NBA: Potential second round sleepers, prospect notes

There are several players in the back half of the first round and beyond that might not be getting talked about as much as higher ranked prospects, but will still get an opportunity to make a rotation after the 2021 NBA Draft. Every year we see instant-impact players drafted just outside of the lottery and into the second round. I got to watch a number of these players in-person and wanted to share some of my notes. Expect prospects like Ayo Dosunmu, Jericho Sims, Joe Wieskamp, and Jason Preston to go as high as late first round, followed by Joel Ayayi, Duane Washington, Austin Reaves, Isaiah Livers, and Luka Garza later on.

Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois/PG):

- Floater is solid but will need to refine.

- Nice change of pace, good handle.

- Ready to take and make big shot.

- Tendency to take plays off defensively.

- Very patient, deceptive in pick-and-roll.

Jericho Sims (Texas/C):

- Awareness needs to improve quickly.

- Can be a next level rim runner.

- Extremely quick jump, great finisher.

- Has tendency to get lost on screens.

- Never shot a 3-pointer in 119 games.

Joe Weiskamp (Iowa/SG):

- Consistent mid-range scorer off dribble.

- Knock down 3-point shooter (46.2%).

- Moves without ball, great shooter.

- Not always able to stay with guards.

- Uses his body, size well in the paint.

Jason Preston (Ohio/PG):

- Extremely soft touch on floater.

- Good size (6'4) for his position.

- Moves his feet well on defense.

- Knows where to be on the court.

- Solid handle but will need to improve.

Joel Ayayi (Gonzaga/SG):

- Good decision maker, patient passer.

- Great length and willing defender.

- Looks for the open guy in transition.

- Needs to expand his range.

- Nice touch on floater, pull-up jumper.

Duane Washington (OSU/SG):

- Able to catch and shoot in a blink.

- Absolutely hunts shots when he’s on.

- Closes out flat footed and on heels.

- Potential to be an explosive scorer.

- Struggles to defend quick guards.

Austin Reaves (Oklahoma/PG):

- Great decision maker in pick-and-roll.

- High level passer with both hands.

- Needs to improve defensively.

- Soft touch on floater and jump shot.

- Tight handle especially for his size.

Isaiah Livers (Michigan/SF):

- Consistent fadeaway on the block.

- Good finisher around the rim.

- Made 43.1% of 3-pointers last year.

- Improved on defense every year.

- Will look to tighten ballhandling.

Luka Garza (Iowa/PF):

- Good footwork and touch on the block.

- Hardworker but slow defensively.

- Sets a ton of screens, rolls to the rim.

- Solid mid-range, 3-point shooter.

- Struggles to recover when helping.

Giorgi Bezhanishvili (Illinois/C):

- Good passer out of the post.

- Not consistent on defense yet.

- Sets a lot of screens and seeks contact.

- Shot 54.5% from the field in 2021.

- Uses his body well in the paint.

Matt Coleman (Texas/PG):

- Ability to see the play ahead of time.

- Can attack with either hand

- Good off the dribble, smart passer.

- Knows how to run an offense.

- Not a consistent perimeter shooter.

Chaundee Brown (Michigan/SG):

- Broad shoulders and seeks contact.

- Gets his feet set quickly on the catch.

- Physical defender on the perimeter.

- Undersized but competes hard.

- Will look to work on finishing at rim.

CJ Walker (Ohio State/PG):

- Crafty, clever finisher around rim.

- Good shooter, needs to extend range.

- Knows where his teammates are.

- Makes the right play, sees the floor.

- Struggles to defend bigger guards.

Photo Credit: Betting Midwest.