NBA Draft 2019: Player comparisons for all projected first round picks

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Cam Reddish #2, Javin DeLaurier #12, RJ Barrett #5 and Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils huddle during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 05, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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BLACKSBURG, VA – MARCH 08: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #4 of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks to run while being guarded by Chris Likes #0 and Anthony Lawrence #3 of the Miami Hurricanes at Cassell Coliseum on March 08, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images) /

24. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech (6-6, 6-10, 204lbs)

Player Comparison: Delon Wright (6-6, 6-8, 195lbs)

The pair of 6-6 combo-guards each put up great numbers in college — 16.2/4.1/4.0/1.9 on .586 percent true shooting for Alexander-Walker and 14.5/4.9/5.1/2.1 on .619 percent true shooting for Wright — before entering the NBA with questions about their size/frame and ability to run an offense full-time. Although Alexander-Walker will step into the NBA as the superior shooter (and inferior decision-maker/passer), he’ll likely be expected to contribute in a similar manner, defending up to three positions on defense and running second units on occasion, while ultimately serving in a secondary/tertiary playmaking role as a complementary piece.

23. Cameron Johnson, F/G, UNC (6-9, 6-10, 205lbs)

Player Comparison: Justin Jackson if he could actually shoot (6-7, 6-11, 200lbs)

Two tall wings who both excelled under Roy Williams during their final seasons at UNC? Yep! Their physical (i.e., long and thin) and athletic profiles (i.e., average) are similar, as are their offensive roles and skills. Plus, their statistical profiles are very, very similar as well.

Johnson’s per-40 stats as a fifth-year senior: 22.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 3.6 3PM. Jackson’s per-40 stats as a junior: 22.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.3 3PM.

Spooky!

22. Talen Horton-Tucker, F/G, Iowa State (6-4, 7-1, 230lbs)

Player Comparison: None

Is there actually a reasonable comparison for Talen Horton-Tucker? He has the build of Deonte Burton (6-5, 7-0, 245lbs), who was a massive wing that regularly squared up against college bigs. He has Marcus Smart’s chucking shot selection, in that every shot from him is a heat check no matter how cold he is or how ill-timed the shot it. Perhaps he’s a thicker Eric Gordon, who’s a short and stocky scoring guard with solid strength who ultimately made a career out of spark-plug scoring? I’m not sure, since there really isn’t a good comparison for such a physically unique player like Horton-Tucker.

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