A little less than two months ago, the world of basketball rejoiced with the coming of a new batch of future superstars. The names of Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson and De’Aaron Fox completed the top five picks in the 2017 NBA Draft.
This early, basketball experts and analysts have begun analyzing potential players who have high chances of barging into the Top 5 of the 2018 NBA Draft. Let's find out who among these talented collegiate incoming freshmen players have what it takes to become the 2018 NBA Draft No. 1 overall pick.
The freshmen
The list of potential draftees ain’t official yet until the players themselves submitted their application. But this early, many basketball experts and analysts have listed several names who they believe will become part of the 2018 NBA Draft, possibly even enter the Top 5 picks.
According to SB Nation, among these names are incoming freshmen DeAndre Ayton (Arizona Wildcats), Marvin Bagley III (Duke Blue Devils), Mohamed Bamba (Texas Longhorns), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State Spartans), and Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri Tigers). These five young players have another thing in common aside from being incoming freshmen -- they were all considered as five-star collegiate recruits!
The baseline operators
While they are all listed at least 6’10” and taller, only three of them legitimately plays the center position. One of them is the 6’11” Mohamed Bamba who is destined to break the NBA record once drafted by having the longest wingspan with 7’9”.
The only member of the US Men’s Basketball team that won the gold in the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Chile, Bamba is often compared to Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
His dominating defensive presence down the baseline as rim protector more than makes up for his lack of ball-handling and shooting skills, according to some basketball experts and analysts.
The 7’1” Bahamian DeAndre Ayton is known for his perimeter game, a capable shooter that can also run the floor. Basketball experts, analysts, and scouts all agree that Ayton has the right tool to become a dominant defensive player.
Considered to be one of the easiest to make it to the top five is Marvin Bagley III who, at 6’11”, is being compared to Anthony Davis when it comes to offense. Bagley is said to have the right combination of speed, agility, and coordination and has an eye for shot-blocking.
Stretch big men
The constant evolution of the game has brought a whole new level of competition. Now, a number of big men have adopted different roles: stretch four and/or five. In this way, defense tends to collapse, giving enough breathing room for smaller inside operators and slashers.
At 6’10” and a wingspan of 7’4”, Jaren Jackson Jr. is your typical big man when it comes to defense protecting the rim and rebounding. But not in the offense -- Jackson is part of the new generation of big men who can lighten up the sky with his outside shots.
Michael Porter Jr. is not your ordinary 6’10” big guy. This early, he is already being compared to NBA superstars Paul George or Kevin Durant. Porter Jr. is also known for his dribbling skills, creating offense off the dribble or shoot from the outside.
