2020 NBA draft it is set for October 16 and Blazer’s Edge is committed to producing an abundance of content geared to potential customers before that date. In today’s post, Steve Dewald reveals his expanded board of 25 potential customers. After the rankings, Dayton star Obi Toppin and his unique experience receive a closer look.
Steve’s Big Board 2.0
| Player | Position | School / country |
|---|---|---|
| Player | Position | School / country |
| 1.) Anthony Edwards | sol | Georgia |
| 2.) James Wiseman | C | Memphis |
| 3.) Tyrese Haliburton | PG | Iowa State |
| 4.) LaMelo Ball | sol | United States of America |
| 5.) Mr. Okongwu | F / C | USC |
| 6.) Killian Hayes | PG | France |
| 7.) Obi Toppin | PF | Dayton |
| 8.) Isaac Okoro | G / F | auburn |
| 9.) Deni Avdija | F | Israel |
| 10.) Tyrese Maxey | sol | Kentucky |
| 11.) According to Maledon | sol | France |
| 12.) Cole Anthony | PG | North Carolina |
| 13.) Aaron Nesmith | SF | Vanderbilt |
| 14.) Precious Achiuwa | F / C | Memphis |
| 15.) Saddiq Bey | F | Villanova |
| 16.) Patrick Williams | F | Florida State |
| 17.) Devin Vassell | SG | Florida State |
| 18.) Kira Lewis Jr. | PG | Alabama |
| 19.) Jahmi’us Ramsey | sol | Texas Tech |
| 20.) Josh Green | SG | Arizona |
| 21.) Jalen Smith | PF | Maryland |
| 22.) RJ Hampton | sol | United States of America |
| 23.) Alexei Pokusevsky | F / C | Serbia |
| 24.) Isaiah Stewart | C | Washington |
| 25.) Tyrell Terry | PG | Stanford |
Obi Toppin’s game and all-round experience
The entire 2020 class will face unique obstacles in the coming months. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the traditional pre-draft process has flown completely out the window. When looking at that landscape, Dayton’s forward Obi Toppin experience is above others. Following a successful freshman campaign, the 6-foot-9-star entered the project for 2019. Toppin then got the feedback he got and stepped out of the draft in hopes of strengthening his skill set before the NBA Draft. 2020.
Now faced with a process reworked before the October project date, last season’s Toppin experience has only increased in value. In an interview with Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN, Toppin explained that he is spending his pre-draft period in New Jersey together with his brother (Jacob Toppin, who is directed in Kentucky), Lance Ware (also directed in Kentucky ), and Seton Hall guardian Myles Powell. As part of those workouts, Toppin revealed that he is using feedback from last year’s trip to guide his workouts.
When I trained with the NBA teams last summer, I was told to work on my shooting consistency. I am making many consecutive shots in a row. By working on hip mobility defensively, I can move much faster and protect different positions rather than just 4 and 5. Finish around the edge – everyone knows I can get up and squeeze myself, but ending up with soft touches around the edge.
Training with Myles Powell, being able to protect that type of player – is a great guard. Everyone knows what he did at Seton Hall. It is helping me a lot, forcing me to stoop and really play defense. Otherwise, it will destroy every comedy.
The addition of autonomy and defensive versatility would only reinforce Toppin’s impressive profile which is currently supported by his phenomenal production during the Flyer’s stellar run to a 29-2 record last season. Within a class draft that addresses a long list of unknowns, Toppin’s experience with a university season in a red coat and the traditional pre-draft process should serve as an important strength alongside his peers.
Riser & Fallers
In addition to adding five new perspectives to the big board, there was some movement within the top 20. The most noteworthy drop was RJ Hampton. It went from n. 15 to no. 22 in today’s rankings. A combination of Hampton’s struggles in the Australian NBL and a review of a handful of Florida state ACC games led to the nineteen-year-old’s decline (shouting at Nate Mann for making me reconsider my swaggering stance at Seminoles Patrick Williams and Devin Vassell) .
Outside of Hampton’s downfall, Jahmi Ramus’ move from unclassified to no. 19 was above the rest. The Texas Tech guard has a modern three-point arsenal, which allows him to score dribbling and catch situations. Along with that, Ramsey’s size and engine make him a threat in both guard positions in the NBA.
