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Draft Notes: Haliburton, Wiseman, Ball, International Players

November 8th, 2020 at 10:56am CST by Arthur Hill

In a draft full of uncertain prospects, Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton may be the safest pick, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. Haliburton offers good size for a point guard at 6’5″ with a 6’9″ wingspan. He’s also an elite passer, an effective shooter and has natural leadership qualities.

“I’ve had a lot of No. 1, No. 2 picks, and this guy is a difference maker,” said Joe Abunassar, who trained Haliburton at Impact Basketball in Las Vegas after the season was shut down. “As teams look at him, part of that is his approach, his mentality, his personality. Everyone steps up their game when he steps in the game. He’s the most humble guy. I know with him, what you’re getting is a guy that’s going to win games for your franchise.”

Abunasser said Haliburton has gotten stronger since the college basketball season ended, adding roughly 15 to 18 pounds to his frame. With so many lottery teams needing a point guard, he could go higher than projected on draft night.

“He’s a winner. He has an amazing personality,” Abunassar added. “He’s contagious. He’s something that if I was a GM, I’d say we need guys like that.”

There’s more draft news to pass along:

  • There’s increasing chatter around the league that former Memphis center James Wiseman is the most likely No. 1 pick, according to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. Sources tell Wasserman that some Golden State officials believe Wiseman will be selected first, whether the Timberwolves keep their pick or not. Sources also say the Hornets “want Wiseman badly” and are interested in trading up to get him.
  • Warriors ownership may put pressure on the front office to select LaMelo Ball with the second pick if Wiseman is off the board, Wasserman adds in the same story. A source close to the team claims Ball has supporters and detractors in the front office. Golden State remains in the market to trade down, with Deni Avdija and Devin Vassell as possible targets.
  • More international prospects have pulled their names out of the draft ahead of today’s deadline, according to Nicola Lupo of Sportando. Nikola Miskovic, Marko Simonovic and Darko Bajo, all of ABA Liga, have all withdrawn. At No. 70, Simonovic was the only one in ESPN’s list of the top 100 prospects. Serbian big man Filip Petrusev (story link), who is 59th on ESPN’s list, and Lithuanian guard Rokas Jokubaitis (story link) are also skipping this year’s draft. On Saturday, we shared decisions from seven other overseas players.
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NBA Updates List Of Early Entrants For 2020 Draft

August 22nd, 2020 at 8:32am CST by Luke Adams

Following the NBA’s August 17 deadline for early entrants to declare for the 2020 NBA draft, the league has issued an updated list of the early entrants who remain in this year’s draft pool.

The list, which includes 72 college players and 36 international prospects, looks pretty similar to the one you’ll find on our running tracker.

The NBA’s update confirms that Joe Saterfield, a wing from Ranger Community College, is no longer in the draft pool, but guard Michael Lenoir, from Creating Young Minds Academy in Texas, has entered his name.

Meanwhile, in the international pool, center Berke Atar, forward Philippe Bayehe, center Vinicius Da Silva, guard Selim Fofana, center Dut Mabor, forward Yigitcan Saybir, and forward Andrii Voinalovych have removed their names from draft consideration. Croatian forward Darko Bajo, previously believed to be pulling his name out of the draft, remains on the early entrant list, and center Aboubacar Traore from Canada’s Dynasty Sports Institute has entered his name.

The college players who remain in the draft pool have foregone their remaining NCAA eligibility, since the NCAA’s withdrawal deadline for early entrants passed earlier this month. However, the NBA’s own withdrawal deadline doesn’t arrive until 10 days before the draft. Many international prospects figure to pull out by then, and some of the college players could too, if they decide to go pro without becoming immediately draft-eligible.

Currently, the 2020 draft is scheduled for October 16, though there’s still a chance it could be further delayed. If it remains on October 16, the withdrawal deadline for the early entrants listed below will be October 6.

Per the NBA, here’s the list of the 108 early entrants who remain in the 2020 draft pool for now:

College Players:

