A NOTE FROM CHARLIE GOLDSMITH - The Bench Mob NBA

A NOTE FROM CHARLIE GOLDSMITH

I hate being asked why I’m interested in the NBA Draft and why I care about so many players
who have a historically small chance at ever playing in the league.

Breaking down the draft and familiarizing myself with a fresh group of players every season
forces me process information quickly and answer a lot of questions. Why doesn’t he play point
guard? What’s going on with his jump shot? Why does he always defend the worst shooter on
the floor?

In the NBA, we know a lot of these answers because we’ve seen these players for years. By
now, we can be fairly certain that Ish Smith will run a lot of pick and roll and have the ball in his.
We know that JaVale McGee will dive as hard as he can to the rim because he’s not looking to
get the ball on a short roll and take a contested floater. But with NBA Draft prospects, we know
so much less. At this stage, the players don’t even fully know who they are.

Throughout the college season, I watched about three games every night. As I tried to answer
the pressing questions I had about every game, I always focused on team context. At this stage
of my career, I don’t consider myself an expert on Xs and Os or team defense, but I watch
enough college basketball to understand why a coach uses a player the way he does. I focus on
relationships between players– what Eli Cain’s development as an on-ball playmaker means for
Max Strus– and look at how coaches manipulate rotations to get more out of their stars. This will
likely be the only draft guide that invests 100 words on what the midseason decision for Murray
State to start Darnell Cowart meant about Ja Morant. It’s a ten-player sport, and in this guide I
focus on why a player does what he does, which can be a telling sign for what their true best
skills are.

Since I don’t yet put in the same legwork for international prospects like Goga Bitadze or Sekou
Doumbouya or high school prospects like Jalen Lecque or Darius Bazley, I’ve decided to not
include them in this draft guide. This is a breakdown of the 95 best NCAA prospects who have
entered the 2019 draft, ranked in descending order. In total, it includes 94 pages and 35,546
words on draft analysis in a detailed written format you won’t find anywhere else. Every
observation is taken from notes I’ve worked on all season scouting every player on this list
multiple times.

I’ve broken down every player analysis into four sections– year in review, college context,
strengths and weaknesses and projection. “Year in Review” addresses how the player’s draft
stock has changed over the last 12 months. “College Context” analyzes the prospects’
situations and how valuable they were for evaluating a prospect (a great transition scorer is hard
to evaluate on a team that plays at a slow tempo, for example). “Strengths and Weaknesses” is
a more traditional breakdown of every player, hitting on some of the important notes an NBA fan
should know. Finally, the “Projection” section provides my opinion on how the player will fit in
the NBA and how the draft season could shake out for them.

This isn’t meant to be a definitive analysis, as there are people who I know can do a better job
at providing comprehensive breakdowns. But I am confident that any casual fan, professional

NBA writer or team executive will learn something about every prospect I’ve included. This was
a true passion project, and it really means a lot to have you here.

Please contact me with any questions (draft related or professional) at
charliegoldsmith18@gmail.com or find me on Twitter. I’m happy to talk with all of you guys.

___________________________________________________________________________

 95. MYLES POWELL, GUARD, SETON HALL

 Year in Review

 No guard in college basketball had a bigger increase in responsibility after the Pirates
 graduated its four best players including program icon Angel Delgado. As a fourth option last
 year, he took about 11 shots per game, mostly a diet of catch-and shoot threes. This year,
 that figure jumped to over 16 as he became the undisputed shot creator on a team without
 much else offensively. He surprisingly led Seton Hall back the tournament before declaring for
 the draft as a junior.

 College Context

 No supporting player on this team averaged four or more assists per game, shot particularly
 well from three-point range or was a dominant post threat. Powell made the offense work
 anyway. Transitioning from a spark-plug, off-ball mover in 2017-18, Powell became a DIY jack
 of all trades for the Pirates, averaging 23.1 points on 30.9 percent usage. While he improved
 several moves this season (did you see the step backs he hit to beat Kentucky?), he projects
 best case to play a role similar to what he did as a sophomore at the next level.

 Strengths and Weaknesses

 -Long track record of hitting difficult, deep three-point attempts off movement
 -Showed improved on-ball, pick-and-roll ability this year
 -Excellent in transition and can finish creatively below and above the rim
 - Legitimately a fearless player who will pull up from anywhere regardless of the situation

 -Was flanked by a terrific set of athletes who covered for him defensively
 -Rarely defended NBA caliber players in conference play
 - His six-foot-two, 195 pound frame wasn’t as big of an issue in the Big East as it will be at the
 next level

 Projection

 There will be some cut-throat competition in the pre-draft process between Powell and other
 players of his ilk in this range to determine who is the best undersized off-ball shooter and
 playmaker. For as much love as Fletcher McGee and Kyle Guy are getting, Powell belongs in

the same conversation as a player who can provide a similar spark, either in the G League,
 overseas or as a deep bench player in the NBA.

94. CALEB MARTIN, WING, NEVADA

Year in Review

After leading the Wolfpack as the offensive life-blood of a Sweet 16 team in the 2018 season,
Martin and his team each regressed somewhat in the 2018-19 season. Despite returning
virtually the entire team, Martin continued to show some of the same weaknesses– forcing
shots– without improving his creation ability or his finishing at the rim. This year, he averaged
19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 33.8 percent from three-point range.
He attended the combine last year and likely won’t get that chance in 2019, signaling a step
back in his stock.

College Context

For the past two seasons, Nevada has been built a lot like a G-League team, with several
experienced and athletic transfers thrown together to play in an up-tempo system. Martin’s twin
Cody ran the point, while Caleb slashed on the perimeter and ran side pick-and-roll. He has
been their late-game option in the same way that Donovan Mitchell is for the Jazz– he’s the best
one they have so the ball will always be in his hands.

Strengths and Weaknesses

- Most of the high-volume shooters in college basketball don’t have the size that Martin has
- He relies on an effective back-cut to get space off ball, and he can finish the floater or pass out
to an open shooter
- His experience and age make him a player who is more likely to contribute right away than
most long-term projects who go undrafted.

