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NBA Draft 2019: Mock draft entering college basketball season

By Brian Rauf

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 28: RJ Barrett #6 of Montverde Academy reacts during the 2018 McDonald’s All American Game at Philips Arena on March 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 28: RJ Barrett #6 of Montverde Academy reacts during the 2018 McDonald’s All American Game at Philips Arena on March 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

As the college basketball season tips off this week, who are the top prospects that NBA teams are eyeing? We break down the projected first round picks.

The new college basketball season tips off this week and, while we’re anxious to see which teams prove themselves to be national title contenders, NBA scouts are equally as anxious to see this year’s top draft prospects take the court.

The one-and-done rule is going away soon but it remains in full force for now. Almost all of the top prospects that are expected to be in the 2019 NBA Draft pool are freshmen, meaning this college basketball season will have a huge impact on who gets picked at the top of the draft.

Duke has three freshmen who are all considered locks to be top 10 picks (all three may even go in the top five) but wing R.J. Barrett enters the season as the general consensus No. 1 pick, as one NBA scouting director told Adam Zagoria.

"“He dominates every game he’s in,” the scouting director said. He’s got a killer instinct to him. He’s a smooth player. He’s probably a starter from Day 1 in the NBA, I would think. I mean, that guy’s a talented player. Size, versatile, there’s nothing he doesn’t have.”"

There are questions about how deep this draft will be, yet several players are challenging Barrett for the top spot.

Dunking sensation Zion Williamson already possesses elite NBA athleticism and size, while North Carolina‘s Nassir Little is the kind of two-way player that has drawn comparisons to Kawhi Leonard. Many scouts are also high on France’s Sekou Doumbouya, who should be a top-five pick.

A lot will change between now and late June, but where might the world’s top prospects be headed? Here’s our first 2019 mock NBA draft of the season, with the draft order based on Bovada’s latest title odds. 

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