NCAA Basketball: Top 10 decisions to be made regarding 2019 NBA Draft
10. FR Louis King – Oregon
2018-19 stats: 13.5 ppg 5.5 rpg 1.3 apg
The Ducks had a great March, making winning the Pac-12 Tournament and making it to the Sweet 16 before losing to eventual national champions Virginia. King was a big reason for the team’s emergence, averaging 16.4 ppg (led team) since the start of conference tourney. His consistency was the biggest positive turn as he became to go-to option for an Oregon team that struggled a lot on offense earlier on.
What makes him such an intriguing prospect is his 6’9 frame and 7’1 wingspan. King actually was the team’s shooting guard in their lineups but can play the 3 or 4-spots as well. When in the right position, the former five-star recruit showed he can rebound well, evident by back-to-back double-doubles at the start of league play.
Despite the great size that translates to the NBA game, there are still things King needs to work on. At times, he settled way too much taking shots on the perimeter and wasn’t much of a driver despite his size advantage. It also helps that he didn’t play the more natural wing position but rather as the shooting guard. He’s projected as a second round pick currently.
But the roster will be better constructed for Oregon and King next season. With forward Paul White graduating and top JUCO prospect Chris Duarte coming in, King would slide in perfectly at the “3”. And unlike other second round picks, this player has the measurables to move up the draft board if he comes back. And with the Ducks being viewed as the preseason favorites in the Pac-12, I think he’ll come back one more year to up his stock.