NBA Draft 2019: Big Board 5.0

After a strong freshman campaign in 2017-18, Daniel Gafford made the surprise decision to return for a sophomore season at Arkansas. It hasn’t played out in his favor, with limited growth leading to a sharp decline in draft stock. Some mocks have him going as late as mid-second round.

In the end, Gafford remains an appealing prospect with the tools to become an effective big in the modern game. He should get looks in the first round. He measures well at 6-foot-11, boasting a 7-foot-2 wingspan and explosive athleticism. He’s an effective lob-catcher and vertical spacer in the pick-and-roll.

On defense, Gafford averaged 2.8 blocks per 40 minutes. He’s an excellent rim protector and has the mobility to survive on switches. He doesn’t shoot much at all and didn’t show convincing offensive growth, but his base skill set is enough to bank on.