All early predictions for the 2019 NBA Draft class have been less than glowing. After a massive talent pool from this years draft, it’s safe to assume next year won’t yield the same results. That being said there are definitely some interesting players in this year’s crop of talent.

We are in the age of the one and done. So let’s assume the top recruits from this year’s high school recruiting class will be the ones whose names are called in the 2019 Draft. Let’s take a look at some of the talents at the top.

RJ Barrett

Shooting Guard Duke

Photo Cred- USAtodayhss.com

Barrett is a 6’7 shooting guard who will be a freshman at Duke this year. Barrett is an excellent athlete, with a 6’10 wingspan. His length gives him tremendous defensive upside and coupled with his mental toughness could make him a lockdown defender in the NBA.

Barrett is also a great passer for his age with high basketball IQ and can thread the needle as he sees fit. Barrett has excellent shooting mechanics for a 17-year-old. While he doesn’t take a lot of three-point attempts, he certainly has the potential to be a knockdown shooter. He averaged 38.5 percent on 39 attempts.

Barrett’s frame is lanky and he could get pushed around if he doesn’t develop lower body strength. He’s been a somewhat streaky shooter and that’s worrisome because he will only face tougher opponents when he gets to Duke.

Barrett has the upside to be great but needs to improve on giving a consistent level of effort. He looks disinterested in games at times and that could be a huge red flag for teams looking to take him first in the 2019 NBA draft.

Cam Reddish

Small Forward Duke

Photo Cred Youtube.comCam

Reddish could easily be the best player in this class. If he puts up great numbers at Duke he will all but solidly his place in the top 5 of the NBA Draft. His combination of quickness, length and skill are a lethal combination. At 6’7 with a 7’1 wingspan, Reddish could be an absolute nightmare on defense. With his lateral quickness, it’s easy to see how he could potentially be a 5 position defender in college and the NBA. Reddish is an excellent isolation player with great handles and court vision. Reddish is also a competent scorer with an assortment of tricks in his bag.

Although Reddish is listed as a small forward. In high school, he gravitated towards a point forward roll. Reddish averaged 22.6 points per game, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in the Nike D1 Circuit.

The knocks on Reddish are about his lack of explosiveness. As well as his shooting form and motor. Though he is a very capable shooter off the dribble. His mental toughness has also been brought into question. He has all the pieces but isn’t yet able to put them all together for a complete game.

Nassir Little

Small Forward UNC

Photo cred- 247sports.com

Nassir Little is a small forward who has explosive athleticism and elite scoring ability. Little plays with high intensity and is fearless on both ends of the floor. He has the ability to play with physicality, often playing through contact and turning narrow driving lanes into buckets.

Nassir Little is a nightmare on the defensive end. With his enormous wingspan at 7’2, he constantly is disrupting passes and protecting the rim. Even from much taller opponents. His lateral quickness combined with his length could make him a lockdown 5 position defender in College and the NBA.

Little has great shooting mechanics. Although they don’t always fall, this still shows promise. Little has a lightning fast first step that will help him speed by even the toughest defenders. Little’s shot hasn’t been consistent as of yet. That’s the name of the game for Little, always gives 100% effort. Though the returns on his efforts are not yet what they could be.

Bol Bol

Center Oregon

Photo cred-CBSSports.com

Bol Bol has the easiest name to remember in this draft. I mean come on Manute, couldn’t you have tried a little harder naming him? May you Rest In Peace. Regardless, this kid is a freak for his age. Standing 7’2 with a 7’8 wingspan at age 17 is ridiculous.

I compare Bol to Mo Bamba in many ways. They both have the excellent coordination with their size. Bol is an elite rim protector and a sneaky athlete. His defensive game is already at a very high level. Bol also has great handles for his height which could make him a threat to drive. He has incredible touch and routinely hits open threes. He is also an above average passer for someone his size.

Bol’s weaknesses are obvious. He is very skinny and is easily pushed around. His preference to take shots outside the paint to limit his potential post game. As well as his upside around the rim.

Zion Williamson

Power Forward Duke

Photo cred- USAtodayhhs.com

If you are a basketball fan with a pulse and an internet connection you have seen a Zion Williamson highlight tape. Videos of Williamson dunking on what appears to be dwarfs or elves is are everywhere. Serious question though, why are his opponents so short? Either way, he is an incredibly athletic player, an absolute bull in a china shop at 240 pounds.

Williamson is an explosive athlete and a human highlight reel. He has above average handles and has decent playmaking ability. Williamson is an A+ finisher around the rim. He is able to contort his body to make incredible plays. Williamson is able to easily finish plays through contact. He could be an and 1 machine.

Williamson is a potential 4 position defender in college and 3 position defender in the NBA. He plays hard on every play. Also possessing the size and strength to out-muscle his opponents. Now let’s go over his weaknesses.

The problems with Williamson’s game stem from his lack of shooting ability. How will he translate to the next level without a consistent shot? Williamson is all power and no finesse. Which he will need to work on if he wants to be an NBA standout. His wingspan is also 6’9, which isn’t what you want to see from a top 5 recruit.

Conclusion

While the draft is a full year away, these guys are the future. It will be interesting watching these players develop. How will Williamson, Reddish and Barrett effectively share touches at Duke? What is concerning is they all have similar builds and play similar ball dominant roles. Will this impede their development? Duke once again has a stacked draft class of 4 top 15 recruits. Which is impressive. But it may take away from how great they are individual.

I’m rooting for Bol Bol, a guy with a name like that is destined for greatness. It also helps that his late father was an absolute freak of an NBA talent.

While Reddish and Barrett both jockey for the number one spot in the rankings. I think Nassir Little shows the most promise and upside. He could very well end up a star in the NBA. And that wouldn’t be a “Little” achievement either.

If you would like to take a look at our 2018 Mock NBA Draft to see how we did. Here is the link.Here

This is a great piece on what the Pacers Declining Lance Stephenson’s option means Here

Or This on Marvin Bagleys fit within the Kings lineup.Here

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