Tag: NBA Mock Draft

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.

Bleacher Report releases NBA mock draft: Where does Anthony Edwards go?

Bleacher Report released its latest NBA mock draft….where does Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards go.

Georgia basketball sensation Anthony Edwards has a chance to become the university’s first No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick.

Whenever the draft may be, it’s a lock that Edwards will go within the first three picks, but most expect him to be taken at that No. 1 position, which could very well be held by the Golden State Warriors.

On Tuesday, Bleacher Report released its NBA mock draft and had Edwards taken No. 1 by the Warriors, followed by Memphis center James Wiseman to Cleveland and LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.

On Edwards, BR wrote:

Although the Bulldogs struggled this season, the 18-year-old had an impressive showing. He started all 32 of their games, averaging 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest. He shot 40.2 percent from the field and was strong from the free-throw line, where he shot 77.2 percent.

Last year, it was clear that Duke forward Zion Williamson was the consensus top player in the draft class. Edwards’ case isn’t quite as strong, but he’s an exciting prospect who could continue to get better with time and likely has a high ceiling.

And if it’s Golden State that selects Edwards, he will be learning from veteran guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, two of the best in the game.

If a star player like Edwards can come into Georgia’s historically average basketball program and maintain his projected draft position while packing Stegeman Coliseum to the brim, it shows young local talent that they can do the same and receive that fanfare and adoration similar to Edwards’.

Edwards going No. 1 overall could prove huge for the future of Georgia of basketball.

Michigan State forward Xavier Tillman Sr. a first-rounder in latest SB Nation NBA mock draft

Tillman is projected to go 28th overall to the Toronto Raptors.

It’s offseason time in college basketball and that means–despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic–its mock draft season.

Michigan State junior Xavier Tillman Sr. has an NBA decision to make this offseason, and–by the looks of one mock draft–he might not really have much of a decision. Tillman is projected to get drafted 28th overall to the Toronto Raptors in SB Nation’s latest mock draft.

Of Tillman, author Ricky O’Donnell writes, “Tillman might have been the most impactful player in college basketball over the last season and a half. Michigan State took off when he replaced Nick Ward in the Spartan lineup as a sophomore. In a full-time role as a junior, all Tillman did was lead college basketball in box score plus-minus by anchoring Tom Izzo’s defense and acting as an indispensable part of its offense. A 6’8, 245-pound center, Tillman is neither the biggest or the fastest frontcourt prospect in this draft, but he might be the smartest. He always seems to know where to be and never wastes his movement. Known for his shot-blocking and rebounding, Tillman also finished in the 88th percentile of points per possession on offense.”

As a borderline first-round prospect, getting picked in the top 30 would be huge for Tillman–who is married and has two children. The financial implications between a first round and second round pick in the NBA are quite large.

In the NBA first round picks get two-year deals guaranteed with team options for an additional two years. Last year’s 28th pick, Michigan’s Jordan Poole, will make $4 million over the next two years and two team options could bring his deal to more than $10 million. Usually teams will play out their team options and then determine whether or not to sign the player to an extension or risk losing them to free agency. For example, Pascal Siakam, the 27th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, played his first three years on his rookie deal. Toronto, to avoid him entering restricted free agency, signed Siakam to a four-year $130 million extension. Being a first round pick gives a player that leverage to get a deal done with the team that drafted him. Those guarantees and longer deals don’t exist for all second round picks. Some of the top second-round players will get guaranteed money, but they are not required to like first rounders.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA is still seeking applications for their Undergraduate Advisory Committee. This is the group that provides NBA feedback on an undergraduate college player’s professional potential. Tillman will almost certainly submit his name for advisory and I’d expect Aaron Henry and perhaps Joey Hauser to as well, just to get a feel for where their stock is. Cassius Winston did so last season, but opted to return to Michigan State for his senior season.

There is no word on what the NBA Draft process and timeline will be due to the coronavirus.

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Georgia basketball: Anthony Edwards wins SEC Freshman of the Year

Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards wins SEC Freshman of the Year.

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Georgia basketball superstar Anthony Edwards has won the SEC Freshman of the Year Award, the conference announced on Tuesday.

He becomes Georgia’s first player ever to win the award since its creation in 2001.

Edwards came to Georgia as a five-star out of Atlanta with the highest expectations since Dominique Wilkins. And though the team may have had a disappointing season, going 15-16, Edwards put on a show all season.

