A primer on the best players to watch in the NCAA Tournament for Atlanta Hawks fans.
For the Atlanta Hawks, the season is winding down with only 10 games left to play after last night’s bout with the Houston Rockets. However, basketball fans and sports fans (and even non-sports fans) are gearing up for the joyful occasion of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
The college basketball season has been full of storylines all season, and many of them will come to a head as the 2019 NCAA Tournament begins.
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Of course, as Atlanta Hawks fans, college basketball might not immediately be your go-to watch on a weekday afternoon.
However, when you realize the caliber of players that will be featured over the course of March Madness combined with the fact that the Hawks will likely have a very high lottery pick in the 2019 Draft, Hawks fans should definitely sit up and take notice during the Tournament.
One thing is certain, a number of the players competing during the 2019 NCAA Tournament will likely be members of the Atlanta Hawks next season, so why not get a preview of their games before they make their Summer League debuts with the Hawks?
Read on to explore 14 players to look out for in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
Markus Howard & Ja Morant
First up is a backcourt duel that likely has little bearing on who the Atlanta Hawks will select in the 2019 NBA Draft. Think of this selection as an honorable mention.
These two incendiary point guards are included due to their impressive scoring ability as well as their killer instinct, which has seen them take over games at various points this season.
Markus Howard of Marquette was first in the Big East in scoring at 25 points per game, which also represented the sixth-highest tally in the country in 2019.
The 5-foot-11 guard from Marquette was a walking bucket, and he logged an incredible 53 points in a comeback win against Creighton in January:
Ja Morant of Murray State, his backcourt foil in this game, was hot on his heels at 24.6 points per game, which was the eighth-highest mark in the country.
In terms of NBA futures, both players will likely play in the NBA at some point as Howard’s 43.6 clip from long-range and Morant’s astonishing athleticism will see both of them drafted at some point. At this juncture, Morant is one of the highest-touted prospects playing in the NCAA Tournament, and he is currently projected by Tankathon to be drafted by the Phoenix Suns 2nd overall.
Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett & Cam Reddish
Much has been written about the ballyhooed freshman trio of Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish (even here on this very website), but the truth is, when the 2019 Duke Blue Devils are playing well, there is no better team in the country nor a more fun team to watch.
Zion’s electrifying exploits are truly stunning to see, and his incredible all-around gifts transform games when he’s out there. One of the greatest prospects in recent memory with otherworldly athleticism as well as sky-high basketball IQ, Zion is one of a kind.
However, he is surrounded by NBA talent as well in R.J. Barrett, Cam Reddish and Tre Jones – the first two of which will likely be on the Atlanta Hawks radar come NBA Draft time.
While Barrett has been stigmatized by his lack of efficiency as has Reddish by his unsightly shooting numbers, both players are deserving of lottery picks (perhaps top-5 picks) because of their raw skills, athletic gifts and pedigree.
If Duke is able to play to their strengths and defeat a tough field on the way to a national championship, all four players will likely be playing big roles on NBA teams immediately.
While Tre Jones is a gifted defender, it is unlikely that the Atlanta Hawks will be interested in a defense-first guard to pair alongside the best rookie in franchise history: the one and only Trae Young.
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.
Grant Williams & Admiral Schofield
The Tennessee Volunteers choked mightily in the SEC Tournament final, but, to be fair, the team had just completed an emotionally and physically draining victory over the Kentucky Wildcats in the round prior, and the team seemed pretty checked out and ready for the NCAA Tournament.
Expect the 2 seed Vols to be led in scoring and in spirit by Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield, two definite NBA prospects that are a joy to behold. Williams’s foul-drawing capabilities might be thought of as “cheap,” but his defensive chops and passing ability certainly make for engaging viewing as well as his ability to run Tennessee’s offense.
Schofield’s ripped physique and switchability on defense make him a definite NBA prospect, but his foghorn-like voice and ability to pop off for highlights like this one are also important:
Beyond that, his real name is Admiral Schofield, so what’s not to like? These two Volunteers prospects have long been a favorite of mine, so let’s hope the Atlanta Hawks are also interested in taking a gander at Tennessee’s games throughout the tournament – as they attempt to make their first-ever Final Four, at least on the men’s side.
P.J. Washington
The Kentucky Wildcats are the 2 seed in a loaded Midwest region that features North Carolina in at the 1 line. The Wildcats were defeated by conference rival Tennessee in the SEC Tournament, but Kentucky seemed fairly unimpressed with Tennessee throughout the matchup.
Kentucky is playing with gusto since getting eviscerated by Duke in the first game of the regular season in the Champions Classic. This Kentucky team is deep and seasoned, as graduate transfer Reid Travis gives them a bit more depth and experience than the usually freshman-heavy Kentucky has had in years prior.
For Atlanta Hawks fans, P.J. Washington is a completely dominating force who took over the team’s last game against Tennessee and almost single-handedly willed them to a victory. Look for him to be a mid-to-late lottery pick that might shoot up draft boards if he dominates in the tournament behind his pugnacious playing style.
Bruno Fernando
Maryland are not the most popular team in the field in this NCAA Tournament, as many bracketologists seem comfortable picking either of the play-in game’s winner (Temple or Belmont) to defeat Maryland.
However, the Terrapins do boast one of the best big men prospects in the tournament with Bruno Fernando, a massive 6-foot-10 center with a 7-foot-4¼ wingspan that allows him to affect lots of shots at the rim.
A great rebounder and opportunistic scorer, Atlanta Hawks enthusiasts should keep on eye on the Terps for Fernando alone.
De’Andre Hunter
Lastly, we have three wing prospects that will ply their trade in different regions of the bracket.
First up is De’Andre Hunter, one of the best defenders in the nation from Virginia. The Cavaliers will look to bounce back after becoming the only 1 seed in NCAA Tournament to lose to a 16 seed – a game that Hunter missed due to an injury.
With Hunter in the fold, Virginia will likely cruise to the Elite Eight or Final Four, though the full redemption arc of becoming National Champion will probably fall short due to the glut of strong teams awaiting them.
Nassir Little
One team they might have to face off against in the Final Four is North Carolina, who are deep, talented and well-coached. One player that was highly touted but has not lived up to his recruiting reputation is Nassir Little. Little is a wild athlete, but his feel seems to be extremely limited in his freshman season and his stock has fallen considerably this season.
If Little is able to shine in the tournament, all of those qualms will be overlooked as his athletic gifts and high motor cannot be ignored. For Atlanta Hawks fans, an athletic wing that can gallop alongside Trae Young should be high on the team’s wish list.
Jarrett Culver
Lastly, Texas Tech’s leading scorer, rebounder and assist man is Jarrett Culver, who was also the Big 12 Player of the Year. A dominant force on both ends, Culver is listed at 6-foot-5 but looks to be an absolute giant out there, so that number will have to be updated ahead of the NBA Draft.
Texas Tech boasts the best defense in the nation according to KenPom, so expect a lot of scrappy plays from this team and Culver in general.
Culver’s stock has risen considerably over the past few months, but there is still a good chance that the Atlanta Hawks will have a chance to draft the sophomore sensation in June, so Hawks fans should keep an eye on the Red Raiders.
The NCAA Tournament is going to be terrific this year, and even with Atlanta Hawks games going on during the week as well, make sure to catch a few games that feature these players. It will definitely be worth it.