POTENTIAL LIFTS DAVIS’ DRAFT STOCK
At least three centers have a chance to be lottery picks in the draft, though none have realized their full potential.
Deyonta Davis, Fr., Michigan State
Davis’ statistics don’t resemble those of a typical lottery selection: 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocked shots in a little more than 18 minutes per game. He didn’t get into the starting lineup until midway through his freshman season.
But Davis, 19, showed potential to be a lockdown post defender by blocking shots on just more than 10% of his opponents’ offensive possessions and controlling the boards. Davis has the size (6-10), athleticism and defensive instincts that probably could make him an NBA contributor on the defensive side right away. He has the upside to grow into far more than that down the line.
The question is whether Davis has enough offensive potential to warrant a lottery selection. Davis shot 60.5% from the free throw line and barely attempted jump shots in game action, though he showed just enough touch to suggest it could be something he can add to his game.
He has the defensive tools to find a role , but he needs to supplement them with more consistent offense. Depending on how convinced a team is of his offensive development, Davis could be picked anywhere from the lottery to the 20s.
Jakob Poeltl, Soph., Utah
Many of the center prospects are buoyed by a single, valuable skill or an elite physical tool to hold their value while the rest of their game develops.
That’s not the case for Poeltl, who improved as much as anybody in the draft over the last 12 months, nearly doubling his scoring output from 9.1 points per game as a freshman to 17.2 as a sophomore. Add that to his solid defensive fundamentals, 7-1 size, impressive mobility for a player that size and strong rebounding, and Poeltl has few hurdles to overcome.
Poeltl, 20, needs to showcase his underused perimeter jump shot and bulk up for the physicality of the NBA. Poeltl might not have the kind of star power some look for in a top-10 pick, but he should be able to carve out a very good career as a professional.
Skal Labissiere, Fr., Kentucky
Labissiere came into his freshman season the No. 2 recruit in his class, according to the Recruiting Services Consensus Index.
His only season at Kentucky was a struggle in every way, with inconsistent early-season play leading to inconsistent minutes later in the season. Labissiere averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 16 minutes per game.
Yet despite those struggles, 6-11 Labissiere is likely lined up to be selected in the lottery. Standing nearly 7 feet in shoes, with excellent shot-blocking instincts and a feathery smooth midrange jump shot, he has the natural talent to develop into a face-up big man.
For now, his 216-pound frame is the biggest impediment to Labissiere, 20, being able to consistently contribute. The Haitian product struggled to hold his own in the post defensively and struggled to control the defensive boards. There is some question as to whether Labissiere can physically compete against NBA competition.
Ante Zizic, Croatia
Zizic, who turned 19 during the season, shouldered a heavy role in the Adriatic League.
He provides a lot of what teams are looking for out of their big men: great productivity on the glass, above-average athleticism and defensive rotations, pick-androll potential and brute force down low. His outside shot and overall skill level on offense still need heavy refinement.
Zizic has solidified himself as a first-round pick and could end up in the top 20.
Domantas Sabonis, Soph., Gonzaga
Sabonis’ dominant performance in the West Coast Conference (17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game) turned heads. He has great touch down low, is dominant on the glass and looks like he has room to continue to grow his offensive game.
The concerns with Sabonis are a lack of perimeter shooting, struggles defending in space and limited potential as a shot-blocker.
The perimeter shot is the least of those concerns, as Sabonis, 20, improved his free throw shooting from 66.4% as a freshman to 76.9% as a sophomore, and he has started showing three-point range during workouts.
The defensive concerns are a bit more substantive. He has a below-average 6-101⁄ inch wingspan, and struggles with changing direction limit his ability on this end of the court.
The big disparity between strengths and weaknesses creates volatility in his stock. He could realistically go anywhere from the late lottery to the early 20s.