The guys also discuss the preseason Mr. Basketball USA voting. Dereck Lively II of Westtown School sits atop the first ballots for the Player of the Year award, but which players are on his heels? How is this race shaping up compared to past years? Is there a surefire wire-to-wire winner for the 2021-22 award?

Ron and Dev then break down the high school basketball games they watched to begin the season. FAB 50 No. 9 Sierra Canyon went undefeated at the Montgomery Tip-Off in San Diego and No. 14 Corona Centennial won two games against quality opponents in the Battlezone Showcase. Which teams have Ron and Dev seen that could make their way into the regional or national rankings? Which players had standout performances to begin the season? Hit the play button above to listen to In The Paint 109!

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In this piece we take a closer look at some of the best wings on the teams who to make the Top 15 cut in Ronnie's preseason FAB 50 rankings. Check the full player breakdowns below and make sure to dive further into each player in our?profiles database!

Chris Livingston

6'6"   -   SG   -   2022

Chris Livingston, No. 6 Oak Hill Academy - Livingston has an impressive combination of size, length, athleticism and off-the-bounce skill that you see in a high major college wing, which is obviously his projected level as he signed with Kentucky. The 6-foot-6, 200-pounder is an explosive leaper both in space and in traffic and uses that trait to finish above and through contact in the lane. While Livingston is best when getting out and filling the lane in transition, he has the ball skills to break down a defender in the half-court setting and get to the rim where he finishes with power and highlight-reel dunks.

Chris Bunch, No. 15 Wasatch Academy - Bunch is a smooth and explosive wing who uses his fluid three-point and mid-range shooting strokes to open up driving lanes. The 6-foot-7 Syracuse-signee has shown the ability initiate offense with the ball in his hands when needed, but is most effective in a fast break setting where he can slash his way to the bucket for an above-the-rim finish.

Dariq Whitehead, No. 1 Montverde - Whitehead has really nice feel and basketball instincts both on and off the ball. At 6-feet-6 with a strong 190-pound frame, the Duke-signee is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenders because of his first-step explosiveness and quick twitch athleticism. Whitehead is a relentless downhill attacker of the basket, but can also keep defenses honest with a smooth pull-up jumper and catch-and-shoot consistency from three-point range. Perhaps Whitehead’s ticket to being a long-term pro is his defensive potential on the wing. 

Dillon Mitchell, No. 1 Montverde - Mitchell is a freaky transition and vertical athlete whose length and explosiveness make him a poster dunk waiting to happen. At 6-feet-7 and a long, wiry 180 pounds, the Texas-bound wing is great when moving off of the ball and finding a weak spot in the defense where he can finish off a lob with a dunk. Mitchell is one of those high motor guys who rarely takes a play off, which will pair well with Chris Beard’s style of play at Texas.

Isaiah Elohim

6'4"   -   CG   -   2024

Isaiah Elohim, No. 9 Sierra Canyon - The 6-foot-5 wing will have to sit out until Dec. 27th for the Trailblazers due to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) transfer rules and when he’s eligible to play it will add another versatile offensive piece to a loaded Sierra Canyon Roster. Elohim is a smooth three-level scorer with advanced feel for the game. The surefire national recruit is just a sophomore, but already has a polished scoring package complete with deep three-point range and a sweet pull-up mid-range jumper.

Jarace Walker, No. 2 IMG Academy - Walker has a body and skill-set that’s kind of in that in-between space of a wing and power forward type of prospect. The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder is an athletic specimen who dominates the offensive and defensive boards. He has the ball skills and basketball IQ to push the break and make a good decision and can get to the rim off of dribble-drives for power finishes. The Houston-signee can hit face-up mid-range shots, but it will be interesting to see how he’s used at the next level and if he can develop a consistent perimeter shot.

Jett Howard, No. 2 IMG Academy - Howard will be heading to play for his father, Juwan, at Michigan and really has the type of game you’d expect from a former NBA player’s son. At 6-feet-7, the senior is a lethal three-point shooter both off the catch and off the bounce, has the ball handling, vision and passing IQ to initiate offense if needed, and is a multi-positional offensive player who can create mismatches on the court.

Justin Edwards, No. 10 Imhotep Charter - The Top-15 ranked junior is one of those guys who is just wired to score. At 6-feet-7 with a long, rangy frame, Edwards is a crafty left-hander who looks to break defenders down off the dribble and get into his mid-range scoring package. The five-star prospect is also a catch-and-shoot threat from behind the arc and is especially consistent from the either wing or either corner. 

MacKenzie Mgbako, No. 11 Gill St. Bernard - Mgbako is such a tough cover for opposing defenses because of his versatility on the offensive end. The 6-foot-7 wing is a three-level scorer who hits three-point shots from multiple spots and ranges, but can also hit fadeaway jumpers at the mid-range level or take a straight-line drive and finish around the cup. What sets Mgbako apart from others in the 2023 class is his feel with his back to the basket and ability to capitalize on a size advantage in the post.

Noah Batchelor, No. 2 IMG Academy - Batchelor is probably the most pure shooter on this list. The 6-foot-6 Memphis-bound senior is one of those guys opponents try to run off the line because he doesn’t need much time or space to get his shot off. With his size, combined with his quick release and fundamental shooting mechanics, Batchelor is the perfect floor spreading wing at the next level. 

Scotty Middleton, No. 3 Sunrise Christian Academy - Middleton is a long, wiry, bouncy and shifty wing who has great scoring feel. The 6-foot-6 junior has a consistent catch-and-shoot three-point shoot, can attack bad closeouts and score above the rim, or create offensive looks for himself off the dribble. One of Middleton’s best attributes is the way he gets out and runs in transition, helping his team get an easy bucket on the break.

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In this piece we take a closer look at some of the best big men who pace Ronnie's preseason teams ranked No. 1 to No. 15. Check the full player breakdowns below and make sure to dive further into each player in our profiles database!

Aaron Bradshaw, No. 4 Camden (NJ) - Bradshaw is regarded as a Top 25 National prospect in the class of 2023 and it's easy to see why. The 7-foot, 210-pound center fits that modern big type of role as he excels in pick and roll action due to his combination of mobility on the perimeter and dexterity around the basket when rolling, catching and finishing. Adding Bradshaw to a loaded Camden roster led by 2023 guard DJ Wagner is why Ronnie started the Panthers at No. 4.

Cameron Barnes, No. 7 Duncanville (TX) - Barnes is another highly-ranked and highly-recruited 2023 forward/center prospect. The 6-foot-9, 200-pounder is regarded as a Top 60 recruit in the class and is in that "stretch four" mold where his fluid athleticism and perimeter skill-set make him an effective rim-runner and finisher in transition or a floor spacer in the half-court where he can slash his way to the rim for paint finishes out of the "dunker" spot on the floor.

Charlie Williams, No. 12 Carmel (IN) - Williams might not be as recognizable as some of the other names on this list, but the 6-foot-10 forward/center should have a strong senior season for No. 12 Carmel and a solid career at the next level at William & Mary. The senior has great hands, footwork and touch around the basket and can stretch the floor to the three-point line while also being an instinctual rim protector and shot blocker.

Devin Williams, No. 14 Corona Centennial (CA) - The Centennial junior is as high of an upside prospect as you will find on this list. At 6-feet-9 with ball skills and fluid and smooth athleticism, Williams is one of those players who gets better each time he takes the floor. He can spread defenses out with his perimeter shooting touch and is also an effective scorer in transition due to his ability to beat his defensive assignment down the floor on a consistent basis.

Drew Kania, No. 11 Gill St. Bernard - Versatility is the name of the game for Kania. The 6-foot-8 forward, who is committed to Brown University, has an inside-out scoring arsenal complete with face-up shooting ability off the catch and in pick and pop situations. Kania has proven to be a difficult cover when at the elbows or in a "horns" type of offensive set because he can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim or use his high IQ and precision passing ability to find an open teammate.

Eric Dailey Jr.

6'7"   -   PF   -   2023

Eric Dailey Jr., No. 2 IMG Academy - With his style of play, the 6-foot-7, 215-pound senior could be categorized in a variety of ways, but we think he fits well on the big man list due to how he will play for IMG Academy this season. Dailey, Jr. has a combination of size, length and athleticism that, combined with his skill, makes him a tough cover at the high school level. Dailey, Jr. can score with his back to the basket, in face-up situations with a jumper or rip-and-go, and he can take his defender off he bounce in an isolation situation for a physical paint bucket or pull-up jumper.

Ernest Udeh Jr., No. 14 Dr. Phillips - While Udeh is still in the "raw" category when it comes to his offensive skill-set, there's no teaching the size he has and the energy and effort he brings to the floor. The 6-foot-10 senior is a beast on the offensive and defensive glass and has shown a ton of potential as a shot blocker and rim protector. What the Kansas-signee does best is get out and run in transition. Udeh gets up and down the court with ease and is an elite catcher and finisher of lob passes.

Jerrell Roberson, No. 8 DeMatha Catholic - Roberson, who is unranked by most national recruiting websites, is another young big man who has developed that true stretch-four type of skill-set. At 6-feet-9, 205 pounds, the James Madison-commit has a smooth and consistent shooting stroke with his feet set and time and space to get his shot off. Roberson has a high basketball IQ when moving without the ball and executing pick-and-pop action.

Kijani Wright, No. 9 Sierra Canyon - Wright transferred to an already-loaded Sierra Canyon to fortify its front-court. The 6-foot-8 power forward, who will be at USC next season, is as high motor and hard working as they come. Wright never takes a play off and is a versatile defender who can switch on to a guard in ball screen action or hedge and recover in that same situation. Offensively, Wright has shown the ability to score through contact inside and face-up and hit the 15 to 17 foot set shot. His most effective offensive tool is his relentless pursuit of offensive rebounds resulting in second-chance points.

Kwame Evans Jr.

6'8"   -   SF   -   2023

Kwame Evans Jr., No. 1 Montverde Academy -?The No. 2 overall ranked player in the 2023 class is a new-age forward in the sense that he impacts the game in a variety of ways, many of which are both traditional and non-traditional to today's big man position. Evans, Jr. is a long and rangy 6-foot-9 junior who has shown instinctual shot blocking and rim protecting ability in addition to his ball skills and IQ in leading a fastbreak after a defensive stop. While Evans prefers to operate on the perimeter, he has great hands and footwork around the basket and it will be interesting to see how his game evolves over the next couple of years.

Mark Mitchell, No. 3 Sunrise Christian Academy -?Mitchell could be a guy who trends toward the "wing" position as a prospect as he continues to add more perimeter feel to his all-around game. As of now, though, the 6-foot-8 forward is a monster inside. The five-star ranked senior can get deep post position for a quick turn and finish, but can also back guys down in the mid-post and make a strong move on the blow block for a bucket with touch or one above the rim with authority.

Vince Iwuchukwu, No. 1 Montverde Academy - The Top 20 ranked prospect, who is heading to USC next season, is a legitimate 7-footer whose impact is felt on the defensive end of the floor. Iwuchukwu's quick twitch athleticism to go along with his anticipation and mobility when recovering or providing help-side defense makes him an intimidating rim protecting presence. Offensively, the senior is still on the raw side of his development, but he has shown flashes of fundamental post footwork and power or finesse finishing ability.

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Click below to listen to the full episode!

The guys also discuss the latest "PR Tour" that Scottie Pippen has been on to promote his new book, Unguarded, where he's taken countless shots at former Chicago Bulls teammate Michael Jordan. Does Pippen have a legitimate gripe with all the things he's saying about His Airness or is he just creating drama to sell copies of his book?

Is Jordan's silence of Pippen's criticism making MJ look even better than he did after "The Last Dance?" Is Pippen's issue really with Mike or is it with the media and marketing/branding opportunities that helped make Jordan into one of the most famous athletes of all time?

