You didn’t think I’d let another NBA Draft pass by without me attempting to evaluate and rank players, did you? I used the same methodology to rank players this year as I did last. I tried my best to grade players out of three categories: 10 points each for ceiling (C), floor (F), and personality (P). It goes without saying these ratings are EXTREMELY subjective and with no real science behind it. If I have multiple prospects tied with the same score, I rank the one with the higher personality grade higher. If there is a tie on personality, I rank the prospect with the higher ceiling above the other.
Generally, I noticed this draft class does not have the same amount of All-Star Potential (rating of 8 or higher) as the 2018 draft class did. But there’s a considerable amount of players who are very safe with high floors to be good rotation players (rating of 5 = average potential). Without further ado, here are my scores for my top 30 prospects along with a few notes for each player and some of my favorite highlights. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
- Zion (C: 10, F: 7.5, P: 9.5)
- You don’t need me to tell you how good Zion is, do you?
- RJ Barrett (C: 8.5, F: 7, P: 9.5)
- Groomed to be a top pick from young age and impressive confidence/demeanor
- Impressive stat line despite not having perfect shooting numbers
- Will need to improve jumper (i.e. move non-shooting hand to the side of the ball rather than top of the ball)
- We know he can score but likes to operate from the elbow, uses his scoring threat to playmake (he is Nash’s godson after all)
- Underrated athleticism
- Ja Morant (C: 9, F: 6.5, P: 9)
- One man wrecking crew and legitimate triple double threat
- Played in Zion’s shadow in high school so always underrated till now
- Athletic point guard who uses his skills to open shots for teammates
- Shot works but won’t be lethal and doesn’t have built frame like Westbrook
- De’Andre Hunter (C: 8.5, F: 6.5, P: 8)
- Best player on national champion Virginia so proven “winner”
- More than just a 3&D guy, can create own shot and be a focal point on offense a la Khris Middleton (if you’re drunk enough, can see some Kawhi)
- Doesn’t steal and rebound as much as you would think
- Jarrett Culver (C: 8, F: 6, P: 8.5)
- Good size for a 2 guard and can play in the post at times
- Better shot creator than you would think
- Competes on defense, too long of a shot? Can he extend to NBA 3-point range?
- Extremely hard worker so can be in that Jimmy Butler mold
- Darius Garland (C: 8.5, F: 5.5, P: 8)
- Great PnR player and can pull up from just about anywhere on the court
- Not quite as good as Trae Young but still fits the mold of new Curry inspired guards
- Can finish with either hand, attracts defenders to open up teammates
- Shows flashes of playmaking ability but he’s not a great passer yet
- Luguentz Dort (C: 8, F: 5, P: 8.5)
- Built Canadian freshman guard for Arizona State embraces underdog mentality
- Has that Donovan Mitchell frame where despite being undersized, plays aggressive
- Rugged defender, gets steals, and has potential playmaking ability
- Questions about shooting consistency, gets to FT line at good clip
- Coby White (C: 8, F: 5.5, P:8)
- UNC freshman point guard is a very talented shot creator and plays up-tempo
- Can be a better decision maker but he can make difficult step backs
- Looks more like a combo guard in the mold of Reggie Jackson?
- Goga Bitadze (C: 7.5, F: 5, P: 8.5)
- Very intelligent international big man from Georgia
- Doesn’t need ball in his hands to be effective
- Has that Enes Kanter frame but can he can also elevate and block shots
- Owns a very effortless jump shot and can easily be a stretch 5
- Grant Williams (C: 6.5, F: 6.5, P: 8.5)
- Tennessee junior and PF might be the smartest guy in this draft
- Carries himself like a 10-year NBA veteran, shapes game after PJ Tucker
- Scores in the interior and playmakes from the post, improving 3-point shot
- Tough physical defender, rebounds, and can block some shots
- Brandon Clarke (C: 7, F: 6. P: 8)
- Gonzaga big man is a versatile defender with an impressive 3.2 blocks per game
- Has very good hands (handy for catching lobs) and can play some small ball center
- Tweener size? 3.2 BPG? Miles Bridges athleticism with nice spin moves
- Cam Reddish (C: 8.5, F: 5, P: 7.5)
- Third freshman star on Duke entered season as lock to be a top 5 pick
- Easy to dream on because of his frame and effortless shot; can create his own shot
- Struggles to play through contact, poor rebounding numbers, low bball lQ?
- Rui Hachimura (C: 8, F: 4, P: 8.5)
- Zags junior from Japan knows how to be a mismatch with a methodical jumper
- Can shoot midrange like Kyle Kuzma and uses his size on offense and defense
- Makes improvements every year so shot will continue to improve and has advanced offensive skillset including going to FT line
- I’d bet on game slowing down for him.
- Bol Bol (C: 9, F: 4.5, P: 7)
- Son of Manute Bol has one of the highest ceilings in the draft class with his size and shooting ability and I really want this kid to succeed but…
- Very big questions about his motor and physicality
- Don’t get great feel for personality either (does he love the game? does he need it?)
