NBA Draft 2022: Evaulating key prospects after first month of season

Alabama

Keon Ellis – Senior – Alabama – 6’6, 170 lbs – January 2000

A preseason favorite of mine, Ellis had a solid night in Memphis. He shot just 3-10 from deep, but the mechanics look good and he hit some tough shots off the move. He also showed off his athleticism with a transition dunk.

Ellis’ defense was also on display, making things difficult on Memphis’ wings and having some flashes of team defense. He’s not overly quick or long, but looks the part of an NBA wing and has an understanding of how to play on that end.

Ellis is skinnier than I thought, and maybe a tad shorter than 6’6. He doesn’t do much on the ball and as someone about to turn 22, I’m not sure how much room he has to grow. But he is already polished on both ends and could contribute to an NBA team tomorrow. Ellis’ has a high-enough ceiling to warrant a first-round selection. He wouldn’t be the first player I’d take in the draft from this game, but it wouldn’t shock me if he had the best career.

JD Davison – Freshman – Alabama – 6’3, 195 lbs – October 2002

After a slow start to the season, Davison has had a nice stretch of basketball lately. That continued on Tuesday. Davison’s passing chops stuck out, finishing with 10 assists and making some pretty advanced reads.

Davison’s handle isn’t great right now, but he’s got enough counters to go with his plus speed and strength to get downhill. He’s better in transition than in the half-court, and his pick-and-roll possessions have been mixed, struggling to score at times. Davison still looks hesitant to shoot (0-1 from deep against Memphis), but his form is workable.

Defensively, Davison is using his gifts to wreak havoc. I don’t find him particularly high-feel on that end or technical, yet it hasn’t manifested issues so far. The tools alone give him a pathway to contribute as a good defender that can defend both guard spots at the next level.

Davison is clearly a bit raw, but there aren’t many guards in this class with his passing chops and athleticism. The areas of weakness are places he can and will grow in. In an uninspiring guard class, Davison’s base makes him someone I’d target in the late lottery, mid-first-round.

Jaden Shackelford – Junior – Alabama – 6’3, 195 lbs – February 2001

Shackelford had been on a shooting tear entering Tuesday night (19 points per game, 45% from three on 8.8 attempts per game), so I was starting to come around on the idea of him as an NBA player. However, Shackelford’s limitations were on display, shooting just 4-12 from the floor, with one assist and four turnovers.

Shackelford is a crafty scorer but lacks some of the athletic tools to produce at the next level. Outside of his shooting ability (off the catch and move), I’m not sure how much of the package translates. He’s undersized for a shooting guard and doesn’t have the playmaking to play the point. Defensively, he doesn’t offer a ton of value. Shackelford is a great college player, who could even become a good G-League or overseas scoring guard. I just have a hard time seeing it translate to the NBA.