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ESPN- NBA draft analyst and writer
Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams
Champ Week is here as NBA scouts and executives will be at college basketball conference tournaments across the country between now and Selection Sunday, getting one last look at this year's top prospects against familiar foes.
Some prospects have played their last college game before declaring for June's NBA draft. Which players are on the rise or decline as we conclude the regular season?
ESPN draft experts Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz have updated their top-100 draft rankings prior to the start of next week's NCAA tournament as they provide fresh evaluations on a trio of SEC standouts.
Jalen Duren | 6-11 | C | Age: 18.2 | Memphis | No. 6 in Top 100
After starting 9-8, Memphis is now one of the hottest teams in the country, winners of 10 of their last 11 games, which likely cemented their credentials for an NCAA tournament bid. Duren has been playing some of his best basketball of the season in that stretch, an uptick that is perhaps not a surprise considering he turned 18 in November and is the youngest player projected to be drafted. Duren's scoring, rebounding and free throw attempts are all up, and he's generally played harder and been much more effective on the defensive end as the year has moved on.
Duren should have a ready-made role early in his NBA career, not all that different than the one he plays at Memphis. Ranking fourth in dunks among players projected to be drafted, Duren is one of the best finishers in this draft class, thanks to his reliable hands, terrific quickness getting off his feet and 7-foot-5 wingspan, which provides a huge radius to catch lobs.
