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a season not in GS
2024 NBA Draft Thread
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by addict4sneakers,
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He similar to josh green? LolThat's a TANK of an athlete.
Another guy to file away and watch some film on for potential Mavs fit at 28.
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Josh Green if Josh Green shot 44% from three in college.
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Winners and losers of the 2022 NBA draft combine
NBA teams and hopeful prospects assembled in Chicago last week for a packed six-day schedule of events, including the NBA draft combine, the G League Elite Camp and the NBA draft lottery -- as well as the related scrimmages, agency pro days, interviews, drills, measurements, athletic testing and much more that were part of the combine festivities.
There was no shortage of drama as executives from all 30 teams congregated with agents, college coaches, trainers and media members at one central location. Conference finals were underway, general manager and coaching hires were conducted and the unofficial start of NBA free-agency negotiations was in full swing behind the scenes. (Some observers refer to this as tampering season.)
The centerpiece of the occasion was the NBA combine, which wrapped up Sunday and saw several players either help or hurt their standings heading into the NBA draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 23. Below is a look at our key observations from the week in the Windy City. Note that listed rankings refer to the most recent version of ESPN's NBA draft Top 100, updated on May 24.
Winners
Jabari Smith (Top 100: No. 2) and Chet Holmgren (Mock draft: No. 1)
Tuesday's lottery removed one of the big questions from the 2022 NBA draft -- who is picking first? -- and cleared a path for Smith to make a short trip from Atlanta to join what's becoming one of the most interesting young rosters in the NBA in the Orlando Magic. While Magic executives have made it clear they will conduct a thorough process -- even extending beyond the widely believed top three prospects in Smith, Holmgren and Paolo Banchero -- most NBA teams firmly believe that's a formality and that Smith is all but assured to become the top pick. Smith, for his part, appears thrilled with that development. So is Holmgren over his looming marriage with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is also the overwhelming expectation from NBA executives with whom we spoke at the draft combine. -- Givony
Dyson Daniels (Top 100: No. 6)
Daniels continued his rapid ascent with an impressive showing at the Octagon Pro Day, where he displayed impressive shot-making prowess. Decision-makers from virtually every team in the NBA lottery were on hand to watch what appeared to be, in my view, the most eye-opening workout of the week in Chicago. NBA teams were buzzing afterward about Daniels' talent, throwing out comparisons to the likes of Tyrese Haliburton and Khris Middleton.
Daniels, an alumnus of the NBA Global Academy and G League Ignite program, has grown considerably in the past few years, adding 3 inches and 30 pounds of bulk. Even so, he appears nowhere close to reaching his physical potential with an outstanding frame and near 7-foot wingspan. The knowledge that Daniels has guard skills, with measurements that should allow him to moonlight at power forward as his frame fills out over time, is intriguing in today's NBA. The way teams rave about Daniels' interviews at the combine and the background intel they have received is clearly working in his favor. There's a real comfort level with what seems to be an extremely high floor for Daniels as a prospect, while the thought process regarding his ultimate ceiling appears to be evolving daily. -- Givony
Shaedon Sharpe (Top 100: No. 7)
Sharpe's pro day drew a huge audience of decision-makers from virtually every team to watch a player very few NBA executives had seen live. Sharpe started the workout with a bang, demonstrating his impressive vertical explosiveness and near 7-foot wingspan with a series of highlight-reel-caliber finishes, before proceeding to knock down a variety of difficult pull-up jumpers and step-backs from all over the floor.
The feedback from the workout was varied. Several teams in the top 10 said they were blown away by Sharpe's overall talent level, while others said they were hoping to see other parts of his game, namely his first step and spot-up shooting ability, as they still don't know enough about him to make an accurate evaluation for how his career might look. Teams in Sharpe's range will get a closer look at him in the coming weeks in private workouts, which should provide more clarity on exactly how ready he is to help a NBA team and where he can expect to hear his name called on draft night. -- Givony
Andrew Nembhard (Top 100: No. 35)
Nembhard suffered a minor quad injury during the athletic testing portion of the NBA combine, which caused him to miss the opening game of the scrimmages, something that clearly disappointed him, judging by his dejected body language on the sideline. Nembhard refused to let the injury hold him back and elected to push through and play in the second game, something NBA teams said they appreciated considering he has a far more impressive body of work than the majority of players who decided to sit out. Nembhard proceeded to have one of the most productive NBA combine games in pre-draft camp history, posting 26 points and 11 assists.
Even more impressive than the line was the way Nembhard controlled the game from start to finish with his pace, handle and outstanding feel for the game, never looking sped up for an instant and making all the right reads and decisions while whipping the ball all over the floor off a live dribble, out of pick-and-roll with both hands. His 26 points felt effortless, as Nembhard never appeared to be forcing the issue, taking open shots that were presented to him and attacking the rim aggressively while showing a polished midrange and floater game.
The success experienced by similar-minded backup point guards, including Tyus Jones and Monte Morris, helps a player like Nembhard, but the fact that he measured 6-foot-4½ in shoes with the type of dimensions that multipositional NBA guards like Donte DiVincenzo, Grayson Allen and Alex Caruso possess should give him versatility to play in different lineup configurations. Nembhard leapfrogged over several players who elected to sit out the scrimmages with his strong play, and may ultimately get looks as high as the late first round on draft night. -- Givony
Jalen Williams (Top 100: No. 24)
With the majority of top executives evaluating him live for the first time, the 21-year-old Santa Clara wing Williams made a strong impression with his play in Chicago, looking like a surefire first-round pick thanks to his combination of size, length, skill and two-way impact. Williams averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in 24.1 minutes over two games while shooting 75% from the field. Playing predominantly on the ball at Santa Clara as one of the most efficient pick-and-roll creators in the NCAA, it was valuable to see Williams thrive in a variety of different roles alongside other collegiate stars.
Given that Williams is unlikely to be handed the keys to a team at the NBA level, watching him add value as a screener, cutter, downhill driver off the catch and defender was a welcomed sight, especially when you couple that with his ambidextrous court vision and pace as a primary ball handler. Williams whipped the ball all over the floor with either hand, stretched out for a few poster dunks thanks to his 7-2 wingspan and 39-inch vertical, and played with good energy defensively. He turned down a few rhythm 3s before eventually turning the ball over and is still turning himself into a consistent shooter from beyond the arc (35% on his career), which is important, as he's not overly quick off the bounce. Williams more than proved his West Coast Conference production will have no problem translating to the NBA, and he deserves real consideration in the top 25 or so come June. -- Schmitz
Dereon Seabron (Top 100: No. 57)
Few players helped themselves in the NBA combine scrimmages as much as Seabron, who averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on outstanding efficiency. Seabron's excellent size and length gives him intriguing potential as a big point guard, as he got virtually anywhere he wanted all combine long with his excellent first step, elusive handle and ability to change gears explosively, often dishing off unselfishly after collapsing the defense but also seeking out contact aggressively in the lane despite his thin frame. Seabron's perimeter shooting and inconsistent off-the-ball defense are still a major question mark, but that's something NBA teams may be willing to be patient with considering the way he moves at his size and the upside he displays as a big playmaker. -- Givony
Terquavion Smith (Top 100: No. 22)
Smith's appearance was one of the most highly anticipated of the NBA combine scrimmages, and Seabron's NC State teammate did not disappoint in his lone outing, making several scintillating plays offensively while also showing some of the things he needs to work on. The success of players including Anfernee Simons, Jordan Poole and Bones Hyland has every NBA team looking for explosive shot-makers in a similar mold. The 19-year-old Smith fits that profile well and made several plays at the combine to show off his potential as a bucket-getter, rising up fearlessly for deep, out-of-rhythm pull-up and step-back 3-pointers out of isolation, getting downhill with an excellent first step, changing speeds smoothly out of polished crossovers and showing nice creativity with the way he finishes in the lane.
While Smith is not immune to taking questionable shots or getting out of control with his decision-making -- he needed 17 field goal attempts to score his 17 points -- he did show some flashes creating for teammates off a live dribble that bode well for his ability to develop his combo guard skills as he gains experience and the game slows down for him. That will be important considering he weighed in at just 165 pounds -- light even for a point guard -- and doesn't always bring the type of intensity you'd like to see defensively off the ball. Regardless, his youth, upside and scoring instincts appear to have placed Smith firmly in play for teams drafting in the first round, with plenty more to gain in private workouts over the next month. -- Givony
Karlo Matkovic (Top 100: No. 61)
While NBA teams sometimes groan at the growing importance of pro days in the pre-draft process (although they never stop attending them), there is a certain type of prospect who can really benefit from the platform these workouts provide, especially when considering high-level decision-makers are always present en masse. Matkovic was one such prospect -- despite being ranked in ESPN's 2022 draft Top 100 all season, and being teammates with projected first-rounder Nikola Jovic, he wasn't taken very seriously as a legit draft option until an explosive showing in Chicago. Matkovic was one of the bounciest big men we saw all week on the pro day circuit, regularly putting his head on the rim and surprisingly showing a very natural stroke and impressive shot-making prowess considering he's attempted only six total 3s in his 137-game career, according to the DraftExpress database.
Matkovic's energy on the floor was infectious, and it was clear that his American workout partners gravitated to him and were having a great deal of fun witnessing his introduction to the larger NBA world in Chicago. Matkovic's agency says it has quite a few workout requests following the pro day, more requests than available dates at this point. There's a much better chance of Matkovic hearing his name called on draft night now than existed last week, but he also has the ability to withdraw his name on June 13 and try to ride his momentum into an even more favorable position next year. -- Givony
Dalen Terry (Top 100: No. 23)
Terry was one of the combine's biggest winners without even playing a 5-on-5 game. Officially just testing the waters, Terry is quickly emerging as a potential top-20 pick now that teams have had the opportunity to sit down with the charismatic, high-energy 19-year-old to learn more about him. League executives we spoke with consistently raved about Terry's interviews, citing his competitiveness, feel for the game and engaging personality.
Terry's intensity and infectious personality came to life during his pro day, further confirming the elite intangibles that evaluators who followed him closely raved about all season. There's surely another level Terry can reach as a player, as he averaged just 8.0 points in 27.5 minutes last season while connecting on just 28 3s in 37 games. But Terry isn't short on confidence, as he was sure to point out that he shot 47% from 3 over the last 10 games of the season when I mentioned the questions about his shooting. Although he lacks the most picturesque mechanics, Terry has already proved in workout settings that concerns about his shooting may indeed be overblown.
