2024 NBA Draft Big Board 3.0: Full Top-60 Player Rankings

As we near the 2024 NBA Draft, it's time to really lock in on draft content. That being the case, there's no better place to start than with a good ole' fashion big board. This big board though, it's not just another top-30 breakdown, but instead a full top-60 with reasoning for every player. I'm finishing up my year at college, so now I have the free time necessary to actually write this. All of that said, here we go:

I have updated as many measurements as I can based on combine results. All heights are without shoes, so they are about an inch or two shorter than their in-game heights. I don't have updated measurements for every player here, but I do have them for the majority of these guys. I also want to go ahead and thank anyone (mostly No Ceilings) whose videos I used in this big board, as I'm trying to include a video for every player if one is available.

1.Alexandre Sarr - 7'0" 225lbs - Center - Perth - Previous Ranking: 1 (-)

As much as I'd like to be different with my top prospect, I just can't go any direction other than French big man Alex Sarr. At this point in the draft cycle, he has separated himself from his peers by a significant margin. The thing is, he hasn't really had to do much to achieve this; the other guys in this draft just haven't shown me enough to surpass him. He's a big with excellent fluidity who offers a ton on both ends of the court. I think his traits project him to be a versatile rotational option who can play the four and five long-term. He's a beast defensively with an excellent interior presence and rim protection instincts. I have no worries with his defense immediately translating to the NBA level, in fact, his defense may be the most surefire trait in this entire draft class. Offensively, he offers a ton of upside. He hasn't been the world's most consistent offensive producer, but he's shown enough flashes for front offices to be relatively confident in his future development on this end. He's a very skilled interior finisher who is capable scoring with his back to the basket and on face-ups. He's also a solid rim attacker off-the-dribble starting on the perimeter.

The biggest question about his game is his shooting, and it's not even that big of a question. He takes a good number of shots from both the mid-range and from beyond the arc, he has just struggled to knock them down at an efficient clip. His mechanics and fluidity on his shot look fine, and I think it's something he will likely smooth out once he spends some time in the league. All in all, he's a semi-raw prospect who has room to grow basically in every department, yet already has enough ability to be playable now. He's a relatively safe bet as a guy who a team will immediately be able to plug into their rotation while developing his game behind the scenes.

2. Ron Holland - 6'7" 195lbs - Guard/Forward - G-League Ignite - Previous Ranking: 2 (-)

I still find myself higher than the consensus on Ron Holland, but I've yet to see an argument that has truly swayed me away from having him near the top of this class. I'm fine admitting that he probably doesn't deserve to be above Sarr on any board, but I will still say that Holland is my favorite prospect in this class. I put a ton of value in defensive energy and work ethic, and Holland exudes that. He's an excellent perimeter defender who uses his elite physical tools and high effort level. He's not going to have a gamebreaking interior defensive presence due to his size, but his motor makes up for some of that. On offense he puts a ton of pressure on the rim, something that I'm positive will translate. He combines size, strength, and athleticism to be a menace while attacking. His shooting is what needs the most work, but then again, he's good at creating scoring opportunities, he just needs to hit his shots at a better rate. Guys who care as much as he does impress me, and I believe that this bodes well for his development in areas he may struggle in currently.

There are a few things that he's going to have to work on to become the player that I think he can be. He's going to have to develop a tighter handle and the ability to dribble with his off hand. He needs to learn how to operate as an off-ball threat instead of creating all of his own offense. If he can get these things polished out, then he has a better chance of being an impactful rotation piece right away. I already mentioned his shooting, but that's just going to have to come with practice. Holland has way too many physical advantages to ignore, and when you combine those with his obvious mental fortitude and passion for the game you get a guy who has a very good chance of being successful.

3. Nikola Topic - 6'7" 201lbs - Point Guard - Crvena Zvezda - Previous Ranking: 4 (+1)

Big guards become more and more valuable by the day, and when you get one who has all the traits of a smaller guard you have to be hopeful about him. Nikola Topic offers a ton on the offensive end of the floor. He's an excellent interior scorer for a guard, who has proven that he's one of the more efficient under the rim finishers in this draft. He's not going to offer a ton as far as above the rim finishing is concerned, but he makes his interior attempts at such an efficient rate that they might as well be dunks. He's not a lights-out shooter, but he's shown enough flashes for me to be confident in his projection as a good shooter. He's a true lead guard who can run any offensive system, and his maturity and elite decision making jump off the screen at you when you watch him play. He's an elite playmaker and pick-and-roll ball handler who will pair nicely with a ton of the league's premier bigs. I believe his top suitor in this draft is the Spurs, because they believe he's the perfect partner in crime next to Victor Wembanyama. That should tell you all you need to know about his ability to set up his teammates in the best possible position to score.

The biggest question about Topic is his ability to defend at an NBA level. He checked the box in the size department, but that's about it as far as physical attributes are concerned. I'm not super confident in his athleticism, strength, or lateral movement on this end of the floor. That said, there is always hope for guys with such fantastic positional size to one day be able to make an impact as a defender. I highly doubt he'll ever be a lockdown defender by any means, but as long as he isn't a negative on that end he will still be very valuable. He offers so much on offense that his defense would have to be horrendous for him to be an overall negative when it comes to playing winning basketball. The only offensive trait that's still up in the air for him is his shooting. That said, I don't mind his mechanics, and he has had stretches where he's shot the ball well. Like his defense, I'm not sure if he'll ever be a guy that knocks down a ton of threes at a great clip, but if he can be above average, he'll hold his value.

4. Matas Buzelis - 6'9" 200lbs - Wing - G-League Ignite - Previous Ranking: 3 (-1)

Matas Buzelis remains my favorite pure wing in a draft that's full of them for a multitude of reasons. While he didn't have the spectacular season that folks were once expecting from him, he showed me enough flashes to still feel confident in his long-term projection. On offense, Buzelis is a true Swiss army knife. He projects to be able to do just about everything on the offensive end of the floor. In addition to that, he probably has the best positional size in this draft. He hasn't cemented one thing as his true weapon of choice, but his ability to do a little bit of everything tells me that as he polishes his game things like this will emerge. I think there's a very good chance that he ends up being the most dynamic offensive option out of this draft, especially if he ends up on a team that knows how to properly develop him. Like his Ignite teammate Ron Holland, Buzelis has a fantastic motor and a very obvious hope to prove himself. I like this a ton. If he can channel that energy into becoming a better player, he's a hard player to bet against.

The only real questions I have about Buzelis right now are his physical traits. I just think he's too thin and lanky for his playstyle. This isn't a Wembanyama or Holmgren situation where their length alone allows them to be forceful. Buzelis is going to have to add strength to maximize his potential. While he can score in a multitude of ways, the fact that he can still get pushed around by stronger opponents remains true. Added strength would also help him on defense. He's a solid defender, and his size and length are big reasons for that, but he still finds himself as the victim of bully ball every now and then. His number one priority may need to be hanging out in the weight room whenever he's not getting shots up. Also, his decision making leaves me with questions at times. He seems to have really good feel for the game, and he's a great passer, yet he still turns the ball over at a concerning rate. I'd like to see him work on this aspect of his game. Overall, Buzelis has a chance of being one of the best players in this draft, and I think teams would be moronic to let him fall too far down on their boards.

5. Stephon Castle - 6'6" 215lbs - Guard/Wing - Connecticut - Previous Ranking: 7 (+2)

I've had a difficult time deciding where to put Stephon Castle on my big board, but after some serious thought comparing him to his peers, I simply believe in him more than some of the guys that are in his tier. I already talked about it in my breakdown of Ron Holland, but I simply value guys who have proven that they have high motors. That said, a player only having a high motor and nothing else doesn't impress me from a prospect point-of-view. Luckily, Stephon Castle offers a lot more than just an impressive motor. He's a fantastic athlete with elite defensive instincts that you just can't teach. His defensive showcase throughout UConn's run in the tournament was a joy to watch. I think at this point in the cycle, if you're worried about his defense translating to the league, you just haven't watched enough Stephon Castle film. Offensively, he offers a ton of value as an athletic driver. He's a solid above and under the rim finisher, and he's very difficult to stop when he's moving with pace. He's also a solid passer and decision maker for a guy who will, at most, only be asked to do some secondary playmaking.

The biggest question about Castle's game is his outside shot. His ability to knock down looks from beyond the arc was incredibly inconsistent throughout his freshman campaign. At times he could catch fire from deep, and at times he looked like a total black hole beyond the arc. One thing that has led me to be somewhat hopeful about Castle's ability to develop a jumpshot is his ability to progress. He got so much better throughout the season this year, and one metric that shows that is his free-throw shooting efficiency. On the season he only shot 75.5% from the line, but in the second half of the year he hit these shots at a clip of over 90%. Free-throw shooting is a valuable indicator for a player's ability to hit threes, and he's already shown he can improve in that department. I'm not positive that he'll ever be an above average shooter, but if he does then teams are going to be sick if they passed on him.

6. Reed Sheppard - 6'2" 180lbs - Combo Guard - Kentucky - Previous Ranking: 6 (-)

Here's another player that I haven't been able to pin down a board position for. For the time being I am going to keep him at six on my board. I am fully bought in on his outside shot as being one of the best traits of any player in this draft. I actually think we didn't see his full output in the shooting department because of Calipari limiting his shot volume. His efficiency was otherworldly, but I actually would have liked to see him take more shots even if it slightly lowered his percentage. I'm also impressed by his ability to be a true three-level scorer. Not only is he a knock down shooter from deep, but he can also pull up in the mid-range and take it to the hoop. He's a super crafty inside finisher who draws a ton of fouls by using contortionist movements on his inside takes. In addition to scoring, Sheppard may be the most mature freshman decision maker I've ever seen. I wouldn't say he's a flashy passer, but he always makes like right read. I think he's capable of running an offense in the league despite not having the best handle. His IQ alone is going to carry him a long way here. Finally, he's an absolute pest on defense. His reaction time is unbelievable, so while he may not be a great one-on-one ball stopper, he's excellent in help. He just has a really well-rounded and safe game.

The biggest question for Sheppard is his positional size and ability to play the point. I do not think he's a natural point guard, but at the same time he does give me floor general vibes. I think he prefers to play the two and act as a strong secondary playmaker. However, due to his size he's going to have to play the one in the league. For him to play the two, the team around him is going to have to be absolutely massive. That said, we have seen guys who fit into a similar mold succeed in the past (most notably Stephen Curry). Can he technically be the "point guard" while still operating primarily as an off-ball guy? Sure, but it all depends on the team that drafts him. I think this strategy is very viable if he lands on a team with a playmaking big. All of that to say that there are some rotational fit questions surrounding Sheppard. Despite those, Sheppard is simply too talented to not be considered as one of the top prospects in this draft.

