3 Wildcats in ESPN’s 2020 mock draft

Now that the 2019 NBA Draft is under wraps, the focus for draft enthusiasts has shifted into the 2020 draft class. Much like the 2019 edition, three Wildcats are projected to be drafted next year, all in the first round.

Tyrese Maxey continues to be the first member of the Kentucky Wildcats off the board in all early mocks. Many believe he will be the Wildcats’ leading scorer, and will be a leader on the team. The new ESPN Mock Draft has him being picked at No. 12, keeping John Calipari’s streak of having a lottery pick in tact.

Next off the board is Kahlil Whitney at No. 19. Of all the players on the board, he probably has the most ability to climb the rankings. Whitney has all of the physical tools to be a top ten pick, but will he be able to put it all together in one season at Kentucky.

Ashton Hagans has been named the most important player in the SEC for next season. He is the only Kentucky sophomore on the draft board, but he has to feel good about his chances to go higher than his No. 30 projection after seeing the PJ Washington experiment work out so successfully.

After watching Washington improve his stock from the second round to No. 12 and seeing Tyler Herro transform from a multi-year player to a lottery pick, there has to be optimism among those listed, and those not listed, about the ability to improve your draft stock.

Could EJ Montgomery and/or Nick Richards find their way into the draft? Could Keion Brooks, Johnny Juzang, or Immanuel Quickley have an unexpected break-out season to propel themselves onto the board?

We have a year to figure all of that out. But the rubber hits the road starting in October, which seems it could not be further away.

Check out ESPN’s entire mock draft here.