The transfer portal has really messed with the idea of a mid-major player going in the top 10 of the NBA Draft, huh?
Long-gone are the days that players that came from the mid-major level like Damian Lillard (Weber State), Obi Toppin (Dayton), Jarace Walker (pre-Big 12 Houston), Jalen Williams (Santa Clara) CJ McCollum (Lehigh) get major buzz in the lottery. Instead, our sons land themselves (generally) later or they explode at a high-major squad.
A good note here so I don’t have to write this for each and everyone one of this guys: They might return to college ball! Who knows! Even if they have used six years of eligibility they might return. Rules are meaningless.
Anyways … let’s talk about the NBA Draft.
The True Sons of Mid Majors
Cedric Coward
Guard/Wing, Washington State (committed to Duke)
Potential Range: Late lottery, early 20s
If you’ve listened to any NBA Draft podcast lately, you are sure to have heard Coward’s name more than a few times. J. Kyle Mann from the Ringer and Sam Vecenie of The Game Theory pod each shared stories of anonymous scouts basically telling them to stop talking about Coward … and for good reason.
Coward, who is committed to Duke in case he returns next season, has made astronomical jumps over his career. He started at D-III, transferred to Eastern Washington where he morphed into a fringe prospect, and, last season, in a small sample, showed what he can do at a solid volume (near 40% from distance on four 3s in a handful of games) – but missed the bulk of the season due to a shoulder injury.
If there is ANYONE on this list who can go in the lottery and be a surprise, it is Coward.
Yaxel Lendeborg
Big, UAB (committed to Michigan)
Potential Range: Late first round, early second
Lendeborg, like many others on this list, has a backup plan if he stays in college. He is committed to Michigan, but his draft range is possibly late first round if a team is looking to take a flyer on a playmaking forward.
The big out of UAB did a bit of everything on offense for Andy Kennedy’s squad and could find a role in the league with his playmaking skills despite his below-the-rim vibes.
Miles Byrd
Guard, San Diego State
Potential Range: Early second round
Byrd has been identified as one of those 3-and-D wings everyone wants, but he lacks a critical part of that: the 3.
His long ball has never fallen at a consistent rate, which could harm his draft stock if he elects to stay in the draft. But, his disruption and insane block numbers for a guard/wing make for an interesting player (think Dyson Daniels or Matisse Thybulle if things break right).
Rasheer Fleming
Forward, Saint Joseph’s
Potential Range: Not. A. Clue.
Where Byrd is your prototype Not-A-Lot-Of-3-and-D wing, Fleming is a throwback tweener. He is listed at 6-foot-9, but might be more like 6-foot-7, putting him in Jarace Walker heighted territory. He has ball skills, can guard up and down a few spots, has long arms that draw the unfair Draymond Green body comps, but he can’t reliably shoot.
Tired of hearing “can’t shoot’? Fine!
Bennett Stirtz
Guard, Drake (transferred to Iowa)
Potential Range: Late second, undrafted
This guy can shoot the tar off the ball! Stirtz exploded for Drake averaged 19 points on damn near 50/40/80 shooting splits. He is only 6-foot-4 and isn’t the best athlete, but we’ve seen shooters at least get looks at the league.
The Transfer Ups Who We Miss Dearly
Walter Clayton Jr.
Guard, Florida by way of Iona
Potential Range: Late lottery, late first round
The prodigal son of Iona and Rick Pitino made waves at Florida, and has the looks of a classic guy who upped his draft stock with the NCAA Tournament. He can shoot. He can play make, but the age-old question will be can he guard and stay on the floor?
Danny Wolf
Big, Michigan by way of Yale
Potential Range: Firm first round
The former Yale big is a perfect modern tweener.
What the hell does that mean? Well, he is a 7-footer but isn’t a shot blocker. He is a potential floor spacer, a REALLY good passer and a heads-up cutter. For a guy that tall, he has a real nifty handle.
His lateral movement isn’t ideal, but if an NBA team can scheme around it, they have a cheat code in their offense that can unlock wonders if it pans out.
Johni Broome
Big, Auburn by way of Morehead State
Potential Range: Late first, early second
If you’re a team desperately looking for a center who can play almost day one, Broome would be it. His defense is solid. He has NBA center size and will be able to rebound at the next level. He probably won’t be a high-end starter, but he has the looks of a rotation big.
The Transfer Downs Who We Enjoyed Briefly
Nique Clifford
Guard/Wing, Colorado State
Potential Range: Late first round
Clifford was a monster at Colorado State after transferring down from Colorado. He guided the Rams to a near-second-round upset over Maryland after a stellar regular season.
At 6-foot-5, he has NBA guard size with lanky arms. But, he is geriatric by NBA Draft standards (he just turned 23 in February), so he is on the Dalton Knecht age track. That doesn’t mean he won’t improve, given his across-the-board jump from Boulder to Colorado Springs.
Baba Miller
Forward, Florida Atlantic
Potential Range: Mystery box
Miller has been a Draft Nerd’s dream for a few years now. Remember the old saying “he is two years away from being two years away” used to describe Bruno Caboclo once upon a time? That feels about right for Miller.
Miller is a prototype modern four/wing at 6-foot-11 with arms for days. He feels the type that needs to just get to the league and learn from NBA skills trainers at this point. If you’re looking for a real nerdy deep dive on a player, read this from the guys at No Ceilings.
