Fun to look back on later in the year, I remember by early "my guys" lineup for 2022 featured Andre Curbelo, Yannick Nzosa, and Taevion Kinsey lol so only take my good takes seriously please the rest you can throw in the garbage and never speak of again!
PG 1: Amen Thompson, Overtime Elite
I am not being hyperbolic in the slightest when I say that Amen Thompson is the best athlete to enter the NBA since Lebron James, with the argument that you have to go back even further to find a match being legitimate. His advantage creation is bonkers, with the best stand still burst from someone his height that I have ever seen. He moves faster than ANYONE forward, backward, side to side, up and down, with his hands or feet. All of these traits give him the ability to make plays that no one else even dreams of, which matters because he has the talent to back up his astounding athleticism. I like him slightly more than his twin brother (more on him later) because he's the superior passer and ball handler, with a better eye for making plays on the ball. He locks up on defense, and his ground coverage combined with his anticipation makes his highlight tape a menagerie of weak side blocks, interceptions, on ball swipes, and one on one stuffs. The shooting isn't there yet, but the form isn't terrible (not good either) and he showcases solid touch. If the shot ever gets there, he is a hall of fame talent.
PROJECTED BB RANGE: 1-5
SG 1: Ausar Thompson
Hey would you look at that! Very very similar to his brother all around, just fulfilling a different archetype. A tiny tiny bit below Amen as an athlete, but still a generational physical prospect that would be the best athlete in any draft in the past twenty years besides this one. At this moment in time, he is better at basketball than his brother, but because he has less on ball equity (Amen projects to be a PG IMO, Ausar as a wing), and his athleticism is marginally worse lowering his potential, I value him just a bit less. A bit better of an on ball defender, don't like him quite as much on the ball, but I am really nitpicking here, they are quite similar as players, so it only makes sense that I like them a similar amount. I wish they weren't in the OTE, their backs must be hurting from carrying the organization, but no bad situation can hide what they have; a prodigical amount of talent.
PROJECTED BB RANGE: 1-5
SF: Leonard Miller, G League Ignite
I can see him playing any position 1-4 once he gets to the league (another piece of evidence in favor of reconstructing positions to guard, wing, big (maybe adding a fourth classification of "athlete" as well)), but always bet on outlier movement skills. There hasn't been a player Millers size that can move like him since Ben Simmons (maybe), and that type of mind bending anomalous behavior forces me to give his relative rawness a pass. He is a good and crafty ball handler now, with excellent passing flashes, all on top of some of the most intriguing touch I have ever seen in a player, even if the shot is a ways away. When he's playing in a more serious system than his high school prep squad, solid defensive playmaking as well. Read me 11 page write up for more lol
PROJECTED BB RANGE: 7-14
PF: Alex Fudge, University of Florida
At this point, I hope you can deduce my type; immense basketball talents who kinda maybe sorta definitely need to work on their shooting. I was the captain of the Alex Fudge train last year, and if the rumors that he's grown to 6'9 without shoes are legitimate, he has very very real lottery potential this coming year. Defense is easier to translate to the NBA than offense, and Alex Fudge has a future where he is a DPOY contender, with his game breaking athleticism, anticipation, and feel for the game on defense. It never ceases to confuse me that Shareef O'Neal was getting the backup center minutes at LSU last year, considering that Fudge's combination of fluidity on both ends of the court and his consistently high motor was perfect for the scheme of the team. But now, in a new situation, with another year of training under his belt, I expect his shooting to tick up, thereby unlocking his excellent closeout attacking and cutting flashes (which are unlocked by his aforementioned fluidity), which will make his generational defense a legitimate weapon.
PROJECTED BB RANGE: 10-20
C: Mouhamed Gueye, Washington State University
Always bet on fluidity, especially when combined with size. I've had the opportunity of watching Mouhamed in person, and the pure athleticism really pops off the court. He moves like a smaller man, and I can't wait to see what he looks like with an increased role after Efe moves over to the G-League ignite (another player that I thought of including). I buy the touch, hitting some interesting shots, and further showcasing his potential with more seasoning and experience. Even without that training time, his defense is already impactful, with the ability to slide up and down positionally, using his length, motor, and lateral quickness to great effect. He might be more of a power forward than a center, but he has the athleticism to give plenty of role versatility. See a bit of Kai Jones in him
PROJECTED BB RANGE: 25-35
SG 1: Ausar Thompson
Hey would you look at that! Very very similar to his brother all around, just fulfilling a different archetype. A tiny tiny bit below Amen as an athlete, but still a generational physical prospect that would be the best athlete in any draft in the past twenty years besides this one. At this moment in time, he is better at basketball than his brother, but because he has less on ball equity (Amen projects to be a PG IMO, Ausar as a wing), and his athleticism is marginally worse lowering his potential, I value him just a bit less. A bit better of an on ball defender, don't like him quite as much on the ball, but I am really nitpicking here, they are quite similar as players, so it only makes sense that I like them a similar amount. I wish they weren't in the OTE, their backs must be hurting from carrying the organization, but no bad situation can hide what they have; a prodigical amount of talent.
