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http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draf..._cid=InsiderTwitter_ford_southregionprospectsTop prospects in South Region
The South Region has its fair share of elite NBA draft prospects in comparison to the other regions. By our count, it has four potential lottery picks and another four potential first-rounders. It also has two or three unique draft sleepers in the country who are worth checking out.
Insider's NBA draft team has talked to multiple NBA scouts and general managers during the season. Based on their feedback, here's a look at the top prospects on each of the teams in the South Region, listed by potential lottery picks, first-rounders, second-rounders and "wait until next year" players. (Teams listed by seed.)
On Monday, we took a look at the prospects in the Midwest; on Tuesday, we looked at the West; on Wednesday, it was time for the East.
1. Duke Blue Devils
Lottery picks: Jahlil Okafor, C, Fr.; Justise Winslow, F, Fr.
Potential first-rounders: Tyus Jones, PG, Fr.
Potential second-rounders: Quinn Cook, PG, Sr.;
Wait until next year: Grayson Allen, SG, Fr.
The Blue Devils, once again, are loaded with NBA prospects. Okafor has been ranked No. 1 on our Big Board all season and might be the most dominant freshman big man I've scouted on the offensive end. He has low post footwork that many veteran NBA bigs lack. The only concern about him is his lack of elite athleticism. It doesn't hurt him offensively, but he can struggle defensively at times and isn't an elite rim protector.
Winslow is in the running for the best wing in the draft. He's a powerful finisher at the rim and has shown off a better than expected 3-point shot -- it's his mid-range game that's been non-existent. He's shot a measly 23 percent on his two-point field goals this season. Still, with his athleticism and intangibles (he's got some Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in him) many scouts think he might be an elite NBA players someday. He'll go somewhere between No. 6 and 12.
Jones is polarizing. He's a favorite of scouts who use analytics. His high basketball IQ, elite assist-to-turnover ratio and high steal rate make him appealing. But he lacks elite size and athleticism to dominate at the next level. His range is pretty wide between No. 15 and 25. Cook shares backcourt responsibility with Jones, and is having a dominant season. He too takes care of the ball, is shooting 40 percent from three and may find a way to sneak into the second round.
Scouts are really excited about Allen, an explosive two guard who can, when he gets hot like he did when he dropped 27 points on Wake Forest, look like a lottery pick. He won't be one this year. But in 2016, it's not out of the question.
2. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Potential first-rounders: Domantas Sabonis, PF, Fr.
Potential second-rounders: Przemek Karnowski, C, Jr.
The Zags' best NBA prospect doesn't even start for them. Sabonis, the son of NBA big man Arvydas Sabonis, plays just 20 minutes per night, but has one of the highest rebounding rates in the country, has a lethal face-the-basket jumper, and plays with a high basketball IQ like his dad. He's definitely a late first-round sleeper if he declares this year.
Karnowski has the size of a NBA center for sure, but his lack of NBA athleticism is worrisome. He's a possible bubble second-rounder if he declares.
3. Iowa State Cyclones
Potential second-rounders: Georges Niang, F, Jr.; Jameel McKay, PF, Jr.
Wait until next year: Monte Morris, PG, So.
Niang is one of the smartest players in the country. He just lacks elite size or athleticism for his position. However, he's shooting the ball better than ever and some scouts have wondered whether he could be a Draymond Green type down the road. That seems like lofty praise given how well Green has performed this season, but when Green was drafted? That sounds less hyperbolic.
McKay is athletic, runs the floor, attacks the glass and can block shots. But he's rail-thin and not very polished offensively. Morris has one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the country, is shooting 40 percent from three and has good size for his position. It's not out of the question that he could be in the mix as a first-round pick in 2016. He's having a terrific, underrated, sophomore season. I know a number of scouts who are big fans of Morris.
4. Georgetown Hoyas
Potential second-rounders: Josh Smith, C, Sr.; D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, G, Jr.
Wait until next year: Isaac Copeland, F, Fr.
