5 Best defenders in NBA Draft 2020
Naturally, the offense was a key aspect of the teams’ evaluations of the prospects of the NBA Draft 2020. Nonetheless, Anthony Edwards was the first overall pick and his defense is highly-rated, along with his athleticism.
Defending in the NBA is an art that not every player manages to master during his career. However, teams with a solid defensive identity can aspire to achieve great things. Every franchise wants to be solid at protecting their rim and minimizing their rivals’ offense.
The NBA Draft 2020 had some rock-solid defenders whose skillset will likely translate to the NBA too.
#5 Tre Jones - 41st pick in NBA Draft 2020
Tre Jones is a 6'3’’ guard out of Duke who was picked with the 11th pick of the second round in NBA Draft 2020. He will play for the San Antonio Spurs.
Jones is a great perimeter defender who covers passing lanes well and can steal the ball by intercepting passing lanes. He also averaged 1.8 steals per game in his college career.
Tre Jones is a great on-ball defender who puts constant pressure on opposition guards. Moreover, Jones excels at guarding pick-and-roll situations, and he is smart while going around screens on defense.
#4 Precious Achiuwa - 20th pick in NBA Draft 2020
6'9’’ Nigerian forward, Precious Achiuwa, was selected by the reigning Eastern Conference Champions, Miami Heat.
Achiuwa is a solid defender, as he showed in his only year at Memphis. He is a great rebounder and a nice rim protector for his size. Of course, the NBA is a completely different level, but he could be an asset for the Heat. He was the 20th pick of the NBA Draft 2020 and is a good addition to Miami’s defensive crew.
Achiuwa was an elite defender in college. The Nigerian forward led the American Athletic Conference in defensive rating, defensive win shares, rebounds per game, total rebounds, and defensive rebounds.
More importantly, he ranked third in blocked shots. His defensive rating was 82.5, which led the entire ACC by almost three points.
#3 James Wiseman - 2nd pick in NBA Draft 2020
James Wiseman went to the Golden State Warriors with the second overall pick in NBA Draft 2020.
Wiseman is a 7'1’’ center who is versatile and remarkably mobile for his size. His athleticism fits the modern NBA perfectly, as he may need to guard smaller players on a nightly basis.
Wiseman’s size allows him to be a good rim protector, but his athleticism will be huge for him around the basket, on both ends of the floor. Moreover, having Draymond Green alongside him could be great for his defensive progress. James Wiseman will probably start, along with Green, and his defensive impact will need to be significant for the revamped Golden State Warriors.
#2 Onyeka Okongwu - 6th pick in NBA Draft 2020
Onyeka Okongwu is a solid all-round big man who excels on both sides of the NBA floor. The Atlanta Hawks selected him with the sixth pick of the NBA Draft 2020. It could prove to be a good choice for the Hawks, who are looking to make the playoffs.
Onyeka Okongwu is a unique athlete. At 6'9’’, he is athletic and very strong. The rookie also has an excellent vertical. In the Pac-12, he blocked 2.7 shots per game for USC.
Okongwu ranked third in defensive rating, sixth in win shares, and second in defensive box plus/minus in the Pac-12. He also boasts good lateral quickness, which makes him a versatile defender.
#1 Isaac Okoro - 5th pick in NBA Draft 2020
Isaac Okoro is the best defender in the NBA Draft 2020 class. He is a powerful 6'6’’ forward who can keep up with anyone in the NBA, The youngster has all the tools to become a special defender.
Okoro spent just one year at Auburn before going fifth in the NBA Draft 2020 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his solitary season in the Southeastern Conference, Okoro averaged a steal and a block per game, which is promising for his size.
He moves well around screens, which is the mark of a smart and efficient defender on the perimeter. Given the modern NBA’s ‘switch-it-all’ approach, he could be a vital presence in those situations.
Okoro not only has the physical ability to play lockdown defense (at 6'6’’, 235 pounds), but his passion and desire on the defensive side of the ball are what make him stand out. Okoro’s on-ball pressure and size will allow him to guard multiple positions in the NBA.
Also read: 5 players who are favorites to win the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year award
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