Draft Express released its latest 2020 NBA mock draft on ESPN on Tuesday afternoon. While the usual names like Cole Anthony and James Wiseman find their names atop the draft board, LaMelo Ball remained a late second-round pick, projected to go 32nd to Charlotte.
In their last projections, Ball was slotted 33rd as he’s moved up one spot in the latest rankings from DraftExpress. This comes despite Ball still finding himself ranked a No. 21 in the 247Sports rankings while maintaining his five-star ranking.
DraftExpress, though, remains a bit more bullish on Ball when it comes to projecting him in the NBA. Again, though, this comes despite more evidence that Ball might be taller than the 6’6″ he’s listed at on DraftExpress’ draft board.
The ranking does hold some rationale when looking at recent draft picks who did not take a traditional route to the NBA in skipping a year of college. Anfernee Simons sat out a year and was selected 24th in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Trailblazers. Mitchell Robinson was taken in the same draft 12 picks later in the second round at No. 36.
Both players had varying levels of success in the league this year, showing that Ball could still be a legitimate NBA prospect. But his untraditional route that will likely include a stop in China or Australia will almost certainly cost him once draft night comes.
