Highlights from Kansas freshman Ben McLemore’s freshman season. McLemore could be the top pick in the NBA Draft.

Video by: Jared Jones  @Elitehoopsaau 

At around 7 p.m. eastern tonight, I found out that my favorite NBA team is, this time for sure, going to exist next season.

I found out that the squad I’ve been rooting for since I was 12 years old is staying right where it belongs, and that I can look forward to the NBA Draft, and next season, and getting NBA League Pass again.

I couldn’t be more estatic.

The author will have the chance to be completely flabbergasted by DeMarcus Cousins for years to come. (Rocky Widner/Getty Images)

What does it feel like to realize that your favorite team is going to be around for a while, that you won’t have to be an NBA nomad with no real rooting interest anywhere?

Put it this way:

The Kings were horrible this year, but it feels like they just won a playoff series. I’m pouring champagne all over myself as we speak. In fact, I just plastic-wrapped my keyboard.

To put it another way: this is the exact opposite of the 2002 Western Conference Finals.

Maybe it’s karma (although that’s a tough sell to Seattle fans), or maybe it’s just luck. But this time around, the Kings came out on top with everything on the line. Eleven years ago, I collapsed to the floor in devastation. Today, I couldn’t have been happier if Amanda Pflugrad suddenly showed up at my house.

This was a fight Sacramento deserved to win. The Kings have some of the most passionate fans in the league, and thanks to the Herculean efforts of mayor and former Phoenix Suns guard Kevin Johnson, they have a group of investors willing to spend an ungodly amount of money on the team, and a plan for a new arena that passed 7-2.

The fact that this whole thing became a bidding war was unfortunate and wrong, because Sacramento never wavered on whether or not it wanted to keep the Kings. Fans still showed up in droves. Politicians fought tooth and nail for the right to use public money on a new arena.

Kings fans sold out the final game of the season in Sacramento, and gave Sleep Train Arena an NBA Finals atmosphere once again. A guy named Carmichael Dave even put together a bus tour and traveled the country to spread the word about the passion his city had for its team.

In truth, only reason the Kings were even in the position to be relocated was because of the vindictive Maloof family, which backed out on an arena deal they had agreed to last year and sold the franchise to Seattle businessman Chris Hansen in stealth. They were hellbent on screwing Sacramento over, hoping to pull the moving fans away in the middle of the night like the Baltimore Colts.

Thankfully, it didn’t work.

It feels pretty great to know that the collective efforts of a fan base and a city can be enough to stop an inept ownership group.

It feels even better that I’m going to have a team to root for next season, and in the seasons to come.

Long live the Sacramento Kings.

Long live my team.

Regular Season Record: 56-26

Who should the Clippers draft?

The Clippers appeared to be on their way to a banner season this year, racing out to one of the fastest starts in team history and capturing the Pacific Division title. For the first time ever, it figured that the Clips had a real shot at reaching the NBA Finals and grasping their hands on the Larry O’Brien trophy. But alas, the Memphis Grizzlies were too much for them in Round 1, and now L.A. is left heading back to the drawing board.

So who can the Clippers take to help get them over the top?

-A REBOUNDING BIG.

Adams’ toughness would be a welcome addition to the Clippers’ frontcourt. (Pittsburgh Sporting News)

The Clips ranked 18th in the league in the rebounding and could use some help on the glass. The problem is, at 25, there may be limited options available. Steven Adams of Pittsburgh would be an excellent choice here because the seven-footer showed plenty of potential to become a glass-eater before he came into college.

Kansas’ Jeff Withey will likely still be around, but we’re not sure whether or not rebounding is going to be his strength in the NBA (he’s more of a shotblocker).

North Texas’ Tony Mitchell would be a nice selection because he’s a long, athletic defender, but he’s likely to be gone by the 25th pick. The Clippers might consider trading up to get Mitchell, who has shown an ability to defend and rebound at an elite level. Still, he’s young and relatively inexperienced, and L.A. probably needs someone who can make a more immediate impact. That’s why the best option here may be:

-ANOTHER SHOOTER. 

Snell could help the Clippers right away (Ethan Miller/Getty Images).

New Mexico’s Tony Snell should still be available at No. 25, and he’s got the experience and skill set to contribute to an NBA team right away. Snell is a long, athletic 2-guard who can spread the floor on offense. He’s unselfish to a fault, and would be a lethal spot-up shooting option on the wing. His game is better in the half court than in transition, but adding Snell would give Chris Paul (assuming he’s still there) a key option to rely on come playoff time. He’s also good defender and could end up being a Kawhi Leonard-like player for the Clippers, which is exactly what they need.

