Continuing the NBA Draft prospect series with prospects 11-20 in Ryan Coyle's rankings.
11. Saddiq Bey (F,Villanova)
Scout’s Take: Bey in my opinion is the most underrated prospect in the draft. He came into Villanova as a unheralded recruit and really blossomed in his two years in the program, which gives me reason to believe that he has a great work ethic and the best is yet to come for the sharpshooter. Bey increased his points per game from 8.1 to 16.2, and his three point percentage from 37% to 45% from his freshman to sophomore year. His physical condition is what might be most impressive as he has really bulked up and now has an NBA body. With his 6’8 frame, ability to defend a variety of positions, and knock down the three ball at a high clip, Bey will be a wanted commodity come draft night. He might be limited to what he can do off the bounce and isn’t the most explosive athlete, but he is a rock solid player that comes from a top flight program with a great track record of developing players into NBA prospects. I’d like to take a chance on Bey over most other “3 and D” prospects this year.
12. Aaron Nesmith (G/F, Vanderbilt)
Scout’s Take: Nesmith is the best pure knockdown shooter in this year's draft class. He knocked down a remarkable 52% of his shots from three point land while averaging six attempts per game from downtown. Nesmith is also a solid 6’6 allowing him to slide in at the 2 or 3 in most offensive systems. With solid height and length he should be able to guard several positions. Watching him on film though he has very little speed to him and isn’t that athletic of a prospect which worries me about his upside. He does use his height and length though to shoot over defenders in the lane and has a quick release on catch and shoot chances. Going forward though, look for Nesmith to be a strictly spot up shooter,as well as being very active in off ball screens and carve out his role as a deadeye three point specialist as his career progresses.
13. Deni Advija (F, Israel)
Scout’s Take: Advija is a prospect that many regard as a top ten guy, but I’m not as sold on him as others are. Advija is your typical overseas long lanky forward with that international flash to his game. At 6’9 he has very nice height to pair with solid length that allows him to score from all levels of the court. He is an inconsistent outside shooter which holds back his ceiling, but his form is reliable; he just needs to increase his efficiency from beyond the arc. He is a talented passer and can handle the ball in the open court. His game reminds me of Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric with his ability to impact the game in various ways. He will never be a great defender or high level athlete, but someone with his playmaking ability should carve out a role in the league. If he can enhance his outside shot and become a reliable shooter he projects to be a very solid bench piece in the NBA just like Saric has proven to be.
14.Precious Achiuwa (F, Memphis)
Scout’s Take: Every team needs a player who has high level energy and high level effort every night, and that's what Precious can bring to a squad. Think of what Montrez Harrell does for the Clippers. I would compare Achiuwa to Harrell for that reason. Both are energetic players that can play some high level defense against a few positions, can run the floor super well, and are great “garbage men” when cleaning up the offensive glass. His offensive game isn’t refined, but where his damage will be done is in transition, on lobs, and on the offensive glass. Achiwua projects as a high level backup who could float in and out of starting lineups depending on matchups. His athleticism, versatility on defense, and effort are all key components to building a championship club, and Achiuwa brings that to any team that will pick him.
15. Daniel Oturu (C, Minnesota)
Scout’s Take: This past season for Minnesota, Oturu averaged a double-double with 20.1 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per game. He also has a solid stroke from the outside cashing in on 37% of his looks from beyond the arc. The former Golden Gopher shows great touch around the rim and has a good feel for the game taking what the defense gives him. He is a player that keeps getting better and shows the ability to work hard and develop his game as time has gone on. If he keeps playing with a high motor and refines his game, he has a high ceiling that could turn him into a very productive NBA starter.
16. R.J. Hampton (G, USA)
Scout’s Take: Hampton’s athleticism is what jumps off the page for him as he is a force in the open court, a high level defender, and can play above the rim. He has good size at 6’5 that allows him to play either guard spot on offense, and defend either guard spot on the other end of the floor. His upside and athletic ability reminds me of Emmanuel Mudiay, and each share the trait that they don’t have a consistent jumper which could hold Hampton back in his development. He is worth the risk due to his playmaking ability and his athleticism, you just have to bank on that jumper eventually coming around. With limited film on him due to playing overseas, Hampton is a hard prospect to evaluate, but at this stage of the draft you bank on players reaching their potential and cashing in on their upside.
17. Patrick Williams (G/F, Florida State)
Scout’s Take: The most intriguing thing about Williams is that he is only 18 years old and has flashed loads of potential in his time at FSU. Williams played on an FSU team that was very deep, and if Williams played on another ACC team like Wake Forest for example, I believe he would have been in the running for ACC player of the year. At 6’8, with a 6’11 wingspan he has positional versatility on the defensive end of the floor and has great height and length to be a good wing scorer. His 32% three point percentage needs to improve, but his all-around ability to impact the game makes him a super intriguing prospect. Williams at such a young age could benefit from going to a contender that doesn’t need to play him right away as he makes the jump to the next level and looks to develop his skills.
18. Jordan Nwora (F, Louisville)
Scout’s Take: Nwora is a player that I am not sure why he is rated much lower according to other scouts and analysts. This past year he was the best player for a very good Louisville team and has the versatility that is needed in the NBA today. He is a very solid athlete who measures in at 6-7 and 225 pounds with high level defensive ability. He averaged 18 points and 7 boards this past year in the ACC against some of the best competition in the country while knocking down 43% of his three point attempts. Nwora is a high flyer who could excel in small ball lineups as the roller in pick and roll action and his ability to run the floor with his long strides makes him a potential problem in transition. Nwora is my favorite sleeper prospect in this draft and I am excited to see where he lands up and what team will get the best out of his ability. Nwora projects as a solid defensive player, who can shoot the ball, and play above the rim in most NBA starting lineups.
19. Tyrell Terry (G, Stanford)
Scout’s Take: Terry might be the biggest riser in the draft for me, and I considered putting him even a few spots higher. He kind of flew under the radar this year, but his ability to shoot the ball 40.8% from three and 89.1% from the line shows his consistent ability to shoot the ball. In today’s NBA, the ability to shoot the ball is more important now than ever, and at the PG spot Terry offers that valuable trait. Terry does need to work on creating for others more as he only averaged 3.6 assists per game in his lone season at Stanford, but he will only be 20 years old by the time of the draft and he has more time to develop. Terry stands at 6’1 with a lean frame and needs to have some physical maturation to reach his NBA ceiling. I am all in on the Terry hype train and his three point shot is a game changer at the next level from the PG spot. Terry could sneak into the lottery depending if pre-draft workouts and interviews happen as Terry’s IQ is raved about among college circles.
20. Vernon Carey (F/C, Duke)
Scout’s Take: Carey brings an old school low post game to the table, with solid rebounding ability, and the ability to pick and pop out to the three point line. If this draft was twenty years ago, Carey would be an easy top ten pick. But, he is not a very good athlete, is very limited on defense, and will struggle to be more then a role player in the up and down positionless basketball that is today’s NBA. I still love his ability to score the ball on the block and be a second unit center. He is a strong body and every team can still use an old fashion center to play off the bench. Carey needs to get in better physical shape though to run the floor and be a rim runner if he wants to get significant playing time. His scoring ability shouldn’t go unnoticed by teams though, and he deserves a spot off the bench, preferably for a team with a solid center already solidified in the starting five.
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