2018 NBA mock draft: Where are Kentucky players projected?
NBA decisions have been rolling in during the past week for Kentucky players, with more sure to follow in the coming days. Underclassmen have until April 22 to declare for the 2018 NBA Draft.
Forward Kevin Knox and point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander declared for the draft and will sign with an agent, thus ending their college careers. Forward PJ Washington was the first to declare for the draft, but will not hire an agent, leaving the door open to return for his sophomore season.
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Others such as shooting guard Hamidou Diallo and power forward Jarred Vanderbilt have yet to make a decision.
Here’s the latest on where Kentucky players project in the 2018 NBA Draft:
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 6-foot-6, 180 (Fr.)
- Basketball Insiders: 10th overall to Philadelphia 76ers
- The Ringer: 10th overall to Philadelphia 76ers
- NBAdraft.net: 12th overall to Los Angeles Clippers
- The Athletic: 12th overall to Los Angeles Clippers
- ESPN: 12th overall to Los Angeles Clippers
- Sports Illustrated: 14th overall draft prospect
- Bleacher Report: 14th overall to Denver Nuggets
“Gilgeous-Alexander was one of the quickest studies in college basketball this year and ended his season looking like a confident, more-realized version of the tentative-but-gifted player we saw in the fall,” wrote Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated. “He has an unorthodox but effective off-the-dribble game, blending hesitations and dribble fakes to create space for himself to attack. His jumper is passable but not quite consistent yet. He’s unselfish and has made his teammates better, and while not a physical specimen, Gilgeous-Alexander has a good understanding of on-court angles as he probes defenses.”
SF/PF Kevin Knox: 6-foot-9, 215 pounds (Fr.)
- Sports Illustrated: 11th overall draft prospect
- Bleacher Report: 11th overall to Charlotte Hornets
- NBAdraft.net: 11th overall to Charlotte Hornets
- The Ringer: 13th overall to Utah Jazz
- Basketball Insiders: 14th overall to Denver Nuggets
- The Athletic: 14th overall to Denver Nuggets
- ESPN: 15th overall to Washington Wizards
“Knox didn’t have an efficient freshman season, partially due to his playing out of position, but there’s a significant market in the NBA for combo forwards in his mold who can make an open shot, defend multiple positions and offer some offensive versatility,” wrote Jonathan Givony of ESPN. “He’s one of the youngest players in this draft, so he still has plenty of room to grow.”
SG Hamidou Diallo: 6-5, 198 pounds (R-Fr.)
- ESPN: 35th overall to Dallas Mavericks
- Sports Illustrated: 35th overall draft prospect
- The Athletic: 37th overall to Sacramento Kings
- NBAdraft.net: 43rd overall to Los Angeles Lakers
- Basketball Insiders: 47th overall to Minnesota Timberwolves
“If he falls into a draft range where there’s little to no risk, Diallo’s talent is worth a dice roll,” Woo wrote. “Best-case scenario, he becomes an above-average defender and hits enough threes to keep himself on the floor as a high-energy utility guy. He’s yet to announce his draft decision.”
PF PJ Washington: 6-7, 236 pounds (Fr.)
- ESPN: 49th overall draft prospect
- Sports Illustrated: 54th overall draft prospect
SF Jarred Vanderbilt: 6-9, 214 pounds (Fr.)
- Basketball Insiders: 46th overall to Brooklyn Nets
- ESPN: 63rd overall draft prospect
- Sports Illustrated: 64th overall draft prospect