PROJECTED BB RANGE: 1-5
SECOND TEAM
PG 2: Taran Armstrong, California Baptist University
If I truly subscribe to the Happy Gilmore Draft Philosophy, I cannot be low on Taran Armstrong, who possesses some of the most outlier skills out outlier skills. I feel very confident saying that right now, not in the future or with some development but RIGHT NOW, Taran Armstrong is a top 10 passer on the planet. Not a top 10 playmaker, which encapsulates advantage creation and gravity, but a top 10 passer, a combination of accuracy, vision, touch, versatility, and feel. He isn't a small guard either, a branch of players that I am notoriously low on, because standing at 6'5 there are passing reads that only he can make. Don't be fooled by the smaller school, Taran Armstrong is THAT DUDE, and can creep even higher if his (a) team defense builds upon the flashes he showed last year, (b) his shooting becomes more consistent, or (c) he is more aggressive looking for his own shot in the pick and roll. And even if it turns out he isn't a prospect, won't stop me from watching the crap out of him because he is the single most fun college basketball player to watch.
PROJECTED BB RANGE: 25-35
SG 2: Andre Jackson, University of Conneticut
Feels like it's wrong to classify him to just shooting guard but whatever it takes to protect the arbitrary set up that I've constructed for this thought exercise! I wasn't even watching UCONN games for Andre at first, but the way he sticks out during games is remarkable. That is a huge pillar of my scouting philosophy as well, if you continuously make yourself known during basketball games, there is a solid chance something is there. He was legitimately a passing hub last year, hitting all sorts of interesting and creative reads that athletic wings rarely ever hit. A comparison that I've heard that I really do like is Dalen Terry, although I personally like Jackson more as a passer, slasher, and defender. An event creator on defense, a rebound and runner in transition, and a solid glue guy in the half court, Jackson is the type of dude you take a swing on, and even if the shooting doesn't work out, you know that the chance that it would made it a good pick at the end of the day.
PROJECTED BB RANGE: 20-30
SF 2: Jett Howard, University of Michigan
Oh boy oh boy, shaking things up with a freshman AND a shooter. I've watched maybe the least on him of all the guys on this list, so I'll keep it brief; I buy the on and off ball shooting, and when combined with good size and aggressive defense, you have an NBA player. I really do hate watching high school tape, but Jett always sticks out, can't wait to see more.
PF 2: Jordan Walsh, University of Arkansas
Maybe my second favorite prospect in this class, and that's saying something for an incoming freshman. Walsh is a joy to watch and an obvious NBA starter if developed correctly. He's so long and so athletic, and he uses both of those traits to the fullest, smothering opposing players when matched up against them on the perimeter (although he can be a bit jumpy at times). His motor revs so much higher than his peers, as he clearly didn't have a severe case of senioritis. The shot is smooth enough, and when combined with his great first step for his size (attacking closeouts), and his great playmaking flashes he has all the signs of a future 3rd-4th option that acts as an excellent connector when he doesn't have the ball. Arkansas is gonna be a blast next year, top of my watch list (Anthony Black just missed the cut). PROJECTED BB RANGE: 10-14
C 2: Azuolas Tubelis, University of Arizona
I know he's technically a power forward, and even though last year he didn't correct any of the flaws that I was predicting him to correct, I just can't let Tubelis NOT be on this team. He still has the same post scoring prowess, he is still an underrated defender but on or off the ball, and he still is one of the best passing bigs in the class. THe shooting really does have to come around for him to be a real player, but hopefully with a system more built around him this year he can show off what makes him Sabonis reincarnated. PROJECTED BB RANGE: 25-35
Let me know what you guys think, there are a couple guys that just missed the cut that I'd love to discuss with you guys