Fansided

Incoming college basketball recruits who could be 2020 NBA Draft lottery picks

By Evan Kurland

MARIETTA, GA - MARCH 25: James Wiseman attends the 2019 Powerade Jam Fest on March 25, 2019 in Marietta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images for Powerade)
MARIETTA, GA - MARCH 25: James Wiseman attends the 2019 Powerade Jam Fest on March 25, 2019 in Marietta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images for Powerade) /
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SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 21: Federal Way Eagles forward Jaden McDaniels (2) during the high school basketball game between the Ranney Panthers and Federal Way Eagles on January 21, 2019 at Blake Arena in Springfield, MA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 21: Federal Way Eagles forward Jaden McDaniels (2) during the high school basketball game between the Ranney Panthers and Federal Way Eagles on January 21, 2019 at Blake Arena in Springfield, MA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

6. Jaden McDaniels, Washington

Current Strengths: To an extent, McDaniels is what you would create in a lab if you were trying to create the ideal and modern 4-man. Tremendous length at 6’11” with advanced athleticism as well as a feel for the game for someone his age. The younger brother of 2019 NBA Draft prospect Jalen, who had a growth spurt in college so there is the potential that Jaden is not done yet growing. McDaniels has great control of his length and uses it on offense and defense. Offensively he can control himself while going to the rim, as well as using his frame to create shots for himself. Defensively McDaniels is a plus rebounder and has the potential to be a plus-plus defender/rim-protector. Likes to shoot the ball from every level and is continually developing.

Room for growth: McDaniels is rail-thin at 185 pounds. It isn’t an exaggeration to say that his potential can be directly linked to how his body ends up developing over the next three-five years. 185 pounds is far too thin for college let alone the NBA, and with his high center of gravity McDaniels will be pushed around if he cannot physically handle his opponents. His jumper still needs to improve, and his handle isn’t as good as it needs to be for someone who likes to have the ball as much as he does, but unless McDaniels develops physically and adds functional strength he will remain a raw prospect.