He is the Maine Event. The Great White Hype. The next Larry Legend.

Everything you’ve heard, read, or seen about Cooper Flagg is true. He’s the real deal.

Flagg has been on the radar of practically every NBA executive ever since his buzzy performance as a then 17-year-old against the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It was just a simple three-day scrimmage in Las Vegas, but it was more than enough to convince many basketball decision-makers that Flagg is worthy of being the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

While playing for the USA Select Team, Flagg made some eye-opening plays against a U.S. Olympic squad loaded with NBA stars and all-world defensive players. He made a 3-pointer over Anthony Davis. On the next possession, he had a putback plus an and-one over Bam Adebayo. A few moments later, he connected on a turnaround jumper over Jrue Holiday.

Even though Flagg was fresh out of high school when he was invited to the USA Basketball camp, he certainly didn’t look out of place or intimidated.

Kevin Durant told HoopsHype that Flagg looked like a “hell of a player,” someone who will only get better with more experience. “Seventeen years old coming in here playing like he’s a vet almost. No emotion. Just going out there and doing his job. That’s a good sign,” Durant said.

After a one-year pit stop at Duke where he had an incredible freshman season — powering the Blue Devils to the Final Four and sweeping all the major college basketball awards — Flagg is ready to take his talents to the NBA. He is a unique, generational talent who has the potential to become one of the faces of the league.

OneManFastBreak.net ranks the 12 best prospects in the 2025 NBA draft (the list is updated through April with the expectation that these players are declaring for the draft).

1-Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke
NBA comparison: Scottie Pippen
Scouting report: Flagg is such a unique talent that evaluators are finding it difficult to frame an accurate NBA comp for him. Some observers compare him to Andrei Kirilenko, some say it’s Grant Hill or Scottie Pippen because of the similarities in body type. Flagg is a huge Larry Bird fan. It’s ironic both Flagg and Bird lost in the national championship game in their final collegiate games. Bird lost to Magic Johnson’s Michigan State squad in 1979 and Flagg fell short against Houston in 2025. When Flagg was in elementary school in his hometown of Newport, Maine, his parents gave him DVDs chronicling Bird’s career. From that point, Flagg was hooked on Larry Legend. “What we tried to instill in our kids is that however you can have an impact on winning, that’s the most important thing,” Cooper’s mom Kelly told Yahoo Sports. Just like Bird, Flagg doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. He’ll do whatever is required to win a game. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said when your best player doesn’t care about statistics and only cares about winning, it is contagious. Flagg led Duke in points (19.2), rebounds (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4). He made 38.5% of his threes and shot 84% from the free-throw line. What separates Flagg from other prospects is his defensive instincts. Flagg (measured at 6-8, 221 pounds at the NBA combine) uses every bit of his 7-foot wingspan and 40-inch vertical to lock down his opponents, whether it is out in the perimeter or near the basket. He has remarkable timing in blocking shots, a skill set that sets him apart from other wing players. “He makes hard plays look easy,” ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg said.

2-Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers
NBA comparison: Paul George
Scouting report: Airious “Ace” Bailey is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 NBA draft. His baseline NBA comp is probably Shaedon Sharpe but his ceiling could be Paul George. And Paul George would agree. If George had to pick between Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey, he’d choose Bailey. “I think Ace is a little bit more raw talent with still a ton of upside. I think Ace has a little bit more upside to him,” George said. Ace and Rutgers teammate Dylan Harper came into the 2024-25 college basketball season with tons of expectations. Bailey and Harper had decent individual stats during their freshman seasons for Rutgers, but the Scarlet Knights finished underwater in the Big Ten (15-17 overall, 8-12 conference) and got bounced in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. Bailey is a gifted athlete who can score at all three levels. He is bouncy but wildly inconsistent offensively. He is a tough one-on-one cover because of his size and elite athleticism, and he’s got the perfect frame (6-8, 202) to be a solid wing player. Scouts love his shot-making ability, but scouts are terrified of his shot selection. He chooses a higher degree of difficulty over simplicity. He takes a ton of bad shots, which is a tough habit to break. He’ll need to clean that up and prove to teams that he can play inside a structured system.

3-VJ Edgecombe, guard, Baylor
NBA comparison: Victor Oladipo
Scouting report: According to ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla, Edgecombe hasn’t fully realized how good he can be at the next level. Fraschilla thinks Edgecombe’s ceiling is Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, but a more realistic comparison is Victor Oladipo. Edgecombe is an ultra-athletic 6-4 off-ball wing who plays with the same fearlessness as Wade and Oladipo. He is nearly unguardable when he puts his head down and drives to the basket. Part of the frustration with Edgecomb was that he was a little passive and deferred too much despite his well-rounded game. Edgecomb has to understand his natural tools. He has above-average athleticism and must know when to hunt for his shot when the right moment arises. In two games against NCAA tournament runner-up Houston, Edgecomb averaged 18.5 points, 2.5 steals, and was 11-for-19 from the field. Before moving to the U.S., Edgecombe spent his childhood in the Bahamas. He’ll be following in the footsteps of other Bahamian ballers in the NBA, including Buddy Hield and Deandre Ayton.

4-Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers
NBA comparison: Jalen Brunson
Scouting report: Dylan Harper is a triple-double threat whenever he steps on the court. The son of former NBA player Ron Harper is a big combo guard (6-5, 213) who can fill up a stat sheet. And just like his father — a four-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers — Dylan uses his big frame to get to his spots without getting rushed. Harper is a bigger version of Jalen Brunson. He is not an explosive athlete but plays under control. He is crafty, uses angles well, and is comfortable on ball screens. Like most lefties, he tends to lean on his strong hand a little too much and declares his initial move. Dylan recorded the first triple-double for Rutgers since 1983 when he produced 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in a victory over Columbia. Harper and Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey came into the 2024-25 college basketball season with tons of expectations. Both had decent individual stats during their freshman seasons, but the Scarlet Knights finished underwater in the Big Ten (15-17 overall, 8-12 conference) and got bounced in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. The disappointing Rutgers season might be a dark cloud hanging over Harper during the draft process.

5-Tre Johnson, guard, Texas
NBA comparison: Norman Powell
Scouting report: Tre Johnson is the archetype of what NBA execs are looking for in a wing. He is big (6-5), has good length (6-10 wingspan), and can score at all three levels. Johnson, 19, averaged 19.9 points per game in his one-and-done season at Texas. He showcased his creative shot-making ability against stout competition in the SEC. Johnson could be a Normal Powell-type professional scorer with room to grow into a solid combo guard. He might have the best mid-range jumper in this draft class, and he uses his size to score over defenders on dribble handoffs and mid-post isolations. Tre moves well without the ball, capable of being a catch-and-shoot threat. He shot 37% from 3-point range, which should make his transition from college to pro pretty easy. With a name like Tre, he should be able to knock down threes. He does struggle guarding his position, but his size will help him mitigate that weakness. Tre claims to be a “big basketball nerd,” which is a plus. NBA teams love to hear that. He has shown good work habits and is willing to go the extra mile to improve his game.

6-Derik Queen, forward-center, Maryland
NBA comparison: Elton Brand
Scouting report: When Maryland needed a basket to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, coach Kevin Willard asked his players in the huddle during a timeout who wanted to take the last shot. Freshman Derik Queen delivered a strong message. “Give me the motherf******* ball,” he said. Willard drew up a play for Queen and the 20-year-old from Baltimore delivered in the clutch as he banked in the game-winning shot as time expired. The buzzer beater showcased Queen’s repertoire. He flashed his crafty handle in a crowded space while making a tough, contested shot. He’s the ideal 4-man or small-ball 5 as he can trigger the offense from the mid-post. You can envision him being used as an offensive hub out of “horns” sets. He doesn’t possess elite athleticism but he has outstanding footwork for a 6-9 big and he has great touch around the basket comfortable using either hand. The 3-pointer is not in his tool box yet, but with more reps — he was a 75% free throw shooter at Maryland — he’s capable of extending his range. He does need to remake his body (weighed 247 at the combine) when he gets to the NBA, but with proper training and a more disciplined diet he should be able to tone his body. The Big Ten freshman of the year was a key member of Maryland’s “Crab Five,” which might be the coolest nickname in the tourney, averaging nearly a double-double (15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds) for the season. The other cool nugget about Queen is that he was Cooper Flagg’s high school teammate at Montverde Academy (Fla.).

