By Aidan Joly
The NBA Draft is Thursday night, and today we’re looking into some of the underrated names that might not hear their name called early on, but have a great chance to have impact NBA careers.
Gradey Dick, Kansas
Dick is an intriguing NBA prospect. He’s a high-level small forward who can shoot the ball at a high level, while also is a good athlete with elite NBA skill. He certainly has high upside in the league. He’s not an elite runner or jumper, but he can get up and play above the rim. Standing at 6-8, he has solid height for the wing position, not the longest player at the position but nonetheless.
At Kansas, he averaged 14 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, but more importantly always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
Pick projection: 10-15th overall range
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Jackson-Davis certainly showed this season that he is NBA ready, putting up 18 double-doubles in Indiana’s 35 games on his way to averaging 21.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. More importantly, he was a menace all over the floor as well as a defensive standout. He does most of his work in the paint, so he might have to expand his range a little bit to really succeed, but has some Draymond Green-like abilities.
His game doesn’t fit perfectly into the NBA, but he should be able to carve out a role as a solid role player.
Pick projection: late first round/early second round
Julian Strawther, Gonzaga
Strawther is a well-built and athletic forward who can make plays off the bounce and light it up scoring the ball. He showed the ability to be a go-to scorer, but it feels like we didn’t see all of his ability with Gonzaga, since he was the second option there behind Drew Timme.
On top of that, he’s active on defense and has good vision as a passer. He still has some development to be made, but he can be solid at the next level.
Pick projection: second round
Adam Flagler, Baylor
Flagler might be undersized for a 2 guard, standing at 6-foot-3, but is a solid three-point shooter and is also good from the free throw line. Overall, he’s very efficient.
His knock is on defense. Going back to him being undersized, he might struggle to guard bigger 2 guards at the next level. Still, there is room for development after he had an up-and-down junior season with the Bears.
Pick projection: second round
Colin Castleton, Florida
Castleton suffered a season-ending injury towards the end of Florida’s season, so we didn’t see a ton of him. The fact that Florida missed the NCAA tournament didn’t help either. But, he’s a great rim-protector, averaging three blocks per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. The best part of his game might be the ability to defend the hell out of you without drawing fouls, so he’s smart.
A knock is that his jump shot isn’t close to NBA ready. He only hit two three-pointers his entire college career. It will be interesting to see if his injury hurts his draft stock, or even if he is drafted at all.
Pick projection: second round/undrafted
Bobi Klintman, Wake Forest
Klintman isn’t getting nearly enough attention as he deserves, but people might be finally starting to see the light here. He’s a legit 6-foot-10, but moves like a guard and is a capable three-point shooter. He made 36.8% as a freshman for the Demon Deacons this past season and it’s easy to see those numbers going up if he is put into the right system.
He is one of the higher-upside prospects in this draft. That as well as his physical gifts could make for a great addition for a team that is willing to develop him.
Pick projection: late first round/early second round
Brandin Podziemski, Santa Clara
For most of the winter and spring, Podziemski was not much more than a second round pick for a team to take a flyer on, but he has flown up draft boards after an impressive showing in workouts and the combine. He’s an underrated passer and facilitator and plays at both ends, while projecting as a three-point marksman at the next level. He’s also an excellent rebounder.
He could fit in well with a team of young shooters. He earned himself a green room invite, so the NBA probably thinks he’ll go in the first round.
Pick projection:mid-late first round
Jordan Hawkins, UConn
Hawkins is probably the best shooter off movement in this entire draft and one of the better three-point shooters. Being assigned to him on defense will make anyone exhausted with how much he is in motion. He’s also good at drawing fouls and makes his free throws at above a 90% clip.
His size is good but not great and that might lead to him struggling on defense. Still, he’ll be able to hold his own.
Pick projection: mid first round
AJ Hoops 