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With the decision deadline now passed, it’s time to update the Big Board.
For a more in-depth look at each of these prospects check out the Fast Risers Podcast hosted by yours truly and look out for scouting reports posted here on the blog.
1 - Jabari Smith Jr | Forward | Auburn | 6'10 | 220
2 - Paolo Banchero | Forward | Duke | 6'10 | 250
Banchero is the closest to a sure thing in this draft. While I don’t necessarily see him like a “franchise” type of guy, he should fit nicely as the second option on a contending team and his floor is a 15-18 point per game scorer who can create for others.
3 - Jaden Ivey | Guard | Purdue | 6'4 | 195
4 - Chet Holmgren | Big | Gonzaga | 7'0 | 195
5 - Bennedict Mathurin | Wing | Arizona | 6'6 | 210
The more I watch Mathurin the more I fall in love with his upside as a shot creator. His handle does need to improve significantly but 2-3 years down the line he can be a primary offensive option ala, Jaylen Brown.
6 - Keegan Murray | Wing | Iowa | 6'8 | 225
7 - Jalen Duren | Big | Memphis | 6'11 | 250
8 - Shaedon Sharpe | Guard | Kentucky | 6'6 | 200
9 - Blake Wesley | Guard | Notre Dame | 6'5 | 185
10 - Mark Williams | Big | Duke | 7'0 | 242
11 - Malaki Branham | Guard | Ohio State | 6'5 | 180
Branham isn’t the most impressive athlete and doesn’t really create much space for himself but the kid can just flat out score. There isn’t a more impressive shot maker in this class. At minimum, he will be an effective microwave scorer off the bench.
12 - Dyson Daniels | Guard | G-League Ignite | 6'6 | 199
13 - AJ Griffin | Wing | Duke | 6'6 | 222
14 - Tari Eason | Forward | LSU | 6'8 | 215
Eason’s motor on the defensive end should translate immediately, making him an ideal pick for a team looking for someone to jump into the rotation. His offensive game is still a little bit raw but his ability to create transition opportunities and run the floor well should create plenty of opportunities for him as a rim runner. I Could see him as an ideal fit as a replacement for Miles Bridges in Charlotte.
15 - Johnny Davis | Guard | Wisconsin | 6'5 | 196
16 - Jeremy Sochan | Wing | Baylor | 6'9 | 230
17 - Jaden Hardy | Guard |G-League Ignite | 6'4 | 205
18 – Jalen Williams | Wing | Santa Clara | 6'6 | 209
Williams is the fastest-rising prospect on just about every draft board right now. He went unranked in my Big Board 1.0 but his performance at the combine and the way NBA teams are talking about him can’t be ignored. He improved his three-point shooting a ton this past season and is as smooth of a scorer as I’ve watched throughout this process. His lack of consistency on the defensive end is the main concern for him going forward. His length should make up for some of his deficiencies when it comes to quickness and strength but he has a long way to go to be an adequate player defensively.
19 - Ousmane Dieng | Forward | New Zealand Breakers | 6'10 | 200
20 - Kennedy Chandler | Guard | Tennessee | 6'0 | 171
21 – Dalen Terry | Guard | Arizona | 6’7 | 195
22 - Ty Ty Washington | Guard | Kentucky | 6'3 | 197
23 - Jabari Walker | Wing/Forward | Colorado | 6'9 | 215
24 - Jake LaRavia | Forward | Wake Forest | 6'8 | 235
25 - MarJon Beauchamp | Wing | G-League Ignite | 6'6 | 199
26 - Bryce McGowens | Wing | Nebraska | 6'7 | 179
27 - Nikola Jovic | Forward | Serbia | 6'10 | 209
28 - EJ Liddell | Forward | Ohio State | 6'7 | 243
29 – Ryan Rollins |Guard | Toledo | 6'3 | 180
30 - Walker Kessler | Big | Auburn | 7'1 | 245
31 – Ochai Agbaji | Wing | Kansas | 6'5 | 214
32 - Kendall Brown | Forward | Baylor | 6'8 | 205
33 - Christian Braun | Wing | Kansas | 6'6 | 218
34 - Patrick Baldwin Jr | Forward | UW Milwaukee | 6'9 | 220
Baldwin had some of the worst athletic measurables we’ve seen at the combine in quite some time which wouldn’t be as alarming except for the fact that he had such a rough Freshman year at UWM. But he was a projected top 8-15 pick coming into the season so I wouldn’t be surprised if he sneaks into the first round somewhere.
35 - Justin Lewis | Wing | Marquette | 6'7 | 245
36 - Wendell Moore Jr | Wing | Duke | 6'5 | 213
37 - Trevor Keels |Guard | Duke | 6'4 | 221
38 - Jaylin Williams | Forward | Arkansas | 6'9 | 240
39 – Max Christie | Wing | Michigan State | 6’6 | 189
40 - Michael Foster Jr | Forward | G-League Ignite | 6'8 | 250