2018 NBA Draft: Who Has Declared, Signed an Agent or Announced Return to School
I plan on keeping this updated as we find out more names until we get through the NCAA Tournament. As always I’ll be providing individual scouting reports leading up to the draft, breaking down 50 or so prospects. For now though we’ll just focus on quickly talking about some of the players and where they fall in declaring, signing an agent or returning to school. 11:59 pm on April 22 is the deadline for NBA early entry eligibility with 5:00 pm on June 11 being the early entry withdraw date. I’ll do my best to keep this as accurate as possible, but I’m sure a name or two will be missed.
Signing with an agent
Trae Young (Oklahoma – projected lottery pick) – He has decent size at 6’2? – he just looks smaller due to his weight, something that will change as he’ll likely add 10 pounds with NBA strength departments. He’s an excellent passer and can obviously score with anyone in the country. The biggest question will be his defense and if he can truly take advantage of playing in more space next year.
Deandre Ayton (Arizona – projected top-3 pick) - . He’s beyond polished, has showcased the ability to step out and hit jumpers and is blocking more than a shot per game. He has been put in some bad defensive positions on the floor when he’s out there with Ristic, but you can see why people are so high on him.
Mo Bamba (Texas – projected top-8 pick) – He’s an absolute freak defensively and has the ability to be a real game-changer on that side of the ball. He’s not as polished offensively as the other top guys here, especially the other bigs, but he’s the best defender of the group. He can fit in with a team that wants to play ‘small’ due to his ability to run the floor as well.
De’Anthony Melton (USC – projected late 1st round pick) – Melton missed this year due to eligibility questions stemming from the FBI fallout. He was someone who was able to impact the game without the ball in his hands last year and at 6’4? can guard multiple positions.
Allonzo Trier (Arizona – projected mid 2nd round pick) – I think Trier is an intriguing second round pick. This is a guy that can score at any level and that’s something that translates. He has good size for the wing, but the problem is he really struggles guarding anyone. He actually was pretty versatile this year, improving on his passing and rebounding despite being a high usage, ISO driven guy. He of course battled the NCAA with the suspensions due to a PED.
Keita Bates-Diop (Ohio State – projected late 1st round pick) – Bates-Diop was one of the breakout stars this year in college basketball earning second team All-American, after coming back from an injury-plagued sophomore year. Bates-Diop has good size on the wing at 6’7″ and his release point on his jumper adds to that. He’s got a smooth stroke, but will have to find a way to add some explosiveness to his game.
Anfernee Simons (IMG Academy – projected mid-late 1st round pick) - He’s a 6’4? combo guard that is viewed as a potential lead guard in the NBA. He has the ability to play both on and off the ball due to his ability to shoot, both off the bounce and in catch and shoot situations. He also has the ability to play both guard spots due to his athleticism. However, he does need to get stronger to play consistently at the next level.
Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri- projected top-5 pick) - Unfortunately college fans didn’t get to see much of Michael Porter Jr., this year as he played just 53 minutes, but he’s one of the most scouted prospects in the class. If he checks out with a clean bill of health he’s a lock for the top-5. At 6’10” he has unreal size to go with his ability to handle the ball and be a playmaker. He’s also an excellent rebounder. He’s someone who can be a franchise type player and what teams are looking for in this small-ball/positonless era.
Aaron Holiday (UCLA – projected late 1st/early 2nd round pick) - Holiday had a breakout season this year as the go-to guy for UCLA after being the 6th man last year. He showed the ability to play both on or off the ball during his time with Lonzo Ball. He has good length to play at the next level, especially on the defensive side of the ball. He’s almost exactly what you want in a backup point guard with that combined with his shooting/scoring ability
Harry Froling (Marquette – projected to play overseas)
Kostas Antetokounmp (Dayton – projected to play overseas)
Terry Larrier (UConn – projected free agent)
Testing the waters – declaring without an agent
Josh Okogie (Georgia Tech – projected late second rounder/rookie free agent)
Tyler Cook (Iowa – projected rookie free agent)
Jalen McDaniels (San Diego State – projected late second rounder/rookie free agent)
Jon Davis (Charlotte – projected rookie free agent)
Lindell Wigginton (Iowa State – projected late second rounder/rookie free agent)
Deng Adel (Louisville – projected late second rounder/rookie free agent)
Ray Spalding (Louisville – projected late second rounder/rookie free agent)
Fletcher Magee (Wofford – projected rookie free agent)
Kameron Chatman (Detroit – projected rookie free agent)
Bruce Brown (Miami – projected late 1st-early 2nd round pick)
Kameron Chatman (Detroit – projected rookie free agent)
Yoeli Childs (BYU – projected rookie free agent)
Jon Elmore (Marshall – projected rookie free agent)
Terence Davis (Ole Miss – projected rookie free agent)
Dikembe Dixson (UIC, hasn’t announced agent or not agent – rookie free agent)
Carsen Edwards (Purdue – projected rookie free agent)
Jarrey Foster (SMU – projected late 2nd rounder/rookie free agent)
Robert Franks (Washington State – projected rookie free agent)
Ethan Happ (Wisconsin – projected rookie free agent)
Shamorie Ponds (St. John’s – projected rookie free agent)
Demajeo Wiggins (Bowling Green – projected rookie free agent)
Justin Wright-Foreman (Hofstra – projected rookie free agent)