My Bets on the Top 10 Careers From This Class
Here are who I think will have the best careers in order with an explanation. This is NOT a board or mock. This is how my best bet of how I see their career panning out. This is NOT how good I see them as raw prospects.
**1. Cam Boozer**
This one is very simple. He already has excellent skills with NBA ready size. Excellent IQ and feel. He'll come in day one with great impact. Defensive concerns are way overblown and he'll be playable throughout the course of a game. I see All NBA at least for him
**2. AJ Dybansta**
Easy one here. He is going to be an excellent scorer and playmaker. A guy who can get 25 points and 5 assists consistently. His defensive woes are also overblown as well, however the ball NEEDS to be in his hands to be effective. I see All NBA, but could a team be successful in the playoffs with him as the focal point?
**3. Darius Acuff Jr.**
Since we got the "too small" stuff out the way, he is the most complete offensive guard in the draft and I believe he'll have the best offensive career out of all the guards. He has some Dame Lillard and Darius Garland. He passes as effortlessly as he scores and makes his teammates better. He is BAD on D, but this is an offensive league and as long as he produces on the offensive end, he'll be an All NBA player.
**4. Yaxel Lendeborg**
Most matured and NBA ready player, due to age but also size and skill set. He'll be a plus defender right away and a decent offensive asset whose shot will grow to be pretty good. He'll be tough to match up with due to his size, strength and athleticism. I would bet on high end starter with him, but bringing on winning plays that'll make his team more successful in the playoffs.
**5. Keaton Wagler**
Keaton can shoot really well and has a really decent handle for a 2 guard, making him versatile offensively. I can see him being the 2nd or 3rd best player on a really good team and being successful. As a number 1? I don't see it as much. However, he can be an 18 and 5 guy and be a high end starter for the league
**6. Caleb Wilson**
Wilson has so much motor that even if his offensive skill set doesn't mature, he can be a 15 and 10 guy on solid defense. But thats the issue. I would have to rely on him maturing a lot in his skills and being in an environment that allows him to grow. A lot of things would have to go right to predict that. A mid to high level starter is what I would bet, but he could also be a beast.
**7. Darryn Peterson**
DP is a really good scorer at times. But that's kinda all he is. He can provide decent defense at times, but people are really sold on the offensive side. There are huge red flags offensively. 1 is he's an East to west ball handler, not north to south, so he's prone to bad jumpers and has a tough time getting to the lane. 2 is related, because he doesn't draw the D in and it makes it hard for him to playmake. I see prime Brad Beal as best case, but he looks very similar to Malik Monk
**8. Karim Lopez**
People are over looking him. Good athlete and excellent size for a wing. Jumpshot also looks good and I think he'll develop to a mid level 3 and S starter. His question is going to be if the jumpshot will improve. His jumper looks good, so I think it will translate, especially after a couple of years in the NBA. Also a good rebounder and playmaker and it let's him play the 2, 3 and 4 while being able to guard 4 positions. He reminds me of a slightly bigger Batum.
**9. Labaron Philon Jr.**
Hes projecting to be a really good stabilizing PG in the league who can score, but has great feel and dictate the tempo. I don't see him being a feature PG, but I see him being either a solid starter or a great backup with a competing team. His year to year improvement shows coachability and drive to be better that I think carries into the NBA.
**10. Aday Mara**
In a league with Wemby in it, we're going to start seeing BIG bigs like him come and stay, kind of like how Shaq led to girthy bigs coming into the league and drafted high. Mara has good touch and really good passing for his size that'll make him a pretty productive NBA player. If he can extend his range that would be a major plus, but his current skill set and growing that would make him a consistent starting center, especially for contending teams trying to match Wemby.