NCAA Basketball: Biggest losers from extended 2020 NBA Draft deadline

1. Kentucky

John Calipari is accustomed to seeing players shuffle in and out during his tenure at Kentucky, but usually, those that leave get drafted. Seeing Tyrese Maxey (No. 8 on my board) and reigning SEC Player of the Year Immanuel Quickly (top-50) declare was no surprise. But the Wildcats also lost Nick Richards, Ashton Hagans, and EJ Montgomery to the draft. In addition. Nate Sestina graduated and Johnny Juzang transferred, meaning Keion Brooks is the only returning rotation player.

Quickley is not a lock to be drafted, but I am unsure how he could have boosted his stock anymore. In a full-time starting role, Quickley bumped his scoring up double-digits to 16 points per game, he also improved as a shooter making 42% of his threes. He’s one of the best pure shooters in the draft. But Quickley is a bit undersized for a two-guard and lacks on-ball skills. Quite frankly, he lacks most of the other skills. But his pure shooting should give him a good chance at getting drafted.

Hagans entered the year as a potential draft pick, but scouts (me included) really soured on him. He was an atrocious shooter from deep (25%) and can’t create for others at an NBA level. Defensive is his calling card but he needs way more offensive abilities to stick and I’m not betting on that.

Meanwhile, Richards made strides last season. But he’s an undersized big who can’t protect the rim or shoot at a high clip. Montgomery proved very little in his two years at Kentucky and is nowhere close to playing in the NBA.

In typical Calipari fashion, he has reloaded the roster with incoming freshmen The Wildcats bring in five top 50 players, headlined by BJ Boston and Terrance Clarke who are both top 10. Kentucky will be good, especially if Olivier Sarr and Jacob Toppin can get waivers. But, they’ll miss the veteran presence that has aided them the most few seasons. In a deep and talented SEC, the Wildcats are no longer the clear cut favorite.