2020 NBA Draft

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#126      

hooraybeer

Pittsburgh, PA
The NBA mock draft sites are worthless this far out. Especially NBADraft.net. I'm not even sure they were mocking Zion #1 this time last year (Barrett). They're historically stumbling around in the dark up until all the solid info drops after the combine. Pay no heed.

True, but trends on that site can reflect more general perceptions. Ayo's stock has dropped so far this year
 
#127      

Bailey

Los Angeles
True, but trends on that site can reflect more general perceptions. Ayo's stock has dropped so far this year
Whether it has or hasnt, I really don't think they're plugged. Givony/Draftexpress/ESPN have legit info. They're an aggregate at best.
 
#129      
Who cares. Whitney will at worst be an early second round pick. Who the hell actually thinks he will sit out a year and then come to Illinois? My god just stop it already.

We still have people claiming Rennie never dunked on Shaq... Whitney Watch still has legs my friend.
 
#130      

201154JC

Rockford, IL
We still have people claiming Rennie never dunked on Shaq... Whitney Watch still has legs my friend.
I watched the game. Couldn't believe my eyes. Most memorable dunk I ever saw.
Like Rennie climbed a ladder and dunked over King Kong! No knock on Shaq, one cool dude.
 
#131      
My overreaction/ hot take: Griffin is the best NBA prospect on the team.

Modern NBA puts a premium on shooting and rebounding from the guard position, two skills Griffin has. Has good length at 6’4/6’5 and enough athleticism (more athletic than Ayo IMO). Needs to improve on 3 things:
1. Defense
2. Shooting consistency
3. Strength

All three are gettable. Has already gained 15 pounds of muscle since he’s been here and has certainly shown potential to be a consistent 40%+ 3 point shooter. And has physical tools and tenacity to be a plus defender on the perimeter. Plus, his old man knows a thing or two about what it takes to make it in the league.

I could see Alan having the longest NBA career of anyone currently on the roster, hanging around for ten years or so in a Danny Green-type role.

Still not sold on Ayo as surefire nba player. Lacks elite quickness and athleticism such that I’m not sure he will consistently be able to finish at rim in the NBA. And is a below average shooter by NBA standards.

10 years ago Kofi is probably a lottery pick after this year but sadly, probably not a good fit in today’s game.

With the way Trent has developed his defense, I could see him going the UFA/ G-League route and catching on somewhere a la Nunn. Plenty of guys in the league now at his size, and believe he could be a knockdown shooter in a modern NBA spread offense.
 
#132      
Ayo has made a point this year of showing his mid range shot ability. They'll want to see that.

We also haven't gotten out on the break very well the last few games for him.
 
#133      

Hoppy2105

Little Rock, Arkansas
I don’t know much about the NBA, or what it takes to succeed there, but AG has really come on strong recently.

He went from being what I thought would be a glue guy (5 points a game but grabs every rebound and brings the energy) to becoming a regular contributor and potentially a team leader.

Let’s hope it continues!
 
#134      
I don’t know much about the NBA, or what it takes to succeed there, but AG has really come on strong recently.

He went from being what I thought would be a glue guy (5 points a game but grabs every rebound and brings the energy) to becoming a regular contributor and potentially a team leader.

Let’s hope it continues!
Love AG & hope he gets the chance he has been waiting for. As for the NBA, he has a long long long long long way to go.
 
#135      

haasi

New York
I remember a couple of years ago when people were projecting Kipper to the NBA in sort of a Jimmy Butler role. OTOH, virtually no one was on here saying that KNunn would be a truly solid NBA starter- and he got there almost exclusively based on development he did after leaving.
It’s very hard to project this accurately. There are few people who are sure fire NBA successes. There are half a dozen guys on our roster who have an outside shot of being solid NBA players. Whether any of them make it depends very strongly on their development.
 
#136      
My overreaction/ hot take: Griffin is the best NBA prospect on the team.

