NBA Draft Prospect Preview (I-M)

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 I-M.

Ian Schiefellin - 6’8” 240 lbs - Big - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Good rebounder

• Good hustle

• Solid shot blocker

• Good defender

• Developing jump shot

Weaknesses:

• Undersized

• Jump shot is not good yet

• Not a great athlete

• Defense and offense likely will not translate

NBA comp: Tristan Thompson

Ceiling- Solid bench big man Floor- Non NBA Projection- G-League

Right now: G-League

Igor Milicic Jr - 6’10” 225 lbs - SF-C - Tennessee - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Can play multiple positions

• Good athlete

• Good defender

• Solid rebounder

• Good shooter

• Solid off ball

Weaknesses:

• Could be a better playmaker

• Not a great scorer

NBA comp: Dario Saric

Ceiling- Great role playing starter Floor- In Europe Projection- Solid bench role player

Right now: End rotation player

Isaiah Evans - 6’6” 175 lbs - Wing - Duke - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite shooter, probably the best in the class

• Great off ball player

• Good athlete

• High defensive potential

Weaknesses:

• Can’t do much offensively besides shoot 3s

• Very very thin, not good in the pain on either sides

• Defense is not there yet

NBA comp: Buddy Hield

Ceiling- Elite role player + 3p champ Floor- Bench shooter Projection- Great role player, good starter

Right now: Bench shooter

Izan Almansa - 6’10” 221 lbs - PF - Spain (playing in Australia) - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Good rebounder

• Good athlete

• Good defender

• Solid inside scorer

• Has played good competition

Weaknesses:

• Not a good shooter

• Not great offensively overall

• Not great in the NBL, so why would he be good in the NBA

• Not a good playmaker

NBA comp: Brandon Clarke

Ceiling- Good role player Floor- G-League Projection- Deep bench

Right now: G-League

Jaden Bradley - 6’3” 200 lbs - PG - Arizona - 21 y/o

Strengths:

• Good playmaker

• Good ball handler

• Solid rebounder

• Decent 3p shooter

• Good scorer

• Solid defender

• Good finisher

Weaknesses:

• Has a bit of a turnover problem

• Not an amazing athlete

• Good struggle to score in the NBA because of his athleticism

NBA comp: Tyus Jones

Ceiling- Good starting PG Floor- Bench PG Projection- Solid backup PG

Right now: Bench PG

Jamir Watkins - 6’7” 210 lbs - Wing - Florida State - 23 y/o

Strengths:

• Good 3 level scorer

• Good rebounder

• Good defender, can guard multiple positions

• Good athlete

• Solid shooter

Weaknesses:

• Could be a better playmaker

• Not an amazing free throw shooter

NBA comp: Mikal Bridges

Ceiling- Good starter Floor- Solid bench player Projection- Good role player

Right now: Solid rotational player

Jaland Lowe - 6’3” 175 lbs - Guard - Pitt - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Good 3 level scorer

• Good playmaker

• Good perimeter defender

• Good athlete

• Good rebounder

• Form looks amazing

• Good free throw shooter

• Good shot creator

• Good ball handler

Weaknesses:

• Poor efficiency (38% fg)

• Thin frame

• 3 point shot could be more consistent

NBA comp: Jalen Brunson

Ceiling- All Star Floor- Solid bench player Projection- Good starting PG

Right now: Solid bench player

Jase Richardson - 6’3” 185 lbs - Guard - Michigan State - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Very shifty

• Good athlete

• Great 3 level scorer

• Good efficiency, great for a freshman guard

• Good shooter

• Good finisher

• Low turnover rate

Weaknesses:

• Not a great playmaker

• Not an elite defender

NBA comp: Jalen Brunson

Ceiling- All Star + Championship level PG Floor- Good backup PG Projection- Good starting PG

Right now: Good bench guard

Jaxson Robinson - 6’6” 192 lbs - Guard - Kentucky - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Good athlete

• Very quick

• Good 3 level scorer

• Low turnovers

• Good defender

• Efficient 3p shooter

Weaknesses:

• Could be more efficient overall

• Thin frame, could lead to injuries

• Older prospect

NBA comp: CJ McCollum

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

Right now: Solid bench player

Jeremiah Fears - 6’4” 182 lbs - Guard - Oklahoma - 18 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite 3 level scorer

• Great defender

• Amazing finisher

• Good playmaker

• Good rebounder for a guard

• Good athlete

• Great shot creator

• Good ball handler

• Elite work ethic

Weaknesses:

• Struggles with turnovers

• Field goal percentage is not amazing

• 3p shot could be more consistent

NBA comp: Donovan Mitchell

Ceiling- All NBA + Championship level PG Floor- Good backup PG Projection- Low All NBA + Championship #2