-He was mostly a net-neutral for the Wolfpack on the defensive end, given a lesser defensive
responsibility than his brother
- He’s not necessarily explosive or creative around the rim, and he really relies on his floater
- The three-point shot was a hindered his upside offensively in college and will be something
that will be necessary to improve.

Projection

Martin is worth giving a two-way contract because there are few undrafted prospects with his
combination of size, versatility and scoring punch. However, it will all come down to how
efficient he can be, especially from beyond the arc, to determine if he’ll end up an effective NBA
role player or an MVP caliber player in the Euro League.

93. JESSIE GOVAN, BIG, GEORGETOWN

Year in Review

Jessie Govan and Patrick Ewing appeared to be a match made in heaven, but after the Hoyas
failed to reach the NCAA Tournament again this year, Govan is moving on the NBA. He did
exhibit much improvement as a senior, adding several new moves to his finesse-based interior
game and doubling his three-point attempts per game. He averaged 17.5 points and 7.5
rebounds per game, establishing himself as one of the best traditional bigs in the NCAA.

College Context

Aside from Govan, Georgetown featured several explosive but unpolished athletes on the
perimeter, including Mac McClung, James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc. Ewing revolved his offense
around the talented center, who is an effective post scorer with both hands and has excellent
touch around the basket. Still the Hoyas struggled defensively without without Govan on the
floor, which led to their NIT finish.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-His touch around the rim sets up his effective post game, and he has more weapons in the
paint than most big men
-Despite playing a drop-back scheme that puts him in the war zone, Govan rarely gets into foul
trouble and averages over a block per game
- He’s unusually comfortable getting double teamed, and despite heavy on-ball pressure over
the last two years he’ll consistently make smart reads

-He struggled guarding bigger post-threats, like Xavier’s Zack Hankins, as well as perimeter-
oriented teams, like Villanova and Marquette
-Being one of the biggest players in the Big East and spending all his time around the basket,
Govan should have put up better rebounding numbers, indicating a need to improve his timing
-The three-point shot is coming, but without it Govan is much less valuable as a pick-and-roll
screener

Projection

At a bare minimum, Govan develops into one of the best big men in the G League or overseas
because of a hard-to-find natural scoring ability for a true center. He’s worth bringing in as a
center to compete with more veteran options, who will be able to test Govan’s mettle
defensively.

92. BRYCE BROWN, GUARD, AUBURN

Year in Review

Brown didn’t change much between his junior and senior seasons, but in his last year on
campus he led the team in scoring on a surprising Final Four team. At only 21, Brown is on the
younger end among other seniors, and he’s continued to showcase the impressive athleticism
that first got him on the floor as a freshmen while having a massive role in the offense. He
averaged 15.9 points this year, shot over 50 percent from the field and hit over 40 percent of his
threes.

College Context

Brown was the best athlete on the most athletic team in the country. He handled a lot of the shot
creating duties while holding notable responsibilities on the defensive end, covering ground for
undersized point guard Jared Harper. Brown would put his head down, rev up the engines and
either make it to the basket or pull up for a decent mid-range jumper, frightening opposing
defenders along the way.

Strengths and Weaknesses

- He’s a rare 50-40 club member with a heavy usage rate (22.6), indicating how he grew more
comfortable into a large role on offense
- He can get way over the rim off the drive, leading to impressive, acrobatic finishes
- Excellent in the side pick-and-roll at attacking the middle of the floor and finding room for a
shot

-Never developed much of a passing game, partially because he mostly played alongside Jared
Harper
- Snatched over a steal per game, but he’s a riverboat gambler with a slim frame who can likely
only guard twos

Projection

While Brown wouldn’t receive as big a role at the next level as he had under Bruce Pearl, the
Auburn guard has an extremely strong combination of athleticism and shooting ability. He’ll
likely shine in an environment like pre-draft workouts or Summer League, which should lead to
an NBA shot this fall.

91. CHRIS CLEMONS, GUARD, CAMPBELL

Year in Review

Everyone’s favorite short point guard in the NCAA, Clemons dazzled in every game, averaging
over 30 points on 39 percent usage and 61 percent true shooting percentage. I can’t remember
seeing a usage and a true shooting percentage so gaudy. He was one of the best players in the
country on a team that received almost no national recognition, but that didn’t stop him from
being one of the most fun to watch guys in the nation.

College Context

I mean, the usage percentage speaks for itself. The Camels reached the NIT after falling in the
conference tournament to Gardner Webb. Clemons can usually be found with a ball in his
hands, dancing around screens or probing a defense for open space.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-His pull-up jump shot is deadly from beyond the arc, and because he’s small he has a really
quick trigger
- His hops make him able to compete against bigs in the lane, which is rare for point guards his
size

-For someone with such a high usage, it’s surprising to see only 2.8 assists per game, but a
factor in that is surrounding talent
-Size is an obvious issue, as his 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame makes him a liability defensively in
any system
- Has never really played at a high level against top competition, playing in the Big South and
never making an NCAA Tournament

Projection

It seems like short point guards have a short lifespan in the NBA (remember Shane Larkin
played in the playoffs last year), but Clemons has the explosiveness and shooting ability to be a
part of that rotation of guards who hang around the NBA. At the very least, he’s beneficial to
have around in the G League to help open things up for developmental projects playing at that
level.

90. KYLE GUY, GUARD, VIRGINIA

Year in Review

In the 2018-19 season, Kyle Guy won a national championship, established himself as one of
the top scoring guards in the NCAA and then saw several of his teammates declare for the NBA
draft. He averaged 15.4 points per game and shot 42.6 percent from the three-point arc on over
seven threes per game. His constant motor and improved off-ball ability made him a more
legitimate NBA prospect this season.

