Tag: Obi Toppin
2020 NBA Draft Big Board: Latest updates after NCAA regular season
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.
Obi Toppin, Dayton – In a starless …
Obi Toppin, Dayton – In a starless draft where I’m tempted to just start my board at No. 7, I don’t understand why Toppin isn’t getting more attention near the top. It seems the consensus is that everybody thinks he’s good but has him closer to the back of the lottery than the front. I get that Toppin is quite old for a sophomore, but he might be the best player in college basketball this season. A mobile 6-9 forward with skill and athleticism having a dominant season – that seems like a decent foundation, right?
2020 aggregate NBA mock draft 4.0: Evaluating the rising upperclassmen
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.
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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.
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Full 2020 NBA Mock Draft: France’s Killian Hayes deserves your attention
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.
Picks: 1 – 14 | Picks: 15 – 30 | Picks: 31 – 40 | Picks: 41 – 50 | Picks: 51 – 60 | Picks: 31 – 40 | Picks: 41 – 50 | Picks: 51 – 60
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.
Picks: 15 – 30 | Picks: 31 – 40 | Picks: 41 – 50 | Picks: 51 – 60
Warriors are perfect match in first round for NBA prospect Obi Toppin
Casual basketball fans might expect the Golden State Warriors to add a top recruit like James Wiseman or LaMelo Ball in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Casual basketball fans might expect the Golden State Warriors to add a top recruit like James Wiseman or LaMelo Ball in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Despite the fact that their poor record will give them a solid chance at their pick of the litter, per team insider Connor Letourneau, the front office is not “infatuated” with any of the projected top picks in the 2020 NBA Draft.
This makes some sense considering the personnel they already have with superstars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. As such, the Warriors will have a different approach to this draft class than just selecting the best player available.
Letourneau, however, specifically mentioned one prospect that may be a good fit in Golden State (via SF Chronicle):
“One player who could intrigue Golden State is Dayton forward Obi Toppin, who, like Murray State’s Ja Morant last year, has used a torrid start to his sophomore season to emerge as a potential top-5 pick. At 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, Toppin is a strong, versatile big man who can hit open jumpers, throw down highlight-worthy dunks, defend multiple positions and dive for loose balls.”
Toppin is 6-foot-9 but has spent 70 percent of his minutes at center over the last five games. He looks the part of a natural four who could play at the big for small-ball lineups that the Warriors have made infamous.
Diving in a bit and it seems Golden State has done their early due diligence scouting Dayton; they have already visited their practices twice this season.
🚨 🚨 🚨 For the second time, the @warriors came by practice!
Thanks for coming in! 🤜 💥 🤛 #DoneAtDayton #JoinTheFight pic.twitter.com/XoFvm6WmiQ
— Dayton Basketball (@DaytonMBB) October 23, 2019
They were undoubtedly there to get a closer look at Toppin, who currently ranks Top 10 in Player of the Year ratings for both KenPom and BartTorvik.
Based on his play this year, he might not even be a reach assuming Golden State picks in the first half of the lottery. Recent mock drafts and big boards from NBADraft.Net (No. 4), CBS Sports (No. 5), 247 Sports (No. 5), Yahoo (No. 7), Rookie Wire (No. 8), Forbes (No. 9), The Athletic (No. 10) and even ESPN (No. 12) are all high on him.
It goes to reason as Toppin is averaging 1.19 points per possession this season, per Synergy, which ranks in the 97th percentile among all college basketball players.
He currently leads all players in the NCAA with 36 dunks this year and has connected on 11-of-12 (91.2 percent) putback attempts. This was recently displayed by the insane offensive rebound-turned-slam towards the end of regulation against Colorado.
He is also shooting 59-of-71 (83.1 percent) within four feet of the rim. That ranks No. 1 overall among all 141 players who have had at least 40 attempts in this zone.
But the 6-foot-9 prospect spreads the floor well, too, and has connected on 42.9 percent of his three-pointers during his two NCAA seasons thus far.
Shortly after the dunk against Colorado mentioned above, Toppin hit a clutch three-pointer as time expired to send the game into overtime.
His team simply players better when Tippin is on the floor considering that the big man currently ranks Top 10 among all underclassmen in Box Plus-Minus.
