2016 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0

The college basketball season is upon us.

Today is the day every college basketball fan has been waiting for. The countdown to March will officially begin when Iowa State take on Colorado — an opportunity to see one of the night’s many NBA prospects — giving teams the chance to show off what they’ve been working on this summer.

Before the season starts, though, let’s take a look at our 2016 NBA Draft Big Board. The board is sixty players strong full of incoming freshman, college veterans and European intrigue. This year is especially loaded with bigs, with Skal Labissiers, Ben Simmons and Dragan Bender entering the season as the three prospects to watch. On the flip side, this doesn’t look like a great year for point guard depth, with Kris Dunn and Demetrius Jackson the only two players with possible lottery potential.

1. SKAL LABISSIERE

PF, Kentucky

Chris Stone (@cstonehoops): Labissiere, a native of Haiti, has the skill set typical of a successful big man in today’s NBA. At 7-foot tall with a 7-2 wingspan, he has the length required to become a solid rim protector at the next level. Offensively, Labissiere has a nice jump shot that helps with floor spacing, he can put the ball on the floor against other bigs and he’s got a go-to hook shot in the post. As he grows into his length, Labissiere should put on the strength that would make him a powerful force in the NBA.

2. DRAGAN BENDER

PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Austin Peters (apete1993): Bender is this year’s top European prospect. Much the same as Kristaps Porzingis a year ago, everybody is raving about the versatility of the young power forward from Croatia. He can put the ball on the deck and handle better than most his size while also showing a fine passing ability. His shooting and defensive rim protection has been consistently improving as well, telling you why most draft boards have this kid so high.

3. BEN SIMMONS

PF, LSU

Chris: 6-10 point forwards don’t come along very often, so when they do, they’re highly celebrated draft commodities. Simmons can create off the dribble for himself and for teammates. He plays well in transition, but badly needs to develop a jumper. Many will compare his playing style to LeBron James, but it feels like Rob Dauster’s comparison to Royce White is a bit more reasonable even though Simmons is two inches taller.

4. JAMAL MURRAY

SG, Kentucky

Austin: Murray will be one of the most fun players to watch in college this year. He can fill it up on the wing, scoring at all three levels and in just about every different way, whether it is off the catch or off the dribble. Skal may be the best long term NBA prospect on another loaded Kentucky roster, but Murray will be the go-to guy on offense from day one.

5. BRANDON INGRAM

SF, Duke

Chris: Ingram is the next talented freshman for Coach K at Duke. He’s a tall, lanky and versatile forward who can shoot it well from the outside. Ingram will need to hit the weight room, though, weighing in at under 200 pounds for his 6-10 frame.

6. JAYLEN BROWN

SF, Cal

Austin: Brown’s game is based on his power. He has a great body that is NBA ready right now and he knows how to use his frame to finish in the lane and through contact. He is an elite defender at both forward positions when he is dialed in, something that could win some teams over on draft night. His shooting could be more consistent, but he won’t be expected to carry the load for a stacked Cal team this year.

7. KRIS DUNN

PG, Providence

Chris: In a draft class without a lot of point guards, Kris Dunn stands out. He’s a great playmaker, averaging 7.5 assists per game last season. He has the ability to control and initiate offense and is probably the best on-ball defender in college hoops. To make it at the next level, Dunn has to clean up his decision-making (led the NCAA in turnovers last year) and put together a more serviceable jump shot.

8. HENRY ELLENSON

PF, Marquette

Austin: Ellenson has a chance to be the perfect fit as a big man in the modern NBA. He can space the floor and knock down 3s while also showing flashes of off the dribble playmaking. He has a big body and will remind people of Kevin Love with his offensive build and skillset.

9. JAKOB POELTL

C, Utah

Chris: As a freshman at Utah, Poeltl spent most of his time in the shadow of guard Delon Wright. This year, Poeltl will be the main focus. He’s a great rebounder, especially on the offensive end where he grabbed 15.8 percent of chances last season. He’s a solid shot blocker and shoots a high percentage on his 2-point attempts, making 68 percent of them.

