NBA Draft 2020: 10 biggest pending decisions that affects 2020-21 season

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen 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) /

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TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Filip Petrusev #3 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

5. Filip Petrusev – Gonzaga Bulldogs

After sitting behind a pair of future first-round NBA Draft picks (Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke) as a freshman, Petrusev broke out this past season as Gonzaga’s leading frontcourt option. He averaged a team-leading 17.5 ppg and 7.9 rpg and won WCC Player of the Year on the top-2 ranked team.

The 6’11 forward was one of the best pure post players in the country and had huge games in big moments, including going fo 22 points and 15 rebounds against Oregon, 27 versus Saint Mary’s and going for a career-high 31 at Santa Clara. From a statistical standpoint, Petrusev is near his peak with the Bulldogs, with so much talent surrounded by him. That includes his backup Drew Timme, who has some real draft potential of his own in the future.

But that doesn’t mean that the star forward can’t still improve on some areas. Petrusev only shot 41 three-pointers in the past two seasons, partly because he’s some dominant inside that the staff prefers he stays in there. Speaking of the perimeter, he struggles a bit against screens and pick n rolls, which is a problem for scouts at the next level. If he could improve in those two areas alone, he’d be a clear-cut first-round NBA Draft pick.

As of now, Petrusev is slated to be drafted in the second round this year if he declares and then stays. Would that be good enough for a player who, if he comes back to the Bulldogs, would be a preseason All-American and part of likely the No. 1 team in the country if the AP poll comes out? Unless he wants to leave Spokane, I think it makes the most sense to come back for one more year and remain the featured player.

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