Smith has the size and basketball skills to be an NBA player. He has possessed that talent since his freshman year. Conditioning and work ethic issues have kept him out of the first-round discussion. He's having the best season of his career as a senior and scouts still think there may be a place for him in the NBA. But the way he makes the biggest impression won't be in the tournament. He needs to get with a trainer and get in the best shape of his life for workouts.
Smith-Rivera is the classic college combo guard who lacks the elite size or athleticism for his game to translate at the next level. So while he's the engine behind Georgetown's offense and could have a big tournament, most scouts will say there's 25 college guards just like him.
Copeland is the best NBA prospect on the team and could be a lottery pick in another year. He lacks strength, but he's super skilled, can play the 3 and the 4, can shoot the 3, protect the rim and he can even handle the ball. He's very inconsistent, but when he's good, he's very, very good.
5. Utah Utes
Potential first-rounders: Jakob Poeltl, C, Fr.; Delon Wright, PG, Sr.
Wright is one of the best players in the country and is an obvious fit in the NBA. His size, athleticism and floor management skills should make him a lock for the first round. He's shot the ball much better this season, especially lately, has a terrific three-to-one assist to turnover ratio, and is a ball hawk on the defensive end. The only thing going against Wright is his age. He turns 23 before the draft and that always scares teams a bit. With that said, he's right in the mix with Jerian Grant, Kris Dunn and Terry Rozier for the next point guard off the board after Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell. He's in the No. 15 to 25 range.
Ironically, Poeltl is in the opposite position of Wright. He isn't NBA-ready, is inconsistent and barely moves the needle offensively; however, his size, mobility and defensive talents rebounding and blocking shots have teams intrigued. While Wright is perceived to be out of upside, Poeltl, who is just 19, is seen to be filled with it. While he's two years away from being a contributor in the NBA, if he declares he'd likely go somewhere between No. 15 and 20 in the draft.
6. SMU Mustangs
No current NBA prospects.
Larry Brown is still recovering from the fact that Mudiay decided to withdraw from SMU. He told me a couple of weeks ago: "If we had him right now, we'd be ranked one, two or three in the country. And along with Russell and Okafor, he'd be the biggest name in college basketball right now. He'd have a brand right now. I tried to tell the family, but he had other people in his ears, and, ultimately, I supported his decision. The kid just wanted to play basketball, but he had a family to support."
Instead, SMU is ranked No. 20 and while they have a lot of great college players led by American Conference Player of the Year Nic Moore, American Conference Most Improved player Yanick Moreira and American Conference Sixth Man of the Year Markus Kennedy, none of them are likely to end up in the NBA, according to scouts.
7. Iowa Hawkeyes
Potential second-rounders: Aaron White, PF, Sr.; Jarrod Uthoff, SF, Jr.
White is a unique prospect who thrives on running the floor and getting to the rim where he shoots a terrific 72 percent. He's a very good athlete, can initiate the offense from the high post and plays with a great basketball IQ. His lack of a great jumper (26 percent on his 2-point jumpers, 33 percent from 3) are the biggest red flags for him now.
Uthoff also has his fans as an athletic forward who can both rebound and block shots and stretch the floor. He's shooting a very respectable 39 percent from 3 and even better 42 percent on his 2-point jumpers. Both players are bubble second rounders, but a strong run for Iowa in the tournament would help their cause.
8. San Diego State Aztecs
Lottery picks: Malik Pope, F, Fr.
Potential second-rounders: Winston Shepard, F, Jr.; Dwayne Polee II, G/F, Sr.
Pope is averaging just 5.1 PPG and 2.6 RPG as a freshman in just 14 MPG. Catch him on the wrong night and you'll wonder what all the fuss is about. But dig deeper, as so many scouts have this year, and Pope's unique combination of size and length, elite athleticism, and basketball skill screams lottery pick. He can shoot the ball with range, handle it coast to coast, rebound and protect the rim. He's not ready, but neither was Giannis Antetokounmpo, and while he's a different player than Antetokounmpo, he has that sort of transcendent combination of physical tools and skills. When he gets going, like he did in the Mountain West final versus Wyoming, it's hard not to fall in love. He's right now in the No. 13 to 25 range. But it will just take one or two big performances in the tournament to push him into the Top 10.