7. Donovan Clingan - 7'2" 280lbs - Center - Connecticut - Previous Ranking: 5 (-2)

Donovan Clingan was probably the biggest post-tournament riser after he helped lead UConn to their second championship in two years. He was arguably the best player on this Huskies team, and his defense was undeniable. His feel as a rim protector is second to none and is something that will 100% translate to the league. I put a ton of value into this type of defender, because we've seen time and time again that rim protection is statistically the most valuable asset on defense. He's also somewhat mobile around the perimeter. He's not going to stick with quick guards out there, but he's not the complete liability that you would expect a guy of his size to be. He's the type of defender that if he ends up in the right situation, he could be one of the more valuable defensive pieces in the league as a rookie. His offense isn't too shabby either. He has good touch around the rim. He isn't awkward on his post-moves and has solid footwork. He has good hands, which is incredibly important for players like him. All in all, I think he has a super high floor that really intrigues me as a high-end role player.

The only true issues I have with Clingan are questions surrounding his endurance and health. He has faced serious injury concerns throughout his two seasons at UConn. That said, he made it through his sophomore season relatively unscathed. A big reason for that, though, could be that he did play on a minutes restriction for the majority of the season. Was this to keep him from getting injured? Was this because his endurance isn't great? Was it to keep him out of foul trouble? Maybe a little bit of all three? We don't know for sure. Those questions floating around should leave you with some concerns about his long-term ability to stick around in a super physical league. However, if he can stay healthy and can stay on the floor then he deserves to be this high, maybe higher, on boards.

8. Zaccharie Risacher - 6'8" 202lbs - Wing - JL Bourg - Previous Ranking: 8 (-)

I seriously thought about dropping Risacher farther down my board than I did on my last board where he went from second to eighth. However, he hasn't further regressed since I wrote that last big board. That was written right as he was experiencing the worst shooting slump of his young career, and I moved him down because of it. So, while he hasn't done anything to move back up, I can't really move him down again. That said, I'm still a fan of what Risacher projects to be in the league. A wing with good size who has shown that he's capable of shooting from deep with the best of em'. Sure, he had a slump, but everyone has slumps, especially younger players. What's important is that we recognize that his shooting acumen belongs somewhere in discussions surrounding his ceiling and floor. His rim pressure is just okay, but for the most part his offensive game is limited to how well he's knocking down his outside jumper. His defense does stand out as something that should stick, as his size and length on the wing looks to be seriously disruptive. He's not hyper athletic, but he's solid in this department and that goes a long way when you combine it with his size. I'm not sure I buy into any all-star upside with him, but I don't see any reason why he can't develop into a high-end three-and-d wing.

As I said, his true weakness is a lack of offensive versatility. If he doesn't have a full head of steam he struggles to score in the paint. His handle isn't anything to write home about. He's not going to impress you with his playmaking. He's a solid passer, but most of the time those looks are created by others. He'll be fine as a ball mover and will occasionally make an impressive read, but for the most part he's out there to get his outside look. This is completely fine if he can knock down these looks at an efficient clip on solid volume, but as of late his play has led to questions regarding that ability. All in all, I think he will be fine, and still believe in his outlook as a really good shooter. That, combined with his defensive skills, and I still think you're looking at a top-10 guy.

9. DaRon Holmes II - 6'9" 235lbs - Center/Forward - Dayton - Previous Ranking: 12 (+3)

Alright, I'm finally doing it, I'm moving DaRon Holmes into my top-10. He's been my guy throughout this draft cycle, and I'm finally ready to admit that I like him way more than the consensus. A big with his level of offensive and defensive versatility is hard to find, and I'm tired of being told he isn't one of the best players in this class. The dude can do it all on offense as a legit frontcourt staple. He is capable of scoring on all three levels, which includes being able to shoot threes like a wing. He's able to post-up and face-up against defenders depending on matchups and is lethal in both situations. If you double him, he will make you pay by hitting an open teammate for a good look. For a big man he's just the total package offensively. Then on defense you have a guy who was a monster rim protector all season. Now, will this the case in the NBA against bigger matchups? Probably not. But it does tell me that he will never be a slouch as an interior defender. He's also agile enough to hang with smaller players if they drag him out to the perimeter. He offers a ton as far as rotational versatility is concerned, and I think he still has room to grow despite being an older prospect.

On my last big board, I said my only question about Holmes was if he'd still be a knock down shooter against NBA level competition. I just simply don't feel super worried about this anymore. I've seen the guy shoot in games and I've seen him shoot in workouts and I just don't see a world where he loses that shot. I also mentioned that he does face turnover problems from time-to-time, but I just don't see this being that big of an issue in the league either. He's not going to be the player that opponent's stick their best defender on, and he probably won't get doubled, so I trust him to not turn the ball over. The only reason he isn't higher is because he's an older prospect. This does hinder his ceiling, but I do think it solidifies his floor. I don't think he has an all-star appearance in his future, but I just don't see a world where he's not impactful for a long time.

10. Cody Williams - 6'7" 180lbs - Wing - Colorado - Previous Ranking: 10 (-)

When it comes to drafting a guy purely for what they may become down the road, Cody Williams may be the best example in this draft class. Of all the guys in his tier of draftability, he's been by far the least productive. That said, his physical traits and the flashes he has shown are too intriguing to ignore. He's a tall wing with fantastic length who projects to be a Swiss army knife on both ends of the floor. He has shown flashes of being a good scorer on all three levels, and if his outside shot can really develop, I think he could be seriously dangerous. His athleticism is interesting, because while he's definitely an athlete he's not necessarily explosive. He more-so just floats when he jumps, making for some interesting finishing around the rim. I think most of his potential is on the defensive end (which seems to be a theme in this draft class) because his physical traits just translate to that end so well. While his production wasn't great this year, I was often impressed by his ability to defend. He blocks shots incredibly well for a wing and is very tough to get by because of his length. I'm not sure how much of his game translates right away, but if any of it does it would be his ability to defend.

All of that said, it is still important to recognize that Williams is purely an upside guy at the moment. No team that's trying to contend now is going to draft him. For him to reach his potential he's going to have to land on a team that's willing to put serious resources into developing him. He's going to have to spend a ton of time in the gym working on building muscle so he can't be pushed around by bigger opponents. He's also going to have to work on building consistency in his shot. I do believe in him more than some evaluators, but tenth on my board is probably pretty conservative. If you value upside over everything, he should be significantly higher on your board than where I have him.

11. Rob Dillingham - 6'1" 165lbs - Combo Guard - Kentucky - Previous Ranking: 11 (-)

Rob Dillingham is one of the few high-end offensive specialists in this draft. He was probably the best difficult shot maker in all of college basketball this season as a freshman. The flashes he showed were as impressive and entertaining as anybody in this draft. If only John Calipari didn't have him rotting away on the bench and playing in a system where the only thing we saw from him was difficult shot making. I would've loved to see how he handled himself in drawn up sets, because he'll see way more of that in the league. Sadly, Calipari wasn't too interested in actually putting him in a position to win, but I digress. What we did see was a guy who's an excellent self-creator and shot maker. I must admit that I did not love his shot selection, but since the shots went in it was difficult to complain about that in real time. He's able to score at all three levels, and inside he uses his sneaky athleticism to not only finish below the rim but also above it. If his offensive output translates, Dillingham is going to be able to carve out a nice role for himself in the league.

Now, for the reasons why I have Dillingham lower on my board than most. Much like Reed Sheppard, Dillingham is going to have to play point guard at the next level. He's simply too small to play the two effectively. That said, I'm less confident with his ability to do this than Reed's because Dillingham really is only a scorer. I wasn't wowed by his playmaking, and I fear that he can get seriously sped up and turned over. On top of that, if his insane shot selection betrays him at the next level when he's being guarded by elite defenders then I really don't know where his value is. If he doesn't make those wild shots, he doesn't do anything else, and that's difficult for me to bet on. In addition to all of that, Dillingham is just an atrocious defender. He seemingly loses all of his agility and athleticism on the defensive end. He got blown by incredibly easily by every matchup he faced. As I said, if his shot making even slightly falters, you're looking at a guy who may not be playable. Now, to be fair, I do think he's just a natural shot maker. I believe in his shot making. But the red flags are too glaring to just totally ignore.

12. Dalton Knecht - Guard/Wing - 6'5" 210lbs - Tennessee - Previous Ranking: 9 (-3)

I have a lot of the same opinions on Dalton Knecht that I have on Rob Dillingham, the difference being that Knecht is significantly older. Because of that age difference, I believe that Knecht will likely have more of an impact right out of the gate than someone like Dillingham. However, I'm not sold that he's the better long-term bet. What I am sold on when it comes to Knecht is his ability to put the ball in the basket. If you're looking for a hooper's hooper, Dalton Knecht is your guy. He was probably the best scorer in all of college basketball this past season, finishing as the runner-up for player of the year overall. He is a legitimate three-level scorer, and because of his age I am fairly confident that this will translate to the league. He may not be the scoring threat he was in college, but he can definitely offer offensive value. I think he comes into the league as a solid role player and eventually finds his footing as a high-end role player.

He has the same issues that Dillingham does on the defensive end. He's just plain and simple bad at defense. On one hand, his size at the two-guard position bodes well for the defensive end, so maybe he figures it once he realizes that his offensive output can only get him so far. On the other hand, you would think a guy who has been in college as long as he has would have figured it out by now if he was ever going to figure it out. I'm just not a fan of guys who give up as many points as they score, and I fear that Knecht fits that mold. There's a good chance he gets targeted by opponents on every trip up the court. If he doesn't figure out his defensive game, I'm just not sure how much value he provides. If he can become an average defender, I think he adds a ton to a team's offensive ceiling.

13. Tidjane Salaun - 6'9" 219lbs - Forward - Cholet Basket - Previous Ranking: 14 (+1)

If you're looking for upside in this draft, there may be no better option than French forward Tidjane Salaun. He's a guy who I've had as a fringe lottery selection, but as we get closer and closer to the draft he continues to move in a positive direction. He's listed as a forward mostly because he hasn't been able to consistently space the floor, but if he can ever knock down the outside shot at an efficient clip you better believe he'll be used as a wing. For the time being though, his value on the offensive end is based on his athleticism. He's fantastic on cuts and lobs, putting a ton of pressure on the rim because of his large frame and athletic tools. He is coming off of one of his better shooting stretches, and I think he has a good chance of being a solid shooter in the league. On defense, he uses his physical tools to make a difference on the perimeter and in the interior. He's a strong player who won't get pushed around easily, and his agility allows him to stick with quicker players.

