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NCAA Basketball: NBA Draft stock and Kentucky’s odds among key questions

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 9, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari huddles with his players during the first half against the Florida Gators at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari huddles with his players during the first half against the Florida Gators at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Gonzaga Bulldogs Corey Kispert Jalen Suggs Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Gonzaga Bulldogs Corey Kispert Jalen Suggs Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Which player has improved their NBA Draft stock the most since Nov 25?

Zinkula 

Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs has definitely helped his draft stock since the beginning of the season, but his teammate Corey Kispert has likely boosted his profile even more. The sharp-shooting senior seemed to be generally regarded as a top 30-40 prospect heading into the fall but now can be found in the top 10-20 of mock drafts. Kispert is shooting a blistering 47.9% from three, and at 6-7, has shown flashes of ball-handling and defensive capabilities that have surely made scouts take notice.

Tineo

The only logical answer to this question is Jalen Suggs. There are plenty of other players that have done well for themselves like UConn G James Bouknight or Florida’s F Keyontae Johnson.

Suggs displays an amazing passing ability, helped out by his football background. The former High School QB has 5.1 assists per game and has been one of the keys to Gonzaga’s dominance. There was uncertainty about the guard position with how well Suggs and Nembhard would transition to the program.

Since their 102-point outburst against Kansas, the answer has been clear. Suggs had some hype heading into the season, but he has played well above expectations.

Brown

I would say, Scottie Barnes. I thought his high school film was excellent, and the things he’s been able to do with Florida State has impressed me. If he’s not a top-10, top-15 pick by the end of the season, I will be shocked. Right now, he’s averaging 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists per game, and he’s led the team in scoring and assists several times this season.

He has the size and length to be a good defensive player at the next level, and he can bring the ball up the floor and handle it well.  According to the NBC Sports mock draft, he’s projected to go to Sacramento at No. 12.

Heiser

It seems like most of the top prospects have stayed about where we expected so far in terms of draft stock. I don’t know that anyone has improved on their stock more than Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert.

Prior to and early on in the season, the senior was projected as a second-round pick by most mocks. Now, he’s receiving legitimate mid-first round buzz after torching the nets on 60.8% from the field and 47.9% from three-point range. The NBA is a shooter’s league, and Kispert is a sniper.

Zacher

Jalen Suggs.  We all knew Suggs would be good for Gonzaga, but I don’t think we expected him to be this good this quickly.  He has cemented himself as a top 5 – if not top 3 – pick, alongside Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley.  He has the capability of getting to the rim at will, can score, and defends well.

He has to develop some better discipline when handling the ball – but if he can do that, he might have a stake in being the number one overall pick – which I’m not sure any of us expected heading into the season.

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