2018 NBA Draft: 5 under-the-radar shooting guard prospects

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 18: Rawle Alkins (1) of Arizona lays the ball up over Jock Landale (34) of St. Mary's during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Jack Dempsey/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 18: Rawle Alkins (1) of Arizona lays the ball up over Jock Landale (34) of St. Mary's during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Jack Dempsey/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – FEBRUARY 11: Rawle Alkins #1 of the Arizona Wildcats defends Stephen Domingo #31 of the California Golden Bears during the second half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on February 11, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Golden Bears 62-57. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – FEBRUARY 11: Rawle Alkins #1 of the Arizona Wildcats defends Stephen Domingo #31 of the California Golden Bears during the second half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on February 11, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Golden Bears 62-57. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

4. Rawle Alkins – Arizona

From one Wildcat to another, Rawle Alkins almost jumped to the NBA this year. Alkins declared for the draft and attended the combine, but opted to come back to Arizona. Alkins’ return strengthens Arizona as one of the nation’s very best teams and gives him the chance to improve his NBA stock. In one year at Arizona, Alkins was extremely impressive.

His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he was both well-rounded in his contributions and productive. A stout defender, Alkins has good size at around 6-foot-4 with a near 6-foot-9 wingspan. This should see him be able to guard 1-3 depending on the matchups. He can’t guard Paul George, but lesser wings for sure.

Alkins once again finds himself on a deep Arizona team, so his numbers from last season may look fairly similar. As a freshman, he posted 10.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Not bad for a freshman on a good team in a very good conference. Like many of his fellow wings and NBA prospects, the key is shooting. Alkins shot 37 percent last year on 119 attempts. His well-rounded game may propel him to a first-round draftee should his shooting and playmaking standout this year.