NBA Draft 2020: Big Board 3.0

28. CASSIUS WINSTON / GUARD / MICHIGAN STATE

A highly accomplished career at Michigan State should thoroughly establish Cassius Winston as a first-round prospect. He carried the Spartans’ offense on multiple occasions, both as a playmaker and a shot creator. No, he’s not much of an athlete, but skill and heart should leave Winston with a path to NBA success.

Winston is a lights-out three-point shooter and a wickedly smart passer in the pick-and-roll. He checks a thousand boxes in that space alone — NBA offenses need floor-spacing pick-and-roll guards now more than ever. Winston can work off-ball and do the dirty work next to more established stars, or he can provide relief as a go-to creator in the second unit.

He is limited due to his short stature, but Winston also competes on defense. He will defend his position well, even if he’s restrained to one position. If he gets suckered into a switch, you can at least count on a hard-fought loss. Winston is the kind of four-year college superstar who’s too good to overlook at the next level.