With the near conclusion of the 2019-20 NCAA Men’s Basketball Regular Season, it is worth taking another look at the 2020 NBA Draft prospects.
With the conclusion of the 2019-20 NCAA men’s basketball regular season fast approaching, it’s worth taking another look at the 2020 NBA Draft prospects.
While quite a bit will change on big boards and mock drafts following the conference tournaments and March Madness, some of the top players have already convinced NBA teams that they deserve serious consideration when the draft rolls around on June 25, 2020.
Others still have plenty of time to improve their draft stock on the floor and in workouts and interviews. For what it is worth, former top prospects coming into their freshman campaigns who could go back to school for their sophomore campaigns (for example, Florida’s Scottie Lewis and Duke’s Wendell Moore) were not included on this list.
Note that statistics are pulled from Synergy Sports Tech, Bart-Torvik.com, KenPom.com, RealGM or Sports-Reference.
1. LaMelo Ball, USA
Guard, 6-foot-7, 18 years old
The main reason to believe in Ball as the top player in the 2020 NBA Draft is because of his ridiculously high upside. With his unique size, he can put up a triple-double on any given night. Even when Ball was playing against much older professional competition in Australia’s NBL, Ball nearly averaged a triple-double per 36 minutes. Meanwhile, his defensive stats were also much better than expected, and his basketball instincts are strong. It is difficult to find an accurate read on Ball, given how many different teams he has played for in recent years. However, there should be enough to like about him for a team to select him with one of the first few picks.
2. Onyeka Okongwu, USC
Big, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
While he’s a bit undersized at 6-9, he can play bigger than his height, given his 7-foot-2 wingspan. For example, his block percentage (10.0%) ranks among the top five of all freshmen this season. He is more celebrated for his defensive ability, but the offense is there, too. Okongwu is averaging 1.14 points per possession as an offensive finisher, per Synergy, which ranks in the 98th percentile among all NCAA players. Put it all together, and the USC big man currently has the best box plus-minus in college basketball. Even if there might not be as much star potential as a player such as Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, he feels much closer to a sure thing in the NBA.
3. Anthony Edwards, Georgia
Wing, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Under head coach Tom Crean, the University of Georgia freshman has been a revelation in transition offense. Edwards ranks among the top five nationally in total scoring on these plays, per Synergy, averaging 5.7 points per game. He looks his best when his shot attempts come closer to the rim, especially considering his 6-foot-9 wingspan. Farther from the basket, meanwhile, more than half of his 3-pointers have been unassisted. This shows he is capable of creating his own shot. Edwards, however, is shooting just 30.3% from beyond the arc on the season. But the reason to like him as a top-three pick is more about flashes of greatness, and he is averaging 21.8 points per game in February.
4. Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
Guard, 6-foot-5, 20 years old
Haliburton is a skinny, lengthy guard measured with a 7-foot wingspan though and 170-pound frame. But most important is his valuable 3-and-D skill set. Before his injury, his 3-point percentage (41.9%) and steal percentage (3.8%) were both among the best in the NCAA. As a distributor and lead ballhandler, despite an unusually low usage rate, his assist rate still ranks in the top 10 among all underclassmen at high-major programs. Haliburton has been productive enough to suggest he can take over as the starting point guard in the NBA as soon as next season. There may be a low ceiling, but there is also a very high floor.
5. Killian Hayes, Ratiopharm Ulm
Guard, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Much like Ball, there is a lot to like about Hayes due to his size and overall upside. He can be a lead ballhandler and has been measured with a 6-foot-7 wingspan. Hayes led France to the silver medal in 2018 at the U17 World Cup, averaging 21.4 points and 4.4 assists with 3.6 steals per 36 minutes. He is shooting 39.0% from beyond the arc in Eurocup action and has been able to produce well as a scorer as he has grown into a bigger role.
Analyzing Creighton Bluejays at Marquette Golden Eagles sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks and tips.
The Creighton Bluejays (20-6, 9-4) play the Big East Division rival Marquette Golden Eagles (17-7, 7-5) for the second time this season. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. We analyze the Creighton-Marquette odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.
