Tag: Devon Dotson

Bill Self’s sweet championship gift to Devon Dotson, whose 2020 season with Kansas was canceled due to COVID

Devon Dotson was in the same recruiting class as Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack.

Kansas coach Bill Self won his second national title, and while celebrating, he made sure to find his former star guard Devon Dotson.

The win over North Carolina was huge, and it represented redemption for the Jayhawks. This was a great team, and they will have the trophy to show that forever. But their roster in the COVD-canceled season of 2020 was arguably even more formidable.

While some on that team (Ochai Agbaji, David McCormack, Christian Braun) were able to play for the title in 2022, others turned pro. One such player was Dotson.

After the game, Dotson was with two-time NBA champion guard Mario Chalmers, who played for coach Self when Kansas won the title in 2008.

Self found Dotson in the crowd and told Dotson that this championship hat should be his. He explained his decision to give Dotson the sweet gift (via NCAA.com):

“This was partially won for them too. I don’t know how you guys feel. It’s partially won for them because I always thought the 2020 team was better, more equipped to do well in the NCAA tournament.”

Before the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, Kansas ranked No. 1 in the AP Top-25 poll, earning an insane 63 of 65 possible first-place votes.

They had the makings of a title team as they were the only squad with a top 10 offense and a top 10 defense, per KenPom. But they never got a chance to prove they were the best team in the nation and earn the trophy.

When I spoke to Dotson during the pre-draft process in 2020, he spoke about how he handled the tough circumstances (via HoopsHype):

“The team we had was special. The pieces fit right. We had all the right pieces to make a deep run and win it all. But it’s bigger than basketball. It was hard at first. I had to come to my senses and realize it was over. I learned from that and I grew from that. It was just a learning experience: things can be taken away from you in a split second.”

However, he told the Miami Herald that this win “fills that hole” left in 2020.

Dotson currently plays for the Windy City Bulls. He has played in 22 NBA games for Chicago since turning pro.

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The fastest players in the league, according to NBA 2K22

Check out the fastest players in the league, according to NBA 2K22.

In the newly released NBA 2K22 video game, the franchise ranked every player in the league based on their speed, as they do every year, and they did an adept job at it.

Leading the way is the speedster De’Aaron Fox, followed immediately by Russell Westbrook and Ja Morant. Even LeBron James made the Top 20 of this list.

Below, check out the fastest players in the league, according to NBA 2K22.

Anthony Edwards, Onyeka Okongwu among rookies to sign with Adidas

The No. 1 overall pick headlines the group of rookies from the 2020 NBA draft class to sign endorsement deals with Adidas.

No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards headlines the group of rookies from the 2020 NBA draft class to sign endorsement contracts with Adidas, according to Nick DePaula of ESPN.

In addition to Edwards, Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu, Milwaukee Bucks forward Jordan Nwora, Chicago Bulls guard Devon Dotson and Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Perry will also join Adidas this season.

Edwards was seen at one point during the preseason wearing Nike, but eventually made the switch over to Adidas while the rest of the rookies have each been seen wearing the three stripes throughout the season.

The group of rookies join a talented roster of players at Adidas, featuring the likes of James Harden, Damian Lillard, Derrick Rose and Donovan Mitchell among others.

The news of signings come amidst a slow period for endorsement deals this year, especially among the rookie class. Apparel companies are said to be scaling things back a bit this year due to a variety of factors, most notably because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Outside of Edwards and Okongwu signing with Adidas, LaMelo Ball is the only other top-five pick to have inked an endorsement deal. Ball signed with PUMA over the offseason, joining the likes of Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III and Kyle Kuzma among others.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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2020 NBA Draft Big Board 5.0: Final update ranking Top 100 prospects

After numerous delays and postponements, front offices and draftniks have had more time to analyze the 2020 NBA draft than any previous year.

After numerous delays and postponements, front offices and draftniks have had more time to analyze the 2020 NBA draft than any previous year.

