Chad Ford Big Board 10.0 (Final one with upside, downside, and player comps)

[Eddie20]

1. Ben Simmons


Previous rank: No. 1
LSU
Freshman
Forward

ESPN 100 high school ranking: No. 1

Big Board history: Simmons debuted at No. 1 in Big Board 1.0 in August and has stayed at the spot in every single edition.

While many in the media began to pick apart his jump shot and lack of team success at LSU, it never dissuaded most NBA scouts and GMs from their belief that Simmons was the player with the highest ceiling in this draft. Had he chosen Kentucky, Duke or Kansas instead of LSU, there would be little doubt about who's No. 1.

Upside: For Simmons to hit his ceiling, he's going to need a coach who's comfortable with him playing point guard because that's what he is -- a 6-foot-10, 240-pound point guard. Comparing him to Magic Johnson or LeBron James feels like hyperbole, but thinking of him as a bigger, more athletic Draymond Green feels about right. Put the ball in his hands and special things will happen.

Downside: Someone like Boris Diaw. Play him as more of a traditional forward and his ceiling lowers significantly. His specialness disappears a bit when the ball isn't in his hands. While he's a good rebounder, his lack of a great jumper and elite length for his position limits him.

Draft range: Nos. 1-3.

2. Brandon Ingram


Previous rank: No. 2
Duke
Freshman
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 3

Big Board history: Ingram debuted at No. 4 on Big Board 1.0. He moved up to No. 2 in our first Big Board after the college basketball season began and has stayed there ever since. While a handful of NBA teams eventually moved him to No. 1 on their boards in the spring, the majority of them have him at No. 2.

Upside: Six-foot-10 small forwards with a 7-foot-3 wingspan don't come along very often. Ingram's shooting ability, defensive versatility and overall feel for the game could make him a future All-Star in the league. The Kevin Durant comps feel over the top. But a less athletic Paul George or a better-shooting Giannis Antetokounmpo are both real possibilities on the high end.

Downside: His super-thin body is the clear drawback. At 196 pounds, Ingram is very, very thin.

For comparison's sake, Durant was the same height as Ingram but weighed 20 pounds more at the draft combine at the same age. And while he has been shooting it well at workouts, some teams worry that because of his poor free throw percentage his shot might not translate as well at the next level. A player like Tayshaun Prince could be his floor.

Draft range: Nos. 1-3.

3. Kris Dunn


Previous rank: No. 4
Providence
Junior
Guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 23

Big Board history: Dunn began the season ranked No. 13 on Big Board 1.0. He moved into the top 10 on Big Board 3.0, the top five on Board 4.0 and topped out at No. 4 in Big Boards 7, 8 and 9. Now he's up to No. 3.

Upside: Dunn's combination of terrific athleticism, speed and toughness makes him a challenge for opposing teams on both ends of the floor. His elite defensive abilities are his main calling card right now. He could be a lockdown, multipositional defender in the NBA.

He's also a creative passer and is very tough to keep out of the lane. He's a bigger version of Kyle Lowry.

Downside: Dunn's jump shot is still a work in progress. He's already 22 years old and still prone to making bad turnovers. And as aggressive as he is on defense, he can sometimes disappear on the court on offense -- especially when it comes to scoring. His floor looks a bit like Elfrid Payton.

Draft range: Nos. 3-8, with the Celtics, Wolves, Pelicans and Kings all looking hard at him.

4. Jamal Murray


Previous rank: No. 3
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Murray began the season ranked No. 5 on Big Board 1.0 and rose as high as No. 3 on Big Boards 7, 8 and 9.

Upside: Murray's versatility and scoring ability really stand out. He's an aggressive scorer who can shoot with deep range and get to the basket. He's likely to be a 20 PPG scorer in the NBA.

His competitiveness and leadership are always there. And though he didn't play the position at Kentucky, he's got enough skills to play the point in the NBA. The best comp I've heard for Murray on the high end is Brandon Roy.