Creighton at Marquette: Three things you need to know
Each team has exceeded bookmakers’ expectations recently: Creighton has covered six of its last seven games and Marquette has covered seven of its last eight.
Creighton upset Marquette in their first matchup this season, 92-75. The three starting guards in Creighton’s lineup outscored Marquette’s three-headed starting guard attack, 61-36, to key the victory.
Marquette senior guard Markus Howard is leading the Big East in points per game (a nation-leading 27.3) for the second consecutive season. Howard scored a career-high 53 points last season at Creighton.
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Creighton at Marquette: Odds, betting lines and picks
The rest and rebounding edge for the Golden Eagles are the reasons I LOVE MARQUETTE -162here. Marquette’s last game was Feb. 12 at Villanova, which the Golden Eagles lost 72-71; Creighton’s last game was a 93-64 win over DePaul Feb. 15. Since 2017, Marquette is 21-7 straight up when playing with a rest advantage with an 8-point average margin of victory. Marquette has outrebounded Creighton in eight of their last 10 meetings and the Golden Eagles are 17th in the nation in rebounds per game going against Bluejays team that is 276th in opponent’s rebounds per game. In fact, Creighton is minus-1 in rebound-per-game differential while Marquette is at plus-4.
New to sports betting? A $100 wager on Marquette to win would return a profit of $61.73.
Personally, I’m going to bet the Marquette -3 (-110) but officially I recommend PASSING THE AGAINST THE SPREAD bet and sticking with our moneyline play. Here are some Marquette trends to defend both bets:
Marquette has the best ATS winning percentage against Big East teams this season, and the second-best ATS record (behind Villanova) against Big East teams since 2017.
The Golden Eagles are 7-0 ATS when laying anywhere from 1-4.5 points and Creighton is 3-4 ATS when getting 1-4.5 points.
Marquette is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games versus a team with a winning straight up record.
I LEAN OVER 156.5 (-110) because the Over has cashed in six of the last seven Creighton-Marquette games and the Over is 6-1 in Golden Eagles last seven games versus a team with a winning straight up record. It’s only a lean though because the Under has cashed in the last three Marquette games and these two teams’ combined Over/Under records in games against ranked opponents is 3-7.
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Somehow already past the midpoint of the college basketball season, the 2020 NBA Draft is starting to shape up with far more clear rankings.
Somehow already past the midpoint of the college basketball season, the 2020 NBA draft is starting to shape up with far more clear rankings.
As always, we examine the most trusted analysts to give us the best idea of a consensus for what the upcoming draft class will look like in June. The latest 2020 NBA mock drafts from experts at ESPN, CBS Sports, SI.com, Bleacher Report, NBADraft.net, The Athletic and USA Today Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire were used for these rankings.
The top four players (Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman and Cole Anthony) have remained the exact same despite none of the latter three players being active for various different reasons.
Meanwhile, Iowa State sophomore point guard Tyrese Haliburton entered the Top 5 and replaced 19-year-old Israeli prospect Deni Avdija – who has not seen much playing time in the Euroleague.
Included below are brief scouting reports for senior guards who have improved their draft stock the most since our last update. These players listed are all four-year NCAA players who could be ready to make the jump to the NBA like Josh Hart and Malcolm Brogdon did in their respective classes.
MARKUS HOWARD, MARQUETTE
Aggregate Mock Draft Rank: 46
One of the most important things to know about Marquette senior Markus Howard is that despite the fact he has four years of collegiate experience, he is just 20 years old. Few teams operate their offense through one player quite like Golden Eagles do with Howard, who has taken 42.5 percent of their total field goal attempts. Fortunately, the guard brags one of the most efficient and prolific jump shots among all NCAA players. Howard operates well when he is shooting off the catch and off the dribble, which will make him a good fit for almost any offense in the NBA. He is currently averaging 28.4 points per game while shooting 42.5 percent on three-pointers. Similarly, no guard in college has been fouled more often than Howard has thus far. He should be a lock win Big East Player of the Year and should be a strong contender for the National Player of the Year, too. As a pro, he can likely become a spark-plug scoring option off the bench. His draft stock has improved from No. 68 up to No. 46 month-over-month.
