2019 NBA Draft - Small College Prospects

Daulton Hommes
photo courtesy of PLNU Athletics

1. Daulton Hommes - 6'7", 215lbs - Small Forward

Junior, Point Loma Nazarene (CA) (D2)

It is rare to see Division II players declaring for the draft early, but the situation for Daulton Hommes is unique. Hommes tore his ACL in both his junior and senior seasons of high school, so he was under-recruited. Also, during that time he grew 8 inches, so his game changed once he returned. He took a redshirt season to get healthy, then played two seasons at Western Washington before transferring to Point Loma Nazarene. In his single season at PLNU, Hommes was named DII National Player of the Year and they were able to make it to the DII National Championship game. Hommes has the size and explosiveness to drive the lane and hammer down dunks, but the shooting stroke to knock down threes at a staggering rate. Hommes has a legitimate chance to see his name called on draft day.

21.9 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.3 ast, .6 st, .7 bl

53.3% FG, 47.0% 3PT, 84.7% FT

Amir Hinton
photo courtesy of
Shaw University

2. Amir Hinton - 6'5", 190lbs - Shooting Guard

Junior, Shaw University (NC) (D2)

After leading all of Division II basketball in scoring at 29.4 points per game, Amir Hinton has declared early for the NBA Draft. Hinton spent his first 2 years at Lock Haven before transferring to Shaw. He has some Philadephia flare to his game, an explosive first-step, and outstanding footwork to maneuver his way to the rim. He has a great mid-range shot and can terrorize opponents with his pressure defense. Hinton was named CIAA Player of the Year, DII 1st Team All-Atlantic Region, and DII 1st Team All-American. NBA teams will take a hard look at Hinton because he is so dynamic with the basketball and carries himself with confidence.

29.4 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.0 ast, 2.3 st, .6 bl

48.8% FG, 34.0% 3PT, 89.4% FT

Lyle Hexom
photo courtesy of Peru State

3. Lyle Hexom - 6'8", 220lbs - Power Forward

Senior, Peru State College (NE) (NAIA)

To say Lyle Hexom can shoot from 3-point range would be an understatement, as he loves to shoot from well beyond the line. His senior year highlights show why he is such an intriguing small college prospect. He is made for the high-post screen game, and can bully his way inside or step out and knock down the three. Hexom has soft touch on his shot and very fundamental post moves that are efficient. His decision-making on how to attack the defense with the basketball in his hands shows he understands the game at a very high level. Hexom was named HAC Player of the Year and NAIA 1st Team All-American. NBA teams will definitely be interested in Hexom as a stretch 4 candidate, he has the size and skill to play inside and out.

20.9 pts, 10.3 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.3 st, 2.4 bl

51.0% FG, 42.9% 3PT, 70.3% FT

Trevor Manuel
photo courtesy of
Olivet College

4. Trevor Manuel - 6'9", 205lbs - Forward

Senior, Olivet College, MI (D3)

After starting his college career at Oregon, then moving to Loyola Marymount, Trevor Manuel had an fantastic season in his third stop at Olivet College. He has decided to forego his final year of eligibility and enter the NBA Draft. Manuel is a long, lean, and skilled forward that can post up on the block and execute a spin move for a dunk or knock down a 3-pointer from the corner. He is excellent in transition and gets up and down the floor better than other players his size. Manuel was named DIII 3rd Team All-Great Lakes Region and 1st Team MIAA Conference. Manuel will receive attention from pro teams because he will be viewed as untapped potential with his size and athleticism.

20.6 pts, 9.3 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.1 st, 2.4 bl

53.8% FG, 30.3% 3PT, 73.6% FT

Jeff Garrett
photo courtesy of
LSUS Athletics

5. Jeff Garrett - 6'7", 225lbs - Forward

Senior, LSU-Shreveport (NAIA)

Jeff Garrett is known for his work ethic and a never-quit attitude, and it definitely shows in his rebounding and defensive intensity. Garrett transferred to LSU-Shreveport from Northern Kentucky and led all of NAIA with his 14.1 rebounds per game. He is a player that always seems to be in the right place at the right time: to intercept a pass, to tip a rebound back for a basket, or hunt down a loose ball. Garrett was named RRAC Player of the Year, RRAC Defensive Player of the Year, and NAIA Player of the Year. Garrett is an interesting prospect with the speed and athleticism of a slashing small forward, but the brute force and strength of a power forward.

