21. Jahmi’us Ramsey (G, Texas Tech)
Scout’s Take: Ramsey is an explosive guard who can attack the rim and shoot the three ball at a high clip. In his lone year at Texas Tech, the 6’4 guard shot 42.6 percent from downtown, but also showed a great ability to explode to the rim and get past his defenders. His 64% from the free throw line though was very underwhelming and needs to improve as he makes his leap to the next level. At 6’4 he has the size of a combo guard, but plays more of the “two guard” on offense, but will have to defend point guards on defense. His athleticism and explosive nature gives him some defensive upside and potential to hound defenders 94 feet. His playmaking for others needs to improve, and he needs to improve his all-around game. But, he does offer great energy, effort, and the ability to score the ball. Ramsey could be a spark plug off the bench that provides a scoring punch and some energy in his minutes. He is a prospect that I would be willing to take a chance on.
22. Tyler Bey (F, Colorado)
Scout’s Take: In the NBA today most front offices and coaching staff are targeting wing players that bring defensive versatility to the table and the ability to shoot the three ball. Bey fits that description perfectly as he stands at 6’7, with the ability to defend positions 1-4, and shoot the three at a high clip (41.9%) this past season. He also brought in 9.0 rebounds per game, and averaged over one steal and one block as well. Despite his poor assist numbers (1.5 per game), Bey can still be labeled as an all-around player. He impacts the game in so many ways, that many teams will find him impressive and ultimately make him a first round prospect. Bey is at his best defending wings, and attacking the hoop on the offensive end. He is a guy who will thrive off second chance, and hustle points. If he can continue to improve his three point shot, as he went from 22% his sophomore year, to 41.9% his junior year, he will be a very capable role player going forward.
23. Tyrese Maxey (G, Kentucky)
Scout’s Take: Maxey is a guard who can score the ball, and that trait is going to be a wanted commodity in this draft especially that lacks a lot of high level scorers. Although Maxey only shot 29% from three, and averaged 14.0 points per game in his lone year at Kentucky, he had a few games where he really lit it up, and showed he can score the ball in bunches. His free throw percentage was 83% as well, which shows that his three point percentage has the ability to improve. He is a very good athlete as well with upside. The more research I did on Maxey, the closer the comparison to Donovan Mitchell came up for me. Both Maxey and Mitchell in college were scoring guards, ball dominant, but both had flaws and weren’t good all around players. If Maxey falls into a role with a team with a good player development system and he continues his development as a shooter and all-around player he is one of the dark horse all-stars going forward from this draft class. Whether he reaches that ceiling or not, I think Maxey’s ability to score the ball will keep him around in the league for the foreseeable future whether he is a starter or bench player.
24. Devon Dotson (G, Kansas)
Scout’s Take: Dotson is a perfect player for a team in win now mode. He can step in and play the point guard position at a high level as a rotational player. Dotson isn’t flashy, but he is fundamentally sound, takes care of the ball, and is a very good defender. Dotson had one of the better assists to turnover ratio, and he can shoot the ball from beyond the arc. The reason that he isn’t a higher rated prospect is due to his lack of athleticism, and upside going forward. Dotson wouldn’t “wow” teams at a combine, and doesn’t have the best measurables, but he is a winning player and will help any team that he goes to. Going forward I envision Dotson as a very good second unit point guard, and would be a great fit for a title contender looking for depth at the guard spot.
25. Kira Lewis Jr. (G, Alabama)
Scout’s Take: Kira Lewis Jr. is one of the more polarizing prospects in this draft. His stock ranges anywhere from the late lottery, to the beginning of the second round. We have the speedy guard out of Alabama right in the middle of that. The 6’3 guard improved from freshman to sophomore year in the points column, going from 13.5 points per game to 18.5 points per game, but most of his other statistics stayed the same. This gives me reason to believe that the numbers we saw out of Lewis in college is what his ceiling is. Lewis is a blur in the open court, and can shoot the ball at a decent clip (36% from three), but the rest of his game doesn’t really stick out to me. I like him as a player that can compete right away on offense, but his frail frame at only 165 pounds might give him some struggles on the defensive end of the floor. Lewis is a prospect that I am not entirely high on, but I think he can be a solid rotational guard with a limited ceiling, but a solid floor going forward.
