Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 players to watch in the 2018 NCAA Tournament
By Ryan Piers
3. Collin Sexton
If LeBron James stays, the Cavs need a complementary ball-handler. If James leaves, Cleveland embarks on the arduous rebuilding process. There’s no better position to start with than point guard.
In a draft stocked with post talent, Sexton is right there with Oklahoma’s Trae Young as college’s best guard. The athletic playmaker is a contemporary score-first, get-to-the-rim point guard. His step-back jumper is smooth and he’s acrobatic by the rim.
Sexton became the stuff of legends after nearly orchestrating a second-half comeback against Minnesota…with only two other teammates on the floor. If you missed the game, it’s a must-watch.
After spending most of the season as a fringe top-10 pick, a strong SEC tournament shot Sexton into the top eight in most mock drafts. Bama’s point guard scored 27 points against Texas A&M followed by another 31 against ranked Auburn. Despite a barrage of double-teams, he still managed 21 points in the conference semifinals vs. Kentucky.
Sexton’s most obvious NBA comparison might be Dennis Smith Jr. Both are high-flyers that finish gracefully around the rim. People may smirk at the comparison, looking at Sexton as more of a spot-up shooter without the athleticism of Smith. But remember, Sexton won the McDonald’s All-American Jam Fest.
Sexton has that “it” factor; the ability to shoulder his team and lead them to victory. He is a guy Cavs fans should feel comfortable entrusting their franchise to, and should be around when Cleveland is on the clock in the first round.