The kings of college basketball
Travis Willmann, Sports Editor
Courtesy of pixabay.com
It is that time of year again in the sports world, where all eyes turn to the sport of basketball. Tensions are high across the sport because players are trying to show their perspective teams why they belong. Competitors that have just arrived on their college campuses are not only trying to impress their coaches but NBA scouts as well. Players know that only 32 athletes can make it in the first round of the NBA draft and get that contract they have worked so hard to receive. But before they can go to the NBA, they have to play at least one year in college. However, that does not stop NBA teams from scouting these stars and ranking them according to their skill.
Coming in at number one is the number one player in the country coming out of High School, RJ Barrett. According to SI.com, Barrett has a very well-rounded skill set that does not leave much to be desired. However, one of the biggest questions is his three-point shot. His three-point shot is different, and it does leave some NBA teams with questions. This should not hurt his draft potential and should be the number one draft pick once the NBA draft rolls around, according to SI.com. Barrett is also on a loaded Duke team that many picks to win the ACC championship and make a run for the National Championship as well. With all this to consider and Coach Krzyzewski’s coaching ability, Barrett should have no problem taking the number one spot in the draft.
Barrett joins another Duke freshman Cameron Reddish, who is picked to go second overall in the 2019 NBA draft. Reddish is a 6-foot 8-inch, 218-pound shooting guard from Norristown, PA, according to 247 sports. Reddish has the unique ability to play across four positions while being able to pass, dribble and shoot the ball. His uniqueness will come in handy for Duke who will be starting three freshmen, all in the top five. Since Reddish has a deadly step back three, his playing style will help him at Duke and in the NBA. Reddish comes in at number two in the prospect list simply because of Barrett who is number one. Reddish will be able to compliment Barrett, since Barrett can only play one or two positions on the court, according to espn.com.
It has been a while since the University of North Carolina had a player in top five prospects going into the 2018-19 basketball season, but Nassir Little makes up for it. Coming in as the number three player in the country, Little is a 6-foot, 6-inch, 220 pounds small forward from Orlando, Florida, according to 247 Sports. Little is already the size of most NBA small forwards and that is what is going to help the Tar Heels this coming season.
Europe has seen some great stars come from its countries and this year is no different. France’s Sekou Doumboya, who is only currently 17, comes in at number four. Doumboya first popped up on the NBA’s radar when he led France to a gold medal as their second-leading scorer in the 2016 FIBA U18 European Championship, according to SLAMonline.com. It is important to point out that at the time Doumboya was only 15 years old. Doumboya has since moved up to France’s most professional league where once again he is the youngest player on the court. This year he is hoping to make the jump from France to the United States to play in the NBA and if his draft projection holds out, he will.
Rounding out the top five, a player that seems to always put on a show, Zion Williamson. Williamson is a 6-foot 10-inch, 285-pound Power Forward from Spartanburg, S.C., according to 247sports. He is a perfect specimen of an NBA player already and he is only 18 years old. Completing Coach K’s team, Williamson will be a force to be reckoned with, according to ESPN.com. Williamson has already shown Duke and NBA scouts that he has what it takes to play at the collegiate level as well as the NBA level. ESPN.com said, “Williamson is the biggest star in college basketball and he hasn’t played one official game yet.” Williamson will be a star no matter what and his 1st round draft pick is already set in stone.
