Looking ahead to the 2020 NBA Draft
On 18 November 2020, at 01:00 Dutch time, it’s time for the NBA Draft again. It will be a Draft like no other, because a lot has changed due to Covid-19. Still, for many basketball talents it will be a day to never forget.
Changes
The whole world currently has to adapt to the coronavirus, and so does the NBA Draft. The Draft was originally supposed to be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Given the current situation, it has been moved to the ESPN facility in Bristol, Connecticut and will take place via video call. The event is normally held in June, but it has now been moved to 18 November.
Ones to watch
Who are the “ones to watch” right now? These are the top 5 ranked players who will take part in the NBA Draft:
5. Onyeka Okongwu
The USC Trojans center is 2.05 meters tall and weighs 111 kg. In the 28 games he played for USC, he started every one and played about 31 minutes per game. He had an FG% of .616, a 3P% of .250 and his FT% is .720. Averages of 8.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.7 BPG and 16.2 PPG. He is a strong yet mobile center. He has very good shot-blocking instincts and fine footwork
4. Deni Avdija
This small forward currently plays in his native Israel, for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He is 2.06 meters tall and weighs 97.5 kg. In his career he has played 34 games, starting 5 of them, and averages 12.4 MPG. His FG% is .438, his 3P% is .316 and his FT% is .600. He averages 2.2 RPG, .9 APG, .3 SPG, .2 BPG and 4 PPG. He is tall and has very good ball control, creativity and playmaking skills. He has really developed defensively and has learned to play better without the ball.
3. James Wiseman
He is 2.16 meters tall and weighs 109 kg. This center played his college year with the Memphis Tigers. He started all 3 games he played at Memphis and averaged 23 MPG. His FG% was .769, 3P% .000 and FT% .704. He enters the Draft with 10.3 RPG, .3 APG, .3 SPG and 3.0 BPG. Despite the small number of minutes he played, he looks like a very strong player. He has a strong foundation and, despite his size, he is very athletic.
2. Anthony Edwards
102 kg, 1.96 meters and played shooting guard for Georgia. He played 32 games there, started all of them and averaged 33 MPG. His FG% is .402, 3P% .294 and FT% .772. He also averaged 5.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, .6 BPG and 19.1 PPG. Lots of power, very explosive and good length. On top of that, he’s strong and fast, so he can hold his own on defense too.
1. LaMelo Ball
At number 1 is the 2.01-meter-tall LaMelo Ball. He weighs 82 kg and played point guard in Australia last season, for the Illawarra Hawks. He played 12 games in Australia, started all 12 and averages 31.2 MPG. He also has an FG% of .377, a 3P% of .250 and an FT% of .723. In addition, he averages 7.4 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, .2 BPG and 17.0 PPG. For a point guard, his height is one of his strengths. He can control the game with his creativity and his instincts while dribbling. Partly thanks to these qualities, he could easily hold his own on defense. He is still very young, so he has all the potential to grow in his game.
1st pick
Just like every year, talents from all over the world are signing up for the NBA Draft again, all with the dream of getting to play in the NBA. Despite all those future stars, people are often focused on just one person and everyone has one question: who will be the 1st pick in the NBA Draft? This year, the Minnesota Timberwolves get the chance to pick the biggest talent first. On 18 November, we will all be watching with excitement to see who gets to receive which NBA cap.
