GLIAC Men's BasketballMar 18, 2016 by Joe Battaglia
Top 10 NBA Prospects Balling In The NCAA Tournament
Top 10 NBA Prospects Balling In The NCAA Tournament
FloHoops weighs NCAA skill and NBA need in examining the best pro fits for the Top 10 NCAA Tournament prospects.
By Dane Carbaugh
The 2016 NCAA Tournament is upon us and with it, national eyes on some of the best young potential draftees college basketball has to offer. At the same time, it’s time to start thinking about the NBA draft come July. As the end of the pro season rounds into shape, it becomes clearer which college stars in March will land among the NBA ranks.
But as draft busts, stars and long-term projects have taught us, where a player is drafted can have just as much effect on him as the factors inside his control.
So, it is time to take a look at some of the best players and figure out where they should land for the best fit and potential to maximize the early part of their career. To do this, I looked at four factors for each selection: team makeup, coaching philosophy, player strengths, and player weaknesses.
I tried not to get too far down the rabbit hole of things like pending free agency decisions or potential coach firings. I also strayed away from throwing players to the dogs, where teams like Brooklyn, Philadelphia and New York could use anyone with a pulse.
No, this is a pure exercise in plotting NCAA skill and NBA need. Let’s get into it with the best fits for the Top 10 NCAA Tournament prospects.
Considering Hield’s skill set and the direction of the NBA, it’s hard to find a spot where Hield wouldn’t fit in. That being said, the sharp-shooting SG out of Oklahoma has ridiculous range, a hair trigger and enough size that should see him as useful in an immediate way in the NBA.
While several teams that traditionally suffer from poor 3-point shooting are likely considering Hield, perhaps the best fit would be in New Orleans. He could act as either a backup or a bolster to Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon.
If nothing else, coach Alvin Gentry has at least brought pace to the team in 2015-16 and having Hield would be a perfect fit as a transition ace and creator on the wing.
The undersized Kentucky point guard has shown his dazzling scoring ability, technical skills with the ball and his love for the game. At just 5-foot-9, there’s been some concern about his ability to cut it on both ends in the NBA, but teams with a need at one of the most important positions will likely need to look past that.
Pairing him with Khris Middleton would be a change of plan for the Bucks, perhaps abandoning faith in Michael Carter-Williams and Tyler Ennis altogether to do so. But if Milwaukee can return even partly to the defensive form they found in 2014-15, Ulis could be a bench spark in the mold of a Isaiah Thomas or CJ McCollum.
Johnson is a bruising rim-runner who does a lot of the dirty work for Roy Williams at North Carolina. The Tar Heels senior has strengthened his pitch for the first round come the end of the NCAA season. Teams with a need for a do-it-all forward will take a long look at Brice Johnson.
The best fit for him might actually be in a rather odd position: backing up Zach Randolph in Memphis.
The Grizzlies are starting to age and with it, the need for a player who can step in and play tough in the absence of either Marc Gasol or Randolph would be excellent. While his effort is unquestioned, Johnson would benefit greatly from learning from two of the best offensive frontcourt players the NBA has to offer.
Going up against Gasol and Randolph everyday in practice would help polish Johnson’s attacking game while galvanizing his propensity for toughness and energy.
Ingram is another player who fits just about anywhere, but the multifaceted wing from Duke will go best with a team that could use him as a scoring option as he will likely be a starter in his first season.
With that in mind, Minnesota would be a great place for Ingram to contribute. While the Timberwolves have a dynamic trio on the wing already, Ingram would add a much needed shooting touch and create an absolute matchup nightmare for opposing rotations.
A Rubio-Wiggins-Ingram-Dieng-Towns lineup would be long, have penetrators, dynamic passers and multiple shooters over 6-foot-6.
The Michigan State star does it all for the Spartans, contributing 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists per game. Valentine is one of the biggest reasons Tom Izzo is favored by many as headed to yet another championship game in 2016.
