1. Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher: SF, 6'8", 204 Lb's, 6'10.75" Wingspan, 19 yr's old, France
22.0 mpg - 10.1 ppg - 43.9% fgp - 35.2% 3pp - 74.0% ftp - 3.8 rpg - 0.9 apg - 0.9 stl's, 3.4 3pa
Risacher is a good athlete and fits the mold of the modern NBA wing. He needs to get stronger and tighten up his handles a bit, but I'm fairly confident he'll be a solid NBA player, maybe more.He pulls down almost 4 boards a game which isn't bad for 22 minutes. He'd win in a rebounding contest with Barnes. He's a good shooter, if a bit inconsistent at times, but can score from anywhere on the floor. I think in time, with some hard work, he can be a legit number 3 and perhaps, a number 2 scorer on a good team. He was surprisingly better on defense than I expected. Don't get me wrong, he's not a lock down defender, but I don't think he'll be a liability either once he gets some experience with the defensive scheme's of the NBA.
2. Wizards: Alexandre Sarr: Center, 7'1", 224 Lb's, 7'4.25" Wingspan, 18 yr's old, NBL
17.2 mpg - 9.7 ppg - 52.0% fgp - 29.8% 3pp - 60.5% ftp - 4.4 rpg - 0.9 apg - 0.5 stl's - 1.3 blk's - 2.0 3pa
From a physical point of view, there's not a lot of difference between Sarr and Kel'el Ware. Both with similar height, weight, and wingspan. Both very good athletes, and both looked at as potential floor spacing 5's. The difference is one of them has a lot of dog in him and the other doesn't. So the effort is there with Sarr, whose biggest contribution will be defensively. He has a way to go to be a floor spacer. Maybe in time! Offensively, most of his scoring will be around the basket, although he does have a midrange jumpshot. He also has surprisingly good handles for a player that young and that size! He's a good on ball defender. Ironically, I think he's a better on ball defender on the perimiter than in the post, when defending a post up. In time, I think he can be a solid, if not great defensive player. He's already a good P&R defender.
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard: PG/SG, 6'3", 187 Lb's, 6'3.25" Wingspan, 7'10" Standing Reach, Freshman, Kentucky
28.9 mpg - 12.5 ppg - 53.6% fgp - 52.1% 3pp - 83.1% ftp - 4.1 rpg - 4.5 apg - 2.5 stl's - 0.7 blk's - 4.4 3pa
Sheppard could be the best player out of this draft 3 years from now. He's the best shooter in this draft and his shot appears effortless. He showed the ability to take over a game like he did against Tennessee, hitting three after three. A game in which he out dueled Dalton Knecht. Sheppard is a good defender who unbelievely blocked multiple shots on the perimeter, thanks to his 42 inch vertical. He reads passing lanes averaging 2.5 steals a game. I think Sheppard is one of the safest picks in this draft. His feel for the game is outstanding. He's a terrific passer, and has good handles. And yes, for those doubters, he can play above the rim. He'd be a great addition to the Rockets. Would look good in a Kings uni as well!
4. Spurs: Cody Williams: SF, 6'8", 178 Lb's, 7'1" Wingspan, Freshman, Colorado
28.4 mpg - 11.9 ppg - 55.2% fgp - 41.5% 3pp - 71.4% ftp - 3.0 rpg - 1.6 apg - 0.6 stl's - 0.7 blk's - 1.7 3pa
I like Williams a lot. He's one of those players that if I were to guess, could be a star in the future. He had a disapointing season. Williams was recovering from an injury for most of the 2nd half of the season and simpy wasn't the same player that started the season.He's a very good shooter and is a 3 level scorer. He's an above average athlete and a good defender who has the quickness and length to guard one through four. His brother is already a borderline star in the NBA, so I'm willing to bet on the genetics here. I think when totally healthy, he'll put up better rebounding numbers. He has to get stronger and tighten up his handle, but I think he has a fairly high floor, and a very high ceiling. The spurs need some offense, and Williams should be able to supply it.
