Ranking the Top 10 NBA Prospects in the G League

There are plenty of NBA players just seasoning in the G League, either waiting for the 2024 draft or a call-up.

Two of this year's top-five picks could come from G League Ignite. Two more could go in the first round or lottery.

But a number of 2023 first-rounders and quality second-rounders are currently spending time getting reps and building confidence in the G League. That could be due to slow NBA starts or simply no opportunities after being taken by teams with deep rotations.

Only prospects who are currently playing in the G League and have at least five games played there were considered.

Team: Stockton Kings

Position: PG/SG

Size: 6'6", 207 lbs

Age: 21

Colby Jones is filling up G League box scores with the same Swiss Army versatility scouts admired at Xavier.

While it's tough to picture a ton of scoring potential with the No. 34 pick, his game traditionally fits well in a role that values connector skills and defense.

There won't be a point in labeling Jones with a position. He's comfortable driving and playmaking in ball-screen situations or guarding wings, and he made 42.5 percent of his catch-and-shoot chances last season, per Synergy Sports. The Kings should eventually be able to use him in different situations on and off the ball.

Just providing average three-point shooting should be enough to complement his passing, tough finishes, floater touch and defensive toughness. Jones has the chance to give Sacramento a classic low-usage, high-impact glue guy.

Team: Austin Spurs

Position: PF/C

Size: 6'9", 215 lbs

Age: 20

Undrafted out of Overtime Elite, Dominick Barlow currently ranks second in the G League in scoring during his second season with the Austin Spurs.

He received some late NBA minutes last year, even totaling 21 points and 19 boards during San Antonio's final game. He has clearly improved since he first started to draw scouts to Atlanta during Overtime's inaugural season.

Mostly valued for his body, play-finishing and rebounding, he's looked noticeably more fluid this year putting the ball down or taking jump shots. Barlow has scored at least 20 points in all eight G League games, overpowering some frontcourts around the basket, surprising defenders with face-up moves into body-controlled finishes and making 10-of-27 threes.

He should offer an effective enough mix of physical tools and inside-out skill to eventually crack San Antonio's rotation. It's also likely to happen at some point this year, based on his dominance with Austin, his development rate and the expectations that the Spurs will start to prioritize prospects and the lottery once they're eliminated from playoff contention.

Team: G League Ignite

Position: PF/C

Size: 6'10", 230 lbs

Age: 18

A slow start with the G League Ignite doesn't offset everything we've seen prior from Izan Almansa.

The U19 World Cup MVP still possesses a degree of physicality, instincts and good hands to contribute as play-finisher, rebounder and defensive energizer at the next level.

His NBA outlook would look more convincing if he didn't start the season 1-of-6 from three and 9-of-20 from the free-throw line.

Almansa has a good feel reading plays and reacting to earn himself easy-basket opportunities. He also shows promising short-range touch. And though not a regular perimeter player yet, he does show some confidence facing up and attacking his man in space.

He's still just 18 years old, playing on an Ignite team mixed with ball-handlers, shotmakers and veterans. And that dynamic has contributed to some quiet showings early.

Realistically, Almansa's high floor is the draw, as he seems to have the right physical tools, interior skill and intangibles to score off guard penetration, rolls, offensive rebounds and miscellaneous paint chances. He just lacks athleticism or versatility that typically creates upside.

Team: G League Ignite

Position: PF

Size: 6'11", 224 lbs

Age: 19

The 2024 first-round discussion has to include Tyler Smith after his start with Ignite. He still needs to prove his 42.4 three-point percentage (14-of-33) is real and a convincing indicator. Smith should have plenty of suitors if he does continue to bury jumpers at a rate in the ballpark of what he's hitting now.

The eye test certainly detects a shooter, which many teams will want from the power forward or center spot. He's paired the shotmaking with athletic finishing and a motor that maximizes his easy-basket opportunities.

Otherwise, Smith lacks some versatility, having shown little as a ball-handler, creator or passer. And the defensive plays around the rim don't make up for the suspect awareness and perimeter coverage the G League has exposed.

Smith doesn't check boxes across the board, but the ones he does—shotmaking and play-finishing—can create NBA rotational value when paired together in a 6'11" big. Teams figure to envision a stretch 4 and pick-and-pop/roll weapon.

Team: Iowa Wolves (Timberwolves affiliate)

Position: SF/PF

Size: 6'10", 210 lbs

Age: 20

Leonard Miller hasn't had many opportunities yet with the 16-4 Minnesota Timberwolves. He's been been productive in every other setting, from the G League with Ignite to summer league and preseason and now for the Iowa Wolves.

It's been eye-opening to watch Miller evolve since 2022 Nike Hoop Summit week, when he first started moving up draft boards and earned an invite to the 2022 NBA combine.

At 6'10", 210 pounds, he's gradually morphed into an offensive wing who rebounds like a big. His three-point shot has been making gradual progress. His handle, while still not sharp enough for advanced creation, helps turn defensive boards into coast-to-coast buckets, and it's still useful for attacking space or closeouts in the half court.

And despite his age and strength limitations, Miller has been an efficient finisher who also has some runner touch around the key.

His scoring versatility points to offensive upside—he's just not super polished in any one area yet, and it's difficult to picture how he'll get NBA playing time if Minnesota has evolved into legitimate contenders.

