James Wiseman headlines a group of incoming college basketball recruits who should be lottery picks in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The 2019 NBA Draft is less than a week away. By now prospects have been analyzed down to every measurable and their ceilings have already been defined even though collectively the 2019 class has played zero games in the NBA. Since everyone is familiar with this year’s draft, let’s take a look at the 2020 prospects.
Before we begin I would like to note a few things. First, this list is not a mock draft. In no way is the order of players seen my projected order of how I think they will be selected in the 2020 NBA Draft. This 14 man list is made of incoming college freshman or would be in the case of RJ Hampton.
This list was based on projecting these young men into the NBA instead of college. None of these teenagers are immune to meeting/exceeding/falling short of the expectations placed upon them by their coaches and fans. However, this current list is a mix of versatile players with varying degrees of athleticism. One guarantee we can confidently say is that they are all far from finished products.
As you will observe there is no category for weakness for these players. Following the respective player’s strengths, their “room for growth” is discussed. I firmly believe that these 17-19-year-olds should not have their potential limited or questioned, and they all have a lot of basketball ahead of them before we can even decide if they reached their potential or not.
14. Khalil Whitney, Kentucky
Current Strengths: Whitney has a prototypical NBA wing physique standing at 6’8” with a plus wingspan. Whitney constantly improved every year during his high school career, most recently showing the comfortability and consistency to score the ball from the perimeter. A more competent three-level scorer, Whitney will also put the ball on the deck and attack the rim. Expected to be a solid defender and rebounder throughout his career with his natural athleticism.
Room for growth: Lengthy frame needs to fill out as he currently weighs under 200 pounds. A year in the Kentucky weight room will be crucial. Whitney’s perimeter shooting has improved but a track record of consistent performance will need to be displayed before a full vote of confidence can be given/projected to the next level. Whitney has never needed to facilitate or be a playmaker for his teammates and that is his biggest question mark right now. Versatility also a question mark, need to see if/how he handles running a pick and roll as the ball handler.
13. Josh Green, Arizona
Current Strengths: Big, fast, and strong player who is versatile enough to excel as a 2 or a 3. One of the primer athletes in his class who also has an innate feel for the game. Excels in transition with his explosiveness. Green is exceptional at getting to the basket with an explosive first move to compliment his natural abilities. Green has extended his shooting range to the perimeter but like most of his peers, he will have to prove that he can consistently shoot the ball from deep. Should always be expected to be a plus defender and rebounder due to his combination of energy and physical profile.
Room for growth: Green is most comfortable in the full-court and will need to display the ability to consistently understand how to attack a set half-court defense. Green’s natural gifts are unquestioned, however, he will face the same questions of other supreme athletes whose raw abilities can compensate for their skill.
12. Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky
Current Strengths: A threat to score from the moment he steps onto the basketball court. Possess deep range and a solid ability to score both off the bounce or catch. Three level scorer potential. Is unique with his ability to play the 1 or 2 (6’3″), an ideal combo guard with great athleticism and has the ability to blow-by his man. Will enhance half-court spacing with his perimeter range. Good ball-handling but will need to tighten against better competition. Shows competitiveness and desire that should make him a plus defender and rebounder. Maxey is stepping into a great situation at Kentucky where he won’t have to step in as the primary guard and can ease his way into taking turns running an offense while being a threat as an off-ball guard at the same time. Definitely expect an impressive season in Lexington.
Room for growth: Maxey is one of the most well-rounded freshman prospects that will be eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft. He will need to add strength and improve his ball-handling. Most importantly, Maxey will need to show that he can balance his playmaking with immense scoring prowess. Facilitating and setting up his Wildcats teammates will be a must watch heading into next season.
11. Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
Current Strengths: A top-tier athletic marvel, Achiuwa has as much raw and physical ability as anyone in his class. His physical profile is already ready to handle the college game (6’9”/215). Achiuwa is a combo forward with already good functional strength and explosiveness on the court and on his leaping ability as well. A “mold of clay” in terms of his rawness that has not allowed for a ceiling to be placed on him yet. Will be absolutely devastating in transition and should have the ability to impose his physicality upon others, especially when he attacks the basket as he should be highly efficient around the rim entering college.
Room for growth: Being as raw as he is athletic is significant. Achiuwa’s skill level has to catch up to his natural abilities or else he will eventually be labeled as one of the many uber-athletes that never developed the requisite skill to complement their athleticism. No need for concern at 19 years old, but evaluators will be monitoring closely to see if Achiuwa develops into a more complete basketball player. A lot of unknowns define Achiuwa, which likely makes him a polarizing figure across scouting departments.
10. Matthew Hurt, Duke
Current Strengths: Without a doubt one of the best shooters in his class. Possesses a very quick and smooth shot that is highly accurate. Will start his college career likely as a stretch-four standing 6’9″. Hurt can shoot off the catch or dribble and has the potential to be devastating operating at times out of the high post. Hurt can create his own shots and is also a good playmaker in the half-court and in transition. His basketball IQ is high on both ends of the court. Overall, Hurt plays with solid fundamentals that allows him to defend superior athletes, especially on the perimeter. Must be accounted for at all times by opposing defenses.
