NorrinRadd
FINAL BIG BOARD!!! Remember – Big Board, not mock…
I have some cliff notes like ESPN did in their top 25 players. I think at least all of these guys have declared. If not, please correct me… also I have I think the correct draft age of these prospects… oh yeah and of course any feedback is appreciated!
1
Cooper Flagg – G/F/C – Duke (plus Franz Wagner/LeBron James/Jayson Tatum) 18.5
He has to be the best college prospect since Anthony Davis. Basically he’s a lock as the first pick. Any team with the first pick would be foolish to trade this one away. Cooper Flagg does a bit of everything and does it well. He has All NBA and All NBA Defense potential.
2
Ace Bailey – SG/F/C – Rutgers (Carmelo Anthony/Michael Porter, Jr/Josh Smith) 18.9
High ceiling high floor. Great instincts on defense. His feel isn’t what you want necessarily in a top 3 pick, but there’s elite tools and athleticism to like and go along with his improved repertoire of moves. Ace is one of the best bucket getters in this draft and plays on both ends of the floor.
Dylan Harper G/SF – Rutgers (Cade Cunningham/Brandon Roy) 19.3
Maybe the most NBA ready player in this draft, definitely the most NBA ready not named Cooper Flagg. His feel for the game and tactfulness reading plays on both ends seems effortless to him. Everything he does on the court is second nature. He can out smart/muscle/run, etc. depending on what’s called for against him.
3
Tre Johnson – SG/SF – Texas (Devin Booker) 19.3
Another automatic bucket. If there’s a better bucket getter in the draft than Ace, it’s Johnson. But Johnson doesn’t have the defense or tools that Ace has. He does have more tricks in his arsenal of offensive play making though. Although his defense can improve – it’s adequate. 25 a night is plausible and worth a top 5 pick.
VJ Edgecombe – G – Baylor (Victor Oladipo better defense/plus OJ Mayo) 19.9
With a great rounded improved game, Edgecombe has proven he is going to be a nasty defender with elite athleticism and a great feel for the game on defense. His handle can still improve and his shooting can be more consistent – but he has a solid floor and might just be an All NBA defender.
4
Jeremiah Fears – G – Oklahoma (John Wall less hops/plus Bub Carrington/quicker Jalen Suggs) 18.7
A younger prospect with blazing speed and a quick burst in his first step and a solid playmaker on both ends of the floor. He carried his team to the tournament in the toughest conference in the nation. It might take an extra year, but should be worth the results once he’s more complete.
Khaman Maluach – C – Duke (bigger Dereck Lively II) 18.8
I’ve heard some rumblings that Maluach can’t rebound – that’s emphatically false. He had a terrible rebounding game sure – the day he found out that he could possibly be deported… anyone would be off. He’s a massive man that can block shots. Maluach is just scratching the surface of his raw talent and tools too.
Derik Queen – PF/C – Maryland (Julius Randle/smaller DeMarcus Cousins/Alperen Sengun) 20.5
If you are looking for strictly a prototypical type of a player then you’ll likely skip over Queen. If you’ve been watching him long enough, you know you can initiate an offense through this guy and he brings a lot to the table. His rugged style of play combined with adaptability is incredibly good too.
5
Noa Essengue – F/C – France (plus Tayshaun Prince/plus Jared Jeffries more range) 18.5
He performed pretty well against much tougher competition than most his peers and did so as one of the youngest prospects in this draft. Essengue’s shooting range has improved over the year and his switch ability is rock solid. His defensive potential is great and his offense overall has been improving throughout the year too.
Jase Richardson – G – Michigan State (Mark Price/Jared McCain) 19.7
Once given the opportunity he proved he could lead Michigan State pretty far in the big dance. He was clearly the best player on BIG 10s best team. He can improve some defensively and might be a little under sized in today’s game, but his efficiency is undeniable, he hits shots from anywhere and before college he passed more.
6
Kasparas Jakucionis – G – Illinois (minus taller Steve Nash/plus Matthew Dellavadova) 19.1
Good play maker who can flat out dribble, pass and shoot really well. Excellent at using screens to his advantage and has a very high IQ for the game. His defense could improve a bit. He’s not going to jump out of the gym or anything, but he’ll give you some playmaking instant offense.
