The Sacramento Kings may be without their first round pick in 2019, but there’s still plenty of prospects to keep an eye on as March Madness kicks off this week.
March Madness kicks off this afternoon, and while the Sacramento Kings don’t have a 2019 first round pick, there’s still a plethora of prospects for fans to keep a close eye on throughout the tournament.
If you’re unfamiliar with college basketball, or live under a rock, March Madness is NCAA’s college basketball tournament where 68 teams, seeded 1-16 in four different regions, face off in a single-elimination bracket.
The Round of 64 starts on March 21 and lasts until March 22. After that, the Round of 32 (original names, I know) kicks off on March 23 and runs to the 24th. The Sweet Sixteen is held March 28-29, the Elite Eight March 30-31, the Final Four April 6 April Madness?) and the championship game will be held on April 8.
With that out-of-the-way, we can get to the important part: the prospects.
Some of these players will (likely) be in the tournament until the end, while some may just be a one-and-done. All players highlighted are those who, prior to any March Madness breakout, are projected to be drafted anywhere from the late first round to undrafted.
The Sacramento Kings may not have a first round pick, but they have three-second round picks, some of which may be early in the second round (top-40). As a result, it’s possible the Kings are able to trade into the late first round, so players projected to be taken 20th or later will still be considered. For simplicities sake, we’ll be using HoopsHype’s aggregate big board for draft projections, and not listing the different big boards for multiple websites.
For player statistics, we’ll be using box plus-minus and true shooting percentage as our primary advanced stats as well as basic counting stats (points, rebounds, assists). All stats will come from Sports Reference.
Before we hop into it, be sure to join our official March Madness bracket, where you can play against the A Royal Pain team and other Kings fans!
Admiral Schofield, Small Forward, Tennessee (South #2 seed)
Season Averages: 16.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 56.O TS%, 5.8 BPM
Admiral Schofield should be the top target for the Sacramento Kings come draft day. That’s not an exaggeration either.
Schofield is a plus-shooter from deep (career 38.3 3PT%, 41.1 3PT% this season) on plenty of volume (5.9 3PA per-40 minutes). He’s also a strong player who can score in the post with ease and has a high-basketball IQ. He’s also OK defensively, meaning he shouldn’t be dominated on defense when he does come into the league.
His major flaws are almost all connected to a perceived lack of elite athleticism, those were also concerns scouts had about Luka Doncic and look how that turned out. Not to say Schofield will be anything near Doncic, but he’s an NBA-ready player who will likely be available in the second round. He’s also a bit foul prone (4.3 PF per-40 minutes), but he’s cut down on his fouls every year in college. Speaking of college, Schofield is a senior who will be 22-years-old when he’s drafted, meaning he isn’t far from reaching his peak, which can be a negative.
Still, Schofield is a solid player who could be extremely productive if given the right situation. With the Sacramento Kings, he’d project as a small forward, albeit a bit undersized at 6-6. Still, he could be a perfect fit for this Kings team, especially as a bench scorer for a team that’s already sixth in the NBA in bench points per game.
Schofield wouldn’t be likely to start, but if Harrison Barnes were to walk in free agency this summer (highly unlikely) the Kings would at least have somebody to slot in if absolutely needed. Schofield will need some development as a ball-handler and facilitator, but with Sacramento there’s almost no situation where he’d be required to handle the ball a ton.
Schofield’s UT team is the South Region’s #2 seed, and his team could very well go all the way. Regardless, fans should have plenty of opportunities to watch Schofield play and Sacramento Kings fans should pay particularly close attention.
At the start of March Madness, Schofield’s average big board rank is 36th overall, though that’s subject to change if he has a strong performance throughout the tournament. Currently, the Sacramento Kings are projected to have the 40th, 43rd and 60th overall picks, so a trade may be necessary to grab Schofield.
Killian Tillie, Forward, Gonzaga (West #1 seed)
Season Averages: 6.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 61.6 TS%, 11.0 BPM
Killian Tillie isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire statistically, but he’s also missed time due to injury — something that’s plagued him throughout his college career. Tillie’s value, however, doesn’t lie with his insane statistical output, but with his rebounding ability (9.9 rebounds per-40 minutes) and his shooting (career 46.5 3PT%).
His drawbacks are mostly tied to his passivity on offense, as well as his injury history. He’s also not a disciplined defender, which leads to a lot of fouls (7.3 per-40 minutes). He is a solid defender though, so it’s worth wondering whether his foul numbers improve with the right coaching; Harry Giles part two, anyone?
His injury history is also concerning, especially after he suffered a torn plantar fascia that kept him out for the end of the regular season, though he returned for Gonzaga’s conference tournament. He also suffered injuries throughout the last season, which arguably ended Gonzaga’s championship hopes last season.
