2016 NBA Draft Rumors: Kansas’ Wayne Selden Declares For Draft, While Xavier’s Jalen Reynolds And Trevon Bluiett Join Long List Of Early Entrants

The 2016 NBA Draft is still nearly three months away, but it seems like every day a college underclassman or two or three declare for their intentions of either officially entering the draft or testing the market.

That once again happened yesterday, March 29, as UConn junior center Amih Bridal, as well Xavier teammates Jalen Reynolds and Trevon Bluiett, declared that they were throwing their names into the draft. All three plan on holding off on hiring an agent and thus remaining eligible to return to school. However, Kansas’ Wayne Selden plans to hire an agent and stay in the draft according to KUathletics.

Selden projects a mid-second round draft pick (38-48). The 6’5? wing averaged 13.8 points while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from beyond the arc this past season. He did pick up his production during the Jayhawks’ NCAA Tournament run, averaging 17.6 points along with 4. 7 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Selden is ranked as the 44th best prospect by Draft Express and No.56 by ESPN.

Bridah, Reynolds, and Bluiett will likely ultimately return to school, as all three are ranked outside the top-100 prospects by both Draft Express and ESPN.

In the past, Bridah, Reynolds, and Bluiett would not be able to return after declaring for the draft, but the NCAA Division I council amended its policy in January. Now, players that declare for the draft can keep their eligibility as long as the player does not sign a contract with a professional team outside the NBA or sign with an agent. The player also must withdraw from the draft within 10 days after the NBA Draft Combines ends, which would make May 25 the cutoff this year. In addition, the NCAA is permitting players to also attend an NBA team tryout enter and withdraw from the draft multiple times.

So far, over 40 underclassmen have already declared for the 2016 draft. Several other underclassmen will likely enter the draft, and they have until April 24 to do so, per the NBA CBA.

The rest of the article will look at the decisions the players made relative to their chances of getting drafted.

No Brainer

Ben Simmons, LSU: The 6-foot-10 forward has been considered one of the top two prospects all season long and has told ESPN that he has hired an agent. He is very versatile and possesses good handles while also being an exceptional passer. Simmons, who is pretty athletic, is also a very good scorer but lacks range on his jumper, as well as confidence. Simmons produced 22 double-doubles last year and averaged 19.2 points along with 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the year. He also shot 56 percent from the field and got to the line a ton (nine times a game, 67 percent from the charity stripe). However, he had just three three-point attempts.

Kris Dunn, Providence: The 6-foot-4 point guard should be a lottery pick. He is a fantastic scorer who thrives at getting to the hoop. Dunn does need to learn better shot selection and is turnover prone. Dunn produced seven double-doubles and averaged 16.4 points with 6.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from beyond the arc. Dunn has hired an agent.

Jamal Murray, Kentucky: The 6-foot-5 freshman had a very good season but was particularly outstanding the last half of the season. Murray, who averaged 20 points and 5.2 rebounds, tallied 21 or more points in eight of his final 11 contests while grabbing at least seven boards six times during that stretch. Murray is super talented and is expected to be a high lottery pick (between No. 3 and No. 8). He is an excellent penetrator and has great court vision. Murray is also a good perimeter shooter, making over 40 percent of his three-point attempts.

Very Good Choice

Marquese Chriss, Washington: The 6-foot-9 power forward will sign with an agent according to ESPN. Chriss didn’t have an overwhelming freshmen season but did pick up his production over his final four games – producing two double-doubles and scoring at least 18-points in each of those contests. Chriss is expected to be a mid-lottery to top-20 pick in the draft due to his upside, athleticism and defense. He averaged 13.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 53 percent from the floor and 35 percent from beyond the arc.

Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt: The 6-foot-3 point guard will not return to the Commodores as he will hire an agent, per CBS Sports. He will likely be selected anywhere between 15-to-28 picks, though he could work his way into the late lottery if his workouts go well.

Vanderbilt's Wade Baldwin will declare for the 2016 NBA Draft and sign with an agent, sources told @CBSSports.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 28, 2016

Demetrious Jackson, Notre Dame: The 21-year old point guard had a solid if unspectacular junior campaign. Depending on his measurables and work at the combine, Jackson will likely be selected between picks 15-and-25.

Notre Dame's Demetrius Jackson will sign with an agent and declare for the 2016 NBA Draft, per release.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 30, 2016

Malik Beasley, Florida State: The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is an excellent and can stroke the ball with range. He is a mid-first round-to-late first round talent. Beasley may fall to the second round due to his measurables, but they aren’t going to change overtime.

Good choice

Tyler Ulis, Kentucky: The 5-foot-9 point guard had an excellent sophomore campaign. Ulis has shown that he definitely is a NBA prospect despite his size,and he will be selected anywhere between 15-to-25 in the first round.

De’Andre Bembry, St. Joseph’s: Bembry has or plans to hire an agent so he will not return to the Hawks. The 6’6? small forward will likely be a pro for many years and it is doubtful that he would have increased his stock had he chosen to stay one more season. Likely a late-first round-to-early second round choice.

