NBA Draft Prospect Preview (A-H)

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

Listed below is a plethora of NBA Draft prospects and their capabilities along with their faults. Included, are player comparisons. This post features players whose names start with the letters A-H.

Aaron Scott - 6’7” 200 lbs - Wing - St Johns - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Versatile and good defender, can guard 2-4

• Shown the ability to knock down the 3

• Great hustle

• Solid FT shooter

• Pretty athletic, good lateral quickness

Weaknesses:

• Not a reliable scorer, cannot create for himself

• Bad playmaker

• Strength is questionable, could struggle when guarding stronger players

• Shot is shaky at times

NBA comp: Peyton Watson

Ceiling- Good role player Floor- Non NBA player Projection- End of rotation role player

Right now: End of bench/G-League

Ace Bailey - 6’10” 200 lbs - Wing - Rutgers - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Great athleticism

• Great scorer on all 3 levels

• Good defender, can guard multiple positions

• Good rebounder

• Good shooting mechanics, shot will translate

• Can handle the ball well for someone with his size

• Makes tough shots look easy

• Good catch and shoot ability

Weaknesses:

• Bad playmaker

• Assist to turnover ratio is bad

• Bad shot selection at times

• Won’t be able to guard strong 4s/5s

• Not a winner

NBA comp: Kevin Durant

Ceiling- Elite #1 scorer (Championship #1) Floor- Good starter/great bench scorer Projection- All NBA caliber scorer

Right now: Developmental starter

Adou Thiero - 6’8” 220 lbs - Forward - Arkansas - 21 y/o

Strengths:

• Real good athlete

• Good finisher

• Good, versatile defender, can guard 2-4

• Good dunker

• Decent 3 point shooter

• Can create his own shot at times

Weaknesses:

• Below average playmaker

• Shot is inconsistent

• Not the best ball handler

• Inconsistent offense

• Below average rebounder for someone with his size and athleticism

NBA comp: Keldon Johnson

Ceiling- Great role playing starter Floor- Good G-Leaguer Projection- Good role player

Right now: End of rotation

Alex Karaban - 6’7” 219 lbs - Wing - UConn - 21 y/o

Strengths:

• One of the better shooters in this draft

• He is a good scorer in college, not sure how it will translate though

• Very smart basketball player

• Knows how to play his role

• Gives a lot of hustle

Weaknesses:

• Not a good athlete

• Scoring likely will not translate to the NBA

• Can’t hang with quicker defenders, can’t guard stronger defenders. Will be a below average defender at the next level

NBA comp: Georges Niang

Ceiling- Good role player Floor- Overseas Projection- Out of NBA within 4 years

Right now: Bottom rotation shooter

Alex Toohey - 6’7” 205 lbs - Forward - Australia - 20 y/o

Strengths: 

• Switchable defender

• Smart player

• Good non-primary playmaker

• Good finisher and driver

• Good off-ball defender

Weaknesses:

• Not that athletic

• Not the best shooter, however it is developing

• Not a great shot creator

NBA comp: Keegan Murray

Ceiling- Good rotational player Floor- G-League Projection- End of bench player

Right now: Deep bench/G-League

Andrej Stojakovic - 6’7” 205 lbs - Wing - California - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Good shooter, great mechanics

• Good scoring on all 3 levels

• Good ball handler

• Great off ball movement

• Solid playmaker

• High IQ

Weaknesses:

• Not a good athlete

• Not a great defender

• Can’t be a primary scorer or primary playmaker

NBA comp: Kevin Huerter

Ceiling- Good starter Floor- Low rotational player Projection- Good bench player

Right now: End of rotation

Asa Newell - 6’11” 220 lbs - PF - Georgia - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Very athletic for his size

• Great defender

• Great lob threat

• Shot is developing nicely

• Can score from all 3 levels

• Great finisher

Weaknesses:

• 3 point shot is not great yet

• Rebounding could be better

NBA comp: Jaren Jackson Jr

Ceiling- All Star + DPOY Floor- Good role player Projection- All Defensive level defender + Good offensive player

Right now: Solid starter/Good role player

Augustus Marciulionis - 6’4” 200 lbs - PG - Saint Mary’s - 22 y/o

Strengths: 

• Good playmaker

• Good ball handler

• Good defender

• Triple-Double threat

• Solid 3 point shooter

• Excellent game manager

Weaknesses:

