6-foot-10 | Age: 19.0 | Previously ranked: 1
Risacher is breaking out of his recent slump -- recording point totals of 14, 14, 18 and 11 in his last four games, while making half his field goal attempts. That's notable since every game he plays is heavily attended by NBA executives since the college season ended. Risacher's combination of size at 6-foot-10, and perimeter shooting ability -- he's hitting 39% of his 3-pointers -- is attractive considering the other things he brings with his defensive versatility and feel for the game. The French playoffs take place over the next two weeks and will be a key evaluation opportunity for lottery teams to get a last look at him with Bourg.
-- Givony
2. Alex Sarr | PF/C | Perth
7-1 | Age: 19.0 | Previously ranked: 2
Sarr remains firmly in the mix at No. 1 entering the critical pre-draft stretch, having transitioned into workout mode with his season in Australia ending in mid-March. He'll have an opportunity to help himself and stake his claim atop the draft in private settings, where his athletic gifts are likely to impress. Teams will be particularly curious to see him shoot from 3, after he made 18-of-57 attempts (31.6%) in 30 games across competitions with Perth and shot 72% from the line. Sarr's profile as a mobile big who could stretch the floor and impact the game on both ends stands out in the context of this lottery class, but he has more work to do to firm up his standing. With that said, he should have enough leverage in the process to be selective with who he works out for after the lottery order is determined.
-- Woo
7-2 | Age: 20.1 | Previously ranked: 3
Clingan played a huge role in UConn's national championship run, anchoring one of college basketball's best defenses. He brings tremendous size, length, instincts and timing while making plays all over the floor with his much-improved mobility. He was also a major playmaking hub for UConn's No. 1 ranked offense, facilitating from the high post as well as being a key screener, roller, cutter and offensive rebounder. Clingan has started his pre-draft process in Florida but will surely be selective with what teams he visits as his outstanding play this season has rocketed him into the top-5 on NBA teams' draft boards. That gives him a chance to get drafted as high as No. 1 depending on which team wins the lottery.
-- Givony
play
1:43
Donovan Clingan's shining moments during the tournament
Donovan Clingan has put on a clinic to lead UConn to the Final Four.
6-2 | Age: 19.3 | Previously ranked: 4
Dillingham is one of the more polarizing players projected in the lottery, and where he gets drafted will depend on how the final lottery order shakes out. Teams in need of playmaking help will have to look hard at him: He creates shots off the bounce more naturally than anyone in the class and has developed into a very good shooter. On the other hand, many around the league are skeptical Dillingham becomes a starter on a winning team, primarily due to his lack of size and what he's likely to give up on the defensive end. As a result, he's a major risk-reward proposition early in the draft, and might be looking at a pretty wide range of outcomes within the lottery, depending on how the pre-draft process goes.
-- Woo
play
0:16
Rob Dillingham drains a contested 3 for Kentucky
Rob Dillingham pulls up from deep and splashes the 3-pointer for Kentucky.
6-7 | Age: 18.7 | Previously ranked: 5
After a nearly five-month absence, Topic is back on the court following his knee injury, helping Red Star advance in the Adriatic League playoffs while posting eight points in 16 minutes in a win last week. Topic made a pair of 3s and showed his vision with intelligent pick-and-roll reads, but his rhythm looked off -- as is expected following his prolonged absence. He got his shot blocked on a few occasions and struggled to move laterally out of a stance as well. His coming games will be closely scrutinized, but he'll likely have plenty of games coming this month that give him a chance to regain some of the momentum he lost due to his injury.
-- Givony
6. Matas Buzelis | SF | G League Ignite
6-10 | Age: 19.5 | Previously ranked: 6
Teams should feel comfortable with Buzelis given his pedigree, productivity, and that he's one of a handful of players with a legitimate opportunity to boost his stock into the top few spots as the process plays out. His size, versatility and production in the G League all suggest a pretty bankable future as an NBA contributor, with the question being in what capacity. If Buzelis is able to make a leap as a shot-creator, it could elevate his ceiling considerably, and he'll presumably aim to showcase his scoring potential in workout settings.
-- Woo
6-2 | Age: 19.8 | Previously ranked: 7
Sheppard entered the draft after receiving feedback indicating he has a very strong case to be a top-five pick, possibly even a top-three pick -- an opportunity that is hard to pass on. Sheppard's shooting prowess, passing creativity, defensive instincts, productivity and never-ending confidence wowed NBA teams all season. He has some fans at the top of this draft, but the results of the lottery will help determine where he ultimately lands.
