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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Pro Comparisons for Top 30 Prospects

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 16, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) celebrate a basket in their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) celebrate a basket in their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2015; Jackson, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Malik Newman (14) drives to the basket against Northern Colorado Bears guard Jordan Davis (0) during the second half at the Mississippi Coliseum. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeat the Northern Colorado Bears 93-69. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Jackson, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Malik Newman (14) drives to the basket against Northern Colorado Bears guard Jordan Davis (0) during the second half at the Mississippi Coliseum. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeat the Northern Colorado Bears 93-69. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

29. Malik Newman, Mississippi State Bulldogs

Ultimate Upside Comparison: Kyrie Irving

Safe Upside Comparison: Monta Ellis

Position: Guard

Age: 18 (2/21/1997)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 179 pounds, 6’5″

Slash Line: .403/.397/.710

Season Averages: 29.5 MPG, 12.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 2.4 3PM

If there’s one thing that we know about Malik Newman, it’s that he can score at a high volume. He’s eclipsed 15 points in nine games already, including an explosive 25-point performance against the Ole Miss Rebels during which he made seven 3-point field goals.

The question is, can Newman score with consistency?

Newman’s looking like more of a 2017 NBA Draft Lottery prospect than a 2016 standout. The talent and upside is immense, but he’s still figuring his game out—something that suggests he should spend another year with the Mississippi State Bulldogs before he’s eaten alive by the Association as a position-less player.

Chances are, if Newman were to declare in 2016, he’d be selected with the hope that he can become a point guard at the next level—something he’s not yet ready to be.

His upside comparisons are two players who don’t exactly embody what a traditional point guard is, but share similar skill sets and approaches to the game. The realistic one is Monta Ellis, with Newman shooting to match Ellis’ slashing, and the ambitious selection is Kyrie Irving.

Newman can break opponents down with his handle, finish creatively in the paint, and shoot from anywhere. In order to solidify his draft stock, he must become more consistent.

Next: The Other Kentucky Point Guard

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