Jaylen Clark has really starred in his role so far this season at UCLA. Kleckners defensive principles mirrored those Clark would use under Cronin, making his transition to college as easy as all the points he scored on fast breaks. Today, were examining five new players that have started to resonate with NBA scouts after not making the initial Draftables list. Smith hasn't made the jump efficiency-wise that NBA scouts were hoping for, but a team in 20s or 30s will still see value in his confident shot-making for an instant-offense role. Jaylen Brown Available Versus Brooklyn - NBA News | Fantasy Basketball Thompson is a dangerous advantage creator with his burst off the bounce and lightning-quick dribble moves to blow by and separate. Between his body type and shot, teams are beginning to see translatable three-and-D and thats a floor projection for a freshman who turned 19 years old in November. In the Athens-Clark County Police Department statement, it says Carter was driving a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk at high speeds alongside LeCroy, who was driving a 2021 Ford Expedition, and were operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing leaving the downtown Athens area at 2:30 a.m after the teams national championship parade. College Prospect Spotlight: UCLA's Jaylen Clark - NBA Draft Digest Jones isnt the sharpest creator off the dribble, and a limited pull-up game and low volume of 3-point attempts suggest he doesnt project as a high-upside scorer. Xavier guard Colby Jones is a standout passer and a clever finisher in the halfcourt set. Clark was a four-star prospect and averaged 18.5 points per game as a senior at Etiwanda High School last. The Draftables, 247Sports comprehensive list of NBA prospects organized by team, puts players into potential categories or buckets, to mirror the way most NBA front offices organize their early season scouting efforts. First, he shines on the defensive end of the floor. According to an exclusive report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Carter was at the scene of the crash but left when officers arrived. He brings a similar mentality to his total floor game as he runs the floor and provides constant effort. Jaylen Clark 2023 NBA Draft Profile - ESPN Orlando Magic (via Bulls): Gradey Dick (Kansas, SF, Freshman). An inconsistent jump shot wasnt off-putting in the least. Utah Jazz: Jett Howard (Michigan, SG/SF, Freshman). Choose at least two teams from the menus below to start your trade. On NBA radars for the past few years, Cazalon has put together his strongest draft case this season with enough shot-making and two-way playmaking to complement his athleticism for finishing at 6'6". In short, hes solid across the board and someone scouts are looking at as a two-way connective piece. Clark also scored a team-high 19 points in those 22 minutes.3pt shooting may ultimately be the key to a translatable role for the next level, but he drew a lot of contact, showed some mid-range craft, & flashed the passing that Mick Cronin has praised. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Knicks): Jaylen Clark (UCLA, SG/SF, Senior) NBA Mock Draft: Brandon Miller Top 5, Jarace Walker Moves Into Top 10 NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, B/R: New prospects emerging in latest Mock Draft, B/R: Multiple players in contention for late-lottery picks, B/R: Ranking top 50 college basketball prospects, B/R: Updated Mock Draft after 1st impressions, Ex-NBA player Morrow facing assault charges, Durant passes 'Big O' for 13th in career points, NBA Fantasy: Under-the-radar additions for playoffs, Magic's Isaac (torn adductor) out for rest of season, Triple-double win streak shows Jokic dominance, NBA DFS Picks: Yahoo plays and strategy for March 3. Milwaukee Bucks: Mouhammed Gueye (Washington State, PF, Sophomore). On the court, there are fewer question marks about him. The 6-foot-5 junior has started in 25 games . He stayed in front of even the speediest counterparts, hounding them with his active hands to swipe the ball or at the very least prevent them from making the easy pass. Two other players who are starting to catch my eye: Jaylen Clark and Jordan Hawkins. Playing at a somewhat unique pace, using hesitation moves exceptionally well to probe the lane and freeze the defense to create angles, Williams was fairly prolific in the midrange. The Hungry Dog Award is signed by the player with the most deflections after every game. Sometimes bringing the ball up the floor and sometimes getting it on the second side, Williams played a significant role for Santa Clara leading the team in points and assists. Santa Clara's Jalen Williams testing NBA draft waters His 14.