ESPN mock draft nails Spurs needs but strikes out on crucial pick from Atlanta

The NCAA Tournament is over, so now the fun can really begin. There is no more college basketball left to be played so all American players are on even playing fields. There are a few international prospects still playing ball, so they still get a chance to show what they can do in live competition, and anything is possible, but from the mock drafts I've seen, most analysts are pretty certain of the area most players will be selected.

In the latest edition from ESPN, they clearly understood what San Antonio's mission should be—get a shooter and backup for Victor Wembanyama. They chose Duke's sharpshooting wing Kon Knueppel with the first pick (8th overall). That's the right selection for the Silver and Black. The first thing most fans would demand the team address this summer would be their lack of shooting.

The Spurs will have a second first-round pick to make, courtesy of the Atlanta Hawks, and in this iteration sees that selection landing at 15 where they add Joan Beringer to the roster. Beringer is a 6'10" center from France. That's the right position, but it's the wrong player.

Spurs should draft Thomas Sorber at 15

Sorber is flying under the radar and there's a real danger to that because he could opt to return to college if he believes he can improve his draft stock. He landed placed at 24 in this mock draft where the Indiana Pacers reside. That's way too low for a player as talented as Sorber and if the Spurs could convince him to stay in the draft, they could snag him in the middle of the opening round.

Unfortunately, Thomas injured his foot, cutting his season short. That seems to be the reason he's slid down draft boards, but this kid has something special that the Silver and Black can tap into. He averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and two blocks per game.

He only shot 16.7% from three, but the Spurs won't need him to shoot a high volume from deep in the beginning. He shot an encouraging 70.6% from the free-throw line, though. His form is smooth enough to project that he'll turn into a respectable shooter if he puts the work in and that doesn't seem to be a problem for him.

Draft notes for Sorber describe his rate of improvement as "impressive." That's an underrated trait for young prospects. It shows they're dedicated and not averse to hard work.

This kid has potential that's easy to see when you pull up any of his highlights. He's quick and versatile on the defensive end. San Antonio will need that from their backup center. The Georgetown product boasts an NBA-ready body at 255 pounds. That will make his transition to the league easier since he won't be bullied as easily.

Beringer looks like he'll be a fine player, but the ceiling for Sorber is higher. He's bigger, quicker, and has a more fluid shot. They're both listed at 6'10", so that's a wash, but there's no doubt in my mind that San Antonio should get their next big man from Georgetown if they land at 15. ESPN was close in their assessment though, so they'll get a grade that reflects that.

ESPN mock draft grade: B+