Originally scheduled for June, the ongoing pandemic pushed the big night back by five months. While this may cause some teams to overthink their decisions, it gave analysts plenty of time to study all of the top prospects eligible in this class.

This year, players had to participate in a mostly virtual pre-draft process. On the bright side, this meant that teams had the opportunity to interview more candidates than ever before.

However, the number of in-person visits were incredibly limited due to the restrictive parameters set by the league. Similarly, the NBA draft combine was conducted without the typical scrimmages where players can separate themselves from the others with impressive on-court performances.

Overall, the players that stood out in this pre-draft process had a different path to recognition than any other year. College basketball players did not have the opportunity to showcase themselves during March Madness. The nation’s top seniors did not get to participate in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.

As such, executives will rely mostly on the existing game footage as well as the intel they gathered during their conversations with the prospects. We also depended on similar strategies, getting access to one-on-one interviews with more than three dozen prospects and exchanging our thoughts with various scouts across the league.

This helped us put together our final big board, looking at the Top 100 players ranked on their potential to make a difference for teams in the NBA.

Relevant statistics were pulled from Synergy Sports Tech, Bart-Torvik, KenPom, Open Look Analytics and RealGM. Note that the age listed for each player references how old they will be on the night of the draft.

NBA draft: Player comparisons for projected first-rounders

One of the most compelling ways to quickly study any draft class is to look at the NBA comparisons for all of the prospects available.

One of the most compelling ways to quickly study any draft class is to look at the NBA comparisons for all of the prospects available.

Now that the 2020 NBA draft is less than two weeks ago, all of the folks looking for a crash course in learning more about the players that will be available for selection can use this as a guide for the potential outlook of each projected first-round draft pick.

This exercise is far from foolproof, of course, considering that outcomes for each prospect will depend heavily on the teams that draft them as well as the roles they are given and the development process that surrounds them.

But this does give a sense of the archetype that each top prospect fits in so casual fans can get a more succinct view of the next generation entering the league.

While our own opinion was also included, we also studied comparison models and surveyed other experts, including conversations with NBA scouts around the league, to give the best context available. The results included were the most common responses.

NOTE: All comparisons pulled from NBADraftcomp.herokuapp.com are based on statistics per 40 minutes. 

Source: 2020 NBA draft combine results for Kansas guard Devon Dotson

Kansas Jayhawks guard Devon Dotson is considered the fastest end-to-end prospect in the 2020 NBA draft class. The numbers are showing why.

Kansas Jayhawks guard Devon Dotson is considered the fastest end-to-end prospect in the 2020 NBA draft class. The numbers are showing why.

Dotson, 21, also participated in the 2019 NBA draft combine when he was testing the waters last offseason. Since then, he has added 6.6 pounds while lowering his body fat percentage from 5.9 percent to 4.6 percent.

The following information, which was also sent to NBA teams, was obtained by USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s Bryan Kalbrosky.

ANTHROPOMETRY

There are some concerns about the consistency of measurements as it is unlikely that his hands have grown 0.5 inches wider or his wingspan has shrunk by 0.25 inches. But these are the official measurements that teams have received on Dotson in 2020.

Height (w/o shoes): 6’0.5″

Height (w/ shoes): 6’1.75″

Wingspan: 6’3″

Weight: 185.2 pounds

Body Fat: 4.6 percent

Hand Width: 10″

Hand Length: 8.25″

STRENGTH AND AGILITY:

Dotson improved his standing vertical (1.5″), max vertical (2.0″), lane agility (0.19s) and 3/4 sprint (0.2s) since last season. Dotson’s three-quarter sprint was the second-fastest time at the combine in the last decade, according to Draft Express.

