Join podcast co-hosts Ronnie Flores, Ani Umana and Chelsea Hopkins for the 4th Annual Ballislife NBA Draft Show LIVE, taking place on Thursday, June 22 at 5:30 pm ET/2:30 pm. This year's show figures to be our best one yet, with special NBA Draft guests, including a 2023 NBA draftee, expert analysis and much more.

What: 4th Annual BIL NBA Draft Party
When: June 22, 5:30 pm ET/2:30 pm PT
WATCH: https://rb.gy/nf1ys

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As an NBA Draft analyst, I routinely travel to evaluate top prospects worldwide. Although I usually focus on prospects likely to be eligible for the upcoming NBA Draft, I make a concerted effort to get ahead by evaluating younger prospects, too, which leads me to my latest trip. This past weekend, I visited a special place: Springfield, Mass., the birthplace of basketball. I attended two high school events: the Spalding Hoophall Classic, which was held at Springfield College, and the HoopHall Prep Showcase, held at MassMutual Center.

I evaluated top players in the Class of 2023, who will be college freshmen next season, and some who could become one-and-done at that level before entering the 2024 NBA Draft. I also evaluated many top prospects from the Class of 2024. I believe there were a lot of future NBA players in those buildings and playing in those games. However, several prospects especially caught my eye, but they weren't in either of those classes; they were even younger. The players I'd like to highlight today are three of the top young prospects in the country: 2025 forward Cameron Boozer of FAB 50 No. 6 Columbus (Miami, Fla), 2025 wing forward Cooper Flagg of FAB 50 No. 2 Montverde Academy (Fla.) and A.J. Dybantsa, of St. Sebastian's School (Needham, Mass.), a 6-foo-7 wing from the Class of 2026.

One thing I find interesting about Boozer, Flagg, and Dybantsa is they are somewhat similar. All three players are just 15 or 16 years old, 6-foot-7 or taller (and likely still growing), athletic, and possess well-rounded skill sets. They play inside and out, shoot threes, put it on the floor, perform highlight finishes above the rim, and have the potential to defend multiple positions effectively. They generally play faced toward the hoop, and they're incredibly versatile. They're positionless. Their physical builds, body movements, athleticism, and overall physicality are different. Still, they're pretty much the same: they are do-it-all players with size and versatility. And most importantly, they're dynamic and, subsequently, elite prospects.

Another player that would fit a similar description is the No. 1 pick from the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero from Duke, who is currently playing well in his rookie season for the Orlando Magic. Banchero is listed at 6-foot-10 and 250 lbs -- he's an absolute brute. And despite his physical size and tools, he's a versatile, do-it-all player without a strict penciled-in position, just like the three high school prospects I mentioned.

And this year's No. 1 NBA prospect is a player from France, whom everyone's likely heard of now, Victor Wembanyama, as he has seemingly set the world on fire this season with his talent and play. Wembanyama is an extreme version of this type of do-it-all player, as he's 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot-wingspan. Still, despite his size, he shoots threes and crosses guys up off the dribble, in addition to dunking and blocking everything in sight. He's a unicorn as an NBA prospect.

So after spending several days in Springfield, getting to know these young prospects better, I couldn't help think about Dr. James Naismith, who invented basketball in Springfield in 1891. I thought about the origin of the game and the game's evolution. Basketball has come a long way, and the game is changing rapidly, especially at the NBA level.

The days of predictable isolations on the low block, hand checks, and rough physicality are long gone, as today's game is much more predicated on spacing, skill, and finesse. It's often discussed that small guards and traditional bigs are a dying breed in the NBA. Due to extreme spacing in today's game, NBA coaches prefer flexibility on the defensive end, with switchable players that can defend multiple positions and players that can shoot the ball with range on the offensive end. So players with size and versatility on both ends of the floor generally hold much more significant value across the board in the NBA. So naturally, Boozer, Flagg, and Dybansta check all the right boxes for what NBA scouts are looking for in young prospects.

So I left Springfield asking myself, "are Cameron Boozer, Cooper Flagg, and AJ Dybantsa future NBA stars?"

Well, I'm not going to make any bold statements about 15 or 16-year-olds. I think that would be reckless. However, I will say this: all three have the potential to become great and are on the right track. And although I'm admittedly being a bit vague, I can say one thing for certain; they are high-priority prospects for me to monitor, and I will track their progress very closely moving forward.

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• Winners/Losers of the draft
• Mental health makeup as an evaluation metric
• The preparation that international leagues provide
• The college programs and coaches that prepare players for the NBA
• Jay’s thoughts on the impact of the NIL Rule 
• Who will emerge as the best player of the '21 Draft Class

… and much more! 

Information on the Jay Bilas Skills Camp can be found right here.

Follow Noble & Roosh on Twitter:

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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!

The post In The Paint Show: NBA Draft Winners and Losers, NBA Free Agency, Olympic Hoops appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

This year's NBA Draft is supposed to field one of the deepest crop of impact players in recent memory. Which teams will make the right decisions in the lottery? Make sure to check out our special NBA Draft "In The Paint" podcast , Devin Ugland's NBA Draft Board watch our second annual Ballislife NBA Draft Party on July 29 at 6:15 pm ET/3:15 PT to get our insight before the draft and as the top picks unfold.

RELATED: NBA Draft podcast | Ballislife NBA Draft Board | Ballislife Podcast Network

Devin Ugland's NBA Draft Day Steals

Jared Butler, Baylor (Junior), 6-3 PG (Age 20)
Projected Pick: No. 30
Butler proved that not only could he improve individually over the course of his college career, but that he also impacts winning in high level games as he led the Bears to the 2021 NCAA Tournament title. Butler is a heady and smart lead guard who can play both on or off the ball. In his final season at Baylor, Butler shot 41.6 percent from three-point range and just over 47 percent from the field overall. Guys like Butler. who are drafted to a good team late in the first round, usually end up in a good situation where they can ease into the NBA game in a back-up style role.  I'm confident Butler has the intangibles, leadership and shot making ability to be a long-term NBA guard.

