Looking back at the 2016 NBA Draft, I still get that familiar tingle of anticipation—the kind that comes when you know you're witnessing a generation-defining moment. Having covered basketball prospects for over a decade, I can confidently say this class was special, not just for its top-tier talent but for the fascinating narratives woven through it. What struck me then, and what I still find compelling, is how certain players' careers seemed to mirror each other from the very beginning. It reminds me of something I once read about UAAP stars in the Philippines—how some athletes not only know each other from a young age but follow nearly identical paths to stardom. That phenomenon isn't limited to collegiate basketball overseas; we saw similar parallels among 2016's draftees, particularly with Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, who'd been on the NBA radar since their high school days and developed through comparable elite programs.
When I first laid eyes on Ben Simmons' tape from LSU, I remember thinking he was the closest thing to LeBron we'd seen in years. His combination of size, vision, and open-court dominance was simply breathtaking. At 6'10" with a reported 7'0" wingspan, Simmons possessed this unique ability to control the game without needing to score prolifically. I had him firmly at number one on my board, despite the concerns about his jump shot. The numbers backed this up—in his lone college season, he averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting 56% from the field. Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram at Duke was this slender, fluid scorer who reminded me of a young Kevin Durant. His 17.3 points per game on 44% shooting didn't tell the full story of his potential; it was that smooth three-point stroke and growing defensive presence that made him a clear number two in my evaluation. Both players had been hyped prospects since their early teens, their paths converging and diverging like those UAAP stars—different players, similar trajectories toward basketball prominence.
What made this draft particularly fascinating from my perspective was the depth beyond those top two. Jaylen Brown at California brought this explosive athleticism that I believed would translate better to the pros than many analysts thought. I'll admit I was higher on him than most, slotting him at number three despite concerns about his perimeter shooting. Then there was Dragan Bender, the 7'1" Croatian prospect who had everyone dreaming of the next Porzingis. International prospects always carry more uncertainty, but watching his tape from Maccabi Tel Aviv, I saw a modern big who could stretch the floor and protect the rim. The fifth spot on my board went to Jamal Murray from Kentucky, whose scoring polish at just 19 years old convinced me he'd be a steal if he fell outside the top five. His 20 points per game in college, combined with 45% shooting from deep, suggested he could become an elite scorer.
The middle of the first round contained what I like to call the "sweet spot" of this draft—players with starter potential but less fanfare. Domantas Sabonis at Gonzaga was someone I personally loved, having watched him develop under his father's guidance. His footwork and basketball IQ were clearly NBA-ready. Caris LeVert from Michigan was another favorite of mine, though his injury history made him a risky evaluation. I remember arguing with colleagues that his creation ability and 6'7" frame would make him valuable if he could stay healthy. Then there was the international wild card—Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot from France, whose athletic wing profile had scouts buzzing despite his raw offensive game.
As we moved into the late first round, the evaluations became more about projection than production. Dejounte Murray from Washington possessed this incredible length and playmaking vision that I believed would overcome his shooting deficiencies. Malcolm Brogdon at Virginia was the opposite—a polished, four-year player whose maturity and defensive versatility made him one of my favorite sleepers. Pascal Siakam from New Mexico State was someone I'll admit I underestimated; his motor was evident, but I didn't foresee his offensive game developing as rapidly as it did. Meanwhile, Ivica Zubac from Croatia represented the traditional center mold that was already becoming less valuable in the modern NBA, but his soft hands and post touch suggested he could carve out a role.
Reflecting on this draft class seven years later, what stands out to me isn't just the hits and misses in evaluation, but how these players' careers have intersected in fascinating ways. Simmons and Ingram, the top two picks, have both become All-Stars while taking dramatically different developmental paths—Simmons as a playmaking forward who struggles with shooting, Ingram as a smooth scorer who has expanded his playmaking. Brown has developed into a two-way force beyond what many projected, while Siakam became the biggest surprise as a two-time All-Star and champion. The lesson I've taken from the 2016 class is that player development is anything but linear. Those early parallels in their journeys—the similar paths to basketball prominence—eventually gave way to unique career arcs shaped by opportunity, coaching, and personal growth. This draft reminds me why I love prospect evaluation: it's not about being right on every assessment, but about appreciating the fascinating narratives that unfold as these young talents forge their professional identities.
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