3. Eric Paschall, Villanova
The Sixers drafted a hometown product last season in Mikal Bridges, though his stint was short-lived. Like, 10 minutes long. But another Villanova prospect will inevitably show up on Philadelphia’s radar this summer: Eric Paschall.
While not the same caliber of prospect as Bridges, Paschall deserves credit for a strong senior campaign as Nova’s most important piece. He upped his scoring average, shot a respectable rate from deep and continued his evolution on defense. He’s the ideal two-way four in the modern NBA.
At 6-foot-7, Paschall’s 7-foot wingspan, 254-pound frame and explosiveness allow him to defend well beyond his height. He’s mobile in space, but can also bang inside and out-muscle bigger forwards. He has some small-ball five intrigue as a result, especially with his spot-up shooting.
In addition to his shooting, Paschall can use his thick frame to attack downhill and finish inside. Whether it’s running in transition or diving off a screen, he has soft touch and brawn. There’s some underlying offensive versatility that hasn’t quite been tapped into yet. Even at 22 years old, there’s room for growth.