Obviously, the red flag associated with Salaun is that he's a very raw and unproven prospect. There are a few aspects of his game that I'm not sure he will develop either. He doesn't look like much of a ball-handler or shot creator. He's not a good passer or playmaker and has faced turnover issues. Finally, his outside shot just isn't a surefire thing yet. However, if he's able to strengthen his three-point shot I think he will be just fine. He can operate off-ball as a threat to space the floor both from beyond the arc and above the rim. I believe his defense will translate no matter how his offense comes along. To be honest, if anyone new moves into my top-10 between now and draft day it will likely be Tidjane Salaun.

14. Tyler Smith - 6'9" 224lbs - Forward - G-League Ignite - Previous Ranking: 17 (+3)

Back-to-back high upside swings from me here as I've decided to move Tyler Smith up my board. At 6'9", Tyler Smith is one of the best shooters in this draft. He's a really good shooter from both the three and mid-range, but that's not all. He can also handle himself in the post with an array of back to the basket moves. Finally, he's elite as the screener in both pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop actions. He's not a flashy passer by any means, but he doesn't have turnover issues and will be a solid connective ball mover. I just don't see a world where he doesn't offer a ton of offensive value, and he's only going to get better. The only non-offensive positive is his positional size. This is a guy that plays and moves like a wing but is built like a big forward or small center. His unique physical attributes make him a super versatile rotational option.

At the moment, the big red flag surrounding Smith is his defense. Despite having great positional size and all the physical tools to be good on that end, he has seriously struggled. That said, I'm not convinced that Smith can't become a solid defender. He always showed hustle on that end of the floor, but he never seemed to have a great feel for what he was supposed to do. Now, could this be because he doesn't have good feel for the game or because he lacks defensive IQ? Sure. But it could also be because he was playing for a G-League Ignite team that had no defensive identity or any interest in competing. I personally believe it's a bit of both. If he were on a better team with a better defensive system, I think Smith would have been an average defender. If that's true, and if Smith can become an average defender in the league, I think he offers a ton of value.

15. Jared McCain - 6'2" 205lbs - Combo Guard - Duke - Previous Ranking: 15 (-)

While I do think I'm higher on Jared McCain's game today than I was a month ago, I couldn't find a way to move him up my board over guys like Smith and Salaun. McCain is one of the best shooters in this draft and is fantastic finding his looks from three both via off-ball actions and with the ball in his hands. As the season went along, he further impressed me as a versatile shot creator and shot maker from all three levels. Like Sheppard and Dillingham, McCain is a natural two-guard who will likely have to play the one at the next level. Similar to Sheppard though, I think he's capable of being a lead guard, as he has proven his maturity and strength with the ball. I don't know how good a playmaker he'll be, but with his IQ I'm sure he can figure it out. Defensively, he's not gamebreaking by any means, but his strength goes a long way on the perimeter.

The reason why McCain isn't as high on my board as players like Sheppard and Dillingham is because I don't think his ceiling is quite as high. He has a similar floor to Sheppard, but I'm not sure I trust in his three-level scoring and lead-guard potential as much as I do Reed's. He obviously does not have the high-end offensive ceiling that Dillingham has. I do think McCain is a safe bet to be a solid role player, but that's probably about it. The one thing that I think could push him to a higher level is that he does have an impressive motor. When the rest of his Duke teammates seemingly gave up in the NCAA tournament against NC State, McCain played until the final seconds. Things like that can elevate a player, and I think there's a chance it does for him.

16. Kyle Filipowski - 6'11" 230lbs - Forward/Center - Duke - Previous Ranking: 13 (-3)

Speaking of Jared McCain's Duke teammates, Kyle Filipowski is one of the guys that took a hit when I decided to move a few guys up my board. That doesn't mean I don't still believe in his game, but I've decided to value a few other prospect's upside over Filipowski's floor. That said, I am still a fan of Filipowski and his long-term outlook. He's one of those guys who has a good enough floor to play right away, but still has enough of a ceiling to be an intriguing long-term guy. He's a very talented near 7-footer with a ton of offensive versatility. At his height he's able to play like a wing. He can either create his own shot or have it created for him, and he's able to get his points from all three levels. He's not great defensively, but he has found ways to make an impact on that end of the floor. Even though he's a big, I would still consider him to be a pest. I don't think he'll ever be a lockdown defender or elite rim protector, but he can hold his own.

To be fair to Filipowski, I think most of his issues are things that he can fix. His major weakness is his strength and stature. He gets pushed around by stronger big men on both sides of the court. If he can get in the gym and build some strength, I think it would raise his ceiling substantially. His second major issue is his mental state and motor. To put it nicely, Filipowski is soft. Every time I watch him, I walk away impressed with his game, but disappointed with how easy it is to break him. He fakes injuries so he can have an excuse for playing badly. He can't stop complaining when he's on the floor. He's going to have to seriously work on that if he wants to reach his potential or be respected in a locker room. However, if you only look at his talent level, he's hard to ignore.

17. Isaiah Collier - 6'3" 205lbs - Point Guard - USC - Previous Ranking: 16 (-1)

My stance on Isaiah Collier hasn't changed, I am highly intrigued by his upside and don't put a ton of weight into how bad USC's season was. The only reason he isn't any higher than this is because while I am intrigued by his upside, I don't believe in his upside as much as I do the guys above him. He's a stout point guard who offers a ton of value as a downhill threat. He puts a ton of pressure on the rim and can tear through defenses to get there. He's able to move at breakneck speeds towards the hoop while still maintaining his composure on finishes. He's super strong for a guard and has a broad build with a frame that makes him difficult to push around. This makes him an effective perimeter defender when you combine it with his elite pace. He's a super pesky on-ball defender with an impressive motor who's always going at 100%.

Collier's pace can be a negative as much as it is a positive. While he does remain composed for the most part when he's moving with a full head of steam, he can have turnover problems. His ball security isn't the greatest in these situations, and a lot of the time he can put his team in a bad position because of this. His true biggest question is his ability to score anywhere outside of the paint. His outside shot was okay this season, but it's not something that he's been known for throughout his young career. He's definitely not a proven shooter by any means. If he can become a consistent outside shooter, his ceiling will be far more intriguing. However, he just doesn't offer enough at the moment for me to have him any higher than this. That said, I could see him pushing himself to get better at things that evaluators are questioning, turning himself into one of the better players from this class.

18. Devin Carter - 6'3" 195lbs - Point Guard - Providence - Previous Ranking: 18 (-)

There are just some players that you know will succeed at the next level, and Devin Carter is one of those players. Normally that would land you higher on a big board, but I'm not sure how much higher his ceiling is than his floor. That said, Devin Carter has a very very high floor, so that's not the worst thing in the world. He's an elite two-way lead guard who can do just about everything on a basketball court. The only question that evaluators had about Carter going into this past season was if he'd be able to knock down the outside shot on decent volume at an efficient clip, and he did. He was an excellent shooter this season, and now we can confidently say that he doesn't have a hole in his scoring game. He's not a fantastic playmaker, but he is good enough as a decision maker to not be a negative in this department. Defensively, Carter was one of the best defensive point guards in all of college basketball this year. Finally, he's a fantastic rebounder for a guard, just one more aspect of his game that helps to make him the interesting prospect that he is.

The only real issue with Carter is that he really isn't a true floor general. He's more of a point guard than some of the combo guards we've talked about in this big board, but he's definitely not an offensive orchestrator. That said, he is a player with great feel for the game on both ends of the floor, which leads me to believe that he's capable of playing point at the next level. I think there's a good chance that his defense translates better than his offense at the next level, but he has shown me enough to make me feel confident in his outlook as an overall impact player. This is the type of guy that a competitive team should take to better their chances of winning on day one.

19. Kel'el Ware - 7'0" 230lbs - Center - Indiana - Previous Ranking: 19 (-)

Kel'el Ware is one of my favorite players in this draft, and he jumped up my big board after a very strong end of his sophomore season. He's a very talented big who probably would have been a first-round pick after his freshman season before deciding to return to college for a second year. He's a wildly athletic center who uses his physical tools to impact the game on both ends. Offensively, he uses his athleticism as an elite lob threat off of cuts and pick-and-roll actions. In addition to that, he's slowly but surely developing a shot into his game. This season he shot over 40% from beyond the arc on limited attempts. On defense, he offers a ton of rim protection as he combines his leaping ability, length, and instincts to act as a frightening interior presence. He offers a ton of upside on both ends of the court and could develop into a legitimate two-way threat at the five.

His main weaknesses revolve around his composure, maturity, and decision making. Sometimes he tries to do too much with the ball and has struggled with turnovers throughout his college career because of that. When facing double-teams he's notorious for making bad decisions and either turning the ball over or putting a teammate in a position to turn it over. He also will space out at times on both ends of the court, completely taking himself out of games. He's going to have to figure this stuff out before he steps on the court in the league, because stuff like that won't fly. That said, that's a red flag that should be somewhat easy to correct. If he can really focus in on his development and production, I don't see why he can't be one of the better big men out of this class.

20. Tristan da Silva - 6'8" 215lbs - Wing - Colorado - Previous Ranking: 24 (+4)

I'm pretty comfortable with my current stance on Colorado wing Tristan da Silva. He moved up my board because I'm simply more confident in his ability to contribute in the league than the guys I moved under him. You don't see many guys his size who are able to shoot the ball like he is. He's able to score from anywhere on the floor, but it's his outside shot that really separates him as a potential high-end contributor. He's a super smart player who has a very obvious natural feel for the game. Because of this he's able to act as a solid secondary playmaker and connective passer who always seems to make the right read. Defensively, his length and agility allow him to be a very effective perimeter defender. In addition to that, his size allows him to hold his own inside. He is an older prospect, so while he may not have the highest ceiling in the world, his floor is difficult to deny.

The only real glaring weakness for da Silva as a prospect is his age. He just finished up his final season of college as a 23-year-old senior. If I wanted to be really picky, I would say that he's not a prolific shot creator, but I really don't think that that's expected of him as a prospect. When it comes down to it, the only thing that's keeping da Silva from being higher here is that I don't think he will get much better than the product we saw in college.

