The Top Prospect at Every Position in 2018 NBA Draft Class
The 2018 NBA draft features a stud prospect at every position.
And there's variety, with freshmen, returning risers and one potential star overseas. Teams expected to select early in the lottery should be able to fill any specific hole.
Even though the following five players can all play multiple spots, there is one position that's best suited for each based on their strengths and weakness.
Point Guard: Collin Sexton (Alabama, Freshman)
1 of 5
Projected draft range: Top 10
Stat predictions: 17.0 points, 4.0 assists, 45% FG, 30% 3PT
The point guard discussion starts with Collin Sexton, whose NBA case is built around scoring, athleticism and competitiveness.
Lightning off the bounce, he doesn't need a ball screen to drive or break down the defense. A blur in transition and fearless attacker, Sexton is going to rack up points in the paint and from the free-throw line.
He'll create highlights with both his ball-handling and explosive leaping at the rim. Away from it, he's comfortable pulling up or lofting in a floater. His jumper gives him the edge over the shaky-shooting Trevon Duval from Duke.
Showing he can settle down and manage an offense will clearly be priority No. 1 for Sexton, who has the tendency to get carried away going one-on-one. At the same time, when his confidence is pumping, he's the type of weapon capable of taking over a game and lifting a team or crowd with contagious energy and relentless firepower.
Shooting Guard: Luka Doncic (Slovenia, 1999)
2 of 5
Projected draft range: Top five
Stat predictions: 10.0 points, 4.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 46.0% FG, 35.0% 3PT
Labeling Luka Doncic isn't necessary, given his unique game and rare versatility, though it would make sense to play him between a faster point guard and athletic wing.
Either way, he's a special player with an unteachable feel for the game and skills that can pick apart defenses.
Doncic compensates for lack of explosion with tight ball-handling, crafty maneuvers and basketball instincts. A masterful pick-and-roll facilitator, he creates easy shots for teammates by freezing defenders with change of speed before threading the needle or lofting a touch pass into a tight window.
Between EuroLeague, Spanish ACB and Spanish Cup, Doncic also made 76 threes through 80 games and shot 80.8 percent from the line—encouraging shooting numbers for his age. He's far more well-rounded than Miami's Lonnie Walker, our next-best 2.
Doncic just played a key role for Real Madrid in its EuroLeague Final Four run, which went through stiffer competition than any top NCAA prospect has seen. He could wind up more prepared for his NBA rookie year than any guard in the 2018 field.
Small Forward: Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri, Freshman)
3 of 5
Projected draft range: No. 1 overall
Stat predictions: 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 50.0% FG, 36% 3PT
Michael Porter's size and skill set suggest he's designed for the NBA 3, though in today's positionless league, he should be able to play anywhere from the 2 to the 4.
He's the type of offensive prospect who lottery teams will view as a future top option to feature and build around. Porter is a scorer, already equipped with pro-level moves into jumpers and a money three-point shot.
He separates and distinguishes himself from Miles Bridges, our No. 2 small/combo forward, with tighter handles, advanced perimeter shot-creating and off-the-dribble shooting.
It couldn't have looked easier for him than it did last summer at the FIBA Americas U-18 Championship, where he scored 30.1 points per 40 minutes on 53.3 percent shooting. Even as freshman, Porter should be one of college basketball's top players and the early favorite to go first in the 2018 draft.
.png?w=256)
Power Forward: Robert Williams (Texas A&M, Sophomore)
4 of 5
Projected draft range: Lottery
Stat prediction: 14.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 53.0% FG
In today's NBA, Robert Williams could play the 4 or 5 depending on his frontcourt mate. Traditionally, he's a power forward who'll impact games by making plays off the ball at both ends.
Wiilliams shook scouts' radars last year with athleticism and physical tools (7'4" wingspan) that translated to easy baskets (58.8 percent on twos), 12.6 rebounds per 40 minutes and a terrific 10.5 block percentage. He even swatted 11 three-pointers, which highlights his quickness, length and ability to cover ground.
Offensively, we saw flashes from Williams, who picked up most of his baskets by cutting, finishing, rim-running and crashing the glass. Long arms and bounce make Williams a weapon in the paint, even without the footwork or touch.
Occasionally, he showed he can make an over-the-shoulder hook or mid-range jumper. More frequent flashes of scoring in 2017-18 would suggest to scouts his skills are on track to catch up.
Duke's Wendell Carter should emerge as a strong 4-man prospect, but Williams has already proven himself.
Center: DeAndre Ayton (Arizona, Freshman)
5 of 5
Projected draft range: Top five
Stat prediction: 13.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 55.0% FG
NBA teams will look at DeAndre Ayton as their potential two-way anchor of the future.
He's been atop or near No. 1 on recruiting rankings since early high school, so scouts are already quite familiar.
Ayton's sales pitch starts with his 243-pound, grown-man body that features a 7'5 ½" wingspan and 9'3" reach. He's built for double-doubles and blocked shots.
Powerful, long and athletic, he's also more skilled than Mohamed Bamba, our No. 2 center and another possible top-five pick. Ayton can go to work with his back to the basket but also step out and knock down threes with a comfortable, projectable shooting stroke.
He'll make an impact right away based off his physical presence and bounce inside. But a developing jump shot takes his game to a new level and puts him in the mix at No. 1 overall.
All stats courtesy of sports-reference.com, hoop-math.com. Wingspans courtesy of DraftExpress.com
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
.jpg?w=600 "Ranking Every Team's Farm System 📊")