Virginia Tech guard Erick Green led the nation in scoring last season and could be a nice addition at the 2. Green is lethal in transition and doesn’t need much to get his shot off. Though he’s 6-5, Green does project more as a point guard, but he could help shoulder some of the ballhandling responsibilities if L.A. dumps Chauncey Billups.

Michigan’s Tim Hardaway Jr. would be a terrific addition because of his athleticism and deadly mid-range jump shot. His stock has been falling slightly and he could be around when the Clippers pick at 25. There’s no way they won’t take him if he’s still on the board. With a combination of experience, athleticism and a reliable jumper, Hardaway Jr. is the type of rookie that could help put a team over the top.

 27th overall Pick

Regular Season Record: 57-25 (3rd in West)

Iguodala could bolt this offseason. (NBA.com)

Who should the Denver Nuggets draft?

The Nuggets were uniquely successful this season by using George Karl’s homemade formula of speed, athleticism and Grand Canyon-like depth. Six players averaged double figures in scoring, and Ty Lawson emerged as one of the best point guards in the NBA. Denver went a mind-boggling 38-3 at home, and if not for the other-worldly shooting of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, might have had a chance to make a run at the conference finals.

So what do the Nuggets need to get over the top?

Here is a look at what the Nuggets should consider doing with the 27th pick in the draft:

-A REPLACEMENT FOR IGUODALA?

Erick Green is terrific in transition, which is great for the Nuggets. (Peter Casey/US Presswire)

Andre Iguodala has a player option that could (and likely will) make him a free agent this summer. If Nuggets brass decide not to re-sign him, they could look to the draft to replace his defensive prowess and scoring ability.

National scoring champion Erick Green‘s stock is rising, but he would be a steal at 27 if the Nuggets can nab him. The Virginia Tech product is a terrific three-point shooter, and can fill it up from anywhere on the court. Perhaps most importantly, Green is tremendous in transition. He’s a lethal pull-up shooter and a terrific ball handler.

Tony Snell would be a nice fit because of his jump shooting ability and length on the perimeter. He’s got NBA range and a take-over ability that Iguodala doesn’t have, although he sometimes defers too much. He’ll likely be around when the Nuggets choose at 27.

NC State forward CJ Leslie would be another great pick. He’s our choice for the Nuggets in our early mock draft. Leslie is a good passing big man and can play the 3 or the 4. He’s athletic enough to play in Denver’s up-tempo offense and excels in the half-court.

-A BIG MAN WHO CAN SCORE.

If he’s around at 27, Denver should draft Mitchell.(Andrew B. Fielding/US Presswire)

JaVale McGee led all Nuggets bigs at 7.3 points per game last season. That’s not going to get it done in the playoffs, when points in the paint are at a premium. Kosta Koufos is a nice role player, but come on…he’s Kosta Koufos.

North Texas’ Tony Mitchell would be a great fit for the Nuggets at 27. Though he’s only 6-8, Mitchell plays like a seven-footer because he has a 7-3 wingspan. He’s a terrific defender and shot blocker, averaging nearly 3 swats per game. His athleticism could allow him to play as a 3 at the next level, even though he’s got what it takes to play inside. Denver would love his athleticism and quickness, and he’s got the skills to make him an effective option in the post at the next level.

Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas‘ name has been bandied about a bit. He’s certainly athletic enough to fit the Nuggets’ style, and he’s big and shifty enough to be effective at power forward. The problem with Thomas is that his game reflects that of a small forward, which is a position he probably can’t play in the NBA.

 Check out our Mock Draft here. 

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

28th Overall Pick 

Regular Season Record: 58-24 (2nd/West)

Who should the Spurs draft?

Tony Parker. Manu Ginobili. Kawhi Leonard. The Spurs have found some gems in the NBA Draft, even with late first-round picks and, in Ginobili’s case, a late second round selection.

San Antonio has finished in the top two in the Western Conference each of the past three seasons. But who can they take that will put them over the top?

Here’s a look at the Spurs’ needs, and the players whom they should consider with the 28th pick in the first round.

-A BIG MAN.

The Spurs are somewhat weak in terms of front line depth and could use a solid big man who can give them double-figure minutes every time out. There should be a number of quality options still available by the time San Antonio goes on the clock at pick No. 28.

