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HoopsWorld.com: Who Should The Raptors Draft?
Source: HoopsWorld.com
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Enes Kanter, (Kentucky) Turkey, Center
When Kanter agreed to come to Kentucky last year, he was expected to be the player to watch of his draft class. Unfortunately all Kanter did last season was watch as the NCAA ruled him ineligible and his NBA draft status has become largely based on the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit and his play from previous seasons in Europe.
What Kanter was able to do was participate in the NBA draft combine drills and leave NBA general managers wanting to see more. Kanter showed up at the combine in great shape as evidenced by his 5.9 percent body fat and proved he had center worthy measurements at 6' 11.25" tall, 259 lbs, a 7' 1.5" wingspan, and a 32.5" maximum vertical jump.
As intriguing as Kanter is as a prospect, no one can really say for sure what he will be able to contribute at the next level. Kanter has all the physical tools to be a quality center in the NBA, and with the difficulty the Raptors have faced in obtaining a center, Kanter is worth the risk.
When Kanter agreed to come to Kentucky last year, he was expected to be the player to watch of his draft class. Unfortunately all Kanter did last season was watch as the NCAA ruled him ineligible and his NBA draft status has become largely based on the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit and his play from previous seasons in Europe.
What Kanter was able to do was participate in the NBA draft combine drills and leave NBA general managers wanting to see more. Kanter showed up at the combine in great shape as evidenced by his 5.9 percent body fat and proved he had center worthy measurements at 6' 11.25" tall, 259 lbs, a 7' 1.5" wingspan, and a 32.5" maximum vertical jump.
As intriguing as Kanter is as a prospect, no one can really say for sure what he will be able to contribute at the next level. Kanter has all the physical tools to be a quality center in the NBA, and with the difficulty the Raptors have faced in obtaining a center, Kanter is worth the risk.
Kemba Walker, Connecticut Junior, Point Guard
After signing a two year extension with the Raptors, President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo can't afford to draft a prospect who is not NBA ready or needs two or three seasons before they will be in a position to contribute. No one looked more NBA ready in this year's NCAA tournament than Kemba Walker.
The 21-year-old Walker was the undisputed leader of the Huskies this past season, and on the big stage during their conference and NCAA championship runs, he stepped his game up even further. Walker averaged 24.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.1 steals in 38.3 minutes over his last 11 games and was his coach's and teammates' go-to-guy in every tough situation down the stretch.
A knock on Walker has been that he is undersized, but Walker measured a surprising 6' 1" tall at the NBA draft combine and had a 39.5" vertical jump, something that should not have surprised anyone who saw his amazing block on Kentucky's Doron Lamb fast break attempt during the Final Four.
There may be a concern that Walkers upside is not as high as some of the younger talent available, but in a draft that the Raptors cannot afford to be wrong, he is the safe choice.
After signing a two year extension with the Raptors, President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo can't afford to draft a prospect who is not NBA ready or needs two or three seasons before they will be in a position to contribute. No one looked more NBA ready in this year's NCAA tournament than Kemba Walker.
The 21-year-old Walker was the undisputed leader of the Huskies this past season, and on the big stage during their conference and NCAA championship runs, he stepped his game up even further. Walker averaged 24.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.1 steals in 38.3 minutes over his last 11 games and was his coach's and teammates' go-to-guy in every tough situation down the stretch.
A knock on Walker has been that he is undersized, but Walker measured a surprising 6' 1" tall at the NBA draft combine and had a 39.5" vertical jump, something that should not have surprised anyone who saw his amazing block on Kentucky's Doron Lamb fast break attempt during the Final Four.
There may be a concern that Walkers upside is not as high as some of the younger talent available, but in a draft that the Raptors cannot afford to be wrong, he is the safe choice.
Brandon Knight, Kentucky Freshman, Point Guard
Head-to-head Brandon Knight's Wildcats lost twice to Walker's Huskies, but the 19-year-old Knight was his team's leading scorer and playmaker and is considered by many to be the second best point guard prospect in this year's draft.
Knight has good size for a point guard at 6' 3.5" tall, is one of the fastest players tested in his draft class, and shows excellent athleticism with a 37.5" maximum vertical jump. Add in his 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists and it is easy to see why NBA general managers have moved this freshman well up on their draft boards.
There is a good chance that Knight is drafted before the Raptors select at five but is unlikely that both Knight and Walker are off the board. Either point guard would be a solid choice for Toronto.
Head-to-head Brandon Knight's Wildcats lost twice to Walker's Huskies, but the 19-year-old Knight was his team's leading scorer and playmaker and is considered by many to be the second best point guard prospect in this year's draft.
Knight has good size for a point guard at 6' 3.5" tall, is one of the fastest players tested in his draft class, and shows excellent athleticism with a 37.5" maximum vertical jump. Add in his 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists and it is easy to see why NBA general managers have moved this freshman well up on their draft boards.
There is a good chance that Knight is drafted before the Raptors select at five but is unlikely that both Knight and Walker are off the board. Either point guard would be a solid choice for Toronto.
When the Raptors select fifth at the draft in June, Colangelo should be taking the NCAA champion UConn Huskies' Kemba Walker, and if Walker is gone, Kentucky's Brandon Knight.
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