LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, and Anthony Edwards headline the 2020 NBA Draft class, and understandably so. The prospect of teams trading up for one of those players, as well as trading back given the close proximity of several lottery prospects has also been discussed at length.
Given the above storylines, many players have camouflaged into this NBA draft class, garnering little attention. Some of those players are justifiable lottery selections.
Here are five NBA prospects who have fallen under the radar and will be steals wherever selected.
5) Elijah Hughes
Hughes went out with a bang, averaging 19.0 points per game in his senior season at Syracuse. The 22-year-old makes an impact across the board offensively. He's fast off the dribble, a respectable shooter, and a physical specimen when it comes to finishing above the rim.
Sure, there's always a lot of scorers in an NBA Draft. That said, Hughes is on a trajectory to be a rotation staple at the next level. He was more impactful and productive across his two years at Syracuse after one season at East Carolina and another in the transfer portal. NBA teams are trying to outscore each other like never before. Hughes can only help in that regard.
He'll come in and be an unheralded source of offense off a team's bench in his rookie NBA season.
4) Vernon Carey
Carey is the modern-day old-school big man.
The Duke product dabbles into multiple aspects of an offense. He finishes inside with ease, has a reliable post game, and has a capable outside jump shot (he shot 38.1 percent from beyond the arc, attempting 0.7 three pointers per game last season). Carey averaged 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game last season. Many NBA contenders are going with severe small-ball lineups. Having a 6-foot-10 center like Carey keeps a team on the right side of speed while also adding some offensive variety.
No matter the era, there's a place for a collected, reliable inside player. Maybe an NBA team attempts to build on Carey's outside shooting, furthering his offensive viability?
3) Payton Pritchard
Speed and shooting define Pritchard's game as an NBA prospect.
He's a speeding bullet off the dribble, blows past his cover, and sinks jump shots from distance at a high level. In his senior season at Oregon, Pritchard averaged 20.5 points per game while shooting 41.5 percent from beyond the arc. Given his ability to attack the rack and make teams pay for leaving him open, Pritchard was one of the most fearsome scorers in college basketball last season.
Speed, scoring, and shooting coming into its own in a senior season is rare. Pritchard is an appealing prospect for contending teams, as he can be an offensive mainstay off the bench and/or play off the ball as a shooter and ambush scorer. On the other hand, Pritchard could have the ball in his hands on a rebuilding team. He has the skill set to be a productive, energetic NBA guard from the jump.
2) Grant Riller
A four-year player at the College of Charleston, Riller is a gritty scorer. He's quick off the dribble, is adept at finishing through contact, and is a respectable outside shooter. In his four-year college career, Riller averaged 18.7 points per game while shooting 51.9 percent from the field.
In all likelihood, Riller will be selected between the late first round and early second round of the NBA draft; his production warrants, at the very least, being selected in the middle of the draft. If he's swooped up by a contender, Riller will come off the bench in a role he can thrive in: being an offensive spark plug. Moving forward, such experience off the bench for a contender could lead to Riller being a starter elsewhere.
While he likely gets drafted, Riller could be the next Fred VanVleet in being overlooked throughout the NBA draft process, taking advantage of playing time on a contender, and eventually becoming a vital element to a team's offense.
1) Saddiq Bey
Bey has been wildly overlooked throughout this NBA draft process; he brings a little bit of everything to the table in an impactful way.
Bey is a reliable two-way player. He's a shooting scorer who has the grace to finish with style around the rim. Last season the Villanova forward averaged 16.1 points per game while shooting 45.1 percent from beyond the arc. He drains spot-up jump shots, is effective shooting off the dribble, and takes what the defense gives him. Meanwhile, he's a reliable on-ball defender. He's an all-around player who gradually improved in his two years in the Big East.
Auburn's Isaac Okoro and Florida State's Devin Vassell have reputable skill sets and standings in this draft. That said, what's the margin, if any between the two wings and Bey? The latter is a more proven scorer, has two years of starting experience under his belt, and possesses a skill set that should seamlessly transition to the NBA game. Bey can be a great player at the next level.
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