RealGM

1. Kel'el Ware (Oregon, C, Freshman)
   Ware has stood out most early for the shooting flashes and his defensive mobility. He doesn't have a huge offensive role in Oregon's offense, but the 7-footer has already hit three threes and blocked eight shots through four games. The potential to stretch the floor and protect the rim should be enough for Ware to remain in the top-20 discussion all year, even if his shot attempts and scoring production fluctuate.
   
2. Kris Murray (Iowa, PF, Junior)
   After a 29-point game against Seton Hall and 30 points against Omaha, a Murray breakout appears on. Between the shooting versatility, drives past closeouts, post buckets and body-controlled finishes, the jump he's making looks similar to Keegan's last year.
   
3. Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine, SG, Sophomore)
   Averaging 17.2 points, shooting 69.0 percent inside the arc and 58.8 percent from three, Lewis is off to a scorching start delivering the type of creation and skill flashes that should draw NBA attention. Scouts figure to have Pepperdine's two Gonzaga games highlighted on their schedules.
   
4. Marcus Sasser (Houston, PG, Senior)
   Though Sasser's 6'1" size and limited athleticism hurt his perceived NBA projection, a team still figures to buy his super sharpe ball-handling for creation and shooting ability.
   
   
5. Julian Strawther (Gonzaga, SF, Junior)
   Strawther lit up Kentucky for 20 points (and 14 boards), scoring with that projectable shooting stroke, touch shots and transition offense. While it seems like a long shot for the junior to break out the self-creation, he still possesses an easy-fit NBA skill set for off-ball scoring.
   
   
6. Jalen Wilson (Kansas, SF, Junior)
   One of college basketball's top scorers early (24.5 points), Wilson has been aggressive attacking transition defenses, closeouts and ball screens. At 6'8", he's excellent at finishing in the lane, so if the signs of shooting improvement (2.0 3PTM) continue during conference play, Wilson should have a first-round case.
   
   
7. Arthur Kaluma (Creighton, SF, Sophomore)
   An immediate physical standout at 6'7", 225 pounds, Kaluma has appeared to have added more shooting confidence and creation skill. A breakout won't fly under the radar thanks to his NBA body and Creighton's Top 10 team.
   
   
8. Coleman Hawkins (Illinois, PF/C, Junior)
   Intriguing last year as a 6'10" play-finisher, switchable defender and improving shooter, Hawkins is currently 7-of-17 from three, averaging a combined 3.0 steals and blocks.

Anthony Black -- PG/SG

(Arkansas Freshman)

Read on Twitter

Consecutive 26-point, six-assist games in Maui highlighted Anthony Black's advantageous combination of 6'7" size and ball-handling skills. But he also buried a combined four three-pointers, a notable development for a point-forward with translatable, impact passing and defensive instincts.

While there are still some questions about his shot, Black showed he could he could use quick-dribble moves, changing speeds, finishing-angle creation and touch shots to score inside the arc.

With recent jumbo-playmaking prospects like Scottie Barnes, Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels and Franz Wagner going top-10, history says Black's archetype will be valued.

atlantabbq99 wrote:Do the Hawks have a pick in 2023 after the DM trade?

Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State, SG)

Though not an exciting athlete or creator, Sensabaugh is efficiently scoring (48.8 percent FG) at a ridiculous rate (14.1 points in 19.3 minutes per game). It's worth putting stock into his effectiveness, even if the eye test questions his lack of explosiveness and heavy 235-pound frame for an NBA wing. He's consistently found ways to score, mostly by making catch-and-shoot threes (53.6 percent), pull-ups (50 percent)) and picking the right spots to attack closeouts and use his physicality/instincts on drives.

Maxwell Lewis
(Pepperdine, SG/SF, Sophomore)

Watch on YouTube

Stock update: Trending toward first round with room to keep rising

While scouts remain eager to see Maxwell Lewis face stiffer competition, against Pepperdine's weak schedule, his physical profile, production, efficiency and three-level scoring skills scream NBA wing.