Ron and Dev also discuss the Ben Simmons saga in Philadelphia. Is it time for the Sixers to trade the all-star caliber forward? If so, which team presents the best fit for Simmons and gives Philly the best return in prospects and draft picks?

Lastly, Ron and Dev break down the Top 40 preseason Cal-Hi Sports state rankings in California high school basketball. Sierra Canyon, Corona Centennial and Harvard-Westlake all look like locks for the 8-team CIF Southern Section Open Division field, but which teams have the best chance to spoil the Open party? Why did Sierra Canyon start the season at No. 1 over Centennial when Centennial beat Sierra Canyon head-to-head last season? Tune in to hear all of this and more!

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Ron and Dev also bring on two preseason FAB 50 coaches who break down the strengths of their respective teams. No. 34 Arichbishop Stepinac head coach Patrick Massaroni and No. 13 Dr. Phillips head coach Ben Witherspoon hop on the podcast with the guys toward the end of this episode!

Other topics on this show include the NBA 75 list and which players Ron and Dev believe are the biggest snubs and which players should not have made the list at all. Is it too soon to include Damian Lillard among the top 75 players to ever play in the NBA? Should Dwight Howard have made the list? Tune in to hear who Ron and Dev think were the biggest oversights and which young players could make the list when it's expanded 25 years from now!

The guys also discuss the recent Southern California high school football game between Inglewood and Morningside which Inglewood won 106-0. Is it ever okay to run the score up on a team? What do they have to say about the starting quarterback throwing for 13 touchdowns? It's all in the latest episode of In The Paint!

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Next, the guys give their winners and losers of the 2021 NBA Draft. Who got better? Which team's draft approach made the least sense? Which teams used their selections to add viable assets or immediate contributors? Finally, Ron and Dev break down all the big moves in NBA Free Agency. Who made signings and trades to put themselves in championship contention? Find out on the latest episode of the In The Paint Show.

You can also watch a video episode of Ep. 103 of the In The Paint Show on the Ballislife Podcast Network!

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We've seen a number of top-ranked teams and highly-regarded prospects miss out on game action due to postponements, cancellations, and precautionary sit-outs. But even with those ups-and-downs, the NCAA season has pushed through, and we've watched enough game film to put together a solid list of who we think are the top 60 prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft.

In this piece we will break down and analyze prospects ranked No. 60-51 with in-depth details on each player's skill-set based on the games and film we have viewed. This list is based on United States prospects only. We'll update once we get some more looks at the international players.

All stats and player vitals courtesy of College Basketball on Sports-Reference.com.

60. Ochai Agbaji | SG/WF | 6-5 | 210 | Kansas | Junior

The two most transferrable traits that standout to me immediately with Agbaji are his shooting ability and his size for the two or three position. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder has improved his three-point shooting dramatically in each of his three seasons at Kansas, culminating in a 43.2 percent clip from deep to this point in his junior campaign. Agbaji is a capable transition scorer who can get downhill and finish through contact. He moves well without the ball and can attack open lanes with straight-line drives for paint finishes. Agbaji's size, strength, physicality and athleticism lends to his potential as a multi-positional defender at the NBA level. As far as improvements go or areas of his game in need of attention, Agbaji needs to become a more fluid creator and ball handler in isolation situations. He projects as a "Three and D" guy at this point.

59. John Petty | SG | 6-5 | 185 | Alabama | Senior

Petty's game at his size looks like it will be a good fit in the current state of the NBA. The 6-foot-5 swingman is a knockdown three-point shooter with deep range, but also hits on better than 58 percent of his field goals inside the arc which are of the isolation drive and score or slashing without the ball variety of buckets. Petty doesn't need much time or space to get his shot off and has improved his isolation ball handling to be able to create offensive opportunities for himself off the bounce. With added strength to his wiry frame and the floor spacing at the NBA level, Petty could be a viable floor stretching shooter. Where we think Petty can improve upon his draft stock is by showing he's capable of reading defenses off the dribble and creating for teammates.

58. Oscar Da Silva | F | 6-9 | 225 | Stanford | Senior

While Da Silva might not be the best long-term prospect in the Pac-12 Conference this season - and we'll talk about who is once we approach our lottery predictions - he's in the conversation for Pac-12 Player of the Year. The 6-foot-9 forward is the definition of a "skilled" big man with his versatility to do just about anything offensively. He has soft touch around the basket with either hand, can step out and knock down pick-and-pop and catch-and-shoot perimeter shots and possesses the vision and IQ to find open shooters out of the low post, hit cutters out of the high post and execute dribble-hand off action. The question marks on Da Silva's game are from an athletic standpoint from vertical explosiveness on offense to a lack of rim protection and rebounding for his size.

57. Moussa Cisse | C | 6-10 | 220 | Memphis | Freshman

Cisse is a beast of a rim protector and shot blocker with an NBA-ready frame. The 6-foot-10 freshman plays with great energy and effort on both sides of the floor and brings a gritty, workers mentality with his minutes. Cisse's best qualities right now are his shot blocking, defensive rebounding, and rim-running and finishing in transition. While his game is more traditional big than modern big, especially on the offensive end, Cisse is effective in ball screen action where he rolls hard to the rim and can finish lob passes with authority.

56. Justin Moore | CG | 6-4 | 210 | Sophomore | Villanova

When watching Villanova play at the collegiate level, it's comes as no surprise why the program produces solid pro players both in the NBA and overseas. Moore should be the next in line behind guys like Kyle Lowry, Jalen Brunson, Eric Paschall, Mikal Bridges, Saddiq Bey and many more. So why such high praise for Moore who doesn't appear on other 2021 Draft boards? We think his all-around skill-set at the guard spot as a playmaker for himself and teammates, to go along with his nice size for the position, put him in a spot to be on the radar of teams picking in the second round. Moore lets the game come to him, operates with a smooth and deliberate pace, and can play both on or off the ball as needed. The one area for concern with Moore is his three-point shooting as he's only hitting at a 29.3 percent clip on the season.

Kofi Cockburn

6'10"   -   C   -   2019

55. Kofi Cockburn | C | 7-0 | 285 | Illinois | Sophomore

If you took Cockburn and inserted him circa any NBA Draft in the mid-90's, it's very likely he would have been a first round pick based on how center-dominant the league was back then outside of Michael Jordan. The 7-footer is a throwback big man in every sense of the term, relying on physicality, bully-ball and power dunks and finishes in the paint on the offensive end. Where Cockburn will make his biggest immediate impact is on the defensive end. Despite his muscular 285-pound frame, the Illinois sophomore is surprisingly quick off of his feet and agile when providing help or coming over for a weak-side contest. Cockburn is averaging 1.5 blocks per game through 15 games this season and we have seen many cases where a physical, rim protecting center is a commodity at the NBA level.

54. Marcus Carr | CG | 6-2 | 195 | Minnesota | Junior

Carr, who ranks among the top 20 scorers in Division I college basketball this season (20.9 points per game) brings a dynamic scoring and playmaking ability in both the transition and half-court settings. Carr (featured picture) is super creative off the bounce in isolation situations where he uses a variety of hesitations, dribble moves and step-backs to create space from his primary defender for rhythm jumpers. Carr's strong build allows him to absorb bumps and stay on balance into a strong finish around the basket. One of the aspects of Carr's game that makes him so intriguing to us is his ability to play both guard positions. The biggest concern with Carr's game from what we've seen on film is his quick twitch explosiveness and the effectiveness of his burst and blow-by speed in half court situations.

53. Taevion Kinsey | WF | 6-5 | 185 | Marshall | Junior

Kinsey is probably the best highlight-reel player you don't know about. A quick Google or YouTube search will bring up countless videos of him flying down the court in transition and skying over a poor defender who is bound to end up on a poster. The 6-foot-5 wing has elite speed, vertical explosiveness and body control which allow him to finish in a variety of ways around the basket. When taking a closer look at Kinsey's numbers, it's difficult to see how effective of a three-point shooter he is at the college level. As a sophomore, Kinsey shot 26.4 on 2.3 attempts per game and this season is up to 41 percent on 2.2 attempts per game. We think NBA teams will take a long look at this prospect because of his dynamic athleticism and defensive potential.

52. Jalen Wilson | F | 6-8 | 215 | Kansas | Freshman

Wilson has all the look of the modern NBA swingman and the skill-set to play the three or four at the next level. The rangy 6-foot-8 wing has shown a ton of upside during his redshirt freshman season, especially on the offensive end where he's shown the ability to hit the catch-and-shoot three but also attack the top foot of a defender and get into the teeth of the defense and finish through or over contact. The key for Wilson to get into the league and develop a role to stick is if he cant consistently hit the NBA three-point shot and if he's able to effectively guard his position at that level.

Trendon Watford

6'9"   -   PF   -   2019

51. Trendon Watford | F | 6-9 | 240 | LSU | Sophomore

Watford is one of those skilled "jack of all trades" type of players who can operate just about anywhere on the court from the low and high post to a point-forward type of role. Watford's stat line tells the story of his impact on the floor - 18.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game - all of which are indicative of his versatility. Watford is most effective with his back to the basket offensively. His soft touch with his left and right hands and ability to use his body to create space and seal in deep post position gives him an advantage at the college level. While Watford's skill-set and IQ definitely translate, the question is will his lack of athleticism and explosiveness hurt him? The NBA is full of dynamic athletes but we've seen that some skills can pay the bills.

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On Episode 93 of the In The Paint Show, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland go in-depth on the booming sports trading card industry with owner of Denver-based Vices, Noe Magdaleno. From nostalgia to supply and demand to social media promo, Ron Dev and Noe discuss what sparked this trend to make its comeback.

Click the PLAY button below to tune into the latest episode of the In The Paint Show!

Ron and Dev also touch on the new-look Brooklyn Nets with James Harden in the fold. What will the dynamic be when Kyrie Irving takes the floor forming one of the more potent "Big Three" offensive trios in NBA History? Are the Nets now the odds on favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals?

Jalen Duren

6'9"   -   C   -   2021

Next, the guys break down the standout high school players from the NIBC St. James Invitational, including Jalen Duren and Ryan Nembhard of Montverde Academy, Caleb Foster and MJ Rice of Oak Hill Academy, Kennedy Chandler of Sunrise Christian Academy and many more.

To close out the show, Ron and Dev hit on the latest FAB 50 National Ranking update and some news from the CIF Southern Section putting SoCal high school sports at further risk of postponement/cancellation.

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On Episode 92 of the "In The Paint" Show, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland discuss the College Football National Championship game in which Alabama defeated Ohio State. Should there be an asterisk next to this year's National Title? Is Nick Saban the GOAT of college football coaches?

Hit the PLAY button below to tune into In The Paint 92!

The guys also touch on the NBA's latest issues with COVID-19 outbreaks. With multiple games postponed this week, and no bubble to fall back on, how should the NBA proceed? What further steps could the Association take to ensure each player, coach and staff member are minimizing their exposure to the illness?

Caleb Houstan

6'7"   -   SF   -   2021

Next, Ron and Dev discuss the latest FAB 50 National Rankings and the standouts from the first set of games at the NIBC St. James Invitational. ESPN's National Director of Recruiting, Paul Biancardi, is the show's first guest as he joins to break down what he's evaluated so far St. James and his approach to scouting and evaluating during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Biancardi gives us the inside scoop on which teams and players have impressed him most so far and which games he's looking forward to seeing in the next week.

The final guest of the show is La Lumiere head coach Pat Holmes who gives the listeners an inside look at how the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) was born and where it's headed, the precautions the St. James is taking to avoid a COVID outbreak and the early ups and downs facing his team this season.

