2018 NBA Draft big board: End of January

With March right around the corner in college basketball, we dive into the top prospects ahead of the 2018 NBA Draft with a new, extended big board.

Trae Young is on fire, Duke might be back and Luka Doncic is still dominating Europe. It’s been a crazy year of basketball in college and abroad and doesn’t seem to be letting up. As we get closer to June’s draft, this class looks more special by the day.

The 2017 class has looked stellar with depth from top to bottom. There’s certainly less depth in the 2018 NBA Draft, especially in the first round. However, the lottery could yield one of the strongest groups in recent memory. There’s a case for five or more players to be the top pick. Any other year, most of these guys would have gone first or second.

Since my last big board, Oklahoma’s Young has caught fire with his strong play and Michael Porter Jr. remains out. All of the bigs at the top have continued to perform well, too.

This updated board expands to my top 50 players. There’s a lot of value in this year’s second round, though fit will factor in a lot. Without further ado, here’s the latest big board. Expect at least a couple more before June’s draft rolls around.

50. Abdoulaye N’Doye – Cholet

It’s unclear if Abdoulaye N’Doye will declare for the 2018 NBA Draft, but he has so much intrigue. N’Doye stands at nearly 6’7″ and plays as a point guard. He’s already a force defensively. That being said, his scoring leaves a lot to be desired. Still, the way the NBA values multiple ball-handlers and defensive versatility, you could go a lot worse than taking a flier on N’Doye.

49. Rodions Kurucs – Barcelona

Another international prospect worth keeping an eye on is Barcelona’s Rodions Kurucs. At 6’9″, his 3-point range makes him an enticing forward that can stretch the floor. He’s pretty frail and will struggle on defense for a while, but you can see the talent when he plays. However, his frame and injury history will mean he likely won’t be a first round pick.

48. Justin Jackson – Maryland

Switching to our first collegiate player, Justin Jackson is experiencing the opposite of his freshman year. Last year he showed his defensive potential as a small-ball 4 and 5 and that he could hit 3s from distance. This year that percentage has plummeted and he’s out for the year with an injury. Should he declare, his small-ball defensive profile and shooting potential is too enticing to not gamble on in the second round.

47. Grayson Allen – Duke

The volatile Grayson Allen has calmed down as Duke’s senior leader. Allen has proven he can lead and that is jumper is legitimate. Knocking down nearly 39 percent of his 3s, gives him a strong NBA skill. Paired with his athleticism, he could be a scoring dynamo off the bench. Yet since it’s unlikely he’ll ever start or play great defense, it’s hard to see him as a first round pick.

46. Rui Hachimura – Gonzaga

One of two intriguing pieces for Gonzaga, Rui Hachimura has a lot of skill for a big man. With the size to play power forward, he moves really well despite not having a great shot. His form isn’t bad at all, but Hachimura is shooting 24 percent from deep on a small sample size. Gonzaga’s big man can put it on the floor a bit, but struggles on defense. It would probably be best for him to stay another year, but if he comes out he should get drafted.

45. Alize Johnson – Missouri State

Alize Johnson is this year’s mid-major darling that could provide great value in the second round. His motor runs high and he showed shooting potential last season, hitting 39 percent of his 3s. This year that percentage is under 30 percent, so his workouts will be imperative to improving his stock. But athletic, unselfish 6’9″ combo forwards don’t just grow on trees.

44. Yante Maten – Georgia

Speaking of combo forwards with a lot to like, Yante Maten checks about every box. The Georgia senior is a career 43 percent 3-point shooter, a solid rebounder and shot-blocker. He likely is better suited as a power forward in the NBA, where he can stretch the floor and play a less creative role. Competing on defense and displaying more passing ability will only improve his stock before June.

43. Jalen Brunson – Villanova

Jalen Brunson gets compared to T.J. McConnell some, less so skill-wise and more so because of his toughness and leadership. That alone might get him a spot on someone’s roster as a second or third point guard. Averaging 18.8 points and 5.2 assists for Villanova, what he has that many guards lack is a jumper. A floor general that can shoot has a great chance to stick around in the NBA. Brunson is second behind only Trae Young in Offensive Box Plus/Minus. Not bad.

