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Prospect watch: Updated rankings for 2020 NBA Draft

theScore

We don't know when or how exactly this year's NBA draft will take place, although as of Sunday it's still scheduled for June 25.

However, the top talent in the draft class remains mostly unchanged from when college and foreign professional teams stopped playing nearly a month ago. And three of our 14 projected lottery picks haven't played for even longer.

Here are theScore's updated rankings:

1. Anthony Edwards - Georgia, Freshman, G/F

Edwards has consistently stayed atop the list partly due to a process of elimination. In what's not considered a star-laden draft class, the 18-year-old ticks all the NBA boxes as an athletic wing who can shoot and defend.

That's not meant to marginalize his talent, though, as "Ant Man" produced some electrifying games during his lone season at Georgia.

Edwards' height has been listed at anywhere between 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-5, with a reported 6-foot-9 wingspan. His skill set will allow him to be a small-ball three, but his shooting - while streaky in college - likely plugs him in as an NBA two-guard.

2. James Wiseman - Memphis, Freshman, C

If there's a player who could be picked ahead of Edwards, it's Wiseman. Despite playing in just three collegiate games, the 7-foot center remains high on draft boards.

He's an unquestioned rim-protecting prospect after blocking three shots per contest in those three NCAA games. But Wiseman isn't an old-time big man, with his footwork, stretchable shot, and all-around soft touch offensively capping off the 19-year-old's talent.

3. LaMelo Ball - Illawarra Hawks (Australia), PG

Three-plus years ago, when Lonzo Ball - along with his father LaVar and the rest of his family - entered the basketball lexicon, there was a consensus belief that then 15-year-old LaMelo was the Ball brother with the highest ceiling.

LaMelo showcased flashes of his talent during an abbreviated 12-game pro career in Australia, and some areas he needs to improve. The 6-foot-7, 190-pounder possesses the tools to be a franchise point guard with his elite court vision and ball-handling skills. However, like his older brother, LeMelo's shooting mechanics are unorthodox, and he shot just 37.5% Down Under.

4. Obi Toppin - Dayton, Sophomore, F

The easiest knock on Toppin is his small-conference domination for Dayton this past season. But that doesn't tell his whole story. He still averaged 21 points on 64% shooting (including 44% from deep) in four games against Power 5 teams - including a win over Edwards' Georgia squad.

Toppin appears bigger than he is thanks to his wide shoulders. But the 6-foot-9, 220-pounder is built to be a modern NBA power forward because of his explosiveness inside and passable outside shooting.

5. Isaac Okoro - Auburn, Freshman, F

Isaac Okoro arrived at Auburn last fall as a top-50 recruit and has impressed through 26 games. A 6-foot-6, 220-pound wing, the Atlanta-area native moves up the rankings because he's a top-tier athlete with a lightning-quick first step.

Okoro has demonstrated an ability to score both off the bounce and as an off-ball cutter. He struggles while shooting anywhere outside the paint, but there's a widely accepted basketball adage that improvement there can be learned. His physical tools, however, are natural.

6. Deni Avdija - Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) F

European and Mediterranean leagues tend to prioritize playing time for veterans, which is probably why the 19-year-old Avdija logged just 14 minutes per game this season.

Much of the young forward's stock is rooted in his tantalizing potential. He's exhibited elite playmaking abilities in the 6-foot-9 body of a forward, and some are likening him to a poor man's Luka Doncic.

7. Onyeka Okongwu - USC, Freshman, C

Okongwu surged up the rankings throughout his freshman season at USC, finishing second in the Pac-12 in blocks while ranking first in effective field goal percentage and PER. The Ball brothers' high school teammate has exhibited two-way skill as a big man, drawing comparisons to Bam Adebayo.

8. Killian Hayes - Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany), G

Hayes is leapfrogging other guards in various mock drafts lately, with reports that some NBA scouts prefer him over Tyrese Haliburton. The 18-year-old showed veteran poise as a floor general during his lone year in Germany, firing crafty passes all over the court and averaging six assists per game. He's also refining a nice step-back jumper.

9. Cole Anthony - North Carolina, Freshman, G

Anthony was considered a consensus top-five pick after heading to North Carolina last fall, but his stock has sunk since. There's a belief among some that his volume shooting won't translate at the NBA level, but it's important to remember he played on the worst Tar Heels squad in two decades this past season.

The 6-foot-3 Anthony's shot release is uncommon, but he can score from anywhere. However, his facilitation needs work if he's going to be a starting NBA point guard, and he has to cut down on turnovers. His father, Greg, was a pretty good backup NBA point guard for 11 years.

10. Tyrese Haliburton - Iowa State, Freshman, G

To no surprise, Haliburton declared for the draft and intends to forego his remaining two seasons of eligibility. It's been a few months since the Iowa State star last suited up, but he remains one of the top point guards in this year's class.

Haliburton's 7-foot wingspan, versatility, and playmaking ability set him apart from other guards. At 6-foot-5, he can often see over most opposing defenders and make reads many other point guards wouldn't attempt. Haliburton is also a strong finisher at the rim, converting on 75% of his attempts in 2019-20, according to Hoop-Math.com.

11. Tyrese Maxey - Kentucky, Freshman, G

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Maxey remains a coveted guard prospect due to his length and ability to change speeds while scoring in any manner of ways. He's a master of the floater, an underrated NBA skill. He's also a very strong and engaged defender, averaging almost a steal per game for Kentucky.

His inconsistent perimeter shot is a cause for concern. Maxey's release point is low, which raises a red flag in the pros. He's also not a natural floor general, meaning that being a third guard/energy player is his potential NBA ceiling.

12. Precious Achiuwa - Memphis, Freshman, F/C

After a bit of a midseason slump, Achiuwa finished the 2019-20 campaign strong, averaging 19.5 points, 15 boards, and 2.5 blocks over Memphis' final four games. The 6-foot-9 freshman was thrust into a leading role after James Wiseman's departure, and he more than held his own.

Achiuwa earned American Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors and was the only first-year player to average a double-double this season. He's an active defender with the length to contest shots from the perimeter and interior. However, Achiuwa did experience some difficulty taking care of the ball, posting the fourth-most turnovers in the AAC.

13. RJ Hampton - New Zealand Breakers (Australia), G

Hampton didn't blow the competition away during his stint Down Under, yet he provided flashes of his potential to be a dynamic player at the next level. The 6-foot-5 combo guard showed great breakout speed in transition, and he uses his footwork well on drives to the rim. Hampton also possesses solid court awareness and the patience to allow a play to develop.

While there's no doubt about his playmaking potential, he'll need to add some strength and improve his 3-point shooting to get more minutes at the two-spot. There's a good chance Hampton requires a year or two to develop.

14. Aaron Nesmith - Vanderbilt, Sophomore, F

Nesmith produced a breakthrough sophomore season in 2019-20, posting 23 points, 4.9 boards, and 1.4 steals per game. The Vanderbilt star shot a sizzling 52.2% from 3-point range on 8.2 attempts per contest, and 51.2% from the field overall. While a foot injury limited his campaign to just 14 contests, Nesmith's impressive body of work speaks for itself.

At 6-foot-6 and 213 pounds, Nesmith is physically ready to handle the rigors of being an NBA wing. There's also a lot to like about him defensively. Nesmith uses his 6-foot-10 wingspan to close-out effectively on shooters, and he's an intelligent help defender.

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