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On Episode 91 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland discuss the rumors of the NBA expanding and adding two more teams. Are Seattle and Las Vegas the no-brainer locations to add an NBA franchise? Devin gives a west coast city he believes would embrace a new NBA team.

Hit the play button below to tune in to In The Paint episode 91!

Ron and Dev also breakdown their pre-season NBA content where they picked the impact rookies and players who were primed to have breakout seasons. Where did they hit and where did they miss? Ronnie had a bullseye on Christian Wood and Devin pinpointed Payton Pritchard as a late first-round rookie to watch.

To close the show, the guys give an update on the FAB 50 National Rankings and what to expect from high school basketball based on the current state of the pandemic. Which states are currently playing? Which states have canceled? Which states are planning on starting soon? Will California cancel its season if numbers in the region don't improve?

Tune in to the latest episode of our In The Paint Podcast to hear Ron and Dev break this all down and more!

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As we get closer to a fresh new year of NBA action, myself and Ronnie Flores wanted to take a closer look at players who have the potential for breakout campaigns. Both Ronnie and I selected three players who we think will raise their levels of play this season.

Ronnie's Top Pick: Christian Wood | PF | 6-10 | 215 | Rockets

Christian Wood

6'10"   -   PF   -   2013

Incredibly, this former UNLV standout and So Cal native is entering his sixth season in the league and is finally starting to find his groove. When scouts refer to “upside,” Wood is a perfect example because this scoring forward is still only 25 years old. With former league MVP Russell Westbrook no longer in the fold, the oft-traveled Wood will be an important cog for a Houston franchise in a bit of turmoil. Will another former league MVP, James Harden, be unloaded? Whether he stays or goes, expect good production from this hybrid four who can fill it up in a hurry. Wood was a highly-coveted free agent whose sign-and-trade (he inked a three-year, 41-million dollar deal) signaled the likely end of small ball in Houston and let teams know the Rockets plan on contending. Wood averaged 22.3 ppg and 9.5 rpg over his last 15 games for Detroit. If he continues at that pace, and compliments newcomer John Wall well, he’ll be considered one of the best late-bloomers in recent memory. Wood went undrafted in 2015.?

Ronnie's Second Pick: ?Keldon Johnson | SF | 6-5 | 220 | Spurs?

San Antonio typically brings rookies along slowly and Johnson was no different last season as a 20-year old first year player one season removed from high school. As the 29th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the former Oak Hill Academy standout is showing signs of being the best asset that came out of the deal that sent NBA star Kawhi Leonard to Toronto. Johnson is the definition of high energy and his approach to the dirty work, plus his desire on the glass, rubs off on teammates. Right before the COVID-19 outbreak in March, this rookie was just beginning to hit his stride when the 2019-20 season came to an abrupt halt. It would have been easy for a rookie to lose focus or struggle when the season resumed in the Bubble, but for us it’s a tremendously positive sign that the Kentucky product elevated his game at that point. He averaged 14 ppg, 5 rpg and shot 64 percent from the field down in Orlando. Combine his team-first attitude, high energy and production, and the Spurs have themselves a nice piece for a future Johnson will be a big part of. We wouldn’t be surprised if he has a better NBA career than half the players taken in front of him in the 2019 first round.?

Ronnie's Third Pick: Michael Porter Jr. | SF | 6-10 | 218 | Nuggets

This lightning rod of a player is a well-known commodity who had some big moments for a talented Nuggets team that made the Western Conference Finals with a string of comeback wins. MPJ played a big role in that playoff run with his gifted offensive game and big perimeter shots. Once in a while (like every other game) Porter does something that makes not only the other team scratch its head, but some of his teammates as well. If he can continue to harness that cockiness and mature in his shot selection, the Nuggets should once again challenge the Lakers in the Western Conference. Last season as a rookie (Porter sat out 2018-19 with injury), he put up 9.3 ppg and 4.7 rpg, but when healthy he has as much potential as any young forward in the league sans Luka. Those injury issues made Porter fall to the No. 14 pick in 2018, but he is an all-star caliber offensive talent. With Jamal Murray on the perimeter and The Joker inside, Denver has its core for the forceable future, but the trajectory of MPJ could ultimately decide just how realistic it will be for Denver to challenge for a NBA title in the next 2-3 seasons. If MPJ's consistency grows as his minutes do, Denver should have three all-star talents in its stable.

Devin's Top Pick: Coby White | PG | 6-4 | 195 | Bulls

Coby White

6'5"   -   CG   -   2018

White was an All-Rookie Second Team selection last season after averaging 13.2 points and 2.7 assists in just under 26 minutes per game for Chicago last season, playing in 65 games with only one start. As he heads into his second season, it's become clear that White will take over the starting point guard duties from Kris Dunn who is now in Atlanta. The 6-foot-4 point guard out of North Carolina showed plenty of flashes of brilliance during his rookie campaign, especially when getting out in transition and downhill to the basket where he used his speed and athleticism to create for himself and teammates. White's style of play will benefit even more from playing under the system of new head coach Billy Donovan instead of Jim Boylen, who has shown the ability to make the most out of athletic guards who thrive in fast-paced environments. The biggest key for White to truly break out this season is becoming a more efficient scorer. In his rookie season, White shot 39.4 percent from the from the field overall and 35.4 percent from three-point range.

Devin's Second Pick: Thomas Bryant | C | 6-10 | 250 | Wizards

Bryant has steadily improved each and every season since entering the league as a second round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-10 center has worked his way into a part-time starting role with the Wizards in the last two seasons where he's averaged double-digit points and over seven rebounds per game. The biggest stat I see from last season that makes me think Bryant is primed to become the team's most reliable starting center is his 1.1 blocks per game average. With the current make-up of the Wizards roster, assuming that the starting lineup is: Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, Davis Bertans (or rookie Deni Avdija), Rui Hachimura and Bryant, the fourth-year man out of Indiana will be the interior presence that this team needs on the defense and rebounding fronts. High energy big men who can protect the rim, run the floor and operate out of ball-screen action are the guys who see the majority of the playing time at the five position in the NBA.

Devin's Third Pick: Brandon Clarke | SF | 6-8 | 215 | Grizzlies

It's not often you see a 23 year-old rookie who still has plenty of upside left in his game, but that was the case with Clarke last season. The 6-foot-8 forward spent his first two college seasons at San Jose State before transferring up to Gonzaga where he played his way into the NBA Draft conversation. Clarke appeared in 54 games with four starts as a rookie, averaging 12.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Clarke's versatility both offensively and defensively, combined with his scoring efficiency without needing the ball in his hands to be effective, should make him the long-term starter at the small forward position alongside power forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. and center Gorgui Dieng.

The post Six NBA Players Poised to Have Breakout Seasons! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

First, the guys discuss Giannis signing a five-year supermax contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks. What other pieces do the Bucks need to add in order to create a championship contender? Can Giannis draw another superstar to Milwaukee to play alongside him?

Hit the PLAY button below to tune into ITP 90!

James Harden

6'5"   -   SG   -   2007

Next Ron and Dev dissect the latest story on ESPN regarding James Harden and his influence on the culture in Houston. Does Harden's partying lifestyle hurt the continuity of the team chemistry or does it make his insane stat lines even more impressive? Ron and Dev also debate whether a team can win a title with Harden as its centerpiece.

To follow that up, the guys take a closer look at LaMelo Ball's first two preseason games with the Hornets. Were they impressed or does Ball need to show more? Also, why Hornets fans and NBA fans in general should be patient for LaMelo's offensive game to get into full gear.

Ron and Dev then transition into their latest story on Ballislife on the six rookies that NBA fans can expect to make an immediate impact in the league and close out the show with some more updates on high school basketball guidelines, scheduling and COVID-19-related cancellations.

The post In The Paint Show: Giannis' Supermax, LaMelo's Debut, Looking Forward to Top Prospects in the 2021 Draft appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

One of the more interesting things to follow this season will be the trajectory and impact of the 2020 rookie class. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, first-year players have seen their time to prepare for the NBA level cut short. From the draft to training camps to preseason contests and to opening tip-off, rookies are looking at a months worth of time to get accustomed to the new level of play and their new teammates and coaching staffs.

In this piece, myself and Ronnie Flores do our best to predict which rookies will have an immediate and lasting impact throughout the 2020-21 NBA season.

Ronnie's Top Pick: Isaac Okoro | SG | 6-5 | 225 | Cavaliers

This former McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) product went a bit higher in the draft than we anticipated but with the makeup of Cleveland’s roster I expect him to have tremendous impact. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if he started at some point in the 2020-21 season.

Cleveland just needs a major upgrade defending the wing and perimeter and Okoro foots the bill with his size, core strength and activity level. His play is contagious and he’ll get starter type minutes if his shooting comes around. Cedi Osman just doesn’t defend well enough against the elites in the league to keep Okoro on the pine, while Dylan Windler is coming off an injury.

Windler shoots it well enough and will get opportunities, but Okoro will just create them with his approach. Point guard Sharife Cooper (a freshman at Auburn who may never play pending NCAA eligibility) got most of credit for the success of McEachern (the No. 2 team in the FAB 50 in 2018-19), but it’s apparent Okoro was a big reason why the team went 32-0 and is regarded as one of Georgia’s best ever.

Ronnie's Second Pick:  Isaiah Stewart | PF| 6-9 | 250 | Pistons

Isaiah Stewart

6'9"   -   C   -   2019

The Portland Trailblazers drafted him, but the 2020 All Pac-12 choice will learn the NBA ropes in Detroit. We don’t think it will take him long to get comfortable because of what he brings to the table physically and mentally. Stewart, simply put, is a man and he’s a load to move. Even though the game is so perimeter-oriented nowadays, there is still a spot for a big man that goes after every rebound and sets screens that foes feel. He is a total team-first player and will pick up on what the veterans teach him about the rigors of NBA post play quickly. Does Stewart need to get better offensively? Yes. Does he need to make defenders respect him more outside 8-10 feet from the basket? Of course. But I have a hunch he’s going to get an opportunity because the Pistons likely won’t be very good. And when Stewart does get the opportunity, he’ll be ready and will eventually be a solid contributor. Rebounding always translates and Stewart led the Pac-12 in total rebounds in his only season in college. Rebounds might not win rings for the Pistons, but they’ll win the Piston’s coaching staff over and get Stewart on the floor. 

Ronnie's Third Pick: Jahmius Ramsey | SG | 6-4 | 195 | Kings 

Nothing is guaranteed with NBA second round picks, and that is especially true with such a short turnaround between the draft and the start of the NBA season because of COVID-19. With that being said, it’s a terrific sign for Ramsey that the Kings signed him to a three-year rookie deal, with two of them guaranteed. Ramsey has first round talent with his ability to score and knock down the perimeter shot, which he did in his lone college season at a 42.6 percent clip from three-point range. He's quite versatile and is a capable defender, too. Yes, Ramsey is going to spend plenty of time in the G League, but he’ll be ready for his call-up because the Kings could move one of their guards before the trade deadline and already like what they see in the shard-shooter from Duncanville (Texas). It’s not going to be an easy season for second rounders by any means, but of the ones near the top of the second round we like Ramsey’s chances to make a lasting impression.

Devin's Top Pick: Deni Avdija | SF | 6-9 | 210 | Wizards

Many believed heading into the draft that Avdija was a top four to five talent, and while he slipped a little from that original prediction - going No. 9 to the Wizards - the early returns are looking really good for D.C. The 6-foot-9 wing had an impressive preseason debut, scoring 15 points on 6 of 6 shooting and 3-for-3 from three-point range. Avdija looked confident and comfortable on the floor with his new teammates and that feeling of poise likely stem from Avdija's extended time playing at the highest levels of the Euro League. Avdija fits in seamlessly with the Wizards roster and his combination of size, skill and offensive versatility should mesh nicely with Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, Rui Hachimura and Davis Bertans. Avdija flashed the ability to score from all three levels of the floor from the catch-and-shoot three to an off the bounce pull and even some back to the basket skill in the painted area which all bode well for his immediate and long-term NBA future.