5. Pistons: Dalton Knecht: SF/SG, 6'6.5", 212 Lb's, 6'9" Wingspan, Senior, Tennessee
29.5 mpg - 20.0 ppg - 47.6% fgp - 40.0% 3pp - 75.5% ftp - 4.9 rpg - 2.0 apg - 0.7 stl's - 0.8 blk's - 5.4 3pa
I think Dalton is one of the top players in this draft. He's definitely one of the best offensive players. He's grear coming off screens and DHO's. He has a solid midrange game that includes floaters and pullup jumpers. He never stops moving. If your guarding him off the ball, don't turn your head. He's a good finisher and has very good handles. He has a great motor and a lot of dog in him. He's a physical player who doesn't avoid contact when attacking the basket. He has good court vision, and although his assist numbers don't leap off the page, in truth, he had no one to pass the ball to that could make a shot. He's a surprisingly good athlete who turned in a 39 inch vertical at the combine and did extremely well in the agility drills. The only question mark with Dalton is whether he can be a good defender in the NBA. He wasn't a liability in college, so we'll see.
6.Hornets: Stephen Castle: SF/SG, 6'6.5", 210 Lb's, 6'9" Wingspan, Freshman, UConn
27 mpg - 11.1 ppg - 47.2% fgp - 26.7% 3pp - 75.5% ftp - 4.7 rpg - 2.9 apg - 0.8 stl's - 0.5 blk's - 2.2 3pa
I'm not as high on Castle as most are. Castle shot a pitiful 26% from three this past season. His one redeeming factor is that he's a decent freethrow shooter, and his shot doesn't look broken. But, it didn't go in. I'm not one of those people that believes that everyone can learn to shoot the ball. In Castles case, he does everything else so well that he'll find a way to score 10 to 12 points a game.Castle is a very good defender who can probably guard one through four. He's solidly built and a good athlete. He's a good passer and rebounds the ball well. He got overshadowed a bit at UConn and wasn't really needed to do a lot offensively. So he did all the dirty work that helps you win. everyone needs a player like that.
7. Trailblazers: Tidjane Salaun: PF, 6'9", 205 Lb's, 7'1" Wingspan, Age NA, Cholet
21.7 mpg - 9.4 ppg - 41.7% fgp - 33.3% 3pp - 79.4% ftp - 3.5 rpg - 0.7 apg - 1.1 stl's -
Salaum is one of the more interesting prospects in the draft. He's a freakish athlete that at times plays like a bull in a china shop. He takes ill advised shots, and drives the ball into a crowd. His handles get way too loose at times and he loses control. But despite that, you find yourself falling in love with this kid who seems to have no fear.. He seems to say, just wait, the best is yet to come. Salaum is long and rangey with the tools to be a very good defender. He has a great motor and a lot of dog in him. which I love. He's an unselfish player and a willing passer. I think his 3 pt shot will improve with letting everything slow down
8. Spurs: Nikola Topic: PG, 6'6", 201 Lb's, 18 years old, Mega Mis
33.8 mpg - 18.4 ppg - 52.3% fgp - 25.9% 3pp - 85.5% ftp - 3.6 rpg - 7.1 apg - 1.0 stl's - 4.5 3pa
Topic seems to be the consensus pick for the Spurs. Topic is a pure PG with great court vision and feel for the game. He has the ability to get anywhere he wants on the floor. He's not an elite athlete, but has hesitation moves, head fakes, pump fakes, and misdirection movement. So while he's not an explosive athlete, it doesn't matter, he goes where he wants! He's a very poor 3 pt shooter, which means in the NBA, he's the player on the floor they'll be leaving open. His form looks good, and he's a good free throw shooter, for what that's worth! He is a very good finisher but seldom dunks the ball. He has great size for the position. He's not a great athlete, but he's a good defender with good instincts. If he can develop a jumpshot, he could be special. He did suffer a couple of injuries this season. None serious, but noteworthy!
