The 8 Players in the NBA Draft with the Most Unwavering Confidence
Unwavering confidence is a trait all elite NBA players possess. From Stephen Curry's willingness to pull the trigger 20 feet behind the three-point line to Russell Westbrook's relentless assault at the rim, confidence breeds success.
With the NBA draft coming up on June 23, a few things are set in stone: Prospects will be evaluated, selected and debated over until the season kicks into full gear.
One thing we do know is there are a handful of players who ooze confidence. NBA scouts analyzing all of the collegiate tape out there can become drawn to these guys.
Ahead of draft night, here are eight players who exhibit unyielding confidence. Like Curry or Westbrook, these players may combine self-assurance with their skill sets to reach NBA stardom.
Buddy Hield
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Buddy Hield became a media darling during the 2016 NCAA tournament. He helped the Oklahoma Sooners reach the Final Four and did it all with a propensity and understanding for how to score the basketball.
Unwavering confidence is best displayed when the times get tough. Hield proved that throughout all of March Madness, averaging 25.2 points per game, according to CBS Sports.
The senior guard is now headed to the NBA, where he's projected to go somewhere in the top 10—No. 7 overall to the Denver Nuggets in CBS Sports writer Sam Vecenie's latest mock. He's going to need all of that confidence if he wants to make it on the grandest stage of them all.
Brandon Ingram
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Brandon Ingram's run at Duke showcased all of the makings for a multi-talented, diverse wing player. At 6'9", Ingram possesses an ability to score the basketball and bounce between different positions on defense.
Speaking on the issue of confidence, Ingram proved during his tenure at Duke—though brief—he was built for life in the league. Drawing comparisons to Tayshaun Prince by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, Ingram's frame bleeds versatility.
Ingram tends to dazzle and has no problem creating his own shot. He already is a courageous scorer that doesn't back away from a challenge.
He just needs to put on a little more weight in order to maintain a level of effective play. One thing we do know is his averages of 17.3 points per game and 6.8 rebounds bode well for teams in search of a confident, do-it-all player.
Nic Moore
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Nic Moore's career at SMU was all about a talented point guard running a legendary head coach's offense with charisma and confidence.
Paired with coach Larry Brown, Moore took control of the SMU offense with a sense of fearlessness. His 16.1 points per game and 5.2 assists were impressive totals. They were further enhanced by the fact Moore stands at 5'9" and 170 pounds.
Moore's size is similar to that of Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas—who checked in at 5'9", 185 pounds. That just means the odds are stacked against him.
Jon Rothstein over at CBS Sports dubbed him "the least appreciated player in college basketball." Which is criminal considering he never wavers in the confidence department and brings the ruckus on the offensive end of the floor.
Needless to say, it should be fun to see a confident player like Moore get his shot in the NBA, whether that comes by way of the draft or as an unsigned free agent.
Kris Dunn
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Kris Dunn isn't from a huge school. However, that hasn't shaken the Providence point guard's confident style of play.
Dunn spent the 2015-16 season leading the Friars with 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. A 6’4” frame further enhanced his effectiveness on the court.
Where Dunn's unwavering confidence emerges from is when he attacks the lane. He's a space-eater, a guy who can get to the hoop quickly to score or dish the rock off to an open man.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman raved about Dunn's lane-attacking ability. "Dunn is terrific in the open floor, where he can weave through traffic and set up teammates for easy layups or open threes," Wasserman penned.
Confidence comes in many forms. Dunn's is unique considering the fact he's an ambitious floor general that had the luxury of playing at a smaller school.
His NBA career should be a fun one to follow, as he grows up a bit more and smooth the edges of his game out.
Jaylen Brown
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A common thread we've seen in this slideshow is each one of the names so far are prominent scorers. Jaylen Brown is cut from the same cloth as his peers in the scoring department.
Brown's stay at California was full of striking offensive images. At 6'7", 225 pounds, he found himself slicing to the basket and drawing contact with opposing defenders. Bleacher Report's C.J. Moore agrees, writing "Brown is excellent in transition and thrives on going at defenders when they're on their heels."
His confidence stems from contact. That quality alone should give Brown a chance at realizing NBA stardom.
It's also why Nicholas Goss of NESN mocked him going No. 6 overall. He comes across on tape as nothing short of a convincing playmaker—something that's bound to impress scouts.
Tyler Ulis
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Like SMU's Nic Moore, Kentucky point guard Tyler Ulis enters the NBA draft as an extremely undersized, yet dangerous threat.
Discussing what makes him special, CBS Sports' Sam Vecenie continuously called on his grittiness. The 5'9" guard quickly took over running John Calipari's offense. In fact, Calipari was so impressed by Ulis, he called him "the best floor general" he's ever had the honor of coaching.
When you consider he's coached Eric Bledsoe, John Wall and Derrick Rose, those words really mean something.
Ulis isn't limited to the offensive end of the floor. As the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year, his unwavering confidence is derived from hard work.
Having a superior offensive arsenal and being tough on defense make the prospect of drafting Ulis ultra-enticing for NBA teams missing a true point guard.
Jamal Murray
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John Calipari has continuously built a program full of collegiate stars. Jamal Murray is another worker to come off of that basketball assembly line.
Murray is a 6'5" point guard whose game has been dedicated to scoring the ball. He never eases up while getting to the rim. You have no choice but to appreciate a player like him when watching the film.
Bleacher Report's C.J. Moore scouted Murray back in January. He came to this logical conclusion: "He not only has the skill level to be a scorer at the next level, but he also has extreme confidence in his self and his game and a willingness to be the go-to guy."
Murray's tape oozes confidence on both ends of the floor. He's an ambassador on the court that should excel in the pros.
Denzel Valentine
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After all the talk about confidence stemming from the offensive end of the floor, it's fitting that we end things with a guy who can really do it all.
Denzel Valentine might be ranked as the third-best small forward in this year's class, according to ESPN, but his tape weaves more of a compelling tale.
The 6'5" Valentine not only a rugged defender, but as his stats indicate, he's also a complete player. Valentine took over as senior, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. His confident play was apparent all year long.
This year's NBA draft is littered with uber-confident players like Valentine. Few are as well-rounded as the man who cut his teeth at Michigan State.
All stats and information via Sports-Reference.com, unless noted otherwise.
