The NBA Draft is nigh. Starting Wednesday night, the next generation of basketball stars will take their glory walk through the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The guessing games will continue right up until the first name is called (anyone care to guess who that will be?), but you are a wizened Hoops HQ reader, so you don’t want guesses. You want answers.
In other words, you want to hear from Finch.
We already heard from Finch last weekend as he broke down with brutal candor 25 of the top 50 college players in this draft. Today comes part two, where he offers up his takes on 26 through 50.
As I explained on Friday, Finch is an amalgam of six NBA scouts whom I granted anonymity and then interviewed about the top players in the draft. The idea to apply that name to an anonymous scout came from my former Sports Illustrated colleague Alex Wolff, who chose it because it is the surname of the character scout in To Kill A Mockingbird. (If you haven’t read that book, start immediately after reading this column.)
Here, then, is part two of my conversation with Finch. Happy scouting.
Chaz Lanier, 6-foot-4 senior guard, Tennessee: “Athletic for a shooter. I’ve noticed when people really got into him and made it hard to come off screens, he didn’t do a good job. He’s improved defensively. Got good size. If he gets on a team where he has space to flow, he’ll be really good. I don’t know what kind of defensive player he could be, but we thought that about Aaron Nesmith and now he’s doing it. Could be a late first, possibly early second round pick, but he’ll play in the league.”
Khaman Maluach, 7-foot-1 freshman center, Duke: “He showed in Chicago he can step out and shoot the three. If that happens, then watch out. His instincts are not all the way there, but he’s a big, long, athletic kid who can protect the rim. He can run the floor and finish inside. I think people are starting to see you need a true big. Kind of like a Dereck Lively. This whole three-point barrage and going small, people are realizing that’s not the way to go. I think he’s risen becasues of that. He’s supposed to be an all-time great kid.”
Alijah Martin, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Florida: “If he was two inches taller, he’d be a lottery pick. He’s a winner, but he’s small for a combo guard. I want to like him, but he can’t play point. Love his effort, love how hard he plays. His calling card will be at the defensive end. He has NBA athleticism, but he doesn’t have the skill set. A two-way guy at best.”
Liam McNeely, 6-foot-7 freshman forward, UConn: “I don’t think he’s as good a shooter as people think, but in fairness to the kid, he was hurt all year and played on a team that had no point guard at all. Defenses really collapsed on him. He’s not good off the dribble. He’s not super quick, he’s not blowing past anybody, but put him in a catch and shoot situation and he can help you. Not much of a defender, so he’s going to have to be able to make shots in order to stick around in the NBA. He has a lot of good attributes but nothing that really stands out.”
Collin Murray-Boyles, 6-foot-7 sophomore forward, South Carolina: “Really love him. He’s the next coming of Paul Millsap. He played on a lousy team. You put that kid on Duke, people would be going crazy about him. He’s an instinctive rebounder and he’s tough. His jump shot needs to get better, but it’s not bad. He’s a smart player, but he’ll have to be a high level rebounder and stretch the floor. He can pass the ball, but if you watch him finish inside, he’s not an explosive athelte. The big thing for me is, who does he guard? Because he’s not big enough to guard a five man, but I don’t think he’s quick enough to guard a perimeter player. Reminds me a little of Julius Randle.”
Ryan Nembhard, 5-foot-11 senior point guard, Gonzaga: “I always liked this kid, but he’s just so small and he tries to do a little too much. I think the kid will find his way. One of the best playmakers in the draft. Tough kid. He’s a pest on defense. I wouldn’t take him in the second round, but somebody could.”
Yanic Konan Niedeerhauser, 6-foot-11 junior center, Penn State: “Chicago helped him a lot. He really impressed me with how he was able to run the floor. Decent hands. He’s got a big body, but he needs to get stronger. He’s not very physical. He’s very immature and can get too emotional. He’s super athleitc for his size. He’s got a chance to be a decent backup center. He’s a developmental piece so it’s going to take him time, kind of like Jericho Sims.”
