Monitoring the top NBA draft prospects has become a yearly ritual for Sixers fans. With general manager Sam Hinkie closing in on another top pick, let's examine the best players this year's class has to offer. Keep in mind the Sixers could end up with more than one of these prospects since they own the Lakers' top-three protected pick, making it conceivable that the Sixers end up with two of the first five picks.
This list details only the prospects currently playing college basketball. There will be a handful of international players that will make their way into the lottery. You'll be seeing much more of the players listed below as the college basketball season enters the stretch run, with the NCAA Tournament less than a month away.
1. Ben Simmons, forward, LSU (6-10/225)
Although some of the luster has come off Simmons as his freshman season at LSU has progressed, he remains the type of prospect that would justify the Sixers' three-year tanking plan. He is a special talent, the kind of player that enters the NBA only so often. Simmons does have weaknesses, namely the lack of a reliable jump shot. But barring injury or any other unforeseen circumstances he will be the first pick in the 2016 draft.
In 26 games this season, Simmons is averaging 19.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks. He had 20 points and 10 rebounds in Wednesday's loss to Alabama. But his shooting issues were once again on full display, as he made just 10 of his 19 free throw attempts. Simmons isn't an awful foul shooter — he's shooting 68 percent from the foul line. But he struggles to shoot consistently from 15-18 feet and he only has three three-point attempts all season.
The biggest red flag when it comes to Simmons is his tendency to become an observer in crunch time rather than use his unique physical ability to take over games. This was glaring in a loss to then-No. 1 Oklahoma in late January. But Simmons has developed more of a killer instinct lately, helping LSU to a 16-10 record and 9-4 mark in the SEC.
While he has his issues, the fact remains that Simmons is head and shoulders above the other prospects in this draft. He is a 6-foot-10 point forward who is at his best when he grabs a rebound and takes the ball up the floor himself. Simmons has a vast array of skills — he can score, pass, handle the ball, rebound, defend. His intangibles are terrific, too — he is a hard worker who plays within the team system, sometimes to a fault.
He's familiar with Sixers coach Brett Brown from his time growing up in Australia when Brown served as the Australian national coach. Brown would be beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to coach Simmons in the NBA.
2. Brandon Ingram, guard, Duke (6-9/190)
Ingram is another dynamic athlete poised to become the latest Duke 'one-and-done' prospect taken high in the NBA draft. He may be lacking bulk on his wiry frame, but he isn't lacking in talent. Ingram played the full 40 minutes in Wednesday's upset win at No. 5 North Carolina, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Ingram is averaging 17.3 points and 6.8 rebounds as a freshman at Duke while shooting better than 46 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. He's developed into a very consistent performer for Mike Krzyzewski, reaching double figures in 19 straight games. Ingram has a lot of Kevin Durant in his game — a natural scorer who can get to the basket and connect regularly from long range. Like there were with Durant, there will be questions about Ingram's slender build and ability to defend stronger athletes at the pro level.
But Ingram can score, and there is always room for scorers in the NBA. Once Ingram fills out, he could easily become an All-Star caliber player in the NBA.
3. Jamal Murray, guard, Kentucky (6-5/210)
One of the top perimeter prospects in the 2016 draft class, Murray is an explosive athlete with good size who can play either guard position. He's Kentucky's best player, currently averaging 18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals. He's upped his three-point shooting percentage as the season has progressed, currently sitting at an even 40 percent. Murray has struggled with turnovers (2.5 per game) but his ability far supersedes his occassional issues taking care of the ball.
Murray is the type of dynamic, playmaking guard NBA teams covet. He has improved his game as Kentucky has gotten its season back on track — Murray is averaging 26.5 points in his last four games, including 26 in Saturday's win at South Carolina. He's also been very dependable for a team that asks him to carry the bulk of the scoring load. Murray has reached double figures in all but one game this season.
4. Kris Dunn, guard, Providence (6-4/220)
A prototypical NBA point guard who will step into someone's starting lineup from Day 1 and contribute. Last season's Big East Co-Player of the Year is a threat to put up a triple-double every time he steps on the floor, as evidenced by Wednesday's 23-point, 11-rebound, six-assist performance in Providence's loss at No. 8 Xavier.
Dunn is averaging 17.3 points, 6.6 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 steals this season. He's shooting better than 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range. Dunn's offensive abilities overshadow the fact he is the best perimeter defender in college basketball. He applies tremendous defensive pressure on the ball and plays the passing lanes beautifully.
Dunn does have his weaknesses — specifically a lack of consistency shooting the ball. In back-to-back losses to DePaul and Villanova earlier this month, he shot a combined 9 for 35 from the floor. But Dunn remains the top point guard prospect in the draft and he should hear his name called early come draft night. He would have been a first-round pick last year after his sophomore season. He'll likely be a top-five pick this year.
5. Jaylen Brown, forward, California (6-7/225)
The most highly-rated prospect to come out of the University of California in quite a while, Brown is a versatile, athletic forward averaging 15.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 25 games this season. He could sneak into the top-five of the 2016 Draft due to his explosive athleticism and versatility. Brown fits the NBA small forward mold almost perfectly, but he'll need to improve his outside shooting — Brown is converting just over 28 percent of his three-point attempts.
Brown has been front and center as California tries to secure a NCAA Tournament bid. He's averaging 19 points in his last five games, boosting his NBA draft stock in the process.
6. Buddy Hield, guard, Oklahoma (6-4, 215)
Hield was a known commodity in college basketball circles coming into this season after earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors as a junior. But a tremendous senior year has drastically elevated his draft stock. Hield is neck-and-neck with Michigan State's Denzel Valentine for National Player of the Year honors.
He is second in the country in scoring, averaging 25.2 points for an Oklahoma team that climbed as high as No. 1 in the national rankings before hitting a rough patch the last few weeks. But Hield's offensive game is NBA ready — he's shooting better than 50 percent from the field and nearly 49 percent from three-point range. Hield is making more than four three-pointers per game.
Hield projects a combo guard on the pro level, but his bread and butter is his ability to shoot the ball. Teams always have a spot for a shooter, and Hield fills that role as well as anyone.
7. Henry Ellenson, forward, Marquette (6-10/245)
Ellenson has the edge over Villanova's Jalen Brunson in the Big East Rookie of the Year race, and is a candidate for the All-Big East First Team as well. Ellenson has tremendous ball skills for a big man — he's a gifted ballhandler and passer for someone his size. Ellenson also attacks the glass on a regular basis, averaging an even 10 rebounds to go along with his 16.6 points.
He projects as prototypical NBA stretch forward. Ellenson is versatile enough to step out and knock down the 18-foot jump shot in addition to scoring regularly in the post.
Ellenson is the type of player who can elevate the Marquette program under head coach Steve Wojciechowski. But sadly for fans of the Golden Eagles, it would be a surprise if he was on campus for more than one year. Ellenson will likely be a top-10 pick in the 2016.
8. Denzel Valentine, guard, Michigan State (6-5/220)
A strong senior season at Michigan State could push Valentine into the back end of the lottery. If the college season ended today, Valentine would be my choice for the National Player of the Year. He's averaging 19.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists for the eighth-ranked Spartans. Valentine is also efficient shooting the ball. He's converting 47 percent of his field goals, 44 percent of his three-point attempts and 84 percent of his free throws.
Valentine's versatility is his greatest asset. He is a tremendous rebounder and playmaker and also has good size for a guard.