PAYTON PRITCHARD, OREGON
Aggregate Mock Draft Rank: 47
Oregon senior guard Payton Pritchard was a Top-50 recruit coming into the Pac-12 back in 2016. He attended West Linn High School, where he was able to lead his squad to four consecutive state titles. That accomplishment was an especially impressive feat considering the program had only won the OSAA Boys Basketball Championship once before and it was way back in 1997. He has since played for the Ducks in the Final Four (2017) and also won MVP of the Pac-12 Tournament last season. He is currently averaging 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists with 1.7 steals per game. His assist rate (32.7 percent) is Top 20 among seniors and he has connected on 40.7 percent of his three-pointers. Now more than halfway through the season, he is the heavy favorite to win Pac-12 Player of the Year and could be a sleeper for National Player of the Year as well. He has leaped from No. 96 in December all the way to No. 47 now in January.
SKYLAR MAYS, LSU
Aggregate Mock Draft Rank: 57
During his senior year of high school, Skylar Mays was actually teammates with Howard at Findlay Prep. Also on the roster was 2019 first-rounder PJ Washington and Toronto Raptors two-way wing Oshae Brissett. For what it is worth, their roster also had current college basketball standouts Tristan Clark (Baylor) and Lamine Diane (CSUN). Their team has already sent tons of prospects into the NBA and Mays could very well be the next in line. He is a potential 3-and-D threat, averaging 1.4 three-pointers and 2.1 steals per game for the LSU Tigers as an NCAA senior. Meanwhile, LSU’s adjusted offensive rating (116.6) ranks Top 5 in college basketball. Along with Reggie Perry (Mississippi State) as well as Kerry Blackshear Jr. (Florida), Mays has a strong candidacy to win SEC Player of the Year. He has jumped from No. 90 last month to No. 57 this month.
We are getting closer to a point in the NCAA and international seasons to get a better idea of what the 2020 NBA Draft class may look like.
We are getting closer to a point in the NCAA and international seasons to get a better idea of what the 2020 NBA Draft class may look like.
Midway through the campaign, it is nearly impossible to predict early entrant decisions. But as the board begins to materialize with a more clear indication of who could be a legitimate help to NBA teams next season, it is worth it to revisit a full mock draft factoring in where each team will be selecting.
Note that some highly-rated freshmen (e.g. Florida’s Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann, Florida State’s Patrick Williams, LSU’s Trendon Watford, Kentucky’s Kahlil Whitney as well as Duke’s Wendell Moore and Matthew Hurt) were not included because of their disappointing first-year campaigns. As such, they are likely to return to school for a sophomore season and improve their draft stock to where it once was.
Typically, selecting the best player available was the biggest factor though team fit was also carefully considered.
All stats are updated through January 14, 2020. The draft order is set via Tankathon on January 15, 2020.
1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks
Guard, 6-foot-7, 18 years old
This is a draft where the No. 1 pick might not be selected in that position in prior classes. While there may not be a unanimous selection at this point in the season like Zion Williamson was last season, the youngest Ball brother arguably has the highest ceiling of anyone in this class. He was nearly putting up a triple-double each appearance against professional basketball players in the NBL, scoring 17.1 points with 7.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. He was not as accurate on his jumper as originally expected but he has also not a player who lacks confidence; expect him to keep shooting those and his three will develop over time. With his size and versatility on offense, he makes the most sense in the pole spot and his size would also allow him to guard bigger opponents, making him an option for nearly any team in the league even one as stacked as Golden State.
2. ATLANTA HAWKS: Anthony Edwards, Georgia
Wing, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Under head coach Tom Crean, the Georgia freshman has been a standout prospect. He is averaging 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game during his first collegiate season. But a lot of his output has been helped by his high usage rate. He is shooting just 28.1 percent on jump shots in a set offense, per Synergy, and is shooting just 24.6 percent off the dribble. He is also taking too many shots from deep midrange, shooting 25.8 percent on these looks. Fortunately, Edwards has been an above-average defender and is averaging 1.4 steals per game. The young star can stay in his hometown for this pick, too.