Downside: Murray's lack of lateral quickness can hurt him on both ends of the floor. He can sometimes struggle to get past quicker defenders and defensively he can get torched by athletic wings. On the low end, C.J. McCollum could be a good comp.

Draft range: Nos. 3-8, with the Celtics, Wolves, Pelicans and Kings showing the most interest.

5. Marquese Chriss



Previous rank: No. 6
Washington
Freshman
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 60

Big Board history: Chriss wasn't a highly ranked recruit coming out of high school and didn't debut on our Big Board until 3.0, when he made the "Next five in." He moved to No. 29 on Big Board 4.0, cracked the lottery at No. 14 on Big Board 5.0 in mid-February, moved into the top 10 at No. 8 on Big Board 6.0 and moved up to No. 6 on Big Board 9.0.

Upside: Chriss' athleticism is staggering. He's one of the most explosive and quickest athletes you'll ever find at his size. He has the ability to shoot the 3, protect the rim and even handle the ball a bit. Some scouts see him as a bigger version of Shawn Marion.

Downside: Chriss was a terrible rebounder as a freshman. He was foul prone and at times looked like he lacked maturity on the court. He's got a steeper learning curve than the other top players on the board. The bust factor is also higher -- I've heard the name Tyrus Thomas a few times as a comp.

Draft range: Nos. 3-8, with the Celtics, Suns, Wolves, Nuggets and Kings all interested.

6. Dragan Bender


Previous rank: No. 5
Croatia
Age: 18
Forward/center

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Bender was ranked No. 7 on Big Board 1.0 and moved up to his highest ranking at No. 3 on Big Board 2.0 after a stellar performance in the U.S. on a Maccabi Tel Aviv exhibition tour. He slid to No. 5 on Big Board 7.0 after teams became concerned with his lack of playing time and progress at Maccabi and stayed at No. 5 on Big Boards 8 and 9.

Upside: Bender is the youngest player in the draft. He has turned himself into a very good shooter. He protects the rim, moves his feet well laterally and, though we didn't see it much at Maccabi, is also an excellent passer. Those are rare qualities in a 7-footer. Think a bigger Draymond Green without the mean streak.

Downside: He's still very thin. He's not very explosive athletically. And teams wonder about his toughness. Could his floor be Andrea Bargnani?

Draft range: Nos. 3-8, with the Celtics, Suns, Pelicans, Nuggets and Kings showing the most interest.

7. Jaylen Brown


Previous rank: No. 8
Cal
Freshman
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 4

Big Board history: Brown was ranked No. 3 on Big Board 1.0, slid to No. 5 on Big Board 3.0, bottomed out at No. 10 on Big Board 7.0 and moved back up to No. 8 on Big Board 9.0.

Upside: Brown's NBA-ready body and elite athletic abilities are the major draw here. He looks like an NBA All-Star when he walks on the court in warm-ups. And despite a rocky freshman season, dig a little deeper into his high school years and you see a better shooter, passer and defender than we saw at Cal this season. There's an opportunity for him to be a better offensive version of Justise Winslow.

Downside: He was very shaky at Cal. The advanced stats models do not favor him. And while he's clearly highly intelligent off the court, at times he just tried to bully his way to the rim on offense. He's still trying to figure out who he is and sometimes the NBA is a bad place to do that. Just ask Moe Harkless.

Draft range: Nos. 3-8, with the Celtics, Wolves, Pelicans, Nuggets and Kings all interested.

8. Buddy Hield


Previous rank: No. 7
Oklahoma
Senior
Guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: Unranked

Big Board history: Hield didn't crack our top 30 until Big Board 3.0, where he debuted at No. 29. He made a huge leap to No. 14 on Big Board 4.0, cracked the top 10 on Big Board 5.0 and topped out at No. 5 on Big Board 6.0 during the height of Buddy-mania. He slid back to his current position at No. 8 in Big Board 9.0.

Upside: Hield is an elite shooter. His deep range and quick release allow him to get his shot off from anywhere. He's also a relentless worker off the court and he shows great leadership capabilities. His upside might be peak Ben Gordon.

