2K is preparing to release the 19th installation of their wildly popular NBA series. Every year 2K releases their highly anticipated player ratings prior to the release. This gives fans, media, and even the players themselves a chance to react and debate about where each player rates. With a scheduled release of September 11th, 2K has already released their player ratings.
The biggest question mark when these ratings are released is around the rookies. Since 2K has never seen them play an NBA game, it is always interesting to see where they rate the new guys. And it always leads to some serious debate. Let’s look at where each lottery pick rates in 2K19:
• DeAndre Ayton (Suns)
Ayton has looked like a prototypical NBA big from day 1. He has the size, the athleticism, rebounding, a smooth post game, and a nice-looking jump shot. It’s no surprise he went #1 overall in the draft to a Suns team who desperately needed a post presence to match with budding star, Devin Booker. It’s also no surprise that he’s one of the top-rated 2K19 rookies who will be an immediate impact player in-game.
• Marvin Bagley (Kings)
Marvin Bagley comes into this season as one of the most productive rookies. With averages of 21 points and 11.1 rebounds per game as a freshman at Duke, it’s easy to see why Bagley caught the eye of NBA execs. That production has led to a very solid rating in NBA 2K19.
• Luka Doncic (Mavs)
To some, Luka Doncic is the best prospect in this draft. He is certainly the most accomplished player in this year’s draft has led Real Madrid to the 2018 EuroLeague championship, winning the EuroLeague regular season MVP, and the EuroLeague final four MVP. All in one year and at the age of 19. It’s easy to see why he is so highly regarded and why 2K has rated him so high in his first year.
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies) 78
Jaren Jackson is arguably the best defensive prospect in this year’s draft. As a freshman at Michigan State, he won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year while averaging 3 blocks per game. His offense may still be coming together, but clearly, he will be a day 1 defensive anchor.
• Trae Young (Hawks)
Young is easily the biggest storyline in this year’s draft. He was the first freshman in NCAA history to lead the country in both points (27.4) and assists (8.7). His offensive repertoire is clearly appealing in today’s run-n-gun NBA and has been labeled as the next Steph Curry by some.
• Mo Bamba (Magic) 77
Mo Bamba is possibly the most physically impressive NBA prospect we’ve ever seen. Not only is he an elite athlete who stands at 7 feet, but he also has a 7’9 wingspan and an amazing 9’6 standing reach. He may be one of the rawer prospects this year, but his physical tools alone put him at an advantage on the hardwood.
• Wendell Carter (Bulls) 77
Wendell Carter at times gets overlooked since he was the college teammate of Marvin Bagley, but even while sharing time with Bagley, he managed to put up 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as a freshman. Add that to the fact that he stands at 6’10 and 259 and you’ve got a really good and young forward prospect for the Bulls.
• Collin Sexton (Cavs) 76
Collin Sexton is a bulldog of a guard out of Alabama. He averaged 19.2 points and 3.8 assists per game as a freshman. He is a crafty ball handler and is very capable of getting to the rim to create contact. His shot is coming along as well which gives the Cavs a very nice building piece for post-Lebron.
• Kevin Knox (Knicks) 75
Knox flew a bit under the radar during the draft process but really started to build some steam as the draft came closer. Knox is a long and athletic wing prospect standing at 6’9 and weighing in at 215. He needs to build some muscle and work on his offensive game, but Knox has the look of a prototypical NBA wing.
• Mikal Bridges (Suns) 74
Mikal Bridges is one of the most experienced players in the lottery. He is a two-time NCAA champion in 3 years with Villanova. He was on the NCAA All-Tournament team in 2018 and averaged 17.7 points and 44% from the three-point line. The 6’7 wing has the makings of a very solid 3 and D player in the NBA.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Clippers) 73
Shai is the second Kentucky Wildcat to come off the board and he didn’t waste any time showing he could stuff the stat sheet. Shai averaged 14.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game with a very talented Wildcat team. Standing at 6’6, Shai projects to be wing he can play multiple positions including bringing the ball up himself.
• Miles Bridges (Hornets) 74
Miles Bridges has the build, athleticism, and jump shot to make it in today’s NBA. Standing at 6’7 and having seemingly springboards for legs, he looks the part. And he was productive in two years of college at Michigan State averaging 17.1 points, 7 rebounds, on 36% shooting from the 3.
• Jerome Robinson (Clippers) 72
Robinson was a very accomplished scorer in his three seasons at Boston College. He averaged 20.7 points, 3.3 assists, on 48.5% overall field goal percentage as a Junior last season. That includes a 46-point game that came against Notre Dame. At 6-5 he projects to be a big guard who can give defense fits.
• Michael Porter Jr. (Nuggets) 76
A year ago, Porter was projected as the #1 overall draft pick in the 2018 draft. Unfortunately, Porter injured his lower back in the first half of the season opener as a freshman. This injury required surgery and left him out for nearly the entire season. Despite the injury, Porter is still a very talented prospect who stands at 6’11 and has wing skills. He’s the kind of all-around big man that succeeds in today’s NBA. If he stays healthy, this could be the steal of the draft.
