Scouting NBA draft lottery prospects: Strengths, comps, intel

Who are the best 2019 NBA draft prospects available in this year's lottery?

Our draft experts give full scouting reports on Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, RJ Barrett and more of the top players in our rankings -- including strengths, improvement areas, draft ranges, physical comps to current and former pros when they were at a similar age, projected roles and intel from around the league.

This page will continue to update as players move into and out of the top 14 in our rankings.

Go here for part 2 featuring our first-round prospects, including Bol Bol, PJ Washington and Kevin Porter Jr.

Zion Williamson | F | Duke | Age: 18.8

Williamson burst onto the national radar early in his high school career thanks to his freakish athleticism and propensity for pulling off supernatural feats that were well-documented on social media. A knee injury slowed him as a high school junior and caused him to gain weight, leading to an uneven senior year that had some wondering if he was more of an internet sensation than a great basketball player.

Williamson did a great job of getting into the best shape of his life upon enrolling at Duke, and he went on to have one of the most memorable freshman campaigns in the one-and-done era. He shattered records, gained a huge worldwide following and solidified himself as the lock No. 1 pick and arguably the most hyped incoming NBA rookie since LeBron James. -- Givony

Strengths

• A physical specimen unlike any we've seen in recent memory at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds. Will be one of the most explosive athletes in the NBA right away, but is also blessed with incredible fluidity, coordination, body control and power. Does unprecedented things seemingly every game that inspire sheer astonishment.

• Extremely skilled and instinctive. Will be very difficult for opposing defenders to slow down due to his ability to create offense with the ball in his hands. Absolutely lethal in transition, but also a very dangerous option in the half court. Excellent ball handler who changes speeds effortlessly and gets incredibly low to the ground with his array of moves. Uses polished footwork and generates amazing force en route to finishing around the rim and drawing fouls. Also a strong passer thanks to his extremely high basketball IQ. Can also score in the post, blowing past traditional big men and overpowering smaller players with his huge frame. Much improved shooter as well.

• Appears to have ideal NBA superstar personality. Outstanding teammate and competitor. Unselfish. Loves to do the little things needed to help win games. Deflects all of the attention he receives back toward the team. Brings frenetic energy defensively when locked in, showing the ability to guard positions 1-5. Won't turn 19 until July.

Improvement areas

• Difficult to project given his unique game. Some NBA scouts struggle with the fact that they can't find anyone to compare him to, which is part of the evaluation process. Doesn't have a traditional position in yesterday's NBA, but in the modern game will likely become a team's primary creator offensively. Will need a creative coach and the right personnel around him to unlock his full potential. Needs to be surrounded by shooting to be most effective, perhaps similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo in that regard.

• Just an average shooter. Made only 24 3-pointers in 33 games at Duke, as well as 64 percent of his free throw attempts. Mechanics leave a lot to be desired. Ball comes off the side of his hand. Not very fluid in his lower body getting into his jumper.

• Can he stay healthy playing the same wrecking-ball style over the course of 82 games? Will likely need to learn to dial back the intensity at times. Had some minor knee issues in high school and has a body type that can get thick quickly if he's not careful. Will be the second-heaviest player in the NBA right off the bat, despite his height.

Projected role: Big playmaker

Range: No. 1

Ja Morant | G | Murray State | Age: 19.7

The most exciting player in the draft not named Zion Williamson, Morant won over NBA front offices this season by leading Murray State to the NCAA tournament with rim-rattling dunks, pinpoint passes, deep 3s and key buckets when it mattered most. After an impressive freshman season and strong showing at the Chris Paul camp in the summer, Morant entered the season with lottery buzz, but it wasn't until he torched Alabama that scouts began to view him as a top-five-caliber prospect.

