2019 NBA Mock Draft: No one in the lottery wants to lose

Looking back through Sam Vecenie’s stellar college coaches poll series, Morant stands out as one of the most praised prospects by far. All the coaches quoted in the piece have nothing but incredible things to say about Morant’s growth, his all-around game and his competitiveness.

First:

"“I love him. I absolutely love him. His deal is that he’s going to compete at a high level every night. Even if he’s a high pick, he’s going to try to knock off the few guys that are picked in front of him every night. He hasn’t got caught up in the hype. He has a confidence about him, but I don’t think he thinks or knows he’s as good as he’s going to be. “I don’t think he’s anything less than a top-seven pick. His ability to change directions as a separator is special.”"

Then:

"“Everyone can watch the highlight dunks, the assists, but in person, the thing that was most impressive to me was his will to compete and his will to win. That was just as impressive as the dozens of his highlight dunks, which are good, by the way.”"

And finally:

"“In my decade-plus coaching, he’s the best prospect I’ve seen at the mid-major level. … He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen going left, and passing left. He’s a good athlete. “But he’s no question the best prospect I’ve seen at the mid-major level.”"

We can’t wait for Morant to join the cavalcade of athletic young point guards breaking through in the NBA.