7. Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova
Saddiq Bey is a prospect that I may have significantly higher than others and I understand where people see flaws. Bey lacks the quickness and burst to be a threat to go to the rim so he can appear somewhat one dimensional on offense. But when I watch Bey’s game film I see a big, long sharpshooter who is switchable on defense and is will always be on the mind of defenders out on the perimeter.
His release is quick and smooth. He struggles to create his own offense but is smart with the ball and put up efficient numbers.
8. Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Deni Avdija’s upside has wowed me in the pre-draft process. He is truly the unicorn of this class and has possibly the biggest boom-or-bust potential out of all the players I’ve scouted. He is 6-foot-9 but when I watch I feel like I am watching a guard. His speed, decent handling, and passing vision is something I love to see.
Offensively speaking, I see a bit of Ben Simmons in his game (unfortunately not the case defensively). My biggest concern is his shooting. This something that, provided it does not improve, would drastically lower his ceiling. He has the skills to improve but Avdija is a prospect that many are mixed on in terms of how high he should be picked.