The latest 2019 NBA mock drafts have been released after the G League Elite Camp and NBA combine concluded, yielding fascinating results.
Based on the latest intel from around the league and several experts and analysts, we have created a list of players who have most improved their draft stock from participating in the annual events in Chicago.
Much like Kyle Kuzma did in 2017 and Donte DiVincenzo did last season, these are the players whose recent performances in front of NBA scouts and executives have done the most to help their draft stock.
We have sorted the categories into undrafted free agents who will likely earn two-way contracts as well as potential second-rounders and included some potential first-rounders, too.
Potential first-rounders
Terence Davis, Ole Miss (Guard)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: Not Ranked
Best Current Rank: 29 (Ricky Scricca’s Big Board for The Stepien)
We asked Davis to describe the role he would envision himself playing for an NBA team (via HoopsHype):
“I feel like I am a very, very good player in transition off the rebound and pushing it. I run lanes very well. I just like running. Transition is really about outrunning your man and getting to the other end as fast as you can. As a wide receiver, that’s something I always liked to do. But I can score in many other ways on the offensive end. I’m a midrange shooter. I’m a good spot-up shooter and I can shot on the move. I can get to the cut, man, I’m a slasher. I feel like I can do a variety of things and these are things I tell teams during interviews. Whatever role they need me, I am willing to do it. Because I can do whatever is needed for them until they feel I am ready to expand on it. Honestly, I just want to put the ball in the basket. When I was little, that’s how I tried to be and it’s the same now.”
After a strong showing at the G League Elite Camp and the NBA combine, Davis is now working out for teams selecting between No. 24 and No. 40 in the upcoming draft.
It only takes one team to fall in love with him as a prospect and given the ways he has impressed thus far, there may be no bigger riser in the process thus far.
Daquan Jeffries, Tulsa (Wing)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: 61
Best Current Rank: 29 (Kevin O’Connor’s Big Board for The Ringer)
Former Tulsa wing Daquan Jeffries has been a pre-draft darling for several experts and analysts after dominating other NCAA seniors at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. He averaged 20.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per 36 minutes at the PIT, shooting 7-for-17 (41.2 percent) from 3-point range.
During the G League Elite Camp, he was once again one of the best players on the floor. Then, during the NBA Combine, he was a perfect four-for-four on two-point field goal attempts.
Jeffries won the College Basketball Slam Dunk Contest in 2019 and with a 7-foot wingspan, he can play a bit bigger than his 6-foot-5 frame. While a first-round evaluation is unlikely, it is not entirely out of the question.
Jalen Lecque, NC State commit (Guard)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: 57
Best Current Rank: 41 (Sports Illustrated Mock Draft)
Kyle Boone helped contextualize the obvious upside of the NC State commit (via CBS Sports):
“[His] athleticism was backed not only by the eyes but also the numbers. He posted a 43-inch max vertical leap, not only tops at the combine among those who tested, but also the best since Hamidou Diallo leapt 44.5 inches in 2017. His 35-inch standing vertical leap was second among all players as well, and first among point guards … He’s a really intriguing long-term prospect who some teams may find really appealing as a developmental asset. The talent is there, the size (6-4, 185) is mostly there and if a point guard deficient team – or a team saddled with an aging point guard – decides it wants to try and invest in a future player at the position, Lecque could be the answer.”
It would have been very helpful to have seen him play in his second scrimmage game at the combine. He was 2-for-4 (50.0 percent) from the field with 4 rebounds and 4 assists but also 5 turnovers
Nic Claxton, Georgia (Forward)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: 36
Best Current Rank: 25 (CBS Sports Big Board)
Perhaps no one in the 2019 NBA Draft early entry list had a more fascinating decision on his amateur status than Georgia big man Nic Claxton. While he may have played his way into the first round, there is no such thing as a sure thing until draft night.
If he returned to school, however, he could have been paired with backcourt sensation and likely Top 3 pick Anthony Edwards under head coach Tom Crean.
With an average of 2.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, his defensive presence was certainly felt for the Bulldogs. He bragged the fifth-best defensive box plus-minus in the SEC, leading his team with the best defensive rating and the most defensive win shares.
But on the offensive side of the glass, he showed an ability to stretch the floor as a spot-up shooter. Claxton scored almost 20 percent of his points on jump shots, per Synergy Sports Tech. According to The Stepien, the forward also connected on 34.0 percent of his three-pointers from NBA distance.
