2020 NBA Draft

[The-Power]

Highlights don't do much for me. How many full games against solid competition have you guys seen of Hampton? He is certainly talented, no doubt. But I prefer to wait a bit before I proclaim him the top prospect in 2020 in case he reclassifies as the games I have seen have not left me overwhelmed.

Anthony and Wiseman may have less impressive highlight tapes compared to some of those athletic score-first Guards or Wings (this includes Edwards as well). Yet precisely because of that this archetype has often been a bit overrated coming into college. So let's see how these guys adapt and how their scoring tools translate.

With Anthony and Wiseman at least I know what I get beyond scoring – namely high-level PG play and interior defense, respectively. Both have also shown up against stronger competition this summer. Therefore, I'll have them #1 and #2 coming into college until I see how some others with more question marks translate.

edit: And just to make this more clear: I see a lot of potential in Hampton and liked the flashes he shows. There's a good chance he comes in 3rd in my initial entering-freshmen ranking and he could go up from there. I just don't see a #1 prospect just yet, he'll have to fully win me over in some areas first (esp. showing that his jumper from deep has indeed become consistent and/or that he can legitimately play PG at the next level).

[The-Power]

Talking about it, here is my preliminary 2019 HS ranking, i.e. HS players entering college next year.

#1 Cole Anthony
#2 James Wiseman

#3 R.J. Hampton*
#4 Josh Green
#5 Anthony Edwards
#6 Precious Achuiwa

#7 Romeo Weems
#8 Isaiah Stewart
#9 Matthew Hurt
#10 Trendon Watford
#11 Nico Mannion
#12 Jaden McDaniels

#13 Vernon Carey
#14 Scottie Lewis
#15 Kahlil Whitney

Tier 1 – best prospects with a high ceiling and a non-scoring area to rely upon
Tier 2 – potential breakout prospects with some notable question marks to erase
Tier 3 – likely next-level contributors with an unlikely path towards stardom
Tier 4 – players with the potential to be contributors who must find their niche

*if he indeed reclassifies (if not, a class with Jalen Green, Cade Cunningham (still underrated imo) and him would be a sick class for Guards – they are all incredibly talented and look like top-tier talents)

In Tier 1, I have two players who I peg as high-ceiling players who also happen to be players that should be solid players no matter what, because they have some areas besides scoring to rely upon already. This, among others, is what separates them from the tier below. Both Anthony and Wiseman have tremendous potential as well as a pretty clear path to become impactful players.

In Tier 2, I believe Green and Edwards are the most likely to drop because of their question marks. Edwards due to poor effort and poor shot selection, Green due to passiveness in part because his skill-set might not be refined enough to really assert himself (akin to Grimes). For now, however, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt because they have some pretty intriguing profiles. For Achuiwa I assume continued progression just like he had over the past year. If he can build upon that, I feel he can be a really good player and be shaped akin to Siakam.

In Tier 3, I have players that I believe will be contributors at the next level(s) but who have a more limited ceiling due to inherent limitations. This is not to say that some of them cannot make a jump and rise the rankings – but that it would require more than just natural progression to get there. Perhaps Jaden McDaniels has the greatest potential to break out but in some ways he looks like a less active, engaged or smart version of Jonathan Isaac (on defense) – and those traits are an important part of the appeal with a player like him.

In Tier 4, there could have been a bunch of other players as well – I just didn't want to go past 15. So I listed only a couple players who I feel like could find their roles if they work on certain aspects of the game who have, however, yet to really buy into the roles I envision for them. I left out the players who already found their niche so to speak, i.e. already play the way I expect them to do in the future, but who have to make sure they become good enough for it to matter (I am looking at guys like Bacot, Mann, Robinson-Earl, Jackon-Davis etc.).

One highly-ranked guy I left out is Maxey. For me, this looks like Sexton all over again. Just not a fan of guys like that but maybe he can surprise me and win me over.

There will be lots of movement, I suppose. Not only once these guys played in college, but also when I am confronted with new information given that I obviously haven't scouted all players in great detail (although of the players I included I have at least watched more than just highlights). This ranking is therefore mostly for me, to see how my initial assessments change or solidify. Comments are appreciated, but please don't consider this to be something that I postulate as a highly confident and fixed ranking.

[GimmeDat]

2020 could end up a stacked PG class. Wish Bulls had a top 5 pick next year and not this year.

you'll have either Ja or Garland...just as good as next year's crop at the top.

I'm good with Morant but I feel like Garland's a step down - would take a Hampton/Cole/Edwards* (*combo) over him easily, probably Maledon and Hayes as well, and I think Maxey/Mannion aren't far off him either.

[crows2]

Hampton is reclassifying. Huge boost for the 2020 draft. He probably joins Wiseman as a top 2 prospect at this early stage, ahead of Anthony and Edwards.

