NBA Draft 2018 Big Board 1.0: Ranking the top 60 prospects

Tier 4: Upside, Upside, Upside

17. Shake Milton (PG, SMU): Shake Milton will be one of the more interesting prospects in this year’s draft class. He will likely be a first-round pick but as the combine draws closer, I’m of the belief that he is off the board in the late teens. Milton is 6’6” with a 7-foot wingspan, which is rare size for the point guard position. Milton has good vision and can run an offense at a high level. He also uses his size to wear down opposing guards and disrupt passing lanes. What makes Milton even more enticing is his ability to shoot, both from deep (43.4%) and at the free throw line (84.7%).

16. Troy Brown (SF, Oregon): One of the youngest players in college basketball this past season, Brown seemed to improve with each passing day. He has ideal size for an NBA forward and is extremely versatile. Brown, a former point guard, has a great handle and the court vision of a guard. He’s a willing passer but even better at getting to the rim himself.

15. Kevin Knox (SF, Kentucky): Few players in the nation were as frustrating to scout than Kevin Knox. He’s a gifted three level scorer with the size and mobility to score a lot of points regardless of the competition. Unfortunately, Knox rarely showcased his ability, instead opting to play a more passive role that included standing on the perimeter. Regardless, he has a ton of potential due to his build and scoring prowess.

14. Gary Trent Jr. (SG, Duke): Few people have Trent as high as me, but expect that to change once the combine rolls around. Shooting is a premium and this year’s draft class lacks outside shooting wings. Trent was largely hidden on Duke’s loaded roster, playing the role of a spot-up shooter. His game is much more diverse than perimeter shooting, he was just unable to showcase that as the fourth scoring option on his college team. Trent is a good ball-handler and finishes inside well. He needs to become more aggressive here as he’s always been one to settle for jump shots. At his worst, Trent Jr is a high volume bench scorer. At his best, he’s a starting shooting guard for years to come.

13. Robert Williams (C, Texas A&M): When Robert Williams opted to return for his sophomore season, there was a general hope for him to become something he’s not, an offensive weapon. Williams seemed to struggle with this idea early on in the season, often forcing things offensively. Williams is long, athletic, and strong. He’s a machine on defense and a plus rebounder. His offense will largely stem from rim rolls out of the pick-and-roll.

12. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG, Kentucky): Kentucky looked like an NIT-bound team until John Calipari mixed up the rotations during the early part of the year. Doing so, he let Gilgeous-Alexander blossom as the playmaker the young Wildcats so desperately needed. Standing at 6’6” with a frightening 7-foot wingspan, Gilgeous-Alexander will be a matchup nightmare at the next level. He plays with great pace and is able to make things happen with his explosiveness. While he’s still developing his skill-set as a scorer and floor general, his defensive ability will keep him in the rotation.

11. Zhaire Smith (SG, Texas Tech): Turn on any Texas Tech game from this season and there is a 100% chance Zhaire Smith is the best athlete on the floor. The 6’5” guard can jump out of the gym and moves as well laterally as anyone in the class. He should be a lockdown perimeter defender and while his offense is still a work in progress, he was able to shoot 45% from three on the year. Smith still struggles to create his own shot and is limited off the dribble. This will hinder his year-1 production but is something he can develop with time. As long as he diversifies his game with the ball, Smith is going to be a really good pro.