Buddy Hield of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts in the first half against the Villanova Wildcats. (Photo : Getty Images/Streeter Lecka)
Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram will be the top two prospects heading into the 2016 NBA Draft this July. After those two, many draft experts and analysts do not have a common answer on who will be the third overall pick.
There are different players who may be selected for that spot, possibly depending on the team that will land the pick. The Boston Celtics will likely be the team to hold the third overall pick based on NBA lottery odds.
Let us take a look at some of the possible players that will come after Simmons and Ingram based on different mock drafts.
Buddy Hield, SG - Oklahoma
The 2015 National Player of the Year award led the Oklahoma Sooners to the Final Four this year. The mock draft of Hoops Hype noted that he vastly improved his shooting and shot creating ability, the primary needs in today's NBA offense.
Hield also has a four-year college experience that will ease his transition in the big leagues. Even if he is only a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, he has long arms, athleticism and the work ethic to play in the NBA.
In his final year in Oklahoma, the 22-year-old averaged 25.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.7 percent from the three-point area. However, he does not have the same upside as the next two prospects.
Dragan Bender, PF - Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Croatian is considered the best international player in the upcoming draft. Even though he is not getting many minutes with Maccabi Tel Aviv, he is projected to be a top draft pick because of his immense potential.
Bender is being compared to fellow European Kristaps Porzingis due to both players being good shooters as well as the same scoring ability. Porzingis took the NBA by storm and many believe that Bender will do the same next season.
The 18-year-old stands at 7-foot-0 but needs to put on some weight and muscle to bang bodies in the NBA. He is quick for his size but just like Porzingis last year, he is a mystery heading into the NBA Draft.
Jamal Murray, SG - Kentucky
Murray is the third-best prospect for Gary Parrish of CBS Sports. He noted that the Kentucky product is a future "terrific" combo guard in the NBA.
The 19-year-old's calling card is his scoring ability as he averaged 20.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game in his lone year under John Calipari. He is the safest bet compared to two prospects above.
Murray is like Hield but with more upside while Bender has the possibility to become a bust if he fails to adjust in the NBA. Check out the video below for the latest NBA mock draft of the 2016 class.
