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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 25, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Brandon Ingram (14) drives to the basket as Florida State Seminoles guard Malik Beasley (5) defends during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke won 80-65. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Brandon Ingram (14) drives to the basket as Florida State Seminoles guard Malik Beasley (5) defends during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke won 80-65. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Brandon Ingram, Duke Blue Devils

Position: Small Forward

Age: 18 (9/2/1997)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.5″, 196 pounds, 7’3″

Slash Line: .441/.413/.688

Season Averages: 34.2 MPG, 16.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 2.2 3PM

Analysis

The Duke Blue Devils have been a frustrating team to watch in 2015-16, but that’s far from an indictment of Brandon Ingram. The freshman phenom has been a delightful prospect to study, flashing elite potential as both a scorer and defensive player.

Ingram is still figuring his game out, and that makes the Kevin Durant comparisons rather premature, but he’s an elite prospect.

Ingram’s offensive upside is clear as a near 6’10” small forward with a 7’3″ wingspan and a lethal 3-point jump shot. His handle is improving, as is his ability to finish against length, which were his two greatest weakness early in 2015-16.

The offensive potential is tremendous, but the most intriguing aspect of Ingram’s game is his defensive upside.

Scorers can be found in every draft class, but it’s very rare that a player has the genuine opportunity to be elite on both ends. That puts Ingram in Paul George territory as a player who can genuinely lock down his position while dropping 20-plus points on the other end.

Simmons is the No. 1 prospect, but if Ingram leads Duke to a deep run through the NCAA Tournament, he’d certainly have a case to change that.

Next: The International Phenom