College Context

In the NCAA Championship game, it looked like stopping Guy was Texas Tech’s top priority
before De’Andre Hunter became unstoppable in the second half. Nevertheless, Guy was
probably in the best possible environment he could imagine– playing next to another off-ball
sharpshooter who has the length to cover ground for him on the defensive end and surrounded
by other confident offensive playmakers. Without Jerome and Hunter, Guy would have been
forced to run more on-ball sets and would never have seen the same amount of space he found
in Virginia’s offense.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-Made his reputation as an excellent navigator of off-ball screens and shooting accurate threes
from any angle
- As he showcased in the NCAA Tournament, his shot selection is unfettered by the stage of the
game

-Hasn’t shown much ability to finish among the trees in the lane
-Clear defensive concerns as a result of his small frame and limited wingspan
-Would have to be one of the smallest shooting guards in the NBA because of his inexperience
at the point

Projection

No matter what, Guy will be getting up a bunch of shots somewhere this fall. There are,
however, several concerns he’ll have to address in the pre-draft process and summer league,
mostly questions about how he fits defensively and whether he can handle the ball. He likely
won’t be drafted, but he’ll be a valuable player to invite to Summer League because of that
shooting potential.

89. JUSTIN ROBINSON, GUARD, VIRGINIA TECH

Year in Review

Robinson put up eerily similar statistics in his last two seasons at Virginia Tech, and by
December it was established that he is an excellent college point guard who can run an efficient
offense. The biggest change for the Hokies was the emergence of Nickeil Alexander Walker,
who suddenly developed into a late lottery talent and forced Robinson to let go of the reigns
more often. But in any role, Robinson was extremely valuable and effective. He averaged 13.5
points and 5 assists on 41.8 percent shooting from three.

College Context

He was a dangerous enough point guard to keep Alexander Walker off ball throughout his
career. Robinson’s pull-up and pick-and-roll ability kept defenses from throwing themselves at
the team’s best player. When Robinson returned from injuries and after Alexander Walker
further developed his primary ball-handling abilities, Robinson served as a strong spot up
shooter when asked and provided relief to the first-round talent on his team.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-Shot over 40 percent from behind the arc has dribbles into a confident pull-up from deep
-A classic pick and roll maestro who created great opportunities for big Kerry Blackshear

-Not really a plus defender, and Alexander Walker always took the more difficult assignment
- Limited upside as a starting lead ball-handler because of his small frame (listed 6’2”) and slow
dribble

Projection

Plug Robinson onto any summer league or G League team, and he’ll provide the opportunity to
properly evaluate that player. If it’s a bigger guard, Robinson can handle the ball and spot up. If
it’s a big, Robinson can effectively show what they look like in the pick-and-roll. While he’ll likely
never be more than a backup guard because of his subpar lateral quickness and inconsistent
defense, Robinson can have value to teams over the course of his career as a Raymond Felton
type who would steady an offense.

88. MARIAL SHAYOK, FORWARD, IOWA STATE

Year in Review

A transfer from Virginia, Shayok took advantage of his only season in the Big 12 by averaging
18.7 points per game on a top-25 team for most of the season. He was far and away the most
aggressive shot creator in the starting lineup for the Cyclones, taking 13.6 per game on a heavy
diet of three-point and mid-range pull-ups. That improved ability to hunt for his shot offensively
and overall consistent play led to him emerging as a player with a real shot at playing in the
NBA.

College Context

Despite playing for a team with a load of NBA prospects, Shayok a much needed aggressive
player for the Cyclones. Tyrese Haliburton put up a legendarily low usage rate, and Talen
Horton Tucker played an inconsistent offensive role and was almost always off-ball. Meanwhile,
he was an awkward fit with guard Lindell Wigginton, who came into the season expected to be
the team’s best player but shot himself out of the starting lineup, which left more room for
Shayok.

Strengths and Weaknesses

- As discussed, his fluid pull-up game was effective at Iowa State, but not necessarily
immediately translatable
-A history at Virginia and Iowa State of playing competitive team defense and executing a
scheme well

- Never defended the opposing team’s best player, and he’s easy to overpower on the drive or
in the post
-Not much of a ball-handler or pick-and-roll player, limiting his role offensively
-Questionable fit between the three and the four because of his frame and unique offensive skill
set

Projection

Any team that bets on Shayok will be hoping that his offensive game scales well into a smaller
role and his time spent playing for good defensive coaches leads to him holding his own on that
end. He’s unlikely to ever play as big a role as he had at Iowa State, but he showed at Virginia
the ability to fit quietly in the background, hitting shots and executing defensively. And the
improved pull-up game he showed at Iowa State is icing on top of that.

87. MILIK YARBROUGH, WING, ILLINOIS STATE

Year in Review

Yarbrough was as productive as any mid-major player this season, averaging 16.7 points and
6.9 rebounds in the MVC. A six-foot-six player with a 34.4 usage, he the most athletic point
forwards outside the power five conferences, albeit in his fifth season at the college level after
transferring from Saint Louis. He takes long strides driving to the basket– which is how he does
most of his damage– but Yarbrough has struggled with efficiency throughout his career. This
year, he shot 34 percent from three on limited attempts while shooting below 50 percent from
two-point range as well.

College Context

Yarborough’s usage this season is the highest figure in the history of the MVC, even higher than
noted gunners Doug McDermott, Cleanthony Early and Walt Lemon at their peaks. No NBA
player is allowed that much freedom, and because of Yarbrough’s limited three-point shot it’s
questionable how he scales into a smaller role. Also, while he was able to create seperation
around the rim by covering a lot of ground with only a few steps, the MVC lacks the rim
protectors to force Yarbrough from making NBA caliber moves in the paint on a consistent
basis.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-One of the better wings at attacking off the dribble in this range, and he uses every inch of his
long frame fo have success at the basket
-Was never surrounded by significant spacing, meaning he created for himself offensively in
constantly crowded lanes
-Excels at keeping his head up on the drive and finding open teammates

-As discussed above, a lot rides on his ability as a catch and shoot if he hopes to see the floor in
the NBA
-Not a high level steals or blocks guy, despite being one of the most athletic players in his
conference

Projection

In my opinion, Yarbrough is more intriguing as a defensive prospect than he is an offensive one.
His length and agility make him a potentially valuable versatile defender who can also put the
ball on the deck and contribute on the other end using his tight handle. That ceiling as a multi-
positional, athletic player who can add a few baskets in transition is an attainable ceiling,
making him an intriguing Exhibit 10 option for many teams.

