Kentucky Wildcats basketball doesn’t just dominate the McDonald’s All-American Game, the SEC and the NCAA Tournament.
NBA Draft night is always their night as well.
“It’s graduation day for my child,” John Calipari says at the event, during the 30 for 30 film “One and Not Done.”
“He wouldn’t miss NBA Draft night, it’s like a holiday,” former Wildcat and current Phoenix Sun Devin Booker expounds in the documentary. This Draft, it’s all about three Wildcats, all of whom might end up getting selected in the top 10. Let’s take a look at where all three might be going come draft night.
ESPN has recently slashed a lot of their top tier talent, and the cuts hit the college basketball department especially hard.
However, two guys who did actually survive the massive purge are Analyst/International expert Fran Fraschilla and reporter Jeff Goodman who answered questions to preview the 2017 NBA Draft this week. You can read the entire transcript of their media conference call at this link.
“De’Aaron Fox’s speed and athleticism, given the way the NBA game is at the moment,” said Fraschilla.
“That’s going to trump the fact that he has to continue to improve his shot…you cannot, in this modern NBA, teach his speed and athleticism, and unlike some of the non-shooting point guards in the league…you could safely compare him to a young John Wall because of the same attributes.”
“It’s not in his DNA to be a great shooter, because he’s never had to be, but it certainly helps him in his NBA future down the road if he continues to figure out a way to make some shots, but the speed and athleticism will get him drafted, obviously, in the top five or six.”
“I think he’s only helped by his character, too,” added Goodman.
“I mean, high-character kid, shined when it mattered in the NCAA Tournament, for the most part. I think you’re looking at a guy who’s certainly going to go in the top-10 and could go as high as 5.”
This is what we have in our pre-lottery NBA mock draft, and obviously this changes completely with the Sixers now picking third:
5. Philadelphia-De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky 6-3, Fr.
The 76ers have built up their frontcourt through the draft the past few years and have to focus on upgrading their skill at guard. Fox is extremely explosive point guard who is at his best using his length and quickness to get to the rim. His outside shot is very much a work in progress though. Go here for more on Fox
Now with the lottery having reshaped the order, Fox probably doesn’t go to Philly now. The Sixers will most likely go best player available after Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz, so that probably means Jayson Tatum, the Duke small forward.
Kansas big man Josh Jackson isn’t likely given how the 76ers, as mentioned above, have loaded up on bigs in recent years. Basically, the draft could possibly begin for De’Aaron Fox at #5 with Sacramento.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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