[clyde21]

2020 needed Hampton, I don't see any #1 types yet other than him and maybe Edwards but we'll see

[No-Man]

I still don't see any #1 guys to be honest, now if Mobley reclassifies, that would be huge

[Duke4life831]

No particular order but a top 5 going into the season of

Wiseman
Cole
Edwards
RJ
McDaniels

Is pretty damn good in my opinion. I think any of those guys can easily play themselves into looking like a damn good #1 pick. But as of right now it looks like a damn good top 5 in my opinion. Now with that said this time last year I loved the top 4 of Zion, RJ, Cam and Little. So obviously so much can change, whether good or bad.

[ejftw]

I know the league is gravitating away from big guys, but I feel that Vernon Carey (Duke) & Onyeka Okongwu (USC) will have good freshman year, and could see them climb the boards this time next year.

Also could see Cassius Stanley climbing as well, dude's IQ is spectacular.

I still don't see any #1 guys to be honest, now if Mobley reclassifies, that would be huge

No reason for Evan to reclassify in all honesty. He's got one of the favorites for State with Jordan Montgomery, Luke Turner & Dominic Harris (Zag commit).

[GimmeDat]

I feel like this class won't have a stand-out A+ prospect, definitely not on the Zion level but even the Doncic level, but I feel like the top 10 will be pretty fleshed out with talent, unlike this one where there's only 3-4 really great prospects. I probably would've said the same about this current draft class before guys like Reddish, Little, etc. flopped though, so we'll see how we go.

McDaniel's feels like a highly variable guy to me, and the Euro guys will have to prove more re: their ceilings I think, but I'm pretty confident in guys like Wiseman, Cole, Edwards, Hampton, etc. to be legitimate top 5 guys.

From what I have seen and read, this would be my early 2020 board of freshman. I tend to lean towards 'upside' early in the process, be interesting to see how big some of these guys issues are -

1. James Wiseman
2. RJ Hampton
3. Anthony Edwards
4. Cole Anthony
5. Isaiah Stewart
6. Jaden McDaniels
7. Deni Adjiva
8. Precious Achiuwa
9. Josh Green
10. Killian Hayes
11. Scottie Lewis
12. Theo Maledon
13. Nico Mannion
14. Khalil Whitney
15. Vernon Carey
16. Tyrese Maxey

I'm not familiar enough with guys like Hurt, Weems, Watford yet, though my understanding is they're lottery possibilities. I think Tre Jones probably is in the 10-15 range as a returning player. Seems like a solid crop to me.

[King Ken]

I feel like this class won't have a stand-out A+ prospect, definitely not on the Zion level but even the Doncic level, but I feel like the top 10 will be pretty fleshed out with talent, unlike this one where there's only 3-4 really great prospects. I probably would've said the same about this current draft class before guys like Reddish, Little, etc. flopped though, so we'll see how we go.

McDaniel's feels like a highly variable guy to me, and the Euro guys will have to prove more re: their ceilings I think, but I'm pretty confident in guys like Wiseman, Cole, Edwards, Hampton, etc. to be legitimate top 5 guys.

From what I have seen and read, this would be my early 2020 board of freshman. I tend to lean towards 'upside' early in the process, be interesting to see how big some of these guys issues are -

1. James Wiseman
2. RJ Hampton
3. Anthony Edwards
4. Cole Anthony
5. Isaiah Stewart
6. Jaden McDaniels
7. Deni Adjiva
8. Precious Achiuwa
9. Josh Green
10. Killian Hayes
11. Scottie Lewis
12. Theo Maledon
13. Nico Mannion
14. Khalil Whitney
15. Vernon Carey
16. Tyrese Maxey

I'm not familiar enough with guys like Hurt, Weems, Watford yet, though my understanding is they're lottery possibilities. I think Tre Jones probably is in the 10-15 range as a returning player. Seems like a solid crop to me.

Too early to tell

[GimmeDat]

I feel like this class won't have a stand-out A+ prospect, definitely not on the Zion level but even the Doncic level, but I feel like the top 10 will be pretty fleshed out with talent, unlike this one where there's only 3-4 really great prospects. I probably would've said the same about this current draft class before guys like Reddish, Little, etc. flopped though, so we'll see how we go.

McDaniel's feels like a highly variable guy to me, and the Euro guys will have to prove more re: their ceilings I think, but I'm pretty confident in guys like Wiseman, Cole, Edwards, Hampton, etc. to be legitimate top 5 guys.

From what I have seen and read, this would be my early 2020 board of freshman. I tend to lean towards 'upside' early in the process, be interesting to see how big some of these guys issues are -

1. James Wiseman
2. RJ Hampton
3. Anthony Edwards
4. Cole Anthony
5. Isaiah Stewart
6. Jaden McDaniels
7. Deni Adjiva
8. Precious Achiuwa
9. Josh Green
10. Killian Hayes
11. Scottie Lewis
12. Theo Maledon
13. Nico Mannion
14. Khalil Whitney
15. Vernon Carey
16. Tyrese Maxey

I'm not familiar enough with guys like Hurt, Weems, Watford yet, though my understanding is they're lottery possibilities. I think Tre Jones probably is in the 10-15 range as a returning player. Seems like a solid crop to me.

Too early to tell

For sure, just very preliminary rankings. I'm intrigued to see how good Cassius Stanley is too, great athlete and someone mentioned he's a high IQ guy. If his skillsets any good then you'd have to think there's a good prospect in him.