Standing vertical: 31.5″

Max vertical: 40.5″

Lane agility: 10.44s

Shuttle (Left): 2.22s

Shuttle (Right): 2.39

3/4 sprint: 3.02s

NOTES ON SHUTTLE RUN

(via NBA.com/stats)

The shuttle time is particularly wild, though, considering the difference (0.58s) from last offseason. As noted by The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, the “lack of singularly consistent entity” doing the measurements has produced some incredibly wonky results.

It is worth mentioning that Stanford’s Tyrell Terry (2.59s) and Grant Riller (2.45s) both would have also broken the record for the best score since the shuttle run was first recorded in 2013-14.

According to someone with knowledge of the situation who spoke to USA TODAY Sports Media Group on the condition of anonymity, RJ Hampton is also believed to have broken that record as well.

It is unlikely that the four fastest shuttle times in history all would have been from the same draft class, especially considering we have numbers from last year to compare for Dotson. It is also possible the shuttle run was measured in a different way this offseason.

Regardless, it is undeniable when watching his game film that Dotson has electrifying speed. NBA teams know that he is an incredibly speedy guard and that was confirmed long before the combine.

COMPARISONS

(via NBAthlete.com)

We ran the numbers for his measurements through the incredible database at NBAthlete.com, which helps compare and contextualize these numbers.

The two players with the highest similarities scores were Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard and Charlotte Hornets guard Devonte’ Graham.

Lillard, of course, is a five-time NBA All-Star who won the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2013. Graham, who plays for Dotson’s hometown team, was a finalist for NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year in 2019-20.

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2020 NBA aggregate mock draft 8.0: Draft day ranges for top prospects

The 2020 NBA draft is fairly unpredictable and prospects have wider ranges in where they could get selected when it is all said and done. 

The 2020 NBA draft is fairly unpredictable and prospects have wider ranges in where they could get selected when it is all said and done.

We looked at mock drafts from NBADraft.net, ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, The Ringer, Stadium, SI.com, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire, USA Today and Yahoo to give us a more clear understanding of consensus rankings and projections.

This also provided context for realistic high-end and low-end predictions for the players most often included in mock drafts.

Please note that the range included for each player is not based on our own reporting or intel and it only reflects the data pulled from the various mock drafts.

The full list of our latest aggregate mock draft rankings can be found here. HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report.

2020 NBA aggregate mock draft 8.0: Draft day ranges for top prospects

The 2020 NBA draft is fairly unpredictable and prospects have wider ranges in where they could get selected when it is all said and done. 

The 2020 NBA draft is fairly unpredictable and prospects have wider ranges in where they could get selected when it is all said and done.

We looked at mock drafts from NBADraft.net, ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, The Ringer, Stadium, SI.com, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire, USA Today and Yahoo to give us a more clear understanding of consensus rankings and projections.

This also provided context for realistic high-end and low-end predictions for the players most often included in mock drafts.

Please note that the range included for each player is not based on our own reporting or intel and it only reflects the data pulled from the various mock drafts.

The full list of our latest aggregate mock draft rankings can be found here. HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report.

Once and future teammates? Devon Dotson, Grant Williams bond endures

Devon Dotson and Boston forward Grant Williams have a friendship going back years; could the Celtics be an ideal landing spot for him?

If the Boston Celtics are looking for a potential backup floor general with one of their four picks in the 2020 NBA Draft able to get to the cup with ease, Kansas product Devon Dotson might be worth a look.

The former Jayhawk hasn’t been tied to the Celtics recently, but worked out for them ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft before Dotson ultimately chose to withdraw and return to Kansas for another season at the NCAA level.

He’s also since established another connection to the team he worked out for ahead of the last draft, as Boston has drafted a former high school teammate from his time at Charlotte, North Carolina’s elite Providence Day School, Grant Williams.

Speaking at a media availability session for 2020 draft prospects earlier this month, Dotson was asked about his experience testing the waters of the last draft, and whether he’d kept in touch with Williams.

“I think going through that process last year was very beneficial,” he began.