Valentine’s skillset from the wing -- as either a guard or a forward -- will prove valuable to an NBA team looking for a versatile scorer who can also be a pivot point for the offense above the painted area.
Perhaps the best fit for Valentine would be in Los Angeles, where he could provide scoring without the ball for the Lakers. As a prominent rebounding force from the wing, he would seriously bolster the frontcourt duo of Julius Randle and Roy Hibbert while at the same time allowing D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson to handle the majority of the on-ball duties.
Dunn is an absolute physical specimen at the PG position for Providence and teams in the NBA will likely try him out at shooting guard as they finalize their backcourt rotation.
As a scorer without a solid shot, Dunn would best go to a team that could mold him into the player he needs to be slowly without putting too much pressure on him to create. San Antonio would be a perfect fit.
Let us not forget that Gregg Popovich took a one- or two-dimensional player in Tony Parker and turned him into an All-Star and a vital part of a wonderful tradition in Texas. The Spurs have so many guards already that Dunn would be able to learn first how to play the game in the system while his shot came along.
Young scorers like Dunn, especially at the PG spot, often get put too much of the offensive load on them too quickly. Ones without an NBA jumper -- ie. Elfrid Payton, Michael Carter-Williams and Brandon Jennings -- get wrapped up into trying to do too much. The Spurs could minimize that.
The 2016 Pac 12 Player of the Year is massive center prospect and has so much polish to his game he’s likely to be a foundational piece in the middle right away. Utah’s big man can do a little of everything despite the fact that he’s not yet a back-to-the-basket threat. That’s why he would be the perfect fit in Boston.
We have seen what skilled, fifth-option big men like Robin Lopez, Roy Hibbert and Rudy Gobert can do for their backcourts. The Celtics have a flourishing offense under Brad Stevens and Poeltl could not only help on the defensive and rebounding end of the floor, but be useful as a screener and sealer for smaller, quicker guards.
Kentucky’s do-it-all wing has been crucial for John Calipari but it’s likely NBA teams will struggle to find his position at first. Murray is an impressive shooter, and has played all the way down to small forward for the Wildcats in 2016. But he’s a bit slow defense and at 6-foot-4 he’s not particularly large for the off-guard spot.
Charlotte could be a good system for him, where the surging Hornets have improved their 3-point shooting but adding another could be deadly. We’ve seen several teams -- Portland, Utah, Phoenix, Golden State, Indiana -- have success with playing two PGs at the same time. Charlotte could mix it up with Murray and Kemba Walker, or even have Nic Batum bring the ball up the floor.
California’s got a physical specimen at the wing in Jaylen Brown and any NBA team should be ready to have a ball of energy on their practice court come Summer League.
Brown has come into his own in the second half of the season for the Golden Bears and while he’s not a pure shooter, he is a scorer and has a nose for the ball. He would be best as a change-of-pace player in a second unit in the NBA, at least to start. That’s why he’s a good fit for the Chicago Bulls.
Where the Bulls offense is rather delicate this season, and the return of Michael Dunleavy has added some shooting, Brown could bring a punch to a bench unit that needs to get younger and hasn’t seen useful development in Tony Snell or Doug McDermott.
Cal’s other star in the draft is going to be Ivan Rabb, a forward with potential on offense and serious rebounding instinct.
Rabb’s length and offensive prowess is great, but his lack of overall polish pushes him away from some teams in the same situation, namely Denver.
He would be best suited learning under mentors like Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka. While those two are defensively solid and NBA tough, Rabb would bring a spark of offense that Ibaka in particular has lacked this season. Meanwhile, Rabb could finish up his defensive growth while shirking the responsibility of carrying a scoring load early given the makeup of the Thunder.
The 2016 NCAA Tournament is upon us and with it, national eyes on some of the best young potential draftees college basketball has to offer. At the same time, it’s time to start thinking about the NBA draft come July. As the end of the pro season rounds into shape, it becomes clearer which college stars in March will land among the NBA ranks.
