8. Rayan Rupert, G, France
What are the odds that the Miami Heat will elect to take international players in the first round of back-to-back drafts? If the draft board falls the right way, Rayan Rupert could be in play for the Heat late in the first round. As one of the more mysterious draft prospects, Rupert may be the ultimate boom-of-bust prospect at this point in the first round.
Rupert is hoping that his defensive prowess will get him in the door in the NBA. And it should. However, if he’s going to be a productive player that carves out a long career in the Association, he’s going to need to put it all together on the other end of the floor too. And for Rupert, at least at this point in his development, that’s for from a foregone conclusion.
During his pre-draft workouts, if he has any on a large scale, he will need to prove that he can, at the very least, shoot a high level or show some foundations for a consistent jump shot in the future. But he’s certainly a prospect that the Heat should consider late in the first round. Especially if they’re looking for potential to invest in – much like they did last season with Nikola Jovic.