Downside: He lacks great size for the position. He has been a very average defender his four years at Oklahoma. He's a bit one-dimensional, doesn't see the floor well and his handle is just so-so. His floor is someone like Jodie Meeks.

Draft range: Nos. 3-8.

9. Dejounte Murray


Previous rank: No. 9
Washington
Freshman
Guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 49

Big Board history: Murray didn't make our top 30 cut until Big Board 5.0 in early April, debuting at No. 28. He moved up to No. 20 on Big Board 6.0, No. 16 on Big Board 7.0 and cracked the top 10 at No. 9 on Big Board 9.0.

Upside: Murray's combination of crazy length for the PG position and quickness makes him intriguing. He plays off instinct, can slither his way to the basket against anyone and isn't afraid to play into contact despite his thin frame.

He's an excellent rebounder and a flashy passer and he finds a nice balance between scoring and getting others involved. Jamal Crawford seems like a solid comp on the high end.

Downside: He's still too thin. He's turnover prone. His jump shot is still very streaky. He's going to have a tougher learning curve than most of the other point guards on the list. Can he get enough time on the floor to prove what he's capable of? His floor could be Michael Carter-Williams.

Draft range: Nos. 8-14, with the Kings, Bucks, Jazz, Suns and Bulls showing interest.

10. Domantas Sabonis



Previous rank: No. 10
Gonzaga
Sophomore
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Sabonis began the season at No. 24 on Big Board 1.0. His low point was No. 30 on Big Board 4.0 as scouts became concerned about his lack of elite athleticism and jump shot. But by Big Board 5.0 deeper into the season, he was back up to No. 23. He cracked the lottery at No. 14 on Big Board 6.0 and cracked the top 10 for the first time on Big Board 9.0 after a stellar workout in front of NBA teams in Santa Monica, California, convinced scouts that he was a better shooter and athlete than they saw at Gonzaga.

Upside: Sabonis is an old-school power forward. He's strong and dominates with his back to the basket. He's a terrific passer and elite rebounder and he proved to scouts in workouts that he can also shoot the ball. His ceiling could be Paul Millsap.

Downside: He's not an elite athlete and typically plays below the rim. He didn't show a lot of range on his jumper at Gonzaga. Can he fit into the modern NBA? His downside might be Luis Scola.

Draft range: Nos. 9-20, with the Raptors, Magic, Suns, Bulls, Grizzlies, Nuggets and Pacers all in play for him.

11. Henry Ellenson


Previous rank: No. 11
Marquette
Freshman
Forward/center

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 5

Big Board history: Ellenson began the year ranked No. 8 on Big Board 1.0. He topped out at No. 4 on Big Board 4.0, then bottomed out at No. 11 on Big Board 9.0.

Upside: Ellenson is a modern NBA big who can score both in the paint and on the perimeter. He runs the floor well, has 3-point range on his jumper, boasts a beautiful midrange game with Dirk Nowitzki-esque stepbacks and proved to be a good rebounder at Marquette as a freshman. His upside is Kevin Love.

Downside: His lack of elite athleticism hurts him a bit. And while he's theoretically a stretch-4, that 28 percent 3-point percentage his freshman year didn't do him any favors. His downside could be Cody Zeller.

Draft range: Nos. 9-16, with the Raptors, Bucks, Magic, Suns, Nuggets and Celtics his most likely destination.

12. Jakob Poeltl


Previous rank: No. 12
Utah
Sophomore
Center

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Poeltl began at No. 10 on Big Board 1.0. He got as high at No. 7 on Big Boards 3-5, slipped to No. 9 on Big Boards 6-8 and dipped to No. 12 on Big Board 9.0.

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Upside: Poeltl has good hands, moves well for a big man, excels in the pick-and-roll game, is a good rebounder and shot-blocker and plays with a high basketball IQ. His upside could be the Pelicans' Omer Asik.

Downside: He still needs to add a lot of strength. He can get overwhelmed by physical players and will shy away from contact. His jumper is solid, but still needs work. His downside? Tyler Zeller.