7-Walter Clayton Jr., guard, Florida
NBA comparison: Jamal Murray
Scouting report: Maryland coach Kevin Willard said Walter Clayton Jr., 22, reminded him of Steph Curry “a little bit of how good he is off the dribble.” It might be absurd to compare Clayton to the greatest shooter in basketball, but he does look the part. Clayton — named the most outstanding player of the 2025 Final Four after leading Florida to a national title — might be closer to Jamal Murray than Curry. Like Steph and Jamal, Clayton shoots the ball well off the bounce and stays balanced even under duress with a quick release. He is also supremely confident and isn’t afraid of taking (and making) big shots — check out the video from the Elite Eight when Clayton dropped two dagger 3-pointers in the final 1:50 to advance the Gators to the Final Four.

When he is rolling, few can contain Clayton. He led Florida in scoring (17.4) while shooting 38% from the 3-point line. Clayton was a highly recruited high school football safety, but turned down offers from Notre Dame and Georgia. His football background shows in his game. He doesn’t shy away from physicality and plays through contact.

8-Egor Demin, guard-forward, Brigham Young
NBA comparison: Josh Giddey
Scouting report: The 6-9 point-forward with a 6-10 wingspan flashed some of his immense potential with a near triple-double (11-8-8) in BYU’s upset win over third-seeded Wisconsin in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Many Demin detractors point to his shooting woes (27% from 3-point range) as a major red flag, but it is hard to ignore the other brilliant facets of his game. Demin plays with remarkable poise for a 19-year-old and relies on his great instincts to make the right play. He has above-average handles for a 6-9 player and throws dazzling passes in traffic. He is creative with the ball and does not get rattled when trapped. His court vision and decision-making out of pick-and-rolls are elite. He’s able to whip passes over and around defenders. Defensively, his great positional size makes him an ideal defensive helper or low man helper around the basket, and he has enough lateral quickness to keep up with twitchy guards. Demin was born in Moscow and played one year in Europe for Real Madrid. He’s a plug-and-play prospect despite his age and inconsistent jumper.

9-Maxime Raynaud, forward-center, Stanford
NBA comparison: Lauri Markkanen
Scouting report: Raynaud is a skilled 7-footer who made a big jump from his junior year to his senior year at Stanford. He bumped up his points from 15.5 to 20.2, raised his rebounds from 9.6 to 10.6, and improved his blocks from 0.8 to 1.4. These are significant bumps that cant’ be overlooked. It means his arrow keeps point up and he’s developing at a really good pace. The Frenchman could be an ideal pick-and-pop center at the next level. He shot 36.7% of his 3-pointers as a junior and 34.7% as a senior. He’s not a banger so he’ll need to bulk up and add more muscle to his 236-pound frame. He does have a nice post-up game to go with his face-up jumper. He prefers to stay out in the perimeter, but he has decent touch around the basket and can score with either hand. Like most bigs, he lacks lateral quickness which could expose him against strong one-on-one players. Raynaud boosted his draft profile with a strong showing at the NBA combine in Chicago, especially during the 5-on-5 scrimmages. He projects more of a 4-man rather than a 5-man, but he can play both spots. He could really shine if paired with a physical center who can cover up for his shortcomings.

10-Danny Wolf, forward-center, Michigan
NBA comparison: Boris Diaw
Scouting report: Many mock drafts have Wolf slotted in the mid-to-late first-round range. The 20-year-old versatile big man is a unique prospect who could blossom into an outstanding pro. Wolf is a 6-11, 250-pound big with guard-like skills, exactly what teams are looking for in a 4- or 5-man. He can be a hub on offense as a “point center” because he is comfortable handling the ball in space, and his size allows him to see over the defense. He takes calculated risks as the trigger man on pick-and-rolls. He’s also a strong rebounder, averaging 9.7 boards during his sophomore season at Yale and his junior season at Michigan. He plays with a lot of energy and has a consistent motor, which bodes well for his defensive projection. Here are some concerns: He is prone to turning the ball over, shot just 49% from the field, and does not protect the rim despite his large frame. He also shot under 60% from the free throw line at Michigan, but he did shoot 71% at Yale, which could mean it is a correctable weakness. Despite the drawbacks, Wolf might be worth the risk because the reward could be great.

11-Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina
NBA comparison: Julius Randle
Scouting report: Murray-Boyles raised his draft stock after a strong sophomore season at South Carolina. He improved in every major statistical category and made second-team all-conference in a very competitive SEC. Murray-Boyles, listed at 6-7, was forced to play center for an underwhelming Gamecocks team that finished 12-20 overall. But he will likely be slotted as a big forward in the NBA. CMB plays bigger than his size and brings a ton of physicality. He uses his 240-pound frame to carve out space in the paint (shot 58% from the field) and has decent handles for a power forward. As a bonus, CMB plays hard on the defensive end and could potentially be a strong perimeter and post defender because of his wingspan and quick feet. His defense could become his calling card at the next level and make him part of a rotation.

12-Ben Saraf, guard, Ratiopharm Ulm (Bundesliga)
NBA comparison: Goran Dragic
Scouting report: Israeli guard Ben Saraf is the best international prospect in a weak international class. The 19-year-old played a year for Ratiopharm Ulm in the very competitive Bundesliga in Germany. He plays with a ton of energy and passion. He’s listed at 6-5 but lacks strength. He relies on his craftiness to shed defenders, but he’s got a solid handle that allows him to get to his spots. He’s got decent body control and has enough athleticism to score over and around bigger defenders. He has plenty of international experience playing for Israel’s national team, and he was named MVP of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket. He didn’t shoot the 3-ball well in his first season with Ulm (22.2%), so whoever drafts him will have to work with his shooting form. Despite his shortcomings as a long-range shooter, Saraf has all the intangibles to be a solid pro. NBA scouts got a sneak peek at Saraf in 2024 as he scored 16 points and made three 3-pointers in a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastbreak.net. Follow and subscribe to his YouTube channel at @onemanfastbreak1.

NBA teams looking for a big man are in luck. This year’s draft is loaded with big men who could change the fortunes of several franchises.

Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero are two of the three best prospects in the 2022 NBA draft. The two went head-to-head last November and the 20,000 fans at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas were treated to an entertaining show that’ll soon be part of the NBA calendar.

“I’m sure you’ll be watching these two battle each other on and off for the next 15 years,” Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said. “They’re both incredible basketball players with a bright future.”

The third player at the top of every non-playoff team’s wish list is Auburn’s Jabari Smith. Smith is a gifted forward with a sweet shooting stroke. Smith, Holmgren, and Banchero each offer something different. But all three have the potential to be outstanding pros.

Here are OMFB’s top prospects for the 2022 NBA draft on June 23.

1-Chet Holmgren, forward/center, Gonzaga
NBA comparison: Kevin Durant
Scouting report: Holmgren is a unique prospect, probably the rarest pro prospect we’ve seen in quite a while. He’s a 7-foot wing player with a massive 7-foot-5 wingspan that allows him to cover a lot of ground and alter shots (3.7 blocks per game). He’s also an above-average ball-handler, which allows him to create his own shot. That freakish combination is rare even in today’s positionless basketball. He’s been compared to Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, and Marcus Camby. He’s got a little bit of all three in his game, but there’s no real accurate comparison because Holmgren is an absolute unicorn. “Chet’s a game-changer on defense and there were a couple of layups that I would usually make with no problem but with him at the rim, that wasn’t happening tonight,” Paolo Banchero said after facing Holmgren in a non-conference meeting in Las Vegas. Holmgren shot 41% from 3-point range and 61% from the field. Against UCLA, he flashed his ball-handling skills in the open court when he went coast-to-coast for one of the best plays of the season. Holmgren may not have Durant’s scoring ability but he has a nice pick-and-pop game and his ability to put the ball on the deck allows him to get his own shot from anywhere on the court. Similar to Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley, Holmgren has a slight frame but great footwork in the paint. Mobley’s early success in the NBA is helping Holmgren’s case for No. 1, despite his lack of frame (195 pounds). Holmgren’s natural position in the NBA could eventually be at the 4, but he can certainly play small-ball 5.

2-Paolo Banchero, forward, Duke
NBA comparison: Chris Webber
Scouting report: At 6-10 and 240 pounds, Banchero fits the part of an old-school NBA power forward. He has guard-like skills and moves extremely well for his size. As a high school prospect, Banchero’s lateral movement on defense was one of his weakest traits, but he worked on his explosiveness and footwork this summer. In his matchup against highly touted prospect Chet Holmgren, Banchero outplayed Holmgren in the first half but suffered leg cramps in the second half, which limited his impact on the game. When Banchero was fresh, he was able to bully Holmgren. But as the game progressed, Banchero’s conditioning became a factor and that’s when Holmgren closed the gap. Banchero looks and plays a lot like former Duke big man Carlos Boozer, who had a long career in the NBA. Banchero has the potential to surpass Boozer and be more like Chris Webber. Either way, any team that drafts Banchero is getting a pro-ready player who can play traditional power forward or small-ball center.