9. Grizzly's: Donovan Clingan: Center, 7'3", 282 Lb's, 7'6.75" Wingspan, 9'7" Standing Reach, Soph, UConn
22.5 mpg - 13.0 ppg - 63.9% fgp - 25.0% 3pp - 59.3% ftp - 7.4 rpg - 1.5 apg - 0.5 stl's - 2.5 blk's - 0.2 3pa
Considering that the Grizz need a center, this was an obvioius choice. I think he can easily fill the role that Valanciunas played last season, so he's a perfect fit. There's not much to say about Clingan that hasn't already been said. He's tall and has an enormous standing reach. I think he's underrated around the basket offensively. He has very good touch and is almost automatic if you get him the ball within 5 feet of the rim. He has a decent midrange shot which should get better.I think the idea of him being a stretch 5 is a bit exaggerated. He took one about every 4 games and shot 25%. He runs the floor fairly well. While he didn't fare well in the agility drills at the combine, he shows instinctive quickness defending the basket. The looming question is, how will he defend in isolation against a guard on the perimeter.
10. Jazz: Ron Holland: SF, 6'7.5", 196 Lb's, 6'10.5" Wingspan, 18 years old, G-League Ignite
30.3 mpg - 17.5 ppg - 47.4% fgp - 23.9% 3pp - 68.2% ftp - 6.7 rpg - 2.8 apg - 2.1 stl's - 1.1 blk's - 3.1 3pa
If Holland could shoot the three, he'd be a top five pick. He's not a particularly good freethrow shooter either. What he is, is a freak athlete! His outside shot is one of his major flaws, shooting only 24% from three. He loves to attack the basket, but unfortunately, doesn't have the handles. He gets very loose with the ball and compounds it by driving into traffic. He's a willing passer who has shown some flashes of creating for his teammates. He's also a very good rebounder for his position. Defensively is where he stands out. I think he has a chance to be a lock down defender. He has quick hands resulting in deflections and steals. Question is, are you willing to bet on his outside shot coming around? He's a high energy player with a great motor. Those kind of players always find a way to impact a game.
11. Bulls: Rob Dillingham: PG, 6'2.5", 164 Lb's, 6'3" Wingspan, Freshman, Kentucky
23.3 mpg - 15.2 ppg - 47.5% fgp - 44.4% 3pp - 79.6% ftp - 2.9 rpg - 3.9 apg - 1.0 stl's - 4.5 3pa
Dillingham is one of the more exciting players in this draft. He's instant offense. Many argue that he's not a true PG. Oddly enough they say the same thing about his running mate, Reed Sheppard. Dillingham excells at running the pick and roll. While Sheppard shot over 50% from three (ridiculous) Rod wasn't exactly chump change. He managed to shoot 44%. The two of them together were lethal. I can see Dillingham in a Malik Monk type of roll, coming off the bench and being a spark plug. He has to get stronger, and defensively he may struggle against some of the taller stronger guards in the league. But what he brings to the floor should more than make up for any defensive deficiences.
12. Thunder: Matas Buzelis: SF/PF, 6'10", 197 Lb's, 6'10" Wingspan, 19 years old, G-League Ignite
30.6 mpg - 14.3 ppg - 44,8% fgp - 27.3% 3pp - 67.9% ftp - 6.9 rpg - 2.0 apg - 0.8 stl's - 2.1 blk's - 3.4 3pa
Matas is a good athlete, but a terrible shooter. I kept waiting for something to leap out at me. That wow moment I'm always looking for. Anything! But it didn't happen. Now I didn't see every game, but in the games I did see, I wasn't impressed. He does have good handles, and he showed defensive potential as well. And I'll say this, his shot looks good. It simply doesn't go in. I'd feel better if he was an 80% freethrow shooter, but he's not. He's a young player with upside. And maybe I'm missing something. He has good height and he plays an unselfish game of basketball. He's a good passer and a good finisher at the basket, and judging from the 2.1 blks a game, he should be able to buy some minutes on defense.
13. Kings: Tristan Da Silva: PF/SF, 6'9.5", 216 Lb's, 6'10.25" Wingspan, Senior, Colorado
33.9 mpg - 16.0 ppg - 49.3% fgp - 39.5% 3pp - 83.5% ftp - 5.1 rpg - 2.4 apg - 1.1 stl's - 0.6 blk's - 4.8 3pa
I really struggled with this one. It came down to Da Silva or Carter. To be honest, I would be happy with either of them. Carter is so much fun to watch as he reeks havoc on the other teams offense. But with long wings hard to come by, and with Da Silva being one of those, I simply couldn't pass on him. In many ways Tristan reminds me a bit of Murray. Good at everything, but not great at any one thing. He's a good shooter with an effortless looking shot with range well beyond the NBA three point line. He's a good but not great rebounder. He has a great feel for the game. Always in the right place making the right pass. He's a solid defender and a good passer. He has good handles, and he's a good finisher who can finish with either hand. He's not flashy, just consistent!
