1. Lamelo Ball, PG, Illawarra
(Alius Koroliovas.alius@fotografas.eu/Getty Images Europe)
Strengths:
Very tall for a PG (6-7), can see over the defense, can shoot over defense even with low release
Fantastic vision and basketball IQ, 7 APG and only 2.42 TPG in NBL, amazing passer, can pass with both hands standing still or on the move
Very good floater from all over the court, soft touch around the rim
Limitless range, only shot .250 3P% on 6.7 3PA and .723 FT% is average but is a threat from anywhere in the half court
Has the size, lateral quickness, and instincts to be good on ball defender if he stays engaged, gets in passing lanes, 1.67 SPG in NBL
Great ball-handler, has the ball on a string, uses creative dribble moves to get in the lane
Very good rebounder for PG, averaged 7.6 RPG
Weaknesses:
Not overly athletic, not very strong, doesn’t finish through contact, settles for too many floaters
Unconventional shooting form, two-handed release with inconsistent footwork, problems seem fixable, ugly percentages could be a result of poor shot selection
Focus and discipline on defense need to get better to be a high-end defender
Plays fast, can be careless at times, decision making needs to improve
2. Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
(Jeff Roberson / Associated Press)
Strengths:
Gifted scorer from all levels, good ball-handler, gets to the basket and can score using thick frame
Good looking jumper, only shot .294 from 3 but .772 FT% and soft touch indicates his shot can translate to the NBA, good shooter off the dribble
Willing passer, can pass on the move with both hands, played some PG at Georgia
Can guard 1-3, moves feet well on the perimeter, long arms, can get in the passing lanes
Good rebounder, uses size to box out
Weaknesses:
Poor shot selection/decision-making, can settle for tough jump shots, maybe because he was asked to carry them offensively
Only shot .294 from 3
Inconsistent effort defensively (getting around screens, offball movement)
3. James Wiseman, C, Memphis
(Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Strengths:
Great athletic profile, huge at 7-1 with long arms (7-6 wingspan), athletic finisher, massive lob threat, fantastic rebounder, especially offensively
Good touch, decent free throw shooter at .704, has a turnaround and midrange jumper in his arsenal, soft touch around the rim, could potentially develop a three-point shot
Runs the floor extremely well, great finisher in space
Great rim protector (3 BPG in limited college play), mobile enough to switch on defense
Can take some defenders off the dribble, draws a lot of fouls near the basket
Weaknesses:
Played only 69 total minutes in college
Fundamentals and discipline lacking defensively, tries to block every shot, effort isn't always there defensively
Needs to use his strength more on both ends, settles for too many mid range and turnaround jumpers, plays too much on the perimeter
Lacks feel/passing right now, only 1 assist in 69 minutes at Memphis
Needs to improve screen-setting
4. Killian Hayes, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm
(Getty Images)
Strengths:
Great facilitator, good timing/patience in pick and roll, accurate passer, makes tough one-handed passes, can make them cross court out of pick and roll
Good shooter off the dribble, good in pick and roll, effectively uses a step back jumper, .876 FT% indicates he could be a good 3PT shooter in the NBA
Great finisher, especially in transition, good floater, sometime uses it too often
Smooth ball-handler, can get by defenders
Shows potential to be very good defender who can defend 1-3, gets in ball-handlers’ space, uses length to get steals and deflections
Good positional rebounder
Weaknesses:
Needs to improve his right hand, spins and crosses over back to left hand often, a lot of turnovers because he can't use his right hand effectively, tries too many floaters when going to the right because he's not confident finishing with his right hand
4.7 turnovers per 36 min, too many turnovers for PG
Picks up dribble too often under pressure, especially going to this right
Defensive intensity comes and goes, sometimes he's putting intense pressure on the ball and sometimes he has mental lapses
5. Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC
(Soobum Im/Getty Images)
Strengths:
Great pick and roll scorer, good hands, catches ball in traffic, athletic lob-threat, can finish with both hands, runs the floor well, athletic finisher in transition
Great post scorer, can face up and back down, very good spin move and soft touch on hook shots
Uses length and athleticism to block a lot of shots, great rim protector, good pick and roll defender, can switch out onto smaller wings, very versatile defender who averaged 2.7 BPG and 1.2 SPG at USC
Soft touch, .720 FT%, can stretch the floor a little but jumper needs work if he’s going to extend to NBA three
Good offensive rebounder, could improve defensive rebounding
Weaknesses:
Has improved as a shooter but needs to improve more to be effective scorer, would improve face up game, not sure if he will be able to develop a three point shot