42.Isaac Bonga – Frankfurt

Isaac Bonga is another fascinating international player. Similar to N’Doye, he has the size of a forward, but likes to play point guard. Bonga is 6’9″ and already a menace defensively. Extra ball-handlers or even a tall point guard are welcome in the NBA, but he’ll need to stretch the floor. He’s improving on that end, especially from the free throw line. However, that shot makes him a prospect you really have to think about before drafting.

41. Jarred Vanderbilt – Kentucky

After missing much of the season, Jarred Vanderbilt is back for Kentucky. He’s not quite back to his best yet, which is why he’s not there for first round consideration just yet. A strong defender with rare vision for a power forward, you quickly see his NBA appeal. He’s yet to shoot well, but is still easing back in. Vanderbilt needs to finish strong to help his case to be first round-worthy.

40. Brandon McCoy – UNLV

Brandon McCoy is putting together one of the best freshman years of any big in 2018. Including a great performance against DeAndre Ayton, McCoy is averaging 17.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Despite a strong profile, he’s a work in progress on defense. NBA teams shouldn’t invest a first-rounder in a big who can’t defend. Still, he’s young and could punish second units.

39. Tyus Battle – Syracuse

Tyus Battle is one of several wings to make a big leap during the 2017-18 season. Syracuse’s go-to man is filling it up with 20 points per game. The problem? He doesn’t do much else and his 3-point shooting is under 33 percent this year. He could turn into an okay defender, but his lack of passing and rebounding are concerning. If you buy his shooting from last season – 37 percent – he’s a good second round option.

38. Jalen Hudson – Florida

Right on cue, Jalen Hudson is another example of a wing taking a jump. He’s cooled down from his hot start, but is producing just fine. On the year, he’s averaging 16.5 points and hitting 41 percent from deep. Given this is his first year above 35 percent from 3, it’s reasonable to be skeptical. That being said, his shooting and long arms will make teams consider him with such a need for wings in the NBA.

37.  Gary Trent Jr. – Duke

As the year has gone on, Gary Trent Jr. continues to get it done for Duke. Even though he gets next to no attention relative to Marvin Bagley III, he’s quietly averaging 14.7 points per game, hitting 43 percent of his 3s and 89 percent of his free throws. He’s a bit behind of schedule as a creator, but the shot is legitimate. It’s difficult to see him ever becoming a great defender, but there’s a place in the NBA for shooting guards that can light it up and stretch the floor. He’s just scratching the surface.

36. Killian Tillie – Gonzaga

Another talented young Gonzaga big man, but unlike Hachimura, Killian Tillie has better shooting potential. He moves well and has good numbers from 3 and the free throw line. Tillie looks like he could spend time between the 4 and the 5, with his strong defense and Swiss army knife ability. Bigs who can defend inside and out, shoot and pass don’t grow on trees. He’s got a case to go in the first round if he does well in the pre-draft process.

35. Nickeil Alexander-Walker – Virginia Tech

An up-and-down season for freshmen guards is pretty normal. That just about sums up the season for Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Canadian combo guard had moments of brilliance, like 53 combined points to start the season. Other times he’s failed to make an impact and looked lost. There’s a lot to like from the long-armed guard at nearly 6’6″, but he feels like he needs another year. That being said, he has great physical tools that could entice a team if he comes out.

34. Aaron Holiday – UCLA

In a year with a big drop-off in NBA point guard talent, don’t sleep on Aaron Holiday. The Bruins are playing average ball a year after Lonzo Ball, but it’s no fault of Holiday’s. He’s stepped in and gotten better and better. UCLA’s point guard is averaging a career-high 18.9 points and 5.1 assists. A decent wingspan makes up for his 6’1″ height and enables two-way play at the point. On top of it all, it’s looking like he’ll surpass 40 percent from 3 for the third straight year. Buy stock.

33. Trevon Duval – Duke

I’m admittedly lower on Trevon Duval than most. He’s shown no semblance of a jumper, which makes it hard to justify high selection. Furthermore, he is not elite enough defensively or in terms of decision-making, so what are you buying high on? His enormous wingspan for a 6’3″ point guard and absurd athleticism answers that question. Duval has shown some amazing flashes passing the ball, but so far he’s not redeeming his lack of a jumper with other skills yet.

32. Keita Bates- Diop – Ohio State

Starting here with Keita Bates-Diop I have a hard time separating the next 10 prospects or so. This part of the draft is underrated with combo forwards and wings. Bates-Diop will likely end up in my top-30 by the end of the year after watching him carry Ohio State against Penn State despite being sick. 

