Tag: Anthony Edwards

Warriors land Georgia’s Anthony Edwards in Sports Illustrated NBA mock draft

With no games on the NBA calendar, it’s officially mock draft season.

In 2020, mock drafts will start to peak the interest of Golden State Warriors’ fans everywhere. For the first time in years, instead of seeing the Warriors listed in the back end of the draft order, Golden State is slated to make a selection at the top of the lottery.

With no basketball on the NBA calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s officially mock draft season.

In Sports Illustrated’s latest mock draft, Jeremy Woo projects the Warriors to select Georgia’s Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick. In his freshman season in Athens, the young combo guard averaged 19.1 points on 40.2% shooting from the field, while adding 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

The SEC Freshman of the Year can create with the ball in his hands and isn’t afraid to let it fly from 3-point range. When Edwards begins to attack downhill, he’s as explosive as it gets off the bounce. The Atlanta native would provide a dangerous threat off the bench for Golden State behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

With a pair of second-round picks, Woo selected DePaul’s Paul Reed and Italian guard Paul Eboua to finish off the 2020 draft for the Warriors.

Reed is a 6-foot-9 center that averaged a double-double with 15.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in his junior season for the Blue Demons. In LBA Serie A in Italy, the 20-year old Eboua tallied 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Victoria Libertas Pesaro.

With the NBA draft starting to creep up, expect the mock drafts to keep flowing.

[lawrence-related id=24614,24444,24153,24112]

Report: Warriors ‘would likely take’ Anthony Edwards with top pick in NBA Draft

According to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Warriors are eyeing Anthony Edwards with the top pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors will be drafting near the top of the NBA draft. While the lottery doesn’t take place till May 19, the Warriors 15-50 record gives them a chance to land the first overall pick in the draft.

Although the draft is still ways away, names are already starting to circulate as options for when Golden State hits the clock. There isn’t a clear consensus top prospect in the 2020 class, but certain names are starting to look like favorable options to jump off the board first.

According to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, Georgia’s Anthony Edwards is turning into a likely option if the Warriors land the first pick in June’s draft.

Via the San Francisco Chronicle:

If the Warriors land the No. 1 pick in the draft, they’ll be open to trading it. But if Golden State doesn’t receive a worthy offer, it would likely take Edwards with the top selection, according to a league source.

During his only season in Athens, Edwards averaged 19.1 points on 40.2% shooting from the field, with 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The young Bulldog is an explosive combo guard that can create his own shot like a seasoned veteran. Edwards has a quick trigger from beyond the arc that would fit right in with Steve Kerr’s offense.

If Edwards ends up being the pick, Golden State’s bench would immediately get an upgrade with a downhill weapon behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

With the NBA season on hold due to the coronavirus, the draft buzz will continue to swirl leading up to June.

[lawrence-related id=24444,24153,23989]

Report: Warriors ‘aren’t believed to be high’ on LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman

Where do LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman fall on the Golden State Warriors 2020 draft board?

Although there is still a long way until the NBA draft, the buzz is already starting to circulate around the Golden State Warriors’ pick.

With a 15-50 record, the Warriors will have a chance to grab an elite prospect at the start of the lottery. However, the 2020 draft class still has a bit of mystery to it.

With the college basketball season over, names like Isaac Okoro, Obi Toppin and Onyeka Okongwu have surged to the top of many draft boards. Yet, two prospects have dominated the start of mock drafts for months.

James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball are considered high caliber prospects by many, but the Warriors might think differently.

According to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Golden State Warriors “aren’t believed to be high” on Ball or Wiseman.

Via the San Francisco Chronicle:

According to multiple league sources The Chronicle contacted in the past few days, the Warriors — contrary to what mock drafts might suggest — aren’t believed to be high on two of the three players being mentioned as possibilities at the No. 1 pick: former Memphis center James Wiseman and point guard LaMelo Ball, who last played for the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s National Basketball League. As one source put it, “I think they’d only take one of those two if they were trading down in the draft and taking them for another team.

Each prospect has an appealing skill set that bills them worthy of a high selection, but both have their question marks.

Ball’s blend of size and playmaking skills make him an intriguing point guard prospect. Yet, there are still concerns about his fit in Golden State. At the start of his career, the Chino Hills product would likely have to come off the bench behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

After a stint of eligibility problems, Wiseman’s college basketball career ended after three games. Although the young big’s time with the Memphis Tigers was impressive, there’s still only limited evidence to project Wiseman’s game to the next level.

The steady play of Marquese Chriss could take Golden State out of the running for Wiseman’s talents. Bob Myers and Steve Kerr could opt to use their pick on a wing instead of investing in the frontcourt.

Although the speculation surrounding the Warriors’ upcoming pick has already kicked off, the draft process is only in the early stages. A lot could change as June approaches.

[lawrence-related id=24331,24444,24397,24153]

Narrowing down 8 NBA draft prospects the Warriors could be ‘zeroing in on’

Steve Kerr said the Warriors are focusing on “seven or eight” top prospects for the 2020 NBA draft.

With the NBA season on hold, the Golden State Warriors are turning their attention to the summer. For the first time in years, the Warriors look destined to own a top pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

In a San Francisco radio interview on Thursday, Steve Kerr said that Bob Myers gave him “about seven or eight” prospects the Warriors are “zeroing in on” for June’s draft.

Via KNBR 680:

Bob and his staff kind of gave me about seven or eight college guys that we’re zeroing in on for the draft. So, I’ve been doing that for them and then also for, for some of the free agents.

While the 2020 draft doesn’t have a headlining name like Zion Williamson, there’s a bevy of intriguing options at the top of the lottery. With no clear consensus number one prospect, the Warriors will be challenged with finding the right fit for their run back to the playoffs.

With the draft three months away, Warriors Wire examined the 2020 draft class to find the potential top eight prospects that fit in Golden State.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9

Tom Crean on how he’s helping Rayshuan Hammonds prepare for draft

“This is something he’s wanted to do for some time and it’s his dream,” Crean said shortly after Hammonds announced his decision.

Georgia men’s head basketball coach Tom Crean may not be too keen on the prospect of starting next season without two of his most productive players. He is, however, going help all of his players make the best decisions they can for themselves.

For Anthony Edwards, long considered a top overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, playing a single season in Athens was a forgone conclusion.

For Rayshaun Hammonds, who entered the draft on Friday, declaring early shocked some Georgia hoops fans.

“This is something he’s wanted to do for some time and it’s his dream,” Crean said shortly after Hammonds announced his decision.

Hammonds hasn’t hired an agent and is therefore eligible to return to Crean’s squad for his senior year should he receive less than desirable feedback from NBA teams.

Regardless of how that transpires for Hammonds, Crean wants to help him out however he can.

“My thoughts are to support him every way possible and to help him get the most quality information from the decision-makers so he can sort through what’s real versus what people may tell him that don’t have any decision-making power as far as where he stands. That’s the most important thing. Get the right information and evaluations so that he has the tools to make the best decision.”

Crean elaborated on the “most important thing” for Hammonds:

“The most important thing is to help get quality and thorough information from the NBA underclassmen committee to see where Rayshaun stands, of which we’ve already requested through the paperwork.”

He continued:

“Also, we’ll help get it from the individual NBA teams during a time that is so unique and unknown as far as how this entire draft process will work out for everyone.”

The deadline for underclassmen like Hammonds to make the decision of maintaining their college eligibility or having their name entered for selection is June 15 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

The NBA draft is currently scheduled to take place ten days later, but regarding recent events and global health concerns, the Dawgs’ head coach himself feels in the dark when it comes to potential postponement.

“The process now still seems completely unclear as to how it will play out timing-wise for everyone involved.”

Crean does have some demands from Hammonds in the mean time:

“My expectations for [Hammonds] are to keep working diligently and stay focused on the school work coming and to stay in great shape. Also, to build your skills where you can.”

 

Georgia basketball: Rayshaun Hammonds declares for NBA Draft, maintains eligibility

On Friday, Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs saw its second player declare for the 2020 NBA Draft.

On Friday, Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs saw its second player declare for the 2020 NBA Draft. Star freshman Anthony Edwards declared earlier this month, and junior Rayshaun Hammonds has now joined him.

There is a necessary distinction to be made between the two:

Edwards has hired an agent and thus has no remaining NCAA eligibility (not that he needs it).

Hammonds hasn’t enlisted representation and is free to receive draft feedback from NBA scouts and coaches while leaving open the possibility of returning for what would be his senior season at Georgia.

Should Hammonds receive feedback that he deems less than ideal, he’s free to return to Athens this summer as if he never declared for the draft to begin with.

The 6’9″ forward out of Norcross has been a major contributor for the Dawgs even since his freshman season; he’s averaged north of 24 minutes of play per game since arriving at the University of Georgia.

In his shortened junior season, he posted career highs in points per game (12.9) and rebounds per game (7.4) and finished the year with a 22-point 11-rebound performance in the only game played in the SEC tournament prior to its cancellation.

The current deadline for a final decision is June 15th at 5:00, ten days before the 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled to begin in Brooklyn, New York.

It’s not as if the top-rated …

It’s not as if the top-rated talent—prospects such as Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman—won’t still be among the first half-dozen players taken, but the exact order at the top, along with decisions made throughout the draft, could be based more on actual performance than perceived potential this year. “This is a basketball person’s draft, based on actual basketball play,” the front-office executive says. “The high-ranking decision-makers who have been working all year aren’t going to miss a beat. It’s going to expose the GMs who were flying around with their teams staying in Four Seasons rather than going [to scout] in Dayton, Ohio, and staying at the Courtyard Marriott. If there are no more data points coming in, they’re screwed.”

Warriors are ‘zeroing in on’ at least 7 prospects for the 2020 NBA Draft

With the NBA draft approaching, the Warriors are locking in on a group of prospects.