Room for growth: Hurt is extremely thin and listed to enter college at 215 pounds. His initial potential will be tested by how he can handle more physically mature opponents as they try to out-muscle Hurt and get him into foul trouble. Hurt doesn’t have enough quickness right now as well to handle shifty guards out to the perimeter, so a switch-heavy defensive scheme will likely not be a great fit for him right now. Possess an even wingspan. Hurt has immense potential due to his strong fundamentals and shooting, however, advanced body and weight training is appearing to be the x-factor for Hurt.
9. Vernon Carey, Duke
Current Strengths: Carey enters college with a man’s body at 6’10” and 275 pounds. Just an extremely strong prospect that will never be out-muscled. Son of a former NFL offensive lineman and the genealogy checks out. Carey is extremely skilled for someone his size and possesses a soft and nimble feel to the game. Carey plays hard and will always be running in transition, he is a without a doubt a team player. Carey is a rare modern player who has multiple post moves and can create his own hook and spin shots from the post, he has great body control and knows how to use his backside to seal off opposing defenders. Carey has legitimate range out to the college three but has not always been consistent, however, he is always working to improve his game as he loves basketball. Defensively, Carey will be a rim-protector and plus-rebounder if the system he plays in calls for him to be near the basket instead of the perimeter.
Room for growth: Carey has the size but his wingspan is slightly below the ideal NBA standards (wingspan measured at 7’0″.) Carey will need to show advanced shot anticipation and feel around the rim on defense since wingspan matters so much to NBA teams. Overall, Carey doesn’t have major weaknesses. His commitment to staying at an ideal playing shape/level of conditioning will always be monitored since it has changed over his high-school years. Remember, his father was an NFL lineman so Carey likely has the ability to add more weight if he does not adhere to a specific dietary/workout regiment.
8. Scottie Lewis, Florida
Current Strengths: Lewis has an immense physical profile with his long and rangy wing size (6’6) to go along with a plus wingspan. Mental makeup is there as well, Lewis loves basketball and is a competitor. High energy player with a great motor that simply doesn’t stop during the course of a game. Lewis is an unbelievable athlete. The defensive side of the game is his calling card right now. Lewis is a nightmare for opponents and can suffocate an opposing team’s best offensive player. Has the potential to be one of the best perimeter defenders in college as a freshman. Lewis moves his feet really well and uses his length to interrupt passing lanes and make life difficult for ball-handlers. His highwire explosiveness is also evident in transition since he can run and jump with the best in his class. A true team player who is a good passer. Lewis is also a good rebounder and is capable of leading and finishing the fastbreak baseline-to-baseline.
Room for growth: Lewis’ offensive game is on the opposite spectrum of his defensive ability. He is not a real scoring threat and must improve his shooting to at least league average percentage wise. Defenses will dare him to shoot and the greater spacing in college and the NBA has the potential to even further highlight Lewis’ difficulties shooting while simultaneously harming his team’s offensive potency and spacing. The raw talent is evidently seen with Lewis, but he will potentially face difficulties once he is no longer the significantly greatest athlete on the court.
7. Nico Mannion, Arizona
Current Strengths: Will be one of the youngest, if not the youngest player in the 2020 NBA Draft as he graduated high school early to play for Arizona in 2019-2020. Took the “next step” in evaluators eyes during this year’s all-star circuit with his continued improvement and fiercely competitive nature. Mannion’s competitiveness matches his fellow class colleague Cole Anthony, and the two were notably going back-and-forth during practice scrimmages.
Mannion is a do-everything guard from playmaking to scoring. He can score at every level and will be a consistent perimeter threat during his potential one year at Arizona. Mannion possesses a great handle and Is on-target with his passes and can expertly find teammates in transition or in the half-court. Will be a high assist-to-turnover guard since he takes care of the ball so well and makes good decisions constantly.
Room for growth: NBA franchises will love having Mannion enter the NBA at 18 years old, however being that young also includes a year of not being as developed athletically and physically. Mannion has already good but improving athleticism, and NBA teams will not be able to accelerate the time it takes for the requisite physical maturity. Strength will have to be added (currently 180 pounds). Will have a higher floor than most prospects because of how well-rounded he is but his ceiling will be determined by how his body develops during the next two-four years.
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.
5. RJ Hampton, Texas HS/New Zealand
Current Strengths: Great sized combo guard (6’5″) who is at his best when the ball is in his hands and he is attacking the basket. High basketball IQ player who is a leader and frequently shows his passion for the game. Hampton is great at utilizing his physical profile to penetrate on offense and cause the defense to collapse. Hampton’s competitive nature already makes him a solid defender but he has the potential to be even better defensively as he develops. A confident young man who will be monitored closely as he chose to forgo college to play professionally in New Zealand.