While he won't be drafted as a go-to scorer, Terry's combination of physical tools at 6-7, 195 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan, defensive versatility, passing ability and overall willingness to do the little things that impact winning could earn him looks even as high as the lottery, sharing some similarities to a smaller Scottie Barnes in terms of his all-around impact and approach to the game. -- Schmitz
Mark Williams (Top 100: No. 14)
Williams' 9-foot-9 standing reach will officially make the Duke center the longest player in the NBA, and our historical measurement database, the moment he steps foot on the floor, edging out Mo Bamba (9-7.5), Rudy Gobert (9-7) and Boban Marjanovic (9-7). Williams' sheer reach immediately makes him a game-changer as both a lob-catcher and rim-protector, elements we saw all season in the ACC as he finished a remarkable 76% of his shots at the rim in the half court. Williams also ranks No. 3 among our top 100 in block percentage and fourth in offensive rebound percentage, regularly creating extra possessions with tap-outs thanks to his timing and length. On top of all that, the fact that Williams weighed in at 242 pounds despite having considerable room to fill out his frame (5.4% body fat) bodes well for the 20-year-old, as he's not the most physical big man out there. Expect Williams to generate significant interest throughout the lottery, potentially even leapfrogging fellow center Jalen Duren. -- Schmitz
Losers
David Roddy (Top 100: No. 47)
Touted as a potential first-round sleeper at different points of his junior season, Roddy was unable to back that up in two 5-on-5 games, averaging just 5 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist per game while missing all six of his 3-point attempts. Roddy still had a positive impact on the game by sliding up and checking bigs on some possessions, attacking off the catch and making heady reads in the half court. But as Roddy struggled to knock down 3s, he started to turn down open looks and had issues finishing around the rim versus length (5-for-11 from 2).
While energetic on defense with strong athletic testing numbers, he proved he's much more effective in small spaces on that end than he is covering ground given his 261-pound frame. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise that Roddy had his ups and downs given the adjustment from the Mountain West Conference. In spite of those issues, Roddy was able to really shine in his pro day, showcasing his underrated leaping ability and shooting touch. He still has fans in NBA circles given his strength, agility and versatility, and will benefit from the success of players like Grant Williams in the NBA playoffs. But Roddy was unable to use the combine platform to emerge as a legitimate first-round candidate like I expected he might. -- Schmitz
Leonard Miller (Top 100: No. 44)
As the youngest player currently projected to be drafted, not turning 19 until late November, Miller's lack of experience was evident in his two games at the NBA combine, where he shot just 7-of-18 from the field and looked a step slow with his decision-making and off-ball awareness defensively. Miller is using the pre-draft process to learn what he needs to work on to become the high-level player his sky-high potential suggests, and he walked out of Chicago with a long list of things he'll have to improve on long-term. None of this should be a surprise considering Miller was a 6-5, non-shooting guard just a few years ago, before hitting a late growth spurt and blossoming into a five-star-caliber prospect as a high school senior. Unlikely to secure the first-round assurances he's seeking, Miller will now likely be picking between attending college at Arizona and spending a year in the G League Ignite program. -- Givony
NBA teams
A year after seeing a record six players propel themselves into the first round by competing in NBA combine scrimmages, teams were expecting agents to bet on players and try to solidify or improve their standing in Chicago. The opposite occurred, as a shocking 50 players elected to sit out the scrimmages or didn't make it to Chicago at all, a huge number considering only 58 players will hear their name called on June 23. With 16 players currently projected to be drafted who did indeed compete in the scrimmages, and at least a half-dozen others who had stock-boosting showings, there are bound to be a large number of players who end up going undrafted with a major bullet in their holster they elected not to use.
Most of those 50 players instead opted for the safety of the more controlled pro day setting, which sometimes resembled choreographed dance routines more than real basketball. NBA executives say they view pro days, of which 160 players will participate in 25 separate events, as a supplemental tool but not one that replaces competitive scrimmaging as an evaluation tool. In fairness to agencies, NBA teams have yet to consistently show they are willing to reward those who choose to play 5-on-5 rather than resting on their laurels. Teams also tend not to dismiss poor two-day showings by well-known prospects, which is a major reason this cat-and-mouse game exists. Private workouts usually end up being key, with the combine's main purpose the ability to obtain a huge batch of medicals and interview sessions with prospects.
While getting buy-in to live scrimmaging has been difficult, the NBA continues to innovate with the combine experience as a whole, which teams uniformly raved about in terms of the level of organization and detail that goes into every part of the week, aided by the spectacular setting of sparkling Wintrust Arena. The coaching staffs who were assembled, and especially the drills portion of the event (which spanned all of Wednesday and was coordinated by former Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen) garnered quite a bit of praise for mixing in competitive action with gamelike situations that prospects will encounter in the NBA. -- Givony
Other measurement takeaways
LSU's Tari Eason measured the widest hands at the combine at 11 inches (9.25 inches long), edging out Arizona center Christian Koloko at the event. Standing 6-foot-8, 217 pounds with a 7-2 wingspan, huge hands and an impressive frame, Eason shares some physical similarities to Kawhi Leonard, who came in at 6-7, 227 pounds with a 7-3 wingspan, and 9.75x11.25-inch hands. Leonard Miller came in with the third-largest hands at 10.5, with the 18-year-old ranking in the 95th percentile of our database. On the flip side, Hugo Besson and Scotty Pippen Jr. measured the smallest hands (by length) at 7.5 and 7.75, respectively. Even with the small hands, Pippen was everywhere on defense, wreaking havoc in the backcourt with his ball pressure while averaging 16 points and 4.5 assists over two games, looking like a young Jose Alvarado on some possessions.
The most unique physical profile in Chicago belonged to John Butler, who measured a massive 9-4 standing reach despite weighing just 174 pounds at 4.7% body fat. Few players in our database have the ratio between height and weight that Butler does, ranking him in the 99th percentile in that category among thousands of measurements. The fact that Butler registered just a 28.5-inch max vertical with such a narrow frame further adds to his unorthodox set of physical tools. Despite the narrow, thin frame, Butler did some interesting things in live action, shooting 39% from 3 while using his length and timing to block six shots in just 50 minutes.
If Butler earned the title as most unique physical profile, David Roddy is a close second at 6-6 in shoes, 261 pounds (third heaviest) with a 6-11.5 wingspan and 11.6% body fat. Roddy's closest physical comparisons are Eric Paschall, Craig Smith and Zion Williamson.
The draft's biggest mystery, Shaedon Sharpe, measured 6-5.25 in shoes, 198 pounds with a 6-11.5 wingspan and 4.8% body fat, the first figures we have on the 18-year-old in our database. Sharpe's closest physical comparison according to our database is Hamidou Diallo.
Nikola Jovic helped himself by coming in at 6-11, 223 pounds with a 7-0.25 wingspan and a 9-0.5 standing reach, which should allow him to function as a stretch forward, and even a small-ball, skilled 5 as he continues to grow into his frame. Jovic's closest physical comparison is Jan Vesely, who was similarly viewed as a combo forward during his draft process yet is now a lob-catching center for Fenerbahce in the Euroleague. Mike Muscala and Michael Porter Jr. are other physical comparisons who stand out.
The 19-year-old wing Peyton Watson has added over 2 inches and 33 pounds in less than three years, measuring 6-8 in shoes and 203 pounds with a 7-0.5 wingspan. A few names with similar dimensions to Watson: Cam Reddish, Andrew Wiggins, Herbert Jones, and Isaac Bonga.
Kofi Cockburn tipped the scales at 293 pounds with a powerful frame (8.2% body fat) to go along with a 7-4.25 wingspan. Should he make an NBA roster, that would make Cockburn one of the heaviest players in the NBA -- Boban Marjanovic weighed in at 293 pounds at 2009 EuroCamp. For comparison's sake, when DeMarcus Cousins weighed in at 292 pounds at the 2010 combine, he registered 16.4% body fat.
Santa Clara's Jalen Williams registered the largest difference between height and wingspan at 6-4.5 barefoot with a 7-2.25 wingspan, just edging out Ron Harper Jr., who registered nearly identical measurements to Draymond Green. Although 2 inches shorter than Green at 6-5.5, they have the same wingspan (7-1.25) and standing reach (8-9) while Harper weighs four pounds more at 240. Harper had a solid showing in drills and live action, registering 11 points and 4 assists on day one, showcasing his shooting potential and vision.
Justin Lewis also registered a huge height-to-wingspan difference at 6-6.25 inches barefoot with a 7-2.5 inch wingspan, comparing closest to OG Anunoby physically. Lastly, Trevion Williams was a wingspan winner at 6-7.25 barefoot with a 7-2.75 wingspan. Williams struggled in the athletic testing and weighed in at 265 pounds, but was still able to have a major impact in 5-on-5, proving he's far and away the best big-man passer in the draft with dimes from all over the floor while dominating the offensive glass. Williams solidified his stock as a second-round pick by averaging 9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists over two games.
Speaking of big-bodied bigs, Kenneth Lofton Jr., weighed in at 280 pounds while standing 6-6.5 in shoes with a 6-11 wingspan, making his closest physical comparison Zion Williamson. Despite the lack of height and extra weight (15% body fat), Lofton earned a call-up from the G League Elite Camp and went for 13 points in 20 minutes while swiping 3 steals and blocking one shot in the lone combine game he played. He needs to improve his ability to guard in space, but his touch, instincts, improving shooting and overall aggressiveness at 19 years old makes him someone to monitor long-term.
As expected, Kennedy Chandler measured just 5-11.5 inches barefoot, 172 pounds. But the elusive Tennessee guard registered a 6-5.25 wingspan and finished with the highest max vertical at 41.5 inches, just edging out former Sunrise Christian teammate Kendall Brown (41) and fellow Mokan Elite product Christian Braun (40). Meanwhile, Braun had some excellent moments in 5-on-5 play and is surely in the mix to hear his name called in the first round.
