Friday night's Sweet 16 matchup between UCLA and Kentucky isn't just a game between the two teams with the most national championships in college basketball history. It's an absolute dream for NBA scouts and draft enthusiasts alike.
It has become an annual tradition for John Calipari's squad to be bursting at the seams with NBA talent. Since he took over at Kentucky in 2009, he has produced three No. 1 overall selections (John Wall in 2010, Anthony Davis in 2012 and Karl-Anthony Towns in 2015), 15 lottery picks, 21 first-rounders and 28 overall selections in the seven drafts that have followed, and this year looks to be no different. The backcourt pairing of De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk both appear to be strong bets for the Top 10, while Bam Adebayo is making his case as an elite prospect himself.
In what will be a truly rare occasion, though, Cal's squad will be matched--or even out-numbered--in terms of NBA talent when it goes up against UCLA. The Bruins, of course, are led by the exhilarating Lonzo Ball, whose size, efficiency and passing have made him a near lock to go inside the Top 3, but then there's also big men TJ Leaf and Ike Anigbogu, who both have first-round potential, while sophomore Aaron Holiday--who has two older brothers already in the NBA--is another one to watch.
Put it all together, and there will likely be at least six future NBA players on the court in Memphis on Friday night, making it a must-watch game if you're interested in the future of the Association. You can click through the gallery for a breakdown of what they all bring to the table for the next level, and how they'll stack up against each other on draft boards. (Getty)
1. Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
Class: Freshman
Size: 6-foot-6, 190 pounds
Let's see. What can be said that hasn't already been exaggerated in a hilariously-over-the-top way by his dad? Lonzo could probably beat Godzilla in a boxing match. Lonzo passed on the role of Michael Corleone so Al Pacino could have it. Lonzo shot the deputy.
In all seriousness, it's no coincidence that UCLA's offense, which ranked 51st in Ken Pomeroy's adjusted offensive efficiency last year, has jumped up to No. 2 in the country with the addition of Ball. He's ultra efficient as a scorer, and he's unmatched in this draft (and probably the last several drafts) as a distributor. The comparisons to Jason Kidd don't seem so far-fetched when you see his absurd court-vision and passing.
Simply put, Ball has the ability to make everyone around him better, and that's a large reason why he's in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick. (Getty)
2. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
Class: Freshman
Size: 6-foot-3, 187 pounds
Distinguishing between Fox and backcourt mate Malik Monk is a matter of preference. There's a good chance Monk is ultimately drafted earlier simply because of the immense depth at point guard, but Fox gets the slight edge in terms of overall prospect ranking.
Reminiscent of another former Kentucky point guard, John Wall, Fox is a blur. A quick-twitch athlete with a killer crossover and an array of other good moves off the dribble, he can get to the rim seemingly at will, and when he does, he finishes on 64.5 percent of his shots. That elite quickness also gives him a high ceiling on defense.
The biggest question mark is his jumper (shooting just 23.4 percent from deep and 34.9 percent on two-point jumpers), but he has shown improvement in that regard over the last month, and when his outside shot is falling, he has the look of a future star. (Getty)
3. Malik Monk, SG, Kentukcy
Class: Freshman
Size: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
Monk is in a funk right now, averaging just 11.8 points on 31.3 percent shooting (19.2 percent from beyond the arc) over the last six games, but lets not forget what he's capable of. 47 points on 31 used possessions and 28 shots against North Carolina. 30 points in the second half to beat Florida. 26 points on just 11 field-goal attempts against Texas A&M.
Therein lies what you're getting with Monk. At times, he's going to go cold, but at other times he's going to heat up quicker than a microwave and become pretty much unstoppable on the offensive end. Ultimately, he's a great athlete who can score from anywhere on the court, and his game should translate extremely well to the next level. (Getty)
4. T.J. Leaf, PF, UCLA
Class: Freshman
Size: 6-foot-10, 225 pounds
The modern-day NBA covets big men who can stretch the floor, and that's exactly what Leaf brings to the table. At 6-foot-10, he's 56-of-125 on two-point jumpers (44.8 percent) and 26-of-57 from deep (45.6 percent), displaying an advanced offensive skill set for a 19-year-old.
There are questions about his defense, and scoring just 11 points on 10 field-goal attempts against Cincinnati's physical frontcourt wasn't a great look, but there's no question he's talented and could put up numbers if inserted into the right system. (Getty)
5. Bam Adebayo, C, Kentucky
Class: Freshman
Size: 6-foot-10, 260 pounds
Choosing between Leaf and Adebayo simply depends on what kind of player you're looking for. While Leaf is a skilled stretch four, Adebayo is a 5 who lacks in the skill department but makes up for it with size and energy. It works for him, as he's averaging 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season and has looked even stronger during postseason play, putting up 13.6 points and 11.2 boards in hist last five games.
He's not going to be someone who a team builds around at the next level, but he can certainly make an impact as a rim-runner who crashes the glass and provides strong defense. (Getty)
6. Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA
Class: Freshman
Size: 6-foot-10, 250 pounds
Averaging just 12.9 minutes per game on the year, Anigbogu would probably be smart to stay in Westwood for another year. However, if he does opt to declare for the NBA, he's a compelling prospect. Though he's still raw offensively, he's big, he's super long, he's athletic and he's a tremendous rim protector. Though it's a small sample size, his 13.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per 40 minutes gives you an idea of the kind of impact he can make.
Anigbogu is more of a project than Leaf and Adebayo, but he represents a higher upside. (Getty)
NBA Draft 2017: Ranking Top Prospects in UCLA vs. Kentucky Sweet 16 Matchup