While it seems that most of the news surrounding drafts have been about the NFL Draft, the NBA Draft madness officially starts with next week’s NBA Draft Lottery. Once complete, teams will officially be “On The Clock” and draft analysts will create their latest mock drafts.
Ahead of all the impending mayhem, Wasserman has announced its 2018 NBA Draft class. The class includes both international and collegiate players looking to make their mark on the league. The roster includes:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky
As a freshman last season, the 6’6” guard averaged 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game for the Wildcats. Although playing only one collegiate season, he made his mark in a program with historically great freshman, finishing third among them in assists (189), third in steals (61), ninth in free throw percentage (81.7), 10th in made free throws (143), 12th in three-point percentage (40.4) and 13th in scoring (532). He is a projected lottery pick in next month’s draft and looks to improve his stock at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
He will be represented by Thad Foucher.
Melvin Frazier, G, Tulane
Frazier spent three seasons in playing for the Green Wave and improved his numbers in each. He is coming off a junior season in which he averaged 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. When he declared in March, he was projected as the 31st overall prospected and was slotted as a first-round selection in several mock drafts. The 6’6” Avondale, LA-native led the American Athletic Conference in steals (65), ranked second in field goal percentage (.556), fourth in scoring (15.9), fifth in minutes per game (34.4) and 12th in rebounding (5.6).
He is also represented by Thad Foucher.
Yuta Watanabe, G, George Washington
Labeled as “the Chosen One” by The Japan Times, Watanabe became the first Japan-born student-athlete to secure a NCAA Division I basketball scholarship and the fourth Japan-born Division I basketball player of all time when he signed with GWU in 2014. The 2017-18 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time A-10 All-Defensive Team member ranks second in school history in blocks (147) and games played (134) and 15th in scoring (1,460). He is coming off a senior season in which he averaged 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
He is represented by Joe Smith.
Malik Pope, F, San Diego State
Pope is a 6’10”, Sacramento-native who was a four-year impact player for the San Diego State Aztecs. His 7’2” wingspan and combination of physical tools allows him to be a unique prospect at either forward position. As a senior, he averaged 12.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game helping lead the Aztecs to the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
Zach Lofton, G, New Mexico State
Lofton is a 6’4” guard from St. Paul, Minnesota who finished his collegiate career with the New Mexico State Aggies. A journeyman in the college ranks, he started his career at San Jacinto college before transferring to Illinois State University, to Minnesota (did not see action for the Golden Gophers), to Texas Southern and ultimately New Mexico State. For his senior campaign, he averaged 20.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game and led the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament.He was named to the All-Western Athletic Conference First Team and 2018 All-WAC Newcomer team.
In addition to the NCAA players, Wasserman is also representing a number of international entries this year, highlighted by Isaac Bonga and Arnoldas Kulboka.
Isaac Bonga, SF, Fraport Skyliners – Germany
The 6’9” forward out of Germany by way of the Congo has been considered one of the top prospects in Europe. Bonga, 19, has spent the past two seasons spltting time between the Skyliners senior and junior teams. He made his FIBA debut as a 14-year old at the 2014 FIBA Under-16 European Championship.
Arnoldas Kulboka, SF, Capo d’Orlando – Italy
Kulboka is a 6’10” small forward from Lithuania. Although signed with the German powerhouse team Brose Bamberg, he has been playing for Capo d’Orlando of the Italian Liga A on loan. He has represented Lithuania on the international stage numerous times, although only 20 years old.