Can improve passing, finding shooters, had more TOs than assists
Not very vocal on defense
Could have trouble defending bigger centers in the post, undersized center at only 6-9, gives up position too easily
6. Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
(David K. Purdy/Getty Images)
Strengths:
Great passer with great vision, 6.5 APG last season, plays within the offense, doesn’t force passes, 2.33 AST/TO, really good passing and finishing in transition, makes great lead passes, very good timing and patience in pick and roll, can score and pass as ball-handler
.419 3P% and .822 FT%, mechanics a little bit slow off catch and shoot, improving on pull-ups but still needs to improve here
Good ball-handler, uses effective crossovers to get by defenders, good flooter and touch around the rim
Good positional rebounder
Moves well without the ball
BBIQ shows in defensive positioning and off-ball defense, good awareness, long arms, gets into the passing lanes to get steals and deflection
Weaknesses:
Slow release on jumper, could be hard to get shots off
Not very strong, shies away from contact, low FT rate in college
Good straight line driver but not a go-to scorer in the half court, lacks athleticism and burst
Needs to be more disciplined defensively, bites on too many pump fakes, gets blown by a little too often, could improve footwork and lateral quickness
7. Devin Vassell, SG/SF, FSU
(Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)
Strengths:
Elite shooter off the catch and dribble, .415 3P% and .738 FT%, height and length with good elevation allows him to shoot over defense, moves well without the ball and positions his body well to catch and shoot
Athletic finisher in transition and half court, good lob threat, good touch on floaters
Attacks closeouts well, doesn’t get into the lane often but has good pull-up
Shows potential as a ball-handler and passer, only 1 TO/36 min
Great on-ball defender, can guard 1-3 and 4 if he gets a little stronger, great awareness defensively, great help defender, contests shots well, length to get into passing lanes (1.4 SPG) and block shots (1.0 BPG)
High floor prospect who can contribute immediately
Weaknesses:
Can improve as a passer, only 2 Assists/36 min, lack of ball handling skills caps upside offensively
Only 194 lbs, avoids contact at the rim because of size, didn’t get to the line a lot, gets bumped off his path on drives, putting on weight will also help him guard bigs
Hard time beating defenders off the dribble without screen or after closeout
Short on a lot of jumpers especially falling away on mid-range
8. Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv
(Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Strengths:
Great vision/playmaking at 6-8, good timing and reads as pick and roll ball-handler, patient with the ball
Moves well without the ball, gets into good position in the post, solid back to the basket post game, can pass out of the post
Good looking, but inconsistent, jumper
Good touch around the rim, pretty good finisher, can attack closeouts and get to the rim
Good rebounder, can grab and go, good leading the break as well as finishing in transition
Shows potential to defend multiple positions, good rotations on defense, has pretty good lateral quickness, moves his feet well, very good verticality at the rim
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent shooter, only .52 FT%
Struggles to create his own shot, doesn't have a ton of burst to get by defenders
Can defend on the perimeter but lacks lateral quickness to defend quicker players, doesn't have the length to be a great rim protector
9. Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Strengths:
Extremely athletic, great finisher around the rim, dunks everything, great scoring out of the pick and roll and pick and pop
Runs the floor well, gets into quick post-ups, great transition finisher, lob threat in transition and in half-court
Career .417 3P%, has sound mechanics
Has pretty good vision, can make one-handed passes with both hands
Good on straight-line drives
Has decent post game, can shot over both shoulders
Shows potential as a rim protector
Weaknesses:
Poor defensively, doesn't have the lateral quickness to defend on the perimeter, not strong enough to guard bigs in the post, doesn't read pick and rolls well
Not a great rebounder, averaged only 7.5 RPG at Dayton
Struggles to shoot and pass on the move, mechanics less consistent off the dribble, stiff ball-handler who struggles to get around defenders
Just turned 22
10. Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
(Josh Wetzel/Auburn Athletics)
Strengths:
Great size for an NBA wing (6-6, 225), gets to the rim and uses strength to finish through contact, can drive right and left and finish with both hands, got to the line a lot but needs to improve FT%
Shows some passing and ball-handling ability, good feel for the game, can be both ball-handler and screener in pick and roll
