Second Round
In terms of depth, this draft may be one of the worst drafts in recent years. Go figure, the one year that the Sixers have three late picks, and there isn’t much talent. Expect Elton to make a couple of trades on draft night, and hopefully move up to get one of the guys above. However, there are a few options that could blossom quickly via some development with the Blue Coats (another Marial Shayok, perhaps?).
Cassius Stanley, Duke
There’s a couple Cassius’s that could fall this pick, and Stanley would be the one to watch for the Sixers. Cassius Winston (Michigan State) would not be a bad option either, but his age leaves less room for development.
Cassius Stanley would be a great second-round option for Philly. I know, the Sixers do not need another guy without a jump shot, but he is a consistent three-pointer away from being a legitimate first-round pick. The freshman guard out of Duke showcases a solid 6’6 frame that enhances his natural dunking ability.
Every time he touches the court, he instantly brings a competitive edge to the floor. He can hit all sorts of turnaround and step-back jumpers, using his elite athletic ability to get space, or just rises over an opponent. Stanely was a bit older for his recruiting class but is said to be mature for his age, which would only accelerate his NBA readiness.
Jordan Nwora, Louisville
Jordan Nwora sits atop the ACC in points per game (18.2), which is music to Sixers’ fans’ ears. He is a bit older, currently playing in his Junior year at Louisville. The 6’7 small forward has done almost everything for the Cardinals this season. He is averaging 2.5 threes per game, shooting 42.1% from beyond the arc.
His biggest weakness is his laziness per Louisville fans. The potential ACC player of the year was recently benched for his one bad performance. Coach Mack is facing backlash for benching his star after a single bad game, which led to Nwora looking out of place and uncomfortable in his most recent game.
Overall, Nwora is a star in the making. He is a multi-dimensional scorer with a sweet 3pt shot. At 6-8 and 225lbs he’s a big wing who can stroke the 3 but also play with his back to the basket and score from mid-range. If he can get a little faster, he’ll learn to hold his own on defense. With Lousiville expected to be a two-seed in the tournament, Nwora is a must-watch.
Myles Powell, Seton Hall
Here’s a really intriguing option for the Sixers as the second round starts to wind down. The New Jersey native plays for his hometown school and helped put them back on the college basketball map.
Seton Hall currently leads the Big East Conference, and Powell has certainly done his part. He averages a conference second-best 21.7 points per game, making a third of his shots from deep (three made/nine attempted). He’s scored over 2000 points in his collegiate career and holds the record for three-pointers made at Seton Hall. Powell was also Seton Hall’s first-ever AP All American.
“He can score. He guards people. He’ll accept any physical challenge that comes his way.”
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas
Powell is a senior, taking a bit off his draft stock. However, he can create space and his own shot. His small size (6’2) is compensated by his quickness and athleticism. It’s already been reported that Philadelphia has sent scouts to watch him play, for good reason:
Powell is a score-first combo guard, who can get buckets. He’ll need to develop as a lead guard to hit the next level but certainly flashes NBA ready potential.
Markus Howard, Marquette
When you think of college basketball scoring, Markus Howard instantly comes to mind. He leads the Big East in scoring, averaging 27.1 points a night. Howard recently was crowned the all-time leading scorer in Big East history.
Howard is incredibly undersized, only standing at 5’11. He is a streaky shooter, but aren’t all shooters? When Howard has things clicking, he is a game-changer. Howard is one of the NCAA’s all-time great scoring guards. Over the course of his career, he’s put up scoring numbers that rank among some of the all-time collegiate greats. He’s got a great touch on his outside shot, is crafty with the dribble, and can get his shot whenever he wants.
Again, his size is what’s keeping him from being a top prospect in this draft. However, with the lack of depth in this draft class, why not take a chance? Nonetheless, he is exciting to watch and will make any Marquette tournament game enjoyable.
Other notable names: Tre Jones (Duke), AJ Lawson (USC), Grant Riller (Charleston).
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