86. KENNY WOOTEN, BIG, OREGON

Year in Review

While his statistics don’t look like what an NBA level talent should in college, Wooten
established himself as a terrific rim-runner and energy big after Bol Bol went down for the
season. Wooten has always had terrific size, strength and leaping ability, and this year he got to
showcase that in a starting role. Wooten began the season as an intriguing player because of
his athleticism, and as a sophomore he started to show how that can extrapolate into a bigger
role. He averaged 6.3 points and 2.1 blocks in 24 minutes per game.

College Context

Wooten is another player who benefited from being at the school he was because of the
chemistry he developed with Payton Pritchard, a T.J. McConnell-like pick and roll playmaker.
After Bol was injured, Wooten was able to play more as the only center on the floor and
showcase how much space he could cover as a roaming big next to defensively challenged

players like Pritchard and Louis King. Oregon changed things up frequently defensively, and
Wooten’s style of play allowed them to have success doing that.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-He can play in a drop-back coverage as a traditional rim protector, and he’s athletic enough to
switch out on the wing
- Incredible length and size, allowing him to defend either big if paired next to another spacer
-Ideal pick-and-roll lob threat with the ability to get well above the rim

-Obviously his counting stats leave much to be desired, and he doesn’t have much polish
offensively
-Has to be a platoon player, as he doesn’t have the offensive firepower to be a team’s primary
big man, and teams really sag off him on the perimeter
-Struggled with foul trouble and played limited minutes as a result throughout the season

Projection

As he goes through the pre-draft process, Wooten will wow teams with his bounciness and
ability to move in space. But how much of that translates into effective defensive play remains to
be seen. Wooten is a project center with the tools teams are looking for, and he’ll likely gain the
opportunity in the G League to develop under the control of an NBA team. Personally, he’d be
one of my priority two-way guys, even though he’d be less effective right away at the next level.

85. AMIR COFFEY, WING, MINNESOTA

Year in Review

A year ago, Coffey was a run-of-the-mill wing on a sub-.500 Big Ten team. As a junior, his
scoring and defense leveled up in terms of consistency, leading to Coffey becoming an All Big
Ten caliber player as well as an All Big Ten caliber defender. He averaged a career high 16.6
points per game as well as 3.2 assists, though his three-point percentage dipped to 30 percent
as he transitioned from an off-ball roll into a point guard.

College Context

Following Nate Mason’s graduation, Coffey emerged as the team’s primary ball-handler while
remaining the Gophers’ best point of attack defender. He had two strong defenders behind him–
intelligent four Jordan Murphy and shot blocking extraordinaire Daniel Oturu– but Coffey’s two-
way play led Minnesota to a surprising NCAA Tournament appearance.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-A rare 6-foot-8 player with ball handling experience, Coffey can play a wide variety of roles
offensively
-Coffey is also an experienced off-ball slasher, who cuts like a wide receiver and a powerful
finisher around the rim
-He defended multiple positions in the Big Ten and has the quickness to guard perimeter
shooters and the strength to defend small-ball fours

-His three-point shot is a major issue, especially since he won’t play much on-ball at the next
level
-Despite having more length than most players in the conference, Coffey isn’t very anticipatory
in jumping passing lanes and creating havoc

Projection

Coffey could return to campus after this process and establish himself as one of the best
forwards in the NCAA before trying this all again. Even though he’s mostly a finished product,
Coffey could benefit from the increased eyeballs that would be on him playing for a likely top-25
team if he returns. If not, Coffey will compete for a back of the rotation spot at the NBA level,
and I could see him signing a ten-day or a partially guaranteed contract later in the season once
injuries hit.

84. KERWIN ROACH, GUARD, TEXAS

Year in Review

Playing on a Texas team that entered the year with high expectations, Roach continued to be
the most aggressive player on the tean– sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. Roach
came into the season with a reputation as a gunner with elite athleticism, and he did little to
change that reputation during the Longhorn’s run to the NIT. Had he improved his shooting
efficiency and shown more playmaking skills, Roach likely would have entered the first round
discussion, but Roach struggled much like Texas this season. He averaged 14.6 points and 3.2
assists per game on a 54.5 true shooting percentage.

College Context

In Roach’s defense, the Longhorns didn’t have an above average point guard (sorry Matt
Coleman) or much ball-handling talent aside from Roach, which made his isolation efforts
defensible. He never developed much pick-and-roll chemistry with Jaxson Hayes (if Roach had
the savvy passing of a Tremont Waters type, Hayes would have averaged twice the amount of
points he did). So most of the time, Roach would take over the offense late in games, relying on
contested pull-up jumpers.

Strengths and Weaknesses

 -His aggressive offense helped Texas win a number of games this year, including an insane
array of shots he hit in a win against UNC that few players in this class could make
-Roach is a fiesty defender and for a 180-pound player he’s difficult to drive through, so he can
hold his own against some ones and twos

-He shot 35.5 percent from three on 4.9 attempts per game, and it’s unclear how his offensive
role scales into a smaller role
- Committed over two turnovers per game over the last three seasons, and he often drives into
the lane without a plan

Projection

For Roach, it will be extremely important how he shoots in the pre-draft process. But he
combination of shot-making and athleticism makes him intriguing as an Antonio Blakeney type
who could potentially toggle between the G League, the NBA and Europe unless he becomes a
more efficient scorer or an impact defender.

83. DEAN WADE, BIG, KANSAS STATE

Year in Review

At the beginning of the season, it appeared Wade would be the leading scorer on a team
looking to build on an Elite 8 run. But injuries got in the way of that. Wade played only 25 games
and was hampered in a many more, leading a reduction in points and rebounds per game to
12.9 and 4.1. When he was available, Wade remained an effective post playmaker who makes
smart reads with his back to the basket or facing up, and his three point shooting improved
again this year.