Shepard always has been an intriguing prospect based on his size and versatile skill set, but after stalling out as sophomore, he's no longer considered an elite NBA prospect. Polee is one of the best athletes in the draft, but has struggled this season. His collapse on the court versus UC-Riverside was one of the scariest moments of the year. Diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia, he's now back playing for the Aztecs, though his draft status at this point is very questionable.
9. St. John's Red Storm
Potential second-rounders: Chris Obekpa, C, Jr.; Sir'Dominic Pointer, G/F, Sr.; D'Angelo Harrison, SG, Sr.
Wait until next year: Rysheed Jordan, PG, So.
Obekpa is the best pro prospect on St. John's, though a two-week suspension for violating team rules certainly puts his ability to improve his stock in the tournament in serious doubt. While Obekpa isn't much of an offensive player, he's one of the elite shot blockers in the draft.
Pointer had a breakout senior season. He doubled his point production, rebounds and blocked shots, but he's still a tweener who can't shoot and who struggles to put up points. Harrison has averaged roughly 17 PPG for his entire four seasons at St. John's. He hasn't been particularly efficient doing it, but he's been solid across the board. The biggest issue really a lack of elite size for his position that puts him in the same league with a ton of other good, but not elite tweener guard prospects. Both are unlikely to get drafted.
Jordan is the most intriguing long-term prospect. He's long, athletic and has great size for his position. However, he averaged as many turnovers as assists this season, is just a so-so shooter and scouts still have questions about his basketball IQ. He could be a potential first-round prospect in 2016, but he still has a lot to prove.
10. Davidson Wildcats
No current NBA prospects.
11. UCLA Bruins
Lottery picks: Kevon Looney, F, Fr.
Potential second-rounders: Norman Powell, SG, Sr.; Tony Parker Jr., C, Jr.; Isaac Hamilton, SG, So.
UCLA might have been a controversial choice to make the tournament, but scouts are relieved. Looney projects as one of the top 10 players in the draft this year, and the more they can see him against elite talent, the better. He suffered a facial fracture in the Pac-12 tournament, which limited his effectiveness after forcing him to don a mask. But it's unlikely to matter what he does. Teams that are high on him are crazy about his Inspector Gadget-long arms, versatility and toughness. He's still a major work in progress, but if he ever gets it, he could be a better version of Lamar Odom.
Powell's draft stock rose considerably this summer after playing well in the summer camps but he's been a mild disappointment this season. He's a terrific athlete, an elite defender and he's been much more aggressive scoring the basketball, but his jump shot and decision making are still shaky. He's a very likely second-rounder, but the days of being mentioned as a first-rounder seem to be over.
Parker and Hamilton have been solid, but they'll likely need to return to UCLA if they want to get drafted.
12. Steven F. Austin Lumberjacks
No current NBA prospects.
13. Eastern Washington Eagles
Potential second-round picks: Tyler Harvey, SG, Jr.; Venky Jois, PF, Jr.
Harvey is the leading scorer in the country and when you watch him play, you understand why. He's a fearless shooter that is willing to let it go from anywhere on the floor. Despite his penchant for letting it fly, he's a surprisingly efficient shooter, hitting 44 percent of his three-point shots and 48 percent of his two-point jumpers. He's especially effective with his floater and shows great basketball IQ out there. Considering he's put up numbers against SMU, Indiana, Washington and Cal, it's pretty clear he can play with the big boys. I could see him having a C.J. McCollum-like rise if he gets hot. He doesn't have elite size or athleticism, but the kid can really make shots.
And don't count out his teammate Jois either. A number of scouts who went to Eastern Washington to see Harvey play came back impressed with Jois as well. He has one of the highest PERs in college basketball, can rebound and score the ball. He's a second-round prospect at best, but an intriguing one.
14. UAB Blazers
No current NBA prospects.
15. North Dakota State Aggies
No current NBA prospects.
16. North Florida Ospreys/Robert Morris Colonials
No current NBA prospects.