3-Jabari Smith, forward, Auburn
NBA comparison: Rashard Lewis
Scouting report: Smith is a 6-foot-10 forward who led the SEC in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 43% from behind the arc. He knocked down seven 3-pointers in a win over Vanderbilt during the regular season. Jabari’s dad, Jabari Smith Sr., played in the NBA for a few years and his distant cousin is Kwame Brown, so basketball is a big part of his family tree. Jabari Jr. combines textbook shooting mechanics with good size, above-average athletic ability, and balanced competitive intensity. He’ll be 19 when the NBA draft rolls in, so he has yet to hit his ceiling. He doesn’t force things on the offensive end and his high basketball IQ allows him to play any style. He’s also a capable defender, who can switch on guards and keep them out of the paint. But there were times during his freshman season at Auburn when Smith disappeared in games. He tends to defer to his teammates too much when he should be taking over. His Auburn teammate Walker Kessler occasionally looked like the better player on the court. If Smith can improve his handle, he’ll be more difficult to guard.

4-Jaden Ivey, guard, Purdue
NBA comparison: Ja Morant
Scouting report: Ivey is an explosive playmaker cut from the same cloth as Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook. Ivey is considered the best pro prospect to come out of Purdue since Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson, who went No. 1 overall in the 1994 NBA draft. Ivey has electric quickness, but he doesn’t have his foot on the gas pedal all the time. He plays at his own pace. He can slow it down if he doesn’t have a clear runway. Purdue coach Matt Painter said Ivey has greatly improved as a pick-and-roll guard since the start of the season and has learned to go through his progressions like an NFL quarterback. Ivey’s 3.5 assists per game don’t tell the whole story about his ability to run the show. The La Lumiere Prep product enjoyed a breakout season in his second year at Purdue. He has the right combination of size, speed, explosiveness to be an NBA star.

5-Keegan Murray, forward, Iowa
NBA comparison: Kyle Kuzma
Scouting report: Keegan Murray is one of the most unexpected stars of this season. After playing in the shadow of All-American Luka Garza, Murray improved exponentially in his sophomore season. Murray averaged 7.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman. In his second season in Iowa, Murray averaged 23.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His 3-point percentage also increased from 29.6% to an impressive 40.6%. At 6-foot-8, 225 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan, Murray has the size and length to do it all on both ends of the floor. Most scouts see Murray as a plug-and-play prospect who fits the mold of what almost every NBA team covets: a versatile 3-and-D wing. Murray can have an immediate impact as a 3 or 4.

6-Bennedict Mathurin, guard, Arizona
NBA comparison: Jaylen Brown
Scouting report: Ben Mathurin benefitted greatly from staying another year at Arizona. He improved his scoring average from 10 points to 17 points per game and was named Pac-12 player of the year. He added more shots to his arsenal. He looks like an NBA player. When he’s aggressive and locked in, he looks like a star. Mathurin put on a show during the second round of the NCAA tournament when he scored 30 points in an overtime thriller against TCU and authored one of the best dunks you’ll see at the collegiate level. At 6-6 and 195 pounds, Mathurin has the ideal size to play 2-guard in the NBA. He can defend his position and showed great leadership skills as the No. 1 option for the Pac-12 champion Wildcats. Mathurin is the latest in the growing line of basketball standouts to come out of Canada, following in the footsteps of other Canadian ballers RJ Barrett, Jamal Murray, Andrew Wiggins, Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander, and Kelly Olynyk. Mathurin is a plug-and-play athlete who can play any style and will be an immediate rotational player.

7-Jalen Duren, center, Memphis
NBA comparison: Deandre Ayton
Scouting report: Even though Duren is only 18 he’s already a physically imposing figure. He’s a man among boys. Since he was born in 2003 Jalen is eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft and projects as a likely lottery pick. At 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, Duren moves fluidly off the ball and has excellent timing on blocked shots. The matchup with Holmgren in the second round of the NCAA tournament was a scout’s dream. Duren has extremely long arms and big hands, which help him catch lobs, grab rebounds, block shots. Duren’s stats won’t blow you away, but opposing coaches are fully aware of his presence and impact. Houston coach Kelvin Sampson called Duren “the best player on the court” when the Cougars took on Memphis in the AAC tournament final. Duren isn’t flashy, which is a big plus. He’s a lunch-pail, hard-hat guy who doesn’t mind doing the dirty work, such as setting screens and helping on defense. Even though he didn’t shoot the ball well from the free-throw line, he’s got a decent stroke and can improve on his free throws given enough coaching and practice. Because of his frame, Duren has been compared to Dwight Howard. A more realistic NBA comparison is Deandre Ayton. Either way, Duren has a boatload of potential and could turn out to be an absolute stud.

8-Shaedon Sharpe, guard, Kentucky
NBA comparison: Anthony Edwards
Scouting report: Sharpe is a complete mystery. He didn’t play a single minute of college ball after enrolling at Kentucky. But some basketball experts believe the 6-5 wing could turn out to be the best player in the draft. Sharpe only practiced with John Calipari’s Wildcats but never played in a game, so the only film we have of him is from AAU and high school invitational showcases. And from what we’ve seen on the Tube, Sharpe is an explosive athlete who can score at all three levels. He plays with great control for a teenager and he doesn’t seem to get rattled. Jeff Goodman, a former ESPN basketball insider, thinks Sharpe is exactly what the NBA loves right now. “He’s a long, tough, athletic scoring wing who can make players for himself and others. He’s not a point guard, but he can play the point and initiate offense.” Sharpe is the latest in the growing line of talented Canadian hoopers. The one knock Goodman has on Sharpe is his work ethic. Is Sharpe willing to compete every single minute of every single game? That’s a question teams will have to ask when evaluating him. It’s the classic high risk, high reward gamble.

9-Dyson Daniels, guard, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Alex Caruso
Scouting report: Daniels is a highly touted international prospect from Australia. ESPN draft guru Mike Schmitz thinks the versatile combo guard is going to be a top-10 pick. Schmitz said Daniels is “one of the most complete prospects” with an ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Daniels is listed at 6-6 but he’s got a 6-11 wingspan, which makes him very intriguing for any team looking for a two-way wing player. Daniels has very good instincts on defense and is disruptive on the defensive end. He could turn into an elite-level defender. His quick hands, quick feet, and strong build allow him to guard multiple positions. Daniels is combination of Matisse Thybulle and Alex Caruso. He has Thybulle’s defensive instincts and Caruso’s versatility. In fact, Daniels models his game after Caruso. “Alex Caruso is one of the best defenders in the league, no doubt. The way he moves his feet, his instincts. Playing on that Lakers team, that was what kept him on the floor,” Daniels told ESPN. Daniels trained at NBA Global Academy in Australia before joining the G League Ignite. Daniels averaged 11.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.9 steals in 14 games for the Ignite, while playing 31 minutes per game.

10-Johnny Davis, guard, Wisconsin
NBA comparison: Devin Booker
Scouting report: Davis gutted it out during the NCAA tournament while dealing with a sprained ankle. Davis wasn’t the same player after the injury, but he gets kudos for playing through pain. Davis was one of four major conference players who led his team in points, rebounds, and assists. The 6-5 sophomore guard scored 25 or more points in nine regular-season games for the Wisconsin Badgers and put on a show in a game against Jaden Ivey’s Purdue Boilermakers on Jan. 3 when he scored 37 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out three assists, had two steals, and blocked two shots. Davis’ other eye-popping performance came in the Maui Invitational where he averaged 23.7 points en route to being named tournament MVP. Davis is not an elite athlete but he has a Devin Booker-type ability to get to his spots and score from the midrange. He does need to improve on his 3-point shot, but that’ll come with reps. He’s a late bloomer, so he may not have hit his ceiling yet. He’s a decent playmaker and above-average rebounder for a guard. He’s a superb on-ball defender, capable of guarding 1s, 2s, and 3s. His football background from his days as a high school quarterback at La Crosse (Wisconsin) Central High School helps him with his physicality and mental toughness.

11-Mark Williams, center, Duke
NBA comparison: Hassan Whiteside
Scouting report: Duke center Mark Williams played in the shadow of teammate Paolo Banchero during the 2021-22 season, but Williams’ name is rising fast on NBA draft boards after posting some impressive measurements at the combine in Chicago. The ACC defensive player of the year was measured at 7 feet 2, with a 7-foot-6 wingspan. He also had a standing reach of 9-9 standing reach, which compares favorably with NBA centers Rudy Gobert, JaVale McGee, and Deandre Ayton, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The 242-pound Williams has the length and strength to be a defensive anchor at the pro level. He has all the physical tools teams covet, and it will be hard for teams looking for a big man to pass up on him.

