Contrary to what the media appears to portray, the 2019 NBA Draft isn’t all about the Zion Williamsons of the world. The Duke Blue Devil manchild is most likely to go No. 1 overall pick, which isn’t a hot take at all. For others, the draft only gets interesting once it gets past the mainstream guys, when it’s the turn of the unheralded amateurs to hear their names get called. With that being said, here are some of the sleeper to watch out for in Brooklyn on June 20.
High Value Sleeper Picks and Predictions for the NBA Draft on June 20 2019
Point Guard – Justin Robinson, Virginia Tech
You’re not going to see teams scrambling to be the first one to get Robinson on draft day, but the Hokies point guard project to be an effective asset off the bench in the pros. Think of him like Toronto Raptors backup court general Fred VanVleet, who’s gone from a relative unknown to a household name in the NBA. Robinson was a key cog in the Hokies’ Sweet 16 run in this year’s March Madness, especially on offense, as he was the top assist-man on the team that ranked 11th in the nation on offense, per KenPom. In his last year at Virginia Tech, Robinson averaged 13.5 points and 5.0 assists per game. He shot well from deep, connecting on 41.8 percent of his 3-point attempts, and was a career 38.5 shooter from distance in college. He is a gutsy player who has displayed the right attitude towards the game and smarts to go with his limited but effective skill set.
Shooting Guard – Cody Martin, Nevada
The other half of the Martin twins of the Wolf Pack, Cody does a little bit of everything. The NBA is never out of a need for a Swiss Army knife type of player, and he seems to be a suitable pick for teams looking for one in the later parts of the upcoming 2019 NBA Draft. Offensively, Martin is a solid finisher at the rim, making 71.3 percent of his shots from around the basket in the last NCAA season. He can get to the rim off the dribble, but defenders can’t sag off of him too much as he can also drain shots from deep, though, he still needs improvement on that area to be a truly lethal long-range weapon. A forward who can also see open teammates for easier baskets, Martin can excel within an NBA team that thrives on an offense that relies on versatility of its players. Martin led the Wolf Pack in assists last season with 4.9 dimes per game, while also shooting over 50 percent from the floor.
Small Forward – Darius Bazley, USA
Bazley seems to be an enigma. Coming out of high school as a McDonald’s All-American, Bazley was supposed to go to Syracuse in college, but opted to withdraw his commitment from Jim Boeheim’s program for an opportunity to play in the G League. Then he also changed his mind and instead decided to become an intern with New Balance for a cool sum of a million dollars. As for what he can bring to the table in the pros, Bazley’s size and length are tantalizing. He is a 6-9 forward with a 7-0 wingspan. He handles the ball well for his size and has the vision and unselfishness to give up shots for open teammates. His length and mobility allow him to defend multiple positions and smaller guys. His jump shot remains questionable and the lack of true competition may have stunted his development. Still, he is only 19 with plenty of time to develop.
Power Forward – Dean Wade, Kansas State
Wade is largely overlooked because he’s missed plenty of games for Kansas State due to injury. But when he’s healthy on the floor, he was a tremendous asset for the Wildcats. Wade is a 6-9 forward/center, which is undersized in the NBA. That being said, he’s a cerebral player and a floor-stretcher. He averaged 12.9 points in 25 games in his senior year in Kansas State while also knocking down 41.8 percent of his 3-point shots (0.9/2.2). Outside of his first year at Kansas State, each season he’s suited up for the Wildcats, he shot 40.2 percent or better from deep.
Center – Tacko Fall, Central Florida
Fall is a monster on the court. He made Zion Williamson look like a six-year-old when they went head to head in the National Tournament. Fall stands 7-6 with an insane wingspan that goes on for days — or roughly 8 feet to be more precise. But Fall’s biggest asset — his size — is also a liability at the same time. Players with his size are always prone to injuries that can linger for an entire career — something that many teams in the NBA don’t want to deal with. Still, there is always a place for ridiculously large human beings in the NBA, and Fall’s value isn’t strictly defined by his gigantic frame. He’s mobile and agile for his size, which he also uses perfectly when defending the rim (just ask Zion). There’s a reason why UCF opponents had the 15th worst field goal percentage at the rim: Tacko Fall.
