2020 NBA Draft Board

November 9, 2020
Updated: November 17, 2020

Introduction

This is only as an exercise so I can look back in 5 years and tell myself how wrong my very basic gut instict combined with my idealized mental model of what is valuable in the NBA. In 2018 I spilled a lot of words and thoughts on the player archtypes, physical attributes, and skillsets that I do and do not value. In 2019 I talked about what I would be trying to maximize/optimize/solve for in terms of building a team/valuing prospects (tl;dr, a theoretically perfect version of how much a player can impact +/- if placed in their optimal role). This year, I'm not talking about anything because I'm not very good at this and just want to post this publicly so I can remind myself how not good at this I am. Onto the tiers:

Tier 1 (~55+ FV)

  1. Onyeka Okongwu - PF - USC
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.9
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 245 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85 in
    • Ape: +4
    • ++: defensive versatility
    • +: finishing, playmaking as a big, motor, shooting
    • -: may not be quite big enough to hang with elite Centers

  2. LaMelo Ball - PG - Illawarra Hawks (Australia)
    • Age: 19.2
    • Height: 79 in
    • Weight: 190 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82 in
    • Ape: +3
    • ++: age, primary ball handling, passing
    • +: size, rebounding
    • -: effort, decision making
    • --: finishing, shot selection

  3. Anthony Edwards - SG - Georgia
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.3
    • Height: 77 in
    • Weight: 225 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81 in
    • Ape: +4
    • ++: age, strength, athleticism, frame
    • +: ape, shot creation
    • -: playmaking, effort, basketball IQ
    • --: shot selection

  4. James Wiseman - C - Memphis
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.6
    • Height: 85 in
    • Weight: 237 lbs
    • Wingspan: 90 in
    • Ape: +5
    • ++: frame, athleticism
    • +: age, rim running, rim protection
    • -: shot selection, decision making
    • --: lack of data, competition, defensive reps

Tier 2 (~55 FV)

  1. Patrick Williams - SF - Florida State
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.3
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 225 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83 in
    • Ape: +3
    • ++: age
    • +: off ball defense, free throw shooting, off ball offense
    • -: turnover prone, horizontal athleticism

  2. Devin Vassell - SF - Florida State
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.2
    • Height: 79 in
    • Weight: 194 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82 in
    • Ape: +3
    • ++: age
    • +: defensive motor, on ball defense, shot selection
    • -: finishing, strength

Tier 3 (~50+ FV)

  1. Killian Hayes - PG - Ratiopharm (Germany)
    • Age: 19.3
    • Height: 77 in
    • Weight: 215 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80.25 in
    • Ape: +3.25
    • ++: age
    • +: size, shot creation/playmaking, shooting
    • -: athleticism, driving, right hand dominance

  2. Kira Lewis Jr. - PG - Alabama
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 19.6
    • Height: 75 in
    • Weight: 165 lbs
    • Wingspan: 78 in
    • Ape: +3
    • ++: age
    • +: shooting, shot creation, pick-and-roll ability
    • -: defensive versatility, playmaking, frame

  3. Tyrese Haliburton - PG - Iowa State
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.7
    • Height: 77 in
    • Weight: 175 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80 in
    • Ape: +3
    • +: basketball IQ, shot selection, playmaking
    • -: athleticsm, shot creation, interior offense

Tier 4 (~50 FV)

  1. Aleksej Pokusevski - PF - Olympiacos B (Greece A2)
    • Age: 18.9
    • Height: 84 in
    • Weight: 201 lbs
    • Wingspan: 87 in
    • Ape: +3
    • ++: age
    • +: height and fluidity allows for unicorn potential
    • -: height and weight allows for bust potential, quality of competition

  2. Deni Avdija - SF - Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)
    • Age: 19.9
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 215 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81 in
    • Ape: +0
    • +: secondary ball handling/playmaking, basketball IQ
    • -: athleticism
    • --: shooting, wingspan

  3. Isaac Okoro - SF - Auburn
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.8
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 225 lbs
    • Wingspan: 81 in
    • Ape: +3
    • ++: wing defense
    • +: secondary ball handling/playmaking, interior finishing/foul drawing
    • --: shooting

  4. Tyrese Maxey - PG - Kentucky
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20
    • Height: 75 in
    • Weight: 198 lbs
    • Wingspan: 78 in
    • Ape: +3
    • +: finishing, free throw shooting, defense
    • -: shot creation

  5. Tyrell Terry - PG - Stanford
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20.1
    • Height: 74 in
    • Weight: 174 lbs
    • ++: shooting
    • +: off-ball movement, pick-and-roll ball handling
    • -: playmaking, effort, basketball IQ
    • --: size limits defensive ability

  6. Josh Green - SG - Arizona
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 210 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82.25 in
    • Ape: +4.25
    • +: shooting, defense
    • -: playmaking, finishing

