The 2018 NBA Draft begins on Thursday night in Brooklyn, and before Round 1 is done, several former SEC stars are expected to be off the board.

On Monday evening, ESPN released it’s “Ultimate Grade A Mock Draft” and projected five SEC players to hear their names called in the lottery portion of the round.

As you can see below, Mizzou F Michael Porter Jr. is expected to be the first player off the board at No. 6, followed shortly thereafter by four more former SEC stars in the next eight picks:

  • No. 6 — Michael Porter Jr., F, Mizzou — Orlando Magic
  • No. 8 — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Kentucky — Cleveland Cavaliers
  • No. 11 — Collin Sexton, G, Alabama — Charlotte Hornets
  • No. 13 — Robert Williams, F, Texas A&M — Los Angeles Clippers
  • No. 14 — Kevin Knox, F, Kentucky — Denver Nuggets

There’s still time for teams to get their final evaluations of these players done, so there is likely to be some more rising and falling for top prospects.

However, there’s a good chance all these guys go in Round 1, so Thursday should be an exciting night for the SEC.