NBA Draft Mix Day 2: Sport 3 Prospects
The second day of NBA Draft Mix scrimmages featured a number of notable performances, as prospects regarded to strengthen their inventory or bounce again from earlier struggles. San Diego State’s Miles Byrd was among the many most spectacular, exhibiting a mixture of passing, taking pictures, and protection that helped him stand out. Whereas questions linger for some, a handful of gamers continued to development upward within the eyes of scouts.
Jamir Watkins, Florida State
Poured in 23 factors in 32 minutes, showcasing his trademark explosiveness and relentless power. Watkins attacked the rim with goal, performed via contact, and persistently hustled in transition, injecting emotion and hearth into each possession. His motor and toughness had been on full show, serving to him stand out in a crowded subject. Whereas his taking pictures stays a query mark (0-of-2 from three) and he’ll be 24 shortly after the draft, Watkins improved his inventory with this efficiency. His bodily instruments, aggressive edge, and talent to influence the sport in a number of methods give him an actual shot at incomes a roster spot and listening to his title on draft evening.
Koby Brea, Kentucky
Brea stayed scorching from deep, dropping 16 factors on 4-of-8 taking pictures from three and persevering with to solidify his standing as probably the greatest pure shooters within the draft. His calling card is clear — elite ground spacing — and he’s firmly on the radar as a taking pictures specialist who can contribute immediately in an outlined position. Whereas he’s nonetheless a little bit of a one-trick pony with restricted shot creation and common defensive instruments, that one trick is arguably essentially the most in-demand ability in in the present day’s NBA. For groups in want of dependable perimeter taking pictures, Brea presents a plug-and-play two-way possibility with a clearly translatable energy.
Karter Knox, Additional time Elite
Bounced again with a greater exhibiting than Day 1, scoring 10 factors and looking out extra comfy creating his personal shot, significantly within the midrange. He confirmed improved confidence and some glimpses of the scoring upside that makes him an intriguing long-term prospect. Nonetheless uncooked and inconsistent, Knox stays extra of a developmental guess, however his bodily instruments and shot-making flashes proceed to draw consideration. Given his age and improvement curve, he has clear first-round potential — however with an unsure draft outlook, a return for his sophomore yr could also be one of the best transfer to solidify his inventory.
PJ Haggerty, Memphis
Delivered one other strong exhibiting with 10 factors on 5-of-10 taking pictures, as soon as once more highlighting his energy, composure, and talent to complete via contact. Haggerty impressed along with his poise in visitors and flashed higher level guard expertise than marketed, exhibiting imaginative and prescient and management as a lead ball-handler. Whereas not a pure lead guard, his downhill aggression, scoring craft, and toughness give him actual potential in a combo guard position on the subsequent degree. He might finally choose to return to highschool, however he made a robust impression in Chicago and confirmed he belongs within the draft dialog. Along with his physicality, enhancing playmaking, and scoring instincts, Haggerty has an actual shot to listen to his title known as.
Mark Sears, Alabama
Bounced again from a poor taking pictures outing with 19 factors on 6-of-13 taking pictures, together with 3-of-7 from deep. Sears regarded extra in management and assured, showcasing the scoring contact and maturity that helped him take a significant leap as a lead guard over the previous yr. His improved ground sport, environment friendly decision-making, and constant shot-making proceed to spice up his inventory. Whereas he lacks supreme measurement for an NBA level guard, his skill to stretch the ground and create offense makes up for it to some extent. Sears stays a gradual, skilled guard with second-round attraction.
Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana
Mgbako put collectively one other environment friendly outing, ending with 17 factors and exhibiting confidence and rhythm in his jumper. After two sturdy scrimmages, Mgbako’s draft inventory is clearly trending upward, as he demonstrated he can rating in any respect three ranges and maintain his personal bodily in opposition to prime competitors. His profession projection has been a little bit of a curler coaster, however he answered questions this week with poise and manufacturing. Mgbako was one of many extra constant performers in Chicago and clearly helped his case as a possible second-round choose.
Hansen Yang, China
Hansen continued to show heads along with his mixture of measurement, contact, and fluidity. The 7-footer scored 11 factors on 3-of-4 taking pictures and regarded agile transferring in area, getting up and down the ground properly for a participant his measurement. He completed performs across the rim and confirmed a really intelligent ability set and really feel for passing and offensive circulation, persistently making the fitting reads from the excessive submit. Whereas his straight-line pace is spectacular, his lateral quickness stays a little bit of a query mark defensively. Nonetheless, Yang’s instruments, instincts, and long-term upside make him one of many extra intriguing worldwide prospects on this class.
