The Midwest Region is headlined by two tough defensive teams in Virginia and Michigan State, who have two of the best seniors in the country in Denzel Valentine and Malcolm Brogdon. The rest of the field has some quality prospects all the way down to the number 14 seed, though many are looking like they could be second round picks.
Here is a short breakdown of the best NBA prospects in the Midwest region, with the players listed in the order of their team’s seed. Click here for the South Region. Click here for the East Region. Click here for the West Region.
Malcolm Brogdon, Senior, Virginia, G – The ACC Player of the Year, Brogdon is the leader on both ends of the floor for the Cavaliers. He is a good long-range shooter, knocking down over 40 percent of his three-point attempts this year, and he is at his best coming off the screening action in the Virginia offense. Though just 6’4”, Brogdon can be tough to stop when he looks to get to the basket, using his body well to muscle his way to the rim where he is an efficient scorer. While just an average ballhandler, he does a good job creating looks behind the arc and in the mid-range area, though he’s not a great shooter off the dribble. Brogdon knows the Virginia offense very well, and has a great feel for where teammates will be open. Defensively, Brogdon does a terrific job locking down the perimeter, even if he isn’t the quickest guy on the floor. He has a great understanding of team defense and knows exactly where his help is at all times. Brogdon may not look like a lot of NBA shooting guards these days, but he is known as a great teammate, leader and a winner. Some team will give him a shot in the second round if they are smart.
Denzel Valentine, Senior, Michigan State, G – In my mind, Valentine was the best player in college basketball this season. A threat to get a triple-double on any night, Valentine is also a good defender, as Tom Izzo players are known to be. The Michigan State offense runs through Valentine, whether he is bringing up the ball or not, and his vision and feel are as good as any point guard in college basketball. He is especially good in the pick-and-roll, where he can knock down a jumper behind the screen, or force defensive rotations and find the open man. Valentine has turned into a lethal long-range shooter, knocking down almost 45 percent from behind the arc, and though he doesn’t have great size, he has a quick motion and release. He is also fine playing off the ball, using screens well to get open for the jumper, or using a great change-of-pace dribble to get into the lane. On defense, Valentine can guard multiple positions, and though he doesn’t have great speed, he knows exactly where he needs to be at all times. He is also a very good rebounder, especially on the defensive end, chasing down balls wherever he needs to. Valentine should go in the late lottery to mid-first round, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go in the top-10.
Deyonta Davis, Freshman, Michigan State, F – A long, athletic freshman, Davis became a major piece for the Spartans as the season went on. He has been effective in the low post, using his good footwork and length to create some easy looks around the rim. Davis is also great working along the baseline, cutting to the rim off of penetration and using his reach to get the ball and finish up around the basket. He has a nice feel for hitting the offensive boards, getting into position quickly to grab the ball and get a good second-chance shot. Defensively, Davis has been solid defending in the post, but he has been very good as a rim protector, again showing a nice feel for being able to get into position quickly and extend to get at the shot. Davis is still a bit raw on both ends of the floor, but he has a ton of potential, and I could see him making a run at the late lottery if he comes out this year.
Jakob Poeltl, Sophomore, Utah, C – Poeltl built on his strong freshman season, becoming an All-American as a sophomore, though not many of his strengths or weaknesses have changed. Poeltl doesn’t have good strength or speed in the post, he is fundamentally sound and is very efficient around the basket. He plays well in the pick-and-roll, opening up well to the ball while moving to the rim. Poeltl works hard on the offensive glass, and if you don’t look to put a body on him, he can make you pay with an easy put back. Defensively, he is a good help defender around the basket, and he shows very good extension and timing as a shot blocker, but his body isn’t ready yet to truly battle in the post. I’m still not sold that Poeltl will be very good at the NBA level, but he is a young, competent big man, so expect him to go in the top 15 to 20 if he enters this year.