  1. Precious Achiuwa, F, Memphis (freshman)
  2. Milan Acquaah, G, California Baptist (junior)
  3. Ty-Shon Alexander, G, Creighton (junior)
  4. Cole Anthony, G, North Carolina (freshman)
  5. Brendan Bailey, F, Marquette (sophomore)
  6. Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova (sophomore)
  7. Tyler Bey, F, Colorado (junior)
  8. Jermaine Bishop, G, Norfolk State (junior)
  9. Dachon Burke, G, Nebraska (junior)
  10. Vernon Carey Jr., C, Duke (freshman)
  11. Nate Darling, G, Delaware (junior)
  12. Lamine Diane, F, Cal State Northridge (sophomore)
  13. Devon Dotson, G, Kansas (sophomore)
  14. Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia (freshman)
  15. CJ Elleby, F, Washington State (sophomore)
  16. Malik Fitts, F, Saint Mary’s (junior)
  17. Malachi Flynn, G, San Diego State (junior)
  18. Tony Goodwin II, G/F, Redemption Academy (N/A)
  19. Josh Green, G/F, Arizona (freshman)
  20. Ashton Hagans, G, Kentucky (sophomore)
  21. Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State (sophomore)
  22. Josh Hall, F, Moravian Prep (N/A)
  23. Rayshaun Hammonds, F, Georgia (junior)
  24. Jalen Harris, G, Nevada (junior)
  25. Niven Hart, G, Fresno State (freshman)
  26. Nate Hinton, G/F, Houston (sophomore)
  27. Elijah Hughes, G/F, Syracuse (junior)
  28. Isaiah Joe, G, Arkansas (sophomore)
  29. Dakari Johnson, G, Cape Fear CC (freshman)
  30. C.J. Jones, G, Middle Tennessee (junior)
  31. Mason Jones, G, Arkansas (junior)
  32. Tre Jones, G, Duke (sophomore)
  33. Saben Lee, G, Vanderbilt (junior)
  34. Michael Lenoir, G, Creating Young Minds Academy (N/A)
  35. Kira Lewis, G, Alabama (sophomore)
  36. Nico Mannion, G, Arizona (freshman)
  37. Naji Marshall, F, Xavier (junior)
  38. Kenyon Martin Jr., F, IMG Academy (N/A)
  39. Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky (freshman)
  40. Jaden McDaniels, F, Washington (freshman)
  41. Isiaha Mike, F, SMU (junior)
  42. EJ Montgomery, F, Kentucky (sophomore)
  43. Aaron Nesmith, G, Vanderbilt (sophomore)
  44. Zeke Nnaji, F, Arizona (freshman)
  45. Jordan Nwora, F, Louisville (junior)
  46. Onyeka Okongwu, F/C, USC (freshman)
  47. Isaac Okoro, F, Auburn (freshman)
  48. Daniel Oturu, C, Minnesota (sophomore)
  49. Reggie Perry, F, Mississippi State (sophomore)
  50. Filip Petrusev, F/C, Gonzaga (sophomore)
  51. Nate Pierre-Louis, G, Temple (junior)
  52. Immanuel Quickley, G, Kentucky (sophomore)
  53. Jahmi’us Ramsey, G, Texas Tech (freshman)
  54. Paul Reed, F, DePaul (junior)
  55. Nick Richards, F/C, Kentucky (junior)
  56. Jay Scrubb, G, John A. Logan College (sophomore)
  57. Jalen Smith, F, Maryland (sophomore)
  58. Cassius Stanley, G, Duke (freshman)
  59. Isaiah Stewart, F/C, Washington (freshman)
  60. Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford (freshman)
  61. Xavier Tillman, F/C, Michigan State (junior)
  62. Obi Toppin, F, Dayton (sophomore)
  63. Jordan Tucker, F, Butler (sophomore)
  64. Devin Vassell, G, Florida State (sophomore)
  65. Nick Weatherspoon, G, Mississippi State (junior)
  66. Kaleb Wesson, F/C, Ohio State (junior)
  67. Kahlil Whitney, F, Kentucky (freshman)
  68. Emmitt Williams, F, LSU (sophomore)
  69. Patrick Williams, F, Florida State (freshman)
  70. James Wiseman, C, Memphis (freshman)
  71. Robert Woodard II, F, Mississippi State (sophomore)
  72. Omer Yurtseven, C, Georgetown (junior)

International Players:

Note: The country indicates where the player had been playing, not necessarily where he was born.

  1. Deni Avdija, F, Israel (born 2001)
  2. Brancou Badio, F, Spain (born 1999)
  3. Darko Bajo, F, Croatia (born 1999)
  4. Marek Blazevic, C, Lithuania (born 2001)
  5. Adrian Bogucki, C, Poland (born 2000)
  6. Leandro Bolmaro, F, Spain (born 2000)
  7. Henri Drell, G/F, Italy (born 2000)
  8. Imru Duke, F, Spain (born 1999)
  9. Michele Ebeling, F, Italy (born 1999)
  10. Paul Eboua, F, Italy (born 2000)
  11. Osas Ehigiator, C, Spain (born 1999)
  12. Joel Ekamba, G, France (born 2001)
  13. Miguel Gonzalez, G/F, Spain (born 1999)
  14. Killian Hayes, G, Germany (born 2001)
  15. Sehmus Hazer, G, Turkey (born 1999)
  16. Rokas Jokubaitis, G, Lithuania (born 2000)
  17. Georgios Kalaitzakis, G, Lithuania (born 1999)
  18. Vit Krejci, G, Spain (born 2000)
  19. Arturs Kurucs, G, Latvia (born 2000)
  20. Yam Madar, G, Israel (born 2000)
  21. Theo Maledon, G, France (born 2001)
  22. Karim Mane, G, Canada (born 2000)
  23. Sergi Martinez, F, Spain (born 1999)
  24. Nikola Miskovic, F, Serbia (born 1999)
  25. Aristide Mouaha, G, Italy (born 2000)
  26. Caio Pacheco, G, Argentina (born 1999)
  27. Joel Parra, F, Spain (born 2000)
  28. Aleksej Pokusevski, F, Greece (born 2001)
  29. Sander Raieste, F, Estonia (born 1999)
  30. Nikos Rogkavopoulos, F, Greece (born 2001)
  31. Njegos Sikiras, F, Spain (born 1999)
  32. Marko Simonovic, C, Serbia (born 1999)
  33. Mouhamed Thiam, C, France (born 2001)
  34. Aboubacar Traore, G, Canada (born 2001)
  35. Uros Trifunovic, G, Serbia (born 2000)
  36. Arnas Velicka, G, Lithuania (born 1999)
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NCAA Sets New Early Entrant Withdrawal Deadline

