2019 NBA Draft Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Georgia Forward Nicolas Claxton Enters Draft Pool

April 19th, 2019 at 5:06pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Georgia forward Nicolas Claxton will declare for the 2019 NBA draft, ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony reports.

Claxton is currently ranked No. 40 on Givony’s Top 100 prospects list. The 6’11” Claxton was a second-team All-SEC selection as a sophomore, averaging 13.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.5 BPG and 1.1 SPG in 32.0 MPG. The Bulldogs finished the season 11-21.

Claxton also got opportunities to handle the ball and make plays from the perimeter. His length and quickness make him a promising defensive prospect.

The early-entry deadline is Sunday and some NBA teams believe Claxton may be a riser during the pre-draft process and work his way into the first round, Givony continues. Others feel he’s too raw physically and skill-wise and would benefit from another year in college, Givony adds.

Draft Updates: Drell, Mikhailovskii, Montgomery, More

April 19th, 2019 at 12:56pm CST by Luke Adams

A pair of international prospects who show up in ESPN.com’s top-100 list for 2019 have declared for the draft, as Jonathan Givony of ESPN details in a pair of stories.

Estonian wing Henri Drell, the No. 55 prospect on ESPN’s big board, is one of those two players, Givony writes. Drell has spent the 2018/19 season in Germany, splitting time between Bamberg and lower-level teams. Despite still being just 18 years old, he joined the Estonian national team earlier this year for FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

If Drell goes through the pre-draft process and isn’t thrilled with the feedback he’s getting from NBA teams, he could withdraw anytime before the June 10 deadline.

The same can be said for 18-year-old Russian wing Nikita Mikhailovskii, who has also submitted paperwork to the league office to make himself eligible for the 2019 draft, agent Arturs Kalnitis tells Givony.

Mikhailovskii, the no. 63 prospect on Givony’s draft board, is the fourth-youngest player in ESPN’s top 100, so if he keeps his name in the draft pool and is selected in June 20, he’d likely end up being a draft-and-stash player. The 6’8″ wing is currently playing for Avtodor Saratov in Russia and has made 44% of his three-point attempts this season, per Givony.

Here are more early entrants who have recently declared for the 2019 draft:

NCAA:

Anthony Lamb, F, Vermont (junior) (link via Austin Danforth of The Burlington Free Press)
Jacob Ledoux, G, UTPB (junior) (Twitter link via UTPB)
EJ Montgomery, F, Kentucky (freshman) (press release via school)
Holland Woods, G, Portland State (sophomore) (Twitter link via Woods)

International:

Darko Bajo, F, Croatia (born 1999) (Twitter link via agent Misko Raznatovic)
Ognjen Carapic, G, Montenegro (born 1998) (Twitter link via Raznatovic)
Dalibor Ilic, F, Bosnia (born 2000) (Twitter link via Raznatovic)
Mate Kalajzic, G, Croatia (born 1998) (Twitter link via Raznatovic)
Andrija Marjanovic, G/F, Serbia (born 1999) (Twitter link via Raznatovic)
Nikola Miskovic, F, Serbia (born 1999) (Twitter link via Raznatovic)
Adam Mokoka, G, France (born 1998) (Twitter link via Raznatovic)
Toni Nakic, G, Croatia (born 1999) (Twitter link via Raznatovic)
Tadas Sedekerskis, F, Lithuania (born 1998) (Twitter link via Givony)
Filip Stanic, F/C, Germany (born 1998) (Twitter link via Raznatovic)

Sekou Doumbouya Enters 2019 NBA Draft

April 19th, 2019 at 8:31am CST by Luke Adams

Another potential lottery pick has entered the 2019 NBA draft pool, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com, who hears from agent Bouna Ndiaye that French forward Sekou Doumbouya has submitted the paperwork necessary to declare as an early entrant.

While he won’t arrive with the same sort of fanfare that Luka Doncic did a year ago, Doumbouya is widely considered to be the top international prospect in 2019’s draft class. He comes in at No. 8 overall on the big board at ESPN.com, with Mike Schmitz praising the combo forward’s strong potential as a defender and shooter.

As Givony observes, Doumbouya also has youth on his side. He won’t turn 19 until December 23, so assuming he stays in the draft and suits up for an NBA team in 2019/20, he’ll become the youngest player to appear in a game since the league instituted its age limit in 2005.

In 2018/19, Doumbouya has been playing for Limoges in the French Pro A league and the EuroCup, averaging 6.7 PPG and 3.0 RPG with a .497/.328/.759 shooting line in 28 games (16.7 MPG).