Devin's Second Pick: Malachi Flynn | CG | 6-1 | 185 | Raptors

Flynn was one of college basketball's most dynamic scorers during his redshirt junior season at San Diego State. The 6-foot-1 combo guard is a crafty and confident scorer and playmaker off the bounce who has deep and consistent NBA range on his three point shot. Toronto is a great fit for Flynn as he can learn the ropes of the professional game from seasoned veteran Kyle Lowry and also model his game after one of the game's bright young guards in Fred Van Vleet. The purpose of this story is about the opportunity for immediate impact at the NBA level, and with Flynn's ability to play both on or off the ball as a creator and scorer, he should see plenty of action off the bench with the Raptors in his first season. In his first two preseason games, Flynn scored nine and 17 points, respectively, against the Hornets in just under 20 minutes of action in each contest.

Devin's Third Pick: Payton Pritchard | PG | 6-2 | 190 | Celtics

Payton Pritchard

6'0"   -   PG   -   2016

There are few players who were drafted to a better fit than Pritchard to the Celtics. The gritty floor general who spent four years running a high-level program at the University of Oregon brings that steadiness, toughness and high IQ feel for the game that will fit well with what Brad Stevens does in Boston. Pritchard is known for his tenaciousness on the defensive end and ability to create for others in both the transition and half-court settings while not turning the ball over - evidenced by his career 2.3-to-1 assist to turnover ratio in college - but his offensive repertoire often gets overlooked when breaking down his game. Pritchard averaged 20.5 points per game in his senior season for the Ducks and shot 41.5 percent from three and 82.1 percent from the free throw line. To me, Pritchard has the offensive maturity and competitiveness on the defensive end to be a viable back-up point guard from game one and beyond.

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On Episode 89 of our In The Paint Show, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland discuss a variety of basketball topics from the NBA's quick offseason, free agency winners and losers, which rookies will make an immediate impact and which teams have the biggest advantage heading into the 2020-2021 season.

Hit the PLAY button below to tune in!

Ron and Dev also breakdown the Houston Rockets situation with James Harden. Should Houston try to move Harden before the season starts? Where does one of the best offensive players the game has ever seen fit best? What should the Rockets expect to get in return for their disgruntled superstar?

Andre Curbelo

6'0"   -   PG   -   2020

The guys also discuss the early themes and surprises of the college basketball season. Why are the "Blue Blood" programs like Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina struggling? Has the balance of power evened out this season among college hoops teams? Which college freshmen have stood out the most? Finally, Ron and Dev break down what the high school sports scene looks like across the country.

The post In The Paint Show: NBA Season Fast Approaching, College Blue Bloods Struggling, HSBB Update! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

We're thinking that, when we look back at this draft class a few years down the line, the most productive players might not be the ones who heard their names called early. Like what often happens in these drafts, we see a few guys taken in the late first round, and even into the second round, who could stick in the league for a long time.

In this piece, Ron and Dev give their three biggest surprises of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Ronnie's Surprises

Jalen Smith to Phoenix at No. 10

Jalen Smith

6'10"   -   PF   -   2018

Seems to be at big reach at this spot for the Suns. Many are not sure his talent level was top 10 worthy, and it doesn’t seem to fit in with the Suns’ current personnel. He skill set is more of a five than a four, and Jalen Smith (Maryland) hasn’t shown that he’s a true stretch four at this time. Plus, if he is more of a traditional pivot, this team already has DeAndre Ayton on its roster. Smith is a talented player, but doesn’t seem to be the wisest choice at this spot.?

Zeke Nnaji to Dener at No. 22

The Nuggets have a nice roster and what would seem to be a bright future with it, but unless they are looking far down the line with Zeke Nnaji (Arizona). He brings some athleticism that The Joker (Nikola Jokic) lacks, but isn’t very polished. If he can develop into a rim protector deserving a quality minutes, then Devour could be on to something, but if the franchise truly coveted this big man it would seem it could have picked him up lower in the draft.?

Teams That Didn’t See Value in Traditional Bigs

With a generational player like Steph Curry and with a healthy Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson to complete the trio, it not hard to see why teams want to emulate what Golden State has done for the past decade. It got results, but there are only a few players with the talent level of Curry and Durant around. Most teams have proven it can’t win in that fashion, so it makes no to devalue quality big men. Even Obadiah Toppin is not a traditional big, but he still is a much better talent than the spot he got drafted at (No. 8). Players such as Vernon Carey Jr. (Duke) and Udoka Azubuike (Kansas) seemed to be afterthoughts to many GMs and draft analysts. Why? They can move and are big and physical and can make a difference on the right teams. There is still room in the game for a traditional back to the basket big man. That’s why we think Detroit gained great value at No. 16 with Isaiah Stewart (Washington). He’s physical, you have to account for him, has great character and you know what he’ll give you, which is 10 points, eight rebounds, quality fouls and a team-first approach. Many analysts pegged him to be much lower in the draft because he doesn’t fit the mold of a “modern” power forward, but we thought that was an excellent pick. Again, not many teams will be able to build their team as Golden State did in the 2010s.

Devin's Surprises

Immanuel Quickley jumps into first round

Many mock drafts, including ours, had the former Kentucky guard projected as a solid second round selection, but, as often happens in every NBA Draft, Immanuel Quickley made a huge impression on the New York as the Knicks took him with the 25th overall pick after swinging draft day trade to acquire more selections. The Knicks are looking to be in the thick of a rebuild and most franchises that go through that process put a big emphasis at the guard position and Quickley, when you watch his film and look at his numbers, fits the bill of an NBA-caliber guard. The rangy 6-foot-3 playmaker brings with him a ton of confidence, savvy, ball skills and shot making ability. Quickley averaged better than 16 points per game for the Wildcats during his sophomore season while shooting an impressive 42.8 percent from three-point range.

Nico Mannion's Draft Night Fall

Nico Mannion

6'3"   -   CG   -   2019

A lot of draft pundits considered Nico Mannion a sure-fire one-and-done lottery pick when he reclassified up a class and announced his commitment to Arizona, but draft night told a different story that might've stung the talented point guard in that moment, but could pay off for him in the long-term based on where he's heading. Golden State selected Mannion with the 48th overall pick in what could be one of the better fits for any player in the 2020 draft when it comes to style of play. Mannion's high basketball IQ, vision, court awareness and all-around feel for the game will be crucial to him getting some rookie playing time with the Warriors. The question marks with Mannion that gave some teams a cause for pause were his three-point shooting consistency and defensive capabilities when it comes to guarding the point guard position at the NBA level. There's no better place to address those two things than with a Golden State franchise looking to get back into the NBA Finals conversation.

Golden State Goes Big at No. 2 Despite Thompson Injury

Some of the biggest news on draft day had nothing to do with the draft itself, but instead an injury to one of the NBA's brightest stars. Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson suffered an achilles injury during a workout and will miss the entire 2020-21 NBA season. With that news breaking shortly before the first pick was announced, my head started churning out scenarios of what Golden State could do with its second pick to make up for the loss of the sharpshooting Thompson. My mind immediately jumped to either a trade to get an established NBA shooter or go the upside route and select LaMelo Ball at No. 2. The Warriors did neither of those things (and maybe that's why I'm not in an NBA front office) and made the safe pick of taking Memphis big man James Wiseman. While Golden State definitely needed to add an impact big man to its roster, and Wiseman fits in great with their style and roster, the basketball junkie in me really wanted to see a Stephen Curry/LaMelo Ball backcourt.

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We’re fairly certain some of the late first round picks will develop into quality players over some of the higher picks towards the back end of the lottery. It happens in nearly every draft and we think the sleepers will what this particular draft will be remembered for a few years down the line. 

In this piece Ronnie and Dev make their three picks for which franchises came out in the winner's column on draft night.

Ronnie's Winners

Sacramento Kings - Tyrese Haliburton (Iowa St.) was an excellent pick at No. 12 because he’s a point guard with size and was likely the best available player from pick No. 9 until the kings nabbed him. He can push De'Aaron Fox or play alongside of him. The Kings also got Robert Woodard II (Mississippi St.) at No. 40 and he’s a top-tier athlete and can handle the rigors of guarding wing players. At No. 43, the Kings picked up Jahmius Ramsey (Texas Tech), one of the better our shooters in the draft. If Ramsey can develop into a reliable catch-and-shoot backup, then the Kings just picked up three excellent pieces for their future.

James Wiseman

7'0"   -   C   -   2019

Golden State Warriors - In terms of the actual draft, the Warriors might be the biggest winners because they got the player most physically ready to contribute in this draft. Sure, the Warriors lost when it was revealed Klay Thompson will be lost for the 2020-21 season with a torn Achilles, but that just makes the selection of James Wiseman (Memphis) that much more important. Stephen Curry will be 33 this season and Thompson will be 31 and they simply won’t be able to win in the manner in which they did forever. Every dynasty has to adjust to stay relevant and Wiseman has a good chance to be the most impactful player in this draft. Even if Wiseman reaches 75-80 percent of his max ceiling, he’ll still be better than nearly everyone in this draft. After being unable to trade this pick for a top-tier veteran, the Warriors made the right move. 

New York Knicks - Knicks’ fans are desperate for any good news or a winning piece, and they likely had their prayers answered in Obadiah Toppin (Dayton). Toppin may not the upside of Wiseman, but he was the best player in college basketball last year and the safest bet to be a contributor right away of any player drafted.  It was surprising to see him drop this far, unless you overvalue upside and some teams did in bypassing Toppin. He’ll have plenty of opportunity in New York and if any player in this draft can help the Knicks steer the ship in the right direction, he was the player. Could he be the next Amar’e Stoudemire? That’s a stretch but his ceiling is higher than what many teams valued it at. 

Devin's Winners

RJ Hampton

6'5"   -   CG   -   2019

Denver Nuggets - Fresh off of an appearance in the NBA Bubble Western Conference Finals, Denver added two young pieces to an already well-balanced roster. The Nuggets selected Zeke Nnaji out of Arizona with the 22nd overall pick. Nnaji, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, is an athletic, long and physical 6-foot-11 forward who showed flashes of inside-out scoring ability and defensive versatility in his one season in Tucson. Nnaji, if he turns out to be as good as Denver expects, could soften the blow of losing Jerami Grant to Detroit in Free Agency. Denver made a clever trade to acquire a second first round pick which they used to select 6-foot-5 guard RJ Hampton with the 24th pick. Most know Hampton as a highly-regarded high school player who opted to go to New Zealand for a season instead of playing collegiately. That move may have hurt Hampton's draft stock, but the talented playmaker has great size and feel for the position and Denver will pair him with Jamal Murray who will show him the NBA ropes.

Charlotte Hornets - The Hornets landed the most talented and highest-upside player in the draft in 6-foot-7 point guard LaMelo Ball. Ball was definitely the most polarizing and talked about player in this Hornets' draft class - and rightfully so - as he could potentially be a franchise-changing pick if his talent and skill-set translates well to the NBA level. Aside from Ball, which was a no-brainer selection, the Hornets made two solid second round picks taking Vernon Carey Jr. out of Duke and Grant Riller out of Charleston. Carey was a highly-touted high school prospect whose five-star resume and production at the college level kind of went under-the-radar. The 6-foot-10, 270-pound center averaged 17.8 points and nearly nine rebounds per game, providing a thin Charlotte front-court with some depth and long-term upside if Carey can become a consistent face-up perimeter shooter. Most people were probably wondering, "who?", when Riller's name was announced, but the four-year college player was a big time scorer at Charleston and a guy who can stroke the three-ball similar to Brooklyn's Joe Harris. If Riller can shoot it at a high 30 percent or low 40 percent clip at the NBA level, that pick will be of tremendous value.

