NBA Draft: Five sleepers to consider in the first round

NBA draft sleeper No. 1: Robert Woodard II

If you were creating a wing player in NBA2K, he would look something like Robert Woodard II. The 6’7″, 230-pounder with a 7’1″ wingspan has the prototypical dimensions to play either forward position in today’s NBA.

With his supreme athleticism combined with his strength, Woodard has the makings of a versatile defender who can guard almost any position aside from the center.

An excellent team defender, he has a knack for using his length and athleticism to help inside and attack closeouts on the perimeter. What sets him apart from his peers on defense is his ability to contest and block shots without fouling.

Woodard is active and attentive as an off-ball defender, keeping his head on a swivel, and uses his long wingspan to disrupt passing lanes. He uses his size to make opposing ball handlers uncomfortable, and that should only improve at the next level as he continues to build strength.

His offensive game is still very raw, but he possesses an uncanny ability to use a combination of strength and finesse to finish around the rim. The Mississippi State forward made 42.9 percent of his 70 attempts from three last season, a drastic improvement from the 27.3 percent he shot his freshman season, albeit in a small sample size.

Widely considered a better indicator for how well a shooter will be in the NBA than a 3-point percentage, His 64.1 free throw percentage also leaves a lot to be desired by scouts.

Teams in need of defense and athleticism should feel safe selecting Woodard in the mid-late first round as he projects to be a solid two-way player that can slide into the rotation his rookie year. If the improvements in his perimeter shooting are real, he will be a draft-day steal.