21. Ryan Dunn - 6'6" 215lbs - Wing - Virginia - Previously Ranked: 21 (-)

We all know what we're getting when we evaluate Ryan Dunn, and for guys like me who love defense, he's one of my favorite players to watch. There are a lot of guys in this draft who project to make an impact on the defensive end, but none like Ryan Dunn. I believe he may be the only true gamebreaking defensive prospect. Dunn anchored one of the best defenses in the nation this year at Virginia as a wing, and I think he will continue to help build winning defenses at the next level. On the perimeter he's the last guy you want to see matching up against you, and in the interior he's able to hold his own despite being smaller than the competition. He's super athletic, super strong, and has a very advanced feel for the game on that end of the floor. I am confident in saying that he is the top defensive prospect in this class.

So why is he 21st on my board if he's that good at 50% of the game? Well, it's because he's so bad on the other end. Even though you will have a hard time finding someone who values defense as much as me, even I know that offense is likely more important. He doesn't have a shot, doesn't have a finishing package, isn't a good playmaker, isn't a good passer, and is basically out of the play on every possession. If he isn't driving directly to the basket in a straight line, he is basically useless. All that to say...that stuff really doesn't matter for Dunn. He is so good on the other end that I guarantee you he will impact the game in a positive way night in and night out. I can't justify having him too high on my board with his lack of offensive capabilities, but I think being this high when you basically can't score is pretty impressive in its own right.

22. Yves Missi - 6'10" 230lbs - Center - Baylor - Previous Ranking: 23 (+1)

Yves Missi is like the textbook definition of an NBA caliber center. He has great size and strength and has more vertical pop than your average 7-footer. Offensively, he uses that athleticism to act as an elite lob threat via pick-and-roll actions and on the dunker's spot. He has really good hands and is able to finish it around the rim using a soft touch when he's not throwing it down. On defense, Missi is a legitimate paint presence and rim protector. His strength is very impressive, as opposing big men seriously struggle to push him around down low. The trait that really makes Missi a great prospect to me is his rebounding. He's elite on the boards on both ends, but it's his offensive rebounding that really separates him from his peers. This past season he was one of the premier offensive rebounders in the nation, consistently giving Baylor extra possessions no matter his matchup.

Missi is a traditional big man, and in today's game those just aren't as valuable as more versatile options. He will be valuable in certain lineups and systems, but his lack of versatility on both ends limits how and when he can be utilized. He doesn't have a handle, isn't a passer, can't shoot, doesn't have a ton of post-moves, and is an awful free-throw shooter. He does what he does well, and I believe that those traits will translate. However, his game is going to need a lot of work if Missi wants to end up being a standout from this class. That said, if a team puts this guy in drop coverage and pairs him with an elite pick-and-roll initiator, you may find that Missi is one of the better options in that type of system.

23. Johnny Furphy - 6'8" 190lbs - Wing - Kansas - Previous Ranking: 22 (-1)

As we get closer and closer to the draft, I've begun to warm up to the idea of Johnny Furphy. For a while I put a ton of stock into his actual production, but there are a few factors that have led me to slightly change my tune. First, he was a freshman on a stacked Kansas team that had to actively carve a role out for him. There's a world where he barely plays this past season, so the fact that he did get run is a positive. Second, everything he has done points towards him being a very good player on increased usage and volume. Furphy is a three-point specialist wing who I think everyone agrees will be able to knock down the outside shot at the next level. He's also an impressive athlete who isn't too shabby finishing around the rim. I'm not sure what I think about his defense at the moment, but his size, length, and athleticism suggest he should be a decent defender down the road. He's definitely an upside guy, but that outside shot gives you just enough of a concrete basis to justify him being a first-round guy.

At the moment Furphy really only operates as an off-ball threat. He just didn't show many flashes of self-creation this past season. However, that ability isn't quite as important when you're a knock down three-point shooting wing. It's not like he's going to be running the offense, so his opportunities to create his own shot are going to come less than if he were a guard. I still would like to see him get better at this, but it doesn't damage his stock too much in my opinion. Secondly, as I said, I'm not sure about his defensive outlook. He has the physical traits to be solid on that end, but he didn't really impress me in real time. He's more athletic than he is quick or agile, so his lateral movement needs work. All in all, I think as far as freshman wings go, Furphy is a relatively safe bet to be a solid role player in the league.

24. Nikola Djurisic - 6'7" 210lbs - Wing - Mega Basket - Previous Ranking: Unranked

The first newcomer to this iteration of my big board, Serbian wing Nikola Djurisic has jumped from the second-round to the first after an incredibly hot stretch as of late. His flashes have always been intriguing, but his lack of consistency raised questions. Well lately he has been very consistent, and every time I watch him, I'm simply blown away. The only reason he isn't higher is because I am admittedly still weary regarding his past struggles. He's one of the better shot creating wings in this draft, using an elite handle and crafty moves to get to his spots. He's a super fluid player with mechanics that pass the eye test. When he gets hot, he's very difficult to stop, and in these situations he's able to knock down shots from every spot on the floor. He's also a solid playmaker who has seemingly mastered all the basic passes in pick-and-roll actions. Sometimes he'll get flashy on his passes and throw cross court looks, a common trait of European hoopers. He's an okay defender, with most of his value on that end coming from his upside as a player with good size and length.

While Djurisic definitely passes the eye test, you do still have to question if this stretch of solid play is the new normal or not. As I said, he simply hasn't been very good up until this point. Everyone knew that he was a fun player to watch, but his shot making and efficiency were seriously lacking. He can also get caught losing focus, especially on defense, which is never a good sign as far as motor and feel for the game are concerned. I think at this point on the board I'm fine with looking at serious upside guys like him, but don't get too carried away in thinking that he may be a lottery pick by the time draft day rolls around.

25. Ja'Kobe Walter - 6'4" 200lbs - Shooting Guard - Baylor - Previous Ranking: 20 (-5)

Ja'Kobe Walter is probably the player I'm the farthest from the consensus opinion on in a negative direction. He's a player who came into his freshman season as one of the more highly touted freshmen in college basketball. He had some impressive games at the beginning of the year that seemed to justify that hype. Since then, he has basically been a lock to go in the lottery. He's projected to be a knock down outside shooter whose athleticism allows him to penetrate defenses and finish around the rim. Defensively, he was projected to be a super strong perimeter defender whose length made for a nightmare in on-ball matchups. Then as a help defender his feel for the game and defensive IQ allow him to be a pest that throws off his opponent's gameplan. That all sounds great, so what's the issue?

Well, he really didn't do any of that this year. I will admit, his shooting mechanics look great, he just hasn't been able to make his shots. His physical attributes look great, he just hasn't been able to use them to be impactful on either side of the floor. In addition to not doing the things he was heralded for doing, he also isn't a good shot creator, ball handler, playmaker, or passer. He just had an incredibly underwhelming season, and if it weren't for his hype coming out of high school and his hot start to the year, I think the consensus would be closer to where I am on him. All of that said, I do still believe he has those traits somewhere in him, but he has a lot of work to do. He has a ton of value based on his upside, but as far as immediate production is concerned, I think he's a major risk.

26. Jaylon Tyson - 6'6" 220lbs - Guard/Wing - California - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Here's a guy who I think is built to be a solid role player at the next level. A wing who plays like a guard, Jaylon Tyson was incredibly impressive this past season at Cal. He played a ton of point guard this year, and when he has the ball, he's great at dictating pace, getting downhill, and setting up teammates. As an off-ball threat he can knock down the catch-and-shoot three or find his spot before putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim. He can play finesse or bully ball and likes to back down smaller guards when he matches up against them. He's a good rebounder for his position and always makes sure to box out and give a ton of effort. Defensively, he's nothing to write home about, but has shown he can guard multiple positions and hold his own. In the league he won't have nearly as much responsibility to create and will likely act as a wing. I believe this will strengthen his efficiency while he maintains the traits that make him the prospect that he is.

Tyson doesn't have a ton of weaknesses, but I don't think he has much upside either. He's a high floor guy, but I think it's a what you see is what you get situation with him. He's not the greatest shooter and can go on bad stretches. For the most part he's trustworthy from deep, but he's not going to light the net on fire. He has also had turnover issues, but I don't think this will be that big of a problem considering he will not be a point guard in the league. All in all, Tyson would be the perfect guy for a competitive team drafting late in the first-round.

27. Kevin McCullar - 6'5" 205lbs - Wing - Kansas - Previous Ranking: 26 (-1)

Kevin McCullar is another guy who has a ton to offer right out of the gate, but who doesn't have much room to grow. He had a pretty prolific collegiate career at Kansas, and over time he really developed into a legitimate NBA prospect. For his first few years he was viewed as an elite perimeter defender, and while those defensive skills remained with him, he actually turned into quite the offensive talent. He was one of the better players in the country on both ends this past season and may have led Kansas to a deep tournament run had he not gotten hurt to end the season. He proved he can be a three-level scorer this year, creating his own shots and making them at an efficient clip. He acted as a lead playmaker for Kansas, orchestrating a lot of their offense via his smart decision making and ability to control the pace. He won't be asked to do much playmaking at the next level, but he has shown he's capable of shouldering responsibility without turning it over. Finally, it is still his defense that I believe will translate the best. He's a lockdown point of attack defender with great length and athleticism. His defensive IQ is about as good as it gets coming out of college.

While he doesn't have a ton of glaring weaknesses, there are still some questions regarding McCullar. You still have to wonder if this year's offensive explosion was an outlier and if he'll be able to replicate it against NBA defenders. He also sat out the later portion of the year with injuries, so we don't know how healthy he'll be coming in. There are still some questions about his role at the next level and how it scales. He won't be asked to do shoulder the playmaking load he did in college and will likely slot in as a three-and-d wing. Can he handle this downgrade in responsibilities? We shall see. All in all, I do think he's a guy who can come in and impact winning basketball right away.

28. Zach Edey - 7'4" 300lbs - Center - Purdue - Previous Ranking: 29 (+1)

My opinions on Zach Edey have not changed one bit, but some board movement does see him getting a one spot jump here. Edey has been the most dominant player in college basketball the past two seasons, and one of the most dominant players in college basketball history. He's a massive guy who plays like a massive guy, and that size alone is where his value lies. He is far more skilled than your average 7'4" player, but you still don't see a super skilled player when you watch him. He has developed a decent touch on his hook and push shots and can obviously punish smaller defenders down low for dunks. He's also a foul drawing machine and has developed a strong free-throw shooting game. On defense he offers a frightening interior presence. He doesn't block a ton of shots, but that's mainly because he couldn't afford to pick up fouls in college. I think he'll be more willing to challenge attempts at the rim in the league. Obviously, he won't work in every system, but he can act as a matchup nightmare coming off the bench.

