Top ACC Basketball Players In 2016 NBA Draft

By Reed Hunnicutt

The ACC has produced an abundance of NBA talent for this year’s draft. There are only 60 spots in the draft, but there are still futures for those who are not selected. As of today, these are the stocks of the ACC players who have declared or are automatically eligible for the NBA Draft.

Top ACC Basketball Players In 2016 NBA Draft

← Tip: Use keyboard arrows to navigate →

Abdul-Malik Abu – NC State PF (6-foot-8, 240 pounds) — Abu hasn’t hired an agent yet, but he has some workouts scheduled over the next few weeks. He has the strength and athleticism of an NBA four man, but another year at NC State would really elevate his stock. A team could take him late second round.

Zach Auguste – Notre Dame PF/C (6-foot-10, 240 pounds) — Even though he didn’t get an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, Auguste has gained significant interest to come in for workouts around the league. His ability as an athletic rim runner could land him a spot in latter part of the second round.

Anthony Barber – NC State PG (6-foot-3, 173 pounds) — Barber is arguably the quickest guard in the draft, with the handle and shot-making ability to complement it. He lacks strength, but his ability to utilize his physical skills should entice a team to select him somewhere in the mid-second round.

Malik Beasley – Florida State SG (6-foot-5, 190 pounds) — Beasley’s stock could really fluctuate based on his performance in team workouts. If the draft was today, a playoff team would probably pick him in the late first round due to his youth and scoring instincts.

Jaron Blossomgame – Clemson SF (6-foot-7, 215 pounds) — Without hiring an agent, Blossomgame still has an option to return to school. I think he would benefit from another year refining his perimeter skills, but he’s a great athlete (41-inch vertical) with the work ethic worth a second-round pick.

Malcolm Brogdon – Virginia SG (6-foot-5, 223 pounds) — Brogdon is going to have one of the best careers out of any player in this draft. He’s an elite defender, great teammate and has a developing offensive game. Expect a team in the mid-to-late first round to pick Brogdon up to compete right away.

Austin Burgett – Notre Dame PF (6-foot-9, 228 pounds) — Burgett wasn't really given a chance at Notre Dame, but he’s got a pro-level skill set. The 6-foot-9 forward is an above-average athlete with the ability to defend and stretch the floor. If he can't play in the NBA, he will make a killing in Europe.

DaJuan Coleman – Syracuse C (6-foot-9, 255 pounds) — Health has always been a big issue for the former McDonald’s All-American. It’s unlikely that an NBA team will draft him, but he should get invited to a summer league team where he’ll have a chance to show what he can do.

Trevor Cooney – Syracuse SG (6-foot-4, 195 pounds) — Shooting is always at a premium, but Cooney has struggled to consistently knock down shots over the past few years. The D-League is an option for Cooney, but he would make more money as a floor spacer overseas.

Michael Gbinije – SG Syracuse (6-foot-7, 205 pounds) — Gbinije is a smooth combo guard who does a little bit of everything well. His size and athleticism will elevate him above other prospects on the board, so a late-first/early-second round selection seems most likely.

Anthony Gill – Virginia PF (6-foot-8, 230 pounds) — Gill was a perfect player for Tony Bennett’s team, but he won’t be as great of a fit at the NBA level. He’s an energy guy who should get a chance in a summer league before going overseas if things don’t work out in the NBA.

Brandon Ingram – Duke SF (6-foot-10, 200 pounds) — The argument between Simmons and Ingram for the top pick will continue up until draft day. Ingram provides a polished jump shot and has terrific length for a wing player. There is no way he falls out of the top two picks.

Demetrius Jackson – Notre Dame PG (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) — Jackson turned some heads with his 43.5-inch vertical at the combine. He has no glaring weaknesses and the upside to be a long-time starter with athleticism and the ability to defend and shoot it. He will probably go in the late lottery.

Justin Jackson – North Carolina SF (6-foot-8, 193 pounds) — You have to applaud Jackson for testing the waters, but he could be a potential first-round pick if he goes back to school to work on his jumper and quickness. If he stays in the draft, there’s a chance he could go at the end of the second round.

Brice Johnson – North Carolina PF (6-foot-10, 209 pounds) — Johnson can jump out of the gym and has a promising mid-range game, but he's only 209 pounds and may struggle to bang down low. As of now, he could go as high as the late first round or as late as the middle of the second.

Tonye Jekiri – Miami C (7-foot, 244 pounds) — Jekiri should find his way on a summer league team even if he doesn’t get drafted. His ability to guard pick-and-rolls could be his ticket to a roster spot.

Damion Lee – Louisville SG (6-foot-6, 200 pounds) — There is always going to be a spot in the league for someone who can score like Lee. He’s one of those players who could go in the middle of the second round, but might be better off going undrafted and signing with a team that will give him time.

Sheldon McClellan – Miami SG (6-foot-5, 198 pounds) — McClellan definitely helped himself with a 41.5-inch vertical at the combine. Usually being older hurts a player. In McClellan’s case, his experience could send him to a team in the middle of the second round that would value his readiness.

Landry Nnoko – Clemson C (6-foot-10, 255 pounds) — Outside of shot-blocking, Nnoko doesn’t really have any NBA-level abilities. He’ll probably go undrafted and could make the most of his career manning the paint for a European team.

Chinanu Onuaku – Louisville C (6-foot-10, 245 pounds) — It’s still unknown if Onuaku will stay in the draft or go back to Louisville for another year. He protects the lane well and rebounds out of his area. If he stays in the draft, he could realistically go as a project pick in the late first round.

Marcus Paige – North Carolina PG (6-foot-1, 164 pounds) — Paige is still a terrific shooter despite his slumps over the past year. His defense was really underrated for his team at North Carolina, but it might be that 3-and-D title that may turn into his calling card. He could go mid-late second round.

Malachi Richardson – Syracuse SG (6-foot-6, 200 pounds) — Richardson benefited from a strong March. Aside from his scoring ability, the guard has great length (7-foot wingspan) and a solid handle for a freshman. In a shallow draft, a player with his upside should be a lock for the mid-late first round.

James Robinson – Pittsburgh PG (6-foot-3, 198 pounds) — While he has the size of an NBA point guard, he’s not an explosive athlete or shooter. It’s hard to see Robinson being drafted, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make an NBA team as an undrafted free agent.

Angel Rodriguez – Miami PG (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) — It’s nearly impossible for a sub-6-foot guard to get drafted without elite quickness. Rodriguez just doesn’t offer the physical tools of an NBA guard. However, he should have a long, successful career overseas.

Devin Thomas – Wake Forest PF (6-foot-9, 255 pounds) — Thomas never drew a lot attention from NBA scouts, mainly because he isn’t really good at anything. He probably won’t be drafted and could make a summer league team. Otherwise, he could be a reliable low post option in another country.

Mike Tobey – Virginia C (7-foot, 260 pounds) — Tobey brings great size for a center and the soft touch to develop into a stretch five. Though he has nimble feet, he isn’t a great athlete. I could see a team taking him in the late second round or waiting to sign him as an undrafted free agent.

Share On Facebook

Share