UCONN’s 2023 NBA Prospects

[drayenob]

 

[Chief00]

I know he doesn’t fit the current NBA profile and measured 6-7 at the NBA Combine, but Adama is easily one of the top twenty players on this year’s draft. The mock drafts all say he won’t be drafted there but all he does is beat people rated higher than him. He’s has very quick feet for a guy his size, has great strength and skill. He’s a torture chamber fir his opponent.

 

[auror]

Jordan Hawkins, 6-5 sophomore guard, UConn. “Best shooter in the draft. To me, he’s like Devin Booker. Devin wasn’t that well thought of coming out of college. Has the ability to catch and shoot, or score off one or two bounces. He has a quick release. He has some talent defensively, but he has to get stronger, and you wonder how much he will buy into that. Physical play does bother him. You worry about him getting pushed around. You hope in time he can become a pretty good defender. He has to at least not be a net negative on defense.”

Adama Sanogo, 6–9 junior center, UConn. “I just don’t see him making it. He’s a dinosaur. He’s not a rim protector, not a switchable defender. Great kid, but there may not be a place for him in today’s NBA. He’s going to struggle guarding stretch fives and stretch fours. Sometimes you just run out of talent. Can he make it as a center in this league at his size?”

Andre Jackson, 6-6 junior forward, UConn. “If he could shoot at all he’d be a lottery pick. Competitive locker room leader. Mr. Utility Guy. He can do all the Draymond Green stuff. He won’t fit in everywhere. He came to Chicago for the combine and it looked like he was trying to change his shot from what he did during the season. It was awkward. His shot’s gotta be torn down and rebuilt. He has elite athleticism and the ability to make plays, but he has to be in the right situation.”

 

[CL82]

He shot 29.2% on 2 point jumpers as a freshman and 31.0% as a sophomore, so he really struggled with those shots both years

Keep in mind, as you already alluded to, if you are taking a two point middy often that's because the shot you wanted, or a path to the hoop wasn't available to you. In essence the mid range jumper was your bailout shot. I think that was mostly the case for Hawkins. He wasn't taking those at the the foul line as part of a predetermined set.

 

[dennismenace]

That's at a macro level, you can't have a team building their offense around mid-range shots because it's inefficient. That doesn't mean players don't need to have the ability to knock down the occasional mid-range shot when the defense closes out on a shooter.

Hawkins (or any player) is never going to take the majority of his shots from the mid-range. He's not going to go undrafted or be out of the league in 2 years if he doesn't develop a mid-range game. It's just the little boost that pushes him from being a 10+ year role player as a 3+D guy like Duncan Robinson or Joe Harris, to a piece you hope develops into a reliable starter and is a well-rounded player

It was the last piece of the puzzle for Kemba. Picked it up on the summer before his final year (junior).
Keeps the defenders honest.

 

[Waquoit]

I didn't like this comment about Hawk: "He has some talent defensively, but he has to get stronger, and you wonder how much he will buy into that." Why does one have to wonder about buy-in from him? One of the myriad of reasons UConn was so good this year is that our "star" worked as hard as anyone else on defense. Why wouldn't that continue?

 

[ToolzieFan]

I didn't like this comment about Hawk: "He has some talent defensively, but he has to get stronger, and you wonder how much he will buy into that." Why does one have to wonder about buy-in from him? One of the myriad of reasons UConn was so good this year is that our "star" worked as hard as anyone else on defense. Why wouldn't that continue?

I agree that buy-in shouldn’t be an issue with him. There’s never been any indication he wasn’t working, and we saw his improvement on both ends of the floor all year. The legitimate concern (Vecenie elaborated for The Athletic) is how much stronger can he get with his frame without sacrificing quickness and athleticism? That’s even more important than improving his shot-creation and ability to finish, because he needs to defend well enough to stay on the floor come playoff time. His shot-making will play from day one.

