Stories from the Six

 Running out of time here, so... Top Ten Centers  James Wiseman, Memphis Onyeka Okongwu, USC  Daniel Oturu, Minnesota (personally he was the best Center in college last year, so...)  Mamadi Diakite, Virginia (might be my pick for defensive player of the year, a Naismith finalist. A senior so that hurts him... for some reason... you’d think you’d want experienced big men on your team but I digress. Lucky if we see him go at all this draft)  Vernon Carey Jr., Duke (really ramped it up in the second month of his freshman season, held very good stats through the whole year and will prove to be a good centre if a team wants one)  Isaiah Stewart, Washington (I suppose he's more of a power forward, so my bad here, but very resonant defensively with good offensive production) Kaleb Wesson, Ohio State (solid all-round player who needs to develop a defensive presence to play starting minutes, but he can do everything well) Udoka Azubuike, Kansas (more of a traditiona...

 Consider the redundant nature of a "big man" in today's NBA and perhaps you'll think the 4 and 5 spots should be now be condensed into one role. That said, I have divided them up because centres don't get the recognition they deserve (and despite making a top ten, it is likely that you won't see 10 true big men drafted this year) Top Ten Power Forwards (aka big men who have shooting skill, or who are to shoot from 25 out)  Obi Toppin, Dayton ::: my favourite player in college last year; he'll immediately be a 14 and 7 player with the upside of being a Tim Duncan one day; hating on him for his age is common, but his play is exceptional Patrick Williams, Florida State ::: a "project" as they say, but I really don't think so. He's young - he needs time to hone his game because I really don't think he's going to evolve beyond the dynamic defensive player with solid offensive play he already is; it'll just be about the amount of c...

Top Ten Three-Guard Prospects  Issac Okoro, Auburn ::: really inconsistent scoring wise but intense both ways Devin Vassel, Florida State ::: oh man, this guy will probably not live up to what he was able to do this year against ACC rivals, but he has the potential to be a powerful 2, if not grow into a versatile SF over the next few years; incredible scoring and he's involved in almost every play every game he dresses Jaden McDaniels, Washington ::: as they say, a lackluster freshman season with the Hokies, but his five-star recruiting status can't be ignored. That he has fallen outside of the top 10 is a win for a middling NBA franchise Aaron Nesmith, Vanderbilt ::: will not stay in the draft past pick 20, too impressive a three-point shooter Paul Reed, DePaul ::: if Obi Toppin isn't top 5, it makes sense why he isn't top 10. That said, a steal wherever he goes Saddiq Bey, Villanova ::: a "3-and-D" player in the strictest sense of the term, another top 20 pi...

 Top Ten Shooting Guards  Anthony Edwards, Georgia ::: honestly thought his play was hit-and-miss and if he gets shutdown in the NBA, you'll see him go cold really fast, don't like him as a top five pick but he has the talent of a top five player Elijah Hughes ::: guaranteed bucket, go watch Syracuse highlights right now if you don’t know this guy Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky ::: smaller than Edwards but equally talented and inconsistent; people just soured on him because he expectations were so high and weren't met, whereas Edwards led a porous Bulldogs team to about a .500 record... yeah I don't get the logic either Ja’Mihus Ramsey, Texas Tech ::: awesome scorer, might be a point guard and if he is then watch out Leandro Bolmaro, INTL. ::: would feel better about taking him or Maledon mid-to-late 1st than I would Hayes top ten Theo Maledon, INTL.  Desmond Bane, TCU :: consistent Mason Jones, Arkansas ::: I honestly think this guy is comparable to Fred Van Vleet, which is wh...

Largely thankful to two voices in particular - Jon Wasserman from Bleacher Report and Chad Ford. If you're reading this, odds are you know who they are, but if not, they are the two you should look to on draft speculation and reputable with their insider insight.  TOP TENS GOING INTO TONIGHT'S DRAFT Before reading the following know that these rankings is malformed. It's a combination of what I hear experts are saying about hype regarding the 2020 NBA Draft and an interjection of my own personal bias because I really do value NCAA competitions and think very highly of the individuals who push themselves on college fields. Top Ten Point Guards Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa St. ::: f*** me for doing a comparable, but think Damian Lillard, the closest thing to an all-star PG based on his college performance       Lamelo Ball, INTL. ::: he has some qualities that make him a great potential player but so does Karim Mane, so this is a generous spot, but basically a top-5 placeho...