Gafford wasn’t on most draft radars entering the season, so his rise will often be compared to Justin Patton and Zach Collins. He’s averaging 12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and two blocks per game in just 22.3 minutes of action, providing steady production on both ends for Arkansas.
Defense is going to be Gafford’s calling card, as his length and athleticism makes him a plus rim protector with plenty of two-way upside. The Wizards are thin up front, with Marcin Gortat and Ian Mahinmi both on the wrong side of 30. Getting some young frontcourt talent, like Gafford, is probably high on their list of priorities.
Mostly a rim-runner on offense, Gafford still has some room left to grow on that end. Like Gilgeous-Alexander, Gafford is a name we could see shooting up draft boards all summer.