by Berkay Terzi / info@eurohoops.net
As we approach the NBA halfway through the regular season, most teams have a clear goal. Some set the bar for the championship, some were more modest and saw the playoffs as enough. Those who want to look to the future more hopeful have their eyes on the NBA Draft.
The teams in the third category have great reasons to keep their excitement alive because in the 2023 Draft there is an alien like Victor Wembanyama and a consolation award like Scoot Henderson. Of course, other talents should not be overlooked. As you know, every draft class pulls at least one rabbit out of a hat.
As the highly anticipated month of June approached, we had enough idea about many prospects and decided to put our impressions on paper.
Lottery
As a result of the draw from Tankathon, the San Antonio Spurs won the lottery. They played to the top of the NBA for many years with admirable consistency. After several mediocre seasons, they finally hoisted the white flag. The Spurs, who started a new story with Tim Duncan in the 1997 NBA Draft, want to do the same with Victor Wembanyama this time.
San Antonio was followed by Texas’ other team, the Houston Rockets. The Washington Wizards, known for their poor draft history, jumped to third place, while the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic were the teams that were relegated as a result of the draw.
Top 5
1- San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (PF/C, 19.4 draft age)
Not much needs to be said about Victor Wembanyama. Imagine a 2.21-meter player who can shoot pull-ups, score in different ways with or without the ball, threatens with his length in both rims, has a high mobility, has the possibility of being a no.1 option in the NBA. That’s exactly the potential we face in the first pick of the 2023 NBA Draft. I don’t know if it’s the best prospect ever, because there’s a reality like young LeBron. But it’s certainly the most unique prospect we’ll ever see. I don’t think a player like this will ever come again.
We’re all familiar with Wemby’s game and its potential. But there is a mistake that we often fall into when evaluating him. We always consider Wembanyama through his ceiling. Where will he be in 5 years? Could he become one of the greatest players when his career is over? Can he dominate the league? Such questions appeal to all of us. But we also need to talk a little bit about Wemby’s floor. Because even in the worst-case scenario, he shows All-Star potential.
Wembanyama’s biggest question marks are lack of strength and injury history. I think the lack of strength is sometimes exaggerated. A player with freakish length doesn’t always need strength to score or defend. Evan Mobley (2021) and Chet Holmgren (2022) faced similar criticism. Wemby is ahead of both in terms of skill set and predisposition to size development. When it comes to injuries, many of the arguments are hypothetical.
In a nutshell, if you have such a unique young talent in front of you, you choose him without thinking too much. It’s no-brainer.
2- Houston Rockets: Scoot Henderson (PG, 19.3 draft age)
Scoot Henderson would be selected from the first pick in any draft class. But the presence of Victor Wembanyama puts a dent in Scoot Henderson’s path. Still, I don’t think the team that falls to second place in this draft will make a fuss. The young player has the kind of potential to change the fate of the club.
Scoot Henderson would be selected from the first pick in any draft class. But the presence of Victor Wembanyama pushed Scoot Henderson back. Still, I don’t think the team that gets the second pick will be upset. The young player has the kind of potential that can change the fate of any franchise.
Scoot has athleticism at the level of Westbrook, Morant and prime Rose. Both his vertical jump and quickness are elite. Since his 3s don’t pose a serious threat yet, defenders can give him space. But that’s not enough to stop Scoot. His first-step explosiveness and ability to change direction are so good that he has no trouble beating his defenders. A point guard who reaches the paint so easily is unlikely to fail. Terrific slasher. In-between game is already at the NBA level. It’s hard to find anyone better than Scoot as a primary ball-handler in this draft class.
Scoot Henderson’s biggest question mark right now is his outside shot. Like I said, because he doesn’t cause a serious threat, the defenders go under the screen against him and give him space. Scoot is unable to consistently punish defenses that do not respect his shot. But pull-up mid-ranges, and the increase in percentage (from 21% to 35%) are promising.
Scoot’s maturity on the court has improved since last season. His half-court creativity and playmaking skills also made progress. Despite this, he can sometimes make bad decisions. This is reflected in shot selections and simple turnovers. But it’s important to remember that he led a team when he was just 19 years old.
