Top 10 Mock Draft Predictions

5.15.2018  |  Miles Wilson

This year’s top 10 mock draft picks are Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley III, Michael Porter Jr., Mohamed Bamba, Collin Sexton, Mikal Bridges, Trae Young, and Wendell Carter Jr.

Each of these players have established themselves as an elite player in college basketball, and have made a strong case for the number one draft pick in this year’s 2018 NBA draft.

Starting at number one, I predict DeAndre Ayton from the University of Arizona to be selected by the Phoenix Suns as the number one overall draft pick. The 260lb, 7-1, Forward averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds this season as a freshman and has reestablished the role of big men as a five-star player prospect.

My second prediction for this year’s NBA draft pick goes to Luka Doncic from the EuroLeague, Liga ACB. Doncic is a 6-6, Guard with an array of skills that helped him average 15 points, 4.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds in the Euroleague (2017-2018). His height and versatility will help him adjust well to the NBA style of play, which makes him a highly anticipated player for the draft this year.

Jaren Jackson Jr. 6-11 Forward out of Michigan State is my third overall draft pick prediction. Jackson Jr. averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3 blocks, making him a solid two-way player, an offensive contributor and defensive anchor. Jackson Jr. Made a strong case as a potential NBA during this year’s collegiate season, being the most fundamentally complete big man in college this year.

All in all the addition of Jordan Brown to an already loaded Nevada team is scary regardless of if the Martins return or not. This is not a team to mess with, this is a team that has all the potential in the world to make a Final Four run. Eric Musselman has a special opportunity to turn Nevada into a powerhouse.

Arizona native Marvin Bagley III has my vote as the fourth overall draft pick in the next NBA draft. As a Freshman at Duke University, 6-11 Forward, Bagley III averaged a double- double with 21 points and 11 rebounds per game. Bagley has solid team play on both ends of the floor but has a lot of room for development in the next stages of his career, making him a valid pick for any NBA team as the fourth draft pick.

From the University of Missouri, 6-11 Small Forward Michael Porter Jr. occupies the fifth draft pick position despite his lower back injury which did require surgery. Although Porter only played in three games of the season, he was still able to average 10 points, and 6.7 rebounds. He showed a lot of resilience bouncing back during season and has continued to show his ability to be an effective NBA player. Porter’s height and athletic abilities make him a high draft pick prediction for the upcoming draft.

Texas Longhorn, Mohamed Bamba, 6-11 Center from the Big 12 Conference is my sixth draft pick prediction. Bamba was a walking double-double in college this season averaging 12.9 points with 10.4 rebounds. This former 2017 McDonald’s All-American has declared for the NBA draft and has made a strong case for why he deserves to be a lottery pick during the draft.

University of Alabama’s 2018 starting point guard, Collin Sexton is my seventh pick prediction for the next NBA draft class. Sexton was selected as the SEC Freshman of the Year this season, averaging 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists as a point guard. Sexton’s outstanding athletic ability for his size and extreme confidence projects him to be a valuable draft pick for any team in need of a quick, explosive guard.

Villanova’s star Guard/Forward Mikal Bridges is a highly anticipated draft pick because of his versatility on the court. Bridges, 6-7, 191lbs, is an effective scorer and great two-way guard proving to be effective for Villanova, as they have won two NCAA Championships. 2018 Big East Tournament MVP, Mikal Bridges is my eighth overall draft pick prediction and is a highly anticipated lottery pick.

Oklahoma Sooners Trae Young has had probably the most media attention out of all the star collegiate players listed above, but despite the media hype, Young is a talented guard deserving of the ninth overall draft pick position. Young is a quick guard who loves to score and can put up big numbers in a hurry in he is not defended correctly. Young averaged 27.4 points,8.7 assists, and 5 turnovers for the duration of this season. Young is an explosive offensive guard who has been predicted to be the next Steph Curry, with that being said I predict he will be the ninth overall draft pick.

Last but certainly not least, coming out of Duke University, Second-team All-ACC, Wendell Carter Jr. is my tenth overall draft pick prediction. Carter stands, 6-10, 259 lbs., and has an athletic body enabling him to average 13.5 points, and 9.2 rebounds over this years’ season. This big man has an incredible energy, hustle hard feel to him on the court, and looks like he has a lot of room to improve at the next stage of his career.

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