Egor Demin – G/F – BYU (Lamar Odom better passing/shades of Josh Giddey) 19.3
The best passer in the draft with a seemingly improving shot. His defense isn’t bad and he has a high IQ. Demin might be a year away from making a big impact, but he’s a pretty good long term prospect. He has a good handle, especially for his size.
Thomas Sorber – PF/C – Georgetown (Jaylin Williams/Jalen Smith) TESTING 19.5
He checks all boxes in what you want your big to do. He shoots the ball well, passes it well and is a decent rim protector. Sorber has a high IQ and plays within the game. His injury makes him a risk however, So he goes down a little. He also isn’t a jumbo guy that will out muscle the Jokic’s and Embiid’s of the world.
Carter Bryant – SG/F/C – Arizona (Trevor Ariza/Aaron Gordon if he fills out) 19.6
He’s very athletic and can switch defenders and guard about anyone. He’s very versatile on the defensive end. His shooting range has come around since the beginning of the year. Carter Bryant doesn’t have a huge body of work, but he does have huge upside.
Asa Newell – PF/C – Georgia (Marvin Bagley with better defense/ plus Kai Jones) 19.7
He was the best player on his team and carried them to the tournament. Rumor is his measurements aren’t ideal, but I doubt it’s terrible. And he’s a very solid athlete with a quick jump when he goes up. He has good tendencies on defense and switches well. Kind of a small ball 5 or a big 4.
Kon Knueppel – SG/SF – Duke (stronger Grady Dick/Desmond Bane) 19.9
Lights out shooter who can get to his spots and create his own shot. Shoots from anywhere on the court. Can improve his defense, especially one on one but has the IQ to be adequate on that side of the ball. He’s not going to wow you with athleticism, but he does give you those hustle plays.
Collin Murray-Boyles – PF/C – South Carolina (Anthony Mason) 20.0
Has a decent handle for his size and moves well on the floor. Good connective tissue passer and a rugged player who can rebound the basketball. Still hesitant on his long range shooting, although it’s improved a little since last year. One of the toughest prospects in the draft.
Rasheer Fleming – PF/C – St. Joseph’s (slower but stronger Jaden McDaniels) 21.0
Decent shooter with great defense, especially his shot blocking ability. Can guard up to 3 positions depending on the lineup. Not your ball creator, but a prospect who checks a lot of boxes in what about every team could use. 3&D guys are always in high demand.
Danny Wolf – PF/C – Michigan (minus Domantas Sabonis/Sandro Mamukelashvili) 21.1
This 7 footer can dribble, pass and shoot. Yeah he can be turnover prone, but perhaps if he’s more of a connective tissue he will cut that down. He has experience playing in different settings and is likely easy to play off of. Looks like he is the first upper classman picked here.
Cedric Coward – SG/SF – Washington State TESTING 21.8
He does it all – that is when he’s playing. The shoulder injury that made him miss almost the whole year has messed his stock up a little. He can put pressure on defense at a high level and can dribble, pass and shoot on top of that. He plays withing the game and has a good feel for it.
7
Will Riley – SG/F – Illinois 19.4
Has a thin frame which I think he can grow into. As the year progressed he showed he could dribble, pass and shoot pretty well. Defensively he has the tools, just hasn’t put it all together quite yet. In theory he could guard multiple positions if he pans out. You can see him improve however by the game.
Labaron Philon – G – Alabama (Rajon Rondo) 19.6
He’s athletic enough, but not elite. His handle is up there with the best of them and pair that with his court vision and we have a very effective playmaker. Philon is a scrappy defender and brings a lot of energy on both ends of the court. His shooting can use some work. He notably outperformed many of his draft peers in games.
Liam McNeeley – SG/F – UConn (plus Baylor Scheierman) 19.7
Jack of all traits master of none. McNeeley isn’t going to lock you down, but he plays with good positioning on defense. He won’t wow you with athleticism, but he’s athletic enough. McNeeley has a very high IQ and can shoot lights out. He can dribble and pass decently too.
Walter Clayton, Jr. – G – Florida 22.3
He’s not an elite athlete, but athletic enough to get by. His decision making is fantastic, and he can shoot the 3 ball very well. Walter Clayton, Jr. is a great leader and a champion at that. He was the darling of the tournament. He can play either guard position comfortably, but is better with the ball in his hands.
