NBA teams and scouts favor youth when it comes to drafting, but the following juniors have a chance to be very good players in the association in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The college basketball season is here, but don’t worry, we still have plenty of content to get you ready as teams embark on their current journeys. We’ve already walked you through the best senior prospects to watch for the 2018 NBA Draft. Now, we turn our attention to the best juniors.
Admittedly, this group doesn’t have as much upside as the sophomores and freshmen. That’s partially common sense as these players are already closer to their floors and ceilings. However, we’ve seen countless times that upperclassmen can become great NBA players. From Damian Lillard to Klay Thompson, they’re out there.
But these prospects don’t have become a Lillard or Thompson to be successful. In fact, the path for the five guys we’ll discuss here, their path is best suited as a super role player, similar to an Andre Iguodala (later in his career, of course).
Whether it’s a bench big, spark plug guard or 3-and-D wing, there are important roles players can carve out that are just as valuable. Before getting started, here are three honorable mentions: Deng Adel (Louisville), Allonzo Trier (Arizona), and Moritz Wagner (Michigan).
5. Aaron Holiday – UCLA
Aaron Holiday may not have a high ceiling, but he absolutely could find a spot in the NBA. Though he’s a small guard at around 6’1″, he has a better wingspan than you’d think. This helps compensate for his lack of height and will give him a chance to be a solid defender. Holiday hasn’t shown he can run a team yet, but he will have that chance this year.
Even while playing in an off-ball or off the bench role, Holiday still managed over four assists per game in his first two seasons at UCLA. In his first game as a junior he had seven assists, so maybe that’s a sign of things to come. The reality is whether Holiday is a four assists a night kind of guy or not, he’s a prolific and crafty scorer. That’s where he can make his mark in the NBA.
That probably means he’s coming off the bench, but wouldn’t you rather be in the NBA and playing than not at all? Backup point guards and critical for teams, especially those gearing up for long playoff runs.
Holiday uses his solid wingspan to finish well at the rim. Last year Holiday shot 64.4 percent at the rim, per Hoop-Math. He has a decent handle, with some good shake and a good-looking jumper. A career 40 percent shooter from deep can stick in the NBA.
4. Jacob Evans – Cincinnati
Jacob Evans might be somewhat unknown relative to some guys in this article. His game, however, is not. Don’t be surprised if Evans’ name comes up down the line as a possible first-rounder. Evans is listed at 6’6″ and 210 pounds on Cincinnati’s site, but he just seems bigger and taller than that. This is a guy who plays big and may be able to play and defend 2-4.
In his team’s season opener, the Cincinnati forward had a monster stat line. Evans went for 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, two steals and shot 4-of-11 from 3-point range. Yes it was against Savannah State, but if he can keep up just two-thirds of that production, he might be NBA-bound next summer.
Any wing who can either defend or hit 3s can mistakenly be labeled a “3-and-D wing.” Evans is the real deal. He attacks the glass and competes with intensity. As for shooting from deep, he shot nearly 42 percent last season on 165 attempts.
Judging by the 11 shots he took from deep in his team’s first game, we’ll have a very strong shooting sample size by season’s end. The question is what else he can do, but he already has the makings of a NBA player.
3. Shake Milton – SMU
While Aaron Holiday is a pure guard and Jacob Evans is a pure wing, Shake Milton is more of a combo guard. He probably won’t be running an NBA offense by himself. However, his length, shooting and shotmaking make him an intriguing prospect. If his defense is for real, we could be looking at a young guard that can be impactful like Malcolm Brogdon.
At 6’6″ Milton can guard either guard spot, and maybe even some small forwards. His reported wingspan, according to Draft Express, is nearly 7’0″, so he could be a real menace. His length can create turnovers and help him get out on the break, where he thrives. Milton can get his offensively pretty easily and shot 42 percent from 3 in each of his first two seasons. He dropped 28 in SMU’s opener.
The key for him is he more of a shooting guard or point guard. At this point between his shooting and scoring he’s more the former. We’ll see what kind of playmaking and point guard polish he can demonstrate this year. Versatility is so crucial in the NBA, and Milton should be able to fit in well with most rosters.
2. Chimezie Metu – USC
Chimezie Metu was going to be second on this list even before his first game. Then in USC’s opening night win over Cal State Fullerton, the Trojans’ center went for an effortless 18 and 10 double-double, where he hit two 3-pointers. If Metu is expanding his range, his NBA stock, which is decent already, will only go up.
USC’s big man came to campus as a raw, bouncy dunker. Now in his third year, he looks confident, under control and polished. Metu needs to improve as a rebounder and defensive anchor, but the rest of his game is off the charts.
Metu has great touch on his jumper, which might have gotten better with 3-point range. He has quick feet and a plethora of jab steps, spins and moves to get to the rim or an open jumper.
Last season’s most improved player in the Pac-12 looks poised for a big season on a very good USC team. He looks to have added more muscle again, which is promising for him to continue filling out his frame. Metu makes good reads and has potential to switch on the perimeter. Don’t be surprised if he’s a first round pick next year.
1. Mikal Bridges – Villanova
This is a solid group of juniors, but Mikal Bridges may be in a tier of his own when it comes to his class. Bridges is an incredibly smart and versatile defender who makes an impact in every game, even if his shot’s not falling. For example, in Villanova’s opener, he was 0-for-5 from downtown, but dominated on defense and other facets of the game. He’s a winner through and through.
No one should overreact to one game, but Bridges’ shooting is the most important thing to monitor. At 6’7″ with a wingspan over 7’0″, Bridges can guard four positions. That’s incredibly valuable and it’ll be more valuable if he doesn’t hurt his team’s spacing. Last season he shot 39 percent from 3, but we’ll have to see how this year goes before assuming that’s the norm for him.
Shooting is most important, but we should also be looking to see what kind of passing and scoring ability he shows in the half court.
Next: 2018 NBA Draft Big Board - late October
If Bridges’ shooting doesn’t fall off and he improves in at least one other area, it might not be farfetched to call him a bona fide first round talent. He has the chance to grow beyond a really good 3-and-D wing.