Michael Ruzic, Croatia
Scored 5 factors, going 0-of-3 from the ground however 5-of-6 from the road. Ruzic struggled to make a constant influence in both scrimmage, failing to claim himself offensively or on the glass. Whereas he’s proven intriguing potential as a stretch large in previous Eurocamp settings, the rust and up to date accidents seem like slowing him down. He regarded a step behind at instances and lacked the assertiveness scouts hoped to see. Nonetheless, his measurement, contact, and long-term ability set may hold him within the draft dialog as a stash candidate. One other yr of improvement abroad would probably increase his inventory.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State
The Swiss-born heart confirmed promising flashes in Sport 3, ending with 12 factors and seven rebounds on 4-of-8 taking pictures. Possessing true heart measurement with mobility and size, Niederhauser measured properly and regarded extra comfy in his second scrimmage. He exhibits actual flashes of two-way potential, with rebounding instincts, contact across the rim, and defensive versatility. Whereas he’s nonetheless uncooked in his offensive timing and generally is a little cold and warm in his influence, the instruments and upside are evident. With worldwide expertise and intriguing measurables, Niederhauser is a viable mid-to-late second-round or two-way candidate price growing.
Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
Completed with 9 factors on 3-of-10 taking pictures in Sport 3, together with 0-of-2 from three, and struggled at instances to discover a constant rhythm. Sallis pressured just a few pictures and had some errant passes, however he continues to point out flashes as an elite run-and-jump athlete with intriguing instruments. He performs with power and has the potential to turn into a flexible defender, particularly if he provides energy. Whereas his offensive decision-making and consistency are nonetheless growing, his bodily upside and defensive potential hold him firmly on the radar as a long-term mission.
Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
Had a quiet outing with 4 factors in 14 minutes, going 2-of-3 from the ground. Goldin didn’t make a significant influence on the glass or as a rim protector and had bother asserting himself in visitors. The Russian large man might have struggled to adapt to the brand new atmosphere, however he put collectively a really strong season at Michigan, and the Mix is only one piece of the analysis puzzle. Along with his measurement, contact, and expertise, Goldin stays an attention-grabbing developmental possibility who may nonetheless draw second-round or two-way curiosity.
NBA Draft Mix Sport 4 Prospects
Tamar Bates, Missouri
Performed himself from the Portsmouth Invitational Match to the G League Elite Camp and finally into the NBA Mix — and made essentially the most of each step. Bates scored 14 factors, hit 4-of-5 from three, and delivered the dunk of the camp over a rotating large, placing a stamp on what’s been a breakout pre-draft run. He’s actually impressed scouts along with his taking pictures, vertical explosiveness, and improved poise, and has persistently stood out for his maturity, motor, and method. One of many largest winners of the occasion, Bates now appears like a robust guess to be drafted — presumably early on Day 2 — as groups proceed to purchase into his development and translatable ability set.
Neoklis Avdalas, Greece
Delivered one of the crucial spectacular all-around performances of the day with 13 factors, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, displaying strong poise and management all through. Avdalas knocked down 2-of-6 from deep with easy mechanics and stood out along with his superior ball-handling and passing creativity, persistently making good, instinctive performs. Lengthy thought of a little bit of an enigmatic prospect as a result of his inconsistency and occasional struggles with maturity, Avdalas is starting to place the items collectively. He’s lastly developed into a way more dependable spot-up shooter, and that added spacing has helped unlock his sport as an enormous facilitator. At simply 19 years previous, he created actual intrigue along with his really feel and talent to influence a number of areas. Contemporary off a go to to Virginia Tech, Avdalas probably boosted curiosity in him significantly with this efficiency and left a robust impression on scouts in Chicago.
Brice Williams, Nebraska
Scored a game-high 24 factors whereas hitting 4-of-9 from three, showcasing his status as a sharpshooter and scoring effectively in any respect three ranges. Williams introduced a peaceful, veteran presence to the ground and confirmed why he’s considered as a gradual offensive contributor. Although he’s a below-average wing athlete by NBA requirements and turns 24 on July 5, his good size and constant perimeter taking pictures give him an actual likelihood to be drafted. He might lack high-end upside, however the mixture of measurement and shot-making makes him a robust candidate for a bench scoring position on the subsequent degree.
Yaxel Lendeborg, UAB
Struggled to duplicate his sturdy Sport 1 exhibiting, ending with simply 4 factors on 2-of-6 taking pictures and failing to make the identical influence on the glass. His depth tended to come back and go, and he regarded out of rhythm for stretches offensively. The inconsistency may cool a few of the current draft hype, as scouts weigh his rawness in opposition to his flashes. Nonetheless, Lendeborg’s power, instruments, and distinctive mix of athleticism and playmaking at his measurement stay extremely intriguing. The upside is actual — sufficient {that a} staff would probably nonetheless roll the cube on him within the 20s in the event that they’re prepared to guess on long-term improvement.