3- Washington Wizards: Amen Thompson (PG/SG, 20.3 draft age)
It’s hard to evaluate Amen Thompson. Why? Because he plays in an organization called Overtime Elite, which was founded last year and where basketball is played almost at the high school level. There are also 16-year-old players. OTE’s first prospect was Jean Montero and he remained undrafted. In a place where the competition is so low, it becomes very difficult to measure the player’s ability. Despite all these problems, I’ve never seen Amen fall out of the top 5 in any mock.
The reason for this is the superhuman athleticism it incorporates. Every detail that comes to your mind when you hear this word is present at the highest level in Amen Thompson. Unstoppable in the open field, the first step explosiveness is terrific, the vertical jump and acceleration/deceleration are incredible. Amen combines this trait with his creative ball handling and terrific passing. He can create positions for himself as well as his teammates. Especially when it comes to directing double plays, the front is very clear. Maybe he needs to play the duo games a little more patiently, but this is an experience that will be gained over time.
Every detail that comes to your mind when you hear that word is existing in Amen Thompson. He’s unstoppable in the open court, his first step and bounce are great, he’s incredible at acceleration/deceleration. Amen combines this trait with his creative ball-handling and terrific passing. He can create positions for himself as well as his teammates. Especially when it comes to operating P&Rs, the future is bright. Maybe he needs to play the P&Rs a little more patiently, but this is an experience that will be gained over time.
One of the things I like about Amen Thompson is his defensive potential. Since he is a guard 2 meters tall, he can also matchup with the wings. He showed positive things, especially in 1v1 defense. But someone has to convince Amen to play defense. Sometimes he impresses you with his defense, and sometimes he leaves his team one person short. As long as he has consistency, he can evolve into a good defender in the NBA.
But when the draft day comes, there are very important weaknesses that can make teams hesitate. Two details in particular stand out at this point. The first of these is about his shooting. Amen Thompson hit just 0.8 three-pointers on 27 percent. The real problem is more serious than the percentages and figures. Amen may have the most interesting shooting mechanics I’ve seen in recent prospects. He has to focus on shooting mechanics because that’s the main source of the problem he has. His shooting mechanics are not fluid. This is a situation that can limit his pull-ups, indirectly his scoring. Opponents do not respect his shot and defend him from a distance.
The second problem is the half-court creativity. Amen Thompson finds the majority of his points in fastbreaks and in the open court. But when the game is confined to the half-court, his impact wanes. We can say that his creativity depends largely on his explosiveness. NBA-level half-court scoring is a question mark. He may have problems at the first stage of his career.
Amen is the third player after Wemby and Scoot to carry a starlight. However, he has a long way to go than this duo.
4- Detroit Pistons: Cam Whitmore (SF/PF, 18.9 draft age)
Cam Whitmore seems like the reliable option thanks to its strong body and perimeter shooting. If the expectation is to use Cam Whitmore as a complementary piece, he can start contributing as he entered the league. He’s active in transition, off-the-ball cuts, and offensive rebounds. Defensively, he’s quite enough. But if you ask him to play a bigger role, it can be a bit of a long and painful process.
Although he shows some shooting off-the-dribble flashes, he’s not yet reliable enough to move into a creative role. He can attack close-outs, knows how to use his strength, and is a good spot-up shooter. But he doesn’t yet know how to score in different ways. His scoring is generally based on spot-up shots and opportunity buckets. There has to be a long way to go in terms of on-ball creation. He may need to improve his ball-handling because sometimes he is too attached to his strength. That’s why Cam Whitmore reminds me of Miles Bridges. Bridges faced similar problems when he came into the league. Over time, however, he evolved into a more consistent creator and expanded his scoring arsenal. Whitmore may have that kind of potential, too.
But there’s something that’s in Miles Bridges that Cam Whitmore doesn’t: Passing. Bridges has improved as pick&roll ball-handler over the years. He had also gained experience in college. We can’t speak very hopeful about Whitmore. In 12 games, he has 23 turnovers and 10 assists. Even if he plays as the finisher, these numbers are not very bright. If he wants to excel in creative role like Bridges in the future, he has to do better than that.
5- Charlotte Hornets: Ausar Thompson (SG/SF, 20.3 draft age)
Amen Thompson’s twin brother Ausar also has a strong chance to go from the top 5. Ausar gives off less starlight compared to Amen. At OTE, where Amen is seen as the first player, he takes a bit of a back seat but makes two-way impact. He has a high level of athleticism, thanks to his length he is able to defend the wings and guards.