12-Ochai Agbaji, guard, Kansas
NBA comparison: Desmond Bane
Scouting report: Agbaji, 22, is one of the older players in the draft. The 6-5 guard is a versatile wing who has shown promise as a defender, slasher, and shooter. Early in his career, he was known for his athleticism and defense. During his senior year at Kansas, Ochai emerged as one of the best shooters in college basketball, making giant leaps as a scorer in both volume and efficiency. Bill Self said Agbaji — who has solidified himself as a viable 3-and-D option at the NBA level — has become an assassin. Agbaji wowed fans during the Big 12 tournament, throwing down a dunk that became a viral hit. He caught a lob pass and in one motion threw down an emphatic dunk that sent folks inside and outside the arena into a frenzy. It’s the type of superb athleticism Agbaji could bring to an NBA team looking for an exciting different-maker.

Joel Huerto is the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter @onemanfastbreak.

Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham (2) could go No. 1 in the 2021 NBA draft. (Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver and the rest of the Pistons’ basketball decision-makers hold the top card in the 2021 NBA draft. The Pistons have an opportunity to change the fortunes of a franchise that’s been to the playoffs twice in 12 years and haven’t had a playoff win in 14 years.

Detroit fans are starving for a winner and they could finally hang their Motor City Bad Boys hat on their first homegrown star since Isiah Thomas. The Pistons roster is starting to take shape after drafting two All-Rookie players in Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, and forward Jerami Grant — the team’s big offseason signing in 2020 — appears to be a foundational piece after enjoying a breakout season. Grant averaged 22.3 points per game (he averaged 12 in his last season in Denver), easily the highest scoring average of his seven-year NBA career. Grant was rewarded with a spot on Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics.

Another young player the Pistons are high on is point guard Killian Hayes. The seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft had an injury riddled rookie season and appeared in just 26 games. With Grant, Bey, Stewart and Hayes in the fold, the Pistons could be one draft pick away from becoming relevant again.

The 2021 NBA draft is loaded with elite talent at the top, good depth in the middle, and some potentially solid late-rounders. There is no clear-cut No. 1 pick this year but there are plenty of worthy contenders to be selected at the top of the draft.

OneManFastBreak ranks the 10 best prospects in the 2021 NBA draft.

1-Cade Cunningham, guard-forward, Oklahoma State
NBA comparison: Grant Hill
Scouting report: Cade Cunningham has the total package (18.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists), and flashed all his wonderful physical tools in his lone season at Oklahoma State. He has great size and strength (6-8, 220), and capable of playing four positions. His game is still evolving and he has yet to hit his ceiling. Cunningham has a knack for coming through in the clutch. He scored 10 of his season-high 40 points in overtime to lead Oklahoma State over rival Oklahoma 94-90 on Feb. 27. Cunningham’s previous high was 29 points. In his first and only Bedlam rivalry game, Cade made 12 of 21 field goals and 13 of 14 free throws. He also finished with 11 rebounds three steals and two blocks. Cunningham would be a good fit on any lottery team. ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla compared Cunningham to Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. “He’s not going to jump over tall buildings. He’s not super explosive, but his size and strength and basketball acumen — [that’s] where he’s very similar to Luka,” Fraschilla told the Dallas Morning News.

2-Evan Mobley, forward-center, USC
NBA comparison: Jermaine O’Neal
Scouting report: Armed with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Evan Mobley is the best shot blocker (averaging 3 blocks per game) in this draft class. He led all Pac-12 freshmen in scoring (16.3) and was among the leaders in rebounds (9.0). His defense is slightly ahead of his offense, but NBA scouts love his immense potential. He plays a bit like former Indiana Pacers big man Jermaine O’Neal, as both are natural pick-and-pop players. Mobley, who is a legit 7-footer, also compares well with last year’s lottery pick James Wiseman, except Mobley is much more polished on the defensive end. Mobley could easily go No. 1 in the draft, but there are a few knocks on him. First, he lacks aggression. He tends to float during games and doesn’t impose his will. Second, he must put on more weight because at 210 pounds he’ll get moved around in the paint.

3-Jalen Suggs, guard, Gonzaga
NBA comparison: Jason Kidd
Scouting report: Gonzaga coach Mark Few said Jalen Suggs has a magical aura about him. Suggs is a natural-born leader whose value goes beyond statistics. His football background is a huge plus. The former Minnesota high school football star plays point guard like a quarterback. He led the Gonzaga Bulldogs to a 31-1 season, coming within one game of completing a perfect season. His 3-point buzzer-bearing in the Final Four against UCLA will go down as one of the greatest shots in NCAA tournament history. He has great anticipation when he delivers passes. He doesn’t shy away from contact when he drives to the basket, as he uses his 6-4, 205-pound frame extremely well. His outside shot is still a work in progress (36% from 3-point), but his technique is sound. He is a terrific on-ball defender, often guarding the other team’s best perimeter player. His high-end NBA comparison is Jason Kidd. If he’s anything close to Kidd, he’ll have a long NBA career.

4-Jalen Green, shooting guard, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Zach LaVine
Scouting report: Swingman Jalen Green has a boatload of talent who could turn out to be the best scorer in this year’s draft class. He was a prolific scorer in high school (31.5 points per game at San Joaquin HS in Fresno, Calif.) and he flashed that scoring ability (17.9 points) in 15 games for G League Ignite. When Yahoo Sports asked Green if he thought he was the best player in this draft class and he said, “Of course. You always have to put money on yourself. I do think I’m No. 1, but that’s just saying I know I have to keep working.” You have to love Jalen’s confidence.  Green has the ideal size (6-6, 186) to play shooting guard in the NBA. He is a three-level scorer with springs in his legs.  Shot selection is a little concern, but that can be easily fixed. Green got better the more games he played in the G League bubble, which shows he’s got a high ceiling.

Jonathan Kuminga played for Ignite in the G League. (Getty Images)

5-Jonathan Kuminga, forward, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Pascal Siakam
Scouting report: Kuminga, 18, is one of the youngest players in the draft after reclassifying in high school. He got off to a hot start in the G League bubble, but tailed off a bit. He ended up averaging 15.8 points and shooting just 38 percent from the field in 13 games for Ignite. He did average 7.2 rebounds and showed some toughness in the paint. He can play either forward spot (small or power forward) but might be better suited as an undersized 4. The 6-7, 210-pounder is a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He moved to the U.S. in 2016, so he’s still adjusting to a new culture on and off the court. “He was our most physical guy. He was our best two-way player in terms of being able to guard on the defensive end one through four,” said former NBA player Brian Shaw, who coached Kuminga in the G League bubble.

6-Davion Mitchell, guard, Baylor
NBA comparison: Mookie Blaylock
Scouting report: Davion Mitchell is built like an NFL safety or running back (6-2, 205). He was the engine that powered the Baylor Bears to a national championship in 2021. “We call him Off-Night because people tend to have off nights against him,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said of his junior point guard, who was the Big 12 defensive player of the year. Mitchell plays suffocating defense, blessed with speed, strength, tenacity to shadow an opposing player 94 feet. Because of his last name and wears No. 45, there’s plenty of comparisons to Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell. But Davion’s game is much more comparable to former Atlanta Hawks defensive dynamo Mookie Blaylock, who was one of the best on-ball defenders in the ’90s.

7-Chris Duarte, guard, Oregon
NBA comparison: Dillon Brooks
Scouting report: Chris Duarte is another “veteran” player in the draft. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic may not have the highest of ceilings, but what he brings to the table is an NBA-ready skill set. He’s a plug-and-play wing player who should contribute right away. He can shoot the ball with range, he’s a capable wing defender, and has very good size for his position (6-6). He’s more of a smooth athlete than an explosive athlete. There’s a maturity about his game, with a blend of toughness and high basketball IQ. Duarte was the winner of the Jerry West Award as college basketball’s top shooting guard. He was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection and was named to the conference’s all-defensive team. He’s exactly what most winning teams covet: a two-way player. If you like Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (also an Oregon product), then you’ll like Chris Duarte.

8-Scottie Barnes, guard-forward, Florida State
NBA comparison: Nicolas Batum
Scouting report: Scottie Barnes is an intriguing prospect who is moving up on many draft boards. The 6-8 versatile forward can play multiple positions and could potentially be an outstanding defender. Scouts love his 7-foot-2 wingspan, along with his footwork and speed to stay in front of perimeter players. Barnes can split time as a 3 or 4, depending on certain matchups. The downside of Barnes is on the offensive end. He averaged just 10.3 points per game and shot poorly from 3-point range (27% percent) in his lone season under Leonard Hamilton at Florida State. But according to Bleacher Report, there is a belief Barnes has “star potential, even if it’s the unconventional type.”

