Rookie Rewind 2019

The 2019 Rookie Draft

With the summer dragging on and my Fantasy Football team already 0-2 the focus on the JBL intensified this past week. So much so that teams were dropping players left and right with the hopes of beginning the JBL rookie draft early. Usually we start out Rookie draft around October 1^st but the group this year was super keen on starting early and despite a few mild protests – everyone dropped their final players.

With those final drops completed, we officially opened the 2019/20 JBL season. Again, this is our 29^th year of JBL fantasy hoops.

Let’s have a quick look at the picks…

#1 – Seoul – Zion Williamson

Was there ever a doubt? Seoul goes into the Auction with 1 player and $245 remaining to spend. Woo will build around Zion and try to win another title.

#2 – Chilliwack – Ja Morant

I’m still not sure if this pick is actually staying in Chilliwack or is apart of a bigger trade. Nevertheless, for now, Morant is an Off. This was always going to be the pick at 2. Morant could be very, very good. Chilliwack has 3 players on his roster and $198 left to spend at Auction.

#3 – Idaho – RJ Barrett

Again, the defacto choice all along. Even though we all know the 3^rd pick and/or RJ was offered around the JBL at some point. Idaho has 5 guys on his roster and $176 bucks to spend at Auction.

#4 – Bangkok – De’Andre Hunter

Was this the safe pick? Or was it the right pick? Or was it both? The rumours were Kok was going to take Hunter and it turned out to be the case. Hunter is primed for a starting position and could push for 30 minutes a night. Will he be a superstar? Unlikely. Will he play enough minutes to be fantasy worthy? Yes, I think so.  Bangkok, after the big trade with Seoul, now has 4 players on his roster and still has $201 to spend on Auction night.

#5 – Golden – Brandon Clarke

The first pick to go off-script from the NBA draft. Watching Clarke at Gonzaga this past season got me partially hooked on him. Plus he was born in Vancouver. So add him to SGA and I’m creating my own Team Canada. I like Clarke’s game and hope he can play some minutes off the Memphis bench. And if they get blown out, then more minutes for Clarke.  Golden has 4 players on the roster and $218 to spend at Auction. Of course, will I spend all of it is always the question. Golden is notorious for saving money for players that don't exist.

#6 – Brussels – Darius Garland

Brussels must have liked seeing Garland slip to him at #6. The kid only played 5 college games at Vanderbilt before blowing a knee. Recent videos show he’s bulked up considerably and looks 100%. And man this kid can shoot. This is the big potential player that Brussels was hoping to land. Adding Garland to Doncic and Jackson Jr is a major haul for a rebuilding Brussels squad. Timbo now has 3 players on the roster and still has $221 to spend.

#7 – Norfolk – Jaxson Hayes

Another move off script here. The Doctor aiming for the high ceiling that Hayes brings to the table. Love his potential but will he play much this season in New Orleans? Guess we’ll find out. Norfolk has 4 players on his roster and still has $171 to spend.

#8 – Arctic – Sekou Doumbouya

This was a big home run swing here by the Arctic. Not much is known about Doumbouya. Some have compared his potential to the Greak Freek. Could you imagine. Not sure if Doumbouya will spend more time with the Pistons or in the G-League. But hey, why not take a swing. If you don’t like him, drop him. Arctic has 4 players on the roster and just $107 bucks left to spend. Keeping those high-priced keepers has always been the Arctic’s play.

#9 – Vancouver – Nassir Little

If you thought the Sekou Doumbouya pick was a big swing, this is a monstrous swing for the fences. Little was rated very highly coming into his freshman season at North Carolina. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a great college season. That said, he was projected to go in the lottery but for some reason slipped to the Blazers at #25. Being a Blazers fan, I love the pick for them. Many scouts still feel Little could be a star in the NBA. I don’t expect to see him play much for a Blazers team that was in the Western Conference Finals last year and whose coach only played rookies (Simons and Trent) 20 and 15 games respectively last season. Classic draft and stash here.  Vancouver now has 3 players on the roster and still has $206 to spend at Auction.

#10 – Maui – Jarrett Culver

Maui’s draft strategy over the years is pretty simple. Take the highest remaining available rookie. NBA teams employ smart people to make the best picks, so for Maui to take the #6 pick in this draft with the 10^th JBL pick was a no-brainer. As mentioned, I think Culver could start eventually for the Wolves. Safe pick here by Maui.  The Ribs now have 5 players and still have $203 to spend at Auction.

#11 – Juan de Fuca – Rui Hachimura

Another good pick here in the sense that Hachimura should see lots of minutes with the Wizards this season. Who are the other forwards? Davis Bertans? Troy Brown? CJ Miles? Umm, yeah, Hachimura should play. Juan has 5 players on the roster and $186 to spend on Auction night.

#12 – French Lick – Goga Bitadze

I’d like to say this is a surprising pick by French but I know the methods to his madness and predicted this pick. Goga should see time as the first big off the bench in Indiana. He’s ready to play and could put up decent numbers for the defending champ. There is a reason that French has won 3 of 4 – he follows the numbers. French has 5 players and $204 still to spend. 

#13 – Bellingham – Cam Reddish

The 1^st ever pick in Bellingham has a chance to see a lot of minutes for a young Hawks team. Cam can play multiple positions and if he can figure out his shooting could make an impact this coming season. Bellingham has Cam and $259 to spend on Auction night.

#14 – Cali – Cameron Johnson

Much like the Suns, Cali reaches for Mr. Johnson. At this stage of the game, why not swing for the fences. Cali goes into Auction with Johnson and $259 bucks to spend.

So, there you have it Gents, the 2019 JBL rookie draft. Surprises? For sure. Coby White, who the Bulls took at #7, didn’t get picked. I find that a bid odd. Maybe it was my harsh review of his summer league play? We saw lots of guys that were not drafted in the top 14 picks in the NBA draft get taken in ours. Doumbouya (15), Bitadze (18), Clarke (21) and Little (25) all found their way into the top 14 of the JBL draft. I think there could be a poll here for the JBL site to keep things interesting…

And finally, here is the breakdown of what each team needs (# of players) and how much they have to spend in the October 19^th JBL Auction. 

Team Players to Draft Money to Spend

Arctic 11 $107

Bangkok 11 $201

Bellingham 14 $259

Brussels 12 $221

Cali 14 $259

Chilliwack 12 $198

French Lick 10 $204

Golden 11 $218

Idaho 10 $176

Juan de Fuca 10 $186

Maui 10 $203

Norfolk 11 $171

Seoul 14 $245

Vancouver 12 $206