Viewed more as a "load jumper" who needs momentum to get off the floor based on the film, E.J. Liddell registered the highest no-step vertical at the combine at 35.5 inches, a huge figure for a 243-pounder with 12.2% body fat. Liddell comes from a long line of volleyball standouts.
Ryan Rollins measured one of the biggest wingspans among guards at 6-9.75 inches to go along with 6-3.25 in shoes and a light 179-pound frame. Rollins' closest physical comparison is Anfernee Simons. Rollins put his length and footwork to good use in the lone 5-on-5 game he played with a big tip-dunk, a huge block at the rim from the weak side that was somehow called for a foul, and smooth finishes around the rim. Rollins misfired on all three catch-and-shoot 3s and was caught upright on the ball defensively, but showed his talent as a midrange scorer and passer along with the impact his length can have defensively when he's locked in. -- Schmitz
NBA teams and hopeful prospects assembled in Chicago last week for a packed six-day schedule of events, including the NBA draft combine, the G League Elite Camp and the NBA draft lottery -- as well as the related scrimmages, agency pro days, interviews, drills, measurements, athletic testing and much more that were part of the combine festivities.
There was no shortage of drama as executives from all 30 teams congregated with agents, college coaches, trainers and media members at one central location. Conference finals were underway, general manager and coaching hires were conducted and the unofficial start of NBA free-agency negotiations was in full swing behind the scenes. (Some observers refer to this as tampering season.)
The centerpiece of the occasion was the NBA combine, which wrapped up Sunday and saw several players either help or hurt their standings heading into the NBA draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 23. Below is a look at our key observations from the week in the Windy City. Note that listed rankings refer to the most recent version of ESPN's NBA draft Top 100, updated on May 24.
Winners
Jabari Smith (Top 100: No. 2) and Chet Holmgren (Mock draft: No. 1)
Tuesday's lottery removed one of the big questions from the 2022 NBA draft -- who is picking first? -- and cleared a path for Smith to make a short trip from Atlanta to join what's becoming one of the most interesting young rosters in the NBA in the Orlando Magic. While Magic executives have made it clear they will conduct a thorough process -- even extending beyond the widely believed top three prospects in Smith, Holmgren and Paolo Banchero -- most NBA teams firmly believe that's a formality and that Smith is all but assured to become the top pick. Smith, for his part, appears thrilled with that development. So is Holmgren over his looming marriage with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is also the overwhelming expectation from NBA executives with whom we spoke at the draft combine. -- Givony
Dyson Daniels (Top 100: No. 6)
Daniels continued his rapid ascent with an impressive showing at the Octagon Pro Day, where he displayed impressive shot-making prowess. Decision-makers from virtually every team in the NBA lottery were on hand to watch what appeared to be, in my view, the most eye-opening workout of the week in Chicago. NBA teams were buzzing afterward about Daniels' talent, throwing out comparisons to the likes of Tyrese Haliburton and Khris Middleton.
Daniels, an alumnus of the NBA Global Academy and G League Ignite program, has grown considerably in the past few years, adding 3 inches and 30 pounds of bulk. Even so, he appears nowhere close to reaching his physical potential with an outstanding frame and near 7-foot wingspan. The knowledge that Daniels has guard skills, with measurements that should allow him to moonlight at power forward as his frame fills out over time, is intriguing in today's NBA. The way teams rave about Daniels' interviews at the combine and the background intel they have received is clearly working in his favor. There's a real comfort level with what seems to be an extremely high floor for Daniels as a prospect, while the thought process regarding his ultimate ceiling appears to be evolving daily. -- Givony
Shaedon Sharpe (Top 100: No. 7)
Sharpe's pro day drew a huge audience of decision-makers from virtually every team to watch a player very few NBA executives had seen live. Sharpe started the workout with a bang, demonstrating his impressive vertical explosiveness and near 7-foot wingspan with a series of highlight-reel-caliber finishes, before proceeding to knock down a variety of difficult pull-up jumpers and step-backs from all over the floor.
The feedback from the workout was varied. Several teams in the top 10 said they were blown away by Sharpe's overall talent level, while others said they were hoping to see other parts of his game, namely his first step and spot-up shooting ability, as they still don't know enough about him to make an accurate evaluation for how his career might look. Teams in Sharpe's range will get a closer look at him in the coming weeks in private workouts, which should provide more clarity on exactly how ready he is to help a NBA team and where he can expect to hear his name called on draft night. -- Givony
Andrew Nembhard (Top 100: No. 35)
Nembhard suffered a minor quad injury during the athletic testing portion of the NBA combine, which caused him to miss the opening game of the scrimmages, something that clearly disappointed him, judging by his dejected body language on the sideline. Nembhard refused to let the injury hold him back and elected to push through and play in the second game, something NBA teams said they appreciated considering he has a far more impressive body of work than the majority of players who decided to sit out. Nembhard proceeded to have one of the most productive NBA combine games in pre-draft camp history, posting 26 points and 11 assists.
Even more impressive than the line was the way Nembhard controlled the game from start to finish with his pace, handle and outstanding feel for the game, never looking sped up for an instant and making all the right reads and decisions while whipping the ball all over the floor off a live dribble, out of pick-and-roll with both hands. His 26 points felt effortless, as Nembhard never appeared to be forcing the issue, taking open shots that were presented to him and attacking the rim aggressively while showing a polished midrange and floater game.
The success experienced by similar-minded backup point guards, including Tyus Jones and Monte Morris, helps a player like Nembhard, but the fact that he measured 6-foot-4½ in shoes with the type of dimensions that multipositional NBA guards like Donte DiVincenzo, Grayson Allen and Alex Caruso possess should give him versatility to play in different lineup configurations. Nembhard leapfrogged over several players who elected to sit out the scrimmages with his strong play, and may ultimately get looks as high as the late first round on draft night. -- Givony
Jalen Williams (Top 100: No. 24)
With the majority of top executives evaluating him live for the first time, the 21-year-old Santa Clara wing Williams made a strong impression with his play in Chicago, looking like a surefire first-round pick thanks to his combination of size, length, skill and two-way impact. Williams averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in 24.1 minutes over two games while shooting 75% from the field. Playing predominantly on the ball at Santa Clara as one of the most efficient pick-and-roll creators in the NCAA, it was valuable to see Williams thrive in a variety of different roles alongside other collegiate stars.
Given that Williams is unlikely to be handed the keys to a team at the NBA level, watching him add value as a screener, cutter, downhill driver off the catch and defender was a welcomed sight, especially when you couple that with his ambidextrous court vision and pace as a primary ball handler. Williams whipped the ball all over the floor with either hand, stretched out for a few poster dunks thanks to his 7-2 wingspan and 39-inch vertical, and played with good energy defensively. He turned down a few rhythm 3s before eventually turning the ball over and is still turning himself into a consistent shooter from beyond the arc (35% on his career), which is important, as he's not overly quick off the bounce. Williams more than proved his West Coast Conference production will have no problem translating to the NBA, and he deserves real consideration in the top 25 or so come June. -- Schmitz
Dereon Seabron (Top 100: No. 57)
Few players helped themselves in the NBA combine scrimmages as much as Seabron, who averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on outstanding efficiency. Seabron's excellent size and length gives him intriguing potential as a big point guard, as he got virtually anywhere he wanted all combine long with his excellent first step, elusive handle and ability to change gears explosively, often dishing off unselfishly after collapsing the defense but also seeking out contact aggressively in the lane despite his thin frame. Seabron's perimeter shooting and inconsistent off-the-ball defense are still a major question mark, but that's something NBA teams may be willing to be patient with considering the way he moves at his size and the upside he displays as a big playmaker. -- Givony
Terquavion Smith (Top 100: No. 22)
Smith's appearance was one of the most highly anticipated of the NBA combine scrimmages, and Seabron's NC State teammate did not disappoint in his lone outing, making several scintillating plays offensively while also showing some of the things he needs to work on. The success of players including Anfernee Simons, Jordan Poole and Bones Hyland has every NBA team looking for explosive shot-makers in a similar mold. The 19-year-old Smith fits that profile well and made several plays at the combine to show off his potential as a bucket-getter, rising up fearlessly for deep, out-of-rhythm pull-up and step-back 3-pointers out of isolation, getting downhill with an excellent first step, changing speeds smoothly out of polished crossovers and showing nice creativity with the way he finishes in the lane.
While Smith is not immune to taking questionable shots or getting out of control with his decision-making -- he needed 17 field goal attempts to score his 17 points -- he did show some flashes creating for teammates off a live dribble that bode well for his ability to develop his combo guard skills as he gains experience and the game slows down for him. That will be important considering he weighed in at just 165 pounds -- light even for a point guard -- and doesn't always bring the type of intensity you'd like to see defensively off the ball. Regardless, his youth, upside and scoring instincts appear to have placed Smith firmly in play for teams drafting in the first round, with plenty more to gain in private workouts over the next month. -- Givony
Karlo Matkovic (Top 100: No. 61)
While NBA teams sometimes groan at the growing importance of pro days in the pre-draft process (although they never stop attending them), there is a certain type of prospect who can really benefit from the platform these workouts provide, especially when considering high-level decision-makers are always present en masse. Matkovic was one such prospect -- despite being ranked in ESPN's 2022 draft Top 100 all season, and being teammates with projected first-rounder Nikola Jovic, he wasn't taken very seriously as a legit draft option until an explosive showing in Chicago. Matkovic was one of the bounciest big men we saw all week on the pro day circuit, regularly putting his head on the rim and surprisingly showing a very natural stroke and impressive shot-making prowess considering he's attempted only six total 3s in his 137-game career, according to the DraftExpress database.
Matkovic's energy on the floor was infectious, and it was clear that his American workout partners gravitated to him and were having a great deal of fun witnessing his introduction to the larger NBA world in Chicago. Matkovic's agency says it has quite a few workout requests following the pro day, more requests than available dates at this point. There's a much better chance of Matkovic hearing his name called on draft night now than existed last week, but he also has the ability to withdraw his name on June 13 and try to ride his momentum into an even more favorable position next year. -- Givony
Dalen Terry (Top 100: No. 23)
Terry was one of the combine's biggest winners without even playing a 5-on-5 game. Officially just testing the waters, Terry is quickly emerging as a potential top-20 pick now that teams have had the opportunity to sit down with the charismatic, high-energy 19-year-old to learn more about him. League executives we spoke with consistently raved about Terry's interviews, citing his competitiveness, feel for the game and engaging personality.
