Here’s an early look at what the experts believe are the top basketball prospects and where they could begin their professional basketball careers.
Two SEC freshmen are expected to battle it out this year as the top overall prospect. Australian Ben Simmons of LSU is widely considered the top young player in the game, but his choice of schools could hurt his development and chances of going number one overall.
The Tigers aren’t deep in talent and it showed when the team went 3-2 against some under-21 teams in a recent trip to Australia, but Simmons didn’t disappoint in his return home, dominating his opponents and giving scouts a good read on his game on both ends of the court. The 6’10” 19-year-old is very fluid and athletic, but he needs more consistency in the paint on the offensive end to become an elite player.
Skal Labissiere of Kentucky is the other young man with a high ceiling. The seven-footer is perhaps the top offensive center to hit the college scene in recent years, but his lack of weight at just 220 pounds could make it tough against NBA size players. That said, he’s still young and has the frame to add some size.
The top International player and another youngster that could go in the number one slot is Dragan Bender of Croatia. With the Boston Celtics owning four picks in the opening round next June, look for general manager Danny Ainge to take one of these three youngsters as he looks to rebuild his proud franchise and win a championship in the near future.
Philadelphia has used its last three picks on big men and this next year might be no different. Simmons would make a great addition to the front court and his versatility could have him playing some small forward, giving the 76ers one of the biggest front lines in league history and the players to finally break the mold of losing and give the fans what they want, a playoff appearance.
