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NBA draft: Anthony Edwards was voted No. 1 by the Minnesota Timberwolves
SportsPulse: Georgia’s product will now call Minnesota home after being selected number one by the Timberwolves and USA TODAY Sports’ Scott Gleeson tells us what to expect.
The 2020 NBA draft is finally here after being delayed five months from its original June date due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had the top pick in the virtual draft. After a long offseason to mull over their choice, they selected Georgia point guard Anthony Edwards.
Memphis big man James Wiseman was No. 2 against the Golden State Warriors, followed by polarizing prospect LaMelo Ball at No. 3 against the Charlotte Hornets. NBA team evaluators will have a lot of last-minute decisions to make tonight, just two days before NBA free agency begins. Here’s a full breakdown below.
The Timberwolves took the safe route by selecting Edwards, an explosive scorer with two-way ability. The 6-foot-4 who does it all can pair well with Minnesota All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. The team didn’t need a franchise-switching star, and Edwards will have time to do his thing.
FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: Meet Timberwolves No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards
The 7-footer can be a 20-foot-10 big man. He’ll fit nicely on a list of Warriors shooting guards looking to bounce back in 2020-21. Wiseman provided only a small taste of his ability in a short college career, as he left Memphis earlier in the season in the middle of an NCAA suspension. But there is potential for the All-Star Game right away.
The 6-7 point guard brings star power to the Michael Jordan franchise. He is one of the most intriguing players in recent draft memory based on his positive and polarizing experience. Ball played just 12 games in the Australian National Basketball League, but it was enough to attract NBA scouts and rewrite the narrative his father had misspelled. He’s got a fast-trigger jumper that still needs precision, but his ground vision and court ability make him elite.
The biggest surprise of the draft by far. New coach Billy Donovan will have a late development on Williams, who did not start a game and did not average double figures for the Seminoles in his first year. However, the potential and key attributes are there as a 6-8 forward. Williams is fast, explosive, strong, and athletic. Developing a three-point shot to complement your mid-range game would be a great boost. It will have an immediate impact on Chicago.
The 6-6 wing is one of the best defensive players in the draft. He can go downhill and score through contact, with athleticism and a wingspan that could make him an X-factor for the Cavs. His offense needs to improve, but he will have time to develop in Cleveland.
Okongwu shows flashes of Bam Adebayo and at 6-9 he could be the steal of this draft as a great dynamic. He averaged 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds for the Trojans in the 2019-20 season, showing strength on the glass and low blocking. His production and rim protection will help an Atlanta team that struggled on defense last year.
Hayes, an American-born southpaw, is a dynamic playmaker from France who evolved during his professional season in Germany’s top league in 2019-20. His jump shot is questionable, but Detroit may hand him the keys as the point guard of the future. His long-term advantage as a sharp 6-5 shooting guard is huge.
The Knicks got the player they wanted all along, and he’s a highlight-making machine that can shine under the New York lights. USA TODAY Sports’ national college basketball player of the year can do a combination of everything, including going on the perimeter and dominating the pick-and-rolls. At 22, Toppin is older than most of his counterparts, and his big engine and tough dunks translate into immediate production.
Avdija fell from where it was projected, and a sick Washington franchise will benefit. The large 6-9 foreign prospect can play in multiple positions, attacking the rim like a guard and displaying the ability to defend the big men at the post. He has a broad skill set, shown when he won the FIBA U-20 European Championship MVP.
The 6-10 big man was taller than expected based on the Suns’ needs. She considered leaving after her freshman season, but coming back gave her a chance to flourish in 2019-20. He bounces, runs down the court, blocks shots and can score. He has good hand and foot play and also does low post damage.
The second Seminole selected on the night, Vassell was one of the most improved players in all of college basketball last year, leading Florida State to its first ACC regular-season title. Vassell will fit in nicely with San Antonio’s disciplined system, adding length at 6-7 and potential to be a defensive stopper on the wing.
Haliburton, a point guard who makes plays and can defend well, is an absolute steal in this draft. His numbers (15.2 points per game, 6.5 assists, 50% shooting, 42% from 3-point range) in 2019-20 don’t do him justice. Haliburton has a skill set comparable to Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook in the NBA, but he will have to team up with De’Aaron Fox in Sac Town.
