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. RotoWire names five under-the-radar players who could add value to your rosters as we approach fantasy playoffs. Continuing to produce during conference play should help Hendricks secure a spot on teams first-round boards. (Photo: Scott Wachter, USA TODAY Sports) On the surface, Dillon Mitchell looks like a no-brainer candidate to come back for his sophomore year. Teams may be wise to invest early and remain patient with the freshman guard, whose two-point shot-making and free-throw percentages (77.3) hint at room for shooting improvement and whose creativity and playmaking are already pluses. That list has continued to evolve as the college season has gone on, just as it does within an NBA front office. New York Knicks (via Mavericks): Dariq Whitehead (Duke, SG/SF, Freshman). He'll be deemed an easy fit and safe pick in the mid-to-late first round once the flashier creators and teenagers are off the board. Memphis Grizzles (via Timberwolves): Jaylen Clark (UCLA, SF, Junior) Clark is starting to build an NBA role-player case around versatility, defense and palpable impact (leads NCAA in box plus . After the season he declared for the 2019 NBA draft and participated in the G League Elite Camp but ultimately decided to return to Siena. (B/R) With conference play underway, were bound to see a handful of under-the-radar NBA prospects start to creep their way up Draft boards. While NBA scouts do most of their traveling and evaluating throughout the college basketball season, March is a popular time for executives to make their rounds and get eyes on prospects. Clark kept that mindset while starring at Etiwanda High under the guidance of coach Dave Kleckner, who had previously molded another future Bruin into a lockdown defender. 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. 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. Another strong showing from UCLAs Jaylen Clark last night. Select the fourth team from the drop down menu. He fights over screens, doesnt give up on plays, and uses his body effectively to defend multiple positions. Though he isn't the most explosive athlete, Hood-Schifino has showcased a convincing mix of creation feel by changing speeds, pull-up shooting and passing IQ for combo-guard offense. The undersized point guard had also faced questions about being a UCLA-caliber player before going on to play in three Final Fours and spend a decade in the NBA. 20. 3. One of college basketballs best defenders. 58. Fourth among freshman in scoring despite making five threes all season, Mintz gets to his spots off ball-handling moves, change of speed and long strides, and he finishes plays off the dribble with a knack for elevating into mid-range shots or hanging in the air on layups. Clark was a four-star prospect and averaged 18.5 points per game as a senior at Etiwanda High School last. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Grabbing scouts' attention with a mix of three-level shot-making, ball-screen playmaking, finishing craft (72.0 percent at rim) and defense, Bufkin has entered the draft discussion. Overlooked because of:athletic limitations, lack of self-creation, low-volume shooting, Undervalued because of:versatility/projected fit, two-way tools, improving shooting. He's just crossing off reasons to doubt him. 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. Washington Wizards (via Bulls): Tristan Vukevi (KK Partizan, C, 2003). Los Angeles Lakers: Kel'el Ware (Oregon, C, Freshman). Portland Trail Blazers: Taylor Hendricks (UCF, PF, Freshman). Hes eclipsing the 50-40-90 barrier with 53% shooting from the floor, 51% from the three-point line, and 90% from the free-throw line while simultaneously handing out 7.5 assist to just 2.8 turnovers and also grabbing 4.2 rebounds per game. Jaylen Clark DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. Nick Agar-Johnson brings Albert Ghim back on the Deep Dives podcast to talk about Albert's recent article on UCLA guard Jaylen Clark. 52. 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. The statement also states that both vehicles switched between lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes of travel, overtook other motorists, and drove at high rates of speed, in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other. The toxicology report, per the Athens-Clark County Police Department, determined that LeCroys blood alcohol level was at .197, which is more than two times the legal limit in Georgia. 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. 52. 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. Still a limited creator and shooter, his game doesnt scream upside, which is helping him look like a 2023 value pick wholl be available to Draft in the late first or second round. The statistical jump is true across the board though as his rebounds are up from 3.8 to 7.7 and his assists from 1.0 to 2.5. Over the last few summers, Collison worked with Clark at a training facility in Irvine, developing all aspects of his game. Overlooked because of:Limited creation, shooting struggles, average wing size, Undervalued because of:Easy-fit versatility/adaptability, defensive impact, projectable role. He happily traded in gobs of hotel points and airline miles to return to cover UCLA basketball and football in the summer of 2016. 2023 NBA Draft Big Board: Top 60 Prospect Rankings Here's a complete look at SI's first Big Board for the 2023 NBA draft, headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson. second round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft or 2023 NBA Draft, 5-Star Corner: Patrick Baldwin Jr. Interview, A Closer Look At Bronny James as a NBA Draft Prospect, Talented Sons of Famous NBA Fathers Part 2, The 10 Top Freshmen In High School Basketball Class of 2026 Recruits, Re-Draft of the 2022 NBA Draft, Top 20 2 Months Into The Season, My Guys Prospects Im Irrationally High On In The 2023 Draft, 2023 NBA Draft Big Board Early Season Edition, Upperclassmen Moving Up The Draft Board The Desmond Bane Effect, The Elite 25 The Top NBA Prospects In High School Basketball Fall 2022, 2026 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings (2025 recruiting class), Victor Wembanyamas Physical Profile and NBA Comparisons. Jonathan Wasserman provides his latest projections through 2 rounds after an early look at the potential 2023 