After starting in just eight games his sophomore year, Chandler Hutchinson has elevated his game to another level just two years later. Hutchinson improved both his Defensive and Offensive Rating each year he played at Boise State. As a senior, he finished with a 111 Offensive Rating and 93 Defensive Rating per 100 possessions.
Hutchinson provides a replacement for Glenn Robinson III, or can immediately step in as a spot-up shooter next to Victor Oladipo on the wing. Depending on how long they think they can rely on Lance Stephenson and Bojan Bogdanovic, Hutchinson looks like a great option for Indiana at 23.
In my opinion, De’Anthony Melton could be the steal of the first-round. He offers an explosive first step and has a solid mid-range game to complement it. Melton was not eligible to play for the Trojans this year, as he faced an NCAA scandal with the FBI.
Melton did a little bit of everything in his freshman season, though, averaging 8 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds. If Melton can grow into a dead-on shooter and improve his defense, he could easily be a future starter on an NBA roster.
Keita Bates-Diop is a 6’7″ combo forward, capable of posting up smaller defenders or blowing by bigger ones. The Big Ten Player of the Year will get looks from teams all over the NBA Draft board, as he averaged a remarkable 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks for the Buckeyes this year.
Keita will have to show improved mechanics on his jumper and more athletic ability before lottery teams entertain his selection.
Though the Philidelphia 76ers certainly won’t want to convey any lost faith with Markelle Fultz, an insurance plane of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Shake Milton will ensure the 76ers end up with a capable point guard to take some pressure off of Ben Simmons.
Shake Milton is another tall, lanky guard who shot 43% from three-point range in his three seasons at SMU. Milton has improved almost all statistical areas of his game, finishing with averages of 18 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds per game.