2019 NBA Mock Draft: Getting familiar with the top of the 2019 class

Culver is the main holdover from last year’s surprise Texas Tech squad that made an Elite Eight run and turned Zhaire Smith into a first-round pick out of nowhere. He has taken the opportunity of Smith’s and Jarrett Culver’s departures and become the Red Raiders’ biggest offensive weapon.

It’s a story that supports sticking around in college to flesh out one’s skill set. Culver has more than doubled his assist rate, gotten to the line at the level of a legitimate primary scoring option and maintained elite shooting numbers. Altogether, that means the sophomore wing is putting up 26.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists per 40 minutes this season for 11-1 Texas Tech.

This pick comes Boston’s way via Sacramento and in just the perfect spot. While every team would obviously prefer to acquire the best talent, the Celtics are one team whose incredible wing development success probably raises the ceiling of most of the guys they bring in at the position. Culver stuck out as a first-round talent in the eyes of many last season before opting to return to Lubbock and his stock exploded when he led the Red Raiders against Zion Williamson and Duke in mid-December at Madison Square Garden.

Culver may be the biggest riser over the course of the season in our mock drafts should his team and individual success continue.