https://sethsdrafthouse.com/finch-returns-to-dish-on-nba-prospects-fa57b7c494ef
Lonzo Ball, 6’6” freshman guard, UCLA
“I couldn’t care less about the dad. This isn’t Little League. Everybody loves playing with players who get them the ball where they like it and control the pace of the game. He’s stronger than people give him credit for. I’m not really sure how he’s going to get a pullup jumper off the dribble. The only way he can get that jumper off is with a stepback. Obviously, he’s a really good passer. What makes him so good is his mind. If he’s the best player on your team, you’re in trouble, but if he’s the second or third best, you can win big with him. He’s going to have a hard time guarding point guards, but his defensive instincts off the ball are unbelievable.”
Jordan Bell, 6’8” junior forward, Oregon
“He’s one of my favorite players in the draft. He could be a switch monster because of his ability to defend multiple positions. He’s probably a better shooter than we saw at Oregon. He’s a hot name. He’s undersized four, but he’s just such a ridiculous athlete.”
Markelle Fultz, 6’4” freshman point guard, Washington
“I’d take him number one. His main weakness is defense, but he has some ability to play defense when there’s something at stake. He needs to be around a winning culture to get the best out of him. The most complete player in the draft. I don’t like that he cruises sometimes. He’s almost like Daryl Strawberry. Is he loafing or is he just that smooth? I don’t know that winning has ever been important to him. I’ve talked to friends who recruited him, and they said even when they watched him in open gyms or playing AAU, his team hardly ever won. That scares the crap out of me.”
Jawun Evans, 6’0” sophomore point guard, Oklahoma State
“Love him. He’s a great scorer, great ballhandler. You wonder if he has enough real size to be a point guard in the NBA, although he measured well at the combine. I’m not sure he’s athletic enough to pull that off. Competitive, sees the whole floor. He can make every pass from everywhere on the floor. Great attitude. Early in the year, Brad Underwood was getting on his ass, and he never let it bother him. He’s not an elite athlete. He’ll get picked 45 to 60.”
De’Aaron Fox, 6’3” freshman point guard, Kentucky
“My main concern is his size and strength, but I think he has a frame he can build on. His shot is not as broken as people make it out to be. You’re not talking Mudiay or Elfried Payton broke. He’s great at getting people involved. I didn’t like that he never got off the ball in transition, but that’s what Calipari wanted. He just puts so much pressure on the defense. It will be easy for him to polish that jump shot. His release point is too tight to his face, so instead of shooting it, he flings it. That’s easy to correct with repetition.”
Harry Giles, 6’10” freshman forward, Duke
“Which Harry are you getting? Are you getting pre-knee injuries or the one we saw at Duke? At the end of the day, it comes down to your medical staff. He has great size for an NBA power forward. I’d say mid to late first round. I wouldn’t touch him. He’s too big a gamble. I saw him at a workout and it looks like his legs are getting better. Until he lands on his left leg, I don’t know what to tell you. He was cleared medically at Duke. He just couldn’t get over the injuries mentally. Has there ever been a case where a guy blew out his knee twice before being drafted? Leon Powe, maybe? He would be a top five pick if he didn’t get hurt.”
Jonathan Isaac, 6’10” freshman forward, Florida State
“Great athlete. Can guard multiple positions. Needs to get stronger, but can put it on the floor and stroke it. He works really hard on defense, but offensively it doesn’t seem important to him to put points on the board. There were times his team needed him to be the guy to put points on the board, but he deferred a little too much. Late game situations, he’ll get nervous. He’ll get mauled at first because he’s so thin, so he’s going to have to be able to step out and make shots. ”
Frank Jackson, 6’3” freshman point guard, Duke
“Big question is his foot. He was a little too hell-bent on scoring and putting points on the board. You want to see if he can make good decisions on a consistent basis and get teammates involved. He had a great end of the year, but early on he was very up and down. Someone must have promised him he would go in the first round, but then he had this foot injury. He’s not a point guard in any way, shape or form. I don’t think he’s a great defender. He can make shots, but he’s an undersized for a combo. Should have stayed in school.”
Josh Jackson, 6’8” freshman forward, Kansas
“He’s my favorite player in this draft. As gifted a scorer as he is, I think he has a lot of untapped potential in that area. The off-court stuff is definitely a concern. You’re talking about two incidents in one year. Is that going to be a lingering issue? You don’t have to run plays for him. I think one day he could be a Jimmy Butler type guy. He has shooting deficiencies, but they went in at Kansas. I don’t know how they went in, but they did. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. If he’s able to shoot, he’ll be a Grant Hill or an Iguodala. If he doesn’t, he’ll be like Corey Brewer, which is still pretty good.”
Donovan Mitchell, 6’2” sophomore guard, Louisville
“Absolutely love him. His athleticism and wing span are intriguing. He can cover a lot of the floor. If he can get a consistent jump shot I think he has the chance. High character young man, strong calves and lower body. Improving three-point shooter. I think he can be a lottery pick. Didn’t measure well height-wise, but he has a 6’10” wing span so it doesn’t matter.”
Malik Monk, 6’3” freshman guard, Kentucky
“He’s really thin. I don’t see him being a guy who can carry a team. He’s more like a first guy off the bench and a bucket getter. He’s good athletically. He needs to get stronger. I’ve heard he’s not exactly a gym rat. When he gets going, forget it. Short arms, but a big-time athlete. Really fast, can really jump. He had some 1 for 11 nights. What’s he going to do if he’s not making shots?”
Dennis Smith, 6’2” freshman point guard, N.C. State
“Really gifted at getting his shot off. Needs to improve his consistency on the jump shot. I want to see how committed he can be at the defensive end. He has all the physical tools to succeed, but can he trust his teammates? He can fall asleep on defense. He’s a Derrick Rose-type athlete. He needs to go to the right team. He’s a guy that gets you fired. He quit on his team in some of the games I was at. I’m not a fan of his body language. I’d be scared if he was staring me in the face and I felt I had to take him.”
Jayson Tatum, 6’8” freshman forward, Duke
“Love him love him love him. He’s the next Carmelo Anthony. Just an elite scorer. I wonder how he’ll be as defenders jam him up. I’m not sure he has the foot speed to get around those guys. He has a good midrange game but I’m not sold on his three-point shot. His challenges will be athletically and defensively. He would never just drive down the land and punch it on people. I hear he just loves to play, loves being in the gym. Biggest thing with him is just physical toughness.”
Sindarius Thornwell, 6’5” senior guard, South Carolina
“He’s a tough competitor. Can knock down the three point shot. I’m just not sure he has the size and athleticism to be an NBA player. I don’t know if he has the lateral quickness and elusiveness off the dribble to score in the NBA. He’s a pit bull. He was one of the best interviews we did. I could talk to that dude and have beers with him all night. He’s not an above the rim guy. I watched him at a workout, he didn’t make any shots.”
