NBA Draft: How good is the top of the 2019 class?

The top three players of this year’s NBA Draft could eventually rank with the top three of any draft class, including the legendary 2003 class

To no one’s surprise, Duke’s talented freshman Zion Williamson has declared for this year’s NBA draft after a year of dominating college basketball in a way we have not seen in years.

Sure, there are usually good college basketball players in every college basketball class, but the top 3 prospects in this year’s class could rank amongst the best three rookies in any class.

Ja Morant is a skilled point guard with the speed and passing ability to be a transcending player in the league. He could challenge Williamson for the Rookie of the Year award next season.

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R. J. Barrett would have been the star player on any team in the country had he chose not to play at Duke alongside Williamson. Some people would be surprised if he becomes the star of the draft over Williamson even though he has the talent be a superstar in the league.

Barrett and Williamson reminds me of Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison who both starred at North Carolina and entered the 1998 NBA Draft. Jamison was selected with the 4th overall pick in the 1998 draft by the Toronto Raptors followed by Carter being drafted with the 5th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors before both players were traded moments later for each other.

So, Carter played for the Raptors who originally drafted Jamison. And Jamison played for the Warriors who originally drafted Carter. Jamison would have a good NBA career, but his college teammate Carter, who was drafted after him, ended up having arguably a first ballot Hall of Fame career.

Carter outshined Jamison in the league despite Jamison (like Williamson) winning the Naismith and Wooden National Player of the Year award. For all of Williamson greatness, the biggest question remaining is where to play him. He likely would have to lose weight to play in the league or at least stop gaining weight since he has admitted to gaining 100 pounds in the last two years.

Williamson, Morant and Barrett could become as good as the 2003 NBA Draft class of Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. They could become the superstar players that every kid dream of becoming.