14. Trailblazers: Yves Missi: Center, 6'11", 229 Lb's, 7'2" Wingspan, Freshman, Baylor
22.9 mpg - 10.7 ppg - 61.4% fgp - 00.0% 3pp - 61.6% ftp - 5.6 rpg - 0.4 apg - 0.6 stl's - 1.5 blk's - 0.0 3pa
Missi is very raw, but still impacts the floor with his athleticism and energy. He's like a coiled spring. With great hops and end to end speed. He's not your stretch five, but he can protect the basket and he's shown the ability to defend in space. Like a lot of young players, he needs to get stronger and work to improve all aspects of his game. He's much closer to helping defensively than offensively. He has little to no game away from the basket. His post game is a work in progress. He needs to work on his footwork. He's an explosive leaper with springs for legs! In short, he's a young player with a lot of ability that's ready to be developed.
15. Heat: Devin Carter: PG/SG, 6'3", 193 Lb's, 6'8" Wingspan, Junior, Providence
35.3 mpg - 19.7 ppg - 47.3% fgp - 37.7% 3pp - 74.9% ftp - 8.7 rpg - 3.6 apg - 1.8 stl's - 1.0 blk's - 6.8 3pa
Devin is the son of NBA player Anthony Carter. He's probably my favorite player in this draft. If you watched just one game by Providence and didn't know any of the players, it wouldn't take you long to be asking, who the hell is this player? He playes much bigger than his 6'3" in shoes. He doesn't have the dog in him, he is the dog!!! He averaged one block a game as a guard and pulled down a ridiculous 8.7 boards. He's also one of the best defenders pound for pound in College. He's a very good offensive player who hit countless clutch shots at the end of games. He can change the momentum of a game on both ends of the floor.
22.0 mpg - 10.1 ppg - 43.9% fgp - 35.2% 3pp - 74.0% ftp - 3.8 rpg - 0.9 apg - 0.9 stl's, 3.4 3pa
Risacher is a good athlete and fits the mold of the modern NBA wing. He needs to get stronger and tighten up his handles a bit, but I'm fairly confident he'll be a solid NBA player, maybe more.He pulls down almost 4 boards a game which isn't bad for 22 minutes. He'd win in a rebounding contest with Barnes. He's a good shooter, if a bit inconsistent at times, but can score from anywhere on the floor. I think in time, with some hard work, he can be a legit number 3 and perhaps, a number 2 scorer on a good team. He was surprisingly better on defense than I expected. Don't get me wrong, he's not a lock down defender, but I don't think he'll be a liability either once he gets some experience with the defensive scheme's of the NBA.
2. Wizards: Alexandre Sarr: Center, 7'1", 224 Lb's, 7'4.25" Wingspan, 18 yr's old, NBL
17.2 mpg - 9.7 ppg - 52.0% fgp - 29.8% 3pp - 60.5% ftp - 4.4 rpg - 0.9 apg - 0.5 stl's - 1.3 blk's - 2.0 3pa
From a physical point of view, there's not a lot of difference between Sarr and Kel'el Ware. Both with similar height, weight, and wingspan. Both very good athletes, and both looked at as potential floor spacing 5's. The difference is one of them has a lot of dog in him and the other doesn't. So the effort is there with Sarr, whose biggest contribution will be defensively. He has a way to go to be a floor spacer. Maybe in time! Offensively, most of his scoring will be around the basket, although he does have a midrange jumpshot. He also has surprisingly good handles for a player that young and that size! He's a good on ball defender. Ironically, I think he's a better on ball defender on the perimiter than in the post, when defending a post up. In time, I think he can be a solid, if not great defensive player. He's already a good P&R defender.