Cassius Winston

6'2"   -   PG   -   2016

Washington Wizards - Most scouts, mock-drafters, NBA personnel didn't think that Deni Avdija, the top international prospect in the draft, would slip past the sixth pick because of his size, all-around guard skill-set and experience playing at a high level overseas, but luckily for the Wizards, the 6-foot-8 19 year-old fell into their lap. Avdija, as mentioned above, has great ball skills, a high passing IQ and the ability to finish around the basket with either hand. The biggest question for Avdija at this point in his development is how well his shot translates to the NBA three-point line. Washington's other pick of the night was a second rounder in which they snagged Cassius Winston out of Michigan State after a draft day trade with Oklahoma City. The former Spartan was one of the most reliable true point guards in college basketball last season, but his lack of explosiveness scared teams off enough for him to be a late second round selection. Winston brings with him a breadth of experience in one of the best college conferences and is a proven leader in big game situations. With John Wall potentially wanting out of D.C., Winston could be a guy who could provide valuable minutes at the point guard spot.

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Anthony Edwards

6'4"   -   SG   -   2019

We gathered the film we shot of these players throughout their high school careers and turned it into a visual and verbal breakdown of what makes these players intriguing NBA prospects and what they will need to work on if they want to stick in the league.

In these film sessions, Devin Ugland discusses four expected first round picks - Anthony Edwards (Georgia), LaMelo Ball, Precious Achiuwa (Memphis) and Cole Anthony (North Carolina).

Edwards looks to be one of the most polished and safe picks in the 2020 Draft, check out the film breakdown below.

Ball is perhaps the most polarizing and highest-upside prospect in this crop of 2020 talent. His breakdown is below.

Achiuwa has intriguing defensive versatility and impressive transition finishing ability. Click below to watch his breakdown.

Finally, Anthony has deep NBA bloodlines and has competed against top competition at every level. Devin breaks Cole down below.

The post Ballislife Film Breakdowns: Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Precious Achiuwa and Cole Anthony! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

With the 2020 NBA Draft right around the corner, the Ballislife crew wanted to take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of some of the top prospects in this year's crop of talent.

LaMelo Ball

6'6"   -   PG   -   2019

We gathered the film we shot of these players throughout their high school careers and turned it into a visual and verbal breakdown of what makes these players intriguing NBA prospects and what they will need to work on if they want to stick in the league.

The first film breakdown features LaMelo Ball, a 6-foot-7 point guard who most recently played in Australia for the Illawarra Hawks, and also spent time at Chino Hills high school in Southern California, played professionally in Lithuania and finished his prep career at SPIRE Institute.

Ball is the most polarizing, and perhaps most talented, player in the 2020 NBA Draft, but his game comes with a lot of question marks. Check the video below to see the LaMelo Ball breakdown!

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On Episode 88 of the In The Paint Show, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland take a deep dive into the 2020 NBA Draft with expert analyst Matt Babcock of Babcock Hoops. Matt and the guys discuss the trends of the Top 5 picks, if LaMelo Ball will slip beyond those selections, the top international prospects, which late first round or second round picks will have a long career and much more!

Hit the PLAY button below to tune in to the latest ITP Show!

In the second segment of the ITP Show, Ron and Dev discuss the standout performers from the Pangos All-American Festival 4, including Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Nolan Hickman and bring on one of the co-MVP's of the event, Sandy Creek F Jabari Smith Jr.. Smith goes in-depth on the highlights from his weekend of competing against other top players, how he's preparing for the upcoming high school season and the reasons why he chose to play his collegiate ball at Auburn.

Jabari Smith Jr.

6'9"   -   PF   -   2021

In the final segment, the guys welcome on University of Kentucky center Nick Richards for a pre-draft interview. Ron, Dev and Nick discuss the junior's breakout season, how his game translates to the NBA, and what it is about Kentucky that produces so many pros.

The post In The Paint Show: Matt Babcock on the NBA Draft, Pangos AA Festival with Jabari Smith, Pre-Draft Talk with Nick Richards! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

One of the top performers on the weekend was Arizona Compass Prep's Ty Ty Washington, a 6-foot-4 senior guard, who put up averages of 32 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in Compass' three games of the event.

TyTy Washington

6'3"   -   PG   -   2021

Washington's standout efforts led to Compass Prep winning all three of its season-opening match-ups and earned the Dragons the top overall spot in the first edition of The Grind Top 9 rankings. Check the full list below!

Week 1 Rankings

1 Arizona Compass (AZ)
2 Dream City Christian (AZ)
3 Prolific Prep (CA)
4 Our Saviour Lutheran (NY)
5 PHHoenix Prep (AZ)
6 West Oaks (FL)
7 St. Louis Christian (MO)
8 Veritas Prep (CA)
9 Central Pointe Christian (FL)
Also receiving votes: Orangeville Prep (CAN), US Basketball (OR)

While The Grind Session provides a platform for the many of the top prospects from across the country, it's also a place where players can make a name for themselves and the Under-the-Radar Player of the Week for Week 1 was Lamar Washington of US Basketball Academy out of Oregon.

Washington, a 6-foot-3 junior guard averaged 27 points, including 13-for-25 from three-point range, 6.7 assists and six rebounds in USBA's three contests on the weekend.

Week 2 of The Grind Session Bubble tips off in Arizona on Nov. 14 and games can be watched via a live stream at tanagersports.tv. The full schedule of games is below.

The Grind Session presents The Bubble: Phoenix I
Group 2
Nov. 14-22 | Arizona Compass Prep School | Chandler, AZ

NOV. 14
4:00 Balboa School (CA) v St. Louis Chr. (MO) 6:00 SoCal Academy (CA) v BFL Prep (WA) 8:00 AZ Compass (AZ) v Our Saviour Luth. (NY)

NOV. 15
4:00 SFBA Trinity Prep (NV) v SoCal Acad. (CA) 6:00 St. Louis Christian (MO) v Dream City (AZ) 8:00 BFL Prep (WA) v AZ Compass (AZ)
10:00 SoCal Institute (CA) v Bella Vista (AZ)

NOV. 16
4:00 Balboa School (CA) v SFBA Trinity (NV) 6:00 Eduprize Prep (AZ) v SoCal Institute (CA) 8:00 Dream City (AZ) v Our Saviour Luth. (NY)

NOV. 17
4:00 SoCal Academy (CA) v Bella Vista (AZ)
6:00 PHHoenix Prep (AZ) v BFL Prep (WA)
8:00 Our Saviour Luth. (NY) v St. Louis Chr. (MO) 10:00 AZ Compass (AZ) v Balboa School (CA)

NOV. 18
4:00 SoCal Inst. (CA) v SoCal Acad. (CA)
6:00 BFL Prep (WA) v SFBA Trinity Prep (NV) 8:00 St. Louis Chr. (MO) v AZ Compass (AZ) 10:00 Bella Vista (AZ) v Eduprize Prep (AZ)

NOV. 19
4:00 SFBA Trinity Prep (NV) v SoCal Inst. (CA) 6:00 PHHoenix Prep (AZ) v Our Saviour Luth. (NY) 8:00 Eduprize Prep (AZ) v Balboa School (CA)

NOV. 20
4:00 Balboa School (CA) v PHHoenix Prep (AZ) 6:00 SoCal Acad. (CA) v AZ Compass (AZ)
8:00 BFL Prep (WA) v St. Louis Chr. (MO) 10:00 Our Saviour Luth. (NY) v Bella Vista (AZ)

NOV. 21
4:00 Eduprize Prep (AZ) v SoCal Acad. (CA) 6:00 Dream City (AZ) v BFL Prep (WA)
8:00 AZ Compass (AZ) v SoCal Inst. (CA) 10:00 St. Louis Chr. (MO) v SFBA Trinity (NV)

NOV. 22
4:00 SoCal Inst. (CA) v Balboa School (CA)
6:00 SFBA Trinity (NV) v Our Saviour Luth. (NY) 8:00 PHHoenix Prep (AZ) v St. Louis Chr. (MO)

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Click the PLAY button below to tune in to the full episode!

Scott talks about how the new coaching staff has helped his approach to on-court and off-the-court activity and his goal of becoming a professional player. The former Chino Hills (Calif.) standout also talks about LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu joining the Pelican’s Lonzo Ball as former teammates at Chino Hills (Calif.) as NBA Draft lottery choices. Scott also talks about why the 2015-16 Chino Hills team (with its soon-to-be three NBA players) is the best high school team of all-time (for more on the GOAT topic scroll to the the bottom to stream Episode 62).

Eli Scott

6'4"   -   SF   -   2017

Kyman talks about the adjustments he made from high school that were necessary to contribute to UCLA’s team as a freshman. Kyman also talks about what he’s worked on during COVID-19 to improve and be prepared for the 2020-21 college basketball season.

Jake Kyman

6'7"   -   SF   -   2019

Ron and Dev continue their series of talking to NBA Draft hopefuls as the 2020 draft approaches its November 18 date. The fellas bring on special guest Elijah Fisher of Syracuse to break down on what makes the most appealing late first round prospect on the board. Fisher also talks about what drives him and made him improve each season from a talented, but overlooked, high school prospect into a legitimate NBA draft prospect.

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On Episode 85 of our In The Paint Podcast, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland discuss a wide variety of hoops topics, beginning with the Lakers 17th NBA Championship earned with a Sunday win over the Miami Heat in Game 6.

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Ron and Dev go in-depth on the biggest differences for the Lakers and Heat from Game 5 to Game 6, the high level adjustment by Lakers' head coach Frank Vogel that led to the series-clinching victory and what this title means for LeBron's overall legacy.

The next topic on Episode 85 of ITP is an interview with Precious Achiuwa, a projected first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Memphis. Ron, Dev and Precious discuss how his one year of college helped him prepare for the next level, what parts of his game translate well to the NBA, what he's looking to improve on the most and how the COVID-19 shortened season impacted his decision to go one-and-done.

The guys take the final part of the show to dive deeper into LeBron's legacy with his high school coach Dru Joyce and longtime basketball media member Van Coleman, who has seen high school players from the 1960's to now. Joyce breaks down LBJ's laser-focus throughout his youth and high school careers, while Coleman compares and contrasts LeBron's overall career accomplishments with other legendary figures.

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On Episode 84 of our In The Paint Podcast, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland break down games three and four of the NBA Finals. Jimmy Butler's 40-point triple-double catapulted Miami to the game three victory, but the Lakers bounced back in game four with some help from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

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Can Butler recreate is epic performance in game three to keep the Heat's championship hopes alive? Or will LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the rest of the Los Angeles roster close out the series - and the franchises 17th title - on Friday?

Ron and Dev also discuss hoops at the high school level, first the guys fill listeners in on the updated live viewing period dates set by the NCAA for 2021. Ron & Dev explain why these dates are so important and why prospects and parents based in California need to pay special attention to them.

At the end of the show, the guys discuss the top players and under-the-radar players from the Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camp last weekend in Texas. Who earned the honors as best guards and best big men in the event which was loaded with talent?

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On Episode 83 of our In The Paint Podcast, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland open the show with an in-depth look at the NBA Finals match-up between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.

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Which team has the advantages on offense and defense? What do the Heat need to expose to go punch-for-punch with the Lakers. Does LAL's fate rest on the shoulders of LeBron James and Anthony Davis? Can Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro continue their hot shooting? Who are Ron and Dev crowning as champions.

The guys' next topic is the Clippers parting ways with head coach Doc Rivers after failing to get out of the second round of the playoffs. Was this too much of a knee-jerk reaction from the Clippers' management? Which direction do they go with their next coaching hire? Ron and Dev throw out some names they should consider and names they should stay away from.

