I'm not nearly as enamored with this class outside of the top 5 as I was last year's. In fairness, last year's class was touted as one of the best in decades, && it's currently shaping up that way as we speak. However, I think there is some serious talent inside the top 5 this year. Specifically with the top 2 guys, Paulo && Holmgren.
Holmgren is a player who hit my radar over the summer as I was diving into tape on Suggs. They have a long history playing together in the AAU circuits and for Minnehaha Academy in Minnesota. I think he's an absolute stud. His shot-blocking instincts are as good as I've seen at this stage. People focus on the size, && I understand why, but he handles the ball like a 2 guard, shoots it from 3, && even shows promise as a secondary playmaker. He will have serious impact on the court at the NBA level even if he can't play the 5 for a couple of years. His length makes up for a lot of what he gives up in the weight department.
Paulo is the far more NBA-ready player. He already sits at 6'11 250 and shows promise as a 3 level scorer. Not a huge fan of his shot release, but I think it's something he can continue to refine.
With Paulo at Duke, and Chet at Gonzaga, we should have plenty of opportunities to watch them this year as well. I'm not quite sold on Hardy yet, && will need to see a bit more from him before moving him up my board. Jalen Duren a brusing center && 6'10 forward Jabari Smith are the other guys who seem to be rounding out the top 5 atm. We should have plenty of opportunities to watch both as well with Duren at Memphis, and Smith at Auburn.
At this point though I see it as a 2 player race, with Chet being the grand prize at the top. Due to so much uncertainty surrounding this class, it should be one of the more interesting years in recent memory. I'm looking forward to it though.
Note from Sam Vecinie on this upcoming draft class:
Spoiler:
