35
Roko Prkacin 2002, Forward, Cibona
12.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks, 48% fg, 35% 3pt, 27 mpg
Pick via Cleveland Cavaliers
Roko Prkacin is a player who has been mocked to be selected anywhere from the lottery to the second round. Playing in the Adriatic league, Prkacin has carved out a role as a floor-spacing combo forward and has put up very efficient numbers. Prkacin is an athletic forward, but he struggles on the defensive end.
New Orleans continues to search for floor spacing here, as the Croatian would be the eventual backup to All-Star power forward Zion Williamson. There flexibility with Prkacin here is a plus as well, as he is easily moved from the three to the four. His NBA role will likely be solely an off-ball shooter.
36
Day'Ron Sharpe Freshman, Center, UNC
9.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.9 blocks, 52% fg, 0% 3pt, 19 mpg
Pick via Washington Wizards
Steven Adams is set to be a free agent this Summer, and Jaxson Hayes has not lived up to expectations yet. It seems unlikely that they would bring Adams back to New Orleans next year, so drafting a center or finding one in free agency will be a priority in order to save money. Day’Ron Sharpe is a similar type player to Steven Adams, a big-bodied center who can rebound and score inside.
Sharpe saw very limited action at North Carolina, but he made great use of his minutes, putting up very respectable numbers for playing less than twenty per contest. He is very limited in his game, as he will not do much for you offensively outside of twenty feet, but the Pelicans could find a cheaper alternative to Adams down low with Sharpe.
37
Marcus Bagley Freshman, Forward, ASU
10.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks, 39% fg, 35% 3pt, 29 mpg
Marcys Bagley started off the season playing really good basketball, but he came back down to earth towards the end of the year. At one point this season, many projected that the younger brother of Marvin Bagley III would be a first round pick, but struggles on the defensive end and shot consistency have pushed him back into the second round.
Much like the Bennedict Mathurin selection with their first selection in the second round, the Thunder should opt to take another freshman shooter to play off of the ball in Oklahoma City. Playing off of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would give the Thunder’s star another outlet to kick to and create space for himself inside.
38
Luka Garza Senior, Center, Iowa
24.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.6 blocks, 55% fg, 44% 3pt, 32 mpg
Pick via Toronto Raptors
At some point in the draft, someone is going to have to take a gamble on the NCAA’s best player, Luka Garza. In spite of his athletic and mobile shortcomings, Garza put up ridiculous numbers for multiple seasons on one of the nation’s top teams. Purely based on his ability to shoot the deep ball with such great efficiency from the five, he should receive draft consideration.
Detroit is in a position where they really don’t have much to lose by taking a big swing with a second round pick. The Pistons could use all of the talent they could get, and Garza is without a doubt a gifted basketball player. It is unclear what his career in the NBA could look like, but the college player of the year should without a doubt be given an NBA shot.