Morant took college basketball by storm, becoming a household name with his charismatic personality and electric game. Though his natural feel and athletic gifts are what you first notice, Morant's journey from unheralded high school recruit to top-three pick is a big part of his intrigue. Morant looks the part of a star in the making and a franchise-changing point guard. -- Schmitz

Strengths

• Dynamic athlete who excels in the open court. Transition speed demon who can shift gears on a dime and put pressure on the rim. Explosive two-foot leaper with the ability to put defenders on a poster with ease. Shifty nature allows him to get into the teeth of the defense with or without a ball screen, using electric change-of-pace moves to get to his patented left hand. Although thin, has positional size and doesn't shy away from contact.

• Excellent passing instincts with a slick handle. Unselfish hitting ahead in transition (99 of his 323 assists came in the open court). Soft touch on lobs. Loves to deliver the ball off a live dribble with his left hand. Can hit the roller over the top or shooters in the weakside corner. High basketball IQ. Led the nation in assists.

• Greatly improved perimeter shooter. After making only nine pull-up jumpers as a freshman, knocked down 35 as a sophomore, several of which came from beyond NBA range. Has added more ways to get to his pull-up, unlocking his half-court scoring when coupled with his dynamic driving and passing. Shines when the lights are brightest. Praised for his work ethic and intangibles.

Improvement areas

• Undisciplined defender who didn't show much fight or consistency. Part of that is due to his offensive load, as he was tremendous defensively at the CP3 camp, but he still has bad habits to squash. Stands around off the ball. Gambles for steals. Can he be more than a one-position defender at 170 pounds?

• Risk-reward passer who opts for flash over substance at times. Found so much of his success in transition at Murray State. Still learning the nuances of making every pick-and-roll read against a set defense. Led the nation in turnovers. Too casual when the ball isn't in his hands. Needs to stay locked in and remain a threat when off the ball.

• How efficient will he be as a scorer early in his career? There are still questions about his pull-up jumper (low release set shot) as well as his ability to finish through contact given his frame and the fact that he doesn't have a consistent floater at this stage. Left-hand dominant as a driver.

Projected role: Franchise point guard

Range: Nos. 2-3

RJ Barrett | G/F | Duke Age: 18.8

The son of longtime professional basketball player Rowan Barrett, RJ was identified as the next great thing in Canadian basketball prior to even enrolling in high school. He made his debut with the national team at age 14, leading his team to a silver medal at the Under-16 FIBA Americas Championship. He rose up the ranks and proved himself as the best player in his class in every setting after that.

Perhaps what he became most known for was his MVP performance at the FIBA U19 World Championships, where at age 17 he helped take down Team USA with a 38-point, 13-rebound, five-assist performance to win Canada's first gold at the international level. He also led the Nike EYBL in scoring at the age of 16, won MVP of the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp and helped Montverde win the Geico national championship. He elected to reclassify and enter college a year early, as he had nothing left to prove at the high school level, enrolling at Duke as the consensus No. 1 prospect in his recruiting class. -- Givony

Strengths

• Has prototypical size, length and frame for an NBA wing at 6-foot-7 with a 6-10 wingspan at 208 pounds. Unique athlete in terms of coordination, fluidity, body control and quickness. Plays at different speeds.

• Has evolved over his career into a ballhandling guard who is comfortable as a primary creator and facilitator. At his best in the open court, but is also a very capable option in pick-and-roll and isolation situations. Uses his size and high basketball IQ to see over the top of defenses and deliver pinpoint passes. He's also a solid shooter off the dribble. Incisive driver who uses his strong frame to get into the paint, initiate contact, finish from awkward angles and get to the free throw line at a prolific rate.

• Has an alpha-dog mentality and wants to win at all costs. Plays with a laser focus and is not afraid of big moments. Competitor who plays with toughness and physicality. Won't turn 19 until the week of the draft.

Improvement areas

• Improved shooter, but still made only 31 percent of his 3s this season and 67 percent of his free throw attempts. Doesn't have the most natural shooting stroke -- jumper looks rigid and flat at times, leading to bad misses.

