While most of the draft-related focus these days is on 2019’s event, that didn’t stop ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz from taking an early look at 2020. In an Insider-only story at ESPN.com, the pair of draft experts updates their mock draft for ’20, notably moving up Memphis center James Wiseman from No. 3 to No. 1.
As Schmitz explains, Wiseman has long been considered the most physically gifted prospect in his high school, but his consistency and effort level left something to be desired. That has changed in recent weeks, as he has impressed evaluators with his play on both ends of the floor during the Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic.
Circling back to 2019, here are a few more draft notes:
- Michigan sophomore guard Jordan Poole has decided to keep his name in the 2019 NBA draft, the school announced today (via Twitter). Poole ranks just outside the top 60 on Givony’s big board at ESPN.com, but presumably the feedback he has received so far in the pre-draft process was encouraging.
- Iowa State sophomore forward Cameron Lard officially announced this week that he has declared for the 2019 NBA draft, posting a message on Instagram to confirm the decision. Lard’s wording suggests that he’s committed to going pro and won’t retain his college eligibility after two up-and-down seasons with the Cyclones, which included multiple suspensions and off-court issues.
- German forward Philipp Herkenhoff (born 1999) and German guard Jonas Mattisseck (born 2000) have added their names to the NBA’s early entry list for the 2019 draft, tweets Givony. Both players will have until June 10 to withdraw their names if they decide not to become draft-eligible quite yet.
- The following players have also declared for the 2019 NBA draft:
- Nico Carvacho, C, Colorado State (junior) (Twitter link via Carvacho)
- Filip Petrusev, F, Gonzaga (freshman) (Twitter link via Jackson Frank of The Gonzaga Bulletin)
- Laquincy Rideau, G, South Florida (junior) (Twitter link via Rideau)
- Justin Turner, G, Bowling Green (sophomore) (Twitter link via Turner)
So the guy shows up during one camp when he knows all the scouts are there and people think that his lack of effort is fixed? I’d much rather have a slightly less talented player that works his butt off all the time than someone like this that only shows up when he can get something out of it.