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per 40 minutes highlight NBA physical tools and activity. The Hungry Dog Award won by UCLAs Jaime Jaquez Jr. in 2020. It's been tougher to picture the upside lately with Filipowski, a non shot-blocker making 28.6 percent of his threes with 77 turnovers to 44 assists, but his inside-out scoring versatility for a 7-footer is still bound to create first-round interest. Jaylen Clark. The ACCPD revealed that investigators determined that alcohol impairment, reckless driving, speed, and racing were significant contributing factors in the crash. But at some point, one team is bound to bite on his shot-making. 4 steals & 12 deflections in 22 minutes. Hes not just a stopper on that end though, hes also a playmaker with 2.7 steals per game. Seeing the smallish bone his team had been using earlier this season, Cronin asked for a bigger one. Once he earns himself just a hint of space on the move, he capitalizes with bounce and flexibility or passing vision to set up teammates. Memphis Grizzlies: Malcolm Cazalon (Mega MIS, SG, 2001). Age (18) and a valued archetype will keep NBA teams patient with Rupert, a 6'6" wing who has a projectable shooting stroke and 7'3" wingspan for defense. Averaging 0.79 points per pull-up jump shot [53rd percentile] he often used the threat of his jumper to help himself get downhill. Walsh's quickness to lock up, guard multiple positions and defend with intensity should sway NBA teams to remain patient with his shooting consistency and off-the-dribble development. San Antonio Spurs: James Nnaji (Barcelona, C, 2004). People asked, Is he good enough? Kleckner recalled. Jaylen Clark is fulfilling a promise that has bolstered No. 12 UCLA Fans love mock draftsand big boards (click here to see Travis Branham's first big board)but theres a reason NBA front offices dont rank potential draft prospects this early in the season, because things change at such a rapid rate. 32. Hes up to eight 3-point makes over Alabamas last five games, appearing more confident in his release, which is quick and concise with minimal dip. Jaylen Clark is fulfilling a promise that has bolstered No. 12 UCLA Jaylen Clark 2023 Draft Profile | Tankathon Miller has not been charged in the case and continues to play for Alabama. Inconsistent shooting has affected Whitmore's scoring, but between his functional ball-handling moves to break down defenses and his explosiveness and power in the lane, he's still been able to create and finish opportunities in the half court. Those traits allowed Clark to defend every player on the court, from jitterbug point guards to beanpole centers. He connected on just 33% of those looks last season though, and wasnt necessarily on the draft radar because of it. You can follow him onTwitter. The shot-blocking and finishing alone could be worth a first-round pick to the right team with scoring and a need for more easy baskets and interior defense. Omier is powerful, physically imposing against bigger players, a high volume-rebounder, and even fairly light on his feet. Still 18 years old, the flashes of shot-making, drives past closeouts and screener baskets outweigh his suspect 28.2% shooting on 3-pointers and clear lack of polish. We began this years NBA Draft coverage by ascertaining exactly how things work behind the scenes. UCLA coach Mick Cronin holds the Bruins Hungry Dog Award, which goes to the player with the most deflections defined as steals, blocks, tipped passes and loose balls collected at the end of the season. 33. Phoenix Suns: uolas Tubelis (Arizona, PF/C, Junior). While his ability to impact the game without the ball in his hands has drawn praise from head coach Mick Cronin, Clark has also made notable strides on the offensive end of the floor. But he has strengthened his case as a potential top-three prospect by showcasing more ball-handling and shiftiness into self-created drives, plus much improved finishing with touch, adjustments and body control. Showing good instincts while hunting shots off the ball, he proved to be one of the more well-rounded, consistent offensive players on the west coast as a junior. Despite taking just 6.8 shots per game, Noah Clowney is building a strong NBA case with a valued mix of shooting, defense and finishing efficiency. Select the third team from the drop down menu. While it may be unrealistic to expect him to shoot the ball this well all season long, if the floor-spacing is real (he shot 20% from three as a freshman and 26% as a sophomore), hell project as a three-and-D type versatile guard. Photo by Ethan . Minnesota Timberwolves (via Knicks): Jaylen Clark (UCLA, SG/SF, Senior). Theyve even worked on Clarks post-up moves. Though limited offensively in terms of ball-handling, self-creation and post play, Clowney does find ways to score off the ball, showing good timing/awareness slipping screens and rolling or getting to the dunkers spot (68.3% at the rim). Alongside the trophies, medals, plaques, certificates and awards the UCLA guard has accumulated over a career spanning numerous youth and high. Though clearly most comfortable/dangerous releasing off the catch, hes flashed enough promise with his pull-up (36%), separating by rising with abrupt decisiveness and height over the contest. 