• Not a very efficient overall scorer. Very left-hand dominant. Killer mentality, aggressiveness get the best of him at times. Shot-selection and decision-making were questionable at times as a freshman, especially in late-game situations. Lack of shooting around him at Duke made it easier for opposing defenses to accentuate his weaknesses.

• Shows great potential at times defensively, but isn't consistent enough in this area.

Projected role: Primary creator and go-to scorer

Range: Nos. 2-3

Darius Garland | G | Vanderbilt | Age: 19.2

Although Garland was robbed of his freshman season due to injury, NBA scouts are still quite familiar with him after his prodigious pre-college play. He entered the season as our clear-cut No. 1 PG prospect, and at least was able to show his talent against USC in mid-November. Even so, there remains a bit of uncertainty around Garland.

Based on talent alone, he's a top-five prospect and potential franchise point guard who is built for the modern NBA thanks to his ability to shoot off the dribble from distance. Garland is highly regarded for his approach to the game and intangibles. He'll be far more than consolation prize for whichever team misses out on Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and RJ Barrett in the lottery. -- Schmitz

Strengths

• High-level pull-up shooter with deep range who can get to his shot at will out of pick-and-roll or isolations thanks to his ball-on-a-string handle and polished footwork. Creates space with step-back jumpers in either direction. Live feet with quick-twitch athleticism. Comfortable shooting off the catch as well, sprinting off screens or hopping into 3s out of handoffs. Allows for more lineup versatility with his ability to play off the ball offensively. Clean, simple mechanics with a quick release.

• Plays off the threat of his jumper to get into the lane. Shifty ball handler. Good feel for when and how to change speeds and directions. Tough to keep in front in the half court. Not a great finisher yet but shows potential with floaters and creative scoops. Has passing instincts when he breaks down the defense. Has shown he can hit the roll man or find shooters after the defense collapses.

• Competitive with strong intangibles. Has the quickness and instincts to develop into a solid one-position defender as his frame fills out.

Improvement areas

• Still evolving as a facilitator. A little too trigger-happy from 3 at times. Although he had little help, finished his freshman season with 13 assists and 15 turnovers in 139 minutes. Scoring is ahead of his passing right now.

• Struggles to finish in traffic against length and contact. Not a physically imposing prospect or a threat to go up and finish above the rim. Has to rely on finesse and creativity, of which he's shown glimpses.

• Lacks a degree of defensive upside. Quick hands and feet but might struggle early in his career against more powerful guards. How will he hold up against switches? Coming off an MCL injury that sidelined him for most of his freshman campaign.

Projected role: Franchise point guard

Range: Nos. 4-7

De'Andre Hunter | F | Virginia | Age: 21.4

An undersized center in high school, Hunter redshirted his first college season at the advice of Tony Bennett in order to work on his body. Hunter emerged very quickly as an NBA prospect once he stepped on the court in 2017-18, winning ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors and being named to the conference's all-rookie team. A broken wrist suffered in practice caused him to miss the NCAA tournament in 2018 and likely played a major role in Virginia getting upset by No. 16 seed UMBC, as well as Hunter's decision to return to school despite being projected as a likely lottery pick.

Hunter was a major factor in Virginia's national championship run, earning first-team all-conference honors, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American status. -- Givony

Strengths

• Strong measurements for a combo forward prospect at 6-foot-8, 227 pounds with a 7-2 wingspan.

• Arguably the best defender in college basketball. Often tasked with guarding the other team's best player, be it a point guard or power forward. Has impressive technique containing opposing ball handlers off the dribble, as well as switching onto big men inside the paint with his strong frame and terrific physicality. Extremely active and aware off the ball.

• Scored both prolifically (21.3 points per 40 minutes pace adjusted) and efficiently (61 percent true shooting percentage) in college. Impacts winning at a high level. Brings terrific toughness and versatility at a position that is rare and important in modern basketball.

