Things at the top of the NBA draft Big Board is relatively stable compared to a month ago, but that may not last long. Questions about sustainability (and availability) of Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, combined with the emergence of BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and the exceptional play of Duke’s Cameron Boozer, have narrowed the gap for the No. 1 overall pick as we enter conference play.
While those top three are still a class among themselves, UNC forward Caleb Wilson’s consistency, athleticism, rebounding and versatile defensive tools are closing the gap. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s Nate Ament has had some bumps in the road lately in the Volunteers’ jumbo lineups, but he’s still the type of combo forward that tends to perform well in the league in the long run.
Who is the highest point guard?
There is also an interesting battle behind Peterson at the point guard position. Louisville’s Mikel Brown is the most skilled of the bunch, while Houston’s Kingston Flemings is the most explosive. Scouts are concerned about Brown’s durability and defense and still have questions about the durability of Fleming’s shooting. Arkansas’ Darius Acuff, meanwhile, isn’t the most explosive or skilled, but he might be the best college player.
The Flemish, who moved from number 15 to number 7 this month, are not the only top athlete to make a leap. A month ago, it almost seemed aggressive to have Baylor’s Cameron Carr on the brink of the first round. That was until I got the chance to see him live in Las Vegas during the Players Era and then it became clear that was way too low. With Carr’s combination of length, athleticism, shot making and scoring, he has now played his way to the edge of the lottery, even as he must continue to build his body.
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The most notable riser in the frontcourt is Hannes Steinbach from Washington. The freshman from Germany has real size and strength with great hands and a soft touch. He is a high volume rebounder and shows some flashes of being able to stretch the floor.
Steinbach’s understanding of the nuances of ballplay is also exemplary. The way the N.B.A who is now moving back to larger front lines is also relevant, as he fits in there better than four around one schemes.
New at the Big Board
This version of the big board also includes some new names. Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson and Duke’s Patrick Ngongba are both making their debuts and reaching first-round territory. Questions about Anderson’s size will linger, but his skills and productivity are undeniable. For Ngongba, the lack of lateral quickness will continue to be a concern, but the shot blocking and floor spacing are intriguing enough to make up for it when he’s healthy. Other notable newcomers include Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson (30), Wake Forest’s Juke Harris (40) and Alabama’s Amari Allen (44).
Grand Council Top 10
The Big Board has been updated with the top 60 NBA Draft Prospects
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