NBA Draft 2020: Top 5 Point Guards
LaMelo Ball, Australia
LaMelo Ball is the youngest of the Ball brothers, but many believe he is the most talented of the trio.
Ball is a flashy player with a deep-range shot and passing ability. He plays at a fast pace, keeping defenders guessing and making plays off the dribble. He has a larger frame than most players at his position at 6 feet 7 inches, which will play to his advantage as he progresses into his professional career.
Last season, in the Australian National Basketball League, he averaged 17 points per game, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists, including consecutive triple-doubles. The general consensus is that Ball will be selected within the top three picks of the NBA draft.
Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
Tyrese Haliburton broke out as a sophomore starter for the Iowa State Cyclones last season and has quickly elevated his draft stock to a potential lottery selection in 2020. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 assists and 5.9 rebounds before ultimately being shut down by a wrist injury in February.
Haliburton has shown great vision on the court and is considered to be one of the best passers in the draft. He is also a tremendous defender, who can guard from any point on the court. Haliburton uses his 6-foot-8-inch wingspan to stop drives to the hoop and crash the boards. He needs to add a little mass to his lanky frame but brings plenty of upside at the next level.
Killian Hayes, France
A tall, athletic point guard, Killian Hayes was born in Florida, raised in France and has been playing professional basketball in both France and Germany since he was a teenager.
He has the ability to play either guard position at the next level, displaying exceptional ball-handling skills, and the ability to dictate the pace of the game. Hayes isn’t considered to be one of the best athletes in the class, but he still shows a knack for knocking defenders off balance. This allows him to drive to the basket and create open looks.
Between his experience and versatility, Hayes could be a top-10 overall selection.
Kira Lewis Jr., Alabama
As a sophomore for the Crimson Tide, Kira Lewis Jr. averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 assists, earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2019 and establishing himself as one of the best point guards in the nation.
At 6 feet 3 inches, he has good size for his position and shows great speed in transition with his 165-pound frame. Lewis shows strength in the pick-and-roll game, where he has improved in the passing game, and leans on his jump shot in the half court. He has great shooting mechanics and is projected to be an above-average shooter from beyond the arc in the NBA.
Cole Anthony, North Carolina
At the onset of the 2019 season, Cole Anthony was one of the biggest names in college basketball and projected as a top-5 selection in the 2020 NBA Draft. After an inconsistent freshman season at North Carolina, he is expected to slide as a middle or late first-round selection.
Even so, Anthony was by far the most talented player on a lackluster Tar Heels squad, consistently finding open looks and averaging 18.5 points per game. He is also a solid rebounder for his position with exceptional jumping ability, strength and timing.
Any team that takes a flyer on Anthony will be getting a player with a high IQ, leadership intangibles and mental toughness.
Austin Boley is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email aob5378@psu.edu.