3. Rockets: Reed Sheppard: PG/SG, 6'3", 187 Lb's, 6'3.25" Wingspan, 7'10" Standing Reach, Freshman, Kentucky
28.9 mpg - 12.5 ppg - 53.6% fgp - 52.1% 3pp - 83.1% ftp - 4.1 rpg - 4.5 apg - 2.5 stl's - 0.7 blk's - 4.4 3pa
Sheppard could be the best player out of this draft 3 years from now. He's the best shooter in this draft and his shot appears effortless. He showed the ability to take over a game like he did against Tennessee, hitting three after three. A game in which he out dueled Dalton Knecht. Sheppard is a good defender who unbelievely blocked multiple shots on the perimeter, thanks to his 42 inch vertical. He reads passing lanes averaging 2.5 steals a game. I think Sheppard is one of the safest picks in this draft. His feel for the game is outstanding. He's a terrific passer, and has good handles. And yes, for those doubters, he can play above the rim. He'd be a great addition to the Rockets. Would look good in a Kings uni as well!
4. Spurs: Cody Williams: SF, 6'8", 178 Lb's, 7'1" Wingspan, Freshman, Colorado
28.4 mpg - 11.9 ppg - 55.2% fgp - 41.5% 3pp - 71.4% ftp - 3.0 rpg - 1.6 apg - 0.6 stl's - 0.7 blk's - 1.7 3pa
I like Williams a lot. He's one of those players that if I were to guess, could be a star in the future. He had a disapointing season. Williams was recovering from an injury for most of the 2nd half of the season and simpy wasn't the same player that started the season.He's a very good shooter and is a 3 level scorer. He's an above average athlete and a good defender who has the quickness and length to guard one through four. His brother is already a borderline star in the NBA, so I'm willing to bet on the genetics here. I think when totally healthy, he'll put up better rebounding numbers. He has to get stronger and tighten up his handle, but I think he has a fairly high floor, and a very high ceiling. The spurs need some offense, and Williams should be able to supply it.
5. Pistons: Dalton Knecht: SF/SG, 6'6.5", 212 Lb's, 6'9" Wingspan, Senior, Tennessee
29.5 mpg - 20.0 ppg - 47.6% fgp - 40.0% 3pp - 75.5% ftp - 4.9 rpg - 2.0 apg - 0.7 stl's - 0.8 blk's - 5.4 3pa
I think Dalton is one of the top players in this draft. He's definitely one of the best offensive players. He's grear coming off screens and DHO's. He has a solid midrange game that includes floaters and pullup jumpers. He never stops moving. If your guarding him off the ball, don't turn your head. He's a good finisher and has very good handles. He has a great motor and a lot of dog in him. He's a physical player who doesn't avoid contact when attacking the basket. He has good court vision, and although his assist numbers don't leap off the page, in truth, he had no one to pass the ball to that could make a shot. He's a surprisingly good athlete who turned in a 39 inch vertical at the combine and did extremely well in the agility drills. The only question mark with Dalton is whether he can be a good defender in the NBA. He wasn't a liability in college, so we'll see.
6.Hornets: Stephen Castle: SF/SG, 6'6.5", 210 Lb's, 6'9" Wingspan, Freshman, UConn
27 mpg - 11.1 ppg - 47.2% fgp - 26.7% 3pp - 75.5% ftp - 4.7 rpg - 2.9 apg - 0.8 stl's - 0.5 blk's - 2.2 3pa
I'm not as high on Castle as most are. Castle shot a pitiful 26% from three this past season. His one redeeming factor is that he's a decent freethrow shooter, and his shot doesn't look broken. But, it didn't go in. I'm not one of those people that believes that everyone can learn to shoot the ball. In Castles case, he does everything else so well that he'll find a way to score 10 to 12 points a game.Castle is a very good defender who can probably guard one through four. He's solidly built and a good athlete. He's a good passer and rebounds the ball well. He got overshadowed a bit at UConn and wasn't really needed to do a lot offensively. So he did all the dirty work that helps you win. everyone needs a player like that.