After the Maui Invitational Tournament, former NBA agent Matt Babcock spoke glowingly about Toppin (via Babcock Hoops):
“At 6-foot-9 with good length, possessing elite athleticism, Toppin not only has prototypical physical attributes, he has the skill set to match, as he does about everything you’d want from a modern day power forward. On the offensive end, he is a threat to score on the low block, and around the rim, he is a good shooter from outside, he runs the floor and is a high flyer — pick your poison. Defensively, he is able to utilize his athleticism and physical tools to defend multiple positions, grab rebounds, and protect the rim. To go along with these terrific skills, he has a high motor, an infectious presence on the floor, but almost as important as anything, he has a high basketball IQ — he doesn’t make many mistakes and plays within himself.”
The biggest concern for scouts might be that after redshirting, Toppin is already 21 years old. But for a win-now team like the Warriors, that is far from a problem and closer to a lovable attribute. Unlike other franchises selecting in the lottery, they need someone who can help right away and he can do that at the Chase Center.
For #warriors, this season is all about finding an impact player in draft. Obi Toppin putting on a show for Dayton in #MauiInvitational
— Larry Beil (@LarryBeilABC7) November 25, 2019
Another reason why he would fit for Golden State’s system is that they are not a team that calls many pick-and-roll sets for the roller. When looking at the regular season and playoffs last season, they finished just 3.5 percent of their offensive sets this way — last among all teams in the NBA.
Pick-and-roll has been the one and only area where Toppin has struggled in 2019-20, which would hurt his draft stock for virtually any other franchise looking to select someone who plays in the frontcourt. But for a team that does not make this a priority, his biggest weakness would not be exposed in a way that is too problematic.
Even with all this in mind, it would be foolish to think that the Warriors will select Toppin at No. 1 overall if that is where the lottery puts them. But if that is the player they want, which makes all the sense in the world, they could trade down and secure his rights and even get another asset in the process.
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2020 aggregate NBA mock draft 3.0: Michigan State players are climbing
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
— SpartansWire (@TheSpartansWire) December 15, 2019
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.
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Cassius Winston, Guard
AMD Rank: 29
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
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 9, 2019
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.
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2020 NBA Mock Draft: Where do injuries put LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton?
Anthony Edwards is No. 1 overall. But have injuries impacted draft stock for LaMelo Ball or RJ Hampton? Plus: a full first-round mock draft.
2020 NBA Mock Draft: Where do injuries put LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton?
Anthony Edwards is No. 1 overall. But have injuries impacted draft stock for LaMelo Ball or RJ Hampton? Plus: a full first-round mock draft.
Now over a month into the college basketball season, there have been enough games to make confident assessments of the upcoming draft class.
There is still quite some time until this list starts to solidify as some teams will soon begin their regular-season conference play, which offers a better picture of the talent pool in the NCAA this season.
While there are some players who will give us a better idea of their draft stock in the coming weeks, there are others we will still have to wait a bit longer. Unfortunately for the Memphis Tigers and basketball fans around the world, projected lottery pick James Wiseman will be out a dozen games with a suspension. Similarly in the NBL overseas, LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton will miss extended time due to injury.
Regardless, the following is our best assessment of the players we think will become first-round picks based on what we have seen thus far. For our mock drafts in later editions, we will begin to factor in team fit as well.
1. Anthony Edwards, Georgia
Anthony Edwards was an AAU star, averaging 21.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game on the Under Armour Circuit. Since playing for Georgia, the 6-foot-5 point-forward is a high-usage guard with a respectable FG% from three-point range. More than half of his connections from downtown have been unassisted, showing that he is more than capable of creating his own shot. On the defensive end, the freshman currently leads his conference in steals per game (2.2) and has one of the best steal rates (4.3 percent) in the country.
2. LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks
We asked Lonzo Wire co-editor Jacob Rude his thoughts on LaMelo Ball’s draft stock, especially after his recent injury. He told us: “Coming into the NBL season, there were countless questions surrounding LaMelo Ball. What is his position? Is he only a shooter? Can he impact the game in any way other than scoring? Can he defend? He’s answered every question and then some in a breakout season with Illawarra. He’s a lead guard in the NBA that can score at multiple levels — even if there are some adjustments that need to be made to his jumper — and can be a top-tier playmaker. His defense has steadily improved and he shares many of the same instincts that make his older brother Lonzo a disruptive defender. Also like Lonzo, his high-IQ separates him from the rest of the pack. No matter where he lands, he’ll put people in the seats and will provide a franchise with a cornerstone guard.”
3. Nico Mannion, Arizona
18-year-old Arizona point guard Nico Mannion has already looked the part of a future starter in the NBA, averaging 15.3 points per game. The 6-foot-3 freshman is shooting 40.5 percent from downtown, where he has thrived on catch-and-shoot opportunities. He has the second-most assists per game (5.7) in the Pac-12 Conference and also ranks Top 5 in assist percentage (33.7 percent) among all freshmen. Mannion also has the third-most points over replacement per adjusted game among all freshmen, per BartTorvik.com.
