NBA Draft: Five sleepers who could outplay their current draft position
With the NBA Draft Lottery and Combine both happening last week, we are at a quiet period leading up to the June 23 NBA Draft. Of course, during this time, information will be leaked. The type of information that helps push narratives or create stories as teams position themselves for specific players and agents position their players for specific teams.
One can take the information leaks with a grain of salt. However, we know this next month can be huge for some players-guys who are considered right on the first round/second round cusp. These workouts could firmly position them in the first round or keep them in the second.
On3 explores five players on the first/second round bubble who could prove to be valuable commodities to the team that drafts them. These players are also known as first-round sleepers.
6-8 227 Jake LaRavia | Wake Forest | Junior
Jake LaRavia showed up for the NBA Draft Combine, went through the measurements and shooting drills on day one, and then hung it up before the scrimmages took place. Doing this typically means the player got a promise in a draft range he was comfortable with.
LaRavia answered some questions with his lateral quickness and ability to defend along the perimeter by posting the third-lowest lane-agility time (10.58). He also led the way in the three-point star drill, making 17 of 25 (68%) shots.
In his lone seasons at Wake Forest, LaRavia finished second-team All-ACC after averaging 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, shooting 38.4-percent from three. Skilled shooters who are tough with size, have some creation ability, and can move their feet on defense are valuable in the league.
6-10 216 Moussa Diabate | Michigan | Freshman
Moussa Diabate’s defensive presence alone will be a difference-maker in the NBA. His max vertical reach of 12-2 was second among centers, and his lane agility time was first. When you pair the measurables with the competitive nature the film shows on that end, Diabate encapsulates a lot of what the league is moving toward with their center positions.
Offensively, there will need to be some ironing out. Diabate did shoot 54.2-percent from the field, but the 61.9-percent from the free-throw line needs to rise. The release was not bad on his jump shot, so his jumper could come around to average with reps. He also showed this season he could attack in straight lines, going right, for a dribble or two in the half-court. Raw, certainly, but there were some flashes there.
However, let’s not dwell on what Diabate cannot do; let’s talk about where he is elite. Lengthy (7-2.5 wingspan) with pop and instincts, can switch and move his feet along the perimeter—invaluable stuff to find in the NBA Draft at the five position.
6-9 236 Michael Foster | G-League Ignite
Michael Foster has been a known commodity since early in his high school days. He showed up to Chicago with a purpose, a chiseled 236 pounds with his body fat just over six percent.
The questions coming out of high school were simply where would he fit in at the NBA level. His year with the G-League Ignite program gave a sense of what he could do, with 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds on 49-percent from the field. He also shot 75-percent from the free-throw line.
Foster was so much more comfortable around the elbows in high school; showing he could extend his range beyond the arc is big for him, and the free-throw percentage could be an indicator.
However, the question of stiff hips could still come into play; how does he move his feet defensively? Can he be a four or will he have to be a small ball five? During the season, he did average 2.2 blocks per game. Foster does have a 7-0.25 wingspan and a 32.5 max vert. There are still some questions about how he will be used, but there are also some clear tools and proof of competitiveness and work ethic. Those types can work out from the NBA Draft if they go to the right fit.
6-7 243 EJ Liddell | Ohio State | Junior
EJ Liddell was one of college basketball’s most productive players last season. Not only that, his value to Ohio State being a top-25 team was understated.
At 6-7, Liddell was one of the premier shot-blockers in the country. He used his 6-11.75 wingspan and 35.5 max vert to average 2.6 blocks per game and was the anchor of the Buckeye defense.
Offensively, Liddell made 46 threes at a 37.4-percent clip last season. He also dished out 2.5 assists per game. He shot well off the catch and showed some passing chops lined up at multiple positions across the floor.
When you couple his defensive presence with his ability to pass and shoot, at 243-pounds, there is a clear path to being a closing five in today’s NBA game.
6-10.75 221 Christian Koloko | Arizona | Junior
What a difference a year makes for Christian Koloko. He finished his sophomore season barely a blip on the radar. After a summer where he built his confidence and his frame, he showed up for a junior year that saw him win Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Pac-12 Most Improved Player.
The draft combine saw Koloko measure a 7-5.25 wingspan (second among centers), 9-5 standing reach (second among centers), and a 12-2.5 max-vert reach (lead all participants).
You turn on the tape and see an imposing defensive presence; 2.8 blocks per game last season and a career 10.2 block percentage also tell that story. The film backs up the numbers posted.
However, the biggest surprise for Koloko was his shooting at the combine. The 6-foot-11 center has attempted five threes in his 91 career games at Arizona. Koloko finished third overall in the three-point star drill making 16 of 25.
Koloko followed a great season with a great combine showing. A lot will be told with his individual workouts, but rim-protecting fives who can move their feet are such a value in the NBA.