Atlanta Hawks: 14 Players to Watch in 2019 NCAA Tournament
By Chris Guest
Brandon Clarke & Rui Hachimura
The Gonzaga Bulldogs were one of the most dominant teams in the NCAA this season, and they finished #1 in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom.
The team finished with an exceptional 30-3 record as well as the #1 seed in the West division of the NCAA tournament.
The Zags were led by Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke, both highly touted prospects that will likely be plying their trade in the NBA as soon as Summer League rolls around. Despite being the better raw scorer, Hachimura has slipped down draft boards in favor of the more seasoned, 22-year-old Clarke – whose defensive exploits have been vaunted far and wide.
An extremely efficient scorer with an uninspired jump shot, Clarke is a difference maker on the defensive end, though his size makes him a bit of a “tweener” when it comes to rim protectors. Of course, with the rise of positionless basketball, players that don’t have a set position can actually be quite valuable.
As such, the Atlanta Hawks should be keeping a close watch on Clarke during the tournament, even if his jumpshot is not particularly impressive. Clarke is currently expected to be drafted by the Washington Wizards with the 8th overall pick by Tankathon.
In that same mock, Hachimura is expected to be taken by the Boston Celtics with the 14th overall pick (via Sacramento). Hachimura is a dominant athletic specimen, and his offensive efficiency has improved throughout the season. Notably, his three-point percentage for the season is up to a sky-high 46.9 percent, though he has only attempted 32 of them all season.