2019 NBA Draft Big Board: Top 50 player rankings, scouting reports

35. Carsen Edwards, Purdue

21 years old | Guard | 6-foot-0.25 | 199.4 lbs

Stats (JR): 24.3 ppg (.394/.355/.837), 3.6 rpg, 2.9 apg

One of the most prolific scorers at the college level during this past season, Carsen Edwards is hardwired to score. No matter where he is on the court, he will find a way to fill up the basket and his high-level shot-making is what makes him a potential first-round pick. For his size (just over 6-foot-0), he is not a tremendous playmaker nor a great defender. But he makes up for this with his self-creation and scoring abilities. There are definitely concerns with regards to how he will perform as an undersized shooting guard without a high usage rate, but his collegiate production at a power conference program is quite impressive. There is no getting around that and he will be a fringe first-rounder.

34. Mfiondu Kabengele, Florida State

21 years old | Forward | 6-foot-10.25 | 256.2 lbs

Stats (SO): 13.2 ppg (.502/.369/.761), 5.9 rpg, 1.5 bpg

At just over 6-foot-10, Mfiondu Kabengele projects as a power forward at the NBA level with a versatile two-way game. On the offensive end of the floor, he knocks down 3-pointers at a high rate for his size and has also shown the ability to take mismatches off the dribble from the perimeter. He has a smooth shooting stroke in general and uses his physical frame to get some buckets around the rim as well. Defensively, he swats away shots with consistency and more than holds his own underneath. These are all of the attributes needed to be a strong NBA option and I think this makes him worthy of a relatively high pick despite some of his playmaking shortcomings.

33. Luguentz Dort, Arizona State

20 years old | Guard | 6-foot-4.25 | 222.2 lbs

Stats (FR): 16.1 ppg (.405/.307/.700), 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg

Luguentz Dort is an extremely well-built and physical guard. Although he is not the tallest shooting guard in the draft class, he uses his strong frame well on both ends of the floor. During this past season, Dort functioned as one of the offensive leaders for Arizona State as just a freshman. During this campaign, he showcased the ability to attack the basket with a relentless attitude and he is more than willing as a defender. With that said, he is not a major perimeter threat and this certainly limits his ceiling at this point. Dort, nonetheless, put together a strong season in a power conference (even though it’s hard to call the Pac-12 a great league during this past year). I think he projects as a solid bench guard due to his athleticism and strength. With improved shooting and decision-making, that ceiling could raise.

32. Daniel Gafford, Arkansas

20 years old | Forward | 6-foot-10.5 | 237.6 lbs

Stats (SO): 16.9 ppg (.660/NA/.591), 8.7 rpg, 2.0 bpg

Daniel Gafford comes into the NBA Draft with one of the best motors among the prospects. At nearly 6-foot-11 with plenty of athleticism, Gafford is seemingly always giving 100%. He is a bouncy forward with the ability to impact games on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he is not a threat from beyond the arc but functions quite well as a rim-running and finisher above the rim. It is on the defensive end, though, where he projects best. With elite leaping ability and a great motor, he has the ability to block shots with consistency and also uses his long arms to disrupt passing lanes. Gafford uses his quickness to be a potential switchable defender at the next level. The concerns surround his high foul rate and limited offensive game.

31. KZ Okpala, Stanford

19 years old | Forward | 6-foot-9.5 | 209.6 lbs

Stats (SO): 16.8 ppg (.463/.368/.671), 5.7 rpg, 2.0 apg

One of many standout sophomores during this past season, KZ Okpala looks like an underrated prospect, in my opinion. Even though I have him rated outside of my top-30, I would not be surprised if he was selected in the late first round. A versatile 3-and-D forward, Okpala brings plenty of size at nearly 6-foot-10 and shoots the ball well from beyond the arc. He is exceedingly successful in catch-and-shoot situations from deep and this projects well for him to be a role player at the next level. In addition, he has a multi-positional defensive profile. Even though he was not a superb collegiate defender, the physical gifts are there and he has shown flashes of being successful on that end. With the right development, he can be really solid.