College Context

Surrounded by a combination of incredible athletes like Barry Brown and Xavier Sneed, Wade
was a calming presence in the half-court offense. Wade spaced the floor when the athletes
worked on the perimeter driving the lane, and when it was his turn, Wade was excellent and
backing down smaller defenders and using finesse to get around bigger guys.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-One of the best mid-post players in the draft, he rarely forces a shot when he gets the ball in
the paint and he’s an excellent passer
- While he isn’t a great one-on-one defender against ball handlers, Wade is fast enough to keep
up with slower wings and big enough (6’10”, 228) to defend post players on the block
-An excellent screen setter who can pop or seal and post up

- While he wasn’t fully healthy, Wade was ineffective in many games this season, scoring little
and struggling defensively
-Not a definite impact player on either end who will dominate offensively or defensively

Projection

As a four-five combo with spacing ability, Wade could develop into a playable bench big man
paired with either a low-post threat or an offensive minded player. In this class, for example,
he’d be a fit next to Jaxson Hayes as well as Naz Reid because he can space and defend some
bench fours and fives. That combination will definitely make him valuable to improve the quality
of a summer league team, and if he showcases improved athleticism Wade will be in the market
for a two-way spot.

82. VIC LAW, WING, NORTHWESTERN

Year in Review

For the first time in his career, Law played an important offensive role at Northwestern and was
asked to replace the void left by departees Bryant McIntosh and Scottie Lindsey. Law was the
only player in the Big Ten to lead his team in scoring while defending the opposing team’s best
player one through four. While his three-point shot became less efficient, he averaged a career
high 15 points per game while keeping up the defensive responsibility that first made him a
prospect. However, he dealt with knee tendinitis down the stretch of the season, which severely
hampered his production.

College Context

In the past, Law played with two ball-dominant scorers who kept him in a spot-up shooting role,
but this season Law showed that he can run off screens and operate a little as a pick-and-roll
ball-handler. As the only above average perimeter threat for the Wildcats, Law had to go outside
his comfort zone, which was good for his overall development. Also, playing next to two
forwards who struggled protecting the rim, there was added importance for Law to keep his man
in front of him, which his did with great success.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-Shuffles his feet extremely quickly, shadowing players on and off ball to prevent them from
finding space
-Despite being six-foot-five without shoes, Law was a capable option against any forward and
even a few stretch centers, providing terrific defensive versatility

-Awkward shooting form as he releases the ball on his tiptoes with his arms fully extended
-Injury history throughout his career, including surgery on his respiratory system to improve his
stamina as well as knee tendinitis

Projection

Law will likely frustrate many of the players he shares the floor with when teams invite him in for
group workouts. He’s a persistent defensive force who can make a name for himself on that
circuit and relay that into several options for which team he wants to sign an Exhibit 10 for. But
because of his age, injury history and undeveloped offensive game, he’s unlikely to receive a
two-way.

81. JAMES PALMER, WING, NEBRASKA

Year in Review

An elite scorer off the drive and pulling up from midrange, Palmer uses a physical, gritty style of
play to score in backyard style. It’s nothing fancy, but he’s very consistent, averaging 19.7
points as a fifth year senior at Nebraska. Palmer’s shot selection regressed down the stretch of
the season after the Cornhuskers lost nearly their entire team to injury or suspension, leading to
a horrid 36.9 field goal percentage and 31.3 three-point percentage. But he showed in a less
demanding role last season that he’s talented at driving to the basket.

College Context

By the Big Ten Tournament, Nebraska was down to six scholarship players, and only three
could be considered net-positives offensively. As teams double teamed Isaiah Roby in the paint
and sagged off him on the perimeter, the Cornhuskers’ best player wasn’t able to showcase his
energy-driven offensive game, putting an even bigger burden on Palmer. Despite being keyed in
on by every defense, he had some incredible games down the stretch, including a 24-point
performance in Chicago against Maryland and a 30 point game against Michigan State.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-No fun to guard, as he uses his shoulders, elbows and hips to create separation in an
extremely physical way
-A creative ball-handler and talented pick-and-roll initiator
-Though he struggles from three, his form isn’t broken and only needs minor tweaks to speed
his release

-Nebraska took a major step back defensively after losing its best wing defender (Isaac
Copeland), with Palmer unable to fill that void despite his size and athleticism
-Little room to grow as a scorer outside his three-point shot, and a ground-bound offensive
game is difficult to translate

Projection

At six-foot-six, 207 pounds, Palmer is the rare wing who can legitimately create for himself off
the dribble with little surrounding talent or spacing. But he has little value if he doesn’t shoot a ta
high level. He needs to emerge as a quality bench scorer to stick in the NBA.

80 JARRON CUMBERLAND, WING, CINCINNATI

Year in Review

Cincinnati was in a rare spot for the program this year, having to replace two NBA players in
Jacob Evans and Gary Clark. But Cumberland emerged as an elite offensive threat in the
conference and led the Bearcats to another conference tournament championship and NCAA
Tournament appearance. By improving his scoring ability to the point where he could fill the void
left by Cincinnati’s NBA departures, Cumberland improved his stock into a borderline draftable
prospect.

College Context

Say what you want about the American, but in Markis McDuffie, Da’Quan Jeffries and Kyvon
Davenport the conference has a number of wings who are terrific perimeter defenders.
Cumberland torched all of them with his combination of power on his head-down drives and
excellent touch from floater range. The Bearcats had two capable point guards to handle the on-
ball and passing responsibilities, but he became confident in an expanded role attacking off ball
reversals and finishing through contact.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-Cumberland is one of the most impressively built prospects in the class outside of Zion
Williamson, with a massive upper body that allows him to defend players bigger than him

- His touch around the rim leads to a high hit rate for floaters and layups in traffic, and his three-
point percentage made a major leap to 38.8 percent this season

-Despite his athleticism, Cumberland was not assigned onto the opposing team’s best player
and isn’t a standout point of attack defender against wings
-His jump shot form is one of the ugliest I’ve seen– it’s like he brings the ball through his chest
before bringing it up to his face to shoot

Projection
Considering the time he’s spent with the program since it hired John Brannen to be its new head
coach, I’d expect Cumberland to stick around for a senior year in the Queen City. When he does
come out, if Cumberland makes another leap in three-point shooting efficiency or retools his
shot form, Cumberland is capable of emerging as a back of the roster bench wing who can do a
little bit of everything.

79. ZACH NORVELL, GUARD, GONZAGA

Year in Review

After hitting some huge shots in Gonzaga’s NCAA Tournament run in 2017-18, Norvell settled
into a traditional role as a shooting guard who spaces the floor and attacks off the dribble. A
conventional shooting guard who checks all of the boxes offensively, Norvell showed that he
can shoot off the catch and off the dribble as the Bulldogs’ top perimeter playmaker. When the
offense was in a rut and the opposition had an athletic wing to put on Rui Hachimura, Novell
was typically given the keys to the offense. He averaged 14.9 points on 22 percent usage and
59 percent true shooting.