• Not the best athlete

• Shot is inconsistent

• Not sure if he will be able to score at the next level

NBA comp: Tyus Jones

Ceiling- Solid starter or Great backup Floor- Bench PG Projection- Good backup PG

Right now: Decent backup PG

Baye Ndongo - 6’9” 240 lbs - Big - Georgia Tech - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite athleticism for his size

• Good finisher

• Great lob threat

• Shows flashes of a good jumper

• Massive defensive potential

• Good rebounder

Weaknesses:

• Extremely raw

• Can’t really create for himself at all

• Jumper is not good yet

• Not a good playmaker or ball handler

NBA comp: Jalen Duren

Ceiling- All Star Floor- Out of league Projection- Great starter

Right now: Developmental rotational player/G-League 

Ben Humrichous - 6’9” 220 lbs - Forward - Illinois - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Great shooter

• Solid scorer

Weaknesses:

• Mid athlete

• Not a good rebounder

• Mid defender

NBA comp: Joe Ingles

Ceiling- Rotational player Floor- Out of league Projection- Out of league

Right now: Summer League

Ben Saraf - 6’6” 200 lbs - Guard - Israel - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Good playmaker

• Good 3 level scorer

• Good ball handler

• Great size for a PG

Weaknesses:

• Mid athlete

• Not an amazing 3 point shooter

• Inconsistent on defense

NBA comp: Josh Giddey

Ceiling- All Star Floor- Backup PG Projection- Good starting PG

Right now: Developmental rotational player

Bogoljub Markovic - 6’11” 195 lbs - PF - Serbia - 19 y/o

Strengths: 

• Phenomenal shooter

• Agile for someone with his size

• Good in pick and roll and pick and pop

• Good athlete

• Can finish

• Solid post game

Weaknesses:

• Very thin

• Defense needs work

• Not a good playmaker right now

NBA comp: Alexej Pokusevki

Ceiling- All Star Floor- Bench warmer Projection- Good role playing starter

Right now: Developmental rotational player

Boogie Fland - 6’2” 175 lbs - PG - Arkansas - 19 y/o

Strengths: 

• Good scorer on all 3 levels

• Good playmaker

• Has an excellent knack for steals

• Good perimeter defense

• Good athlete

Weaknesses:

• Very wiry frame, can’t hang with stronger guards

• His shot can be inconsistent, only shot 39% from the field in college

• Missed a good portion of the year with injury, so he is sort of questionable

NBA comp: Darius Garland

Ceiling- All NBA Floor- Good backup PG Projection- Fringe All Star

Right now: Bench PG/Developmental rotational player

Brandon Garrison - 6’10” 250 lbs - Big - Kentucky - 20 y/o

Strengths: 

• Good defender

• Shot is developing nicely

• Solid playmaker

Weaknesses:

• Below average rebounder

• Below average physical tools

• Not much college production

NBA comp: Thomas Bryant

Ceiling- Rotational player Floor- Out of league Projection- G-League

Right now: G-League/Summer League

Caleb Love - 6’4” 205 lbs - PG - Arizona - 22 y/o

Strengths: 

• Great 3 level scorer

• Lots of experience

• Scoring will translate

• Good athlete, very fast and quick

• Solid defender

Weaknesses:

• Bad shot selection at times

• Below average playmaker for a PG

NBA comp: Malik Monk

Ceiling- Solid starting PG Floor- Solid bench PG/Good bench scorer Projection- Good backup PG

Right now: Solid bench PG

Carter Bryant - 6’8” 220 lbs - Forward - Arizona - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Versatile player on offense and defense

• Very good 3p shooter

• Good frame

• Great athlete for his size

Weaknesses:

• Not consistent

• Little college production

• Game is not polished enough yet

NBA comp: Tobias Harris

Ceiling- Great role playing starter Floor- G-League Projection- Good role playing starter

Right now: Developmental rotational player or G-League

Clifford Omoruyi - 6’11” 250 lbs - C - Alabama - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite interior defender

• Good shot blocker

• Great athlete

• Great lob threat

• Good rebounder

• Solid post game

Weaknesses:

