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NBA Draft 2020: Updated Prospect Big Board Heading into Scouting Combine
May 19, 2020
The 2019-20 NBA regular season isn't the only thing that's been impacted for the league because of the coronavirus pandemic. The draft lottery and scouting combine were both postponed, and it's unclear when the 2020 draft might take place.
It's even possible there might not be a combine this year, which would take away an opportunity for prospects to impress NBA teams and scouts. However, ESPN's Tim Bontemps recently reported that the NBA is "still moving forward with hopes of holding it at some point later this year."
In the meantime, the downtime provides a good opportunity to get even more familiar with the top prospects in this year's draft, some of whom could end up being stars in the league. Here's a look at the top players who will be available to select in the 2020 draft.
Top 30 Big Board
1. Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
2. LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
3. James Wiseman, C, Memphis
4. Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
5. Killian Hayes, PG, Ratiopharm Ulm
6. Onyeka Okongwu, PF/C, USC
7. Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
8. Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
9. Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv
10. Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
11. Devin Vassell, SF, Florida State
12. Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky
13. Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, Memphis
14. Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL
15. Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington
16. Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
17. Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
18. RJ Hampton, SG, New Zealand Breakers
19. Saddiq Bey, SF, Villanova
20. Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Olympiacos
21. Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona
22. Patrick Williams, PF, Florida State
23. Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland
24. Jahmi'us Ramsey, SG, Texas Tech
25. Tre Jones, PG, Duke
26. Xavier Tillman, PF, Michigan State
27. Jaden McDaniels, SF/PF, Washington
28. Vernon Carey Jr., PF/C, Duke
29. Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
30. Josh Green, SG, Arizona
Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
One of the prospects most likely to be selected with the No. 1 pick, Anthony Edwards is poised to make a smooth transition to the NBA after his impressive lone college season at Georgia. A 6'5" wing player with tremendous scoring ability, Edwards should provide a boost to whichever team he joins to begin his professional career.
And if Edwards isn't the first player selected, then don't expect him to fall far, because there will likely be several teams near the top of the draft order with interest in the 18-year-old shooting guard.
"His name is the one I hear most as being the No. 1 guy, and he's pretty much a consensus top-three guy," The Athletic's Sam Vecenie recently wrote. "I still believe he has the highest upside because of his powerful athleticism and shot creation ability."
Edwards averaged 19.1 points per game and shot 40.2 percent from the field in 32 contests at Georgia while also contributing with 5.2 rebounds per game. If he can be more effective from three-point range (he shot 29.4 percent) and improve in a few other small areas of his game, he might develop into a top-tier player in the NBA in years to come.
LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
Because of his father LaVar and brothers Lonzo and LiAngelo, LaMelo Ball has been in the spotlight for much of his basketball career, despite still being only 18. However, after spending the past season playing for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia, the youngest Ball has continued to improve his game and is poised to go on to have success in the NBA.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman recently broke down the similarities and differences between Ball and the 22-year-old Lonzo and noted that he has the potential to be as strong of a player as the New Orleans Pelicans point guard.
"Best case, he's another elite setup man like Lonzo who can also double as one of his team's top scoring options," Wasserman wrote.
Ball is going to have plenty of teams interested in him as a talented point guard who could potentially get even better with time while continuing to be a top scoring threat. Don't be surprised when he's drafted within the first few picks just like Lonzo, who went No. 2 overall to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017.
James Wiseman, C, Memphis
When a team drafts James Wiseman early in this year's draft, they'll mostly be banking on talent and potential, especially if they don't get to see him at the scouting combine. That's because the 7-foot-1 center played only three games at Memphis, with his final contest coming in November.
However, there's a lot of talent and potential when it comes to Wiseman, who was one of the top recruits in the country when he was coming out of high school. Along with Edwards and Ball, Wiseman is a potential No. 1 selection, depending on which team owns the pick.
ESPN's Jay Bilas said earlier this month during an appearance on KNBR 680 that he believes Wiseman is the best prospect in this year's draft class.
"I'm a big believer in Wiseman and his ability. I think he could be special," Bilas said, according to Drew Shiller of NBC Sports.
It's likely that Wiseman will be the first post player selected in this year's draft, and he lives up to his potential in the NBA, he could become a star in the league in the years to come.