Quentin Grimes, Houston (Junior), 6-5 CG (Age 21)
Projected Pick: No. 32
Though we have Grimes slotted as an early second round pick, I can see a few teams picking in the late first round who could use his services. Grimes got off to a bit of a rocky start to his college career at Kansas before transferring to Houston where he put up numbers consistent with his Top 10 ranking coming out of high school. I like Grimes to be a draft steal because he has an NBA body, showed poise in big game situations and shooting and playmaking at his size should translate well to the pro game. Something else that stands out about Grimes is the success he had after leaving Kansas with some labeling his a "bust."

Kessler Edwards, Pepperdine (Junior), 6-8 SF (Age 21)
Projected Pick: No. 44
Edwards is one of the more unheralded prospects in this draft - both when he was coming out of high school and now coming out of college. The 6-foot-8 swingman has a ton of versatility to his game due to his combination of length, fluid athleticism and lateral mobility on the defensive end of the floor. Edwards averaged 17.2 points per game as a junior on 55.3 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three and hit 87.6 percent of his free throws. Those are solid percentages for an inside-out type of scorer who prefers to operate in the mid-range area of the floor. NBA teams might have to be patient with his three-point shooting stroke as he gets used to the deeper line.

Ronnie Flores' NBA Draft Day Steals

Cam Thomas, LSU (Freshman), 6-4 SG (Age 19)
Projected Pick: No. 16 
This former Oak Hill Academy (VA) standout is one of the most accomplished scorers in the draft at any pick.  Any questions about being a shoot-first, volume player at his draft position will quickly be quelled by his talent level and ability to adjust and find the right role that will maximize his potential. LSU had bouts of selfishness across the board and I think he’ll excel down the line because of his innate ability to score and draw fouls.

Miles McBride, West Virginia (Sophomore), 6-2 PG (Age 20)
Projected Pick: No. 29
I like winners and tough guards and "Deuce" foots the bill. He was way better in HS than the recruiting evaluators gave him credit for coming out of Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio), where he was a key cog on a FAB 50 ranked team. He led teams that won back-to-back D1 states titles, had a 49-game winning streak and went 29-0 his senior year. That type of production (not to mention defense) from a team standpoint translates. In two college seasons, McBride became a viable NBA prospect by improving his shooting (shot .414 from 3-point range in 2020-21) and increasing his play-making while his turnover count remained low. Obviously size will come into play for some teams with regards to where he lands, but whom ever needs a quality back up better take a long, hard look because he makes up for his lack of size with terrific on-ball defense, athleticism, instincts and a winner's mentality.

John Petty Jr., Alabama (Senior), 6-5 SF (Age 22)
Projected Pick: No. 58
If Petty can display solid enough ball-handling, I think he can stick in the NBA. He’s always been a good shooter (.370 3-point) and can get the ball up against good defenders. He has the ability to get hot and played with other talented scorers on a balanced Alabama team and should have no trouble being productive in what would be limited minutes if he makes a roster down the line. If Petty improves on the nuances of the game, he can be a complete steal late in this draft. I like reliability in the range he's may get drafted at instead of taking a big gamble on a project.

Devin's Draft Day Enigmas

Corey Kispert, Gonzaga (Senior), 6-7 G/F (Age 22)
Projected Pick: No. 11
It's always risky when you take a specialist-type prospect with a lottery pick and Kispert is absolutely one of the best shooters in the draft. The questions with Kispert are: what else does he do well that translates to the NBA? Can he guard and rebound his position well enough to see extended minutes? At age 22 with four years of college under his belt, what type of upside is there for him? I think Kispert is valued so highly because NBA teams are putting an emphasis on players who can spread the floor with limited dribbles, and while I think Kispert would be a safe pick in the mid to late first round range, taking him in the middle to the end of the lottery could be a risky decision.

Sharife Cooper, Auburn (Freshman), 6-0 PG (Age 20)
Projected Pick: No. 19
Cooper is an enigma in two different ways: I think there's a chance he could out-play his draft position (if selected around this projected range) or a guy who doesn't quite live up to the expectations of a first round selection. Cooper is an extremely talented ball handler who has great feel for the game and possesses the passing instincts necessary to play the PG spot in the NBA. There are, however, questions about his size, burst in transition and with his first step, and his lackluster three-point shooting percentage from the college line (22.8 percent) in 12 games. I don't see Cooper slipping out of the first round, but there are some shortcomings that could make NBA front offices second guess picking him.

Ziaire Williams, Stanford (Freshman), 6-8 SF (Age 19)
Projected Pick: No. 20
Williams has shown flashes of having all the tools to become a solid NBA wing, but his up-and-down season at Stanford cooled his draft stock after many believed he was a surefire lottery pick heading into the 2020-21 college basketball season. The 6-foot-8 wing averaged just 10.7 points per game in 20 games for the Cardinal and shot 37.4 percent from the field and 29.1 percent from 3-point range. In addition to those poor shooting numbers, Williams had a streak to close the season where he scored in single digits in five of his last seven games, a stretch where Stanford went 2-5.

Ronnie's Draft Day Enigmas

Jonathan Kuminga, G League Ignite (1st Year Pro), 6-8 SF (Age 18)
Projected Pick: No. 6
Evaluating some of the G League Ignite games, Kuminga's skill and production level simply didn’t indicate a top 4-5 pick to me. Does he have loads of potential? Absolutely, plus he's a bit younger than a majority of the other prospects at the top of this draft. He also has the frame and explosiveness many NBA GMs cost. However, he shoots a low percentage (38.7 FG, 24.6 3-point, 62.5 FT), needs tons of work on what to do without the ball and his decision making left alot to be desired in those G League games. He does have plenty of potential, but not much experience even dominating at the high school level. Will that potential blossom? There’s would be a lot less pressure for him going at No. 6 through 8 than No. 3 or No. 4. The lower he goes, the more I like his chances for long-term success.

Scottie Barnes, Florida St. (Freshman), 6-9 SF (Age 19)
Projected Pick: No. 5
How do you pass on a guy who does so much well? And how do you NOT pass on a guy that simply can’t shoot it well enough for his on court and draft position (27.5 3-point, 62.1 FT)? You do because he can improve his shooting and the other things he excels at (leading, defense, play-making) most of the other draftees simply are not as capable and likely won’t ever be, no mater how much they work on it. I feel Barnes will be a good pro, but if he doesn't pan out at the production level of the pick where he's expected to go (No. 4-5), a GM will be kicking himself in the foot for overlooking the obvious.

