2019 NBA Draft: Second-round sleepers and potential value picks

Jordan Poole, Michigan

19 years old | Guard | 6-foot-5.5 | 190.8 lbs

Stats (SO): 12.8 ppg (.436/.369/.833), 3.0 rpg, 2.2 apg

Jordan Poole oozes swagger and confidence. While his playmaking skills were not elite at the collegiate level, he showcased his scoring ability time and time again during the past two seasons. His numbers might not jump off of the computer screen, but I think that he projects as a potentially solid shooting guard at the NBA level given the right development. As a college player, he showed plenty of signs as a perimeter threat both in catch-and-shoot and movement situations. He shot 36.9% from beyond the arc during this past season and that should translate relatively well to the next level.

In addition, he is a capable finisher around the rim and that should only improve with tighter handling. As he develops that facet of his game, Poole will be able to attack the basket with more regularity and use his athleticism to hang in the air as a finisher. On the defensive end of the floor, Poole might not seem tremendous but he was a major part of the rotation for one of the best defensive teams in the country during this past season. That has to count for something with regards to his ability to play team defense.

Poole’s current draft stock has him sitting in the latter half of the second round. But with his size (nearly 6-foot-6), shooting, and athleticism, there is a legitimate path to NBA minutes with the right development. He already has plenty of tools at his disposal and is only 19-years-old. An NBA team would likely be betting on his potential with this pick but that might pay major dividends down the road.