NBA Draft 2018

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With pick No. 44 in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Wizards selected Issuf Sanon, a 6’4” combo guard out of Ukraine. Sanon, only 18, currently plays in the first division of the Slovenian League after averaging 19.6 points per game in the second division. He played for Ukraine’s U18 National Team at the 2017 U18 Euros, averaging 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 steals, and 2.7 assists per game.

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld explained the team’s decision to draft an international player who they could stash overseas. Washington chose not to use a roster spot with their second round pick, something a lot of teams will do later in the draft.

“There were some players that we liked that were picked ahead of him,” Grunfeld said after the pick. “We have 10 players under contract already and the first-round pick, so that’s 11 [players]. There’s a couple of other guys that we want to get on our roster, so we wanted to get a young, developing player.”

Sanon has a great feel for the game and can finish around the rim. The Wizards were impressed with his athleticism, motor up and down the floor, his shot, and of course his potential. The idea of keeping him overseas is similar to what the Wizards did with Tomas Satoransky, who was drafted in 2012 and did not come to the NBA until the 2016-17 season.

��He’s a good ball-handler, very competitive and a lot like Tomas,” Grunfeld said. “We drafted Tomas at an earlier age, he went overseas [and] he played at the highest level and it got him ready for the NBA.”

Sanon plans to join the Wizards at NBA Summer League this July, where he will be able to gain valuable playing time and see the talent pool he was drafted with. Satoransky did the same after he was picked in 2012, and the experience of just coming over to the United States is important for these young international players.

"This is a good experience for me. Summer League is a good league for experience and I hope this is good for me,” Sanon said. “I'm young and I'm learning this basketball."

Sanon told reporters he plans to come overseas on July 1. He will join first-round pick Troy Brown Jr. on the Wizards’ summer squad in what should be an intriguing Summer League roster.

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The Wizards' plan for second-round pick Issuf Sanon

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Wizards selected Troy Brown Jr. out of Oregon and Issuf Sanon out of Slovenia in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Brown Jr., a 6-7, 215-pound swingman, was selected with the 15th overall pick. In his lone season at Oregon, he averaged 11.3 points, a team-high 6.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists.  In addition, he recorded a team-best 55 steals and finished just one assist shy of a triple double against Portland State on Dec. 13 when he recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high nine assists.

“Troy is a very versatile player with a high basketball IQ, great work ethic and outstanding character,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “He will be able to play and defend three positions and his playmaking abilities will allow him to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.”

A native of Las Vegas, NV, Brown was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit in 2017 at Centennial High School.  He was also a member of the gold medal-winning 2016 USA Basketball Men’s U17 World Championship team.

“I was impressed with Troy both on and off the court throughout the draft process and I’m excited to have him work with our coaches throughout the summer,” said Wizards Head Coach Scott Brooks. “His size, toughness and all-around game make him a good fit for our roster and will give him the opportunity to earn minutes as a young player.”

Sanon, a 6-4, 177-pound guard, was selected 44th overall by the Wizards. He averaged 22.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists over the last two seasons in Ukraine’s 2nd Division before moving to Olimpija in Slovenia in January.

“Issuf is a young player who will be able to continue to play at a high level overseas and develop his game as we monitor him, much like we did with Tomas Satoransky,” said Grunfeld. “His athleticism, size and competitive nature were all very intriguing and we feel he can be a player who will help us in the future after gaining more experience.”

A native of Ukraine, Sanon averaged 19.3 points (second in the division), 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.7 assists with Ukraine’s U18 National Team at the 2017 U18 Euros.

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Wizards select Troy Brown Jr. and Issuf Sanon in 2018 NBA Draft

On Thursday night, the Wizards selected swingman Troy Brown Jr. with the 15th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The 6’7” swingman played one year at Oregon after being named a McDonald’s All-American in 2017. During his freshman year, Brown averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 31.2 minutes per game.

"I was really excited,” Brown said of being drafted. “My workout went very well with the team and I was just very happy. It's a lifelong dream to make it to the NBA. You work so hard to make that dream come true and to finally hear my name, especially with a team that I felt like I kind of hit it off within the workout and the interview, I was very excited."