Grant Nelson, 6-foot-10 senior forward, Alabama: “He reminds me of Frank Kaminsky. He needs to be able to stretch the floor more. I wish his shooting had gotten better, but he does a lot of good things. His body needs to get better, but he’s a tough kid. Plays hard. He’s got a lot of ability but doesn’t always get a lot done. Needs to get better with his consistency. Worst case scenario he’ll have a great career in Europe.”
Asa Newell, 6-foot-9 freshman forward, Georgia: “I like him a lot. His upside is huge as his body gets better. Didn’t have anybody really setting him up at Georgia, but he can step out and shoot the ball. Good footwork, good athlete. I question his overall athleticism in games I’ve seen. He’s got a chance to be a pretty good NBA player.”
Micah Peavy, 6-foot-6 senior guard, Georgetown: “A dog. He has the physical attributes to do it at a high level. Didn’t think about him before this year but his role at Georgetown really helped him. They used him all over the floor and a little bit as a backup point guard. He showed he can defend. He shot the ball the best since he’s been in college. If he can knock down the open three, he becomes a nice three-and-D player.”
Drake Powell, 6-foot-5 freshman forward, North Carolina: “Very disappointing. Really nice kid but he’s out of touch with reality. He thinks he’s so much better than he is. He’s got talent, so if he goes to the right place he could be all right, but I think he’s in for a rude awakening. He was supposed to be a great player out of high school but we didn’t see it for whatever reason. I’ve heard he’s a really good defender who can make shots, but I’m not overly excited about his shot yet. He just doesn’t show anything. If he gets picked high, it’s all on potential.”
Tyrese Proctor, 6-foot-4 junior guard, Duke: “He’ll be a legit backup point guard in the NBA. He’s not the toughest kid, but I like him. Got good size and he improved every year. He really matured. He can really shoot the ball, has great size, can defend. He’s not a point guard, but he can play some point. He shot it well in his workouts. His overall playmaking is a question. Could be a nice third point guard on a team.”
Derik Queen, 6-foot-9 freshman forward, Maryland: “Reminds me a little of Bobby Portis. He’s not a sexy athlete, has a bigger body but he knows how to play. Has some toughness. Not a three-point shooter but he’ll be okay. You can run offense through him because he’s so skilled. If he develops a jump shot he’s got a chance to be a really, really good NBA player. Body needs to get in better shape but he’s got a great feel for the game and he showed when he made that shot against Colorado State that he has courage.”
Maxime Raynaud, 7-foot senior center, Stanford: “It’s all about strength for him because he’s got all the tools you want in an offensive player. He can step out and shoot it, he can go over both shoulders. But then you worry about, who does he guard? Can he hold up against some of those bigger offensive players who are going to try to back him down and run through his chest? I don’t know if he’s the toughest cat. He’s a talented kid. One of the things that impressed me during the year is that when he was posting up, it took a man and a half to guard him. I think he’ll play in the NBA.”
Will Richard, 6-foot-4 senior guard, Florida: “I want to like him. He’s an intangible, athletic guy. He’s going to have to work his way in, but he’s shown he can shoot the ball, although it’s kind of a flat shot. Knocked down threes in a timely fashion, so that’s what he’s going to have to do to make it at this level. I give him a chance. High character guy, he’s about all the right stuff. Probably a two-way guy.”
Jase Richardson, 6-foot-1 freshman guard, Michigan State: “Why is he being hyped so much? He’s not a point guard. Didn’t want to play the one at all. They say he didn’t have many turnovers, but that doesn’t mean he’s a point guard. I knew he was small, but I was surprised he measured as small as he did. I don’t see a guy succeeding as a two guard in the NBA at six feet. He’ll probably have to play a lot of point and I just don’t see him as a point.”