10. MALIK NEWMAN

SG, Mississippi State

Chris: As a freshman, Newman will certainly be the best scoring option on Ben Howland’s Mississippi State squad. With plenty of opportunities to showcase his ability to create for himself, Newman should post a high scoring average. The question is whether or not his 6-4 size will keep him from playing the shooting guard in the NBA. He’ll want to develop some point guard skills to shore up his draft stock.

11. DIAMOND STONE

C, Maryland

Austin: Stone has the potential to be a beast at the next level. He has great size at 6-11, 255 pounds and surprising mobility. He blocks shots, rim runs and can work in just about any defensive scheme. He is just about the perfect role player you could ask for as a center and he will be a big part of why Maryland is going to be a special team.

12. CHEICK DIALLO

PF, Kansas

Chris: Diallo is a raw talent at the forward position. He’s not tall enough to play the center spot, but his long wingspan helps make him an effective rim protector. He needs to develop a post game and jumper on the offensive end. Diallo hustles, though. He’ll beat other bigs down the floor and crash the boards with the best of them. Playing hard is a skill and Diallo checks the box.

13. FURKAN KORKMAZ

SG, Anadolu Efes

Austin: Korkmaz is eerily similar to last year’s Euro shooting guard, Mario Hezonja. The personality aside, Korkmaz is a really bouncy wing who has shot lights out from 3 in his young career. The thing that separates Korkmaz from Hezonja is the playmaking that Korkmaz is able to do, setting up and creating for his teammates in addition to the shooting.

14. STEPHEN ZIMMERMAN

PF, UNLV

Austin: Zimmerman is going to be a freshman to keep an eye on as a possible stock riser throughout the season. He is going to get a ton of chances to succeed in UNLV’s up tempo style. Zimmerman has just about everything you want in a modern big man; athleticism, a shooting touch and solid feel in the pick and roll. His size and strength may be a question, but he has all the makings of an elite level prospect.

15. DEMETRIUS JACKSON

PG, Notre Dame

Chris: A rising junior, Demetrius Jackson figures to takeover backcourt duties from Jerian Grant at Notre Dame. He’s a good shooter (43 percent from 3), but needs to show more command over the offense as a whole to become a truly effective point guard.

16. NIGEL HAYES

PF, Wisconsin

Austin: If you’re like me and fell in love with Draymond Green during last year’s Warriors championship season, then you should also like Hayes. Hayes caught they eyes of NBA draft experts during Wisconsin’s Final Four run with his ability to knock down open 3-pointers, crash the glass and play outstanding defense despite his lack of size for a four. He may not be the trash talker that Green is, but he will bring the same work ethic and versatility.

17. ZHOU QI

C, Xinjiang

Austin: Qi is an intriguing prospect, if only for the fact that he is 7-2. The Chinese project will inevitably remind people of Yi Jianlian, seeing as he is the only legitimate basketball prospect to come out of China since Yi was drafted in the top ten. Qi’s game isn’t really that similar to Yi’s. Qi has the potential to be solid rim rolling big who can finish with a soft touch in traffic. He will need to improve his frame and strength if he wants to be able to play in the paint against NBA bigs.

18. DAMIAN JONES

C, Vanderbilt

Chris: Jones has already announced his intentions to leave school after this year and he made good on his promise to get better, impressing during camps over the summer. Jones is already an impactful player on the defensive end where his rebounding and shot blocking shine.

19. ISAIAH BRISCOE

PG, Kentucky

Austin: Briscoe has the size for the point guard position that NBA teams love at 6-3 with a 6-8 wingspan. He has combo guard potential with his ability to get in the lane and score while also running the show from the point. If he can get some more consistency on his jump shot, Briscoe could make his way up the Big Board.

20. TIMOTHE LUWAWU

SF, Mega Vizura

Austin: Luwawu has the potential to be an impact two-way player in this league. He is an athletic swing man who can put the ball on the deck and finish above the rim. He can create shots for others in the halfcourt out of the pick and roll, a key skill for wings in the NBA. His shooting was seen as a work in progress, but Luwawu is shooting 43.1 percent from deep so far for Mega Vizura this season. The ceiling for the French man is high.

21. DOMANTAS SABONIS

PF, Gonzaga

Chris: The Gonzaga sophomore is basically a 1990s big man — large body, plodding and unlikely to ever shoot from outside. Sabonis made 65.6 percent of his shots last season, all inside the 3-point arc. He’s quick enough to stay in front of opponents, but lacks the wignspan to be a great rim protector.

