NBA
2019 NBA Draft Rankings
Ranking the top prospects in the NBA Draft
NBA.com
By now, everyone has heard about Zion and what he can do on the basketball court. The dunks are great, but what really makes him an attractive prospect is his willingness to learn, and ability to showcase a balanced game. With the right coaching and some better luck in the injury department, he can become one of the greatest to ever pick up a basketball.
After a highlight filled year at Murray State, Morant is bringing his talents to the NBA. His combination of quickness and freakish athleticism should make him a top-3 pick. If he is able to put on muscle while maintaining these traits, Morant has the ceiling to become the best point guard in the league. A “Point God” one might say.
RJ Barrett has been primed to be a top pick in the 2019 draft for the last few years. His combination of natural talent and will to win make him a prospect most teams would love to have on their team. His potential is sky-high and with enough improvement on his efficiency/consistency, he can become an elite player capable of leading a Championship-caliber team.
Culver burst on to the scene this season by leading Texas Tech to the brink of a national championship. NBA teams admire his team-first style of play and the leadership he displayed throughout the year. His well-rounded game should translate to today’s NBA, and his potential to grow the outside shot is high as well.
White’s season at UNC erased any doubt that he would be able to produce against elite competition. It is clear that he is a natural scorer with the ability to create for his teammates. Questions about his size could drop his draft stock, but Coby dazzled enough in his college debut to become a top-10 draft pick.
While Reddish was overshadowed during his time at Duke, he still has huge upside at only 19 years old. His perimeter shooting is his strongest trait making him a perfect fit for a run and gun offense. His production does not match that of a lottery pick, but he is clearly willing to fill whatever role is needed.
Coming out of high school Garland was the undisputed #1 point guard in the country. His knee injury and the emergence of other point guards shrunk his stock a little, but he still has huge potential and NBA skills that will only grow stronger. Additionally, his NBA pedigree helps ease the risk that teams are taking by picking Garland.
Porter Jr.’s talent has never been the question when evaluating him as a prospect. He can create his own shot better than anyone in the draft and has offensive skills NBA scouts dream about. His off-court issues and general attitude about the game would be the reason he falls in the draft. If he is able to put his heart and soul into having the best career possible, he’ll shine as a NBA player.
Bitazde has emerged as the most NBA-ready international player of this draft. His game is surprisingly polished and he seems to know his strengths and weaknesses well enough to make the correct decisions within the game. As with every overseas player the main question is the competition Goga has faced and if it has prepared him enough for the league.
After only 1 year playing for Shaka Smart, Hayes should hear his name called during the lottery on draft night. He has the size and skill set of a current day big man and is quick enough to keep up with the pace of play. His knowledge of the game has plenty of room to grow and his fundamentals need work, but he is the type of project most coaches would be happy to have.
Coming fresh off a National Championship there is a lot of buzz surrounding Hunter approaching the draft. Hunter has the body to become an elite defender and a solid offensive game already. The biggest question about him is will he be able to play in a modern NBA system which are much different than Tony Bennett’s strategies at Virginia.
Clarke was left off everybody’s draft board before the season, but was able to flip the script with an all-around dominant junior season at Gonzaga. His athleticism will be his calling card in the league, and his offensive game holds potential for growth. Being 22 already is a negative because he will need to develop quickly in order to stick around.
Bol Bol has all the skills necessary to become an elite player in the league if he puts it all together, giving him one of the highest ceilings in the draft. The two major questions will be his effort and the ability to stay healthy. The effort should be an easy fix when surrounded by professionals, but staying healthy through 82 games will be a major red flag for teams and could cause him to fall on draft night.
After a stellar career at Washington, Thybulle is ready to bring his defensive prowess to the NBA. Thybulle embodies the “grinder” mentality that many franchises strive to emulate. His offensive game has some catching up to do but his natural defensive abilities combined with his high basketball IQ and maturity should make him an instant contributor
Little’s stock definitely declined throughout this past year. However, he still has the build and potential to be a starter throughout his NBA career. He should improve as he continues to polish aspects on both sides of the ball and understands how to get the most out of his freakish athleticism.