Modern NBA puts a premium on shooting and rebounding from the guard position, two skills Griffin has. Has good length at 6’4/6’5 and enough athleticism (more athletic than Ayo IMO). Needs to improve on 3 things:
1. Defense
2. Shooting consistency
3. Strength

All three are gettable. Has already gained 15 pounds of muscle since he’s been here and has certainly shown potential to be a consistent 40%+ 3 point shooter. And has physical tools and tenacity to be a plus defender on the perimeter. Plus, his old man knows a thing or two about what it takes to make it in the league.

I could see Alan having the longest NBA career of anyone currently on the roster, hanging around for ten years or so in a Danny Green-type role.

Still not sold on Ayo as surefire nba player. Lacks elite quickness and athleticism such that I’m not sure he will consistently be able to finish at rim in the NBA. And is a below average shooter by NBA standards.

10 years ago Kofi is probably a lottery pick after this year but sadly, probably not a good fit in today’s game.

With the way Trent has developed his defense, I could see him going the UFA/ G-League route and catching on somewhere a la Nunn. Plenty of guys in the league now at his size, and believe he could be a knockdown shooter in a modern NBA spread offense.

Love the wishful thinking, but I don't see much or any of this happening. Here are my thoughts:

AG is a good enough athlete in college, but he isn't blowing anyone away with it. I always ask myself the same question when trying to figure out NBA potential. Who can he guard in the current NBA? He is listed at 6'5" so is probably closer to 6'3" than 6'5". He is going to need to be a 4 year college player to develop, which is now looked at as a negative to NBA scouts. How many current NBA players/G-league players have the same makeup as AG? He is flooded with competition at that position. I think AG is a great player with a great feel for the game, but I just don't see NBA potential.

Trent will go down as one of the most loved U of I players, but he also has little to no chance of NBA success. Are there really that many players in the NBA at Trents size?
 
#137      
Question, knowing that Adam Miller didn't sign in the ESP, is it a possibility that he backs out of his commitment if Ayo stays for his JR year? Obviously, looking at mock drafts and reading what scouts are saying, it isn't a lock that Ayo is drafted in 2020. Anyone have any insight on this?
This has been discussed often on here and I’m not certain if anyone has accurate info from the players, but the consensus is that Miller does not want to play with Ayo, and that there is no chance Ayo stays. Whether or not Ayo gets drafted is a whole other debate here.
 
#139      
This has been discussed often on here and I’m not certain if anyone has accurate info from the players, but the consensus is that Miller does not want to play with Ayo, and that there is no chance Ayo stays. Whether or not Ayo gets drafted is a whole other debate here.

That seems to be the consensus but I have no idea how that is going to work in practice. The Spring signing period ends May 20 and the NBA Draft isn't until June 25th. I'm assuming Ayo takes advantage of the opportunity to 'declare' without hiring an agent and go through the eval periods and process. He has up until midnight on May 30th to withdraw from the Draft and maintain his college eligibility.

So...I have no idea how Adam Miller is supposed to know for sure on this by May 20th unless Ayo hires an agent right away and is gone for good. I guess he could always not sign, but that puts him in a very weird spot if he's hanging around until June and every other high major team has already solidified their class.

I guess this is moot if Ayo has a year where he is clearly a first rounder or a year where he clearly has no chance at being drafted. However, current results seem to indicate the same as last year - great upside but some clear deficiencies in his game for the NBA that might push him to the Second Round or...not at all?


I'm sure the insiders have more analysis on this but the whole rationale and approach for AM on this seems confusing at best.
 
#140      

illini80

Forgottonia
That seems to be the consensus but I have no idea how that is going to work in practice. The Spring signing period ends May 20 and the NBA Draft isn't until June 25th. I'm assuming Ayo takes advantage of the opportunity to 'declare' without hiring an agent and go through the eval periods and process. He has up until midnight on May 30th to withdraw from the Draft and maintain his college eligibility.

So...I have no idea how Adam Miller is supposed to know for sure on this by May 20th unless Ayo hires an agent right away and is gone for good. I guess he could always not sign, but that puts him in a very weird spot if he's hanging around until June and every other high major team has already solidified their class.

I guess this is moot if Ayo has a year where he is clearly a first rounder or a year where he clearly has no chance at being drafted. However, current results seem to indicate the same as last year - great upside but some clear deficiencies in his game for the NBA that might push him to the Second Round or...not at all?