-- Givony
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0:20
Reed Sheppard hits the trey vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Reed Sheppard hits the trey vs. Texas A&M Aggies
6-6 | Age: 23.0 | Previously ranked: 8
There's little doubt Knecht is one of the most polished scorers in the draft after a huge season at Tennessee that legitimized him as an NBA talent -- he wasn't on the radar this time a year ago at Northern Colorado. Not every team will prioritize selecting an older prospect this high in the draft, but there's a real chance Knecht will be selected by a lottery team that's comfortable with his defensive limitations. In an uncertain draft class, Knecht has been able to set himself apart as a relatively easy player to evaluate -- he should space the floor and score when called upon -- and will be appealing as a plug-and-play option beginning in this range of the draft.
-- Woo
play
0:19
Zeigler finds Knecht for the fast-break alley-oop
Zakai Zeigler throws a lob to Dalton Knecht for the Tennessee alley-oop layup.
6-6 | Age: 19.4 | Previously ranked: 14
Castle used the significant platform of UConn's national championship run to show off his winning credentials, with several impressive NCAA tournament performances. He guarded the other teams' best players, hit outside shots to keep defenses honest and demonstrated his unselfishness as a secondary playmaker while playing an important role against high-level competition. NBA teams will want to learn more about Castle's perimeter shooting and overall scoring ability to better determine where he should be picked, but he has done well to position himself going into the pre-draft process.
-- Givony
6-8 | Age: 19.4 | Previously ranked: 9
The workout circuit will be important for Williams to remind teams why he once was viewed as a candidate at the top of the draft, a case that was complicated by the way he finished the season -- due at least in part to injuries. At his best, he looked like a clear lottery talent, but those games were fewer and further between than initially expected. Front offices will be particularly interested to assess his comfort level shooting both off the catch and dribble in drill situations as they try to better project his future offensive role and impact. Williams' size, playmaking ability and defensive potential have always signaled intriguing long-term upside, but there's a variance of opinion among scouts on his floor and ceiling as a prospect..
-- Woo
play
0:18
Cody Williams erases the Boise State layup attempt
Cody Williams comes up with a nice defensive play to block the Boise State layup.
6-5 | Age: 19.5 | Previously ranked: 10
Collier is viewed as a polarizing prospect, with a wide draft range starting around the mid-lottery and extending throughout the first round. Few prospects share the shot-creation prowess, scoring instincts and star power Collier boasts, but his lack of scoring efficiency, nontraditional shooting mechanics and inconsistent defense make it difficult to gauge how prepared he is to impact winning early in his NBA career, considering USC's struggles this season. Collier can use the pre-draft process and remind teams why he was his recruiting class' No. 1-ranked player coming out of high school, as well as assuage some of these concerns.
-- Givony
play
0:17
Isaiah Collier shows off vision with nice pass vs. Arizona Wildcats
Isaiah Collier shows off vision with nice pass vs. Arizona Wildcats
6-5 | Age: 19.5 | Previously ranked: 11
Walter's shot-making ability, length and intangibles have given him a secure pathway into the later lottery, as teams feel pretty comfortable with what he brings to the table. He has an opportunity to rise a bit with a good pre-draft process if teams place greater value on his solid floor and useful skill set in a draft that's lacking prospects who are sure things. While not much of a ball handler and undersized for an NBA wing, Walter should make enough shots and offer enough defensively in the long run to provide value -- the questions here are more about where the upside lies.
-- Woo
play
0:16
Baylor's Ja'Kobe Walter swishes the open triple
Ja'Kobe Walter sets his feet and causally sinks the deep 3-pointer vs. Cincinnati.
13. Ron Holland | SF | G League Ignite
6-7 | Age: 18.8 | Previously ranked: 12
Holland was the No. 2-ranked player in his high school class but saw his stock dip this season after being miscast at G League Ignite as a primary offensive option. His role led to some big scoring performances, but he also struggled with turnovers and scoring inefficiency throughout the season. Holland will try to remind NBA teams of his winning intangibles and competitiveness in the pre-draft process with his motor and defensive versatility, major reasons he was so highly regarded early in his career. His perimeter shooting will be closely scrutinized after he hit just 24% of his 3-point attempts in the G League.
-- Givony
7-4 | Age: 22.0 | Previously ranked: 13
Edey remains a known quantity, and how teams value him and which landing spots emerge in the draft will be more a referendum on each front office and coaching staff's philosophy on how to use his unique strengths. Whether Edey emerges as a viable rotation player or becomes more of a situational factor hangs on him landing in an optimal situation for his usage and development. His size, strength, competitiveness and touch around the basket will allow him to play impactful minutes, and if he can make more strides on the defensive end, he should be able to carve out a useful niche in the NBA.
-- Woo