Improvement areas

• Good, not great, athlete. Lacks a degree of quick-twitch explosiveness for a potential top-five pick.

• How does he score consistently in the NBA? Made only 67 3s in 71 games in college. Doesn't have the most natural shooting stroke and appeared to lose confidence in his jumper at times. Straight-line driver who looks clunky trying to create offense at times and doesn't do a great deal of facilitation for others.

• Second-oldest player projected to be picked in the top 20. Does he have enough long-term upside to warrant being a top-five pick considering his age and limitations with athleticism and scoring?

Projected role: Versatile 3-and-D combo forward

Range: Nos. 4-8

Jarrett Culver | G | Texas Tech | Age: 20.2

One of the most improved players in the country, Culver was the engine that drove the Red Raiders to the NCAA title game, leading his hometown team in points, rebounds and assists while playing most of the season at just 19 years old.

A tireless worker with little buzz out of high school, Culver is the exact type of ultra-productive, high-floor prospect teams will feel comfortable betting on. He's likely to maximize his long-term potential and to impact winning. -- Schmitz

Strengths

• Prototypical size at 6-foot-6 with a great frame. Strong legs. Above-average straight-line athlete who can play above the rim in space or change speeds going to his right. Physical around the rim. Doesn't shy away from contact. Should look more explosive to the rim with NBA spacing.

• Shot creator who can generate offense for himself or others from all over the floor. Played a fair amount of point guard for Tech. Can make pick-and-roll pull-ups, get to the rim against drop coverages or make most basic ball-screen passes. Loves to operate out of the mid-post. Can get to turnarounds or short pull-ups, where he's most comfortable.

• Two-way potential. Strong defensive fundamentals and tools. Should be able to check positions 1-3 at the NBA level. Will stick his nose in and defensive rebound. Praised for his work ethic. Young for a sophomore.

Improvement areas

• Inconsistent shooter who overhauled his mechanics between his freshman and sophomore seasons. Shot well under 30 percent from 3 the last 25 games after a hot start. Unnatural pause near the top of his release. Shoots on the way down at times. Much more comfortable off the dribble than the catch. Turns down open spots for contested pull-ups. How effective will he be playing off the ball early in his career if he goes into a shooting slump? Will the team that drafts him be willing to hand over the ball and allow him to generate offense as a rookie?

• Not the shiftiest ball handler. More of a straight-line athlete. Lacks a degree of wiggle. Struggles to get by elite defenders in the half court, largely due to his shaky 3-ball and lack of creativity with his handle. Can he generate enough high-percentage offense against NBA defenders? Shot much better against bad teams.

• Offensive confidence and defensive physicality tend to fluctuate more than his reputation suggests. Went into a major slump in Tech's last three tournament games. Prone to occasional defensive lapses. Average length.

Projected role: Secondary creator

Range: Nos. 4-7

Cam Reddish | F | Duke | Age: 19.6

The son of former VCU player Bobby Reddish, Cam was identified as an elite prospect very early, earning his first invitation to a USA Basketball camp at age 14. He was invited to seven USA Basketball camps over his high school career.

He was widely considered a top-three prospect in his high school class after growing to 6-foot-9 while still playing quite a bit of point guard. -- Givony

Strengths

• Elite physical profile. Looks like an NBA All-Star on first glance. Has the dimensions of a power forward but has played all of the perimeter positions throughout his career, giving him unique lineup versatility in the modern game. Smooth, fluid athlete with a frame that will continue to fill out impressively in time.

• Dynamic shooter who makes jumpers pulling up off the dribble, with his feet set and running off screens. Strong mechanics, footwork and rotation. Ranked fourth among projected draft picks in terms of quantity of 3-pointers made per minute.

• Tantalizing prospect in terms of pure talent and long-term upside. Shows incredible flashes as a ball handler, passer and defender.