But as draft busts, stars and long-term projects have taught us, where a player is drafted can have just as much effect on him as the factors inside his control.
So, it is time to take a look at some of the best players and figure out where they should land for the best fit and potential to maximize the early part of their career. To do this, I looked at four factors for each selection: team makeup, coaching philosophy, player strengths, and player weaknesses.
I tried not to get too far down the rabbit hole of things like pending free agency decisions or potential coach firings. I also strayed away from throwing players to the dogs, where teams like Brooklyn, Philadelphia and New York could use anyone with a pulse.
No, this is a pure exercise in plotting NCAA skill and NBA need. Let’s get into it with the best fits for the Top 10 NCAA Tournament prospects.
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
Considering Hield’s skill set and the direction of the NBA, it’s hard to find a spot where Hield wouldn’t fit in. That being said, the sharp-shooting SG out of Oklahoma has ridiculous range, a hair trigger and enough size that should see him as useful in an immediate way in the NBA.
Read More: Skills Breakdown - Buddy Hield
While several teams that traditionally suffer from poor 3-point shooting are likely considering Hield, perhaps the best fit would be in New Orleans. He could act as either a backup or a bolster to Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon.
If nothing else, coach Alvin Gentry has at least brought pace to the team in 2015-16 and having Hield would be a perfect fit as a transition ace and creator on the wing.
Other fits: DEN, MEM, BKN, MIN, PHI.
Tyler Ulis, Kentucky
The undersized Kentucky point guard has shown his dazzling scoring ability, technical skills with the ball and his love for the game. At just 5-foot-9, there’s been some concern about his ability to cut it on both ends in the NBA, but teams with a need at one of the most important positions will likely need to look past that.
Pairing him with Khris Middleton would be a change of plan for the Bucks, perhaps abandoning faith in Michael Carter-Williams and Tyler Ennis altogether to do so. But if Milwaukee can return even partly to the defensive form they found in 2014-15, Ulis could be a bench spark in the mold of a Isaiah Thomas or CJ McCollum.
Other fits: BKN, NO.
Brice Johnson, North Carolina
Johnson is a bruising rim-runner who does a lot of the dirty work for Roy Williams at North Carolina. The Tar Heels senior has strengthened his pitch for the first round come the end of the NCAA season. Teams with a need for a do-it-all forward will take a long look at Brice Johnson.
The best fit for him might actually be in a rather odd position: backing up Zach Randolph in Memphis.
The Grizzlies are starting to age and with it, the need for a player who can step in and play tough in the absence of either Marc Gasol or Randolph would be excellent. While his effort is unquestioned, Johnson would benefit greatly from learning from two of the best offensive frontcourt players the NBA has to offer.
Going up against Gasol and Randolph everyday in practice would help polish Johnson’s attacking game while galvanizing his propensity for toughness and energy.
Other fits: IND, PHO, SAC.
Brandon Ingram, Duke
Ingram is another player who fits just about anywhere, but the multifaceted wing from Duke will go best with a team that could use him as a scoring option as he will likely be a starter in his first season.
With that in mind, Minnesota would be a great place for Ingram to contribute. While the Timberwolves have a dynamic trio on the wing already, Ingram would add a much needed shooting touch and create an absolute matchup nightmare for opposing rotations.
A Rubio-Wiggins-Ingram-Dieng-Towns lineup would be long, have penetrators, dynamic passers and multiple shooters over 6-foot-6.
Other fits: MEM, BOS, PHI, DEN.
Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
The Michigan State star does it all for the Spartans, contributing 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists per game. Valentine is one of the biggest reasons Tom Izzo is favored by many as headed to yet another championship game in 2016.
Valentine’s skillset from the wing -- as either a guard or a forward -- will prove valuable to an NBA team looking for a versatile scorer who can also be a pivot point for the offense above the painted area.
