You can read scouting reports of prospects to find out their strengths and weaknesses, but nothing helps paint the picture of their playstyle like an NBA player comparison.
Below, we'll provide you with a player comparison for a number of the top prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft.
For where each player is projected to be selected, check out our latest 2020 NBA Mock Draft.
Players listed alphabetically. Disclaimer: These comparisons are not necessarily a projection of their careers. It is more to give you an idea of how the prospect plays.
Precious Achiuwa
Plays like: Montrezl Harrell, Kenneth Faried
Achiuwa is an athletic big that could play the 4 or 5 in the NBA. His ceiling projects to be like Harrell.
Deni Avdija
Plays like: Gordon Hayward, Hedo Turkoglu
Avdija is a playmaking point forward, similar to that of Hayward or Turkoglu. He has no problem running an offence in the halfcourt or pushing the ball in transition.
LaMelo Ball
Plays like: Jason Kidd, Jason Williams
Ball might not be the defender that Kidd was, but his playmaking and rebounding are on par. Both had their jumpers questioned coming into the NBA.
Saddiq Bey
Plays like: Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler
Bey is a do-it-all type forward but could use improvement as a ball handler, just like Brown as a prospect.
Anthony Edwards
Plays like: Donovan Mitchell, Victor Oladipo
Edwards is built like a running back and uses his body well to get to the rim, similar to both Mitchell and Oladipo.
Josh Green
Plays like: Gary Harris, Josh Richardson
When you think of Green, think 3-and-D like Harris. His length lines up with that of Richardson.
Tyrese Haliburton
Plays like: Dejounte Murray, Lonzo Ball
Length, playmaking and defence all match Murray and Ball. He's a better shooter than both of the aforementioned coming out of college.
RJ Hampton
Plays like: Jamal Murray, Jordan Clarkson
Hampton's ability to score shows shades of Clarkson. If his jumper comes along, he could be Murray-lite.
Killian Hayes
Plays like: Goran Dragic, Jamal Murray
Hayes is a floor general, defender and scoring playmaker just like Dragic. If he becomes a more consistent shooter, his offensive game will round out like Murray's.
Tyrese Maxey
Plays like: Lou Williams, Dennis Schroder
Maxey is a prolific scoring guard that could provide a scoring punch off the bench – that tells you all you need to know for his comparisons.
Jaden McDaniels
Plays like: Jonathan Isaac, Andrew Wiggins
McDaniels is a raw prospect that has both length and athleticism. A defensive focus in the league would project to be like Isaac. An offensive focus in the league projects more of Wiggins.
Aaron Nesmith
Plays like: Danny Green, Wesley Matthews
Nesmith is purely 3-and-D on the wing, just like Green or Matthews.
Onyeka Okongwu
Plays like: Brandon Clarke, Bam Adebayo
Okongwu is a versatile big with all traditional centre qualities, but also can handle the ball and pass. Clarke and Adebayo are two recent examples of that.
Isaac Okoro
Plays like: Matisse Thybulle, Andre Iguodala
Okoro is one of the best wing defenders in this class but his jumper still needs work, just like Thybulle or Iguodala.
Jalen Smith
Plays like: Serge Ibaka, Luol Deng
Smith has the ability to play down low or pop out to the perimeter on the wing. With soft touch and good shot blocking skills, he shows shades of Ibaka as a big or Deng as a stretch-four.
Tyrell Terry
Plays like: CJ McCollum, Seth Curry
Terry is a pure scorer that can fill it up from all over the floor. He handles the ball like McCollum but can also come off screens and knock down shots like Curry.
Obi Toppin
Plays like: John Collins, Amar'e Stoudemire
Toppin is super athletic with a soft shooting touch – a prototypical power forward in today's NBA. His game mirrors Collins.
Devin Vassell
Plays like: Trevor Ariza, Mikal Bridges
Vassell may be the best 3-and-D prospect in this draft. His length and shooting is Ariza-esque. His game may take time to develop like Bridges.
Patrick Williams
Plays like: OG Anunoby, PJ Tucker
Williams is a versatile defender who can shoot. Big enough to defend bigs, quick enough to guard wings. His athleticism makes him more like Anunoby.
James Wiseman
Plays like: DeAndre Jordan, Nerlens Noel
Wiseman is an athletic centre who runs the floor well, can protect the paint and finish lobs at the rim. Floor is similar to that of Noel whereas his ceiling could be like Jordan.
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