Look, guys his size just don't have the greatest track record. Either they get hurt or they're just really bad. Now, have most guys his size shown the level of dominance he's shown? No. That's why I still have him as a first-round player, but let's not act like that dominance is going to translate to the league. I do not trust his endurance, I do not trust his ability to mentally hang with tougher defenders, and I don't trust his health. I think he comes off the bench, plays limited minutes, and chips in a few blocks, points, and rebounds a night. His floor is his ceiling, you know what you're getting with Zach Edey.

29. Bobi Klintman - 6'9" 215lbs - Wing - Cairns - Previous Ranking: Unranked

There are few players in this class with the upside of Bobi Klintman; the reason I'm ranking him as low as I am is because I'm wearier of his upside than I am some of the guys above him. He has fantastic size and length that projects to help him reach the next level on both ends. As of right now his primary strength is his on-ball defense and switchability. I'm not too concerned with his defense translating, as he has all the tools to make an impact on that end of the floor. Offensively, he's fantastic in transition both as a ball handler and streaking down the floor. He has shown some shot creation flashes and has solid percentages from everywhere. He's a pretty good passer and secondary playmaker, but I don't think this is something that will be asked of him very often in the league. He'll likely act as an off-ball threat who's capable of cutting to the rim and stepping out to the three.

At the moment he is a little too thin and weak to guard NBA level competition. He needs to spend some serious time developing his frame if he wants to stay on the court. I'm also not sold on his shooting. He has been solid as of late, but he has never been heralded as a good shooter. He's also not a great athlete and lacks a quick first step and the ability to accelerate to the rim. He really relies on his physical tools, and he's going to have to develop his game to fit around those tools. He's definitely a project piece, but I think his upside is worth a team putting some resources into his development.

30. Riley Minix - 6'7" 230lbs - Wing - Morehead State - Previous Ranking: Unranked

I'm probably the only evaluator that has Riley Minix as a top-30 guy right now, but he has been moving up boards and for good reason. He's an incredibly versatile offensive piece who offers two-way value. He has found success at every level, and I think he will be a solid rotational piece in the league. He's a legitimate three-level scorer who can play off-ball and put the ball on the floor. He's a great shooter from beyond the arc but can also back down smaller opponents and use his deep bag of post moves to find offense in the interior. He's a solid athlete and crafty finisher who's able to play under and above the rim. He's a very good screener and rebounder for his position, adding to his overall value as a role player. Defensively, he's not super agile laterally but he can get off the floor to contest shots. Despite being a wing, I think he's a better defender inside than he is around the perimeter.

Despite being an older player, he isn't a super composed playmaker. He is capable of making good reads, but he does struggle with turnovers. He will hold the ball too long at times, but in the league, he will not shoulder the load that he did in college. He was the majority of his team's offense, and at the next level he will play a complimentary role. He's an older prospect, so I don't see him getting much better than he currently is. This could lead to questions about level of competition, but he did grill Illinois in the first-round of the tournament. I think he's a high floor guy without much of a ceiling who can offer rotational versatility. Definitely not a bad pickup late in the first or somewhere in the second.

31. Pacome Dadiet - 6'8" 210lbs - Wing - Ratiopharm - Previous Ranking: Unranked

One of the draft's fastest risers at the moment, Pacome Dadiet is one of the more intriguing upside bets in this draft. Last year I was super high on Bilal Coulibaly coming into the draft, and Dadiet kind of reminds me of a diet version of him with a better jumpshot. He's definitely better shooting in the mid-range than he is the three at the moment, but I think his range will extend over time. He's also solid on the drive, offering rim pressure by using a quick first step to blow by defenders. My favorite aspect of his game is his long-term defensive upside. Much like Coulibaly last year, he has a great wingspan and the defensive versatility to guard multiple positions. I think as he grows into his frame he could quickly turn into an elite on and off-ball defender with the ability to guard one through four.

He has the same red flags as any player who has a long way to go to reach their potential. He has a lot to learn in most aspects of the game. He does not have a good handle and always looks super uncomfortable with the ball. He's a bad playmaker and passer who regularly makes the wrong decision, causing him to have turnover issues. His feel for the game is not where it needs to be yet, as he gets lost himself and loses defenders around him. A lot of this is just going to come with experience, so as of right now all we can hope for is that he progresses over time. I'm always a fan of looking for value at this point in the draft and taking a guy with good upside who you're willing to develop.

32. Tyler Kolek - 6'1" 195lbs - Point Guard - Previous Ranking: 27 (-5)

Tyler Kolek is an interesting case, because while I do believe he can play right away, I'm not positive how much of an impact he will make. He is a fantastic lead guard and floor general who can dictate pace, find teammates for good looks, and find his own shots. He was the best pure point guard in college basketball this past year, and I do think some of those traits will carry over to a backup point guard role. I think he will continue to be a solid outside shooter, as his production from deep has spanned multiple seasons and he has solid mechanics. He did show that he's a crafty finisher inside, but I'm not as confident in this skill simply because he'll be facing stronger defenses. Obviously, his biggest strength is his ability to set up teammates. If he can come in with a second unit and act as the offensive hub that we're used to seeing him be, he will add value to a bench unit.

I'm never going to be the biggest fan of a small point guard who doesn't have a ton of offensive firepower. He's going to have to be a truly elite creator to separate himself as a difference maker on the court. If he gets to the league and struggles with the physicality or elite athleticism of defenders he's going to fall behind quickly. I'm also not sold on his ability to defend at an NBA level. He was a pesky defender in college, but he was never a lockdown guy. I think he'll get targeted pretty often on that end of the floor, and I just don't know if he'll be able to generate as much offense as he gives up to the other team. His playmaking acumen and shooting do make him an interesting prospect, but he has a long way to go to prove himself as an NBA player.

33. Dillon Jones - Forward - 6'5" 235lbs - Weber State - Previous Ranking: 28 (-5)

Dillon Jones is one of my favorite mid-major prospects, as he was one of the best mid-major producers in the nation this past year. He was one of the best bully ball forwards in the country, but still has a serious finesse game. He can back down smaller players or he can utilize his tight handle to get to his spots in the mid-range and paint. He has a great touch on floaters and around the rim and is just super effective scoring inside the arc. He's not a consistent outside shooter, but he can get hot every now and then from deep. He's a very good playmaker and got a ton of chances to prove it because he was regularly doubled in college. He's a smart decision maker who will punish a double team and always seems to make the right read. His sturdy frame goes a long way on defense, as he really can't get pushed around. That strength and sturdy frame also helps him to be a very good rebounder as a shorter forward.

Jones isn't a very athletic or agile guy. He manages to accelerate on offense, but really struggles to replicate this quick first step on defense. He has a hard time moving laterally trying to defend quicker matchups. I also have some questions about his outside shot and his ability to consistently knock down these looks. At his size he's going to have to find consistency in this department if he wants to succeed at the next level. He's a super unique prospect, but a guy of his age still having some real glaring weaknesses is definitely an issue. I like his ceiling more than other older players, but he definitely doesn't have the same floor as some of those NBA ready prospects.

34. Ulrich Chomche - 6'10" 230lbs - Forward - NBA Academy - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Ulrich Chomche is about as raw as a prospect can get, but he offers way too much upside to not intrigue scouts and evaluators. He's an uber-athletic big man with a 7'4" wingspan who projects to be an excellent rim protector. He still has a young frame that he needs to work on, but he's not weak by any means. If an opponent tries to overpower him instead of challenging his leaping ability, he can hold his own. His athleticism allows him to defend the perimeter as well, and this is why I believe he's more of a forward than a center. That said, his size and physical tools point to him being very versatile positionally. He has a long way to go offensively, but he has shown some promising flashes. He's still trying to find his way on the offensive end, but he's always trying new things to see what works and what doesn't. He does all of the little things, and you can really tell he's trying to get better. He sets hard screens, he always boxes out on both ends, and he makes quick decisions as a connective passer to keep the offense moving.

Obviously, the majority of his upside at the moment is on the defensive end. However, he still has a long way to go on that end too. At the moment he relies heavily on his physical tools to carry his defensive game. He needs to develop his instincts and defensive feel while he works on strengthening his frame. If he can combine elite timing with elite athleticism and length, you'll see a guy who is a serious force defending the rim. Offensively, he has an even longer way to go. At the moment he's working on a jumper, but for the time being he doesn't have much going on at that end. Again, this is a pure upside bet on a guy who is not ready to play NBA basketball yet. That said, I'm fairly hopeful that his long-term projection could come to fruition, and if that happens, he could become a very good player.

35. P.J. Hall - 6'8" 240lbs - Center/Forward - Clemson - Previous Ranking: 30 (-5)

P.J. Hall was one of my favorite upperclassmen in college basketball this year, and is the main reason why I picked Clemson to make the Final Four as a six seed. They made it all the way to the Elite-8, and Hall was a big reason why. He simply plays a wining brand of basketball. He's a big that can both space the floor and impose his will inside. He has the fluidity of a wing who can blow past defenders and finish inside. He's one of the better passing big men in this draft and can act as an offensive hub at the top of the perimeter. He's a good decision maker who puts his teammates in positions to succeed, and every now and then he'll break out a flashy pass to prove he passes the eye test. He's an average defender who makes up for his lack of lateral agility with high-end IQ and feel for the game. He always helps at the right time and is strong enough to not get bullied down low by bigger opponents.

Although he is a capable defender, that is still definitely the weaker part of his game. He's not quick enough to guard the perimeter and at times he's too small to defend the paint. He's not a rim protector and instead tries to body up against opponents to keep them from getting too close to the hoop. The other question about Hall is where he stands positionally. I think he matches up best against fours but is more used to playing the five. Some could argue this strengthens his positional versatility, but I'm worried that he wouldn't be comfortable at either spot. Hall's appeal is that he can immediately slot in as a backup big who can not only get his own points but also set up offense for others.

36. Hunter Sallis - 6'4" 180lbs - Guard/Wing - Wake Forest - Previous Ranking: Unranked

There were very few players in college basketball last season that were better offensive producers than Wake Forest's Hunter Sallis. After two seasons at Gonzaga with limited success, he exploded during his junior year at Wake. His ability to remain efficient on his level of usage was incredibly impressive, and he really developed his game over the course of the season. He became a legitimate three-level scorer after struggling to shoot the deep ball in his first two seasons. He has a tight handle and quick first step that allow him to penetrate into the paint and uses his finishing talents to get buckets inside. He can pull up from literally anywhere on the court. He can shoot the three via off-ball looks or on self-created opportunities. He's not an elite playmaker, but he's a smart decision maker who's able to hit teammates when defenses put too much pressure on him. On the other end, he's a very good perimeter defender. His offensive agility translates to the defensive end, and he uses it to stick with even the shiftiest of guards.