I love Ausar’s passing skills and creativity around the rim. Good decision maker in the flow of the offense. But he doesn’t do these things as a primary ball-handler. That’s partly why the starlight isn’t as bright as Amen. He plays more like a complementary piece. He’s more consistent defensively.
Similar to the shooting problems in Amen, Ausar also has it. Ausar Thompson’s shot is a bit better than Amen’s. But even his steady shot doesn’t inspire confidence. If he wants to be complementary at the NBA level, he has to make progress. Thankfully, shooting mechanics aren’t as desperate as Amen.
Similar to the shooting problems in Amen, Ausar also has it. Shooting mechanics are not fluid. Ausar Thompson’s shot is a bit better than Amen’s. Still, spot-up shooting aren’t even reliable. If he wants to be complementary at the NBA level, he has to make progress. Thankfully, shooting mechanics aren’t as desperate as Amen.
6-10
6- Orlando Magic: Brandon Miller (SF, 20.6 draft age)
Brandon Miller, who scored one of the top scorers of the season with 36 points in December, is a prospect we need to set our expectations correctly. He is 2.06 meters tall, makes 3.2 (45.1%) three-pointers per game, and is effective defensively thanks to his length. He has no trouble getting his name into the top 10. Also, his passing skills can be overlooked at times.
However, there is a dilemma like this: A player with these skills is worthy of being selected from the top 10. So, would you spend your Top 5 pick? Miller is likely to be a useful complement to the NBA starting five. But the perspective of the teams in the top 5 is different. Teams looking to add stellar potential to their young core may turn their noses up against Miller. Why? While Miller’s off-ball scoring is impressive, his on-ball creativity isn’t so effective.
There is certainly a lack of athleticism/explosiveness. Ball-handling is loose in traffic and is not able to creating space. These two details severely limit Brandon Miller’s potential to score with the ball. Plus, Miller’s interior scoring is really thought-provoking. He has 34% FG at the non-transition rim finishes. His mid-range game is almost non-existent. Brandon Miller is a scorer who lives behind the arc. Such players are often unlikely to get big roles in the NBA. (Miller is only generate 0.54 points per position through P&Rs)
Passing skills should also be mentioned. When he’s on the move with the ball, he’s able to read the game quick and make some good dishes. But Miller doesn’t do this as a primary or secondary ball-handler. He’s not that kind of player yet. Even in the 36-point game against Gonzaga, we saw him struggling as a P&R ball-handler. He didn’t react well against the double teams. If he can improve his ball-handling, he can unlock his playmaking potential as well.
So, why should you draft Miller? Obviously, players like him are increasingly valued in today’s NBA. That’s why I said in the first paragraph, “We need to set our expectations right.” If you choose Brandon Miller in anticipation of the “new Kevin Durant,” you may be disappointed. But if you choose him with the idea of the 3rd or 4th part of the contender team, it is more likely that you will be satisfied. This puts us back in the Top 5 dilemma.
I rely on Miller’s off-ball impact, his perimeter shooting and defensive length. These make him a reliable 5-10 range player in my eyes.
It would have been literally awesome if the Orlando Magic had chosen Brandon Miller. I didn’t really consider the “fit factor” when I was preparing these mock. But it’s a perfect fit for Magic. A sought-after wing next to Banchero and Wagner for his off-ball scoring and length.
7- New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL): Keyonte George (SG/PG, 19.6 draft age)
Despite he doesn’t always make the right shot selections, George’s combo guard profile and scoring potential are exciting. Keyonte George, who is averaging 16.9 points this season, added 38.4 percent FG, 3.3 assists and 2.6 three-pointers. He has a deadly shooting range and is effective in pull-ups. Plus, he’s a good P&R playmaker, he can go to the rim and get to the line often. But my favorite thing about George is not one of them. Keyonte makes decisions very quickly when the ball is in his hands and always plays with a plan in his head. The decisions he makes are not always the right one. But as soon as he picks up the pass and finds the gap, he takes action. Many people compare him to D’Angelo Russell, but to me the difference is here. Keyonte is not as rhythm-killer as D’Angelo. He turns into a dangerous scorer, especially when he plays the game quickly and simply. Keyonte’s defensive consistency is a question mark. He’s also not a pure point guard.