22. CARIS LEVERT

SG, Michigan

Chris: LeVert is a valuable piece in the modern NBA because of his defensive flexibility. His size and athleticism gives him the ability to guard multiple positions. He’s been successful on offense as well, knocking down 38 percent of his 3-pointers at Michigan. Still, it remains to be seen how LeVert will recover from last season’s foot fracture.

23. IVAN RABB

PF, Cal

Austin: Rabb is more potential than production at this point heading into his freshman season at Cal. He is bouncy and athletic for guy his size, but lacks the polish needed to be a real threat on both ends. Down the road, Rabb could definitely develop into an above the rim finisher and elite shot blocker, which is why you will see him in the first round of many draft boards this season.

24. TAUREAN PRINCE

SF, Baylor

Chris: As a junior, Prince was the most efficient scorer in the Big 12 during conference play. He’s a lanky forward, capable of shooting from outside the 3-point arc. He knocked down 40 percent of his triples last season. With his length, Prince is a great candidate to play the 3-and-D role in the NBA.

25. THOMAS BRYANT

C, Indiana

Chris: At almost 6-11 with a nearly 7-6 wingspan, Bryant is a big dude. He has the physical profile of an NBA big man who can alter shots and crash the boards. He needs polish, but his size and potential make him a nice first round selection.

26. MELO TRIMBLE

PG, Maryland

Austin: Trimble was the steady lead guard at the point of attack for an impressive Maryland offense in 2014-15. With new weapons like Diamond Stone and Rasheed Sulaimon at his disposal, many believe the sophomore guard will be in the discussion for Big Ten player of the year. He is an exceptional decision maker in the pick and roll, knocks down shots from deep and excels at getting to the foul line. If it weren’t for his age —  he will be 21 on draft night — you might see him higher on this list.

27. JUSTIN JACKSON

SF, North Carolina

Chris: As a freshman at North Carolina, Jackson posted a very nice 16.1 points per 40 minutes. He does most of his work inside the 3-point line, shooting 54.4 percent on his 2s. He still needs to develop a consistent outside shot and his defensive ability, but as a rising sophomores, he’s already a fluid scorer.

28. SVIATOSLAV MYKHAILIUK

SG, Kansas

Chris: Mykhailiuk is just 18 years old, but he’s already played a year of college basketball. Mykhailiuk has a nice looking jumper, but he hasn’t converted it into makes at this point. That should change. He’s a smart player who moves the ball well on offense and has the length to become a pesky wing defender at the other end.

29. MALIK POPE

SF, San Diego State

Chris: Pope is another long small foward. 6-10 with a 7-2 wingspan, he has the potential to become a versatile defender at the next level. He only played 15 minutes per game last season at San Diego State, but his 14 points and 7 rebounds per 40 numbers suggest he’s a potential breakout candidate this season.

30. TROY WILLIAMS

SF, Indiana

Austin: Williams has one of the best motors of any draft prospect, constantly changing ends in a frenzy within coach Crean’s high tempo offense. His athleticism and presence defensively allows Indiana to even play him at center during some stretches because of his elite shot blocking prowess. If he can show any improvement on the offensive end outside of transition dunks, you will see his stock rise this season.

31. GRAYSON ALLEN

SG, Duke

Austin: You either love him or hate him. Allen burst onto the scene during Duke’s championship run, becoming a steady part of the rotation and showing off a ballsy shot making ability and swagger that made for some memorable moments. Allen will have a bigger role for another Duke team with high expectations and how he handles the increased spotlight will determine where he ends up falling in the draft.

32. BUDDY HIELD

SG, Oklahoma

Chris: Last season, Hield posted solid efficiency numbers (50.5 eFG%) at a high usage rate (26.8%). He’s a score first guard that would benefit from being about two inches taller. Hield likely won’t be an NBA starter, but could be a nice scoring option who can also handle the ball off the bench.