Ben Bentil, Providence:The 6-foot-9 power forward had an outstanding offensive season for the Friars last year, he had five games of at least 30 points that included a career-high 42 against Marquette in February. Bentil has a high motor and can score inside and outside, he is a poor rebounder and is not a great defender. If he stays in the draft, he will likely be a late first round selection or early second round pick.

“He’s got everything he needs to succeed in the NBA,” one GM said. “He just needs more time. I’m not sure if he’ll declare for the draft, but I think a range of No. 20 to No. 35 is pretty realistic. And if he has great workouts, the lottery isn’t out of the question.”

Anthony “Cat” Barber: The 6-foot-2 point guard will remain in draft as he has hired representation. He is likely a late first round or early second round pick. Barber is a tremendous scorer and ball-handler who could dish the ball a little more often.

Caleb Swanigan (Purdue), Jaron Blossomgame (Clemson), Dedric Lawson are potential late first round or early second round picks so they are in good position.

Questionable Decision

Dejounte Murray, Washington: Like Chriss, Murray is planning on hiring an agent. The 6-foot-5 point guard is seen as having very good upside and possesses excellent handles and is a very good defender. Murray would likely have benefited from another year in college, as he doesn’t shoot the ball well and is turnover prone. He will likely be drafted anywhere between picks 20 and 40.

Stephen Zimmerman, UNLV: The 7-footer has the skills and mobility to be successful in the NBA in future. It is just a question of whether this year was a good year to come out for him after a far from stellar freshman campaign. Zimmerman is a good shot-blocker, rebounder and possesses the ability to score inside-and-out, however, he does not play hard all time and gets into foul trouble. According to Yahoo’s The Vertical, Zimmerman has hired an agent.

Isaiah Briscoe, Kentucky: The 19-year old point guard needs another year of college ball to work on his perimeter shooting. If he stays in, he will likely be an early second round selection.

Marcus Lee, Kentucky: The 6-foot-9 junior is very athletic and a good rebounder, though he is limited offensively. Lee needs another year at Kentucky but could be a late second round selection if he remains in the draft.

Malik Newman, Mississippi State: The 6-foot-3 shooting guard entered his freshman season as a hot-shot prospect, and while he is definitely talented, Newman struggled — averaging 11.3 points and shooting 39 percent from the floor. Newman is a possible late first round selection/more likely second round choice. He can return to school and told the Clarion-Ledger that he will if he is told that he will be a second round selection.

Isaiah Whitehead (Seton Hall) and Chinanu Onuaka (Louisville) may be better served to return to school as they are solid second round selections but could move into the first round next year after improving their deficiencies.

Bad Choice

Cheick Diallo, Kansas: Sure the 7-footer has talent but he barely got on the floor and when he did he struggled. Diallo has not hired an agent at this point, which is good as he needs another year of seasoning.

Kansas freshman Cheick Diallo will declare for the 2016 NBA Draft without an agent, source told @CBSSports.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 28, 2016

Tim Quarterman, LSU: The combo guard did not have a great junior season, averaging 11.2 points along with 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He did a pretty good job when he had the ball was in his hands but struggled with his shot. Quarterman has hired an agent and likely be a mid-to-late second round selection if he chosen at all.

Jalen Moore, Utah State: The 6-foot-9 forward will likely and should return to school for his senior campaign.

Abdul-Malik Abu, N.C. State:The 6-foot-8 power forward averaged 12.8 points along with 8.8 rebounds but needs to return to school.

Daniel Hamilton, UConn: The 6-foot-9 sophomore has not hired an agent, which is a good thing as he would likely go undrafted if he stays in. Hamilton does have talent and does a little bit of everything offensively, his biggest problem is consistency with his shot and on the defensive end.

Derek Willis,Kentucky: The 6-foot-9 junior is unspectacular to say the least, yet he gets the job done. Willis needs to return to school so he has a better chance of getting drafted following his senior season.

Charles Matthews, Kentucky: The 6-foot-6 guard saw limited time as a freshman,averaging 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds. Matthews went to Kentucky as a highly touted recruit and could eventually get drafted in a year or two. Likely to return to school.

Tony Anderson, Southeast Missouri : The 6-foot-9 power forward is intent on playing pro ball next season, unfortunately for him it won’t be in the NBA.

Kareem Canty, Auburn: The 6-foot point guard put up impressive numbers but was suspended for the remainder of the season by head coach Bruce Pearl. Unless Canty has no other option, a strong possibility as he has already transferred once and sat out a season, he should return to school.

Peter Jok (Iowa), Dominique Hawkins (Kentucky), Mychal Mulder(Kentucky), Dillion Pullman (Kentucky),E.J. Floreal (Kentucky), Jonny David (Kentucky), Que Johnson (Washington State), Makai Mason (Yale), Trevor Thompson (Ohio State), Jahmal McMurray (South Florida) need to return to school.

[photo by Orlin Wagner/Associated Press]