NBA Draft 2020: Big Board 4.0

18 of 33

Aaron Nesmith of the Vanderbilt Commodores practices during Vanderbilt basketball media day at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.Cjp9198 /

16. Aaron Nesmith, wing, Vanderbilt

Aaron Nesmith is one of the few prospects who can possibly outstrip Bane for the title of best shooter. While his 2020 season was cut short by injury, Nesmith has that one high-level NBA skill — shooting — and because of it, he has instant utility.

Few individual skills carry more weight in the modern NBA than shooting. Nesmith can bend defenses to their breaking point, and his ability to stretch the floor for others — not to mention the points he, himself, will generate — is valuable to any contender.

Nesmith is solid all around, too. He competes on defense, he’s comfortable moving the ball around, and he’s a good enough pull-up shooter to punish errant closeouts. He doesn’t have a ton of upside as a shot creator or playmaker, but he excels in a very important role. In this draft, that’s worthy of a top-20 pick.