A Scout's Take: Three Early Pre-Draft Process Questions to Consider
The pre-draft process is officially upon us as senior prospects, NBA personnel, agents and overseas contingents gather for the first pre-draft event, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT). In the spirit of the process, here are three early questions that are on my mind.
1. What Portsmouth Invitational Tournament standouts will earn either an NBA G League Elite Camp and/or NBA Combine invite?
The top prospects from the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament will either earn invites to the NBA combine or the NBA G League Elite Camp, where the top performers then will earn invites to the combine. The list of players who were invited from last year’s PIT include:
- Jamaree Bouyea (Heat)
- Darius Days (Rockets)
- Michael DeVoe (Clippers)
- Quenton Jackson (Wizards)
- Tyrese Martin (Hawks)
- Ryan Turrell (Pistons)
- JD Notae (GSW Summer league invite, currently plays in Greece)
As of the time of this being published, the tournament is wrapping up its final day. Some of the leading candidates for Elite Camp and combine invites include:
- Timmy Allen (Texas)
- Toumani Camara (Dayton)
- Kendric Davis (Memphis)
- D’Moi Hodge (Missouri)
- Tevian Jones (Southern Utah)
- Taevion Kinsey (Marshall)
- Caleb McConnell (Rutgers)
- Kevin OBanor (Texas Tech)
- Sir’Jabari Rice (Texas)
- Erik Stephens (West Virginia)
- Hunter Tyson (Clemson)
- DeAndre Williams (Memphis)
I’ll have have a more comprehensive recap of my thoughts on the top prospects from my trip to the Portsmouth soon.
2. Can Anthony Black go top five?
Black is generally considered a top ten prospect, but I expect him to genuinely receive interest in the top five and perhaps become a lock there. At 6-foot-7, he’s a tall lead handler and versatile playmaker that’s switchable and disruptive defensively (2.7 stocks) because of his size, length, instincts and competitiveness.
A major driving force in his top five case is the NBA’s high appetite for switchable perimeter players with size and ball skills. Additionally, Black may be the best connector in the draft and can affect the game without scoring.
Teams ideally want to limit risk in the draft without sacrificing much upside. Black fits this notion snuggly. He’s a high floor, high ceiling prospect that could become a star if his 3-point shooting swings in his favor (30% on 2.6 attempts per game) or if his shotmaking continues to level up. Keep an eye on him throughout the draft process.
3. Is GG Jackson the biggest boom or bust prospect in the class?
If Jackson booms, he’s clearly a multi-time all-star and a franchise pillar in a top player archetype, an athletic big wing shot creator. His blend of size, fluidity, creative handle and tough shot making is truly special.
On the flip side, there is a justified fear that Jackson’s inefficient shooting (15.4 points per game on 14.4 attempts, 38% mark), reliance on tough shots and bouts with bad body language are significant red flags that will either result in him either being pushed way down draft boards relative to his talent or Jackson not maximizing his potential.
Whether he booms or busts will largely depend on what team drafts him and their development plan. Being the youngest draft eligible prospect, his initial development plan and habits learned will be crucial. My hope is that he’s drafted somewhere that will prioritize his off ball skills and tools-easing him into primary on ball reps and creating easier shots for him. His off ball work is a real ceiling raiser, which I wrote about here.
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