3. NEW YORK KNICKS: Killian Hayes, Ratiopharm Ulm
Guard, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Hayes has exceptional court vision and instincts as well as a true point guard mentality to create opportunities for his teammates. He is averaging 17.2 points and 8.3 assists per 36 minutes while facing professional talent in the Euroleague. He is also capable of creating his own shot off the dribble and many of his own buckets have been unassisted. As noted by Bleacher Report draft expert Jonathan Wasserman, the prospect is shooting 153-of-178 (85.9 percent) on free throws since the start of his 2018-19 campaign. Hayes has a very natural shooting stroke and is someone whose hype should continue to grow.
4. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Onyeka Okongwu, USC
Big, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
The player who has helped his draft stock the most is Okongwu, who is putting up 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He has 32 dunks so far this season, which ranks sixth-best among all NCAA players and can be one of the more immediately impactful lob threats in the NBA. The big man is 13-for-18 (72.2 percent) when rolling to the basket in pick-and-roll sets, which shows how he can fit into a pro scheme. On the defensive end, his block percentage (10.7 percent) trails just one player in college basketball this year. He would play a fantastic two-man game with Darius Garland and he can help their frontcourt depth with the likely departure of Kevin Love.
5. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: RJ Hampton, New Zealand Breakers
Guard, 6-foot-5, 19 years old
The Washington Wizards are far from being close to a winning franchise but they do have extraordinary talent on the wing with Bradley Beal. If they add to that by selecting Hampton, who can develop under the leadership of Beal, the fans can sell some hope to a franchise that has gotten a taste of it with the impressive play of Rui Hachimura during his rookie campaign thus far. Like Hachimura, however, Hampton will need some time to develop.
6. DETROIT PISTONS: Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
Guard, 6-foot-5, 20 years old
The Iowa State sophomore is one of the most polarizing prospects in recent memory. He is producing 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game so far this season. The guard has been a solid shooter, connecting on 41.3 percent of his attempts from three-point range. His assist rate (39.1 percent) ranks Top 5 among all underclassmen in the NBA. Haliburton also fits the bill as perhaps the lengthiest guard in this draft class, measured with a 7-foot wingspan. As a defender, the guard is averaging 2.6 steals per game and his steal rate (4.0 percent) ranks third-best in the Big 12. He seems like a perfect point guard of the future for the rebuilding Pistons, who don’t have much of a direction.
7. CHICAGO BULLS: James Wiseman, USA
Big, 7-foot-1, 19 years old
The biggest reason why Wiseman is this high on draft boards is that he was the No. 1 overall player on RSCI, which combines all of the top high school rankings in the country. The other biggest factor is his massive size, notably his 7-foot-6 wingspan. While it will be hard to see what else he is able to add to his game while he is away from the NCAA following an incredibly brief stint with the Memphis Tigers, he can be an appealing development project. Much like Edwards in New York, the bright lights of Chicago would be an awesome way for Wiseman to start his professional career.
8. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Isaac Okoro, Auburn
Wing, 6-foot-6, 19 years old
The hyperathletic freshman wing has shown a nice mix of offensive and defensive upside for his undefeated Auburn team, averaging 13.2 points with 4.5 rebounds per game. His jump shot is still a work in progress but he is finishing well near the basket, connecting on 65-for-88 (73.9 percent) for looks within five feet of the basket. As a defender, he is elite guarding the perimeter and has also averaged 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. They need a strong defender alongside their young backcourt and after hitting well on the PJ Washington selection, this could be another fantastic pick.
9. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Obi Toppin, Dayton
Forward, 6-foot-9, 22 years old
The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be a team likely defined by Zion Williamson for years to come. Much like Williamson, Toppin is a high-flyer who currently leads the NCAA in dunks with 3.2 per game. But he won’t clog the paint from the dunker spot as he is averaging 2.6 three-point shot attempts per game. When determining potential fits for the Pelicans, it is worth considering their ability in transition offense because of their schemes. As such, it is important to note Toppin is 27-for-38 (71.1 percent) on these opportunities.
10. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Vernon Carey, Duke
Big, 6-foot-10, 18 years old
The Kings could continue their tradition of drafting big men from Duke by adding Carey to the mix. He would join Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles as former Blue Devils in the frontcourt for Sacramento. Carey has been an elite college basketball player, averaging 17.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He leads all freshmen in defensive rebound percentage (28.0 percent), ranks Top 5 among freshmen in total dunks (24) and Top 10 in block percentage (7.8 percent) as well. If he eventually adds a more constant three-pointer to his arsenal, he could be a starter in the NBA very soon.
11. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Nico Mannion, Arizona
Guard, 6-foot-3, 19 years old
Mannion is averaging 14.4 points and 6.3 assists per game, already an elite distributor at the NCAA level. He is a high-level scorer and passes well out of the pick-and-roll and his assist rate (36.5 percent) currently ranks as third-best among freshman so far this season. His assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3) is a good indication of his instincts. While he may be too young for a starting role next season, he is someone who projects in the first unit for a long time.
12. PHOENIX SUNS: Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
Forward, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
After the absence of Wiseman, the Memphis Tigers have turned to Achiuwa as the face of their team under Penny Hardaway. He has responded well and his defensive rebound percentage (25.4 percent) leads the American Athletic Conference. As a defender, his block percentage (7.4 percent) ranks third-best in the conference as well. He has turned it on as a scorer lately but he would not be leaned on as the primary option for a team with Devin Booker leading the charge.
13. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Aleksej Pokusevski, Olympiacos B
Forward, 7-foot, 18 years old
One of the most fascinating, underrated prospects for the 2020 NBA Draft is currently playing in the Greek HEBA A2 league. With a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Pokusevski has the ability to play a bit bigger than his already impressive 7-foot frame. He is averaging 16.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.4 three-pointers per 36 minutes. The Serbian-born prospect has also connected on 32.6 percent from three-point range. As a defender, his size has helped him secure 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes as well. Portland could play him in several different places but could provide his most value as a necessary help on the wing.
14. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Josh Green, Arizona
Wing, 6-foot-6, 19 years old
The Arizona freshman was a fantastic scorer on the AAU circuit playing for West Coast Elite, averaging 20.2 points per game. This season, he has put up 12.9 points per game for the Wildcats. Green has also grabbed 5.1 rebounds per game, which has allowed him to be an interesting option operating as the ball handler in a transition offense. Green is currently averaging 1.35 points per possession on these opportunities, per Synergy, which ranks in the 95th percentile. He also has a 6-foot-10 wingspan, which will help him a lot on the defensive side of the ball.
After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA Draft will look like.
After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA draft will look like.
For example, Georgia Bulldogs freshman Anthony Edwards is beginning to separate himself as a near-consensus No. 1 overall pick. On the other side of the coin, though, several of the projected top selections (LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton) will miss extended time due to either injury or suspension.
In order to get a better read of the bigger picture, we collected opinions from the top experts and analysts that cover the draft. The latest 2020 NBA mock drafts from ESPN, CBS Sports, SI.com, Bleacher Report, NBADraft.net, The Athletic as well as USA Today Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire were used for these rankings.
Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry, Xavier Tillman in top-45 of The Athletic's NBA Draft Big Board https://t.co/LFrVsMcvZD
One of the most interesting takeaways is that the Michigan State Spartans have three players (Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry and Xavier Tillman) all trending up.
After making the Final Four in last year’s March Madness, the program was expected to take another leap forward for their 2019-20 campaign.
Despite three losses in their first 10 games, the Spartans still rank No. 15 overall this season. This can be attributed to the fact Michigan State currently has the third-best offense in college basketball, per KenPom.com.
They also have three of the most improved players since our last aggregate mock draft. The full list, and more on each of the MSU players moving up draft boards, is included below.
Since our last AMD, this has moved up 17 spots in our rankings.
Despite already being 21 years old, the 6-foot-1 guard currently has a first-round grade from ESPN as well as Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.
Winston has been one of the best distributors since he began at MSU. 67.1 percent of all field goals for the Spartans have been assisted, which is the sixth-most among all teams so far this season. His career assist rate (44.1 percent) ranks No. 1 overall among all college players who have played at least 50 games since 2009-10, via Sports-Reference.