His fit with the Sacramento Kings is seamless, as he’d be a perfect stretch-forward off the bench for Sacramento. Coming off the bench could also help him avoid injury, though that’s a risky proposition.
Gonzaga is the West’s #1 seed and, barring any injuries, they could be favorites to win the title this year, giving Kings fans a good luck at the Junior big man.
Killian Tillie’s aggregate big board ranking is currently outside of the top-80, meaning he’s likely to go undrafted, though Tankathon.com currently has him going 45th overall, making him well-inside the Kings’ range to draft him.
Matisse Thybulle, point guard, Washington (Midwest #9 seed)
Season Averages: 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 55.3 TS%, 12.7 BPM
Washington’s Matisse Thybulle would be an absolute steal if the Sacramento Kings are able to grab him. Thybulle is a 6-5 small forward who is an absolute menace on defense. He’s a natural at blocking shots at racking up steals, with an excellent defensive IQ. For his season, he’s averaging an incredible 4.4 steals and 2.8 blocks per-40 minutes.
Thybulle is also a decent shooter (career 36.0 3PT%), though this season he’s shooting just 31 percent from deep. He’s also an elite athlete, meaning he should have every opportunity to further develop as a player — especially on the offensive end. His offense leaves a lot to be desired, though he is a good free throw shooter (career 78.2 FT%), which bodes well for his development as a scorer.
Thybulle would be a phenomenal addition for a Sacramento Kings team that is terrible defensively, and his ability to at least function on the offensive end means he should always be a positive player when he’s on the court.
Thybulle’s Washington team is just a #9 seed, and if they advance in the first round they’ll have a date with #1 seeded North Carolina — meaning their time in the tournament may be among the shortest of all the prospects highlighted here.
Thybulle is likely to be beyond the Kings’ draft range, however, as his average big board ranking is 29, though his lowest is 42. Regardless a trade would likely be necessary, but not out of the question.
Ignas Brazdeikis, Small Forward, Michigan (West #2 seed)
Season Averages: 15.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 58.2 TS%, 8.0 BPM
Ignas Brazdeikis is a freshman small forward who’s adept at scoring the ball (20.3 points per-40 minutes on .469/.420/.764 shooting) and can hold his own defensively.
Brazdeikis, like Schofield, is a smart player who could likely be an impact role player for a winning team right out of the gate. He’s not an elite athlete and doesn’t gather a lot of steals (0.9 per-40 minutes) or blocks (0.7 per-40 minutes), but he does have a defensive box plus-minus of 3.3, so he’s not a liability on the court.
Brazdeikis (likely) won’t be the next rookie-sensation, but he could be a solid role player for years to come and bolstering your bench with young (and cheap) players is never a bad thing, especially for an already young team. If the Kings are the able to land a talented young player at a position of need, who’s a plus on both ends of the floor. All that for a late second round pick? Sign me up.
As the #2 seed in the West (pay a lot of attention to the West Region), Brazdeikis’ Michigan squad has a fairly easy path to the Elite Eight, and could potentially go to the Final Four, though it’s unlikely they get past there. Still, we should have ample opportunities to watch Brazdeikis play throughout March Madness.
Ignas Brazdeikis has an average big board ranking of 67, so he’ll probably be available when Sacramento comes up to pick, even if it’s with the 60th overall selection.
Markus Howard, Guard, Marquette (West #5 seed)
Season Averages: 25.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 59.6 TS%, 8.1 BPM
Ladies and Gentlemen, Markus Howard. Howard is Marquette’s Junior floor general, and he is certainly a stat-sheet stuffer.
Howard is pouring in a ridiculous 29.9 points per-40 minutes to go with 4.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals. Another insane stat? His volume. Howard has a usage rate north of 37 percent and is taking 17.4 shots per game. He’s also taking 7.6 free throws per game and is shooting .424/.408/.892. He’s an incredible scorer who can score from anywhere on the floor and is a decent playmaker.
Howard is a bit ball-dominant and can be inconsistent as a shooter. He’s also not a great finisher, but neither was Marvin Bagley III when he entered the league (supposedly). Howard’s biggest knock might be his size, as he sits at just 5-11, which makes him a bit undersized to be an NBA point guard. It’s certianly not the end-all-be-all though, but it worth keeping in mind.
Howard’s Marquette is set to face off against the sensational Ja Morant, and Murray State in their opening March Madness tilt, meaning not only will this be one of the best games of the opening round, but also that Howard’s tournament is cut short. Fans may only get one chance to watch Howard play college ball again, and they should make sure they do, because he is special.
Markus Howard is currently sitting at an average big board ranking of 49th overall; right in range for the Sacramento Kings, without needing any trades.