Kansas’ Withey was the National Defensive Player of the Year and would fit right in with San Antonio. (USA Today)

Jeff Withey of Kansas could still be available and would be a good choice for the Spurs. He was the National Defensive Player of the Year last season and finished second in the nation in blocked shots at 3.9 per game.Withey is every bit of 7 feet tall, and uses all of his length on both ends of the floor. He’s got great timing on shots, and often comes up with possession after he blocks a shot, something lost on today’s big men. He’s also a decent athlete for a big man. He is raw offensively, but improved greatly in his time at Kansas and ended up posting 13.7 points per game. He’s also a good free throw shooter (71%).

Steven Adams from Pittsburgh is another solid option. Like Withey, Adams isn’t much of an offensive threat, but he’s athletic and talented defensively. He runs the floor well and is a good rebounder. He’s got more upside than Withey, but Adams is young and may not be able to help the Spurs immediately. Still, he stands to learn a lot from Tim Duncan and could end up being the better choice for the Spurs.

If he slips to 28, Gorgui Dieng  would be a tremendous fit for the Spurs. Dieng is projected to be a late-teens to early 20s selection, but could conceivably fall into San Antonio’s lap at 28.  He is a shot blocking machine, averaging 3.2 per game in 2011-12 and shattering the school’s single-season record. Dieng has only played a few years of organized basketball, so he has no bad habits. His floor spacing and passing skills are incredible for his neophyte status. He was one of the nation’s leaders in field goal percentage (61.2%) as a sophomore and has shot 65-plus percent from the free throw line each of the past two seasons. His major impact comes on the defensive end, where his added bulk makes him hard to move around. His length is outstanding, and he’s got good timing.

-A POINT GUARD.

Though they managed just fine when Tony Parker went down, the Spurs could use a backup point guard to groom for the future and provide some solid minutes of relief.

Green is a scoring guard who could take some of the pressure off Tony Parker. (Peter Casey/US Presswire)

Virginia Tech’s Erick Green would be a perfect fit for the Spurs at No. 28. He led the nation in scoring last season (25 ppg) and can fill it up from anywhere on the floor. He’s deadly off the dribble, and his mid-range J is terrific. Though he’s 6-4, his frame dictates that he’d be a better fit at the point in the NBA. Green did well with the ball in his hands at Virginia Tech, and can score on step-backs, with hands in his face, and on pull-ups from NBA range. In short, he’s a fantastic shooter. That shooting ability helps other aspects of his game, as it frees him up to make passes (he averaged 4 assists per game). He also grabbed 4 rebounds per contest last season.

Miami’s Shane Larkin should still be around at 28 and is another solid option for the Spurs. Though he’s diminutive at just 5-11, Larkin is a lightning-quick, water bug-like guard who has a tremendous handle and good court vision. He’s got NBA range on his three, and isn’t afraid to take–and bury–big shots. His improvement over the past year was remarkable. Larkin went from a backup who averaged 7.4 points per game on just 36 percent shooting to one of the nation’s best point guards, putting up 14.5 points and 4.6 assists per while shooting 47 percent from the floor. He’s a tremendous floor leader and knows how to run a team.

Editor’s note: This post first appeared on Suite Sports.com, which is run by our good friends Joe Parello and Jeremy Conlin. Check out the site for legendary sportscaster Bob Lobel’s blog, coverage of everything Boston sports, and general awesomeness. It’s like one righteous bro session, only in website form.

Everybody remembers “The Decision.”

In about five seconds, LeBron James pissed off 29 cities (Nearly bringing the apocalypse to Cleveland) and coined the phrase “Taking my talents to…” It is a preface that every Blue Chip college football/basketball player now uses when they commit to a program.

The weight of the college basketball world will shift based on Wiggins’ decision. (AP Photo)

It was a decision so Earth moving that ESPN gave it a damn hour special, a ridiculous idea considering we all tuned in to hear one sentence. But LeBron was a special, once in a generation type of player, so we allowed him to grab the spotlight and hold it as long as he pleased.

Andrew Wiggins is a little bit different.

Widely considered the greatest high school basketball prospect since LeBron came out in 2003, the 6-foot-7 forward will make his “Decision” tomorrow around noon at Huntington Prep in West Virginia. Will there be an hour-long special, as coaches John Calipari, Roy Williams, Bill Self and the rest of the college basketball world wait on baited breath?