Jarrett Culver Declares For 2019 NBA Draft

April 18th, 2019 at 3:11pm CST by Luke Adams

After helping Texas Tech reach the NCAA championship game this spring, sophomore swingman Jarrett Culver has opted to enter the 2019 NBA draft, he announced today at a press conference (Twitter link). While Culver can withdraw his name anytime up until May 29, it would be a surprise if he does so.

Culver, who turned 20 in February, is currently the No. 6 prospect on Jonathan Givony’s big board at ESPN.com, and looks like a lock to be a lottery pick. In his latest mock draft, Givony wrote that despite Culver’s up-and-down play during the NCAA tournament, there’s plenty to like about his game on both ends of the floor.

Givony describes Culver as a player who has the versatility to guard three positions, as well as an active defender and rebounder. The young wing has also shown an improved ability as an on-ball creator and is a reliable shot-maker, though his release is somewhat slow, according to Givony, who has Culver coming off the board at No. 6 to the Wizards in that aforementioned mock.

For the 2018/19 season, Culver averaged 18.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 3.7 APG with a .461/.304/.707 shooting line. He shot just 3-and-12 from the floor in the Final Four versus Michigan State and 5-of-22 against Virginia in the NCAA championship. However, he had some stronger performances earlier in March Madness, including 29 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in round one against Northern Kentucky.

Draft Updates: Diakite, N’doye, Flagg, Gudmundsson

April 18th, 2019 at 1:14pm CST by Luke Adams

With just a few more days left for early entrants to declare for the 2019 NBA draft, we continue to add new names to our running list of early entrants. Here are a few of the latest:

Yet another member of Virginia’s title-winning team has decided to test the draft waters, with junior forward Mamadi Diakite set to enter the draft and hire an agent, per a press release. De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, and Kyle Guy are the other Cavaliers who have declared for the draft.
French guard Abdoulaye N’doye, a starter for Cholet and a member of France’s national team, has declared for the draft, his agent tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com (Twitter link). As Givony notes, N’doye is shooting an impressive 41% on three-point attempts this season.
Texas A&M sophomore guard Savion Flagg announced on Twitter that he’ll declare for the draft, leaving himself the option of withdrawing later in the process. Flagg averaged 13.9 PPG and 7.7 RPG for the Aggies during the season and had an impressive SEC tournament, scoring 50 of his club’s 123 points over the course of two games.
Davidson junior guard Jon Axel Gudmundsson is joining teammate Kellan Grady in testing the 2019 NBA draft waters, writes David Scott of The Charlotte Observer. Gudmundsson is coming off a 2018/19 season in which he filled the stat sheet with 16.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 4.8 APG.
For more details on dates and deadlines to watch during the pre-draft process, be sure to check out our list.

Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke Entering 2019 NBA Draft

April 17th, 2019 at 2:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Another potentially lottery pick has entered the 2019 NBA draft, as Gonzaga announced today in a press release that junior forward Brandon Clarke is submitting his name into the draft pool. While Clarke can hire an agent and retain his college eligibility before making a final decision on May 29, it would be a surprise if he withdraws.

After transferring from San Jose State, Clarke averaged 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 3.1 BPG with a .687 FG% in 37 games with the Zags in 2018/19. Describing the youngster as a “pogo-stick” shot blocker and finisher, Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com has him ranked 12th overall on his big board.

In ESPN’s most recent mock draft, Givony has Clarke coming off the board at No. 14 to the Celtics, observing that the forward’s ability to protect the rim and to contribute right away could make him a good fit for Boston.

In other draft news, after announcing last week that he’d test the waters, Michigan’s Charles Matthews has confirmed that he’ll remain in this year’s draft (Twitter link). He’s the No. 69 prospect in Givony’s top 100.

Draft Updates: K. Johnson, Silva, Lawson, Toppin, More

April 17th, 2019 at 1:24pm CST by Luke Adams

Like Kentucky teammates PJ Washington and Tyler Herro, freshman guard Keldon Johnson has decided that he’ll keep his name in the 2019 NBA draft pool rather than leaving the door open to return to the Wildcats, the school announced in a press release.

Johnson’s decision to forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility doesn’t come as a real surprise. Like Washington and Herro, Johnson is projected to be a first-round pick, coming in as the No. 20 prospect on Jonathan Givony’s big board at ESPN.com.

Speaking of that big board, another prospect in that top 100 has declared for the 2019 NBA draft, according to Givony, who reports that Brazilian wing Marcos Lousada Silva has submitted the necessary paperwork.

Silva, the 61st overall prospect on ESPN’s board, impressed scouts and executives at the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland, and has had a productive season in the Brazilian league. NBA scouts have taken notice of the youngster’s high energy level and defensive versatility, Givony adds.

