[Mad MaxParticipant]

 Draft talk mostly centers around the top prospects like Parker, Wiggins, Emiid, so on and so forth. But every year there’s always some quality role players and even once in a blue moon there is an all-star that can be found in the late first round and even into the second round. 

 

So I wanted to see what projected late round prospects you all think are hidden gems. I’ll give you my 5.

 

– Nick Johnson: Won Pac-12 player of the year this year against a strong field with names like Aaron Gordon, Kyle Anderson, Jordan Adams, and Dwight Powell who will all be drafted this week. Was the top scorer and defacto "go to guy" on a very good Arizona team, that  I belived was the best team in the country despite the fact they didn’t make the final 4 (NCAA tournament can be harsh). While he doesn’t have the perfect size or length to be the prototypical NBA SG, he has elite athletisiscm that makes him a two way player in the league. Plus we’ve seen many of undersize SGs find a role and excel in the NBA. A gritty, hard nosed competior;  I can see this guy being a quality backup for many years.

Comparion: Randy Foye

 

James "Michael" McAdoo: He’re a guy that was overhyped a tad bit…..Was once thought of as a possible #1 pick, long time ago lol. However, the things that made people look at McAdoo as a top prospect, McAdoo still posses. I won’t say McAdoo will ever be a franchise player, but a solid role player and possible starter is very possible. For starters, McAdoo is a very good athelete and can defend both in the post and on the periminter. McAdoo at UNC never seemed to click, partly because he was out of position, McAdoo is best suited facing up and playing outside of the paint where he can use speed/quickness to his advantage, along with a promising jump shot that should get better. While he’s a quiet guy that isn’t a natural leader, he plays with a lot of hustle and is a good teammate. He probably won’t ever live up his early hype, but in the right role, could be solid contributer and possibly more.

 

Comparison: Terrence Jones

 

– Joe Harris: His numbers weren’t as a senior were not up to par to his stats as a junior, but with a better team, Harris role was reduced. Which goes to show Harris knows how to play his role and play it well. Harris’s greatest attribute coming into the NBA will be his shooting, and will be able to spread the floor on offense. However, while not a great athlete Harris can put the ball on the floor and score of the dribble, making him a valuable player to have on offense. An underrated ability of Harris is moving without the ball, the guy knows how get himself open. He cuts to the basket and moves around and doesn’t need to just stand in the corner waiting for someobdy to pass. Not a great athlete, not great size/length, and all of that will make him a target on the defesive end, but has the IQ to play solid team defense. I believe Harris will be a quality guy to have off bench who can knock down some shots and get your offense going. 

Comparison: Carlos Delfino

 

-Cory Jefferson: This guy looks like should wearing a helment and playing football. But Jefferson brings that tough nasty football mentality onto the basketball court as a tough nasty big man who snags up rebounds, blocks shots and brings an intemidation player. One thing is for sure, this guy will be an enforcer in the NBA and won’t back down to anyone and why would he? I love this guys attitude, play hard and physical; knows his role and doesn’t try to be anything else. Teams need guys like this who are willing and wanting to do the dirty work to help a team. He could be a liabilty on offense with basically no skills outside of dunking really hard. However, this is a guy you can bring in for 15 minutes to grab a few rebounds, block shots, protect the paint and give your team some toughness.

Comparison: Ben Wallace

 

Jordan Clarkson: Even he looks like he could go top 20, Clarkson is still a sleeper for me, that’s how high I am on him. I think Clarkson’s draft stock would be much higher if he hadn’t played under such a poor coach and poor team. It seemed Clarkson would succeed inspite of the fact his coach had no clue what he was doing, and was left to basically make a play on his own. Still, Clarkson put up 18 points a game! Clarkson was someone who just stood out to me on TV and looked like an NBA player and outside of a few players on Kentucky, was the most impressive player I saw in the SEC. What I love is that Clarkson can get to basket and finishes very well. His combonation of great handles, speed, quickness and strength make him a great slasher. He’s also a solid passer, which is great as someone who gets to the basket forcing defenses to rotate and creating some open looks. While a solid passer, I wouldn’t classify him as PG, he just is not best suited for running a team, although he can run your offense in a pinch. He still needs to improve his shooting ability as defenses are going to force him to beat them with jumpshot. Also will need to learn to play off the ball some to a more effective and diverse scorer. Seems like a gamer and can get the basket and draw some fouls and create offense for himself and others. Of all my sleepers, Clarkson is the guy I can see making an all-star game or two

Comparison: Tyreke Evans

[KHAM83Participant]

Im very high on Clarkson as well. I love Levine’s potential, but Clarkson is a safer bet if you are looking for a tall combo guard.

