Paolo Banchero was a great result last year for us and a lot of other bettors. Although there doesn't seem to be anything that good this time around, there are still a few bets that you will want to get in front off before we get closer to the draft and the numbers start to move.

Anthony Black - Under 8.5 -160

If you followed college basketball last year you were probably familiar with the Arkansas Razorbacks. They had high expectations heading into the year and really didn't live up to them although they held their own in the NCAA tournament. Anthony Black was a standout on the team however, and really showed that he can be a great player at the next level. He is a 6'7" point guard who can do it all, his outside shooting will need to improve a little to really succeed at the next level but his handles, ability to attack the rim, court vision, passing, and defense will translate into immediate success. He is the prototype guard that teams want with size, athletic ability, and a high basketball IQ. He has been linked to the Magic at 6 and the Wizards at 8, I would be very surprised if one of these teams didn't select him as his upside is too high. The only way he slips past 8 is if Taylor Hendricks or Grady Dick jump him and I really don't see that with the way that teams value guards and versitile players with size in todays NBA.

1st to Be Drafted - Ausar Thompson over Jarace Walker -115

Ausar Thompson is a name that many college basketball fans might not know as he spent the last year playing in the G League. His brother Amen is seemingly locked into the top five, Ausar is the lesser of the two brother but not by much he is considered a fringe top five pick, there has been a great deal of buzz on him and he seems to be rising up a lot team's boards. He's a 6'6" guard who can score the ball in bunches and has elite athletism. He is a strong defender and fits into the modern NBA game perfectly. I see him being drafted at pick 5 right after his brother but if not he won't last past 7. Jarace Walker is an interesting prospect who's been compared to Draymon Green. He's an undersized big at 6'8" who plays tenacious defense and can score down in the paint. His game is a little outdated for my taste and to see a team reach on him I think is a stretch. If you're drafting in the top 7 picks you need a francise player who will make an immediate impact. Walker is a nice piece but there isn't all that much upside to his game. Whereas Thompson is all upside, if he imporves his 3pt shooting he could be really special.

Scoot Henderson - 2nd Overall Pick -110

Most of the mock drafts out there have Brandon Miller going second to the Hornets. While this is a definite possiblility I've heard rumblings that they prefer Henderson and it's really not that close. Miller gets a lot of attention as he showed out all year at Alabama while Henderson played in the G League. Scoot is an incredible athlete with explosive finishing ability at the rim, good passing skills, and an improved jump shot. He is a franchise changing PG who is said to have a great work ethic, high character, and high basketball IQ. The Hornets have been keen to the idea of having LaMelo Ball play more off the ball more. This would allow for them to bring in Henderson who could really be a game changer. Miller is the easy fit on paper but I think a lot of people are sleeping on Scoot Henderson who could legitimately be generational talent.