Terry's intensity and infectious personality came to life during his pro day, further confirming the elite intangibles that evaluators who followed him closely raved about all season. There's surely another level Terry can reach as a player, as he averaged just 8.0 points in 27.5 minutes last season while connecting on just 28 3s in 37 games. But Terry isn't short on confidence, as he was sure to point out that he shot 47% from 3 over the last 10 games of the season when I mentioned the questions about his shooting. Although he lacks the most picturesque mechanics, Terry has already proved in workout settings that concerns about his shooting may indeed be overblown.
While he won't be drafted as a go-to scorer, Terry's combination of physical tools at 6-7, 195 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan, defensive versatility, passing ability and overall willingness to do the little things that impact winning could earn him looks even as high as the lottery, sharing some similarities to a smaller Scottie Barnes in terms of his all-around impact and approach to the game. -- Schmitz
Mark Williams (Top 100: No. 14)
Williams' 9-foot-9 standing reach will officially make the Duke center the longest player in the NBA, and our historical measurement database, the moment he steps foot on the floor, edging out Mo Bamba (9-7.5), Rudy Gobert (9-7) and Boban Marjanovic (9-7). Williams' sheer reach immediately makes him a game-changer as both a lob-catcher and rim-protector, elements we saw all season in the ACC as he finished a remarkable 76% of his shots at the rim in the half court. Williams also ranks No. 3 among our top 100 in block percentage and fourth in offensive rebound percentage, regularly creating extra possessions with tap-outs thanks to his timing and length. On top of all that, the fact that Williams weighed in at 242 pounds despite having considerable room to fill out his frame (5.4% body fat) bodes well for the 20-year-old, as he's not the most physical big man out there. Expect Williams to generate significant interest throughout the lottery, potentially even leapfrogging fellow center Jalen Duren. -- Schmitz
Losers
David Roddy (Top 100: No. 47)
Touted as a potential first-round sleeper at different points of his junior season, Roddy was unable to back that up in two 5-on-5 games, averaging just 5 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist per game while missing all six of his 3-point attempts. Roddy still had a positive impact on the game by sliding up and checking bigs on some possessions, attacking off the catch and making heady reads in the half court. But as Roddy struggled to knock down 3s, he started to turn down open looks and had issues finishing around the rim versus length (5-for-11 from 2).
While energetic on defense with strong athletic testing numbers, he proved he's much more effective in small spaces on that end than he is covering ground given his 261-pound frame. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise that Roddy had his ups and downs given the adjustment from the Mountain West Conference. In spite of those issues, Roddy was able to really shine in his pro day, showcasing his underrated leaping ability and shooting touch. He still has fans in NBA circles given his strength, agility and versatility, and will benefit from the success of players like Grant Williams in the NBA playoffs. But Roddy was unable to use the combine platform to emerge as a legitimate first-round candidate like I expected he might. -- Schmitz
Leonard Miller (Top 100: No. 44)
As the youngest player currently projected to be drafted, not turning 19 until late November, Miller's lack of experience was evident in his two games at the NBA combine, where he shot just 7-of-18 from the field and looked a step slow with his decision-making and off-ball awareness defensively. Miller is using the pre-draft process to learn what he needs to work on to become the high-level player his sky-high potential suggests, and he walked out of Chicago with a long list of things he'll have to improve on long-term. None of this should be a surprise considering Miller was a 6-5, non-shooting guard just a few years ago, before hitting a late growth spurt and blossoming into a five-star-caliber prospect as a high school senior. Unlikely to secure the first-round assurances he's seeking, Miller will now likely be picking between attending college at Arizona and spending a year in the G League Ignite program. -- Givony
NBA teams
A year after seeing a record six players propel themselves into the first round by competing in NBA combine scrimmages, teams were expecting agents to bet on players and try to solidify or improve their standing in Chicago. The opposite occurred, as a shocking 50 players elected to sit out the scrimmages or didn't make it to Chicago at all, a huge number considering only 58 players will hear their name called on June 23. With 16 players currently projected to be drafted who did indeed compete in the scrimmages, and at least a half-dozen others who had stock-boosting showings, there are bound to be a large number of players who end up going undrafted with a major bullet in their holster they elected not to use.
Most of those 50 players instead opted for the safety of the more controlled pro day setting, which sometimes resembled choreographed dance routines more than real basketball. NBA executives say they view pro days, of which 160 players will participate in 25 separate events, as a supplemental tool but not one that replaces competitive scrimmaging as an evaluation tool. In fairness to agencies, NBA teams have yet to consistently show they are willing to reward those who choose to play 5-on-5 rather than resting on their laurels. Teams also tend not to dismiss poor two-day showings by well-known prospects, which is a major reason this cat-and-mouse game exists. Private workouts usually end up being key, with the combine's main purpose the ability to obtain a huge batch of medicals and interview sessions with prospects.
While getting buy-in to live scrimmaging has been difficult, the NBA continues to innovate with the combine experience as a whole, which teams uniformly raved about in terms of the level of organization and detail that goes into every part of the week, aided by the spectacular setting of sparkling Wintrust Arena. The coaching staffs who were assembled, and especially the drills portion of the event (which spanned all of Wednesday and was coordinated by former Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen) garnered quite a bit of praise for mixing in competitive action with gamelike situations that prospects will encounter in the NBA. -- Givony
Other measurement takeaways
LSU's Tari Eason measured the widest hands at the combine at 11 inches (9.25 inches long), edging out Arizona center Christian Koloko at the event. Standing 6-foot-8, 217 pounds with a 7-2 wingspan, huge hands and an impressive frame, Eason shares some physical similarities to Kawhi Leonard, who came in at 6-7, 227 pounds with a 7-3 wingspan, and 9.75x11.25-inch hands. Leonard Miller came in with the third-largest hands at 10.5, with the 18-year-old ranking in the 95th percentile of our database. On the flip side, Hugo Besson and Scotty Pippen Jr. measured the smallest hands (by length) at 7.5 and 7.75, respectively. Even with the small hands, Pippen was everywhere on defense, wreaking havoc in the backcourt with his ball pressure while averaging 16 points and 4.5 assists over two games, looking like a young Jose Alvarado on some possessions.
The most unique physical profile in Chicago belonged to John Butler, who measured a massive 9-4 standing reach despite weighing just 174 pounds at 4.7% body fat. Few players in our database have the ratio between height and weight that Butler does, ranking him in the 99th percentile in that category among thousands of measurements. The fact that Butler registered just a 28.5-inch max vertical with such a narrow frame further adds to his unorthodox set of physical tools. Despite the narrow, thin frame, Butler did some interesting things in live action, shooting 39% from 3 while using his length and timing to block six shots in just 50 minutes.
If Butler earned the title as most unique physical profile, David Roddy is a close second at 6-6 in shoes, 261 pounds (third heaviest) with a 6-11.5 wingspan and 11.6% body fat. Roddy's closest physical comparisons are Eric Paschall, Craig Smith and Zion Williamson.
The draft's biggest mystery, Shaedon Sharpe, measured 6-5.25 in shoes, 198 pounds with a 6-11.5 wingspan and 4.8% body fat, the first figures we have on the 18-year-old in our database. Sharpe's closest physical comparison according to our database is Hamidou Diallo.
Nikola Jovic helped himself by coming in at 6-11, 223 pounds with a 7-0.25 wingspan and a 9-0.5 standing reach, which should allow him to function as a stretch forward, and even a small-ball, skilled 5 as he continues to grow into his frame. Jovic's closest physical comparison is Jan Vesely, who was similarly viewed as a combo forward during his draft process yet is now a lob-catching center for Fenerbahce in the Euroleague. Mike Muscala and Michael Porter Jr. are other physical comparisons who stand out.
The 19-year-old wing Peyton Watson has added over 2 inches and 33 pounds in less than three years, measuring 6-8 in shoes and 203 pounds with a 7-0.5 wingspan. A few names with similar dimensions to Watson: Cam Reddish, Andrew Wiggins, Herbert Jones, and Isaac Bonga.
Kofi Cockburn tipped the scales at 293 pounds with a powerful frame (8.2% body fat) to go along with a 7-4.25 wingspan. Should he make an NBA roster, that would make Cockburn one of the heaviest players in the NBA -- Boban Marjanovic weighed in at 293 pounds at 2009 EuroCamp. For comparison's sake, when DeMarcus Cousins weighed in at 292 pounds at the 2010 combine, he registered 16.4% body fat.
Santa Clara's Jalen Williams registered the largest difference between height and wingspan at 6-4.5 barefoot with a 7-2.25 wingspan, just edging out Ron Harper Jr., who registered nearly identical measurements to Draymond Green. Although 2 inches shorter than Green at 6-5.5, they have the same wingspan (7-1.25) and standing reach (8-9) while Harper weighs four pounds more at 240. Harper had a solid showing in drills and live action, registering 11 points and 4 assists on day one, showcasing his shooting potential and vision.
Justin Lewis also registered a huge height-to-wingspan difference at 6-6.25 inches barefoot with a 7-2.5 inch wingspan, comparing closest to OG Anunoby physically. Lastly, Trevion Williams was a wingspan winner at 6-7.25 barefoot with a 7-2.75 wingspan. Williams struggled in the athletic testing and weighed in at 265 pounds, but was still able to have a major impact in 5-on-5, proving he's far and away the best big-man passer in the draft with dimes from all over the floor while dominating the offensive glass. Williams solidified his stock as a second-round pick by averaging 9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists over two games.
Speaking of big-bodied bigs, Kenneth Lofton Jr., weighed in at 280 pounds while standing 6-6.5 in shoes with a 6-11 wingspan, making his closest physical comparison Zion Williamson. Despite the lack of height and extra weight (15% body fat), Lofton earned a call-up from the G League Elite Camp and went for 13 points in 20 minutes while swiping 3 steals and blocking one shot in the lone combine game he played. He needs to improve his ability to guard in space, but his touch, instincts, improving shooting and overall aggressiveness at 19 years old makes him someone to monitor long-term.