  7. Saddiq Bey - SF - Villanova
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 21.6
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 216 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82 in
    • Ape: +2
    • +: improved shooting, defensive awareness and versatility
    • -: wingspan athleticism, likely 4th or 5th option offensively
    • --: age

  8. Aaron Nesmith - SF - Vanderbilt
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 21.1
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 213 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82 in
    • Ape: +4
    • ++: shooting
    • +: plays within role
    • -: shot creation, playmaking, defense

Tier 5 (~45+ FV)

  1. Cole Anthony - PG - North Carolina
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20.5
    • Height: 75 in
    • Weight: 190 lbs
    • Wingspan: 76.5 in
    • Ape: +1.5
    • +: scoring
    • -: age, wingspan, shot selection

  2. Jalen Smith - PF - Maryland
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.7
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 225 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85.5 in
    • Ape: +3.5
    • +: age, stretch shooting, pick and roll screening, motor
    • -: interior scoring, horizontal athleticism, passing

  3. Obi Toppin - PF - Dayton
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 22.7
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 220 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83 in
    • Ape: +2
    • ++: rim running, vertical athleticism
    • +: ball handling/playmaking as a big
    • -: wingspan, defense
    • --: age, horizontal athleticism

  4. R.J. Hampton - PG - New Zealand Breakers (New Zealand)
    • Age: 19.8
    • Height: 77 in
    • Weight: 188 lbs
    • Wingspan: 79 in
    • Ape: +2
    • +: athleticism, frame
    • -: shooting, raw

  5. Theo Maledon - PG - ASVEL (France)
    • Age: 19.4
    • Height: 76 in
    • Weight: 174 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80.5 in
    • Ape: +4.5
    • ++: age
    • +: wingspan, floor general
    • -: shot creation

  6. Jaden McDaniels - SF - Washington
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20.1
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 200 lbs
    • Wingspan: 83.5 in
    • Ape: +2.5
    • +: frame, athleticism, defensive versatility
    • -: playmaking, offensive role

  7. Killian Tillie - PF - Gonzaga
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 22.7
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 220 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82 in
    • Ape: +0
    • ++: shooting
    • +: interior defense
    • -: athleticism, injuries
    • --: wingspan

Tier 6 (~45 FV)

  1. Jahmi'us Ramsey - SG - Texas Tech
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.4
    • Height: 76 in
    • Weight: 195 lbs
    • Wingspan: 78 in
    • Ape: +2
    • +: age, shot creation, frame, athleticism
    • -: shot selection, free throw shooting

  2. Desmond Bane - SG - TCU
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 22.4
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 215 lbs
    • Wingspan: 77 in
    • Ape: -1
    • ++: age for experience
    • +: shooting, basketball IQ
    • -: athleticism
    • --: wingspan

  3. Tre Jones - PG - Duke
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.9
    • Height: 75 in
    • Weight: 185 lbs
    • Wingspan: 76 in
    • Ape: +1
    • +: floor general, defensive IQ
    • -: wingspan, finishing, defensive versatility

  4. Vernon Carey Jr. - C - Duke
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.7
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 270 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84 in
    • Ape: +2
    • +: interior offense, rebounding
    • -: wingspan, role, defense

  5. Robert Woodard II - SF - Mississippi State
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 21.2
    • Height: 79 in
    • Weight: 235 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85 in
    • Ape: +6
    • ++: wingspan
    • +: finishing, passing, off-ball defense
    • -: age, shooting, athleticism

  6. Paul Reed - PF - DePaul
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.4
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 220 lbs
    • Wingspan: 86 in
    • Ape: +5
    • ++: age, great last name, is named PAUL and went to a school called dePAUL which is a sweet power move
    • +: finishing, defense
    • -: shooting, playmaking

  7. Leandro Bolmaro - SF - FC Barcelona (Spain)
    • Age: 20.2
    • Height: 79 in
    • Weight: 180 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80 in
    • Ape: +1
    • ++: playmaking, basketball IQ
    • -: age, wingspan, athleticism, shooting

  8. Grant Riller - PG - College of Charleston
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 23.8
    • Height: 75 in
    • Weight: 190 lbs
    • +: shooting, ball handling
    • -: shot selection, defense
    • --: age

  9. Precious Achiuwa - PF - Memphis
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 20.2
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 225 lbs
    • Wingspan: 86 in
    • Ape: +5
    • +: pick-and-roll finishing, rebounding, strength
    • -: age, shooting

  10. Nico Mannion - PG - Arizona
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.7
    • Height: 75 in
    • Weight: 190 lbs
    • Wingspan: 74.5 in
    • Ape: -0.5
    • +: age, passing, finishing
    • -: defensive versatility
    • --: wingspan

  11. Devon Dotson - PG - Kansas
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 21.3
    • Height: 74 in
    • Weight: 185 lbs
    • Wingspan: 75.25 in
    • Ape: +1.25
    • +: shooting, shot creation, finishing
    • -: age, wingspan, defensive versatility