The questions surrounding Sallis concern how real his offensive explosion was this year and how he will be used in the league. As I mentioned, he wasn't a good scorer at Gonzaga and he definitely wasn't an efficient one. How much of that offensive output was an outlier and how much of it depended on Wake Forest's system? He's also probably not a primary ball handler at the next level, so he will have to get used to playing more off-ball in either a two-guard or wing role. He probably needs to put on muscle too if he wants to hang with NBA level competition. At the moment he's a pretty slight guy standing at only 6'4"; if he could bulk up that would go a long way for his ability to play on day one. All that said, it's hard to argue with his pure offensive output and defensive upside. I think there's a very good chance that Sallis becomes a high-end role player.

37. Kyshawn George - 6'7" 210lbs - Wing - Miami - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Kyshawn George is like a diet version of Johnny Furphy, a guy who has a ton of intriguing traits but who didn't have a ton of production in their freshman season. The two things that I really do like about George's game are his size and his shooting acumen. He's a good outside shooter both as an off-ball mover and on pull-up looks. I do wish we could've seen him get these shots off at a higher volume, but based on what we've seen I feel like I can trust his outside shot. He's a solid playmaker for a wing, nothing to write home about but it's definitely noticeable. Defensively, his height and length are super helpful in making him a capable defender. He can guard multiple positions, but he's definitely more comfortable around the perimeter than inside of it.

George has a long way to go in every other aspect of the game. Offensively, I really only trust him to score from beyond the arc. He's not athletic, so his interior scoring isn't great. I didn't see enough attempts from the mid-range to feel comfortable projecting him to be a good mid-range scorer either. He's an okay shot creator from deep, but it's nothing special. Defensively, he needs to get a lot stronger if he wants to hang with NBA level competition. If he gets caught in the paint he's going to get bullied. His lack of athleticism also hurts him on this end. A team looking to draft George is looking at a guy with good size and a good foundation and hoping that they can mold him into the player they need him to be.

38. KJ Simpson - 6'0" 189lbs - Combo Guard - Colorado - Previous Ranking: Unranked

When it comes to pure offensive output there aren't too many players better than KJ Simpson. He's a smooth operator with a knack for putting the ball in the hoop, and sometimes it really is that simple when you watch a prospect. He's able to knock down the outside shot in just about every way possible. He's a crafty finisher inside who uses his smooth handling to work his way through defenses. He can be utilized both as an off-ball mover and ball handler because he's so effective at finding offense in both situations. Due to his size, he's not incredibly versatile positionally, but his skillset will give teams at least a little flexibility with how he's used. He also plays bigger than he is on defense and in the rebounding department. He's a super feisty defender who clearly has good defensive feel. He's able to defend well on and off-ball, which goes a long way considering most guys his size can only defend similar sized guards.

Despite what I just said about his defense, that is still probably his biggest weakness from a prospect perspective. No matter how hard he tries or how well he sees the floor he's still going to struggle on that end due to his size. Opposing offenses will target him, and we've seen guys with similar archetypes get played off the floor because of their defensive struggles. You also have to question if his shooting this season was an outlier. He has good mechanics and is super fluid, but he was a bad outside shooter in his first two seasons. Overall, Simpson is a hooper's hooper who I believe can get buckets at any level. If he can find a way to make up for his natural weaknesses he could go a long way.

39. Ajay Mitchell - 6'3" 200lbs - Combo Guard - UCSB - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Similar to Simpson, Ajay Mitchell is a guy who knows how to put the ball in the basket. He flew under the radar this year at UC Santa Barbara, but he managed to play his way into draft conversation. He's a crafty shot creator who can generate offense from all three levels. His work in the mid-range is truly unique, and he supplements that offense by scoring around the rim and from beyond the arc. For not being a true point guard, he's a fantastic passer and playmaker. His feel for the game on offense allows him to perfectly set up teammates for easy looks. He has solid positional size as a 6'5" guard with shoes, which makes up for his lack of athleticism on the defensive end. In addition to that size, his awareness on the offensive end extends to the defensive end, where he always seems to be in the right spot and never takes breaks.

As I mentioned, Mitchell isn't a fantastic athlete. This limits his interior finishing to under the rim attempts. It also means he doesn't have great elevation on mid-range or outside shots. This lack of elite athleticism does limit his ceiling on both ends. He's also another guy who hasn't been a consistent three-point shooter throughout his career. He was great from deep this season, but there's always a chance that that shooting could regress once he matches up against NBA defenders. I see Mitchell as a role player who can create his own shot and playmake for others if asked to do so, acting as a jack-of-all-trades on the court.

40. Carlton Carrington - 6'4" 195lbs - Guard - Pittsburgh - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Carlton Carrington is a super intriguing young offensive prospect who makes his money in the mid-range. He has shown flashes of being an elite shot maker from primarily the mid-range, but also from deep. When he's hot he's able to hit shots that not even the best offensive talents in the NBA make on a regular basis. If he can start hitting these shots on a more efficient clip, you're looking at the cream of the crop as far as tough shot making is concerned. He's also a solid playmaker who is able to stay composed on double teams and hit teammates for good looks. For being a freshman, he has a good feel for the offensive game and where his teammates are at all times. At the moment he's more of an upside bet than anything but seeing that he will likely be a second-round guy I think he offers quite a bit of value to a team looking to develop a player.

The main issue with Carrington is that he definitely has more negatives than positives at the moment. He has a very limited scoring game around the rim. He's a solid athlete, but he's not a very good finisher and he has a hard time penetrating defenses and getting into the paint at all. His outside shot still has a long way to go. Sometimes he looks great from deep, but for the most part he's inefficient and at times can be a shot chucker. He has a lot of work to do physically, as while he does have solid positional size, he's rather weak and regularly gets pushed around on both ends. He won't be able to play right away simply because he won't be able to physically hang with NBA-level competition. Again, there's a lot to like about what Carrington projects to be, but as of right now he's not an NBA-level player in my opinion.

41. Alex Karaban - 6'7" 220lbs - Wing - Connecticut - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Alex Karaban was the resident sharpshooter for the national championship winning UConn Huskies this season. He was a knockdown shooter from deep, but he does more than just shoot the outside shot. He's capable of putting the ball on the floor to attack closeouts and is a solid finisher under the rim. He does the little things well such as setting screens, cutting, connective passing, and rebounding. At points he looked like a really good off-ball defender. He isn't much of an athlete but makes up for that on both ends with a high basketball IQ and good feel for the game. He has good size for a wing, and has the weight and strength that allow him to not get pushed around on either end and compete for rebounds.

Karaban isn't a shot creator, only a shot maker. This isn't the biggest deal, but it's important to note that he's not going to be a volume off-the-dribble shooter from deep. His lack of athleticism does limit his ceiling on both ends, but I think his three-ball translating will set his floor relatively high. You know what you're getting with Karaban, and usually guys of his archetype have a decent amount of value in the league.

42. Payton Sandfort - 6'6" 210lbs - Wing - Iowa - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Sandfort has a very similar outlook as Alex Karaban, but because I haven't seen him win at a high level and prefer Karaban's size and frame, I gave Karaban the edge. That said, Sandfort was a fantastic college player and one of the best outside shooters in the country. He's an elite off-ball shooter, and a pretty consistent on-ball self-creator from deep as well. He's solid shooting in movement and doesn't change his mechanics when he's being tightly contested. He's a mature and composed ball handling wing who's capable of hitting teammates if extra help comes. He's not going to blow you away with his playmaking, but he's a sneaky good passer and I think this should translate to the next level.

I think Sandfort is a better shot creator than someone like Karaban, but he's really only dangerous from beyond the arc. He doesn't apply rim pressure or operate in the mid-range. He's a one trick pony on offense, and while that trick should be good enough for him to carve out a role, he doesn't have much of a ceiling. Defensively, he's not strong, athletic, or agile enough for me to be confident in him on that end. He's a solid rebounder for a wing but that's about it when it comes to the defensive end. I do think he tries, but I don't think it will matter. All of that said, Sandfort will be able to make his threes at the next level, and that's really what matters.

43. Izan Almansa - 6'9" 220lbs - Forward - G-League Ignite - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Izan Almansa is one of the more intriguing second-round talents in this draft, because I do believe he has the upside to be one of the better players out of this class long-term. He has one of the prettier offensive games of any of the big men in this draft. He's a great creator in the mid-range who uses an array of moves to find his own offense. He's a great roller and crafty finisher who's able to punish defenses who allow him to get moving with pace. His most intriguing trait is his ability to operate as an offensive hub and playmake for others. Almansa is a great passer who can feel out a defense and handle different coverages. He can play the small ball center, drag opposing bigs out to the perimeter, and control the offense while clearing out shot blockers in the paint. He's a fantastic rebounder on both ends of the court who clearly has a great feel for how the ball will bounce off of the rim. While he isn't a stopper on defense, he always gives a ton of effort on that end and is definitely not a negative defensively.

The big question right now for Almansa is how his three-point shot will develop. He's capable of making the outside shot, but he's far from consistent. He's also not a good free-throw shooter, which strengthens the case that he may never develop a three. As I mentioned, while Almansa is a high energy defender, he is a bit awkward on that end. He's a bit too small and weak to hang with centers and big forwards, and he's a bit too stiff to stick with quick players around the perimeter. I think he has a ton of long-term value, but Almansa still has a long way to go before he'll be able to stay on the floor as a regular in a rotation.

44. Baylor Scheierman - 6'7" 205lbs - Guard/Wing - Creighton - Previous Ranking: Unranked

One of the most exciting players to watch in all of college basketball over the past few seasons, Baylor Scheierman is truly gifted offensively. He has been one of the best shooters from deep in the nation over the past couple of seasons, and he can hit these shots in a multitude of ways. In addition to his outside shooting acumen, he's decent from both the mid-range and interior. He's solid as both the roller and ball handler in pick-and rolls. He's not an elite playmaker, but he tends to make the right read as a connective passer. He's not a great defender, but he's been playing long enough that his defensive feel makes up for a lack of athleticism and agility. I think he will likely be an average to slightly below average defender at the next level.