During his freshman year, Edwards averaged 19.5 points per game. He also averaged 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game. Edwards posted three 30-point games and had 13 games with 20 points or more.

Additionally, Edwards was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and was named second team All-SEC.

Edwards is expected to No. 1 in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Georgia kicks off SEC Tournament play on Wednesday vs Ole Miss. If the Bulldogs want to make the NCAA Tournament, they’ll need to win five SEC games in five days. The conference tournament takes place in Nashville.,

Georgia men’s basketball announces new season attendance record

For the second consecutive year, Georgia’s men’s basketball has surpassed Stegeman Coliseum’s annual attendance record.

For the second consecutive year, Georgia’s men’s basketball has surpassed Stegeman Coliseum’s annual attendance record.

Attendance spiked following Tom Crean’s 2018 appointment as the Bulldogs’ head coach. When Crean managed to secure the commitment of 2019’s top high school prospect Anthony Edwards, excitement built further for Georgia basketball fans.

So, an average season with an above-average NBA prospect ended on a sour note against rival Florida. Georgia fans have every right to feel dejected.

Win or lose, however, Georgia faithful kept buying tickets to hoot and holler for the Dawgs. The Steg was packed and, oh my, was it loud.

A sure sign of an impassioned fanbase, the majority of the home crowd stayed until each game’s final whistle all year.

Mind you, that’s not just because of the fans’ recognition of the inevitably horrific post-game traffic splitting from Carlton Street toward either Lumpkin Street or East Campus Road.

The 2019-2020 Bulldogs’ hopes aren’t dead. There’s still an entire conference tourney left to be played.

Crean’s squad, which entered the campaign with high hopes, needs to win next week’s SEC Tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Unless conference tournament results prove otherwise, the Dawgs are considered a bubble team for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

In that case, a conference quarterfinal or semifinal would ostensibly improve Crean and company’s chances, but after such an up-and-down season, nothing can be guaranteed (always the case in the sports) or even predicted (always the case in Georgia sports).

Should the Bulldogs receive an NIT invite, they have the opportunity of hosting another game in Athens, potentially adding to the season’s attendance record.

Opinion: No, Georgia basketball did not waste its only season with Anthony Edwards

After Anthony Edwards committed to UGA in February of 2019, many Georgia fans quickly deemed him the Dawgs’ deliverer from mediocrity.

Anthony Edwards arrived in Athens, Georgia to much fanfare.

Depending on which recruiting service you asked, Edwards was either the first- or second-ranked high school basketball prospect of the 2019 recruiting cycle.

After the senior out of Atlanta’s Holy Spirit Prep announced his commitment to Tom Crean’s Bulldogs in February of 2019, many Georgia fans quickly deemed him the Dawgs’ deliverer from mediocrity.

Reminder: this was over three months before Edwards had even graduated high school and over eight months before he would play in his first collegiate competition.

What is almost certainly the Dawgs’ only regular season featuring Anthony Edwards ends with an even 15-15 record. Unless the 2020 Bulldogs can replicate the results of 2008’s unlikely winners in next week’s SEC tournament, Georgia may not qualify for any further postseason play.

Crean’s squad, which entered the campaign with high hopes, needs to win the conference tourney to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Unless tournament results prove otherwise, the Dawgs are considered a bubble team for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

A quarterfinal or semifinal appearance in the conference tourney would likely earn them a spot, anything less would likely leave them out. But Georgia basketball fans probably don’t want to think of any more what-ifs.

Though plagued with blown leads and those pesky what-ifs, the Bulldogs’ 2019-2020 campaign was highlighted by several miraculous finishes, wins over Georgia Tech and Auburn, and a slew of NBA-worthy clips from Edwards.

All of that sounds bad. And don’t get me wrong, it’s not great. But here’s the thing: Edwards is still projected as the top NBA draft pick by more than one draft analyst.

This isn’t a moral victory thing. Anyone who watched Georgia’s men’s basketball team all season saw the team fold and surrender late leads on multiple occasions.

To me, a recovering pessimist constantly checking my peripheral vision for any sort of bright side, such results don’t blind me from what I’ve learned to see truth of the matter:

If a star player like Anthony Edwards can come into Georgia’s historically average basketball program and maintain his projected draft position while packing Stegeman Coliseum to the brim, it shows young local talent that they can do the same and receive that fanfare and adoration similar to Edwards’.