1 NFL. 7. New York Knicks (via Mavericks): Dariq Whitehead (Duke, SG/SF, Freshman). Did his man prefer going to his left or right? 54. Heres everything to know about the charges hes facing. Select the fourth team from the drop down menu. Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter was scheduled to speak with the media on Wednesday morning at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., the site of the NFL Scouting Combine. 15. He really doesnt have a weakness in his game when that jump shots falling, said Collison, whose 231 steals as a Bruin trail only Earl Watson (235) on the schools career list since it started tracking the statistic in 1978. With Clark, it's the sheer improvement I've seen offensively. A lightly regarded prospect following his senior year at Perry High School (AZ), the Gilbert, Arizona native averaged 7.4 points and 1.8 assists per game as a true freshman carving out a role in the Broncos starting lineup in West Coast Conference play. Scouts are now talking about Podziemski as a legitimate first-round pick who can seemingly keep climbing with his consistent shooting, touch shots, craftiness off the dribble, playmaking and unique positional rebounding (8.8 per game). Look for his minutes at UCLA to increase and NBA scouts to start to take notice. Already deserving of NBA attention thanks to early signs of 3-point improvement (18-for-40), Colby Jones made another strong statement to scouts with 16 points, five assists and two steals in a win over No. Jonathan Wasserman provides his latest projections through 2 rounds after an early look at the potential 2023 class. Being relentless to the extent that he is, earning himself the nickname the Man of Steal, Clark pointed out that this bone should be his third as a Bruin. A significant rise in playing time as a junior has ensured a breakthrough. Guarding as many ball screens as almost any player in the country, he had some solid moments blowing up perimeter actions with his length, but was not immune to lapses and gave up quickness in some matchups. Height: 6-5 (196cm) Weight: 210 (95kg), Current NBA Status: Draft Eligible in 2025, High School: Etiwanda High School [Rancho Cucamonga, California], Jump to: [ NCAA ] [ High School ] [ AAU ], Prep/High School: Etiwanda High School [Rancho Cucamonga, California]. The big storyline toward the top of the draft is how NBA teams will feel about Alabama forward Brandon Miller being tied to a murder case. Clark has really starred in his role so far this season at UCLA. I was like, What the hecks that? Cronin said. He now has the type of off-ball offense and defensive tools NBA teams can picture translating. We spoke to representatives from ten of the most successful front offices in the NBA and they all dished, anonymously, on their process. Los Angeles Clippers (via Bucks): Dereck Lively II (Duke, C, Freshman). 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 4. 27. NBA Pre-Draft Camp NBA Interviews Site announcements . Finally, UCLA's Jaylen Clark is my favorite . He just scored a season-high 25 points against Tulsa on Sunday, showcasing more creation from the post and short corners. While Henderson's explosiveness, power and off-the-dribble burst separate Henderson from the rest of his draft classmates, a recent 20-point (2-of-4 3PT), 14-assist game against a Memphis Hustle team with multiple NBA-caliber players highlighted his skill improvement, playmaking and shot-making potential. All teams missing the playoffs are in the Lottery, Teams with worse records get more chances at winning a top four pick (more ping pong ball combos), The 1st overall pick is awarded by a drawing of ping pong balls, The 2nd overall pick is awarded by a drawing of ping pong balls, The 3rd overall pick is awarded by a drawing of ping pong balls, The 4th overall pick is awarded by a drawing of ping pong balls, Remaining lottery teams, sorted by record, fill out picks 5-14, Playoff teams, sorted by record, are assigned picks 15-30 - playoff seeds and outcomes have no impact, Random drawing decides who picks first between teams with same record, Tied lottery teams split their ping pong balls evenly, and any odd remainder and the better draft order position are given to the random drawing winner, Second round is ordered by record without playoff consideration, Second round ties are in reverse order of the teams' first round picks. A lot of Clarks steals come off trapping and double-teaming, his lively arms and feet making him tough to get around. After being one of best reserves in the. On the ball, weve seen a few sequences of him identifying space, putting the ball down, attacking in a straight line and finishing with body control. 