Micah Peavy, Georgetown
Scored 9 factors and as soon as once more showcased his elite vertical athleticism, ending performs above the rim and flashing severe bounce in transition. Peavy’s bodily instruments stood out amongst his friends — he was one of the crucial explosive athletes on the occasion and persistently made his presence felt along with his power, pace, and physique management. Defensively, his size and agility give him versatility on the wing, and he competed with toughness all through. Nonetheless, he struggled from exterior (1-of-5 from three), and his offensive ceiling stays carefully tied to the event of his jumper and half-court scoring package deal. Nonetheless, Peavy’s athletic profile alone has stored him firmly within the draft dialog, particularly for groups looking for defensive-minded wings with upside.
Milos Uzan, Houston
Had a stronger exhibiting than earlier within the week with 7 factors and extra composed play, however nonetheless failed to completely play to his skill or stand out in a crowded guard subject. Uzan’s first-round buzz has cooled significantly, and extra questions are surfacing about his scoring skill. Whereas he was considerably restricted by Houston’s system, he nonetheless should show he can create and rating when wanted on the subsequent degree. Until a staff was already offered on him as a first-rounder and ready to increase a promise, a return to varsity — the place he may tackle a bigger position — would probably supply a safer payday than turning professional at this level.
Grant Nelson, Alabama
Introduced flashes of shot-making and rebounding however didn’t persistently influence the sport over stretches. At 6’11”, his mobility and perimeter ability set stay intriguing, however questions persist about his total upside. Nelson is an older prospect who hasn’t added a lot energy over his faculty profession and stays simply a median athlete by NBA requirements. He exhibits glimpses of being efficient on each ends, however struggles to maintain that influence persistently. Whereas the instruments are there, the inconsistency continues to cloud his draft outlook.
Sion James, Duke
Scored 7 factors, competed properly defensively, and performed a robust connective position on the wing. James brings imposing bodily energy and a transparent team-first mentality, persistently making the fitting reads and doing the little issues that contribute to profitable. Whereas he’s not a terrific scorer or offensive creator, his toughness, defensive versatility, and unselfish method make him a glue-guy candidate. Along with his bodily profile and intangibles, James stays a attainable draft choose for groups looking for role-ready depth on the wing.
Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga
Scored 8 factors and hit 2-of-3 from past the arc, persevering with to run the offense with management and poise. Nembhard’s really feel for the sport and decision-making are sturdy, however his small stature stays a hurdle in convincing scouts he can maintain down a full-time NBA position. He doesn’t go the normal eye take a look at for a professional guard, and historical past exhibits only a few gamers his measurement stick. Nonetheless, along with his pedigree, toughness, and high-level expertise, it could be unwise to depend him out. His bloodlines and dedication give him a combating likelihood to carve out a task on the subsequent degree.
RJ Luis Jr., St. John’s
Scored 16 factors, together with 3-of-6 from three, exhibiting scoring instincts and the flexibility to benefit from defensive breakdowns. Luis received into rhythm early and performed with confidence, however his jumper stays a bit unpolished, and his athleticism, whereas strong, isn’t elite. His decision-making and defensive consistency nonetheless go away room for development. Nonetheless, his 6 turnovers highlighted a necessity to guard the ball higher and strengthened ongoing considerations about his decision-making and consistency.A good exhibiting total that would earn him extra appears in exercises, although a return to varsity — probably at a brand new program — might assist refine his sport and increase his long-term inventory.
John Tonje, Wisconsin
Responded properly to a quiet Day 1 with a a lot stronger efficiency, scoring 17 factors and exhibiting extra confidence on the offensive finish. Tonje knocked down open pictures, performed inside himself, and displayed a peaceful, mature method all through. Whereas he nonetheless lacks top-end pace — which limits his upside in transition, shot creation, and defensive versatility — his ability degree, dedication, and really feel for the sport stood out. Tonje’s poise and taking pictures may assist him persist with a staff in the fitting setting, significantly in a structured system that values toughness and execution.
Jalon Moore, Oklahoma
Rebounded from a tough taking pictures day with 13 factors on 6-of-10 taking pictures, attacking the basket with goal and ending via contact. Moore performed with extra power on each ends and continued to flash intriguing athletic instruments and defensive versatility. He’s a strong shooter with a sluggish launch, however he’s correct when given area. His large wingspan permits him to make use of his size successfully on the boards and as a disruptor defensively. Along with his bodily instruments and two-way upside, Moore stays a reputation to watch within the second-round or two-way combine.
Dink Pate, Mexico Metropolis Capitanes
Had a tough outing, ending with simply 2 factors on 1-of-6 taking pictures in a efficiency that echoed a few of his struggles through the G League season. Pate regarded unprepared for the depth and competitiveness of the Mix setting, with sloppy ball dealing with, restricted shot creation, and an absence of really feel for the sport that stood out in opposition to older, extra polished gamers. Whereas he has intriguing instruments and occasional flashes of offensive expertise, this was one other inefficient exhibiting that damages his draft inventory. Nonetheless simply 19, Pate stays a long-term mission, however his possibilities of being chosen this yr seem like slipping.
