The NBA Draft 2020 will take place in New York on 25^th June and much of that may ultimately be done virtually. There are some big name players as the potential #1 draft pick, so there’s no surprise if we see LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman putting on NBA team hats on Zoom.

Sleeper Picks for the 2020 NBA Draft

Obviously, the top pick pans out more often than they don’t pan out, but not as much as you’d expect. So we find it just as exciting to look out for those players who arrive without nearly as much fanfare. Keeping tabs on these players and which pro teams pick them up can add some spice to the event – and also the new season when it begins. But who are the top sleeper picks in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft?

Cassius Stanley  Coming from Duke, this very promising freshman could be a top sleeper pick for many NBA sides. A true athlete, Stanley stands at 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs in at around 193 pounds. That alone gives him the size and presence to compete on the court.

What has impressed fans of basketball the most is his rapid progress since being at Duke. Full of energy, he has a great leap to his game and has improved his distance shooting.

His speed also means he can guard the perimeter well, and with a little more bulk, he could be a great defensive asset to any pro team. While he does need to refine his shot mechanics somewhat, his percentages are good enough for any team looking for a promising young shooting guard.

Zeke Nnaji  When you are talking about sheer physicality, power forward Zeke Nnaji is your man! Standing at 6 feet 9 inches and 240 pounds, he certainly won’t be bullied if picked up in the 2020 Draft. Playing his college ball for Arizona, his 2019 stats of 16.1 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game, show just what he can do.

Nnaji’s real strengths lie in some genuinely creative paint moves, a decent leap, and impressive body control. He also finishes very well when at the rim. Good with either hand, he certainly has the raw talent to make a mark with a pro NBA team. While he will need to improve his shot-blocking and the way he protects the rim, do not be surprised to see him picked up and even end his career as one of the best players in NBA history.

Desmond Bane  At age 22 and with nothing spectacular to gain him significant attention in the Draft, Bane is almost the perfect sleeper pick. For a lot of pro teams, the stats Bane has and the variety of boxes he checks could make him an excellent choice. Last year saw Bane average 16.6 points per game, which is respectable enough, but it was his emerging play making skills in his senior year that will make him an attractive sleeper pick.

Teams always need players who can make things happen, and Bane fits the bill with 1.26 points per possessions out of isolation last year. With a 41.7 percentage from the dribble, it is clear just what he could offer to a lot of NBA teams looking for more creative play. With decent passing also, this 6 foot 5-inch guard is vastly underrated by many.

Tyler Bey  As a shooting guard/small forward, Bey comes into the draft without much fanfare. That marks him out as a classic sleeper as he should be getting more attention. His 6 foot 6 inches, 216-pound frame gives him the physical tools needed in the pro arena while his great defensive game is a real highlight.

While he is not the best play maker or scorer, he brings things to any team which are equally valuable. For example, his blocking and rebounding ability are pretty decent. This saw him collect 12.5 boards and 1.6 blocks per 40 minutes last year at Colorado. Bey has natural athleticism and sharp defensive instincts, which you simply cannot teach. With superb anticipation and the effective way he cancels out opposition wing play, he is someone you should not underestimate.

Sleeper picks to keep tabs on

Of course, the very nature of sleeper picks means that the above are just some of those you could keep an eye on. The players we have listed fit the bill in terms of having enough talent to make an impact in the NBA but with a low profile coming into this year’s draft. If they all get picked up by savvy teams on the lookout for new stars, it will be interesting to see how they get on.