With 7 assists today vs Rutgers, Cassius Winston now has the 2nd-most career assists (770) in Big Ten History, passing Illinois’ Bruce Douglas.
Winston is now just 46 assists behind Mateen Cleaves for the conference career record (816). pic.twitter.com/BLzMQGjpzx
During his freshman season, he had the second-best assist rate (46.7 percent) in the NCAA. Then as a sophomore, his assist rate (43.5 percent) trailed only Trae Young for the best in college basketball. Last season, his assist mark (44.8 percent) ranked third-best and behind only Ja Morant among all who played for teams that made the tournament.
But he has also shown strength as one of the more accurate shooters in the NCAA.
Winston was 75-for-151 (49.7 percent) from beyond the arc in 2017-18. That helped him join the exclusive 50-40-90 club for field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage. Even as a sophomore then, the guard was one of the few to have a membership with at least two three-point attempts per game.
There is some enough NBA readiness to show he can contribute right away for a winning team.
Aaron Henry, Wing
AMD Rank: 33
Since our last AMD, this has moved up 26 spots in our rankings.
Henry was of the players who helped himself the most during the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Then a freshman, he put up 20 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists during a victory over LSU.
While he has not yet taken the leap some expected as a sophomore, draft experts still have confidence in him as a prospect. His highest ranking right now comes from Jonathan Wasserman, who has him at No. 28 overall (via Bleacher Report):
“The eye test on Henry looks more convincing than the numbers. He isn’t a high-level creator, which limits him in Michigan State’s offense. But the 6’6″ guard is hitting open shots, capitalizing on driving lanes and making impact defensive plays. This late, teams will overlook Henry’s production for his fit.”
Perhaps the best news for the wing is that there is room for improvement. However, there have also been moments that show what Henry is capable of accomplishing at the next level.
This season, for example, the sophomore has been one of the most effective shooters off the catch. He is averaging 1.78 points per possession on catch-and-shoot attempts in a set offense, per Synergy Sports, which ranks in the 98th percentile.
Henry is also shooting 72.7 percent at the rim, which is an especially solid rate for a wing. Overall, he looks like someone capable of being a 3-and-D player in an NBA rotation.
Xavier Tillman, Big
AMD Rank: 50
Since our last AMD, this has moved up 13 spots in our rankings.
Michigan State has always been a team that plays better with Tillman on the court. Last season, for example, the big actually had the third-best box plus-minus in the NCAA — trailing only Zion Williamson and Brandon Clarke.
Jeremy Woo recently helped contextualize what professional teams may like about the 6-foot-8 junior (via SI.com):
“Tillman specializes in doing the dirty work and has been a largely unheralded yet invaluable piece of the Spartans’ success dating back to last season. He’s not particularly tall for a center but has a chance to be a quality rotational big in the pros with what he adds defensively and on the glass. Tillman has worked on extending his shooting range, and if he ends up being able to shoot the three, he’ll have a fairly strong window of opportunity as a role player. A lot of the things he does as a screener and defender don’t show up in the box score, and while he’ll never be more than a fourth or fifth offensive option, he might be able to thrive in that capacity.”
His best trait so far this season has been his ability to cut to the basket. He is shooting 15-for-17 (88.2 percent) on these attempts, per Synergy.
But he has also added value on the offensive glass and as a rim protector for Michigan State. His willingness and ability to make the most of time on the floor makes him a draftable professional prospect.
After approximately one month of the college basketball, a number of players have already begun to help their NBA draft stock.
After approximately one month of the college season, there are several players who have already improved their NBA draft stock.
Every year, there are players who are not rated highly on preseason NBA draft big boards but end up making a name for themselves with their play on the court. Last season, for example, few spoke about Murray State guard Ja Morant prior to the season, but ended up becoming the No. 2 overall pick.
Based on their performances thus far, here are some players who are helping themselves and who should be monitored as the season continues.
Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
Mock drafts aren't everything, but Tyrese Haliburton is climbing in most reputable mocks and NBA circles. He will be getting plenty of attention from media and scouts this week. Potential lottery pick.