26. Grant Riller (G, Charleston)
Scout’s Take: Having played against smaller school competition throughout his career has driven Riller down a lot of draft boards. But, that doesn’t change the fact that Riller is a flat out scorer. This past year Riller averaged 21.9 points per game, while shooting 49.9% from the field, and 36.2% from three point range. He is a player that can be described as a “microwave” as he can get hot and go on a tear at any point. At 6’3 though, he is going to be too small to guard most two guards, and will likely have to defend the point guard spot at the next level. If Riller is forced to play the point going forward, his playmaking will need to improve as he only averaged 2.8 assists per game throughout his college career. His ability to score the ball though will give him a chance to carve out a role in the league, and come off the bench to be a productive player going forward.
27. Paul Reed (F, DePaul)
Scout’s Take: Reed is another guy who is flying under the radar, but after a stellar year at DePaul last season, there is reason to believe that he projects to be a solid NBA player going forward. This past season, the 6’9 forward averaged a double-double, with 15 points and 10 boards per game. He is a very fluid athlete, and gives you positional versatility on the defensive end. The consistency of his outside shot needs some more improvement, but in the world of positionless basketball, Reed can play center in some small ball lineups, and guard many different spots. At only 21 years old, he still hasn’t reached his ceiling yet, and he has a future in the league going forward.
28. Elijah Hughes (G/F, Syracuse)
Scout’s Take: Hughes is a player that I am certainly higher on then most. As we have seen throughout these rankings, I value players who can defend multiple positions, have good length, and can shoot the three ball. Hughes fits right into that description. He is a player that I think scouts and front offices might start to like more as the draft process goes on. He has prototypical guard/wing size with his 6’6 frame, and over the past two seasons shot a combined 35% from three. That percentage needs to improve, but his form and his rhythm he shoots with shows that all the tools are there to become a “3 and D”player. He already is a very good defensive player, with plus athleticism, and as his development continues he has plausible upside. Although he is already 22 years old, that might scare some scouts off, but he can compete now on the defensive end as his offensive game comes into form. His game similarly reminds me of OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors, when he was coming out of Indiana, and he has become a successful NBA role player so far, and I see Hughes following that similar path.
29. Cassius Winston (G, Michigan State)
Scout’s Take: Cassius Winston, Devon Dotson, and Tre Jones, are all similar players. They are natural PG’s, leaders, and know how to play the game the right way. Winston might be the most accomplished of that trio though, but his size is going to limit his upside going forward. A player who is tough as nails, and has shot making ability will give him a job in the NBA for the foreseeable future. Winston can take care of the ball at a high level and set up his teammates for open shots. Winston is a player who will play his role well, be a leader on the floor, and be a great locker room guy. Winston has the potential to be a solid NBA point guard, whether he is a low end starter, or high end backup for the next decade plus.
30. Cassius Stanley (G/F, Duke)
Scout’s Take: Stanley is one of the best athletes in this draft, and that gives him some more upside going forward. He is the best dunker in this draft, and is a high flyer. A good comparison for Stanley in my opinion would be Derrick Jones Jr. of the Miami Heat, except he is a few inches shorter. They both have great athleticism, can play some high level defense, and the rest of their game is still a work in progress. Stanley shoots the ball at a decent clip from the outside (36%), and at that percentage, with his defensive ability, he has potential to be a “3 and D” guy coming off the bench for any team who picks him. Stanley is an exciting player, and will be great out in transition going forward. Look for Stanley to be one of the steals of this draft.
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