8- Toronto Raptors: Jarace Walker (PF, 19.8 draft age)
Jarace Walker, who is 2.03 meters tall and weighs 108 kg, is physically at the level of Julius Randle and Isaiah Stewart. Jarace’s basketball is different from these two names. In addition to powerful body, he promises defensive versatility thanks to his 2.18-meter wingspan and terrific hip mobility. Jarace Walker is one of the most complete defenders in this draft class. Switchable in the perimeter, rarely misses his rotations in off-ball defense.
But Walker’s potential isn’t just about the defense. His offensive role is limited for the Houston Cougars. Despite this, he is able to make a big impact. Walker is not a high-volume point shooter, but he made 13 three-pointers in 20 games at 35 percent. Walker does quick reads on the short-roll and in the flow of the offense. His passing skills are promising. Walker is not a scorer, but he is dealing with important details on both sides of the court. He may evolve into a different offensive player in the future. His versatility is intriguing.
9- Orlando Magic (via CHI): Nick Smith Jr. (PG/SG, 19.1 draft age)
Nick Smith was one of the key candidates for the top 5. He started the season injured. After his return, he could not find his rhythm and after 5 games he was injured again. During this 5-match period, he could not offer enough material for the scouts. To make matters worse, he is not expected to return to the court before February. Injury problems weakened his hand. However, Nick Smith should not be given up immediately. Thanks to his 3-level scoring potential, combo guard profile and quickness, he still has a place in the back of our minds.
10- Phoenix Suns: Jett Howard (SG/SF, 19.9 draft age)
The son of 19-year NBA veteran Juwan Howard, Jett Howard is having a terrific season in the Michigan Wolverines under his father’s coaching. He was shooting 15.4 points, 38.8 3P% and 2.6 three-pointers by the time he went to the locker room in the Minnesota game. He has a notable threat in off-ball. But Jett Howard’s skill set isn’t all that. He has a high basketball IQ and his off-ball movement is effective. He can also be a factor when he gets the ball in his hands.
Jett is not a high-profile shot creator and a high-profile playmaker, but he can do a little bit of both. Jett Howard is a player who adds value to the offense. Later in his NBA career, he may evolve into a secondary ball-handler. Jett may not be a number one option, but he can reach double digits every night.
11-14
11- Oklahoma City Thunder: GG Jackson (PF/SF, 18.5 draft age)
Gregory “GG” Jackson is becoming more and more attractive in this era when ball-handler forwards are trending. He is the youngest player in this draft class. Jackson passes the eye test with his physique, athleticism and scoring potential, reminiscent of Pascal Siakam. One day, he could reach star status in the NBA. But that’s a long-term and risky assumption. When he gets the ball in his hands, he can miss easy passes. As a sign of his inexperience, he is able to make wrong decisions. He has bad habits on both sides of the court. In a nutshell, we can see a raw player even more than Jonathan Kuminga in his rookie year. However, this does not diminish his value as a prospect. We know he’s a young player. Jackson may be the decision-maker on a team’s offense in the future. The experience he gained in South Carolina this season is very important.
12- Utah Jazz: Cason Wallace (PG/SG, 19.6 draft age)
Cason Wallace is like a mirror in defense. But his ceiling will be determined by the offensive side. It’s possible that Wallace will have similar problems with Jalen Suggs in his first year in the league. Wallace, like Suggs, is a very strong player for his position and one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft class. Thanks to his size and lateral quickness, he is able to defend the wings. The team that will draft him will be very satisfied on this side of the court. (1.9 steals per game)
But it’s hard to reach the same saturation point on offense. I say this despite his 46% shooting percentage, 40% 3pt percentage, 1.8 three-pointers and 3.6 assists… Some college players can’t bring their shooting performance into the NBA. Wallace’s free-throw percentage (60%) undermines the credibility of his outside shot. Besides that, Wallace sometimes does dribbling without a plan.
That’s why I compare him to Jalen Suggs. He’s strong, his defensive pressure is terrific, he’s a good passer, but he may not be very successful as a primary option. That’s why he can serve as a secondary playmaker in the NBA. Cason Wallace’s shooting efficiency makes us look to the future with more hope. If he’s going to play alongside a point guard, shooting consistency will be crucial. Eyes will be on him at March Madness.
13- Portland Trail Blazers: Anthony Black (PG/SG, 19.4 draft age)
The number of tall guards in the NBA has been increasing in recent years. The new member of this class may be Anthony Black. At 201 cm tall, Black has a two-way game. Although he is not an elite defender, he has no problem matching up from 1 to 3. On offense, he throws himself into the lottery thanks to his quickness, rim pressure, transition and playmaking skills. Active in off-ball, effective as a P&R ball-handler.
