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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects Entering March Madness

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) moves through Florida Gators defenders in the second half of their game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) moves through Florida Gators defenders in the second half of their game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Ben Simmons, LSU Tigers

Position: Forward

Age: 19 (7/20/1996)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 240 pounds, 7’0.25″

Slash Line: .561/.333/.683

Season Averages: 35.3 MPG, 19.6 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.1 ORPG, 5.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Analysis

Ben Simmons has been compared to legendary perimeter players LeBron James and Magic Johnson, and star big men Blake Griffin and Lamar Odom. Whether he plays small forward or power forward at the next level, the general consensus is that he’s one of the most tantalizing draft prospects in NBA history.

It’s often naive to believe that a player is in control of their own destiny, but Simmons can be as good as he wants to be.

Simmons has a rare combination of size, court vision, and ball-handling ability. He’s a point guard in a power forward’s body, and while players such as Griffin and Odom have excelled in that capacity in the past, Simmons’ upside as a facilitator is superior.

There’s a genuine belief in NBA circles that Simmons can not only distribute in a pinch, but help run an offense in its entirety.

The question mark for Simmons is whether or not his jump shot will limit his overall effectiveness early in his NBA career. His form isn’t broken, but he rarely attempts field goals from beyond the arc, and doesn’t seem very comfortable with his midrange game.

If Simmons is unable to find consistency with his jump shot, the rest of his game may suffer. If he begins to hit jumpers with regularity, the 29 teams he doesn’t play for will do the suffering.

Next: The Clear No. 2