4. James Wiseman, Memphis
Memphis big man James Wiseman, who was the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation, was one of the most exciting prospects in the nation coming into the 2019-20 regular season. He put up 21 points with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in the Jordan Brand Classic back in March. Then before he was hit with one of the more surprising suspensions in the history of recent college sports, the 7-foot-1 freshman averaged 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds with 3.0 blocks per game. For any team looking for a post presence, it will be hard to find one who fits the bill more than Wiseman.
5. Cole Anthony, UNC
There was a ton of hype around this University of North Carolina freshman heading into the season. Cole Anthony, the son of former NBA player Greg Anthony, was the No. 2 overall recruit on ESPN’s Top 100 ranking index. The guard led his team in scoring at both the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit, scoring 25 points in both of the games. He also earned All-Tournament honors at the 2018 U18 Americas Championship. Since playing for the Tar Heels, he is averaging 19.1 points per game. But so far, the biggest issue for Anthony is that he has actually missed more than half of his attempts (44.1 percent) at the rim.
6. Onyeka Okongwu, USC
When he was teammates with Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball at Chino Hills High School, their team won the national title. But after the Ball brothers left, Onyeka Okongwu won two more state titles and dominated with 4.3 blocks per game during his final year in high school. Now, his block percentage (13.2 percent) ranks second-best among all freshmen this season. He also ranks third-best in total dunks (22)in the NCAA. For more on Okongwu, check out this feature from our own Ben Pfeifer, who writes: “Okongwu has made his case as the 2020 draft’s top center. More than any other big, he combines the physical tools to hold up at the five along with a projectable offensive skillset necessary to survive in the modern NBA.”
7. Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Deni Avdija made headlines when he averaged 18.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game at the U20 Euro Championship A earlier this. He won MVP of the tournament and led Israel to the gold medal as well. The 6-foot-7 wing has a smaller role for Maccabi Tel Aviv but has been efficient in the opportunities he has been given, shooting 51.2 percent from the field. The 18-year-old has been a fixture at Basketball Without Borders camps and while it is hard to tell how he will be able to fit in the NBA, there is enough potential to get excited enough for a lottery selection.
8. Obi Toppin, Dayton
Dayton big man Obi Toppin has been one of the most efficient, high-volume finishers in the NCAA. No team is dunking the ball more often than Dayton and Toppin had thirteen dunks in the first two games of the season alone and has the second-most in college basketball. As such, Toppin is shooting 84.6 percent at the rim. But he has also looked sharp from long-range, per Hoop-Math, shooting an efficient 41.7 percent. Overall, his effective field goal percentage ranks No. 15 in the nation. According to BartTorvik.com, he currently has the second-best Player of the Year rating in the NCAA.
9. Vernon Carey, Duke
Duke freshman Vernon Carey Jr. was the No. 6 overall recruit in the country coming into the season. During his first college season, the big man already has the third-best player efficiency rating (37.2) in the NCAA and has been a double-double machine. When you watch him play, it is clear he is the best player on the floor. Defenders have been clueless with how to defend him and no one has been fouled more often (8.9 fouls drawn per 40 minutes) than Carey this season. On the other side of the ball, his defensive rebound percentage (30.3 percent) ranks No. 1 among freshmen. He can also lock his opponents down, too, recording seven blocks in the only Blue Devils loss of the season thus far.
10. Isaac Okoro, Auburn
Auburn freshman forward Isaac Okoro is known as a defensive specialist, averaging 1.2 blocks for his AAU team at Nike EYBL and 1.6 steals per game for Team USA at the U17 World Cup. But in college, he has averaged 13.9 points per game. One of the more exciting elements of his game is that just 37.5 percent of his connections at the rim have been assisted which means he can create his own offense. He is shooting 73.2 percent on two-pointers, currently Top 20 among all NCAA players. Okoro finishes well in a transition offense, averaging 1.30 points per possession (85th percentile) this season, per Synergy Sports.
11. Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
During the U19 World Cup, 6-foot-5 point guard Tyrese Haliburton made the All-Tournament Team. Arguably the most important thing to know about the Iowa State guard is that he manages an unreal assist-to-usage rate. He ranks Top 5 in assists per game (8.2) among all NCAA players despite a relatively low usage rate. The Cyclones have scored 13.2 points per game on his pick-and-roll possessions when including his passes, per Synergy, which has been the best mark in his conference. Defensively, he rarely fouls opponents, as he is committing just 1.0 per 40 minutes.
