James Wiseman may be the most talented prospect in the 2020 NBA Draft class.
One of the best recruits coming out of high school, Wiseman’s college career was interrupted by an NCAA rule that saw him penalized for the money his family received from Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway while Wiseman was still in high school. Hardaway was not the Memphis coach at the time.
Wiseman’s college career ended up lasting three games, for a total of 69 minutes. The 7-foot-1 center is a fascinating prospect that was injured by a global pandemic that prevented him from training for the NBA teams in the lottery. He has a lot of talent, and is one of the players that the Warriors would like to watch for himself as the NBA draft approaches, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
“They still hope to be involved in some sort of draw combination and, if allowed, to have several important perspectives in their structure for a private training,” writes Slater. “Wiseman is at the top of the list of kids they would like to examine in person.”
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After a 15-50 season that saw the Warriors end with the worst NBA record, basketball president Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr have the opportunity to add a young talent to a list that is ready to return. the championship contention next season with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson healthy.
There are no generational talents in the 2020 class. Wiseman could be the best of the group as an athletic and skillful center with a versatile offensive game and his length can alter the shots on the defensive end. Some have questions about Wiseman’s ability to stretch the floor in the modern NBA, but his percentage of free throw (70%) and fluid jumper could indicate that it won’t be a problem with the evolution of his game.
Wiseman, along with Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, are considered the best in the 2020 class. However, there are a number of other perspectives that could spark the interest of the Warriors.
Onyeka Okongwu, Tyreese Halliburton and Isaac Okoro are options that have been banned in some way. While one of them could give 2020-21 warriors more than one pass, Wiseman, with his ability to run on the floor, swallow rebounds and score in a variety of ways, would be an advantage for a title race next season, giving the Warriors also have a talent perspective with the positive side of the All-Star that can take over when Curry comes out of its heyday.
[[[[reported: Draymond thinks Wiseman would be “a good addition”]
The Warriors reportedly met Wiseman on Zoom and appear to be very intrigued by the player he expected to be the # 1 pick early last year’s college basketball season.
Wiseman was unfairly discarded because of an NCAA infringement that interrupted his college career. But he’s the most talented player in this class, and it won’t be a surprise if he brings his talents to the Bay next season.