Right now: Developmental starter or good backup PG

Joan Beringer - 6’10” 200 lbs - Big - France - 18 y/o

Strengths:

• Good athlete

• Great interior defender

• Good rebounder

• Great hustle

• Decent in the paint on offense mainly as a lob threat, though nothing special

Weaknesses:

• Not good offensively

• Thin frame

• Cannot shoot

• Next to no experience

NBA comp: Rudy Gobert

Ceiling- All Defensive C Floor- Out of the league Projection- Low rotation big

Right now: G-League

Johnell Davis - 6’4” 210 lbs - Guard - Arkansas - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Good 3 level scorer

• Physical guard

• Good defender

Weaknesses:

• Poor efficiency

• Not a good playmaker

• Did much worse when moving up to the next level (FAU-Arkansas)

NBA comp: Malcolm Brogden

Ceiling- Solid starter Floor- Europe Projection- G-League

Right now: G-League

Johni Broome - 6’10” 240 lbs - Big - Auburn - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Great rebounder

• Great interior scorer

• Good interior defender

• Shot is developing nicely

Weaknesses:

• Really bad athlete

• Not a good playmaker

• Game will be hard to translate as well

NBA comp: Jakob Poeltl

Ceiling- Great role playing starter Floor- Solid backup big Projection- Good bench player

Right now: Solid rotational player

Jonas Aidoo - 6’11” 240 lbs - Big - Arkansas - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Good rim protector

• Solid rebounder

• Decent in the paint offensively

Weaknesses:

• Bad shooter

• Not great college production

• Bad playmaker

NBA comp: Mitchell Robinson

Ceiling- Decent backup big Floor- Not in NBA Projection- G-League

Right now: Summer League

Johann Grunloh - 6’10” 228 lbs - Big - Germany - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• GREAT shooter for a big man

• Great rim protector

• Solid scorer in the paint

• Good off the ball

• Not the worst playmaker, but definitely room for improvement

Weaknesses:

• Not a great athlete

• Not a switchable defender right now

• Would like to see more production as a pro in Germany

NBA comp: Kristaps Porzingis

Ceiling- ELITE role playing starter Floor- Solid bench player Project- Great backup C

Right now: Solid bench player/Developmental player

Kadary Richmond - 6’6” 205 lbs - Guard - St John’s - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Great rebounder for a guard

• Great playmaker

• Solid defender

• Solid scorer overall

• Good size

• Solid athlete

Weaknesses:

• Not a great 3p shooter

• Could be a better scorer

• Not a good shot creator for himself

NBA comp: Spencer Dinwiddie

Ceiling- Solid starting PG or Good backup Floor- Out of league Projection- 3rd string guard

Right now: End of bench PG

Kam Jones - 6’5” 200 lbs - Guard - Marquette - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite 3 level scorer

• Great playmaker, has potential to be a PG in the NBA

• Great off the ball as well

• Good shooter

• Solid rebounder

• Great physicality

Weaknesses:

• Not insanely athletic, although it got the job done in college

• Bad free throw shooter for someone of his play style

• Defense needs to level up in the NBA

• Not sure scoring will translate to the NBA

NBA comp: Desmond Bane

Ceiling- Good starting guard Floor- Bench scorer Projection- Solid bench player

Right now: Decent bench scorer

Karter Knox - 6’6” 220 lbs - Wing - Arkansas - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Great athlete

• Good 3 level scorer

• Good shooter

• Good physicality

• Great in transition

• Can play off the ball or create for himself

Weaknesses:

• Bad playmaker

• Not a good defender

• Low volume in college

NBA comp: Paul George (offense)

Ceiling- All Star Floor- G-League Projection- Good backup wing

Right now: Developmental rotational player/G-League

Kasparas Jakuncionis - 6’6” 200 lbs - PG - Illinois - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Great playmaker

• Good 3 level scorer

• Great rebounder for a guard

• Triple-Double threat

• Good free throw shooter

• Potential to be a real good shooter

• Elite size for a PG

Weaknesses:

• Bit of a turnover problem

• Not a great athlete

• Shot could be more consistent

• Defense isn’t great

NBA comp: Luka Doncic (lite)

Ceiling- All NBA Floor- Great backup PG Projection- All Star + Great PG

Right now: Solid/Developmental starter

Khaman Maluach - 7’2” 250 lbs - C - Duke - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite interior defender

• Great athlete

• Great interior finisher (amazing lob threat)

• Not the worst free throw shooter

• Solid rebounder

• Very slight potential for a developing jumpshot

Weaknesses:

• Not good offensively outside of the paint

• Very very very raw

• College production could’ve been better

• Not a threat as a playmaker

• Not a good scorer 

NBA comp: Rudy Gobert

Ceiling- DPOY Floor- Good backup C Projection- Good starting C

Right now: Developmental starter/player

Kobe Johnson - 6’6” 200 lbs - Wing - UCLA - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Great defender

