ACC Basketball: Ranking of top 15 prospects for 2020 NBA Draft

12. T.J. Gibbs, G, Notre Dame

DOB:

• October 9, 1997 (23)

SIZE:

• 6’3″, 185 lbs

PROS:

• Consistent three-point threat
• Good shooter from all areas of the floor
• Plus athleticism

CONS:

• Struggles scoring in tight
• Subpar playmaker
• Lazy defender

DRAFT GRADE:

• Late 2nd Round – Undrafted

There’s no denying that T.J. Gibbs was a great player at Notre Dame, as he was a staple in their offense over the three seasons that he was a starter. A combo guard who can shoot the ball extremely well from three, Gibbs has a lot of the tools NBA general managers look for when drafting backcourt players.

However, there are some knocks on Gibbs’ game, as he is a lazy defender and doesn’t score well around the rim. With that being said, every NBA team will always be in the market for more shooters, so watch for someone to take a shot on Gibbs at the end of round two.

11. Markell Johnson, G, NC State

DOB:

• August 25, 1998 (22)

SIZE:

• 6’1″, 175 lbs

PROS:

• Very good playmaker
• High basketball IQ
• Solid scorer from all areas of the floor
• Pretty quick

CONS:

• While he can score from everywhere, it’s very inconsistent
• Small and not very strong
• Overly aggressive on defense

DRAFT GRADE:

• Late 2nd Round – Undrafted

When watching tape of Markell Johnson, he always seems to stand out – sometimes in a great way, sometimes not so much. The former NC State point guard is a pass-first guard who still has the ability to put the ball in the bucket, leaving defenders on their heels and guessing as to what he is going to do.

Where the negatives come into play with Johnson is with his scoring consistency and his size, as he is often bullied and taken advantage of on the defensive end. Expect to see a team take a shot on him as a late second-rounder due to his ability to manage the game offensively with the hopes they can add some more muscle to his 175 lb frame.

10. Mamadi Diakite, F, Virginia

DOB:

• January 21, 1997 (23)

SIZE:

• 6’9″, 230 lbs

PROS:

• Plus athleticism
• Non-stop motor
• Good inside scorer
• Rim protection potential

CONS:

• Can’t create offense on his own
• Inconsistent jumper
• Overly aggressive
• Struggles to guard both inside and on the perimeter

DRAFT GRADE:

• Late 2nd Round – Undrafted

Mamadi Diakite is an interesting case, as he will be a 24-year-old rookie by January 2021. Some would argue that taking a wild card on a 24-year-old isn’t wise, but Diakite showed some great promise during his final season at Virginia. On the defensive end he was an anchor as a rim protector, and on top of that developed his offensive versatility as well.

However, there are still negatives in his game, as he can’t create his own shot on offense and defensively struggles on both the perimeter and in the post. With that being said, there have been plenty of late bloomers in the past before, and I can see a team taking a second-round flyer on Diakite.