Draft range: Nos. 9-14, with the Raptors, Jazz and Bulls all having major interest.

13. Furkan Korkmaz


Previous rank: No. 14
Turkey
Age: 18
Guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Korkmaz started the year at No. 11 on Big Board 1.0. His high point was No. 9 on Big Board 4.0. His low spot was No. 15 on Big Board 7.0 when his playing time dipped in Turkey.

Upside: Korkmaz is a prototypical NBA 2-guard. He is a good athlete, can shoot the 3 with range and is a very good ball handler and passer. He's had the opportunity to play in the Euroleague, which should accelerate his development. And he's one of the youngest players in the draft. His ceiling could be Courtney Lee.

Downside: He needs to add a lot of strength to his frame and his defense is still a major work in progress. His floor could be Marco Belinelli.

Draft range: Nos. 9-20, with the Raptors, Bucks, Jazz, Suns, Bulls, Celtics, Grizzlies, Nuggets and Pacers all in the mix. His draft range is affected a bit by his stance that he wants to play in the NBA next season. That helps him at the top of his range and probably hurts him at the bottom, where teams like the Suns, Celtics and Nuggets are looking for draft-and-stash options.

14. Skal Labissiere


Previous rank: No. 13
Kentucky
Freshman
Center/forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 2

Big Board history: Labissiere started the year at No. 2 on Big Board 1.0 after a stellar showing at the Nike Hoop Summit. He slid to No. 4 on Big Board 3.0, dropped again to No. 10 on Big Board 4.0, then fell as low as No. 15 on Big Board 6.0 before moving up to No. 11 on Big Boards 7 and 8.

Upside: There aren't a lot of 7-footers who can shoot the 3 like a guard and have the athleticism to come back and be an elite rim protector. His upside appears to be someone like Channing Frye.

Downside: In theory he's all those things. He rarely showed much of anything at Kentucky. He looked afraid of contact and constantly had his confidence shaken. He's also a year older than most of the freshmen in his class, which limits his upside somewhat. His floor is Steve Novak.

Draft range: Nos. 7-16, with the Nuggets, Raptors, Bucks, Magic, Jazz, Suns and Celtics all looking at him hard.

15. Malachi Richardson


Previous rank: No. 15
Syracuse
Freshman
Guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 23

Big Board history: Richardson didn't land on our Big Board until 6.0, when he was placed in the next five after a strong NCAA tournament performance. He moved to No. 20 on Big Board 7.0, jumped again to No. 13 on Big Board 8.0 and settled in at No. 14 on Big Board 9.0.

Upside: Richardson's ability to get to the basket is his primary draw. He's big and long and he has a quick first step. Few players in the draft can manufacture points on their own like Richardson can.

Downside: His jump shot was streaky. His shot selection was questionable. It's hard to project his defense because he played zone all season at Syracuse. He's a year older than most players in his class.

Draft range: Nos. 9-20, with the Raptors, Bucks, Jazz, Bulls, Celtics, Grizzlies and Pacers all having him on their board.

16. Deyonta Davis


Previous rank: No. 16
Michigan State
Freshman
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 22

Big Board history: Davis made a huge leap onto Big Board 4.0, debuting at No. 17 after a surprising start to his freshman season. His high point was No. 11 on Big Board 6.0. He has been at No. 16 since Big Board 8.0.

Upside: He's a terrific athlete with a very good NBA body. He's bouncy andhe has the potential to be a very good shot-blocker and rebounder. He has shown some semblance of a nice midrange jumper. He actually has pretty big upside.

Downside: He's rather raw offensively. He seems like he's a step behind other players his age on that end. His workouts didn't go especially well, underscoring that he's probably a project in the NBA.

Draft range: Nos. 9-21, with the Raptors, Magic, Jazz, Suns, Nuggets, Celtics, Pistons and Hawks as his top landing spots.