Luka Samanic, Croatia (Forward)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: 37
Best Current Rank: 26 (Bleacher Report Big Board)
After discussing his pre-draft plans with us, it was no surprise that Samanic wanted to participate in the five-on-five scrimmages (via HoopsHype):
“I’m super competitive, I hate to lose. As a player and in normal life, maybe a little bit too much. I like to win … If you want to play at the top level, you have to be as good or great at as many things as possible. I want to guard the best player on the team, it’s my mission before the game. I think I can switch onto any player on the court. I am pretty fast with good lateral movement. I’m not like most 6-foot-11 guys. I can move pretty good.”
Samanic was 5-for-7 from the field with 7 rebounds during his combine scrimmage and looked much tougher and more physically intense than many otherwise expected.
As the first round comes to a close, it has become increasingly likely that he hears his name.
Honorable Mentions
Devon Dotson, Kansas (Guard)
Zach Norvell, Gonzaga (Guard)
Second Round Candidates | Two-Way Candidates
Potential second-rounders
Tacko Fall, UCF (Big)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: Not Ranked
Best Current Rank: 58 (CBS Sports Big Board)
Jonathan Wasserman recently explained the latest intel on (by far) the tallest prospect in the upcoming draft class (via Bleacher Report):
“Some NBA scouts have updated their mindsets about Tacko Fall and whether he’ll be draftable on June 20. ‘Why not?’ one answered. As in why not think about using a late pick on the tallest, longest prospect on recent record? It’s become a more accepted thought process following his appearance in Chicago, where he was initially selected to the G League Elite Camp before teams voted him into the NBA combine. Multiple scouts told Bleacher Report that Fall seems deserving of looks in the late 40s or 50s, mentioning him as a perfect G League stash.”
Perhaps no one understands the value of Fall quite like Utah State big man Neemias Queta, who had to match up with him during the NBA Combine’s five-on-five scrimmages. Queta, who was considered a Top 50 prospect, was held scoreless on four attempts with just four rebounds.
It seems as if an NBA team wants Fall on their squad, they will have to draft him because it is unlikely he will be available as an undrafted free agent. As such, any team with a pick in the second round may try to swipe him before it is too late.
Jordan Bone, Tennessee (Guard)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: 78
Best Current Rank: 58 (ESPN Big Board)
There is a lot to like about Jordan Bone, who tested as arguably the most athletic prospect in Chicago. It was no secret that he was capable of these results but seeing them on full display was valuable information for scouts and executives.
During one of his scrimmages, he also notched a game-high six assists as well. He had the second-most assists in the SEC this season, ranked Top 15 among all players in the NCAA for total dishes.
Bone was one of the most efficient high-volume scorers and passers when operating a set offense last season. Given his athleticism, he would be a wise addition to any team.
Quinndary Weatherspoon, Mississipi State (Guard)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: 74
Best Current Rank: 50 (ESPN Big Board)
Quinndary Weatherspoon could provide an instant spark to a fast-paced offense at the next level. He is a fairly polished prospect who finished with the second-most points per game in the SEC last season.
He struggled as a shooter during his first scrimmage game at the combine but added 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The next game, despite still not being able to find his shot from long range, he made six field goals and grabbed 7 rebounds while notching 5 more assists.
His name is starting to appear as a consistent choice in the latter half of the second round for most mock drafts.
Justin Robinson, Virginia Tech (Guard)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: 71
Best Current Rank: 53 (ESPN Mock Draft)
The former Virginia Tech star scored the majority of his points as a spot-up shooter last season. But perhaps most impressive was his ability to run the pick-and-roll for his team. When including passes, he created 10.5 points per game on these sets. That ranked behind only five players in the ACC.
After missing a lot of time last season due to an ankle injury, the guard was largely considered the top point guard prospect at the PIT. He is still young for the amount of experience and polish he has had thus far.
Robinson has improved as a three-point shooter and he was a standout during his G League Elite Camp scrimmage. He is a high-character, high-IQ player and will continue to help himself during the pre-draft process and in all of his team meetings.
Terance Mann, Florida State (Guard)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: 70
Best Current Rank: 45 (Bleacher Report Big Board)
Sam Vecenie wrote a glowing review of his performance in Chicago (via The Athletic):
“Mann had, by far, the most interesting week at the combine. He played in the G League Elite Camp on Monday and Tuesday, and looked absolutely terrific. In my opinion, he was clearly one of the five best players in attendance at the camp and performed up to that standard in the games. His high-level feel for the game shone through, as did his defensive acumen.”