• Good rebounder

• Good athlete

• Good shooter

• Decent shot creator (in college)

Weaknesses:

• Won’t be an good scorer in the NBA

• Mid playmaker

• Not a great free throw shooter

NBA comp: Matisse Thybulle

Ceiling- Good rotational defender Floor- Bench defender Projection- End of rotation defender

Right now: End of rotation defender

Koby Brea - 6’7” 205 lbs - Wing - Kentucky - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite shooter (top 3 in class)

• Great off ball mover

• High IQ

Weaknesses:

• Below average defender

• Mid athlete

• Not a great playmaker

• Not a good shot creator

NBA comp: Duncan Robinson

Ceiling- Good role player Floor- Europe Projection- End of rotation shooter

Right now: Bench shooter

Kon Knueppel - 6’7” 217 lbs - Wing - Duke - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite shooter

• Good frame

• Can score on all 3 levels

• Elite free throw shooter

• Shows flashes of being a good playmaker

• High IQ especially for a freshman

• Good college production

• Great off ball player

Weaknesses:

• Pretty bad defender (can’t guard quick guys)

• Below average athlete

• Bad rebounder

• Probably won’t be a good shot creator in the NBA

NBA comp: Klay Thompson

Ceiling- Elite role playing starter Floor- Shooter off the bench Projection- Great role player

Right now: Good bench role player

KJ Evans - 6’9” 220 lbs - PF - Oregon - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Good athlete

• Solid post player

• Great in the pick & roll

• Shows potential as a shooter

• Great in transition

• Good finisher

• Solid rebounder

• Switchable defender

Weaknesses:

• Shooting isn’t good yet

• Not a good shot creator

• Not an elite defender, but not terrible

• Bad playmaker

NBA comp: Obi Toppin

Ceiling- Great role playing starter Floor- G-League Projection- Mid rotational player

Right now: Developmental player

Kylan Boswell - 6’2” 200 lbs - Guard - Illinois - 21 y/o

Strengths:

• Good playmaker

• Solid defender

• Strong

• Good finisher

• Jumpshot is there

• Good rebounder

Weaknesses:

• Not a great athlete

• Jumpshot is inconsistent

• Struggles when guarding quick guards, which is all of them in the NBA

NBA comp: Malcolm Brogden

Ceiling- Good backup PG Floor- Out of League Projection- G-League

Right now: G-League

Labaron Philon - 6’4” 177 lbs - Guard - Alabama - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Good shooter

• Good finisher

• Good shot creator

• 3 level scorer

• Decent free throw shooter

• Good athlete

• Good defender with high defensive potential

Weaknesses:

• Very very thin

• Not as good of a ball handler as he should be

• Defense still needs to improve

• Shot is inconsistent at times

NBA comp: Terry Rozier

Ceiling- All Star Floor- Solid bench player Projection- Elite bench player (6MOY)

Right now: Developmental player

Lachlan Olbrich - 6’10” 236 lbs - Big - Australia - 21 y/o

Strengths:

• Good scorer inside the 3p line

• Good rebounder

• Solid playmaker for his size

• Good ball handler for a big

• Won NBL MVP

• Has 3p potential

Weaknesses:

• Not a consistent 3p shooter yet

• Struggles with turnovers for a big man

• Below average defender

• Lots of ?s

NBA comp: Kelly Olynyk

Ceiling- All Star Floor- Back in Australia Projection- Alright bench big

Right now: Developmental bench player/G-League

Liam McNeeley - 6’7” 210 lbs - Wing - UConn - 19 y/o

Strengths:

• Potential to be an elite shooter

• Elite IQ, uses this to make up for his weaknesses

• Good rebounder

• Can play 2-4

• Good scorer in college

• Decent playmaker

Weaknesses:

• Shot is inconsistent sometimes

• Not a good athlete

• Below average defender

• Scoring might not translate to NBA

NBA comp: Gordon Hayward

Ceiling- Elite role player Floor- Solid bench player Projection- Great role player

Right now: Solid bench player

Mack Mgbako - 6’9” 22 lbs - Wing - Indiana - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Good athlete

• Good size

• Shows potential to be a good 3 level scorer in the NBA

• Jumpshot coming along

• Good free throw shooter

• Good finisher

• Has defensive tools

Weaknesses:

• Inconsistent on all levels

• Not a good defender right now

• Needs to improve ball handling to be a good shot creator

• Not an amazing character

• Poor playmaker

• Below average rebounder

• Not a good shot creator right now

NBA comp: Harrison Barnes

Ceiling- Great starter (elite 4th option) Floor- Out of NBA Projection- Decent bench player

Right now: G-League

Malique Lewis - 6’8” 195 lbs - Wing - Australia - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Good finisher