12. Killian Hayes, Ratiopharm Ulm
Killian Hayes led France to win the gold medal at the 2017 U16 Euro Championship A, winning MVP of the tournament. He had 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game during the competition. The following year at the U17 World Cup, he averaged 16.1 points per game. The 18-year-old, 6-foot-5 guard is currently averaging 12.5 points and 6.9 assists per game in Eurocup competition for his team in Germany.
13. RJ Hampton, New Zealand Breakers
While 18-year-old RJ Hampton was one of the most heralded recruits in the nation as the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year, the 6-foot-5 guard took the path-less-traveled and went overseas rather than play college basketball. In his games overseas thus far, he has been relatively underwhelming with just 10.4 points per game — a far cry from the 24.6 points that he averaged for his AAU team while on the Under Armour circuit. Hampton will have to spend his next month recovering, reportedly missing the next four weeks of the season with a hip injury.
14. Josh Green, Arizona
Arizona Wildcats freshman Josh Green went to IMG Academy for high school, the same program that produced 2018 first-rounder Anfernee Simons. The 6-foot-6 wing is averaging 1.8 steals per game for Arizona, which have turned into several fantastic highlights plays in the open court. He has scored 60 points in transition thus far, per Synergy, which ranks Top 10 among D1 players.
15. Theo Maledon, ASVEL
Theo Maledon is just 18 years old but has been a fixture on the professional basketball scene since 2015-16. He helped lead France to the gold medal at the U16 Euro Championship A, scoring 14.6 points per game. During the Jordan Brand Classic game, Maledon put up 15 points with 4 rebounds as well as 4 assists. He has missed some time this year due to injury but with all of the promise he has already shown, there may be enough to consider him in the first half of the first round.
16. Paul Reed, DePaul
While 20-year-old junior Paul Reed had been flying under-the-radar, he is destined to continue improving his draft stock as his stellar play continues for DePaul. Originally recruited as a 6-foot-5 wing, he now stands at 6-foot-10 who is leading his conference in rebounds for the second season in a row. That has helped him be remarkably efficient in transition, occasionally even as the ballhandler. DePaul has just one loss so far this season, in which he recorded 18 rebounds with five blocks and four steals. He currently ranks Top 20 in block percentage (12.4 percent), including an absurd eight blocks against Minnesota.
17. Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
Precious Achiuwa, a 6-foot-9 forward, has been tasked with leading what was supposed to be a star-studded Memphis Tigers team that has been hit with the suspension of Wiseman. But under Penny Hardaway, the team is still 8-1 to start the season and is playing at one of the fastest-tempos in college. His defensive rebound percentage (23.2 percent) and block percentage (6.0) both rank in the Top 15 among all freshmen. Achiuwa has also drawn 7.2 fouls per 100 possessions, which ranks Top 25 in the NCAA. Unfortunately, he is shooting just 1-for-6 (16.7 percent) from three-point range.
18. Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt sophomore Aaron Nesmith is averaging 22.8 points per game in his first year playing for head coach Jerry Stackhouse. He is a three-point specialist, shooting 51.5 percent from downtown. His teammates have been fantastic at setting picks, where he has been tasked with shooting off the screen. The guard is currently averaging 1.58 points per possession on this play-type, per Synergy, the second-best (minimum: 15 possessions) among all D1 players. He is also scoring 6.1 points per game on these opportunities, ranking second-best as well.
19. Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky
Tyrese Maxey, a 6-foot-3 guard, was a Top-10 recruit coming out of high school. He trailed only Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton as the top-rated combo guard prospects in the nation. He played for two AAU teams in Texas, averaging 24.4 points per game in the Nike 17U circuit. Maxey was 18-for-34 (52.9 percent) from three-point range playing for Houston Hoops. That prowess has not yet translated into his NCAA career, however, where he is only shooting 30.6 percent from beyond the arc.
20. Zeke Nnaji, Arizona
Arizona freshman Zeke Nnaji is a 6-foot-11 freshman who is averaging 16.6 points per game. He is currently shooting 80.5 percent at the rim, connecting on 9-for-10 (90.0 percent) of his attempts when cutting to the basket. The big man has also drawn 6.1 fouls per 40 minutes, fifth-best in the Pac-12. When getting to the line, he is shooting an impressive rate (81.5 percent) on his free throw attempts for someone his size. While less heralded than his freshman teammates Mannion and Green, there is a lot to like about this Arizona team.