Cameron Johnson, Small Forward, North Carolina (Midwest #1 seed)
Season Averages: 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 62.1 TS%, 13.1 BPM
Camoeron Johnson is another one of those players who will likely require a trade if the Sacramento Kings are going to land him. His aggregate rank is 27th overall, with a high of 19th and a low of 38th. Any way you look at it, he’ll likely require a big move, but he would be well worth it.
Johnson is a Redshirt Senior, but he’ll still be just 22 when he’s drafted. Regardless of age though, whatever team that drafts him will be happy knowing they drafted one of the NCAA’s best shooters.
On 11.6 field goal attempts per game, Johnson is shooting 50.8 percent from the floor and 46.5 percent from deep. He’s also hitting over 80 percent of his free throws. He’s no slouch in the stat sheet either, as he’s averaging 22.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per-40 minutes. He’s got a ridiculous box plus-minus on 13.1 and a true shooting percentage among the highest in this group.
His only major knocks are athleticism, his ability to score in traffic and a low free throw rate (.266). His free throw rate and ability to score in traffic aren’t likely to be major issues on the Kings. And neither are his athleticism concerns. North Carolina plays at the fifth-highest pace in college basketball, and while it’s a far cry from the pace of an NBA team, it shows he’s capable of thriving on a fast team.
Aside from that, Johnson could develop into a solid NBA starter before long, and if the Kings sign Harrison Barnes long-term, Johnson could be his replacement in the future.
UNC is a #1 seed who we’re likely to see reach the Final Four, though 5th seeded Auburn could give them a run before then. Even so, we should get at least three March Madness games of Cameron Johnson, and even more if the Kings are able to steal him in the draft.
Zach Norvell, Shooting Guard, Gonzaga (West #1 seed)
Season Averages: 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 60.2 TS%, 10.0 BPM
Look! Another Zag! Gonzaga is a #1 seed for a reason, and it being loaded with good players is a big reason for that.
Zach Norvell is a Sophomore shooting guard playing a major role on one of the nation’s best teams. In over 30 minutes per game, Norvell has posted a usage rate around 22 percent and a true shooting percentage of 60.2 percent. That’s, uh, pretty good — especially for a guard.
Norvell is a solid shooter with range, who’s average in nearly everything when it comes to scoring. His efficiency is middling, he’s OK at scoring off the dribble, he’s a decent playmaker and a good athlete. That may not inspire confidence in his ability to become a superstar, but he will likely be a reliable role player in his career with an ability to act as a secondary or tertiary ball-handler.
On the downside, Norvell isn’t the best at, well, anything. He’s not elite in any category, which has kept his draft stock relatively low. He’s also not the greatest defender and can be a bit too inconsistent at times.
Still, with a pick in the mid-40’s, Norvell would be a solid pick with upside as a bench piece for what projects to be a playoff Sacramento Kings team.
Zach Norvell’s average draft position is around 64, though many have them off their boards entirely — signaling the possibility a team could bring him on as an undrafted free agent.
As was said with Killian Tillie, Norvell is on a Gonzaga team that figures to make a deep March Madness run with a chance to win it all, giving us plenty of games to evaluate his game.
Caleb Martin, Small Forward, Nevada (West #7 seed)
Season Averages: 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 56.7 TS%, 8.8 BPM
Our final prospect UNR’s Caleb Martin. Martin is a senior forward with great size at 6-7 215lbs on a Nevada team that could make a deep run as a Cinderella team.
Martin is an incredible scorer (22.6 points per-40 minutes) who can function as the primary ball-handler for a team and can hold his own defensively (2.5 DBPM). Martin is an average shooter (.417/.343/.730 shooting split), but he’s doing so on massive volume (16.7 FGA’s per game). If Martin were to make his way onto the Kings on draft night, his low(er) usage in Sacramento would allow him to make improvements in his efficiency, while also allowing to get better on both ends of the floor.
He’s a bit of a streaky shooter and lacks an explosive first step, but his skill on offense suggests he could be a solid get for any team. Defensively, he struggles to guard quicker players, which is worrisome, but he will have time to adjust to the NBA’s speed in a low-pressure environment while he gets his feet under him (literally).
Martin is also a bit old for a rookie at 23, but Buddy Hield was also an older prospect and that turned out OK. He fills a lot of needs for Sacramento and he could be available with all three of the Kings’ pick, as his aggregate ranking of 80th overall suggests.
Should Martin lead his Wolfpack on a deep March Madness run, his draft stock would surely rise, but that’s no guarantee. Nevada matches up with Florida in their March Madness game, but will have a date with the Michigan Wolverines should they advance. Michigan is one of the more vulnerable #2 seeds, but knocking them off won’t be easy. Should they win, however, they have a clear path to the Elite Eight, which would give Martin a huge chance to make a name for himself.