I'm sure the insiders have more analysis on this but the whole rationale and approach for AM on this seems confusing at best.
My understanding is that if he declares, he cannot back out again. That is a one time deal. Obviously he could have workouts in private and wait to see where the mock drafts have him without declaring if he wants to maintain his option to play another year of college ball.
 
#141      
My understanding is that if he declares, he cannot back out again. That is a one time deal. Obviously he could have workouts in private and wait to see where the mock drafts have him without declaring if he wants to maintain his option to play another year of college ball.
I think that rule has changed and that you can declare once, and then back out after testing the waters. Hiring an agent is the one permanent method of declaring.
 
#142      
With his size, drastically improved free-throw shooting and his ability to run the court, Kofi seems like a lock to be a top 15 NBA pick. He’s already a lock to win the Big 10 Freshman of the Year and it’s early January. Can you imagine what kind of hype he’ll be getting by March?

Which means he’s gone to the NBA. Am I wrong about this?


Barring anything spectacular from happening, we will be looking at a team (starter) makeup of:

Andre Curbelo PG Ranked 56 Nationally and 4* (Trent plays this while he is out)
Trent Frazier SG-Ranked 108 Nationally and 4* (Miller is this while Trent moves over)
Adam Miller CG/W-Ranked 32 Nationally and 4* (Grandison-Hutcherson-Hawkins here)
Alan Griffin SF/W-Ranked 185 Nationally and 3* (Giorgi-Grandison-Hutcherson-Hawkins here)
Kofi Cockburn C- Ranked 46 Nationally and 4* (Giorgi-Hamlin)

Recruiting is obviously better overall since this coaching staff has arrived. Still think we see a transfer and Ayo will be leaving as well, regardless of play from here on out.
I believe we will look for one other player yet, and I would suspect a grad transfer if a spot frees up.

Starting lineup next year should be Senior, Junior, Soph, Fresh/Fresh, regardless of schedule/youth/etc, we had better do very very well next year?

I'm already getting ahead of myself but man I hope BBV can start earning some playing time and then take a leap next year. That type of strong, athletic, fast big is exactly what we lack right now, especially if he can stretch the floor. Playing him as a stretch 4 next to Kofi would (theoretically) be awesome.

I'm very excited for what this team can look like next year, on paper at least. Finally getting a true PG/floor general, hopefully will sub Adam Miller (shooting!) for Ayo, and will add Austin Hutcherson on the wing. With Hamlin looking like a legit playable big, we just need BBV to pop and we will be a very talented and deep team.

Oh, and Kofi please stay.
0
 
#143      
With his size, drastically improved free-throw shooting and his ability to run the court, Kofi seems like a lock to be a top 15 NBA pick. He’s already a lock to win the Big 10 Freshman of the Year and it’s early January. Can you imagine what kind of hype he’ll be getting by March?

Which means he’s gone to the NBA. Am I wrong about this?


0

Yes.
 
#144      

Deleted member 8896

D
Guest
With his size, drastically improved free-throw shooting and his ability to run the court, Kofi seems like a lock to be a top 15 NBA pick. He’s already a lock to win the Big 10 Freshman of the Year and it’s early January. Can you imagine what kind of hype he’ll be getting by March?

Which means he’s gone to the NBA. Am I wrong about this?





0
100%+ WRONG
 
#145      
With his size, drastically improved free-throw shooting and his ability to run the court, Kofi seems like a lock to be a top 15 NBA pick. He’s already a lock to win the Big 10 Freshman of the Year and it’s early January. Can you imagine what kind of hype he’ll be getting by March?

Which means he’s gone to the NBA. Am I wrong about this?





0
Yes, I think you're wrong about this. He has a looooong way to go before an NBA team would use a first round pick on him. Michigan State, a physical college team, completely took him away. Against Purdue, when he dunked the ball, that was a WHOA moment. However, the very same play a few minutes later, he tried to lay it up off the glass and missed the entire rim.

As of today, his offensive game is very limited, he doesn't play through contact and he misses bunnies that an NBA caliber center jams. As you've mentioned, in the NBA, your game is expected to not only extend 15 feet offensively, but extend out to 15 feet defensively as well.

