[valentine]

I just got done reading Michael Visenberg’s Top 20 Freshman list. An impressive and informative guide to say the least, particularly for those who cant watch much HS Hoops.

Theres a giant void left in the online draft resource industry after a number of experts fizzled out with their questionable 2016 coverage. Ive already noticed a number of exciting drafting initiatives start up such as ‘That Guy Podcast", Scouts Honor and more. The industry is crying out for accurate and unbiased content…so lets see what he can deliver this time around.

Now even The Don cant be expected to nail every Freshman prediction, despite his mob connections. But that doesnt mean you have to hold back on the criticism.

Who is too high?

Who is too low?

Who is your under the radar prospect?

 

[dcaseParticipant]

Too high: Lonzo Ball (slightly)

Too low: Miles Bridges

Under the radar freshman:  Tyus Battle

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 Lonzo Ball. The bio states good length and passing, but ‘Ason Kidd’ range.

Even if hes not that good, but still dazzles with nifty dimes, could be entertaining to watch. 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Bam Adebayo is way to low, He has Amare Stoudamire Potential and could be really successful right off the go if he gets drafted  by a team with an established PG, If Bender and Chriss were high end lottery picks.. Adebayo will be one as well NBA Scouting Departments have him Higher than he is on here no doubt..

I could see Markelle Fultz falling from his draft position, I just dont feel hes a PG that will show hes ready to make the jump.. very rarely do freshmen PGs come into the league and have great success and the ones that do have extremely high basketball Iqs, im not sold Fultz is that guy 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

It is Aran’s list. Have opinions of my own that do indeed sometimes differ from those of Aran. Though, much like Aran Smith’s Big Board, even if I give my input, the final call of any list on this site’s menu comes down to the CEO/President. Want to clarify that this is "NBADraft.net’s Top 20 Freshmen" and not mine. So, if you disagree with the content about a player, feel free to come at me. If you disagree about the rankings themself, talk to "the guy who runs NBADraft.net’s Twitter" ;).

But, if you want to look over some of the lists of the past, have at it:

http://www.nbadraft.net/freshman-rankings-class-2016

http://www.nbadraft.net/class-2017-freshman-rankings

http://www.nbadraft.net/top-15-ncaa-freshmen

http://www.nbadraft.net/top-20-freshmen-prospects

http://www.nbadraft.net/freshman-class-top-20-prospects

Absolutely commend Aran for making these lists and has been awesome to have done the write-up for the past 5 classes. These things are difficult things to predict and I think it shows that the draft truly is a process. Every year I think we all think too highly of certain prospects or have some fall way under-the-radar, just really part of everyones perception, or based on our access to certain players. I know you blame me for many things, I just cannot take credit for these rankings.

Also, here is my original Top 20 list I made before I even had the final rankings:

1. [Player: Josh Jackson], Kansas

2. [Player: Dennis Smith], NC State

3. [Player: Markelle Fultz], Washington

4. [Player: Harry Giles], Duke

5. [Player: Jayson Tatum], Duke

6. [Player: Lonzo Ball], UCLA

7. [Player: Jonathan Isaac], Florida St.

8. [Player: DeAaron Fox], Kentucky

9. [Player: Bam Adebayo], Kentucky

10. [Player: Malik Monk], Kentucky

11. [Player: Jarrett Allen], Texas

12. [Player: Lauri Markkanen], Arizona

13. [Player: Frank Jackson], Duke

14. [Player: Marques Bolden], Duke

15. [Player: Omer Yurtseven], NC State

16. [Player: Wenyen Gabriel], Kentucky

17. [Player: Miles Bridges], Michigan St.

18. [Player: Rawle Alkins], Arizona

19. [Player: Sacha Killeya Jones], Kentucky

20. [Player: VJ King], Louisville

If you want to critique my list, go ahead. I am sure Aran is fine to hear any constructive criticism of his list as well. I will say, mine did originally have Ray Smith, though I removed him and added VJ King (who was 21 on my list) to my top 20. I actually think I might have Miles Bridges higher as well, I am not completely sold on Wenyen Gabriel at this point in time. Beyond just grading these lists, however, I think if people wanted to make top 20 lists of their own than they should feel free. Of course it puts you out on the line, though it is a fun excercise and as you can see with the lists through the years, quite interesting to watch play out.

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Well Mikey since youre here, what do you grade this draft?

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

It really does depend on how one would grade a draft. The 2008 Draft is incredible deep, though you would probably only call Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose "franchise players" at one time or another, and neither has led a team to a title. They also currently only have 5 players who have had All-Star appearances, with DeAndre Jordan likely being the only one who will add his name to the club. Crazy enough, the 2011 Draft, which I do not think many would have considered overly strong, had 4 guys make the team last year without any of them being named Kyrie Irving, hence tying the number of players with All-Star appearances.

I have a hard time giving a draft an A-F grade, or the old school "strong", "average" or "weak" label. 2015 did not exactly knock my socks off and the rookies last year were nothing less than fantastic. This past years (2016) draft seemed to fade quite a bit past the first few picks, though their should absolutely be some surprises. With this group, I think their is potentially quite a bit of depth. I was more impressed with this version of Team USA at the Hoop Summit than any I have covered since 2013 (Did not cover 2012 practices, with Anthony Davis, MKG, Bradley Beal, Austin Rivers and such). So, I think this could be the most depth since 2012.

This year is certainly quite deep at the point guard position, which is a welcome change. I really like Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum, think they could both be good quality starting wings. Of course, if Harry Giles proves he can stay on the court, than that would be massive for just how deep this group can be. I think a lot of these guys still take time to make an impact and while I could see some guys having the potential to really help a team, are there any total franchise changers? Probably not. So, I think it is strong, there are some exciting players, though I am not sure it is an all-timer.

[Robb_CParticipant]

 I really like Josh Jackson and Tatum as well, I think Harry Giles barring health can be All-Star quality.. He impresses me with his footwork and ability to run the floor. If he can prove in College that hes a capable passer in the high post/low post he will def be in the argument for the number 1 pick.. 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Mustapha Heron should be on this list before the likes of SKJ, VJ King, maybe even Wenyen Gabriel.

He’s a got a mature, strong build, has a good all around, 2 way game, but most importantly he went to Auburn and will likely have a larger role than a lot of these other freshmen.

 

[Author]

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