Jalen Johnson, Duke (Freshman), 6-9 PF (Age 19)
Projected Pick: No. 14
Will he buy in and be committed to the team that drafts him, or will he excel only in a situation for a team that covets his talents and will be patient with his development? We ask that because he Johnson has one of the biggest draft ranges of any eligible prospect. To me, he has lottery type talent and the make-up of a starting caliber NBA forward, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see him drop to the slot Dev currently has him listed at. There is alot of talent to work with, but not a big body of work. He didn’t have a complete senior high school season (he abruptly left IMG Academy early in the 2019-20 season) nor a complete college season (as he exited the program in a highly-publicized manner). Why is that? What will NBA teams find out when they dig deep on those incidents? Players have to be more talented than their perceived problems and it only takes one team with the right fit to unlock the best version of a talented prospect.

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• Trey talks about what draft workouts are like for incoming prospects
• The differences in his college experiences at Rice and Virginia 
• His strengths as a player, what kind of team he wants to go to, and where he sees himself going as an NBA player
• Who he is as a person off the court

… and much more! 

The post The Noble & Roosh Show: With Trey Murphy III appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

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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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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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.

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RELATED: Who's The Greatest High School Team Ever? | All-Time FAB 50 National Champions| LaMelo Ball Film Breakdown | Ballislife Live NBA Draft Party (November 18, 6:50 pm ET)

With LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu set to join the NBA as lottery picks in the 2020 NBA Draft (November 18), we thought it would be an interesting time to pour over all our past FAB 50 rankings and other files to check on just how difficult it is for a single high school team to produce three NBA players.

This is not a list of three future NBA players produced from one program, but rather a rundown of three or more future NBA players on one specific varsity team, in the same season (while excluding programs that knowingly accept post-graduates). The definition of "playing in the NBA" is making an appearance in a NBA game, not being on a NBA roster on injured reserve or part of a summer league team. Nor is it playing on the G-League team or being in training camp; it means actually playing in a regular season NBA game.

With those parameters in place, we have uncovered three teams with five future NBA players, six teams with four, and 37 with three. Believe it or not, there are dozens of high school teams with at least two future NBA players. Forty-six teams is actually more than we originally thought, but when digging deeper, one realizes it’s super rare if you take away independent-academy programs that are designed to produce high level college prospects. Take away now defunct Findlay Prep of Nevada and perennial FAB 50 powers Montverde Academy of Florida and Oak Hill Academy of Virginia and that number dwindles to 32 teams. When accounting for public high schools, that number is 19.

What makes Ball and Okongwu joining the NBA as lotto picks so special is Melo’s oldest brother Lonzo Ball was also a lottery pick, going No. 2 to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. No other school has produced three lottery picks on the same team, and Chino Hills is one of those 14 public schools. Chino Hills also is the last public school to capture the mythical FAB 50 national title, going 35-0 in 2015-16 when Melo and O were 14-year old starting freshmen. Will other players on that already legendary 2015-16 Chino Hills roster, namely Eli Scott (LMU), Andre Ball (Pepperdine) or Cam Shelton (Northern Arizona), one day crack a NBA roster?

Stay tuned.

Quinn Cook

6'0"   -   PG   -   2011

5 NBA Players On One Varsity Team

2008-09 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 31-4
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 14
Pros: Quinn Cook (SO), Jerami Grant (FR), Jerian Grant (JR), Victor Oladipo (JR), Josh Selby (JR).
Synopsis: The Stags were 15-2 when Selby transferred out, and finished off the season by winning the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) regular season and tournament titles. Selby was the No. 1 prospect in the 2010 class, according Rivals.com.

2009-10 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 32-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 3
Pros: Jabari Brown (JR), Nick Johnson (JR), Cory Joseph (SR), Tristan Thompson (SR), Nigel Williams-Goss (FR).
Synopsis: This was an ultra-talented team that won its second consecutive ESPN RISE NHSI title with an avenging win over Montverde Academy. The Pilots’ coaching staff and players were fairly confident had No. 2 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) and FAB 50 National Champion Yates (Houston) been in a tournament field with them that  Findlay Prep would have won decisively.

2013-14 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 31-5
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: Jonah Bolden (SR), Dillon Brooks (JR), O’Shae Brissett (FR), Kelly Oubre (SR), Rashad Vaughn (SR).
Synopsis: Under former NBA player Jerome Williams, the Pilots somewhat salvaged a disappointing season by knocking off No. 2 seed and previously unbeaten Rainier Beach (Seattle), 67-59, at Dick’s Nationals behind Arizona-bound Craig Victor (23 points, 11 rebounds) and the Kansas-bound Oubre (17 points, 14 rebounds).

4 NBA Players On One Varsity Team

1981-82 Dunbar (Baltimore, Md.) 29-0?
Final Rank: No. 2 (Basketball Weekly)
Pros: Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues (JR), Reggie Lewis (JR), Reggie Williams (JR), David Wingate (SR).
Synopsis: This great team finished ranked behind cross-town Calvert Hall, which defeated Dunbar in the final game of 1980-81 season and went wire-to-wire as No. 1. Calvert Hall played a national schedule, and while Dunbar didn’t, it defeated preseason No. 2 Camden (N.J.), 84-59, while Calvert Hall trailed the same team late before defeating it, 67-62. Wingate was the senior leader along with UNLV-bound Gary Graham (6-4).

1992-93 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 36-0
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Mark Blount (SO), Jeff McInnis (SR), Makhtar N’Diaye (SR), Jerry Stackhouse (SR).
Synopsis: This is the best team in the long, storied history of the Warriors’ program with no weaknesses. Oak Hill defeated six college teams led by Stackhouse, a man amongst boys in high school, and McInnis, who joined Stack at the McDonald’s All-American Game and at North Carolina. For more on this team, CLICK HERE.