Only 18 years old, Brown is a versatile player who can handle the ball and has an excellent feel for the game already. The Las Vegas native has a 6’11” wingspan and can defend multiple positions, making him a valuable player in today’s game. His versatility stood out, something that’s coveted around the league right now.

“You have to have a lot of versatility [and] you have to have players that can play multiple positions,” Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said. “The skill level in this game has gotten so much better for most players, and he’s a highly skilled player. He can handle the ball real well. He can make plays, he has a high basketball IQ, he can get in the lane and find the open players and can also finish. Versatility and skill is an important part of the game now.”

"The way the league is going, you have to be able to guard multiple positions and he can do that," head coach Scott Brooks said. "I love the fact that he can guard 1, 2s and 3s and maybe some 4s depending on who he’s playing against."

“I just see myself as a player that can do everything on the court,” Brown said. “I bring versatility to the team. To me personally, it was just trying to be an offensive spark and be a defensive spark on both ends. Whether it was making plays, or scoring the basketball, or coming in and guarding somebody that is a very good offensive player. Just being able to have that versatility. Like I said, I have a lot of progress that I need to make, and I’m definitely looking forward to getting in the gym and getting with the coaching staff and learning in that program.”

The Wizards were especially impressed by his interviews and workouts, showing maturity and a high basketball IQ. Both Grunfeld and Brooks noted that Brown was able to draw up several late-game situation plays for them. Brooks said he connected with Brown from the get-go.

The son of two correctional officers, Brown is a high-character player and shows professionalism beyond his years. His ceiling is high at only 18, and the Wizards expect him to be a big part of the team’s future.

“Those are the kind of things that you can’t teach,” Grunfeld said of Brown’s feel for the game. “You either have a good feel for the game or you don’t. You can get a little bit better at it as you progress and you get a little bit older… He acquired a good feel for the game and a good understanding of the game.”

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Troy Brown Jr. brings Wizards versatility and depth

The 2018 NBA Draft is TONIGHT. In our final mock draft roundup, we take a look at who the Wizards are projected to take in everybody’s last mocks.

"Walker didn't have a consistent or efficient freshman season, but his talent, combined with the lack of depth at his position, is keeping him in this range. His youth, strong frame, 6-foot-10½ wingspan and ability to shoot with his feet set or off the dribble make him a candidate to rise as teams search for upside and diamonds in the rough.”

Washington Post: G Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech

“The Wizards hit with Kelly Oubre in a similar place in the draft three years ago, and Smith — a tantalizing prospect with big-time athleticism — could be a similar success story.”

Sports Illustrated: Round 1 – G Lonnie Walker, Miami

“Washington is facing another season in the luxury tax and could choose to move down lower in the first round and attach salary in the process. If the Wizards keep this pick and choose not to trade down, they have enough rotation security at present that they can afford to take whichever lottery-level falls to them. Walker’s athleticism and potential as a scorer are substantial and tantalizing. According to multiple league sources, a number of teams have flagged Walker’s medical, making him likely to slip toward the back of the lottery or out of it. While there’s not one glaring issue that puts him at immediate injury risk, there’s a varying degree of concern about how his frame will hold up long-term. Walker has been mentioned as a target for the Hawks, who have explored packaging draft picks to move into the late lottery.”

”Wagner is another player with an outside chance at the first round, but his NBA outlook can be divisive depending on who you talk to. His size and ability to shoot the three give him a chance to stick as a role player, following in the footsteps of many similar defensive-challenged but offensively talented big men. The Wizards could immediately use a big that can space the floor.”

Yahoo Sports!: C Robert Williams, Texas A&amp;M

“The 6-10 Williams is a lob-catching, rim-running, rim-protecting physical specimen with a 7-5 wingspan. If he’s motivated — as he should be playing pick-and-roll with John Wall — the Wizards will have a gem at 15.”

