2018 Draft Pre-Season Scouting Report
Nov 9, 2017 2:20:36 GMT
Ian Noble, Walt Frazier, and 2 more like this
Post by Alex English on Nov 9, 2017 2:20:36 GMT
The NCAA season is about to start, and I don't have a first round draft pick, so what's the point of watching college ball this year right? So to compensate I figured I'd post some regular occasional whenever-I-feel-like-it scouting reports for the 2018 Draft.
Here is my pre-seasonbig small board and some other guys I think you should keep an eye on.
1. Michael Porter – FR – He looks like a freak. He could honestly be 25 years old. Unlike a lot of "man among boys" players he also seems to have a well developed skill set. His shot looks smooth and he can shoot from deep consistently. His ball handling doesn't look amazing, but still looks good for a guy his size. If he can end up as a SF that's terrifying, if not, he'll still be a top PF prospect.
2. DeAndre Ayton – FR – Another freak. He already looks like a 7 footer with good post moves and nice ability to pass out of the post too. He makes a high percentage of free throws and has shown the potential to shoot from three. His shot is kind of flat though, so I'm not convinced he can be an above average shooter from outside as it stands now, but he doesn't really need to be. If he can just shoot 30%+ from deep then that opens up so much for his potentially dominant game inside.
3. Luka Doncic – INTL – Doncic is one of the best international prospects in history, probably the best since Yao Ming. Forget about all the things you usually worry about with guys from overseas. Hardly plays for his pro team? Hard to judge the level of competition in the Transylvanian Division 2 league? Less tape on the guy than bigfoot? None of that applies. Doncic is already one of the best players, on one of the best teams, in one of the best leagues. You could watch every game of his season if you wanted to. If you did you’d see a fully developed player whose shown great potential both offensively and defensively. He seems like the extremely rare “safe” Euro prospect, maybe one of the safest in this draft class.
4. Marvin Bagley – FR – I don't really see how he's the consensus #1 over the Ayton and Porter to be honest. After watching nearly 2 minutes of tape on him I can safely conclude he's the least skilled of the three. He also doesn't have the freakish athleticism to overcome some weaknesses like the other two. Still a great athlete, but move him up to the NBA level and he doesn't look like anything unique at the PF spot.
5. Mohamed Bamba – FR – This guy is the kind of prospect people wished Thon Maker was. A 7 footer with freakishly long arms, a fluid athlete and a smooth looking jump shot. He has some scary potential, but I’m not sure he’s shown it to the same level as the guys above. Can he be a true franchise player? I don’t know. All five of these guys could potentially go #1 though in my opinion. We’ll just have to see how the season plays out.
6. Colin Sexton – FR – Right now he’s my best PG in this class. I’ve been very impressed with his play in FIBA junior tournaments. I’m going to stop writing so much now that the top 5 is done.
7. Jaren Jackson – FR – Long, athletic, can shoot and defend the rim. Could be Serge Ibaka on steroids.
8. Wendell Carter – FR – He already has a man’s body, but is that because he’s filled out his frame or is out of shape? He seems to lack the freakish athleticism and elite potential of the top guys.
9. Miles Bridges – SO – He was a top 20 prospect for me last year before surprisingly pulling out of the draft. I expect he’ll have a big season but we’ll have to wait and see.
10. Kevin Knox – FR – Athletic high flyer, but does he have the perimeter skills necessary to make him a truly elite prospect?