17. Wade Baldwin IV


Previous rank: No. 18
Vanderbilt
Sophomore
Guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: Unranked

Big Board history: Baldwin's draft stock has been up and down. He started at No. 29 on Big Board 2.0 and rose to No. 18 on Big Board 3.0. His high point was No. 11 on Big Board 4.0. He briefly fell off the Big Board entirely at 7.0 after teams began reporting that a member of his former coaching staff gave him a poor recommendation. However, once workouts began, he climbed back into the top 20 on Big Board 8.0.

Upside: Baldwin's elite size, length, strength and athleticism are his standout qualities. Not many point guards come along with a set of physical tools like he has. He also proved to be an above-average shooter in college -- a rare find for a player with his physical gifts. If he maxes out his potential, he could be a Deron Williams-type in the NBA.

Downside: There are questions about his feel for the game as a point guard. His midrange game is a mess. He didn't seem to make anyone around him better and his coaches questioned his leadership on the court and in the locker room.

Draft range: Nos. 8-22, which is a big range. The Kings, Bucks, Jazz, Suns and Bulls are all interested in Baldwin as a lottery pick. If he slides past them, the Pistons and Hornets are his backstops.

18. Juan Hernangomez

Previous rank: No. 28
Spain
Age: 20
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Hernangomez debuted at No. 29 on Big Board 8.0.

Upside: He's a versatile 4 who can stretch the floor and score at the rim. He's also a solid athlete who moves well, plays hard and has good size for his position and a solid feel for the game. He has really helped himself in workouts and had impressive production in the ACB as a 20-year-old.

Downside: He's not a great defender yet. And while he's a good shooter, he could continue to improve his accuracy.

Draft range: Nos. 13-23, with the Suns, Nuggets, Celtics, Grizzlies, Pistons and Pacers as potential suitors.

19. Thon Maker


Previous rank: No. 19
Australia
Age: 19
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Maker is a very unique case, in part because of the way he entered the draft. He didn't land on our Big Board until version 6.3, when he announced that he was going to skip college and go straight from prep school to the NBA. We debuted him there at No. 19. Maker slipped to No. 24 on Big Board 8.0 and currently sits back where he started at No. 19.

Upside: This is a tough one. He's huge. He's long. He's a fluid athlete. He plays really hard. He can shoot 3s and handle the ball. The size and skill set are there for him to be a star. Good luck coming up with a comp for Maker.

Downside: Is the sum equal to all the parts? He's got both physical and basketball tools. But I'm not sure whether they will all come together in a meaningful way in real games against real talent. He's a major project who is going to need a lot of patience to figure out what kind of player he really is.

Draft range: Nos. 10-30 -- yeah, it's huge. The Bucks are the high point for him. After that there are a lot of teams like the Nuggets, Pistons, Pacers and Hawks that have interest. But really, who knows? He's the toughest guy in the draft to get a real read on.

20. DeAndre Bembry


Previous rank: No. 20
St. Joseph's
Junior
Guard/forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: Unranked

Big Board history: Bembry didn't make an appearance on our Big Board until version 6.0, when he came in at No. 24. Scouts had worried most of the season about his shooting, but as it became clearer he was staying in the draft, he moved into their top 30. Bembry peaked at No. 20 on Big Board 9.0.

Upside: Bembry might be the best passer in the draft after Ben Simmons. He's an elite athlete. He can play three positions on both ends of the floor. He's one of those guys where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Downside: His 3-point percentage declined every year at college. Does he have the mentality to be dominant on the floor?

Draft range: Nos. 16-25, with the Celtics, Grizzlies, Pacers, Hawks, Sixers and Clippers in the mix.

21. Malik Beasley


Previous rank: No. 17
Florida State
Freshman
Guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 28

Big Board history: Beasley first broke onto the Big Board in 3.0 as a "next five" player in after a surprising start to the season. He cracked the top 20 on Big Board 7.0, coming in at No. 19. He hit his high mark at No. 17 on Big Board 9.0.

Upside: He can hit 3s. He's an elite athlete with explosive leaping ability.