Perhaps the best fit for Valentine would be in Los Angeles, where he could provide scoring without the ball for the Lakers. As a prominent rebounding force from the wing, he would seriously bolster the frontcourt duo of Julius Randle and Roy Hibbert while at the same time allowing D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson to handle the majority of the on-ball duties.
Other fits: BKN, MIN, NO, PHO.
Kris Dunn, Providence
Dunn is an absolute physical specimen at the PG position for Providence and teams in the NBA will likely try him out at shooting guard as they finalize their backcourt rotation.
As a scorer without a solid shot, Dunn would best go to a team that could mold him into the player he needs to be slowly without putting too much pressure on him to create. San Antonio would be a perfect fit.
Read More: Skills Breakdown - Kris Dunn
Let us not forget that Gregg Popovich took a one- or two-dimensional player in Tony Parker and turned him into an All-Star and a vital part of a wonderful tradition in Texas. The Spurs have so many guards already that Dunn would be able to learn first how to play the game in the system while his shot came along.
Young scorers like Dunn, especially at the PG spot, often get put too much of the offensive load on them too quickly. Ones without an NBA jumper -- ie. Elfrid Payton, Michael Carter-Williams and Brandon Jennings -- get wrapped up into trying to do too much. The Spurs could minimize that.
Other fits: IND, HOU, MIA.
Jakob Poeltl, Utah
The 2016 Pac 12 Player of the Year is massive center prospect and has so much polish to his game he’s likely to be a foundational piece in the middle right away. Utah’s big man can do a little of everything despite the fact that he’s not yet a back-to-the-basket threat. That’s why he would be the perfect fit in Boston.
Read More: Skills Breakdown - Jakob Poeltl
We have seen what skilled, fifth-option big men like Robin Lopez, Roy Hibbert and Rudy Gobert can do for their backcourts. The Celtics have a flourishing offense under Brad Stevens and Poeltl could not only help on the defensive and rebounding end of the floor, but be useful as a screener and sealer for smaller, quicker guards.
Other fits: CHI, DAL, POR.
Jamal Murray, Kentucky
Kentucky’s do-it-all wing has been crucial for John Calipari but it’s likely NBA teams will struggle to find his position at first. Murray is an impressive shooter, and has played all the way down to small forward for the Wildcats in 2016. But he’s a bit slow defense and at 6-foot-4 he’s not particularly large for the off-guard spot.
Charlotte could be a good system for him, where the surging Hornets have improved their 3-point shooting but adding another could be deadly. We’ve seen several teams -- Portland, Utah, Phoenix, Golden State, Indiana -- have success with playing two PGs at the same time. Charlotte could mix it up with Murray and Kemba Walker, or even have Nic Batum bring the ball up the floor.
Other fits: BKN, BOS, HOU, NYK.
Jaylen Brown, Cal
California’s got a physical specimen at the wing in Jaylen Brown and any NBA team should be ready to have a ball of energy on their practice court come Summer League.
Brown has come into his own in the second half of the season for the Golden Bears and while he’s not a pure shooter, he is a scorer and has a nose for the ball. He would be best as a change-of-pace player in a second unit in the NBA, at least to start. That’s why he’s a good fit for the Chicago Bulls.
Where the Bulls offense is rather delicate this season, and the return of Michael Dunleavy has added some shooting, Brown could bring a punch to a bench unit that needs to get younger and hasn’t seen useful development in Tony Snell or Doug McDermott.
Other fits: BKN, POR, WAS.
Ivan Rabb, Cal
Cal’s other star in the draft is going to be Ivan Rabb, a forward with potential on offense and serious rebounding instinct.
Rabb’s length and offensive prowess is great, but his lack of overall polish pushes him away from some teams in the same situation, namely Denver.
He would be best suited learning under mentors like Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka. While those two are defensively solid and NBA tough, Rabb would bring a spark of offense that Ibaka in particular has lacked this season. Meanwhile, Rabb could finish up his defensive growth while shirking the responsibility of carrying a scoring load early given the makeup of the Thunder.