 

[Mike Honcho]

I agree that buy-in shouldn’t be an issue with him. There’s never been any indication he wasn’t working, and we saw his improvement on both ends of the floor all year. The legitimate concern (Vecenie elaborated for The Athletic) is how much stronger can he get with his frame without sacrificing quickness and athleticism? That’s even more important than improving his shot-creation and ability to finish, because he needs to defend well enough to stay on the floor come playoff time. His shot-making will play from day one.

The scouts had those same exact concerns with Rip. How'd that work out?

 

[ToolzieFan]

The scouts had those same exact concerns with Rip. How'd that work out?

I’m not saying he won’t be a solid enough defender, just that his strength is more of an issue than his buy-in or work ethic. I think Hawkins will have an excellent NBA career. I can’t assume he’ll be a borderline-HOF like Rip. I can certainly hope so.

 

[HooperScooper]

This mock draft is a projection of who will have the best careers in the NBA, not where they think players will actually be drafted.

Has Hawkins #7, Jackson #15 and Sanogo #28.

2023 NBA Mock Draft: Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Dereck Lively top Big Board projecting pro careers

Matt Norlander's annual Big Board mock predicts which prospects will have the best NBA careers

www.cbssports.com

 

[HuskyHawk]

This is a weird take on Sanogo. He's not a Dinosaur, if anything Clingan is more of a Dinosaur style big. He's not a 5, he's a 4 that is strong enough to guard small ball 5s. I think there will be teams that see it and teams that don't. Same with Andre.

 

[ToolzieFan]

ESPN’s latest:

Hawkins - #14 to New Orleans
Jackson - #33 to San Antonio
Sanogo - #57 to Washington

14. New Orleans Pelicans​

Jordan Hawkins
UConn
SG
Age: 21.1

Chatter surrounding the Pelicans' potential move toward the top of the draft for Henderson has died down in recent days, with the Hornets appearing unlikely to deal the No. 2 pick, the Blazers listening to a range of callers for No. 3 and New Orleans seemingly uninterested in dealing Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram -- the type of return moving up that high in this draft would likely require. The Pelicans could still look to move around in the draft on a smaller scale, but if they stay at No. 14, Hawkins' deadeye movement shooting would immediately add a different dimension to their personnel on a roster already full of ball handlers. His experience level and valuable role might make him more appealing here than trying to develop a younger guard on a longer timeline. Hawkins could be off the board already, with Orlando and Toronto looking at him as an option, and if New Orleans were to pass, he likely won't fall too far into the teens. -- Woo

2023 NBA mock draft: The latest on Charlotte's plans at No. 2

Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson at No. 2? The latest intel on Charlotte's plans for the pick.

www.espn.com

 

[navery12]

Victor Wembanyama (surprise!) tops our staff-wide 2023 NBA Mock Draft

Wembanyama is all but certainly headed to San Antonio. But what happens after the generational talent is picked?

theathletic.com

Hawkins #16
Jackson #28

 

[lange10]

Mock drafts from what I could find...

Jordan:
Yahoo - 17
Draftnet -17
SBNation - 21
Ringer - 21
Bleacher Report - 16
ESPN - 14
Athletic - 16

Andre:
Yahoo - 38
Draftnet - 32
Ringer - 35
Bleacher Report - 35
ESPN - 33
Athletic - 28

Adama:
Yahoo - 52
Draftnet - 49
Ringer - 44
ESPN - 57

 

[UofCT]

Mock drafts from what I could find...

Jordan:
Yahoo - 17
Draftnet -17
SBNation - 21
Ringer - 21
Bleacher Report - 16
ESPN - 14
Athletic - 16

Andre:
Yahoo - 38
Draftnet - 32
Ringer - 35
Bleacher Report - 35
ESPN - 33
Athletic - 28

Adama:
Yahoo - 52
Draftnet - 49
Ringer - 44
ESPN - 57

I feel like all of our guys are going earlier than these projections. I'm so biased it's scary though.

 

[Psolo12]

Mock drafts from what I could find...

Jordan:
Yahoo - 17
Draftnet -17
SBNation - 21
Ringer - 21
Bleacher Report - 16
ESPN - 14
Athletic - 16

Andre:
Yahoo - 38
Draftnet - 32
Ringer - 35
Bleacher Report - 35
ESPN - 33
Athletic - 28

Adama:
Yahoo - 52
Draftnet - 49
Ringer - 44
ESPN - 57

Crazy how Andre's stock has risen. So excited for him.