A 6’7″ combo forward, Bates-Diop can pass, rebound, shoot and put the ball on the floor. He’s a crafty scorer with a nice floater, who can defend some as well. I want to see him a couple more times before moving him up.

31. Landry Shamet – Wichita State

Landry Shamet is another player who could easily be in the top-30. Like Bates-Diop, he very well might be there very soon. The difference with Shamet is his injury history. With that in mind, he may still be worth a first round pick. A solid defender who can guard 1s and 2s, Shamet has a high IQ and is lights out from deep. He’s hit over 47 percent from 3 this year on over 100 attempts. When you watch Shamet play, he just looks like a basketball player. He understands the game.

30. Bruce Brown Jr. – Miami

Bruce Brown Jr. falls from No. 13 on the November big board to all the way down to No. 30. He’s taken steps back as a shooter and scorer, which are the biggest reasons why. Shooting 27 percent from 3 and 61 percent from the free throw line is really worrying. Still, it’s hard to see him not ending up in the first round.

As one of the best defenders in college basketball, NBA teams can look for him to guard either backcourt spot. This season he’s continued to improve as an already strong rebounder and shows high level passing. If a team wants to invest in his shot, he’s worth drafting in the first round.

29. Jevon Carter – West Virginia

Jevon Carter debuts in the top-30, despite not as much national recognition. ESPN has Carter 37th, The Athletic‘s Sam Vecenie has him 36th and nbadraft.net doesn’t have him in their 60-player mock draft. But this bull dog point guard is the best defender in the country, averaging 6.5 assists per game and is hitting nearly 39 percent of his 3s for the second straight year.

Carter brings up an important draft question that comes up every year. Do you take a near 23-year-old in the first round when he doesn’t have a particularly high ceiling? Year after year NBA teams swing for the fences late in the first round and have nothing to show for it. The team that drafts Carter, even in the second round, will be far happier than many teams picking in the first. Remember this. It’s hard to move him much higher because of age, but he’s an NBA player no doubt.

28. Hamidou Diallo – Kentucky

I really want to like Hamidou Diallo. He’s probably the best athlete in the world for his age who can blow you away with plays that almost no one else can fathom. However, he’s not even close to a safe 3-and-D prospect. Diallo is hitting just 33 percent of his 3s and less than 61 percent of his foul shots. That is partially why Diallo falls from No. 21 to No. 28 here.

Athleticism can help a lot in developing a defensive player, but Diallo just looks lost on that end. It’s fair to question his feel for the game. Athletically speaking, physical gifts are no guarantee a player will be a good defender. Just look at Terrence Ross. Though he flashes the odd moment of self-creation that is enticing, he’s too much of a project right now to consider anywhere close to the front half of the draft.

27. Jontay Porter – Missouri

If you haven’t gotten to know Jontay Porter, you must not be on Twitter much. Michael Porter’s younger brother has become NBA Draft Twitter’s darling this season. It’s unclear if he’ll declare, but there’s a lot to like. Porter looks a bit on the heavier side, but he actually moves really well. On top of that his numbers are impressive, moving him into the top 30.

Porter is 6’10”, playing most of his time at the 4. For his NBA chances, he’s probably better off as a 5. There his passing, rebounding and shot-blocking are more optimal. He’s shooting around 33 percent from 3, but his 82 percent shooting from the free throw line is encouraging. Porter is 10th in the NCAA in defensive Box Plus/Minus, behind only behemoths like Mohamed Bamba. Add that to his 17 percent assist percentage and you start to understand the upside.

26. Khyri Thomas – Creighton

A lot of wings get labeled 3-and-D, but that’s usually just in theory. Oftentimes, they’re either a shooter who isn’t really a great defender or a good defender with an iffy shot. Creighton’s Khyri Thomas is a rare exception. Known as one of the toughest defenders in college basketball, Thomas is also a career 39.5 percent 3-point shooter on over 270 attempts. 

While the junior wing does not have a lot of creation upside, he is averaging three assists per game. Certainly overlooked at the beginning of the season, Thomas has a strong case to go in the first round. Though he could rebound the ball better, he doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses. That’s the type of player who could help a lot of teams right away and for years to come.