• Cannot shoot

• Bad offensive game outside of the paint

• Bad playmaker

NBA comp: Jalen Duren

Ceiling- Solid starter Floor- End of rotation C Projection- Good backup C

Right now: Bench/G-League

Coleman Hawkins - 6’10” 215 lbs - PF - Kansas State - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Good defender, can guard multiple positions

• Great 3p shooter

• Good rebounder

• Good playmaker

Weaknesses:

• Weak for his position

• Injury concerns

• Likely won’t be a great scorer in the NBA

NBA comp: PJ Washington

Ceiling- Good starter Floor- Low rotational player Projection- Good role player

Right now: Low rotational player

Collin Murray-Boyles - 6’7” 245 lbs - PF - South Carolina - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Great rebounder

• Great defender at multiple positions

• Great finisher

• Flashes of a jumpshot

• High efficiency that will likely translate

• Not the worst playmaker

• Solid free throw shooter, gives hope his 3 ball will come along

Weaknesses:

• Jumpshot is not there yet

• Smaller for his position

NBA comp: Julius Randle

Ceiling- All Star + All Defensive Team Floor- Good rotational player Projection- Great starter

Right now: Solid rotational player/Developmental starter

Cooper Flagg - 6’9” 205 lbs - Wing - Duke - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• ELITE defender at multiple positions

• Excellent shot blocker

• Elite 3 level scorer

• Great rebounder

• Good playmaker

• Extreme competitiveness and drive

• Game will translate immediately

• High IQ

• Good shot creator

Weaknesses:

• Could be stronger

• Not an elite ball handler yet

NBA comp: Jayson Tatum + Kevin Garnett

Ceiling- MVP + DPOY + Championship #1 Floor- Great starter + All Defensive Team Projection- All NBA 1st Team + Championship #1

Right now: Good starter

Dailyn Swain - 6’8” 220 lbs - Wing - Xavier - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Good defender at multiple positions

• Solid rebounder

• Solid playmaker

• Decent scorer

• Good finisher

• Solid off ball

• Solid athleticism

Weaknesses:

• Bad shooter

• Not a great shot creator

• Not the best ball handler

• Needs to be more aggressive 

NBA comp: Worse Herb Jones

Ceiling- Solid starter Floor- Deep bench Projection- End of rotational play

Right now: Deep bench/G-League

Danny Wolf - 7’ 255 lbs - Big - Michigan - 21 y/o

Strengths:

• Good playmaker

• Good shooter

• Good rebounder

• Very quick and agile for his size

• Solid scorer

Weaknesses:

• Bad defender

• Struggles with turnovers at time

• Offense is inconsistent

• Doubt his game will translate well

NBA comp: Nikola Jovic

Ceiling- All-NBA Floor- G-League MVP Projection- Low rotational player

Right now: End of rotation

Darrion Williams - 6’6” 225 lbs - Wing - Texas Tech - 21 y/o

Strengths:

• Good 3 point shooter

• Above average rebounder

• Good on ball defender

• Strong

• Good playmaker

Weaknesses:

• Not a good shot creator

• Not an explosive athlete

• Not amazing efficiency

NBA comp: Dorian Finney-Smith

Ceiling- Good starter Floor- Deep rotation role player Projection- Good role player

Right now: Decent rotational player

Derik Queen - 6’10” 246 lbs - Big - Maryland - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Great scorer

• Good mid range shooter, his 3 point shot should come

• Decent playmaker

• Good free throw shooter

• Great rebounder

• Good athlete

• Shows defensive potential

Weaknesses:

• 3 point shot is not there YET

• Defense needs to be improved

NBA comp: Joel Embiid

Ceiling- All NBA Floor- Backup C Projection- Low All NBA

Right now: Developmental starter/Good backup C

Derrion Reid - 6’8” 220 lbs - Forward - Alabama - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Has offensive potential

• Shows flashes of a good jumpshot

• Good build

• Has defensive potential

• Good athleticism

Weaknesses:

• Not good college production

• Not a good shooter 

• Not a good shot creator

NBA comp: Patrick Williams

Ceiling- Good starter Floor- Out of league Projection- G-League

Right now: G-League

Dink Pate - 6’8” 210 lbs - Guard - G-League - 18 y/o

Strengths:

• Great size for a PG

• Good finisher

• Has a 3p shot

• Good defender, can guard 1-3

• Good athlete

• 3 level scorer

Weaknesses:

• Isn’t an amazing playmaker yet

• Pretty inefficient

• All around consistency

• Poor decision making at times

• Struggled in the rising stars games vs real NBA players

NBA comp: Nobody

Ceiling- All Star Floor- Overseas Projection- Decent bench player

Right now: Developmental bench player/G-League

Donnie Freeman - 6’9” 205 lbs - Forward - Syracuse - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Good 3 level scorer

• Great defender (Elite defensive potential)

• Solid 3 point shot

• Good athlete

• Good ball handler for his position

• Good rebounder

• Good efficiency overall

• Good free throw shooter

Weaknesses:

• Jumpshot is not consistent

• Thin frame

• Decision making

NBA comp: Jaden McDaniels

Ceiling- All Star + All Defensive Team Floor- Solid rotational player Projection- Great starter

Right now: Solid rotational player/Developmental player

Drake Powell - 6’6” 195 lbs - Wing - UNC - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite perimeter defender (Lock down 1-3)

• Good 3p shooter

• Great athlete (Elite quickness)

• Great off ball scorer

Weaknesses:

• Not a good scorer

• Not a good free throw shooter

• Not a good playmaker

• Can’t create his own shot

NBA comp: Herb Jones

Ceiling- Great role playing starter + All Defensive team Floor- Low rotational defender Projection- Team’s best defender

Right now: Low rotation defender

Dylan Harper - 6’6” 215 lbs - Guard - Rutgers - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Great finisher

• Great ball handler

• Great shot creator

• Elite 3 level scorer

• Good athlete

• Good rebounder

• Good playmaker

• Lots of defensive potential

• Great size

• Good jump shot

Weaknesses:

• Not an explosive athlete, although he is still a good one

NBA comp: Jalen Brunson with size

Ceiling- All NBA 1st Team + Championship #1 Floor- Good starting PG Projection- All NBA + Championship #1.5

Right now: Solid starting PG/Developmental starter

Egor Demin - 6’9” 190 lbs - PG - BYU - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite playmaker

• Amazing size

• Good 3 level scorer

• Solid athlete

• Great ball handler

• Has a jump shot developing

Weaknesses:

• Jumper is not there yet

• Efficiency could be better

• Below average defender

• Thin frame

NBA comp: Tyrese Haliburton

Ceiling- All NBA Floor- Good backup PG Projection- Great starting PG + Fringe All Star

Right now: Solid backup PG/Developmental player

Grant Nelson - 6’11” 230 lbs - Big - Alabama - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Good athlete for his size

• Switchable defender

• Good shot creator

• Solid rebounder

• Decent 3p shooter

• Efficient scorer

Weaknesses:

• Not great at anything

• Game won’t translate very well at the next level

• Likely already at or near his peak

NBA comp: Christian Wood

Ceiling- Solid rotational player Floor- Out of the NBA Projection- Mid G-League

Right now: Deep bench player/G-League

Hansen Yang - 7’1” 250 lbs - C - China - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Rebounding

• Rim protection

• Inside scoring

• Playmaking potential

• Good in the mid range

Weaknesses:

• Slow footed

• Not a switchable defender

• Not playing amazing comp in China

• No 3 point jump shot

NBA comp: Zach Edey

Ceiling- Good starting C Floor- Back in China Projection- G-League

Right now: G-League

Hugo Gonzalez - 6’6” 205 lbs - Wing - Spain - 18 y/o

Strengths:

• Has a solid jumper

• Good defender

• Good ball handler for his position

• Solid driver

• Good athlete

• Has playmaking potential

Weaknesses:

• Lots of ?

• Not played a lot or against great comp

NBA comp: Josh Hart

Ceiling- Good starter Floor- Low end rotational player Projection- Decent rotational player

Right now: Developmental player/G-League

Hunter Sallis - 6’5” 185 lbs - Guard - Wake Forest - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Great 3 level scorer

• Good ball handler

• Good defender

• Good athlete

• Solid rebounder

Weaknesses:

• Not a great playmaker

• Not the most efficient

• Jump shot is sort of inconsistent

NBA comp: Malik Monk

Ceiling- 6MOTY or solid starter Floor- Solid bench player Projection- Good backup guard

Right now: End of rotation player

For NBA Draft Prospect Preview list I-M, click here.

For NBA Draft Prospect Preview list N-Z, click here.

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