 

[donyell34]

Excitement is building for this draft, its been awhile other than Bouk that we have 3 guys that are going to be drafted getting that Uconn brand out there. I believe most projections are accurate. Just hoping Adama going earlier then listed. Good off-season times for us. Enjoy.

 

[UConnRock]

Saw one mock with Utah taking Hawkins at 16 and Jackson at 28. That would be a treat from a fan perspective

 

[auror]

OMax Prosper got a green room invite. Going top 25.

 

[huskymedic]

@ Tomight’s Coaches Road Show:

 

[Chief00]

This is a weird take on Sanogo. He's not a Dinosaur, if anything Clingan is more of a Dinosaur style big. He's not a 5, he's a 4 that is strong enough to guard small ball 5s. I think there will be teams that see it and teams that don't. Same with Andre.

I agree, these scouts are off the mark. To not have an understanding about what great quick feet Adama has is unbelievable. And since when has winning games gone out of style?
As for Andre, they focus on the one part of his game that’s not superb. I actually don’t think his shot mechanics are so broken. He has a decent arch on his shot, good back spin and a soft touch. What he must improve on is confidence and locking in mentally on his shot and focusing his vision just over the front of the rim. All very doable.

 

[Chief00]

@ Tomight’s Coaches Road Show:

Hurley summarized the three players well.

 

[navery12]

(No. 15) G Jordan Hawkins, UConn​

Profile | 6-5, 170 pounds | April 2002

2022-23 stats: 37 games, 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 40.9% FG, 38.8% 3P

A Big East coach: “Make him make twos. Can’t relax for a second when he is on the floor. Maybe is the best I’ve ever seen at stopping and starting. He is running full speed off a variety of screens and ranges to get his shot. Incredible! He got better with the ball in his hands in not catch-and-shoot situations.”

A Big East coach: “He is extremely deadly without needing the ball. Almost Klay Thompson-like. Running off screens, shooting behind a ball screen, or a handoff, he’s the best. He competes on the defensive end as well. Taller and longer than the eye test makes you think.”

 

[UofCT]

(No. 15) G Jordan Hawkins, UConn​

Profile | 6-5, 170 pounds | April 2002

2022-23 stats: 37 games, 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 40.9% FG, 38.8% 3P

A Big East coach: “Make him make twos. Can’t relax for a second when he is on the floor. Maybe is the best I’ve ever seen at stopping and starting. He is running full speed off a variety of screens and ranges to get his shot. Incredible! He got better with the ball in his hands in not catch-and-shoot situations.”

A Big East coach: “He is extremely deadly without needing the ball. Almost Klay Thompson-like. Running off screens, shooting behind a ball screen, or a handoff, he’s the best. He competes on the defensive end as well. Taller and longer than the eye test makes you think.”

You read scouting reports like this and then you have the bozo mock draft and player ranking group who have him ranked like 25-40. Makes no sense

 

[Tenspro2002]

Mock drafts from what I could find...

Jordan:
Yahoo - 17
Draftnet -17
SBNation - 21
Ringer - 21
Bleacher Report - 16
ESPN - 14
Athletic - 16

Andre:
Yahoo - 38
Draftnet - 32
Ringer - 35
Bleacher Report - 35
ESPN - 33
Athletic - 28

Adama:
Yahoo - 52
Draftnet - 49
Ringer - 44
ESPN - 57

This feels about right. Lottery is probably a bit high for Hawkins, but not far after that.

Jackson, it's unlikely a GM is going to stick his neck out there with a 1st round pick, but early 2nd is believable.

Sanogo, someone should take a flyer late 2nd, but after watching Jokic dominate and win the title, a guy like Sanogo just doesn't fit these days. It's pretty wild to think that not even 20 years ago, Okafor, a better defender but worse offensive player than Sanogo, at basically the same size and position, went #2 overall. Sanogo won't sniff the 1st round.