NBA Draft 2020: Who are the best shooters, defenders and playmakers in the draft?

Kyle Irving

NBA Draft 2020: Who are the best shooters, defenders and playmakers in the draft? image

The 2020 NBA Draft is almost here, set for Wednesday, Nov. 18.

If you're scrambling to familiarize yourself with some of the top prospects in the draft, you've come to the right place.

Take a look at where members of the 2020 draft class fall when organized by superlative fashion.

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Who are the best shooters in the draft?

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Devin Vassell, F, Florida State: Vassell converted 41.7% of the 168 3s he took in two seasons at FSU.

Aaron Nesmith, F, Vanderbilt: Nesmith's sophomore season was cut short due to injury, but he made 52.2% of 115 3-point attempts in 14 games (8.2 per game).

Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State: Haliburton shot over 40% from 3 in each of his two seasons at Iowa State.

Isaiah Joe, F, Arkansas: Joe is a gunner, shooting 41.4% from 3 on 8.0 attempts per game as a freshman and 34.2% from 3 on 10.6 (!) attempts per game as a sophomore.

Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford: Terry is the best shot creator of this bunch and shot 40.8% from 3 in his only season at Stanford.

Who are the best playmakers in the draft?

LaMelo Ball

LaMelo Ball, G, Illawara Hawks: Ball's high-level playmaking is what makes him one of top prospects in the draft. He averaged 6.8 assists per game in the NBL.

Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State: Haliburton is as great a passer as he is a spot-up shooter, averaging 6.5 assists per game this past season when handed the keys to Iowa State's offence.

Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv: Avdija's playmaking at his size is uncanny, making him a true pick-and-roll threat as a 6-foot-9 forward. He only averaged 1.2 assists per game in limited playing time with Maccabi, but the skills are there.

Killian Hayes, G, Ulm: Taking on a bigger role as a playmaker when joining Ulm, Hayes averaged 6.2 assists per game last season.

Who are the best perimeter defenders in the draft?

Okoro

Isaac Okoro, F, Auburn: 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, the SEC All-Defensive Team selection finds himself as a top-10 pick because of his versatility and potential on that end of the floor.

Devin Vassell, F, Florida State: 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Vassell averaged 1.4 steals and 1.0 block per game this past season at Florida State.

Tre Jones, G, Duke: The ACC's Defensive Player of the Year, Jones is a pitbull on the defensive end. He nearly averaged two steals per game for his college career.

Tyler Bey, F, Colorado: At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Bey is one of the most versatile defenders in this draft as someone who can guard any position. He averaged over one steal and block per game this past season at Colorado, earning PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Who are the best interior defenders in the draft?

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James Wiseman, C, Memphis: Wiseman's length and athleticism makes him one of the best rim protectors in this draft class. In a small, three-game sample size, Wiseman averaged 3.0 blocks per game in his short stint at Memphis.

Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC: Okongwu was USC's defensive anchor, averaging 2.7 blocks per game this past season, good for top-10 in the NCAA. He also has quick hands, coming up with 1.2 steals per game.

Xavier Tillman Sr., C, Michigan State: The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Tillman is a savvy defender that uses his 7-foot-2 wingspan and big upper body to protect the rim. He averaged 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game this past season.

Udoka Azubuike, C, Kansas: At 7-feet tall with a 7-foot-7 wingspan and the highest vertical leap (41 inches) for a centre at the NBA Combine, not much other explanation is needed to describe the Kansas product's ability to hold down the paint. Averaging 2.6 blocks per game, Azubuike is a terrifying rim protector.

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Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.