Stokes projected No. 1 in draft, ahead of Smith

Stokes heads the draft projections, with Smith second and Stefan Joksimovic third. The projected first round places the Kansas freshman ahead of Smith, an Arkansas freshman, while Joksimovic is playing for Baskonia in Spain.

Stokes is described as the draft’s most naturally talented prospect, combining size and power with long arms, magnetic hands and playmaking ability. His position at the top depends on whether he can bring greater consistency to his approach and its effect on winning during his year at Kansas.

Smith presents a different case. His defence, perimeter rebounding and competitive qualities stand out, but scouts will be watching for further progress in his creation and shooting.

Joksimovic leads the international prospects

Joksimovic opted against playing college basketball and is projected third. The Slovenian won MVP honours at EuroCamp and the FIBA European U18 Championship this summer, though questions remain about his shooting and defence.

The next three projected picks are Holt of Arizona, Branch of BYU and Allen of Alabama. Holt’s defensive impact is a strength, while the assessment of his draft prospects hinges partly on how his playmaking carries over from high school.

Branch can make threes and pull-up shots, and BYU’s expected emphasis on spacing and ball movement should give him an opportunity. Allen returned to Alabama for his sophomore season rather than enter last year’s draft; a larger role with the ball could help him move higher if he shows more creation.

Returning players have room to rise

Arizona senior Krivas is projected seventh after being one of college basketball’s best defenders last year. Connecticut sophomore Mullins follows in eighth, with his shooting and an expected featured role in UConn’s offence central to his case.

Duke’s Ngongba is ninth and Florida’s Haugh tenth. A healthy season and a more featured Duke role could lift Ngongba into the lottery, while improved three-point shooting would strengthen Haugh’s standing.

Several other projected first-rounders also have specific areas to address. Arizona’s Kharchenkov, listed 11th, is expected to take on more offensively, while Duke’s Sarr, at 13th, made 32% of his threes and 53% of his free throws as a freshman. There is optimism that Sarr could become a reliable standstill floor-spacer in time.

The order remains a projection, not a settled draft outcome. Stokes must answer questions about consistency to retain the projected top spot in June, while Smith’s skill development and Joksimovic’s shooting and defence will be watched as their seasons progress.