Scheierman is pushing his 24th birthday and will be 24 by the time the season starts. I don't think he's going to get much better than he already is. While he does have skills apart from three-point shooting, I doubt they will be greatly utilized in the league. I see him as a three-point specialist in the league, and while there isn't anything wrong with that, I can't attach too much value to him. I think he will be a fine offensive role player coming off the bench in the league, but I think most of his value comes from being a great deep threat in a time when that's incredibly valued.

45. Melvin Ajinca - 6'7" 200lbs - Guard/Wing - Saint-Quentin - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Here is one of the more intriguing second-round international prospects, and one that I still need to watch more film of to get a better feel for his projection. For the time being I'm comfortable with him as a mid-second-round player but could definitely see him moving up. Ajinca is a serious on-ball threat who can score from all three levels. He's a great three-point shooter who can find his offense from deep in a multitude of ways. He likes to score in isolation, which is how he generates the majority of his non-three-point attempts. He's a solid finisher around the rim who has shown the ability to finish with both hands consistently. He's not a fantastic playmaker, but he's willing to get teammates involved. He offers a ton of value on the defensive end as a big shooting guard who plays with a ton of energy. Making an impact in both on and off-ball defense, Ajinca shows high-end defensive feel.

He's not good enough off-ball on the offensive end for me to trust in him as a difference maker on that side of the floor. Why? Because he's not nearly good enough as a ball handler or playmaker to have a high usage rate. If he wants to stay on the floor at the next level he's going to have to learn how to play without the ball in his hands. He will be most valuable playing the two due to his fantastic positional size, but a lot of times he's more interested in playing like a point guard who isn't great at dribbling or passing. If he's going to survive in the league he's going to have to adapt and mold his game around his teammates.

46. Nique Clifford - 6'5" 200lbs - Guard/Wing - Colorado State - Previous Ranking: Unranked

One of the true Swiss army knives in this draft, Nique Clifford projects to do just about everything on a basketball court. He's a great athlete with explosive vertical pop and impressive speed and strength. He uses these physical tools to put a ton of pressure on the rim as an under and above the rim finisher. He's able to throw down emphatic dunks in traffic and finish over bigger defenders with relative ease. This season at Colorado State he was able to further develop an outside jumper that wasn't a strong suit in his first three seasons at Colorado. He was a fantastic catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the arc this season, which really helped turn him into a legitimate draft prospect. On the defensive end I love his upside as a lockdown defensive guard. He uses those physical attributes that we talked about to make a major impact on this side of the floor. He's agile and athletic enough to lockdown smaller guards around the perimeter, and he's strong and athletic enough to hold his own inside. He picks up a ton of blocks for a guard, which is not something you see very often.

While Clifford is good at everything, I'm not sure I would consider him great at anything. I'd say the closest thing he does at a great level is rebounding for a guard. Other than that, he's a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. There is room for guys like this in the league, but the ceiling is not incredibly high. The only way I could see Clifford surpassing expectations is if he uses his athleticism to develop into a high-end downhill threat. I just don't know if he's at that level athletically where it makes up for the lack of a truly elite skill. He will be an off-ball shooter and cutter who's expected to make his mark on the defensive end, which is an archetype that does survive in the league.

47. Jamal Shead - 6'0" 200lbs - Point Guard - Houston - Previous Ranking: Unranked

This is a tough one, because I really do like what Jamal Shead projects to be in the league. In fact, I had him going in the first-round in my most recent mock draft. Why? Because his value to a contending team is probably greater than most of the guys above him. This past season in his final year at Houston, Shead was the best defensive guard in the nation. I'll add to that, I think he was the second-best defensive player in the nation after Ryan Dunn. As a small point guard, he was able to completely change opponent's gameplans because their guards simply couldn't score against him. If he hadn't have gotten hurt in the tournament, I think there's a very real chance that Houston matches up against UConn in the national championship game. He was just a gamebreaker on that end of the floor. Offensively, he offers consistency. He knows what he's capable of and doesn't try to do too much. He's a solid scorer around the rim, on floaters, and will knock down the occasional three. His true value on this end is his playmaking. He's a super smart and composed passer who sets up his teammates to succeed. He averaged 6.3 assists to only 2 turnovers this past season, and this playmaking acumen allowed him to be a true two-way threat.

What's so tough is that I would love to have Shead much higher on my board, but there are a few glaring issues. He's a small guard, and I worry that this lack of size will hamper his defensive abilities at the next level. If he isn't the game changer defensively that he was in college I'm not sure how long he'll be able to stick around in the league. His playmaking and composure as a ball handler will offer some much-needed offensive value, but whoever takes him will be drafting for his defensive impact. I think his best role in the league will be coming off the bench as a backup point guard who can immediately impact both ends. He'd be perfect for a contending team who lacks guard depth. Don't be surprised if he goes at the end of the first-round to a team that fits those criteria.

48. Adem Bona - 6'8" 243lbs - Center - UCLA - Previous Ranking: Unranked

There aren't a ton of quality rotation bigs in the second-round, so I could see UCLA's Adem Bona going pretty high in the second. He does all the things you'd expect from a traditional center, and I think there's a place for him in the league. He sets hard screens and is a great roller. He has solid hands and finishes with emphatic dunks. He's a big-time lob threat because of his impressive vertical pop. He's not totally void of skill, as he has shown flashes of driving from the perimeter. If he could ever develop a jumpshot from anywhere on the floor he would immediately become incredibly valuable. Defensively, Bona is a legitimate interior presence and fantastic shot blocker in help. He's not a great perimeter defender, but he's not lost when he's dragged that far out. He's a good rebounder on both ends, as he always crashes the glass and boxes out opponents.

The first thing that stands out to me when evaluating Bona is that he's an undersized center. We've seen guys like this thrive at the college level and then struggle in the league when they match up against bigger and better defenders. His athleticism makes up for some of this lack of size, but I do think it will always be something he has to fight to overcome. I mentioned that adding a jumpshot is incredibly important for Bona, but I'm not sure that's in the cards. He's an awful free-throw shooter, which usually means a player won't ever develop a consistent jumper. He doesn't offer much outside of traditional center traits, so I'm not the biggest fan of his upside. That said, there is always room in the league for traditional bigs who do their job.

49. Pelle Larsson - 6'5" 210lbs - Wing - Arizona - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Arizona's Pelle Larsson is another player who does just about everything on the basketball court. His primary strength is his outside shot, as he was a 43% shooter from deep on volume this past season. That said, he's also a capable creator who can attack closeouts and pressure the rim. He's a solid athlete with a great motor who is constantly working off-ball to find his spots. He offers a ton of value as an experienced offensive player who makes the right decision more often than not. His style of play improves the flow of an offense, and I think that could be very valuable for a lot of teams in the league. He's also a solid defender who uses that athleticism and motor to make an impact. When defending guards he has good positional size, making him a legitimate threat defending the perimeter.

Larsson projects to be a glue guy and not much more at the next level. If any of the traits that made him an impactful college player falter, then he won't be able to survive in the league. He offers a ton of secondary skills but offers very little as a primary threat. While he is a good defender, I think improvements on this end would go a long way. I trust him to knock his threes down at the next level, but I'm not sure how positive I am that he can defend NBA-level talent. If he proves that he can be a true three-and-d guy, then he will stick around in the league.

50. Mark Sears - 5'10" 190lbs - Point Guard - Alabama - Previous Ranking: Unranked

When it comes to pure offensive output there were few players that could compare to Mark Sears this past season at Alabama. He's a next level shot creator and elite shot maker who puts the ball in the hoop about as well as anyone in this draft class. I'm not going to break down every single way that Sears can score because we'd be here all day, but just know that he's capable of doing just about everything except finishing above the rim. He's also a very good passer and playmaker who I think will actually get better in this department when he's surrounded with NBA-level talent. It wouldn't surprise me if his most valuable long-term trait is his ability to run an offense and set up teammates. He has a clutch gene that simply passes the eye-test, and while you can't put a ton of value into stuff like this, it's important to note. Defensively, he really does try. In college he was able to hold his own and be a pest, picking up almost two steals per game.

Now, why would a guy as dominant as Mark Sears be this low on my big board? Because much like Jamal Shead, if he isn't the gamechanger that he was in college, I fear he has a ton of adversity he'll have to overcome. Guys with his size have a very hard time sticking in the league. No matter how hard he works on the defensive end, he's going to be targeted every single time down the floor. I hope he proves me wrong, but I think Sears is going to have to be on another level offensively to survive in the league.

51. Trey Alexander - 6'4" 185lbs - Combo Guard - Creighton - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Trey Alexander has been one of the most electric players in all of college basketball for multiple seasons now. In my opinion, he always felt a little out of place at Creighton where he could disappear in a stacked offense at times. That said, he was their best player in a lot of games, and I think if he were on his own team he'd be one of the best players in the country. He's a mid-range specialist who supplements this with solid finishing at the rim and capable three-point shooting. He's not an elite ball handler or playmaker, but he's capable of doing both at a secondary level. He's a well-rounded offensive threat who I think will be able to offer some level of value on that end at the next level. He's also a capable defender with good enough size and strength to defend the perimeter well. He's also a good rebounder for his size. I think he has a good amount of upside considering that he's a young junior. Most 20-year-olds do not have three years of high-level college experience under their belt.

I do think Alexander is lacking a truly elite trait. He's solid at just about everything, and I am a fan of his offensive upside, but I'm not sure what he does at a high-end level. I'd say that the closest thing he has to that is his mid-range game, which is the least valuable form of shot creation. I also don't think he's good enough on defense or shooting the three to be a true three-and-d player. For these reasons I have a hard time picturing what his role will be at the next level. I do think he's too talented to not get drafted, but I'm concerned with his ability to play immediately and not too hopeful for his long-term outlook.

52. Trentyn Flowers - 6'7" 200lbs - Forward - Adelaide - Previous Ranking: Unranked

If a team is looking for an upside bet in the second-round, I could see Trentyn Flowers being one of the more intriguing options. He's a young player who didn't have the biggest role in Adelaide this year, but who showed a ton of flashes. He's a hyper-athletic forward with great size and length who can get it done on both ends. Offensively, he's an off-ball threat who can attack the rim with force or step out to knock down the three. He's a great cutter and lob threat who can finish over rim protectors. He can also finish under the rim, but he's not overly crafty or smooth in this department. I'm a fan of his shooting mechanics and his ability to replicate his shot. He didn't shoot the three at the greatest clip this year, but he has upside as a consistent deep threat. He's not an elite playmaker and has a questionable handle, but he's figured out how to make an impact as an on-ball player. He hits big men inside and is able to kick it out to teammates when he collapses the defense with his rim pressure. Defensively, he uses his physical traits to make an impact both on the perimeter and the interior. His ability to step outside makes him an incredibly intriguing defender long-term.