Improvement areas

• Teases his actual productivity. Wasn't an impactful or efficient player at the college level. Ranked last among projected draft picks in PER (13.8). Shot just 39 percent from 2-point range, a historically poor rate. Disappeared in many key games for Duke. Mysteriously sat out an NCAA tournament game.

• Lacks a degree of explosiveness athletically in terms of his ability to get by defenders and finish with verticality around the rim. Not a physical player on either end of the floor. Effort level, focus and confidence fluctuate.

• Stroke looks good mechanically, but has been extremely inconsistent throughout his career. Hit only 33 percent of his 3s at Duke. Career 32 percent 3-point shooter in 510 attempts overall, according to our scouting database.

Projected role: Largely a mystery

Range: Nos. 4-10

Coby White | G | UNC Age: 19.2

The state of North Carolina's all-time leading scorer, White turned a record-breaking career at Greenfield High School into a rarely productive freshman season at UNC. White topped 30 points on three occasions, knocking down five or more 3s in five games as the leader of UNC's high-octane offense.

Despite his illustrious prep career, White wasn't viewed as a sure one-and-done prospect before he arrived in Chapel Hill. Seen more as a scoring off-guard without great physical upside coming into his freshman season, White proved to be too dynamic of a scorer to ignore. The 6-foot-5 bucket-getter still has work to do as a facilitator, but he showed enough promise in that area to be considered a potential top-10 pick in June's draft. -- Schmitz

Strengths

• Energetic scoring guard who can fill it up in a hurry. Puts relentless pressure on the rim in transition, pushing aggressively after made baskets (30.7 percent of his offense came in the open court). Fast with positional size and the ability to pull up or get all the way to the rim. Doesn't shy away from contact. Extremely confident. Plays with spirit and a high motor.

• Shotmaker with deep range both off the catch and the dribble (3.3 made 3s per 40). Ranked in the 93rd percentile on catch-and-shoot jumpers. Catches on the hop. Quick trigger with simple mechanics. Despite lack of pull-up efficiency, more than capable of creating space with step-backs. Pull-up potential makes him a threat in pick-and-roll. Great at splitting ball screens.

• Made strides as a passer over the course of the season. Has some creativity when he chooses to unleash it, especially in space. Praised for his intangibles and approach. Could be a serviceable defender in the right environment.

Improvement areas

• Wild decision-maker. Frenetic pace works for and against him (19.1 turnover percentage in transition). Knows only one speed. Still learning how to run a team in the half court. Will fire contested step-backs early in the possession. Doesn't always see the simple plays out of pick-and-roll. Has a tendency to over-dribble. Struggles with aggressive ball pressure. How much of his stellar production was a product of having the ultimate green light in UNC's up-tempo system?

• More streaky of a shooter than you'd hope. Low release point makes him easier to contest. Finished in the 27th percentile on pull-ups on 116 attempts. Career 34.9 percent 3-point shooter on 393 attempts.

• Lacks ideal length with a negative wingspan and small hands. Shows glimpses defensively but wasn't a consistent factor on or off the ball as a freshman. Lack of length limits him around the rim as well, especially because he's more quick than bouncy. Needs to add a floater.

Projected role: Microwave scorer

Range: Nos. 6-11

Sekou Doumbouya | F | Limoges | Age: 18.3

The most hyped youth prospect in all of France by age 15, Doumbouya became a household name in France when he attended one of the country's top basketball academies, INSEP, in 2015. Alongside Frank Ntilikina, Doumbouya eventually broke out at the 2016 U18 European Championships, carrying France to a 6-0 record and gold medal while leading the team in points and rebounding just before his 16th birthday.

After two seasons in France Pro B with Poitiers that featured severe highs and lows, Doumbouya found his footing this past season in Limoges, playing a key role for one of the most high-pressure clubs in France. He's transformed his body and improved his approach. Though he's still fine-tuning his skills, Doumbouya is the type of two-way combo forward NBA teams covet, making him an appealing option in the back half of the lottery. -- Schmitz

Strengths

• Excellent physical profile for a modern combo forward at 6-foot-9 with an 8-11 standing reach, giving him the tools to easily play either forward spot. After donning extra weight in the past, he's done a great job of getting in the best shape of his life, looking much more capable of playing on the wing. Fluid athlete who loves to run the lanes in transition. Big reach and leaping ability allow him to hammer home dunks in space.