11. Mitchell Robinson – FR – He plays basketball.
12. Robert Williams – SO – Is capable of inhaling oxygen.
13. Trevon Duvall – FR – Can probably count to ten.
14. Chimezie Metu – JR – Can’t spell his own name.
15. Nick Richards – FR – Has hair on his head.
16. Hamidou Diallo – FR – Once drank water with his own face.
17. Bonzie Colson – SR – Was born with two arms and two legs.
18. Jaylen Adams – SR – Knows all the words to Barbie Girl.
19. Gary Trent Jr – FR – His father’s name is Gary.
20. Jalen Brunson – JR – His father’s name is also Gary.
Sleepers:
Jock Landale SR
Shake Milton JR
Mike Daum JR
Ethan Happ SR
John Konchar JR
Chris Clemons JR
Jacob Evans JR
Here is my pre-season
1. Michael Porter – FR – He looks like a freak. He could honestly be 25 years old. Unlike a lot of "man among boys" players he also seems to have a well developed skill set. His shot looks smooth and he can shoot from deep consistently. His ball handling doesn't look amazing, but still looks good for a guy his size. If he can end up as a SF that's terrifying, if not, he'll still be a top PF prospect.
2. DeAndre Ayton – FR – Another freak. He already looks like a 7 footer with good post moves and nice ability to pass out of the post too. He makes a high percentage of free throws and has shown the potential to shoot from three. His shot is kind of flat though, so I'm not convinced he can be an above average shooter from outside as it stands now, but he doesn't really need to be. If he can just shoot 30%+ from deep then that opens up so much for his potentially dominant game inside.
3. Luka Doncic – INTL – Doncic is one of the best international prospects in history, probably the best since Yao Ming. Forget about all the things you usually worry about with guys from overseas. Hardly plays for his pro team? Hard to judge the level of competition in the Transylvanian Division 2 league? Less tape on the guy than bigfoot? None of that applies. Doncic is already one of the best players, on one of the best teams, in one of the best leagues. You could watch every game of his season if you wanted to. If you did you’d see a fully developed player whose shown great potential both offensively and defensively. He seems like the extremely rare “safe” Euro prospect, maybe one of the safest in this draft class.
4. Marvin Bagley – FR – I don't really see how he's the consensus #1 over the Ayton and Porter to be honest. After watching nearly 2 minutes of tape on him I can safely conclude he's the least skilled of the three. He also doesn't have the freakish athleticism to overcome some weaknesses like the other two. Still a great athlete, but move him up to the NBA level and he doesn't look like anything unique at the PF spot.
5. Mohamed Bamba – FR – This guy is the kind of prospect people wished Thon Maker was. A 7 footer with freakishly long arms, a fluid athlete and a smooth looking jump shot. He has some scary potential, but I’m not sure he’s shown it to the same level as the guys above. Can he be a true franchise player? I don’t know. All five of these guys could potentially go #1 though in my opinion. We’ll just have to see how the season plays out.
6. Colin Sexton – FR – Right now he’s my best PG in this class. I’ve been very impressed with his play in FIBA junior tournaments. I’m going to stop writing so much now that the top 5 is done.
7. Jaren Jackson – FR – Long, athletic, can shoot and defend the rim. Could be Serge Ibaka on steroids.
8. Wendell Carter – FR – He already has a man’s body, but is that because he’s filled out his frame or is out of shape? He seems to lack the freakish athleticism and elite potential of the top guys.
9. Miles Bridges – SO – He was a top 20 prospect for me last year before surprisingly pulling out of the draft. I expect he’ll have a big season but we’ll have to wait and see.
10. Kevin Knox – FR – Athletic high flyer, but does he have the perimeter skills necessary to make him a truly elite prospect?
11. Mitchell Robinson – FR – He plays basketball.
12. Robert Williams – SO – Is capable of inhaling oxygen.
13. Trevon Duvall – FR – Can probably count to ten.
14. Chimezie Metu – JR – Can’t spell his own name.
15. Nick Richards – FR – Has hair on his head.
16. Hamidou Diallo – FR – Once drank water with his own face.
17. Bonzie Colson – SR – Was born with two arms and two legs.
18. Jaylen Adams – SR – Knows all the words to Barbie Girl.
19. Gary Trent Jr – FR – His father’s name is Gary.
20. Jalen Brunson – JR – His father’s name is also Gary.
Sleepers:
Jock Landale SR
Shake Milton JR
Mike Daum JR
Ethan Happ SR
John Konchar JR
Chris Clemons JR
Jacob Evans JR