NBA Draft 2018: 5 potential candidates to be the next Fred VanVleet
By Logan Butts
Landry Shamet
Shamet followed in a role VanVleet helped carve out quite literally these past three years as the Shockers successor at point guard.
Although Shamet’s Shocker teams did not have the same success as VanVleet’s, Shamet proved to be a more than capable floor general for Wichita State.
Shamet was the team’s leader in points (14.9), assists (5.2), and steals (0.7) in their first season in the American Athletic Conference, earning a First-Team All-Conference spot for the second season (and in the second conference) in a row.
Like VanVleet, Shamet is a good shooter and passer despite the lack of athleticism. Shamet does have a size advantage over VanVleet though (6-4 to 6-0), which will help him come draft day.
Keenan Evans
Evans hasn’t shown up on a ton of mock drafts, which makes him the perfect candidate to be the next VanVleet.
During their run to the Elite Eight, Evans proved on a national stage that he has the skills to make it at the next level.
His 23-6-5-1-1 line in the opening game against Stephen F. Austin was one of the best individual performances of the tournament.
Evans led the Red Raiders in points (17.6), assists (3.1), and steals (1.1) on his way to earning a consensus Second-Team All-American spot and a First-Team All-Conference spot in a Big 12 that was loaded with talented point guards.
He can get to the rim and can play either guard position, both of which will give him a chance to stick around with an NBA team.