 As March is now upon us and the 2019 conference tournament slate is underway, the PBC scouting team will provide a snapshot of professional prospects to watch at the outset of each conference tournament. This conference showdown installment delves into WCC, which as historically been dominated by Gonzaga and St. Mary’s from both collegiate winning and NBA prospect translatability perspective. This is reflected in the current makeup of NBA players that played collegiately in the WCC:
This year’s crop of prospects is headlined by two Gonzaga forwards with strikingly different games: Brandon Clarke and Rui Hachimura. Clarke was named the WCC Defensive Player of the Year and Hachimura was crowned the WCC Player of the Year. Each is projected as a first-round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Their third front-courtmate, Killian Tillie, had also garnered some serious draft buzz, but his injury plagued season points toward returning to Spokane for his senior year. In addition to Clarke and Hachimura, the WCC Tournament will feature a handful of other prospects with futures as professional basketball players, whether it be in the NBA, G League, or overseas: Zach Norvell Jr. Wing | 6’5’’ | 205 | Sophomore (RS) | Gonzaga PBC Consensus Ranking: 48 The smooth lefty wing seems likely to follow in the footsteps of Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker as the next Simeon Career Academy alum to make his way to the NBA. Norvell leads the WCC with 85 made threes on a 38.5% clip from deep and has been equally impressive as a finisher at the rim this season. Josh Perkins Wing | 6’3’’ | 190 | Senior (RS) | Gonzaga PBC Consensus Ranking: NR Perkins is one of the premier facilitators in the nation. Read more about Perkins’ game and potential translatability to the next level here. Yoeli Childs Forward | 6’8’’ | 225 | Junior | Brigham Young PBC Consensus Ranking: NR The WCC’s leading rebounder and co-leading scorer tested the 2018 NBA Draft waters and earned the opportunity to work out with the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets. After being advised to work on his shot and ability to space the floor, Childs has answered the call by more than doubling his three-point volume while increasing his 3P% and FT%. The strong-framed forward with a 7’0” wingspan is a highly efficient double-double machine and will likely get a legitimate opportunity at the NBA if he continues to improve his ball skills. Isaiah Pineiro Wing | 6’7’’ | 215 | Senior | San Diego PBC Consensus Ranking: NR The back-to-back First-Team All-WCC selection has improved as a shooter and as a rebounder in each of his three collegiate seasons. He has good size and strength on the wing, can really fill it up with some shot making versatility, is a capable switcher on defense, and knows how to play the game. Frankie Ferrari Lead Guard | 6’0’’ | 188 | Senior | San Francisco PBC Consensus Ranking: NR Ferrari is one of the most electric guards in the nation. He is a maestro in the pick-and-roll, flashes dynamic playmaking chops, has legitimate NBA range, and is an incredibly effective off-the-dribble shooter. Jordan Ford Lead Guard | 6’1’’ | 175 | Junior | St. Mary’s PBC Consensus Ranking: NR Ford is tied with Childs atop the 2018-19 WCC scoring list. He is capable of creating efficient looks both on the ball as a pick-and-roll creator and off the ball as a knockdown catch-and-shoot threat. Ford has good length for his size and uses this extension well as a finisher, but could stand to fill out his frame a bit more to more consistently finish through contact. Malik Fitts Forward | 6’8’’ | 230 | Sophomore (RS) | St. Mary’s PBC Consensus Ranking: NR The product of prep powerhouse, Brewster Academy, has been a seamless fit with the Gaels since joining the team as a transfer from South Florida. The Second Team All-WCC selection has a broad, strong frame, hits the glass hard, and has proven capable of stepping out and sticking it from deep as a stretch forward. Fitts could stand to work on being a bit more consistent on the defensive end and would benefit from increasing his comfortability shooting off-the-dribble and in pick-and-pop actions. TJ Haws Wing | 6’4’’ | 170 | Junior | Brigham Young PBC Consensus Ranking: NR The former top 60 high school recruit and Utah Gatorade Player of the Year is now one of the older juniors in the country after having spent two years in France on an LDS mission. He is a naturally gifted shooter and one of the most prolific off-ball spot-up shooters in college basketball. Despite having not added much to his frame, Haws has made great strides as slashing finisher at the rim, especially after attacking closeouts. Haws is a great complementary fit alongside Childs. Gonzaga’s loaded roster also features a pair of role players with upside as longer-term prospects in Filip Petrušev and Corey Kispert.
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