/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61510609/usa_today_11086970.0.jpg)
After three installments, the complete RidiculousUpside.com 2019 NBA Draft Big Board is finally here. Our own Steve Dewald has worked through his list of 40 prospects, and for the first time, the complete list in one place. Following the conclusion of the list, there will be a list of notes and thoughts on the evaluations ahead.
This list is based off overall value, and isn’t to be interpreted as a mock draft. This list will fluctuate throughout the season. Players will rise and fall based on their performances across all competitions leading into next year’s draft.
With all that in mind, let’s get to the rankings.
2019 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0
Rank | Name | Position | Current Team (Nationality) |
---|---|---|---|
Rank | Name | Position | Current Team (Nationality) |
No. 1 | R.J. Barrett | SF | Duke |
No. 2 | Nassir Little | SF | North Carolina |
No. 3 | Zion WIlliamson | PF | Duke |
No. 4 | Cam Reddish | SG | Duke |
No. 5 | Romeo Langford | SG | Indiana |
No. 6 | Jaylen Hoard | F | Wake Forest |
No. 7 | Sekou Doumbouya | F | France |
No. 8 | Quentin Grimes | SG | Kansas |
No. 9 | Keldon Johnson | SF | Kentucky |
No. 10 | Jontay Porter | F/C | Missouri |
No. 11 | Daniel Gafford | C | Arkansas |
No. 12 | De’Andre Hunter | F | Virginia |
No. 13 | Darius Garland | PG | Vanderbilt |
No. 14 | Rui Hachimura | F | Gonzaga |
No. 15 | Luka Samanic | PF | Croatia |
No. 16 | Charles Bassey | PF/C | Western Kentucky |
No. 17 | Bol Bol | C | Oregon |
No. 18 | Louis King | F | Oregon |
No. 19 | Bruno Fernando | C | Maryland |
No. 20 | P.J. Washington | PF/C | Kentucky |
No. 21 | Darius Bazley | F | N/A |
No. 22 | Jalen Smith | PF | Maryland |
No. 23 | Nazreon Reid | C | LSU |
No. 24 | Ja Morant | PG | Murray State |
No. 25 | Herbert Jones | G/F | Alabama |
No. 26 | Jarrett Culver | SG | Texas Tech |
No. 27 | Jalen McDaniels | F/C | San Diego State |
No. 28 | Kris Wilkes | SF | UCLA |
No. 29 | Lindell Wigginton | PG | Iowa State |
No. 30 | Shamorie Ponds | PG | St. John's |
No. 31 | Eric Paschall | PF | Villanova |
No. 32 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker | SG | Virginia Tech |
No. 33 | Kevin Porter Jr. | G/F | USC |
No. 34 | Aric Holman | PF | Mississippi State |
No. 35 | Ty Jerome | SG | Virginia |
No. 36 | Tyus Battle | SG | Syracuse |
No. 37 | Oshae Brissett | PF | Syracuse |
No. 38 | Killian Tillie | PF | Gonzaga |
No. 39 | Matisse Thybulle | G/F | Washington |
No. 40 | Carsen Edwards | PG | Purdue |
The Duke Trio
Half of Duke’s talented trio got to show off their skills on the Blue Devils’ trip north of the border. R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson both looked like top picks, but everyone is still waiting to see how Cam Reddish will fit into the equation. One common concern is scarcity of touches, and how it could negatively impact the trio’s respective draft stocks. These concerns might be overblown, as both Barrett and Williamson proved they can be efficient without have plays designed for them. If this pattern holds true, Reddish should thrive in an offense that features him creating off the bounce.
Searching For A True Point Guard
The 2019 class features plenty of talented combo guards, but the list of true point guards is much smaller. Due to this dearth of facilitators, Darius Garland is a prime candidate to rise up draft boards throughout the year. The crafty Vanderbilt guard is calm under pressure, and did a solid job of setting up his teammates in last year’s prep showcases.
Outside of Garland, Carsen Edwards will attract suitors looking for point guard depth in the late stages of the first round. If the Boilermakers put together a solid season, expect Edwards to draw comparisons to current Mavericks rookie Jalen Brunson.
Maryland’s Big Fellas
The Terrapins frontcourt should be dominant. Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith form a promising pair of big men for Maryland. The pairing is more than just a case of two high-profile post players operating in the same area. The young duo have skills that fit together seamlessly. Fernando will be able to operate inside the paint, while Smith can show off his versatility on the perimeter. Maryland’s backcourt will be charged with getting them involved on offense, but the tandem should form one of the stingiest defenses in the country.
Do you agree with the first complete list of rankings? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
—Steve / @SteveDHoops / BEdgeSteve@gmail.com