He hasn't shown much as a shot creator from anywhere other than above the rim. He's solely a catch-and-shoot threat as of right now from three, and while that's fine, it does limit his ceiling. He's still super awkward with the ball in his hands, and while that was able to slide in the NBL it won't be applicable in the NBA. He has a long way to go before he'll be anything other than a cutter and decent three-point shooter. His defense is probably his best immediate trait, and even that is still very raw. Flowers may be the rawest prospect in this draft, but I still think he has a ton of upside. I could see him making an impact in the league at some point down the road.

53. Jalen Bridges - 6'7" 215lbs - Wing - Baylor - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Bridges is just another guy who fits the mold of a three-and-d wing at the next level. He's a solid off-ball operator who gets to his spots around the perimeter and knocks down his outside looks at an efficient clip. He will also generate some offense near the rim off of cuts. He has some self-creation ability around the perimeter, but for the most part he's a roamer who maintains the flow of an offense. He has great feel for the game, which allows him to be a solid connective piece and secondary playmaker. He's not going to wow you with his passing acumen, but he tends to make the right read. Defensively, he has good size and length which allow him to disrupt opponents both on the perimeter and inside. Again, his feel for the game allows him to be in the right place at the right time more often than not. He's positionally versatile and switchable and will be a solid glue guy at the next level.

Apart from a few flashes of self-creation from three, Bridges hasn't shown much as an on-ball threat. He's a super low usage guy, which has its positives and negatives. He's not going to have a high ceiling with this playstyle, and if either his shooting or defense falter at the next level he won't be able to make it. Also, we really only have one year of him being an elite outside shooter. If this shooting season was an outlier, then I fear Bridges' value will decrease dramatically. That said, I am comfortable with his ability to slot into a rotation and offer valuable minutes off of the bench.

54. Jonathan Mogbo - 6'6" 220lbs - Forward - San Francisco - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Jonathan Mogbo was a difference maker at San Francisco this past season and has jumped up draft boards as an intriguing frontcourt prospect. He played the traditional five in college, but I prefer him at the four or as a small-ball center. He's a super fluid and athletic presence who impacts the game on both ends. Offensively, his game is restricted to the paint where he likes to post-up defenders and use crafty post moves to work his way inside. He's also a big-time lob threat and active cutter who is always looking to throw down dunks. He has a decent face up game that allows him to beat bigger defenders. He's a really good playmaker for a big man, as he has good vision and makes the right read when looking to set up teammates. On defense, Mogbo offers a ton of rim protection as he has serious vertical pop. He's also agile and light enough to cover the perimeter better than most big men. Finally, he's a very good rebounder on both ends.

The issue with Mogbo is the issue for any frontcourt player who lacks the size to play the five and the skillset to play the four, they just have a low ceiling. He has no jumpshot, and seeing that he's an awful free-throw shooter I highly doubt he develops one. His most important trait may be his ability to playmake as a big man, but he won't be able to drag his defender outside to do so if his three-point shot isn't respected. I think Mogbo has a lot of work to do before he is a truly impactful player at the NBA level.

55. Jamir Watkins - 6'5" 210lbs - Forward - Florida State - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Jamir Watkins combines experience with upside, as while he is an experienced college contributor, I still think he has room to grow. Watkins is high IQ forward who flows within the offense, as he's a solid secondary playmaker and connective piece. He's able to attack the rim off the dribble where he finishes at an efficient clip. He's a super versatile defender who can guard multiple positions and switch with ease. He has the length and size necessary to defend both the perimeter and interior and has a great feel for the defensive end. He always seems to make the right play on both ends of the court and seems like a teammate you would love to share the court with.

The biggest question about Watkins game is if he will ever develop a consistent outside shot. He wasn't a bad shooter in college, but I'd say he was below average on average volume. He's an okay free-throw shooter, so that doesn't give us any real indication whether he'll be a good or average deep threat in the league. Since he's an off-ball player, the development of a solid three-ball will go a long way for his survival in the league. He's going to be a solid glue guy, but he needs to start knocking down the three at an efficient clip if he wants to stay on the floor.

56. Harrison Ingram - 6'5" 230lbs - Forward - North Carolina - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Harrison Ingram is a guy who doesn't jump off the TV at you when you watch him play but who makes a major impact on the game. He does all the little things, and I think he will work hard to carve out a role in the league. He's an elite playmaking forward who can run the halfcourt offense on occasion to throw a different look at defenses. He can operate as the screener or ball handler in the pick and roll and make things happen. This season he shot over 40% from deep, but I'm not sure if that's going to stick. If that shooting is a real thing, then I think Ingram could make a major impact as a glue guy. He's a great rebounder for being a small forward, as he's super strong and has a high motor when crashing the boards. I think he can make an impact on the defensive end, as he's capable of defending the perimeter and interior. He's also an elite charge taker who's willing to do what it takes to help his team win.

Ingram can seriously struggle as a scorer at times, especially when it comes to creating easy shots from the mid-range and around the rim. He's just not a great self-creator and doesn't have a great feel for when a contest is too much for him to handle. I'm also not sold on his outside shot, as he never shot this well in previous seasons and he's a bad free-throw shooter. He's a bit undersized for a forward, so he has to make up for it with grit and a high motor, but how far can this carry him? He's the type of guy that will either make an impact for years to come or never see the floor, we shall see where he lands on that spectrum.

57. Oso Ighodaro - 6'10" 220lbs - Forward - Marquette - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Oso Ighodaro was the second-best player on one of the best teams in the nation this season at Marquette. He has a super unique skillset for a big man, as he was a premier playmaker in college this past season. His vision as a big is pretty impressive, as he's able to throw flashy passes on a dime without committing many turnovers. He's the type of big that can run the halfcourt offense and throw a different look at opposing defenses. He's a solid scorer inside using a soft touch on hook and push shots. He's also a good roller who can either finish at the rim or kick it out to shooters. Defensively, he's a super switchable big who can play inside and out. He's not much of a rim protector but playing him alongside one could offer a team a ton of defensive versatility. He's an aggressive rebounder who fights for boards (doesn't always grab them) and immediately pushes the ball in transition.

Ighodaro played a ton of center in college, but I think he's better suited to play the four. He can play the five in small-ball lineups, but for the most part I would play him alongside a bigger rim protector. His scoring game is incredibly limited, and he's lacking any sort of a jumpshot. He's a bad free-throw shooter, which means that despite his soft touch around the rim I doubt he will ever develop a soft touch from outside. His lack of an outside shot greatly limits his effectiveness as playmaker, and for that reason I can't have him too high on my board.

58. Justin Edwards - 6'6" 210lbs - Wing - Kentucky - Previous Ranking: Unranked

Coming out of high school as arguably the top player in his class, many expected Edwards to burst onto the scene at Kentucky. He did just the opposite and was a complete and utter disappointment all season long. If he hadn't been so highly touted out of high school, I highly doubt he would be in this year's draft class. That said, he is a part of this class, and there is still some upside there when you consider him as a prospect. He's an off-ball threat and a smooth operator in the mid-range and from three. He wasn't great from either of these regions in college, but I was a fan of his mechanics and fluidity. He acted as a decent connective passer and never looked like he was unhappy with not being the primary focus of his offense. He's a solid rebounder for a wing who will crash the offensive glass. I think he has a higher motor on defense than he does offense, which is why I see him having a bigger impact on that end out of the gate.

The big things that were lacking from Edwards' game this season was athleticism and an offensive motor. The dude looked incredibly sluggish and lackadaisical, and just couldn't get off the floor with defenders. He almost looked out of shape. I fear he has little to no dog in him, which I usually think is dumb to use in evaluations, but I think it applies here. He's not a great scorer, playmaker, or creator and I don't think he has the work ethic to change that. He's also an older freshman, so the upside isn't as strong as it may seem.

59. Tristen Newton - 6'3" 190lbs - Guard - Connecticut - Previous Ranking: Unranked

While Tristen Newton hasn't been the biggest UConn name in draft circles, he was the team's best player for the majority of the season. He was a contributor on last year's national championship team, and this season he was the team leader. I'd say his best trait is his crafty at the rim finishing, and he supplements that with decent shooting from everywhere else. He's not a great shooter from deep, but he's a capable one. He's a composed ball handler who can control the pace of play and set his team up for highly efficient possessions. He has a great motor on both sides of the court, allowing him to be a very good rebounding guard. He plays tough perimeter defense, making him seem bigger than he is.

It's difficult to pinpoint what separates Newton from the guys I don't have on this list. It may just be because he won at such a high level in college. That said, something about him gives me hope that he'll be in the league for a while. I'd say his biggest strength is his playmaking, and yet I don't feel like he's an elite playmaker. His shooting has to come a long way for him to be an impactful long-distance threat. Still, I think Newton will likely go on to be a backup point guard for a lot of teams and have a decent career in the league.

60. Cam Christie - 6'5" 190lbs - Shooting Guard - Minnesota - Previous Ranking: Unranked

One of the best shooting prospects in this draft, Christie wowed from beyond the arc in his freshman season at Minnesota. He's capable of knocking down the outside shot on movement, off-ball, off-the-dribble, on catch-and-shoot looks and more. I feel confident that that shooting acumen will translate to the league. He's a decent connective passer who protected the ball well for a freshman. He's also not a bad ball handler despite not being asked to do much of the ball handling duties for Minnesota. Defensively, he has good size and length and has shown hustle on this end. I wouldn't call him a lockdown defensive player, but he has the build of someone who could be.

Christie still has to work on filling out his game. He's not a great scorer from anywhere besides the three, and he doesn't offer too much additive value doing other things on the offensive end. He is still a very young player, but a team is going to have to put some work into developing his game if they want him to be anything more than a three-point specialist. I am a fan of his defensive upside as a long guard, but that side probably needs some work as well. Overall, I think Christie is a solid prospect with a lot of room to grow.

So, there it is. Putting this together was a grind, but I'm glad I could finally compile a top-60 prospects list before the draft. I'm actually finishing this as the combine is happening, so there's a very good chance some of these guys move around for me after I publish it. However, I feel confident in my evaluations, and I still have a lot of work to do. Hopefully a mock draft will be coming out soon now that we know the draft order.