Top 5 Most Underrated Prospects
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 3:17 pm
You are telling me Goga is 19 years old?!?!
As we all know, this draft has all about the top 4 of Zion Williamson, Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Rui Hachimura. There's no question that these four future studs are receiving the most coverage among the media right now, but there are still 56 other players in this draft that are trying to make an impact in the CSL, and today we will examine some of the prospects that haven't been receiving nearly as much attention as they should. This list will feature an underrated player from each position. (Note: this list is based on my scouts only, which we all know have quite a variance, so please keep that in mind.)
1. Point Guard: Jevon Carter
Point guard has been a long coveted position in the CSL, as most of the successful franchises in this league tend to have a good floor general that's running the team. Carter is an old school, no nonsense kind of point guard that knows his strengths, and limitations well, and can be a very solid off the bench point guard, or even a fringe starter in the right system. His bread, and butter offense is using his athleticism to finish inside, and he also possess good handles where he can create space, and slash to the rim. He also shows some intriguing upside in the post area, as his game has a very old school feel to it. And if the defense collapses on him, then he has the IQ, and vision to make the right passes to the open teammates, and hit his trademarked mid range jumper to keep the defense honest. His biggest weakness is probably a lack of a three point shot in today's run, and gun era, but his strong mid range game should allow him to operate efficiently enough. Defensively he's also a smart defender, and knows how to stay in front of his man. Carter also posses quick hands, and does a good job playing the passing lane. If developed properly, then Carter should be a good contributor for any team in the CSL.
2. Shooting Guard: Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown is another one of those white collar glue guys that everyone team would love to have in their rotation. Brown isn't going to put up amazing stats in the box score, but his plus/minus will illustrate his true impact on the court. Brown is a pretty good slasher/finisher inside the lane, and he posses good secondary playmaking skill for a two guard as well. If developed properly, Brown might even be able to play some backup point guard minutes if needed. Similar to Carter, Brown also has shown a good stroke in the mid range area, and that alone should allow him to keep the defenders honest, and not completely sag off him to jam up the paint area. Brown also uses his good athleticism to clean up the boards, which is always an extra plus for shooting guards. Defensively he has shown fantastic instinct as a man to man defender, and has good IQ where he can pretty much fit into any system as well. His high motors has drawn some comparison to hounding defenders such as Patrick Beverley as well. He will force some turnovers with his quick hands, but the most intriguing part is probably his wing span that allows him to contest jumpshots, and lay ups as well. Overall Brown has some intriguing upside as a pesky defender, and I think with time, I won't be surprised to see him develop into a studly defender.
3. Small Forward: Haywood HIghsmith
For those who plays the NBA2K basketball game series knows all about shooting badges, and if I have to assign shooting badges to Highsmith, then he will definitely own the corner specialist, deadeye, and quick draw badges. Highsmith is your classic three point sniper that every franchise could use in today's game. While many previous touted college three point gunners are either limited by a lack of shot creating ability, or is an absolute liability on defense, Highsmith isn't the case here. Highsmith is not afraid to let it fly from the corner, and has improved his handles tremendously throughout the years in order to open up his offensive game. It's tough to stop a guy that can score off ball, and with the ball. His good handles has allowed him to create his own shots in an efficient manner, and gives him another dimension to his offensive game besides his spot up shooting. Defensively he will never be known for his defense, but he knows his limitation, and shouldn't be a black hole on that end of the court. His game reminds me a bit of Nik Stauskus, and we all know how lethal an off the bench shooter such as him could be in today's game.
4. Power Foward: Bonze Colson
To be honest, if Colson would have worked on his offensive game during his time in college, then he easily could be a lottery selection in this draft. Unfortunately, that is not the case here. Colson will forever be a one dimensional player, but boy does he flash potential as an unique defender. Colson is already one of the best shot blocker in college basketball today, and with proper professional coaching in the CSL, this kid can become an elite rim protector in the CSL. Colson also posses an unique ability to use his quick hands to generate steals, and pass deflections as well. It is not often you will see a big man who can move so well like him. He also uses his supreme athleticism to crash the offensive glass as well. And if he will work more on his fundamentals, and not trying to swat everything out of bounds, then he should be able to clean up boards on the defensive end as well. Colson sounds like an absolute stud thus far, right? Well, his strengths ends here, as this guy might be one of the worst offensive big man prospect I have seen in years. Realistically speaking I wouldn't let this guy touch the ball on offense, and for such an athletic, it's mind boggling how poor of an interior finisher he is. As an opponent's coach once said "When you see Colson on the floor, you are pretty much playing 5 vs 4 on the defensive end, as you will NOT need to worry about him whatsoever. My grandma can score better than him."
5. Center: Goga Bitdaze
In recent years, we have seen more, and more foreign players entering the CSL. As the quality of world scouting has improved, GMs around the league has discovered more, and more foreign gems that can be polished into good players in the CSL today. Bitdaze is another young big man prospect that hails from Sagarejo, Georgia. Bitdaze has been playing professional basketball since he was 15 years old, so he's no stranger to the competitive basketball scene. Bitdaze is pretty raw right now, but he has shown some fantastic upside on both ends of the court. He's a very good interior finisher, and has shown a variety of tricks in the post as well. Similar to many foreign big men prospects, Bitdaze also posses solid ball skills, and his vision as a big man should allow him to make some flashy passes at times. Bitdaze also uses his size well to crash the boards, and if he can get his fundamentals right, then he should be a solid rebounder on both ends of the court. Bitdaze is also a very physical player, and he's not afraid to bang with other big men in order to draw contact, and he's a good free throw shooter as well, so his ability to draw foul should be huge for his offensive game. Defensively he uses his frame well to contest shots, and should be able to develop into a pretty good rim protector as well. He does make some pretty dumb mistakes on the court at times, and that has led to him having some foul trouble issues as well. Overall Bitdaze has a ton of upside on both ends of the court, and his game reminds me a bit of Clint Capela with more rim protection ability, and has a much wider arsenal of weapons on the offensive end of the court as well.