[King Ken]

I feel like this class won't have a stand-out A+ prospect, definitely not on the Zion level but even the Doncic level, but I feel like the top 10 will be pretty fleshed out with talent, unlike this one where there's only 3-4 really great prospects. I probably would've said the same about this current draft class before guys like Reddish, Little, etc. flopped though, so we'll see how we go.

McDaniel's feels like a highly variable guy to me, and the Euro guys will have to prove more re: their ceilings I think, but I'm pretty confident in guys like Wiseman, Cole, Edwards, Hampton, etc. to be legitimate top 5 guys.

From what I have seen and read, this would be my early 2020 board of freshman. I tend to lean towards 'upside' early in the process, be interesting to see how big some of these guys issues are -

1. James Wiseman
2. RJ Hampton
3. Anthony Edwards
4. Cole Anthony
5. Isaiah Stewart
6. Jaden McDaniels
7. Deni Adjiva
8. Precious Achiuwa
9. Josh Green
10. Killian Hayes
11. Scottie Lewis
12. Theo Maledon
13. Nico Mannion
14. Khalil Whitney
15. Vernon Carey
16. Tyrese Maxey

I'm not familiar enough with guys like Hurt, Weems, Watford yet, though my understanding is they're lottery possibilities. I think Tre Jones probably is in the 10-15 range as a returning player. Seems like a solid crop to me.

Too early to tell

For sure, just very preliminary rankings. I'm intrigued to see how good Cassius Stanley is too, great athlete and someone mentioned he's a high IQ guy. If his skillsets any good then you'd have to think there's a good prospect in him.

My issue with Cassius is his in the game athleticism and size. I like his skill-set more than you would think. When he was 16 and everyone else his group was 15, his athletic ability looked amazing but he is 185 with a 6'6 wingspan and still a little bit over 6'4.

His long term potential will be defined by his ability to shot threes to match his defensive skills which is already pretty good as a HSer. Doesn't have the in game athleticism that Scottie Lewis has.

[Coeur]

1- Anton Watson 6-9 sf Gonzaga
2- Beverly 6-4 pg Miami
3- precious
4- coke Anthony

[Duke4life831]

Memphis could definitely be a team to watch next year. Many feel like they are the leaders for RJ Hampton, I know Kansas is pushing hard right now, but no big names want anything to do with Kansas at the moment. Boogie Ellison who is a top 30 recruit who is a lights out shooting CG just recommitted from Duke and many feel like he will end up at Memphis. Wiseman/RJ/Boogie would be a hell of a trio to watch.

Complete forgot about Precious who many view as a Memphis lean. Damn this could be a monster class for Memphis.

[skiz2]

Memphis could definitely be a team to watch next year. Many feel like they are the leaders for RJ Hampton, I know Kansas is pushing hard right now, but no big names want anything to do with Kansas at the moment. Boogie Ellison who is a top 30 recruit who is a lights out shooting CG just recommitted from Duke and many feel like he will end up at Memphis. Wiseman/RJ/Boogie would be a hell of a trio to watch.

Complete forgot about Precious who many view as a Memphis lean. Damn this could be a monster class for Memphis.

They could also get Rayjon Tucker. Hell of a pull for Penny

[VCfor3]

Memphis could definitely be a team to watch next year. Many feel like they are the leaders for RJ Hampton, I know Kansas is pushing hard right now, but no big names want anything to do with Kansas at the moment. Boogie Ellison who is a top 30 recruit who is a lights out shooting CG just recommitted from Duke and many feel like he will end up at Memphis. Wiseman/RJ/Boogie would be a hell of a trio to watch.

Complete forgot about Precious who many view as a Memphis lean. Damn this could be a monster class for Memphis.

They could also get Rayjon Tucker. Hell of a pull for Penny

Lester Quinones also is likely to commit and Trendon Watford is between Memphis and LSU. The problem is that there are only so many minutes, starter spots, and shots available so if enough of those guys commit it will mean some won't get the opportunity they were hoping for. It is a great problem to have but still one that needs to be considered. Could really kill the chemistry if Penny isn't able to get everyone to buy into their roles.

Rough guess at who Memphis gets: Boogie, Lester, Tucker, and Precious to pair with Wiseman and DJ.

[ejftw]

Boogie and Precious is going to be a nasty duo.

[No-Man]

McDaniels and Whitney are pretty meh imo, who are the top returnees? Tre Jones gotta be the best guy kinda, I guess some liked Haliburton enough, I like Hammonds, LeBlanc, Joe, Nesmith and Tillman

[clyde21]

McDaniels and Whitney are pretty meh imo, who are the top returnees? Tre Jones gotta be the best guy kinda, I guess some liked Haliburton enough, I like Hammonds, LeBlanc, Joe, Nesmith and Tillman

Agbaji and Wieskamp for me

Xavier Johnson is intriguing but I don't know if I see a top 20 guy in him

[clyde21]

i can see Bassey returning considering he didn't get a combine invite and the 20 bigs class is weaker