The 6-3 shooting guard led Alabama in scoring (18.5 per game) and assists (5.2 per game) and shot 45.9% from the field, 36.6% from 3s and 80.2% from the foul line. He has great handling and uses it well, with speed to beat defenders on dribbling. Look for him to add backcourt depth along with Lonzo Ball and company.
Nesmith is considered one of the best 3-point shooters in this draft, so he’ll fit right into the core of coach Brad Stevens. His 2019-20 NCAA season, in which he averaged 23 points, was cut short after 14 games due to a right foot injury.
The Tar Heels had an unexpectedly horrible season and Anthony’s knee injury played a big role. His only season in the NCAA provided a sufficient display of his tenacity and unique poise that is reminiscent of a young Derrick Rose. It will be an instant spark plug for a Magic franchise that is still trying to break through.
Stewart became a consistent great man with promising potential as a finisher and tire protector. That won’t immediately translate to the NBA, but the ceiling is high. He averaged 16.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2. blocks last season for the Huskies.
Pokusevski has intrigue as a 7-footer who can handle the ball, pass and drive to the basket. He is only 18 years old and does not have much high-level professional experience in Europe. You need to work on your shot and get stronger in order to absorb the contact.
Green, a product of Australia who elevated his game in the states, established himself with his three-point shooting and his ability to find his place in midfield sets with the Wildcats. Green’s speed and strength will be an advantage both in attack and defense.
Bey was the Wildcats’ best player after a great sophomore campaign, averaging 16.1 points and shooting 45% on 3s. He would be a perfect fit as a role player for new coach Steve Nash as a 6-7 winger with a high basketball IQ.
Achiuwa possesses the strength to thrive in the NBA at power forward as a 6-9 bowling ball on hardwood, giving him an edge on defense and rebounding. But he will need to develop better as an offensive player. He averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last year for the Tigers.
Maxey (14 points per game) was the linchpin on one of coach John Calipari’s most underrated Kentucky teams. His shooting takes work, but he has gifts that cannot be taught as a guard combined with a quick first step and an ability to improve others.
The Pac-12 freshman brings a tall engine and can do a lot near the rim at 6-11. He brings energy and can double-doubles, but his greatest strength is that he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective.
As part of Argentina’s next generation of talent, Bolmaro 6-7 plays in the band where he can handle basketball as a playmaker for both himself and his teammates. He also shows promise on the defensive end with agility and dexterity.
Hampton didn’t benefit from his time in Australia’s top professional league like LaMelo Ball did, and his game would have been better featured in the NCAA. But his tools (length, speed, agility) are there even if the intangibles (jumper, ball handling, IQ) are not yet mastered.
A surprise pick in the first round: Quickley plays with a chip on his shoulder and has a delicate game in being able to shoot well from the outside and execute an offense. He was the SEC Player of the Year for the Wildcats.
Pac-12 Player of the Year makes up for his lack of athleticism as a pesky defender and savvy playmaker. Pritchard can establish himself as a solid player for a Boston team that is known for using equally high IQ players.
The 7-footer was a key force for coach Bill Self in Kansas for the past four years, and will bring his size and ability to corner the paint to a Utah roster that could benefit well from what the big man brings to the table. table. .
McDaniels will fit into the modern NBA because of his defensive versatility at 6-9, but he needs to develop as a shooter. He has a strong network that helps him adapt to the pros, including his cousin, Juwan Howard.
An ideal fit for a Toronto team looking to strengthen their backcourt. Flynn’s size makes him a bit risky, but the All-American shooting guard benefited greatly from the virtual match process by reminding scouts of his skills that helped the Aztecs put together a historic 2019-20 campaign. Flynn’s underrated status could make him, uniquely, the Fred VanVleet of this draft class.
Bane is the type of first-round final caliber player who can turn into a role player who fills in the gaps from the bench as a strong 6-6 shooting guard. His knowledge of the court and his outdoor shooting skills are among the intangibles that helped him sneak into the first round.
Follow college basketball reporter Scott Gleeson on Twitter @ScottMGleeson.
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