This is always a fun one and with college hoops right about to start it is time to start looking at some of the top players in the country.
1. Markelle Fultz-Washington-PG-6'4"-195lbs
The draft lacks a consensus number one player but has good depth according to scouts. Fultz is probably as close to a consensus as there is. Really good athlete with great size and length (6'9" wingspan) and projects to be a very good perimeter defender and comes away with a lot of steals. Unselfish player, has great vision and creativity and is as good as a prospect in transition as there is. Was a poor shooter in high school but has appeared to have made strides and has impressed scouts during the Summer camps with his spot-up shooting skill. Not a great one-on-one player in the half-court and struggles with turnovers and often hams it up a bit. Reminds me a bit of John Wall; he isn't as fast as Wall but he is a better shooter than Wall was at this point in his career.
2. Dennis Smith-NC State-PG-6'3"-195lbs
Incredible athlete; nobody is quite like Russell Westbrook but as a prospect Smith is pretty close. He goes zero to sixty extremely well and is a terror in the open court. Capable of ripping down a rebound and immediately launching a fast break with his pure speed and finish with a big jam. He is a tough competitor and that combined with his athleticism make him an intriguing defensive prospect but he is still pretty raw on that end. Poor shooter with bad mechanics, not unheard of for a top PG prospect. I'm really interested in seeing him play at the college level because he really coasted off his athleticism in high school. It wouldn't surprise me if he falls from being a Top-5 pick because he is going to struggle. I could see him developing the way Zach LaVine has.
3. Jayson Tatum-Duke-SF-6'8"-208lbs
Tatum is one of the more polished freshmen players coming into the college season. He is a really skilled scorer in the post and around the mid-range and can make a lot of tough shots. He doesn't really have an outside shot yet but that can be easily developed and his mechanics are reportedly okay. Not really a great leaper but that was said about Jabari Parker and he is one of the best dunkers in the NBA right now so who knows? Not quite as polished as Parker was an all-around offensive player or a rebounder, but has some of those same skills. Probably a better defensive prospect than Parker was at this point, but he can get really lazy at times--something that will likely improve under Coach K.
1. Markelle Fultz-Washington-PG-6'4"-195lbs
The draft lacks a consensus number one player but has good depth according to scouts. Fultz is probably as close to a consensus as there is. Really good athlete with great size and length (6'9" wingspan) and projects to be a very good perimeter defender and comes away with a lot of steals. Unselfish player, has great vision and creativity and is as good as a prospect in transition as there is. Was a poor shooter in high school but has appeared to have made strides and has impressed scouts during the Summer camps with his spot-up shooting skill. Not a great one-on-one player in the half-court and struggles with turnovers and often hams it up a bit. Reminds me a bit of John Wall; he isn't as fast as Wall but he is a better shooter than Wall was at this point in his career.
2. Dennis Smith-NC State-PG-6'3"-195lbs
Incredible athlete; nobody is quite like Russell Westbrook but as a prospect Smith is pretty close. He goes zero to sixty extremely well and is a terror in the open court. Capable of ripping down a rebound and immediately launching a fast break with his pure speed and finish with a big jam. He is a tough competitor and that combined with his athleticism make him an intriguing defensive prospect but he is still pretty raw on that end. Poor shooter with bad mechanics, not unheard of for a top PG prospect. I'm really interested in seeing him play at the college level because he really coasted off his athleticism in high school. It wouldn't surprise me if he falls from being a Top-5 pick because he is going to struggle. I could see him developing the way Zach LaVine has.
3. Jayson Tatum-Duke-SF-6'8"-208lbs
Tatum is one of the more polished freshmen players coming into the college season. He is a really skilled scorer in the post and around the mid-range and can make a lot of tough shots. He doesn't really have an outside shot yet but that can be easily developed and his mechanics are reportedly okay. Not really a great leaper but that was said about Jabari Parker and he is one of the best dunkers in the NBA right now so who knows? Not quite as polished as Parker was an all-around offensive player or a rebounder, but has some of those same skills. Probably a better defensive prospect than Parker was at this point, but he can get really lazy at times--something that will likely improve under Coach K.