Will Riley, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, Illinois: “He was inconsistent, but you could see the potential. When they put the ball in his hands and let him run pick and roll, he was making plays. He’s got the size and length to be a preetty good wing in the NBA. His body needs to get better, but offensively he’s got a pro game. He’s gonna be a good player. You’re going to have to wait on him because he’s thin. That’s why he had so many up and down games at Illinois.”
Hunter Sallis, 6-foot-4 senior guard, Wake Forest: “I’ve always liked him. He’s a better athlete than I thought he was. Got a real nice mid-range game. People don’t always want that because of the analytics, but that’s his bread and butter. He’s going to have to find the right team where they allow him to develop. He needs to be a little more aggressive defensively. He’s a two guard even though they played him at point. He’s got a Shai Gilgeous Alexander kind of mid-range game. Could be a second rounder.”
Mark Sears, 5-foot-11 senior point guard, Alabama: “Size is obviously a concern. He really overdribbles. But he’s tough. He’s a little bit wild at times, but he can really get it going. He’s going to have to slow it down a little bit. He’s going to have to become a really, really good on-ball defender, and then he’s going to have to be able to take care of the ball and get other people involved because he’s going to be playing with a lot of players that are much better. Defensively, I don’t see him having an impact on the game. Could be like a Patty Mills. He’ll be a two-way guy at worst.”
Javon Small, 6-foot-1 senior point guard, West Virginia: “Oooooh I like that kid. So athletic. Not the biggest guy but he’s a tough kid. If he can become a reliable shooter that gives him space to be able to get past people. He’s not a true point guard but he plays hard, he shoots. He’ll be a hell of a two-way.”
Thomas Sorber, 6-foot-9 freshman center, Georgetown: “The kid has talent, but athletically he worries me. Can he get a rebound in traffic? It’s going to take him some time because he’s not an explosive guy. Has a little bit of an old school game where he likes to post up and make moves. Didn’t shoot it at a high clip, so he’ll have to become much better at that. That would make him like Naz Reid, but if he’s not knocking down that shot, the defense is not coming out to him. I like that he can make his teammates better. He’ll be a good pick in the first round.”
Adou Thiero, 6-foot-6 junior forward, Arkansas: “I always liked him, but I’m not sure he loves the game that much. Not the hardest worker. He’s the classic tweener. His skills haven’t developed as much as you’d think. He has to be a three and D guy, but he has not shot the three as well as he needs to. He has a chance to be a really good defender. Tough, physical wing. Super athletic but doesn’t have a calling card. He doesn’t specialize in anything except playing hard.”
John Tonje, 6-foot-5 senior forward, Wisconsin: “I want to like him but doesn’t move the needle for me, quite honestly. He’s tough and he can shoot it. His ball skills are terrible. He’s a two guard size-wise but he plays more like a four-three. He scored a lot from the foul line in college but he’s not going to be able to do that in the pros. Decent athlete, tough kid. I was impressed with how he shot it at Wisconsin. He’s one of those competitive kids that could find a spot. He has played six years in college, and we like to look for younger guys.”
Amari Williams, 6-foot-10 senior center, Kentucky: “Not a huge fan. Not very athletic. He’s got one of the worst looking shots I’ve ever seen in my life. Gives a little bit of rim protection. He’s going to have a hard time guarding the fives, because he’s not a four. He’ll run the floor and play hard. It’s going to be tough for him to fit into an NBA offense. Somebody could take him in the second round.”
Danny Wolf, 6-foot-11 junior forward, Michigan: “He reminds me of Toni Kukoc a little bit. He’s a great passer but he needs to develop confidence as a shooter. I’ve heard he could be a little high maintenance. We’re not going to put the ball in his hands and let him be a pick-and-roll guard the way he was in college. Defense is going to be a struggle for him. He committed a lot of turnovers at Michigan because he’s so creative passing wise. If the three-point shot ever comes, watch out. I wonder if he can guard that pick-and-roll consistently. It might be hard for him because teams generally don’t like to play with two bigs.”