As expected, Kennedy Chandler measured just 5-11.5 inches barefoot, 172 pounds. But the elusive Tennessee guard registered a 6-5.25 wingspan and finished with the highest max vertical at 41.5 inches, just edging out former Sunrise Christian teammate Kendall Brown (41) and fellow Mokan Elite product Christian Braun (40). Meanwhile, Braun had some excellent moments in 5-on-5 play and is surely in the mix to hear his name called in the first round.
Viewed more as a "load jumper" who needs momentum to get off the floor based on the film, E.J. Liddell registered the highest no-step vertical at the combine at 35.5 inches, a huge figure for a 243-pounder with 12.2% body fat. Liddell comes from a long line of volleyball standouts.
Ryan Rollins measured one of the biggest wingspans among guards at 6-9.75 inches to go along with 6-3.25 in shoes and a light 179-pound frame. Rollins' closest physical comparison is Anfernee Simons. Rollins put his length and footwork to good use in the lone 5-on-5 game he played with a big tip-dunk, a huge block at the rim from the weak side that was somehow called for a foul, and smooth finishes around the rim. Rollins misfired on all three catch-and-shoot 3s and was caught upright on the ball defensively, but showed his talent as a midrange scorer and passer along with the impact his length can have defensively when he's locked in. -- Schmitz
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Which NBA players did 27 of the best 2022 NBA Draft prospects compare themselves to?
Player comps are a well-worn way of making sense of the draft. They create easy-to-digest heuristics for teams and fans to understand what and who they are looking at.
This sort of framework goes well beyond online speculation. At last week’s NBA Draft Combine, one of the most frequent questions these players were asked, they said, was about their NBA comparisons.
It can be an insightful question. It reveals how the players think of themselves and their game, how realistic they may or may not be, and also who they believe NBA teams value at this moment in time.
Last week, The Athletic asked a good number of draft prospects about the NBA comp they use for themselves when they pitch teams on themselves during the interview process. Their answers are below.
Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis
Comp: Devin Booker
Why: “I like the way he scores the ball. He’s a three-level scorer.”
Kentucky guard TyTy Washington
Comp: D’Angelo Russell, Tyrese Maxey and Jamal Murray
Why: Russell for his pace and feel for the game; Maxey because he keeps his game simple; Murray because he plays off pick-and-rolls.
Milwaukee forward Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Comp: Michael Porter Jr.
Why: “You never want to put a limit on yourself, first and foremost. But there are some guys that you watch film, and you pull from. I know a popular name surrounding me is Michael Porter. So that’s a popular name around circles. I think that’s a good start. But you always want to build the roof off that and continue to progress and improve each year.”
G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels
Comp: Tyrese Haliburton on offense, Lonzo Ball or Alex Caruso on defense
Why: “It’s a tough one for me because I have such a unique game.” Daniels said hopes to develop into a Luka Dončić-type role.
Nebraska guard Bryce McGowens
Comp: Zach LaVine and Devin Booker
Why: “Their ability to get to their spots and score at all three levels. Use their athleticism. They’re just talented players.”
Ohio State wing Malaki Branham
Comp: He watches Caris LeVert and Khris Middleton
Why: Branham cites that they have the same build and says he is a three-level scorer, like they are.
LSU forward Tari Eason
Comp: He uses Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey and Jerami Grant as his comps now, while Kawhi Leonard is his ceiling.
Baylor forward Kendall Brown
Comp: The Scottie Barnes point-forward mold
Why: “Any point forward in the league. Two players. Players like Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard. I can be one of the best two-way players so that’s what I see myself as.”
Notre Dame guard Blake Wesley
Comp: Jordan Poole
Why: “The way he comes in and does his role.”
G League Ignite wing MarJon Beauchamp
Comp: Mikal Bridges and Matisse Thybulle on defense; he told the Pacers that he sees Paul George as his potential on offense.
Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell
Comp: Parts of P.J. Tucker, Grant Williams, Paul Millsap, and Draymond Green.
Why: Guys like P.J. Tucker, Grant Williams, Paul Millsap, Draymond. I’d take pieces from their game, offensively and defensively. Like Draymond being able to pass and the heart that all of those guys bring on the defensive end.”
North Carolina State guard Terquavion Smith
Comp: Tyrese Maxey and Jordan Poole
Why: “They fast and they shoot the 3-ball well.”
Toledo guard Ryan Rollins
Comp: CJ McCollum, Devin Booker, Jordan Poole
Why: “Combo guards that can create for themselves and others.”
Kansas guard Christian Braun
Comp: Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks.
Why: “The personality that Dillon Brooks brings to the Grizzlies. I would say that some of that is a good comp from me. He’s a 3-and-D guy willing to guard multiple positions. He’s just a guy with a lot of energy, a lot of passion and toughness. He’s got a chip on his shoulder that I think I bring to a team. So that’s someone that I would compare myself to and I think that he does a lot of things similar to me.”
Auburn center Walker Kessler
Comp: Rudy Gobert on offense, Brook Lopez on defense
Why: “I cover pick-and-roll better. I move my feet quicker.”
Memphis forward Josh Minott
Comp: A mix between Mikal Bridges and Derrick Jones Jr.
Why: “Both exceptional defense; one more athletic than the other. But like Mikal Bridges style of play in terms of just knowing the right reads, creating transition and knock down the open 3 and, then not a liability on many switches. Something like that, and I feel like I’m pretty versatile defensively. And weakside, just help defense and in transition-wise, like a Derrick Jones Jr. He might definitively have more athleticism than me. But I say somewhere up there, you know.”
Arkansas center Jaylin Williams
Comp: Parts of Al Horford, Draymond Green, Bam Adebayo, and Nikola Jokić
Why: “I use a mix of players. Al Horford, I feel like is a big guy that I resemble a lot. I like to say Draymond for his leadership, his defense. I’d like to say Bam, the way he can run the offense. He can run the offense from the top. I like to say Jokić just because he can pass the ball; he can do things like that.”
Fort Erie Prep forward Leonard Miller
Comp: Kevin Durant
Why: “Mostly someone like Kevin Durant. Because he does things on the court that I feel like I could do. I’m striving to be better and better every day and perfect them. You know, I can prove a lot in those areas and sharpen them.”
UCLA wing Peyton Watson
Comp: Mikal Bridges
Why: “One player I have kind of done a lot of film study on and a player I feel like I can be like is a Mikal Bridges type of defender. Most definitely I feel like I can fill that role for an NBA team, and I’m just focused on maximizing my talent and being the best player I really can be. A lot of people kind of say I’m one of the bigger mysteries in this year’s draft, but I can’t wait to just get out there start playing and show what I can do on both ends of the floor.”
Overtime Elite forward Dom Barlow
Comp: Pascal Siakam
Why: “We have similar bodies. I think I have a high motor too, kind of like him. I tried to impact the game in different ways. And we kind of moved the same, like body type wise and kind of move very similar. So definitely excited to pick his brain.”
Florida State forward John Butler Jr.
Comp: Cam Johnson, Chris Boucher, Jonathan Isaac
Why: “I really love how those players have made an impact early on and just found a role.”
G League Ignite forward Michael Foster Jr.
Comp: Bobby Portis, P.J. Tucker
Why: “The niche I like to pick out is like a Bobby Portis, P.J. Tucker roles. Stuff like that — just a 3-and-D guy. Because I understand the rookie rolls. They don’t need me to go out and score. They need me to be aggressive, attack the rebounds offensively and defensively. Just bring the energy and be a presence.”
Wake Forest guard Alondes Williams
Comp: Jrue Holiday, but he watched a lot of LeBron James growing up and modeled his game after James.
Why: “I’m a pass-first type of guard and I’m a bigger guard… I like to pass the ball first and score at will whenever I want to. That’s what he always did so I looked at that.”
Rutgers wing Ron Harper Jr.
Comp: P.J. Tucker
Why: “I use P.J. Tucker. Specifically him because he just impacts winning in such a drastic way. Every time somebody talks about P.J. Tucker it’s ‘Oh, that guy’s a winner. He contributes to winning.’ And I kind of want people to say the same thing about me. People will say that I’m a winner. I contribute to winning. I fit in any role. Any role you need me to play I’m gonna go out there and do it. I just want to win.”
Gonzaga guard Andrew Nembhard
Comp: Tyus Jones
Why: “I think that’s someone I can emulate early in my career off the bench as a secondary point guard. He just wins games. Has a high assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s solid.”
Seton Hall wing Jared Rhoden
Comp: Mikal Bridges
Why: “(He) could just utilize his versatility both on the defensive end and on the offensive end. Just using his length. I’m someone who uses my length and my angles just to affect the game, whether it’s defensively getting after smaller guards or being able to switch on in the modern-day NBA, guarding four-men, guarding bigger threes. Offensively, keeping the game simple. Whether it’s just laying the ball up either quick offensive rebounds, putbacks, catches, shoot 3s, playing off close outs and just, you know, keeping the game real simple like Mikal Bridges does.”
Louisiana Tech forward Kenneth Lofton Jr.
Comp: Nikola Jokić
Why: “Although I say I’m a different person, because some people have one or two things that are limited, and I feel like I have a whole book of things that I can pull out and show NBA teams… We have a similar game. Can shoot, can dribble, can post up, pretty much do everything that I do. I feel like I have a little bit more bounce than Jokić, but you know, I feel like we play similar.”
Player comps are a well-worn way of making sense of the draft. They create easy-to-digest heuristics for teams and fans to understand what and who they are looking at.
This sort of framework goes well beyond online speculation. At last week’s NBA Draft Combine, one of the most frequent questions these players were asked, they said, was about their NBA comparisons.
It can be an insightful question. It reveals how the players think of themselves and their game, how realistic they may or may not be, and also who they believe NBA teams value at this moment in time.
Last week, The Athletic asked a good number of draft prospects about the NBA comp they use for themselves when they pitch teams on themselves during the interview process. Their answers are below.
Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis
Comp: Devin Booker
Why: “I like the way he scores the ball. He’s a three-level scorer.”
Kentucky guard TyTy Washington
Comp: D’Angelo Russell, Tyrese Maxey and Jamal Murray
Why: Russell for his pace and feel for the game; Maxey because he keeps his game simple; Murray because he plays off pick-and-rolls.
Milwaukee forward Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Comp: Michael Porter Jr.