Nope. Wiggins is set to sign, and the only media member allowed to be in attendance will be a reporter from the Huntington Herald-Dispatch.

Dang, talk about being in the right job for a huge scoop.

“Andrew will sign Tuesday at around 12:15,” Huntington head coach Rob Fulford said in a statement. “He’s does not want to have a press conference signing. He wants it private to just his classmates, family and friends.”

Doesn’t this just seem wrong? Wiggins has been a celebrity since his 8th grade highlight reel hit YouTube in early 2010, and this decision will change the landscape of college basketball, if only for one season. Shouldn’t we get a little bit of a spectacle?

Wiggins is set to choose between Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas and Florida State, so don’t you kind of want to see him picking up the ball caps from those schools and jokingly decide which one he will attend? Don’t we all love when 18-year olds literally hold the futures of proud institutions in their hands?

Well, unfortunately, we’re not going to get any of that. But, here is a breakdown of the four schools Wiggins is eyeing, and why him going to each of them would be freaking awesome.

Kentucky: The Wildcats are already bringing in arguably the best freshman class in history with a record six McDonald’s All Americans, and five of Rivals.com’s top-11 prospects. That’s pretty absurd, and Kentucky is also returning several high-profile sophomores from last season’s team that was derailed by the injury of Nerlens Noel.

If Wiggins ends up in Lexington, forget the Fab Five, the Wildcats would have SEVEN of the nation’s top-20 incoming freshman, and two “leftover” five-star prospects from 2013. Just seeing that much young talent in the same place would be a ton of fun, and Wiggins should have plenty of space to work for his highlight-reel dunks.

Kansas: We talk about the constant youth of Kentucky, but Kansas won’t exactly be experienced next year. With Ben McLemore headed to the draft after his freshman year and Jeff Withey leaving after a fine four-year career, the Jayhawks are suddenly leaning on Naadir Tharpe and a dude named Perry Ellis. Yeah, Perry Ellis.

I have to say, this is probably the one place I hope Wiggins doesn’t end up. Bill Self is a fine coach, and Kansas wins the Big 12 every year, but if you’re looking for intrigue, there are sexier destinations.

Still, Wiggins putting the storied Kansas program on his back and carrying them to a Big 12 title against what should be a loaded Oklahoma State team would be fun to watch.

North Carolina: People forget, but Roy Williams’ teams are really fun to watch when he has the right pieces in place. The Tar Heels have underachieved in recent years, mostly because star recruits PJ Hairston and James Michael McAdoo only turned out to be “pretty good.”

With highly regarded power forward Isaiah Hicks staying home in North Carolina, the Tar Heels have a chance to bring in the best pair of freshman forwards in the country. Plus, wouldn’t the best recruit in a generation look great in that powder blue?

Florida State: In our podcast yesterday, my colleague Jeremy Conlin basically said that he loved when star recruits go to “under the radar schools” and Florida State would certainly fit the bill for Wiggins. It would give him the chance to totally put a team on his back, in a soon-to-be brutal ACC, and show us all what he’s capable of.

His father Mitchell Wiggins was a first round NBA Draft pick out of Florida State in 1983, and helped lead the Houston Rockets to the NBA Finals in ’86. His mother Marita Payne-Wiggins is also a former Seminole, winning four national track championships at Florida State before going on to to win a pair of Silver Medals at the 1984 Olympic Games.

Athleticism is certainly in his blood, but is an affinity for Tallahassee?

6-10, 235 lbs.

School: Duke

Class: Senior

Streeter Lecka/ Getty Images

STRENGTHS: Plumlee has all of the physical gifts to be a quality NBA center. He’s huge (6-10, 235) and athletic, and is a monster around the glass. Duke fans won’t like hearing this, but he’s comparable to Tyler Hansbrough in terms of the energy and effort he brings to the position. Plumlee uses his size very well and knows how to position himself down low. He’s surprisingly mobile and athletic for his size. In 2013, he emerged as one of the best big men in the country and a National Player of the Year candidate, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.

WEAKNESSES: Many of his points come on garbage baskets and he’s not going to be able to use his size the way he does now in the NBA. Plumlee lacks a true go-to move down low and doesn’t have a particularly refined post game. Unlike Hansbrough, he can be pushed around at times against more physical bigs and doesn’t seem to have the stomach to body with big guys all game long. He can be awkward with the ball and isn’t ever going to be someone you’re going to dump it into for a basket at the next level.