The number of tall guards in the NBA has been increasing in recent years. The new member of this class may be Anthony Black. At 201 cm tall, Black has a two-way game. Although he is not an elite defender, he has no problem matching from 1 to 3. On offense, he throws himself into the lottery thanks to his quickness, circle pressure, transition play and passer skills. Active in off-ball, effective as a P&R ball-handler.
Black’s biggest problems are perimeter shooting and on-ball creation. Shooting mechanics need to be worked on. The shooting release is slow, he needs to be square. This is a blow to his scoring off-the-dribble potential. Black, who has made 0.9 three-pointers (32%) this season, also had 3.1 turnovers against 3.6 assists. As you can understand, he is not a completed project. He needs to work on his shooting, ball handling and passing choices. His versatility, length and skill set are intriguing.
14- Atlanta Hawks: Maxwell Lewis (SF, 20.9 draft age)
Max Lewis is a play finisher. But what really excites me is his shot-creator potential. Lewis makes an impact on offense with off-ball movement and perimeter shooting. He runs through off-ball screens, knows where to position himself, and gets easy buckets with his cuts to the basket. He’s an athletic player and plays above the rim. But when it comes to creating with the ball and making more decisions on offense, things get complicated.
Max Lewis is an above-average isolation scorer. But the NBA’s more athletic and taller defenders can make his life harder and force him to take bad shots. Lewis’ mid-range game can be manipulated. He likes mid-range more than rim finishes. Therefore, an adjustment to Lewis’ shooting profile may be required. His athleticism, his step-back shots sometimes surprise me, but I don’t think he’s a consistent creator behind the arc yet.
Many people compare Lewis to Jalen Williams (the 12th pick of the 2022 draft) because of the similarity in their stories. But there is a serious difference that separates the two players. Lewis is not a playmaker like Williams. Jalen Williams gained significant P&R ball-handler experience in college. That’s why he has no problem making decisions with the ball in the NBA. But I can’t say the same for Lewis. NBA teams may not feel comfortable giving the ball to him. Because he doesn’t create positions for his teammates. Max Lewis resembles Trey Murphy more than Jalen Williams. (2.7 assists – 3.1 turnover)
Lewis has body length and an unexpected verticality. Just like Trey Murphy. What it needs is defensive consistency. He watches the ball in off-ball defense, takes a lot of risks. I wouldn’t call Max Lewis a bad defender. On the contrary, I like his defensive potential. There is no All-Defense potential. But he can be effective enough to turn him into a two-way wing. Of course, as long as he stays consistent and reduces his bad habits… The combination of quickness and length is very promising in perimeter defense. If he has a smaller offensive role in the NBA, he can save his focus and energy to defense.
15-20
15- Golden State Warriors: Gradey Dick (SG/SF, 19.5 draft age)
Gradey Dick, who has 2.6 three-pointers (44%) per game this season, is seen as an off-ball shooter, but promises little more than that. Gradey Dick’s trademark is his off-ball movement and high-volume shooting potential. Kevin Huerter is one of the closest examples to Gradey Dick. They are both 2 meters tall. The length factor is important for shooters. Huerter, who has grown into an elite shooter at the NBA level, makes a living from off-ball screens or DHOs. But occasionally he also creates with the ball.
The same goes for Gradey Dick. In his early years in the NBA, he may not have been a decision-maker. So, it’s more effective to use Dick like Kevin Huerter than to use him like Tyler Herro. But even if he doesn’t dominate the ball, he’s a player who can add value to the offense. He’s an adequate passer, an intelligent basketball player, and he’s more athletic than he looks. Gradey Dick naturally attracts attention in these days when shooting wings are valued.
Of course, whenever it comes to a shooter, the question immediately follows: What about his defense? To be clear, we can say that it is below average in on-ball defense. Off-ball defense is something he is better at thanks to his length and awareness. But I have to say that I value on-ball defense more for a wing. Defense is a big question mark for Gradey Dick.