[KHAM83Participant]

Im very high on Clarkson as well. I love Levine’s potential, but Clarkson is a safer bet if you are looking for a tall combo guard.

[celtics1982Participant]

Jusuf Nurkic- Great scoring big man with a huge center body.  I’d combare his game to Rick Smit former Pacer center. (not sure I spelled his name correctly)

TJ Warren – Reminds me of Paul Pierce, needs to work on his three point shooting, but his shoot isn’t broken.  Just a great scorer and a better athlete then people thought.

Jarnell Stokes – Been high on him since the beginning.  Seems like a double double machine.  Reminds me of Jared Sullinger minus the three point range.

Jordan Adams – Does everything good.  Called the worst athlete of all the guards in the draft, which is saying something.  But he does have a great wing span and put up huge steal numbers in College.  This is a hard one, came up with Wesley Matthews.

Vasilije Micic- Best passer in draft, good size, not a great athlete or shooter.  Has a great basketball IQ.  Reminds me of Rubio minus the speed.    

[celtics1982Participant]

Jusuf Nurkic- Great scoring big man with a huge center body.  I’d combare his game to Rick Smit former Pacer center. (not sure I spelled his name correctly)

TJ Warren – Reminds me of Paul Pierce, needs to work on his three point shooting, but his shoot isn’t broken.  Just a great scorer and a better athlete then people thought.

Jarnell Stokes – Been high on him since the beginning.  Seems like a double double machine.  Reminds me of Jared Sullinger minus the three point range.

Jordan Adams – Does everything good.  Called the worst athlete of all the guards in the draft, which is saying something.  But he does have a great wing span and put up huge steal numbers in College.  This is a hard one, came up with Wesley Matthews.

Vasilije Micic- Best passer in draft, good size, not a great athlete or shooter.  Has a great basketball IQ.  Reminds me of Rubio minus the speed.    

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

CJ Fair

Nick Johnson

DeAndre Daniels

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

CJ Fair

Nick Johnson

DeAndre Daniels

[BogDon_KryptParticipant]

Jordan Clarkson

DeAndrea Daniels

PJ Hairston

Bogdan Bodganovic

All 4 can flat out Bodgdan

[BogDon_KryptParticipant]

Jordan Clarkson

DeAndrea Daniels

PJ Hairston

Bogdan Bodganovic

All 4 can flat out Bodgdan

[OllstarParticipant]

I have a feelig Dougie McBuckets will leave a few teams regretting they didn’t select him over some of these potential players. 

I also like TJ Warren and think he could be a top two option down the road. 

Early is another SF who might carve a niche for himself in the NBA.

 

 

[OllstarParticipant]

I have a feelig Dougie McBuckets will leave a few teams regretting they didn’t select him over some of these potential players. 

I also like TJ Warren and think he could be a top two option down the road. 

Early is another SF who might carve a niche for himself in the NBA.

 

 

[JNixonParticipant]

 Jordan Clarkson is a good sized player with some ready made skills and physical tools. I think he can be a good PG in the future.

Jordan Adams can really score, and I think he will last in the NBA even though he lacks athleticism. He’s crafty enough to make up for his athletic deficiences and be able to put points on the board, and he’s a very underrated defender.

Cleanthony Early proved he’s athletic enough to play in the NBA this season, and he’s getting a nice spot up shot. He’s not a pretty offensive player but he competes and is good enough on that end to not be a liability.

People are not talking about Rodney Hood and I dont know why. He has all the framework to be a solid pro. He has size, skill level, shooting ability, and he can be an adequate defender in the NBA. Also can play either wing.

I think Russ Smith can see success, as he has the ability to pressure from baseline to baseline and he’s got good scoring instincts. He’s no true PG and he’s tiny, but he has the ability to be an exciting scoring guard.

 

 

 

 

 

[JNixonParticipant]

 Jordan Clarkson is a good sized player with some ready made skills and physical tools. I think he can be a good PG in the future.

Jordan Adams can really score, and I think he will last in the NBA even though he lacks athleticism. He’s crafty enough to make up for his athletic deficiences and be able to put points on the board, and he’s a very underrated defender.

Cleanthony Early proved he’s athletic enough to play in the NBA this season, and he’s getting a nice spot up shot. He’s not a pretty offensive player but he competes and is good enough on that end to not be a liability.

People are not talking about Rodney Hood and I dont know why. He has all the framework to be a solid pro. He has size, skill level, shooting ability, and he can be an adequate defender in the NBA. Also can play either wing.

I think Russ Smith can see success, as he has the ability to pressure from baseline to baseline and he’s got good scoring instincts. He’s no true PG and he’s tiny, but he has the ability to be an exciting scoring guard.

 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

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