USATSI
For 60 basketball players, NBA Draft night is one they will never forget. Lives are forever changed as their name is uttered in the same breath by Adam Silver as the team that drafts them. But for countless others, draft night is one of heartbreak. Dozens and dozens of players spend their lives working to be drafted, only to spend an entire night before learning that dream is dead.
The road doesn’t end there, however. Teams will prioritize some undrafted players as free agents. Others will sign two-way deals. Some may opt to try and improve their stock overseas.
As evidence that this isn’t the end of the line, I’ll pose a question: Does the name Lu Dort sound familiar? How about Fred VanVleet? (OK, two questions.) Those are but just a few widely-known names who went undrafted and have been able to find a niche in the NBA. So below, we’ve done an exercise identifying the top five undrafted players from this year’s class based upon our final Top 100 Big Board. Some have already signed with teams as free agents, but this is a helpful exercise to reflect on to identify those who were passed by in the draft.
1. Devon Dotson, PG, KansasBig board rank: 43
STRENGTHS
Good ball-handler with high basketball IQSuperb quickness and athleticismGreat all-around defender
WEAKNESSES
Shot just 30.9% from 3-point range as a sophomoreNot as skilled of a passer as you might expect from a player of his profileSize and skillset limit him primarily to playing point guard
PRO COMPARISON: Ish Smith with better defense
OUTLOOK: Reportedly signing free-agent contract with the Bulls
2. Killian Tillie, PF, Gonzaga Big board rank: 49
STRENGTHS
Stretch big man who can knock down 3sAbove-average passer for his sizeConsistent finisher in the paint
WEAKNESSES
Already 22 and has an injury historyProbably not quick enough to play the fourLikely peaks as a bench big in the NBA due to average rebounding and shot-blocking productivity
PRO COMPARISON: Trey Lyles
OUTLOOK: Reportedly signing free-agent contract with the Grizzlies
3. Markus Howard, PG, MarquetteBig board rank: 51
STRENGTHS
One of the best volume 3-point shooters in college basketball historyLimitless range and confidence in shotCan create space off the dribble with quickness
WEAKNESSES
Lacks versatility as a defender due to sizeStruggles to finish against elite rim protectorsHigh-usage player who needs to develop as a facilitator
PRO COMPARISON: Trae Young
OUTLOOK: Reportedly signing a two-way deal with the Nuggets
4. Ty-Shon Alexander, SG, CreightonBig board rank: 55
STRENGTHS
Fearless 3-point shooterAvoids turnoversGets steals on defense
WEAKNESSES
Small for an NBA shooting guardInefficient 2-point scorerNeeds to develop as a distributor
PRO COMPARISON: Wayne Ellington
OUTLOOK: Undrafted free agent has not signed with a team
5. Mason Jones, SG, ArkansasBig board rank: 56
STRENGTHS
Supreme ability and confidence to score from all three levelsPossesses enough strength to guard 1-4Could provide an offensive punch off the bench
WEAKNESSES
Mediocre athleticism might hinder his efficiency against elite competitionAverage first step could relegate him to more of a spot-up shooter role at NBA levelThere are questions about his defensive motor
PRO COMPARISON: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
OUTLOOK: Reportedly signing a two-way deal with the Rockets
