2015 NBA Draft Position Preview: Shooting Guards
May 30, 2015, 9:00 am
Hezonja could be considered a shooting guard or a small forward, but for our purposes we are placing him in the shooting guard category. His shooting stoke and athleticism make him one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. Hezonja is only 20 years old but has been on the radar of NBA scouts for a while thanks to his blossoming career in Croatia. He's played the last several years against some of the top competition in Europe, going head-to-head with players significantly older and stronger than him.
Like most international prospects, his offensive game is well-rounded but there are questions about his ability and effort on the defensive end. Those questions aside, Hezonja's youth and wide array of offensive skills make him very appealing to NBA executives and scouts.
Draft Projection:
Hezonja will be a lottery pick, likely somewhere in the 5-10 range.
2. Devin Booker, 6-6/205, guard, Kentucky
I'm very high on Booker and believe he will end up being one of the best players in this year's draft. He's an elite shooter, a skill that is always in high demand in the NBA. But Booker is more than just a spot-up marksman. He has good size and is able to drive to the basket consistently. Booker came off the bench for last season's 38-1 Kentucky team and averaged 10 points in just 21.5 minutes per game. His shooting percentages were terrific, connecting on 41 percent of his three-point attempts and 82 percent of his free throws.
Booker is a Klay Thompson clone in size and skill set. It isn't far-fetched to assume he will have the same success in the NBA as Thompson, who made his first All-Star game this past season and is the second best player on the Western Conference champion Warriors. Booker will bring his unique scoring abilities as well as a honest defensive effort to whichever team selects him.
Draft Projection:
Booker will be a low-end lottery pick, likely somewhere in the 9-14 range.
3. R.J. Hunter, 6-6/185, guard, Georgia St.
Hunter made a name for himself thanks to Georgia State's surprising success in the NCAA Tournament. He is a very good offensive player and could thrive for an established team that selects him late in the first round. Hunter played for his father, Ron, at Georgia St. and averaged 19.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season as a junior. He shot just 30.5 percent from three-point range, down significantly from his sophomore year when he connected on 39 percent of this three-point attempts. Hunter has attributed that dip to being the focal point of opposing defenses, a role he won't fill on the NBA level.
Hunter debated whether to return to college for his senior season, but felt his skills were ready for the pro level. That will prove to be a wise decision if he's selected in the first round.
Draft Projection:
Hunter should be a late first-round pick, possibly in the 25-30 range.
4. Rashad Vaughn, 6-5/200, guard, UNLV
Vaughn enters the draft after just one injury-plagued season at UNLV. He suffered a knee injury that limited him to just 23 games as a freshman. But when Vaughn is healthy, he is an elite offensive player. He averaged 17.8 points and shot 38 percent from three-point range for a Rebels team that lacked other options. Vaughn has good size and is able to get his shot in a variety of ways — off the dribble, coming off screens and in the pick and roll game.
The red flags surrounding Vaughn include his durability and his ability to defend bigger perimeter players.
Draft Projection:
Vaughn could end up playing his way into the back end of the first round if he continues to impress in workouts. He shouldn't drop any further than the first few picks of the second round.
5. Pat Connaughton, 6-5/220, guard, Notre Dame
Connaughton won't appear on many top prospects lists leading up to the draft, but he's been a personal favorite of mine for a long time. He had a tremendous career at Notre Dame, capped off by a senior season during which he led Notre Dame to the ACC tournament championship and Elite 8 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Connaughton averaged 12.5 points and 7.4 rebounds last season. He was Notre Dame's leading rebounder despite measuring in at just 6-foot-5. Connaughton is an outstanding long-range shooter, making 42 percent of this three-point attempts. He is a winning player who would bring terrific intangibles to the pro level.
Connaughton tested off the charts at the pre-draft combine. His athleticism caught many NBA executives by surprise — he registered a 44-inch vertical leap. There is the question of what sport Connaughton will focus on moving forward. He is a standout pitcher who was drafted by the Orioles in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft. Connaughton seems committed to giving the NBA an honest shot, and teams would be wise to give him a close look in the second round.
Draft Projection:
Connaughton will be a mid-to-late second-round pick.
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