25. Rawle Alkins – Arizona

Rawle Alkins is the heart and soul of Arizona basketball. The sophomore wing from Brooklyn is having a great year scoring the ball more and is showing his jump shot is for real. Shooting 36.5 percent from 3 on over 150 attempts is encouraging. He’s a fiery player and solid defender, who can impact a game in so many ways when the shot is falling. The only problem might be his health.

While nothing as serious as some prospects in the past, Alkins has played in just 10 games this year dealing with foot soreness. Having missed part of the season due to a broken foot last year, he’s done well when he’s played. NBA teams may opt to not invest a first round pick in him because of this, especially if soreness is lingering. Still, between his jumper, athleticism and toughness, he’s a first round caliber prospect.

24. Shake Milton – SMU

Shake Milton is a towering 6’6″ combo guard with a plus wingspan and a great jumper. The junior is putting up career highs in points with 18.3 per game and 3-point shooting at 43.3 percent. He’s a catch-and-shoot nightmare and due to his wingspan can shoot over any defender. Milton also possess great vision, assisting on nearly one-fourth of SMU’s buckets.

The main question surrounding him is what kind of defender he can become. SMU plays a decent amount of zone, so it’s hard to get a great read on him. He moves well for such a lanky guard and that length allows him to generate steals and blocks. Still, he’s not the quickest and struggles on the other end at creating off the dribble. Those are holding him back from going closer to the lottery.

23. Chandler Hutchison – Boise State

Chandler Hutchison is this year’s poster boy for the senior who steadily improved year after year. The Boise State wing is heating up at the right time to impress NBA scouts. I went in-depth on Hutchison here, so I’ll keep this one brief.

Hutchison adds shooting and defensive upside to a prospect that is scoring at will. He recently dropped 44 points on San Diego State and has some of the most advanced footwork of any college wing. His age may see him not taken in the teens, but he’s more than worthy of consideration at the back end of the first round. He’s in the top-25 for a reason.

22. Jacob Evans – Cincinnati

Jacob Evans is hands down one of my favorite prospects for the potential 2018 NBA Draft class. While he’s stayed at No. 22 since November, that’s more of a testament to the emergences of Trae Young and Jaren Jackson Jr. Evans is a legitimate 3-and-D wing with superstar role player upside.

Per Sports Reference, nationally Evans is eighth in Defensive Rating, fourth in Defensive Win Shares and 16th in Box Plus/Minus, and he just so happens to shoot nearly 42 percent from deep since the beginning of last season. In addition to all that, he’s taken on a lot of ball-handling responsibilities. For large portions of games he more or less operates as the Bearcats’ point guard. Good luck finding almost any players that have his combination of elite defense, shooting and passing.

21. De’Anthony Melton – USC

Despite being ruled out for the season by USC amid the FBI’s probe into bribes in college basketball, De’Anthony Melton is a first round prospect. A lot will come down to how he would fair in workouts and interviews, but his freshman year had scouts paying attention already. That lack of playing time, though, drops him down five spots.

Melton is a Swiss army knife combo guard. His only real weaknesses are shooting and ball-handling. Dribbling isn’t too much of a problem as he likely won’t primarily run the point in his pro career. At least not yet. That being said, he shot under 30 percent from 3 his freshman year. Still, Melton is a lockdown defender with great feel, passing, feet and rebounding. After this fiasco, I wouldn’t blame him from walking away from the university.

20. Anfernee Simons – IMG Academy

Anfernee Simons will remain the most interesting player in this draft pool until he chooses the NBA or college. As covered in this piece, Simons is eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft because he’s in a post-graduate year at IMG Academy. He has an interesting decision to make before June’s draft.

Scouts nationwide have followed him to national tournaments to get as much intel as possible. So far he’s played well and offers a ton of upside. In fact, Simons might easily possess the highest upside of any player outside the lottery. An ultra athletic combo guard standing at 6’4″ with a solid wingspan, Simons is already deadly with his jumper. He’ll need to smooth out his passing, defense and strength, but he should be a first round pick if he declares.

19. Mitchell Robinson – Chalmette High School

Mitchell Robinson’s decision to join, leave, join again and then leave Western Kentucky is one of the strangest recruiting moments in recent years. Rather than going overseas, Robinson is stateside training for the NBA Draft. While he has more time to work on his game than those in college, he won’t get as much exposure and competition. It’s a risky move, but he still could be a high first round pick.