7. Trailblazers: Tidjane Salaun: PF, 6'9", 205 Lb's, 7'1" Wingspan, Age NA, Cholet
21.7 mpg - 9.4 ppg - 41.7% fgp - 33.3% 3pp - 79.4% ftp - 3.5 rpg - 0.7 apg - 1.1 stl's -
Salaum is one of the more interesting prospects in the draft. He's a freakish athlete that at times plays like a bull in a china shop. He takes ill advised shots, and drives the ball into a crowd. His handles get way too loose at times and he loses control. But despite that, you find yourself falling in love with this kid who seems to have no fear.. He seems to say, just wait, the best is yet to come. Salaum is long and rangey with the tools to be a very good defender. He has a great motor and a lot of dog in him. which I love. He's an unselfish player and a willing passer. I think his 3 pt shot will improve with letting everything slow down
8. Spurs: Nikola Topic: PG, 6'6", 201 Lb's, 18 years old, Mega Mis
33.8 mpg - 18.4 ppg - 52.3% fgp - 25.9% 3pp - 85.5% ftp - 3.6 rpg - 7.1 apg - 1.0 stl's - 4.5 3pa
Topic seems to be the consensus pick for the Spurs. Topic is a pure PG with great court vision and feel for the game. He has the ability to get anywhere he wants on the floor. He's not an elite athlete, but has hesitation moves, head fakes, pump fakes, and misdirection movement. So while he's not an explosive athlete, it doesn't matter, he goes where he wants! He's a very poor 3 pt shooter, which means in the NBA, he's the player on the floor they'll be leaving open. His form looks good, and he's a good free throw shooter, for what that's worth! He is a very good finisher but seldom dunks the ball. He has great size for the position. He's not a great athlete, but he's a good defender with good instincts. If he can develop a jumpshot, he could be special. He did suffer a couple of injuries this season. None serious, but noteworthy!
9. Grizzly's: Donovan Clingan: Center, 7'3", 282 Lb's, 7'6.75" Wingspan, 9'7" Standing Reach, Soph, UConn
22.5 mpg - 13.0 ppg - 63.9% fgp - 25.0% 3pp - 59.3% ftp - 7.4 rpg - 1.5 apg - 0.5 stl's - 2.5 blk's - 0.2 3pa
Considering that the Grizz need a center, this was an obvioius choice. I think he can easily fill the role that Valanciunas played last season, so he's a perfect fit. There's not much to say about Clingan that hasn't already been said. He's tall and has an enormous standing reach. I think he's underrated around the basket offensively. He has very good touch and is almost automatic if you get him the ball within 5 feet of the rim. He has a decent midrange shot which should get better.I think the idea of him being a stretch 5 is a bit exaggerated. He took one about every 4 games and shot 25%. He runs the floor fairly well. While he didn't fare well in the agility drills at the combine, he shows instinctive quickness defending the basket. The looming question is, how will he defend in isolation against a guard on the perimeter.
10. Jazz: Ron Holland: SF, 6'7.5", 196 Lb's, 6'10.5" Wingspan, 18 years old, G-League Ignite
30.3 mpg - 17.5 ppg - 47.4% fgp - 23.9% 3pp - 68.2% ftp - 6.7 rpg - 2.8 apg - 2.1 stl's - 1.1 blk's - 3.1 3pa
If Holland could shoot the three, he'd be a top five pick. He's not a particularly good freethrow shooter either. What he is, is a freak athlete! His outside shot is one of his major flaws, shooting only 24% from three. He loves to attack the basket, but unfortunately, doesn't have the handles. He gets very loose with the ball and compounds it by driving into traffic. He's a willing passer who has shown some flashes of creating for his teammates. He's also a very good rebounder for his position. Defensively is where he stands out. I think he has a chance to be a lock down defender. He has quick hands resulting in deflections and steals. Question is, are you willing to bet on his outside shot coming around? He's a high energy player with a great motor. Those kind of players always find a way to impact a game.
11. Bulls: Rob Dillingham: PG, 6'2.5", 164 Lb's, 6'3" Wingspan, Freshman, Kentucky
23.3 mpg - 15.2 ppg - 47.5% fgp - 44.4% 3pp - 79.6% ftp - 2.9 rpg - 3.9 apg - 1.0 stl's - 4.5 3pa
Dillingham is one of the more exciting players in this draft. He's instant offense. Many argue that he's not a true PG. Oddly enough they say the same thing about his running mate, Reed Sheppard. Dillingham excells at running the pick and roll. While Sheppard shot over 50% from three (ridiculous) Rod wasn't exactly chump change. He managed to shoot 44%. The two of them together were lethal. I can see Dillingham in a Malik Monk type of roll, coming off the bench and being a spark plug. He has to get stronger, and defensively he may struggle against some of the taller stronger guards in the league. But what he brings to the floor should more than make up for any defensive deficiences.
