Prospect watch: Ranking the top players for the 2020 NBA Draft

The 2020 NBA Draft is evolving into one of the more unique in recent memory. While it won't be the first with no clear-cut No. 1 prospect, there's a real possibility four of the top picks will enter the draft without playing a game in several months.

James Wiseman's NCAA career lasted three games, Cole Anthony's future at North Carolina is unknown, and LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton have shut it down - or are close to it - Down Under.

With that in mind, here are theScore's top 14 lottery prospects, subject to change in the coming months:

1. Anthony Edwards - Georgia, Freshman, F

It's not hard to see why Edwards projects as the top wing in the draft class. Listed at 6-foot-5 with a 6-9 wingspan, "Ant Man" has tantalized with his length, athleticism, first step, and transition game at times during his freshman year at Georgia. However, the 18-year-old is still somewhat raw, and he needs to become both a more consistent shooter and an engaged defender to fulfill his NBA two-way potential.

2. James Wiseman - Memphis, Freshman, C

Wiseman lived up to his billing during a brief three-game collegiate campaign. He's got guard-like athleticism in a center's body, and he was a terror on the fast break, showing breakaway speed while running from one end of the floor to the other. Wiseman was also effective in half-court sets, specifically as a lob target in pick-and-roll situations. There were questions about his motor entering college, but that didn't seem to be an issue based on his offensive-rebounding effort.

3. LaMelo Ball - Illawarra Hawks (Australia), G

Ball is among a handful of players who could go No. 1 overall. At 6-foot-6, the youngest Ball brother is taller than most point guards and can see the floor very well. He can create out of the pick-and-roll and fire one-handed passes off the dribble to open shooters on the perimeter. However, Ball's outside shooting and defense were suspect this season. Despite averaging 17 points and 1.6 steals per game, the 18-year-old's shot selection was questionable at times, and he was caught gambling for steals too often.

4. Cole Anthony - North Carolina, Freshman, G

It's uncertain if Anthony will suit up again for Carolina this season, but the team's 4-7 record without him isn't insignificant. Even if he doesn't play, the son of former NBA player Greg Anthony is still a likely lottery pick. While the point guard needs to keep developing as a facilitator, there's no doubt he can score in any number of ways.

5. Deni Avdija - Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Israel), F

This year's top international prospect comes by way of Israeli powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv. Due to his underwhelming pro stats this season, much of Deni Avdija's stock is rooted in potential. The 6-foot-9, 210-pound point forward is a crafty playmaker with an aggressive offensive disposition, giving him a skill set for the modern game. The 19-year-old excels at both attacking and pulling up in transition, and he's a workman on defense.

6. Jaden McDaniels - Washington, Freshman, F

McDaniels was one of two top-10 recruits in the Huskies' 2019 class. Although he hasn't shot the ball particularly well thus far, McDaniels has shown an ability to create his own offense on the perimeter, which should translate well to the next level. The 6-foot-9 wing's release point on his jump shot is high, making it difficult for opposing players to contest. On the other end of the floor, McDaniels' length and athleticism have fit perfectly into Washington's 2-3 zone defense. He gets his hands on a lot of passes while also providing the Huskies with a rim-protecting presence.

7. Tyrese Haliburton - Iowa State, Sophomore, G

Many projected Haliburton to make a sophomore leap this season, and the Iowa State point guard has delivered. He's 6-foot-5 with a 7-foot wingspan (for reference, Giannis Antetokounmpo's is 7-3), and Haliburton is a wiry pogo stick of controlled chaos, driving to the basket in few strides and blocking shots out of nowhere with his long arms. He's also greatly improved as a passer this season, and the 19-year-old could be the best point guard in the draft.

8. Tyrese Maxey - Kentucky, Freshman, G

Maxey has produced tremendous scoring spurts, most notably during his dazzling Wildcats debut at the Champion's Classic in November. The 19-year-old combo guard can pull up on a dime, and he possesses the blow-by speed to create spots in the paint, showing soft touch on floaters and push shots. Maxey also moves smoothly away from the ball, and his 200-pound frame takes contact well. But at 6-foot-3, the Texas native is undersized to play the two, and he hasn't showcased the natural playmaking instincts of a traditional point guard.

9. RJ Hampton - New Zealand Breakers (Australia), G

Hampton was a five-star recruit while attracting interest from a number of high-profile schools, including Kansas and Memphis. But like Ball, he opted to go pro and spent the 2019-20 campaign overseas in the Australian NBL. The 18-year-old is a speed demon in the open court, using an explosive first step to glide to the rim with ease. Hampton recorded a 3.7 GPA in high school, and it shows in his play. He attacks opposing big men on switches and reads what the defense is giving him before consistently making the right passes.

10. Obi Toppin - Dayton, Sophomore, F

Dayton has vaulted into the top 10 for the first time since 1967, and Toppin is leading the charge. The sophomore has emerged as one of the nation's top power forwards, with the ability to score inside and out. The 6-foot-9, 220-pounder's high shoulders give the impression that he's bigger than his actual size, and his bouncy athleticism makes him a terror at the rim on both ends.

11. Precious Achiuwa - Memphis, Freshman, F

With Wiseman out of the picture, Achiuwa emerged as the Tigers' lead horse. The 6-foot-9 power forward recently became the first player in American Athletic Conference history to record six consecutive double-doubles, averaging 18 points, 11.5 boards, and three blocks per game during that span. Achiuwa doesn't shy away from contact, and he displays a great second effort on the glass. He's a bit undersized, but his athleticism and 7-foot-2 wingspan are assets defensively.

12. Onyeka Okongwu - USC, Freshman, F

USC power forward Onyeka Okongwu has more than looked the part during his freshman year, ranking third in the Pac-12 in rebounding and second in blocks. The 6-foot-9, 245-pounder is also explosive, finishing strong at the basket and running the floor well in transition. While he lacks an outside shot, his potential as a rim-runner and pick-and-roll finisher is unmistakable.

13. Killian Hayes - Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany), G

Hayes was born in Florida but moved to France as a child when his father, DeRon, a Penn State standout in the early '90s, began playing professionally there. The 18-year-old lefty has emerged over the last two years as a top lead guard prospect by showcasing elite-level passing skills and a nice step-back jumper.

14. Nico Mannion - Arizona, Freshman, G

Mannion is among a trio of first-year players making noise at Tucson. The McDonald's All-American is an exceptional passer off the dribble and out of the pick-and-roll. He's recorded 10 or more assists on three separate occasions this season and is tied for the Pac-12 lead with 5.8 dimes per contest. While Mannion lacks the explosiveness to penetrate the teeth of the defense, he's got a reliable pull-up jumper and floater to lean on.