NCAA Basketball: Top 10 mid-major players in 2019 NBA draft

No. 2 – Jalen McDaniels (Forward, San Diego State)

The No. 2 player on my list is former San Diego State forward Jalen McDaniels, who left school for the NBA after just two seasons. The main reason the lengthy 6-10 sophomore is so high on the list despite the fact that he might not be drafted until the second round, upside, and everyone loves the boom potential of upside.

McDaniels improved in every category in his second season, averaging 15.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and even distributed 2.1 assists per game. As a shooter he has shown the ability and desire to get better, as he shot 31% from deep last season after just 21% in his freshman year, his three-point shot is a definite work in progress.

Along with his perimeter game that needs work, he also needs to work harder defensively and if he is to bang in the post in the NBA he will need to add more muscle to his slender frame. He is a decent defender but is not the type to rack up the blocks, on the offensive end he has a good feel with his back to the basket and where the defense is at, with a good sense of when to pass the ball. With his athleticism and ability to improve his perimeter game, McDaniels could have his name called in the 1st round as some team envisions what he could be as a finished product.