I look at a guy like Udoka Azibuike at Kansas and that's what I see three years from now for Kofi. He had some injury issues early at KU, but he was then what Kofi is now. He was a big, strong, athletic guy that could only play three feet from the basket. He was very limited.

Fast forward to this year and the guy absolutely dominates. He's a dunking machine, he has multiple moves in his arsenal....he's a complete game changer on both ends. That's where Kofi ultimately needs to be and I think he'll get this. It's going to take time. He's got NBA size and strength, just not the basic skills.....yet.

Just my opinion.

P.s...if you go to a few draft websites, Udoka is projected as a second round pick.
 
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#146      
My understanding is that if he declares, he cannot back out again. That is a one time deal. Obviously he could have workouts in private and wait to see where the mock drafts have him without declaring if he wants to maintain his option to play another year of college ball.
Maybe I missed it, but I don’t remember him declaring last year in which case he hasn’t used up that one time option (if that is indeed still a one-time thing).
 
#147      

Retro62

North Bethesda, Maryland
Yeah, it's a tough fit for Kofi in the NBA as it stands right now. I mean, he will obviously get there, but he needs to flesh out his game...true "I'm just hanging out at the rim" centers are a thing of the past. He'll be a solid pick in the NBA draft at some point, but I see him staying at least next year, if not two more.

I'm hoping some of the other bigs, besides Georgi, who I would rather see get some time down low himself, are mobile enough to spend time at the four.
 
#148      
From a casual observer, seems like Kofi lacks most post moves. He struggles passing the ball out when double teamed (or ever really). He obviously doesn't have a great jump shot.

His size is hard to handle which will remain true at the next level, but without being a completely dominating true 5, not sure he sees the NBA this offseason.

I think it's hard to concede, however, that he couldn't make money somewhere playing basketball tomorrow. Unless his mid range game drastically improves, or he becomes completely unstoppable 5 ft in, I don't think an NBA team will draft him this year.
 
#149      
Yes, I think you're wrong about this. He has a looooong way to go before an NBA team would use a first round pick on him. Michigan State, a physical college team, completely took him away. Against Purdue, when he dunked the ball, that was a WHOA moment. However, the very same play a few minutes later, he tried to lay it up off the glass and missed the entire rim.

As of today, his offensive game is very limited, he doesn't play through contact and he misses bunnies that an NBA caliber center jams. As you've mentioned, in the NBA, your game is expected to not only extend 15 feet offensively, but extend out to 15 feet defensively as well.

I look at a guy like Udoka Azibuike at Kansas and that's what I see three years from now for Kofi. He had some injury issues early at KU, but he was then what Kofi is now. He was a big, strong, athletic guy that could only play three feet from the basket. He was very limited.

Fast forward to this year and the guy absolutely dominates. He's a dunking machine, he has multiple moves in his arsenal....he's a complete game changer on both ends. That's where Kofi ultimately needs to be and I think he'll get this. It's going to take time. He's got NBA size and strength, just not the basic skills.....yet.

Just my opinion.

P.s...if you go to a few draft websites, Udoka is projected as a second round pick.


Azubuike is a great comparison to Kofi. He actually had draft stock a couple years back and could possibly have been in the league if it weren't for injuries. He was invited to the combine in 2018, and you don't get invited to the combine unless you have legitimate stock. Something else to keep in mind is Kofi's numbers are much better than Azubuike's freshman stats, and I'm pretty sure he'd played ball a lot longer than Kofi has. The fact that Kofi has only played a few years and is this good now screams potential, and that alone could be enough for a team to take a flyer on him.
 
#150      
I don't think an NBA team will draft him this year

Kofi imo is not draftable other than under the "potential" umbrella as of now. 3 years from now he should-will have that 5' one bounce abusive play inside and his knowledge of double/triple-find guy open and work within an offense, will have drastically improved to PRO talent. Now he is holding, trying to bull in china shop play his way through the league, because he is 3-4 years in and has always been able to do just that so far. He cannot any longer to an extent and needs 2 years to get the other nuances down to be a legit PRO 5. He will get there, love his potential.
 
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