The final topic of Episode 83 is all about high school basketball and the Pangos All-West Frosh/Soph Camp. Who were the top players in the event? Which players upped their stock with their performance? Which players should be on the radar for Division I schools in the future? The guys break that down and more on ITP 83!

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On Episode 82 of our In The Paint Podcast, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland take a closer look at the Western and Eastern Conference Finals in the NBA Playoffs, what this year's college basketball season will look like and Michael Jordan's latest movement within the NASCAR racing sphere.

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What did the Denver Nuggets do differently in game three to help it get back into the series against the Lakers? Los Angeles' lack of consistent perimeter shooting reared its ugly head yet again, is that a viable concern for the rest of the postseason? Should the Lakers be worried?

Heading over to the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics won game three to take a step closer to tying the series against the Miami Heat. Did the return of Gordon Hayward come at the perfect time for the Celtics whose bench was struggling to produce? How does Miami get back on track for game four?

The next topic tackled by Ron and Dev is what will this season look like in college basketball. We have a firm start date of November 25 and non-conference tournaments are changing dates and locations to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions in some parts of the country. Will we see an NCAA Tournament this season? Will it be a bubble type of atmosphere?

The guys close out the show by discussing the latest move by Michael Jordan and him teaming with longtime NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin to start their own team. The feature driver for MJ will be Bubba Wallace and Ron and Dev break down how MJ has been able to successfully transcend multiple sports.

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The Golden State Warriors, who are looking to get healthy and return to their winning ways, will pick second, the Charlotte Hornets third, with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers rounding out the first five selections.

This will be one of the most unique NBA Drafts on record due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only is the draft delayed by at least four months, NBA front offices will be making picks with far less real-time evaluation because of the cancellations of many conference tournaments and the NCAA Tournament last season. Another interesting aspect of this draft is NBA scouts and front office personnel will not be able to evaluate prospects in a live draft combine setting, but rather a virtual one taking place at regional sites.

In this piece, myself and Ronnie Flores do our best to predict which players the lottery teams will select based on fit and team needs. Check out our selections for the top four picks in the final part of our three-part NBA Draft Lottery predictions series.

4. Chicago Bulls 

Ronnie’s Pick: LaMelo Ball | Guard | 6-7 | 190 | Australia | PRO

Why: The Bulls moved up three spots and could they be picking up the best talent in the draft? Some feel so, as Ball is the over-sized playmaker NBA teams covet nowadays. The most polarizing player in this draft, and perhaps’ the most in many years, he’s also got the biggest risk-reward factor of any potential draft pick. The younger brother of 2017 No. 2 pick (Lonzo Ball) has a big more wiggle, craftiness, and potentially a tighter handle than his brother, while both have that incredible vision and court awareness. Some NBA brass feel it’s a big plus that he’s already been through the rigors of pro basketball, but his defensive intensity and “gimmicky” style does raise some legitimate question marks about his long-term potential. Melo has been one of the most scrutinized players in basketball, at any level, or the past five years and that should help him should be get off to a slow start in his NBA career. Ball should be a rotational player as long as he picks up the defensive schemes and the fact that Chicago doesn’t have big glaring weaknesses should help his transition. Golden State will take a long look at him at No. 2, but he’ll fall here, and that will give him a better chance to learn on the job and eventually thrive.

Devin's Pick: Obi Toppin | Forward | 6-9 | 220 | Dayton | So.

Why: When taking a closer look at the Bulls' roster, two areas of need immediately jump off the page: guards and forwards. Chicago could certainly go with LaMelo Ball here if he's still available and come away with a high risk/high reward selection and add him in to a solid backcourt alongside Zach LaVine and Coby White. Or, as I believe will happen, the Bulls will select a guy who will be a productive NBA player from day one in Obi Toppin. The 6-foot-9 forward out of Dayton is a high motor guy who plays with great energy on both ends of the floor and has proven he can score inside and out. His rim running ability in transition, along with his vertical athleticism, make him a guy who could excel as an open court finisher or a pick-and-roll lob finisher in the half-court. Toppin shot 39 percent from the college three-point line, and while his catch-and-shoot mechanics are fundamentally sound, it will be interesting to see if his perimeter shooting translates to the deeper NBA three-point stripe.

3. Charlotte Hornets

Ronnie’s Pick: Obi Toppin | Forward | 6-9 | 220 | Dayton | So.

Why: If Wiseman is the Warriors’ pick, and he should be, taking Melo Ball here would be a tempting move for the Hornets, as would his former high school teammate from Chino Hills (Calif.) Onyeka Okongwu. I just get the feeling Charlotte will play it safe, as they are one of those teams that favors more seasoned talent rather than gambling on younger players with a perceived higher ceiling. As the 2020 Naismith Award winner, Toppin was an efficient player in college who will be able to operate down low in the NBA and contribute right away. The Dayton star is a classic what-you-see-is-what-you-get type and at 22 would be the oldest top five pick in a decade. Toppin is an underrated shooter, but there are some concerns about his defensive ability and ceiling. Will those concerns cause him to drop? We don’t think so and in a draft with plenty of question marks, he’s not going to fall out of the top five.

Devin's Pick: LaMelo Ball | Guard | 6-7 | 190 | Australia | PRO

Why: As mentioned above, Ball might be the most talented prospect in this year's draft class, but there are plenty of unknowns that come with drafting a player like him. We all know the story of him leaving Chino Hills to go to Lithuania and then to SPIRE Academy and finally to Australia where, for the first time, he played in a more structured environment than he did at the high school and club level in the states. Like Ronnie said, the youngest of the three Ball brothers is the most polarizing player in the 2020 Draft and he's also the most talented of the three siblings. At 6-feet-7, Melo has the ball skills, creativity, craftiness, vision and basketball IQ to serve as a primary ball handler and playmaker. The question marks about Ball, among NBA decision-makers, stem both on and off the court. Does his freewheeling style of play translate to the NBA level? Will he be a consistent three-point shooting threat from the NBA line? Can he guard his position and properly defend in an NBA defensive scheme? In a draft that doesn't feature a whole lot of no-brainer talent, Charlotte has to go with the best available player here and it is Ball. To me, Melo would fit in nicely with the vastly-improved Devonte' Graham and veteran point guard Terry Rozier along with young, talented forwards in P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges.

2. Golden State Warriors

Ronnie’s Pick: James Wiseman | Center | 7-1 | 235 | Memphis | Fr.

Why: The dynasty with the closing championship window are the big winners in this year’s draft. Why? For starters, its selection won’t have the added pressure of being the No. 1 pick in a weak draft (think Anthony Bennett and how that worked) and regardless, two players from among Anthony Edwards, Melo Ball and Wiseman will be available. That means the Warriors’ front office will have a quality pick/player to shop around should they decide no player from this draft will greatly assist within the time frame of that championship window (keep in mind the Warrior’s own Minnesota’s 2021 first-round pick). Wiseman combination of immense size, frame and mobility easily offsets his limited body of work to get to this point. Sure, Wiseman only played three college games, but should fit in with a team that doesn’t need him to produce gigantic numbers right away. He’ll have some pressure on him to perform at some point, but with Golden State’s shooters, he’ll eventually thrive. And if the Warriors want to package this pick as part of a deal for a veteran, he brings the most value or they’ll be choosing for another team. Either way, the Warriors have quality options.

Devin's Pick: James Wiseman | Center | 7-1 | 235 | Memphis | Fr.

Why: There are expectations that Golden State will try to trade this pick for a more seasoned veteran as it tries to bounce-back to championship form after an injury-riddled season, meaning there's a lot of different ways the Warriors could go here. For the sake of this story, let's assume the Warriors keep this pick, and I think they go with Wiseman here. The mobile 7-foot-1 center has all the makings of a modern big man and his skill-set would translate quite nicely to a Golden State roster that needs some help inside. Wiseman had a brief cup of coffee at Memphis, but showed flashes of his next-level ability in the three games he played. Wiseman averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and three blocks per game before a NCAA suspension led him to leave school to prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft. So what is it about Wiseman that could fit in well with the Warriors? The first thing that stands out for me is rim protection, and as the league becomes more athletic and more offensively gifted, there's always a place for a guy who can block, change or alter shots at the rim. The second aspect of Wiseman's game I like is his rebounding, both offensively and defensively. There's no better way to start a fast break than old-fashioned glass cleaning and second-chance opportunities on missed shots are all-important in deep playoff runs.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

Ronnie’s Pick: Anthony Edwards | Guard | 6-5 | 225 | Georgia | Fr.

Why: There is no questioning Edward’s offensive talent and we’ve known for a long time (since the 2018 Pangos All-American Camp) that he had No. 1 in the draft-type talent. Since the Wolves have some quality offensive players on the perimeter, Edwards won’t be under a tremendous amount of pressure to put up big numbers right away, but he’ll be under the microscope to show offensive efficiency and be engaged defensively. If Edwards gradually improves his shooting percentages and displays an locked-in attitude on defense, we’re talking a potential All-Star player (and there is not too many of those with that potential in this draft). He has to be in a position to succeed and with a coaching staff that feels any shortcomings can be addressed in an adequate amount of time. He’s not a “project” as a No. 1 pick, but not a sure-fire star. Nobody in this draft is, but Edwards is still its best bet because of his combination of athleticism and offensive play-making ability against NBA level defenders.

Devin's Pick: Anthony Edwards | Guard | 6-5 | 225 | Georgia | Fr.

Why: I compare Edwards to Toppin in this year's draft and not because of style of play, but more because of the fact that you know what you're getting and that's a bonafide scorer. The 6-foot-5 off-guard has an impressive combination of physical strength and vertical explosiveness, both of which led to him averaging 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a freshman in the SEC. Edwards will be a guy who can play off the ball alongside De'Angelo Russell, Karl Anthony-Towns and another young and talented wing in Jarrett Culver. While Edwards is a creative scorer and shot creator, it remains to be seen if his perimeter shooting ability is at the level it needs to be for him to live up to a No. 1 Draft selection. Edwards struggled from three-point range at Georgia, connecting on just 29.4 percent of his 7.7 three-point attempts per game. As we all know, shooting the deep ball has become one of the more important aspects of the game and Edwards will need to develop a more consistent deep ball to have a long and productive NBA career.

The post Ron & Dev Predict the NBA Draft Lottery! (Picks 1-4) appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Kawhi Leonard

6'5"   -   SF   -   2009

Who deserves to take the majority of the blame: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George or Doc Rivers? Is this the last time we'll see Doc patrolling the sidelines for LAC? What roster moves, if any, do the Clippers need to make this offseason? Whose legacy took a bigger hit: Kawhi or PG?

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LeBron James

6'8"   -   SF   -   2003

The second topic of Episode 81 is how the upstart Denver Nuggets matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals beginning Friday. Is the key head-to-head battle between Anthony Davis and Nikola Joki?? Who on the Nuggets' roster can stop LeBron James? Will Jamal Murray continue his dynamic scoring in the next round?

Finally, Ronnie and Devin discuss what they know best: High school hoops. The guys break down the standouts at last weekend's Pangos All-West Camp, including the breakout star of the event, Farmington (UT) shooting guard Collin Chandler. Hit the play button above to hear all of Ron and Dev's takes of the top high school performers at the All-West Camp!

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The guys start with an update on the NBA Playoffs. How did the Heat outmatch the Bucks? Will Boston be the favorite if it were to make the ECF? Lakers and Clippers have both had missteps, are they still on a collision course for the WCF? is this the last we see of Giannis in Milwaukee?

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Ron and Dev then discuss the proposal presented by ACC coaches to create an "All-Inclusive" NCAA Tournament. What would March Madness look like with 353 teams participating? Why does it make sense? Why doesn't it make sense?

