Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Mid-majors come away big winners in 2019 NBA Draft

By Logan Butts

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 16: Ja Morant speaks with the media during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 16: Ja Morant speaks with the media during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Rui Hachimura reacts after being drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Washington Wizards during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Rui Hachimura reacts after being drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Washington Wizards during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

The Other First Round Picks

Rui Hachimura (Gonzaga) – Washington Wizards

Hachimura started off the season as a Wooden Award candidate and a potential lottery pick. By the end of the year he was considered at best the second-best player on his team and projected as a mid-to late first-round pick by some.

So, it was a surprise to many that Hachimura’s name was called for pick number nine on Thursday night. There’s no questioning his post-scoring ability and his raw tools, but his game seems to leave a lot of questions.

I’ve been a believer in his NBA potential since the fall, so I’m hoping he finds a good situation to develop in Washington.

Perhaps most notably, Hachimura was the first-ever Japanese-born player to be selected in the first round and the second to be drafted overall.

Brandon Clarke (Gonzaga) – Memphis Grizzlies

Hachimura’s teammate Clarke was selected by the Grizzlies at 21, giving Memphis another young athletic piece for their rebuild and giving Gonzaga two first-round picks.

Clarke’s stout defensive ability and offensive efficiency had some prognosticators slot him as high as third on their overall big board.  He could be the perfect small-ball center for this era of the NBA. His wingspan scared away some teams, so the Grizzlies were able to snag him. Memphis may not be very good next year, but they’ll be fun to watch.

Dylan Windler (Belmont) – Cleveland Cavaliers

The second OVC first-rounder. Windler would have been the best player in just about any other OVC season, but his best year just happened to coincide with the Morant supernova.

Windler can do a little bit of everything, but his elite shooting ability and above average defensive chops suggest he could be a prototypical 3-and-D wing for the Cavs. Windler falls into the category of guys that won’t necessarily be stars, but have the right tools to be a key rotational member on a playoff team.

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