2020 NBA Draft: Dark Horse Prospects

With the 2020 NBA draft days away. The speculation on who is getting picked where is starting to be discussed. Everyone assumes that Lamelo Ball is potentially going number 1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Most people will also agree that Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman are both going top 5. What about the players that are likely to get drafted in the late first round and early second round? Nobody is giving those players the credit some of them deserve.

I will be breaking down the dark horse prospects that I feel could have just as good careers as the players that will eventually be taken in the top 5. Lets begin, shall we?

Markus Howard, Marquette

Markus Howard was a flat out star when it came college basketball. He put up stellar stats, and his style of play worked extremely well for college basketball. Howard averaged an impressive 27.8 points per game on 52.6 field goal percentage in his last season with Marquette. He averaged over 20 points per game in three consecutive as well as shooting better than 40% in his four seasons as Marquette.

Now, with all that being said it is safe to assume that when one sees those stats they think he is a clear first round pick. Well, that might not be the case. Howard is number 60 overall on ESPN draft boards, and the number 20 among all the point guards in the draft.

It is also safe to say that just cause you are good in college does not mean you will pan out in the NBA, just look at Jimmer Ferdette, Adam Morrison, Tyler Hansbrough, etc.

Issues with Howard for 2020 Draft

It is clear that Howard is not a pretty prospect even though he was stellar in college. With him only listed at 5’11, and not a true point guard that is the main issue for the 2020 NBA Draft. Along with him only averaged 3.3 assists last year, and then 3.9 the year prior. He does not stand out compared to the other guards in the draft. Due to his height and wingspan he is not a particularly a long player. He will potentially struggle when trying to get shots off against taller and more skilled players. Along with all that he is an older guy in the draft, Howard played all four years at Marquette. Even though he is only 21 years old that is still on the older side of the draft.

Howard is still an elite scorer and can get hot really quick once he gets into a rhythm. I believe he could be a player that teams should keep their eye on as the draft gets into the later picks. He is a high profile player that could create some attention to whichever team drafts him.

Isaiah Stewart, Washington

Isaiah Stewart was a highly touted recruit out of high school. Ranking as high as number 3 on ESPN player rankings. He made the surprising move by going to Washington out of high school. That decision could have altered his draft stock for the 2020 NBA Draft. Stewart is listed to get drafted in late first round according ESPN draft boards.

Stewart averaged 17.0 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, and 2.1 blocks per game through 32 games. He only spent 1 full season at Washington, and is 19 years old.

Stewart has been noted of being a rugged big man with an excellent motor. He has a natural feel for the game, and has a nice soft touch around the rim. He has great strength for being only 19 years old. Also worth noting Stewart is only listed at 6’9, but has a 7’4 wingspan! He has a nice mid range jump shot, but just needs to make it more a part of his arsenal. He is good free throw shooter with shooting 77% throughout his freshman year campaign.

Issues with Stewart for 2020 Draft

Stewart is listed as being a center, even though he is only 6’9. Even though he is great strength wise, he is not a superb athlete that will make up for his lack of height at the center position. His mobility is decent, but he struggles on jumping over top of players and playing above the rim. His movements are slow and that worries the General Managers of these NBA franchises. Stewart might also need to expand his game and be able to shoot the all. As it is obvious the normal type of center is dying in the modern age of basketball.

There is a lot of potential in Isaiah if he could become more mobile and be able to play above the rim. As well as develop a three point shot. That will make him a force due to his natural strength and big body. He could dominate games whenever he wanted to in seemed in college. Just look.

Immanuel Quickley, Kentucky

Immanuel Quickley set himself a apart during his sophomore year campaign. Quickley averaged just 5.2 points per game during his freshman year, while playing behind Tyler Herro. He then exploded and averaged 16.1 points per game during his sophomore year, along with 4.2 rebounds per game. He shot 42.8% from 3 point line and 41.6% from the field. The most impressive stat to me is that he shot an astounding 92.3% from the free throw line during his sophomore year.

Quickley is ranked as the 41st best available player, and 15th best available point guard according to ESPN.

Immanuel is a 6’3 point guard with a 6’9 wingspan who really started to come into his own during his sophomore season. He was voted SEC player of the year for the 2019-2020 season. Quickley made his money from the 3 point line and became highly respected around the country with his shooting. He attacked the lane particularly well and was able to beat his defenders off the dribble and draw contact once he was in the lane. Honestly, the best part of his game was arguably his defense. His defense did not get talked about enough as it should. Quickley often at times picked up the ball handlers full court and pressured them until they gave the ball up.

Issues with Quickley for 2020 Draft

Quickley clearly came into his own with scoring the ball this past season, but he is not a true point guard. With him being 6’3 he works best with an off the ball role and works best with his catch and shoot, than creating his own shot. He did not thrive on passing the ball either, with him averaging only 1.9 assists per game. That is not potential NBA point guard material. He also was not fast when he made his moves with that ball. Quickley could make it past the college defenders, but due to his lack of quickness with the ball scouts do not know how we will do in that category in the NBA. That is a major concern about Quickley.

Quickley is obviously a concern, but from me watching him first hand he is a an all around fighter and the hardest worker on recent Kentucky teams. He will work his tail off to get what he wants. That is why i am a big fan of Quickley. He improved in just one year under Kentucky’s system. I can’t even imagine how much he will improve under an NBA system.

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