Long earmarked as the #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, Victor Wimpanyama is a player so unique that he defies conventional categorization.
He tops the Associated Press’ list of big men in the draft with a 7-foot-3 frame that could eventually help him dominate inside to match his perimeter skills.
Associated Press previously reported Top Guard Prospects In the draft along with straight ahead And international players to watch. Here’s a look at the top guys whose names you’re likely to hear Thursday night:
Victor Wimpanyama, France
Strengths: An unrivaled combination of skills and size left the French superstar A generation prospect with unmissable expectations unseen since LeBron James. He can run around the perimeter, handle the ball and dribble like a keeper, but his height helps him score on defenders on the inside along with collecting blocks and deflections. And with San Antonio getting a top pick, he’ll soon be under the tutelage of five-time NBA champion in Gregg Popovich.
Among the highlights of his myriad works, one April play stands out: the Wimpanyama scene which is missing a three-step indicator— Just to fly dunk and miss the same dunk.
Concerns: basically none. It is likely that the 19-year-old will be able to add strength to tackle physical defenders.
Derek Lively II, Duke
Strength: The 7-foot-1 freshman arrived at Duke as the #2 ranked national recruit athlete and came into the second half of the season as an edge guard tough enough to defend in open spaces. He ranked ninth nationally in blocked shots (2.41). The highlight came In a February win against rival North Carolinawhen the prospect dominated in the first round and scored only four points thanks to 14 rebounds and eight blocks.
“I’ve seen him change high school games or AAU games by doing the same thing,” Duke coach John Scheer said afterward. “Usually adults are very hungry to score. This is not necessarily the most efficient game or the best game for them to play.”
CONCERNS: The 19-year-old wasn’t in command of victory despite his height (5.4 average, six double-digit outings in 34 games). His offensive game was limited beyond touchdowns and fouls, including a scoreless game with no shot attempts in 36 minutes against a physical Tennessee team as Duke fell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Adding size to a 230-pound frame can help in both areas.
TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS, Indiana
Strengths: The Indiana senior was an Associated Press All-America first team selection Combine reliability, versatility and athleticism. He ranked sixth in Division I in rebounding (10.8) and eighth in double-doubles (18) while also ranking in the top twenty in scoring (20.9) with multiple fumbles. He ramped up his production heading into the spotlight in March, averaging 24.7 points on 61.5% shooting in his last six games.
Defensively, he ranks fourth nationally in blocked shots (2.88) with a 7-1 wingspan, making him a fine inside presence who can hear his name in the back half in the first round.
Concerns: He’s a little undersized (6-8, 240) for an inside-focused player who has shown little outside 15 feet. He is a career shooting 67.6% on the foul line and has never reached 70% in a season, and his 3-point career history consists entirely of going 0-for-3 as a junior. He is also one of the oldest prospects at 23 years old.
Others should be noted
– Noah Clooney. The 6-10, 210-pound freshman became a starter in every game for the Alabama team that was the top seed in the NCAAs. Going into his 19th year next month, Clowney is averaging 9.9 points and offers potential as a forward (8.0) with the ability to strikeout (eight games with several 3s). That could help him land a late first round.
– James Njie: The Nigerian centre-back turns 19 in August and has been playing in Spain, where his club record is £6-11,249. It presents the plots as raw development prospects with a 7-5 wingspan and defensive potential. Some mock draft picks make it to the first round.
Adama Sanogo. Junior Support Connecticut to its fifth NCAA Tournament MVP of the Final Four. He’s a bit undersized (roughly 6-7 without shoes in an NBA combine) and a second-round prospect, but he’s got a strong frame (about 255 pounds) and added a step-out element to his game last year by making 19-of-52 3 heads (36.5%). Measuring approximately 7-3 Wingspan Measurement Fifth best in combination.
– Oscar TSHIEBWE. The Kentucky senior rode a relentless rebounding mentality He was named the AP Men’s National Player of the Year in 2022 and a Second Team All-American in 2023. It’s not clear if the 23-year-old — who measures roughly 6-7 and 255 pounds with a better-than-7-3 winger in the NBA combine — will be drafted. But he averaged national bests of 15.1 rebounds in 2022 and 13.7 in 2023 while hitting 48 double-doubles, so his drive may stomp the team to take a flier.
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