9-Josh Giddey, guard, Adelaide 36ers (Australia)
NBA comparison: Ricky Rubio
Scouting report: Josh Giddey is a highly touted Australian basketball prospect who possesses great vision and creativity, especially as a pick-and-roll ballhandler. He understands how to exploit angles, drop pocket passes and create easy looks for his big man. He is a bigger version of Spanish star Ricky Rubio, with a better outside shot. A large contingent of NBA executives traveled to Las Vegas to watch the 6-8 point guard with the Australian national team. Giddey is advanced for a teenager (doesn’t turn 19 until October), has good size and good feel for the game. He is also an improving shooter, and his form doesn’t appear to be the reason for his 29 percent shooting from 3-ball. If teams are willing to roll the dice on the Aussie, it could pay off in the long run.

10-Corey Kispert, guard-forward, Gonzaga
NBA comparison: Joe Harris
Scouting report: At age 22, Kispert is one of the older players in the draft but that shouldn’t prevent teams from taking a hard look at the Gonzaga sniper. The 6-foot-7 swingman averaged 19.9 points per game for the Zags and was the most consistent shooter in college basketball, making three or more 3-pointers in 11 games this season with a season-high 6 threes against Pepperdine. Kispert shot 44 percent from behind the 3-point line and nearly 88 percent from the free throw line. In the era of smallball and schemes influenced by analytics, Kispert brings an extremely valuable NBA skill set. And most NBA teams will look past at Kispert’s shortcomings and focus on his strengths. The obvious NBA comparisons are Joe Harris and Kyle Korver. Teams needing a shooter — and you can’t have enough shooters on a roster — will immediately fill a need by taking Kispert.

Zion Williamson is the big prize of the 2019 NBA draft. (Getty Images)

The hype surrounding the 2019 NBA draft all points to one player: Zion Williamson.

The Duke superstar is the most celebrated basketball pro prospect in recent memory and he will be coming to an NBA city near you. The New Orleans Pelicans hold the top pick in the draft and — barring some kind of cosmic event — they are expected to select the 6-foot-6, 280-pound beastly forward with the megawatt smile. Zion will be the cornerstone of Pelicans’ franchise.

Even though Zion is head and shoulders above everyone else in this year’s draft, there are still a few gems that could change the fortunes of many teams. If you need a guard, this draft’s for you.

OneManFastBreak.net breaks down the eight best players available in the 2019 NBA draft:

1-Zion Williamson, F, Duke
NBA comparison: Charles Barkley
Scouting report: Legendary Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski calls Zion a “gift from God.” Williamson averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds while sweeping all of the National Player of the Year honors. His 72 dunks in 33 games were must-see highlights. Coach K told Yahoo Sports that Zion “may be an All-Star right away” and has no ceiling. Basically, the sky is the limit. Tough to argue with Coach K, but we’re not ready to hand the keys to the kingdom to Zion. As gifted as he is right now, he still has a few things to work on to improve his game. His jump shot looks more like a set shot and conditioning will be a concern. He may have to drop down in weight to play the full 82-game schedule.

2-Ja Morant, G, Murray State
NBA comparison: De’Aaron Fox
Scouting report: Ja Morant is the consensus No. 2 overall pick and looks like a lock for the Memphis Grizzlies after they traded away Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz. Morant is an explosive scorer with freakish athletic ability. Once he finds some consistency with his jumper … look out! Morant can play in the open court as well as in the half court. He can be a 25-point scorer in the NBA if he adds more muscle to his 175-pound frame.

3-RJ Barrett, G, Duke
NBA comparison: James Harden
Scouting report: Before the college basketball season started many scouts had RJ Barrett ranked ahead of his Duke teammate, Zion Williamson. Barrett is a smooth 6-6 athlete who can play point or shooting guard. Because he’s left-handed the James Harden comparisons are inevitable. Barrett is quick enough to get to the rim and skilled enough to get his shot off against one-on-one defense. The one knock on Barrett is he doesn’t have elite-level athleticism and tends to drive left almost exclusively. Harden isn’t an elite athlete either and he averaged 35 points per game going predominantly to his left side.

4-De’Andre Hunter, F, Virginia
NBA comparison: Luol Deng
Scouting report: Hunter, who won a national championship at Virginia, is one of the most NBA-ready players in the pool. He was the ACC defensive player of the year and has the ability to defend all five positions. The 6-7, 225-pounder with a 7-foot wingspan showcased his defensive skills by locking down Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver in the title game. He is an undersized power forward which makes him the perfect modern day stretch 4. He has shown he can knock down the 3-point shot (43% shooter from behind the arc) making him the ideal 3-and-D player. You can pretty much plug him in most lineups and he’ll be able to hold his own.

5-Darius Garland, G, Vanderbilt
NBA comparison: Kemba Walker
Scouting report: The son of former NBA pro Winston Garland is rising fast on a lot of experts’ draft boards. Despite playing just five games in his college career at Vanderbilt, Garland could be a top-five selection because of his good genes and enormous potential. His greatest attribute is his ability to play off the bounce. He can score from 3-point range as well as mid-range. He is quick enough to get to the basket and is comfortable running pick-and-roll. It would not come as a surprise if Garland turned out to be the second-best player to come out of this draft.

6-Coby White, G, North Carolina
NBA comparison: Jamal Murray
Scouting report: White learned how to play point guard in his lone season in Chapel Hill under the guidance of Roy Williams, who knows a thing or two about developing NBA point guards (ex. Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson, Kendall Marshall). At 6-5, White has the size and speed to be an elite NBA guard. He is an explosive scorer. He’s got the 3-point range and the mid-range game and a floater. The only question mark is his decision-making. He still raw in terms of running an offense, as he tends to be ball-dominant. But once he learns how to be a better playmaker he could end up being better than Felton and Lawson.

7-Romeo Langford, G, Indiana
NBA comparison: Bradley Beal
Scouting report: The Indiana native is a natural-born scorer. His ability to drive to the basket and get a bucket is his best attribute. At 6-6 and 210 pounds, Langford can play through contact and finish at the rim. He doesn’t a consistent long-range shot yet, but he can develop as he progresses and with proper coaching. Langford has All-Star potential if given the opportunity.

8-Brandon Clarke, F, Gonzaga
NBA comparison: Shawn Marion
Scouting report: Clarke is an interesting prospect. He was arguably the second or third scoring option at Gonzaga, so we didn’t get to see his full potential. But when the lights were brightest, he showed up big time. In NCAA tournament games against Baylor, Florida State and Texas Tech, Clarke averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds and shot 67% from the field. During the season, he grabbed 114 offensive rebounds, blocked 117 shots and had 43 steals. Those are numbers every coach loves. His athleticism is off the charts. He has a 40.5-inch vertical leap, and timed extremely well in all the agility drills at the draft combine. He loves to compete and has an extremely high basketball IQ. Some NBA team will be lucky to have him.

Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell is now a Laker. (GETTY IMAGES)

This year’s draft was supposed to be the rebirth of the Los Angeles Lakers brand. After Minnesota took Karl-Anthony Towns the Lakers were poised to land arguably the best center in the draft in Duke center Jahlil Okafor. It was a marriage made in basketball heaven, right? The Lakers and a dominant center. You couldn’t have scripted it any better.

But somewhere along the evaluation and interview process the Lakers’ top brass, which included team president Jim Buss, general manager Mitch Kupchak and head coach Byron Scott, felt Okafor didn’t fit the plan.

So, instead of taking the 6-11, 270-pound big man who some were calling “the next Tim Duncan,” the Lakers decided to use their No. 2 overall pick on Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell.

It was the draft day tremor that shook up the NBA. It seemed like everyone thought the Lakers were going to take Okafor. Well, everyone except the Lakers.

Kupchak has hinted for weeks that the Lakers were looking for a player who fits the new point-guard-driven style, and someone who can play multiple positions. Obviously Kupchak and the Lakers were glued to their TV screens during the playoffs, watching Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors driving, dishing and shooting their way to an NBA title.

The Warriors’ small ball style made such an impression on the Lakers that it made them re-evaluate a time-tested formula that you build your team inside-out and draft a center. L.A. ignored its championship history with big men — from Mikan to Wilt to Kareem to Shaq — and chose a guard with average foot speed and an inconsistent jumper.

Russell is a good player with some physical gifts. He’s a big point guard who can play off the ball and makes some nice passes. But he is also an average athlete who struggles against elite defenders. The one game that stuck out was his matchup against Arizona in the NCAA tournament. Russell was bottled up by T.J. McConnell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and went 3-for-19 from the field.

Despite some glaring weaknesses the Lakers are convinced Russell is the man to lead the franchise into the post-Kobe Bryant era. In fact, Scott believes “D’Angelo has a chance to be a superstar.”

“Talent-wise, he might be the best player in the draft,” Scott said of the 6-5 guard who turned 19 in February.

