Everybody is hyping Arizona’s multi-faceted seven-footer DeAndre Ayton as the prized pick of Junes 2018 NBA Draft, but Mizzou freshman Michael Porter is telling everyone to pump their brakes and put the Draft day champagne on ice because hes the nicest on the hardwood devices.
Jason Jones on Twitter
Michael Porter Jr. says everyone will know “soon” he is the best player in the draft https://t.co/kVb1iShJPu
Porter should be a very high pick, but what other players will be joining Ayton as Top 5 picks in the 2018 NBA Draft?
The top prospect is 7-footer DeAndre Ayton who starred at Arizona and averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds in his only season with the Wildcats, earning the Pac-12 Player of the Year award. His 24 double-doubles on the season are the second most by a freshman in Division I history, behind only Knicks scoring forward Michael Beasley, who recorded 28 in 2007-08 for Kansas State.
Arizona freshman Deandre Ayton showing why no one looks quite like him | ESPN
Watch as Arizona freshman Deandre Ayton proves why no other college basketball compares.
2. Luka Doncic (Real Madrid)
The NBA Draft always produces a few international sleepers that American fans arent familiar with, but have tremendous NBA potential. Real Madrid’s Luka Doncic is that guy this year and if he doesn’t stay in Europe, sources say the 6-foot-7 Slovenian point guard might give Ayton a run for the No. 1 overall slot as we move closer to Draft day and the madness begins.
Doncic, a shot creator, and maker, is just 19 and earned the 2016-17 EuroLeague Rising Star award while playing against older and tougher competition overseas. NBA scouts are sweating him hard and some project him to be another international gem like Kristaps Porzingis in 2015.
Luka Doni TOP 10 PLAYS (UPDATED)
This video got copyright stuck by ABC, so if you want to support content creators, donate to my Patreon. (Or not, it’s fine) https://www.patreon.com/NJGamer123 Luka Doni, one of the biggest Euroleague stars and the projected #1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, recently hit an insane full court buzzer beater.
There are some basketball minds that think Bagley should be the No. 1 overall pick. Travis Schlenk and the Atlanta Hawks have more than a month to decide what to do with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and Jonathan Givony of ESPN along with a host of other draft experts project Bagley going to Atlanta.
While Bagley has some positional concerns defensively, his athleticism, motor, rebounding, finishing ability and overall productivity will be very attractive here.
He has terrific scoring instincts and likely brings better shot-making potential than he showed in college with more spacing around him at the NBA level.
Jonathan Givony on Twitter
Atlanta will likely gladly “settle” for whoever is left for them between Luka Doncic and Marvin Bagley. We’ve been hearing for a while now they are very high on Bagley in particular. Trae Young would have likely gotten a strong look had they landed outside of the top three.
4. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State):
Jackson is a 6-foot-11 bigman that projects as a shot-blocker who can make 3-pointers. In other words, hes a Joel Embiid type and scouts are hype off those kinds of players these days
Jackson made 38 of 96 3-point tries for Michigan State (39.6 percent) and 106 of 133 free-throw attempts (79.7 percent). Hes the first of many Embiid types that scouts will salivate over in the upcoming drafts. Centers with guard skills who can play big at the hoop but also roam and drain jumpers on the perimeter.
Jaren Jackson – Michigan State Highlights 2018
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/money-dont-make-you-real/1311232918 Twitter.com/TooMainey 6’11 Power Forward Jaren Jackson, freshman season highlights.
I asked wiz @champsportsguru about Jackson who balled in Champs home state of Michigan and he was uncommitted on how good the young buck would be.
I have no comment. I really cant say,” Champ tells The Shadow League. “It’s not like it was 20 years ago. You don’t know. So much goes into this now because of the zone principles that didn’t exist before, and then you have guys that had one good year of college but we don’t know how their talent will translate to a lengthy pro career because the systems being run and the style of play differs. The skill player is really put on display now more than ever in NBA history. The skill guy is going to outlast the athlete as far as production and who is going to be better.
5. Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri)
Per TSL’s Alejandro Danois, “The 6-foot-8 small forward is smooth, athletic and very competitive. He has versatility galore and a sweet mid-range game. He can do damage off the catch-and-shoot and off the dribble. He always plays with an advanced intelligence off the ball.”
Porter was injured just two minutes into his Mizzou career, resulting in spinal surgery that would sideline him for nearly four months. Despite the expectation that he would miss the rest of the season, the 6’10”, 215-pound forward made his way back onto the court for postseason play.
Michael Porter Jr – Highlights 2018
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/money-dont-make-you-real/1311232918 Twitter.com/TooMainey 6’10 Small Forward for Missouri Michael Porter JR, 2018 NBA Draft prospect.
Porter averaged 14.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals in the two NCAA tournament games but hit just 31 percent of his shots from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc, which we can probably attribute to rust.
Honorable Mention: Trae Young (Oklahoma)
One thing this NBA Draft isn’t lacking is talent and young skill players with potential. It will take a few years to see how the talent pool really shakes out and Draft night should offer some surprises.