At around seven feet tall, Robinson was an equal peer of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mohamed Bamba as a shot-blocker in high school. The athletic big man is also a better lob target than those two players. That in itself leaves a lot to like. There’s no telling what he’s worked on, such as a jumper, so we won’t know much until the pre-draft process starts.

18. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Kentucky

Going into the season, Kevin Knox and Hamidou Diallo were Kentucky’s blue chip prospects. Knox has been solid, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making his case as the best Wildcat. At 6’6″ with a plus wingspan, he’s a perfect guard for the modern NBA. While not ultra fast, he’s quick and shifty. Gilgeous-Alexander changes direction well and uses his crazy long arms to finish well at the rim.

Gilgeous-Alexander won’t be able to run an NBA team by himself yet, but he’s assisting on over 25 percent of Kentucky’s buckets when he’s on the floor. Add in that he’s shooting 42 percent from 3 on a small sample size, and you get the idea he may play himself into the lottery. As good as a guard as he is offensively, he’s even better on defense. His long arms are disruptive and he moves very well, including getting over screens. A strong end to the season would have him in a great spot.

17. Daniel Gafford – Arkansas

Daniel Gafford is another surprise freshman who seems to have been overlooked. Not on my big board in November, he’s now firmly in the top-20 discussion. Gafford is right there with Mitchell Robinson, but is slightly ahead for a couple reasons. The obvious is one is he’s playing. We’re seeing him hang with and dominate for stretches against strong competition in the SEC and elsewhere.

On the season, in less than 23 minutes a night, he’s averaging 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. You can easily see what his per-40 numbers are like. A tremendous center who can block shots and play above the rim, the second edge he has on Robinson is his passing. Gafford has a lot of upside to unlock there. That’s the main reason he’s so high. He’s not just a shot-blocker and lob target.

16. Robert Williams – Texas A&M

Like Miles Bridges, Robert Williams came back for his sophomore year and his production has more or less stagnated. Part of that is down to Williams playing out of position at the 4. Texas A&M doesn’t have great floor-spacing, so we rarely get to see his true potential at the 5. The bouncy, 6’9″ big man has an outstanding wingspan that allows him to protect the rim really well. Williams also moves very well in space and might have the best upside as a passer of any big in this class.

The problem, and why he’s relatively low here, is his inconsistency. He’s missed some time to suspension and injury, but his motor runs hot and cold. For a player who can terrorize opponents as a rim protector, passer and lob threat, we rarely see that on a consistent basis. That’s partially down to his team, but also on him. NBA teams will need some assurances before buying in. Williams is one of those prospects that likely looks much better in NBA spacing with a real point guard.

15. Dzanan Musa – Cedevita

In what’s looking like a weak international class, there’s no clear best player after Luka Doncic. Dzanan Musa may have the best case, however. Still yet to turn 19, Musa is getting plenty of minutes for Cedevita in Croatia. His minutes are a good sign as many prospects, like Frank Ntilikina last year, usually play sparingly.

What’s most intriguing about Musa is how well he scores the ball at 6’9″. Musa is not just a  forward who can stretch the floor very well. He possesses an underrated ability in the pick-and-roll and can shoot off the dribble as well. At such a young age and with a thin frame, it’s hard to tell what kind of defender he can become. Still, players with his skill-set are very rare, making him a possible lottery pick.

14. Troy Brown – Oregon

Troy Brown is the freshman most under the radar right now. The McDonald’s All-American is having a great all-around season for Oregon. Though he lacks elite athleticism and upside, his floor is really high. Brown is a rare point forward who defends the hell out of his position, can push in transition and rebound really well.

The key for Brown, especially with his upside, comes down to his jumper. He’s so far just 20-for-68 from 3, coming out to 29.4 percent. There’s a little bit of optimism with him shooting almost 79 percent from the foul line. The jump shot is worth gambling on because of everything else he does well. The guy is just a pure basketball player, always making the right decisions. A team with a shooting big man should think about drafting Brown.

13. Kevin Knox – Kentucky

Fresh off the best game of his college career, it’s easier to buy the upside of Kevin Knox. On the road against a tough West Virginia squad, Kentucky’s freshman balled out for 34 points and seven rebounds. Along the way, he hit five of eight 3s and seven of eight free throws. Knox’s form has always looked better than his numbers showed. Now he’s sitting at over 35 percent from 3. If you’re buying his shot, you’re probably high on Knox.