2007-08 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 21-10 ?
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Quinn Cook (FR), Jerian Grant (S0), Victor Oladipo (S0), Josh Selby (SO).
Synopsis: Young Stags team finished in third place in the highly-competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCA). DeMatha was able to hand conference champ and FAB 50 No. 8 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) its only loss, but later lost to that team 61-44 at the Alhambra Catholic Invitational.

2009-10 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 32-4 ?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 40
Pros: Quinn Cook (JR), Jerami Grant (SO), Jerian Grant (SR), Victor Oladipo (SR).
Synopsis: Jerian Grant got plenty of attention as did Cook, but only one credible ranking (Hoop Scoop) had Oladipo in the Top 100 (No. 98). On a team with 12 eventual D1 players, a couple of close losses prevented the Stags from cracking the Top 10 in the FAB 50.

2010-11 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 28-4?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 14
Pros: Anthony Bennett (JR), Nick Johnson (SR), Naz Mitrou-Long (JR), Nigel Williams-Goss (SO).
Synopsis: The Pilots were the preseason FAB 50 No. 1 team, but had a bad habit of falling behind in games all season long. With leading scorer Myck Kabongo playing in the McDonald's All-American Game less than 24 hours before taking on Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) at the NHSI, the Pilots got 13 minutes and zero field goals from him in a first-round loss. Mitrou-Long played spot minutes.

2010-11 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 29-4
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 7
Pros: Jordan Adams (JR), Quinn Cook (Sr), A.J. Hammons (Jr), Ben McLemore (SR).
Synopsis: This Warriors unit did spend some time at No. 1, but ended up losing in the NHSI championship game to No. 2 Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), 71-64 in double overtime. Cook came over after playing on three DeMatha Catholic teams that had five and four future NBA players, respectively, while McLemore did not finish the season with the Warriors. Adams led Oak Hill to a 44-0 mark and FAB title the following season.

3 NBA Players On One Varsity Team

1957-58 Overbrook (Philadelphia) 22-0
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Walt Hazzard (SO), Wayne Hightower (SR), Wali Jones (SO).
Synopsis: Three years earlier Overbrook featured Wilt Chamberlain, the game’s first true high school superstar, but this ‘Brook team was more balanced and didn’t lose a game. It beat Neumann in the City title game at the famous Palestra, 71-54, as All-American Hightower had 23 points and 18 rebounds.

1963-64 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 27-2?
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Sid Catlett (FR), Joe Kennedy (SR), Bernie Williams (JR).
Synopsis: The Stags won their fourth of six consecutive WCAC championships under Naismith Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wootten, who passed in January 2020 at age 88. One of the two losses was to eventual mythical national champion Power Memorial (New York), 65-62, which was led by junior and all-time great Lew Alcindor. The Stags played much better team defense on Alcindor in a return game the following season to end Power’s 71-game winning streak in what many historians consider the greatest high school game of all-time.

1963-64 DeWitt Clinton (Bronx, N.Y.)?
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Luther Green (JR), Ollie Taylor (SO), Willie Worsley (SR).
Synopsis: The defending PSAL champs ran their winning to 38 games before losing to Boys in the PSAL semifinals at Madison Square Garden before 10,000 fans. Clinton has produced 17 NBA players and most came through the school in the 1960s and early 1970s. This program was so loaded future NBA Hall of Famer Nate Archibald was cut as a sophomore, but he later teamed up with Worsley at UTEP.

1964-65 DeWitt Clinton (Bronx, N.Y.)?
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Nate Archibald (JR), Luther Green (SR), Ollie Taylor (JR).
Synopsis: Green was named the PSAL Player of the Year and the Governors had another fantastic season, advancing to the PSAL finals where it fell to a 22-0 Erasmus Hall team, 85-80. A year later when Archibald was a senior, he teamed up with star forward Mike Switzer and backcourt mate Walt Robertson to lead DeWitt Clinton to a 21-0 mark and the mythical national title as named by the National Sports News Service (FAB 50 precursor).

1968-69 Washington (Indianapolis, Ind.) 31-0?
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Steve Downing (SR), George McGinnis (SR), Wayne Pack (SR).
Synopsis: Compton (Calif.) won the National Sports News Service mythical national title, but the Continentals would have given the Tarbabes all they could handle. Washington was big, deep, physical and had a future pro guard in Pack. McGinnis was the nation’s best player and also all-state in football and would become the first player in the state of Indiana to score 1,000 points in a season. The IHSAA had its most highly-anticipated state Final Four ever in '69, as the four teams came in with a total of one loss with Washington becoming only the second unbeaten Indiana state champ.

1970-71 Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) 21-1
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Rudy Hackett (SR), Earl Tatum (JR), Gus Williams (SR).
Synopsis: The top-ranked team in New York, the Knights only lost their final game to McKinley Tech (Washington, D.C.), in the post-season Knights of Columbus Tournament in Washington, D.C. Williams, who was still under six-foot, averaged 24 ppg and was named state player of the year by the New York Sports Writers Association. The next season, Tatum earned the same honors with an even more spectacular season and was joined by Ray Williams, Gus’ younger brother who also went on to play in the NBA.

1972-73 Verbum Dei (Los Angeles) 29-2
Final Rank: No. 1 (National Sports News Service)
Pros: Lewis Brown (SR), David Greenwood (SO), Roy Hamilton (SO).
Synopsis: The Eagles were in the midst of winning six consecutive CIF Southern Section titles, and Brown (24.1 ppg) was the star in the middle. The two-time section player of the year was complemented by Greenwood, who was already becoming a star in his own right, and Hamilton, who took on a bigger role the next season. That underclass duo led Verbum Dei to another section and mythical national title as juniors but did not win a section title during their senior seasons in 1975 after being upset in the semifinals.

1981-82 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey, Calif.) 28-3?
Final Rank: No. 22 (Basketball Weekly)
Pros: Corey Gaines (JR), Ronnie Grandison (SR), Leonard Taylor (SO).
Synopsis: The Vikings won the CIF Southern Section 3A title behind a team that included 10 future D1 players before losing to Banning (Calif.) in the first-ever SoCal D2 regional final. Grandison (14 ppg) was the leading scorer on a balanced team that included all-section performers Kevin Vidato (12 ppg) and Robert Howling (11 ppg), while Gaines (10 ppg) was named the state’s junior player of the year.