  12. Isaiah Joe - PG - Arkansas
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 21.4
    • Height: 77 in
    • Weight: 180 lbs
    • +: shooting
    • -: age, defensive versatility

  13. Xavier Tillman Sr. - PF - Michigan State
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 21.8
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 245 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85 in
    • Ape: +5
    • +: wingspan, basketball IQ, playmaking
    • -: athleticism, size

  14. Reggie Perry - PF - Mississippi State
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 20.7
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 250 lbs
    • Wingspan: 84.5 in
    • Ape: +3.5
    • +: age, playmaking
    • -: defense

  15. Zeke Nnaji - C - Arizona
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.9
    • Height: 83 in
    • Weight: 240 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85 in
    • Ape: +2
    • +: interior scoring, rebounding
    • -: wingspan, defense

  16. Isaiah Stewart - C - Washington
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 19.5
    • Height: 81 in
    • Weight: 250 lbs
    • Wingspan: 88 in
    • Ape: +7
    • ++: wingspan
    • +: age, motor, strength, interior defense
    • -: defensive versatility, finishing

  17. Cassius Winston - PG - Michigan State
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 22.7
    • Height: 73 in
    • Weight: 185 lbs
    • Wingspan: 77.25 in
    • Ape: +4.25
    • ++: wingspan
    • +: floor general, shooting
    • -: size, athleticism

  18. Malachi Flynn - PG - San Diego State
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 22.5
    • Height: 73 in
    • Weight: 185 lbs
    • Wingspan: 75 in
    • Ape: +2
    • +: floor general, shooting
    • -: defensive versatility, athleticism

Tier 7 (~40+ FV)

  1. Skylar Mays - SG - LSU
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 23.2
    • Height: 76 in
    • Weight: 205 lbs
    • Wingspan: 79 in
    • Ape: +3
    • +: shooting, off-ball defense
    • -: age

  2. Payton Pritchard - PG - Oregon
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 22.8
    • Height: 74 in
    • Weight: 190 lbs
    • Wingspan: 76 in
    • Ape: +2
    • +: floor general, shooting
    • -: size, athleticism, shot selection

  3. Jordan Nwora - SF - Louisville
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 22.2
    • Height: 80 in
    • Weight: 225 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82.5 in
    • Ape: +2.5
    • +: shooting
    • -: age, playmaking, defense

  4. Yam Madar - PG - Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)
    • Age: 19.9
    • Height: 75 in
    • Weight: 180 lbs
    • +: playmaking, basketball IQ
    • -: size, shooting

  5. Udoka Azubuike - C - Kansas
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 21.2
    • Height: 84 in
    • Weight: 270 lbs
    • Wingspan: 91 in
    • Ape: +7
    • ++: age, wingspan, frame
    • +: interior defense, athleticism
    • -: offense, defensive versatility

Tier 8 (~40 FV)

  1. Elijah Hughes - SG - Syracuse
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 22.7
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 215 lbs
    • +: scoring
    • -: athleticism, role

  2. Daniel Oturu - PF - Minnesota
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 21.2
    • Height: 82 in
    • Weight: 240 lbs
    • Wingspan: 86 in
    • Ape: +4
    • +: interior offense, interior defense
    • -: age, role

  3. Cassius Stanley - SG - Duke
    • Grade: Freshman
    • Age: 21.3
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 193 lbs
    • Wingspan: 79 in
    • Ape: +1
    • ++: athleticism
    • -: wingspan, decision making
    • --: age

  4. Jalen Harris - SG - Nevada
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 22.3
    • Height: 77 in
    • Weight: 195 lbs
    • +: shooting
    • -: age, defense

  5. Tyler Bey - PF - Colorado
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 22.8
    • Height: 79 in
    • Weight: 216 lbs
    • Wingspan: 85 in
    • Ape: +6
    • ++: wingspan
    • +: defense
    • -: interior offense
    • --: age

  6. Trevelin Queen - SG - New Mexico State
    • Grade: Senior
    • Age: 23.7
    • Height: 78 in
    • Weight: 190 lbs
    • Wingspan: 80 in
    • Ape: +2
    • +: shooting, defense
    • -: playmaking, shot creation, age

  7. Ty-Shon Alexander - SG - Creighton
    • Grade: Junior
    • Age: 22.3
    • Height: 76 in
    • Weight: 195 lbs
    • +: shooting, defense
    • -: age, frame

  8. Immanuel Quickley - SG - Kentucky
    • Grade: Sophomore
    • Age: 21.4
    • Height: 75 in
    • Weight: 188 lbs
    • Wingspan: 82 in
    • Ape: +7
    • ++: wingspan, shooting
    • +: defense
    • -: age, playmaking, finishing

Honorable Mentions (alphabetical):