The capturing guard group has stable depth with as many as eight first rounders and 5 potential lottery guys. Whereas none are thought of surefire stars, just a few of them have an actual probability to make noise on the subsequent stage.
1. Stephon Citadel, UConn 6-7 210 PG/SG UConn Fr.
Citadel has terrific bodily instruments, defensive potential and poised, regular play would be the promoting factors on Citadel’s upside as an NBA participant. After enjoying totally on the ball in HS & AAU, Citadel confirmed his versatility as a 6’7 combo guard by sliding to extra of an off-ball function for the nationwide champs at UConn as a Fr., and nonetheless discovered methods to be productive within the workforce’s system. Naysayers query his capturing skill from distance and restricted scoring upside, however he has the instruments to be intriguing as a 2-way participant with budding skill to contribute in a number of ways in which might or might not present up in field scores. If his shot turns into respectable sufficient to maintain defenses sincere, it would solely open his recreation and make him extra formidable offensively.
2. Ja’Kobe Walter 6-5 200 SG Baylor Fr.
One other Fr. who impressed as a younger prospect in school, notably early within the season, Walter is aggressive and has clear projections as a 3-and-D wing after main a veteran Baylor workforce in scoring as a 1st 12 months participant after a touted prep profession. There are groups that suppose the 6’5 SG/SF has the constant capturing mechanics and uncooked, versatile shot-making from the perimeter that would result in him being a stable contributor offensively, but additionally the bodily instruments and depth to match up high quality as a wing defender. His deal with & shot choice want enchancment, and he does have some issues defensively that should be cleaned up from a basic standpoint, as you’d anticipate from such a younger participant. However with 8 video games making 4+ 3-pointers this previous season highlighting his skill to attain in bunches, he’s a participant value growing, given {that a} good quantity of his flaws are fairly correctable.
3. Terrence Shannon 6-7 225 SG Illinois Sr.
After a 1st Crew All-American season that was overshadowed by an terrible allegation as a Fifth-year Sr. (that he was in the end cleared of almost 2 weeks in the past as of writing), Shannon Jr (pictured) might be feeling like this draft’s forgotten prospect, hoping groups look to his excellent manufacturing over the previous 2 seasons as to why he ought to be thought of within the 1st spherical, regardless of being an older prospect. At 6’5 220, he’s a strong and solidly athletic guard who typically steamrolled opponents on the best way to the basket, notably within the open court docket, and ought to be high quality matching up on the perimeter on each ends. He was environment friendly all through his profession on the wing with steadily enhancing skill to attain at each stage, and he lived on the foul line the previous 2 seasons at Illinois because the groups go-to scorer. Some might have a look at his age and suppose restricted upside, however truthfully he might be extra able to contribute than lots of the gamers picked forward of him, and his focus and maturity enjoying by means of some actually robust distractions & hostile street heckling this previous season is a constructive signal and may solely strengthen his character.
4, Devin Carter 6-3 195 PG/SG Windfall Jr.
Carter arguably has seen his draft inventory rise greater than anyone on this class over the previous 2 months. An skilled 3-year participant, the 6’3 Carter responded very properly to his utilization going up after a season-ending harm to affect massive man Bryce Hopkins at Windfall this previous 12 months with some sturdy manufacturing and rising on-ball deft. An energizer bunny who’s seemingly in every single place on the court docket all recreation lengthy, Carter performed properly in pre-draft scrimmages & exercises and did himself a giant favor by testing nice bodily and particularly athletically on the mix (42” operating vertical leap; his 2.84 sec is the perfect 3/4 court docket dash time in NBA Mix historical past). He isn’t prone to have the ball fairly as a lot on the subsequent stage attributable to his common capturing and playmaking profile, however he has some expertise successfully enjoying off the ball too. He’ll convey worth as a defender, notably pressuring on the level of assault, and clearly has a robust nostril for the ball given his excellent rebounding and steals numbers. He additionally has blooodlines on his aspect as his father, Anthony, was an NBA PG for over a decade and is presently an NBA assistant coach with Memphis. Carter has used his sturdy draft course of to seemingly land within the late lottery.
5. Jared McCain 6-3 205 PG/SG Duke Fr.
With the 6’3 McCain, you recognize you’re getting a knockdown shooter with supreme confidence. He’s a talented and sound participant who flat out lit up groups at occasions along with his dynamic perimeter jumper as a Fr., main Duke with 87 made 3s and his shot approach is tremendous compact so he doesn’t want a lot time to let it fly. He’s additionally a excessive IQ participant who doesn’t actually take unhealthy photographs and doesn’t must dominate the ball to attain. Some have a look at his recreation and suppose he’s a bit one-dimensional and there are some questions on his defensive potential and talent to assault the paint and end, the place he was typically restricted on the school attributable to his comparatively modest athleticism and bodily instruments as an undersized SG with common quickness and ball-handling abilities. Nonetheless, he is aware of the place to be and has the notice to overachieve as a positional defender at occasions and his worth as a ground spacer is appreciable.
