6. Donovan Mitchell, Louisville
The Louisville sophomore played great this season, but showed some really exciting possibilities as a pro-prospect. He’s crazy athletic, with a bouncy vertical leap and the fastest sprint time at the Draft Combine. His body is perfect for a modern combo guard, at 6’3, with a 6’10 wingspan, and wide shoulders.
He used that body on both ends of the floor. He could score in the paint, especially in transition. When he was rolling coast-to-coast, Mitchell made the other nine players on the floor look like they were in slow motion. No one on a college basketball court this season looked more like Russell Westbrook or peak-era Derrick Rose than Mitchell.
On defense, he averaged more than two steals per game for Rick Pitino’s Cardinals. He showed the ability and willingness to hunker down and stop the other team’s best guard.
Even though his shooting has been streaky at best, Mitchell has the tools and the mentality to hang around in the NBA for years and could build on his skills to become a star.
7. Frank Ntilikina, France U-18 team/SIG Basket
If you’re the kind of NBA fan who salivated over videos of a young Giannis Antetokounmpo destroying other Greek teenagers before he was drafted a few years again, Frank Ntilikina (hint: the “t” is the silent letter) could be the prospect for you.
The young French guard is listed at 6’5 with a nearly 7’0 wingspan, reminding some of Sean Livingston or Avery Bradley. He uses that size to work his way into the paint, score over shorter point guards, and harass ball handlers on defense.
So far in his career, he’s relied on his size and athletic advantages, without showing any true translatable skills. He’s a streaky shooter and sloppy with the ball at times. If he can’t straighten those problems out, he’ll have a hard time earning minutes. If he does find his stroke and strengthen his handle and his body, he could be a diamond in the rough.
His most likely outcome sits somewhere in the middle, as someone’s second or third best guard and a productive pro career. His high motor will keep him on the court in his early years. The Knicks are among the teams said to have interest in him.
The Duke guard has already had a storied career. He broke LeBron James’ statewide scoring record in high school, then impressed in two seasons as a Blue Devil. Last year in particular, even with other talented players on the roster, it was Kennard who stood out as Duke’s best and most productive piece.
As a sophomore, Kennard showcased an offensive game that is multi-faced and looks to translate nicely to the NBA. He shot 44 percent from outside the arc, on more than 5 attempts per game, and shot 87 percent from the free throw line is his college career. He clearly has a shooting stroke able to space the floor.
This season, however, he also showed himself to be a capable ball-handler and creator. No one in this draft class produced more points per possession in pick and roll offense than Kennard. He flashed the ability to rise and fire off of a screen, find an open roll man, or get to the rim if he found a lane.
At the next level, Kennard will be able to shoot and act as a secondary creator. If he can hold his own on defense, he should have a long career in the league.
The Villanova All-American will be flooded with comparisons to Malcolm Brogdon. Both finished four year careers at top level college programs and entered the NBA Draft as finished products, with an obvious, but developed set of skills.
Brogdon hit the ground running, sitting as a finalist for Rookie of the Year. Naturally, people now expect the same for Hart.
The differences between the two are more defined than this line of thinking would lead you to believe. While Brogdon was a jump shooter with the ability to create at times, Hart’s game is more about slashing into the lane and using his thick frame to score in traffic. He’s an excellent rebounder for his size, averaging more than 8 per 40 minutes played. Whereas Brogdon succeeded on defense with foot speed, Hart is able to use his size and high basketball IQ to guard multiple positions.
It’s not really fair or right to simply call Josh Hart this draft’s Malcolm Brogdon, but if that means he’ll have a great rookie season and strong outlook moving forward, Hart, and whomever selects him, would happily take it.
10. Terrance Ferguson (skipped college to play in Australia)
If there’s one player on this list likely to make a highlight reel next season, or at least earn an invite to the Slam Dunk Contest, it’s Ferguson. The American born off-guard chose a year in Australia over one on a college campus and found mixed results in his first professional season.
His athleticism is his greatest asset, with the ability to leap out of the gym and make great plays in space on defense. He complements that athleticism with a sweet, but inconsistent jump shot. If he can harness his athletic bursts and refine his jumper, he’s got a lot of potential as a Danny Green type in the NBA.
If his body doesn’t get stronger and he never develops any other offensive skills, he’ll end up as a risky pick gone wrong in the late first round.
Honorable mention: Edmond Sumner, Jawun Evans, Nigel Williams-Goss, Dwayne Bacon
Shane McNichol covers college basketball and the NBA for Larry Brown Sports. He also blogs about basketball at Palestra Back and has contributed to Rush The Court, ESPN.com, and USA Today Sports Weekly. Follow him on Twitter @OnTheShaneTrain.