"Quite simply: My nominee for 2018-19 Donovan Mitchell Candidate. Which is to say: An under-the-radar player taken outside the top 10 with the best shot at challenging for Rookie of the Year. Walker, highly regarded coming out of high school in 2017, was occasionally wowing with the Hurricanes last season and has only improved his stock since he declared. Headline- and highlight-making potential."

Sporting News: Round 1 - G Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech

“Not originally thought of as a one-and-done prospect, Smith now appears set to become the rare non-top 100 freshman to go in the first round. Reports indicate the Wizards — a team in need of some depth in the backcourt — are fans of Smith. The 6-4 guard is young for his class and may not make an impact immediately, but his statistical indicators suggest he could be due for a rapid development curve that turns him into a breakout player.”

NBADraft.net: Round 1 – C Robert Williams, Texas A&amp;M; Round 2 – G Jevon Carter, West Virginia   Bleacher Report: Round 1 - G Jerome Robinson, Boston College; Round 2 – Omari Spellman, Villanova   The Ringer: Round 1 - C Robert Williams, Texas A&amp;M; Round 2 – G Trevon Duval   SB Nation: G Jerome Robinson, Boston College   Net Scouts: Round 1 - G Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech; Round 2 – G Tony Carr, Penn State   USA Today: G Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech

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NBA Mock Draft Roundup 5.0

The Wizards will work out guard Jerome Robinson (Boston College) on Wednesday at Capital One Arena.

Bio:  Averaged 24.3 points per game in ACC play his junior season, scoring in double figures in all but one game and reaching at least 20 points in 14 out of 21 conference games...Led the ACC in points per game (20.7) and three-point percentage (.409) in 2017-18...Ranked eighth in the ACC in field goal percentage in 2017-18 with a .485 clip...Attempted 176 free throws his junior season, the fourth-most in the ACC... ACC runner-up Player of the Year and First Team All-ACC in 2017-18... One of five finalists for the Jerry West Award (Best Shooting Guard in the country) in 2017-18... Scored 46 points at Notre Dame on Feb. 6, 2018, the most by a visiting player in a conference game in ACC history, dating back to 1953-54... Led the ACC and was tied for 19th nationally in total points (725) in 2017-18.

Fit: Robinson is an excellent ball-handler and shooter; he was a natural scorer at the college level. Teams can never have enough talented scorers in the backcourt, and the Wizards could use some depth at the position. The Raleigh native's ability to handle the ball also stands out, while his size should fit well at the NBA level.

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Wizards Draft Workouts - Jerome Robinson (6/20/18)

With the NBA Draft only a few days away, the Wizards will work out center Robert Williams (Texas A&amp;M) on Monday at Capital One Arena.

Bio: Led the SEC with 9.2 rebounds per game in 2017-18...Had seven double-doubles as a sophomore and 18 in his two-year career...Recorded a blocked shot in 41 consecutive games between his freshman and sophomore season... Scored in double-figures in 18 games as a sophomore and also had three 20-point games...Tallied at least five rebounds in all but one game, pulling down at least 10 in 11 games... Two-time SEC All-Defensive team and 2016-17 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year... 2016-17 All-SEC Freshman team... Collected 78 blocked shots, the second most in a single season in school history and the most by an SEC player during the 2017-18 campaign.

Fit: Williams is an ideal fit for the Wizards - an athletic big who can protect the rim. He was among Division I leaders in blocks, and nearly averaged a double-double during his sophomore year at Texas A&amp;M. His 7'6" wingspan and his knack for the ball stand out, though his offensive game is still a work in progress. He is definitely a possibility for the Wizards at No. 15, and there is very little chance he falls out of the first round.

NBA Draft 2018

The Wizards' plan for second-round pick Issuf Sanon

Wizards select Troy Brown Jr. and Issuf Sanon in 2018 NBA Draft

Troy Brown Jr. brings Wizards versatility and depth

NBA Mock Draft Roundup 5.0

Wizards Draft Workouts - Jerome Robinson (6/20/18)

Wizards Draft Workouts - Robert Williams (6/18/18)

Brandon McCoy Pre-Draft Interview - 6/14/18

Keita Bates-Diop Pre-Draft Interview - 6/14/18