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As we wait to see which Kentucky Wildcats will leave for the NBA Draft, here’s a look at the five projection levels prospects are viewed as, courtesy of Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman.
When prospects test the waters and request feedback from Undergraduate Advisory Committee, feedback says whether they're projected:
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) April 2, 2020
Lotto
15-30
31-45
46-60
Undrafted
Feedback supposed to start coming back next week, and for many prospects it's just gonna be guesses from execs.
As for the Wildcats, here’s how I think their evaluations will be:
- Lotto: Tyrese Maxey
- 15-30: N/A
- 31-45: Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley
- 46-60: Nick Richards
- Undrafted: EJ Montgomery
While I think Quickley has the best chance to be a first-round pick between himself, Richards and Hagans, I still think NBA teams will be skeptical enough of his size (6-3. 187 pounds is small for an NBA shooting guard), lack of time as a point guard, and his poor two-point shooting (40.9%) will keep him from getting that 15-30 projection.
I think Hagans is firmly in the 31-45 projection, but his struggles in the second half of SEC play will really concern a lot of NBA teams with his potential at the next level.
Seeing as how a lot of mock drafts have Richards projected in the 50+ range or even undrafted, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him get an undrafted projection from the advisory committee. If that happens, then his decision to go pro or stay becomes a lot more interesting, though I’d still expect him to go pro.