Potential sleepers

[moss_is_1]

Can Frank Mason be a rotational player in the NBA?

Absolutely. He can be a starter.

This is what I think too. With the success of IT. I think it helps his stock a bit.

He doesn't have great PG skills in the pick and roll game, but he can get into the lane almost whenever he wants and is great at kicking out to shooters. Can defend well and has improved his jumper even more. If the Wolves didn't have 3 PG's already I'd love to have him.

[Cammo101]

I disagree about starter, but I think he could be a back up.

Why do you think he can't be a starter?

Bit too physically outmatched, more than anything. He's a 5'11 senior.

He's certainly skilled enough to carve a niche for himself in the league, but if you look at a guy like Juwan Evans, whose younger, bigger and has much higher stock, even he I would project to be a back up (a high level one though).

You never know with the little guys though. For every guy that seems outmatched, you get your Yogi Ferrell's that work out.

5 years ago I'd have totally agreed with you. But, point guards are skewing smaller and quicker now. I don't see any reason Mason can't be an Isaiah Thomas type player at the NBA level. I'm not saying that is any kind of given, but I think it's very possible. He's skilled, smart, tough, a dead eye shooter, and has a lightning quick first step.

[doordoor123]

As an athlete at a good age with good size, I really like Michail Lountzis, who just declared.

[The-Power]

Can Frank Mason be a rotational player in the NBA?

Absolutely. He can be a starter.

Puh, I'm not sure about that and at the very least it's a long shot.

Don't get me wrong, I like Mason. His craftiness around the rim is a joy to watch and his jumper given some space seems legit. His defense for his height is good at the college level but at that size you can only do so much - it's unrealistic to expect him to be anything more than a negative on that end on the floor until proven otherwise.

So in order to close that gap he must be really good on offense. The question is: can he? And considering that he's not a particularly great playmaker for a PG that's very doubtful in my eyes. He's a great scorer in college and should be able to finish at a solid rate around the rim despite the length and athleticism in the NBA some time to adjust to the league provided. His shot should be able to fall when given the space but against longer and quicker NBA athletes he's going to struggle to get his shot off when guarded closely.

He's a 23 year old senior and this has been his first really impressive year after two years of being a solid to good starter. So while he'll be able to adjust to some extent just like everybody else does at the next level, it's not realistic to expect improvement similar to that of 19 year old players. What kind of player should we expect then?

If he was forced into starting role and given time to adjust, he might be able to score 15-18 PPG on 55-56% TS. That is when being granted a spot, a certain usage and starter minutes. Or would you expect much more? Couple that with mediocre playmaking for his position and slightly negative defense at best (again, until proven otherwise) and that's not a starter at the PG position in my eyes. He's going to have a role in this league as someone who can lead a bench unit with some scoring and playmaking while not getting totally destroyed on defense. His off-ball ability makes him more valuable but being limited to guard one position on defense hurts him somewhat as far as portability and flexibility for different teams and line-ups is concerned.

I'm rooting for him and a decent player off the bench would already be a great accomplishment given his prior years in college. A starting PG? Doubt it. But I'd be glad to eat crow on this one.

[jonjames]

^agreed..im not particularly high on mason but if f Yogi Ferrell can be a starter then I don't see why frank mason couldnt.

[jpengland]

Seems like John Collins will be a steal if he falls out of the top 10.

Agree with this entirely.

He's hurt by small ball as he will need to be able to at some C most likely. But he seems a smart, hard working kid with some decent physical gifts and a good eye for rebounding. Could become a fantastic PnR finisher too.

If that mid range game extends to the 3 ball he will definitely have a very good career.

[Upperclass]

I put Frank Mason starting on an NBA team, at about 0%. He might make a roster, but even thats no guarantee. Not everyone is Yogi Ferrell or Seth Curry.

[Chuck Everett]

Frank Mason doesn't seem like much of a passer. I honestly, have no expectation for Kansas players beyond the one and dones. They usually suck as pros.

I am going to bang the drum for Peter Jok one more time. He had a great senior year at Iowa, is about 6'8 with a decent wingspan (will need confirmation at the combine), but I like this guy. Think he can play in the league. Seems like a 3/D, but can also handle a bit. I believe he was First Team All-Big 10, even though they lost like 4 starters from the previous year.