• Versatile defender who can check positions 1-4 when fully engaged. Flies around for blocks (1.1 per 40) and steals (1.7) when he's revved up. Can cover ground impressively on closeouts. Tools allow him to have an impact on the glass.

• More untapped skill than most defensive-minded forwards in the NBA. Soft touch from 3 when disciplined with his mechanics. Gets great rotation. Shooting a career-best 31.9 percent from 3 on 5.4 attempts per 40. Can push in transition on occasion. Doesn't turn 19 until Dec. 23.

Improvement areas

• Doesn't have the most natural feel for the game. High, loose handle without much vision off the dribble (more turnovers than assists every season). Shot selection leaves much to be desired.

• Erratic shooter who often lofts the ball up on the rim with incredible arc, not staying in his shot with a follow-through. Career 28.4 percent shooter from 3 on over 280 attempts. Doesn't have great shot preparation. Flat-footed, lazy stroke at times. Needs to become more consistent to add value in the half-court offense.

• Inconsistent with his energy levels. Imposes his physical gifts on the game some nights, yet looks lethargic and uninterested others. Level of focus wavers. Lacks fundamentals and discipline on the defensive end. Needs to clean up his technique to fully tap into his defensive potential.

Projected role: Two-way combo forward

Range: Nos. 9-17

Nassir Little | F | UNC | Age: 19.3

A late bloomer in high school, Little emerged as an elite prospect prior to his senior year thanks to his prototypical physical tools, budding perimeter skill-set and two-way potential. Little won MVP of the McDonald's All-American and Jordan Brand Classic games, solidifying his standing as a potential top-five pick, but saw his stock drop throughout his freshman year due to an uneven season. -- Givony

Strengths

• Physical specimen at 6-6, 224 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan. Terrific athlete who is quick off his feet for rebounds and finishes. Has significant potential defensively with his length, strength, physicality and lateral agility, giving him multi-positional potential on the interior and perimeter. Fits the mold of what many teams are looking for in the modern game.

• Didn't convert 3-pointers at a high rate but has promising mechanics and touch. Made 77 percent of his free throw attempts in his lone year in college. Averaged 22 points per 40 minutes despite never truly finding his way offensively.

• Consensus top high school recruit who may have more potential than he was able to demonstrate at UNC. Looked like a different, more confident player in other settings. Consistently lauded for his strong intangibles off the court.

Improvement areas

• Didn't make the impact most expected as a freshman, playing only 18 MPG. Didn't improve as much as scouts hoped throughout the year in terms of his skill-level and feel for the game.

• Rudimentary ball-handler and shot-creator who struggles to generate high-percentage offense at times. Below-average passer who doesn't see the floor particularly well and was often a split-second late with his decision-making.

• Has terrific potential defensively, but wasn't always impactful on that end this season. Mistake prone -- struggled to make the right reads off the ball. Awareness and energy level fluctuate.

Projected role: Two-way combo forward

Range: Nos. 10-19

Jaxson Hayes | Texas | C | Age: 18.9

The son of an NFL player and coach, Hayes was a severely late bloomer who averaged just one point and two rebounds per game as a high school junior after sprouting up 10 inches through high school. He broke out in AAU prior to his senior year with a big game against Zion Williamson. Ended up committing to Texas over the likes of Kentucky and many others.

