NBA Draft: 7 takeaways from the 2018 Hoophall Classic

By Connor Harr | Jan 17, 2018

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: Vernon Carey Jr. #22 of University School dribbles in a game against Oak Hill Academy during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

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Anfernee Simons is not a 2018 draft prospect

Anfernee Simons is 5-star recurit by ESPN in this year. He is playing at post graduate year at IMG Academy in Brandenton, Florida. This means Simons is one year removed from high school and could be eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft.

Simons has expressed interest in skipping college. However, that is a bad idea. If Simons comes into the draft this year he’s arguably going to spend a year in the G-League. He has a ton of potential, but is still very raw.

He is a 6-foot-3, slim built combo guard. Mostly utilized in high school as a volume scorer, but his skinny body and ugly jump shot mechanics make him more of a project player. There’s argument that Simons could be taken in the late first round because of the lack of depth in the point guard class this year.

With emerging stock in senior point guards like Jalen Brunson and Aaron Holiday, it will make it hard for teams in late first round to give Simons guaranteed money. Brunson and Holiday fit a specific back up point guard role. That there is a shortage of in the NBA today.

Teams in the late first round are usually teams looking to win now. There’s just too many questions about Simons potential to waste guaranteed money on. Anfernee Simons would benefit from entering next year’s point guard class. It appears to be even weaker than this years crop. Also, the year of college will help him work on his body, his jumpshot mechanics, and develop a more consistent jumpshot.