Nique Clifford – SG/SF – Colorado State (taller Josh Hart) 23.4
His overall game has improved. He can dribble, pass and shoot well and for his size and position he is an excellent rebounder. Clifford is an older prospect and is more ready now than most. He’s not a lock down defender, but he’s not a slouch either.
8
Boogie Fland – G – Arkansas (Devin Harris) TESTING 19.0
Ben Saraf – G/SF – Israel (Caris LeVert/Terence Mann) 19.2
Dink Pate – SG/SF – GLeague (Darius Miles) 19.3
Hugo Gonzalez – SG/SF – Spain 19.4
Neoklis Avdalas SG/SF – Greece 19.4
Drake Powell – SG/SF – UNC 19.8
Tahaad Pettiford – G – Auburn TESTING 19.9
Hansen Yang – C – China (janitor’s version of Nikola Jokic) 20.0
Bogolijub Markovic – PF/C – Serbia 20.0
Noah Penda – F – France 20.5
Miles Byrd – SG/SF – San Diego State TESTING 20.8
Alex Condon – PF/C – Florida (Cody Zeller) TESTING 20.9
Treysen Eaglestaff – G/SF – North Dakota TESTING 21.0
Adou Thiero – F – Arkansas 21.1
PJ Haggerty – G – Memphis TESTING 21.2
Keyshawn Hall – F – UCF TESTING 22.2
Maxime Raynaud – C – Stanford 22.2
Yaxel Lendeborg – PF/C – UAB (less intimidating version of Draymond Green) TESTING 22.7
Johni Broome – PF/C – Auburn (Jonathan Isaac) 22.9
Ryan Kalkbrenner – C – Creighton 23.5
9
Michael Ruzic – F – Croatia 18.7
Bassala Bagayoko – PF/C – Mali 18.8
Kam Williams – F – Tulane TESTING 19.6
Izan Almansa – PF/C – Spain 20.0
Mohamed Diawara – F – France 20.1
John Blackwell – G – Wisconsin TESTING 20.5
Josh Hubbard – G – Mississippi State TESTING 20.5
Jaland Lowe – G – Pitt TESTING 20.8
Alex Toohey – SG/SF – Australia 21.1
Tyrese Proctor – G – Duke 21.2
Keshon Gilbert – G – Iowa State 21.8
John Poulakidas – SG/SF – Yale 22.2
Darrion Williams – F – Texas Tech TESTING 22.2
Ryan Nembhard – G – Gonzaga 22.2
Hunter Sallis – G – Wake Forest 22.3
Tamar Bates – G – Mizzou 22.3
Will Richard – G – Florida 22.4
Jaxson Robinson – SG/SF – Kentucky 22.5
Javon Small – G – West Virginia 22.5
Milos Uzan – G – Houston 22.5
Wooga Poplar – G – Villanova 22.5
Koby Brea – SG/SF – Kentucky 22.6
Sion James – SG/SF – Duke 22.6
Miles Kelly – SG/SF – Auburn 22.6
Erik Reynolds II – G – St. Joseph’s 22.8
Max Shulga – G – VCU 22.9
Jaron Pierre, Jr. – G – Jacksonville State TESTING 23.0
Kobe Sanders – SG/SF – Nevada 23.1
RJ Felton – G – East Carolina 23.1
Vladislav Goldin – C – Michigan 23.1
Grant Nelson – PF/C – Alabama 23.2
Kam Jones – G – Marquette 23.3
Chaz Lanier – G – Tennessee 23.5
Alijah Martin – G – Florida (poor man’s Marcus Smart) 23.5
LJ Cryer – G – Houston 23.6
Curtis Jones – G – Iowa State 23.7
Viktor Lakhin – C – Clemson 23.9
Micah Peavy – F – Georgetown 23.9
Jamir Watkins – SG/SF – Florida State TESTING 24.0
Johnell Davis – G – Arkansas 24.1
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones – SG/SF – UC San Diego 24.4
Eric Dixon – PF/C – Villanova 24.4
Jaemyn Brakefield – F – Ole’Miss 24.5
Denver Jones – G – Auburn 24.5
Enoch Cheeks – G – Dayton 24.8