16- Utah Jazz (via MIN): Brice Sensabaugh (SG/SF, 19.8 draft age)
Brice Sensabaugh gives Ohio State a double-digit contribution every night. Sensabaugh, who scored 17.4 points with 50.4% FG and 46.7% 3PT, is an efficient scoring wing. He is on his way to becoming a three-level scorer. He chooses his shots well, doesn’t force anything and is effective in off-ball. Questions about Sensabaugh revolve around his athleticism and body. Due to his 106-kilogram body, he is not very explosive. Both the vertical jump and the first step speed are average. His first step is not explosive, but effective. Because he knows exactly when and where to take his first step. He has the deadliest jab step I’ve ever seen in this draft class. He’s not the most explosive player, but somehow he finds a way to get to the score. Sensabaugh’s quickness problem is directly salient in defense. I’m not positive for Sensabaugh defensively.
17- Los Angeles Clippers: Dariq Whitehead (SF, 18.9 draft age)
Dariq Whitehead was top 5 prospect a few months ago. He started the season late due to foot injury. When he came back, he couldn’t find his rhythm. There’s a different Dariq on the court than the athletic shot creator we see in high school clips. As if all this were not enough, he suffered a non-contact injury this week. Fortunately, there is no structural damage.
He could not prove his talents on his return from injury. He won’t be able to do that until he regains his athletics. He struggled to create space for himself and couldn’t find his shooting consistency. After the injury, he was unable to make aggressive rim attacks and his finishing was limited. Still, we need to be patient with him. He’s not the first player to experience this. Last season, another Duke player, AJ Griffin, went down similar paths. He dropped to No. 16 in the 2022 NBA Draft. But in his rookie year, he entered the Atlanta Hawks rotation.
With his high school clips and his two-way scorer potential, it’s impossible to treat him cruelly. His size is ready for the NBA. All Whitehead needs is rhythm and confidence. If his injury is not serious, he can hold on to the first round.
18- Indiana Pacers: Taylor Hendricks (PF, 19.7 draft age)
Nearly 40% three-point percentage, 2.06 meters tall, flexible athleticism and rim finishing, weakside rim protection – mobility combination… Is there a NBA team that wouldn’t want such a skill set? Taylor Hendricks has a very valuable skill set for the league. Thanks to this, he can contribute as he enters the league. He can be small-ball 5.
Two-way players have become a necessity for the playoffs. That’s why he has the potential to stay in the league for many years. The two defining issues for Hendricks at the moment are: shooting stability and on-ball creation. Hendricks’ shooting form and 80% free-throw percentage give confidence in the stability of his shot.
But as you know, not everyone can translate their shot into the NBA. It’s important that he takes this performance with him when he goes to the NBA. Otherwise, the other things he brings to the court may become worthless. I don’t expect on-ball creation from Hendricks. So I don’t see it as a shortcoming. It seems to be enough to make the closeout attacks. This is satisfying for me. It’s not possible for everyone to be a star. Taylor Hendricks can be the star of his own role.
19- New York Knicks (via DAL): Terquavion Smith (PG/SG, 20.4 draft age)
Terq Smith withdrew from the 2022 NBA Draft. Why? Because he was just a flamethrower. In his sophomore year, he was expected to improve his playmaking skills as well. That’s what he did. He increased his assist numbers from 2.1 to 4.6. Last year he was doing almost 1 turnover per 1 assist. This season he has 1 turnover for 2 assists. He expanded his offensive arsenal.
Terquavion, who is 1.93 meters tall and weighs 75 kilograms, is not a perfect prospect. Although the improvement in his passing skills is noticeable, his impact still decreases as he gets closer to the rim. Due to his small size, his finishing in traffic is limited. However, in the long range he is the best creator of the college. Thanks to his ball-handling and pull-ups, he can make an impact in the NBA in a short time. He may become a bench leader/scorer in the future. We can’t find a better example than Bones Hyland.
Don’t let his steal average (1.8) fool you. He’s not a tough point-of-attack defender. He’s a defender who usually steals the ball by playing into the passing lanes.
20- Miami Heat: Noah Clowney (PF, 18.9 draft age)
One of the youngest players, Clowney has potential worth considering. With his energy and two-way activity, he is making a big impact for Alabama. Despite being 2.08 meters tall, he has high mobility. He wreaks havoc with his combination of defensive effort, mobility and length. (1.3 blocks, 0.6 steals in 24 minutes) He has a foul problem because of his energy, he can make simple defensive mistakes. But he hasn’t even turned 19 yet. He is a valuable profile with his physical qualities, P&R success, shooting potential and defensive versatility.