NBA Draft Sleepers: Who to Watch Out For

With the NBA season coming to an end, all eyes turn to the NBA draft Here are some names to watch out for come draft night.

Why sleepers are important in the NBA draft

Sleepers are important for a few reasons in the NBA Draft First, they can provide great value late in the draft. Second, they can be used as trade bait to acquire other assets. Third, they can develop into key rotation players or even All-Stars.

NBA teams do extensive research leading up to the draft, but there are always a few players who fly under the radar and end up being taken later than they should have been. Keep an eye out for these sleepers on draft night!

What makes a player a sleeper

In the National Basketball Association (NBA), a sleeper is a young player who unexpectedly emerges as a top performer after having been drafted outside of the lottery. This term is most often used in reference to rookies, but second- and third-year players can also be considered sleepers if they improve significantly from their previous season(s).

There are a few different factors that can make a player a sleeper. One is if they were drafted outside of the lottery; typically, players who are drafted 14th or lower are considered sleeper candidates. Another factor is if the player was not highly touted coming out of college; for example, if they were not invited to the NBA Draft Combine or did not participate in pre-draft workouts with teams. Finally, a player may be considered a sleeper if they play for a small school that did not receive much attention during their college career.

Sleepers often have an underdog story that endears them to fans and makes them easy to root for. They also have something to prove, which can make them even more dangerous on the court. If you’re looking for an entertaining team to follow in the NBA, keep an eye out for sleepers—you never know when one will emerge and take the league by storm.

The top 5 NBA draft sleepers

The NBA draft is always full of surprises. Players who were once considered sure-fire picks fall to the later rounds, while sleeper picks unexpectedly rise to the top. If you’re a diehard NBA fan it’s always important to know who the top sleepers are, so you can keep an eye on them as they progress through their careers.

So, who are the top 5 NBA Draft sleepers this year? Here’s a look at our list:

1. PJ Washington, PF, Kentucky Wildcats
2. Cameron Johnson, SF, North Carolina Tar Heels
3. Matisse Thybulle, SF, Washington Huskies
4. Tyus Battle, SG, Syracuse Orange
5. Bol Bol C, Oregon Ducks

Why you should keep an eye out for these players

With the NBA Draft less than a month away, here is a list of five players who could be sleeper picks on June 20.

P.J. Washington, PF, Kentucky – Washington was largely overshadowed by fellow Wildcat teammates Kevin Knox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during his freshman season, but he still managed to put up impressive numbers across the board. He averaged 10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 28 minutes per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range The 6-foot-7 Power Forward has good size and length for his position and is an excellent shooter with a high motor. He should be able to contribute right away on both ends of the floor and has the potential to develop into a very good player down the line.

Mitchell Robinson, C, Chalmette High School (Louisiana) – Robinson is a bit of an enigma as he chose not to play college basketball last season afterOriginally committing to Western Kentucky The 7-foot center is an elite athlete with great size and length who runs the floor well and finishes strong around the rim. He’s also an excellent shot blocker and has shown the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers. Robinson is still raw offensively and needs to improve his free throw shooting but he has all the tools to develop into a very good player at the next level.

Lonnie Walker IV, SG, Miami – Walker was sidelined for most of his freshman season due to a torn meniscus, but he showed flashes of his potential when he was on the court. In 16 games, he averaged 11 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1 assist in 22 minutes per game while shooting 40 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is an excellent athlete with good size and length for his position. He’s a good shooter with unlimited range who can also create his own shot off the dribble. Walker needs to improve his decision making and efficiency as a scorer, but he has all the tools to develop into a very good player in time.

Gary Trent Jr., SG, Duke – Trent was somewhat overshadowed by fellow freshman Marvin Bagley III during his one season at Duke, but he still managed to put up solid numbers across the board. In 37 games, he averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in 31 minutes per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. The 6-foot-6 wing is an excellent shooter with unlimited range who can also put it on the floor and finish around the basket. He’s also a willing passer with good vision who isn’t afraid to mix it up on defense either. Trent will need to improve his decision making as well as add strength and bulk before he’s ready for NBA Action but he has all the tools necessary for success at the next level

What these players could bring to your team

When it comes to the NBA Draft some players just have that “it” factor. They might not be the most talented player in the draft, but they have the potential to be a sleeper pick who could make a big impact on your team. Here are some players to keep an eye on:

1. Zion Williamson – Williamson is an incredibly athletic player who is expected to be a top pick in the draft. He’s drawn comparisons to Lebron James and could be a franchise player for years to come.

2. Ja Morant – Morant is one of the most electrifying players in the draft and has the potential to be a star point guard in the NBA. He’s a gifted scorer and playmaker who could make an immediate impact on any team.

3. RJ Barrett – Barrett is another highly-touted player who is expected to go early in the draft. He’s a versatile player who can score from anywhere on the court. Barrett has the potential to be a franchise player for years to come.