The following prospects are also testing the 2019 NBA draft waters as early entrants, joining the ever-growing list:

Vrenz Bleijenbergh, F, Belgium (born 2000) (link via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando)
Kellan Grady, G, Davidson (sophomore) (link via David Scott of The Charlotte Observer)
A.J. Lawson, G, South Carolina (freshman) (Twitter link via Lawson)
Jeremiah Tilmon, F, Missouri (junior) (press release via school)
Obi Toppin, F, Dayton (freshman) (Twitter link via Jon Rothstein of Sports Illustrated)

Draft Notes: Guy, Herro, Diallo, Blackshear

April 16th, 2019 at 11:14pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Virginia junior guard Kyle Guy has declared for the 2019 NBA draft, as he announced on Twitter. In a message posted on his social media account, Guy explained that coming back to the school remained an option.

Guy isn’t the only prospect who’s attempting to make the jump to the NBA. Here’s more on the upcoming draft:

Kentucky guard Tyler Herro, who previously declared for the draft, said he plans to remain in it, as he explains in a video on his Twitter feed. Herro ranks 17th on ESPN’s Top 100.
Matas Jogela and Gytis Masiulis have each declared for the draft, Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com tweets. Neither of the Lithuanian natives is within ESPN’s Top 100.
Junior guard Alpha Diallo has also declared for the draft, according to Providence’s website. “I am excited to go through the workout process,” Diallo said. “I will be staying in school this spring and finishing my junior year. I believe this process will help me grow as a player. I enjoy being at Providence College and playing for the Friars. The Friars have a strong group of players returning next season and I believe the team could compete for the conference championship.”
Virginia Tech junior forward Kerry Blackshear Jr. is testing the draft waters, as David Cunningham of WUTV Sports relays (via Twitter). Blackshear has also placed his name into the transfer portal, so even if he withdraws from the draft, he may not return to the Hokies.

Draft Notes: Fernando, Cowan Jr., McDowell-White, Shuler

April 15th, 2019 at 9:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Maryland sophomore forward Bruno Fernando intends to declare for the draft, according to a school press release. Fernando averaged a double-double this season at 13.6 PPG and 10.6 RPG. He’s ranked No. 34 on ESPN’s Jonathan Givony’s latest Top 100 prospects list. Terrapins junior guard Anthony Cowan Jr. will do the same and both will sign with agents, who will work with the Maryland coaching staff throughout the process. Cowan Jr. averaged 15.6 PPG and 4.4 APG during his junior year.

We have more draft news:

Australian point guard William McDowell-White has submitted paperwork to make himself eligible for the draft, Givony reports. McDowell-White previously made Givony’s Top 100 list but he suffered a foot injury in November while playing in Germany and missed an extensive amount of time. McDowell-White will travel to the U.S. at the beginning of next month for workouts, Givony adds. He declared for the 2018 draft before withdrawing.
Ole Miss guard Devontae Shuler will test the draft waters, according to a tweet from the school’s media relations department. Shuler, who is not ranked in Givony’s Top 100, averaged 1o.3 PPG during his sophomore season.
Lithuanian point guard Arnas Velicka intends to declare for the draft, according to a Sportando report. Velicka averaged 19.2 PPG and 5.6 APG in the Estonian-Latvian Basketball League with Tartu Ulikool Rock.
Indiana guard Devonte Green intends to declare for the draft but isn’t sure if he’ll hire an agent, Ben Stinar of Amico Hoops tweets. Green averaged 9.4 PPG and 3.0 APG as a junior.
Little Rock guard Rayjon Tucker will also dip his toes into the draft pool, Evan Daniels of 247 Sports tweets. Tucker averaged 20.3 PPG in his junior year and is looking at a variety of transfer options.

Zion Williamson Officially Declares For Draft

April 15th, 2019 at 4:58pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Duke University star forward Zion Williamson, the projected top overall pick, has declared for the draft, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. Williamson made his announcement via Instagram.

Williamson was already a minor celebrity entering college due to his highlight-reel dunking ability. He became a breakout star early in his one-and-done season. The 6’7”, 285-pound Williamson scored 28 points in his Blue Devils debut against Kentucky and quickly ended any speculation who would be the likely top pick. The draft lottery will be held May 14.

In 33 games with Duke this season, Williamson averaged 22.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.8 BPG and 2.1 SPG in 30 MPG. He had 24 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and three steals in his last game, an Elite Eight loss to Michigan State.

He’ll immediately be one of the best athletes in the NBA, according to ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony, due to his freakish combination of power, explosiveness, dexterity, coordination and body control. He needs work on his perimeter game (33.8% on 3-point attempts) but that should improve over time.

As the top pick, Williamson would make $9.74MM in his rookie season under the projected cap figures, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets. His salary would escalate to $10.23MM, $10.71MM and $13.51MM over the next three seasons for an approximate total of $44.2MM, based on a $109MM cap.