Don't sleep on these 10 NBA Draft prospects

Despite intense scrutiny by teams, some players slip through the cracks in the NBA Draft. As a draft pick or free-agent pickup, these 10 underrated players could make an NBA team look smart. 

Dean Wade, Kansas State

Wade’s time in college remains clouded by “what if?” scenarios. What would his draft stock look like if injuries had not prevented the sweet-shooting, 6-foot-10 big man from playing in the NCAA Tournament in his junior and senior seasons? What if his versatile skill set wasn’t wasted in Bruce Weber’s disjointed offensive system? He could earn an NBA roster spot with his shooting, size, post play and underrated play-making skills.  

Ebuka Izundu, Miami

Toiling for a sub .500 team, Izundu is hardly a household name. A 6-foot-10 center, he is a blue-collar player whose ability to defend, rebound and finish plays on offense give him an NBA shot. In recent years, Tarik Black, Montrez Harrell and Eric Moreland have shown similiar skills in the NBA. With the right opportunity, Izundu could give himself a chance to match their accomplishments. 

Robert Franks, Washington State

Ranked 50th on the Yardbarker Big Board, Franks should benefit from the NBA’s move toward positionless basketball. The fact he’s probably not quick enough to defend small forwards or strong enough to defend power forwards shouldn’t hurt Franks the way it may have 10 years ago. With the NBA embracing combo forwards, the 6-foot-9 Franks has a much better chance to work his way onto a roster because of his shooting prowess and other offensive skills. 

Justin Wright-Foreman, Hofstra

At Hofstra, Wright-Foreman’s 6-foot-1 frame didn’t stop him from being one of the more efficient scorers in college basketball. Whether launching three-point shots off the dribble or finishing at the basket, Wright-Foreman, ranked 44th on Yardbarker's Big Board, is a threat from many positions on the floor. He must adjust to playing against the bigger, longer and faster players in the NBA, but there’s a good chance Wright-Foreman could have a long career in the league. 

Max Strus, DePaul

Unless you are a hardcore NBA Draft junkie, you probably have never heard of the DePaul forward.  Strus never really wowed with the Blue Demons, but he has the tools required of an NBA wing. He shot .363 from three-point territory and averaged 20.1 points last season. Along with sneaky good athleticism and a knack for making plays, Strus could be a diamond in the rough for an NBA team.

 Jarrell Brantley, College of Charleston

Brantley was a workout warrior during pre-draft sessions. About half the teams in the NBA worked out the strong, skilled forward. Some have expressed interest in drafting him late in the second round. Brantley must improve his movement and shot selection, but the attention he has received from NBA teams bodes well for his prospects. 

Nick Mayo, Eastern Kentucky

The 6-foot-9 forward with skills suited for the block and perimeter never played for a winning team in four years at Eastern Kentucky. That doesn’t mean NBA scouts didn’t notice of his game. Even with his three-point percentage dipping to 33.1 his senior year, Mayo has the perimeter skills and athleticism to function as an NBA stretch four. 

Marial Shayok, Iowa State

The rise in grad transfers has some people upset. Shayok is a great example of how it helps a player’s professional prospects. Before transferring to Iowa State, the 6-foot-6 Shayok spent three seasons at Virginia, where he averaged 5.7 points. During his lone season at Iowa State, he averaged 18.7 points. He lacks top-flight athleticism, but Shayok has the scoring ability to give him a chance to make an NBA roster. He has good length, too.

Kenny Wooten, Oregon

It’s easy to look at Wooten’s underwhelming college numbers (6.4 ppg and 4.7 rpg.) and roll your eyes. Yet the secret of the transition from college to professional basketball is that numbers sometimes don’t matter. Skills do. A human pogo stick, the 6-foot-9 Wooten can be a great rim-protector. Even though he is undersized for his position, an NBA team would be wise to roll the dice on the athletic center. 

Jared Harper, Auburn

The Auburn product’s size (5-foot-11) is a concern, but he has other qualities that make up for it. With a 6-foot-5 wingspan, 42-inch vertical jump and elite speed, Harper is a gifted athlete. His improving jump shot -- 37 percent from three in 2018-19 -- and attacking style make him NBA-worthy.