NBA Draft 2020: Top 4 prospects separate themselves in latest mock draft

By Brian Rauf | Dec 7, 2019

PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 12: James Wiseman #32 of the Memphis Tigers and Anthony Mathis #32 of the Oregon Ducks battle for position during the second half of the game at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 26: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs takes a jump shot over Aaron Henry #11 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 26, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

A top-tier of 2020 NBA Draft prospects has emerged from the pool of eligible players. Who are they, and who else is rising up draft boards?

The 2020 NBA Draft is still seven months away but, after the first month of the college basketball season, we have a much clearer idea about who the top prospects in the national actually are.

There has been plenty of movement throughout this first month, too. Dayton forward Obi Toppin appears to have secured a place in the lottery with his play at the Maui Invitational thanks to his versatile offensive game. Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton has made a big jump as well, going from a projected late first-rounder to a potential lottery selection.

At the same time, several top recruits have fallen. Duke’s Matthew Hurt came into the season as a five-star prospect and likely lottery selection, but most believe he is more of a second-round pick than first-rounder at this point. Kentucky’s Kahlil Whitney is another player that has seen his stock fall drastically due to an underwhelming opening month.

All the said the most significant development through November and early December has been the clear separation of the top group of prospects in this class.

Memphis’ James Wiseman, Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, and North Carolina’s Cole Anthony have all distanced themselves from the pack as the best tier of prospects in college basketball. All three are in contention to be the No. 1 pick along with LaMelo Ball, who bypassed college and has been tearing up the National Basketball League in Australia while playing for the Illawarra Hawks.

Those four players will, in all likelihood, be the top four picks of the draft in whichever order, and all have superstar potential. There is a bit of a drop off after them, too, but not as steep as last year’s drop behind Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett.

Where will those four players end up, and who are the top prospects behind them? Here are the latest projections in our new mock 2020 NBA Draft.

*Draft order from Tankathon.com*

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