[RipCity71252]

Anybody getting George Hill vibes from P.J. Dozier? Taller and doesn't have the freakish length but stylistically and defensively they look very similar to me.

Just needs get his shooting together. He's got a chance to be really good if he does.

[doordoor123]

Anybody getting George Hill vibes from P.J. Dozier? Taller and doesn't have the freakish length but stylistically and defensively they look very similar to me.

Just needs get his shooting together. He's got a chance to be really good if he does.

It's his speed I don't have faith in and I don't think his handle is strong enough (because he's 6'7). I think he's more of a shooting guard at the next level. If he improves his handle I think he could be a Shaun Livingston-type.

[doordoor123]

Frank Mason doesn't seem like much of a passer. I honestly, have no expectation for Kansas players beyond the one and dones. They usually suck as pros.

I am going to bang the drum for Peter Jok one more time. He had a great senior year at Iowa, is about 6'8 with a decent wingspan (will need confirmation at the combine), but I like this guy. Think he can play in the league. Seems like a 3/D, but can also handle a bit. I believe he was First Team All-Big 10, even though they lost like 4 starters from the previous year.

Think he's closer to 6'6 than 6'8, but he has the wingspan. I also think he could play in the league, but I'm not really sure what his defining skill is at the next level. He won't be the scorer he was in college and he isn't a guy that comes off screens. His defense isn't amazing. He's also already 23. I just don't know with him. Jimmy Butler became successful with the same kind of issues so who knows.

[Cammo101]

I put Frank Mason starting on an NBA team, at about 0%. He might make a roster, but even thats no guarantee. Not everyone is Yogi Ferrell or Seth Curry.

You say he has a zero percent chance of being a starter and then list off two guys who were far lesser prospects now starting. Does not compute. He has a solid chance based on the very reason you just listed.

[BoyzNTheHood]

I put Frank Mason starting on an NBA team, at about 0%. He might make a roster, but even thats no guarantee. Not everyone is Yogi Ferrell or Seth Curry.

You say he has a zero percent chance of being a starter and then list off two guys who were far lesser prospects now starting. Does not compute. He has a solid chance based on the very reason you just listed.

Really like Mason so I'm on board with you. I think he's exceptional, and if he were 6'2" he'd easily be a first round pick. I never thought Yogi Ferrell would make the NBA, and Mason is better. Then again, Ferrell is on a bad team. Seth always had a shot because of his shooting. Either way, Mason is going to be a steal for someone.

[kennydorglas]

Jacob Evans for me.

[Rockmaninoff]

Seems like John Collins will be a steal if he falls out of the top 10.

Agree with this entirely.

He's hurt by small ball as he will need to be able to at some C most likely. But he seems a smart, hard working kid with some decent physical gifts and a good eye for rebounding. Could become a fantastic PnR finisher too.

If that mid range game extends to the 3 ball he will definitely have a very good career.

Wasn't there a guy in the 2016 draft like him named Bryce Johnson?

[Rockmaninoff]

Jacob Evans for me.

Me too.

[EvanZ]

Brice Johnson was a 4-year player, so not quite the same profile. But I see where you're going.

[doordoor123]

I really like Rodney Bullock from Providence who is going to test the NBA market. He has an NBA body, can defend, shoot threes and he fights for rebounds.

[doordoor123]

Legitimate Sleeper: Jonathan Jeanne. He has been gaining weight and looks much better than last year. It looks like his frame can take more weight, but this guy is a freak. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a top 5 pick. Insane wingspan, runs really well for his size, has insane hops for his size and he has a jump shot. He's like Gobert on steroids. Sure he has no post moves or hesitations, but man he could be really good. He moves so well, I think he could play 4 and defend the wing too.

[DanTown8587]

Malcolm Hill to me is a guy who could do some things at the NBA level. Will be intrigued to see how he does in settings where he's playing with similar/better offensive talent around him and maybe Hill shows a little more than he did at UI. I love his ability to get/draw fouls off the dribble for a guy with his size to play the NBA 3 as well as I think he has some potential to be a spot-up shooter from the corner. The question remains if he can improve the defense enough.