At this point of the season, the values on the pitch are starting to be defined and the Mock Drafts are starting to take shape.
Analyzing 4 different sites that draw up a Mock Draft on 2 rounds (nba.com – nbadraft.net – nbadraftroom.com – tankathon.com) 88 different players appear, 26 of which are present only in a mock, 17 are not in the NCAA and 9 are European, but the only thing clear is the order of the top 3 picks: Frenchman Victor Wembanyama first overall, G League’s Scoot Henderson in second and Overtime Elite’s Amen Thompson third.
Starting from this assumption, since it is unlikely that any NBA GM will take responsibility for a different choice, there are still many boxes to fill in the draft and it is therefore time to make a brief analysis of some of the probable choices.
First of all, it will be evident that none of the top 3 big men of the year appear in this list because Armando Bacot of UNC, Drew Timme of Gonzaga and Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky are expected to be called between the middle and the end of the second round because they the characteristics today’s NBA seeks.
Brandon Miller – SF – Alabama – Fr
Perfect player for the NBA since at his 205 cm height he combines excellent scoring skills and a deadly 3pt shot (46% in the season) with a more than reliable defense. He is perhaps the only one who can undermine the third pick in the draft.
Nick Smith – PG/SG – Arkansas – Fr
Undeniable talent combined with an equally undeniable knee problem that limited his presence to only 5 games this season; given that it would be a bet when there are other physically tested players in his role, it cannot be excluded that in the vicinity of the draft he chooses to retire rather than slip to the second round.
Cam Whitmore – SF – Villanova – Fr
Winger with a good physique, in Nova he was unable to show all his abilities given that there are some hierarchies to respect, it is still a bet that deserves to be accepted given the defensive potential as well.
Keyonte George – SG – Baylor – Fr
Although he has undoubted scoring skills, he is experiencing a difficult moment offensively and in the last few games he has shot badly, in defense he is no better and in Wednesday’s direct clash with Gradey Dick of Kansas he was annihilated a couple of times.
Anthony Black – SG – Arkansas – Fr
In a team where, in addition to him and Nick Smith, 3 other Razorbacks appear in the mock drafts, Black has however shown flashes of talent especially defensively and a 3pt shot to work on.
Gradey Dick – SG – Kansas – Fr
It was known that he was a valid player but that he could already change the balance of the team in the first year was a surprise; in him the excellent shooting mechanics are combined with good percentages of 3pts and he has no problems managing contacts when he penetrates.
Jarace Waler – SF/PF – Houston – Fr
Wing with excellent physique that allows him to manage defensive mismatches, in a team where rotations bring 10 players into double figures in minutes on average he still manages to score over 10 points and almost 7 rebounds; icing on the cake is 35% from 3pts even if achieved with a low number of attempts.
Jett Howard – SG – Michigan – Fr
Son of Juwan, capable of scoring from 3pts coming off the block, creating a shot or waiting for the discharge in the corner, he is growing even if his Wolverines have a modest 11-8 record and therefore his leadership skills remain to be demonstrated . The ankle injury sustained in the last game shouldn’t be anything serious.
GG Jackson – PF/C – South Carolina – Fr
Maybe the choice to give up the offer from North Carolina to accept that of the modest South Carolina (who knows if in the next few years someone won’t find out if there is something behind this strange decision) may have negatively influenced his quotations but his talent is undoubted and he’s only 18.
Cason Wallace – PG – Kentucky – Fr
After Tshiebwe it’s the Wildcat with minutes on the pitch for coach Calipari as he combines good defense with good scoring skills, even from 3pts. The lesser talent is compensated for by the much higher than average basketball IQ and for this reason it offers enormous development margins for what could become a role player in the NBA.
Maxwell Lewis – SG/SF – Pepperdine – So
Despite playing in a very weak team (the Waves are 7-14 this season) and in the West Coast Conference where attention is drawn to Gonzaga, a winger like him could not go unnoticed. Player capable of creating a shot and with excellent percentages (51% from the field and 41% from 3pts) he played his cards well in the match against the Zags which finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Kris Murray – SF/PF – Iowa – Jr
What last year seemed like Keegan’s poor brother, 4th overall pick of the Sacramento Kings last draft, is actually almost replicating his numbers by traveling at over 20ppg and almost 9rpg.
Terquavion Smith – PG/SG – NC State – So
Player who does not have the technical characteristics of the superstar but guarantees a constant performance (in the season he has always gone into double figures) so the scouts see him as a reliable sixth man and project him all towards the middle / end of the first round.
Noah Clowney – PF – Alabama – Fr
Power forward with a normal physique who still manages contacts under the basket, doesn’t disdain to leave the arc but the 0/16 of the last 4 games has brought down his average for the season to 25%; however, it is his ability to rebound (8.5rpg in 25 minutes) that leaves him on the scouts’ radar.
Brice Sensabaugh – SF/PF – Ohio St. Fr
It is enough to see him play once to notice that in less than 24 minutes he scores over 17 points shooting with 50% from the field and with 46% from 3pts to understand that we are facing a player who combines a natural offensive talent with an important physique .
Kyle Filipowski – PF – Hooks – Fr
What was not the most anticipated of Duke’s freshmen is surprising for his versatility under both baskets: in attack he can play in the post or go outside the arc where he has shown a reliable 3pt shot while in defense he can also pair with wings and limit their penetration.
Kel’el Ware – C – Oregon – Fr
Player with great potential but who still has to work a lot and it’s not certain that doing so after signing a contract is the right choice for him, today it’s a bet but a long-term one.
Taylor Hendricks – SF – UCF – Fr
Although he did not arrive in the NCAA as a 5-star prospect, the scouts were impressed by his evolution which, game after game, is enhancing his athletic and ballistic skills which allow him to have almost 2 average blocks and 47% from field.
