The NBA Draft got underway on Thursday Night and for the most part, things went just as expected. Each year we the NBA Draft treats it’s fans to a shocking selection but this year went pretty much as planned. There were no real major shakeups in the top 5 as each team selected the player that they had on their wish list. The following players were selected with the top five picks in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Phoenix Suns had the #1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and to no surprise to anyone, they went with Deandre Ayton. Ayton is a Center from Arizona that is a complete offensive player. Most people had Ayton being drafted with the first overall pick so this pick was really no shock to anyone. Ayton is the first Arizona Wildcat to ever be drafted with the #1 overall pick. Ayton is surely to be a fan favorite as he played college ball and now in the NBA in the state of Arizona.
The Sacramento Kings were then on the clock but they knew who they wanted and went after him. With the second overall selection, the Kings picked Marvin Bagley III from Duke. Bagley is explosive on the court and plays at one speed, FULL SPEED! He set a record in the ACC for double doubles with 22 and is a overall well rounded player. Early in the draft process, many people had Bagley as the best college basketball player available in the draft and with his hard work ethic, he will certainly push the Kings to play an uptempo style of play.
The Atlanta Hawks selected Point Guard Luka Doncic with the third overall pick however his time in Atlanta will be short lived as it was announced that the Dallas Mavericks worked out a trade with Atlanta to send them the 5th overall pick this year and a future first round draft pick for the rights to Luka Doncic. The Mavericks believe that they have one of the best players in the draft.
With the fourth selection overall, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Power Forward Jaren Jackson Jr from Michigan State. Jackson was the BIG 10 Defensive Player of the Year and the BIG 10 Freshman of the Year. The freshman could potentially be the best defensive player in the NBA Draft this year. He is a very good shooter and is a shot blocking machine! Many people were cautious of who the Grizzlies would select after Mo Bamba made it public that he did not wish to play for the Memphis organization and refused to submit his medicals to the team to block their attempts to sign him.
The fifth pick belonged to the Dallas Mavericks and as part of the earlier Atlanta Hawks selection, the Mavericks selected Oklahoma Point Guard Trae Young. Young is the first player in DI that led the College Basketball season in both Points Per Game and Assists Per Game. The Hawks will now have the star player that they have craved for many years.