Draft sleepers,
USA TODAY Sports spoke with Ryan Blake, the NBA’s official scouting expert, and Aran Smith of NBADraft.net. They offer their top five sleepers for the draft.
Blake DERRICK WHITE, PG, COLORADO
“He plays both ends of the floor, and that’s so important. He’s not just a guy that can score, but he’s almost a triple-threat player, which is what NBA teams are attracted to.”
FRANK MASON III, PG, KANSAS
“Whereas sophomore and junior year he was averaging around 12.5 points per game, this year he stepped it up and is an improved shooter. He has NBA range, shooting almost 50% of shots from behind the arc (last season). I love this kid because he plays to win.”
DENNIS SMITH, PG, N.C. STATE
“Solid size (6-3, 195 pounds) with great athleticism, speed and a perimeter game. A guy who may need to improve a little bit on his perimeter shooting, but North Carolina State had a really poor year and his team went downhill and his stock flipped.”
STERLING BROWN, SG, SMU
“He has the size, athleticism, a big frame and a monster impact on both ends of the floor. He can play and defend multiple positions.”
DILLON BROOKS, SF, OREGON
“He’s a big guy who can score in many ways. He is an excellent shooter from deep and is very aggressive. Solid IQ.”
Smith BAM ADEBAYO, PF/C, KENTUCKY
“He is just so talented. In the past he could have been a top-three or -five pick if he had been in Dwight Howard’s draft (2004) or at a time like that. I think he’s just being overlooked for what he brings to the table, for how athletic that he is and pretty coordinated.”
TJ LEAF, PF, UCLA
“He is one of the top 12 or so players in the draft. I think he does fit today’s NBA with being able to face up and extend his range and become that foreman that can do a lot of things.”
KYLE KUZMA, PF, UTAH
“He’s just an absolute dynamic player, in times looked like one of the top 10 players in college, maybe top five sometimes. He just struggles on his consistency. He’s an older player, a junior, so some teams would rather go with the younger player.”
WESLEY IWUNDU, SF, KANSAS STATE
“He’s older and didn’t put up the greatest stats, but you watch him and he’s just really athletic and he’s multidimensional. He can play a little point guard, and he facilitates. He appears to be a late bloomer. He’s a guy that has always had some raw ability.”
SMITH, N.C. STATE
“A guy that can fall into the seven to 10 range. He absolutely has the ability to be the best player in the entire draft.”