Chad Ford: Top 30 NBA Draft Prospects in March Madness
ESPN's NBA Draft guru Chad Ford has released a ($ paywalled) Top 30 list of NBA Draft prospects in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan has a pair of players included. This is a little scary, but unless either plays there way into a surefire first rounder, there shouldn't be much reason for worry. Also, this list leaves out international players and anyone else not in the tournament (like Markelle Fultz).
25. D.J. Wilson
Draft projection: 30-50
Michigan Junior ForwardWilson is an athletic forward who can both stretch the floor and protect the rim. He has a rare combination of explosiveness and skill. His inconsistency and soft play (despite his size he doesn't really like contact in the paint) concern NBA scouts.
He's on the first-round bubble, but a big NCAA tournament could change things for him. He was outstanding in the Big 10 tourney for Michigan with 26 points, eight boards and three blocks against Purdue and 17 points, six boards, three assists and two steals against Wisconsin to lead Michigan to the title.
26. Moritz Wagner
Draft projection: 30-50
Michigan Sophomore Forward
Wagner might be the biggest sleeper on this list. The native of Germany brings many of the things that Lauri Markkanen brings to the table and is just six months older, such as size, agility, a terrific 3-point stroke and a high basketball IQ. Like Markkannen, he isn't a great rebounder or shot blocker, but you don't find many players with his size and skill set in the draft.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:08 PM ^
/whaps Chad Ford with a rolled up newspaper.
No, bad pundit, no!
March 13th, 2017 at 12:08 PM ^
March 13th, 2017 at 12:09 PM ^
LOL. Any GM who thinks DJ is a first rounder.....i just smh.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:17 PM ^
He has everything GMs want. Size, shooting, defense. Teams don't care if guys aren't physically developed yet, that's the easy part.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^
GRIII is another guy who was unpolished but had physical tools that the NBA wanted. And he is turning into a real contributor. I think they know what they're doing.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:55 PM ^
My concern with DJ is that he doesn't have the handles that GRIII had. DJ strikes me as a tweener. He is too lanky to go against NBA big men, but does not have the quickness or handles to face small forwards and guards.
I'll be very happy if he proves me wrong.
There aren't a ton of 6'10" guys who do have the quickness/ball handling to go against guards and small forwards. I don't really understand the criticism. He's a power forward.
i don't disagree with your comments on height/abilities. but i think wilson might be a 3 in the NBA.
I think positions in the NBA are overrated. We've seen before that players like Lebron James, Magic Johnson, etc. have defied what it means to be, say, a point guard. Now I'm not saying Wilson is Lebron James or Magic Johnson, but what position you're actually deployed at depends entirely on your coaching staff. If Wilson's a "3" in the NBA, that really only means that he has to defend other 3s. Is he capable of defending other small forwards in the NBA? I think so.
When you're on offense, you dictate what the defense does. Maybe he can't play on the wing and drive to the basket like some 3s, but with his size, he should be able to post up or shoot over most 3s. So that aspect of it doesn't really matter, IMO. Other coaches and teams are going to have to account for the 6'10" guy on the floor, and if they decide to put a 6'7" guy on him, then that's their choice. He'll have to make them pay (or not, and then he'll be out of the league).
So Wilson might be a 3 in basketball parlance, but that doesn't mean he has to be deployed like one.
March 13th, 2017 at 10:52 PM ^
makes for the prototypical stretch 4 in the NBA. He's ideal for that spot and most teams deploy a stretch 4. Not a lot of Karl Malone-types playing the 4 in the NBA anymore. And DJ could be versatile enough to play the 3 and maybe even some small ball 5 as he's shown the ability to do recently.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:52 PM ^
Maybe in another year or two. He's young both age-wise and physically. Same with Moe. They MUST have another year under Beilein before they're ready. Please?!?!?
March 13th, 2017 at 12:17 PM ^
Not right now he isn't, but if he plays another year and gives 100% effort and enthusiasm he will certainly be a first rounder. He's 6'10, super athletic, and a very capable 3pt shooter. If he can show that he can play tougher ball for an entire season he will have many NBA scouts on his heels.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:33 PM ^
Right, that was my point. At this time, he is not a first rounder.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:42 PM ^
I would be really surprised if a team didn't take him late in the 1st. He is just such a perfect fit in the modern NBA and is a prototypical 3 and D guy. Add that he has shown some nice touch and footwork around the rim as well. Physicality and rebounding are weaknesses the NBA can live with as those will improve with time. Though DJ looked awfully tough when he got switched onto the 5 to guard Swanigan then Happ.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:57 PM ^
Don't forget that he is ranked #25 right now, and that is just PLAYERS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT. This doesn't include European players and kids on NIT and non-tournament teams. I don't think Wilson or Moe are going anywhere.
When all of those players are added Wilson and Wagner become questionable picks, period. There's a top 3 overall pick whose team only won 9 games this year (Fultz - Washington). There's always a handful of international guys in the first round. We shouldn't be worried.