In years past, the Golden State Warriors have spent the month of March preparing for the playoffs. With the worst record in the league in the 2019-20 season and only 17 games left on the calendar, the Warriors are turning their attention to the draft.

While the NBA season is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, the days are still ticking down till June’s upcoming draft. With no opponents scheduled on the calendar, the Warriors are using their time away from game action to study for the upcoming draft class.

Golden State is in line for a top pick in June’s draft, and according to Steve Kerr, the Warriors have narrowed their search to “seven or eight” prospects.

On Thursday, Kerr joined Tom Tolbert, Rod Brooks and Larry Krueger on KNBR 680 in San Francisco. Golden State’s head coach shared some insight into the Warriors’ draft prep.

Via KNBR:

Bob and his staff kind of gave me about seven or eight college guys that we’re zeroing in on for the draft. So, I’ve been doing that for them and then also for, for some of the free agents.

While the class is filled with intriguing players, there’s not a consensus top overall prospect like years of the past that included Zion Williamson.

Onyeka Okongwu, Deni Avdija and Issac Okoro have tremendous raw potential that could help Golden State in the future. However, with the Warriors eyeing a return at the playoffs, they could opt for a top-billed prospect like Obi Toppin, James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball.

With the NBA not scheduled to return until further notice, the Warriors will have plenty of time to find the player that fits their plan.

[lawrence-related id=24153,23989,23914,24345,22278]

Obi Toppin’s parents say he wants to play for the Golden State Warriors

Obi Toppin’s parents revealed what team their son wants to play for in the NBA.

For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors are expected to own a top pick in the NBA draft. Instead of focusing on a run to the NBA Finals, the Warriors are locking in on the top prospects available in the upcoming draft class.

Since the start of the season, players like Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and Deni Avdija have headlined mock drafts. However, with the college basketball season over, Dayton’s Obi Toppin has been linked to the Golden State Warriors.

Toppin’s parents joined Sonya and Dell Curry’s podcast “Raising Fame,” and the connection between the Flyer and Golden State grew. Toppin’s parents were asked what team their son hopes to play for in the NBA. Roni Toppin quickly answered, “Golden State — let’s go to the Bay.”

Toppin’s father, Obadiah, agreed with his son’s choice.

I got my few point guards that I always dreamed of playing for — just because they were the truest point guards — like Steph Curry. I think Obi would be great playing with Steph Curry.

After averaging 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and one steal per game for the Flyers, Toppin was recently named the 2020 AP National Player of the Year.

The Brooklyn native’s ability to run the floor with unparalleled athleticism would immediately give Draymond Green and Curry another lob threat alongside Marquese Chriss.

With the NBA season on hold due to the coronavirus, Golden State’s front office will have extra time to catch up on their draft homework.

[lawrence-related id=19961]

[lawrence-related id=24153]

[lawrence-related id=22278]

Former Warriors’ big man Andrew Bogut breaks down LaMelo Ball’s game

In a recent interview, former Warriors’ center Andrew Bogut offered a scouting report on LaMelo Ball.

With the college basketball season over due to the coronavirus, the NBA has turned attention to the upcoming draft. Anthony Edwards, Onyeka Okongwu and Obi Toppin are currently billed as top prospects from the college level.

Yet, there is a steady crop of prospects coming from outside of the NCAA’s realm. Names like Killian Hayes, Deni Avdija and RJ Hampton will be popular when the draft rolls around in June.

Another name ready to make the jump to the NBA is LaMelo Ball. The youngest Ball brother spent the past season playing for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s National Basketball League.

In the NBL, Ball and the Hawks faced off against the Golden State Warriors’ former center Andrew Bogut.

With the Warriors slated to own a top pick in the 2020 draft, Bogut offered up a scouting report on Ball in an interview with Damon Bruce, Ray Ratto and Matt Kolsky on San Francisco’s 95.7 The Game.

I saw a little bit of him. He played really well against us one game. He has a great ability to get into the paint from the guard position — can handle the ball very, very well and I think his passing and playmaking is at an elite level already. Obviously, his jump shot — which has been talked about a lot — will determine on how well he goes in his career. I think it’s very inconsistent from three, and it’s kind of a herky-jerky shot that he’ll probably have to fix much like his brother has. His brother is shooting the ball very, very well with New Orleans this season. I think his playmaking and the way he runs a team for a guy that young really stood out for me. The defense has to improve, but I think that’ll change with coaching and development in a good NBA program. But he’s looking at a chance to be a No. 1 pick or a top-five, top-ten pick. It’s great for our league to know that he came over here and played and we hope he does very, very well in the NBA.

In one game against Bogut and the Sydney Kings, Ball tallied 16 points on 7-of-19 shooting from the field in 27 minutes. The Chino Hills product added six assists and six rebounds for the Hawks. Bogut recorded five points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes for the Kings.

With Golden State’s need for a scoring option behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Ball could be an intriguing option at the top of the draft for the Warriors.

[lawrence-related id=24153,19961]

[lawrence-related id=23914]