Georges Niang, Senior, Iowa State, F – Niang has had a spectacular college career for the Cyclones, and the coaching change this year did little to affect his versatility. Niang has average size for a college power forward, and he isn’t very athletic, but he has a skill set that many players would be envious of. He can play with his back-to-the basket, using good footwork and a great application of angles to score, can step out and knock down college threes, and since improving his conditioning, he can even score off the dribble if he has a favorable match-up. Also, Niang sees the floor exceptionally well, and can be a good passer, though he does have a tendency to overestimate what kinds of passes he can really make. Niang’s weakness comes on the defensive side, where he doesn’t have the speed to guard effectively on the perimeter, nor the strength to battle in the post or rebound well against bigger opponents. Like I discussed last year, Niang poses some questions when debating his NBA value. The skill is there, the athleticism is not. A good coach would find ways to use him, though his role would likely be limited. I still think a smart team will give him a chance in the second round this draft.
A.J. Hammons, Senior, Purdue, C- After three inconsistent years, Hammons seemed to really put together a strong season from start to finish this year. He is a long, skilled big man, who has the potential to take games over on both ends of the floor. One of the top shot-blockers in the country, the 7-foot, 260 pound Hammons has the body and the wingspan to be a next-level post player. When engaged, he has a knack for making plays. Hammons has improved as an offensive player over the past few years, adding some secondary post moves and a reliable mid-range jumper, though I really want to see him become more aggressive on the offensive end. His effort on the boards has improved on both ends of the floor, and he uses his body well to defend in the low post. If Hammons brings his effort from this season to pre-draft workouts, he may find himself getting picked in the late-first or early second round.
Isaiah Whitehead, Sophomore, Seton Hall, G – Though Whitehead looked like the sloppy player he was as a freshman early on this year, it all started to come together halfway through the season, culminating in some tremendous performances as Seton Hall made a run on their way to the Big East Tournament title. At 6’4” and 210 pounds, Whitehead has good size for the point guard position, and his ballhandling, while maddening at times, has been very good. He is dynamic off the dribble, even with some very questionable decision making, and he can have defenses scrambling once he gets past his man. Whitehead has shown a nice feel in the pick-and-roll, showing some strong passing, and his long-range shooting also improved this season. Defensively, he loves a challenge, and while he can get beat often, he never backs down. Whitehead may try to capitalize on this hot play near the end of the season, and it could see him going in the early second round.
Domantas Sabonis, Sophomore, Gonzaga, F – Sabonis, the son of basketball legend Arvydas, showed this season why everyone was excited when he showed up at Gonzaga last year, finishing the season averaging a double-double. Sabonis is a skilled forward who plays with toughness that the college game lacks these days. He is an efficient scorer around the basket, with good footwork, a nice touch and an array of post moves. Though he doesn’t take many mid-range jumpers, he has looked good when he does, and there’s no reason to believe he can’t do the same at the next level. Defensively, he has improved in all areas, though Sabonis still needs to work on some the little details of how to defend around the basket or on the perimeter, and he can pick up some poor fouls. Sabonis may be ready to head to the NBA this season, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go in the mid-first round.
AJ English, Senior, Iona, G – English, a three-time First Team All-MAAC selection, has found a great home for his skills with the Gaels, and has averaged over 20 points per game the past two seasons, while also adding 5 rebounds and over 6 assists per game this season. He is a capable scorer off the dribble or with his jumper, and he thrives in Iona’s fast-paced offense. English hit 37 percent from behind the arc, but is a threat to knock down shots from anywhere beyond the NBA three-point line. He has good size for the point guard position, and his ability to create off the dribble and in transition makes the Gaels’ offense flow. English’s shot selection and decision-making are maddening at times, but he is always trying to make something happen when he has the ball. Defensively, the physical ability is there, but he’s just not very good defending one-on-one. He is much better off the ball where his instincts take over and he creates some havoc by getting into passing lanes. With his shooting and playmaking abilities, I think English could be a great value pick in the mid-to-late second round this year.
Others to watch: Anthony Gill, Virginia; Mike Tobey, Virginia; Jameel McKay, Iowa State; Abdel Nader, Iowa State; Monte Morris, Iowa State; Caleb Swanigan, Purdue; Isaac Haas, Purdue; Kellen Dunham, Butler; Michael Gbinije, Syracuse; Tyler Roberson, Syracuse; Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga; Marvelle Harris, Fresno State