College Context

Despite all of the talent Gonzaga had, the team lacked shot creators outside of Norvell. Point
guard Josh Perkins frequently ran the pick-and-roll with Clarke, but when that stalled Norvell
took a bigger role. On a different team, Norvell likely would have been allowed the opportunity to
take 18 to 20 shots per game, but playing on one of the best teams in the country Novell
showed he can fit into a smaller role than takes advantage of a defense’s pressure points.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-A true three level scorer with experience making shots at a high level in critical moments
-A confident pull-up shooter who doesn’t need much space to get a quality shot off
-At 6-foot-5, 205, Norvell has the size and strength to defend bench guards, even if he hasn’t
been a particularly noticeable defender in college

-If his shot doesn’t become a high-level weapon, there isn’t much else Norvell can do to play at
an NBA level
-Not a great shooter off screens, and he doesn’t have the shiftiness to get himself open off-ball
-Given little defensive responsibility in Gonzaga’s scheme, as Perkins and Clarke did most of
the grunt work

Projection

Norvell is clearly a superior player to other shoot-first guards below him in this class like Myles
Powell and Kyle Guy because of his athleticism and off-the-dribble ability. He’ll have the
opportunity to return for his junior season and be the only returning perimeter option under Mark
Few. If he declares, Norvell will compete against the best of the defensive-minded undrafted
players for the most interesting two-way spots.

78. SIMI SHITTU, BIG, VANDERBILT

Year in Review

Shittu entered the season as the No. 10 incoming freshman in the country on a team that
featured two other NBA prospects. Considering the circumstances, this season went as poorly
as it possible could (excluding injury) as the Commodores went winless in SEC play, the coach
got fired and the point guard missed almost all of the season. Shittu averaged 10.9 points and
6.7 rebounds per game, but he had little else in surrounding talent, and the team’s effort tailed
off down the stretch.

College Context

There were two Shittu’s this year: the one that played with Darius Garland and the one that
played without him. With Garland, Shittu received a much larger number of pick-and-pop
opportunities to midrange (Shittu doesn’t really shoot threes). He was one of the better pick-
and-pop players in the country because unlike most bigs, he can beat his defender off the
dribble and get to the basket. But after Garland went out, Vanderbilt had very little spacing and
Shittu was often swarmed off the drive, leading to a dip in production.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-Talented, methodical driver with great touch from floater range and near the basket
-An above average passer who is able to make smart reads off the drive
-Possesses a long track record of producing extremely well offensively

-Really struggles defending in space, often looking lost in pick-and-roll coverage
-As mentioned earlier, Shittu is a non-shooter, which should be a critical component for an
offensive minded big man
-Lacks the quickness to defend fours and the strength to defend fives– a true defensive
tweener.

Projection

It’ll be interesting to see if there’s a place in the NBA for a pick-and-pop center who can’t shoot
of defend. Shittu basically does every thing a team would want from a big man except post up in
an elite way and shoot threes. But there’s a combination of savvy on-ball ability and touch to
intrigue teams enough to bring him in on a two-way and hope his defense and shooting make
major improvements. At the moment, he’s one of the biggest projects expected to go undrafted.

77. JARREY FOSTER, WING, SMU

Year in Review

There was legitimate celebration coming out of Dallas when Foster announced that he’d be
returning to SMU last spring as other prospects were declaring for the draft. Coming off a
partially torn ACL injury in January of his junior year, Foster returned midseason but wasn’t
quite himself.He entered the year with a legitimate chance of jumping into the top thirty if he
continued to showcase the explosiveness of offense and versatility defensively that made him a
valuable guard prospect, but he struggled as a senior with 6.9 points and 1.5 assists per game
on a 34.3 field goal percentage. The previous season, he averaged 13.2 points and 2.7 assists
on 52.7 percent shooting.

College Context

Foster excelled in an X-factor role as a junior, playing a supplementary offensive role to do-it-all
guard and eventual Sixers two-way player Shake Milton. The two had great chemistry– many of
Milton’s assists came off the drive to an open Foster– and defensively he took some wear and
tear off Milton (who usually defended guards) by defending bigger forwards when the opponent
had a particularly dangerous one. In 2017-18, he proved himself to be a legitimate 2.5 position
defender, using his six-foot-six, 220 pound frame to keep bigger wings away from the basket
while using his elite quickness to shadow quicker guards around the perimeter. In his senior
season, he mostly hovered around the perimeter and never looked particularly comfortable on
either end.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-One of the best athletes outside the top 30 in this class, and has the tools to defend slithery
deadeye shooters as well as he can isolating forwards his size or smaller
-Accustomed to playing in a low-usage role on a team with several shot creators, and he thrived
as a secondary playmaker
-Gets rid of the ball quickly and rarely forces a difficult shot if nothing is there

-Lacks a signature offensive move to create seperation and mostly relies on straight line drives
to get to the basket
-Wasn’t able to accumulate high steal rates in any of his four seasons and struggled anticipating
ball movement, a skill he needs to improve to be a high level NBA defender

Projection

With a full recovery, Foster could develop into the best wing defender available in the undrafted
free-agency cycle. He’s never been a high-volume offensive player and has to shoot threes at a
high enough clip to stick in the NBA, but if that comes along Foster is capable of providing
versatility as a bench guard down the road.

76. DEVON DOTSON, GUARD, KANSAS

Year in Review

Dotson entered the season as a top 20 recruit expected to compete with Tre Jones and Ashton
Hagans for the best freshman point guard at a blue blood school. As it turned out, Coby White
was better than all of them, and Dotson would benefit from returning to school and showing that

he can shoot threes and makes plays out of the pick-and-roll better than an average college
point guard. It was a disappointing season for Dotson (a little reminiscent of Trevon Duval last
season) but he is a good enough ball handler and persistent enough on-ball defender to be
considered a legitimate prospect as a backup point guard. He averaged 12.3 points and 3.5
assists last season.

