It's more than just the Wemby sweepstakes.
Victor Wembanyama, number 1.
Scoot Henderson, number 2.
That seems to be the consensus for a few months now. What many don't realize is that there are other talented prospects. Some scouts even say they also come with franchise-altering potential.
Of course, draft scouting is never perfect. There will be misses among the hits, but when the hype is too loud, it's hard to silence it.
Amen Thompson
At just 19 years old (20 by draft night), Thompson will be bringing in a ton of potential for the team that will draft him. As a crafty 6-7 guard, Thompson will be extremely versatile for his position.
However, there's his jump shot, which is arguably the only thing that's holding him back from being in the same conversation as Wembanyama and Henderson.
Nick Smith
Right now, Smith is looking like the best prospect who is playing college basketball this year. At Arkansas, he will be running the show which should give him all the opportunities to showcase his talent.
Smith is seen as a two-way guard, one that can both score and defend. This seems to be a recipe for success for teams that are looking for a safe bet in the draft.
Ausar Thompson
We can’t forget about the other Thompson twin, Ausar. He shares the same potential given his electric athleticism and talent on both ends.
Just like his brother, Ausar’s improvement in his jump shot, plus his ballhandling, may decide how he will fare on draft night.
Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller has been slowly rising up the draft rankings following his stellar play in Alabama. Miller has definitely been the most impressive freshman in college basketball so far.
As a sharpshooting wing at 6-9, he has earned the lottery buzz, going as high as number 3 in some mock drafts. Should he continue his stellar play, we don’t see why he can’t be in the running for top three or top five come draft night.
Keyonte George
George is a bucket-getter. Simple as that. Some would argue that he’s one of the most naturally-gifted scoring talents in this class.
Given the limited sample size, he has proven that he can produce buckets over at Baylor.
Cameron Whitmore
Whitmore is headlining the next generation of Villanova greats. At 6-6, Whitmore is explosive and already has an NBA frame. He is also seen as a guy who can make a consistent jumper, which should entice teams that are looking for a solid wing player.
Back in June, Whitmore was named Most Valuable Player of the FIBA U18 Americas Championship. And as part of Villanova’s program, it would not be a surprise if he can elevate his game even further.