Scott said he was impressed by Russell’s second workout, where he displayed qualities such as leadership, shooting and passing.

“The decision that was made was to basically take the best player available,” Scott said. “We really felt this kid was special.”

It would have been different if Jerry West was the one evaluating the draft for the Lakers. But were are taking about Kupchak and Buss, and you can include Scott in the mix. None of them have West’s uncanny ability to scout talent.

Since West left the organization in 2002, the Lakers haven’t exactly hit the lottery with their draft picks. Remember Toney Douglas, Devin Ebanks and Javaris Crittendon? Those are names that’ll make any Lakers fan cringe.

Time will tell if the Lakers bungled the 2015 draft. Russell could turn out to be a solid NBA pro and enjoy a long career. But one thing he’ll never be is dominant. Great centers come around once every 10 years. You can find a really good point guard just about every year in the draft.

Go big or go home, right? That’s the NBA slogan. Apparently the Lakers missed that message.

Karl-Anthony Towns could be the No. 1 pick in the draft. (REUTERS)

The Golden State Warriors may have made small ball trendy, but the NBA is still a big man’s league. Go big or go home. That’s the TNT slogan in the NBA playoffs.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers could be the big winners in the 2015 NBA draft as both teams should walk away with a franchise center on June 25.

The Lakers are coming off the franchise’s worst season, winning just 21 games and finishing with the fourth-worst record. Kobe Bryant missed 47 games because of a shoulder injury and Julius Randle’s rookie season lasted just 13 minutes when he tore his ACL in the season opener.

From that point on, the Lakers’ season was in shambles. The glamour franchise of the Association lost a lot of its luster, and a lot of the media attention shifted to the other L.A. team.

But the basketball gods finally sprinkled some Magic Johnson dust on the Lakers when the ping-pong balls landed them in the No. 2 overall spot.

The Lakers need a post-Kobe plan and find their next superstar to anchor the franchise the next 10-15 years. The Lakers have a long history when it comes to dominant big men, from George Mikan to Wilt Chamberlain to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Shaquille O’Neal. All four centers are featured in the rafters at Staples Center.

The NBA would not publicly admit it but the league is better off when one of its glamour teams, such as the Lakers, Celtics or Knicks, are relevant. The Lakers’ rebuilding process begins this summer, and they’ll gladly take whomever the Timberwolves don’t pick.

OneManFastBreak.net examines the top eight prospects in the NBA draft:

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS
6-11, center, Kentucky
Scouting report: Towns is the best of an excellent crop of Kentucky prospects in the draft. The 19-year-old versatile big man, who made the Dominican-Republican national team as a 16-year-old, can play center or power forward and has very quick feet for a 235-pound athlete. His agility is what makes him a superb defender, a skill set that should make his transition to the pro game much smoother. NBA teams are looking for bigs who can switch pick-and-rolls and defend point guards. Towns also showed flashes of a dominant low-post game during the NCAA tournament. He has a nice jump hook going to his right and feels comfortable with his back to the basket or facing up. He has nice form on his jumper, which he could develop into a real weapon if he works at it.
NBA comparison: Anthony Davis

JAHLIL OKAFOR
6-11, center, Duke
Scouting report: Okafor is a throwback, classic big man who prefers to do most of his work in the paint. He feels right at home with his back to the basket and his massive hands enable him to catch anything within his reach. At 270 pounds, Okafor is a handful to handle near the rim. He can score within either hand and has the power to back you down. He also has all the post moves: drop step, jump hook, spin move. If he has a weakness it’s his conditioning. He got exposed a little during the Final Four when fatigue set in that led to unnecessary fouls. Any NBA team that selects Jahlil will need to put him on a conditioning program from the get-go and monitor his weight. Once he works himself into better shape, he’ll be a beast.
NBA comparison: DeMarcus Cousins

EMMANUEL MUDIAY
6-5, guard, Guangdong (China)
Scouting report: SMU coach Larry Brown calls Mudiay “the next John Wall”. That’s high praise for someone who remains a draft mystery. Mudiay could have played under Brown for a year but instead opted to play in China. The Wall comparison is not farfetched. Mudiay is a big, strong point guard with dynamic speed and excels in the pick-and-roll game. He can explode to the basket with either hand, and has the size and strength (6-5, 200) to finish at the rim. Brown ranks Mudiay ahead of fellow prospect D’Angelo Russell because of the way Mudiay can run a team and play defense. One major concern teams have about Mudiay is his shot. Brown says his shot is not broken but definitely needs some work. He struggles shooting from midrange and is a bad free-throw shooter. Another aspect of his game that needs to be refined is ball security because he has a tendency to be loose with the ball.
NBA comparison: John Wall

WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN
7-0, center, Kentucky
Scouting report: At 21 years old, Cauley-Stein is one of the oldest players in the draft so he’s more mature physically than almost all of his peers. He has all the physical attributes you want in an NBA center. He’s a 7-footer with a 7-2 wingspan and can cover a lot of ground. He’s not the most polished offensive player available but he’s a terrific defender. He can defend all five positions, which is big luxury because most NBA teams now ask their centers to be able to cover point guards off ball screens. Cauley-Stein has unbelievable quickness for a big man, which allows him to close out on shooters and shut down driving lanes. On offense, most of Cauley-Stein’s points came on layups and dunks, so don’t expect him to be Hakeem Olajuwon when you throw him the ball in the low block. He should be a terrific pick-and-roll player.
NBA comparison: Tyson Chandler

JUSTISE WINSLOW
6-6, guard-forward, Duke
Scouting report: Winslow’s greatest strength is his effort and energy on both ends of the court. San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard comes to mind when compared to a current NBA player. He is a gifted athlete who can score in a variety of ways. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski played him at power forward most of the season, and few college big forwards could check him because of his size and speed (6-6, 222). He’ll likely play shooting guard or small forward in the NBA, so he won’t have a distinct advantage. But he’s good enough to make that transition and should be a good two-way player. His jump shot remains inconsistent, but that can be rectified with proper technique and repetition.
NBA comparison: Kawhi Leonard

D’ANGELO RUSSELL
6-5, guard, Ohio State
Scouting report: Russell is not as quick or as explosive as Mudiay but he’s very crafty. His shooting makes up for his lack of speed, as he averaged 19 points per game and shot over 40 percent from 3-point range in college. He has good size (6-5), so he can look over a defense and make the correct pass. He can play point or shooting guard, which is a major plus considering most teams like to play two point guards at the same time. One concern is his lack of a right hand and athleticism. He wears out the left side of the court too much and feels uncomfortable going to his off hand. He also struggles against quicker point guards, which can spell trouble because he won’t see too many slow point guards.
NBA comparison: George Hill

STANLEY JOHNSON
6-6, guard-forward, Arizona
Scouting report: Johnson was highly touted coming out of Mater Dei High School (Calif.), but didn’t have a smooth transition to college. Arizona coach Sean Miller was unhappy with Johnson’s work ethic in practice. Johnson claims he didn’t play as hard in practice because he was so physically gifted in high school that he didn’t have to exert too much effort. That attitude carried over in the early part of his one year in Tucson, but once he figured it out he became a beast in the Pac-12. Johnson is a physical specimen (6-6, 240) who can overpower smaller guards and strong enough to guard power forwards. He’s also a decent spot-up shooter with a chance to be a very good shooter. He’s very explosive off the dribble and, because of his upper body strength, can bust through contact and finish at the rim. He does run hot and cold on defense, but when he’s focused he can be a lock-down defender.
NBA comparison: Jimmy Butler

TREY LYLES
6-10, forward, Kentucky
Scouting report: Lyles was overshadowed by teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein, but he may have been Kentucky’s most versatile big man. He may not do one thing very well but he does everything well. Coach John Calipari played him at small forward most of the time but he may be more suited as a stretch 4 at the next level. Lyles has the size and strength (6-10, 235) to play either forward spot, and because of his massive 7-3 wingspan he can play some center. He was awful from the college 3-point line (13%), but he made over 50% of his 2-point shots. That tells us he’s got a nice touch from 15-18 feet, which is where most of his shots will come if he plays the pinch post. He’ll be a nightmare matchup because he’s too quick for most power forwards and too long against most small forwards. If Lyles played elsewhere in college he would have posted better statistics and gotten more recognition.
NBA comparison: Markief Morris

Joel Huerto is editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter @onemanfastbreak.

A rare genetic disorder ended Isaiah Austin’s basketball career. (GETTY IMAGES)

Adam Silver has only been NBA commissioner five months but he has already delivered two landmark moments.

First, Silver dropped the hammer on Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling by banishing him from the league after it was found that he made racist remarks.

Second, Silver and the NBA made an incredible touching gesture Thursday night by allowing Isaiah Austin to fulfill his dream of getting selected in the NBA draft.