College Context

The problem for Dotson was that the Jayhawks’ rotation was constantly changing to account for
the vacancies left by Lagerald Vick and Udoka Azubuike, two of the team’s best three players.
At first, Quentin Grimes was expected to play major minutes and score at a high level. Later in
the season, that responsibility was moved onto Ochai Agbaji and Marcus Garrett. That iteration
of the team had no spacing to speak of and no threatening pick-and-roll partner for Dotson, who
struggled himself stepping in to fill that vacancy.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-Excellent point of attack defender capable of picking quality point guards at full court and
shadowing them for 90 feet
-Capable ball-handler who uses an extremely tight level to create seperation and set up and
effective floater or scoop layup

-Struggled from three-point range (36 percent on limited attempts) and the free throw line (78
percent), and he’s only dangerous when he’s pretty close to the basket
- At six-foot-two and 185 pounds, he’s limited to guarding ones and some smaller twos, and
stronger guards often were effective finishing through contact against him

Projection

At his current level, Dotson’s ceiling is a T.J. McConnell type backup, though Dotson could
expand his game and improve his reputation with another year in school. If he stays in the draft,
Dotson will likely have to spend time in the G League adjusting to NBA-level physicality and
improving his ability to run an offense.

75. KY BOWMAN, GUARD, BOSTON COLLEGE

Year in Review

The Eagles took a step back this season after losing Jerome Robinson to the Clippers, but
amazingly Bowman already had such a big role in the offense already that his production was at
almost an identical level. He averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds and four assists as the only
dangerous perimeter threat on a Boston College team, and he took around the same amount of
shots per game and threes per game. But running the show, the consensus opinion soured on
Bowman, who showed that he’s most comfortable in an untranslatable DIY role who constantly
forces shots down the stretch.

College Context

If you found yourself watching Boston College play a close game this season, it was typically
difficult to watch. Arguably no player had a worse shot selection down the stretch of games

(Romeo Langford is close), though a major reason for that was no other particularly effective
offensive weapon on the team, as Nik Popovic is mostly a spacer and Jordan Chatman lacks
burst to create seperation. Usually, you’d see him put up a contested midrange floater or an
unpredictable step-back three, but at the very least he’s effective in shooting difficult shots on a
team that had little else.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-Very talented difficult shot maker from all three levels and can soar above rim for explosive
finishes as well as he can fit a deep three with a hand in his face
-Despite having below average size for a point guard, he’s hard to move in one-on-one
situations and is extremely strong

-Has little experience running around screens to get open, and even with Robinson it was
mostly your turn my turn offense
-Alarmingly low assist numbers for a primary scoring threat who is often double teamed as an
effort to force the ball out of his hands
-If he’s not scoring off the bench, what does he do to contribute to winning basketball?

Projection

Bowman’s ceiling is a bench scorer, and he has the strength, athleticism and aggressiveness to
see that as a real possibility. But he offers few other bankable strengths and has to improve his
catch-and-shoot ability. He’ll probably put up 40 points in a summer league game, but he’ll have
to prove he can put up ten points consistently to stick in the NBA.

74. KILLIAN TILLIE, BIG, GONZAGA

Year in Review

Tillie has never been the best player on the Bulldogs– or even the best big man– but in 2017-18
he built a strong reputation as a big man with elite three-point range who has the strength and
IQ to compete against bigs defensively. That combination drew him NBA interest, but his stock
took a step back this season after playing in only 15 games and averaging just 6 points in 16.6
minutes because of a partially torn ligament in his foot.

College Context

When Tillie returned late in the season, the No. 1 seed had a choice to make– start Tillie at the
five in a supersized lineup with Brandon Clarke and Rui Hachimura or let him come off the
bench and play in spurts where more shots would be available. Tillie– who clearly was limited
upon return– was more involved in the offense playing with these bench lineups, and while he
didn’t defend on the perimeter, his defensive presence at the rim didn’t hurt the team when he
was in the game.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-Has shot well over 40 percent from three every season of his career and is also an effective
finisher when he receives post touches around the rim

-While he’s not an impact defender, he has the size and intelligence to compete against bench
units in a drop-back scheme

-Only played more than 17 minutes per game in one of his three college seasons, therefore
having a limited track record of playing in a major role
-Foot injuries can be ominous for players his size, and he desperately needs to improve his
athleticism

Projection

There’s definitely an NBA stretch five that can be built out of Tillie– if he stays healthy and
continues to improve defensively. He’s one of the best big man shooters in the class, and a
likely outcome is being invited to summer league on an Exhibit 10 with the promise to offer him
a two-way if he produces at consistently high level in that setting.

73. ZYLAN CHEATHAM, WING, ARIZONA STATE

Year in Review

Playing his first year in the Pac 12 after transferring from San Diego State, Cheatham emerged
as one of the most versatile forwards in the conference. Cheatham has a reputation as an
outstanding defender against twos and threes, but he built on that by showcasing improved
finishing ability off drives to the rim and elite rebounding on both ends. As he led the Sun Devils
to the NCAA Tournament, he didn’t emerge as a prospect because he was a particularly sexy
player, but his strength, athleticism and hustle made him stand out as a great player in a poor
conference. He averaged 12.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and shot 53.4 percent from the field.

College Context

There was some push and pull between Cheatham and Lu Dort all season, as Dort’s forced
shot selection and brutish drives to the rim sometimes removed Cheatham completely from the
offense. When Dort took a step back, Cheatham was a strong finisher in a more egalitarian
offense, as the ball found him with an advantage or a mismatch in the midrange or the low post.
Then, he would make a quick jab step and attack the basket, leading to more consistent scoring
efforts.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-One of the most intimidating players in the country who has a reputation for his effort and
tenacity on defense and the glass
-Extremely switchable defender who has experience playing small-ball five and defending bigs
in the paint

-A non-factor from three-point range who as a result would likely do more harm than good
immediately in the NBA
-Not a particularly strong pick-and-roll dive man, as to be in a spot he’d be comfortable he’d
slow down the offense by having to seal and post up

Projection

As the NBA Playoffs show every year, there’s value in having a scrappy and aggressive small
ball five who can defend any position. Really, Cheatham is a three-point shot away from being a
version of the current Jared Dudley. Cheatham is a prime two-way candidate who can provide
value for teams that run this type of scheme in the regular season.

