NBA Draft Prospect Mid-Season Superlatives

Awarding superlatives to this year's prospects halfway through the draft process.

In addition to taking the All-Star break at the NBA level, we are about halfway between the start of the college basketball season and NBA Draft night. In celebration, let’s fill out some prospect superlatives based on what’s occurred thus far.

Biggest Riser: Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State

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Prior to this season, Sensabaugh was absent on most draft boards. Since then, he’s become a mainstay in lottery discussions. The Buckeyes’ 6-foot-6 wing has done so by primarily doing one thing: putting the ball through the iron. His 16.5 points per game rank fourth amongst all freshmen in the nation. The electric scorer’s combination of a tight handle, sturdy frame, and silky pull-up jumper has been a chore for college defenses to limit. Consequently, Sensabaugh’s draft stock has elevated from being a non-propsect to, at the very least, a surefire first-rounder.

Most Underwhelming: Dereck Lively II, Duke

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Duke’s Lively II was the consensus top-ranked player in the 2022 graduating high school class. This ranking was questioned by many, and the big man’s performance to this point has affirmed a lot of the doubts surrounding him. He’s averaging just 4.9 points and 4.7 rebounds on the season, causing him to be in danger of falling out of the first round this June. On the bright side, he is blocking 2.3 shots per night. The seven-footer has had four games in which he’s recorded at least five rejections, with three occurring in the last month. This defensive dominance could lay the foundation for an in-season turnaround from Lively II.

Most Polarizing: G.G. Jackson, South Carolina

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For starters, Jackson is the youngest player in this draft class and he plays for a terrible Gamecocks squad. These two facts alone can begin to explain the extreme polarization around the 6-foot-9 forward. He can rack up points in bunches, averaging over 15 points a contest as well as having nine 20-point games on record. 

However, his 47.5 TS% is inefficient and concerning, and he doesn’t even average one assist. These deficiencies deter many from placing their faith in Jackson. On the other hand, the magnitude of his flaws could be attributed to the poor context he’s playing in. His sheer talent is undeniable. It’s something so abundant that many are comfortable looking past his red flags to take a swing for the fences. As a result, Jackson’s placement on draft boards fluctuates from outside of the top 20 to flirting with the top five depending on who’s being surveyed.

Most Slept On: Judah Mintz, Syracuse

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Illinois’ Terrence Shannon Jr. and G League Ignite’s Leonard Miller were heavily considered for this superlative, but ultimately Mintz deserves this love most. He’s quietly been one of the very best freshmen in college hoops, averaging 15.7 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Despite this, Syracuse’s speedy guard is typically projected well into the second round. A 19-year-old who can effortlessly get to the rim, facilitate effectively, and defend at a high level should be receiving more buzz than the Oak Hill graduate currently is. There is merit to the claims that Mintz should consider returning for a sophomore season to dominate the ACC and raise his stock even more, but he’s already displayed more than enough to warrant first-round value.

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