With the NFL Draft in the books, let’s turn to the next draft, the less celebrated NBA Draft. Here are the top Pac-12 prospects to keep an eye on as the pre-draft hype gets started.
- Markelle Fultz Fr. PG Washington
Fultz will become one of those NBA players who you forget even played college basketball, but he was a Husky and he should go number one overall in the draft. He is a pure scorer and player who would have been fun see in more important Pac-12 games.
2. Lonzo Ball Fr. PG UCLA
Ball gets a lot of attention for off-the-court news with his dad, but it doesn’t overshadow the fact that he is one of the best prospects to come out of the Pac-12 in a long team. He could be a bigger Jason Kidd and could easily end up being the first player taken.
3. Lauri Markkanen Fr. PF Arizona
The last guaranteed lottery player from the Pac-12 is a smooth seven-footer with versatility and a nice offensive game. Seven footers with the touch and skill of Markkanen rarely make it out of the Top 10.
4. T.J. Leaf Fr. PF UCLA
A classic offensive-focused power forward with nice length who lacks strength. He is a mid-to-late first rounder in my opinion and seems like a player who could be a really nice fit right away as a bench scorer for a playoff team.
5. Ivan Rabb So. PF Cal
I thought Rabb was gone last year as a borderline lottery pick, but he came back and remains as such. He is really good as a post scorer with length, but I think some scouts question the height of his ceiling.
6. Jordan Bell Jr. PF Oregon
Bell is a multiple tweener and lack size for the kind of game he plays in the NBA, but teams have to love him as a flat out player who can rebound and defend. He seems like a player the Spurs could take and turn into a fantastic role player in less than a year.
7. Dillon Brooks Jr. SF Oregon
Not a huge NBA prospect, but I always take gamers over potential. I have a hard time believing Brooks’ pure player abilities don’t have him get off the board early in the second round.
8. Ike Anigbogu Fr. C UCLA
A solid banger with strength inside, he already has the physical ability to contribute so he could come off the board in the first round. He needs a lot of work on his game to be a starter in the NBA though or a significant contributor.
9. Kyle Kuzma Jr. PF Utah
Great combination of size and skill at 6’9 220 and can play both forward positions. He can score well, but will need to prove he can defend and play game in and game out at the next level.
10. Rawle Alkins Fr. SG Arizona
We official enter the potential section. Alkins has great physical skills as a 6’5 220 player who can make plays at the basket and has the tools to be a great defender.
11. Kobi Simmons Fr. PG Arizona
Another freshman who is making a brave leap after just one year of solid play, Simmons is a combo guard with great size - 6’5 who can score as a point guard.
12. Derrick White Sr. SG Colorado
White emerged as an NBA prospect in just one season at Colorado. He is a pure scorer with a nice all around game that should get him drafted.
Other top prospects
Chris Boucher Sr. C Oregon
Chance Comanche Sr. C Arizona
Aaron Holiday So. PG UCLA
Tyler Dorsey So. SG Oregon
Thomas Welsh Jr. C UCLA