1982-83 Dunbar (Baltimore, Md.) 31-0?
Final Rank: No. 1 (National Sports News Service)
Pros: Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues (SR), Reggie Lewis (SR), Reggie Williams (SR).
Synopsis: Most veteran observers rate the Poets the greatest high school team of all-time, considering they were expected to be great (they were the first preseason No. 1 by USA Today) and delivered. Against a national schedule, the Poets never played down to the competition and won by an average of 36.5 ppg. On a deep team with 11 future D1 players, Lewis (a future NBA All-Star) came off the bench but made most of his limited opportunities. Williams was the star and Bogues was the unquestioned leader of a group that included three 1987 first rounders. For more on this team, CLICK HERE.

1986-87 St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) 30-1?
Final Rank: No. 10 (USA Today)
Pros: Terry Dehere (SO), Bobby Hurley (SO), Luther Wright (FR).
Synopsis: The Friars won their fifth consecutive New Jersey Non-Public Group B state crown with a young club that seemed destined for greatness. St. Anthony did go on to win two more state titles and the first-ever state Tournament of Champions crown in 1988-89 when Dehere and Hurley were seniors, but they did it without Wright, a talented and imposing big man. After the season, Wright transferred to Elizabeth (N.J.) High School for his sophomore season. St. Anthony went on to capture nine consecutive state titles, but Elizabeth did beat the Friars, 65-62, to capture the 1990 TOC crown when Wright was a senior.

1987-88 Murrah (Jackson, Miss.) 31-6
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Lyndsey Hunter (SR), Ryan Lorthridge (S0), James Robinson (JR).
Synopsis: The Mustangs featured three terrific perimeter players with Robinson getting most of the publicity as a two-time high school All-American. Under the guidance of legendary coach Orsmond Jordan Jr., Murrah was a power, but this season they were no match for regionally-ranked, Chris Jackson-led Gulfport in the Class 5A state title game, 96-76. Murrah got more national recognition in 1991 and 1992, when they won back-to-back state titles led by All-Americans Othella Harrington, Ronnie Henderson and the late Jesse Pate. Jordan also won a national championship for Negro schools in 1965 at Lanier (Jackson, Miss.), in the third to last national championships for segregated schools.

1988-89 Southwest (Macon, Ga.) 24-5
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Ivano Newbill (SR), Chris Robinson (FR), Sharone Wright (SO).
Synopsis: The 1978-79 Southwest team is one of the best of all-time, but its this Patriots club that produced three pros. Coach Don Richardson won his last state title behind the play of Newbill, Georgia's Mr. Basketball, and Russell Odom, the state tourney MVP. Wright was one of two talented sophomores, including Reggie Manuel (UNLV), while Robinson was a deep reserve. The team finished No. 6 in the South regional rankings.

1988-89 Southwestern (Detroit) 25-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Howard Eisley (JR), Voshon Lenard (S0), Jalen Rose (SO).
Synopsis: This young Prospectors club fell in the Class A state final to Cooley (Detroit). Rose (19 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg) was already showing All-American potential and Lenard (16 ppg) was not too far behind. Eisley averaged 11 assists per game on a team that returned 12 players in 1989-90.

1988-89 St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) 32-0?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Terry Dehere (SR), Bobby Hurley (SR), Rodrick Rhodes (FR).
Synopsis: A terrific defensive team capped a perfect season by winning the first ever New Jersey TOC crown behind the play of bruising forward Jerry Walker, the tourney MVP and Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley’s most consistent player. The fifth stater was 6-foot-7 Sean Rooney before he tore ligaments in his ankle. Junior forward Jose Ortiz then stepped in for a club that won the Great Florida Shootout and the King Cotton Classic.

1989-90 Proviso East (Maywood, Ill.) 25-3?
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Donnie Boyce (JR), Michael Finley (JR), Sherrell Ford (JR).
Synopsis: The Pirates were a good team, but Boyce broke his ankle early in the season. It caused Ford to step up his game and Finley, the sixth man, to earn more playing time after playing JayVee as a 10th grader. Boyce eventually came back but the team lost to St. Joseph (Westchester, Ill.) in the sectionals.

1989-90 Southwestern (Detroit) 27-0
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: Howard Eisley (SR), Voshon Lenard (JR), Jalen Rose (JR).
Synopsis: Coach Perry Watson’s club overcame years of state title game frustration by capturing the program’s first Class A state title behind its terrific perimeter defense and Rose, a hybrid forward who could handle like a point guard. The Prospectors’ 1991 team was named mythical national champions by USA Today with a 26-1 mark after Eisley moved on to Boston College. Interestingly enough, Chris Webber, the Mr. Basketball USA in 1990-91, could have easily been on this club. One of the most sought-after middle school players in Michigan history, Webber decided to attend Detroit Country Day instead of joining his close friend Rose at Southwestern.

1990-91 Proviso East (Maywood, Ill.) 32-1?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 6
Pros: Donnie Boyce (SR), Michael Finley (SR), Sherrell Ford (SR).
Synopsis: The Pirates were an incredibly talented team that won the program’s third Class AA state crown with the best record in school history. Proviso East’s only loss was a 65-64 setback to Rock Island (Ill.). Boyce (10.3 rpg) controlled the paint, Ford (22.1 ppg) was the go-to scorer and Finley (13.6 ppg) did a bit of everything. “The Three Amigos” were all selected within the first 42 picks of the 1995 NBA Draft.

1990-91 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 27-1?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 4
Pros: Corey Alexander (SR), Thomas "Junior" Burrough (SR), Ben Davis (SR).
Synopsis: The Warriors defeated teams from nine states and after this team came along, Oak Hill Academy had an incredible run of NBA talent and McDonald’s All-American selections. Oak Hill did record a win over eventual No. 1 Simon Gratz (Philadelphia) in the semifinals of the Great Florida Shootout, but had a 28-point loss against Dunbar (Ft. Worth, Texas). Davis was the leading scorer (20 ppg), Burrough (3.1 bpg) was a defensive stalwart and Alexander recorded 253 assists.

