3) Chicago Bulls stretch big targets in 2020 draft: Jalen Smith
Likely the most well known and highest regarded draft prospect on this list is the former Maryland Terrapins sophomore star power forward Jalen Smith. The former 2019-20 All-Big Ten Team selection, and the former Big Ten All-Defensive Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection had a sensational run with the Maryland hoops program.
This 6-foot-10 and 225 pound former five-star recruit and Baltimore, MD, native played in 64 games with the Terps over the course of two seasons. And specifically during the shortened 2019-20 season, he played in 31 games. Smith averaged 15.5 points per game, 10.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.4 blocks. And he shot 53.8 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line.
Not only did Smith have solid shooting percentages for a big man across the board last season, he dramatically improved in a number of areas. He shot just short of 10 percent better from the free-throw line compared to his freshman season, and four percent from the field along with exactly 10 percent better from beyond the arc.
That amounted to a stellar effective field goal percentage of 59.0 and a 62.6 true shooting percentage. His career true shooting percentage sat at 59.0 and career effective field goal percentage at 55.8.
Smith has a progressing shooting stroke and fundamentals that look pretty promising. That bodes well for his potential playing at the four in the NBA. He should be a mid-to-late first round pick in the 2020 draft.