Finally, the guys break down the high school standouts at the Pangos Rocky Mountain Summit and discuss the trend of high school players in California making the switch to prep schools for the fall and winter. Paolo Banchero, Nolan Hickman and Kaden Perry showed out for Seattle Rotary, while a handful of Vegas and California-based prospects put their names on the map!

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Olson, who passed away on August 27th at the age of 85, was the longtime coach at the University of Arizona, where he served as the program's leader from 1983 to 2007, amassing a 589-187 record, including a 1997 National Championship. Prior to Arizona, Olson was the head coach at Iowa for nine seasons and Long Beach State for one season.

Thompson, who passed away on August 30th at the age of 78, led the Georgetown University basketball program for 27 years. Thompson compiled a 596-239 overall record, including a National Title victory in 1984. Aside from his basketball accomplishments, Thompson's program had an impressive 97 percent graduation rate.

Our guests for this episode are former college and professional players who played and/or were recruited by Olson or Thompson. First, longtime NBA player and current Pacific head coach Damon Stoudamire joins and shares stories of how Olson recruited him and helped develop him into an NBA point guard.

Second, Evric Gray, who played three seasons at UNLV, hops on as a guy who was heavily recruited to Georgetown by Thompson. Gray gives us an inside look at how important of a figure Thompson was and tells an interesting story of where Thompson extended his offer.

Lastly, former University of Arizona guard Reggie Geary comes on the show to go in-depth on why Olson was able to have such a successful career across multiple decades.

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With the 2020 NBA Draft date of Nov. 18 swiftly approaching, we wanted to take a deeper dive into this year's crop of talent. The winner among the losers on NBA Draft Lottery night was the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team with the third-worst regular season record was awarded the first overall selection.

The Golden State Warriors, who are looking to get healthy and return to their winning ways, will pick second, the Charlotte Hornets third, with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers rounding out the first five selections.

This will be one of the most unique NBA Drafts on record due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only is the draft delayed by five months, NBA front offices will be making picks with far less real-time evaluation because of the cancellations of many conference tournaments and last season's NCAA Tournament. Another interesting aspect of this draft is NBA scouts and front office personnel will not be able to evaluate prospects in a live draft combine setting, but rather a virtual one taking place at regional sites.

In this piece, myself and Ronnie Flores do our best to predict which players the lottery teams will select based on fit and team needs. Check out our selections for picks 5-9!

9. Washington Wizards

Ronnie's Pick: Devin Vassell | Guard | 6-6 | 180 | Florida State | So.

Why: With the Wizards pushing for the playoffs next season (whenever that may be), they value a rotation-level player who is more steady than high-risk, high-reward. Vassell’s combination of size and skill should fit in for a team that doesn’t necessarily need the pick at this spot to produce big offensive numbers. He can help this team on both ends and is a young player that doesn’t need to pound the ball to be effective. His shooting is actually better than one might believe and is he can learn to create his own shot and still be efficient, he would be a hell of a get at this spot for a franchise looking to take the next step towards a run at the Eastern Conference title.

Devin's Pick: Devin Vassell | Guard | 6-6 | 180 | Florida State | So.

Why: Like Ronnie said, Washington is a borderline playoff team in the Eastern Conference when fully healthy and adding Vassell to go alongside Bradley Beal and a (hopefully) healthy John Wall is the most viable option at this No. 9 pick. Vassell has good size on the wing, shot the college three-ball at a 41.5 percent clip on 3.5 attempts per game, and brings some two-way perimeter versatility to a team that needs a young, hungry on-ball defender and transition scoring threat. The Wizards have plenty of young pieces in the front court with Rui Hachimura, Davis Bertans and Thomas Bryant, and Vassell is a guy who could come in and immediately address a need on that Washington roster.

8. New York Knicks

Ronnie's Pick: Tyrese Haliburton | PG | 6-5 | 175 | Iowa State | So.

Why: Oh boy, oh boy, the Knicks, are in a tough spot, but it seems like that’s the case in every draft since New York won the rights to Patrick Ewing in the first NBA Draft Lottery back in 1985. Knicks’ fans have been tormented ever since, and after being leapfrogged by Charlotte in this draft, New York fans will definitely find something to complain about about whomever the franchise selects. The Knicks need a point guard (not to mention the best player available) and Haliburton foots the bill and New York should be fortunate if he drops to this spot because of his length, shooting (42 percent 3-point) and ability to not dominate the ball in order to facilitate. Haliburton also brings value should the Knicks explore to move up in the draft (for a chance at Obi Toppin or Melo Ball) or pick for someone else. 

Devin's Pick: Tyrese Haliburton | PG | 6-5 | 175 | Iowa State | So.

Why: The point guard position continues to be a spot of need for the Knicks, and much to their chagrin, the NBA Lottery balls did not bounce in their favor. Much of the pre-lottery speculation had the most polarizing player in this year's draft, LaMelo Ball, tabbed to resurrect one of the most storied and biggest market teams in the league, but the Knicks didn't get into that top three conversation. Could New York swing a trade with a team currently among the top three? Sure, but it would cost them quite a few of their youthful talent. If the Knicks stay in this current draft position, I see them taking Haliburton because of his reliability at the point guard spot. Haliburton has great size and feel for the position, was among the best in college basketball in assist-to-turnover ratio as a freshman and sophomore, and provides a pass-first mentality to a team loaded with guys looking to score.

7. Detroit Pistons

Isaac Okoro

6'5"   -   SG   -   2019

Ronnie's Pick: Isaac Okoro | SF | 6-6 | 225 | Auburn | Fr.

Why: If he’s still on the board, there is no question the Hawks at No. 6 will take a long look at Okoro, a homegrown prospect who starred at McEachern High School in nearby Powder Springs. Question marks surrounding Okoro’s ability to consistently make the NBA 3-pointer and his offensive polish will make some teams pause (including the Hawks, who need percentage shooters), but the Pistons need a jolt of energy and talent and would be a terrific fit. He is a lockdown defender if there ever was one in this draft and what he does translates and is dependable. The Pistons may not get star value at this spot, but a player who brings good value for new GM Troy Weaver.

Devin's Pick: Isaac Okoro | SF | 6-6 | 225 | Auburn | Fr.

Why: Okoro wasn't the most decorated member of the 2019 high school class, but shot up the draft boards during his freshman season at Auburn because of his combination of size, athleticism and defensive versatility. The Pistons have an interesting roster mix with veteran forwards Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond anchoring the front court and sharpshooting guard Luke Kennard the team's most effective perimeter scorer. Okoro could come in and add a wing and transition slasher and scorer who can defend multiple positions on the perimeter. The biggest question mark surrounding Okoro's game is his three-point shooting ability. He shot 28.6 percent from deep during his freshman season and will need to improve that to live up to the billing of a No. 7 draft pick.

6. Atlanta Hawks

Ronnie's Pick: Deni Avdija | SF/PF | 6-9 | 210 | Israel | PRO

Why: The Hawks will try to build a contending team around young centerpiece Trae Young, and this Israeli League standout will foot the bill with his play-making ability. The Hawks are actually not one of the better outside shooting teams in the league, so there may be some concern about Avdija’s ability in that department, but his overall skill set will alleviate those concerns. For his size Avdija has terrific skills on the ball, pushing it off the glass and creating for others off the dribble, and is a terrific passer. He’s also has plenty of experience and won in a quality pro league and in a draft that doesn’t have overwhelming, sure-fire lottery picks, this proven 19-year old will be in high demand and the Hawks will be fortunate if he falls to this spot.

Devin's Pick: Onyeka Okongwu | PF | 6-9 | 245 | USC | Fr.

Why: We all know who the Hawks are building around and it's Trae Young, one of the most dynamic young players in the league. When you examine Atlanta's roster closely, the biggest area of need that stands out to me is front court depth behind or alongside John Collins and Okongwu would fit in seamlessly here. Many outside (and some inside) the Southern California high school basketball scene didn't see Big O as a one-and-done guy, but the three-time California state high school champion is a mix of a modern and throwback type of big who produces on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Okongwu is great in the pick and roll because of his ability to catch and finish lob passes and serve as a face-up shooter when picking and popping. There might not be a better, more instinctual defender and rebounder in this draft class than Okongwu. I've been watching him since the ninth grade at Chino Hills and his highest value has always been as a shot blocker and contester around the basket who understands body control and how to stay vertical on contest. I think Okongwu would compliment the Hawks current roster makeup and style of play very nicely.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

Onyeka Okongwu

6'8"   -   C   -   2019

Ronnie's Pick: Onyeka Okongwu | PF | 6-9 | 245 | USC | Fr.

Why: The Cavs may have fallen further in the draft than they hoped for, but they could still wind up with one of the best value picks and defensive players in this draft. Had the Cavs  remained in the top 3, they should have still given this Southern Cal big man a serious look. He’s that good and his production in his lone college season was of zero surprise to us having watched him since the 9th grade on Chino Hills (Calif.) FAB 50 national title team. The Cavs have plenty of offense in its backcourt and need to shore up their interior defense if they plan to become a serious East contender with its current core. With his ability, production, and high character, the only question is who will be drafted higher between he or his good friend and former high school teammate LaMelo Ball.

Devin's Pick: Deni Avdija | SF/PF | 6-9 | 210 | Israel | PRO

Why: The Cavs are another team who had high hopes to be picking among the top three, but fell a bit to the five spot where they could still get a good value pick. Cleveland is looking to build around the talented guard duo of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland and Avdija could fill the need of a versatile wing forward who can rebound, push the break, and alleviate some ball handling and shot creating duties for Sexton and Garland. Diving into Avdija's stats is tough because of his limited action on Maccabi Tel Aviv's top squad, but when watching film you can see he has great ball skills and feel off the wing, can attack the basket and finish above the rim and can create for himself and others in both transition and half-court settings. Avdija does need to improve his three-point shooting, but I think he fits in nicely with Cleveland's current backcourt and provides another layer of offensive versatility to the Cavs roster.

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As replies started pouring in the list of names expanded drastically with debates, snubs and sensitivity quickly following. Episode 77 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show expands on Baron's tweet as Ron and Dev discuss some of the best California high school basketball players they've seen.

Damian Lillard

6'1"   -   PG   -   2008

The guys go into depth on two specific California hoopers, Damian Lillard (Oakland High) and James Harden (Artesia High) with their high school coaches. Oakland High coach Orlando Watkins goes in-depth on when he first watched Dame play, his recruitment and how he developed into the player he is today.

James Harden

6'5"   -   SG   -   2007

Scott Pera, the current head coach at Rice University, joins to discuss coaching James Harden in high school. Pera breaks down what type of player Harden was as a freshman, how he had to urge him to be more aggressive offensively and when he started to develop some of the patented moves we see in the NBA today.

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On Episode 75 of the In The Paint Show, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland continue the discussion surrounding high school and college sports during the pandemic.

The guys welcome on two senior point guards based out of California with different outlooks when it comes to recruiting. Stanford-commit and Jesuit high school star Isa Silva hops on the show to discuss how he's going about his development while not playing any travel ball games. Next, Jake Blazona out of Santa Margarita explains how the lack of travel basketball and exposure to college coaches has affected his recruitment.

Ron and Dev also bring on two college coaches - Ryan Badrtalei of UC Irvine and Jesse Pruitt of Stanford - who detail how their approach to recruiting and evaluating has changed and how prospects can take a proactive approach to their own recruitment.

This episode of the In The Paint Show is a perfect listen for any prep basketball player who wants to hear how their peers are adjusting their routines and what a college coach suggests when it comes to taking their recruitment into their own hands.

Also, be sure to check out Ron & Dev's latest piece on our site, describing how the altered high school seasons impact current high school prospects and how those same prospects can be sure to stay on the radar of college coaches.