- Mfiondu Kabengele (C: 6.5, F: 5, P: 8.5)
- Big man for Florida State has great per 40 stats since he was sixth man
- Efficient shooting #s, very good blocker (Dikembe Mutombo’s nephew after all)
- Feels comfy in the post, shot more 3s, ball handling needs to be improved and maybe he should learn more post moves?
- Romeo Langford (C:8, F: 4, P: 8)
- Hard to gauge personality of this Indiana freshman and shooting guard
- Romeo has advanced skillset as a scoring guard at 19, can be effective 3 level scorer
- Obviously the concern with him is the 27% from 3PT land but he looks to be much better shooter than his numbers suggest
- Most highlights are w/ball rather than playing off ball (both on offense and defense)
- Tyler Herro (C: 7.5, F: 5, P: 7.5)
- Everyone knows Herro is a good shooter but more impressive to me is his ability to run around and relocate for his shot like JJ Redick
- Kentucky freshman not going to hurt defensively either as he competes and played most minutes for Calipari
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker (C: 7, F:5, P: 8)
- Cousin of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays a lot like him as a steady combo guard
- Has a better three point shot than Shai with over 7 three point attempts per game
- Skillset not only has scoring but also making right pass; very solid kid and personality
- Doesn’t need ball in hands all time, won’t wow you with athleticism
- Nicolas Claxton (C: 7, F: 5, P: 8)
- His skillset is what teams look for in a modern big, rebound, defend/shot blocker,
- Can shoot i.e. Myles Turner mold, great footwork and spin moves in the post
- Very good athlete, can switch and defend guards on perimeter
- Can push ball in transition , 3-point shot doesn’t look horrible- not afraid to shoot
- Zylan Cheatham (C: 6.5, F: 4, P: 9)
- Redshirt senior for Arizona State might have the most heart in the draft
- 6’8″ and still averages >10 RPG, runs well in transition with sneaky passing ability
- Very good defender especially on switches, but w/ no jumper at this point
- Wish he had more blocks and steals (dunk against Oregon)
- Kevin Porter Jr. (C: 7.5, F: 5, P: 8)
- Young athletic freshman two-guard from USC has playing style that screams Seattle
- Quick explosive first step and nice lefty stroke suggests some star potential but hasn’t shown consistency. Could’ve used another year in college to develop.
- Fits mold of Jamal Crawford type microwave scorer
- Jalen McDaniels (C: 7.5, F: 4, P: 8)
- San Diego State forward has very long arms , lanky frame, and active defensively
- Nice shooting stroke, can be effective ISO scorer as well as pick and pop guy
- Juwan Howard’s cousin, decided to forego 2018 draft (smart decision)
- Very confident player with midrange and 3PT game
- Jaxson Hayes (C: 7, F: 4.5, P: 8)
- Young former wide receiver now playing center for Texas (lob threat)
- Athletic big who has decent touch and FT %, still learning the game
- Innate shot blocker, didn’t rebound as much as you would want
- PJ Washington (C: 6.5, F: 5, P: 8)
- Kentucky sophomore forward shot very well, improved 3pt shot but not from FT?
- Improved 3PT% by nearly 20 points, good athlete, solid jumper
- Marcus Morris type which can play inside and out, knows his role
- Matisse Thybulle (C: 6.5, F: 5, P: 8)
- Very unique player for Washington who looks like a NFL safety quarterbacking and staying on top of UW’s zone defense
- In the Danny Green mold, didn’t shoot well from 3 from last year but has history
- Impressive combination of steals and blocks from the wing position
- Dylan Windler (C: 6.5, F: 5, P: 8)
- Belmont senior might be the best shooter in the draft
- Big reason why Belmont was in the NCAA tourney
- Ridiculous stats, smooth lefty jumper as a big/forward who also isn’t afraid of contact and grabbing rebounds, questions about strength/athleticism?
- Admiral Schofield (C: 6, F: 4.5, P: 8.5)
- Easily best name in the draft but Tennessee senior/forward plays with moxy
- Chiseled body, real 3 PT shot, and not afraid to launch
- Has posterizing ability, might be too “old” but will always bring energy on defense
- Keldon Johnson (C: 6.5, F: 4.5, P: 8)
- Rare Kentucky freshman who isn’t getting any hype due to questions about ceiling
- Good sized two guard is a solid player who will knock down open shots (3s)
- Very good player in transition, competes on defense and on the glass
- Ty Jerome (C: 6.5, F: 4.5, P: 8)
- Junior 6’5” point guard is a key reason for Virginia’s success (like Hunter)
- Cerebral old school guard who has perhaps best vision in draft class
- Competes on defense despite lacking athleticism, knows where to be on the floor
- Nassir Little (C: 6, F: 5, P: 8)
- Highly regarded prospect coming out of HS but couldn’t find way to start for UNC
- Freshman w/ a nice build, modern wing who can defend multiple positions
- Performs best in transition and if he ever develops a 3 can be in Aminu mold
- Bet he can shoot at some point since his FT% was good but who knows when?