That is, before they go get a fat paycheck in the NBA.

Though not assuredly, this could prove vital for a program currently struggling to tread water alongside a strong and balanced Southeastern Conference no longer run just by traditionally powerful Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee (each of which can usually predict its two annual division games against Georgia as wins).

The Atlanta area is one of the highest-concentrated NBA breeding grounds in the United States. Georgia often lands local four-star recruits but very seldom secures commitments from upper echelon five-stars. The last was current Los Angeles Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in 2011.

Examples: 2018’s Ashton Hagans and E.J. Montgomery enrolled at Kentucky. Wendell Carter enrolled at Duke in 2017. Kobi Simmons enrolled at Arizona in 2016.

So, yeah, in the short term, this isn’t ideal. Especially knowing that .500 winning percentage could’ve been a .533 or a possibly a .567, or heck, maybe even .600!

But since I’m speaking in hypotheticals, Georgia could very well have lost some of their eventual dramatic victories, namely against SMU, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas.

Given what Edwards’ success could mean for the future of Georgia men’s basketball recruiting in the future, I choose to see this year’s 15-15 record as a glass half full.

Even in the short term, the Bulldogs’ hopes aren’t dead. There’s still an entire conference tournament to be played.

Anthony Edwards high on USA TODAY’s NBA Draft Big Board

Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards is high on USA Today’s NBA Draft big board.

With the 2019-20 NCAA basketball regular season coming to an end, USA TODAY’s Rookie Wire put together its NBA Draft Big Board.

They listed 75 players and had Georgia freshman sensation Anthony Edwards as the No. 3 player on the board.

Edwards trails only LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu.

Edwards, a shooting guard who came to Georgia with massive expectations, had a solid season in Athens despite the team’s struggles.

Edwards’ numbers have been great, averaging nearly 20 points, five rebounds and three assists. Though Georgia’s season was a disappointment, Edwards gave Dawgnation something to watch and get excited over.

On Edwards, Rookie Wire said:

Under head coach Tom Crean, the University of Georgia freshman has been a revelation in transition offense. Edwards ranks Top-5 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.

Most NBA mock drafts have Edwards going at No. 1 overall, thanks to his superstar potential. If that happens, Edwards would become Georgia’s first ever No. 1 NBA Draft pick.

Georgia basketball earns much-needed win over Arkansas

Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs came out on top over Arkansas in a contest filled with one-sided scoring streaks.

Needing a win to stay in contention for a first-round bye in the SEC tournament, Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs came out on top over Arkansas in a contest filled with one-sided scoring streaks.

Amidst a season plagued with blown leads and resultant losses, Georgia faithful could never feel comfortable with the Bulldogs’ 18-point lead.

The visiting Hogs twice cut the lead to a single point before the home Dawgs sealed the game.

Projected top NBA Draft pick Anthony Edwards took over the final 1:07 of the game, scoring nine of his 26 points in crunch time. Edwards punctuated the game with a ferocious two-handed dunk that sunk Arkansas.

Fellow NBA prospect Rayshaun Hammonds posted 22 points and nine boards.

Despite a lackluster season for Georgia basketball, the NBA’s projected top pick Anthony Edwards has thrown together a rather modest highlight film in what will almost certainly be his only season in Athens.

Watch: Georgia basketball’s Anthony Edwards runs court, lifts for two-handed slam

The NBA’s projected top pick Anthony Edwards has thrown together a highlight film in what will almost certainly be his only season at UGA.

Despite a lackluster season for Georgia basketball, the NBA’s projected top pick Anthony Edwards has thrown together a rather modest highlight film in what will almost certainly be his only season in Athens.

For your viewing pleasure, our own James Morgan gathered and posted a compilation of Ant Man’s nastiest dunks sporting red and black.

In the Bulldogs’ home game against Arkansas, Edwards added another clip to his human highlight reel (if you’re reading this, Dominique Wilkins, we love you).

In the game’s closing moments, Edwards reassured fans that the proper phrase is “Dawgs on Top” as opposed to “Hogs on top.”

To emphasize, here’s another look at how Edwards sprinted down-court and embarrassed five other adults at once:

 

Georgia closed out the game to improve to 15-14 on the season.

Edwards finished the game with 26 points and seven boards.