2020 NBA Draft: 5 prospects flying under radar for upcoming draft
Elijah Hughes, G/F, Syracuse
Why Elijah Hughes isn’t a guaranteed first round pick is a mystery.
This is a guy who makes basketball look so easy. Averaging 19 points a game, Hughes is an effortless scorer with a confidence rarely seen in players. The term “pure hooper” is so kitschy, but it perfectly describes Hughes’ game. He’s simply a shot maker, a guy who can get it from anywhere on the floor. Think T.J Warren with more athleticism.
Hughes was an elite isolation scorer, ranking #4 in all of college basketball and #1 in the ACC with 4.0 iso points per game. Some guys just have a certain knack for scoring the basketball, and Hughes has it.
He was no doubt Syracuse’s best offensive player last year, proving he can shoulder a huge load. While his shooting numbers don’t jump off the page, he has good form on his shot and it shouldn’t be a problem at the next level. He’s an elite shooter off the dribble with unlimited range.
If he can improve his finishing at the rim, there might not be an offensive flaw in his game.
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Playing in a 2-3 zone under Jim Boeheim, his defensive ability isn’t really on display, but he has shown flashes of being a good defender.
It wouldn’t be surprising at all if Elijah Hughes ends up as one of the best players in this draft class.