Hayes was expected to play a relatively minor role for the Longhorns due to how new to the game he was. He ended up emerging as a lottery candidate with big games in November against North Carolina and Michigan State. -- Givony

Strengths

• Excellent physical profile at 7-foot with a 7-3 wingspan and a huge standing reach. Big hands. Terrific frame that will continue to fill out. Fluid athlete who is highly coordinated and quick off his feet finishing lobs or protecting the rim. Beats opposing big men down the court regularly. Lauded for his off-court intangibles and should continue to make significant strides physically and skill-wise as he gains experience.

• Ranked as the second most efficient scorer in college basketball with a 75 percent true shooting percentage. Catches and dunks everything. Mobility, reach, reliable hands and soft touch make him an ideal pick-and-roll finishing option. Knows who he is offensively and is comfortable in his role. Made 74 percent of his free throw attempts.

• Second-best shot-blocker in college basketball among likely draft picks. Shows some agility and coordination stepping outside of the paint in ball-screen situations. Mobile enough to recover and make plays at the rim when beat.

Improvement areas

• Struggled to stay on the floor at times for Texas due to foul trouble (six fouls per 40 minutes).

• Lacks a degree of physicality on the defensive glass. Averaged only 8.9 rebounds per 40. Game moves a little too fast for him at times. Generated only one assist every 83 minutes played, by far the worst rate among likely draft picks.

• Will need to add strength. Likely will need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA game.

Projected role: Rim-running, shot-blocking center

Range: Nos. 8-14

Rui Hachimura | F | Gonzaga | Age: 21.3

The face of Japanese basketball, Hachimura developed into a potential lottery pick thanks to his steady improvement at Gonzaga. He is one of the draft's more divisive prospects, with some seeing him as a sure top-10 pick and others questioning his winning impact despite impressive box score stats. But Hachimura's tools and inside-out scoring could earn him looks in the top-10 come June. -- Schmitz

Strengths

• Elite physical profile for a modern forward with a chiseled, powerful 234-pound frame, long arms and huge hands. Finishes through contact, converting 25 and-1s through 37 games. Generated 7.9 free throws per 40 minutes last season. Can finish above the rim in space thanks to his length and hand size.

• Mismatch scorer who can take more traditional bigs onto the perimeter and wings onto the block. Shot a career-best 41.7 percent from 3 on 36 attempts as a junior. At his best pulling up for mid-range jumpers. Can attack in a straight line with physicality. Quick and powerful in the mid-post.

• Has the tools to be a sound defender given his length, agility and overall size. High-intangible prospect noted for his work ethic and eagerness to learn. Still has untapped potential despite his age. Can his perimeter game blossom with more freedom and space in the NBA?

Improvement areas

• Mediocre feel for the game. Finished with more turnovers than assists every season at Gonzaga. Head-down ball-handler who misses open teammates. Predetermined with his moves. Had a 73.0 true shooting percentage (TS%) against losing teams and a 61.7 TS% against winning teams.

• Reluctant 3-point shooter. Shoots a flat ball with his hand on top at times. Although he has good touch inside the arc and has improved throughout the pre-draft process, there are no guarantees that his jumper is totally projectable in live action. Took more pull-ups than catch-and-shoot jumpers as a junior. Career 30.9 percent from 3 on 162 attempts.

• Not the defender his tools suggest. Upright in his stance on the perimeter. Struggled to keep wings and guards in front during the season. Off-ball instincts have room to improve.

Projected role: Mismatch scorer

Range: Nos. 10-20

Brandon Clarke | F | Gonzaga Age: 22.6

After sitting out last season following his transfer from San Jose State, Clarke came out of nowhere to become one of the most efficient collegiate players in the past decade, posting a 37.6 PER as a redshirt junior. The best player on a loaded Gonzaga team, Clarke displayed leaping ability, motor, defensive versatility and offensive efficiency that impressed scouts and analytics models -- though he remains one of the more divisive prospects in the draft.

