NCAA Basketball: Mid-majors come away big winners in 2019 NBA Draft
By Logan Butts
The Second Round Picks
Cody Martin (Nevada) – Charlotte Hornets
Martin, the 36th overall selection, has the size to make it as a combo guard in the NBA. He has a good feel for the game on both offense and defense, but will have to work on his streakiness (and his funky release) as a shooter to offset his somewhat limited athletic ability.
Justin James (Wyoming) – Sacramento Kings
James put up some unbelievable statlines last year, but it mostly went unnoticed because his team was terrible. I honestly believe he would have went higher in the draft if his team was any good at all. Most people were surprised he went in the top-40.
Jarrell Brantley (Charleston) – Utah Jazz
Brantley was certainly the biggest surprise of the night in the mid-major realm. But us college basketball diehards know that he has the build, skills, and leaping ability to make a roster. He’ll have some fierce mid-major competition as you can see below.
Jalen McDaniels (San Diego State) – Charlotte Hornets
What a second round for the Mountain West. It feels like this is said about every other pick, but McDaniels truly embodies what teams are looking to find with a 3-and-D prospect late in the draft.
Justin Wright-Foreman (Hofstra) – Utah Jazz
One of the most prolific scorers in the country, Wright-Foreman was worthy of a selection based solely on his ability to put the ball in the hoop. Off-the-bench energizing scorers are always a role that teams looks for. Bu, he’ll have to work on the other aspects of his game
Miye Oni (Yale) – Utah Jazz
If the Mountain West was the mid-major league of the second half, then the Jazz were the mid-major team of the second half, taking three guys in a nine-pick span. Oni has the build and athleticism of a high-major player.