It's a down year in college basketball and there's no clear cut choice of who will cut down nets in April. UK and Duke have reloaded again but the field seems so much more open than last season. Plus, the array of NBA talent may be better than last year's crop of college studs. I group shooting guards and point guards together.
I don't know if they will all be there but Jamal Murray, Kris Dunn and Melo Trimble should be locks. And we will see what Malik Newman displays and if he develops as a point guard. Same with Antonio Blakeney. Jackson from ND is somebody else I need to see more of and you have Briscoe. EC Matthews is an interesting combo guard. I think Grayson can push for late lottery if he displays combo ability and plays within the offense more. And you have experienced NCAA players like Buddy Hield, Tyrone Wallace, Caris LeVert, Ron Baker, Monte Morris, Isaiah Taylor, Denzel Valentine and Marcus Paige. Internationally, you have Timothe Luwawu, Furkan Korkmaz, George De Paula, et al. It's a strong guard class. I'd say after power forwards, guards is the strongest position, at least in terms of depth.
Isaiah Briscoe: I'm still trying to buy in on Briscoe. I think he's more Jamaal Tinsley. He's hot and cold with me. There's a lot about his game that I like and just as much as I don't. I expect he needs to make some major adjustments to maximize his draft stock and effectiveness on the college level. He's unathletic and has below average shooting skills, which will produce an inefficient, bad defending PG. Can he get to the rim without bullying? Doubt it. When he gets into the lane, can he finish in traffic? I saw him get stuffed way too often at the Hoop Summit and the McDonald's All American Game. His passing skills surprised me and his ball handling skills lead to some creative things but I just don't see a first round talent. Right now he looks like the third or even fourth best pro prospect on that team.
Melo Trimble: A bit old for his class but I don't see a 15 pick gap between he and Murray. I want to see how he plays as the teams number one player. Last year, he had Dez Wells. This year, he's going to have a freshmen in Diamond Stone. I just want to see if he can carry a team as a number option to the dance.
Kris Dunn: The junior out of Providence is a pure point guard averaging 8.8 assists per 40 minutes last season. Dunn looks like Wade did in college. He has elite NBA level athleticism, finishing, and unstoppable pull up and driving ability. Two years ago, his defensive rating was 102.7. Last year, his defensive rating was 94.2. It's a collective rating, but it shows he continues to improve and grow (literally with his 6'9 wingspan). His age will lower his ceiling but If he can get that jump shot to fall, watch out.
Jamal Murray: All it took for Murray to project as a top 10 pick was the Hoop Summit and a commitment to UK. Not the FIBA or EYBL tournament he scorched. Ha. He has "it." He has all the tools and skill to be the number one guard in next years draft. Superior body control, shooting, athleticism, finishing, craftiness and a natural playmaker. He is no Mudiay or Russell. Murray is a ball mover. Mudiay and Russell are special passers. I see some Russell as far as scoring potential and he has similar physical dimensions as Mudiay/Russell (thicker than both). Michigan was recruiting the kid since his sophomore year, so I'm quite familiar with his game and would put anything on the line that he is not on the same tier as a prospect. I could see him as a top five sleeper in next year's draft.
I don't know if they will all be there but Jamal Murray, Kris Dunn and Melo Trimble should be locks. And we will see what Malik Newman displays and if he develops as a point guard. Same with Antonio Blakeney. Jackson from ND is somebody else I need to see more of and you have Briscoe. EC Matthews is an interesting combo guard. I think Grayson can push for late lottery if he displays combo ability and plays within the offense more. And you have experienced NCAA players like Buddy Hield, Tyrone Wallace, Caris LeVert, Ron Baker, Monte Morris, Isaiah Taylor, Denzel Valentine and Marcus Paige. Internationally, you have Timothe Luwawu, Furkan Korkmaz, George De Paula, et al. It's a strong guard class. I'd say after power forwards, guards is the strongest position, at least in terms of depth.
Isaiah Briscoe: I'm still trying to buy in on Briscoe. I think he's more Jamaal Tinsley. He's hot and cold with me. There's a lot about his game that I like and just as much as I don't. I expect he needs to make some major adjustments to maximize his draft stock and effectiveness on the college level. He's unathletic and has below average shooting skills, which will produce an inefficient, bad defending PG. Can he get to the rim without bullying? Doubt it. When he gets into the lane, can he finish in traffic? I saw him get stuffed way too often at the Hoop Summit and the McDonald's All American Game. His passing skills surprised me and his ball handling skills lead to some creative things but I just don't see a first round talent. Right now he looks like the third or even fourth best pro prospect on that team.
Melo Trimble: A bit old for his class but I don't see a 15 pick gap between he and Murray. I want to see how he plays as the teams number one player. Last year, he had Dez Wells. This year, he's going to have a freshmen in Diamond Stone. I just want to see if he can carry a team as a number option to the dance.
Kris Dunn: The junior out of Providence is a pure point guard averaging 8.8 assists per 40 minutes last season. Dunn looks like Wade did in college. He has elite NBA level athleticism, finishing, and unstoppable pull up and driving ability. Two years ago, his defensive rating was 102.7. Last year, his defensive rating was 94.2. It's a collective rating, but it shows he continues to improve and grow (literally with his 6'9 wingspan). His age will lower his ceiling but If he can get that jump shot to fall, watch out.
Jamal Murray: All it took for Murray to project as a top 10 pick was the Hoop Summit and a commitment to UK. Not the FIBA or EYBL tournament he scorched. Ha. He has "it." He has all the tools and skill to be the number one guard in next years draft. Superior body control, shooting, athleticism, finishing, craftiness and a natural playmaker. He is no Mudiay or Russell. Murray is a ball mover. Mudiay and Russell are special passers. I see some Russell as far as scoring potential and he has similar physical dimensions as Mudiay/Russell (thicker than both). Michigan was recruiting the kid since his sophomore year, so I'm quite familiar with his game and would put anything on the line that he is not on the same tier as a prospect. I could see him as a top five sleeper in next year's draft.
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