2020 NBA Draft: Tyrese Maxey, Kira Lewis big rising in latest Big Board
21. RJ Hampton – New Zealand Breakers – 6’5, 188 lbs – February 2001
When Hampton reclassified up into the 2019 class, he was the No. 5 prospect in the 247 rankings. But after a limited and uneven year in the NBL, I’ve cooled on the Texas native. The appeal of Hampton is a big guard that can hypothetically play and defend either guard spot. He’s a good athlete with terrific burst and had some flashes of impressive vision. But right now Hampton’s game is much more upside than actual substance. He averaged just under nine points per game in Australia, but shot 40% from the field and 29% from three.
When Hampton succeeded in high school, he often used his size advantage over smaller players but in the NBL that advantage disappeared. As a defender, Hampton was pretty atrocious. He had little concept of team defense and was lost off the ball. He’s still pretty young but older than other guards in his draft range, making his upside less appealing. Given Hampton’s size, youth, and sheer athletic tools, he’ll likely go much higher than 21. But he needs a lot of development because he doesn’t have any bankable NBA skill right now.
22. Isaiah Stewart – Washington – 6’9, 250 lbs – May 2001
Stewart is a high-floor, low-ceiling, old school prospect. A true back to the basket big man, he churned out a super productive season at Washington. Despite the Huskies’ lack of team success, Stewart posted a +7.4 BPM, and a 26.9 player efficiency rating, which was third in the conference. He’s undersized for a center but makes up for it in physicality. Stewart does not get pushed off his spot super easily, and can wall-up opposing bigs on defense. Stewart’’s downfall is as an athlete given he can’t jump very high and isn’t overly quick. He was a poor jump shooter in college but he’s got workable mechanics and had a good free throw percentage with high volume (77.4%). He also is a slow processor that missed simple reads. His 0.8:2.2 assist to turnover ratio is alarming.
Even if Stewart becomes a pseudo-shooter, he’s probably a back-up big man at best. All reports signal him as a high-character kid who works hard and that signals a long career, even if it is as a backup.
23. Aleksej Pokusevski – Olympiacos – 7’0, 200 lbs – December 2001
Pokusevski is the most unique prospect in this class. He’s a 7 footer with good shooting touch and advanced passing skills, similar to a guard. Some of the best passing flashes in this class outside of Ball and Haliburton have come from watching Pokesuevski. The biggest question with Pokusevski is how much weight can he add to his frame so he can guard at the NBA level. He gets pushed around pretty easily in a weaker European league and is a long way away from guarding any kind of NBA frontcourt player.
He also has shown the ability to finish with either hand but struggles against contact. But Pokusevski is also one of the youngest players in this class and can be an intriguing stash player for a team in the teens. Given his age and shooting capability, Pokusevski could turn into a useful NBA player down the line. However, his frame will have to come a long way.
24. Malachi Flynn – San Diego State – 6’1, 185 lbs – May 1998
San Diego State’s magical run this season was led by the savvy guard. He’s already 22 years old and one of the more NBA ready guards in the class. Flynn was the most impactful backcourt player in college hoops last season, posting an 11.7 BPM. He’s a terrific pick-and-roll player, who can shoot off screens and make the proper reads. He can hit catch and shoot threes as well as mid-range jumpers. He can finish with both hands but lacks athleticism at the rim. I worry about his ability to create off the dribble, but in a pick-and-roll heavy scheme, he should be fine. Defensively, Flynn battles and has good awareness and should be at least net neutral there.
Given his shooting, Flynn has equity playing on or off the ball. His age and lack of athleticism lower his ceiling, but a good team should look at him in the back end of the first round because Flynn should be an impactful rotation player.
25. Xavier Tillman – Michigan State – 6’8, 245 lbs – January 1999
Tillman is a player I have seen in person a bunch over his three-year college career, and every time I see him he gets better. The reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is coming off of two of the most impactful seasons in Big Ten history. He posted Player Impact Plus/Minus numbers of +8.23 and +7.24, which both rank in the top ten for Big Ten players this decade. He also led the country in BPM last season.
Despite being undersized for a center, Tillman uses his strength to push other centers off the block. He handled the likes of Luka Garza, Daniel Oturu, and Jalen Smith in one-on-one matchups last season. He is not a super switchable perimeter defender but thrived in drop coverage and icing ball screens. He won’t be an elite rim protector due to lack of athleticism, but he blocked 2.1 shots per game last year and has great instincts.
Offensively, he’s the best passing big man in the class. He makes insane reads off the pick-and-roll and would thrive in that type of offense in the NBA. Shooting will be the swing skill for Tillman (he made only 26% from deep last year) but his mechanics are encouraging and I think he could develop a corner three. A good NBA team picking in the late first will have a golden opportunity to snag a player ready to contribute to a winning team.