4. Darius Garland – Garland is an intriguing prospect who didn’t play much college basketball due to injury, but he has a ton of upside. He’s an excellent shooter and playmaker who could be a steal if he falls to the right team.

5. Coby White – White is one of the best shooters in the draft and has unlimited range from behind the arc. He’s also a decent playmaker and should be able to contribute right away on offense.

Why these players are being overlooked

The NBA draft is always full of surprises, and this year is no different. Although the top prospects are usually well known, there are always a few players who manage to slip through the cracks and become underrated. These players are often referred to as “sleeper” picks.

Here are a few players who could be considered sleeper picks in this year’s NBA draft

1. PJ Washington, PF, Kentucky: Washington was somewhat overshadowed by his teammate, Tyler Herro during Kentucky’s run to the NCAA title game. However, he is a very versatile player who can score inside and out and is a good rebounder. He is projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick.

2. Luke Samuelson, SG, Marquette: Samuelson is an excellent shooter who has shown the ability to score in bunches. He is also a good defender and has the potential to be a very good all-around player. He is projected to be a late second-round or early third-round pick.

3. Ignas Brazdeikis, SF, Michigan: Brazdeikis was one of the most improved players in College Basketball this past season. He can score from anywhere on the court and is also a very good rebounder for his size. He is projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick.

What makes these players unique

In the world of NBA Draft sleepers, there are a few factors that separate the good from the great. First and foremost, these players generally have some trait that makes them unique. Secondly, they usually come from small schools or fly under the radar in some way. And lastly, they typically have some raw physical talent that has yet to be fully realized.

With that in mind, here are a few NBA Draft sleepers to keep an eye on in the coming years:

Isaiah Joe (SG, Arkansas)
Joe is one of the best shooters in the country, capable of hitting from anywhere on the court. He’s also a strong defender and has good size for a shooting guard at 6’5″. Joe has all the makings of a productive NBA player and could be a steal if he falls out of the lottery.

Tyrese Haliburton (PG, Iowa State)
Haliburton is an elite playmaker with great vision and passing ability. He’s also a very good shooter, especially from beyond the arc. Haliburton is a bit undersized for a point guard at 6’4″, but he makes up for it with his excellent court awareness and instincts.

How these players could change the game

Each year, a few players come out of nowhere to have a big impact in the NBA. These are the players that scouts and analysts have missed on, and they often go late in the draft or even undrafted.

This year, there are a few players that could make a big impact in the league. Here are a few names to watch out for on draft night.

1. RJ Barrett, Duke

Barrett is one of the most talented players in this year’s Draft Class but he may have slipped a bit due to his poor shooting numbers in college. However, Barrett is a good playmaker and has the potential to be a very good scorer in the NBA. If he can develop his outside shot, he could be a very dangerous player.

2. Nassir Little, North Carolina

Little was one of the most highly-touted prospects in last year’s high school class, but he struggled during his one year at North Carolina However, Little has all the physical tools to be an excellent player in the NBA. He just needs to put it all together. If he can do that, he could be a steal on draft night.

3. Bol Bol Oregon

Bol is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s class due to his 7-foot-2 frame and ability to shoot from outside. He also has good instincts as a shot blocker. However, Bol missed most of last season with a foot injury and there are questions about his durability. If he can stay healthy, Bol has the potential to be a very good player in the NBA.

What to expect from these players

The NBA Draft is always unpredictable, but there are a few players who have risen to the occasion and have made themselves known as potential sleeper picks. With that in mind, here are a few players to keep an eye on during the draft:

Isaiah Hartenstein – The big man from Germany has impressed with his play for Zalgiris in the Lithuanian Basketball League and he could be a steal if he falls to the second round.

Caleb Swanigan – The big man from Purdue has been one of the most productive players in College Basketball and he has the potential to be a very good player at the next level.

Frank Ntilikina – The point guard from France has been one of the most talked-about international prospects in recent years and he could be a very good player in the NBA.

Why you should be excited for these players

As the NBA Draft draws near, there are a few players who may not be getting as much attention as they deserve. These players could be potential sleepers in the draft, meaning they may not be household names yet but have the potential to be Great players in the NBA. Here are a few players to keep an eye on during the draft.

First is Tyler Bey from Colorado. Bey is an athletic wing who can do a little bit of everything on the court. He’s a good shooter and rebounder and has the potential to be a very good defender at the next level. Keep an eye out for Bey on draft night, he could be a sleeper pick that ends up being a very good player in the NBA.

Next is Daniel Gafford from Arkansas. Gafford is a raw but talented big man who has shown flashes of being a really good player. He’s still developing his offensive game but has all the tools to be an elite rim protector and rebounder in the league. Gafford could be a steal if he falls to the right team on draft night.

Finally, keep an eye out for Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Virginia Tech Alexander-Walker is a combo guard with great size and length who can really shoot the ball well. He’s also a very good playmaker and has shown flashes of being able to defend at a high level. If Alexander-Walker falls to the right team on draft night, he could end up being a very good player in the NBA for years to come.