Why: “You never want to put a limit on yourself, first and foremost. But there are some guys that you watch film, and you pull from. I know a popular name surrounding me is Michael Porter. So that’s a popular name around circles. I think that’s a good start. But you always want to build the roof off that and continue to progress and improve each year.”
G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels
Comp: Tyrese Haliburton on offense, Lonzo Ball or Alex Caruso on defense
Why: “It’s a tough one for me because I have such a unique game.” Daniels said hopes to develop into a Luka Dončić-type role.
Nebraska guard Bryce McGowens
Comp: Zach LaVine and Devin Booker
Why: “Their ability to get to their spots and score at all three levels. Use their athleticism. They’re just talented players.”
Ohio State wing Malaki Branham
Comp: He watches Caris LeVert and Khris Middleton
Why: Branham cites that they have the same build and says he is a three-level scorer, like they are.
LSU forward Tari Eason
Comp: He uses Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey and Jerami Grant as his comps now, while Kawhi Leonard is his ceiling.
Baylor forward Kendall Brown
Comp: The Scottie Barnes point-forward mold
Why: “Any point forward in the league. Two players. Players like Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard. I can be one of the best two-way players so that’s what I see myself as.”
Notre Dame guard Blake Wesley
Comp: Jordan Poole
Why: “The way he comes in and does his role.”
G League Ignite wing MarJon Beauchamp
Comp: Mikal Bridges and Matisse Thybulle on defense; he told the Pacers that he sees Paul George as his potential on offense.
Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell
Comp: Parts of P.J. Tucker, Grant Williams, Paul Millsap, and Draymond Green.
Why: Guys like P.J. Tucker, Grant Williams, Paul Millsap, Draymond. I’d take pieces from their game, offensively and defensively. Like Draymond being able to pass and the heart that all of those guys bring on the defensive end.”
North Carolina State guard Terquavion Smith
Comp: Tyrese Maxey and Jordan Poole
Why: “They fast and they shoot the 3-ball well.”
Toledo guard Ryan Rollins
Comp: CJ McCollum, Devin Booker, Jordan Poole
Why: “Combo guards that can create for themselves and others.”
Kansas guard Christian Braun
Comp: Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks.
Why: “The personality that Dillon Brooks brings to the Grizzlies. I would say that some of that is a good comp from me. He’s a 3-and-D guy willing to guard multiple positions. He’s just a guy with a lot of energy, a lot of passion and toughness. He’s got a chip on his shoulder that I think I bring to a team. So that’s someone that I would compare myself to and I think that he does a lot of things similar to me.”
Auburn center Walker Kessler
Comp: Rudy Gobert on offense, Brook Lopez on defense
Why: “I cover pick-and-roll better. I move my feet quicker.”
Memphis forward Josh Minott
Comp: A mix between Mikal Bridges and Derrick Jones Jr.
Why: “Both exceptional defense; one more athletic than the other. But like Mikal Bridges style of play in terms of just knowing the right reads, creating transition and knock down the open 3 and, then not a liability on many switches. Something like that, and I feel like I’m pretty versatile defensively. And weakside, just help defense and in transition-wise, like a Derrick Jones Jr. He might definitively have more athleticism than me. But I say somewhere up there, you know.”
Arkansas center Jaylin Williams
Comp: Parts of Al Horford, Draymond Green, Bam Adebayo, and Nikola Jokić
Why: “I use a mix of players. Al Horford, I feel like is a big guy that I resemble a lot. I like to say Draymond for his leadership, his defense. I’d like to say Bam, the way he can run the offense. He can run the offense from the top. I like to say Jokić just because he can pass the ball; he can do things like that.”
Fort Erie Prep forward Leonard Miller
Comp: Kevin Durant
Why: “Mostly someone like Kevin Durant. Because he does things on the court that I feel like I could do. I’m striving to be better and better every day and perfect them. You know, I can prove a lot in those areas and sharpen them.”
UCLA wing Peyton Watson
Comp: Mikal Bridges
Why: “One player I have kind of done a lot of film study on and a player I feel like I can be like is a Mikal Bridges type of defender. Most definitely I feel like I can fill that role for an NBA team, and I’m just focused on maximizing my talent and being the best player I really can be. A lot of people kind of say I’m one of the bigger mysteries in this year’s draft, but I can’t wait to just get out there start playing and show what I can do on both ends of the floor.”
Overtime Elite forward Dom Barlow
Comp: Pascal Siakam
Why: “We have similar bodies. I think I have a high motor too, kind of like him. I tried to impact the game in different ways. And we kind of moved the same, like body type wise and kind of move very similar. So definitely excited to pick his brain.”
Florida State forward John Butler Jr.
Comp: Cam Johnson, Chris Boucher, Jonathan Isaac
Why: “I really love how those players have made an impact early on and just found a role.”
G League Ignite forward Michael Foster Jr.
Comp: Bobby Portis, P.J. Tucker
Why: “The niche I like to pick out is like a Bobby Portis, P.J. Tucker roles. Stuff like that — just a 3-and-D guy. Because I understand the rookie rolls. They don’t need me to go out and score. They need me to be aggressive, attack the rebounds offensively and defensively. Just bring the energy and be a presence.”
Wake Forest guard Alondes Williams
Comp: Jrue Holiday, but he watched a lot of LeBron James growing up and modeled his game after James.
Why: “I’m a pass-first type of guard and I’m a bigger guard… I like to pass the ball first and score at will whenever I want to. That’s what he always did so I looked at that.”
Rutgers wing Ron Harper Jr.
Comp: P.J. Tucker
Why: “I use P.J. Tucker. Specifically him because he just impacts winning in such a drastic way. Every time somebody talks about P.J. Tucker it’s ‘Oh, that guy’s a winner. He contributes to winning.’ And I kind of want people to say the same thing about me. People will say that I’m a winner. I contribute to winning. I fit in any role. Any role you need me to play I’m gonna go out there and do it. I just want to win.”
Gonzaga guard Andrew Nembhard
Comp: Tyus Jones
Why: “I think that’s someone I can emulate early in my career off the bench as a secondary point guard. He just wins games. Has a high assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s solid.”
Seton Hall wing Jared Rhoden
Comp: Mikal Bridges
Why: “(He) could just utilize his versatility both on the defensive end and on the offensive end. Just using his length. I’m someone who uses my length and my angles just to affect the game, whether it’s defensively getting after smaller guards or being able to switch on in the modern-day NBA, guarding four-men, guarding bigger threes. Offensively, keeping the game simple. Whether it’s just laying the ball up either quick offensive rebounds, putbacks, catches, shoot 3s, playing off close outs and just, you know, keeping the game real simple like Mikal Bridges does.”
Louisiana Tech forward Kenneth Lofton Jr.
Comp: Nikola Jokić
Why: “Although I say I’m a different person, because some people have one or two things that are limited, and I feel like I have a whole book of things that I can pull out and show NBA teams… We have a similar game. Can shoot, can dribble, can post up, pretty much do everything that I do. I feel like I have a little bit more bounce than Jokić, but you know, I feel like we play similar.”
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White Dillon Brooks would have this board in SHAMBLES.
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I can't tell you how much I want to see Braun get drafted by a good team and carve out a role.
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Scary part - he'd instantly be the most athletic wing on Dallas' roster.
I'm not sayin... I'm just sayin'.
I'm not sayin... I'm just sayin'.
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Josh Green is a good athlete. He just sucks.
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Guys that would struggle to blow by a closeout from my 5 year old are instantly eliminated from conversation.
dacomeup
Supporter
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Kenneth Lofton comparing himself to Jokic 
Leonard Miller and Terquavius Smith
Leonard Miller and Terquavius Smith
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lot of poole party comps too
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RustyShackleford
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Ehhhhh, I think the better move would be to transfer to a top program.
The solid showing this summer plus a good year against better competition would put him into the late first round in next year's draft.
But who knows, maybe he has a guarantee from a team to take him in the 2nd round this year
The solid showing this summer plus a good year against better competition would put him into the late first round in next year's draft.
But who knows, maybe he has a guarantee from a team to take him in the 2nd round this year
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I really enjoyed watching him in FIBA. Thought he stood out.
RustyShackleford
Supporter
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Finna have some box braids put in my hair to see Lofton Jr. play at Summer League, in solidarity
At the rate my edges going, I'm probably gonna be up in Thomas & Mack looking like Floyd Sr....
#HuskyBoyz
At the rate my edges going, I'm probably gonna be up in Thomas & Mack looking like Floyd Sr....
#HuskyBoyz
Last edited:
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R
Roddy didn’t show the athleticism/explosiveness in game up Co state tho…Maybe that’ll change in the league
Roddy didn’t show the athleticism/explosiveness in game up Co state tho…Maybe that’ll change in the league
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Mister Meaner
formerly super producer j
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Mathurin
Sochan
Would be an absolute delight if these dudes here in NY pulled off a draft night swindle of those two gems.
Banchero is likely gone to flourish on a bad but fun team like Houston.
But a team like Sacktown should be open to taking that Randle gamble. Take their 4th pick because they want to win now.
Make things interesting.
Sochan
Would be an absolute delight if these dudes here in NY pulled off a draft night swindle of those two gems.
Banchero is likely gone to flourish on a bad but fun team like Houston.
But a team like Sacktown should be open to taking that Randle gamble. Take their 4th pick because they want to win now.
Make things interesting.
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Where Trevor Keels, Duke’s other NBA Draft hopefuls stand after the combine
Time to finalize some big boards.
On the heels of last week’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago — where the nation’s top talents measure physically, test athletically, interview with teams, and (sometimes) play in 5-on-5 scrimmages — the next task awaiting teams is trying to process and sort all that information. That means weighing in-season film vs. postseason adjustments, scheduling further workouts with certain players, and tracking down answers to any lingering questions. It helps, of course, that the pool of available draftees is also steadily shrinking; players who retained their college eligibility only have until June 1 to announce their returns to school.
That date looms large from an NBA perspective, but also from a college one — and especially from Duke’s point of view. Right now, Blue Devils fans are all asking the same question: Will Trevor Keels be back for his sophomore season?
The firm answer to that question won’t come until closer to June 1, but the combine did provide more intel on how NBA teams currently view Keels, as well as Duke’s other four pro prospects: Paolo Banchero (No. 3 on the big board for The Athletic’s draft expert Sam Vecenie), A.J. Griffin (No.