1995-96 Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) 26-1
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 14
Pros: Erick Barkley (JR), Craig “Speedy” Claxton (SR), Lamar Odom (JR).
Synopsis: The Royals opened up No. 4 in the National Prep Poll (FAB 50 precursor) and were up to No. 2 when they were shocked in the Catholic High School Athletic Association Class A final, 64-63, by Rice (New York). Rice’s Bevon Robin scored with 1.3 seconds remaining in overtime to end the season of a team many felt was New York City’s most talented since the 1988 Malik Sealy-led St. Nicholas of Tolentine team that finished No. 1 in the country. Odom did not return to the program for his senior season, while Barkley took a prep school year at Maine Central Institute.

1998-99 Willowridge (Houston) 29-3*?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 3
Pros: Daniel Ewing (SO), T.J. Ford (SO), Ivan McFarlin (JR).
Synopsis: The Eagles had all but one of their victories forfeited because of of University Interscholastic League residency violations surrounding McFarlin, a transfer who went on to play at Oklahoma St. It was evident with the trio the program would be a juggernaut the next two seasons.

1999-00 Willowridge (Houston) 36-1?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 3
Pros: Daniel Ewing (JR), T.J. Ford (JR), Ivan McFarlin (SR).
Synopsis: The Eagles won their last 23 games and a second UIL Class 5A crown in the last seven years. McFarlin was the lone senior and averaged 16 ppg and 14.9 rpg. The next season with McDonald's All-Americans Ewing and Ford leading the way, Willowridge capped an unbeaten season by beating Converse Judson, 67-64, in double overtime, and Bryan, 65-58, to win back-to-back state titles to finish No. 2 in the FAB 50 behind Oak Hill Academy.

2001-02 Westchester (Los Angeles) 32-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 4
Pros: Hassan Adams (SR), Trevor Ariza (JR), Bobby Brown (JR).
Synopsis: The deepest and most talented of Ed Azzam’s six CIF state championship teams, Adams was California’s Mr. Basketball and led a terrific senior trio that included Brandon Heath and Brandon Bowman. Ariza earned Mr. Basketball honors as a senior and Brown stepped into the starting lineup at point guard for Ahmad Cook (Georgetown), who helped the Comets win back-to-back City of Palms Titles in 2000 and 2001.

2003-04 San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 24-10
Final FAB 50 Rank: N/A
Pros: Brook Lopez (SO), Robin Lopez (SO), Quincy Pondexter (SO).
Synopsis: Not only did this trio play together for three years in high school, they also played travel ball together for Fresno-based EBO and had more success on the travel ball circuit than it did in the CIF ranks. EBO who the prestigious adidas Super 64 Tournament in Las Vegas in 2004 and 2005 with a team that also featured Tre'Vonn Willis (Washington of Easton, Calif.) and Derek Gasper (Paso Robles, Calif.).

2004-05 San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 23-11
Final FAB 50 Rank: N/A
Pros: Brook Lopez (JR), Robin Lopez (JR), Quincy Pondexter (JR).
Synopsis: This team underachieved, despite the raw talent, although some felt they were a year away. The Panthers fell to Garces of Bakersfield in the CIF Central Section Div. IV title game.

2005-06 San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 33-4
Final FAB 50 Rank: N/A
Pros: Brook Lopez (SR), Robin Lopez (SR), Quincy Pondexter (SR).
Synopsis: This team had the talent to be California’s best, but took some early losses before being shocked, 68-67, in double overtime in the CIF SoCal D4 final by Horizon (San Diego). Pondexter (21 ppg) was the North Yosemite League MVP and D4 State Player of the year over his two highly-regarded teammates, both whom played in the McDonald’s All-American Game in San Diego.

2005-06 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 40-1
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 3
Pros: Michael Beasley (JR), Ty Lawson (Sr), Nolan Smith (Jr).
Synopsis: The Warriors lost their final game of the season to No. 2 Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) on a last-second outback in one of the most talent-laden high school games every witnessed. The loss snapped Oak Hill's 56-game winning streak for a team that spent most of the year ranked No. 2 with a deep club. Montrose Christian's star player was Kevin Durant, who actually played at Oak Hill the season before. Beasley, a future No. 1 NBA Draft choice, did not return to Oak Hill for his senior season.

2006-07 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 40-1
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Brandon Jennings (JR), Nolan Smith (SR), Trey Thompkins (JR).
Synopsis: The Warriors captured their sixth FAB 50 title by recording their second straight 40-1 record season and winning 96 of their last 98 games. Oak Hill defeated six of seven teams ranked in the top 30 of the FAB 50. Smith, a McDonald's All-American, led the way with 22 ppg and 4.5 apg, while Alex Legion (Michigan) and Jennings also garnered some All-American mention.

2007-08 Christ School (Arden, N.C.) 34-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Marshall Plumlee (FR), Mason Plumlee (JR), Miles Plumlee (SR).
Synopsis: This team finished just outside the FAB 50 as a NCISAA Private School champion. With three Plumlee brothers on their roster, the Greenies defeated Greensboro Day in the title game. Although Marshall played only sparingly on this particular team, he later helped the program win four consecutive state titles, something his older brothers were not able to accomplish.

2008-09 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 33-0
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Avery Bradley (SR), Cory Joseph (JR), Tristan Thompson (JR).
Synopsis: In its first year as a program eligible to be ranked in the FAB 50, the Pilots made a big splash after adding Thompson three quarters of the way through the season. They won the inaugural ESPN RISE NHSI (now GEICO Nationals) via a win over previous No. 1 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 74-66. Bradley (20 points) and Joseph (18) combined to score 38 points in the landmark victory.

2011-12 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 32-1?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 2
Pros: Anthony Bennett (SR), Nigel Williams-Goss (JR), Christian Wood (JR).
Synopsis: Brandon Ashley didn’t have a particularly strong senior campaign with the Pilots, but he came through when necessary, scoring 15 of his 31 points against Montverde Academy in the fourth quarter of an incredible 86-83 overtime victory in the title game of the ESPNHS NHSI. Williams-Goss scored the winning basket and had 17 points for a Pilots’ team that lost out on the FAB 50 title because of a loss to No. 35 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), a team No. 1 Oak Hill Academy defeated.

