  -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaden Ivey","year":2022,"school":"Purdue","college_abbreviation":"PUR","post_draft_analysis":"Two years into the Troy Weaver era in Detroit, the team is still in an early stage of putting together the pieces of a roster that can compete for a playoff spot down the line. Landing Cade Cunningham with the No. 1 pick was a major coup last year, but he'll need help, putting a lot of pressure on making the right pick here after falling two spots on the night of the NBA draft lottery to a much less favorable range. The team also has significant cap space to make a splash in free agency if it chooses after trading Jerami Grant to Portland, either by aggressively pursuing veterans or by acting as king-makers on the trade market.  There's a strong case to be made that Ivey's potential is only scratching the surface. He wasn't heavily recruited out of high school and didn't become a regular starter as a freshman at Purdue until conference play. He wasn't really on many NBA teams' radars before exploding for 26 points in an NCAA tournament game against North Texas in March 2021, followed by a breakout showing at the FIBA U19 World Cup last summer when he helped Team USA win a gold medal alongside Holmgren, Johnny Davis and others.  Although Ivey emerged as an All-American last season, in many ways he's still more prospect than player. Besides the incredible jets and powerful change of gears he shows in the open floor, Ivey has made increasingly notable strides as a shooter -- both off the dribble and with his feet set, even from well beyond the arc -- and passer, especially on the move. Playing with a more consistent level of aggressiveness on both ends of the floor will go a long way for Ivey to maximize his potential, as will gaining experience and learning the nuances of the pick-and-roll game, driving and finishing with his weaker left hand, and making better decisions with the ball.  The point guard position is the most difficult to learn in basketball, and it's important to remember that Ivey is young for a sophomore, the same age or younger than freshmen including Holmgren and TyTy Washington Jr. Ivey has the tools to be one of the best players in this draft, and the fact that he is the son of former NFL and WNBA players is something NBA teams are acutely aware of considering the number of second-generation pros who have vastly exceeded expectations. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Bennedict Mathurin","year":2022,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ","post_draft_analysis":"After years of treading water, last winning a playoff series in 2014, Indiana landed its highest draft pick since 1988, marking a rare opportunity to add a high-level talent to the roster since selecting Paul George at No. 10 in 2010. The bones of the roster have quite a bit of promise, especially since flipping Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento for a real cornerstone in Tyrese Haliburton. The team also has several strong pieces in place in Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, Buddy Hield and Chris Duarte, all of whom would be attractive to playoff contenders if they elected to embark on a full-fledged rebuilding campaign, which looks unlikely. This pick will tell us quite a bit about the direction of the team, be it a quick return to competing for the play-in game or a more patient tear-down that will take several years to complete but could put the Pacers in a better position to compete for winning a playoff series.  The Pac-12 Player of the Year and an All-American, Mathurin fits a mold every NBA team is looking for as a strong-framed, long-armed, explosive 6-6 wing who can space the floor from well beyond the 3-point line, make an exceptionally high degree of difficulty shots running off screens and handoffs or pulling up off the dribble, and finish powerfully in the open floor. He also has made strides as a ball handler and passer, while still only being 19 years old, giving him a nice blend of current productivity and upside that ultimately helped fuel his rise.  Showing a large degree of confidence when he's rolling, he is at his best when keeping things simple as he can be prone to huge swings of intensity and productivity on both ends of the floor depending on the night. The defensive end is where scouts will want to see Mathurin grow as his NBA career progresses, especially with his focus off the ball, as he has all the tools to be outstanding with his quickness and length, but was inconsistent at times for Arizona. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Shaedon Sharpe","year":2022,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"-- Impressive physical profile for a perimeter prospect standing around 6-6 with super long arms, big hands and a proportionate frame. Even more impressive than the sheer measurements is the way Sharpe moves. His balance and body control are elite as he can play low to the ground with ease before exploding off the floor. He has an excellent base and some of the best physical literacy you'll see from a prospect. Because of all that, he's more than capable of defending his position and making plays off the ball when engage thanks to his solid all-around instincts, anticipation and hand-eye coordination.  -- Sharpe's best NBA-ready skill is his shooting. He sports compact mechanics that starts with excellent shot preparation. The ball comes out of his hands cleanly and he doesn't need to be perfectly on balance or set to knock down shots, which is a big part of what gives him so much upside as a scorer. He doesn't always need a ball dip to generate rhythm off the catch. He showed the ability to make shots off the dribble as well, even if he looks better on pull-up 3s than mid-range at this stage.  -- Maybe the most encouraging takeaway from this evaluation was the growth Sharpe showed as a passer. He made several impressive reads during live action, including a transition bounce pass through traffic right to the rim-runner that led to an open finish. He made heady kickouts after getting a piece of the paint and even showed the ability to make some left handed deliveries. He's really comfortable as a ball handler, which is pretty rare for a player with his athletic profile. The game comes incredibly easy for Sharpe, and if he can continue tapping into his playmaking potential, his offensive ceiling is high. Improvement Areas:  -- It's clear Sharpe is still very much learning the ins and outs of playing within a system on both ends of the floor. He's still picking up sets, learning spacing, and understanding where to be off the ball defensively, which will likely be his biggest hurdle early on in his NBA career. As we've outlined in previous pieces, Sharpe simply doesn't have all that much high-level experience outside of AAU, high school basketball, and a six-game FIBA stint with the Canadian Youth national team at the 2019 U16 Americas, where he averaged an impressive 13 points and 2.3 assists in just 21.4 minutes.  -- Sharpe is still learning how to best utilize his talents, sometimes not always getting all the way to the rim when he could, especially when he's on his left hand, as he'll settle for floaters or pull ups rather than initiating contact. He would benefit from adding more advanced finishes when he does get all the way to the cup.  -- For as easily as he shoots the ball, Sharpe can be a little bit streakier than you'd hope given his natural touch and mechanics. According to our database he's a career 34.6% from 3 on 107 attempts.  -- Scouts will continue to dig more on Sharpe's competitive ticker and what he's like as a person, as he's not going to show you much of his emotion on the floor. He's relatively stoic by nature, and scouts will want to know whether that's in a quiet competitor, Kawhi Leonard type of way or more in line with a player like Cam Reddish, who also didn't show much personality on the floor yet didn't always have a consistent impact either. Outlook: This latest viewing was a reminder of just how physically talented and skilled Sharpe truly is, and there's a real argument to be made that he's the best perimeter prospect in this 2022 class, should he opt to enter and stay in the draft. Depending on what you think of prospects like Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jaden Ivey, you could make a case that he has as much long-term upside as anyone, especially with NBA teams clamoring for perimeter players who can create offense for themselves and others at all 3 levels. While I mentioned players like Anthony Edwards and Jalen Green in our Sharpe deep dive, Paul George is a name that came to mind when watching Sharpe practice. While George is clearly much taller (6-9 to Sharpe's 6-6) and more wing than guard, Sharpe is that smooth and skilled of a scorer with the potential to develop into a reliable playmaker and defender like George has. They also have a similar on-court demeanor. With all that in mind, Sharpe is truly one of the most fascinating prospects in this draft because of his immense talent yet the act that we've never truly seen him in a competitive setting with several do-or-die possessions. Even so, I wouldn't be surprised to see Sharpe ultimately go in the top-5 of the 2022 NBA draft should he opt to stay in as it'll be incredibly difficult for teams who have seen him in person to pass on his combination of physical tools and talent on the perimeter.  -- Mike Schmitz February 15, 2022: Why Kentucky's Shaedon Sharpe is a difficult case for NBA scouts, whom he compares to, and more 2022 NBA draft mystery guys (LINK)  -- Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Portland was the most active team in the NBA at last February's trade deadline, signaling a shift to a different era that coincides with a new front office. The future of six-time All-NBA player Damian Lillard is the biggest question hovering over the franchise, especially the decision for whether to offer an extension that would make him one of the league's highest paid players into his mid-30s. Lillard's loyalty to the franchise and the leadership he brings off the court can't be discounted, and its possible a happy medium can be found with an eventual trade to a contender that can set up the team for a true rebuild around Anfernee Simons and whoever the team elects to select with this important draft pick. The decision for whether to resign unrestricted free agent Jusuf Nurkic, believed to be a formality by rival teams, will also tell us something about the direction the team is headed.  Sharpe's excellent size, frame, explosiveness, dynamic shot-making and overall scoring instincts make him one of the most tantalizing prospects in this draft class. He possesses everything NBA teams look for at his position, with considerable star power to grow into long-term. There's a reason he was considered the consensus No. 1 player in his high school class before electing to reclassify and enroll early at Kentucky.   Sharpe's terrific footwork and ability to make difficult pull-up, stepback and side-step 3s with deep range and compact mechanics operating one-on-one gives him considerable upside when paired with the length and explosiveness he shows as a finisher around the basket. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dyson Daniels","year":2022,"school":"G League Ignite","college_abbreviation":"G League Ignite","post_draft_analysis":"New Orleans may very well be in the most enviable short-term position of any team drafting in the lottery, not a surprise considering they received this pick from the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the Anthony Davis trade, which will still yield significant dividends over the next three years. In addition to draft capital, the team also has two young All-Stars in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, as well as excellent pieces to surround them with in CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas. With 2020 lottery pick Kira Lewis returning after a knee injury, it's not quite clear where there will be minutes available for a rookie selected at this spot, which caused many teams around the league to inquire about the availability of this draft pick in the lead-up to draft night. The team elected to stand pat, adding another promising talent they'll look to develop and potentially flip later in a bid to become more serious championship contenders.  Daniels was perhaps the most improved player in this draft class from early in the season to March, helping him boost his stock firmly into the top 10. Daniels sprouted up to nearly 6-8 in shoes with a big wingspan and an outstanding frame that will continue to add bulk as his career moves on, giving him the type of multi-positional versatility every team covets in the backcourt.   Daniels' defense will get him on the court early in his NBA career and will likely become his calling card. He brings a rare combination of discipline, awareness and intensity on and off the ball that you rarely see from 19-year-olds, consistently fighting over screens, denying off the ball and mirroring smaller players with quick hip turns and excellent feet. Even though his frame is still evolving -- not a surprise considering he played most of the G League season as an 18-year-old, he regularly put the clamps on players much older and more physical than him, while often getting in passing lanes for steals or rotating from the weak side for blocks.  Daniels' evolution offensively will end up determining how high he should have been drafted when it's all said and done. He struggled to make shots early in the season as he transitioned to the longer NBA 3-point line, but made significant strides as the year moved on, converting 42% of his 3-pointers over the last two months of the G League season. The touch he shows on his jumper, as well as on his buttery floater -- his go-to move right now -- bodes well for his prospects in this department, as does the way coaches and teammates rave about the work ethic and focus he shows off the court. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jeremy Sochan","year":2022,"school":"Baylor","college_abbreviation":"BAY","post_draft_analysis":"Once the benchmark by which NBA teams measured themselves by, San Antonio has missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons and are in a clear transition phase with legendary 73-year-old Gregg Popovich, the winningest coach in NBA history, likely to retire in the coming years. With the highest draft pick they've owned since selecting Tim Duncan No. 1 in 1997, the Spurs are in desperate need of star power with several interesting young pieces in place, but no clear cornerstone the franchise can definitively build around.  The Spurs surprised some last year by opting to pick the youngest player in the 2021 draft, Joshua Primo, higher than most projected, and this year's selection will tell us even more about the direction the team opts to head in after treading water to an extent the past several years. Declining Lonny Walker's 13-plus million qualifying offer could give the Spurs the cap space to become a real player in free agency, but the lack of great options on the market may hamper their enthusiasm for taking this route.  Sochan is a prototype for what many NBA teams look for currently in a modern big, with his ability to defend all over the floor, the strong feel for the game he shows as a passer, and an insatiable intensity level that gives him a high floor as a prospect when paired with the toughness and competitiveness he shows. For Sochan to reach his full potential, becoming a more consistent shooter and overall scorer will be important, but the fact that he just turned 19, is widely praised for his off-court intangibles, and is clearly on an upward trajectory development-wise, helps. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Johnny Davis","year":2022,"school":"Wisconsin","college_abbreviation":"WIS","post_draft_analysis":"Fueled by shrwedly trading Russell Westbrook to the LA Lakers for younger, more aptly-compensated players, Washington roared out of the gates in what proved to be an unsustainable start to last season, eventually falling apart after a season-ending injury to Bradley Beal. Extending Beal, believed by most NBA teams to be a formality, will be the first order of business, but improving at point guard and finding consistency defensively will be just as important as well. The Wizards will hope to see progress from their last three first-round draft picks -- Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert -- while landing what they hope to be a long-term keeper with this current pick. The team had been active in trade conversations, according to several reports leading up to draft night, but elected to stand pat.  The most improved player in college basketball this season, Davis went from role player to superstar in the span of a summer after winning a gold medal with USA Basketball. Davis' rebounding, defensive versatility and all-around grit stand out in addition to the strides he's made offensively. He's a streaky shooter who gets a lot of his offense in the post, on mid-range pullups, in transition and using his aggressiveness, physicality and smarts attacking out of pick and roll. Playing on a slow-paced Wisconsin team without much talent around him, Davis took some lumps in Big Ten play as opponents loaded up on his drives, struggling at times to create efficient offense and making some scouts ponder just how heavy of an offensive role he can shoulder at the NBA level. Few will question Davis' toughness or willingness to play a winning style of basketball, but the extent of his upside is still a topic of conversation, something we'll learn more about as his NBA career progresses. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ousmane Dieng","year":2022,"school":"NZ Breakers","college_abbreviation":"NZ Breakers","post_draft_analysis":"ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Knicks are trading No. 11 pick Ousmane Dieng to the Thunder for multiple first-round picks. Dieng grew up playing point guard before sprouting to 6-10, giving him the size to play the 2, 3 or 4 thanks to his fluidity and ability to handle, pass and shoot off the dribble, while only recently turning 19 years old. He struggled to make the transition from the French third division to the Australian NBL early, but really blossomed as the season moved on, emerging as his team's best player in the second half of the season. Gaining strength, improving as a spot-up shooter and maximizing his explosiveness and ability to play through contact on both ends likely makes him more of a long-term prospect than an immediate NBA contributor at this stage, but Dieng's two-way versatility and budding upside gives him significant potential to grow into down the road, while playing the most coveted position in the modern NBA. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Williams","year":2022,"school":"Santa Clara","college_abbreviation":"SCU","post_draft_analysis":"With the third of their three lottery picks following a draft-night trade to acquire Ousmane Dieng from the New York Knicks and after solidifying their frontcourt with Chet Holmgren, the Thunder continued to stockpile talent by adding yet another young talent in Williams. Oklahoma City has one of the most promising rosters in the NBA and have the freedom to continue to build at whatever pace they deem fit, developing their picks through a steady dose of minutes and touches.  Williams was one of the big winners of the pre-draft process, boosting his stock through strong play at the NBA combine, as well as outstanding measurements, interviews and private workouts. Standing just 5-11 as a high school junior, the Santa Clara product played mostly point guard in college, but boasts a 7'2 1/4 wingspan that exceeds that of some NBA centers, giving him strong multi-positional versatility in the modern league. He converted 40% of his 3-pointers this season, shows strong instincts defensively off the ball, and has a strong feel for the game that should allow him to play in a variety of lineup configurations and roles. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Duren","year":2022,"school":"Memphis","college_abbreviation":"MEM","post_draft_analysis":"Charlotte hasn't won a playoff series since the Baron Davis era in 2002, with the remnants of a team that eventually became the New Orleans Pelicans. With their last playoff appearance coming in 2016, the Hornets are still searching for a new coach, trying to break free of a mediocre stretch that saw them finish just high enough in the standings to prevent them from accumulating significant lottery odds. The basketball gods smiled on them in 2020 when they vaulted from No. 8 to No. 3, allowing them to select eventual Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball. Two years later, the Hornets still have a ways to go in surrounding their prodigious talent with the defensive personnel and finishers needed to fully unleash his passing and scoring ability, especially in the frontcourt.   ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Charlotte Hornets were trading No. 13 pick, Jalen Duren, to the Detroit Pistons. Duren is the youngest prospect in the draft, but also arguably the most physically gifted big man in the class, at 6-10, 250 pounds with a 7-5 wingspan. Drawing comparisons to a young Dwight Howard, Duren is a powerful, spectacular leaper who increasingly emerged as a force inside the paint on both ends of the floor with his ferocious finishing ability and the quickness with which he gets off his feet for offensive rebounds and blocks. He has a ready-made role from day one as a lob-catching, shot-blocker with the huge catch radius he displays, the excellent timing he shows as a rim-protector and the way he uses verticality to his advantage.   While the game moved too fast for him at times at Memphis, Duren made strides with his intensity level and flashes of skill he showed in conference play, dropping hints of passing prowess out of short roll situations and the ability to make mid-range jumpers in small doses. Despite Memphis' lack of a point guard, Duren ranks fourth in this draft class in dunks. His skill level still has room to grow as evidenced by the 63% he shot from the free throw line and the fact that he only took one 3-pointer this season, something he'll attempt to build on as his career moves on to become a more versatile offensive player. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ochai Agbaji","year":2022,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU","post_draft_analysis":"After three years in the NBA's cellar following the departure of LeBron James to the LA Lakers, the Cavs made an incredible turnaround, doubling their win total from last season and flirted with homecourt advantage in the playoffs before a disastrous stretch of injuries sabotaged their season. The emergence of Darius Garland as one of the league's best young point guards, the addition of rookie Evan Mobley -- a future Defensive Player of the Year candidate -- along with Jarrett Allen's All-Star campaign, were the main factors in the Cavs' resurgence. Continuing to add outside shooting, especially on the wing, appears to be a major priority for the Cavs this offseason, with a big decision looming regarding Collin Sexton's free agency as well as a potential return for Ricky Rubio.  Agbaji is one of the best shooters in the draft and projects as a plug-and-play, 3-and-D prospect who can guard multiple positions with his length, strength and experience, with nearly 4,000 minutes of college basketball under his belt. The 22-year-old All-American and the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player for national champion Kansas, Agbaji should be ready to contribute immediately after shooting 41% from 3 last season, while holding his own defensively with his 6-10 wingspan and chiseled frame. He turned himself into one of the most dynamic shooters in the draft this season, regularly pulling up off the dribble in transition, setting his feet quickly while ducking behind handoffs and showing deep range and zero hesitation stepping into open 3s with his feet set, either on the hop or the 1-2 step. Just an average ball handler and passer and prone to lapses defensively off the ball due to his just-decent feel for the game, Agbaji doesn't share the same upside as some prospects in this class, but fits a clear mold and role every NBA team is actively seeking. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Mark Williams","year":2022,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Williams' strengths are clear-cut: He's a high-level rim protector, vertical spacer and tremendous offensive rebounder, making him an easy fit at the NBA level. Williams' 7-foot-7 wingspan allows him to change all types of shots at the rim and is a huge reason he's blocking 5.3 shots per 40 minutes so far this season, which ranks third among prospects in the ESPN Top 100. He's proven capable as a pick-and-roll drop defender when fully engaged, using his defensive range and timing to swallow up guards in the paint. He's also shown glimpses as a switch defender when he fully understands the scouting report and gives himself enough space to contain the guard yet remain close enough to contest.  Offensively, Williams puts his huge reach to good use both as a finisher and offensive rebounder. He's already mastered the tap-out to create extra possessions, and his 13.2 offensive rebounding percentage is one of the best in the country. Even more valuable is his lob-catching, as his catch radius is up there with some of the most impressive in the NBA and he's converting an incredible 73.5% of his shots at the rim in the half-court, good for 5th in the NCAA behind names like Walker Kessler (Auburn), Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) and David Roddy (Colorado State). He's hammered home lobs from all different angles, either ferociously slamming home passes or simply guiding the ball through the net with finesse. The fact that Williams has sound shooting mechanics (75% on free throws) and can make occasional high-low and backdoor reads is the cherry on top of an already NBA-ready shot-blocker and lob-catcher.","cons":"The biggest question Williams has to answer is whether or not he'll get played off the floor against small-ball teams in the NBA. While agile, he's no stranger to getting caught upright in pick-and-roll, leaving him little margin for error both in drops and on switches. He's also not always the most physical 1-on-1 defender, too often allowing deep catches or simply letting far less talented bigs spin past him for easy buckets. His balance and physicality leave something to be desired, which shows both as a finisher, interior defender and defensive rebounder at times. With every NBA team looking for ball-handling, passing bigs in the Banchero mold, Williams still has questions to answer in those areas. Even if he's already a better passer than some rim-running bigs, he can still stand to sharpen his short-roll reads and learn the nuances of igniting possessions with dribble-handoffs. Although he has a clear role, modernizing his game on both ends will be important. Comps at the next level (ceiling/floor) There aren't many players in the NBA with Williams' sheer length (7-7 wingspan), yet there is no shortage of effective centers who have carved out a role as lob-catching, shot-blocking bigs. Mitchell Robinson comes to mind as a tall, mobile 5 who has a huge catch radius and can put a lid on the rim defensively. Williams isn't quite as agile on the perimeter as Robinson, while the Knicks' big man never showed the same glimpses of passing as Duke's 20-year-old sophomore.  Robert Williams, who was a potential lottery pick if it weren't for injury red flags, would be an excellent possible projection for Mark Williams. The Celtics center has emerged as one of the league's most underrated bigs thanks to his combination of lob-catching, rebounding, rim protection and passing. Like Boston's starting center, Mark Williams has a similarly massive standing reach, can block jump shots like few bigs in all of basketball, and is also somewhat underrated in his ability to make basic reads on the perimeter. If Williams' passing never materializes, JaVale McGee, who has started over 350 NBA games at age 34, is a relatively stable outcoe for the Blue Devils first-rounder. Optimal/practical NBA team fits: Williams makes a lot of sense for teams that don't rely on playing through their center too much on the perimeter. Basically, teams that have had success with run-and-jump- style bigs in the past. The Mavericks come to mind, as Luka Doncic hasn't quite had a lob threat and rim protector like Williams since playing with Edy Tavares in Real Madrid. The Rockets make some sense, as Williams would give young guards like Jalen Green and Josh Christopher a lob threat they currently don't have in Alperen Sengun or Christian Wood. Although his fit with Sengun is a little questionable, Williams would immediately give the NBA's worst defense a face-lift in the rim protection department.  The Thunder and their treasure-trove of picks also make some sense as Williams' vertical spacing would further unlock Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's playmaking, and he gives the Thunder -- who have been playing Jeremiah Robinson-Earl at center -- a dimension its roster currently doesn't have. The Spurs don't have a big in Williams' mold on their roster, and they hold three picks in the top-20. Gregg Popovich traditionally likes bigs who can transfer the ball side to side and keep the offense flowing, but Williams certainly fills a need if the Spurs buy his potential as a passer, at least to the level of a Jakob Poeltl-type. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"As reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hornets are trading the No. 13 pick, Jalen Duren, to the Detroit Pistons. The Hornets could have gone in a lot of different directions -- additional frontcourt help, depth on the wing with Gordon Hayward's uncertain health status, or another guard to play alongside and behind the versatile LaMelo Ball. Trade rumors swirled here for weeks leading up to the draft, as many around the NBA believed the front office didn't have an appetite to add another rookie to the rotation after a somewhat surprising coaching change indicated the team has higher hopes than just making the NBA play-in game.   Standing 7-2, Williams is a huge physical outlier, with a 9-9 standing reach that will make him the longest player in the NBA. He was an absolute game-changer at Duke on both ends of the floor with the non-stop energy he offers, providing a steady offensive presence with his excellent hands and finishing ability and putting a lid on the rim defensively thanks to his mobility, timing and reach. One of the draft's best offensive rebounders, Williams is constantly throwing his body around in the paint and hustling to keep plays alive. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"AJ Griffin","year":2022,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Griffin has prototype tools for an NBA wing at 6-6 with a strong, proportionate 222-pound frame and a 7-0 wingspan. He's a powerful two-foot leaper in space and, while not quite as tall as the 6-8 combo forwards in the Jimmy Butler mold, his strength, length and incredibly strong base allows him to play much bigger than his height. Griffin has a clear-cut NBA skill with his shooting as he's converting a remarkable 48.1% of his triples while ranking 5th in the entire NCAA in catch and shoot efficiency. Despite a wide base and not the most traditional mechanics, Griffin is as close to automatic as you'll see from an 18-year-old with his physical tools. Griffin has shown the ability to get to step back 3s with through the legs moves on occasion and he's comfortable rising into mid-range pull-ups as well. Griffin is a relatively comfortable ball handler, mixing in smooth in-and-out dribbles and crossovers to get downhill. So, while he's best known for his deep 3s and shredded frame, Griffin has shown glimpses of versatility, even operating off of pindowns at times and adding value as a cutter, which is one of his best skills when fully engaged. Although more score-first, he's a capable passer after closeout attacks, evidence by the tape and his positive assist to turnover ratio.  Defensively, Griffin also has a chance to be highly impactful and versatile, even if he's still learning the nuances of on and off ball defense at this stage of his development. He's tough to move in the post thanks to his low center of gravity and frame and has shown the ability to blow up handoffs and deny wing entries with a deep stance and active hands. When you consider that Griffin is capable of sliding up to the small-ball 4 defensively while providing spacing as a shooter offensively, it's easy to see why he has a relatively high floor. Add in the flashes of shot creation and the fact that he would be one of the youngest players in the draft and there's an argument to be made that, especially given the coveted position he plays, Griffin has as much upside as any of Duke's prospects.","cons":"Griffin entered his freshman season trying to do too much offensively, leading to questions about his feel for the game and skill level. Hungry to prove he was more than just a big bodied wing, the game was moving too quickly for Griffin on both ends of the floor. Griffin's naysayers question his decision making and wonder how he's adding value when he's not making shots. Offensively, Griffin isn't immune to a missed drop off or kick out pass, and he's two-foot reliant, not nearly as explosive playing off of one. Despite the gaudy percentages, is the nature of Griffin's release going to allow him to be consistent offensively? Will he be able to sprint around screens and get square in the air like we see from some of the best shooters? Defensively, Griffin's discipline and awareness are question marks. He can be a bit too ball oriented, losing sight of his man and allowing open 3s or back cuts. He's not the forceful rebounder he could be, with some scouts questioning his toughness. Griffin will take aggressive angles on the ball too often, allowing straight line drives to the rim more than you'd hope from a prospect with defensive stopper potential. With a history of knee injuries, NBA scouts wonder whether or not Griffin will get medically red-flagged throughout the pre-draft process. Comps at the next level (ceiling/floor): Although they have a very different shot profile at the same stage, Jaylen Brown comes to mind as a best-case outcome for Griffin. While Brown shot just 30% from 3 at California and that's Griffin's clear NBA skill, the two hold some physical similarities and question marks in terms of decision making. Like Brown as an 18-year-old, Griffin has the tools to be a multi-positional defender who can hang his hat on that end of the floor early in his career. Griffin, like a teenage Brown, is also an underrated ball handler relative to his frame and length, which gives him similar upside as a shot creator that Brown's biggest naysayers didn't believe he had. OG Anunoby is a name that comes to mind as a solid mid-range outcome for Griffin. Although not quite as big, long and powerful, Griffin can offer similar defensive versatility and floor spacing while building out his shot creation slowly. Patrick Williams is another physical combo forward who rose in the pre-draft process due to his age, tools, and glimpses of skill. While an inch or two shorter, Griffin is just as powerful with a far more refined skill set at the same stage. Optimal/practical NBA team fits: There are no shortage of NBA teams in need of a two-way wing who can space the floor, making the list of theoretical suitors for Griffin arguably the longest amongst Duke prospects. The team that comes to mind most for me is Sacramento, which has been in the market for a rangy wing for years. Griffin would fit perfectly alongside De'Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell, and Domantas Sabonis, and could learn from a pro like Harrison Barnes (even if he's a Tar Heel). Griffin would also be an interesting fit next to Pacers guards Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte, giving Indiana a level of pop those two lack on the perimeter, while being able to add value without needing much volume given his spot shooting. With two picks in the top-10, the upstart Trail Blazers also make some sense here, with Griffin as an exciting young fit next to Anfernee Simons. Should they fall out of the Banchero-Jabari Smith-Chet Holmgren sweepstakes, Griffin would give Giddey and Gilgeous-Alexander a valuable young wing defender who can knock down open 3s and potential evolve into the Thunder's missing piece on the perimeter.  -- Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"The Hawks were perhaps the NBA's best story in 2021, advancing all the way to the conference finals behind star guard Trae Young and a deep core of contributors surrounding him that provided significant optimism for the team's future. Alas, running back mostly the same roster resulted in very different results last season, as the team narrowly squeaked into the playoffs and were barely competitive in a gentlemen's sweep against Miami, causing the front office to need to completely rethink the construction of the team around Young after finishing with the league's fourth-worst defense. The Hawks were one of the NBA's most active teams in trade conversations leading up to draft night, exploring a variety of scenarios involving trading high into the lottery, out of the draft altogether, and moving several core players in a bid to improve the team's competitiveness and chemistry.  Griffin is arguably the best shooter in this draft class, converting 45% of his 3-pointers this season while showing the ability to hit difficult step backs and pullups. Griffin has an ideal physical profile for a wing, standing 6-6, 225 pounds and a 7-foot wingspan that should allow him to slide to the power forward spot with relative ease. He's one of the youngest prospects in this draft, not turning 19 until late August with considerable upside to grow into after missing much of his last two years of high school, putting him at a major disadvantage early in the season at Duke. Griffin's average ballhandling, passing and inability to get to the free throw line, and lapses in focus and intensity off the ball defensively made him a somewhat polarizing prospect for scouts to evaluate. His biggest fans point to his terrific pedigree (the son of long-time NBA player and coach Adrian Griffin), youth and the impressive sparks of potential he showed at various points in the season as reasons to be much more bullish on his potential, ultimately helping him get selected. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tari Eason","year":2022,"school":"LSU","college_abbreviation":"LSU","post_draft_analysis":"The Rockets continued to cash in on the James Harden trade with this pick acquired from Brooklyn last year, one of many still owed to them in the next several seasons. With significant minutes and opportunities to offer in Houston, with few long-term keepers standing in the way, the Rockets have a chance to continue to add talent and improve their long-term outlook with this pick.  Eason seemingly came out of nowhere to emerge as a real candidate for SEC Player of the Year, despite coming off the bench for LSU. His 7-2 wingspan, massive hands and ability to be an asset in pressing, switching and trapping schemes with his quickness, instincts and activity is attractive on the defensive end. He frequently drops into passing lanes, rotates for blocks and crashes the offensive glass.  Offensively, Eason has plenty of untapped upside as evidenced by the stellar 27 points per 40 minutes he averaged last season. He knocked down 36% of his 3-pointers, converted 80% of his free throws and threw down 47 dunks, rarely having plays called for him and playing on a team that ranked second-to-last in the SEC in assists. He shows flashes of creativity as a ball handler, by creating off the dribble in the half court, and is a huge mismatch with his ability to blow by slower big men with his excellent first step, helping him get to the free throw line frequently. Cutting down on turnovers, fouls and mental lapses, as well as finding more consistency as a ball handler, shooter and decision-maker will be important for Eason to reach his potential long-term, but he checks quite a few boxes on both ends of the floor with plenty of room to continue growing. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dalen Terry","year":2022,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ","post_draft_analysis":"The Bulls broke free of several years among the dregs of the NBA with a resurgent season sparked by the hiring of a new front office and coaching staff in 2020. Lead decision-maker Arturas Karnisovas wasted no time in putting his imprint on the roster, making several big-name additions in the form of Demar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball along with the shrewd signing of Alex Caruso. Injuries derailed an incredibly promising start after the All-Star break and the team now has quite a few questions to answer long-term with Zach Lavine an unrestricted free agent, Vucevic taking a major step backward and Ball continuing to struggle through injuries. With the No. 18 pick unlikely to make a significant difference on the franchise's short-term outlook, the front office was diligent in exploring trade scenarios in the lead-up to draft night, ultimately electing to keep the pick.   Terry was considered likely to return for his junior year at Arizona after testing the waters but made enough of a splash in the pre-draft process to ultimately stay in the draft, winning teams over with his outstanding personality and competitive spirit.  Terry has several things working in his favor as a prospect, starting with his intriguing dimensions at over 6-7 with a near 7-1 wingspan and 195-pound frame, which make him one of the most versatile defenders in this draft class. He plays with outstanding energy, is difficult to shoot over on the perimeter with his length, and can slide with point guards and wings alike. Terry is an excellent passer, growing up playing point guard and doing quite a bit of playmaking for Arizona all season. The development of his perimeter shooting, and overall scoring ability-- his biggest weakness as a prospect -- will play a major role in his ability to carve out a niche for himself and ultimately help determine what kind of career he has in the NBA. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jake LaRavia","year":2022,"school":"Wake Forest","college_abbreviation":"WAKE","post_draft_analysis":"With a star in place in Ja Morant and a large contingent of outstanding role-players and promising young building blocks surrounding him, the Grizzlies have one of the rosiest outlooks of any team in the NBA. Add in the financial flexibility to add pieces, either in free agency or trades, several picks owed in the coming years, and continued improvement organically as Morant and the rest of the roster develops and builds chemistry, and there's a lot to be excited about for Memphis fans long-term.   According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Memphis Grizzlies are acquiring No. 19 pick Jake LaRavia from the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 22 and No. 29 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. LaRavia was an All-ACC player in his third season of college basketball, scoring efficiently, showing terrific passing prowess, being highly switchable defensively with his outstanding instincts and intensity and awareness off the ball, making him likely ready for NBA minutes in the not-too-distant future.   LaRavia is just 20 years old and still has some potential left to tap into as his frame improves, his quickness and explosiveness is maximized and his assertiveness as an outside shooter and overall scorer increases. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Malaki Branham","year":2022,"school":"Ohio State","college_abbreviation":"OSU","post_draft_analysis":"With the second of three first-rounders, the Spurs have the flexibility to go in several different directions, as there are roster spots and potentially minutes available for a player that can separate himself as the team eventually transitions eras. Depth in the backcourt, on the wing and in the frontcourt are all areas the Spurs could point to as needs depending on some tough decisions they faced in free agency this summer, but adding star-power to a roster full of strong role-players is definitely something they will need to do eventually to win a playoff series.  Branham exploded onto the scouting scene in Big Ten play, seemingly improving every game and still possessing considerable upside at just 19 years old. Branham's combination of size, frame, 6-10 wingspan, scoring instincts and shot-making prowess off the dribble (44% FG) and with his feet set (43%) looks seamlessly translatable to what the NBA is looking for at his position. He plays with a unique combination of aggressiveness and poise for a player who just turned 19, and the fact that he made such impressive strides as the season moved on, facilitating more for others and showing competitiveness defensively one-on-one, gives him a high ceiling as a prospect. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Christian Braun","year":2022,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU","post_draft_analysis":"The Nuggets were able to absorb the losses of stars Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. and still compete for home-court advantage in the playoffs thanks to the presence of back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic. With both players back in the fold, along with Aaron Gordon, a strong nucleus of talent is in place to challenge the best teams in the West. It's unclear how much this pick, and the additional late first-rounder the team acquired in a cap-clearing trade, will be able to contribute immediately on a roster with solid positional depth and versatility, but building through the draft has always been a priority for this team which has drafted well through the years.  Braun played an essential role in Kansas' national championship run, playing up to four positions while switching seamlessly on the perimeter, putting a body on big men in the post and doing quite a bit of facilitation in the half-court. He's an excellent rebounder and Kansas' best rim-protector, and he converted 39% of his 3-pointers, making him one of the more versatile wing players in this draft class. When the team needed a stop in a key late-game moment in the national championship, they turned to him to put the clamps on the much smaller Caleb Love, a sign of the trust he earned from the coaching staff -- and what makes him interesting as a plug-and-play role player for the NBA level. Braun's average ball handling and shot-creation prowess, and slow release on his jumper, limit his upside as a scorer, but he does so many little things that it's hard to see him not finding success in the NBA in some capacity. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Walker Kessler","year":2022,"school":"Auburn","college_abbreviation":"AUB","post_draft_analysis":"The Timberwolves acquired this pick from the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night. The Timberwolves look like one of the NBA's most promising young teams, fresh off an encouraging season that culminated in a play-in game victory and the franchise's second playoff appearance in 18 years. Nevertheless, ownership elected to swing for the fences in acquiring one of the most respected executives in the league in Tim Connelly. Connelly will now look to surround Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns with the requisite pieces needed to take the next step in their development and attempt to win the franchise's first playoff series since the Kevin Garnett era, with defensive improvements likely being a major priority towards that goal. One significant question mark the team will need to answer short-term pertains to the impending free agency of D'Angelo Russell, a close friend of Towns, in a year from now.  At 7-1, 245 pounds, with a 7-4 wingspan, Kessler's appeal is readily evident on first glance. Named the NCAA's Defensive Player of the Year, he was the best shot-blocker in college, while showing some versatility and mobility guarding pick and roll, stepping out the perimeter and recovering to make plays at the rim. He is a steady offensive presence with his ability to catch difficult passes, hammer home lobs, finish with touch around the basket and make good decisions out of short rolls. Kessler had some issues dealing with physicality at times this year and has some limitations offensively for what NBA teams expect from a modern big man in terms of shooting range, which limits his upside to a degree, but he also has a relatively high floor that gives him good value on a rookie-scale contract. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"David Roddy","year":2022,"school":"Colorado State","college_abbreviation":"CSU","post_draft_analysis":"According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the 76ers traded the No. 23 pick to the Grizzlies for De'Anthony Melton.  The Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, Roddy emerged as an All-American and one of the most versatile and unique players in the college game as a junior. At 6-6, he sees quite a few minutes at center, which he can thrive at thanks to his 260-pound frame. While he's comfortable operating with his back to the basket, he's also a creative ball handler and outstanding passer who converted 44% of his 3-pointers, making him a huge mismatch that has lit up mid-major and high-major teams alike. While Roddy is competitive with excellent instincts, his lateral quickness and ultimate position defensively will help determine what kind of NBA career he has. . -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"MarJon Beauchamp","year":2022,"school":"G League Ignite","college_abbreviation":"G League Ignite","post_draft_analysis":"After Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 40 years last year, the team took a step back this season and bowed out to Boston in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. With their core of Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton intact, the Bucks will be back among the NBA's best teams next season but have work to do in filling out the roster and ensuring the team has enough depth and perimeter shooting to compete in the competitive Eastern Conference. Brook Lopez's injury-plagued season and Bobby Portis' impending free agency after a breakout year require immediate attention, but there are several areas of need on the roster in the backcourt and on the wing, as well.  Beauchamp is the poster child of what G League Ignite can offer as a platform, going from completely off the NBA radar after a nomadic high school career and a junior college stint to first-round pick in the span of eight months. Beauchamp has ideal physical tools for a wing, measuring over 6-6 with a near 7-1 wingspan, allowing him to defend anywhere from point guards to power forwards thanks to his excellent lateral quickness and the strong intensity he displays. He doesn't need plays called for him to find his offense, doing most of his scoring by running the floor in transition, cutting off the ball, crashing the glass and getting downhill off handoffs and attacking closeouts. Beauchamp's ball handling and perimeter shooting will need to continue to improve to carve out a significant role, but he's on an excellent trajectory and seems to have more potential to grow into than his age might suggest. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Blake Wesley","year":2022,"school":"Notre Dame","college_abbreviation":"ND","post_draft_analysis":"With the third and final first-round pick -- acquired in a trade with the Boston Celtics for Derrick White at last season's trade deadline -- the Spurs continued to add young talent to their roster.  Wesley has strong physical tools for a guard with a 6-9 wingspan, an excellent frame, a quick first step and long strides slashing through the lane. He was able to emerge from no-name high school recruit to NBA prospect very quickly thanks to the potential he showed as a shot-creator at Notre Dame, where he was surrounded by plenty of shooting and experience, and made real strides on the defensive end as well, giving him significant potential to grow into at just 19 years old. The evolution of Wesley's perimeter shooting, passing and overall decision-making will help determine what type of career he has ultimately, but there's quite a bit to work with here from a pure talent perspective. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Wendell Moore Jr","year":2022,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Moore checks quite a few boxes NBA teams look for at the small forward position. He has ideal size at 6-foot-6 in shoes with a huge 7-foot wingspan and a strong 213 pound frame. He's making 40% of his 3-pointers on the season and is a career 80% free throw shooter in 94 games in our database. He's Duke's best passer statistically, leading the team with his 4.6 assists per game, and often tasked with initiating the team's offense, making post-entry passes and serving as the designated inbounder. He's a multi-positional defender as well, typically asked to guard the opposing team's best perimeter player, whether that's a point guard or wing. In years past he saw quite a few minutes guarding power forwards as well, although the make-up of this year's roster doesn't require that.  Even though Moore has been a starter for the better part of three years, he's only two months older than Kentucky freshman TyTy Washington Jr., and is younger than many of the sophomores projected to be drafted. That's what makes the significant jump he made from his underwhelming first two seasons at Duke to his current All-ACC campaign intriguing -- he clearly has more upside to tap into than most juniors, and already has a pretty high floor as a prospect thanks to his defense and passing ability, while playing a position of huge need.","cons":"While Moore ticks virtually every box NBA teams look for as a 3-and-D wing, he's still at times a better prospect in theory than in reality, prone to disappearing and making head-scratching plays on both ends of the floor, especially in high-leverage moments. Passivity has been an issue for Moore in his career, but he can also be something of a jack-of-all-trades, master of none, making scouts question what he can truly hang his hat on to carve out minutes for himself early in his NBA career.  Offense can be tough to come by for Moore at times, as he's an average ball-handler who lacks a degree of explosiveness as a finisher. His excellent shooting percentages don't tell the full story of his true scoring ability, as he passes up more open shots than you'd hope and doesn't shoot the ball the same way every time, especially off the dribble where opponents regularly go under ball-screens and generally don't guard him like someone they truly fear as a jump-shooter. Defensively, he doesn't always bring the level of physicality and intensity you might hope, having more lapses off the ball than you might hope for in a player with as much experience as he does.  Comps at the next level (ceiling/floor) There's no shortage of high-level NBA wing players with similar physical dimensions as Moore (height/weight/wingspan), which is where teams often start their comparison-hunting. Many such players, including Dorian Finney-Smith, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Keldon Johnson, Cody Martin and Nassir Little have seen significant minutes at the power forward position in the NBA, which Moore might lack a degree of physicality to do. If he can develop in that department as his career moves forward, it is difficult to see him completely failing, as switchable wings who can make an open shot and keep the ball moving offensively are extremely valuable these days. Moore can look toward versatile wing such as Shake Milton, who also was a prolific passer in college, and hope to replicate some of his success. Romeo Langford, Theo Pinson and Josh Green are some other less successful players that come to mind.  Optimal/practical NBA team fits: The NBA is so starved for depth at the wing position that it would be easier to point to teams that don't need a player in Moore's mold than teams that do. Any of the playoff teams picking in the late first round, for example the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets or Milwaukee Bucks. There's a deep class of wing prospects vying for those spots in the late first and early second rounds, but also quite a bit of demand. A strong finish to the season would position Moore well in that crop.  -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Timberwolves acquired the No. 26 pick from the Rockets for the No. 29 pick and two future second-round picks.    Moore ticks quite a few boxes NBA teams look for at small forward. He has ideal size at 6-5 1/2 in shoes with a 7-0 1/2 wingspan and a strong 217-pound frame. He's made 41% of his 3-pointers last season and is a career 81% free throw shooter. He was Duke's best passer statistically, leading the team with his 4.4 assists per game, and was often tasked with initiating the team's offense, making post-entry passes and being their designated in-bounder.  He's a multi-positional defender, typically asked to guard the opposing team's best perimeter player, whether that's a point guard or wing, but also saw time checking power forwards earlier in his career as well. While possessing significant experience with more than 2,500 college minutes, he still has more upside to tap into than most juniors at 20 years old, and already has a pretty high floor as a prospect thanks to his defense and passing ability. Moore's strong showings on the private workout circuit helped solidify him as a first-round pick despite some question marks he endured about just how he scores in the NBA, and his level of aggressiveness and physicality, which sometimes waned. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nikola  Jovic","year":2022,"school":"Mega Mozzart","college_abbreviation":"Mega Mozzart","post_draft_analysis":"Miami is coming off an overwhelmingly positive season, finishing with the No. 1 seed in the East and falling one game short of the NBA Finals in a narrow Game 7 loss to the Celtics. With most of their core intact next season, the Heat will continue to navigate salary cap and luxury tax restraints while trying to add value along the margins -- something they've done more successfully than any team in the NBA over the past few years, thanks to their outstanding scouting, player development and coaching staff. Tyler Herro's extension eligibility, Victor Oladipo's free agency, and Kyle Lowry's age and declining playoff performance are the main issues the front office will evaluate in the offseason. Whether to explore a trade for Duncan Robinson, one of the team's highest-paid players who fell out of the playoff rotation, is another important decision. Considering the relatively solid depth the team has developed throughout the roster, the Heat were in a position to draft any type of player they want with their late first-round pick, giving them good flexibility.  Jovic has impressive dimensions for a player who spent much of the season at the small forward position -- measuring 6-11 in shoes with a nine-and-a-half-foot standing reach that might allow him to see some minutes at center as his frame fills out long-term. He's a skilled, versatile offensive player who shows strong passing ability and flashes of dynamic shot-making and shot-creation prowess, as well as unbridled confidence. Jovic grappled with poor scoring efficiency this season, has major question marks to answer defensively, and allegedly struggled in private workouts ahead of the draft -- something that caused his stock to drop somewhat on draft night. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Patrick Baldwin Jr","year":2022,"school":"Milwaukee","college_abbreviation":"MILW","post_draft_analysis":"With four championship rings in the past eight years, most of its core under contract next year, and a bevy of young talent waiting in the wings with three recent lottery picks in James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, the Warriors are in an envious situation entering next season, especially since it's ownership has proven willing to spend big dollars to keep the party rolling. Steph Curry is aging like a fine wine, Klay Thompson will likely continue to look like his old self the further removed he is from his disastrous injuries, and there's no reason to believe the likes of Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II and others can't be retained long-term considering everything the team has going for it. With that in mind, some may view this draft pick as icing on the cake, but the Warriors front office has proven to be fairly shrewd with the way it uses draft capital, as their roster's core was selected and developed in-house, and continuing to stockpile affordable talent has to be a priority considering the team's luxury tax situation.   