, Mark Williams (No. 14), and Wendell Moore Jr. (No. 35). I’ve already discussed how Banchero fits at the next level, with the help of our Houston Rockets writer Kelly Iko, so we’ll focus on the other four for now. Away we go:
Trevor Keels
Combine measurables: 6-foot-4.75, 223.8 pounds
Let’s start with the only unknown as it relates to Duke.
Should Keels return to Durham, he’d rejoin high school teammate and close friend Jeremy Roach in the team’s starting backcourt, and it stands that he’d be showcased on Jon Scheyer’s first team. The Blue Devils lost their top four 3-point shooters off last year’s roster, meaning Keels (and Roach, to a lesser extent) would have the green light in filling some of that perimeter volume. And considering Duke’s incoming recruiting class is heavier on frontcourt players and wings, Keels would see plenty of playing time both on- and off-ball.
But multiple NBA sources who attended the combine and spoke with The Athletic this week said they would advise Keels to return to school, based on his below-average physical testing and inconsistency as a freshman. “You just wish,” one scout said, “there was duplication of the Kentucky game.” Keels scored 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting against the Wildcats in Duke’s season-opener (and did so with just one 3-point make), but he only topped 20 points twice in the remaining 34 games he played. (Keels did miss three contests with a midseason lower leg/calf injury.) Draft analysts have largely publicized Keels as a potential first-round pick, but that outcome now seems unlikely. “One-hundred percent he should go back,” one evaluator said. “He’ll be a G League guy if he doesn’t.”
“Testing didn’t do him any favors,” said a second scout
That was in reference both to Keels’ physical testing and the on-court work he did. Keels finished with the fourth-highest body fat percentage among all players measured, and was the heaviest weight-wise for his position. He finished third-worst in the shuttle run, too — behind 7-foot center Kofi Cockburn and 6-foot-9 forward Drew Timme — and tied for third-worst in vertical leap. NBA teams are still intrigued by Keels’ frame long-term, and believe he can be an impactful pro, but the lack of explosiveness and conditioning he showed in Chicago didn’t improve his stock. “He’s still capable of doing this,” one scout said. “But the biggest thing is obviously improving the body.”
On top of that, evaluators who attended Keels’ late-night pro day said his shooting in Chicago mimicked his hot-and-cold 3-point stroke as a freshman. So while Keels did make 31.2 percent of his 3s on the year, and had five games with at least three made 3-pointers, he also had seven games with at least five 3-point misses.
Of course, Keels will and should make his own decision, but there’s little guarantee he would be a first-round pick if he opted to remain in the draft. Comparatively, scouts pointed to one of his teammates as a model of what could happen should Keels return to Duke as a sophomore. “You’ve got Wendell to look at as a perfect example,” one source added. Speaking of which …
Wendell Moore Jr.
Combine measurables: 6-foot-5.5, 217.2 pounds
Let’s not mince words here.
“His Chicago experience was great,” one scout said. “Tested well, interviewed well, and had a great pro day.”
Following Moore’s third season at Duke, where he averaged 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, NBA teams have a much clearer idea of how his game translates to the next level. Most pointed to his improved 3-point accuracy — Moore hit 41.3 percent of his 3s this season, compared to 21.1 percent as a freshman and 30.1 percent as a sophomore — as a key growth area. “He’s developed a real outside game,” one evaluator said, “and he’s still young enough that he’s got some upside, too.” The extent to which teams believe in Moore’s shot remains a matter of opinion, but there is more widespread optimism that swing skill will carry over from college.
Moore helped himself in physical testing as well. (Pro days are only marginally valuable, as Sam Vecenie and John Hollinger so astutely point out.) Moore registered just over a 7-foot wingspan despite his 6-foot-5.5 height, one of the larger disparities in this class. He also tied for third in standing vertical leap and tied for sixth in max vertical leap, highlighting his improved leaping ability. “He is impressive in transition, and he’s become so much more explosive and athletic,” one scout said. It’s clear that Moore’s work with Duke’s strength and conditioning staff paid off, especially last offseason when he changed his gait.
The two other things teams seem most intrigued by with Moore are his defense and his passing ability. Part of the defensive acumen, those in Chicago said, was Moore’s wingspan, but also his combination of strength and quickness. “At the end of the day,” one said, “he’s a plus defender.” As far as Moore’s passing — he led the Blue Devils in assists and assist rate, per KenPom — scouts won’t go quite so far as to say they envision Moore as a point guard prospect, but most believe he has potential as a secondary ballhandler.
“It’s part of his versatility that he can handle the ball, and he has shown he can play in pick-and-rolls and make decisions,” the first scout said. “There’s just another level of seeing the floor needed to play the point. Not to say Wendell isn’t a high IQ player, but I’m not sure he’s a natural point guard. Could he play some? Sure. But I don’t know how natural that is to him.”
Moore’s draft range, based on conversations with those at the combine, is currently anywhere from the back third of the first round to the early second.
Mark Williams
Combine measurables: 7-foot-2 (with shoes), 242.4 pounds
By courtesy of his 9-foot-9 (!!) standing reach, Williams almost set a new combine record. Former UCF star Tacko Fall is the only player to surpass Williams’ mark in that category, back when he registered a 10-foot-2.5 standing reach at the 2019 combine. Still, Williams’ length — he also measured at 7-foot-2 in shoes with a 7-foot-7 wingspan — was one of the talking points of the week. “Somebody with a reach like that, you’ve gotta pay attention to it. That’s long,” one source said. “We do value what the measurements are.”
On the flip side, other scouts said they place less stock in the measurables, given that Williams’ size and length are already so evident on tape. Instead, they said, they use the combine measurements as a baseline for when Williams eventually visits their organizations in-market. Either way, like Moore, Williams helped himself in Chicago.
“Mark is the best five in the draft,” one scout said. “He’s the top center.”
That sentiment isn’t consensus — Memphis freshman Jalen Duren is also widely seen as a lottery-caliber talent, and Gonzaga freshman Chet Holmgren is technically listed as a center, too — but it’s clear that Williams’ stock is on the rise. Hollinger and Vecenie reported earlier this week that Williams has a “very good chance” to be a lottery pick when all’s said and done, and folks I spoke with confirmed as much. “I followed him some during the course of the season, and you could see him getting better,” one evaluator said. “He’d have a big game here or there, but his best basketball is in front of him.” Most of those expectations are naturally centered around Williams’ defense — he was a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalist this season, averaging 2.8 blocks per game and finishing with the No. 17 block rate nationally, per KenPom — but his low-usage, efficient offensive game is also attractive. Williams finished with the No. 2 offensive rating nationally, per KenPom, and made 72.3 percent of his 2s.
The two areas where there’s still some projecting with Williams? The full scope of his offensive arsenal, for starters. Some teams believe he can develop into a comfortable midrange shooter, while others are less sold. “The area he (was) shooting the ball, the elbows, free throws,” one evaluator said, “he helped himself up there.” The other is how viable Williams would be in a potential playoff scenario, where centers have frequently been benched for their inability to stay with quicker opponents defensively. Is he switchable on the perimeter? That was one area Williams struggled in during the NCAA Tournament, especially against Texas Tech, but he also showed flashes during the season.
“(There) becomes the question of switchability, guarding on the perimeter,” one scout said, “or is he just such an elite rim protector that it won’t even matter?”
How teams answer that question will have a key role in where Williams winds up on their eventual big boards.
A.J. Griffin
Combine measurables: N/A
Griffin was one of a number of the top talents in attendance last week who opted not to participate in physical testing or 5-on-5 scrimmages. (Neither did Banchero, Holmgren, Auburn freshman Jabari Smith, and several other projected lottery picks.) This was expected, but it does mean Griffin — and the teams his camp selects for individual workouts — has more work to do on the back end. That’s especially true given his injury history, including an October knee injury that cost him weeks of preseason practice this fall.
“You have to get that physical,” one source said. “If you don’t, you’re just rolling the dice.”
Those injuries are a large part of Griffin’s evaluation, even though he played 24 minutes a night this season and started 25 games. So, where’s the disconnect? To some extent, it’s between the player Griffin was in high school and the one he was in his lone season at Duke. In most of three seasons of high school — Griffin missed the end of his junior year and his entire senior year with ankle and knee injuries — he thrived as a slasher, someone capable of putting the ball on the floor and driving through contact. He did some of that at Duke, but after spending most of his senior year training in Tampa alongside his father, Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, the younger Griffin developed into much more of a spot-up shooter. With the Blue Devils, he hit 44.7 percent of his 3s, which was top-10 among high-major players, on 4.1 attempts per game. “The kid can really shoot it, and with size,” one source said. That he did so in a complementary role, alongside other future pros, does also bodes well for him carving out an early NBA role.
But at the same time, scouts and decision-makers are torn on why some of Griffin’s high school strengths didn’t materialize at Duke to the level they expected. “As great as he was, it almost backfired because people say, oh, you’re a perfect role player,” one scout posited. “He’s gotta get that opportunity, and he’s gotta get more comfortable putting the ball on the floor and attacking and using that explosiveness.”
Duke listed Griffin at 6-foot-6 and 222 pounds this season, and he certainly flashed the ability to use his full frame at times. Doing so consistently, though, is the next step in his development. “He’s still got an NBA body, he’s young, so there’s just more positives there with A.J.,” one scout said. “He’s gonna have to show in a workout, or understand that he’s not a finished product.”
Still, Griffin’s shooting should allow him to contribute immediately as a rookie — and is a good reason he’s expected to be selected in the lottery himself.
Time to finalize some big boards.
On the heels of last week’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago — where the nation’s top talents measure physically, test athletically, interview with teams, and (sometimes) play in 5-on-5 scrimmages — the next task awaiting teams is trying to process and sort all that information. That means weighing in-season film vs. postseason adjustments, scheduling further workouts with certain players, and tracking down answers to any lingering questions. It helps, of course, that the pool of available draftees is also steadily shrinking; players who retained their college eligibility only have until June 1 to announce their returns to school.
That date looms large from an NBA perspective, but also from a college one — and especially from Duke’s point of view. Right now, Blue Devils fans are all asking the same question: Will Trevor Keels be back for his sophomore season?
