R.J. Barrett of Montverde (FL) Academy and Zion Williamson of Spartanburg Day (S.C.) High School are the projected No. 1 and 2 picks in the new mock 2019 NBA Draft released by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
The 6-foot-7 Barrett, who is down to Duke, Kentucky and Oregon, led Canada to a gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Championship this summer in Cairo, Egypt.
His high school coach, Kevin Boyle, says he believes Barrett should be the No. 1 pick.
“He’s right in that class [with the other top picks I have coached],” Boyle said of Barrett on The 4 Quarters Podcast. “Most of the guys [who become superstars] are all those wing guys that end up better in these drafts over the years. That’s why I’m saying he should be the number one pick in two years.”
The 6-7 Williamson, a YouTube sensation for his dunks and athleticism, is listed as a power forward despite his size. He’s currently visiting Kansas this weekend on an official and is also considering Kentucky, Clemson and South Carolina, among others.
Other projected picks of note include Kentucky commit Immanuel Quickley at No. 6. Quickley and Williamson are close friends and have been linked to playing at the same college.
Nassir Little, the uncommitted Orlando Christian Prep wing whose family has denied involvement in the college bribery scandal, is projected at No. 7 (to the Knicks).
Brian Bowen, who is at the center of the U.S. Department of Justice report after Adidas allegedly paid his family $100,000 to attend Louisville, is listed as the No. 19 pick (to Toronto). Bowen is currently sitting out practice at Louisville and may choose to pursue a professional career overseas or in the NBA G-League.