Iowa State guard Tyrese Haliburton led Team USA to the gold medal at the 2019 U19 World Cup and he also earned All-Tournament honors at the event.
His assist-to-turnover ratio during those games was 6.9-to-one and he led the team in both two-point and three-point field goal percentage. He has continued that productivity with Iowa State, and he ranks second in the country in assists per game (8.9) so far this season.
Jonathan Tjarks recently wrote about why Haliburton might be the best-kept secret in college basketball due to an unusually low usage rate (via The Ringer):
“Haliburton is the poster child for the type of player who might have slipped through the cracks a generation ago. The advanced numbers tell a very different story about him than his relatively pedestrian traditional stats. Calling him undervalued only scratches the surface. He might have been one of the most valuable players in the country last season. The analytical model developed by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton rated Haliburton as the no. 6 prospect in college basketball last season, and the no. 2 prospect this year, behind only UNC freshman Cole Anthony.”
The guard was being projected as a Top 20 pick before the season, but now he is getting buzz as a lottery pick. He currently ranks No. 10 overall on ESPN’s Top 100 big board for the 2020 NBA Draft.
Jordan Nwora, Louisville
Behind the strong play of junior Jordan Nwora, Louisville is undefeated through seven games and has the second-best Pomeroy Rating in the NCAA.
Coming off a season in which he won the ACC’s Most Improved Player award, the 6-foot-7 wing has been one of the best players in college basketball this year. For example, Nwora is currently No. 1 overall in Kenpom Player of the Year Standings.
Here is what Sam Vecenie wrote about Nwora in a recent mock draft (via The Athletic):
“He’s an elite catch-and-shoot guy with smooth mechanics and a lightning-quick release. The big leap last year came in attacking closeouts, though, where Nwora is now capable of getting into the teeth of the defense and using his underrated leaping ability to finish.”
Last season, we listed Nwora as one of the top prospects to return to school after withdrawing from the 2019 NBA Draft.
While he ranked No. 45 overall in our aggregate mock draft last season and as a late first-rounder in our first two editions of the 2020 AMD, now he may resemble a Top-20 pick. In fact, Kyle Boone of CBS Sports recently put him at No. 18 overall.
Obi Toppin, Dayton
If you want to know why Dayton ranks No. 9 in the recent Top 25 from CBS Sports, look no further than the production from sophomore Obi Toppin.
Jonathan Wasserman recently wrote about why Toppin projects as a lottery pick in the 2020 NBA Draft (via Bleacher Report):
“No opponent has had an answer for Toppin so far. Georgia and Virginia Tech looked helpless in Maui. He’s returned a more decisive scorer and passer from the post and a confident three-point shooter. Between his power and athleticism, back-to-the-basket game and projectable jump shot, Toppin has quickly developed into one of the draft’s most convincing offensive big men.”
According to Barttovik.com, the forward has had the best season of anyone in college basketball thus far. He also leads all players in their advanced measurement for points over replacement, adjusted per games played at their usage rate.
Most impressive is that Toppin is shooting 88.9 percent at the rim, per Hoop-Math. But he has also made more than half of his jump shots from two-point or three-point range, which have accounted for about a third of his attempts.
During the first aggregate mock draft we did back in July, Toppin ranked at No. 56 overall. Now, both ESPN and Bleacher Report have him as a lottery talent on their big boards.
Onyeka Okongwu, USC
Onyeka Okongwu is a former high school teammate of Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball and LaMelo Ball at Chino Hills. Their team won 60 consecutive games when he was a freshman, including the national title.
But even after the brothers all left the school, Okongwu ended up as a three-time state champion and two-time California Mr. Basketball. As a senior, the big man was able to record 4.3 blocks per game.
Ricky O’Donnell explained why the 18-year-old is a prospect well worth watching (via SB Nation):
“Okongwu has perhaps been the biggest early-season revelation for NBA scouts so far. The USC center is long and strong at 6’9, 245 pounds, with a quick second jump, impressive agility, and refined rim-protecting instincts… Okongwu has an obvious fit in the NBA as a bouncy dive man who dunks everything on offense and can block shots and rebound on defense.”
