As we enter The NCAA Final Four Weekend in San Antonio, I am energized to look forward to another great year of collecting NBA Basketball cards. 2017-18 Basketball products have been the most anticipated and successful in many years. When looking at the 2018 NCAA Tournament, the drama and excitement got me thinking 2018-19 Basketball might just be even better.
The upcoming 2018 NBA Draft will be full of NBA ready talent with Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, and Marvin Bagley III on the experts' consensus top three picks. My pick for the best all-round player in this year's NBA Draft is Deandre Ayton. The experts' general comparison is to David Robinson and that may have influenced my selection of Deandre Ayton as my number one.
As we look forward to the May 15th NBA Draft Lottery, the needs of each lottery team will be a major influence the team's selection. In any case, it will be tough for any team to pass on Deandre Ayton's talents. Ayton, a seven foot center from Arizona, became the third player in Pac-12 history to be named both the conference's freshman and player of the year after averaging 20.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Here is his assessment by Bleacherreport.com
The Atlanta Hawks could have their eyes on Deandre Ayton, even if they win the lottery.
He'd give them an anchor to build around and feature in the half court, where he's currently averaging 1.189 points per possession, ranking in the 98th percentile.
Shooting 59.5 percent on post-ups, 45.1 percent on jump shots and 10-of-16 out of isolation, Ayton has developed into a skilled offensive player both inside and out.
Improving defensively will be the priority, but between his quickness and 7'5 ½" wingspan, he has tremendous tools to work as a rim protector. He's spending time at Arizona guarding both big-man positions alongside Dusan Ristic.
Here is a March 21st post from Zach Buckley of Bleacherreport.com
The 2018 men's NCAA tournament lost more than a handful of top teams over its opening weekend. The field also witnessed the departures of several of the NBA draft's top prospects.
In other words, there's no more game information to gain on the likes of Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mohamed Bamba and Trae Young.
But since their scouting reports are already well-documented, that should make it easier to project how things will transpire inside the Barclays Center on June 21.
2018 NBA Mock Draft
1. Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton (Arizona, C, Freshman)
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Luka Doncic (Slovenia, SG, 1999)
3. Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Bagley III (Duke, PF/C, Freshman)
4. Orlando Magic: Mohamed Bamba (Texas, C, Freshman)
5. Dallas Mavericks: Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State, PF/C, Freshman)
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Brooklyn Nets): Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri, SF/PF, Freshman)
7. Sacramento Kings: Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke, C, Freshman)
8. Chicago Bulls: Collin Sexton (Alabama, PG, Freshman)
9. New York Knicks: Mikal Bridges (Villanova, SF, Junior)
10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Kevin Knox (Kentucky, SF, Freshman)
11. Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges (Michigan State, SF/PF, Sophomore)
12. Los Angeles Clippers (via Detroit Pistons): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Kentucky, PG/SG, Freshman)
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Robert Williams (Texas A&M, C, Sophomore)
14. Denver Nuggets: Trae Young (Oklahoma, PG, Freshman)
Our first-round draft board includes eight prospects who are still alive in March Madness. While Bagley and Wendell Carter Jr. don't have much room to climb given how early they're going, the other six could all boost their stocks at the Big Dance.
Villanova's combo of Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson are likely hurt by their age and perceived lack of upside. They can challenge that narrative by exceeding expectations on the big stage. Neither has really erupted yet, but Bridges came into the tourney scoring 23-plus points in four of his previous five outings, and Brunson delivered a 31-point, eight-triple gem in the Big East championship.
The bracket is set up for Kentucky to potentially make a deep push, which would increase the exposure of Kevin Knox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The latter has already helped himself with an explosive stretch (23.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists over his last four games), and the former boasts an NBA-friendly skill set of two-way versatility and three-point potential.
Finally, it's hard not to notice Robert Williams or Zhaire Smith when either takes the floor. They might be going head-to-head for the tourney's top dunker.
April 11-14
Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Portsmouth, VA)
Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Portsmouth, VA)
April 22
NBA Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)
NBA Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)
May 15
NBA Draft Lottery (Chicago)
NBA Draft Lottery (Chicago)
May 16-20
NBA Draft Combine 2018 (Chicago)
NBA Draft Combine 2018 (Chicago)
June 21
NBA Draft 2018
NBA Draft 2018