2018 NBA Mock Draft: Collin Sexton could break open the New York Knicks’ ceiling

As conference play continues across the country, we are again mocking the 2018 NBA draft, as freshman across the country continue to dazzle us.

Picks are based upon 538’s CARM-Elo projections, and each pick is also evaluated for fit from the drafting team’s perspective. That means team needs and tendencies are taken into consideration.

I watched Shamet in Saturday night’s slugfest between SMU and Wichita State, and came away even more impressed with his ability to manage responsibility as a ball-handler.

The junior carries about as sparkling a statistical profile as there is in the NCAA, shooting 53 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3 on his way to 16 points per game. On top of that, he has tallied 98 assists on the season compared to only 34 turnovers. The Shockers are one of the best teams in the country.

On Saturday, he eviscerated SMU’s free zone by draining 3s over the top of it time and again, nearly bringing Wichita State back from a double-digit deficit with less than five minutes remaining in the game.

The chemistry Shamet has developed with big man Shaq Morris is the biggest catalyst for Wichita State’s resurgent No. 13 offense. He doesn’t really have a weakness as a scorer right now, apart from somewhat below-average athleticism. He can fill it up from all three areas of the court, and knows when to pass.

The rich get richer in this mock draft, as college basketball’s most prolific 3-point shooter goes to the NBA’s best 3-point shooting team.