2019 NBA Draft: Ja Morant headlines top 9 mid-major prospects

Not every NBA prospect comes from a blue-chip program. Here are the top mid-major players that scouts are evaluating for the 2019 NBA Draft.

Most NBA Draft talk centers around the top one-and-done freshmen, who normally end up for college basketball’s biggest programs for one year before turning pro. The 2019 draft is no different – just turn on the TV and you’re bound to hear something about Zion Williamson and Duke – but it’s not dominated by those types of players.

After Williamson, Ja Morant is projected to be the No. 2 overall pick in our latest mock draft. This is significant for two reasons; he isn’t a freshman (a sophomore) and he plays for a mid-major program.

The Murray State product has shot up draft boards this season thanks to his superior athleticism and playmaking abilities, both of which could make him the first player ever to average over 20 points and 10 assists per game. The fact his dunks are a social media sensation doesn’t hurt, either.

Morant makes this draft different, yet it’s not just him crashing the party from the mid-major ranks. Gonzaga’s Rui Hachimura is also projected to be a lottery pick and as many as three other players (Gonzaga teammates Zach Norvell and Brandon Clarke, along with San Diego State’s Jalen McDaniels) have first-round potential.

In a nutshell, this is a class loaded with mid-major talent. Here are the best of the best that NBA scouts are keeping an eye on over the final two months of the season.