NBA Draft 2019 Highlights and Analyses: 20 Best picks from the class of 2019

#8 Washington Wizards – Rui Hachimura, 9th overall pick (Gonzaga)

The Gonzaga University Bulldogs have received an increase in media attention and both incoming players and NBA prospects due to their annual dominance in the West Coast Conference and the NCAA Tournament, and now they’ve sent two more prospects to the pros. One of them is Rui Hachimura who will be residing in Washington D.C. next season with the Wizards.

Hachimura is an absolute specimen at 6’9” and 234 pounds and was ranked 7th overall in his position and 20th among draft prospects. As a result of this, his biggest asset is driving through contact and finishing for a 3-point play or getting to the line

From deep he is reluctant to shoot but can make it about 41.7% of the time as his junior stats show. His defense needs a little work, but he certainly will get playing time on a Wizards team bereft of power forwards.

---

#7 Chicago Bulls – Coby White, 7th overall pick (North Carolina)

The Chicago Bulls were a team lacking a talented point guard and therefore they went and found one in the draft. Ranked at 4th amongst those in his position, Coby White out of North Carolina is a player who likes to have the ball in his hands late in the game where he can thrive. His efficiency isn’t always NBA level, but when he’s hitting shots it’s hard to stop him.

Opposing defenses will need to be keen when guarding White as he can get the ball and shoot it with ease very quickly. He can shoot off the dribble, off a pass and through ball screens.

If he has one weakness, it will be his lack of length which seemed to be a factor in some of his defensive performances. Either way, the Bulls plan on building around White with veterans to up the offensive production and increase the defensive protection.

---

#6 Phoenix Suns (traded to MIN) – Jarrett Culver, 6th overall pick (Texas Tech)

Early in the draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves did what they needed to do in order to move up and get a top guy that they wanted. After making a trade for the 6th pick with the Phoenix Suns, the Wolves selected Texas Tech shooting guard Jarrett Culver.

Culver, aside from helping lead his team to an NCAA Tournament Championship Game appearance, receives praise for several things. First off, he is a player of NBA size who uses his big frame and powerful legs to drive to the basket and finish at the rim.

Secondly, he is a great two-way player thanks to his ability to play at both the point and the 2 guard, with some potential even for the three. When at the point, he takes pride at generating offense for everybody on the court and looking for passes into the open lanes or spaces. He has great ability to move the ball through pick-and-rolls and over screens.

Not only is he a two-way player because of his offense, but because of his defense as well. In many of his film clippings, Culver can be seen guarding opponents at the 1-3 positions. He is also battling at the rim for rebounds as much as he is on the offensive side.

Scoring wise, Culver loves to make his money in the paint and rack up points with rim-rattling dunks, however, he doesn’t mind taking shots for three. He averaged 18.5 points per game to go along with 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists

For accolades, Culver was named the Big 12 Player of the Year for 2019, a Second Team All-American, and was selected to the First Team All-Big 12 for 2019.

If Jarrett Culver can continue his performance from his standout season in 2018-19, he has potential to be a must watch rookie in the NBA for the 2019-20 season.

---

#5 Cleveland Cavaliers – Darius Garland, 5th overall pick (Vanderbilt)

With the 5th pick in the draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers took Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland. Garland was a prospect for numerous other teams like the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks, but ultimately, he fell to 5 and will join the Cavs.

He brings an extreme amount of wealth offensively. Moving the ball all over the court and through picks, screens, and other tight spaces is his specialty and at times he uses this to find himself quality shot opportunities. When he gets these opportunities, Garland knocks them down at will.

Garland’s speed and competitiveness is another trait that makes him attractive to the Cavs. He uses both to stick to any defender and his frame is a tool for keeping offensive threats away from the rim.

He can go full Steph Curry at times and get trigger happy, but if he can handle NBA defenders and continue to score respectable numbers, he should make Cleveland happy about their decision.