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NBA Mock Draft 3.0 — Atlanta Hawks Win Number One Pick

By Dallin Duffy

ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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NBA Mock Draft
DAYTON, OH – FEBRUARY 28: Obi Toppin #1 of the Dayton Flyers his seen during the game against the Davidson Wildcats at UD Arena on February 28, 2020 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

PF, Dayton. Charlotte Hornets. Obi Toppin. Scouting Report. 170. Pick Analysis. 3. player

No one player as helped their draft stock more during the NCAA season than Toppin, who won the AP Player of the Year as a sophomore after hardly being recruited out of high school. The 6’9 forward could be a bit of a reach for Charlotte, as he’s usually mocked in the mid-to-late lottery, but he’d bring instant excitement to a team that hasn’t had much of that lately.

Toppin is an athletic freak, and a good bet to be a future slam dunk champion. He throws down with authority and lives above the rim. If nothing else, he’ll be an elite rim-runner from day one.

He’s not just limited to his dunks offensively and boasts both a respectable mid-range and three-point shot as well. He shot 63 percent from the field with high usage for Dayton and can make his own shot in the post on occasion.

Defensive tape on Toppin range from bad to really bad, and that, combined with his draft age of 22 is why he’s not in the #1 pick conversation.

Still, the Hornets get another young frontcourt piece to develop alongside P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges, and get one of the most exciting players in the draft.