ASA's NBA Draft Projections

Darryn Peterson at -130

After one up and down year at Kansas, where he averaged 20 PPG, Peterson will be a high lottery pick in this week’s NBA Draft, just as projected coming out of high school about a year ago. There is enough buzz around the NBA to wonder if he has even crept up high enough to be selected at the number one spot above AJ Dybantsa. Many scouts believe Peterson (6 '5 with a 6' 10 wingspan) to be the best player in the draft and a pure three level scorer with great efficiency. Still, injury and character questions are the main reason he did not have a better year at Kansas. We do not foresee Washington using the first overall pick on Peterson, but the talent is impossible to overlook, and besides Dybantsa, there is no prospect as gifted as Peterson in this draft. At this price, the return on the second overall pick provides strong value. 

Keaton Wagler at +240

In just one season, this Illinois freshman racked up a list of awards that most college players could only dream of. Consensus Second Team All-American, First Team All Big Ten, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and NCAA Tournament South Region Most Outstanding Player. He averaged nearly 18 PPG in a loaded conference, ending the year with a run to the Final Four. Wagler is a smooth operator who is always in control and has great size for a point guard at the next level. His shooting ability is the real difference maker that allowed him to surpass almost everyone's expectations, connecting on nearly 40% of his attempts from beyond the arc. This portion of the draft is where things open up, as no player after the four spot has favorable odds. Wagler has the talent and certainly showed the production in college to warrant a selection here. 

Darius Acuff Jr. Over 6.5 at +120

Again, at this part of the draft, things can swing a few different ways. Acuff is a phenomenal player who we do not like picking against, since he averaged 23.5 PPG on 48% shooting from the field and an unheard of 44% from three. Yet, the Arkansas product is only 6 '2 in stature and there are a number of other players in this range that teams may view with more potential, strictly due to size. Mikel Brown (6’ 4) is another high scoring freshman point guard from Louisville that projects to go at the sixth pick. Many of the latest mock drafts have Acuff going at pick seven to Sacramento, who reportedly loves him. With plus odds, we feel it's a good bet Acuff makes it to the Kings’ pick.