• Solid catch and shoot 3

• Good defender

• Solid rebounder

• Good athlete

• Not horrible in the G-League

• Been a pro since he was 16

Weaknesses:

• Low production throughout his whole career

• Not a great shot creator

• Poor playmaker

• Not a consistent scorer

• Lots of ?s

• Even with being a pro for 4 years, he has not “broken out”

NBA comp: Jerami Grant

Ceiling- Solid starter Floor- Out of NBA Projection- End of bench player

Right now: G-League/Summer League

Mark Sears - 6’1” 190 lbs - PG - Alabama - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite 3 level scorer

• Good playmaker

• Great ball handler

• Elite shooter

• Strong despite his small frame

Weaknesses:

• Small for an NBA player

• Won’t be a good defender

• Not good efficiency

• Regressed from last season

NBA comp: Fred VanVleet

Ceiling- 6MOY Floor- G-League star Projection- Decent bench player

Right now: End of rotation player

Matthew Cleveland - 6’7” 210 lbs - Wing - Miami - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Great 3 level scorer

• Great athlete

• Efficient scorer

• Good shooter

• Good defender

• Great off ball player

• Amazing lob threat for his size

Weaknesses:

• Not an amazing rebounder for his size an athleticism

• Not a great playmaker

• Not a great ball handler

NBA comp: Derrick Jones Jr

Ceiling- Great role playing starter Floor- End of rotation player Projection- Great role player

Right now: Solid bench player

Mathew Murrell - 6’4” 205 lbs - Guard - Ole Miss - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Good scorer on all 3 levels

• Good defender

• Good size

Weaknesses:

• Inefficient

• Poor playmaker

• Below average rebounder

• Not an amazing athlete

NBA comp: Gary Trent Jr

Ceiling- Good bench player Floor- Not in league Projection- Europe

Right now: Summer League

Maxime Raynaud - 7’1” 250 lbs - C - Stanford - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Elite rebounder

• Great scorer from all 3 levels

• Great rim protector

• Can shoot amazingly for his size

• Great athlete for his size

• Shows flashes of playmaking ability

• Great in the pick and roll

Weaknesses:

• Not an amazing ball handler

• Struggles with turnovers for a C

• Does not average a lot of assists

NBA comp: Domantas Sabonis 

Ceiling- Fringe All NBA Floor- Good backup Projection- Great starting C

Right now: Good backup C or decent starter

Michael Ajayi - 6’7” 228 lbs - Guard - Gonzaga - 22 y/o

Strengths:

• Great rebounder

• Showed ability to be a good scorer

• Used to be a solid shooter

• Solid defender

• Good athlete

• Very strong

Weaknesses:

• Bad playmaker

• Poor shooter at Gonzaga

• Was not nearly as good at Gonzaga than he was at Pepperdine

NBA comp: Josh Hart (without playmaking)

Ceiling- Good role player Floor- Out of NBA Projection- Decent end of bench player

Right now: G-League

Michael Ruzic - 6’10” 220 lbs - Big - Croatia - 18 y/o

Strengths:

• Good shooter

• Good off the ball

• Very smart player for such a young age

• Can score on all 3 levels

• Plays in a very high level league already

• 3 level scorer

• Good rebounder

Weaknesses:

• Not a good defender

• Not a great athlete, although he looks smooth

• Will be out-physicaled in the NBA

NBA comp: Alex Poku

Ceiling- All star Floor- G-League Projection: Good bench player

Right now: Developmental bench player

Milan Momcilovic - 6’8” 225 lbs - Forward - Iowa State - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Great shooter

• Can score at all 3 levels, but may not in the NBA

Weaknesses:

• Not a great athlete

• Not a good playmaker

• Not a good rebounder

• Not efficient inside the 3p line

• Not a good defender

NBA comp: Joe Ingles

Ceiling- Good starter Floor- Europe Projection- Solid bench shooter

Right now: G-League

Miles Byrd - 6’7” 190 lbs - Wing - San Diego State - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Great defender

• Fluid, good athlete

• Solid shooter

• Good off ball

• Good free throw shooter

Weaknesses:

• Not very efficient

• Mid playmaker

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

NBA comp: Dorian Finney-Smith

Ceiling- Great role player Floor- Bench defender Projection- Good bench defender

Right now: Bench defender

Mouhamed Faye - 6’10” 250 lbs - Big - Senegal - 20 y/o

Strengths:

• Good rim protector

• Good rebounder

• Good athlete

• Good paint finisher

Weaknesses: 

• Cannot shoot any sort of jumpshots

• Not a good playmaker

• Lots of ?s

NBA comp: Rudy Gobert

Ceiling- Good starting C Floor- Out of NBA Projection- End of bench C

Right now: G-League

For NBA Draft Prospect Preview list A-H, click here.

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

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