33. VASILIS CHARALAMPOPOULOS

SF, Panathinaikos

Austin: Here is another sneaky Euro prospect who could either enter the draft this year or next. Vasilis started playing professionally in his home country of Greece when he was just 15 years old. He will be 19 on draft night, giving him nearly four years of pro experience while still being a teenager. What he lacks in athleticism, he makes up for in skill with an ability to create offense and shoot it from deep. Don’t be surprised, however, if he needs another year to develop his body in Greece before coming out in 2017.

34. JALEN BRUNSON

PG, Villanova

Austin: Brunson is an interesting fit for a Villanova team that prides themselves on ball movement and 3-point shooting. While Brunson can get hot from behind the arc, he tends to hunt his own shots and try to create for himself at times. That may be a welcomed addition for a systematic and structured system that hasn’t really had that type of player on their squad. The spacing Brunson will have may make him shine.

35. CHINANU ONUAKU

C, Louisville

Chris: Onuaku’s shot blocking and offensive rebounding (12.3 OR%) are intriguing features for a big man who played in just 40 percent of available minutes last season.

36. ANTONIO BLAKENEY

SG, LSU

Chris: Blakeney is the less heralded of LSU’s two top prospects, but he’s still got plenty of NBA potential that revolves around his athleticism. He needs to learn to play more in the flow of the offense, though.

37. ALEKSANDAR VEZENKOV

PF, Barcelona

Austin: After dropping out of the draft this last summer, Sasha will almost assuredly stay in the pool for the 2016 draft. Vezenkov is a prototypical stretch four, with his best weapon being his 3-point shot. He has a quirky game outside of that, using weird floaters and fakes to finish despite his lack of athleticism. He is one of the better prospects under-20 in Europe and definitely worth keeping tabs on this season.

38. DWAYNE BACON

SF, Florida State

Austin: Bacon plays with an edge and nastiness that will make college basketball fans want to hate him and remind NBA draft connoisseurs of Lance Stephenson. Even though he can have a crazy personality, Bacon can fill it up and score at all three levels, being especially dynamic in transition. The freshman is old for his age, 21, which will hurt his draft stock in the long term.

39. DERRYCK THORNTON

PG, Duke

Chris: Thornton is attempting to fill the void that Tyus Jones left at Duke. He’s not as skilled as Jones, but he’s a capable ballhandler that can run the Blue Devils offense.

40. DANIEL HAMILTON

SG, Connecticut

Austin: Hamilton has shown flashes of being a long, rangy wing with 3-point shooting potential, but his inconsistencies have largely knocked his stock down. If he can put it all together at UConn this season, Hamilton is a candidate to be one of the sleepers in this draft.

41. MARCUS LEE

PF, Kentucky

Austin: Lee has been the guy buried on Kentucky’s frontcourt behind some of the best draft prospects each year. Lee has some intriguing qualities of his own, most notably his freakish athletic ability.

42. DEANDRE BEMBRY

SF, Saint Joseph’s

Chris: Bembry has been a volume scorer at St. Joseph’s, attempting over 450 shots last year with an eFG% of just 48.6 percent. But he’s got good court vision for a small forward, finishing with a 24.4 percent assist rate.

43. RON BAKER

SG, Wichita State

Austin: Baker will get hammered for his lack of size to be a wing and his lack of quickness to be a point guard, but the guy can shoot the lights out and has made tons of big shots in big games during his career in Wichita. He tries hard defensively and can also handle the ball in a pinch as well, giving him multiple skills to work with at the next level.

44. MONTE MORRIS

PG, Iowa State

Chris: Morris is one of the most underrated players in college basketball. He’s a bit on the small side, but Morris is a true point guard that distributes well without turning the ball over. Expect to see his NBA stock grow if he features as a more prominent scoring option under new head coach Steve Prohm.

45. YOGI FERRELL

PG, Indiana

Chris: The Indiana senior is a score first point guard who can get buckets in a variety of ways. He’s small, but his 41.6 3-point percentage helps make him an intriguing option.

46. DENZEL VALENTINE

SF, Michigan State

Austin: The gritty forward from Michigan State doesn’t have the athleticism and quickness that most NBA wings require, but he has worked his tail off to make himself a secondary playmaker and shot creator. His game has grown at MSU, improving his 3-point shooting and off the bounce creation each year. Even though he only stands at 6-5, he could still be a potential small ball power forward due to his strength and motor.

