Austin Rivers is averaging 15.8 points and is shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc.

“Rivers is improving every week,” one veteran NBA scout said (he cannot be quoted by name because NBA scouts are forbidden from publicly commenting on draft-eligible players). “He’s great off the bounce and is starting to calm down and is doing a better job of reading the defense.

“He’s a Top 10 pick.”

Another NBA scout suggested Rivers should spend a second year in college.

“Austin is an offensive-minded 2 guard who has the ability to get to the rim but still struggles with his consistency shooting the ball from the perimeter,” the second scout said. “He also needs to be a more committed defender. I think he came into the season as a one-and-done but should stay another year.”