I don't think hell go pro as end of the 1st round is far from his ceiling. Another year of development and he could very well be pressing into the lottery. I still think his physical intangibles would be too much for a team to pass up on late in the 1st.
the article says he's a fringe first rounder, which is weird that he's ranked only 25th. You'd think he'd be more like 20th to account for the European/non-tourney bound players if he was fringe round.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:47 PM ^
He is actually the exact kind of rare guy who could come back and improve his stock dramatically by showing more inside game, rebounding, "toughness inside" etc. I wouldn;t say that for 90% of guys who every year they come back to the NCAA exposes more warts.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:14 PM ^
It's an insider article so I don't get to see the list. But just for curiosity, are Sparty's trio of Bridges, Ward and Winston mentioned? I am sure Winston won't be and I am sure Bridges will be. But I am wondering about Ward.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^
Great question re: Ward.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:29 PM ^
March 13th, 2017 at 12:32 PM ^
March 13th, 2017 at 12:33 PM ^
Ward is noted in a generic group of "others to watch" not numerically ranked.
The MSU super fan I work with (annoying, but stilla great guy) says that Bridges has told people he is returning and has the full support of his parents to do so.
One of their 247 writers is saying the same thing.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:16 PM ^
March 13th, 2017 at 12:16 PM ^
of the first and second rounds), that does push W&W into the lower second round range. I'd be curious how many players in college are projected first or second rounders but did not lead their team to the tourney. There are probably a handful.
W&W will be low-first rounders next year. Going to be a good team but it will be a one-year window with these guys.
Swapping out Walton and Irvin with X, Brooks, Matthews, Poole, Watson and Livers will take a hit leadreship-wise but should be a big net gain in overall talent and athleticism. Those guys along with W&W and Teske/Davis should make for a very complete team.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:21 PM ^
We've seen how much leadership matters though. When Merritt/Lee graduated it seemed like there would be an obvious talent improvement and the core of the team was coming back so we should be fine. Instead we sucked. And then again when JMo graduated it seemed like there was a noticeable loss of leadership. And even inside this season, the team took off when Walton became the leader and dragged everyone to his level.
Not sure who takes that mantle next year, MAAR doesn't seem like that kind of kid (though neither was Walton until like February). Maybe Wagner.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:38 PM ^
March 13th, 2017 at 12:45 PM ^
He may have this year if Walton hadn't stepped up. He's quiet but he's a damn hard worker and that commands the respect of the teammates. Last year, he stepped up in a bunch of games when no one else did. He could do that next year.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:53 PM ^
If Fultz goes #1 as expected, we're looking at back-to-back years where the top pick missed the tournament. In Fultz's case, Washington didn't even make the NIT.
outside of Fultz shot 29% from 3. Fultz still averaged 6 assists on that garbage team. Not really sure there's any info to knock Fultz regarding his season/record.
on his defense since he's not a good defender but he's a high level PG who can score and run the team. U-Dub fans are frustrated with Lorenzo Bomar's team because he's stuck in the old ways of having two post players and it mucks up the spacing for Washington and Fultz to operate.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^
Both are a year away; at least I hope.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^
They need two more years to get taller and faster.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:23 PM ^
These are not the players you are looking for.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
delete doube post
March 13th, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
These guys have to mature physically and mentally. While I believe Mo and DJ will play in the nba, I think it wise to let them develope, enjoy their team and STOP already w this nba talk.
They will make their money soon enough. Go Blue.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:25 PM ^
irvin made his "others to watch" list. walton did not. maybe chad ford hasn't watched walton beat a player 12 inches taller for a rebound.
I am not saying that he is a future NBA All-Star but I can't believe that he wouldn't have value as a backup point guard somewhere. He can shoot, drive and run a complicated offense all while giving you hard minutes on your own half of the court. Also, he is the definition of trustworthy.
I know a big part of the problem is size, but you can be an effective backup PG at 6'1" - especially a guy like Walton that plays bigger than his size.
i agree that guys like walton are undervalued. but the NBA is looking for greater quickness. also, not sure if walton is really 6'1".
he's pretty short and a suspect on-ball defender. Those are the issues. If he can stay with Evans on Ok St, he could get into the conversation. But not a lot of evidence indicating an ability to do that.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:25 PM ^
Chad Ford is a complete doof and has no idea what he is talking about. He has no ability to identify diamond in the rough talents. You should just completely ignore anything he has to say about prospects.....
Signed.... Michigan Fanbase
March 13th, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^
March 13th, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^
In all seriousness, they both need another year to grow in strength and experience. I the NBA is a whole another beast in terms of athleticism and offensive skill.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:34 PM ^
neither one of these guys is remotely physically ready to play in the nba. i love both of them, and i definitely think they have nba potential, bu if they come out, they'll end up in the 12th spot on the bench for a year (or more), and by the time they're physically ready to play they'll get passed by the next batch of underdeveloped one-and-dones...we can all make lists of dozens of players that came out a year too early and squandered any chance they had to have extended careers.
Brandon Ingram was the definition of not remotely physically ready for the NBA. He was the 2nd pick in last years NBA draft. The NBA doesn't draft on a players readiness to immediately contribute. It is all about the potential.