The former Florida State standout is a very versatile scorer who was able to produce when spotting up as well as handling the ball in a pick-and-roll and attacking the basket in transition.
His diverse scoring portfolio and leaping ability (which measured second-best among all participants at the combine) make him someone well worth a look in the second round.
Honorable Mentions
Charles Matthews, Michigan (Guard)
Tremont Waters, LSU (Guard)
First Round Candidates | Two-Way Candidates
Two-way contract candidates
Dewan Hernandez, Miami (Forward)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: Not Ranked
Best Current Rank: 87 (Basketball Insider’s Big Board)
Jeremy Woo described what worked for Hernandez while in Chicago for the G League Elite Camp (via SI.com):
“One of the big winners of the week on whole was Hernandez, who stood out at the G League Elite Camp, earned an invitation to the combine, and generally acquitted himself well. Nobody had seen much of him in over a year due to ineligibility stemming from his naming in the FBI’s college basketball investigation, but his skill set has developed well and he remains an impressive, mobile athlete. He’s flashed some ability to handle and shoot from outside, and some appealing defensive switchability. It’s certainly not a lock he gets drafted, but it wouldn’t be crazy to see him picked in the second round, either.”
After missing a full year of competitive basketball, perhaps Hernandez has a similar fate as Phoenix Suns guard De’Anthony Melton. Last season, Melton performed well enough at the 2018 NBA Combine to hear his name called in the second round despite missing the previous season for USC.
Even if he does not get drafted, however, Hernandez likely boasts enough pro potential to earn a two-way contract this offseason.
Marial Shayok, Iowa State (Guard)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: Not Ranked
Best Current Rank: 78 (Basketball Insider’s Big Board)
Shayok is an extraordinarily productive spot-up shooter who finishes well in transition. He can shoot the ball well off the catch and off the dribble and has a very long wingspan, too, which will help give him a size advantage on both ends of the court.
The Big 12 Tournament MVP finished the season with the third-most points and the fifth-best Player Efficiency Rating (PER) in his conference.
During his first scrimmage at the NBA Combine, he had 8 points and 7 rebounds. The next game, he had 11 points with three connections from long distance and 6 more rebounds.
Ethan Happ, Wisconsin (Big)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: Not Ranked
Best Current Rank: 61 (Sports Illustrated’s Mock Draft)
It was curious to see former Wisconsin star Ethan Happ excluded from the 2019 NBA Combine after his impressive performance at the G League Elite Camp in Chicago.
He averaged 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists during his two scrimmages with his playmaking standing out. Among all players in the Big 10 last season, Happ recorded the third-most assists. He led all D1 players with 5.9 points created per game just from passing out of post-up possessions, per Synergy Sports.
In fact, his assist percentage (35.6 percent) ranked Top 20 among all NCAA players last season. This unique skill set could be a huge advantage for him among otherwise similar players at his position.
Cody Martin, Nevada (Wing)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: Not Ranked
Best Current Rank: 74 (ESPN Big Board)
The former Nevada standout led his conference in assists last season despite playing in the frontcourt.
While he was measured at 6’4.75″ without shoes, his wingspan (6’10.25″) helped give him an edge. During his second scrimmage at the combine, he was 7-for-14 (50.0 percent) from the field with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
His lane agility (10.44 seconds) and his shuttle run (2.99 seconds) both were Top 5 among all participants in Chicago as well.
Jared Harper, Auburn (Guard)
Pre-Combine AMD Rank: Not Ranked
Best Current Rank: 62 (CBS Sports Big Board)
Harper finished his junior season with 15.3 points and 5.8 assists per game. He was a prolific scorer off the dribble and when including passes, only one player in the SEC created more scoring from the pick-and-roll.
While he performed well at the G League Elite Camp, he was significantly less impressive at the NBA combine. During his two scrimmages, he was just 1-for-10 from the field with four turnovers.
Fortunately, his three-quarter sprint (3.04 seconds) was the fastest among all participants at the combine. Despite a poor showing during the scrimmages, his athleticism and collegiate production should be enough to warrant a deal this offseason.
Honorable Mentions
Kenny Wooten, Oregon (Big)
Phil Booth, Villanova (Guard)