Downside: He doesn't have a great midrange game. His defense is average. He's a bit undersized for his position. He suffered a stress fracture that he needed surgery to repair in May.

Draft range: Nos. 16-26, with the Celtics, Grizzlies, Pistons, Pacers, Hawks, Hornets and Sixers in the mix.

22. Denzel Valentine


Previous rank: No. 22
Michigan State
Senior
Forward/guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 98

Big Board history: Valentine didn't land until Big Board 3.0. Once his stellar season began, scouts seemed to be more content that his elite skill set would overcome his lack of athleticism. Valentine made it all the way up to No. 13 on Big Boards 6 and 7. His draft stock has slid the past two Big Boards based on concerns from teams about the long-term health of his knees.

Upside: Valentine is one of the most versatile players in the draft, essentially a point guard in the body of a wing. He can score from anywhere on the floor. Super-high basketball IQ. Very competitive. A leader.

Downside: He lacks elite athleticism. Defensively he may be a liability in the NBA. He suffered a knee injury in December that has some teams concerned about his long-term health.

Draft range: Nos. 12-25, with a huge range because of the knee concerns. The Jazz, Suns, Bulls, Celtics, Pistons, Pacers, Hawks and Clippers are all possibilities.

23. Ante Zizic

Previous rank: No. 21
Croatia
Age: 19
Center

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Zizic started at No. 25 on Big Board 5.0 after I took a trip to Europe and a number of international scouts began talking about him, then moved up to No. 21 on Big Board 6.0.

Upside: He's strong. An elite rebounder. Already has an NBA body. He plays with a terrific motor. And he's ready to play minutes in the NBA right now. He could become another Timofey Mozgov.

Downside: He's pretty raw offensively, with no real face-the-basket game and limited upside.

Draft range: Nos. 16-27, with the Celtics, Nuggets, Hawks and Raptors showing interest.

24. Cheick Diallo


Previous rank: No. 27
Kansas
Freshman
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 7

Big Board history: Diallo was one of the top 10 high school players in the country and started the year at No. 11 on Big Board 1.0. However, eligibility concerns from the NCAA forced him to sit out the start of the season, and after he was cleared, he was unable to get a steady role in Bill Self's rotation at Kansas. He slid to No. 28 on Big Board 4.0 and has remained in the late 20s since then.

Upside: One of the best motors in the draft. Plays hard on every possession. He has elite length and very good athleticism. Should be able to guard 3s, 4s and 5s in the NBA. He also has an emerging jump shot.

Downside: He hardly played at Kansas as a freshman. His on-court decision-making is still developing. His offensive game in drills is ahead of his scoring prowess in games. He's a project.

Draft range: Nos. 16-29, with the Celtics, Pistons, Pacers, Hawks, Raptors, Suns and Spurs as good fits in the first round.

25. Ivica Zubac


Previous rank: No. 25
Bosnia
Age: 19
Center

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Zubac was a latecomer to our Big Board, debuting at No. 25 on Big Board 8.0 after he was traded to a new team and started putting up impressive numbers late in the season.

Upside: He's huge. He's a very skilled offensive player. Good footwork. Great hands. High basketball IQ.

Downside: A bit heavy legged. Not a great rebounder or defender. Lacks experience.

Draft range: Nos. 15-30, with the Nuggets, Grizzlies, Hawks, Hornets, Raptors, Spurs and Warriors as potential destinations in the first round.

26. Timothe Luwawu


Previous rank: N/A
France
Age: 21
Guard/forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Luwawu debuted at No. 28 on Big Board 2.0. He rose to No. 15 on Big Board 3.0 before dipping once NBA GMs started seriously scouting him in the spring. He moved down into the late 20s on Big Board 7.0 and then fell off the Big Board altogether on 8.0.

Upside: His ability to defend 1s, 2s and 3s is very attractive. Has improved greatly as a shooter, hitting 37 percent from 3 last season. He projects as a 3-and-D guy in the NBA.

