As the NBA Finals are now a wrap, the NBA Draft is quickly approaching. Here is my first official top 50 NBA Draft big board.
50.) SF Caleb Houstan (Michigan)
49.) SF Josh Minott (Memphis)
48.) C Jaylin Williams (Arkansas)
47.) PF Peyton Watson (UCLA)
46.) C Trevion Williams (Purdue)
45.) PG JD Davidson (Alabama)
44.) PF Patrick Baldwin Jr (Milwaukee-Wisconsin)
43.) C Christian Koloko (Arizona)
42.) PF Michael Foster Jr (G League Ignite)
41.) SG Ryan Rollins (Toledo)
Patrick Baldwin is the name I’m going to get pushback for here, but if he’s not shooting the ball well (which he didn’t in college), what does he provide for you? A name to watch that could be a sleeper is Michael Foster as he understands how to play. He’s a small-ball big, but his intelligence and instincts make it hard to bet against him.
40.) PG Andrew Nembhard (Gonzaga)
39.) PG Hugo Besson (New Zealand Breakers)
38.) SG Blake Wesley (Notre Dame)
37.) C Ismael Kamagate (Paris Basketball)
36.) PF Ron Harper Jr (Rutgers)
35.) SF John Butler (Florida State)
34.) SG Max Christie (Michigan State)
33.) SG Wendell Moore (Duke)
32.) C Walker Kessler (Auburn)
31.) SG Trevor Keels (Duke)
There’s a large gap between centers as Walker Kessler is my fourth-rated center. He is an excellent shot-blocker, but his chances of being a starter in the NBA aren’t great. John Butler and Max Christie are two guys to keep an eye on. Christie has impressed many with his intangibles, while Butler is 7’1”, can shoot, and moves like a wing.
30.) SG Gabriel Procida (Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna)
29.) SF Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand)
28.) SF Dalen Terry (Arizona)
27.) PG Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee)
26.) SF Christian Braun (Kansas)
25.) PF Kendall Brown (Baylor)
24.) SG Bryce McGowens (Nebraska)
23.) PF E.J. Liddell (Ohio State)
22.) SF Nikola Jovic (KK Mega Soccerbet)
21.) SF Ochai Agbaji (Kansas)
There are a lot of solid players with limited upside in this range as Ochai, Liddell, and Braun will all be serviceable in the league. Then I got a few international players here including Ousmane Dieng who many have higher, but I have serious concerns about his scoring. If he can’t shoot the ball, it will be difficult for him to see minutes, which is why I have him this far down.
20.) PG TyTy Washington Jr (Kentucky)
19.) SF Marjon Beauchamp (G League Ignite)
18.) PF Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest)
17.) PG Jaden Hardy (G League Ignite)
16.) PF Tari Eason (LSU)
15.) C Mark Williams (Duke)
14.) SG Jalen Williams (Santa Clara)
13.) SG Malaki Branham (Ohio State)
12.) SF A.J. Griffin (Duke)
11.) PF Jeremy Sochan (Baylor)
There are a few guys who I am respectively higher on here than the consensus. Jake LaRavia is one of them. In my latest article, I highlight why he’ll be a valuable role player for a team. Jaden Hardy is another name that might surprise some, but he’s the best shooter in the class. Jalen Williams is really interesting. He impressed many at the combine, which made scouts look back at the tape. Having a 7’2” wingspan, underrated passing, and 39.6 percent from three this season makes him incredibly appealing.
10.) SG Johnny Davis (Wisconsin)
9.) C Jalen Duren (Memphis)
8.) PG Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite)
7.) SF Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona)
6.) SG Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky)
Sharpe is obviously the wildcard of this entire draft but his potential makes him too valuable to put behind these other players for me. I expect the rest of these players to fit into roles very well. In particular, Daniels and Mathurin are more likely to reach their potential based on the growth I’ve seen from both of them.
5.) PF Keegan Murray (Iowa)
4.) SG Jaden Ivey (Purdue)
3.) PF Paolo Banchero (Duke)
2.) C Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga)
1.) PF Jabari Smith Jr (Auburn)
I’ve been consistent about the top five for a while, and don’t plan on changing now. Jabari Smith has a remarkable work ethic to go along with strong shooting, size, and defense which is a rare combination to see. Then, not too far behind, are Chet and Paolo. After that, Jaden Ivey is in a tier of his own for me. He has had some real star moments, but I think consistency, size, and IQ will all be potential issues. To round it out, Keegan Murray is as solid as they come. He will be a starter in this league for a long time.
Thank You for Reading
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