21. Isaiah Stewart, Washington
Washington Huskies big man Isaiah Stewart recorded 17.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game on the AAU circuit. He was also fantastic at the Jordan Brand Classic, scoring 16 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 2-for-2 from three-point range. He will need a resurgence in his jumper, shooting 0-for-5 from downtown at the University of Washington. While the Huskies have had a slow start to the year, he has already recorded 17 blocks this season, third-best in the Pac-12.
22. Jaden McDaniels, Washington
Jaden McDaniels, whose older brother Jalen McDaniels was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft, was the No. 1 overall recruit at power forward coming into the season. His 6-foot-9 frame makes him an especially appealing prospect. As a freshman, he is averaging 15.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. But one red flag is that the forward currently leads the Pac-12 in turnovers (37).
23. Saddiq Bey, Villanova
In the last three drafts, the Villanova Wildcats have put six players in the NBA — highlighted by four first-round picks. Many expect that trend to continue as they have two Top-20 recruits (Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Bryan Antoine) on the roster. But the star of the show has been sophomore Saddiq Bey. Villanova has scored 114.6 points per 100 possession so far this season, the second-best offensive rating in the NCAA. But that rate has been even better (130.5) in the minutes that Bey has been on the court. He has hit 43.8 percent of his three-pointers and shoots incredibly well off the catch. He can also post-up smaller defenders and has surprisingly good playmaking in the pick-and-roll for someone who stands at 6-foot-8.
24. Cassius Stanley, Duke
There are some serious shades of Zach LaVine in Cassius Stanley given his unique leaping and vertical ability. He is a high-flying wing who will get front office executives and fans alike excited with the dunks he is able to throw down. If he proves that his three-point shooting is no fluke and that Stanley is a legitimate option from long distance, there is little doubt he will have a role in the NBA as a 6-foot-6 wing.
25. Jahmi’us Ramsey, Texas Tech
Texas Tech freshman Jahmi’us Ramsey is averaging 17.3 points per game, which has been an awesome start to his collegiate career. He is also shooting 46.4 percent from three-point range. The best news for Ramsey is that in a set offense, he is shooting 7-for-12 (58.3) on guarded attempts when shooting off the catch. Despite his 6-foot-4 frame, Ramsey has pulled down 5.8 rebounds per game. This has also helped him connect on five of his first seven attempts as the ballhandler in a transition offense.
26. Jordan Nwora, Louisville
Louisville Cardinals junior Jordan Nwora has the best Player of the Year rating in the nation, per KenPom.com. He is shooting 42.1 percent from three-point range for Louisville so far this season. The junior is averaging 1.49 points per possession on spot-up possessions, via Synergy, which ranks in the 97th percentile among all players.
27. Devin Vassell, Florida State
Since moving into the starting lineup as a sophomore, Florida State guard Devin Vassell has improved from 4.5 points per game last season to 12.4 points per game this season. The 6-foot-7 wing is shooting 44.8 percent from three-point range, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc against the Indiana Hoosiers on December 3. Given his size and shooting ability, there is some real buzz about the FSU wing.
28. Jalen Smith, Maryland
Maryland sophomore Jalen Smith is a prototypical center, averaging 13.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. The big man currently ranks Top 10 in defensive win-shares, averaging 9.6 blocks per 100 possessions and twice as many blocks per game as he did last season. He also has the second-best offensive rebound percentage (14.6) in the Big Ten. Under head coach Mark Turgeon, the Terrapins have sent Bruno Fernando (’19) and Alex Len (’13) into the NBA and Smith is clearly the next prospect in line.
29. Kaleb Wesson, Ohio State
Based on the way the Ohio State Buckeyes are playing, they could be on the way to a Final Four appearance in both football and basketball this season. If such a rarity occurred, the hoops fans can give credit to junior big man Kaleb Wesson. The 6-foot-9 center is currently shooting 44.8 percent from three-point range and his jump shot ranks in the 93rd percentile among all players, per Synergy. He projects as a pick-and-pop option at the next level due to his no-dribble jumper in pick-and-roll sets.
30. Myles Powell, Seton Hall
Seton Hall senior Myles Powell is a scoring machine who has averaged 22.9 points per game. The 6-foot-2 guard is also averaging 39.8 three-pointers per game and has been the most efficient, prolific NCAA player when shooting off screens. Overall, the senior ranks Top 10 in Player of the Year ratings on BartTorvik.com and No. 5 overall for POY ratings on KenPom.com.
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NCAA players who are significantly improving their NBA draft stock
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.
— Brent Blum (@brentblum) November 26, 2019
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.
Jeremy Woo noted that Nnaji’s draft stock has “skyrocketed” since his NCAA debut (via Sports Illustrated):
“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)
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