2012-13 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 26-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Dakari Johnson (SR), DeAngelo Russell (JR), Ben Simmons (SO).
Synopsis: The 2012 MVA team would have three future NBA players, too, had Johnson not sat out after following coach Kevin Boyle over from St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.). Joel Embid was a reserve for the 2012 MVA team who left, but it didn’t matter as the Eagles started out No. 1 in the FAB 50 and ended there after winning the NHSI over St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.) on a last-second 3-pointer by Jalyn Patterson. This physically dominant team welcomed Simmons towards the ends of the season, and the Ballislife Player of the Decade for the 2010s led the program to two more FAB 50 titles in 2014 and 2015.

2012-13 Prime Prep (Dallas) 37-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: N/A
Pros: Terrence Ferguson (FR), Emmanuel Mudiay (JR), Jordan Mickey (SR),
Synopsis: This academy, which was opened by NFL Hall of Fame Deion Sanders, dropped out of the UIL. It made them ineligible for the FAB 50 that season, but Prime Prep still had a formidable team. Its season ended when it lost to eventual FAB 50 national champ Montverde Academy, 57-55, in the NHSI semifinals.

2012-13 Simeon (Chicago) 30-3
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: Zach Norvell (FR), Kendrick Nunn (SR), Jabari Parker (SR).
Synopsis: Started No. 3 in the FAB 50 but got off to a slow start as Parker was recovering from an off-season injury. By the end of the season Parker was playing up to form and so were the Wolverines, who joined Peoria Manual as the second Illinois team to win four straight state Class 4A titles. Parker became the state’s first two-time Mr. Basketball, Nunn did alot of the dirty work and Norvell played spot minutes.

2013-14 Prime Prep (Dallas) 21-6
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 34
Pros: Terrence Ferguson (SO), Emmanuel Mudiay (SR), P.J. Washington (FR),
Synopsis: McDonald's All-American Mudiay led this team, which finished ranked a bit below preseason expectations. Prime Prep notched a win over Sunrise Christian Academy early in the season, then lost in a rematch. The team also posted a win over No. 5 Finley Prep and beat Dallas Kimball, the Texas Class 4A state champ.

2014-15 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 29-3?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: O’Shae Brisset (SO), Allonzo Trier (SR), P.J. Washington (SO).
Synopsis: After a so-so regular season, Findlay Prep lost to No. 1 Montverde Academy, 57-53, in overtime under hard-to-believe circumstances in the Dick Nationals semifinals. Trier and junior Derrick Thornton Jr. made up a terrific backcourt and senior Horace Spencer was a clutch defender and rebounder.

2015-16 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 26-2?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: R.J. Barrett (FR), Bruno Fernando (SR), Anfernee Simons (JR).
Synopsis: Although this MVA team was young in both the back court and front court, it was clear Barrett was going to be a star with the program. This team lost 55-47 to No. 4 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) in the Dick Nationals semifinals. Will Simi Shittu, Silvio DeSousa and/or E.J. Montgomery one day log NBA minutes?

2015-16 Chino Hills (Chino Hills, Calif.) 35-0?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: La’Melo Ball (FR), Lonzo Ball (SR), Onyeka Okongwu (FR).
Synopsis: It was amazing that this team rose from No. 9 in the preseason FAB 50 to No. 1 considering Melo and O were both 14-year old starting freshmen and there wasn’t much depth because of injuries. The springboard victory was a 83-82 win over three-time defending FAB 50 champion Montverde Academy at the City of Palms Tournament in Florida. After defeating Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) in a state No. 1 vs. No. 2 regular season showdown, it became clear this was a team of destiny whose legend just looms larger after 2020 NBA Draft night. What’s next for this already iconic group?

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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Check out Ballislife's unofficial top 10 most exciting guards in the 2020 NBA Draft (high school highlights plus 1 JUCO) featuring LaMelo Ball (Australian Pro), Anthony Edwards (Georgia), Cole Anthony (UNC), Nico Mannion (Arizona), Josh Green (Arizona), Cassius Stanley (Duke), Jay Scrubb (John A Logan), Jahmi'us Ramsey (Texas Tech), Tyrese Maxey (Kentucky), and RJ Hampton (Australian Pro)!

The post 2020 NBA Draft's Top 10 Most Exciting Guards! High School Highlights! LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

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.

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.

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

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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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.

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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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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 in a three-part series, beginning with picks No.'s 10-14 below.

14. Boston Celtics (from Memphis)

Ronnie’s Pick: Precious Achiuwa | PF | 6-9 | 225 |Memphis | Freshman

Precious Achiuwa

6'9"   -   SF   -   2019

Why: The Celtics have done a good job in the draft and on are the cusp of being the best team in the East, so whoever they bring in would be fighting to become a rotation player. Achiuwa has a chance to do that because he brings energy to both ends of the floor and is a hellacious rebounder. The brass will be taking a long look at North Carolina’s Cole Anthony, but the Celtics don’t need perimeter scoring more than they need front court depth. Achiuwa fits the bill.  

Devin’s Pick: Jalen Smith | PF | 6-10 | 225 | Maryland | Sophomore

Why: I can see Boston going in multiple directions with this pick, because when you look at the Celtics roster, there’s not a specific area of need they need to fill. With Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart occupying the guard positions along with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward on the wing, if Boston keeps this pick I can seeing them adding some more front court depth as current starter Daniel Theis is fills more of a glue-guy type of role. Smith, if available would be a nice choice here of proven production at a high college level with plenty of tools to build on at the NBA level. Smith was a double-double machine for the Terrapins during his sophomore season, averaging 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, and his 2.4 blocked shots per game were good for second in the Big Ten Conference. Smith shot 36.8 percent on just under three attempts per game from the college three point line, which makes me think he could be a potential two-way impact guy as a rim protector and versatile scoring option at the five, which is very reminiscent of Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

13. New Orleans Pelicans

Ronnie’s Pick: Saddiq Bey | SF | 6-8 |215 | Villanova |Sophomore

Why: The Pelicans have some terrific offensive pieces and could shore up their defensive prowess, and Bey foots the bill. If he earns minutes on the floor because of his defense (which would be a tremendous value at this spot), he is a good enough spot-up shooter to keep defenses honest and compliment Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.

