Top 10 draft eligible small forwards: Ingram leads the way
TOP PG I TOP SG I TOP PF (June 17) I TOP C (June 20)
While Ben Simmons is listed as a combo forward by several pundits, the 6-foot-10, 240-pound Australian is very likely a four in today's NBA. That leaves Brandon Ingram at the top of the list of available small forwards in the June 23 draft.
Ingram could be a special talent; while he certainly needs to add some bulk to his incredibly wiry 6-foot-9 frame, it's worth remembering that Kevin Durant entered the NBA in 2007 with near-identical dimensions.
1. Brandon Ingram
College: Duke (Freshman)
Age: 18
Height/Weight: 6-9/196 lbs
2015-2016: 17.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2 APG
Strengths: Physical tools, shooting touch, slashing ability
Weaknesses: Physical strength, footwork
Comparison: Kevin Durant, Tayshaun Prince
2. Jaylen Brown
College: Cal (Freshman)
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6-7/223 lbs
2015-2016: 14.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2 APG
Strengths: Athleticism, physical strength, interior scoring
Weaknesses: Shooting consistency
Comparison: Jason Richardson, Stanley Johnson
3. Timothe Luwawu
Pro team: Mega Leks (Serbia)
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6-7/205 lbs
2015-2016: 14.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.8 APG
Strengths: Athleticism, court vision
Weaknesses: Ball handling, shooting consistency
Comparison: Thabo Sefolosha, Nicolas Batum
4. Taurean Prince
College: Baylor (Senior)
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6-8/220 lbs
2015-2016: 15.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.3 APG
Strengths: Length, lateral quickness, perimeter shooting
Weaknesses: Ball handling
Comparison: DeMarre Carroll
5. DeAndre Bembry
College: St. Joseph's (Junior)
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6-6/207 lbs
2015-2016: 17.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 4.5 APG
Strengths: Athleticism, passing, defense
Weaknesses: Shooting consistency
Comparison: Jimmy Butler
6. Paul Zipser
Pro team: Bayern Munich (Germany)
Age: 22
Height/Weight: 6-8/210 lbs
2015-2016: 6.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG
Strengths: Physical strength, shooting ability
Weaknesses: Ball handling, limited minutes in past
Comparison: Shane Battier
7. Rade Zagorac
Pro team: Mega Leks (Serbia)
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6-9/205 lbs
2015-2016: 13.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.4 APG
Strengths: Length, attacking the basket
Weaknesses: Physical strength
8. Jake Layman
College: Maryland (Senior)
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6-9/209 lbs
2015-2016: 11.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.1 APG
Strengths: Athleticism, shooting touch
Weaknesses: Physical strength, shot creation
9. Michael Gbinije
College: Syracuse (Senior)
Age: 24
Height/Weight: 6-7/205 lbs
2015-2016: 17.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.3 APG
Strengths: Shooting touch, passing, versatility
Weaknesses: Quickness, age
10. Jarrod Uthoff
College: Iowa (Senior)
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6-10/214 lbs
2015-2016: 18.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.1 APG
Strengths: Fluid jumpshot, perimeter shooting
Weaknesses: Ball handling, quickness