Prospect watch: Updated rankings of top players for the 2020 NBA Draft

Welcome to the second installment of theScore's 2020 NBA draft prospect rankings. While six of our 14 lottery projections are either done for the season or playing abroad, March will bring the last opportunity for top NCAA prospects to show their wares before individual pro workouts or the draft combine.

1. Anthony Edwards - Georgia, Freshman, F

Georgia is unlikely to play in next month's NCAA Tournament, but Edwards continues to provide fans with plenty of reasons to tune in. "Ant Man" is one of the most electrifying players in the nation and has the ability to take over a game on his own. He's topped the 25-point mark on seven occasions, including a career-high 37 against Michigan State at the Maui Classic. The 6-foot-5 guard has got all the makings to be a two-way threat at the next level. Edwards is extremely athletic and has shown great instincts on both ends of the floor.

2. James Wiseman - Memphis, Freshman, C

Like LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton, Wiseman won't play an official game before the June 25 draft, but that doesn't mean his stock is sinking. Quite the contrary, actually: Wiseman remains a consensus top-three pick. The 7-footer would be a perfect fit with the Golden State Warriors, but it's too early to speculate on draft position. The athletic center has a 7-foot-5 wingspan, runs the floor exceptionally well, can finish the pick-and-roll, shoot from outside, and has the tools to be a punishing rim protector.

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

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's abbreviated 12-game pro career in Australia showcased flashes of that talent, as well as some areas he needs to improve. The 6-foot-7, 190-pounder has the tools to be a franchise point guard thanks to his elite court vision and ball-handling skills. Like his older brother, however, his shooting mechanics are unorthodox, and he shot just 37.5% Down Under.

4. Obi Toppin - Dayton, Sophomore, F

Toppin shoots up the rankings thanks to his 64% shooting in conference play. Sure, it's only the Atlantic-10, but he's looked like a man among boys in the circuit. He's also performed extremely well against Power 5 teams - shooting 72% on twos in four games against Kansas, Colorado, Virginia, and Georgia Tech. The bouncy, 6-foot-9, 220-pounder appears bigger than he is thanks to his wide shoulders, and his all-around game is a fit in the NBA.

5. Tyrese Maxey - Kentucky, Freshman, G

Maxey's stock remains sound thanks to his length and ability to change speeds and score in any manner of ways. He's a master of the floater, an underrated NBA skill. The 6-foot-3 guard is also a very strong, engaged defender, averaging almost a steal per game for Kentucky. His inconsistent perimeter shot is a cause for concern, though - Maxey has a low release point, a red flag in the pros. He's also not a natural floor general, meaning his potential NBA ceiling is as a third guard/energy player.

6. Cole Anthony - North Carolina, Freshman, G

Anthony's return to play has yielded mixed results. While the freshman guard is averaging 19.7 points per contest, he's shooting 40% from the field - including 33.3% from deep on 7 attempts per game - since rejoining the fold on Feb. 1. Anthony has also been turnover-prone throughout the season and will need to improve on his decision-making if he hopes to start at the point in the NBA.

7. Tyrese Haliburton - Iowa State, Sophomore, G

Haliburton's NCAA season is over due to a wrist injury. It's not a guarantee that he goes pro, but that would be the logical assumption. Between last summer's performance for Team USA's under-19 squad and 22 games as an Iowa State sophomore, the lengthy point guard played his way into the lottery conversation by further refining his explosive athleticism and passing. Areas that need work include his high handle and his pull-up shooting.

8. Deni Avdija - Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel), F

Avdija bolstered his draft stock after an MVP performance this past summer at the FIBA U20 European Championship, averaging 18.4 points, 8.3 boards, and 5.3 assists en route to leading Israel to its second straight tournament title. The 19-year-old has recently seen an uptick in playing time with Israeli powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv, during which he's shown glimpses of the player that dominated international play a year ago. Avdija has elements of 2018's top international prospect, Luka Doncic, in his game. The point forward can run the pick-and-roll effectively and has the versatility to slide into either guard position.

9. Isaac Okoro - Auburn, Freshman, F

Isaac Okoro arrived at Auburn as a top-50 recruit and has impressed in his first 26 games. A 6-foot-6, 220-pound wing, the Atlanta-area native is an elite athlete with a lightning-quick first step. He's demonstrated an ability to score both off the bounce and as a cutter off the ball. His deficiency is shooting anywhere outside the paint, but there's a widely-accepted basketball adage that improvement in that area can be learned. Okoro's physical tools can't be.

10. Onyeka Okongwu - USC, Freshman, F/C

Okongwu might be the top rim-protecting big man in the entire draft. The 6-foot-9 freshman is tied for 11th in the nation with 2.7 blocks per contest and alters plenty of other shots with his 7-foot wingspan. With Okongwu at the heart of the Trojans' defense, USC ranks 27th among all schools in opponents' field-goal percentage at the rim (52.6%), according to Hoop-Math.com. Okongwu averages more than a steal per game and his defensive instincts as a whole are excellent. He has the ability to read passing lanes and react instantaneously.

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

Hayes is another big, athletic point guard in the mold of Haliburton. One NBA executive even likes Hayes more. The 18-year-old was born in Florida but moved to France as a child when his father, DeRon, a Penn State standout in the early '90s, began playing professionally there. He's showcased tremendous passing ability and a tricky step-back jumper in EuroCup competition.

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

Like Ball, Hampton's 2019-20 campaign in the Australian NBL came to a premature end due to injury. The 19-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 3.9 boards, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals across 15 appearances, mostly as a reserve. At 6-foot-5, Hampton projects to be a combo guard with his athleticism and length. He's an explosive player in transition and half-court sets, but he struggled shooting the ball from distance, connecting at a 29.5% clip on just under three attempts per game.

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

It's possible that Achiuwa is starting to wear down from carrying the load for Memphis during Wiseman's absence. The 6-foot-9 freshman shot 25% from deep in 32.1 minutes per game in February. However, Achiuwa continues to be a steady presence on the defensive end, posting 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per contest over the last nine games. Achiuwa has spent most of the season at the center position and could see more minutes next year as a small-ball five due to his length and athleticism.

14. Jaden McDaniels - Washington, Freshman, F

Washington's plunge to the bottom of the Pac-12 has coincided with McDaniels' poor play over the past month. The 6-foot-9 freshman lost his starting gig due to inconsistencies on both ends of the floor, which have also taken him out of consideration for a top-five selection. However, teams at the end of the lottery might not be able to resist McDaniels. He's got tremendous length and an offensive skill set that could make him a two-way star at the next level.