Room for growth: Hampton will need to hit the weight room in New Zealand. His weight is currently listed at 185 pounds and he will have to show a commitment to strength training while abroad. Hampton also needs to improve his shooting. Most importantly however Hampton will be observed by NBA personnel to see how he handles being a professional against grown men while half-way across the world.
Will Hampton be able to emotionally handle the culture shock as well as deal with not being the go-to player on his team? Most high school players who skipped college have not had tremendous success, although none of had notably bad experiences. Maybe a year away from the American basketball media will artificially keep Hampton as a top-8 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
4. Isaiah Stewart, Washington
Current Strengths: Stewart is a chiseled young man with broad and muscular shoulders, who has even more room to physically develop. Possesses a plus-plus wingspan. Stewart has constantly developed his game and shows a true commitment to improving himself as a basketball player.
Stewart has good yet basic post moves and shows comfortability going over either shoulder for a baby-hook. His jumper has nice touch and projects to reach out to three-point territory. Defensively his long arms allow him to alter shots around the rim and during a regular contest. Has consistently been mentioned as the best, or one of the best rebounders in his class. Can run the floor during the transition and has terrific conditioning for a prospect.
Room for growth: Still needs to be seen how Stewart defends in greater space. He still needs to extend his jump shot as said above but right now is likely, not consistent from the college/international three-point line. His post repertoire could expand, but how many NBA teams are looking for advanced post moves? Stewart doesn’t have many flaws as a prospect. Yes he is only 6’9” but his monster wingspan will allow him to play as a 5 in the NBA, his ceiling will likely be tied to his defense.
3. Anthony Edwards, Georgia
Current Strengths: An ideal prospect with his 6’5″ size, weighing 215 pounds and with a plus wingspan. Edwards is a truly explosive athlete who can attack off the dribble at any moment. Edwards fits into today’s NBA mold of a player that excels in ball screens and can make appropriate reads against defenses.
A truly special scorer at every level and has to be accounted for at all times. Edwards has spent years improving his jump shot and should be one of the better freshmen three-point shooters. Edwards physique allows him to be a good defender and should never be a liability on the defensive end. Truly committed to basketball and graduated high school a year early to enroll in college.
Room for growth: Edwards is a special prospect, but he still needs to show that he can handle and excel against any and every jump in competition. Edwards will be one of the youngest freshmen in college basketball next season so his poise will be monitored and tested against veteran-laden teams. There aren’t concerns for Edwards offensively. The upcoming college season will likely be the first time Edwards has to commit to playing defense so how he adjusts to new team concepts and systems is a must-watch.
2. Cole Anthony, North Carolina
Current Strengths: One of the best competitors (if not the best) in his class. A fiery player who has the requisite heart and mentality needed to become an all-star/franchise player. Cannot say enough positives about his mental intangibles, he has the maturity and work ethic to hit the NBA running as well as any rookie point guard can.
A prominent combo guard who excels more with the ball in his hands. Extremely athletic with a burst, energy, and speed that is usually unmatched. Tremendous handle. Special in transition and has a first step to get by his opponents. His attacking approach to basketball is evident with the ball in his hands, he is always looking to stress the defense and attack the rim.
Can also score at every other level and has shown a consistent improvement from the perimeter with this three-point shooting. Carries the same mindset on defense as he does on offense. His great energy and quick feet will allow him to be a good defender for as long as he wants.
Room for growth: Has had to be such a dynamic scorer that Anthony’s current facilitating for others and reading an entire defense needs to be enhanced. Fortunately, he will receive a master-class in playmaking/reading defenses running the “Carolina Break,” which puts immense responsibilities on the point guard. He has been more of a scoring guard than a point guard so Anthony will have to learn when to switch playing styles when it benefits the team the most.
1. James Wiseman, Memphis
Current Strengths: Modern day center whose physical profile checks every box required in today’s NBA. A tremendous athlete with a plus wingspan, extremely coordinated and fluid who excels in the open-floor/transition game. Defensively has the lateral and vertical quickness to defend in great space and will give opposing point guards trouble in spread pick-and-roll situations. Rather explosive for a seven-footer and can regularly use explosive and quick dribbles against his man in a one-on-one setting. Pretty consistent with his right shoulder lefty-hook in the post. Capable midrange shooter and has shown effort and potential for even greater expanded shooting range.
Room for growth: Still needs to physically mature like almost every other 18-19-year-old NBA prospect. His current weight at 210 pounds is simply too lite right now. I would like to emphasize that this isn’t a major concern since he will enter professional strength programs in college and the NBA and is still physically developing. It is ok to be 18 and not be at your professional playing weight! On offense, his repertoire needs to expand beyond the lefty-hooks and mid-range jumpers. Off-hand needs to be developed more with ball-handling and post moves. Ball handling can be tighter but right now is in great shape with his current skills and trajectory. Rebounding has been a frequent knock by scouts and hopefully, his future strength and weight gain will improve offensive and defensive rebounding.