By Hocine LOUKKAF on 9/25/2019
In a class full of talented guards, Wiseman seems the only elite big man who could steal the show and be the first name called.
#1 James Wiseman, 7-1 C, Memphis, FR
NBA comparison : DeAndre Ayton
The 7-1 freak will have plenty of playing time and advice from an NBA legend to fulfill his potential at Memphis. If his motor is as consistent as his talent, no reason he couldn’t be the first name called on draft night
#2 Anthony Edwards, 6-5 SG, Georgia, FR
NBA comparison : stronger Oladipo
The explosive guard decided to stay local at Georgia where he could be the offense’s focus point. Chiseled frame, top notch athleticism and consistent shooting make him a potential top five pick.
#3 Lamelo Ball, 6-7 PG/SG, Illara Hawks (Australia), 2001
NBA comparison : taller Stephen Curry
The show is over for Lamelo. He has become a much better player during the past year and summer and has already proved that with the pros in the Australian NBL (19pts 13rbds 7as in his last preseason game). Despite his hardenesque defense, his shooting and passing skills at 6-7 are enough to make him an NBA star.
#4 Deni Avdija, 6-8 SF, Maccabi tel Aviv (Israel), 2001
NBA comparison : taller Gordon Hayward
The Israeli forward has the talent, versatility and motor to potentially become a franchise player with a whole country behind him. A lot will depend on his playing time with European powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv.
#5 Theo Maledon, 6-4 PG, ASVEL (France), 2001
NBA comparison : Jrue Holiday
The smooth French PG may not be the flashiest or most athletic but he’s already playing a lot in one of the toughest leagues in Europe and will now play Euroleague for his draft year (8as 1to for his first game).
#6 Cole Anthony, 6-3 PG, UNC, FR
NBA comparison : tougher Dennis Smith
Anthony has inherited from his father Greg a toughness you can’t teach. He defends hard, possesses top notch athleticism but still needs to work on his shot selection and passing to be a a pure PG.
#7 Isaiah Stewart, 6-9 PF/C, Washington, FR
NBA comparison : more talented Dale/Antonio Davis
A workhorse inside, Stewart is a hard nosed rebounder/defender who is working on expanding his range to improve his scoring. Maybe more a complementary player than a top option in a team.
#8 RJ Hampton, 6-5 PG/SG, New Zealand Breakers, 2001
NBA comparison : Jordan Clarkson
A nice combo guard with athleticism, Hampton has decided to take the NBL route with the New Zealand Breakers. He still needs to improve his strength and display consistent shooting to rise higher in the mocks.
#9 Killian Hayes, 6-5 PG/SG, Ulm (Germany), 2001
NBA comparison : Goran Dragic
The lefty combo will benefit from the coaching of Jaka Lakovic, a former Euroleague star who played the PG position, with his new team of Ulm in Germany. Last year, Hayes struggled with his shooting but his athleticism and length are very nice for his age at both G spots.
#10 Kahlil Whitney, 6-7 SF, Kentucky, FR
NBA comparison : poor man’s Dominique Wilkins
A tough SF with top notch physical tools and athleticism, the Chicago kid has improved his overall IQ and skills before entering college. If he can consistently create for himself and hit the outside shot, he could be called in the lottery.
#11 Jay Scrubb, 6-6 SG/SF, John Logan College, SO
NBA comparison : JR Smith
Our first gamble, Scrubb is a juco sophomore with elite shooting (46% from three last year) and a 40-inch vertical. If he doesn’t get injured, he could prove that his mix of size and skills makes him a potential lottery pick.
#12 Precious Achiuwa, 6-9 SF/PF, Memphis, FR
NBA comparison : Al Farouq Aminu
An old freshman, Achiuwa has the requisite length /strength/athleticism to play both forward spots at the next level. If his skills reach the level of his physical tools, he could dream of entering the top 10.
#13 Oscar Tshiebwe, 6-9 PF/C, WVU, FR
NBA comparison : Bam Adebayo
After Konate, the WVU commit has perfect agility and size at 6-9 245 with a 7-5 wingspan to play the four and five. He will have plenty of playing time to display his skills and defending prowess under a future Hall of Famer, coach Huggins.
#14 Tyrese Haliburton, 6-5 PG, Iowa State, SO
NBA comparison :
It’s rare for a player to be too unselfish. That’s Haliburton’s main weakness. Yet, the Iowa State PG was impressive at the World Cup U19 as he averaged 8pts per game on 69% FG including 55% 3pt and an even more outstanding 7 a/to ratio. His defense is another field which makes him a special player.
