Memphis’ Wiseman headlines list of big men in NBA draft
James Wiseman was considered a possible No. 1 overall
NBA draft pick before he ever played in college. Things haven’t changed, even after only three games at the college level.
The Memphis freshman headlines the list of big men in Wednesday’s draft and he’s unlikely to fall out of the top three picks. Beyond Wiseman is another potential lottery pick in USC’s Onyeka Okongwu and a first-round prospect in Maryland’s Jalen Smith.
Here’s a look at some of the top prospects:
JAMES WISEMAN
His college stint with the Tigers, cut short by NCAA eligibility issues, showcased a tantalizing glimpse at his skillset.
STRENGTHS: The 19-yearold has a mobile 7-foot-1, 247pound frame that will make him a presence at both ends of the court, particularly on the glass and in protecting the rim. He ran the floor well and displayed a soft touch in the paint at Memphis, though he made highlight reels more for his array of dunking finishes.
CONCERNS: Wiseman’s last game was a year ago Thursday, so there’s little for any team to study since his days dominating the high school ranks. Memphis ultimately withheld him from competition and the
NCAA suspended him for 12 games before he withdrew from school last December, a sequence that cost him nearly a full season of college development. ONYEKA OKONGWU The 19-year-old freshman offers plenty of defensive and rebounding potential.
STRENGTHS: The 6-9, 245-pounder arrived as a top-25 national recruit and immediately became USC’s low-post presence. He averaged a team-best 16.2 points while shooting 61.6% from the floor, finishing through contact and at the rim — frequently for dunks.
CONCERNS: He’ll have to continue to expand his offensive game overall beyond overpowering opponents down low or around the rim. It’s unclear exactly how much shooting range he will offer to pull defenders outside after he attempted just four college 3-pointers (making one). JALEN SMITH
The 20-year-old blossomed as a sophomore for the Terrapins and showed an improving inside-out game.
STRENGTHS: The 6-10 Smith was a top-20 recruit in 2018 then thrived in his second year. He bettered his numbers across the board, averaging 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the floor. CONCERNS: Smith helped himself by bulking up about 10 pounds to 225 as a sophomore, but he’ll need to add more strength to handle contact in the paint and physical defenders. He also needs to improve ballhandling and creating his own shot as he develops his game further, with much of his production in college coming off feeds from Maryland’s guards.