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ESPN Senior Writer- Senior NBA Writer for ESPN.com
- ESPN Insider NBA Draft Analyst since 2002
- Writes ESPN's NBA Draft Top 100 and Lottery Mock Draft
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ESPN Senior Writer- Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus series
- Formerly a consultant with the Indiana Pacers
- Developed WARP rating and SCHOENE system
The NCAA final is Monday night, and while NBA scouts didn't get to see the matchup they wanted between likely top two picks Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns, the consolation prize is pretty good. They do get to see the two hottest names in the NCAA tournament -- Duke's Justise Winslow and Wisconsin's Sam Dekker -- go head-to-head.
Q: Which wing has the better NBA future: Winslow or Dekker?
Ford: I really like both players -- a lot. Both are worthy of lottery picks in my opinion. However, I think Winslow is the better prospect. He's at No. 6 in my Top 100 and has been in the top 10 most of the year. Dekker is good too. He has moved up to No. 13 in our updated Top 100, and I think he has a great shot in the lottery.
Kevin? I think you have a pretty different take.
Pelton: You might be surprised. I'm not as down on Winslow as my statistical projections. Even with his great run, Winslow still hasn't cracked the top 30 in projected WARP. However, when you break it down Winslow has really had three different seasons: nonconference play, when he was OK but unspectacular; a stretch early in ACC competition where he played ineffectively through multiple minor injuries; and the past 20 games, where he has emerged as a possible top-five pick.