#15 Scottie Lewis, 6-5 SG, Florida, FR
NBA comparison : poor man’s Dwyane Wade
An elite athlete with length who needs to improve on everything from his shooting to his ball handling and overall IQ. Could become a star if he learns the nuances of the game.
#16 Jaden McDaniels, 6-10 SF, Washington, FR
NBA comparison : Brandon Ingram
Tall lanky SF prospects are among the toughest to project at the next level. If McDaniels can perform consistently at the college level, he does have the skills and athleticism to be a top 10 pick.
#17 Nico Mannion, 6-3 PG, Arizona, FR
NBA comparison : Kirk Hinrich
Mannion has gone through all the steps of a high profile prospect. He has now to prove at the college level he’s worth the hype. He has decent size and athleticism for the NBA but should develop top notch IQ and shooting to be a special player in the league.
#18 Romeo Weems, 6-7 SF, DePaul, FR
NBA comparison : Andre Roberson
A below the radar draft prospect, the DePaul freshman is a defensive Swiss knife who can guard multiple positions. He’s also an improved ball handler and shooter who could use a big playing time to enter the draft.
#19 Jeremiah Robinson Earl, 6-8 SF/PF, Villanova, FR
NBA comparison : Aaron Gordon
An athletic combo forward, Robinson-Earl will have to display consistent shooting to make up for his lack of elite length at the PF spot. Yet, a great recruit for Villanova.
#20 Vernon Carey, 6-10 PF/C, Duke, FR
NBA comparison : More advanced Derrick Favors
A mobile and versatile big, Carey has a lot of hype around him but lacks an elite strength to go lottery. Solid floor but limited upside if he doesn’t become an elite defender or shooter.
#21 Josh Green, 6-6 SG/PG, Arizona, FR
NBA comparison : Gary Harris
Physical guard with decent shooting and nice athleticism. Basically used his stronger frame and athleticism at the high school level to dominate but doesn’t have elite speed/leap nor is he the most talented guard you would find.
#22 Amar Sylla, 6-9 PF, Oostende (Belgium), 2001
NBA comparison : poor man’s Chris Bosh
A long and athletic big, the lefty Senegalese also displayed some flashes of an elite offensive potential. Still raw, he will try to put it all together at the senior level with his new team of Oostende in Belgium.
#24 Matthew Hurt, 6-8 PF/SF, Duke, FR
NBA comparison : Keith Van Horn
A consensus top 20 prospect, Hurt is a talented forward who shoots effortlessly and can create for his teammates. A bit stuck between positions, may lack the footspeed to be a pure three or strength/length to be a four.
#23 Charles Bassey, 6-10 C, Western Kentucky, SO
NBA comparison : smaller Myles Turner
Bassey has performed during his freshman year but still needs to refine his skills. He could expand his range while being even more impactful on defense to secure a selection in the mid-first round.
#25 Aaron Henry, 6-6 SF/SG, Michigan State, SO
NBA comparison : Justice Winslow
The do-it-all swingman stepped up in the tournament with 10pts 5rbds 3as per game including a20pts 8rbds 6as statline against LSU. With more responsability and playing time, he could hear his name in the late first round.
#26 Kira Lewis, 6-3 SG/PG, Alabama, SO
NBA comparison : Jamal Murray
As the youngest freshman in college basketball last year, Lewis proved it was a good choice to reclassify. A nice athlete and shooter, his ability to involve more his teammates or become a dominant scorer will determine if he can be a first rounder.
#27 Xavier Tillman, 6-8 PF, Michigan State, JR
NBA comparison : Taj Gibson
The typical underrated upperclassman, Tillman has improved a lot since his freshman year and has that toughness which helps so many Spartans become NBA players. Not the bggest upside but a solid-floor prospect.
#28 CJ Elleby, 6-6 SF/SG, Washington State, SO
NBA comparison : Rodney Hood
An underrated freshman, Elleby is a bit undersized as a full time SF. If he can improve his already versatile stats (7rbds 41% 3pt) and his a/to ratio, he could become a nice option from the bench.
#29 AJ Lawson, 6-6 SG, South Carolina, SO
NBA comparison : Kentavious Caldwell Pope
Albeit a bit streaky, Lawson is a very nice shooter with size who performed well at the World U19. He still needs to add strength to finish inside and work on his shot selection.
#30 Neemias Queta, 7-0 C, Utah State, SO
NBA comparison : less agile/athletic Clint Capela
Like the Swiss center, Queta may not have the most complete offensive toolbox but he projects as an efficient rim protector/rebounder and finisher. He could use his second year to improve his overall IQ and try to add a decent shot from the high post/FT line.