58. With a highlight reel that features enticing shooting flashes, step-backs and explosive finishes, and stats that include a 37.9 field-goal percentage, 64.5 free-throw percentage, 76 turnovers to 24 assists and 41 fouls to 23 blocks, Jackson has become one of the most divisive prospects in this draft class. Hes averaging three made 3-pointers in just 26 minutes per game, burying jumpers off spot-ups (47.1%) and screens (43.6 percent). He also finished with a team high 19 points and while there werent any signs of the long-range shooting that may ultimately be the key to a translatable offensive role, he was explosive in transition, physical off the dribble, and effective in the deep mid-range area. LeCroy was taken to a hospital, where she died from the injuries sustained in the crash. But he shows excellent patience, timing and cleverness for making plays within a half-court offensive set. Clark usually blows those up, leading to another signature on the bone. 47. While Smith is off to a slower start relative to the other top 2022 draft picks, Wembanyama is far more likely to impact games as a rookie with his outrageous defensive range, shooting skill, finishing and passing that should all translate to the NBA instantly. Stats courtesy of Synergy Sports and Sports Reference. What would he do if Edney swiped at the ball a certain way? He doesnt offer too much versatility, but Hawkins has a plug-and-play skill set with a valuable specialty that should continue to be effective in a catch-and-shoot role alongside NBA creators and passers. There were a relatively wide range of opinions on Taylor Hendricks coming out of high school last year as some outlets had him as high as 54th in the country and others as low as 119th. His attitude changed when he joined a stacked club team featuring eventual NBA first-round draft picks Evan Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu, among other older and more decorated players. 1. Then, we looked at five other prospects whose draft stock is trending in the right direction. As a sophomore, the Estonian native was utilized primarily as a spot-up shooter as over 80% of his shots came from behind the three-point line. Portland Trail Blazers (via Knicks): Kobe Bufkin (Michigan, SG, Sophomore). What mattered was that this wildly athletic guard chased every loose ball and followed his steals with breakaway dunks. Thinking long term, it should be worth betting on Walshs shooting development and what it could do for a 6-foot-7 high-energy defender who can score by attacking closeouts and making pull-ups or runners in the mid-range. Menu. 55. 29. See the best remaining players on the draft board during the 2023 NBA Draft with Draftcast on ESPN. UCLA basketballs Hungry Dog Award for this season. https://t.co/U121NFDPe5 pic.twitter.com/plyPLYugo8. Jaylen Clark Game by Game Stats and Performance | ESPN 48. While his vertical jump numbers earned him some buzz at the combine, his efficiency is rooted in his ability to methodically work his way past defenders before using his length and touch to score in close. UCLAs Jaylen Clark could be a valuable pick in the late first or early second round of the 2023 draft. The smart passing and hustle plays only strengthen Walshs role-player profile and potential to impact games without needing to make shots. All he had to do at that point was grab the ball. Despite weighing just 172 pounds, he takes contact well. Overall, its far from a sure thing, but hes someone who most scouts are saying they intend to track. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram will play outsized roles in how their respective teams close the season. Editors Note: For More of Jonathan Wassermans coverage of the 2023 Draft onBleacher Reportor to read this article on BleacherReport.com,click here. Sacramento Kings: Bilal Coulibaly (Metropoliitans 92, SF, 2004). His scoring has gone down and his turnovers up. Teams will give thought to the idea of Clark carving out a defensive specialist role while still offering enough driving, play-finishing and passing for a fourth or fifth option. Overlooked because of:Limited creation, shooting struggles, average wing size, Undervalued because of:Easy-fit versatility/adaptability, defensive impact, projectable role. Jaylen Clark Player Profile, UCLA - RealGM The NBA has reached its midway point and the NBA Draft picture is starting to take shape after a busy trade deadline. Atlanta Hawks: Jordan Walsh (Arkansas, SF/PF, Freshman). 38. It is my intention to return to Athens to answer the misdemeanor charges against me and to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented. Meanwhile, Jaquezs 149 deflections and David Singletons 105 have left them in a forlorn fight for second place, like Bing and Yahoo jockeying for position behind Google. Trevon Braziles season-ending injury opened a door for Jordan Walsh to showcase more scoring versatility and defense that form an archetype forward NBA teams value.