2020 NBA Mock Draft 1.0 at start of college basketball season
23. player. Pick Analysis. Western Kentucky. Charles Bassey. 79. Scouting Report. Center
His decision to stay a second year at Western Kentucky was a very interesting one, as I believed that Charles Bassey was a potential first round talent. The Nigerian product was a highly-regarded high school recruit who has slipped through the cracks a bit after enrolling at Western Kentucky. Bassey had a very solid freshman season there, however, averaging 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.
Bassey’s body is NBA-ready, as he is an absolute tank of a human who is unbelievably strong. Although he is an old-school center, Bassey has clearly been able to excel on both ends and this would likely translate to the NBA. His jumpshooting needs to improve, but playing alongside shooters like Kristaps Porzingis would make him a great fit.
Draft Stock Trend: n/a
Scouting Report. Maryland. Jalen Smith. player. 18. Pick Analysis. Forward. 24
The Boston Celtics do not have any true power forwards on their roster, unless one were to consider the undersized Grant Williams a true four. With their first of two first round selections, the Celtics should look to address this position.
Smith is a sophomore who averaged 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game to go along with 1.2 blocks. He has shown flashes of the ability to stretch the floor with his three point shooting and is a decent defender as well..
His all-around game seems to be very solid, and if he can get his shooting touch down, he will shoot up draft boards. Along with his shooting, there needs to be an improvement in his frame and strength if he wants to be able to compete with professional-level power forwards.
Draft Stock Trend: n/a
Scouting Report. Guard. A.J. Lawson. 77. Pick Analysis. South Carolina. 25. player
It brings me great joy to be able to say that my alma mater, the University of South Carolina, will likely have a first round prospect in A.J. Lawson.
Lawson entered his name into the 2019 Draft pool without hiring an agent and quickly pulled his name after realizing he would not be selected. With many players graduating last year for the Gamecocks, Lawson will have the opportunity to be a lead scorer.
He is a very good athlete with the ability to score in bunches and play two ways. He also rebounds and passes at a high level. Perhaps his greatest asset is his size, as he is able to play both guard positions standing at 6-foot-6. Los Angeles could use a lead guard to play off the bench with Lou Williams, and Lawson fits the bill.
Draft Stock Trend: n/a
Guard. Markus Howard. 26. player. 66. Pick Analysis. Marquette. Scouting Report
Every year, there are a few players who absolutely show out in NCAA play but are considered “college players” and not true NBA prospects. Enter Markus Howard, the 5-foot-11 star for the Marquette Golden Eagles.
Last year in the NCAA Tournament, Howard dropped 26 points on 2019 second overall pick Morant and turned many heads. He is a very Carsen Edwards-type player: a small guard who scores at a high volume inefficiently.
The Suns still have a problem at the point guard position, as although Ricky Rubio is a good stopgap, he is not the long-term solution to the lead guard position. As it is unlikely that the Suns finish this high in the standings, they will more than likely find a more viable option than Howard. Nonetheless, they will settle for Howard in this situation at 26.