A Look At the Top Prospects Eligible For the 2027 NBN Draft
Apr 20, 2024 21:07:13 GMT
vanimmer, verysilentone, and 1 more like this
Post by Rog on Apr 20, 2024 21:07:13 GMT
Here we are again about to start our season. The draft is still a month away but given the lack of name value and recognition, I am going to attempt to write these articles moving forward, detailing some of the top prospects that could declare each year. Lets get to it, here is some pre-declaration information on five of the top guys this year and a bonus player with an enticing last name. Enjoy! This is written by NBN high level scouts, prior to the beginning of their college/professional seasons. Please keep that in mind if ratings change between now and the draft. These are preliminary ratings, subject to change.
Tyran Stokes - Another Multi-Talented Big With Wing Skills
Position: PF Age: 19 at time of draft
Height: 6'10" Weight: 260 pounds
Projected Ratings: B B- C+ C+ C A
"Stokes has been the best or second-best prospect in his recruiting class for years and years now and I think last year there was a bit of prospect overexposure as some recruiting services moved him down to 5-6 unjustifiably. All he did after that was have an explosive senior season and show why hes been considered the guy for so long. He has good size at 6'10 and 250 pounds with good muscle and body control. He can get his at the rim with a plethora of moves and skill with both hands. He struggles a bit with his face up game as he has lost the ability to take guys on the dribble a little bit as hes put on weight and he has shown some turnover issues. However leave him alone on the three point line, its game over. Defensively he needs to work on not getting beat or taking risks but he might end up being a high stock guy that doesn't really give you the effort you want on every play. Overall he is a slightly better prospect right now than Cameron Boozer last year because of the more advanced defensive and outside game but his rebounding might prevent him from being a top pick."
AJ Drybantsa - Returning Collegiate Star Who Has Refined His Game
Position: SF Age: 19 at time of draft
Height: 6'9 Weight: 217
Projected Ratings: B- B- B- B- C A
"We discussed last year how AJ was a potential future first overall pick but needed time and another year in college to make that work. After a terrific freshman year at USC that saw his star bloom in the tournament, he decided another year of development before hitting the pros is worth it. Plus, he still is the same age as the incoming high school seniors due to his reclassification. Offensively he remains basically the same player with a bit more confidence in his shot and a bit more strength. I wouldn't expect too many finesse moves at the rim but his athleticism and strength to power through will enable to him to score there pretty easily. He has become a knockdown shooter and with his quickness and ball handling ability he can get to any spot he wants to. He is a willing passer and a willing defender, though he is more well rounded than elite at any one thing defensively other than his impressive switchability. He seemingly lost interest in being an effort rebounder as his offensive game flourished but he could still become an elite rebounder on the wing."
Darryn Peterson - Elite Defender and Distributor, Offensive Game Took a Hit
Position: PG Age: 20 at time of draft
Height: 6'5 Weight: 180
Projected Ratings: C C+ B+ B+ C A
"Last year when we talked about Peterson it was all about what position he would end up, shooting guard or point guard. Arkansas coach John Calipari took him and molded him into the perfect dribble drive point guard but despite his size and quickness, Peterson's offensive game stagnated. He dropped 15 pounds to add the quickness, lost a good bit of strength and never saw the explosive athletic game we saw in his senior high school year. What he did show all year was an elite ball handle, elite passing vision and anticipation and a relentless pursuit of the ball defensively. I don't think its a stretch to say that Peterson has the potential to put the All-Defensive PG spot on lock for the next 10-15 years once he gets going. Whether his offensive sacrifice was worth it or not will depend on how he develops in the pros and a lot of people are going to see that offensive game and not want to draft him. Do so at your own peril, this kid is bright and full of potential. "
Sidi Gueye - Top International Prospect Looking to Add to the Growing Collection of International Bigs
Position: C Age: 20 at time of draft
Height: 7'1 Weight: 252
Projected Ratings: B- C- C+ B B- A
"Gueye last year looked like a guy who could develop the modern wing skills that a lot of the incoming bigs seem to have built in. He was growing his range, was a good passer, quick, and could handle the ball. After returning to Spain though a change in his approach took place. He is taking far less three pointers, far more mid range shots and has developed a solid repertoire of post moves and added a little bit of muscle. He still retains his passing ability but lost a bit of quickness and ball handling. He remains an elite defender, capable of contesting any shot and capable of switching to anyone but the quickest of guards. His total game right now leads me to believe he'd be in the contention for the number one pick but his evolution into a more traditional big has changed the discourse around him a bit."
Dylan Harper - Elite Recruit Who Took a Different Path
Position: SG Age: 22 at time of draft
Height: 6'7 Weight: 220
Projected Ratings: B- C+ C B C+ B
"Dylan Harper reminds a good bit of Ja'Kobe Walter from last year, a developed shooting guard with good size and a scouting profile that mentions things like "has limited time to develop to his fullest potential" and it checks out. At age 22 he is older than most of the top end prospects and his game reflects that experience. Unlike Walter, and what makes Harper unlikely to be a top 2 pick like Watler is, his offensive game is the part that really needs developed. He is solidly athletic, skilled at the rim and is deadly from mid range but he needs to get stronger at the rim and he needs to develop his three point game. Defensively though he is a disrupter, quick enough to play with any guard and big enough to hang with some forwards. He is also going to be an elite rebounder and that might be his most impressive skill. If he can develop offensively he is going to be a perfect SG. If not, he probably still has a solid role on a good player."
Jared McCain - Score First Point Guard Who Might Scare off Teams Looking for Traditional Point Guard
Position: PG Age: 23 at time of draft
Height: 6'3" Weight: 197
Projected Ratings: B B- C B- C B
"McCain for some reason had never really been seen as a top end prospect despite the fact that he did nothing but come into Duke and produce, produce, produce. He is hyper athletic, quick as lightning, and has tremendous on and off ball skills. Offensively he might not be blessed with tremendous size but he can absolutely get whatever he wants at the rim. He is a deadly mid range shooter and he still improving his three point shot. He isn't a great passer and isn't likely to ever be one but he should be a fun scoring guard. He reminds of Lee and Philon from last year just a little better offensively."
Alijah Arenas - Another Son of a Former Superstar Trying to Forge His Own Way
Position: SG Age: 19 at time of draft
Height: 6'4 Weight: 185
Projected Ratings: B- B- D+ C C- A
"And finally we reach our last prospect of this writeup. Arenas is cut from the same cloth as his father, a score first ask questions later guard who projects as an elite scorer who does little else. He scores well at all three levels and is a balanced scorer, capable of using his athleticism to carry the day and skilled enough to dominate when his shots are falling. Defensively he isn't great but he isn't completely worthless. He should end up with enough quickness and instincts to be a decent steals guy but you gotta hope he generates enough steals because hes an absolutely worthless on ball defender. Don't ask him to run your offense either, despite the fact that he has point guard handles, he is not a good passer. At all."
*