6. Jaylon Tyson 6-7 220 SG/SF California Jr.
A well-traveled wing with good dimension on the perimeter at 6’7 210, Tyson had breakout season at Cal enjoying one thing of a point-forward kind function for the workforce as a Jr. Exhibits good creativity as a ball-handler with a superb really feel for getting leverage on the protection that make him difficult to defend, particularly when he has the assistance of a display screen. He has additionally proven stable capturing skill whether or not off the bounce or along with his toes set for good measure. He isn’t particularly fast or athletic, so he’ll pound the ball seeking to create and could be a bit reliant on screens to get area offensively. Additionally had a excessive turnover fee and a close to even A:TO, which makes it questionable whether or not his utilization will translate as properly to the NBA stage. Nonetheless, he provides worth as a secondary creator on the wing equally to a Terence Mann.
7. Cam Christie 6-6 190 SG Minnesota Fr.
Groups who worth the 6’6 Christie will have a look at his candy capturing from the perimeter and really feel for passing as his finest strengths on the wing. He can drain jumpers in a large number of how and has sufficient dimension to make them even when contested correctly. The principle steps of growth for Christie, equally to his brother Max of the LA Lakers, might be so as to add extra power and toughness to his recreation to be higher ready for the soar from school to the NBA after a decently profitable Fr. season of school. He’s a bit mild within the britches in the mean time and it confirmed offensively, the place he statistically ranks among the many worst finishers on the basket on this draft, and defensively the place he struggled coping with bodily play and getting by means of screens. He will even want to point out that he could be a contributor when his shot isn’t falling on the subsequent stage. He’s nonetheless growing, as he gained’t flip 20 years outdated till after his rookie season, and any workforce selecting him ought to perceive that he’s a venture for additional down the road.
8. Antonio Reeves 6-6 185 SG Kentucky Sr.
An All-American Fifth-year Sr. marketing campaign that noticed him put up 20 PPG whereas flirting with a 50-40-90 statline (was simply quick by 4% on FTs) has re-established the 6’5 Reeves as a possible choice. A real SG all the best way who excels off the ball, Reeves’ soar shot is his bread and butter offensively. Confirmed flashes of pull-ups and floaters when he was ran off the road this previous season too, which is encouraging. He’s bought some quickness however isn’t something particular athletically and is extra of a quantity shooter than a shot creator. Additionally at 24 he’s older with restricted upside, whereas additionally having a thin 190 lb body that ought to extra developed than it’s at this stage in his profession. Nonetheless, along with his Kentucky pedigree, the refined enhancements he made to his recreation during the last 12 months and his over 2300 factors scored total in his profession he might be sure to garner curiosity as a 2nd spherical flyer decide.
9. Baylor Scheierman 6-7 200 SG Creighton Sr.
Talking of Sr. prospects who re-established themselves on the draft radar after an All-American last season, we’ve Baylor Scheierman. After lukewarm buzz following his 1st 12 months at Creighton after a prolific 3 years at South Dakota State, he returned and highlighted his abilities much more whereas additionally placing another instruments on the forefront for scouts and groups. Identified for his capturing prowess and unorthodox recreation, can also be arguably the perfect passer amongst this group of wings. May be efficient with out dominating the ball, and is a extremely cerebral participant that performs underneath management. He lacks athleticism and quickness and it limits his defensive potential, the place he’ll seemingly battle to defend his positions on the professional stage. It additionally impacts his skill to stress the rim, notably in opposition to set defenses, as he often was pressured to stay to capturing jumpers even on the school stage. Nonetheless, Scheierman ability stage is so excessive that he may see himself outplay his draft slot, and his superior age, whereas it could restrict his upside, additionally makes him a candidate to have the ability to consider on a workforce sooner relatively than later relying on the scenario of the workforce he’s chosen to.
10. Dillon Jones 6-6 235 SG/SF Weber St. Jr.
A small-school product with as distinctive a bodily profile and recreation as you’ll discover amongst this group, Dillon Jones was extremely productive and all-everything participant at Weber State who impressed along with his performances throughout scrimmages through the NBA Mix. At round 6’6 235 with a close to 7’ wingspan in addition, Jones mixes perimeter and frontcourt abilities that make him an intriguing matchup ploy for the following stage. Guys bounce off of him when he’s on the best way to the rim and his passing and handles are very nice for his dimension; was a serious headache for defenses within the Huge Sky convention. he was a double digit rebound participant in school and his physicality and nostril for the ball additionally stand out when watching him play. He’ll get steals and might make hit-ahead passes or name his personal quantity for transition factors. You inevitably love his really feel for the sport and timing. He wasn’t a horrible shooter in school, particularly on the foul line, however can’t be described as a knockdown man both. Additionally might want to monitor his weight as he’s already not notably explosive or fleet of foot as is; in all probability can be higher served with a enjoying weight nearer to 225 lb. than 240. Has apparent stage of competitors issues, although he held his personal in opposition to different prospects this draft course of. Nearly sure to be a fan favourite if he makes a workforce.