Shooting 60.8 percent from the field, 68.3 percent inside the arc and 50.0 percent on 4.7 three-point attempts per game, Lewis has had remarkable success converting transition opportunities (97th percentile), catch-and-shoot jumpers (59.3 percent), pull-ups (42.4 percent), post-ups (11-of-15), runners (4-of-8) and finishes around the basket (87.5 percent).

At 6'7", he's demonstrated smooth, improved creativity and shot-making versatility off the catch, dribble, turnaround jumpers and one-legged releases.

Lewis was quiet against Pepperdine's lone noteworthy opponent in UCLA, finishing with just eight field-goal attempts in 31 minutes. He isn't explosive and sometimes needs to turn his back to his man if he has trouble turning the corner. A pair of conference games against Gonzaga should give us a better read on Lewis' effectiveness in creating separation against other NBA prospects.

In the meantime, Lewis has everything working skill-wise and appears to have suitable tools, fluidity, scoring versatility, shot mechanics and feel to continue earning buckets at the next level.

Jett Howard
(Michigan, SG/SF, Freshman)

Watch on YouTube

Stock update:Trending toward top 20

Seemingly overlooked last year in the 2023 draft discussion while playing alongside potential lottery picks Keyonte George and Jarace Walker at IMG, Jett Howard has been an obvious standout to scouts with his 6'8" size, shooting versatility and finishing.

Consistency has helped his shot-making feel extra convincing, as the freshman has hit multiple threes in every game and at least 40.0 percent of his long-range attempts in six of nine contests.

More than just a stationary shooter, Howard has connected on 5-of-12 off-screen jumpers and 8-of-19 pull-ups. He's most effective off the ball using movement to create opportunities, but we have seen a small sample size of self-creation off the bounce (4-of-4 isolation) with his ball-handling into tough dribble jumpers and runners (6-of-9).

Despite not offering significant playmaking, his 21 assists to eight turnovers highlight high basketball IQ and quick processing as a passer. Howard demonstrates patience, poise, timing and anticipation in different areas, whether it's as a finisher on the break or defender. He doesn't allow others to speed him up while he's attacking the basket, showing the ability to decelerate, read his man and use Eurosteps or body control. Blocking 1.2 shots per game, Howard also has a nose for the ball and a knack for using his tools to make plays.

The unlikelihood of offense running through him suggests he doesn't have the star-caliber upside of a top-five to top-10 pick. But given his translatable skill set and perceived easy fit, Howard is looking like a legitimate option for teams in the late lottery to mid-first-round range.

Gradey Dick (Kansas, SG/SF, Freshman)

Watch on YouTube

Stock report: Trending toward late lottery

The combination of 6'8" size and convincing shooting has created a perceived high NBA floor for Gradey Dick. At 46.6 percent on 5.8 three-point attempts per game, he's been consistent from deep with concise mechanics, a high release and minimal dip. His fit at the next level has become easy to picture.

But open-floor scoring, off-the-dribble shot-making, athletic finishes and tough defense hint at Dick offering more versatility and upside than just a shooter.

He's made 7-of-10 spot-up drives, 11-of-23 pull-ups and 62.5 percent of his attempts at the rim. Dick has shown IQ and poise with fakes into escape-dribble jumpers, and he's been impressive with his ability to make adjustments or use body control on finishes. Defenses also have had to find Dick early in shot clocks, as he's already hit 11 transition threes.

Though not the most adept self-creator or playmaker, his skill set and mentality are equipped for scoring within his team's offensive sets/flow.

He's also demonstrated plus intangibles, specifically his IQ (311 minutes, 10 turnovers), competitiveness and fearlessness to take and make tough shots late in tight contests.

Dick's game might not scream NBA All-Star, but he's starting to look like one of the safest picks in that Nos. 8-14 range once the better creators or more explosive athletes are off the board.

Noah Clowney (Alabama, PF)

Clowney's recent surge in production has highlighted the type of versatility NBA teams covet in power forwards. The 6'10" freshman made a combined seven three-pointers against Houston and South Dakota State. He finish a handful of drives past closeouts. And so far on the season, he's averaging 14.5 boards and 2.6 blocks per 40 minutes, providing consistent activity around the basket.