Potential to be elite defensively in NBA, size and quickness to guard 1-4, gets beat on the dribble a little too often but recovers nicely to contest shots, averaged 0.9 SPG and 0.9 BPG, good at getting around screens, very active off the ball
Can post up smaller wings/guards
Weaknesses:
Only .286 3P% and .674 FT%, form is pretty good but percentages are concerning
Not a go-to scorer, only 14.7 points per 40 minutes
Decent on straight line drive but not very creative with the ball
Hesitates taking open jumpers
11. Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Strengths:
Very fast with the ball, can blow by defenders easily, has soft touch around the rim, extends well to finish over long defenders
Streaky but promising shooter due to .366 3P%, .802 FT%, and smooth stroke
Shows some potential in the pick and roll as a passer and attacking off the dribble
Active defensively, moves his feet well on the perimeter, blocks a lot of shots for his size, good hands defensively
Good awareness and activity off ball defensively, gets in passing lanes, averaged 1.8 SPG
Weaknesses:
Very slim frame, only 165 lbs, struggles to finish through contact
Inaccurate passer, sometimes plays to fast and turns the ball over, 3.5 TPG last season
Struggles to shoot off the dribble
Can’t switch defensively because of size, opponents use his lack of strength to get by him and get good shots off, struggles to get around screens
12. Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
(Mark Humphrey/Associated Press)
Strengths:
Elite three point shooter, .522 3P% on 8.2 3PA per game, great form and .825 FT% means shooting should translate to NBA
Moves well without the ball, great shooter coming off screens
Good on straight-line drives, can attack closeouts and shoot off the dribble or get all the way to the rim
Strength helps deter opponents’ drives, length allows him to get into passing lanes and contest shots, averaged 0.9 BPG and 1.4 SPG
Weaknesses:
Not a great ball-handler, lack of creativity limits shot-creating ability
Struggles to finish around the rim against long defenders
Doesn’t have great lateral quickness, gets beat a lot off the dribble
Slow getting around screens
13. Patrick Williams, PF, FSU
(Matt Stamey/AP)
Strengths:
Good shooter at 6-8, smooth release, can shoot off the catch and dribble, only shot .320 from 3 but had a .838 FT%
Pretty good ball-handler, can attack closeouts and get to the rim or pull up
Moves the ball well, makes quick passes and doesn’t hold the ball too long, shows some playmaking potential
Makes plays defensively, averaged a steal and a block per game at FSU, good awareness and anticipation off-ball, good help defender
Has the size to battle defensively in the post
Weaknesses:
Struggles to get all the way to the rim, settles for mid-range jumpers too often, doesn’t have many moves other than hesitations and spins
Raw offensively, made inaccurate passes and traveled often due to poor footwork
Gets beat off the dribble by quicker wings often, footwork isn’t great
14. Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis
(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Strengths:
Very versatile defender, can good multiple positions, good lateral quickness to guard on perimeter, strength to guard inside, very active, plays with high motor
Good off-ball defender, uses length to block shots and get into passing lanes, solid rim protector, 2.2 BLK and 1.3 STL per 36 minutes
Very good ball-handler for some who’s 6-9, uses effective crossovers and spins to get to the rim, gets to the line a lot
Great rebounder on both sides, averaged 12.8 per 36 minutes, can grab and go in transition and create for himself or a teammate
Runs the floor well in transition, good roll-man in pick and roll, can be a rim-running five in the NBA, athletic finisher
Good looking jumper, hit some turnaround and pull up jumpers, percentages aren’t encouraging though
Weaknesses:
Struggled to finish around the rim, doesn’t have great touch, settles for some floaters or tough jumpers instead of going to the rim
.325 3P% and .599 FT% aren’t encouraging, mechanics are inconsistent
Not a great passer in the half court, feel for the game isn’t great and can have tunnel vision, averaged 1.0 APG and 2.8 TPG
Could be more disciplined defensively, bites on shot fakes, can be overly aggressive away from the ball
15. Cole Anthony, PG, UNC
(Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Strengths:
Gifted scorer, has good form, deep range and can get his shot off quickly and on the move
Strength helps him finish through contact, can finish with both hands
Crafty ball-handler, can get to the rim and finish pretty well due to athleticism
Lack of space and poor UNC offense limited Anthony
Good scoring out of pnr, can go to the basket or pull up from 3 or mid-range
Very good defensive rebounder for his position (5.7 RPG)
Leads to good transition opportunities, good finisher in transition
Pretty good on ball defender, good lateral quickness and strength
Weaknesses:
Poor shot selections, being the only real shot creator on UNC may have had an impact
Not much of a facilitator, turnover prone, does he have the passing ability to be a starting PG?