47. TYLER ULIS

PG, Kentucky

Austin: Most draft experts probably won’t believe in Ulis’ potential as an NBA prospect. You can’t argue with the kid’s work ethic and IQ, however, as he proved last year to be one of the most even keeled and poised point guards in the country. If T.J. McConnell can be top ten in the NBA in assists as a rookie, Ulis can definitely make an NBA team.

48. JAKE LAYMAN

PF, Maryland

Chris: Layman is another versatile forward who can shoot it from deep. He made nearly 38 percent of his 3-point shots last season and has the length to defend multiple spots.

49. KENNEDY MEEKS

C, North Carolina

Chris: Meeks is a big time rebounder, grabbing 12.6 per 40 minutes last season. He’s got girth, but is supposedly down to about 265 pounds which should make him a bit more flexible on the offensive end and allow him to expand his game beyond offensive rebound putbacks.

50. ALPHA KABA

PF, Mega Vizura

Austin: Kaba was also an entrant who pulled out of the 2015 NBA Draft and will more than likely stay in this draft. A raw talent currently, Kaba has the potential to be an above the rim finisher on offense in the pick and roll. His 7-6 wingspan and elite athletic ability will make scouts flock to see his games this season.

51. AMIDA BRIMAH

C, Connecticut

Austin: Brimah has steadily improved every single year at UConn under coach Kevin Ollie. After hardly being able to catch the ball when he first stepped on campus to now being the anchor of the defense and a dunk machine, Brimah will be a focal point for a UConn team looking to bounce back this upcoming season.

52. WAYNE SELDEN

SG, Kansas

Chris: Selden came into college as a one-and-done talent, but he hasn’t lived up to the hype at Kansas. The hope, though, is that the flashes Selden showed at the World University Games this summer, averaging 19.4 points per contest over five games, are a permanent uptick for the junior guard.

53. AJ HAMMONS

C, Purdue

Austin: Hammons may end up being the oldest player in the draft at 23, the age most NBA players are beginning the last year of their rookie contract. You can’t argue with his size and shot blocking ability, as well as his improving, well rounded offensive game. Purdue’s success this season lies on Hammons’ broad shoulders.

54. BRICE JOHNSON

C, North Carolina

Chris: Johnson is an athletic 6-9 forward who spends his time inside the 3-point line. He posted strong rebounding (12.6 rebounds per 40 minutes) and shooting numbers (56.6 eFG%) last season, but needs to improve his instincts on the defensive end.

55. TYRONE WALLACE

PG, Cal

Chris: Wallace is a big point guard at 6-6 and his size makes him attractive as a potentially versatile defender in the NBA. He’s not a big offensive threat, but his physical profile gives teams something to work with.

56. KYLE WILTJER

PF, Gonzaga

Austin: This may seem like a low ranking for a potential player of the year candidate, but Wiltjer doesn’t project to have many NBA skills outside of his jump shot. That jumper is an elite skill for him, though, and could give him the chance to get drafted in June.

57. PRINCE IBEH

C, Texas

Chris: Ibeh has yet to find his place at Texas. As a junior, he played in just 26 percent of the available minutes. Still, it wouldn’t surprise us if Ibeh finds a spot in the NBA. During his time on the floor, Ibeh turned away 13.6 percent of available shot attempts. Rim protection is a valuable asset, which is why Ibeh is making an appearance on the board.

58. ALEX POYTHRESS

SF, Kentucky

Austin: Everybody forgets how highly rated and recruited Poythress was. Once seen as a potential one and done lottery pick, Poythress has struggled with his role and an ACL injury that ended his 2014-15 early. Back this year, Poythress will hopefully get the chance to show the country his athleticism and motor that made him such a highly ranked prospect.

59. DORIAN FINNEY-SMITH

SF, Florida

Chris: Finney-Smith showed off an improved jumper last year, making 43 percent of his 3-point attempts. He’s got a high block percentage (3.6) for a wing and can also create turnovers. Another good 3-and-D candidate for the NBA.

60. MAMADOU N’DIAYE

C, UC Irvine

Austin: This dude is 7-6 and anchored one of the best defenses in America last season. Why not have him at the back end of the draft?