At 6’9″, Knox is an athletic combo forward that NBA coaches would love in theory. Though likely better off at the 4, Knox has the potential to stretch the floor, put the ball on the floor and switch on defense. Against West Virginia he showed just how deadly he can be in transition with his athleticism. This could be the game that pushes him further into lottery consideration.

12. Lonnie Walker – Miami

Lonnie Walker is another freshman playing really well lately. I wrote several weeks ago about his slow start, but he seems to have turned a corner. Walker came into the season known as a strong athlete with a pure jumper and strong potential on defense. How much it had to do with the injury he was coming off of, as he looked lost and lacking confident, is unclear. You can’t say that about Walker right now. though

Over his last five ACC games, Walker is averaging 19 points and has hit almost 46 percent of his 3s. In their last game against Florida State, is jumper looked terrific. Every time he pulled up you expected it to go down. More than that, he’s attacking off the dribble, making great passes and competing on defense. He could do with improving as a rebounder, but these last few games have showed a player worth selecting in the lottery. Walker may end the year in my top-10.

11. Miles Bridges – Michigan State

Miles Bridges hasn’t exactly built on his freshman season. His numbers are very similar across the board. That being said, the half glass full view is that he’s proven he’s a legitimate lottery prospect. Bridges is showing an underrated passing ability this year and continuing to play above the rim. He’s also backed up his shooting from deep. Following a hot stretch as of late, the Michigan State sophomore is well over 37 percent from 3.

While he hasn’t exponentially improved his game, thus why he fell from No. 7 in November, there’s still a lot to like. Playing the role of a mismatch 4 who can switch on defense, similarly to Knox, is someone a lot of NBA teams covet. Bridges has also impressively hit 90 percent of his free throws this year.

10. Collin Sexton – Alabama

After a dominant head-to-head win over Trae Young and Oklahoma, Collin Sexton flashed everything scouts love about him. He took the point guard battle personally, bumping and face-guarding Young whenever possible. Young finished with just 17 points, as Sexton and Alabama didn’t let him get in rhythm. Sexton finished with 18 points, but had three turnovers to two assists. His floor is incredibly high.

Right now, Sexton is much more of a scorer than pure point guard. Not to compare them skill-wise, but he’s got that Derrick Rose productivity. He can make some great passes, but best influences the game offensively as a scorer. That makes him a trickier fit for some teams and why I have him a little lower than my last big board. For example, Orlando might be a tough spot as they’re in need of a facilitator. Yet, pairing him with Devin Booker in Phoenix is a perfect fit.

9. Mikal Bridges – Villanova

Mikal Bridges is one of my biggest risers since November. From No. 15, he’s cemented himself as a lottery pick and possibly even in the top-10. I broke down why Bridges should get looks from NBA teams selecting in the top-10 last month.

He’s hands down the best two-way wing in this draft, thriving with most elite defense and shooting. At 6’7″ with a massive wingspan, he’s punishing on defense and opponents can’t really contest his jumper. After showing flashes of a dribble-drive game this year, he should absolutely kill in the NBA playing a smaller, more defined role.

8. Michael Porter Jr. – Missouri

Several months after he played all of two minutes in his debut, we’ve still yet to see Michael Porter Jr. on the court. We likely won’t until the NBA Draft Combine, if we even see him then. It says a lot about the top of this draft class that Porter is anywhere outside the top-five. This isn’t a knock on his game. If fully healthy, he’d be higher up, but the reality is we don’t know how bad the injury is.

Until then, and as other prospects have stepped up, he’s in that 5-10 range. Porter has the potential to lead the league in scoring one day with an offensive game slightly similar to Kevin Durant’s. That’s mostly in the sense that he’s a 6’10” shooting guard. Also an incredible athlete, you hope that translates a bit on defense. For now we’re just waiting on his bill of health. Here’s hoping he comes back with a bang.

7. Wendell Carter – Duke

Up five spots from No. 12 in November, Wendell Carter looks like a potential future All-Star. In the shadow of Marvin Bagley’s he’s become a bit underappreciated. Despite sharing the ball and boards with Bagley, Carter is still averaging an impressive 14.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game. Carter looks like a far superior passer, shooter and rim protector compared to Bagley.