12. Thunder: Matas Buzelis: SF/PF, 6'10", 197 Lb's, 6'10" Wingspan, 19 years old, G-League Ignite
30.6 mpg - 14.3 ppg - 44,8% fgp - 27.3% 3pp - 67.9% ftp - 6.9 rpg - 2.0 apg - 0.8 stl's - 2.1 blk's - 3.4 3pa
Matas is a good athlete, but a terrible shooter. I kept waiting for something to leap out at me. That wow moment I'm always looking for. Anything! But it didn't happen. Now I didn't see every game, but in the games I did see, I wasn't impressed. He does have good handles, and he showed defensive potential as well. And I'll say this, his shot looks good. It simply doesn't go in. I'd feel better if he was an 80% freethrow shooter, but he's not. He's a young player with upside. And maybe I'm missing something. He has good height and he plays an unselfish game of basketball. He's a good passer and a good finisher at the basket, and judging from the 2.1 blks a game, he should be able to buy some minutes on defense.
13. Kings: Tristan Da Silva: PF/SF, 6'9.5", 216 Lb's, 6'10.25" Wingspan, Senior, Colorado
33.9 mpg - 16.0 ppg - 49.3% fgp - 39.5% 3pp - 83.5% ftp - 5.1 rpg - 2.4 apg - 1.1 stl's - 0.6 blk's - 4.8 3pa
I really struggled with this one. It came down to Da Silva or Carter. To be honest, I would be happy with either of them. Carter is so much fun to watch as he reeks havoc on the other teams offense. But with long wings hard to come by, and with Da Silva being one of those, I simply couldn't pass on him. In many ways Tristan reminds me a bit of Murray. Good at everything, but not great at any one thing. He's a good shooter with an effortless looking shot with range well beyond the NBA three point line. He's a good but not great rebounder. He has a great feel for the game. Always in the right place making the right pass. He's a solid defender and a good passer. He has good handles, and he's a good finisher who can finish with either hand. He's not flashy, just consistent!
14. Trailblazers: Yves Missi: Center, 6'11", 229 Lb's, 7'2" Wingspan, Freshman, Baylor
22.9 mpg - 10.7 ppg - 61.4% fgp - 00.0% 3pp - 61.6% ftp - 5.6 rpg - 0.4 apg - 0.6 stl's - 1.5 blk's - 0.0 3pa
Missi is very raw, but still impacts the floor with his athleticism and energy. He's like a coiled spring. With great hops and end to end speed. He's not your stretch five, but he can protect the basket and he's shown the ability to defend in space. Like a lot of young players, he needs to get stronger and work to improve all aspects of his game. He's much closer to helping defensively than offensively. He has little to no game away from the basket. His post game is a work in progress. He needs to work on his footwork. He's an explosive leaper with springs for legs! In short, he's a young player with a lot of ability that's ready to be developed.
15. Heat: Devin Carter: PG/SG, 6'3", 193 Lb's, 6'8" Wingspan, Junior, Providence
35.3 mpg - 19.7 ppg - 47.3% fgp - 37.7% 3pp - 74.9% ftp - 8.7 rpg - 3.6 apg - 1.8 stl's - 1.0 blk's - 6.8 3pa
Devin is the son of NBA player Anthony Carter. He's probably my favorite player in this draft. If you watched just one game by Providence and didn't know any of the players, it wouldn't take you long to be asking, who the hell is this player? He playes much bigger than his 6'3" in shoes. He doesn't have the dog in him, he is the dog!!! He averaged one block a game as a guard and pulled down a ridiculous 8.7 boards. He's also one of the best defenders pound for pound in College. He's a very good offensive player who hit countless clutch shots at the end of games. He can change the momentum of a game on both ends of the floor.
