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2014 NBA Draft Stock: NCAA Tournament
Updated April 1
2014 NBA Draft Stock: Buying
Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin, 7-0, Jr. Frank “the Tank” was dominant against Arizona in Elite 8 as he dropped 28 points and helped the Badgers dismantle Baylor’s 2-3 zone in the Sweet 16. He has come out of practically nowhere to be a legitimate first-round prospect. Kaminsky has a plethora of moves on the block, stretches defenses with his three-point shooting, and can drive past bigs. I doubt he turns pro regardless of Wisconsin’s outcome in the Final Four, but he has definitely seen his stock skyrocket during the tourney.
Aaron Harrison, SG, Kentucky, 6-5, Fr. Cue the Pedro Cerrano “cojones” clips from Major League II. Even though he didn’t play all that way versus Louisville (3-13 FG), Harrison hit some HUGE shots for Kentucky down the stretch against Michigan. Both of the Harrison twins have been highly criticized throughout the season, but they seem to growing up in front of everyone on the biggest stage of all. Assuming both Harrison brothers declare for the 2014 NBA Draft, they should be late first-round picks though that seems to be trending upward.
Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut, 6-1, Sr. This dude is just clutch and doesn’t shy away from the big moment. I said prior to the tourney that Napier could have a Kemba Walker-like impact for the Huskies this March, and that’s exactly what has happened. Napier is averaging more than 23 points per game during the NCAA Tournament and can create his shot with ease, including a filthy step-back jumper. If I am a team drafting in the latter part of the first round and I’m looking for guard depth, I’m taking a long look at Napier. He was a bubble first-rounder heading into the Big Dance, but I think he has certainly done enough to solidify himself as a first-round pick.
DeAndre Daniels, SF, Connecticut, 6-8, Jr. Napier certainly hasn’t done it all for Connecticut. Daniels has stepped up in a big way, including his 27-point performance versus Iowa State in the Sweet 16. He has always possessed ideal size for an NBA small forward and is a high-level athlete, but now his all-around offensive game is starting to take form. Daniels has shown consistency with his mid-range game and an improved turn-around jumper. I wouldn’t be surprised if he declared for the 2014 NBA Draft after next weekend and could sneak into the first round.
Josh Richardson, SG, Tennessee, 6-6, Jr. Richardson is another player who came out of nowhere to vastly improve his draft potential as a possible first-round prospect. In the Volunteers’ four tournament games, he averaged more than 19 points per game and showed off his offensive versatility whether it be attacking the rim or knocking down outside shots. Where Richardson really stood out though was the defensive end as he has drew the responsibility of guarding the best offensive threat on the opposing team. He shut down Roy Devyn Marble in the played-in game and helped hold Nik Stauskas to 14 points in Tennessee’s Sweet 16 loss.
2013 NBA Draft Stock: Selling
Zach LaVine, G, UCLA, 6-5, Fr. The athletic combo guard has already declared for the 2014 NBA Draft, but did NOTHING during the tournament to show he’s ready for the next level. In UCLA’s three games, LaVine scored just eight points on 3-15 shooting. Based on potential alone, LaVine will still be a first-round pick, but his tourney performance definitely has a negative impact on his draft stock.
Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin, 6-8, Soph. It amazes me that some 2014 mock drafts still have Dekker in the first round. There is no way he is turning pro after this season, especially after his struggles in Wisconsin’s last two games. Dekker scored just seven points in each of the Badgers’ victories, but his passiveness and poor decision-making were what really stood out. Despite his athleticism and versatility, he is not ready to make the leap to the league; this past weekend proved just that.
Kaleb Tarczewski, C, Arizona, 7-0, Soph. Foul trouble limited Zeus’ production in the Wildcats’ Sweet 16 game, and he was abused by Kaminsky in the Elite 8. Tarczewski needs to return for his sophomore season to improve his footwork on the block and defensive mobility on the perimeter.
Keith Appling, PG, Michigan State, 6-1, Sr. I have a better shot of getting seduced by Minka Kelly then Appling does of getting drafted. Look at his numbers during Michigan State’s four NCAA Tournament games: 10 points, 12 assists, 9 turnovers. His constant ups and downs and poor decision-making drove Tom Izzo nuts for four years, and I can’t imagine an NBA general manager seeing Appling and saying, “We need to draft him.”
2014 NBA Draft Stock - April 1 2014 NBA Draft Stock - Nov. 13 2014 NBA Mock Draft
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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