Team: Salt Lake City Stars (Jazz affiliate)

Position: SG/SF

Size: 6'5", 235 lbs

Age: 20

Brice Sensabaugh has hit the 25-point mark five times with the Salt Lake City Stars. He's just too physically strong, skilled and instinctive as a scorer to bet against his offense translating to an NBA floor.

Athletic questions, limited versatility and a predraft injury were behind his fall to No. 28. But he was one of the draft's top shotmakers, and it's showing on deep threes and self-created two-point jumpers in the G League.

He moves lighter on his feet than his 235-pound frame might suggest. Sensabaugh will find ways to separate with footwork, weight-shifting and timing, though he also has the physicality, body control and confidence to convert contested shots and finishes.

Sensabaugh won't offer enough playmaking to earn point-guard reps, but he has delivered some assists in the G League that highlight passing skill.

Showing he can slide his feet with NBA ball-handlers and wings will be key for his ultimate value.

Team: Raptors 905

Position: SG/SF

Size: 6'6", 220 lbs

Age: 20

The Toronto Raptors sent Gradey Dick to the G League after he shot just 27.0 percent through his first 15 NBA appearances. There still wasn't enough alarming tape in those games to tear up the predraft scouting report that warranted interest in the lottery.

Consider his 10-of-41 start from three an uncharacteristic, fluky cold slump at a bad time. Dick had been one of the nation's premier shooters at Sunrise Christian Academy and Kansas, where he shot 40.3 percent from three on 206 attempts.

His confidence and rhythm will return, potentially after this current stint with the Raptors 905 (16.4 points per game, 2.4 3PTM).

The chances of a star outcome for Dick do seem slim, given his lack of creation and limited on-ball defensive upside. At the least, the off-ball play-finishing, both around the perimeter (with his quick pull-up, spot-up and off-screen jumpers) and at the basket with his 6'6" size and coordination, should yield long-term rotational value.

Team: Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Rockets affiliate)

Position: SF/PF

Size: 6'7", 230 lbs

Age: 19

A crowded Houston Rockets rotation has Summer League MVP Cam Whitmore playing most of his minutes in the G League.

Averaging 24.9 points, he's made at least five threes in four of seven games with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Whitmore has the chance to become one of the NBA's most forceful transition weapons, drivers and finishers with his 6'7", 230-pound frame and explosiveness. He plays through and over defenders in the open floor or downhill. And he's developed some effective quick-dribble moves from the point of attack to shake free, and not just into takes to the basket.

His scoring upside pops on uncontestable step-back jumpers. He's developed confident shooting range, which a G League green light brings to life.

The combination of elite tools, athleticism and shotmaking powers his offensive attack. He's just not a nuanced, on-ball creator, lacking a mid-range game or any translatable playmaking ability for teammates.

The most realistic way for Whitmore to maximize potential will be turning into a consistent three-point threat and optimizing his outstanding physical profile on defense.

Team: G League Ignite

Position: SF/PF

Size: 6'8", 206 lbs

Age: 18

Our preseason No. 1 prospect, Ron Holland has been moved from the top spot with too many questions about his self-creation, shooting and decision-making. At 18 years old, he's still averaging 18.1 points in the G League with a type of explosion, strength and fearlessness that can translate to rim pressure, transition offense, easy baskets and putbacks at the highest level.

At 6'8", Holland's first step and burst create advantages in the open floor and driving situations. If he's not able to turn the corner, he's strong enough to play through defenders and finish.

Shifty ball-handling moves, step-back jumpers and catch-and-shoot threes have flashed sporadically this year with Ignite. But the inconsistency and lack of polish are evident, and betting on Holland as a top option against half-court NBA defenses would require more time, growth and evolution than teams may want in a No. 1 pick.

And with 39 turnovers to 23 assists, he hasn't proved to be a playmaking asset, so that means extra weight will be put on his scoring.

He should be able to salvage value there with his defense and motor. Holland's quickness and desire to chase down fast breaks or run the floor fuel energizer potential that helps prop up his floor to cushion a worst-case outcome of Holland struggling as an on-ball initiator and shooter.

Team: G League Ignite

Position: SG/SF

Size: 6'10", 207 lbs

Age: 19

Positional size, athleticism and fluid perimeter skills create a coveted archetype that will sway scouts to remain patient with Matas Buzelis' development.

A need to get stronger and tighter with the ball against pressure are obvious weaknesses that remain correctable for a 19-year-old.

At 6'8", Buzelis glides with the ball in the open floor, demonstrating a knack for playing over defenders and extending right above the rim. He also became a comfortable three-point shooter late into high school. And that shotmaking touch has evolved, with Buzelis a threat to hit more specialty, off-balance jumpers inside the arc.

He's likely to play more off the ball early in his career, spotting up, cutting and curling off screens. But he has the ball skills to eventually be used in pick-and-roll situations, driving and passing off a live dribble.

Defensively, Buzelis' results have been mixed, as we've seen both solid on-ball footwork and off-ball lapses. He'll likely come with pros and cons defensively in the NBA, with enough mobility and height to stick with assignments and contest shots but also a limited frame that could make him vulnerable against stronger forwards.