The NCAA’s withdrawal deadline for the 2020 NBA draft has long since passed, but the NBA’s own deadline falls 10 days before the draft. That means that a number of international prospects – for whom the NCAA deadline didn’t apply – face final decisions on whether or not to keep their names in this year’s draft pool.
Cameroonian guard Aristide Mouaha and Italian forward Michele Ebeling are two international early entrants who have decided to pull out of the draft, according to a pair of reports from Nicola Lupo of Sportando. Both prospects are currently playing in Italy. Ebeling will become automatically draft-eligible in 2021, while Mouaha is on track to be draft-eligible in 2022 if he doesn’t re-enter his name next year.
As our tracker shows, we still have 34 international prospects listed as early entrants for 2020. It’s safe to assume that many more will withdraw before the November 8 deadline — I’d expect that list to be cut at least in half within the next couple days.
Here’s more on the 2020 NBA draft:
- Former Memphis big man Precious Achiuwa worked out for the Wizards earlier this week and is working out for the Celtics on Friday, according to Adam Zagoria of Forbes (Twitter link). Achiuwa is the 12th overall prospect on ESPN’s big board, so both Washington at No. 9 and Boston at No. 14 could in play for him.
- In a pair of Insider articles for ESPN.com, Jonathan Givony, Mike Schmitz, and Kevin Pelton discuss the best wings and big men of this year’s draft class. All three experts rate Deni Avdija as the top wing in the draft, with Givony and Schmitz placing Isaac Okoro second while Pelton takes Devin Vassell. In a bit of a surprise, both Givony and Schmitz pick Onyeka Okongwu over James Wiseman as the top big man prospect.
- While the Knicks’ No. 8 pick has been the main focus, the team is working diligently on its options at No. 27 and 38 and is hoping to find a “diamond in the rough,” a source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post. Berman examines former Arizona shooting guard Josh Green and Duke center Vernon Carey Jr. as a couple potential late-first-round options for New York, citing one talent evaluator who says Green would be a “perfect fit” for the team.
J Green is very athletic. But more a rotation potential guy SG. Love Achiuwa been saying his name for awhile now. Celtics would be lucky to get him. Washington is a good place for him. At #27 I would be ecstatic to get Carey Jr. He should be a lottery pick..
Yeah, I think Carey Jr. is getting overlooked ALOT!! I wouldn’t be surprised at all, if he ends up being the steal of the draft.
Knicks should trade 8 & 27 or 8, 38, & a player to whoever beats them to Okongwu. That other team would make the trade if they prefer a PG, and they’ll find plenty at 8. Then let them deal with whichever team picks Carey Jr. Before the season starts they’ll need a PG to go with starters Barrett, Knox, Okongwu, Robinson and first guys off the bench Brazdeikis & Carey. Would love to see what those six and a star PG can do. Clean house! Unload the losing tradition, and trust in Thibs. Let’s see what this Leon Rose is made of.
I like Okongwu a lot. He’s a great fit with Mitch, I think. But I would not want to overpay for him. Knicks still looking at Woods. And also shopping Randle. If Okongwu doesn’t go to Hawks. Or in a trade down with Warriors. He could fall to Knicks. Pistons should not pass on Halliburton or Hayes. I’m good with Okongwu, Halliburton, Okoro. Either one in that order. With our 4 expiring contracts. We can make a substantial trade. It hall has to be in tune with rebuilding. I definitely trust Thibs. He knows NY and got a yr to evaluate the team.
The best idea would be
Warriors get Carter Jr and 4
Bulls get Poole and 2 and 2 seconds
Carter Jr. is better then that, Warruors would be getting a steal for essentially just moving up two spots. That’s not to speak badly of Poole, but Carter Jr. has been INCREDIBLY under utilized in Chicago this far..
He could be a Bam type of talent, in that he can play defense and have the offense ran through him. He just needs the chance, and needs a coach that’s going to trust his abilities.
When healthy, he’s already a good player, but WCJ could be a great player in a year or two, if he’s used correctly..