Baldwin has tremendous size for a wing, measuring over 6-foot-10 with a near 7-2 wingspan and 231-pound frame. He sports an effortless stroke with a silky touch, polished footwork, the ability to make difficult shots off the dribble, a great pedigree and is just 19 years old. As talented as Baldwin is, he had an unproductive and inefficient season playing at an extremely low level of competition, where he was clearly hampered by a nagging ankle injury that dates back to his high school years. NBA scouts question his toughness on the defensive end, as well as his explosiveness and inability to make teammates better as Milwaukee clearly played better when he was out of the rotation. Those question marks caused Baldwin to fall from a projected top-10 pick to the No. 28 pick of the draft.-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"TyTy Washington Jr","year":2022,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","post_draft_analysis":"The Rockets acquired the No. 29 pick from the Grizzlies on draft night as part of a trade package for No. 26 pick Wendell Moore, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.   Washington has good size for a guard at just under 6-4 with a 6-8 wingspan, allowing him to see minutes at either backcourt spot and potentially even in three-guard lineups. His ability to make intelligent reads out of pick and roll and the touch he demonstrates on his floater and pull-up jumper gives him a relatively high floor when paired with his size and length. While not blessed with overwhelming speed or explosiveness, Washington plays with terrific pace and should excel with better spacing than he enjoyed at Kentucky, where he was mostly used off the ball and was usually surrounded with a plethora of non-shooters. Washington was really hitting his stride in SEC play before a series of injuries that he seemingly never fully recovered from derailed his freshman campaign. He looked out of shape and was dinged up in the pre-draft process, which caused his stock to tumble somewhat on draft night relative to where he was projected earlier in the year. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Peyton Watson","year":2022,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA","post_draft_analysis":"The Nuggets acquired this pick from Oklahoma City this off-season as part of a cap-clearing move for JaMychal Green. The Nuggets considered what packaging this pick with their own first-rounder -- at No. 21 -- could nab them on the trade market, but ultimately stood pat, electing to go with Peyton Watson.  Watson started the year projected as a top-10 pick but saw his stock slide after a disappointing season in which he averaged just 3.3 PPG on inefficient shooting, failing to earn the trust of the UCLA coaching staff who often opted for older, experienced, more physically developed players. Watson plays with great energy defensively, showing the ability to slow down guards and the length to eventually slide up to the power forward position as his frame fills out. Scouts who attended UCLA practices last season say he showed really intriguing flashes of passing and shot-making ability to bode well for his long-term outlook. A team picking Watson is betting on his physical tools, intensity, youth and their player development infrastructure to mold him into the type of multi-positional wing many teams look for in a Darius Bazley mold. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Andrew Nembhard","year":2022,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ","post_draft_analysis":"Nembhard had an outstanding four-year college career and brings significant experience at the FIBA level, as well as with the Canadian national team. He has good size for a point guard at 6-4 1/2 in shoes, and has steadily improved as a perimeter shooter throughout his college career. He was the engine behind one of the fastest-paced and most efficient offenses in college basketball, tasked with providing a steady hand alongside a pair of All-American frontcourt players in Chet Holmgren and Drew Timme. In Gonzaga's final six games of the season, he played 237 of a potential 240 minutes, becoming virtually indispensable for what many considered to be the best team in college basketball. What Nembhard lacks in pure explosiveness, scoring prowess, physicality and upside, he makes up for with the experience he offers and the willingness he shows to run a team and make teammates better, making him an easy player to pencil into a backup role early in his NBA career, while still having the flexibility to operate in multi-guard lineups as he often did throughout his college career. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Caleb Houstan","year":2022,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","post_draft_analysis":"Coming off an outstanding showing at last summer's FIBA U19 World Cup, leading Canada to a bronze medal while ranking as one of the best scorers at the event, the top-10 recruit and two-time high school national champion looked like an easy candidate to emerge as a one-and-done lottery pick. Alas, that's not how things developed, as Houstan struggled badly to put the ball in the basket with any type of consistency or efficiency all season, often looking physically overwhelmed on both ends of the floor.  Houstan looked like a different player in high school and with the Canadian national team, playing with significantly more confidence and showing excellent versatility as a ball handler, passer, defender and shooter, while playing through contact far more effectively and putting his teams on his back in clutch moments.  Houstan had an even more mystifying pre-draft process, turning down quite a few workouts and an invite to the NBA Combine, seemingly comfortable with the feedback he received from a team before conducting several late workouts -- perhaps signaling that the \"promise\" many teams saw in him didn't actually materialize. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Christian Koloko","year":2022,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ","post_draft_analysis":"The Raptors went on a late-season run to claim the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, eventually bowing out in six games, but showing significant promise with one of the youngest teams in the NBA that is mostly under contract for the near future. The Raptors surprised many last year by passing on Jalen Suggs in favor of Scottie Barnes, a move that in hindsight looks brilliant thus far considering Barnes won Rookie of the Year honors and appears to be a seamless fit with the team's culture and style of play. Toronto traded their first-round pick (No. 20) to San Antonio to move down 13 slots to No. 33 in exchange for acquiring Thaddeus Young, who is now a free agent. While likely to resign Chris Boucher this offseason, the Raptors are still on the hunt for a starting-caliber center to complement their deep stable of wings and forwards that made up one of the NBA's most switchable defenses.   The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player, Koloko's 102 blocks as a junior is tied for Arizona's single-season record. His 7-5 wingspan, outstanding mobility and quickness getting off his feet make him a force both around the rim as well as covering ground on the perimeter, where he's often asked to guard smaller players in Arizona's jumbo lineups. He's an excellent finisher, one of college basketball's most prolific dunkers and a much-improved offensive player in general. Koloko's thin frame, lack of physicality and developing feel for the game, which manifests itself in foul trouble, point-blank misses and struggles keeping up with the speed of the game are things he'll have to improve on to carve out a long-term NBA career, but he has no shortage of talent and more upside than your average 22-year-old due to his late start playing organized basketball. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaylin Williams","year":2022,"school":"Arkansas","college_abbreviation":"ARK","post_draft_analysis":"Drawing comparisons to Kevon Looney of the Warriors, Williams is an unorthodox prospect in many ways. He's not a consistent shooter and sometimes struggles to finish in traffic due to his average explosiveness. His best skill at the moment lies with his ability to slide in for charges -- in which he led all of college basketball -- which isn't particularly valued at the NBA level. At 6-10, 237 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan, he's somewhat caught between big man positions, while not bringing the type of consistent shooting range you would hope to see from someone who will likely need to play alongside another big man, due to his lack of rim-protection and occasional struggles guarding the post.  What Williams does bring is an extraordinarily high basketball IQ, as well as tremendous toughness on both ends of the floor, something that all but guarantees he will play a role in the NBA -- and likely for a long time. He's an outstanding passer, an excellent rebounder, and shows the type of skill and touch around the basket that bodes well for his ability to become a more versatile offensive player in time. Still only 19 years old, expanding his shooting range, maximizing his frame and becoming an even more versatile defender on the perimeter would go a long way in solidifying his chances of latching on with a team long-term. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Max Christie","year":2022,"school":"Michigan State","college_abbreviation":"MSU","post_draft_analysis":"Just one year removed from winning a championship, the Lakers were one of the NBA's big disappointments this past season, finishing with a dismal 33-49 record that saw them miss the NBA's play-in game altogether. A disastrous trade for Russell Westbrook and a litany of injuries, including to centerpiece Anthony Davis threaten to squander the final years of LeBron James' illustrious career, despite posting some of the best numbers we've seen since he was drafted in 2003. The Lakers were able to buy their way back into the draft by acquiring a fairly high second-round pick in exchange for cash and a second-round pick in 2028. The Lakers have done well in the draft under assistant GM Jesse Buss, picking quite a few contributors that became parts of various trades they made over the years. With only half a dozen players under contract for next season, the Lakers have quite a few holes to plug on their roster and need to find contributors at every position either in free agency or with this pick.  Christie is a sweet-shooting 6-6 guard with a 6-9 wingspan who has the type of footwork and mechanics to develop into both an on-the-move shooter and sound defender as he continues to grow in the toughness, confidence and experience departments. When Christie's jumper is falling, it's easy to see why he was such a highly-touted prospect earlier in his career. Yet, Christie's jumper didn't fall as much as hoped this season, hitting just 32% of his attempts from beyond the arc. He has a tendency to play a sped-up style, running from open shots on occasion and not quite exuding the type of self-belief that would suggest he's ready to make an NBA jump. He also struggled badly inside the arc this season, converting just 43% of his 2-point attempts and rarely getting to the free-throw line. With all that said, Christie has picture-perfect shooting mechanics, can rise up off the dribble with ease and holds some defensive potential given his projectable frame and feet while only being 19 years old, making him the type of player who NBA teams will want to monitor for many years moving forward. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Gabriele Procida","year":2022,"school":"Fortitudo Bologna","college_abbreviation":"Fortitudo Bologna","post_draft_analysis":"Standing 6-7 with a 6-8 wingspan, Procida has excellent size for a wing and is a bouncy finisher in space. His appeal in NBA circles is deeply rooted in his perimeter shooting stroke as he is reliable with his feet set while also flashing some potential shooting on the move and off the dribble. Procida isn't especially dynamic with the ball, is an average passer and is not adept at finishing over length, but could grow into the type of shooter who can use his gravity to his advantage to open up other parts of his game. His explosiveness allows him to make some plays defensively, but his lack of length, strength and experience hindered him from playing significant minutes last season primarily because of how green he is on that end of the floor. Nevertheless, he just turned 20 and fits a clear mold as a dynamic shooter a team brings off the bench in the Furkan Korkmaz mold. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaden Hardy","year":2022,"school":"G League Ignite","college_abbreviation":"G League Ignite","post_draft_analysis":"ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Kings traded the No. 37 pick to the Mavericks for two future second-round picks.   Hardy started the season projected as a top-5 pick, but saw his stock slide drastically after an extremely inefficient season that was marred by poor shot selection, too many turnovers and quite a few defensive lapses that contributed to Ignite's 9-18 record with him on the court. For Hardy, the amount of freedom he was given on an Ignite team with very few go-to scoring options besides himself may not have been the best thing for him as he hunted shots relentlessly all season and never really learned the value of slowing down, letting the game come to him and doing more little things that contribute to winning.   After a year with the ultimate green light, the best thing possible for Hardy may be being asked to dial it back and play a team-friendly style looking for singles and doubles rather than seeking out the home-run play on every possession. Digging beneath the surface, there are enough indicators to show the potential Hardy offers offensively, with the incredible shooting range he offers, dynamic shot-making off the dribble, and occasional flashes of passing and scoring touch around the rim that hint at good things to come for the 19-year-old. Hardy's 6-foot-9 wingspan and solid build gives him the framework of someone who can hold his own offensively as his discipline and intensity improves, and there are some things to work with here if his bad habits in terms of effort and off-ball gambling can be improved. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kennedy Chandler","year":2022,"school":"Tennessee","college_abbreviation":"TENN","post_draft_analysis":"ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Grizzlies traded for No. 38 pick Kennedy Chandler from the Spurs for a future second-round pick and cash.  Chandler was one of college's most talented point guards, especially in the second half of the season, blessed with incredible speed and burst, shifty ball-handling ability, terrific creativity as a finisher and passer, and flashes of real shot-making ability. Despite being on the smaller side, Chandler's quickness, basketball instincts and length made him a significant asset defensively last season, allowing him to make a living getting in passing lanes while also being a real pest on the ball. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Khalifa Diop","year":2022,"school":"Gran Canaria","college_abbreviation":"Gran Canaria","post_draft_analysis":"Diop, who stands 7-feet with a 250-pound frame, is coming off an excellent ACB quarterfinal playoff series against arguably the best team in European basketball in Barcelona, posting 32 points and 12 rebounds in 55 minutes through three games. He's an exceptionally mobile big man who plays the game with tremendous intensity, is one of the most versatile defenders in this draft class and can still rotate fluidly to the paint to meet opponents at the summit and protect the rim.  Diop is as well-coached and experienced as any prospect, playing strong rotation minutes for 54 games on a team that made both the ACB and EuroCup playoffs. There are only a handful of 20-year-olds who could do what he did this season competing at the highest levels of competition in Europe, earning the trust of his coaching staff and having several stellar performances in important games.  While known for his defense, Diop has steadily improved offensively to the point that he's earned the trust of his coaching staff. He's one of the most prolific finishers in this draft class, averaging a dunk every 16 minutes he's on the floor, and is a capable passer out of short roll situations, even making occasional touch passes that hint at good things to come down the road. His hands can be suspect at times and he's still figuring out the nuances of screening and rolling, while his 57% from the free throw line this season doesn't suggest much potential to emerge as a floor-spacer anytime soon.  Even if Diop's upside is capped at that of a backup center in the NBA, the things he brings as a rim-runner, finisher, rim-protector and perimeter defender are very valuable. The fact that you can't find a single person who will say a bad thing about Diop's work ethic and approach has to be taken into account as well, as he's someone who clearly knows his role and isn't going to try to be someone he's not. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Bryce McGowens","year":2022,"school":"Nebraska","college_abbreviation":"NEB","post_draft_analysis":"ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Timberwolves are trading the No. 40 pick to the Hornets.    McGowens is considered one of the most fluid and naturally gifted scorers among young wing players in this draft class, showing deep range on his pull-up jumper and creativity finishing with either hand around the basket. At 6-6 1/2 with a 6-9 wingspan, he has good positional size, even if his lanky 181-pound frame will need to add significant bulk to handle the rigors of the NBA. McGowens' inconsistent intensity level, particularly on the defensive end, will help determine what kind of NBA career he's able to carve out. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"E.J. Liddell","year":2022,"school":"Ohio State","college_abbreviation":"OSU","post_draft_analysis":"Liddell modernized his game as a junior after a poor showing at the G League Elite Camp in 2021, turning himself into one of the best players in college basketball and winning All-America honors in turn. While his productivity trended up across the board, NBA scouts noted the way he expanded his shooting range, became a significantly more versatile defender on the perimeter and as a shot-blocker, and improved his playmaking ability. While Liddell is certainly undersized for a big man at 6-5 1/2 without shoes, his near 7-foot wingspan, outstanding energy level and excellent personality off the court gives him a high floor as a prospect. Questions about his skill level and ceiling ultimately kept him out of the first round, but there are plenty of players Liddell can point to in the NBA that are having considerable success despite similar shortcomings. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Trevor Keels","year":2022,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Keels is a powerful combo guard with the exact offensive versatility teams generally covet. A far better shooter than his percentages suggest, Keels can add value in catch-and-shoot situations while also picking apart a shifting defense out of second-side pick-and-roll opportunities. He does a nice job of playing at different speeds in ball screens, putting his defender in jail before either bouncing out for mid-range jumpers, hitting the roller in stride, spraying the ball out to a shooter circling up or re-attacking open space with his powerful 221-pound frame into a tough finish. From a skill perspective, Keels doesn't have a ton of true holes in his game given his ability to spot shoot, knock down tough pull-ups and make most basic reads -- he's averaging 3.9 assists and just 1.8 turnovers per 40 minutes on the season.  While his pass-dribble-shoot skill-set has shined bright in spurts all season long, it was Keels' defensive toughness that originally drew NBA scouts to the stocky 18-year-old guard. He's proven more than capable of taking on the defensive challenge against elite guards -- see Duke's win against Kentucky and TyTy Washington -- bringing the type of energy and toughness at the point of attack that coaches at all levels covet. He set the bar so high early on that his ball pressure and off ball intensity has fluctuated at times over the course of the season, but overall he's a hard-nosed on-ball defender who should be able to check either back court spot in the NBA regardless of his untraditional build. There's little downside to an ultra-confident guard like Keels, as he's at the very least a longtime rotation player in the NBA.","cons":"What is Keels' elite NBA skill? He hasn't yet proven himself to be a true threat as a shooter (32.5% from 3), isn't all that quick or explosive off the dribble, and isn't quite the true lead guard to hand the keys of a franchise to. Although he has an incredibly high floor given all the things he does well on both ends, his oversized frame, lack of elite length (6-7 wingspan), average burst and major struggles playing in traffic as a finisher (46.3% at the rim in the half court) will give NBA teams some pause about his true upside. He's also incredibly right-hand dominant at this stage. And while a really effective defender collegiately, can he be a true NBA stopper against some of the league's top-shelf guards? For as good as he can be at the point of attack, he has had his struggles with quicker perimeter players, and has had his forgettable moments in terms of effort and ball screen navigation. He can also still evolve as an off ball defensive playmaker (1 block in 771 minutes) and rebounder. Comps at the next level (ceiling/floor): Lu Dort is a name you often hear linked to Keels given the football body and glimpses of defensive intensity. Dort was far more powerful and explosive at the same stage, while Keels is way ahead as a shooter, ball handler and passer. Sterling Brown is a realistic floor for Keels. While Brown was a four-year player at SMU and a mid-second-round pick, like Keels, he was a floor-spacing guard who played who had an inherent toughness and turned into a sound positional passer. If Keels were able to get himself into better shape and turn his shooting stroke into a real asset, Desmond Bane is a best-case prototype for him to model his game after.Optimal/practical NBA team fits: A team that values Keels' defensive toughness and isn't overly enamored with length, burst and explosiveness would be ideal for a player like Keels. The Milwaukee Bucks are an organization that comes to mind, especially with Pat Connaughton entering the last year of his contract, Donte DiVincenzo now in Sacramento and Wes Matthews a free agent. You can never have enough guards who can shoot, defend and pass around Giannis. The same goes for Luka Doncic, making Keels an intriguing fit there, especially with Jalen Brunson entering free agency. Simply put, playoff teams looking for a readymade role player -- Bucks, Dallas, Miami Heat, etc -- make a lot of sense for Keels.  -- Mike Schmitz","post_draft_analysis":"Keels was one of the last players to announce he was staying in the NBA draft instead of returning to lead new Duke coach Jon Scheyer to the Final Four in his first season at the helm. The 6-5 freshman is one of the youngest players in this draft class at just 18 years old. A two-way guard with a strong frame and a 6-7 wingspan, Keels is intriguing to NBA teams due to the combination of toughness, off-court intangibles, feel for the game, defensive versatility and passing creativity he shows. He showed a sense for the moment in some of Duke's biggest games last season, coming to life as a shot-maker and finisher around the basket in several crucial moments despite his age. Keels has plenty of work to do on his perimeter shooting and as a finisher around the basket, and there was a wide range of opinions among NBA scouts about exactly how to view his upside all season long. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Moussa Diabate","year":2022,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","post_draft_analysis":"A 6-10 center with a slender 217-pound frame, but a 7-2 1/2 wingspan and 9-1 1/2 standing reach, Diabate plays with tremendous energy and makes a major impact on the defensive end with the fluidity in which he covers ground. He's switchable on the perimeter, shows good instincts rotating to the rim, and plays with excellent spirit. Diabate's skill level, feel for the game and frame will need to improve to carve out an NBA career, but he just turned 20 years old and has minimal experience under his belt, giving him some upside to grow into. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ryan Rollins","year":2022,"school":"Toledo","college_abbreviation":"TOL","post_draft_analysis":"ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Hawks traded the No. 44 pick to the Warriors for the No. 51 pick and $2 million.  Rollins is a smooth, skilled and instinctual scorer with wide shoulders and a huge 6-foot-10 wingspan who emerged on NBA radars with an excellent sophomore season at Toledo. Rollins has quite a bit of talent with the ball in his hands, getting to his spots with the ability to change speeds fluidly and a polished mid-range arsenal. Still developing the strength and willingness to play through contact and make good decisions consistently, he shows the ability to make intelligent reads out of ball-screens and could develop into more of a primary ball handler down the road. Defensively, Rollins lacks intensity and physicality in a major way, weighing just 179 pounds, but still demonstrates some instincts as a playmaker when engaged. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Josh Minott","year":2022,"school":"Memphis","college_abbreviation":"MEM","post_draft_analysis":"Minott struggled to get on the floor at Memphis for big chunks of the season behind 25-year-old DeAndre Williams, which has kept his draft stock in check and made him somewhat of a surprise early-entry candidate. When given the opportunity, Minott showed impressive flashes of talent with the footwork, body control, quickness getting off his feet and touch he demonstrates from the free-throw line and around the rim, along with how hard he plays on both ends of the floor.  He's a magnet for fouls attacking the rim, is highly switchable on the perimeter and is always around the ball as a cutter and offensive rebounder. At 197 pounds, and without a consistent jump shot, Minott is likely several years away from playing meaningful minutes in the NBA, but he has really intriguing long-term upside both physically and skill-wise as the game slows down for him and he's able to play through physicality better after working on his frame. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ismael  Kamagate","year":2022,"school":"Paris","college_abbreviation":"Paris","post_draft_analysis":"ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Trail Blazers traded the No. 46 pick to the Nuggets.  A long, bouncy, late-blooming big man who had an outstanding season in the French first division of the LNB Pro A after an equally productive showing at the FIBA U20 European Championship, Kamagate has been on a major upward trajectory for several years now. He blossomed in Pro A France as a lob-catching roll man, while showing the ability to make tough shots in the paint. He also had some impressive moments as a shot-blocker and passer, but has room to be more consistent from game to game and find more physicality with his approach. Kamagate's skill level is much-improved, but he still looks mechanical at times on both ends, with a confidence level that comes and goes at times. He's in an excellent situation at Paris and could very well be stashed there for another year, potentially forming a twin-tower lineup with potential 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Vince Williams Jr","year":2022,"school":"VCU","college_abbreviation":"VCU","post_draft_analysis":"Williams checks a lot of boxes NBA teams look for with his 7-foot wingspan, 40% 3-point shooting, 80% free-throw accuracy the past two seasons and excellent feel for the game. He plays with intensity, shows intriguing playmaking instincts defensively, and is very young for a senior, turning 22 years old on August 30. Williams' lack of speed and explosiveness were hindrances to his draft stock, but he fits a clear mold teams look for as a big, versatile wing who plays both ends of the floor and has excellent shooting indicators. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kendall Brown","year":2022,"school":"Baylor","college_abbreviation":"BAY","post_draft_analysis":"ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Timberwolves traded the No. 48 pick to the Pacers.  The most explosive leaper in college basketball, Brown is a highlight reel waiting to happen anytime he catches the ball with room to operate. The flashes he shows as a passer and multi-positional defender on the perimeter are intriguing at 6-7 1/2 and 19 years old with a 6-11 wingspan, even if his ballhandling and perimeter shooting still needs developing to play on the wing full-time as his 201-pound frame is a little thin for power forward. Brown's productivity fluctuated against better competition this season, which makes sense considering his limitations in the skill department. NBA teams were intrigued by his physical profile, age and long-term upside, but improving his skill level and avoiding some of the lapses defensively that have plagued him at times this past season will help his chances of carving out a meaningful niche in the NBA. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Mobley","year":2022,"school":"USC","college_abbreviation":"USC","post_draft_analysis":"The older brother of franchise player Evan Mobley, Isaiah proved to be a very good player in his own right throughout his decorated high school career and in three seasons at USC, one of which he spent in a twin-tower duo with Evan. Isaiah's 7-3 wingspan and outstanding instincts made him one of the most formidable defenders in the Pac-12 last season, while converting 36% of his 3-pointers and showing excellent passing ability. His lack of speed and explosiveness kept his draft stock grounded for much of his college career, but his outspoken, gregarious personality has long made him a favorite of coaching staffs, and his ability to keep his younger brother happy, focused and operating at maximum aggressiveness and intensity could make this a very shrewd pick down the line. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Matteo  Spagnolo","year":2022,"school":"Cremona","college_abbreviation":"Cremona","post_draft_analysis":"Spagnolo had a highly productive season competing at a strong level in the Italian first division. He shows a maturity and skill level that immediately put him on NBA radars as a 19-year-old, 6-5 point guard. Operating extensively out of ball screens, he showed a knack for making intelligent reads out of pick and rolls, be it operating in mid-range spots, dishing off a live dribble, and perhaps most importantly, pulling up from beyond the arc, where he shot 44% for 3 this season. Not blessed with blow-by quickness and struggling at times to contain the ball defensively, his ability to make the leap physically to the NBA is a question mark, and will likely require additional time spent polishing his game at the highest levels in Europe first. With two more years on his contract with Real Madrid, but a loan to a lower-level also possible next year, Spagnolo's flexible stash situation made him an attractive option at this spot in the draft. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyrese Martin","year":2022,"school":"UConn","college_abbreviation":"CONN","post_draft_analysis":"Martin was one of the most well-traveled prospects in this draft on the NBA scouting trail, attending the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, the G League Elite Camp and the NBA draft combine, eventually making himself a draft pick with strong performances throughout. The versatile wing shot 43% from 3 last season at UConn and was regularly tasked with defending the opposing team's best perimeter player. He was able to show a little more vision and creativity as a passer in the pre-draft process, plus glimpses of on-the-move shot-making, as well as his ability to fill lanes aggressively and finish in the open court.  At 199 pounds with a 6-8 wingspan and average explosiveness, Martin doesn't have elite physical tools defensively, nor is he the most gifted ball handler or overall scorer. But hard-nosed wing-players in his mold who can defend multiple positions, rebound and make shots consistently (although teams will scrutinize his 67% career free-throw percentage) aren't that easy to come by, making him a likely candidate for a two-way contract after hearing his name called. There's nothing particularly glamorous about his profile, but there's quite a bit of utility in what he offers. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Karlo Matkovic","year":2022,"school":"Mega Mozzart","college_abbreviation":"Mega Mozzart","post_draft_analysis":"Playing alongside Nikola Jovic in Serbia this season, Matkovic didn't fully catch the attention of NBA teams until a strong pre-draft process in which he showcased his outstanding explosiveness, natural shooting stroke and infectious energy level, drawing comparisons to players like Drew Eubanks in the process. It's difficult to understand why Matkovic -- a 71% free-throw shooter this season -- has only attempted six 3-pointers in his 137-game career, but that will have to change if he's to carve out a real career in the NBA. His 7-1 wingspan isn't ideal for a player projected to play center, but he does display nice versatility defensively with the intensity he displays, the way he covers ground and the quickness in which he gets off his feet. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"JD Davison","year":2022,"school":"Alabama","college_abbreviation":"ALA","post_draft_analysis":"Davison entered the college game known as a YouTube sensation thanks to his explosive dunking ability. He also demonstrated there's more to his game, showing some feel as a passer and a willingness to mix things up defensively. He has a solid physical profile for a guard, which allowed him to play on and off the ball for Alabama, who had a very inconsistent season. Offense was a major struggle at times for Davison, who isn't a polished ball handler or a consistent shooter, and turned the ball over at an alarmingly high rate. It's clear that Davison's struggles as a scorer and decision-maker make him more of a long-term prospect, which allowed more productive guards to jump ahead of him as the season moved on and on draft night. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Yannick Nzosa","year":2022,"school":"Unicaja Malaga","college_abbreviation":"Unicaja Malaga","post_draft_analysis":"Nzosa started this season projected as a lottery pick after an extremely impressive 2020-21 season as a 17-year-old who made a major impact in the ACB, but regressed in a highly disappointing fashion this year as his numbers plummeted in every category. Nzosa still has two major things working in his favor: He is incredibly agile for a player with a 7-4 wingspan and possesses outstanding defensive potential as a switchable center who can slide his feet on the perimeter, protect the rim and even chase down blocks in transition. Offensively, Nzosa is very limited at this stage, both because of his weak frame but also due to his poor hands and low skill level. The second-youngest player drafted in this class, the rave reviews Nzosa draws for his work ethic off the court and outstanding energy level made him interesting enough to warrant a draft pick despite how far away he looked from playing in a serious NBA game this year. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Gui  Santos","year":2022,"school":"Minas","college_abbreviation":"Minas","post_draft_analysis":"A long-armed, strong-framed wing who made significant improvements the past two seasons in Brazil, Santos possesses a nice blend of versatility, fluidity and physicality attacking the rim, while consistently competing defensively and on the glass. Santos is not yet consistent enough as a shooter and is still working to develop into a more well-rounded all-around scorer. He handled the ball more this season and showed strides with his passing ability. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Luke Travers","year":2022,"school":"Perth","college_abbreviation":"Perth","post_draft_analysis":"A 6-8 guard with a 6-10 wingspan and strong all-around versatility, Travers played all over the floor for Perth the past few seasons, sliding from the point guard to small forward positions on both ends of the floor. Travers' slight frame, funky shooting mechanics and average quickness/explosiveness are things he'll have to improve on in the Australian NBL to position himself as a more immediate NBA candidate, but he is an excellent all-around basketball player, a lock to become a national team player for the Boomers and will likely get a chance to show his game translates down the road. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jabari Walker","year":2022,"school":"Colorado","college_abbreviation":"COLO","post_draft_analysis":"The son of former NBA player Samaki Walker, Jabari is a 6-8 big man with a slender 214-pound frame but a long 6-10 3/4 wingspan. He is one of the highest energy big men in the draft, bringing strong versatility on the defensive end, making smart rotations to meet opponents at the rim, and improved his 3-point shooting significantly this season, hitting 35% of his attempts. Yet to turn 20 years old, Walker has clear upside to grow into but will need to work on his frame and skill level to position himself more firmly as an NBA roster candidate. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Hugo Besson","year":2022,"school":"NZ Breakers","college_abbreviation":"NZ Breakers","post_draft_analysis":"A microwave scorer who moved to the Australian NBL after a big year in the French second division, Besson is a third-generation pro with confidence and scoring instincts for days. Standing nearly 6-6 in shoes, he's a prolific shot-maker who scores in bunches by pulling up off the dribble or operating off sharp stepbacks from well beyond the 3-point line. Besson also shows the ability to create shots skillfully inside the arc as well, often to dish off a live dribble to teammates in highlight-reel fashion. Just an average finisher at the rim due to his narrow frame and just-decent explosiveness, Besson's negative wingspan and general struggles on the defensive end are the biggest issues he'll have to work through to carve out a long-term NBA career. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Victor Wembanyama","year":2023,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","post_draft_analysis":"The basketball gods smiled on San Antonio on lottery night, delivering the first overall pick to select a franchise-changing talent in Wembanyama. After toiling in mediocrity and not advancing past the first round of the playoffs since 2017, the Spurs finally went all-in on rebuilding and were awarded the most hyped prospect since LeBron James. They'll add him to a strong group of young wing and forward prospects in Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham. San Antonio will hope to be competitive enough to vye for the playoffs sometime in the not-too-distant future, led by a rejuvenated Gregg Popovich hoping to leave on a positive note before retirement.Player fitWembanyama would be a plug-and-play option on any roster, but his fit with the Spurs looks particularly snug. His extraordinary skill level should allow him to immediately become the primary target offensively on a team sorely lacking in shot-creation, while stepping to anchor a defense that ranked worst in the league last season. In Sochan, he has an ideal frontcourt partner who brings physicality, unselfishness, feel for the game, passing and defensive versatility. He's played quite a bit of center in his career, allowing him to bring Wembanyama's slight frame along slowly handling some of the more punishing matchups they might encounter. After playing 62 games without missing a single contest, the Spurs will likely want to be strategic about the load they put on him next year, especially if he represents France in the FIBA World Cup in August as expected. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Brandon Miller","year":2023,"school":"Alabama","college_abbreviation":"ALA","post_draft_analysis":"The Hornets sit at a crossroads. After drawing lottery luck at No. 2 as a new ownership group takes over, there is a window for them to build around 21-year-old star guard LaMelo Ball and whomever they select. Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson would be franchise building blocks. The roster itself will require further work for the Hornets to re-enter the playoff picture, as their last few drafts have been poor. But this pick presents a major opportunity to inject some energy and star power into the organization. Player fitMiller's upside as a tall perimeter creator with two-way impact ultimately moved him to No. 2 on the board for many teams over the course of his impressive college season. After taking their time to do diligence on Miller and Henderson, bringing both players in for two rounds of workouts and interviews, the Hornets landed here, choosing to pair Miller with franchise point guard Ball, rather than try to make Ball and Henderson co-exist. Miller's ability to score over the top of defenses, as well as the spacing he generates with the threat of his shot, should make him immediately impactful for Charlotte as the Hornets transition to new owners this summer. He could be the exact type of scorer they need to take the next step toward relevance. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Scoot Henderson","year":2023,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","post_draft_analysis":"The Trailblazers seem intent on threading the needle between maximizing Damian Lillard's prime and stockpiling for the future, making moves to stay competitive without taking shortcuts that might hurt their outlook for when the Lillard era inevitably comes to an end. The performance of 2022 lottery pick, Shaedon Sharpe, has to be encouraging when paired with the good fortune of moving up on lottery night to snag the No. 3 pick, setting the team up nicely for the long term. The main question will be how to keep the soon-to-be 33-year-old Lillard happy if the team heads for a third-straight lottery appearance. The roster is lacking both in rim protection and defensive versatility in the backcourt, neither of which the No. 3 pick will fix in the short-term.Player fitPortland's pick was more or less made by Charlotte, as this has widely been viewed as a three-player draft for a good part of the season, with the team picking third. With the talent drop-off after three, there was never really any conversation about any other prospects beyond Miller and Henderson. Miller being selected second made Henderson the easy pick here, and there are reasons to believe he can coexist in a backcourt with Lillard and Anfernee Simons, provided his defense and perimeter shooting improve. Henderson's explosiveness in the open court and ability to change gears in the half-court gives the Trailblazers another big offensive playmaker. It will be up to him to utilize his tremendous frame and 6-9 wingspan to his advantage defensively to carve out playing time. Several NBA teams selecting behind Portland speculated in recent days that the Trail Blazers may in fact look to pick Amen Thompson over Henderson. Ultimately, this has always been considered this a three-player draft and there was never any thought about selecting anyone besides Henderson or Miller.-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Amen Thompson","year":2023,"school":"Overtime Elite","college_abbreviation":"Overtime Elite","post_draft_analysis":"Having made top-three selections in the past couple drafts, the Rockets wound up falling in the lottery and face a key decision at No. 4, with the goal of competing for the playoffs. Houston owes its 2024 and 2026 first-round picks to Oklahoma City with top-four protections and also owes the Thunder top-10 protected 2025 swap rights, adding further impetus for the Rockets to try and take a step forward, rather than potentially convey high-value picks. That said, there's no true win-now pick to be made here, and the flip side of that argument is that this may be the final opportunity for the Rockets to take a giant swing on a prospect before their draft capital becomes more compromised. Player fit Drafting with the relative luxury of knowing exactly which players would be on the board at No. 4, the Rockets opted to play the upside card on Amen, a player that will help fortify their backcourt and be the type of distributor other young players need to thrive. Amen will be one of the league's best athletes from Day One, but will also need time to adjust to the speed of the game amid a huge leap in competition from Overtime Elite to the NBA. His speed, size and playmaking vision could make him a talented transition player, while his halfcourt effectiveness hangs to some extent on him becoming a workable jump shooter, something that will also take some time. This is one of the bigger risk-reward picks in the draft, but the Rockets, who are hoping to move back closer to the playoff picture next season, are certainly justified in taking a chance. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ausar Thompson","year":2023,"school":"Overtime Elite","college_abbreviation":"Overtime Elite","post_draft_analysis":"The Pistons were surely disappointed to fall four spots on lottery night to No. 5, but responded by making Monty Williams the highest-paid coach in the NBA, signaling an intent to turn the page on their rebuilding process. With one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, which hasn't played many games together due to injury, ending the franchise's 15-year playoff series win drought will likely take time, something ownership will need to be patient about. The nucleus of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren is surely one of the league's most promising, but the odd glut of big men assembled will need to be sorted out. The Pistons have significant cap space to add veteran talent, and should be in position to compete for a play-in game appearance if they can stay healthy and find a way to get their young players to take the next step in their development. Player fit Thompson brings strong two-way upside on the perimeter, with an aggressive approach and strong work ethic that ultimately helped teams feel secure in selecting him. While his ability to catch and shoot has to continue improving, Thompson at 6-foot-7, is comfortable playing with and without the ball, and has the agility to defend both bigger wings and smaller guards. It will take him some time to adjust to a much more difficult and fast-paced NBA level, and he may not wind up starting from day one in certain situations, but in time, provided he makes enough shots, he should grow into a useful, versatile perimeter option. Troy Weaver vowed to take a \"big swing\" on draft night and did just that, opting for the considerable upside of Ausar Thompson over the alternatives. The Thompson twins, born within a minute of each other, ended up being picked five minutes apart, in the same order they came out of their mother's womb. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Anthony Black","year":2023,"school":"Arkansas","college_abbreviation":"ARK","post_draft_analysis":"The Magic have positioned themselves quite well after selecting Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in the past two drafts, setting up to push for their first playoff berth since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Entering this draft with two lottery picks in hand, Orlando has a range of available options in terms of pairing rookies together, as well as potentially moving around in trades. The Magic can create significant cap space this summer and are hoping to make a jump next season, making this a key juncture to add more young talent before potentially throwing open a competitive window. Player fit Black enters the NBA with a sneaky amount of upside, as a prospect who bloomed late, is still developing skill-wise, and has relied to this point on his size and excellent feel for the game. There's a lot of room for him to expand his offensive game - most importantly, he'll need to be able to knock down open shots - but provided his confidence and scoring ability keeps growing, Black can be the type of oversized playmaker teams covet. He's also one of the better defenders in the draft, with great balance and anticipation at his size, able to guard all over the perimeter and make an impact. Considering that skillset framework and how much he's improved in a relatively short time, Black could wind up as one of the best players in this draft. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Bilal Coulibaly","year":2023,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","post_draft_analysis":"The Wizards traded up to acquire this pick from the Pacers in order to select Coulibaly, confirming a growing leaguewide suspicion that he was Washington's target at No. 8. Sources suggested the Wizards were concerned about another team trading ahead of them to select him - Utah, sitting at No. 9, was particularly hot on Coulibaly's trail - and were aggressive in securing him at this spot. The Wizards dealt two second-round picks to the Pacers to ensure they got their man.Player fit Coulibaly's rise from bit player to essential playmaker of Victor Wembanyama's Metropolitans 92 team that made the French finals did wonders for his standing in the draft, catapulting him into lottery conversations and ultimately landing here. Still 18 years old at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2.25 wingspan, Coulibaly's physical profile, versatile defense and room to grow make him a highly intriguing fit for the NBA game. While he's likely to require a year or two of seasoning, you can argue his long-term upside among the best in the draft, and as he learns to assert himself more on offense, there may be layers to his game he hasn't shown yet. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jarace Walker","year":2023,"school":"Houston","college_abbreviation":"HOU","post_draft_analysis":"The Wizards are preparing for a full rebuild under new president Michael Winger, and the Bradley Beal trade was the first domino to fall in that process. With the No. 8 pick, the Wizards sit in a position to grab whoever they view as the best long-term prospect available. The Wizards filled their long-term point guard hole by trading for Tyus Jones, but it's hard to assume much about Washington's roster moving forward with the understanding that more veterans could all be on the move. Player fit Walker is slightly undersized for a big man at a hair under 6-8 in shoes, but more than makes up for that with a 7-2.5 wingspan and chiseled 249-pound frame. His tools, combined with his mobility and toughness give him a chance to be one of the best and most versatile defenders in this class - allowing him to carve out a role early in his NBA career. He's shown flashes of perimeter shooting and passing that are highly intriguing. Although his overall offensive polish, especially as a ball handler, is still a major work in progress since he's not the most fluid or naturally skillful player around. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Taylor Hendricks","year":2023,"school":"UCF","college_abbreviation":"UCF","post_draft_analysis":"The Jazz are in one of the NBA's most enviable positions, amassing a hoard of draft picks in the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert trades, a sparkling clean cap sheet, and two major building blocks in Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, who they shrewdly acquired in those aforementioned trades. Despite the franchise's rosy outlook, there's still considerable work to do in filling out the roster, particularly the backcourt's playmaking, shooting and scoring punch to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for the first time in seven years. The team was much feistier under highly regarded coach Will Hardy than anyone thought they would be, which quickly took them out of the running for a top pick. The front office will need to continue to take swings to add star power to ensure they don't get stuck in a middle-ground of being competitive enough to avoid drafting high, but not good enough to win a playoff series. Player fit Hendricks fits a clear mold NBA teams are seeking as a 6-9 1/2 power forward with impressive defensive versatility, finishing prowess and perimeter shooting, converting 39% of his 3-pointers on the season. He plays exceptionally hard, can protect the rim or switch onto smaller players, knows his limitations, and has significant upside to grow into as his 214-pound frame fills out. NBA teams want to see his passing, ballhandling and all-around feel for the game improve to be more than just an excellent role player. But at 19 years old, and with the impressive trajectory he's on, it's hard to put a ceiling on his potential. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cason Wallace","year":2023,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","post_draft_analysis":"The Thunder traded up from No. 12 to No. 10 with the Mavericks to select Wallace, a player they quietly coveted. With Orlando's No. 11 pick viewed as a potential trade spot, Oklahoma City was aggressive in trading up to secure him, ensuring another team couldn't move in front.Player fit Wallace has ideal size and length for a guard at 6-4 in shoes with a 6-8.5 wingspan and a 195-pound frame that should fill out nicely in time. His calling card in the NBA revolves around his toughness and defensive versatility, as he consistently hawked the point of attack for Kentucky, generated turnovers in bunches, and showed the ability to guard bigger and smaller players. Wallace's offensive aggressiveness was a mixed bag at times. But he showed enough potential as a perimeter shooter (35% 3P%) and passer to feel comfortable projecting improvement here as his shot creation and finishing evolves. There's a market for combo guards in this mold who can change the pace of a game defensively and offer enough shooting and unselfishness to serve as complementary options operating alongside stars. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jett Howard","year":2023,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","post_draft_analysis":"Rival teams weren't sure if the Magic, one of the youngest teams in the NBA, would be looking to roster a second lottery pick on top of their already-sizeable stable of talent. Ultimately, the depth of this draft class was too enticing for the franchise to pass up, causing them to stand pat at No. 11. Player fit Howard started off hot at Michigan, then battled nagging ankle problems for much of the season, losing the lottery-level buzz, but still projecting as a mid-to-late first-rounder on the strength of his jump shot. As the son of longtime NBA vet Juwan Howard, Jett's game is quite different, with projectable size and consistent shooting mechanics on the wing, as well as some room to add to his game off the dribble and defensively. There's typically a place for tall, talented shot-making wings in the NBA, however, there's some downside if Howard doesn't make shots at the level his draft slot suggests he should. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dereck Lively II","year":2023,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","post_draft_analysis":"The Thunder traded up from No. 12 to No. 10 here with the Mavericks to select Cason Wallace, a player they quietly coveted. With Orlando's No. 11 pick viewed as a potential trade spot, Oklahoma City was aggressive in trading up to secure him, ensuring that another team couldn't move in front of them. Player fit Lively has gradually built a good case for himself as the top non-Wembanyama rim protector in a draft thin on centers. He offers excellent measurables and above-average mobility at 7-2, made significant strides after initially struggling to adjust at Duke, and capped it off with a positive pre-draft process that reminded teams why he was such a highly regarded recruit. It's hard to find players his size and while Lively has quite a bit to improve upon in all areas, he should be able to impact games defensively, run the floor, and finish plays at a high level. Most of his impact will come from protecting the paint, but there aren't that many prospects that come along in his mold that also have his type of physical abilities. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Gradey Dick","year":2023,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU","post_draft_analysis":"After missing the playoffs for the second time in three years, the Raptors are in an interesting position. Despite being just four years removed from winning a championship, they had a coaching change this off-season and are potentially on the verge of significant roster changes depending on which direction the front office elects to go. Scottie Barnes didn't take the jump some hoped after his rookie of the year campaign last season, and there are questions about how high this team's ceiling is with Pascal Siakam spearheading the offense. The backcourt may be in line for an overhaul with Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent entering free agency, and the team will be looking to significantly improve their spacing by adding much-needed shooting after ranking among the league-worst in that department. Player fit Gradey Dick is arguably the best perimeter shooter in this draft, a 6-7.5 wing with a sturdy frame, a high skill level, a solid feel for the game, and competitiveness and swagger that should make him a plug-and-play option early in his career. He has ideal shooting mechanics and footwork relocating for open looks, pulling up off the bounce and even coming off screens in small doses. Dick's footspeed defensively will be tested by more explosive opponents, and he'll need to continue to improve as a passer and finisher to become a higher usage option. But at 19 years old, there's quite a bit to like about his outlook and profile, which almost every team in the NBA could use to some extent.-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jordan Hawkins","year":2023,"school":"UConn","college_abbreviation":"CONN","post_draft_analysis":"The Pelicans have been all over the rumor mill leading into draft night, but a potential move into the top three of the draft appeared to hang on their willingness to part with Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson. Such a move never materialized, and after exploring moving around elsewhere in the draft, New Orleans stayed in a spot to pick the best talent available at No. 14. Player fit Hawkins played a major part in UConn's championship run and saw his draft stock steadily climb as a result, having showcased himself as arguably the draft's top shooter, particularly running off of screens. While he can sometimes be slapped with the specialist label, Hawkins is more athletic than your typical pure 3-point shooter and plays with a good level of toughness, endearing him to teams as a potential plug-and-play option. The scarcity of true, dynamic movement shooters like Hawkins helped make him an appealing option in this part of the draft, and there's certainly upside as he refines that skill set.-- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kobe Bufkin","year":2023,"school":"Michigan","college_abbreviation":"MICH","post_draft_analysis":"The Hawks went through a somewhat tumultuous season undergoing changes in both the front office and coaching staff. They have some difficult decisions ahead regarding the future of Trae Young and their increasingly difficult cap situation, which may see them bump up against the new CBA's second apron with pending extensions for Dejounte Murray, Onyeka Okongwu and others. The team explored the trade market for John Collins, Clint Capela and De'Andre Hunter in the lead-up to the draft, and ultimately decided to stand pat for what promises to be an important summer in store. Player fit Bufkin's rise from the fringes of the draft radar all the way into the lottery has been an exciting story for those watching closely -- after struggling to adjust in his first year at Michigan, his game took flight as a sophomore still young for his class. He plays with great energy on both ends of the floor and has flashed the ability to score at all three levels. Most scouts agree his upside lies in whether he can develop into a point guard, where his size and quickness should give him an advantage, but there are also reasonable scenarios where Bufkin plays more of a supporting role than a lead playmaker. In a draft full of guards who may be best-suited combos, he offers arguably the most upside to develop into more than that.-- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Keyonte George","year":2023,"school":"Baylor","college_abbreviation":"BAY","post_draft_analysis":"Holding three first-round picks in different parts of the draft, the Jazz are one of the more interesting actors in the 2023 draft, capable of going in several directions. If they keep their picks, what they do at No. 16 will undoubtedly be influenced by who they take at No. 9, as they put pieces in place for what could be a somewhat quick rebuild thanks to the development of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. Player fit Entering draft night, George looked like a candidate to fall a bit, due in part to the large group of guards in the Nos. 10-20 range. He's a skilled offensive player with excellent scoring instincts, particularly for his age, and offers some nice shot-creation upside in the backcourt moving forward. However, George's contributions in other areas often left something to be desired, as his defensive awareness is sometimes subpar, and his decision-making can be a bit too shot-happy at times. There's a lot of room for growth, but also a chance he winds up as a somewhat replaceable, undersized two-guard. At this point in the draft, he's a solid investment and could develop into a useful rotation player and work up from there.-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Hood-Schifino","year":2023,"school":"Indiana","college_abbreviation":"IU","post_draft_analysis":"The Lakers exceeded expectations with a successful playoff run culminating in an appearance in the Western Conference finals. With LeBron James continuing to be one of the best players in the league and Anthony Davis having an encouraging season, there's plenty of room for optimism about bringing the band back and making another run in the West, which is as wide-open as it has been outside of the defending champions. That starts on draft night, armed with the highest pick they've had since selecting Lonzo Ball in 2017, which they'll need to use wisely considering the luxury tax crunch they are in and the limited means for improvement that exist in the new collective bargaining agreement.  Player fit Hood-Schifino has steadily climbed up draft boards all season. He's one of the most physically gifted prospects in the class at 6-5 .5 in shoes, 217 pounds with a 6-10 wingspan, enviable measurements considering he spent much of the season at point guard in a pick-and-roll heavy offensive scheme at Indiana. The flashes he shows as an off-the-dribble shot-maker and live-dribble passer are enticing, especially when paired with the toughness he displays defensively -- which was his calling card as a prospect prior to college. Finding more consistency with his decision-making, shooting and off-ball awareness defensively will help determine how big of a splash he makes early in his career. But there's little doubt that he has considerable upside to grow into long-term thanks to his tools and talent.-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaime Jaquez Jr","year":2023,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA","post_draft_analysis":"After ultimately losing out on Bradley Beal to the Suns, the Heat will presumably remain in the hunt for whichever star guard next becomes available. For now, they're left to pick at No. 18, where they can add a younger player to their core. Miami is facing a cap crunch with playoff stalwarts Gabe Vincent and Max Strus up for new contracts, and also stands to beef up its perimeter defense moving forward. The Heat tends to buck consensus and take who they want in the draft, making this pick a bit tricky to peg for rival teams entering the night. Player fit Having more than proven himself during a decorated UCLA career, Jaquez is the type of tough, intelligent and versatile player who should help his new team immediately. Jaquez doesn't have one elite skill, but he also doesn't have many glaring weaknesses. He is able to toggle between both forward spots, make open shots, and win extra possessions in the run of play as a rebounder and defender. He's one of the more NBA-ready players in the class and saw his stock rise for that reason. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Brandin Podziemski","year":2023,"school":"Santa Clara","college_abbreviation":"SCU","post_draft_analysis":"The Warriors followed up their NBA championship in 2022 by losing to the Lakers in the Western Conference semis, which opened up quite a few question marks about how much juice is left to be squeezed out of the aging core of Stephen Curry (35 years old), Klay Thompson (33) and Draymond Green (33). Changes coming to the collective bargaining agreement will make it very expensive and increasingly difficult to continue to add players to the roster, which makes this draft pick all the more important considering how little the team has gotten out of their last half-dozen picks the past three years. Player fit Initially only testing the waters, Podziemski had a highly successful pre-draft process that saw him raise his stock considerably at both the NBA combine and private workouts. Podziemski fits the mold of guard many NBA teams are actively seeking, capable of playing on or off the ball, showing dynamic shooting with his feet set or pulling up off the dribble, and having an excellent feel for the game creating for teammates intelligently or moving to open spots on the floor to help his team's ball movement. There are some concerns defensively revolving around his short wingspan (6-5 .5) and average footspeed, but Podziemski's competitiveness, toughness and rebounding prowess are traits several NBA teams mentioned as standing out in individual workouts. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cam Whitmore","year":2023,"school":"Villanova","college_abbreviation":"VILL","post_draft_analysis":"Houston has been exploring trade options involving this pick, with a host of young players already on the roster in addition to their draft pick at No. 4, creating an opportunity for a value play. If they keep it, the best fit might be a forward who can contribute defensively and make shots, considering there are plenty of ball handlers already on the roster. Player fit Whitmore's stock slipped in the weeks leading up to the draft, as teams expressed serious concerns over his medical. There's an opportunity for a major value pick here as a result, as he slides down the board here to the Rockets. It's not hard to see what makes Whitmore so highly regarded on first glance, standing 6-7 in shoes with a ripped 235-pound frame, explosive finishing prowess and a clean shooting stroke that suggest good things to come as a shot-maker long-term. Scoring comes easily for the 18-year-old, especially in the open floor and when he can get himself downhill powerfully, where he's an absolute highlight reel. Becoming a better ball handler, passer and decision-maker, and a more reliable shooter will be key for reaching his full potential, as well as finding ways to bring intensity and more consistency on both ends of the floor. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Noah Clowney","year":2023,"school":"Alabama","college_abbreviation":"ALA","post_draft_analysis":"The Nets were forced to pivot away from their big three of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving and start a new era built around Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and a host of future draft picks. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, the fact that many of their own picks were shipped out in the failed Harden trade means they don't have much choice but to try and stay competitive, which eliminates the possibility of a full-blown rebuild we've seen on other teams. Continuing to improve their backcourt -- especially if they can find a point guard of the future to complement Spencer Dinwiddie -- looks like a priority in the short term. Player fit Playing very much off the radar in South Carolina, Clowney wasn't considered a one-and-done type prospect entering Alabama. He quickly changed the narrative by emerging as the starting power forward of one of the best teams in college basketball and an anchor for a stout Alabama defense that helped deliver both an SEC regular season and conference tournament championship. At 6-10, with a 7-2 wingspan, excellent mobility, and a frame that should fill out considerably, he combines strong tools with the type of floor-spacing prowess and defensive versatility every team in the NBA covets. Clowney isn't a polished offensive player, and his lack of physical strength might be an issue projecting to the short term, but he's one of the youngest prospects in the draft, has coveted two-way versatility, and is on the type of trajectory that suggests significant room for improvement down the road.-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dariq Whitehead","year":2023,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","post_draft_analysis":"After drafting Noah Clowney with the No. 21 pick, the Nets selected Duke's Dariq Whitehead with their second first-round pick. Player fit After entering the season projected in the lottery, Whitehead's one-and-done year at Duke didn't go according to plan, as he dealt with a foot injury that delayed his start to the season and never quite returned to his high school form. What he did do well was shoot the 3-ball (42% on the season), which, ironically was one of the previous concerns. The real Whitehead is probably somewhere in between the lofty expectations and the current reality. If he can stay healthy, he figures to be a useful utility wing who can supply some scoring and defense on the wing. He's only 18 years old which suggests he has plenty of time to figure it out, making him a nice pick this far down in the draft.-- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kris Murray","year":2023,"school":"Iowa","college_abbreviation":"IOWA","post_draft_analysis":"With their second first-round pick, the Trail Blazers gave us some more insight into their thought process regarding the balancing act they are trying to pull off between staying competitive in the midst of Damian Lillard's prime, while trying to stockpile talent for when his era in Portland inevitably comes to an end.  Player fit Murray isn't quite the same caliber of prospect as his twin brother Keegan, who was selected fourth by the Kings in 2022, but he does reliably do some valuable things: He can make open shots from range, he can operate effectively without the ball, and he rebounds and defends at a solid level standing 6-9. Murray projects as a reliable role player, and he's mature enough to understand what his job is. Low-maintenance rotation guys with his type of game can stick in the NBA for a long time. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Olivier-Maxence Prosper","year":2023,"school":"Marquette","college_abbreviation":"MARQ","post_draft_analysis":"Sacramento traded No. 24 to Dallas, who used a traded player exception to also acquire Richaun Holmes from Sacramento and select Prosper. This is a salary cap-focused decision by the Kings. Player fit Prosper was one of the biggest winners of the pre-draft process, entering the combine as a projected second-rounder and leaving it with real first-round interest. Good showings on the workout circuit culminated in a green room invite and his selection here, much higher than anyone would have expected during the college season. At a strong 6-8 with a 7-1 wingspan, Prosper will fit in the NBA physically right away, but may also take some time to develop into a highly-active, two-way wing who can help space the floor. He shot just 33.9% from 3 last season in college, a number that will likely need to tick up for him to become an above-average regular. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Marcus Sasser","year":2023,"school":"Houston","college_abbreviation":"HOU","post_draft_analysis":"The Celtics drafted Sasser and immediately dealt him to the Pistons in a deal that saw them move back to No. 31 and acquire future second-round picks. Detroit was quite high on Sasser and hoping he'd fall to No. 31, and moved up to ensure another team didn't grab him first. Player fit Sasser is one of the more NBA-ready guards in the draft, with a strong college resume and well-rounded game. He's a good shooter and defender in the backcourt who can toggle on and off the ball, giving him a nice pathway to immediate value. Teams had concerns about his size and capacity to play point guard at a high level, which didn't prevent him from going in the first round. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ben Sheppard","year":2023,"school":"Belmont","college_abbreviation":"BEL","post_draft_analysis":"The Pacers entered draft night with four picks in the top 32, and were widely expected to move around in search of value rather than use all of them. Player fit A breakout showing at the combine helped vault Sheppard up draft boards and into the first-round picture, proving he belonged after a strong college career at Belmont. The perception that he was purely a specialist has shifted: He's a capable passer and ball handler who can fit in alongside other scorers and space the floor, and yet not quite pure enough a shooter for that to be his only selling point. Sheppard has good traits for a supporting wing.-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nick Smith Jr","year":2023,"school":"Arkansas","college_abbreviation":"ARK","post_draft_analysis":"The Hornets entered the night one of the most well-stocked teams in the NBA in terms of draft picks, possessing the No. 2 and No. 27 selections in addition to three favorable second-rounders. The worst-ranked offensive team in the league last year, with an extreme lack of shooting throughout the roster, the front office has plenty of work ahead as the franchise ushers in a new ownership group that will surely want to put their imprint on the way the team conducts its business as soon as the sale officially closes. Player fit Smith started the season a projected top-five pick, but ended up seeing his stock drop as injuries limited him to just 17 games, many of which he looked like a shell of himself compared with what we saw in high school. Still, there's a lot to like about the combination of scoring instincts, shot-creation prowess, shot-making ability, passing and competitiveness, which portends good things to come considering he just turned 19. His slender frame, as well as his struggles as a finisher around the basket and point-of-attack defender might make it difficult for him to be an overly efficient option on both ends of the floor early in his career, but it's hard not to be enamored with his long-term upside considering what he's shown in previous settings prior to enrolling at Arkansas..-- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Brice Sensabaugh","year":2023,"school":"Ohio State","college_abbreviation":"OSU","post_draft_analysis":"This pick felt the most likely of the Jazz's three first-rounders to move going into draft night, with Utah in position to add quality players at 9 and 16. It appears they are keeping it, however. Player fit Sensabaugh saw his stock slip a bit over the course of the pre-draft process due in part to concerns around his health and conditioning -- a knee issue ended his season at Ohio State early that limited what he could do in workouts, falling in line with a history of knee injuries dating back to high school. He's one of the more gifted scorers in the draft, with a smooth jumper and great instincts creating his shot, but isn't much of a defender at this point. If Sensabaugh can get his body right, this could be a strong value for the Jazz. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Julian Strawther","year":2023,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ","post_draft_analysis":"The Nuggets steamrolled through the NBA playoffs to win the franchise's first championship, with a roster built to keep winning for the next several years thanks to shrewd scouting, drafting, trades, free agent acquisitions and cap management. The constraints of the luxury tax seems to be the only thing that could hold back the franchise from being a dominant presence in the West provided good health, which is why the front office pulled off several moves in the lead-up to the draft in hopes of acquiring young talent who can help keep their bench units competitive long-term. Player fit While he was more than simply a specialist in college, Strawther's shooting ability is going to be his calling card in the NBA, having proven it at Gonzaga, where he steadily improved and hit 40.5% from 3 on more than five attempts per game last season. Continuing to refine his shooting will be his best chance to stick. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kobe Brown","year":2023,"school":"Missouri","college_abbreviation":"MIZ","post_draft_analysis":"This pick was nearly traded from the Clippers to the Wizards on Wednesday before a three-team deal involving the Clippers, Wizards and Celtics fell apart. (That deal took place with Memphis as the third team, instead of LA). So the Clippers entered the night sitting here at 30 after all, thought to be eyeing an array of wing players that could fall to the back of the first round. Player fit Brown enjoyed a strong year at Missouri, making strides as a shooter and showcasing his toughness and versatility over the course of a winning season for his team. He piqued NBA interest as a result, with teams always hunting for glue guys who can make shots, pass, and contribute on the glass. There are some concerns about Brown's heavier body type and defensive contributions -- he's active but a bit slow-footed. He offers a lot to like at this point in the draft, if not a ton of upside. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"James Nnaji","year":2023,"school":"Nigeria","college_abbreviation":"Nigeria","post_draft_analysis":"After initially moving up to No. 25 from No. 35 in the Kristaps Porzingis deal, Boston grabbed this pick from Detroit in trading back off of No. 25 for future second-round picks. Then, they traded the pick again, moving back with Charlotte to acquire Nos. 34 and 39.  Player fit Nnaji has an NBA-ready frame that might allow him to excel as a rim-running center in the modern game. He's not particularly skilled, but will come over from Barcelona with high-level experience in Europe and will have a physical advantage over some opponents immediately. He's still a bit of a project, but it won't be a surprise if he becomes a productive rebounder, finisher and shot-blocker moving forward. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Pickett","year":2023,"school":"Penn State","college_abbreviation":"PSU","post_draft_analysis":"The Nuggets traded up earlier in the week to get this pick and No. 29 from the Pacers.Player fit Pickett quietly drew strong interest from teams in the pre-draft process, with rumors circulating for weeks about him having a potential promise in the second round, so this isn't a surprise to see him come off the board here. He comes in ready to play as a potential backup following an excellent senior year at Penn State, where he flew somewhat under the radar. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Leonard Miller","year":2023,"school":"Canada","college_abbreviation":"Canada","post_draft_analysis":"The Timberwolves acquired this pick from the Spurs on draft night for future second-rounders, giving them two picks in this year's second round. Player fit Miller took an estimable step forward in the G League last season, turning himself into a highly productive box score player and starting to harness his considerable physical gifts. It turned out teams weren't entirely sold on his profile, as reflected by his fall here. But Miller still offers a lot of tools to develop, with great length and some inside-out versatility at forward. He needs to refine his shooting and decision-making, and it may take him some time to see the floor in the NBA, but there just aren't that many athletes with his type of size, movement and basic skill set, which makes him a nice swing later in the draft. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Colby Jones","year":2023,"school":"Xavier","college_abbreviation":"XAV","post_draft_analysis":"The Sacramento Kings traded up with the Boston Celtics for the No. 34 pick in Thursday's draft for the No. 38 pick and a future second-round pick.Player fitJones checks the right boxes as a complementary perimeter player, as an unselfish, big guard who makes good decisions and open shots, and can make plays for teammates. He's big enough to defend a couple different positions and overall looks like a versatile lineup cog. He isn't supremely flashy, but his game offers a lot of utility, particularly for teams that need him to play immediately. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Julian Phillips","year":2023,"school":"Tennessee","college_abbreviation":"TENN","post_draft_analysis":"The Wizards acquired this pick and Tyus Jones as the primary return in Wednesday's three-team deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Boston and Marcus Smart to Memphis. They then reportedly traded it to the Bulls, who entered the draft without any picks in hand. Player fit Phillips' freshman year at Tennessee was a bit underwhelming, but he does offer some things to like from a developmental perspective at 6-8 with a 6-11 1/2 wingspan and some capacity to shoot, finish plays and defend. Physically, he fits the prototype for wing forwards, but his actual game has a ways to go, and he doesn't project as much of an offensive option right now. He's far from a finished product, but will be a developmental investment for Boston, hoping they can turn him into a viable role player to start.-- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Andre Jackson Jr","year":2023,"school":"UConn","college_abbreviation":"CONN","post_draft_analysis":"The Bucks acquired the No. 36 pick in the draft from the Orlando Magic. Player fitJackson was one of the faces of UConn's championship run, and endeared himself to teams with his motor, smarts and playmaking ability. His draft prospects were hampered somewhat by his shooting struggles, as well as some medical concerns that contributed to his fall here. If he's able to stay healthy and make some strides catching and shooting, Jackson does a lot of other things well that could help him find a niche.-- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Hunter Tyson","year":2023,"school":"Clemson","college_abbreviation":"CLEM","post_draft_analysis":"The Nuggets acquired this pick in a deal with the Thunder on June 9th, trading a far-out protected first to OKC in exchange for No. 37, and 2024 first and second-round picks. Denver intends to prolong its title window as much as possible, and is prepared to rely on creative drafting to round out their roster alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.  Player fit After standing out at G League Elite camp and earning a combine call-up, Tyson helped himself in the pre-draft process by showcasing his shooting ability and toughness at 6-8. He was efficient at Clemson and has a chance to stick in the right situation as a floor-spacer who might be able to hold his own defensively. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jordan Walsh","year":2023,"school":"Arkansas","college_abbreviation":"ARK","post_draft_analysis":"The Celtics acquired the No. 38 pick and a future second-rounder from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the No. 34 pick in Thursday's draft. Player fitWalsh is very much a work in progress as a player but offers an active motor and strong measurables at 6-7 with a nearly 7-2 wingspan. His frame and defensive upside intrigued some teams, but his offensive game is pretty far off right now, primarily relying on hustle plays and the occasional open jumper. Walsh is a good athlete and offers some tools to work with, but this is a long-term development pick for Boston.-- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Mouhamed Gueye","year":2023,"school":"Washington State","college_abbreviation":"WSU","post_draft_analysis":"This is the fourth Charlotte selection, and rival teams suspected the Hornets would move some of them on draft night. Boston wound up making this pick after moving back with the Hornets from No. 31. Player fit Gueye's athleticism and flashes of perimeter shooting and skill make him an interesting second-round project pick. He measured in over 6-10 barefoot at the combine and came off a productive season at Washington State, where he wasn't always consistent but turned in a handful of impressive performances. The profile here is enough to warrant a flier for the Celtics. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Maxwell Lewis","year":2023,"school":"Pepperdine","college_abbreviation":"PEPP","post_draft_analysis":"The Lakers acquired this pick in a swap with Indiana for No. 47 and cash, a pick the Pacers acquired from Denver on Wednesday, in moving back off of 29 and 32 for a future first. Player fitLewis took an unusual path to the NBA, briefly taking part in the short-lived Chameleon BX training program, then attending Pepperdine, where his game took a leap as a sophomore. He's a prospect who passes the eye test, as a smooth mover with some shot-making skills, but still has a ways to go to develop the requisite feel it takes to succeed in the NBA. Lewis is a longer-view pick here for the Lakers, but could certainly return value at this point in the draft, where his upside as a scoring wing exceeds the risk if he doesn't put it all together. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Amari Bailey","year":2023,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA","post_draft_analysis":"This was the fifth and final of the Hornets' selections.  Player fit Although somewhat of a divisive prospect, Bailey helped himself at the combine and offers a mix of playmaking, toughness and physicality in the backcourt. His jumper is a bit questionable as is the translatability of his style of play -- he may not be good enough on the ball to run point and may not be a good enough shooter to play off -- but he's still young and has a good athletic profile, suggesting some developmental upside. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tristan Vukcevic","year":2023,"school":"Serbia","college_abbreviation":"Serbia","post_draft_analysis":"This is the third of four Washington picks, with the Wizards holding two second-rounders. Player fitVukcevic was among the stars of the combine, flashing an intriguing mix of size and offensive skill that endeared him to terms and helped secure him a spot in the second round. He's not much of a defender, but he's a talented scorer, can space the floor and has legit size for a center, making him a viable developmental player for the Wizards. He intends to come over to the NBA next season, so this is likely not an international stash pick. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Rayan Rupert","year":2023,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","post_draft_analysis":"With their second first-round pick, the Trail Blazers gave us some more insight into their thought process regarding the balancing act they are trying to pull off between staying competitive in the midst of Damian Lillard's prime, while trying to stockpile talent for when his era in Portland inevitably comes to an end. Player fit Rupert largely fits the 3-and-D profile teams covet, at 6-7 with a 7-2 wingspan and the framework to be a universally helpful role player. He's known as an extremely hard worker and has made some strides with his jumper, leaving room for optimism that he'll make shots and supply plus defense on the wing. Rupert is still raw in some ways, but his feel is pretty solid, and it won't be surprising to see him blossom into a good player given time. His offense is going to be a work in progress, though. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Sidy Cissoko","year":2023,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","post_draft_analysis":"After picking Victor Wembanyama first overall, the Spurs made their second pick of the night at No. 44, originally acquired from the Toronto Raptors. Player fitAlthough Ignite's other prospects received a bit more fanfare, Cissoko does some interesting things in his own right, as a capable passer, ball handler and shooter with a strong 6-7 frame. He doesn't hang his hat on any particular thing yet, but was reasonably productive in the G League, averaging a steal and a block per game and flashing his versatility. His upside as a big complementary wing offers some appeal in this part of the draft. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Gregory Jackson II","year":2023,"school":"South Carolina","college_abbreviation":"SC","post_draft_analysis":"After trading away the 25th pick, Memphis entered the night with only its two second-rounders to play with.     Player fit Entering draft night, there was quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding Jackson, who was unable to boost his stock in the pre-draft process and looked susceptible to falling into the second round, despite his lofty recruiting ranking. Teams were concerned about Jackson's readiness both from a skill and from a maturity perspective, but in this part of the draft, he looks like a more appealing, lower-risk project. He's physically gifted with good shooting ability for a guy his size, but has to next figure out what his ideal role is, some of which will fall on the Grizzlies as they develop him from here. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Seth Lundy","year":2023,"school":"Penn State","college_abbreviation":"PSU","post_draft_analysis":"After drafting Kobe Bufkin in the first round, the Hawks picked again at No. 46 overall. Player fitA strong combine performance solidified Lundy as a draftable prospect, combining an excellent shooting stroke with a strong build that should enable him to challenge for minutes off the bench with the Hawks. Shot-making is always at a premium, and he's viewed as one of the more proven shooters in the draft, making 40% from 3-point range on more than six attempts per game last season. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Mojave King","year":2023,"school":"New Zealand","college_abbreviation":"New Zealand","post_draft_analysis":"The Pacers moved back here from No. 40 earlier on Thursday, accepting cash considerations in a swap with the Lakers.  Player fit King, a product of the NBA Global Academy, was identified early on as a top-shelf prospect in Australia alongside Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels. After two stagnant seasons in the Australian NBL, he moved to G League Ignite, where he had an up-and-down season, showing his potential as a perimeter shooter with his feet set and coming off screens. Blessed with solid length, explosiveness, feel for the game, it's King's lack of assertiveness and consistency that has held him back from reaching his significant potential the past few years. Having just turned 21, and ticking plenty of boxes NBA teams look for at the wing position, King still has time to become the type of player many expected as a young teenager, likely first on a stash contract back in the Australian NBL next season. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jordan Miller","year":2023,"school":"Miami","college_abbreviation":"MIA","post_draft_analysis":"This is the second of the Clippers' picks of the night, as Los Angeles drafted Kobe Brown at the end of the first round. Player fitKnown as a productive glue guy who contributed to some quality Miami teams, Miller may be able to find a niche with the Clippers thanks to his toughness, rebounding and ability to make things happen without the ball in his hands. While a bit undersized for the front court, he has always played a bit bigger than his true size and is the type of player who a team can fall in love with due to his winning contributions. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Emoni Bates","year":2023,"school":"Eastern Michigan","college_abbreviation":"EMU","post_draft_analysis":"This is Cleveland's only selection on draft night, with the Cavs hoping a player high on their board would unexpectedly fall to them here.    Player fit Bates' long journey from projected top pick to enigmatic college player to potentially undrafted will be interesting to monitor from here, as he indeed hears his name called by Cavaliers, but will have to work to earn a place in the team's future plans. Bates has size, he can shoot, and plays hard, but offers little in the way of defense or playmaking, and ultimately never made a compelling case for himself as someone worthy of guaranteed money on draft night. The Cavaliers will give him a chance and see whether he can adjust and find a role that works. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Keyontae Johnson","year":2023,"school":"Kansas State","college_abbreviation":"KSU","post_draft_analysis":"Oklahoma City made three picks on Thursday, selecting Dereck Lively II at No. 12 overall and Hunter Tyson at No. 37. Player fitAfter a heart condition caused him to collapse on the court in December 2020, Johnson has been medically cleared to play by the NBA, a key step for him as he worked to find an opportunity in the draft. Ultimately, these types of situations still require team doctors to sign off on the selection, which limits the number of potential landing spots. The Thunder felt comfortable enough with Johnson to invest a pick in him here, hoping he can turn into a useful utility player who contributes defensively and on the glass. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Wilson","year":2023,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU","post_draft_analysis":"Player fit Wilson had a strong couple of seasons at Kansas, playing a big role on the Jayhawks' 2022 championship team and then stepping up as a scorer last season after Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun left for the NBA. He didn't have an overwhelming pre-draft process and presumably wasn't helped by the fact he measured under 6-6 barefoot at the combine. Wilson still offers some size, versatility, shot-making, and high-level college experience, however, and might be a nice sleeper pick here for Brooklyn. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Toumani Camara","year":2023,"school":"Dayton","college_abbreviation":"DAY","post_draft_analysis":"This was the Suns' only pick of the draft, as they dealt their first-rounder to Brooklyn in the Kevin Durant trade in February. Player fitCamara offers some sleeper appeal due to his size, energy and versatility. He's able to chip in as a scorer, as he can knock down the occasional open shot, and contribute on the boards. He's a good athlete but somewhat caught between positions in a traditional sense -- a bit small to defend bigs and not quite agile enough to cover all wings. How he fits with the Suns will be important for his success. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaylen Clark","year":2023,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA","post_draft_analysis":"The Timberwolves have only second-round picks after moving most of their first-rounders to Utah in the Rudy Gobert trade. Player fit The Pac-12 defensive player of the year, Jaylen Clark had a breakout junior season that made him a potential top-40 pick candidate before tearing his Achilles late in the season, an injury that will likely linger into next year. Clark uses his 6-9 wingspan and strong 204-pound frame to lock up point guards, shooting guards and small forwards with outstanding quickness, strength and intensity, regularly stepping in for charges and wreaking havoc off the ball getting in passing lanes and crashing the glass. His offensive game is fairly basic, consisting mostly of transition opportunities, attacking closeouts and a streaky 33% 3-point shot that showed a lot of progress from last season, but still has plenty of room to grow. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jalen Slawson","year":2023,"school":"Furman","college_abbreviation":"FUR","post_draft_analysis":"Player fit Slawson built an intriguing sleeper case after a pair of productive seasons as the star of a solid Furman team that won 28 games and upset Virginia in the NCAA tournament in 2023. He offers some versatility and inside-out game at forward. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Wong","year":2023,"school":"Miami","college_abbreviation":"MIA","post_draft_analysis":"Player fit The ACC Player of the Year, Wong is a tremendous scorer who keeps defenses off balance with a steady stream of pull-up jumpers, slithery transition takes and changes of speed out of crossovers and hesitation moves showing his outstanding bucket-getting instincts. Finding more nuance with his playmaking, decision-making, perimeter shooting consistency and defense will be the keys for emerging from two-way flyer to a real NBA player. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tarik Biberovic","year":2023,"school":"Turkey","college_abbreviation":"Turkey","post_draft_analysis":"The Grizzlies dealt their first-rounder in the Marcus Smart trade, but they had two picks in the second round. They drafted Gregory Jackson II at No. 45 overall.  Player fit The 6-8, strong-framed wing from Bosnia has been playing for the past few years in Turkey for EuroLeague powerhouse Fenerbahce, where his minutes and opportunity mostly dried up this season compared with years past. A career 38% 3-point shooter, Biberovic has a good feel for his role and some versatility as a big, strong-framed \"3-and-D\" wing. He lacks high-end athleticism and is somewhat stuck between positions defensively, but has plenty of experience under his belt already and could potentially thrive in a better situation than the one he's currently at in Turkey, where he struggled to make shots consistently this year. -- Jonathan Givony"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Trayce Jackson-Davis","year":2023,"school":"Indiana","college_abbreviation":"IU","post_draft_analysis":"Player fit After a monster senior year at Indiana, Jackson-Davis reframed himself as an NBA prospect, showcasing his productivity and underrated passing ability as one of the best players in college basketball. He's an excellent rebounder and interior finisher, and while he doesn't project to add much more to his game, Jackson-Davis might be able to plug in early in his career and help a team off the bench. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Chris Livingston","year":2023,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","post_draft_analysis":"The Bucks acquired the No. 36 pick in the draft (and selected UConn SG Andre Jackson Jr.) from the Orlando Magic and held on to the No. 58 pick, the last pick of the night. Player fitLivingston shut down his workouts early in the pre-draft process, leading teams to wonder whether or not he had a guarantee somewhere in the second round. He wasn't particularly good at Kentucky, but he's a good athlete and positional rebounder who's quite raw offensively. He'll be a project pick for the Bucks. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Zaccharie Risacher","year":2024,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","pros":"Risacher is a versatile wing whose ability to shoot on the move, competitiveness, versatility defensively and overall feel for the game helped him stand out against men playing high-level competition in the EuroCup and French league.","cons":"He lacks ideal length and strength. While he shows ability as a passer and attacking in the open court, he is early in his development as a shot creator, playing a narrow role over the past season, leaving questions about his ability to soak up greater usage long term.","verdict":"Risacher found other ways to contribute when he hit a midyear shooting slump and put together several strong playoff performances to finish the season. He has made a convincing case to hear his name called early in this draft, as every NBA team is looking for players in his mold. -- Jonathan GivonyScouting Risacher: How good could he be? (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"The Hawks conducted a thorough process after their pick unexpectedly jumped to No. 1 on lottery night by bringing in a wide range of prospects, exploring trade opportunities and ultimately landing on Risacher, ESPN's No. 1 ranked prospect for much of this season. The Hawks expect Risacher to space the floor and defend the perimeter at a high level after coming off a strong season in France with room to expand his individual skills and frame as he matures. Pencilling in Risacher as a long-term starter on the wing also grants a level of flexibility for the Hawks to build out the rest of their roster, entering what promises to be an active offseason. -- Jeremy WooRead: Hawks take Risacher at No. 1 div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Alex Sarr","year":2024,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","pros":"Sarr has a 9-foot-2 standing reach. He has impressive mobility, quickness and explosiveness that gives him rare upside as a rim-protector and switch defender stepping out on the perimeter.","cons":"Sarr showed flashes of potential as a ball handler, passer and jump-shooter, but he is still finding consistency with his toughness and feel for the game to complement his impact as a rim-runner, pick-and-roll finisher and versatile defender.","verdict":"He exceeded expectations in his lone season in the NBL, anchoring Perth's defense and finding ways to contribute in a smaller role as an 18-year-old. While Sarr still needs to get stronger and continue to evolve offensively, he fits a coveted mold as a power forward/center with the potential to be a difference-maker on both ends of the floor. -- Jonathan GivonyScouting Sarr: What NBA scouts are saying (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"It was little secret around the NBA that Sarr and the Wizards had become comfortable with one another over the past few weeks, with Washington strongly valuing his upside and Sarr and his camp preferring the Wizards' full-scale rebuild and uncluttered roster as a developmental landing spot. Sarr should be an impactful interior defender right away, given the strides he made last season and his mobility, length and instincts. He will need seasoning and patience to maximize his all-around upside, but could be a long-term cornerstone for the Wizards, who selected another Frenchman, Bilal Coulibaly, in the top 10 of last year's draft. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Reed  Sheppard","year":2024,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Sheppard is a 3-point specialist with rare basketball instincts who had one of the most efficient offensive seasons in recent college basketball history as a freshman at Kentucky.","cons":"He is a good athlete but has an even wingspan that limits him as both a finisher in traffic and one-on-one defender. Despite his sparkling efficiency, he posted one of the lowest usage rates of any of the projected draft picks, and at times, is unselfish to a fault.","verdict":"Sheppard is coming off a remarkable season, as he shot extremely well, both off the catch and off the dribble. He came up with a huge volume of steals and blocks in spite of his limited length and also posted efficient numbers in nearly every category in between. It will be fascinating to see just how effective Sheppard's unique blend of skill, feel and instincts translates to the NBA level. -- Jonathan GivonyNBA comps for top prospects: Why Sheppard has some Steve Nash to his game (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"While the Rockets fielded trade interest in this pick, they ultimately stood pat and selected a player they coveted in Sheppard, who most viewed as the top point guard prospect in this class. Sheppard is an unselfish playmaker and high-level shooter who should help balance their lineups as their young players mature, fitting well long-term alongside Amen Thompson and Jalen Green in the backcourt. While Houston could still have a major move or two in store after acquiring draft assets from the Nets on Tuesday, the imperative at No. 3 became drafting the best player on the board, and Sheppard couples fit and upside nicely. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Stephon Castle","year":2024,"school":"UConn","college_abbreviation":"CONN","pros":"Castle has excellent size and length with budding versatility on both ends of the floor. His competitiveness and unselfishness made him a key cog in UConn's NCAA championship run and give him a high floor at the next level.","cons":"He shot just 27% from beyond the arc last season, and his mechanics leave much to be desired, especially when shooting off the dribble. Castle's ability to space the floor will be a swing skill for him in the NBA.","verdict":"Castle often was tasked with guarding the opposing team's best scorer, and the game seemed to slow down for him as the season wore on. He was able to pick and choose his spots on a talented roster. While he checks a lot of boxes, his ability to turn the corner as a shooter and overall scorer will play a big role in how he's evaluated long term. -- Jonathan GivonyJay Bilas' favorite prospects: Castle is a worker and a winner (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"The Spurs coveted the defensive versatility and playmaking upside Castle supplied at UConn last season and were excited to select him here, giving them another building block as they build out the roster around Victor Wembanyama. As the holder of two top-10 picks, San Antonio has been among the most active teams in trade scenarios, but Castle's availability helped simplify its decision at No. 4. Which direction San Antonio goes at No. 8 will presumably complement this selection. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ron Holland II","year":2024,"school":"G League Ignite","college_abbreviation":"G League Ignite","pros":"Holland is a physical, aggressive and versatile wing who scored prolifically in a challenging season for G League Ignite.","cons":"His poor decision-making and streakiness as a shooter were concerns that were amplified by his outsized role last season, but the 18-year-old has plenty of room to continue to improve. His season was cut short by a ruptured tendon in his right thumb, which forced him to miss the Ignite's final 19 games.","verdict":"Holland earned a reputation for his competitiveness and unselfishness at the prep level, but he had an up-and-down season as a first option in a losing situation in the G League. His ability to find his range and bring those intangibles back to the forefront in a smaller role will be key to his success early in his NBA career. -- Jonathan GivonyRead: Holland discusses his journey to the NBA div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"The Pistons made the first surprising pick of the night, opting to take a major swing on Holland, a player who was once viewed as a No. 1 pick candidate and saw his stock drop around the league after an inconsistent season with G League Ignite. Holland ultimately wound up in the top five anyway. There was some thought around the league that Holland might be falling -- and much speculation around his Ignite teammate Matas Buzelis as the choice for Detroit -- but that line of thinking predated Detroit hiring Trajan Langdon to run basketball operations. Langdon and his front office ultimately opted for the upside of Holland, whose athletic tools and ability to attack the paint give him a good base to build on long term. This is the first step in what could be an offseason overhaul for Detroit. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tidjane Salaün","year":2024,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","pros":"Salaun is a physically gifted power forward whose length, frame, budding versatility as a shot-maker and defensive intensity stood out in his first professional opportunity in France.","cons":"While he shows ability to make shots on the move, he lacks much in the way of ballhandling ability and was inconsistent with his processing speed on both ends of the floor, as one might expect from a late-blooming 18-year-old at this level of competition.","verdict":"Salaun's best days are clearly in front of him, as he finished last season better than he started and carved out a significant role. His combination of size, shooting and competitiveness on the defensive end are intriguing, even if he's still just getting his feet wet at the highest levels. -- Jonathan GivonyMeet the international prospects: What stands out about Salaun div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"Charlotte took a big swing at No. 6, opting for the 18-year-old Salaun, who comes with a great deal of long-term upside. The Hornets were in trade talks around this pick involving Donovan Clingan but ultimately stood pat, feeling comfortable with Salaun -- a pick that also surprised many around the league. The goal for the Hornets has been finding a player to complement their existing core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams, and Salaun should slot in long term at power forward. His athleticism, frame and potential to shoot made him one of the draft's most intriguing long-term prospects, but he may be a season or two away from making high-level contributions. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Donovan Clingan","year":2024,"school":"UConn","college_abbreviation":"CONN","pros":"Clingan was a driving force behind UConn's championship run as a dominant presence protecting the rim with his 7-foot-7 wingspan and impressive timing and instincts covering ground all over the floor.","cons":"While he is a reliable finisher and offensive rebounder with feel as a passer, he is still evolving as a scorer. He struggles to make free throws at a high rate and lacks a degree of explosiveness operating in traffic.","verdict":"Clingan's defensive impact was unmistakable last season after he worked through a foot injury that cost him five games. His size and activity level change the calculus for opposing finishers inside, and his feel for the game, skill level and youth leave room for optimism regarding how his offense can develop over time, especially with his ability to step out to the perimeter. -- Jonathan GivonyRead: Clingan's journey to dominance marked by tragedy div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}Read: Can outliers Clingan, Edey start a new trend?  div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"One of the biggest storylines entering draft night was whether or not a team would trade up into the top seven to select Clingan, the draft's top rim-protector and a two-time NCAA champion, with Memphis hot on his trail. Clingan ultimately fell to Portland, which was viewed around the league as his absolute floor. The Blazers will be thrilled to have his defensive presence behind their core of young perimeter talent. It remains to be seen how Portland will handle its frontcourt next season -- centers Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III are currently under contract -- but the addition of Clingan could certainly lead to subsequent moves. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Rob Dillingham","year":2024,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Dillingham is the most dynamic scoring guard in this draft. His combination of shiftiness, ball-handling, passing and shot-making prowess showed vividly off the bench at Kentucky. He averaged 15.2 points in 23.3 minutes per game.","cons":"He lacks the ideal size and physicality to absorb contact in the lane and hold his own defensively, as he has only a 6-foot-3 wingspan with a frame under 170 pounds.","verdict":"Long known for his ability to heat up in a hurry at the prep level, Dillingham backed that up with efficient perimeter shot-making and steady decision-making as a passer and scorer in his lone season in the SEC. Even if he faces an uphill battle defensively, his offensive gifts give him some of the biggest star power of any prospect in this class. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Timberwolves after they traded with the Spurs during Round 1. San Antonio acquired Minnesota's 2031 unprotected first and a top-one protected 2030 pick swap, sources told ESPN.The Timberwolves were one of the teams hot on Dillingham's trail throughout the pre-draft process, with his creative playmaking and long-range shooting ability making him a favorite of team president Tim Connelly. Minnesota paid a high price in future draft capital but also vaulted high into the draft, acquiring a long-term backcourt partner for Anthony Edwards as Mike Conley nears the back end of his career. This is a move that could pay major dividends for the Timberwolves. The Spurs were ultimately open to moving this pick for value, and got it here. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Zach Edey","year":2024,"school":"Purdue","college_abbreviation":"PUR","pros":"Edey is one of the biggest and most productive players the sport has seen. He has a 7-foot-11 wingspan and 9-foot-7 standing reach, but it's his level of physicality, conditioning and confidence that gives him more upside than previous players in his mold.","cons":"Though he improved dramatically in college, his speed will always be under the microscope defensively, and on offense he will need to be used consistently by a coach who is willing to take advantage of Edey's unique mismatch potential.","verdict":"Edey was the most dominant player in college basketball over the past two seasons, winning back-to-back John R. Wooden Awards. He plays with the mean streak to take advantage of his rare physical tools. What kind of answers he can find defending in pick-and-roll will dictate just how smooth his transition will be to the NBA. -- Jonathan GivonyTop prospects at 20 traits: Edey is the best pick-and-roll finisher (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}Read: Can outliers Edey, Clingan start a new trend?  div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"After making serious attempts to move up from No. 9 in pursuit of Donovan Clingan, the Grizzlies chose to stand pat and select Edey, the next best center on the board. Memphis was known to be seeking a true center to play alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt, and it got a long-term piece of the puzzle with Edey, whose bruising, throwback style endeared him to NBA teams over the course of his college career. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cody Williams","year":2024,"school":"Colorado","college_abbreviation":"COLO","pros":"Williams is a rangy perimeter player whose size, length and flashes of transition-scoring, playmaking and defensive versatility give him intriguing upside.","cons":"Lacking a degree of strength, perimeter shooting and all-around consistency, Williams struggled to produce late in his freshman season, as he was hampered by injuries after a promising start.","verdict":"At his best, Williams looked like one of the most interesting players in this class, but he appeared unsure of himself late in the season. He is still early in his development, and there's a disparity in opinions among scouts about how to view him long term. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Williams is a major upside swing for the Jazz, giving Utah a player who was once viewed as a potential top-pick candidate at the No. 10. The younger brother of Thunder guard Jalen Williams may take a season or two to develop, but has an intriguing combination of positional size, defensive upside and playmaking potential. This selection, going with Williams over an older prospect like Dalton Knecht, might indicate Utah's willingness to shift the roster in a younger direction and keep rebuilding for another season or two. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Matas Buzelis","year":2024,"school":"G League Ignite","college_abbreviation":"G League Ignite","pros":"Buzelis is a promising wing forward with positional size, explosive leaping ability, impressive rim-protecting instincts and developing versatility on both ends of the floor. Those traits translated inconsistently for G League Ignite, however.","cons":"Buzelis' average length and thin frame are limiting factors, as he has a 6-foot-10 wingspan and weighed under 200 pounds at the NBA combine in May. He's also a streaky jumper who is still developing his ballhandling ability, which made it difficult for him to score efficiently at times last season.","verdict":"Buzelis has intriguing upside as his frame continues to get stronger -- if he can regain the consistency he showed as a set shooter in previous settings. With a relatively high floor, the strides he makes as a shot creator will help determine his ceiling. -- Jonathan GivonyTop prospects at 20 traits: Buzelis is the best dunker in this class (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"The Bulls likely weren't expecting Buzelis -- a player many rival teams had pegged at No. 5 to Detroit -- to fall all the way to No. 11. A Chicago-area native with Lithuanian roots, Buzelis is a player Bulls executive Arturas Karnisovas knows well. Buzelis' versatility and room for improvement fits nicely within the Bulls' young core, and he could provide strong value for Chicago after he fell further than most teams were projecting. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nikola Topić","year":2024,"school":"Serbia","college_abbreviation":"Serbia","pros":"The 18-year-old Topic is the top pick-and-roll shot creator in this draft. He's an elite ballhandler, passer and finisher who proved to be a creative force in the Adriatic League before losing his stint in the EuroLeague to knee injuries. He suffered a partially torn ACL in April, which might force him to redshirt his rookie season in the NBA.","cons":"He has things to prove as a jump-shooter to open up the rest of his game at the NBA level, as he's not a jet with the ball to compensate. His limited length is a concern defensively.","verdict":"Topic has come on strong over the past year and brings a promising blend of feel for the game, playmaking and confidence. He'll face an adjustment period, especially in the wake of his injury, but his trajectory leaves a lot of room for optimism about his ability to find his way in the NBA. -- Jonathan GivonyMeet the international prospects: Where does Topic need to improve? div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"There were concerns around the league that Topic might be slipping in the draft given his ACL injury and his uncertain availability for the upcoming season. Ultimately Topic found a home with the Thunder, who traded away a big playmaker earlier in the week with Josh Giddey, and now land his ostensible replacement. Oklahoma City didn't have a pronounced need here with considerable talent and depth already on the roster, making it an ideal team to take a chance on Topic, who will be able to take his time with his recovery. Landing Topic could pay off greatly for the Thunder in the long run, giving them yet another intriguing prospect to develop in what may be an approaching contention window. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Devin Carter","year":2024,"school":"Providence","college_abbreviation":"PROV","pros":"Carter is a defensive menace and tenacious lead guard whose significant improvement as a jump-shooter caused his draft stock to explode as a junior. He averaged 19.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.","cons":"He has questions to answer about his ballhandling and shot-creation prowess, as well as his unorthodox shooting mechanics. He was able to score prolifically last season, in large part because of his explosiveness, physicality and aggressive approach.","verdict":"Carter carried Providence through a grueling Big East schedule, as his disruptive presence on defense, dogged toughness on the glass and newfound ability to score in bunches made him one of the best two-way players in the country. He could be an appealing fit next to a more dynamic facilitator. -- Jonathan GivonyJay Bilas' favorite prospects: Carter is the best guard rebounder in this class (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"Carter, who was thought to have a potential home in Chicago, wound up slipping all the way to Sacramento. Presumably, the Kings were thrilled with that, landing an older, proven player who fits their current timeline as a playoff-caliber team. Carter's defensive acumen, toughness and scoring chops should fit in nicely with the Kings' backcourt of De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk. This was the best available move for Sacramento, which now has enviable depth at guard and may need to make another move this offseason to add veteran frontcourt help and balance the roster. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Bub Carrington","year":2024,"school":"Pittsburgh","college_abbreviation":"PITT","pros":"Carrington is a big guard with a budding floor game whose late growth spurt made him the most unexpected riser of the past year.","cons":"While he has great size and has packed on some muscle, his frame is still a major work in progress. Similarly, he shot the 3 well late in the season but will have to prove his consistency.","verdict":"Carrington's size, feel and midrange game won him a lot of fans last season, as he has a unique maturity for a young guard who was not expected to carry the additional pressure of being one-and-done this season. He might not be an overwhelming athlete, but he is on an interesting trajectory as a big guard who did some nice things operating out of the pick-and-roll.-- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Wizards after they traded with the Trail Blazers before Round 1 on Wednesday. The Wizards traded Deni Avdija to acquire this pick from the Trail Blazers, giving them an opportunity to add an intriguing guard in Carrington, a Baltimore native who will stay close to home as Washington's potential future point guard. The Wizards were thought to be interested in moving up the board after acquiring this pick, but stood pat after teams in the late lottery chose to make their selections instead. Carrington is one of the youngest prospects in the draft and fits nicely with the Wizards' long-term vision, giving them a playmaker with positional size to develop alongside Alex Sarr and last year's first-round pick, Bilal Coulibaly. He was a target for many teams at this point in the draft, and Washington moved in shrewdly to grab him. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kel'el Ware","year":2024,"school":"Indiana","college_abbreviation":"IU","pros":"Ware has mobility as a rim-protector and a budding skill level in a 7-foot frame, giving him unique potential at his position. His game matured noticeably as a sophomore at Indiana after he spent a season at Oregon.","cons":"He lacks ideal feel for the game and all-around consistency, even if he has made noticeable strides with his motor.","verdict":"Ware is a bouncy finisher who runs like a guard, shoots the 3 with promising mechanics and even has some coordination and skill with the ball. Talent was never a concern, but he still has questions to answer regarding his tenacity and awareness on both ends of the floor, something he did a good job of addressing last season. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"After being tied to guard prospects for much of the pre-draft process, Miami went a surprising direction with Ware, who had one of the widest projected ranges of outcomes in the draft. This proved to be the very top end for Ware, who always held lottery-level talent. Concerns about his motor and consistency, however, created some divergence of opinion on the likelihood he maximizes that ability. While this was an unexpected pick, the Heat are clearly investing in Ware's development, opting to take a chance ahead of more established prospects on the board. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jared McCain","year":2024,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"McCain is a physical and competitive guard whose dynamic shooting, rebounding and intelligent style of play on both ends give him a high floor.","cons":"He lacks great length and burst and has some things to prove as a playmaker after he played a lot of small-ball wing as a freshman last season.","verdict":"McCain was a bright spot for Duke all season making shots, drawing charges and doing a lot of little things with energy and instincts. He'll need to continue to evolve as a ball handler and perimeter defender, but the growth he showed and his intangibles suggest he'll find ways to contribute to winning at the next level. -- Jonathan GivonyTop prospects at 20 traits: McCain has the best intangibles in this class (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"The Sixers land a young guard who's the closest to making an immediate impact with McCain, one of the draft's better shooters and an intelligent passer who can play with and without the ball. His ability to make plays and space the floor -- coupled with an excellent work ethic and level of maturity -- makes him a strong fit in Philadelphia, with the 76ers working to improve the roster around Joel Embiid. McCain could step in next season as a role player and makes sense as a long-term player with Tyrese Maxey. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dalton Knecht","year":2024,"school":"Tennessee","college_abbreviation":"TENN","pros":"Knecht is the top all-around scorer in this class, and he carried Tennessee last season with his shot-making prowess, pop as a finisher, ability to draw fouls putting the ball down aggressively and tremendous scoring instincts from the wing.","cons":"He is not a great rebounder or defender, but he also carried a huge burden for the Volunteers. He has good physical tools to continue to improve on that end of the floor as his awareness off the ball evolves.","verdict":"Knecht scored more prolifically in the SEC than he did the season before in the Big Sky -- he averaged 21.7 points per game last season -- and has been one of this draft's fastest risers. He put up games of 40 and 37 points, respectively, against Kentucky and Purdue, and he was spectacularly consistent on the offensive end, stepping up in big moments all season long. -- Jonathan GivonyNBA comps for top prospects: What's the high-end outcome for Knecht? (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"After a prolonged slide out of the lottery, where ESPN and many NBA teams had him projected, Knecht becomes an excellent value who gives the Lakers an experienced wing scorer as they revamp the roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Knecht will play for a coach in JJ Redick who will presumably have a strong sense of how to optimize his shooting ability -- making this a nice fit and unexpected potential coup for the Lakers. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tristan da Silva","year":2024,"school":"Colorado","college_abbreviation":"COLO","pros":"Da Silva is a late-blooming forward with skill, smarts and coveted two-way versatility on the wing.","cons":"He is a well-rounded player who lacks ideal physicality at 217 pounds and perhaps any one elite skill, but he does a lot of things well, making 40% of his 3-pointers and showing a strong feel for the game.","verdict":"Da Silva is a fluid player who can space the floor, attack closeouts and find the open man on the move while guarding multiple positions on defense. His ability to slide between roles is appealing even if his narrow frame figures to be a limiting factor in some matchups, especially considering he's already 23 years old. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Da Silva fits the Magic's personnel preferences neatly, as a versatile forward with positional size, feel and skill. Orlando has built a competitive roster and gets an experienced player that could help the Magic off the bench next season. He'll be able to play in different lineup combinations, both behind and alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner as well as defend multiple positions, space the floor and make plays in the flow of the game. Da Silva's low-maintenance game coming off a strong year at Colorado helped vault him into first-round consideration and makes a lot of sense at this spot. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ja'Kobe Walter","year":2024,"school":"Baylor","college_abbreviation":"BAY","pros":"Walter is a long-armed wing with the competitiveness, dynamic shot-making prowess and off-court intangibles to play a coveted 3-and-D role.","cons":"He is a good but not great athlete whose struggles to create off the dribble raise questions about how he'll score on nights his jumper isn't falling, as his efficiency tumbled in Big 12 play.","verdict":"Walter had a productive freshman season at Baylor with his ability to shoot off movement and aggressiveness crashing the offensive glass and drawing fouls. His 6-foot-10 wingspan and ability to shoot on the move give him a coveted role to grow into, but his ability to fill in the blanks in between will dictate his ceiling. -- Jonathan GivonyJay Bilas' favorite prospects: Walter has excellent potential (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"Walter, a 3-and-D wing with strong intangibles, helps address Toronto's need for shooting as it builds around former Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. Walter is a nice value pick here, as some teams projected him as high as the lottery. The Raptors are at an interesting inflection point for the franchise after dealing away veteran talent last season and revamping the roster, and Walter fits a need effectively while also offering developmental upside. His limited ability to create with the ball likely contributed to a short slide out of the lottery, but this feels like a good spot for him from a value perspective. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaylon Tyson","year":2024,"school":"California","college_abbreviation":"CAL","pros":"Tyson is a big, versatile guard who nearly doubled his scoring average at Cal to lead the Pac-12 in points per game (19.6, from 10.7).","cons":"He lacks high-end length and explosiveness, and he will likely need to scale down his shot selection and decision-making in a more compact off-ball role at the next level.","verdict":"Tyson was one of the most improved players in college basketball last season. He put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways, putting pressure on the rim and showing growth as a pull-up 3-point shooter. His consistency off the ball on both ends will be a point of interest moving forward. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Cavaliers land a NBA-ready wing player in Tyson, who should be able to slide into Cleveland's rotation next season and contribute off the bench. After multiple college stops, Tyson finally put himself on the map as a prospect in his season at Cal, vaulting himself into the first round. Having Tyson, who can score, create plays for teammates and shoot from range as a contributor on a rookie deal, fits Cleveland's current timeline nicely and bolsters the depth of a competitive roster. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Yves Missi","year":2024,"school":"Baylor","college_abbreviation":"BAY","pros":"Missi is a rim-running big man with impressive mobility and explosiveness as a lob threat and physical tools that could serve him down the line on the defensive end.","cons":"He lacks polish, experience and the physicality to maximize his ability as a rim-protector and rebounder. He has room to improve his scoring versatility and awareness as a passer.","verdict":"Missi might not be the most polished player - he didn't start playing organized basketball until he was 16 - but he has the rare physical tools to give him an obvious role at the NBA level. If his processing speed and frame continue to improve, the Cameroon native has potential as a screen-setter and rim-protector who can do a little more than that offensively. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Missi was strongly linked to New Orleans throughout the pre-draft process, with the Pelicans in the market for more athleticism and size at center. While he likely won't contribute big minutes next season -- meaning the Pelicans will still need to add veteran help -- Missi is a late-blooming prospect who won teams over throughout his surprise one-and-done season and during the workout circuit. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"DaRon Holmes II","year":2024,"school":"Dayton","college_abbreviation":"DAY","pros":"Holmes is a skilled interior scorer who made the most of his return to school, improving his body and developing his perimeter skills.","cons":"While he has become more versatile on offense, his lack of great quickness on the perimeter on defense and average size and length leave him stuck between positions.","verdict":"Holmes excelled as a pick-and-roll finisher and post scorer as an underclassman at Dayton, but he found 3-point range and made clear strides as a ball handler and passer as a junior. He has questions to answer defensively, but he brings a diverse offensive skill set that made him one of the top per-minute scorers in college basketball. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Nuggets after they traded with the Suns during Round 1 on Wednesday. The worst-kept secret in the NBA over the past month was the Nuggets' interest in Holmes, with Denver thought to be the team that convinced Holmes to shut down his workouts to help steer him there. Nuggets GM Calvin Booth ultimately acquired Holmes by trading the 28th and 56th pick in this draft and two future second-round picks. Holmes is an efficient interior player who improved every season at Dayton, and the Nuggets view him as an NBA-ready depth addition who can play both alongside and behind Nikola Jokic. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"AJ Johnson","year":2024,"school":"USA","college_abbreviation":"USA","pros":"Johnson is a fluid, talented guard with a narrow frame who is looking to build on the experience he picked up in the NBL.","cons":"He played sparingly last season as his lack of strength, defensive prowess and consistency remain a work in progress.","verdict":"Johnson flashed his talent at the NBA combine much like he did in short spurts this season in the NBL, showing his ability to operate at different speeds, make shots off the bounce and find teammates on the move. He has obvious things to build off as his frame and game continue to mature, especially on a patient team willing to give him the developmental reps he lacked in Australia. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Bucks were the team most closely tied to Johnson over the past few weeks, with rival teams unclear whether Washington's interest was for the 23rd or the 33rd pick. After a strong showing at the draft combine following a quiet season in Australia, Johnson wound up vaulting himself into the first round as an electric athlete with scoring ability. He joins a contending Milwaukee team as a long-term fit who is likely multiple years from contributing to a winning NBA rotation. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kyshawn George","year":2024,"school":"Miami","college_abbreviation":"MIA","pros":"George is a big wing whose 3-point shooting ability, pace with the ball, vision and instincts give him intriguing long-term upside.","cons":"George doesn't have stellar athleticism, physicality or assertiveness to make the most of his talent consistently, and he remains green off the ball on defense.","verdict":"One of several unexpected one-and-done prospects in this draft, George flashed considerable talent between quiet stretches in his lone collegiate season. The Swiss swingman could fill a coveted role in the NBA if he can put everything together with the late-blooming trajectory he's on. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Wizards after they traded with the Knicks during Round 1 on Wednesday. George had interest earlier in draft and wound up sliding due to how the board played out -- but he didn't have to wait long with the Wizards trading the No. 26 and No. 51 picks to the Knicks in order to move up two spots. George gives Washington another talented yet inexperienced player in the first round, with the Wizards ready to pivot into a full-scale youth movement and positioning themselves to select early in a talented draft. As a tall, skilled perimeter shooter and playmaker, George fits the prototype the Wizards front office favors nicely but will need some time to get stronger and round out his game. This is a nice play for Washington as it continues to swing for upside and could be good value if George pans out. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Pacôme Dadiet","year":2024,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","pros":"Dadiet is a big, strong and extremely young wing who finished his season in Germany on a positive note, scoring efficiently and prolifically on a per-minute basis as an 18-year-old against high-level competition.","cons":"Just an average athlete, ball handler, passer and defender, he will need to become a more consistent 3-point shooter to carve out a consistent role in the NBA.","verdict":"Dadiet has good scoring instincts finishing around the rim and hitting 3-pointers, both with his feet set and pulling up off the dribble. He has plenty of room to continue to improve as one of the youngest prospects in this class. -- Jonathan GivonyMeet the international prospects: Where does Dadiet need to improve? div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"The Knicks selected Dadiet with the first of their two first-round picks after moving back two spots from No. 24 to No. 26 to pick up the 51st pick. Dadiet's stock gathered steam during the pre-draft process after a positive season in Germany, and he became the fourth French prospect selected in the first round of this draft. A versatile perimeter player who has flashed shooting and playmaking ability, Dadiet won't be expected to contribute next season. New York opted for an upside swing with a developmental prospect, thinking long term after trading away most of its forthcoming draft capital to acquire Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Dillon Jones","year":2024,"school":"Weber State","college_abbreviation":"WEB","pros":"Jones is a jumbo playmaker with impressive versatility who flirted with triple-doubles all season at the low-major level.","cons":"As productive as he was, he still has questions to answer about his explosiveness, shooting and defensive intensity.","verdict":"Playing on the ball at 6-foot-6, 235 pounds with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Jones is a physical slasher with great instincts on both ends of the floor. While his assertiveness made him a force in Big Sky play, he'll surely need to improve his career 32% 3-point shooting mark while transitioning to a more compact role in the NBA. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Thunder after they traded with the Knicks during Round 1 on Wednesday. The Knicks got the pick in their trade with the Wizards earlier in the night.  Oklahoma City traded back into the draft with the Knicks, parting with five of their many future second-round picks to select Jones -- a mid-major star who shouldered a lot of responsibility during his time at Weber State. Jones has terrific feel and can create plays for his teammates, giving him a good profile to scale down his usage and find a niche as a role player. While not an exceptional run-jump athlete -- which made him divisive for scouts -- Sam Presti was a big fan who was willing to dip into his large cache of draft assets to make this deal. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Terrence Shannon Jr.","year":2024,"school":"Illinois","college_abbreviation":"ILL","pros":"Shannon is an explosive wing who has long thrived defensively and in the open floor but made strides with his floor game as a fifth-year senior at Illinois.","cons":"While he had an exceptionally efficient season, it was largely built on his free-throw shooting and shot-making prowess, as he still has something to prove as a spot-up shooter.","verdict":"Shannon emerged as one of the best players in college basketball last season, scoring in bunches, being assertive and pulling up off the dribble. He turned in several huge games late in the season when his jumper was falling, and he has significant potential on both ends. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Timberwolves were able to keep the 27th and 37th picks as part of their deal with San Antonio for the eighth pick, Rob Dillingham, allowing them to stand pat and select Shannon. After recently being exonerated of sexual assault charges, Shannon wound up hearing his name called in the first round following an excellent final season at Illinois. Minnesota should be able to find minutes for him right away as a perimeter defender who can score in transition and knock down open shots. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ryan Dunn","year":2024,"school":"Virginia","college_abbreviation":"UVA","pros":"Dunn is the draft's best defender. He's adept at using his length, explosiveness, mobility and instincts to guard multiple positions and be disruptive on and off the ball.","cons":"He is an interesting litmus test; he has a great deal to prove offensively. He lacks much in the way of ballhandling and shooting ability, making just 12 3-pointers in 65 games and hitting 53% of his career free throw attempts.","verdict":"Dunn had a monster season on the defensive end, shutting down opposing guards, wings and forwards, blocking a massive volume of shots and consistently going out of his area for rebounds. Thanks to his game-changing defensive ability, he should be able to carve out an NBA role if he can become even a mediocre perimeter threat. -- Jonathan GivonyTop prospects at 20 traits: Dunn is the best defensive playmaker in this class (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Suns after they traded with the Nuggets during Round 1 on Wednesday. Phoenix traded back from No. 22 to No. 28 with Denver, picking up value in Dunn who is arguably the top perimeter defender in the draft. The Suns will need to develop capable role players on affordable contracts as they attempt to contend with an expensive core. While Dunn may take some time due to his long-distance shooting struggles, he could also find minutes because of Phoenix's potential lack of depth and his ability to guard and make plays defensively on the wing. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Isaiah Collier","year":2024,"school":"USC","college_abbreviation":"USC","pros":"Collier is a big, strong guard whose burst, scoring instincts and ability to create in the open court and bully defenders in a straight line stood out as he closed his freshman season on a high note.","cons":"He has a lot of tools with which to work, but he struggled with turnovers, has concerning shooting mechanics and made some avoidable mistakes with lapses on both ends of the floor.","verdict":"Collier's shot-creation gifts and physicality at the rim set the bar high coming into the season, and while he finished better than he started, he had some ups and downs at USC. His upside is apparent, but he has questions to answer on both ends at the NBA level. -- Jonathan GivonyRead: Collier has a message for his doubters div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"Collier was once the top-ranked player in this draft class for a reason -- he's a plus athlete with excellent strength for his size, he's a good passer and defender and he certainly offers more upside than your typical 29th pick. Utah, which does have a need for a long-term point guard next to Keyonte George, was likely excited to take a chance on Collier in a low-leverage part of the draft. Collier's struggles with 3-point shooting and turnovers hurt his stock during a difficult freshman season, but this is probably the absolute basement of his value. The Jazz are a team that can let Collier develop and make mistakes as a rookie. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Baylor Scheierman","year":2024,"school":"Creighton","college_abbreviation":"CREI","pros":"Scheierman is a dynamic perimeter scorer who shoots the ball at a high level on the move while contributing with his versatility and feel for the game on the wing.","cons":"He is not particularly long or physically gifted, complicating his defensive potential at the NBA level, especially considering he will turn 24 in September.","verdict":"Scheierman, who played some point guard at the mid-major level while recording numerous double-doubles last season, brings interesting things to the table as a rebounder and passer for a player who might be the best movement shooter in this draft. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Scheierman came off the board with the last pick of the first round, giving Boston a quality shooter and an experienced prospect who will provide depth on their championship roster. He could wind up as an eventual replacement for Sam Hauser off the bench with both the long-range acumen and on-court smarts to succeed playing with the Celtics' stars. Boston likely won't play him a ton next season, but he could certainly provide nice value on a rookie deal regardless. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jonathan Mogbo","year":2024,"school":"San Francisco","college_abbreviation":"SF","pros":"Mogbo is a late-blooming, undersized big man with a lean frame, long arms and explosive physical tools.","cons":"He does not have any floor-spacing ability to speak of at this stage, which puts a lot of pressure on his ability to finish inside against bigger and stronger defenders in the NBA. Plus, his limited experience shows in his inconsistent technique on defense.","verdict":"Mogbo is a junior college product who grew late and garnered little interest out of high school. He has blossomed into a bouncy lob threat, effective slasher and out-of-area rebounder who is one of the best playmaking big men in this draft. He excels at pushing off the glass and finding teammates on the move. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Raptors selected an intriguing sleeper in Mogbo, a versatile, defensive-minded forward who fits the mold of players Toronto has often preferred to develop. His passing ability and flashes of skill in transition make him an interesting long-term flier. If he can develop his 3-point shooting, he could fill a useful role for the Raptors down the road. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kyle Filipowski","year":2024,"school":"Duke","college_abbreviation":"DUKE","pros":"Filipowski is a skilled 7-footer who can shoot, dribble and pass, giving him unique offensive versatility projecting to the next level.","cons":"While he was a force at times in the ACC, his consistency as a shooter, lack of physicality and limited length protecting the rim are concerns.","verdict":"Filipowski has no shortage of offensive talent and carried the Blue Devils at points when he put everything together over the past two seasons. Just how consistent he can be on that end could go a long way toward assuaging concerns about his presence on defense. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Filipowski fell out of the first round on Wednesday but didn't have to wait long to hear his name called, landing with the Jazz who had him in for an individual workout and were likely elated to get him this far down in the draft. While the market wound up down on Filipowski, he has legitimate perimeter skill and feel at his size, giving him a chance to fill a useful role as he matures. Utah is presumably set to roster three rookies and plan to rebuild for another season or two after grabbing Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier in the first round. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyler Smith","year":2024,"school":"G League Ignite","college_abbreviation":"G League Ignite","pros":"Smith was a bright spot for G League Ignite last season, as his inside-outside scoring ability made him extremely productive on a per-minute basis. He averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 22 minutes per game","cons":"He had a more difficult transition defensively and has room to improve his feel for the game.","verdict":"Smith thrived in a simplified role, shooting the 3 consistently with a high-release point and putting several defenders on posters attacking in a straight line or finishing lobs. While the 19-year old remains raw in some areas, his combination of youth, size and scoring ability is intriguing. -- Jonathan GivonyRead: Smith uses bowling to relieve pressures of draft div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"Smith was projected as a late first-rounder for much of the season, and while he slipped a bit during the pre-draft process, he found a landing spot in Milwaukee. Smith's size and shooting give him a chance to find a role as a floor-spacer, and he made positive strides with G League Ignite this season. This pick continues a surprising draft direction for the Bucks, who selected teenage prospects at both No. 23 (AJ Johnson) and No. 33, taking a developmental route rather than selecting more NBA-ready prospects who better fit their contention window. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tyler Kolek","year":2024,"school":"Marquette","college_abbreviation":"MARQ","pros":"Kolek is a tough-minded guard whose skill level as a scorer and vision as a passer made him the engine of one of the top offenses in college basketball over the past two seasons.","cons":"He is not the biggest nor most physically gifted floor general, lacking great length and explosiveness. That makes it difficult for him to score in traffic at times or hold his own against some matchups defensively.","verdict":"Kolek picked opposing defenses apart last season out of pick-and-rolls, whipping the ball around to shooters, getting to floaters and proving opportunistic in shooting; he hit 39% of his shots from beyond the arc. His average tools might make him divisive among NBA teams, but his approach and feel for the game will appeal to franchises looking for a backup point guard. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Knicks after they traded with the Trail Blazers during Round 2 on Thursday. The Knicks acquired this pick from Portland for future second-round picks. Kolek is one of the most proven point guards in the draft and was in the mix for teams in the first round -- including the Knicks -- but New York wound up maneuvering back into the draft to get him. He has a chance to provide backup minutes behind Jalen Brunson next season and should be a favorite of Tom Thibodeau. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Johnny  Furphy","year":2024,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU","pros":"Furphy is a late-blooming swingman whose size and shooting in a complementary role changed the complexion of Kansas's season and paved his way to the draft earlier than anyone expected.","cons":"The 19-year-old lacks strength, length and consistency on defense, and he is not a dynamic shooter. That's not all that surprising given his age and late rise to prominence in the summer before his freshman year.","verdict":"Furphy had some ups and downs throughout the season, but he thrived in a handful of key matchups when he was filling a small role. His size, shooting and willingness to play with intensity all work in his favor, even if he is still learning to shoot on the move and was not always strong enough to hold his own guarding in the Big 12. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Pacers after they traded with the Spurs during Round 2 on Thursday.  Furphy was one of Wednesday's surprise first-round fallers but found a spot with the Pacers, who traded up one spot with the Spurs to select him. A developmental prospect with intriguing offensive upside, the draft board didn't fall in Furphy's favor on Wednesday, but Furphy became the first selection for the Pacers in this draft and will presumably be a roster player there, giving him a chance to develop and eventually contribute. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Juan Núñez","year":2024,"school":"Spain","college_abbreviation":"Spain","pros":"Nunez brings rare creativity, vision and flair to the point guard position, as his shooting, defense and decision-making continue to evolve.","cons":"He made strides with his pull-up jumper last season, but he is limited in spots by his difficulties keeping defenders honest away from the rim and lack of great burst.","verdict":"Nunez built on the minutes he received at last year's FIBA World Cup for Spain, showing growth in several areas in the EuroCup and BBL. While he still has some things to prove, he's one of the draft's best playmakers and has excellent size, strength and feel for the game that could prove valuable in a backup role. -- Jonathan GivonyMeet the international prospects: Nunez has been on the NBA radar for a long time div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}Givony's favorite sleepers: How talented is Nunez? (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Spurs after they traded with the Pacers during Round 2 on Thursday.  Nunez is expected to be a non-roster stash selection for the Spurs, who have a strong history of finding international talent and will let the Spanish playmaker develop in Europe. One of the top passers in the draft, Nunez could be an eventual depth option for San Antonio. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Bobi Klintman","year":2024,"school":"Sweden","college_abbreviation":"Sweden","pros":"Klintman is a big, versatile forward whose ability to space the floor, finish in transition and make plays on defense helped him carve out a big role in the NBL.","cons":"He has things to prove with his feel for the game and consistency on both ends of the floor.","verdict":"Klintman played a rotation role in his lone collegiate season, but he flashed his talent more consistently in Australia. At his best, he fits a coveted mold with his size, shooting and mobility on the defensive end. -- Jonathan GivonyMeet the international prospects: How much upside does Klintman have? div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Pistons after they traded with the Timberwolves before Round 2 on Thursday. The Pistons acquired this pick from the Timberwolves earlier Thursday in a deal that also sent Wendell Moore to Detroit and the No. 53 pick to Minnesota. Klintman will be a developmental player for the Pistons, with an excellent frame on the wing and room to develop as a scorer and defender. Detroit took a second upside swing here after selecting Ron Holland at No. 5 in team president Trajan Langdon's first draft at the helm. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ajay Mitchell","year":2024,"school":"UC Santa Barbara","college_abbreviation":"UCSB","pros":"Mitchell is a big, creative guard who excels operating in the pick and roll, showing ability as a passer and midrange scorer.","cons":"He plays with pace more than explosiveness and has questions to answer regarding the lack of volume as an outside shooter throughout his career. He hit just 63 3-pointers in 85 games (33%).","verdict":"Mitchell was the best player in the Big West despite playing through injuries. The Belgian guard backed up his standing with a strong showing running his team at the NBA combine and has several key ingredients teams are looking for from a backup with his size, feel for the game, willingness to defend, unselfishness and budding shot-making prowess. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Thunder after they traded with the Knicks during Round 2 on Thursday.  Oklahoma City spent Thursday afternoon maneuvering around in the draft, first moving in at No. 52 with the Warriors, then up to No. 40 with the Blazers, and finally, to No. 38 with the Knicks. The Thunder were in pursuit of Mitchell, a quality playmaker and developing shooter who gives Oklahoma City even more playmaking depth following the selections of Nikola Topic and Dillon Jones. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jaylen Wells","year":2024,"school":"Washington State","college_abbreviation":"WSU","pros":"Wells is a late-blooming, former Division II star whose size and shooting (42% on 3-pointers) translated in impressive fashion in his lone season at Washington State.","cons":"As efficient as he was last season, Wells is still coming into his own in some ways on both ends of the floor, lacking a degree of toughness, length, versatility and feel that he'll need in order to carve out a role in the NBA.","verdict":"Wells played sparingly early last season but shot the ball so well his role continued to expand as he finished the year among the best spot-up shooters in the country. His pull-up shooting in pick-and-roll reps only add to his appeal as someone who grew considerably in high school and still has upside to tap into. He'll have a chance to outplay his draft position if he can evolve on both ends of the floor, as he's only 20 years old. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Wells is a late-blooming perimeter shooter who broke out this season at Washington State and offered sleeper appeal to teams in the second round. He'll be a developmental addition for the Grizzlies after Memphis selected big man Zach Edey in the first round.  -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Osasere Ighodaro","year":2024,"school":"Marquette","college_abbreviation":"MARQ","pros":"Ighodaro is an unconventional big man whose passing and defensive versatility made him impactful on both ends of the floor for a very good Marquette team the past few seasons.","cons":"His lack of perimeter shooting ability, poor length and limited physicality on the glass make him a situational roster fit for most teams that need the right players around him to thrive.","verdict":"Ighodaro's ability to handle pushing off the defensive glass, operating out of dribble handoffs, and passing and defending all over the floor could be assets in the right system. Continuing to get stronger and expanding his shooting range could simplify his fit, but his versatility and activity level give him an interesting foundation off which to build. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Suns after they traded with the Knicks during Round 2 on Thursday. The Knicks had this pick via an earlier trade with the Thunder.   The Suns traded up using pick No. 56 to select Ighodaro, an experienced college player and Phoenix-area native who could contribute minutes next season. Ighodaro is a talented interior passer and capable defender who might fit nicely next to Phoenix's stars. He doesn't space the floor nor does he rebound at a high level, making him a somewhat unorthodox role player, but the Suns will likely have a plan to play to his strengths. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Adem Bona","year":2024,"school":"UCLA","college_abbreviation":"UCLA","pros":"Bona has some of the best physical tools in this draft with outstanding mobility, explosiveness and a 7-foot-4 wingspan. His nonstop intensity, physicality and ability to cover ground seamlessly give him a clear role at the NBA level -- if he can improve his discipline on both ends.","cons":"As well as Bona finishes lobs and covers ground defensively, he was plagued by fouls and turnovers last season and isn't the defensive rebounder you might hope due to his average feel for the game.","verdict":"The Nigerian-born big man had an up-and-down season on a disappointing UCLA team. But he has several key ingredients that should allow him to thrive in a protracted role as a finisher and switch defender as he adds more polish. -- Jonathan GivonyTop prospects at 20 traits: Bona has the best motor in this class (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"Bona is one of the hardest-playing bigs in the draft and could provide immediate utility for the Sixers coming off the bench behind center Joel Embiid. A quality rebounder and competitive defender who will do the dirty work, Bona was in the mix for teams higher in the draft and looks like a nice value pick for Philadelphia. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"KJ Simpson","year":2024,"school":"Colorado","college_abbreviation":"COLO","pros":"Simpson is an undersized, creative scoring guard who took a huge step forward in his junior season, propelling Colorado to two NCAA tournament wins. Simpson's efficiency rose despite carrying a significant load, making shots in bunches from all over the floor with his outstanding scoring instincts.","cons":"While a good athlete, he lacks great size and has average length and strength. He frequently gives up size defensively on most nights, which might be a bigger issue at the next level.","verdict":"Simpson, one of the most improved players in college basketball last season, is a terrific ball handler with good speed, reliable mechanics as a pull-up shooter and deft touch on his floater. His intensity on defense gives him a fighting chance when paired with his offensive gifts and could help compensate for his small stature. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Charlotte adds an experienced college guard in Simpson, a tough but undersized scorer who could ultimately provide some value off the bench. Simpson comes off a strong season at Colorado and could find a niche in the NBA if he's able to translate that success and efficiency. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Nikola Djurisić","year":2024,"school":"Serbia","college_abbreviation":"Serbia","pros":"Djurisic is a physically gifted wing who scored in bunches late in the 2023-24 season to give himself momentum in the draft process.","cons":"With an even wingspan and just an average feel for the game, he will face questions about his defensive potential and will need to show more consistency with his decision-making and 3-point shooting to carve out a niche at the next level.","verdict":"After finding mixed results early in the year, Nikola Topic's departure opened the door for Djurisic to take on a playmaking role for Mega Basket, where he excelled and played the best basketball of his career in a winning context. His size, athletic ability and scoring talent are undeniable, and he has upside to grow into at just 20 years old. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Hawks after they traded with the Heat during Round 2 on Thursday.  The Hawks traded A.J. Griffin to the Rockets earlier today to get in at No. 44, then traded with the Heat to move up one spot to No. 43 and select Djurisic, a talented scorer who could wind up being an international stash player. Atlanta was intent on picking up another selection and also saved some money on their payroll by moving Griffin, who became movable after the Hawks added No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Pelle Larsson","year":2024,"school":"Arizona","college_abbreviation":"ARIZ","pros":"Larsson is a strong-framed wing with two-way versatility who contributed steadily on and off the ball as a senior in the Pac-12.","cons":"He is not especially rangy on the defensive end or dynamic with the ball, despite making contributions as a playmaker on both ends of the floor. He has questions to answer in those areas projecting to the NBA level, as well as with his reluctance to take open jumpers at times, despite hitting an excellent 43% of his attempts.","verdict":"Larsson played a key role for an Arizona team that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. He scored efficiently, made smart and unselfish decisions as a secondary ball handler and used his physicality and smarts on the defensive end. He has excellent role-player potential, provided he can prove his outside shooting will translate to the NBA level. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Heat after they traded with the Hawks during Round 2 on Thursday. The Hawks had this pick via an earlier trade with the Rockets.   Miami moved back one spot with Atlanta and selected Larsson, a tough, versatile guard who could give the Heat minutes off the bench in the short-term. Larsson matches a lot of Miami's intangibles and could be a strong fit here. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Jamal Shead","year":2024,"school":"Houston","college_abbreviation":"HOU","pros":"Shead is one of the winningest players in this draft class - he went 120-18 in his college career. His defensive intensity, unselfish passing and competitiveness give him upside as a backup point guard.w","cons":"He lacks in size and consistency as a shooter. Shead, however, set the tone for Houston last season, helping them earn the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.","verdict":"Shead brings similar intangibles that allowed T.J. McConnell and Jose Alvarado to stick in the league despite lacking elite physical tools or scoring. His ability to manage a game while putting opposing guards through the wringer gives him a clear niche he can fill in the NBA, and he'll have a chance at a role if he can improve his shooting. -- Jonathan GivonyTop prospects at 20 traits: Shead is the best full-court defender in this class (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Raptors after they traded with the Kings before Round 2 on Thursday. The Raptors acquired this pick earlier Thursday in a deal with Sacramento and selected Shead, one of college basketball's top guards who could wind up being a spark plug for Toronto off the bench. Questions about his size and shooting ability limited some of Shead's appeal, but he's an experienced, tough player and may be closer than many in this draft to making an impact. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cameron  Christie","year":2024,"school":"Minnesota","college_abbreviation":"MINN","pros":"Christie is a smooth sharpshooter with positional size and an intriguing frame. His feathery touch and diverse shot-making prowess from the perimeter helped him exceed expectations in a major way as an 18-year-old freshman at Minnesota.","cons":"He did most of his damage away from the rim, lacking a degree of physicality as a slasher and defender.","verdict":"Christie's fluidity and scoring instincts stood out not just when spacing the floor but also running off screens and pulling up off the dribble. Couple that with his age and physical tools, and it is not hard to see why NBA teams would bet on his continued development, even if he's likely not ready to help a team as a rookie. -- Jonathan GivonyGivony's favorite sleepers: Could Christie make an early impact? (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"This is a bit of a fall for Christie, who chose to remain in the draft following one season at Minnesota, but didn't hear his name called in the first round. His shooting ability and room to grow as a scorer give him developmental appeal. While he likely won't help the Clippers next season, he could be an option for them as a floor-spacer on the wing down the line. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Antonio  Reeves","year":2024,"school":"Kentucky","college_abbreviation":"UK","pros":"Reeves is a dynamic shooter who made 45% of his 3-pointers last season, ranking among the most productive and efficient scorers in the country as a fifth-year senior at Kentucky.","cons":"At age 23, he lacks physicality on the defensive end and is not much of a playmaker or passer.","verdict":"Reeves might not be the most versatile two-way player, but he was as diverse a shot-maker as there was in college basketball last season. There's an obvious niche for him to fill as a bench scorer, and he could have some upward mobility if he can find a way to hold his own defensively, especially off the ball. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Pelicans after they traded with the Magic during Round 2 on Thursday. New Orleans sent two future second-round pick swaps to the Magic to move in and select Reeves, a quality long-range shooter who helped his standing among teams with a strong pre-draft process. The Pelicans valued Reeves' skill set and will aim to develop him into a useful role player and depth option. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Harrison Ingram","year":2024,"school":"North Carolina","college_abbreviation":"UNC","pros":"Ingram is a long and strong swingman whose versatility, feel for the game and improvement as a spot-up shooter made him an indispensable player for the Tar Heels.","cons":"While Ingram checks a lot of boxes with his 7-foot wingspan and 3-point shooting (39% last season), he is a good but not great athlete who struggled to finish inside the arc (45% on 2-point shots) throughout his college career. He is only a 62% free throw shooter, raising questions about just how consistent of a perimeter threat he can become in the long term.","verdict":"Ingram is a terrific rebounder, heady passer and capable shot-maker who stuffed the stat sheet and came up big in several high-profile games last season. He has the tools to hold his own defensively and has appeal as a role player, especially if he can take the next step with his shooting. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Ingram comes off a strong season at North Carolina and will be an interesting depth addition for the Spurs, giving them an experienced and smart player who can contribute at either forward spot. While not an elite athlete with high-projectable upside, he has the type of basketball IQ and offensive versatility San Antonio values and could find a niche here. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Tristen Newton","year":2024,"school":"UConn","college_abbreviation":"CONN","pros":"Newton is a good-sized guard coming off back-to-back national championships, making strides as a fifth-year senior with his playmaking and interior finishing.","cons":"His outlook is limited by his average physical tools, inconsistent shooting and defensive impact. There are questions about how much room the 23-year-old has to grow in those areas.","verdict":"Newton's improved floor game and decision-making played a big role in UConn's second straight title. He stepped up as a shot-maker in big games last season, and his leadership and experience contributed to UConn's well-oiled machine. His size and experience will earn him pro opportunities, and he has a chance to stick if he can find consistent range. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"The Pacers were among the teams highest on Newton following his major role in UConn's consecutive NCAA title teams. Indiana will hope he can provide extra depth in the long run behind starter Tyrese Haliburton, with the size to play either guard spot.  -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Enrique Freeman","year":2024,"school":"Akron","college_abbreviation":"AKR","pros":"Freeman is a lanky former walk-on turned walking double-double who competes with infectious energy and flashed some potential as a jump-shooter to cap his career at Akron.","cons":"Playing mostly as a small-ball center in college, Freeman will need to make strides with his shooting as he likely transitions to guarding smaller players with his 212-pound frame.","verdict":"Freeman has a terrific backstory and grew into one of the best big men in the mid-major ranks over his five-year collegiate career. While his activity level and 7-foot-2 wingspan are significant assets, showing he had the ability to take the next step, diversify his offensive repertoire, and defend different positions along the perimeter would solidify his standing as a pro. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Freeman helped himself during the pre-draft process as teams fell in love with his intangibles and unique backstory as a late-blooming mid-major player. He was a standout at the draft combine and finds a home with the Pacers, who it appears wound up keeping all three of their second-round selections. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Melvin Ajinça","year":2024,"school":"France","college_abbreviation":"France","pros":"Ajinca is a promising role player coming off a solid season in Pro A France. He had several impactful stretches, finding his range impressively and bringing great energy on the defensive end of the floor.","cons":"While Ajinca has run red-hot at times, his consistency as a shooter is critical (career 32% mark from 3-point range). He has an even wingspan and lacks great ballhandling and the playmaking ability to consistently create his own shot. He will also have some lapses at times on the defensive end.","verdict":"Ajinca improved his standing considerably at the FIBA U19 World Cup last summer, flashing dynamic shot-making prowess and bringing aggressiveness on both ends of the floor. He did that in spurts in Saint-Quentin last season and has intrigue when he puts everything together offensively. He's young, with his 20th birthday on June 26. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Mavericks after they traded with the Knicks in Round 1 on Wednesday. The Knicks previously acquired the pick from the Wizards. Dallas added this pick and grabbed Ajinca, a long-term prospect it will aim to develop as depth. Ajinca, the fifth French player selected in this draft, could potentially wind up being stashed overseas next season. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Quinten Post","year":2024,"school":"Boston College","college_abbreviation":"BC","pros":"Post is a big man with a terrific shooting stroke and an exceptionally high skill level.","cons":"He lacks mobility, physicality and explosiveness, which limits him on both ends of the floor.","verdict":"The Dutch stretch-5 center might not win any footraces, but he can shoot, pass and handle the ball at a very high level, with the instincts on both ends of the floor to match. Going for 30 and 10 three times last season, Post's production was a bright spot for Boston College and leaves room for optimism about his future prospects operating alongside more talented teammates. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Warriors after they re-acquired it via multiple trades during Round 2 on Thursday. This pick went from the Warriors to the Thunder, then from the Thunder to the Trail Blazers, who moved back from No. 40 -- then traded it back to Golden State, which had been working to get back into the second round. Post is a skilled interior player who can stretch the floor, and had sleeper appeal to some teams after going somewhat under the radar at Boston College. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Cam  Spencer","year":2024,"school":"UConn","college_abbreviation":"CONN","pros":"Spencer is a first-team All-Big East player whose shot-making diversity, passing acumen and feel for the game made him a key cog in UConn's national championship run.","cons":"Already 24 years old, Spencer is not particularly tall, long or explosive, getting by on toughness and instincts at the college level defensively. That might not translate as seamlessly to the NBA, as he has limited physical tools.","verdict":"Spencer is an excellent off-screen shooter whose consistency pulling up off the dribble puts added pressure on defenses as he constantly moves without the ball. His competitiveness, skill level and experience were huge assets for the Huskies last season and often overshadow his physical limitations, which are nonetheless questions he'll have to answer in the NBA on both ends of the floor. -- Jonathan GivonyRead: Top prospects at 20 traits: Spencer is the best pull-up shooter in this class (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Grizzlies after they traded with the Timberwolves during Round 2 on Thursday.  Memphis traded up from No. 57 to No. 53 with the Timberwolves to select Spencer. The Grizzlies valued Spencer's toughness and 3-point shooting, giving them a pair of long-range scorers in the second round after grabbing Jaylen Wells at No. 39. Spencer is the fourth player drafted off UConn's title team, and might be able to give Memphis some bench minutes in the near future. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Anton Watson","year":2024,"school":"Gonzaga","college_abbreviation":"GONZ","pros":"Watson is a smart, versatile forward whose feel for the game and competitiveness made him a valuable cog in a variety of roles over his five seasons at Gonzaga.","cons":"He is a below-average athlete by NBA standards and is not as prolific from the perimeter as one would hope to compensate, making just 44 3-pointers in 149 career games.","verdict":"Watson's ability to defend guards, wings and big men stands out along with his passing ability, intensity and willingness to do the little things, a big reason he won 130 of 149 games in his decorated college career. He will not stand out on tools or scoring ability, but he is a team-first player who will have a chance to carve out an NBA career if he can prove his 41% 3-point accuracy on limited attempts from beyond the arc last season was not a fluke. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"Watson had a quality career at Gonzaga and goes to Boston presumably on a two-way contract. He offers some versatility and defensive chops on the interior and will give the Celtics a frontcourt depth option. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Bronny James","year":2024,"school":"USC","college_abbreviation":"USC","pros":"James is an explosive guard with strong defensive versatility whose upward trajectory out of high school was interrupted by a medical emergency that derailed his freshman season. He underwent a procedure last summer to repair a congenital heart defect and was cleared to be drafted by the NBA's Fitness to Play Panel.","cons":"James did not have an overly productive season at USC, averaging just 4.8 points per game. Standing just under 6-foot-3 in shoes, he is not a dynamic ball handler or shot-creator, lacking assertiveness at times.","verdict":"James made strides as a senior in high school and had impressive showings in the spring all-star circuit, but he had a difficult time finding his footing at USC, especially as a scorer. His strong feel for the game, length, frame, budding shot-making prowess and competitiveness defensively give him plenty of things to work with in the long term if he can get back on the encouraging track he was on before his cardiac arrest. -- Jonathan GivonyRead: How James improved his stock at the combine div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"After much anticipation, Bronny James will join his father on the Lakers, who were widely known around the league to be interested in drafting him at No. 55. While he won't be expected to contribute in the near future, he'll get a real opportunity to develop and stay home in Los Angeles, where he went through a tough season at USC but still ultimately found his way into the draft. This selection was among the worst-kept secrets in the league. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Kevin McCullar Jr.","year":2024,"school":"Kansas","college_abbreviation":"KU","pros":"McCullar earned a reputation as a high-level utility wing over his five seasons in college, and he answered a lot of questions with his improvement offensively in his final year at Kansas before being hampered by a knee injury.","cons":"While he made clear strides as a spot-up shooter, his consistency -- especially off the dribble -- still leaves something to be desired and is one of the biggest question marks. He made 31% of his 3s over his career.","verdict":"McCullar's toughness, competitiveness and versatility always showed up in his ability to guard and pass, and his improved scoring prowess and efficiency as a senior made him Kansas' most valuable player. While a knee injury ended his season early, his two-way productivity gives him a clear route to minutes on the wing if he can take another step as a shooter. -- Jonathan GivonyGivony's favorite sleepers: McCullar's injury issues make him a wildcard (ESPN+) div.draftTable__content > p > a{color:#06c !important; border-bottom:1px dotted #06c !important}div.draftTable__content > p > a:hover{opacity:.8 !important; border-bottom:1px solid #06c !important}","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Knicks after they traded with the Suns during Round 2 on Thursday. This is the fourth selection for the Knicks, who get a potential value pick in McCullar, a top college player at Kansas whose season was derailed by injury. His age and health wound up hurting his draft stock, but if McCullar can get himself to full strength he could give New York's playoff-caliber roster some playable bench depth. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ulrich Chomche","year":2024,"school":"Cameroon","college_abbreviation":"Cameroon","pros":"Chomche is a young, inexperienced big man with massive defensive potential, thanks to his 7-foot-4 wingspan and exceptional frame and mobility.","cons":"Most of his experience has come at the junior level, as he spent last season at the NBA Academy Africa.","verdict":"While Chomche remains green offensively, he has a lot of things that can't be taught. He has flashed ability as a passer and shooter, which could be developed into more consistent traits down the road. The Cameroon native is far from being ready to help an NBA team, but he is interesting for a team that believes in its player development system. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Raptors after they traded with the Timberwolves during Round 2 on Thursday. The Timberwolves acquired this pick via the Grizzlies earlier in the day.  The Raptors moved in at No. 57 to select Chomche, who is years away from contributing to an NBA roster and will likely be a G League project for Toronto. He's a physically gifted player with interesting flashes of skill, and this is a low-leverage upside play for the Raptors late in the draft. -- Jeremy Woo"}
{"source":"ESPN","name":"Ariel Hukporti","year":2024,"school":"Germany","college_abbreviation":"Germany","pros":"Hukporti is a chiseled, mobile center who emerged as the most productive rebounder in this class on both ends of the floor on a per-minute basis.","cons":"He is not particularly skilled away from the rim or comfortable guarding in space, living off his energy more than a great feel for the game. Injuries have been a concern and have limited his ability to participate in much of the pre-draft process.","verdict":"Hukporti had a highly productive season in the NBL, showing his ability to rim-run, finish lobs, corral rebounds and block shots at a strong rate. His reach and energetic style of play make him a fit at the end of an NBA bench. -- Jonathan Givony","post_draft_analysis":"This pick belongs to the Knicks after they traded with the Mavericks during Round 2 on Thursday.Hukporti was a productive rebounder in Australia last season and has been on the NBA radar for years, but he has dealt with injuries that ultimately derailed his trajectory as a prospect. The Mavs took a flier on him at the last spot in the draft. -- Jeremy Woo"}