The NCAA’s deadline for early entrants to withdraw from the 2019 draft and retain their college eligibility is May 29, so more updates on final draft decisions are beginning to trickle in.
A pair of prospects with alliterative names have opted to remain in the 2019 draft class, with Vanderbilt freshman forward Simisola Shittu announcing (via Twitter) that he’ll forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility, while Jon Rothstein of SI.com reports (via Twitter) that Tulane junior forward Samir Sehic will also keep his name in the draft.
Markell Johnson, a junior guard out of North Carolina State, will go in the other direction. Johnson announced today (via Twitter) that after gathering feedback on his stock, he has elected to withdraw his name from the 2019 draft pool and return to N.C. State for his senior season.
Here are a few more draft-related updates:
- A source tells Sean Deveney of Sporting News that Zion Williamson and his family are nearing a decision on his agent, and could decide on representation as early as next week. According to Deveney, the future No. 1 pick had originally intended to be repped by his advisor – and former NBA agent – Chubby Wells, but a plan to have Wells recertify as an NBA agent fell through.
- Within that same article, Deveney examines Jarrett Culver‘s draft stock, citing sources around the league who say that the Texas Tech swingman won’t drop further than No. 7. UNC’s Nassir Little has also moved up several teams’ draft boards, per Deveney.
- UCF center Tacko Fall was among the players to work out for the Kings on Thursday, per a team release. Sacramento also took a closer look at Myles Powell (Seton Hall), Amir Hinton (Shaw), Jalen Hudson (Florida), Nick Weiler-Babb (Iowa State), and Marques Bolden (Duke).
- Purdue Fort Wayne guard John Konchar has worked out for the Celtics, Hawks, Clippers, and Nets so far during the pre-draft process, tweets Jordan Schultz of ESPN. A workout with Toronto for Konchar was also previously reported.
Of this draft class, everyone is excited about Zion and Ja and several others. However, the one guy I really want to see in the NBA is Tacko Fall. He proved in that Duke game, that he is more than just a sideshow attraction. I am hoping he goes to a team that will utilize him properly.
Teams worry that they will develop him and then he leaves to benefit another team.
Nassir Little, who got limited minutes at UNC, will probably also be situation-dependent. He is not teammate-aware but I think he will wind up as a great versatile NBA taskmaster. A coach will see a problem on the court, look to Little on the bench, tell him what needs fixed or taken advantage of, and he will hit it Iguadala-like.
I agree with your take on Little. I think out of the gates, Little will be an effective role player, providing his future team with solid defense and a player that’s capable of getting 7-11 a game his 1st season…
I actually see him kind of like a younger Jimmy Butler. I think Little has all the talent to succeed and thrive at the NBA level, he’s just going to have to work hard, get coached up well, and work on improving his offensive game slowly but surely.
I really like me some Culver, but if I’m forced to make a choice, especially looking 2-3 years ahead, I think Little will ultimately be the better overall player..
I actually think White and Little are getting overlooked a good bit, and as a 2nd round option, I think Nicolas Claxton could potentially be a difference maker defensively..
I liked reading that the Cavs like Culver for their pick. A previous ‘hoopsrumor’ had Garland And White getting promises before the Bulls at #7 which leads to reasoning that White must have a promise from the Cavs at #5. Culver is a better complement to Sexton & Clarkson than White.
It’s always hard to say who is best, but a good fit narrows it down; at least you have that. There was local talk that Sexton may come off the bench in the future but I’ll believe that when I see it.
The Lakers at #4 need a 2G like Culver supposedly is, but Culver is not yet actually a reliable shooter. Hunter could complement James better than Ingram and vice versa. But the pick could also be traded. Or Ball could, opening up a spot for Garland or White– either could take pressure off James offensively more than Ball does.
I still think the Hawks will work something out to jump up and get Culver. Possibly with the Lakers. Maybe 4 and Ingram for 8 and 10. I’m not really sure of Ingram’s value right now. Maybe Atlanta would have to add a second. Maybe 8 and 10 would be too much and it would just be 8 and a couple of seconds. Ingram is just an enigma right now.
Don’t tell @imindless that! It’s not that Ingram is done, it’s just that GMs will prefer, if they have the luxury, to see the product first before trading.
It is possible that BI did what Ball has been accused of: Intentionally ending the season with an injury to keep from getting traded from the Lakers!
Doesn’t matter. BI will stay in LACA as long as AD stays in NOLA.
Well many things are possible with this DVT thing.
I can’t c Ingram and the #4 going to ATL for the 8&10. Ingram is one of there top bargaining chips for trades for Vets.
Now I know this sounds alittle crazy. But I don’t c the Lakers getting AD. I c them getting Beal and then maybe looking for someone like DeRozen. 2 shooters (even tho DeRozen is a midrange guy) to go with LeBron.