Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Top talent expected to be taken quickly
RALEIGH, N.C. — Teams looking for point guard help in Thursday night’s NBA draft are in luck — as long as they have a high pick, that is.
Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball have been the headliners in so much of the predraft conversations, projected to be selected first and second. Who will go first — and where — has dominated the build up to the draft, which starts with the Philadelphia 76ers picking first followed by the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 2.
Philadelphia and Boston have agreed on a deal to trade picks in this year’s draft; the 76ers get the No. 1 overall pick from the Celtics and the chance to select Fultz. Boston will get the third overall pick from Philly.
But Fultz and Ball are not the only two playmakers available who could help some NBA team.
There’s a quartet of touted oneanddone college players along with an 18-year-old international prospect with size and athleticism. And they’re all likely to be lottery picks, too.
Here’s a look at the top prospects:
MARKELLE FULTZ
Fultz is expected to be the No. 1 pick after a single season at Washington, where he put up big numbers but didn’t win many games.
STRENGTHS At
6-4, 195 pounds,
Fultz ranked sixth nationally in scoring at 23.2 points per game while shooting 48 percent overall and 41 percent from three-point range. He rebounded (5.7 pg) and ranked 15th nationally in assists (5.9 pg) while having the athleticism to potentially play off the ball, too.
CONCERNS He shot 65 percent from the foul line, and missed six
games with a knee issue late in the season. And despite his presence, the Huskies won only nine games.
LONZO BALL
UCLA’s freshman star made the Bruins’ fast-paced offense hum all the way to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16.
STRENGTHS He averaged a national-best 7.6 assists for a team that ranked second nationally in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency (124 points per 100 possessions). And while Ball was at his best when he was distributing the ball in the open court, he also averaged 14.6 points and 6.0 rebounds and has good size (6-6, 190) at the point.
CONCERNS It is unclear how well his offensive game and unorthodox shot will translate to the NBA, though he shot 55 percent overall and 41 percent from three-point range with the Bruins. But will he be happy anywhere other than Los Angeles? Both he — and his outspoken father, LaVar — have made it clear they want to go to the Lakers at No. 2.
DE’AARON FOX
Few people can keep up with Kentucky’s one- and- done point guard on the court. STRENGTHS At 6- 3, Fox has a terrific first step and open- court speed, making him difficult to stop either in transition or off the dribble. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists as his team’s No. 2 scoring option behind fellow freshman Malik Monk, driving the Wildcats to the NCAA Elite Eight. Fox notably put on a dominating show against fellow star rookie point guard Lonzo Ball of UCLA. Fox scored 39 points on 13-for20 shooting compared to Ball’s 10- point night in the Wildcats’ 86-75 victory in the Sweet 16. CONCERNS The biggest question about Fox is his outside shot. He made 25 percent of his three-pointers and attempted fewer than two per game. Fox will have to stretch his range no matter where he ends up. He’ll also need to get a little stronger after weighing around 170 pounds at the combine.
DENNIS SMITH JR.
Smith spent a season at North Carolina State filled with big stats and few victories.
STRENGTHS Smith averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists in his first year back from a serious knee injury. He was one of two players to manage two triple- doubles and became the first ACC player to have two triple-doubles in conference play in the same season. The high point was a 32-point performance in the Wolfpack’s first victory at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium in 22 years. CONCERNS Smith often didn’t elevate his teammates’ play and there were questions about his defensive effort. His team also showed shockingly little resistance in several lopsided losses, including a 51-point loss at eventual national champion North Carolina.
FRANK NTILIKINA Ntilikina (pronounced Nee-leeKEE-na), a 6-5 guard, played for Strasbourg in a French pro league. STRENGTHS The 18- year- old Frenchman stirred plenty of interest when he led his team to last year’s FIBA U- 18 European championship, scoring 31 points in the title- game victory against Lithuania. His athleticism and potential are enough to have him as a possible lottery pick. CONCERNS He is considered a longer-range project than some of the American point guards in the draft
OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON JAWUN EVANS, 6- 1. Oklahoma State, 19.2 points per game.
FRANK MASON, 5-11, Kansas, The Associated Press national player of the year and the Big 12’s top scorer (20.9 points per game).
NIGEL WILLIAMS- GOSS, 6- 3 junior, Gonzaga, second- team AP all-American (16.8 points, 4.7 assists per game).