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The CIF office, the governing body of both public and private high school athletics in the state, recommended its member sections push back the start date of prep sports programs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The CIF Southern Section and Los Angeles City Sections, the area that In The Paint co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland cover most often, released an updated sports calendar pushing the football start date for practice back to December and the first contest date to January 8. Football in those sections normally starts in mid-August.

The majority of our In The Paint listeners are of the basketball fan variety and they are going to have to wait quite some time to see some live high school hoops action. The first contest date allowed for Southern Section and City Section programs will by March 12, a time when most players, coaches and parents are in the middle of a playoff run or preparing for club and travel ball season.

On Episode 74 of our In The Paint podcast, Ron and Dev bring on three local high school basketball coaches to discuss how they are dealing with these changes within their program. David Rebibo of Harvard-Westlake, Ryan Meier of Mt. Miguel in San Diego and Reggie Morris, Jr. of Fairfax High in Los Angeles each spend about 15 minutes In The Paint with Ron and Dev. Click above to tune in to the latest show!

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The guys are joined by BIL co-owner, and man behind the camera, Arek Kissoyan who put the list together with input from other BIL media members across the country.

Was John Wall the surefire No. 1 mixtape of all time? Who was the biggest snub? Was LaMelo Ball too low? Would Arek change any selections if he could run it back? Were any players upset about their ranking or missing the list all together?

Ronnie and Devin also discuss Makur Maker's commitment to Howard, a Historically Black College and University, and what impact that could have on other top-echelon prospects who are considering HBCU's during their recruitment.

The guys also dive into Patrick Mahomes inking the richest deal in NFL history after signing a 10-year, $450-million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. Will KC get a full return on its investment? Tune in to ITP 72 to hear what Ron and Dev think.

The post In The Paint Show: Top 30 Mixtape Players, Makur Maker chooses HBCU and Patrick Mahomes Pay Day appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

First, Braeden Proctor, a former high school hoops reporter in Michigan and current assistant coach at Sunrise Christian Academy, joins the show to discuss Emoni Bates' commitment to Michigan State and his transfer to Ypsi Prep.

What were some of the main reasons Bates made these moves? Will he ever play a minute in a Michigan State uniform? What will Ypsi Prep's schedule look like next season?

Our second guest is ESPN senior writer for The Undefeated, Marc Spears. Marc brings his wealth of NBA knowledge to the show and discusses how NBA players, teams and the league will address social justice issues during the Orlando restart. Marc also breaks down the NBA "bubble" protocols and gives an insider's perspective on how players, coaches, and team front office members are feeling about getting back to action.

Our third guest is Lakers beat writer Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group. Kyle gives our local listeners an idea of how the purple and gold are preparing for Orlando. How big of a hit is the loss of Avery Bradley? Which way is Dwight Howard leaning? What role to the Lakers see for newly-signed guard JR Smith? You can hear all that and more on the latest episode of the In The Paint Show.

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Fourteen year NBA veteran Kendrick Perkins joined Ron and Devin on Episode 70 of the Ballislife In The Paint Podcast to go in-depth on the NBA restart scheduled for late July.

Kendrick Perkins

6'9"   -   C   -   2003

Ron, Dev and Perk discuss the NBA's full plan to return to action, how the Coronavirus Pandemic could potentially derail those efforts and the growing faction of NBA players - led by Kyrie Irving - who are concerned about how returning to play could distract from enacting social change in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

Perk also discusses the steps we as Americans can take to help create real change in our country when it comes to racial injustice and police brutality in the United States.

Ron and Dev also touch on the efforts of Major League Baseball and the NFL to start and finish their seasons during these uncertain times.

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Today we take our first look at four of the best shooters of high school basketball in the past 30 years. These four players covered graduated from high school before the year 2000.

Casey Jacobsen

6'5"   -   SG   -   1999

Casey Jacobsen, Glendora (CA), 1999: Jacobsen had one of the more pure shooting strokes Southern California high school basketball had ever seen. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard is second in CIF Southern Section history with 3,284 total points, averaged 31.2 points per game his senior season and dropped 22 points in the 1999 McDonald's All-American Game. In Jacobsen's three seasons at Stanford, he hit 222 triples at a 42-percent clip. Jacobsen was selected 22nd overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns and spent four seasons in the NBA and nine seasons overseas.

Chris Jackson

6'1"   -   PG   -   1988

Chris Jackson, Gulfport (MS), 1988: Jackson, more so known now as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, was a standout scorer at Gulfport High in the mid-90's, averaging 29.9 points per game, while earning McDonald's, Parade and Dapper-Dan All-American Honors. He got incredible lift on his jump shot and his smooth, effortless release carried over to the college ranks as he continued his explosive scoring outbursts at LSU, averaging 29 points per game in his two seasons of college hoops - including 30.2 as a freshman - hitting 172 three-pointers in the process. Jackson was drafted third overall in the 1990 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets and went on to play nine seasons in the NBA, averaging 14.6 points for his career and connecting on 474 triples at a 35.4 percent clip. Abdul-Rauf was a career 90.5 percent shooter from the free throw line, twice leading the league in free throw percentage.

Jason Kapono

6'8"   -   SF   -   1999

Jason Kapono, Artesia (CA), 1999: Like Jacobsen above, when you think of fundamental shooting mechanics and form, Kapono is in the conversation as one of the best at the prep level. The 6-foot-8 shooting guard/wing finished high school with 2,678 career points and holds the Artesia record for three-pointers made in a career with 211. Kapono won the 1999 McDonald's All-American three-point contest and brought shooting stroke to UCLA where he hit 317 at a 39.8 percent clip in his four seasons in Westwood. Kapono played nine season in the NBA, twice leading the league in three-point shooting percentage in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Tony Delk

6'2"   -   PG   -   1992

Tony Delk, Haywood (TN), 1992: Delk is one of the most decorated players in Tennessee high school hoops history as he amassed 3,093 career points, averaged 37.5 points his junior season, 38.6 his senior season and was named 1992 Kentucky Mr. Basketball and earned McDonald's All-American and Parade All-American honors. The 6-foot-1 combo guard was renowned for his pull-up jump shot and developed into a three-point shooting threat at Kentucky, hitting 283 triples at a 39.7 percent clip in college. Delk was drafted 16th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and went on to a solid 10-year NBA career.

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In these unprecedented times, there is no sports topic worth mentioning that is more important than the reactions to the murder of Minneapolis resident George Floyd by a police officer that was captured on camera and ignited a firestorm of protests that had been festering before the unfortunate incident.

As a result, our special guests for this episode are four African American men of various ages and backgrounds who wanted to share their experiences.

Those four men are D’Cean Bryant, the head coach at Fountain Valley (Calif.) High School, who was 14 years old when the L.A. Riots happened in April 1992 and now has a son reaching that age, as well as three young daughters, 57-year old Lavel Johnson of the Mississippi Hoops Report, a life-long Jackson resident who was a youth at the tail end of the 1960s Civil Rights movement, Evan Barnes, who is a media peer of co-host Devin Ugland who grew up in Mid-City Los Angeles and now lives in Memphis, Tenn., and Charles Williams, a peer of co-host Ronnie Flores who grew up in South Central L.A., attended Manual Arts High School, played at the University of Cincinnati and still lives in Ohio.?The final guest is Fullerton College head coach Perry Webster, ?a white junior college coach basketball coach who wanted to share his experiences growing up in South Orange County and participating and coaching in California’s junior college system (Fullerton JC).?

The four African American men have a common identity growing up Black in America and share their thoughts on the latest civil unrest against the backdrop of living through prior incidents, while Webster shares his experience and what White Americans can do to begin the process of change.?

You know why they were brought on as guests, you know why this was necessary and now it’s time for change. Give this podcast a listen and continue to educate yourself on what you can do, and how you can use sports, to bring positive change to our country.

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On Episode 68 of our In The Paint Podcast, co-hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland take a closer look at the when, where and how of the return of grassroots and high school basketball. Some states are moving more quickly than others in reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, so what will the prep sports landscape look like come fall and winter?

The guys then segue to the NBA continuing to take steps toward restarting its season with potential ideas floating around on social media. What's feasible and what's unrealistic? Should the NBA go straight to the postseason with the 16 qualifying teams? Or should the league attempt to play out its remaining schedule? Will the 2020 champion have an asterisk next to its name?

Lastly, Ron and Dev discuss episodes nine and ten of The Last Dance and give the six things they learned from the docuseries, which you can also read about here.

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The team at Ballislife is here to keep you updated on all things hoops related as we navigate this difficult time and there's no better way to do that than to give you the inside scoop on which high school players you need to keep your eyes on when we're able to get back in the gym.

In this piece, we take our second look at some of the absolute must see players in high school basketball right now. Not only are these guys worth the price of admission as prep players, but that will likely be the case in college and at the professional level.

Make sure to hit our website to check out all of our new content, player profiles, podcasts and, of course, your favorite mixtapes!

Emoni Bates

6'8"   -   SF   -   2021

Emoni Bates, Ypsilanti (Mich.) Lincoln: It's already a well-known fact that the 6-foot-8 wing is one of the best prospects regardless of class as he was the first sophomore to be named Gatorade National Player of the Year and a first-five selection to our All-American Elite Team. Bates can do it all on the floor from scoring off the bounce in isolation with power dunks to step-back three's and everything in between. What makes Bates standout among his peers is how effortless he makes the game look when the ball is in his hands. The best prospect since LeBron James? Perhaps. Certainly all eyes will be on him over the next two years and beyond.

Jonathan Kuminga

6'8"   -   SF   -   2020

Jonathan Kuminga, Hillside (N.J.) The Patrick School: Kuminga belongs on any must-see list because he's always good for a handful of highlights each time he takes the floor. The top-ranked prospect in the 2021 class is both a powerful, explosive and smooth athlete, attributes which make him nearly impossible to guard in the half-court and transition settings. Kuminga has the ball handling ability, quickness and counter-moves in his arsenal to break down a defender in isolation for a paint bucket or a rhythm step-back three-pointer. His strength, next level ready frame and scoring feel should make him one to watch for years to come.

Chet Holmgren

7'0"   -   C   -   2021

Chet Holmgren, Minneapolis (Minn.) Minnehaha Academy: Holmgren fits the mold of a modern big man to perfection with his combination of size and skill. The 7-foot junior is mobile, has impressive ball skills for his size, can stretch the floor to the three-point line and score down low with his post IQ, soft hands and fundamental footwork. Where Holmgren is a game changer is on the defensive end of the floor. His defensive instincts and timing as a rim protector and shot blocker, to go along with his rebounding and accurate outlet passing, are what translate best to the next levels.

Zion Harmon

5'10"   -   PG   -   2021

Zion Harmon, Benton (Ky.) Marshall County: Don't let the 5-foot-10 height fool you, this class of 2021 point guard has all the tools you look for in a floor general with some flash to go along with it. Harmon is a crafty ball-handler who uses changes of speed and direction to get to his spots in both transition and half-court situations. He hits perimeter jumpers with ease, breaks down defenders in isolation with crazy combos and has vision and a passing feel that are off the charts. Harmon has one more year of high school ball to play before he heads to Western Kentucky to play college hoops.

Peyton Watson

6'7"   -   SF   -   2021

Peyton Watson, Long Beach (Calif.) Poly: There are few players in the country who have risen the rankings faster or higher than Watson. The 6-foot-7 wing was handed the keys to the Jackrabbits' squad this season and he embraced that challenge all while elevating his game. Watson, a junior small forward, is one of the more versatile players in the 2021 class with his ability to initiate offense as a lead ball-handler or play off the ball with his knack for slashing and scoring or smooth three-point shot. Watson plays with some edge and a chip on his shoulder due to being a guy who was unranked a year ago only to be considered one of the top 10 players in his class right now.

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