BOTTOM LINE: Plumlee is an intriguing big man because of a ridiculous combination of size and athletic capability. He just plays big, which is something that doesn’t come natural to a lot of power forwards and centers. He’ll never be a main offensive threat in the NBA, but his motor and toughness around the rim will suit him well. He could end up being a starting center down the road.

6-4, 185 lbs.

School: Virginia Tech

Class: Senior

STRENGTHS: Green led the nation in scoring in 2013, putting up 25 points per game for a bad Virginia Tech team. He’s got a natural knack for putting the ball in the basket, and can score from anywhere on the floor. Green has NBA quickness and length, and is lethal in transition. He’s a wonderful pull-up jump shooter  and can score in contact despite a slight frame. He’s deadly off the dribble, and his mid-range J is terrific. Green can score on step-backs, with hands in his face, and on pull-ups from NBA range. In short, he’s a fantastic shooter. That shooting ability helps other aspects of his game, as it frees him up to make passes (he averaged 4 assists per game). He also grabbed 4 rebounds per contest last season.

WEAKNESSES: Green needs to add strength, and although he’s 6-4, he may be more effective in the NBA as a point guard. Though he’s a great decision maker and doesn’t turn the ball over much, it’s yet to be seen if he’s unselfish enough to succeed at the point. Then again, he did play on a terrible Virginia Tech team. His frame may be a little slight and it’s going to be interesting to see how he develops in the NBA. He has a little bit of CJ Watson in him.

BOTTOM LINE:  If he doesn’t make it in the NBA, Erick Green will have a long career overseas as a 20-plus points per game scorer. He’s that good a shooter. But that doesn’t automatically mean he’s going to be a great NBA player. His frame, strength and athleticism are concerns. Still, it’s going to be tough to pass up on the nation’s leading scorer, especially

We spoke to scouts, coaches, trainers and agents to come up with this, the most accurate mock draft you’ll find anywhere from year to year. Picks, of course, are subject to change, but here’s a pre-lottery look at what each team might do. Official draft lottery will be set on May 21.

1.   Orlando- Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky. Noel is probably the best talent in the draft and should go No. 1 no matter who wins the lottery because big men like him are hard to find. He is a freakish athlete and defensive dynamo, and has small forward-speed.

2.  Charlotte- Ben McLemore, G, Kansas. McLemore is super-athletic and has a great shooting touch and elite-level speed. Charlotte could sure use him, as could Cleveland, Phoenix, New Orleans, Sacramento…

3.  Cleveland- Otto Porter, G/F, Georgetown. Porter’s do-everything game and prodigious scoring ability make him a top pick. He isn’t a game-changer and won’t have an immediate impact, but he could be a solid player for a long time.

4. Phoenix-  Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV Bennett is a powerful, athletic 4 who had scouts drooling even before he arrived at UNLV. Though he was inconsistent as a freshman, scouts love his versatility and natural gifts.

5.New Orleans- Alex Len, C, Maryland He’s a project, but New Orleans has the time and patience for such a player. Though they drafted Anthony Davis last year, it never hurts to have multiple talented big men.

6.Sacramento- CJ McCollum, G, Lehigh McCollum is rising up draft boards despite a season-ending injury in January. He compares to Blazers Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard, who also came from a small school.

7.  Detroit- Shabazz Muhammad, G, UCLA Detroit needs guys who can put the ball in the basket, and that’s what Muhammad does best. He’s kind of selfish–but that’s okay–because the Pistons need scorers.

8.  Washington- Cody Zeller, C, Indiana The Wizards desperately need a productive big man, and Zeller would fill that need nicely.

9.  Minnesota- Victor Oladipo, G, Indiana The Wolves have needed a 2-guard since before David Kahn passed on Steph Curry and took Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn (hey, that’s 2 guards, right?). Oladipo gives them what they desperately need.

10. Portland- Mason Plumlee, C, Duke. This just feels like a Blazers pick. They always seem to fall in love with stiff, lengthy centers who bring little offensive skill to the low post.

11. Philadelphia- Michael Carter-Williams, G, Syracuse. MCW makes sense for Philly because his length and defensive ability in the backcourt perfectly match what the Sixers are all about.

12. Oklahoma City- Trey Burke, G, Michigan. The Thunder will likely look for a point guard in the first round, just as an insurance policy for Westbrook. If Oladipo were available here, he may make the most sense, but Burke is a great backup plan.