class. Jalen Green is a lanky, exceptionally athletic guard whose improvement as a shot-maker shined for stretches during his season with the inaugural G League Ignite team . LeCroys vehicle had left the road and crashed into power poles and trees. Both coaches favored forcing players toward the baseline and used similar help rotations. He figures to only make more fans during the predraft process with his measurements, workouts in front of executives and interviews. Jalen Carter has been seen as a possible No. Clowney projects as a plus rebounder who adds value defensively with his mobility, motor and length. Lately, he's answered key ones that popped up earlier in the season, when he struggled to convert around the basket. Thats the game within a game between point guards.. Hes shown an unteachable feel for anticipating and reacting as a help defender, jumping passing lanes or blowing up screens to force turnovers and often turn them into fast-break points. What would he do if Edney swiped at the ball a certain way? Through seven games at UCF though, hes undoubtedly shined and put himself on the NBA radar in the process. Hes 6-foot-7, being utilized as a smallball five, and not switching defensively. Shooting remains a swing skill for Shannon, a 6'6" slasher and defender who has demonstrated improved shot-making and the ability to catch fire. Rising prospects such as Pepperdines Maxwell Lewis, Ohio States Brice Sensabaugh and Illinois Coleman Hawkins have ultimately become too well known to be considered sleepers anymore. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Wizards): Leonard Miller (G League Ignite, SF, 2003). Note: There are only 58 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft with the Sixers and Bulls forfeiting their second-rounders. Then, they dive deep on Clark's defensive impact, discussing his exceptional ability to generate steals and great on-ball defensive skills at length. 4 steals & 12 deflections in 22 minutes. Hes a high-floor low-ceiling type prospect who could stick as a role player because of the various supportive ways he can impact a game. It may be worth thinking about the 6'7", 232-pound forward more as a small-ball 4. Jaylen Clark. Jalen Pickett (born October 22, 1999) is an American college basketball player for the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten Conference. As a hybrid shooting guard-small forward, he spends less time guarding the ball than anticipating where it might be headed. Clarks father, Cornelius, warned him that hed never get to play if he didnt follow one rule. Jaylen Clark SG #0 Current Team: UCLA Born: Oct 13, 2001 (21 years old) Birthplace/Hometown: Corona, California Nationality: United States Height: 6-5 (196cm) Weight: 210 (95kg) Current NBA Status: Draft Eligible in 2025 Draft Entry: 2025 NBA Draft Pre-Draft Team: UCLA (Jr) High School: Etiwanda High School [Rancho Cucamonga, California] D raft E xpress. Hes not just a stopper on that end though, hes also a playmaker with 2.7 steals per game. You guys, this kid, he wants it so bad, any obstacle that he comes across, hes going to meet it head-on and he wants it so bad hes going to do whatever it takes to get it. . The Houston Rockets would presumably just throw positions out the window with Wembanyama, Alperen engn and Jabari Smith Jr. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cam Whitmore (Villanova, SF, Freshman). Latest on UCLA Bruins guard Jaylen Clark including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN He's been too streaky to trust the shooting, and his decision-making remains shaky, but his special athletic ability, defensive court coverage and creation flashes deserve to buy him time when it comes to his shot-making development. Atlanta Hawks: Jordan Walsh (Arkansas, SF/PF, Freshman). Hes shooting 70.8% at the rim and 19-of-37 on one-handers around the key. In short, hes solid across the board and someone scouts are looking at as a two-way connective piece. After being one of best reserves in the. 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. 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. The following prospects are still in the early stages of their potential rises and arent considered lottery picks or necessarily top-20 prospects. Despite weighing just 172 pounds, he takes contact well. At some point, Tubelis' production becomes a selling point that suggests his rim running, finishing, rebounding and short-range touch can work in an energizer role. With Clark, it's the sheer improvement I've seen offensively. While Larsson has seen a bit of a recent statistical decline, one player who is clearly ascending inside the Arizona line-up is Kerr Kriisa. Grabbing a piece of fabric is often the only way teammates can fight back against the disruptiveness that comes from Clarks quickness, instincts and, well, doggedness. From a physical perspective, hes strong and athletic with solid positional size at 6-foot-5. About Jalen Suggs Jalen Suggs is an athletic guard with great competitive instincts who turned the corner in his lone collegiate season while helping Gonzaga to a National Championship appearance. His 14.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per 40 minutes highlight NBA physical tools and activity. The shooting and athleticism/tools for finishing and defense alone put Hendricks in the lottery discussion, but it also feels like the 19-year-old has more skill to unlock future scoring potential. Jones' game doesn't scream upside, but his passing, shooting and defense does point to an easy-fit role player who can be used on or off the ball. Scouts sound split on Jacquez, whose versatility and toughness have earned first-round grades from believers, and whose athletic limitations have caused some to fear his ability to separate or defend wings. With 41- and 32-point games in mid-February, Pickett has seemingly become too effective with his shot-making and passing for teams to worry about his age or athleticism in the second round. He may never be an offensive catalyst, and he doesnt have to be. Tyus Edney piled up steals by studying the guy he was guarding, the onetime UCLA point guard comparing the first few minutes of each game to boxers feeling each other out at the start of a match. 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). He now has the type of off-ball offense and defensive tools NBA teams can picture translating.