Devin’s Pick: Saddiq Bey | SF | 6-8 | 216 | Villanova | Sophomore

Why: This will be another interesting pick come draft night as the Pelicans have a host of young talent on its roster to go along with the veteran leadership of Jrue Holiday and J.J. Redick. New Orleans has nine players aged 24 years or younger and we didn’t get to see the full extent of what the youth movement looked like due to Zion Williamson missing time due to injury and the stoppage of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking strictly at roster need, three-point shooting is always of value, especially when your best long distance shooter (Redick) is heading toward his 36th birthday. I think Bey fits in nicely here because of his size, length, athleticism to go along with his 45.1 percent three-point shooting clip as a sophomore at Villanova.

12. Sacramento Kings

Ronnie’s Pick: Patrick Williams | PF | 6-8 | 225 | Florida State | Freshman

Why: The Kings’ front office is in transition and after some draft gaffes in recent years, they want to get this pick right. This isn’t a particularly loaded draft, but Williams has the potential to stick because of his frame, foot speed and long-term defensive ability. There are some terrific wing defenders in this draft, and the Kings can’t afford to swing and miss badly. Williams didn’t produce at a high level offensively in his lone college season, but the Kings need a shot in the arm not someone jacking up shots. 

Devin’s Pick: Aaron Nesmith | SG/SF | 6-6 | 215 | Vanderbilt | Sophomore

Why: For me, this is a best available pick type of situation for the Kings. The point guard spot is locked up with De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic (if he re-signs) will see the majority of the time at shooting guard, while Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes will continue to see the minutes in the front court and Sacramento needs a reliable piece that can come in and help right away. The best available guy at No. 12 could be Nesmith out of Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-6 wing brings versatility on the offensive end as evidenced by his above 50-percent shooting clip from both two and three-point range to go along with his 82.5 percent success rate from the free throw line. Nesmith played only 14 games last season due to injury, and while that’s a small sample size to draw from, his scoring feel on the perimeter and has some defensive versatility upside with his frame.

11. San Antonio Spurs

Ronnie’s Pick: Aaron Nesmith | SG/SF | 6-6 | 215 | Vanderbilt | Sophomore

Why: The Spurs will take a long look at Florida State’s Patrick Williams and can only hope Isaac Okoro (Auburn) falls this far. He likely won’t, so Nesmith is a terrific value pick because he can really shoot the deep range shot and complement the talented backcourt players the Spurs already have. It will be enticing to pick up a defensive-oriented forward, but passing up an offensive talent the likes of Nesmith will be too difficult to pass up.    

Devin’s Pick: Patrick Williams | PF | 6-8 | 225 | Florida State | Freshman

Why: This is the first time in a long time (23 years to be exact) that the Spurs will draft in the lottery, so San Antonio will have to rediscover this uncharted territory. As most know, this franchise has a rich history in drafting an unknown international player, stashing him, and bringing him over at the perfect time to help them on a championship run. Could that happen again this year? Sure, but for the purposes of this “mock lottery” let’s pick a player for Pop & Co. The reason I go with Williams here is because San Antonio could benefit from adding some athleticism and energy to its front court. The one-and-done forward out of Florida State fits that bill quite well with his explosive leaping ability, mobility in transition and ability to finish with through and above contact in the paint. Williams didn’t put up eye popping numbers during his only college season, averaging 9.2 points and four rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game and needs some work to refine his all-around offensive skill set. Where better to do that than with the Spurs who happen to have one of the best power forward’s the world has seen on its coaching staff.

10. Phoenix Suns

Ronnie’s Pick: Killian Hayes | PG | 6-5 | 215 | France | PRO

Why: The Suns ended the season on an upswing and hope to keep the positive momentum going with a home run at this spot in the draft. The Suns will likely look to the backcourt with someone who can play on the ball and be effective off it. Tyrese Maxey (Kentucky) will get a look at this range, but Hayes has terrific upside and there won’t be tons of pressure for him to perform right away. If Hayes can learn the NBA game from Ricky Rubio and be a complement to Devin Booker, this would be a terrific spot for him. 

Devin’s Pick: Killian Hayes | PG | 6-5 | 215 | France | PRO

Why: The Suns need to show they are committed to building a long-term backcourt around superstar guard Devin Booker in addition to providing a true point guard who can operate out of ball screen action with stud power forward De’Andre Ayton. Hayes might be the perfect successor to Ricky Rubio at the point guard position in Phoenix. The 18 year-old lefty plays with a high basketball IQ, great vision and decision-making out of the pick and role, and knows how to use angles and changes of speeds to get into the paint. Just imagine a high ball screen with Hayes and Ayton with Booker spotting up on the wing. That’s tough to guard. Hayes does need to get better as a three-point shooter to keep defenses honest in those ball screen situations.

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In episode No. 40 of our  In The Paint Show,"  co-hosts Devin Ugland and Ronnie Flores go hard on the recent Pangos All-West Frosh/Soph Camp and give their seasoned take on the recent ESPN.com story that has its mock draft team now tracking LaMelo Ball as a 2020 NBA Draft Lotto pick and the potential No. 1 overall pick, based on his play at the Australian NBL Blitz this past week.

Ron and Dev break down how they evaluated the deep camp and who stood out amongst those they hadn't evaluated before. They also talk about their focus on those who didn't come in with a big reputation and go over the standouts in the various camp all-star games, and go in the paint on a few snubs!

Ball's continued growth physically and in his game has led ESPN to declare the former Chino Hills (Calif.) standout a potential No. 1 pick in 2020. Is this a surprise? Why wasn't he considered a top tier 2020 draft prospect all along? Were some draft analysts and recruiting experts using his family's fame and misfortune against him? Does his on-court talent outweigh any of the perceived family problems that surround him and are not of his making? Where would Dev and Ron take him in the 2020 NBA Draft right now?

To learn more about our hosts, Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland, and to get more information about what "In The Paint" is all about, check out our intro below!

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Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and a bunch of other NBA players took to Twitter on Thursday's Draft night to send their congrats to former and future teammates and friends. As expected, a few great jokes were also said.

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Tatum and Monk were 1 and done college stars. Miles Bridges is expected by many to jump to the NBA following his sophomore season at Michigan State.
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