Denver Nuggets: 5 options for pick No. 43 in 2018 NBA Draft

5. Brandon McCoy

• Height: 7’0″
• Weight: 250 lbs
• Age: 19
• Position: C

Before the college basketball season started, Brandon McCoy was being projected as a first round draft pick, and some mock drafts even had him in the lottery. Coming out of high school, McCoy was a top recruit that headed to UNLV. The Ringer labeled him as a “throwback center who can score inside and throw his body around on defense, but lacks the ideal athleticism to thrive.”

In his one season at UNLV, McCoy averaged 16.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 28.8 minutes per game while shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 72.5 percent from the free throw line. He shot 3-for-9 from the 3-point range this season.

McCoy is a big, traditional, back-to-the-basket center that could develop into a decent backup for his career. The Nuggets could use McCoy behind guys like Nikola Jokic, Mason Plumlee and Paul Millsap. McCoy can score in the post or mid-range, rebounds well and could become an excellent rim protector over time. Being around NBA players and coaches will benefit McCoy tremendously. Coming into the NBA, he can take his time, learn the game, build his body and better his skills.

The Ringer compared him to Dakari Johnson and Willy Hernangomez. If Nuggets stay patient with McCoy and work with him, he could unlock the part of his game that had some projecting him as a lottery pick, and he would be one of the tops steals in the draft.