13.  Dallas- Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany. The German point guard is rising up draft boards after an impressive showing at the Nike Hoop Summit.

14.  Utah- Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga. The Gonzaga big man could end up helping fill the void left by Al Jefferson if Utah isn’t able to retain him.

15.Milwaukee- Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia The 6-10 swingman would be a nice choice for Milwaukee, which seems to have an affinity for foreign talent.

16.  Boston- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia The Celtics will love his athleticism and pure shooting ability. He’d be a great choice to help out a backcourt that was floundering with Jason Terry last season.

17. Atlanta- Tim Hardaway, Jr., G, Michigan. The Hawks could use a player like Hardaway Jr., whose shiftiness and athletic ability could give them some much-needed backcourt punch.

18. Atlanta- Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville. The Hawks could use a defensive presence like Dieng on the interior, and

19. Cleveland- Deshaun Thomas, F, Ohio State. Buckeye fans know how well Thomas can score the basketball, and the Cavs could use a big man prospect with athleticism.

20. Chicago- Jamaal Franklin, G, San Diego State. Franklin seems like the Bulls’ kind of player. He has the potential to be a quality defensive player and could be a bigger version of Jimmy Butler.

21.  Utah-  Lorenzo Brown, PG, NC State. The Jazz could use a franchise point guard, and Brown has all of the tools to become a quality player at the next level.

22. Brooklyn- Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia. The logical choice for the Nets because they need another shooter and Karasev is a sensation in Russia, where owner Mikhail Prokhorov hails from.

23. Indiana- Tony Mitchell, SF/PF, North Texas. Another guy from a small school with tremendous athleticism and potential. Plus, he’s got a bland name. See: Paul George, Danny Granger.

24.  New York- Rudy Gobert, C, France. The Knicks need another big man to back up Chandler, and Gobert would be the perfect selection here if he falls into their lap, no matter how much he gets booed by Knicks fans.

25.  L.A. Clippers- Tony Snell, G, New Mexico. Snell gives the Clippers a spot-up shooter and defensive presence in the backcourt, something they desperately need. He’d fit perfectly in L.A.

26.  Minnesota- Erick Green, G, Virginia Tech. If Green falls into the Wolves’ lap at 26, there’s no way they don’t take him. It’s possible that Minnesota could trade up to take a shooter like Green.

27.  Denver- C.J. Leslie, F, NC State. The Nuggets could use Leslie at the small/power forward slot. He’s athletic enough to play well in their up-tempo offense, and works well in the half court.

28. San Antonio- Jeff Withey, C, Kansas. The Spurs will love Withey’s shot blocking ability and prowess on the defensive end.

29.  Oklahoma City- Giannis Adetokoubo, SF/PF, Greece. The 6-9 big man has the potential to become a nice contributor at the next level and would fit well in OKC’s offense because he runs the floor well.

30. Phoenix- Shane Larkin, G, Miami (FL). The Suns will take a chance on Larkin because they could use a point guard and like the way he runs a team.    

Second Round Coming Soon.

6-8, 235 lbs.

School: North Texas

Class: Sophomore

Andrew B. Fielding/US Presswire

STRENGTHS: Our 2012 Sun Belt Player of the Year, Mitchell is a powerful, athletic freak with an NBA-ready body and a monstrous wingspan. Though he’s only 6-8, Mitchell plays like a seven-footer because he has a 7-3 wingspan. He’s a terrific defender and shot blocker, averaging nearly 3 swats per game. His athleticism could allow him to play as a 3 at the next level, even though he’s got what it takes to play inside. Much of his value could come on the defensive end, but he’s got some skills that could make him an effective option in the post or on the wing.

WEAKNESSES: He could use some work on his post game, and needs to improve his ball handling if he’s going to play the 3 on offense in the NBA. He’s not a great player off the drive and can be awkward at times with the ball in his hands on the wing. Because of that, he may be better suited at the 4, although he’s more unique at small forward.

BOTTOM LINE: Tony Mitchell has a chance to develop into a really good player if given time. He was the Sun Belt Player of the Year as a freshman last season, and his game continues to improve every time out. He could be a tremendous find on the defensive end, and even though he’s somewhat raw on offense, he’s got unlimited potential. He won’t have an immediate impact on a team, but could develop into a nice player in the league in a few years.