72. ETHAN HAPP, BIG, WISCONSIN

Year in Review

When I asked Happ why he decided to return for his senior season after testing the waters last
year, he delivered an honest response– the NBA knows exactly who he is as a player, so he’d
have the exact same opportunities after his senior season. Happ did nothing to jeopardize his
standing, averaging 17.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, which were some of
the best for any big man in the country.

College Context

Greg Gard completely tailored his offense to accentuate the strengths of the unique big man. He
started Nate Reuvers, a floor spacing big man who did nothing but spot up offensively while
defending opposing team’s post threats. At the guard spots, he started two aggressive three-
point shooters who provided Happ spacing on the blocks and served as great options to throw
the ball to out of a double team. Happ often received the ball in the low post and wiggled his
way into open space for a layup or made the right decision to pass out to an open man.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-Happ is one of the best post finesse scorers of the decade, using a wide variety of post moves
to finish at a high level around the basket
-An elite passer out of the post and off dribble handoffs, which forces defenders to stay in his
face

-An extremely poor midrange and three point shooter who shot 46 percent from the free-throw
line
-An undersized big man (listed 6’10”) who is slow moving around the perimeter and offers no
rim protection

Projection

Happ will have a long career as a big man who enters a game and instantly improves a team’s
offense. How far he improves as a defender will determine whether that takes place as a bench
player in the NBA or an MVP caliber player overseas. In a weak big man class, Happ is likely to
be given a starting opportunity on a summer league team and produce, and with a strong
enough defensive showing he can receive a two-way contract. There are worse players to
anchor a bench lineup at the start of the second quarter.

71. JORDAN BONE, GUARD, TENNESSEE

Year in Review

A third or fourth option on a No. 2 seed Volunteers team, Bone was an under-the-radar prospect
throughout the season. An athletic point guard with size, length and shooting ability, Bone has
the tools NBA teams are looking for from a backup point guard. He averaged 13.5 points and
5.8 assists per game this season.

College Context

Tennessee ran one of the most unconventional offensive schemes this season designed to get
Grant Williams the ball in the post and work inside out. It was an offshoot of a triangle offense, a
historically difficult scheme for a point guard to put up gaudy numbers in. But it was exactly the
off-ball role Bone projects to be best at at the next level.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-A terrific athlete who played a major role in an aggressive Tennessee defense by covering a lot
of ground
-Has experience playing off-ball and attacking from the weak-side, unlike most point guards in
this class who dominated the ball
-Made a significant jump as a two-point shooter this year, improving his floater and midrange
game

-Lacks flash and the ability to gain separation in isolation off the dribble, and he’s the type of
guard who gets flustered by heavy on-ball pressure
-Has to play with another ball-dominant player to be effective in his role

Projection

Bone received an invitation to the NBA combine as a result of the general intrigue around
Bone’s athletic ability and length, and he’ll have to show a more sophisticated offensive game in
the pre-draft process to work his way up in the draft conversation. For now, he’s almost certainly
a two-way option as a guard project who can develop into a Malik Beasley, but the lie between
that and Wade Baldwin isn’t very thick.

70. JARED HARPER, GUARD, AUBURN

Year in Review

Auburn’s offense relies on a number of athletic perimeter scorers racing the ball down the floor
and from one side to another, waiting for a defender to stumble and provide an advantage. On
that team, Harper is the most dynamic and the most feared with the ball in his hands, always a
threat to pull-up or vroom to the basket and slam home a massive dunk. Harper was more
effective late in the season and saving his bullets and providing a more steadying presence, but
his bursts were extremely important for the Tigers team he helped lead to the Final Four by
averaging 15.3 points and 5.8 assists while taking 6.6 threes per game and making 37 percent
of them.

College Context

Harper is one of the smallest players in this class (5’11”, 175), and Auburn’s athletic frontcourt
helped cover ground for him when he got beat by bigger guards. Harper was mostly a net

neutral in that swarming defense, though, because he was intelligent at making the right
decisions as a help defender and scramming out the shooters. Offensively, he opened things up
for several of his teammates (especially Chuma Okeke) as a result of his off-the-dribble bursts.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-His combination of ball-handling ability and quickness make him an ideal change of pace guard
to spark an offense
-His three-point attempts typically were heavily contested or off-the-dribble, indicating his actual
deep-range shooting ability is better than advertised
-Auburn was better defensively with him on the floor, despite Harper’s physical limitations

-Not very dangerous in an offensive scheme that doesn’t give him the reigns to probe a defense
and set up open shooters
-Can’t really be a part of a switching defense because of his easy it his for him to get posted up

Projection

Harper is a third guard at best, but his dynamic on-ball ability makes him a more exciting player
than the average veteran college guard. Harper is a longshot to be drafted but capable of
contributing immediately in three minute spurts in the NBA as an offensive minded backup.

69. ANDREW NEMBHARD, GUARD, FLORIDA

Year in Review

R.J Barrett’s high school point guard, Nembhard finally got to play more of a lead-guard role in
an offense that needed structure. As the season continued, Nembhard became the Gators’
most frequently used late-game option, while also developing into their best perimeter defender.
He averaged 8 points and 5.4 assists on extremely limited usage, but Mike White was confident
putting the ball in the hands of the six-foot-five point guard.

College Context

While KeVaughn Allen and Jalen Hudson are frustrating wings to watch as a result of their
absurd shot selection, their ball-dominant ways gave Nembhard experience in the role
Nembhard projects to play in the NBA. Nembhard is a lengthy, switchable, pass-first guard, and
he had success deferring to Allen and Hudson while getting his own baskets in transition. Later
in the season, though, his pick-and-roll ability got to the point where he teased the ability to be
an even more dangerous complementary guard in the mold of a taller George Hill.

Strengths and Weaknesses

-His passing is competitive with any point guard in this class outside of Ja Morant, and his
whiparound passes are very accurate
-One of the only guards in this class with the size he does as well as the ball-handling
component

-His three-point shot was the most critical component to keep track of throughout the season
(he shot 34.7 percent), and his form is ugly and features a very low, slow release