During his collegiate debut for USC, he nearly put up a triple-double but with blocks (he had eight) instead of assists. Later last month, he scored 33 points in a game against Pepperdine.
These types of performances have helped Okongwu catapult to No. 6 overall in Wasserman’s recent mock draft for Bleacher Report.
Zeke Nnaji, Arizona
While fellow Wildcats freshmen Nico Mannion and Josh Green have received more attention, 6-foot-11 forward Zeke Nnaji has quickly become one of the biggest surprises in college basketball.
“Nnaji brings a great blend of mobility on both sides of the ball, can hit a midrange shot, and has been able to alter shots thus far with his activity, despite a lack of plus length. He’s produced due in large part to his competitive motor and being opportunistic around the ball, playing physically and proving a tricky matchup.”
He is averaging 18.6 points per game including a dominant 26-point, 11-rebound performance on November 14 in which he did not miss a single attempt from the floor.
Nnaji is producing 1.37 points per possession on offense during the regular season, which currently ranks second-best among all D1 players (minimum: 50 possessions) thus far.
Honorable Mentions
Aaron Henry, Michigan State — He is averaging more points per possession on catch-and-shoot attempts than anyone else in the NCAA.
Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt — The 6-foot-6 wing is averaging 23.7 points with 4.9 three-pointers per game, shooting 54.0 percent from beyond the arc.
Myles Powell, Seton Hall — The senior guard currently ranks Top 10 in points produced among all college basketball players.
Cassius Stanley, Duke — Before his recent injury, the freshman had been one of the most electrifying prospects due to his insane leaping ability.
Markus Howard, Marquette — After scoring 91 points in his last two games, he ranks second in Player of the Year Standings for both Kenpom and Barttokiv.com.
Other names to know: Paul Reed (DePaul), Devin Vassell (Florida State), Trevelin Queen (New Mexico State), Desmond Bane (TCU), Kaleb Wesson (Ohio State)
Wisconsin had a balanced attack on offense, which was a key to leading the Badgers to victory over Marquette
MADISON- In a highly anticipated matchup between in-state rivals Marquette and Wisconsin, the host Badgers got the best out of the Golden Eagles in blowout fashion, 77-61.
The two teams were within five of each other at the half, but Wisconsin exploded in the second half from long range, and Marquette really struggled to score against the Badgers’ defense.
Check out my keys to the game below:
Balanced attack
In the win, the host Badgers had one of the most balanced attacks that I have seen in a long time, especially during the Greg Gard era.
This was to be expected this season losing an all-time great like Ethan Happ, but in a rivalry game like this one, it was impressive to see it come together in such fashion for Wisconsin.
Eight Badgers played at least five minutes in the game, and six of them scored in double figures.
One of those players came off the bench, and the rest included all five starters on the squad, combining for 57 of the team’s 77 points.
There will be players that step up more than others on the offensive end, but when a team can get that kind of production from just about their whole rotation, that is certainly a sight to see for this offense.
In addition, Wisconsin shot 48% from the three-point line.
Pritzl
Brevin Pritzl, the one Badgers player that scored in double figures off the bench, very well may have been the MVP of this one for Wisconsin.
In the early-going when the game was very much up for grabs, Pritzl provided an instant spark for the victors, delivering seven points and seven rebounds in eight minutes, at the guard position no less.
Whether it was grabbing offensive rebounds or hitting knock down threes, Pritzl was absolutely relentless for Wisconsin, and finished with a career-high 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Badgers.
After the game, the team let him know how important he was to this win:
In order to beat Marquette, you have to shut down All-American Markus Howard.
And the Badgers, led by D’Mitrik Trice at the lead guard position, did just that and more.
Howard finished with a solid 18 points, but he scored 16 of those in the first half, and did not make a field goal in the second half.
In addition, Howard only shot 6/21 from the field, which is certainly a testament to how players like Trice, Davison, and Pritzl made things tough on Howard today.
All in all, it was a total team effort from Wisconsin, and an impressive performance to move to 3-1 on the young season.