To some, he's a perfect fit in the modern NBA and a clear option in the lottery, yet others are deterred by his physical profile and lack of perimeter skill. Given his nearly unprecedented efficiency along with some of the skepticism around him, Clarke will be one of the more interesting prospects to follow on draft night and beyond. -- Schmitz

Strengths

• Pogo-stick athlete who finishes everything around the rim. Lob and tip-dunk threat. No. 1 finisher in college basketball in the half court (minimum 175 attempts), converting 74.3 percent of his shots at the rim. Has touch on floaters as well. Uses his leaping ability and high motor to have an impact on the offensive glass (4.4 offensive rebounds per 40).

• Versatile defender who can switch onto the perimeter and rim-protect despite his sub-par length. Picture-perfect verticality technique. Outstanding timing and instincts with quick-leaping ability. Ranks third in ESPN's Top 100 in block percentage (10.8). Blocks 4.3 shots per 40 minutes. Shot-blocking allows him to play the 5 in small-ball lineups, which is his most advantageous position offensively. Quick feet on the perimeter. Looked comfortable stepping out and defending guards like Jarrett Culver for stretches. Perfect defensive fit in the modern NBA.

• Solid offensive feel for the game. Can facilitate from the elbows. Savvy interior passer. Embraces his role. Plays a super efficient brand of basketball. Shows some potential as a jump shooter despite low volume (his 69.4 percent from the free throw line is encouraging).

Improvement areas

• Doesn't possess elite physical tools for a modern 4/5 at 6-foot-8 with narrow shoulders, short arms (6-8 wingspan) and small hands. Only weighed in at 207 pounds at the combine. Lacks a degree of physical upside given his age. Upright runner with choppy steps. Can he handle the league's jumbo bigs when he's at center?

• Offensive game is better suited for the center spot, because he doesn't space the floor as a shooter or handle the ball that cleanly. Shoots on the way down in mid-range spots. Has taken only 25 career 3s in 2,631 minutes. Upright with the ball in his hands. Predictable off the bounce, too often driving hard left and trying to spin back right.

• Lacks a degree of fundamentals defensively. Upright in his stance. Gets by on instincts and athletic gifts at this stage.

Projected role: Modern small-ball big

Range: Nos. 11-21

Romeo Langford | F | Indiana | Age: 19.5

The fourth all-time leading scorer in Indiana high school history, Langford stayed home to play at tiny New Albany High School before committing to Indiana. He was a USA Basketball staple who was a consensus top-six recruit. Langford started off his freshman season in impressive fashion but was slowed by a torn ligament in the thumb of his shooting hand in late November. He elected to play through it, which likely prevented scouts from seeing the full extent of his potential.

Langford was still named second-team all-conference and a member of the Big Ten's all-freshman team, but he wasn't able to guide Indiana to the NCAA tournament. -- Givony

Strengths

• Has prototypical physical tools for an NBA wing at over 6-foot-6 in shoes, with a strong frame and a 6-11 wingspan.

• Smooth and fluid athlete who is at his best with the ball in his hands and shows significant potential pushing ahead in transition and operating out of pick-and-roll. Has strong footwork and body control. Changes speeds naturally with the ball. Good vision and creativity finding teammates. Offensive instincts and overall upside suggest he can develop into a player capable of shouldering a significant load as a shot-creator, which is difficult to find in this draft class, especially at his size.

• Shows enough flashes as a defender, passer, rebounder, finisher and shot-maker to leave plenty of room for optimism regarding how his game will continue to round out over time. Has both a relatively high ceiling and floor.

Improvement areas

• Shot only 27 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, partially due to the hand injury but wasn't known as a great shooter coming into college. Could stand to tweak his mechanics and release point. Had very little shooting around him at Indiana, which made it easy for opposing defenses to load up on him as the season moved on.

• Faced a significant learning curve on the defensive end in college. Has substantial potential on that end with his length, quickness and solid instincts, but will have to improve his intensity level, particularly off the ball. Has a casual demeanor that works against him at times.

• Uneven, injury-plagued freshman season left scouts with more questions than answers.

Projected role: Big playmaker

Range: Nos. 10-20