Between the 15th and 16th picks, Silver announced that the NBA was selecting Austin.

Just over a week ago, the 7-1 sophomore center from Baylor was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the heart. It ended his playing career. The illness was discovered during a physical for the draft.

“For Commissioner Silver to even invite me here was a tremendous blessing and it just shows how much class that man has,” Austin told the Associated Press. “It’s really been a tough week for me, and it’s been really rough. I’ve just had a tremendous amount of support from everybody around the world, telling me they’re praying for me and everything. I can’t thank everybody enough.”

Austin added: “I have a whole life ahead of me. I’m not going to sit here and I’m not going to sulk about not being able to play basketball anymore, because I can still be involved with the game somehow or some way.”

When Austin’s name was called he hugged family members, put on a generic NBA cap, walked up to the stage and posed with Silver just as all the drafts picks did when their names were called.

“Just being around all the draftees and seeing my friends get drafted, it just brings joy in my heart because I know how hard we work to get to this point,” Austin said. “I’ve been through it. … Just to see how people persevere through their own problems, because everybody has their own problems. It’s touching and it’s heart-warming, really.”

Social media exploded when Austin was selected. All-Stars like Kevin Love and Kevin Durant were clearly moved.

Love posted on Twitter: “Happy Isaiah Austin was able to hear his name called at the NBA draft. Very cool to see.”

Durant said: “Adam silver is such a classy man! That’s love right there. I’m emotional for him. Damn I love that.”

It was one of the best moments you’ll ever see in sports. It was a great moment for Austin and a classy move by the NBA.

UNLV’s Anthony Bennett, Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel, and Indiana’s Victor Oladipo could have major impacts for their new teams.

The basketball world may have been shocked to see the Cleveland Browns (oops!) … I mean the Cavaliers use the No. 1 overall pick on Anthony Bennett, but back in March OneManFastBreak.net slotted the UNLV freshman forward as the top prospect in the draft. In case you’d like to check, click here.

Even though there is no LeBron James or clear-cut game changer in this year’s draft pool there are still plenty of potential standouts who could turn out to be gems. Some teams know how to find talent and some teams wouldn’t know talent even if it hit them in the head. Those teams that do their homework will be rewarded handsomely. Here are the winners and losers from the 2013 NBA draft:

WINNERS

Cleveland Cavaliers — Anthony Bennett is a great fit for the Cavs. He is a 6-8, 240-pound power forward who can slide down and play some small forward. He complements Cleveland’s guard-heavy squad led by Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters. Cavs coach Mike Brown won’t have to run plays for Bennett, who rebounds well in traffic. Between Bennett and Anderson Varejao, the Cavs should clean up a lot of Irving’s and Waiter’s misses. If Bennett turns out to be another Larry Johnson, then the post-LeBron Cavaliers are back in business. The Cavs also bolstered their outside shooting by selecting Russian 6-7 guard/forward Sergey Karasev later in the first round.

Philadelphia 76ers — Getting Nerlens Noel from New Orleans is great value for the Sixers even though they gave up point guard Jrue Holiday and a second-round pick to get him, league sources told Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski. The look on Noel’s face when he dropped to the No. 6 spot in the draft was priceless. He’ll be extra motivated to prove to everyone that he should have been the top pick.

Orlando Magic — One NBA assistant general manager says Victor Oladipo can defend multiple positions. He has improved every season in college, and has a great work ethic. The Dwyane Wade comparisons is a bit of a reach, but Oladipo is a fearless competitor. His only real weakness is his jump shot. But knowing how hard Oladipo works, he’ll turn his weakness into a strength. Orlando needs help everywhere, and Oladipo is a nice starting point and will mesh well with Orlando’s other young studs like Tobias Harris and Nic Vucevic.

Portland Trail Blazers — The Blazers’ sad draft history has been well documented. This is the team that selected Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan, and picked Greg Oden over Kevin Durant. Last year the Blazers hit the jackpot with Weber State point guard Damian Lillard, who went on to become the rookie of the year. The Blazers feel they hit the Powerball numbers again with the selection of Lehigh’s high-scoring guard C.J. McCollum.

Washington Wizards — Otto Porter Jr. may be the safest pick in this year’s draft. He has all the physical tools, as well as the mental capacity to handle the rigors of being a professional. He plays within himself and has a high basketball IQ. Porter adds another piece to the Wizards’ youth movement, and gives point guard John Wall another young perimeter player to run with.

Charlotte Bobcats — Michael Jordan can’t screw up every pick, and he got this one right. Cody Zeller tested extremely well during the NBA draft combine in Chicago, ranking first in all the agility drills among the big men. Zeller helped rebuild the Indiana Hoosiers program, and Jordan is hoping he would do the same for the Bobcats.

David Stern — Almost 900 names later, the NBA commish made his final draft announcement at the end of the first round and was showered with cheers from the Barclays Center crowd. Deputy commish Adam Silver surprised Stern by bringing back the first name he called in the 1984 draft: Hakeem Olajuwon. It was a real nice touch by the league, giving Stern the proper sendoff after 30 years at the helm.

LOSERS

Boston Celtics — You know the Celtics were having a bad day when Doc Rivers had to step in and defend his former team. ESPN’s Bill Simmons made several jokes about the Celtics’ rebuilding project, which irritated Rivers. Doc fired back by telling Shelley Smith that Simmons is an “idiot” for pounding the C’s on TV. Way to stay classy, Doc. Simmons was basically telling the truth. The Celtics are in total rebuilding mode. They reportedly traded their two best players in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, and three future first-round picks. And to put the icing on the cake, the Celtics acquired Gonzaga stiff Kelly Olynyk through a draft day deal with the Mavericks. Olynyk in Canadian means “bust.”

Dallas Mavericks — The Mavs wanted no part of the No. 13 pick, so much so that they got rid of the pick even before Commissioner Stern could say Kelly Olynyk. The Mavs could have taken point guard Dennis Schroeder from Germany. That would have made Dirk Nowitzki happy. Instead they’re clearing the books to make a serious run at All-Star center Dwight Howard, who could be headed to Dallas … or not. You never know with Dwight. He seems to change his mind like a 12-year-old girl shopping for shoes. The Mavs seem to be putting all their tickets in the D12 sweepstakes.

Oklahoma City Thunder — As part of the James Harden deal, the Thunder were awarded the 12th overall selection. This could have been a golden opportunity for general manager Sam Presti to mask the mistake of trading away one of the best young stars of the game. Instead, OKC took Steven Adams. The New Zealander played one unspectacular year in Pittsburgh. He posted pedestrian numbers and the only reason why he climbed in the draft was because of his impressive workouts. Adams is a major-league project, and you don’t take projects with the 12th overall pick. Spanish guard Alex Abrines (taken in the second round) better be good because right now the Harden deal keeps getting worse by the minute for Presti and the Thunder.

Phoenix Suns — Picking Maryland center Alex Len could mean the end of the Marcin Gortat era in Phoenix. Len is an intriguing prospect because of his size and unlimited potential. Len, who turned 20 in June, was a standout for the Ukrainian under-18 squad but he’s no Gortat. Gortat may not be a star, but he is a very good NBA center. Len is still unpolished and probably not ready to start. The Suns are basically back where they started.

Sacramento Kings — For someone who was pegged to go 1-3, Kansas’ Ben McLemore can’t be too pleased he fell this low. And he couldn’t have landed in a worst situation. The Kings are loaded at shooting guard and unless they trade Tyreke Evans, Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Thornton, Tony Douglas, and Jimmer Fredette for a big guy they could easily field a starting five of shooting guards. No wonder the Maloofs wanted to sell the team.

Philadelphia 76ers — After hitting a home run with Noel, the Sixers struck out with their other first-round pick in point guard Michael Carter-Williams. First of all, MCW can’t shoot. That could be a problem. Secondly, he comes from Syracuse and history shows that players from the ‘Cuse struggle in the NBA — with the exception of Carmelo Anthony, of course. Need proof? How about Jonny Flynn, Fab Melo, Hakim Warrick, Wesley Johnson, and Donte Greene. And those are the most recent guys. The bad luck started with Pearl Washington in the early 1980s.

Joel Huerto is the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter @onemanfastbreak.

Dion Waiters was the fourth player taken in the 2012 NBA draft. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

There is a lot of like about Dion Waiters. He brings a lot of toughness, having grown up in Philadelphia, and plays with an edge. Some NBA scouts believe Waiters will be a star at the pro level.

There is also a lot to dislike about Dion Waiters. He wasn’t a starter last season at Syracuse, doesn’t have great measurables, and didn’t play a lot of man-to-man defense in college because Jim Boeheim prefers the 2-3 zone.