18.8 pts, 14.2 reb, 2.8 ast, 2.0 st, 1.7 bl

52.9% FG, 31.2% 3PT, 75.3% FT

Omar Sherman
photo courtesy of Bob Barnes/
William Penn University

6. Omar Sherman - 6'9", 250lbs - Power Forward/Center

Senior, William Penn University (IA) (NAIA)

It has been a long path to William Penn for Omar Sherman. From Miami, Fla. to Paris Junior College (TX), then to Lousiana Tech (where he started all 33 games), before a productive senior year at William Penn. Sherman is a left-handed post player, that is basically ambidextrous from within 12 feet. He has a soft touch, finishes well, and has a nice sweeping hook shot with either hand. He also has crisp passes, block shots, and throws down powerful dunks with either hand. His footwork is outstanding and he has an explosive first step with a polished set of moves from the block. His play-making ability and court vision are high end for a post player. Sherman was named 1st Team HAC All-Conference, HAC Newcomer of the Year, and NAIA 2nd Team All-American. Sherman has a valuable set of skills at his size that will make pro teams take notice.

16.1 pts, 8.6 reb, 1.7 ast, .7 st, 2.0 bl

60.3% FG, 28.6% 3PT, 64.3% FT

Joey Witthus
photo courtesy of
Northwest Missouri State

7. Joey Witthus - 6'7", 220lbs - Small Forward/Shooting Guard

Senior, Northwest Missouri State (D2)

Joey Witthus was a 2nd Team All-NSIC player at Minnesota State-Mankato as a sophomore, but decided to transfer to Northwest Missouri State, where he played his final two seasons. Witthus is a matchup nightmare because he has good size, but likes to play on the perimeter. If smaller players try to guard him, he goes inside and punishes them with his low-post game. Witthus was named MIAA Player of the Year, DII 1st Team All-American, and his Northwest Missouri State team won the DII National Championship. Witthus is a pure shooter: he shoots 3-pointers with great accuracy, but his mid-range game makes him a threat anywhere on the court.

21.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.4 ast, .9 st, .2 bl

50.9% FG, 45.2% 3PT, 86.3% FT

Tim Guers
photo courtesy of
Jim Stankiewicz/
St. Anselm College

8. Tim Guers - 6'3", 195lbs - Guard

Senior, St. Anselm College (NH) (D2)

Tim Guers is the most prolific scorer in St. Anselm school history (2,327 points), but he is so much more than that as a basketball player. Guers puts on a clinic with head fakes, hesitations, and one-handed passes that generate the easiest shot attempt possible. He routinely drives the lane and shows his basketball IQ by making one great decision after another on how best to attack the defense. Guers was named 2-Time NE10 Player of the Year, 3-Time All-East Region, and 2-Time DII 1st Team All-American. His athleticism will come into question for the pro level, but he is strong and some players just understand basketball execution at a higher level, and that is Guers.

21.9 pts, 7.5 reb, 5.5 ast, 1.0 st, .3 bl

47.8% FG, 43.5% 3PT, 85.9% FT

Jacob Ledoux
photo courtesy of UTPB
Athletic Communications

9. Jacob Ledoux - 6'3", 180lbs - Point Guard

Junior, Texas-Permian Basin (D2)

A transfer from McNeese State, Jacob Ledoux was selected LSC Newcomer of the Year as a junior at Texas-Permain Basin, and now has elected to forego his senior year and declare for the NBA Draft. He is at his best in transition: he runs the break with ease, attacks the basket with a variety of moves, and finds teammates for easy scores. Ledoux was named 1st Team Lone Star Conference and DII 2nd Team All-South Central Region. Ledoux is a lead guard with talent and size that loves to slash to the rim. It will be interesting to see what kind of pro career he can carve for himself.

18.2 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.3 st, .2 b

   45.3% FG, 36.5% 3PT, 80.6% FT

William Claiborne
photo courtesy of
LSUA Athletics

10. William Claiborne - 6'11", 290lbs - Center

Senior, LSU at Alexandria (NAIA)

Claiborne's 73.9% shooting percentage from the field is a good indication of how difficult he is to contain. William Claiborne is a wide-bodied post that will not be pushed off the block. He has excellent footwork, good hands, and a soft touch to score in a variety of ways around the basket. He is more skilled and sneaky than explosive, so his game is a little different than you would expect for his size. He gets great position, which leads to many rebound put-backs because of his large frame. Claiborne was named 1st Team RRAC All-Conference, 3rd Team All-Louisiana Region, and NAIA 1st Team All-American. Claiborne is more of a traditional post and has the size and strength to compete against top competition.

14.6 pts, 7.9 reb, 1.5 ast, .6 st, .6 bl

73.9% FG, 0.0% 3PT, 74.4% FT

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Lawton - G, Florida Southern College, Keith Phillips - SF/SG, Williams Jessup, Austin Robinson - PG, Kentucky Christian, Brandon Parker - SG, Francis Marion (SC)