The firm answer to that question won’t come until closer to June 1, but the combine did provide more intel on how NBA teams currently view Keels, as well as Duke’s other four pro prospects: Paolo Banchero (No. 3 on the big board for The Athletic’s draft expert Sam Vecenie), A.J. Griffin (No.
, Mark Williams (No. 14), and Wendell Moore Jr. (No. 35). I’ve already discussed how Banchero fits at the next level, with the help of our Houston Rockets writer Kelly Iko, so we’ll focus on the other four for now. Away we go:Trevor Keels
Combine measurables: 6-foot-4.75, 223.8 pounds
Let’s start with the only unknown as it relates to Duke.
Should Keels return to Durham, he’d rejoin high school teammate and close friend Jeremy Roach in the team’s starting backcourt, and it stands that he’d be showcased on Jon Scheyer’s first team. The Blue Devils lost their top four 3-point shooters off last year’s roster, meaning Keels (and Roach, to a lesser extent) would have the green light in filling some of that perimeter volume. And considering Duke’s incoming recruiting class is heavier on frontcourt players and wings, Keels would see plenty of playing time both on- and off-ball.
But multiple NBA sources who attended the combine and spoke with The Athletic this week said they would advise Keels to return to school, based on his below-average physical testing and inconsistency as a freshman. “You just wish,” one scout said, “there was duplication of the Kentucky game.” Keels scored 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting against the Wildcats in Duke’s season-opener (and did so with just one 3-point make), but he only topped 20 points twice in the remaining 34 games he played. (Keels did miss three contests with a midseason lower leg/calf injury.) Draft analysts have largely publicized Keels as a potential first-round pick, but that outcome now seems unlikely. “One-hundred percent he should go back,” one evaluator said. “He’ll be a G League guy if he doesn’t.”
“Testing didn’t do him any favors,” said a second scout
That was in reference both to Keels’ physical testing and the on-court work he did. Keels finished with the fourth-highest body fat percentage among all players measured, and was the heaviest weight-wise for his position. He finished third-worst in the shuttle run, too — behind 7-foot center Kofi Cockburn and 6-foot-9 forward Drew Timme — and tied for third-worst in vertical leap. NBA teams are still intrigued by Keels’ frame long-term, and believe he can be an impactful pro, but the lack of explosiveness and conditioning he showed in Chicago didn’t improve his stock. “He’s still capable of doing this,” one scout said. “But the biggest thing is obviously improving the body.”
On top of that, evaluators who attended Keels’ late-night pro day said his shooting in Chicago mimicked his hot-and-cold 3-point stroke as a freshman. So while Keels did make 31.2 percent of his 3s on the year, and had five games with at least three made 3-pointers, he also had seven games with at least five 3-point misses.
Of course, Keels will and should make his own decision, but there’s little guarantee he would be a first-round pick if he opted to remain in the draft. Comparatively, scouts pointed to one of his teammates as a model of what could happen should Keels return to Duke as a sophomore. “You’ve got Wendell to look at as a perfect example,” one source added. Speaking of which …
Wendell Moore Jr.
Combine measurables: 6-foot-5.5, 217.2 pounds
Let’s not mince words here.
“His Chicago experience was great,” one scout said. “Tested well, interviewed well, and had a great pro day.”
Following Moore’s third season at Duke, where he averaged 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, NBA teams have a much clearer idea of how his game translates to the next level. Most pointed to his improved 3-point accuracy — Moore hit 41.3 percent of his 3s this season, compared to 21.1 percent as a freshman and 30.1 percent as a sophomore — as a key growth area. “He’s developed a real outside game,” one evaluator said, “and he’s still young enough that he’s got some upside, too.” The extent to which teams believe in Moore’s shot remains a matter of opinion, but there is more widespread optimism that swing skill will carry over from college.
Moore helped himself in physical testing as well. (Pro days are only marginally valuable, as Sam Vecenie and John Hollinger so astutely point out.) Moore registered just over a 7-foot wingspan despite his 6-foot-5.5 height, one of the larger disparities in this class. He also tied for third in standing vertical leap and tied for sixth in max vertical leap, highlighting his improved leaping ability. “He is impressive in transition, and he’s become so much more explosive and athletic,” one scout said. It’s clear that Moore’s work with Duke’s strength and conditioning staff paid off, especially last offseason when he changed his gait.
The two other things teams seem most intrigued by with Moore are his defense and his passing ability. Part of the defensive acumen, those in Chicago said, was Moore’s wingspan, but also his combination of strength and quickness. “At the end of the day,” one said, “he’s a plus defender.” As far as Moore’s passing — he led the Blue Devils in assists and assist rate, per KenPom — scouts won’t go quite so far as to say they envision Moore as a point guard prospect, but most believe he has potential as a secondary ballhandler.
“It’s part of his versatility that he can handle the ball, and he has shown he can play in pick-and-rolls and make decisions,” the first scout said. “There’s just another level of seeing the floor needed to play the point. Not to say Wendell isn’t a high IQ player, but I’m not sure he’s a natural point guard. Could he play some? Sure. But I don’t know how natural that is to him.”
Moore’s draft range, based on conversations with those at the combine, is currently anywhere from the back third of the first round to the early second.
Mark Williams
Combine measurables: 7-foot-2 (with shoes), 242.4 pounds
By courtesy of his 9-foot-9 (!!) standing reach, Williams almost set a new combine record. Former UCF star Tacko Fall is the only player to surpass Williams’ mark in that category, back when he registered a 10-foot-2.5 standing reach at the 2019 combine. Still, Williams’ length — he also measured at 7-foot-2 in shoes with a 7-foot-7 wingspan — was one of the talking points of the week. “Somebody with a reach like that, you’ve gotta pay attention to it. That’s long,” one source said. “We do value what the measurements are.”
On the flip side, other scouts said they place less stock in the measurables, given that Williams’ size and length are already so evident on tape. Instead, they said, they use the combine measurements as a baseline for when Williams eventually visits their organizations in-market. Either way, like Moore, Williams helped himself in Chicago.
“Mark is the best five in the draft,” one scout said. “He’s the top center.”
That sentiment isn’t consensus — Memphis freshman Jalen Duren is also widely seen as a lottery-caliber talent, and Gonzaga freshman Chet Holmgren is technically listed as a center, too — but it’s clear that Williams’ stock is on the rise. Hollinger and Vecenie reported earlier this week that Williams has a “very good chance” to be a lottery pick when all’s said and done, and folks I spoke with confirmed as much. “I followed him some during the course of the season, and you could see him getting better,” one evaluator said. “He’d have a big game here or there, but his best basketball is in front of him.” Most of those expectations are naturally centered around Williams’ defense — he was a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalist this season, averaging 2.8 blocks per game and finishing with the No. 17 block rate nationally, per KenPom — but his low-usage, efficient offensive game is also attractive. Williams finished with the No. 2 offensive rating nationally, per KenPom, and made 72.3 percent of his 2s.
The two areas where there’s still some projecting with Williams? The full scope of his offensive arsenal, for starters. Some teams believe he can develop into a comfortable midrange shooter, while others are less sold. “The area he (was) shooting the ball, the elbows, free throws,” one evaluator said, “he helped himself up there.” The other is how viable Williams would be in a potential playoff scenario, where centers have frequently been benched for their inability to stay with quicker opponents defensively. Is he switchable on the perimeter? That was one area Williams struggled in during the NCAA Tournament, especially against Texas Tech, but he also showed flashes during the season.
“(There) becomes the question of switchability, guarding on the perimeter,” one scout said, “or is he just such an elite rim protector that it won’t even matter?”
How teams answer that question will have a key role in where Williams winds up on their eventual big boards.
A.J. Griffin
Combine measurables: N/A
Griffin was one of a number of the top talents in attendance last week who opted not to participate in physical testing or 5-on-5 scrimmages. (Neither did Banchero, Holmgren, Auburn freshman Jabari Smith, and several other projected lottery picks.) This was expected, but it does mean Griffin — and the teams his camp selects for individual workouts — has more work to do on the back end. That’s especially true given his injury history, including an October knee injury that cost him weeks of preseason practice this fall.
“You have to get that physical,” one source said. “If you don’t, you’re just rolling the dice.”
Those injuries are a large part of Griffin’s evaluation, even though he played 24 minutes a night this season and started 25 games. So, where’s the disconnect? To some extent, it’s between the player Griffin was in high school and the one he was in his lone season at Duke. In most of three seasons of high school — Griffin missed the end of his junior year and his entire senior year with ankle and knee injuries — he thrived as a slasher, someone capable of putting the ball on the floor and driving through contact. He did some of that at Duke, but after spending most of his senior year training in Tampa alongside his father, Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, the younger Griffin developed into much more of a spot-up shooter. With the Blue Devils, he hit 44.7 percent of his 3s, which was top-10 among high-major players, on 4.1 attempts per game. “The kid can really shoot it, and with size,” one source said. That he did so in a complementary role, alongside other future pros, does also bodes well for him carving out an early NBA role.
But at the same time, scouts and decision-makers are torn on why some of Griffin’s high school strengths didn’t materialize at Duke to the level they expected. “As great as he was, it almost backfired because people say, oh, you’re a perfect role player,” one scout posited. “He’s gotta get that opportunity, and he’s gotta get more comfortable putting the ball on the floor and attacking and using that explosiveness.”
Duke listed Griffin at 6-foot-6 and 222 pounds this season, and he certainly flashed the ability to use his full frame at times. Doing so consistently, though, is the next step in his development. “He’s still got an NBA body, he’s young, so there’s just more positives there with A.J.,” one scout said. “He’s gonna have to show in a workout, or understand that he’s not a finished product.”
Still, Griffin’s shooting should allow him to contribute immediately as a rookie — and is a good reason he’s expected to be selected in the lottery himself.
woody2626
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Keels def going back, much needed.
How you not in the best shape of your life before the combine? Come on youngin
Like mention outside of the top 8-10 this draft is shaky
How you not in the best shape of your life before the combine? Come on youngin
Like mention outside of the top 8-10 this draft is shaky
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Beg to differ.
This draft is top heavy (1-4)...and offers a ton of positional value later in the draft. Mid-late lottery is the shaky territory.