June 4th, 2020 at 3:40pm CST by Luke Adams

After indefinitely postponing its June 3 withdrawal deadline for early entrants, the NCAA announced today that it has established a new deadline. Early entrants will have until either August 3 or 10 days after the NBA draft combine (whichever comes first) to withdraw their names while maintaining their college eligibility.

“This provides the utmost flexibility to student-athletes testing the waters to make the most informed decision about their future during this uncertain time,” NCAA senior VP for basketball Dan Gavitt said in a statement. “And by deciding before classes start for the fall semester, it also encourages student-athletes who choose to return to school to be fully engaged in their academic pursuits and the tremendous experience and opportunity to play college basketball.”

[RELATED: 2020 NBA Draft Early Entrants List]

The NBA announced today that it has rescheduled its 2020 draft lottery for August 25. Typically, the combine takes place shortly after the lottery, but it’s not clear if or when it will happen this year. The coronavirus pandemic has made it virtually impossible for the league to hold a traditional combine, which would feature workouts, scrimmages, interviews, and medical tests.

Since it’s extremely unlikely that a combine will be held next month, it seems safe to assume that August 3 will end up being the NCAA’s withdrawal deadline. Most players are unlikely to wait that long to make their decisions, however, as college programs work toward setting their rosters for the 2020/21 season.

As Jonathan Givony of ESPN observes (via Twitter), the NCAA’s decision isn’t great news for players that want the opportunity to potentially participate in an August or September combine. Many players could end up keeping their names in the draft despite being unlikely to be selected, Givony notes.

While the NCAA’s withdrawal deadline for early entrants will be August 3 at the latest, I’d expect the NBA’s to land on October 5. Traditionally, it falls 10 days before the draft, and the 2020 draft has been rescheduled to October 15.

The NBA’s withdrawal deadline typically applies to international players who don’t have to worry about losing NCAA eligibility. However, again, I wouldn’t expect many of those international players to wait until the fall to make their decisions, since most European leagues remain on track to start their 2020/21 seasons at that time.

Buffalo guard Jayvon Graves and Croatian forward Darko Bajo are among the latest early entrants to pull out of this year’s draft, according to tweets from Jeff Goodman of Stadium and agent Misko Raznatovic, respectively.

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Draft Notes: Simonovic, Miskovic, Bajo, A. Jones

April 23rd, 2020 at 9:21am CST by Luke Adams

As we detailed on Wednesday, the deadline for early entrants to declare for the 2020 NBA draft is just days away. Players who aren’t automatically draft-eligible have until the end of the day on Sunday, April 26 to submit their names into this year’s draft pool.

With that in mind, 2020’s list of early entrants continues to grow. Here are details on a few of the latest names joining that group:

  • Montenegrin center Marko Simonovic, who played this season for Mega Bemax in Serbia, has entered the 2020 draft, according to agent Misko Raznatovic (Twitter link). The 20-year-old is not to be confused with the Serbian player of the same name who has been playing professionally since 2003 and is currently a member of Unicaja.
  • Serbian forward Nikola Miskovic has entered the draft, Raznatovic announced (via Twitter). The MVP of 2017’s Europe U18 Championship was also playing for Mega Bemax this season after testing the draft waters last spring.
  • Another of Raznatovic’s clients, Croatian forward Darko Bajo, has declared for the draft again after withdrawing last spring, the agent announced (on Twitter). The 21-year-old played this season for Croatian team KK Split.
  • Nicholls State junior guard Andre Jones recently announced on Twitter that he has decided to test the draft waters. Jones, who transferred after two years at Little Rock, averaged 12.3 PPG and 2.8 APG on .513/.313/.732 in 30 games (24.3 MPG) in 2019/20.
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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:

International:

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