The question with Carter is without superstar upside, how high can he go? He doesn’t do anything at an elite level, but he’s great in almost every area of the game. His face-up game is underrated and his shooting touch looks legit. Carter has a ways to go to become Al Horford, but you can understand why some people see some similarities. Carter may have the highest floor in this class among the big men.

6. Marvin Bagley III – Duke

There’s not much else to say about Marvin Bagley III. Duke’s star big man is producing like no one before him. Through 21 games, Bagley is putting up 22 points, 11.6 rebounds and one block and steal per game. He makes plays on both ends and has one of the best second jumps of any prospect. The main reason Bagley isn’t closer to the top overall pick is his rim protection.

Bagley was a great shot blocker in AAU and at Duke is playing him often on the wing in a zone. That matters. However, his defensive awareness is relatively poor and he doesn’t have the length to be a great rim protector. Still, with his motor, space defense potential, left hand touch and shooting potential there’s a lot to like. Bagley has even flashed a growing passing ability too. It’s less so about being low on Bagley and more so being higher on the other top prospects.

5. Trae Young – Oklahoma

After not being on a ton of radars in November, Trae Young is the story of college basketball. He might be the talk of the 2018 NBA Draft, sans Doncic, at this point too. We haven’t seen a player like him in college since Stephen Curry. Curry was a year older when he started blowing up and didn’t possess the kind of passing and vision that Young does. Now, Young is not Curry and does in fact have several weaknesses.

Like when Curry was coming out of college, there’s some concern about Young’s frame. That being said, he’s stronger than he looks. He will have to improve as a finisher, but Young is someone who will thrive with more space and less attention on him at the next level.

4. Jaren Jackson Jr. – Michigan State

Jaren Jackson Jr. deserves full consideration in the top-five and possibly as high as No. 2 overall. He’s a true unicorn prospect who can rebound, defend in space, protect the rim and shoot 3s. Not to mention he’s right in Mohamed Bamba’s wheelhouse as a defensive center. Of course he doesn’t have Bamba’s absurd standing reach and wingspan, but he’s no slouch.

In fact, Jackson might have the highest defensive awareness of any big in this class. The main weakness with Jackson is fouling. For a potentially elite defender, he’ll lose value if he can’t play 30+ minutes a night. For Michigan State, Jackson is only playing 23.5 minutes per night. That being said, he’s been insanely productive and leads the NCAA in Box Plus/Minus. Buy stock, if there’s any even left.

3. Mohamed Bamba – Texas

Mohamed Bamba is both of the most unique and divisive prospects in recent years. A true seven-footer with go-go gadget arms, he has the profile of the NBA’s next great shot-blocker. Bamba moves really well in space for his size and changes the game defensively just by putting his arms up. Bamba is blocking over 15 percent of opponents’ shots when he’s on the floor. But that’s not the reason he may end up as a top-three pick.

Bamba is an incredibly bright young man who will likely blow teams away in interviews. On top of that, he’s a great lob target and has strong shooting potential. The numbers aren’t great, but his form looks decent under the eye test. In addition to that, he just put in back-to-back incredible performances. In his last two games, Bamba has scored 49 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, blocked seven shots and went 3-for-3 from deep. That’s the upside teams are looking at.

2. DeAndre Ayton – Arizona

There’s a ton of fluidity at the top of this draft, but it’s really hard to put anyone above DeAndre Ayton and Luka Doncic. Ayton shows flashes of a young Joel Embiid offensively and that’s hard to not get excited about. Also a solid passer at times, Ayton seemingly can almost do it all as just a teenager. What separates Ayton is his combination of extreme athleticism, offensive polish and shooting. He’s a true unicorn.

For Ayton to reach his true potential, however, he has to get better on defense. Right now his perimeter and space defense is excellent, much better than expected, honestly. While his rim protection has improved, there’s a lot to be desired there. That being said, Arizona plays him at the 4 so he’s not exactly the last line of defense all game long. Ayton has buried rumors of not having a motor in college and seems destined to be a franchise-changing center.

1. Luka Doncic – Real Madrid

I’ve written so much about Luka Doncic between mock drafts and big boards, so I’ll keep this short. Doncic’s track record and production remains unrivaled. None of these college freshman would come close to doing what he’s doing in the world’s second best league.

Next: The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated, 2016-17)

This college class has been unreal and it just feels like despite all that, Doncic is in a class of his own.