Downside: He's still a fairly raw prospect on the offensive end. Teams that scouted him in Europe weren't sure there was really a lot that was special about his game. They saw him as a solid rotation player.

Draft range: Nos. 15-35 -- a huge range. The Nuggets, Celtics, Grizzlies, Hawks, Hornets, Sixers, Raptors and Spurs are all possibilities before the second round.

27. Damian Jones


Previous rank: No. 24
Vanderbilt
Junior
Center

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 81

Big Board history: Jones began the process at No. 15 on Big Board 1.0 after a strong performance at the Nike Basketball Academy in the summer, but slowly slid out of the top 30 after his play on the court didn't match his physical tools. He rejoined the list on Big Board 9.0 after impressing scouts in workouts. At torn pectoral muscle suffered in workouts may cause his stock to slide a bit more than usual on draft night.

Upside: DeAndre Jordan. He's got elite athleticism for a player his size. He's explosive, quick off the floor and more skilled than he might first appear.

Downside: Even with so many physical tools and basketball skills, he struggled to produce consistently on the court. Questions persist about his toughness and focus. The torn pectoral muscle has kept him out of workouts for the past few weeks and will force him to miss summer league.

Draft range: Nos. 21-40, and the Hawks, Celtics, Raptors, Spurs and Warriors could take him in the first.

28. Tyler Ulis


Previous rank: No. 23
Kentucky
Sophomore
Guard

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 25

Big Board history: Ulis jumped into the top 30 at No. 16 on Big Board 6.0 as it became clear he was entering the draft and that despite his lack of height, he might be the best pure point guard on the board. His stock slid to No. 23 on Big Board 9.0 after he struggled a bit in workouts and teams became concerned about the health of his hip.

Upside: He's the best "pure" point guard in the draft and an elite playmaker with excellent balance between scoring and getting others involved. He's also super quick, tenacious on the defensive end and a leader on the floor. He plays with heart.

Downside: He's just 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds. The height is a big issue, but so is the weight. The small guys in the NBA who have excelled have been much stockier. Some teams are also concerned about a potential hip injury.

Draft range: Nos. 19-35, with the Nuggets, Pacers, Sixers and Clippers having interest in the first round.

29. Brice Johnson


Previous rank: N/A
UNC
Senior
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: No. 34


Big Board history: Johnson made his debut at No. 27 on Big Board 6.0.

Upside: Johnson is an explosive athlete. He was one of the best rebounders in college basketball as a senior and has a nice midrange jumper.

Downside: He needs to add strength. He doesn't stretch the floor out to the 3-point line and his game developed slowly at UNC.

Draft range: Nos. 18-35. with the Pistons, Pacers, Clippers, Raptors, Suns, Spurs and Warriors as potential suitors in the first round.

30. Guerschon Yabusele

Previous rank: No. 30
France
Age: 20
Forward

ESPN 100 HS Ranking: N/A

Big Board history: Yabusele cracked the "next five" on Big Board 7.0 and made it onto Big Board 9.0 at No. 30.

Upside: Yabusele is built like a brick house. He's very strong and plays physically. He's a good rebounder and a better athlete than he appears to be at first. He's pretty quick and explosive for his size. He's a good perimeter shooter. Very aggressive offensively.

Downside: He's a bit undersized for his position. He needs to continue to improve his conditioning.

Draft range: Nos. 23-35, with the Celtics, Sixers, Clippers, Raptors, Suns, Spurs and Warriors all possible in the first.

Next five in

Demetrius Jackson, G, Jr., Notre Dame; Patrick McCaw, F, So., UNLV; Diamond Stone, C, Fr., Maryland; Taurean Prince, F, Sr., Baylor; Isaiah Cousins, G, Sr., Oklahoma

[Who]

The comparisons are all over the place. Some of them make no sense at all.

[snively]

The comparisons are all over the place. Some of them make no sense at all.

Skal as Steve Novak takes the cake.

[Snakehead]

Sabonis could be like Paul Millsap haha.

If it was up to me I would bad Chad Ford posts from this forum entirely.