Watches the ball defensively, leaves shooters open too often
Lack of size and length limits defensive versatility
16. Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky
(Adam Hunger, Associated Press)
Strengths:
Changes speed very well to get past defenders and get to the rim
Good transition/downhill finisher, uses strength (198 lbs) to finish through contact and get to the rim
Good looking jumper, has a lot of range and hits huge shots, 833 FT%
Can shoot off the catch or off the dribble
Very good floater and touch around the rim, can finish with both hands
Good scorer out of pnr
Played off ball a lot but showed potential as a facilitator, would have more assists if he played on the ball more
Throws some nice lobs
Very good on-ball defender, strength and length allows him to guard 1-3 even though he’s only 6-3, puts nice pressure on the ball
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent shooter, .292 3P%, has a low release
Shot selection isn’t alway great, forces shots near the rim
Can improve as a passer and decision maker, only a 1.48 AST/TO
Passing out of pnr can be better
Not extremely explosive or creative with the ball, can struggle to get past defenders
17. RJ Hampton, PG, NZ Breakers
(Justin Ford/USA TODAY Sports)
Strengths:
Strong finisher around the rim, uses athleticism to finish around defenders
Uses good dribble moves to get to the rim, has large arsenal of crosses, spins, behind-the-backs, etc.
Shows potential to be very good facilitator, makes good one-handed passes, can pass on the move
Good scorer and passer in pnr, improving jumper will help variability of scoring
Shows flashes on defense, could be good due to length, quickness, and athleticism
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent shooter, .295 3P% and .679 FT%, passes up open threes
Form is inconsistent, especially his feet, but looks promising
Fundamentals and footward need to improve defensively
Could do a better job getting around screens but he does well to recover
18. Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova
(Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Strengths:
Knock-down shooter in college, .451 3P% on 5.6 attempts per game, release is low but smooth, can shoot off the catch and dribble
Moves well laterally, can guard 1-4, strong post defender, does a good job getting around screens, contests shot well, good verticality
Good off-ball defender, makes good, smart rotations, closes out and contests shots well, works hard to stay with his man
Good ball handler, handled the ball a lot for Villanova, shows some passing ability and vision
Weaknesses:
Settled for some mid range jumpers instead of using size to get to the rim, did not get to the line often
Doesn’t have a great first step, struggles to get past defenders and finish at the rim, not, not overly athletic, low steal and block numbers
Low shooting release and average FT%, can struggle on contested shots, how will his jumper translate to the NBA?
19. Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
(Jeff Chiu/AP)
Strengths:
Elite shooter off the catch and dribble, .408 3P% and .891 FT% last season, smooth, quick release, quick first step and crafty finisher at the rim
Good in pick and roll, times passes well, can shoot and get to the rim off screens
Moves well without the ball, cuts well and gets open often with off ball movement
Good ball-handler and passer, only averaged 3.5 assists per 36 minutes but makes solid passes on the move
Moves feet pretty well defensively on the perimeter, quick hands, pokes the ball free to force turnovers, averaged 1.4 SPG
Weaknesses:
Took difficult shots at Stanford, mechanics less consistent on these shots
Not much of a playmaker in college, averaged 3.5 assists and 2.9 turnovers per 36 minutes, picks his dribble up a lot on drives
Only 6’2” and 160 lbs, hard to pass over defense and shoot over length, limits versatility defensively, small stature makes it easy for opponents to drive through him, hard for him to contest shots at the rim, can struggle getting through screens
Can lose shooters on the perimeter
20. Josh Green, SG, Arizona
(Rick Scuteri/AP PHOTO)
Strengths:
Quick first step, gets to the rim easily, uses strength to post up and finish inside, good finisher in transition
Pretty good shooter, .361 3P% (though only on 2.8 attempts per game) and .780 FT%, decent form off catch and dribble
Good passer, averaged 2.6 APG, can pass well on the move
Moves feet well defensively, uses long arms to poke the ball free and contest shots, gets in passing lanes, averaged 1.8 steals per 36 minutes
Good off-ball defender, puts himself in good position to help
Weaknesses:
Not a very creative ball-handler, gets to the rim mostly on straight-line drives
Doesn’t have great touch at the rim, has trouble finishing against length and contact
Needs to be more disciplined on defense, reaches often and commits fouls, falls for pump fakes, sometimes out of control on defense
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