You have to wonder what the Cleveland Cavaliers there thinking when they selected Waiters with the fourth overall pick in Thursday’s 2012 NBA draft. It was easily the most stunning move of the night given the recent history of Syracuse players in the Association.

Syracuse players in the Boeheim era are more likely to fizzle in the NBA than thrive. That is a proven fact. It happened to Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, it happened to Billy Owens, it happened to Lawrence Moten, it happened to Adrian Autry, and it happened to Gerry McNamara, it happened to Hakim Warrick, it happened to Jonny Flynn, and it happened to Wesley Johnson.

Flynn was the fifth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves 2009 and it was THE WORST first-round pick that year. Flynn was a fish out of water and is now struggling to hook up with a team — any pro team. The Timberwolves obviously didn’t learn their lesson with Flynn because the follow year in 2010 they selected Wes Johnson, another first-round bust out of the Boeheim program.

There are a few exceptions. Derrick Coleman, Rony Seikaly and Sherman Douglas all had long, good NBA careers and Carmelo Anthony is one of the 15 best players in the league.

Waiters is hoping to have a long productive NBA career, and he seems to embrace the challenge. He is a good player and certainly deserves to go in the first round of the draft. But to be selected fourth overall is beyond surprising. Even Waiters was stunned he was picked that early.

“I’m very surprised. Top five. That’s every kid’s dream,” Waiters said. “I’m very thankful.”

Waiters said he had a tough time transitioning from high school to college because he never came off the bench until he got to Syracuse. He often clashed with Boeheim, but he says the “tough love” and made him into a better player.

The Cavs had a multitude of options with the No. 4 pick. They could have gone with Kansas’ Thomas Robinson, North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, Connecticut’s Jeremy Lamb, or even Duke’s Austin Rivers. Talent-wise, Rivers may be the second-best player in the draft behind Anthony Davis and the Cavs would have had a lethal Duke-and-Duke combo with Rivers and Kyrie Irving.

Instead, general manager Chris Grant decided to roll the dice on a player who will have the added burden of being the fourth player taken in the 2012 draft.

Zzzzzzz. Zzzzzzz. Is the draft over yet? Man, that was a snoozer. I think ESPN should re-hire Stephen A. Smith just to give the draft a jolt. That was like watching paint dry. Or, maybe ESPN should hand the draft over back to TNT so we can listen to Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley make fun of all the picks.

Outside of Jeff Van Gundy, who was easily the funniest guy on the set, the draft coverage put me to sleep, not to mention the inordinate amount of sleeper picks (sleeper in a bad sense) NBA teams kept writing down on the card for Commissioner David Stern, and the bald guy who took over later in the evening, to read and announce to a very intoxicated crowd at Madison Square Garden who kept chanting “Jeff!…Van!…Gundy! “Jeff!…Van!…Gundy!”

The NBA Draft was the same old story: the good teams did well and the bad teams … well, to quote Barkley, they were terrrrrible! It’s impossible to opine how well or how poorly each did based on one night, but I’m going to do it anyway because it’s entertaining. OneManFastBreak.net breaks down the winners and losers of draft day.

WINNERS

— Sacramento Kings: GM Geoff Petrie is one of the best talent evaluators in the business and he landed the second-best player in the draft in Kentucky big man DeMarcus Cousins with the No. 5 pick. The Kings play in a division that includes the world champion Los Angeles Lakers, who boasts one of the biggest and tallest frontcourts in the league, so it was extremely important for the Kings to get bigger and stronger up front to compete with the Lakers. Cousins (6-11, 290) can complement 2010 Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, giving the Kings a solid inside-outside punch for the next 10 years. There were questions about Cousins’ lazy attitude, but as Van Gundy pointed out, you can’t be lazy when you average 10 rebounds in 23 minutes. The Kings also took Marshall center Hassan Whiteside (6-11, 215) with their second selection, adding more length to their roster.

— Washington Wizards: The Wizards instantly became better by selecting Kentucky point guard John Wall (6-4, 195) at No. 1. Wall is not only the best player in the draft, but he is also the most charismatic. He is a leader and plays with a ton of energy, which the Wizards severely lacked last season after Gilbert Arenas was sent home for bragging about his gun collection in the arena. Washington also improved its roster by reportedly bringing in guard Kirk Hinrich, who is expected to be dealt next month by the Chicago Bulls to the Wizards in a cap-clearing move. With Wall, Arenas (assuming he’s on board with the team this season) and Hinrich, the Wizards have a dynamic three-guard rotation. The Wizards also added two physical frontcourt players in Clemson’s Trevor Booker (6-7, 240) and frenchman Kevin Seraphin (6-10, 255).

— Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC enters the 2010-11 season one big man away from seriously contending for an NBA title. Heck, they took the Lakers to six tough games with Nenad Krstic as their starting center so anyone with a pulse should be an upgrade. Thunder GM Sam Presti picked up Kansas center Cole Aldrich (6-11, 245) via a trade from New Orleans and then traded for 20-year-old center Tibor Pleiss (7-0, 220) of Germany. Aldrich is a strong rebounder and defender, and should contribute immediately for head coach Scott Brooks. Pleiss is a project they can stash in Europe for a year or two. Euroleague guru Fran Fraschilla compares him to Rik Smits. And for their second-r0und selection, the Thunder drafted Louisiana Tech’s Magnum Rolle (6-11, 225). You can’t go wrong drafting a guy named Magnum.

— Los Angeles Clippers: This is the only time of the year when the Clippers trump the Lakers on the front pages of the L.A. sports sections. The Clippers hold a draft lottery party every year, it seems like, and most of their picks normally end up as fodder for stand-ups at The Laugh Factory on Sunset Strip. But this season, whoever is doing the picking, the Clippers made some solid decisions. Wake Forest’s Al-Farouq Aminu (6-8, 205) is a capable small forward and Kentucky’s Eric Bledsoe (6-1, 190) is not a starting point guard, but he could be a decent backup. But the biggest news of the day in Clipperland is that Blake Griffin, last year’s top overall pick who missed the entire season because of a knee injury, has been cleared to play.

— San Antonio Spurs: Year in and year out, head coach Gregg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford make excellent picks in the draft and this season is no different. With the 20th overall selection, the Spurs took Oklahoma State shooting guard James Anderson (6-5, 210), who many consider as the best shooter in the draft and San Antonio badly needs guys who can put the ball in the basket. Then, with the 49th pick, the Spurs nabbed center Ryan Richards (6-11, 230) from England. San Antonio has a history with picking international gems, and Richards could turn out to be a steal.

LOSERS

— Portland Trail Blazers: Billionaire owner Paul Allen fired GM Kevin Pritchard on the day of the draft. Then, to add salt to the wound, he made Pritchard work the rest of the night. On his final shift as Blazers GM, Pritchard selected Memphis guard Elliot Williams (6-4, 180). A lame pick for a lameduck GM. But who could blame him? The Blazers also traded small forward Martell Webster to Minnesota for forwards Luke Babbitt (6-9, 225, Nevada) and Ryan Gomes. Gomes could be a nice player, but Babbitt could be another Luke Jackson.

— Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves keep taking athletes who like to run, but then they try to fit them in a triangle. It won’t work. I’d like to think Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson (6-7, 195), taken fourth overall, will be a stud but, for some reason, I keep seeing Hakim Warrick or John Wallace. Outside of Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse players tend to flame out in the NBA and Johnson could fall into that category.

— Orlando Magic: The Magic selected Kentucky center Daniel Orton (6-10, 255) in the first round. Orton averaged 3 points a game as DeMarcus Cousins’ backup and had trouble with keeping his weight down. Now, unless Orlando has plans of trading Marcin Gortat, they now have a logjam at the center position. Dwight Howard, obviously, is the starter and Gortat is an excellent backup. So where does that leave Orton?

— Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks not only didn’t address their needs in the frontcourt, but they seem to be planning for life without All-Star Joe Johnson. Atlanta swapped first-round picks with New Jersey, acquiring scoring guard Jordan Crawford (6-4, 195), and then took Pape Sy (6-7, 225) from the Senegal in the second round. Jordan Crawford is basically Jamal Crawford, so the Hawks have too many Crawfords on the roster.

— New York Knicks: The Knicks might as well have taken the day off because they basically have put all their chips in the LeBron James sweepstakes. Andy Rautins (6-5, 193) and Landry Fields (6-5, 185)? Are you kidding me? That’s the best they can do? It’s LeBron or Bust in NYC.

— University of Kentucky: Coach John Calipari was shedding a tear a little bit Thursday night. For one, he was happy his guys all went in the first round. Secondly, he knows he’s got some serious rebuilding (or reloading) in Lexington. But don’t feel too bad for Coach Cal because he’s got another stout freshman class coming in this season.