“This year,  [I’ve been] just going through the process on what to expect. Knowing what what it’s going to take to get there. But it’s a little different now with the uncertain times — [there’s] not really any team workouts, so really it’s just getting stronger, getting the body right, just working it out, out there on the court and [I’ll] just wait and see.”

Dotson took advantage of the league’s early-entry options to get a feel for the draft process itself and see if teams might draft him high enough to make it worth staying in the 2019 draft.

He would ultimately announce his decision to return to Kansas a day ahead of the May 30th deadline instead, however.

And as for his former Providence Day School alumnus?

“With Grant, actually I texted him two days ago, just checking in asking him — he’s great for advice. I can ask about anything; he’ll get back to me. That’s my guy since like sixth grade. So, yeah, he’s great with helping me out.”

Dotson, a lightning-quick point guard who excels at drawing contact and hints he might be able to develop an NBA-ready jumper needs stability and patience to develop his game, and Boston would be a decent landing place that wouldn’t thrust too much expectation on the young floor general.

That he would have a pre-existing support network already in place can’t hurt, either.

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Nets 2020 NBA mock draft radar: Kansas guard Devon Dotson

If the NBA standings remain where they were at the start of the league’s hiatus, the Brooklyn Nets will have the No. 20 and 55 picks.

Among the uncertainties surrounding the NBA as the novel coronavirus continues to be a major issue in the U.S. is the 2020 draft.

NBA teams won’t be able to look at college players during March Madness, and the rest of the pre-draft process is expected to be limited. The matter of when the draft will actually happen is up in the air, as well. Especially if the league tries to crown a 2020 champion.

For the Brooklyn Nets, based on where the standings were when the league went on hiatus, their first-round pick would convey to the Timberwolves. Minnesota acquired Brooklyn’s top-14 protected pick from the Hawks, which the Nets sent to Atlanta in a trade that delivered Taurean Prince.

But the Nets will not be without a first-round selection. They have Philadelphia’s top-14 protected pick, which Brooklyn acquired when they sent the No. 27 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft — which wound up being Mfiondu Kabengele — to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Nets’ second-round pick belongs to the Boston Celtics, but Brooklyn has the Denver Nuggets’ second-round selection.

Right now, the Nets fall have the No. 20 and No. 55 picks.

Here’s a look at one player Brooklyn could take at No. 20:

Devon Dotson | Kansas | Guard

STATS: # PPG | # RPG | # BPG

Bryan Kalbrosky of USA Today SMG’s Rookie Wire could see the 20-year-old guard getting “spot minutes immediately,” providing the Nets with an instant option off the bench out of the draft. Kalbrosky cites Dotson’s defense as a big factor in why he can be of service right away:

He played a big role in the gritty defensive mentality for Kansas, as his steal percentage (3.6%) ranked sixth-best among underclassmen at high-major programs.

One area Dotson could use some improvement is his long-range shooting. After shooting 36.3% from deep as a freshman, he only made 30.9 of his 3-pointers as a sophomore — while averaging 1.6 more 3-point attempts per game.

RELATED: 2020 NBA Draft: Nets’ 5 best options in first round

RELATED: 2020 NBA Draft: Nets’ 5 best options in second round

Nets 2020 NBA mock draft radar:

New Zealand Breakers guard RJ Hampton
Texas Tech guard Jahmi’us Ramsey
Duke guard Tre Jones
Maryland forward Jalen Smith
Florida State wing Patrick Williams
Arizona wing Josh Green
Villanova wing Saddiq Bey
Colorado wing Tyler Bey
Florida State wing Devin Vassell
Seton Hall guard Myles Powell
Washington forward Jaden McDaniels
Ohio State center Kaleb Wesson
Oklahoma wing Kristian Doolittle
Pesaro forward Paul Eboua
Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey
Olympiacos center Aleksej Pokusevski
Western Kentucky center Charles Bassey
Arizona guard Nico Mannion
ASVEL wing Theo Maledon

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