With the 2015 draft in the books, all eyes turn to 2016. I’ve just started to really watch a lot of these guys, so this big board will change quite a bit in the coming months. It’s also worth noting that I have only watched a handful of the international guys, so more of those will get added over the next few months.
1. Skal Labissiere, PF, Kentucky
There are still some questions as to whether Labissiere will be eligible at Kentucky next season (though if you’re a top prospect trying to get eligible, Teflon John is the guy to commit to) but regardless he figures to be at worst a top 5 pick next June. The Haiti native projects to be a really good rim protector and rebounder, and his offensive game is already starting to come along. He has a developing offensive game, but for now is definitely best in transition and on offensive rebounds.
2. Ben Simmons, F, Montverde/LSU
The number 1 ranked recruit in his class, Simmons doesn’t have the raw athleticism of a couple other guys in his draft class, but his basketball IQ has blown me away every time he’s played. He’s 6’10” but doesn’t have a giant wingspan or standing reach, which may limit his ceiling a bit, but he can play multiple positions and is an incredible passer. Simmons can score but can also be the ballhandler in the pick and roll.
3. Dragan Bender, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv/Croatia
Bender is already on scouts’ radars, but lost an opportunity to compete against some of the players he will be competing against for draft position at the U-19 world championships when he refused to play in the Jordan Brand shoes that Croatia plays in. Bender is represented by Adidas, and Croatia wouldn’t let him play in those shoes.
As for his play on the court, Bender is one of the more hyped European prospects ever, possessing a wingspan roughly equivalent to Kevin Durant, and possessing the ball handling ability of a player much smaller. He’s a good shooter, and has improved his strength and athleticism over the last year.
4. Brandon Ingram, F, Kingston, NC/Duke
Ingram is a rail-thin swingman who has a pretty versatile offensive game. He has a quick first step, good jumper and has the potential to defend well. He is under 200 pounds, so he obviously has a lot to work on in terms of his body (as a sidenote, Duke might not be the best place to do that given the complaints about Jabari Parker and Jahlil Okafor) but Ingram’s potential is sky high.
5. Jaylen Brown, F, Marietta, GA/Cal
Brown became the last member of Cal’s jewel of a recruiting class, and he’s probably the best of the bunch. Brown measured 6’6.5″ in shoes at the Hoop Summit and has a pretty good wingspan. I think he’s rawer than some other people do, but he’s done some good work on his jumper already and I like that he’s trying to fix it now rather than waiting until next year or after he gets into the NBA.
6. Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah
The Utes sophomore to be probably could have left after his freshman season, but I expect him to explode onto the scene as a sophomore. Poeltl was one of the best offensive rebounders in the country as a freshman, and shot 68.3 percent on twos. He also had a block percentage just under nine percent and protected the rim extremely well for Utah. Poeltl could stand to add some muscle but he looks like a tremendous prospect.
Kris Dunn
7. Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
Dunn should probably be the top point guard off the board, although teams will be wary of his injury risk. Dunn led the nation in assist rate at an incredible 50 percent, and is one of just four players to have an assist rate of 50 percent or higher in the KenPom era. He’s an amazing playmaker who really improved his jumper last season.
8. Henry Ellenson, C, Rice Lake, WI/Marquette
Ellenson was measured at 6-9.5 without shoes by USA Basketball last year, and has a ton of skill for his size. Ellenson is a good passer, ballhandler, and perimeter shooter, and is good with both hands. He’ll improve defensively and has a chance to be a riser as the year goes on.
9. Diamond Stone, C, Milwaukee, WI/Maryland
Stone is the key recruit for what is expected to be one of the best teams in the country next year, and it’s not hard to see why Mark Turgeon was so excited at getting a commitment from Stone. He’s more raw than Ellenson but has pretty good measurables. He has a wide body that he uses to get position in the post, but doesn’t have a very diverse post game yet. He also needs to get into better shape.
10. Malik Newman, G, Jackson, MS/Mississippi State
Newman has athleticism in spades but has shown horrendous shot selection and doesn’t have great size or strength. He can get hot from deep and get to the rim well, but needs to improve his playmaking as I doubt he has much of a shot as a shooting guard in the NBA. Fortunately for him, Ben Howland has done a good job at sending guards to the NBA.
Svi Mykhailiuk
11. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, G/F, Kansas
Mykhailiuk played sparingly as a freshman at Kansas, but figures to have a much greater role next season. Though not a great leaper, Mykhailiuk is a very good side to side athlete which allows him to defend multiple positions. He didn’t shoot it well in a Kansas uniform last year, but shot over 40 percent on 3-pointers in the Ukrainian league and has a picture perfect jumper. He’s incredibly smart, has potential as a defender and a scorer, and is still just 18 even though he’ll be a sophomore.
12. Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga
Sabonis was a great rebounder and efficient shooter as a freshman for the Zags, though he didn’t have a big role in the offense. He wasn’t much of a passer or shooter, and I am hesitant to rank him this high due to his extremely low block and steal rates, but there’s something about Sabonis that I love.
13. Caris LeVert, G, Michigan
LeVert missed virtually all of last season with an injury, but has a good chance to be the next in line of Big 10 players of the year who then become lottery picks under John Beilein. LeVert can play the 1, 2, or 3 at 6-7, can handle the ball well, shoot it well, and blends into the backcourt of virtually any team seamlessly due to his versatility.
14. Cheick Diallo, PF, Mali/Kansas
Diallo becomes the second big man recruit from Africa to commit to the Jayhawks, though he will remind Jayhawks fans more of Thomas Robinson than Joel Embiid. He doesn’t have a diverse post game yet, but he runs the floor well, can handle it a bit, and is a terror both on the glass and in transition. A second year in Lawrence might benefit him, but he’ll play harder than anyone on the team from day one.
15. Nigel Hayes, PF, Wisconsin
16. Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame
17. Jamal Murray, PG, Canada/Kentucky
18. Kennedy Meeks, PF, North Carolina
19. Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina
20. Troy Williams, SF, Indiana
21. Malik Pope, PF, San Diego State
22. Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt
23. Dwayne Bacon, SG, Lakeland, FL/Florida State
24. Melo Trimble, G, Maryland
25. Amida Brimah, C, UConn
26. Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma
27. James Webb, SF, Boise State
28. Caleb Swanigan, PF, Purdue
29. Brice Johnson, F, North Carolina
30. Wayne Selden, G, Kansas
