With the 13th pick, the Denver Nuggets drafted Louisville Cardinals shooting guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell had a solid campaign for Rick Pitino as he averaged 15.6 points and 2.7 assists a night. An first team All-ACC selection, Mitchell possess the ability to play bigger than his 6″2 size thanks to his athleticism and explosiveness. The Nuggets were able to came up with an deal to send the draft rights of this pick to the Utah Jazz. So Denver gave Coach Snyder and company an solid pick up for an already promising Western Conference contender.
Pat Riley may have made a steal with the 14th pick as the Miami Heat selected power forward Bam Adebayo from out of Kentucky University. With an standing wingspan of 9”0 and an muscle physique that reminds you of Dwight Howard in his prime, Adebayo was an force on the defensive end for Coach Cal. Averaging 13.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, the 2nd team All-SEC center is gonna help take a huge load of work off of Hassan Whiteside. Adebayo’s game can be compared to Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson as he has the potential to be one of the league’s best rebounders the minute he steps onto the floor.
With the 15th pick of this year’s draft, the Portland Trailblazers selected Justin Jackson from the University of North Carolina. An 3 year stud from the national champion Tar Heels, Jackson was just phenomenal, averaging 18.3 points and 4.7 rebounds a game as he was named ACC Player Of The Year. The Blazers was able to come up with a deal that would send the draft rights of this pick to Sacramento as Vlade Divac is getting an hard working kid who will bring big game experience, high basketball IQ and excellent intangibles to the locker room come time for the start of NBA training camp .
With the 16th pick, the Chicago Bulls decided to go big. They have selected center Justin Patton from out of Creighton University. Patton had an solid freshman showing for the Blue Jays as he was able to be named Big East Rookie Of The Year; averaging 12.9 points and 6.2 rebounds a game. Patton displays good footwork, and strong interior presence for an player of his 6″11 stature. Don’t be surprised we see him become an amazing finisher on the receiving end of crazy dimes dropped by Rajon Rondo in Chicago’s transition offensive play.
The promising Milwaukee Bucks use their 17th pick by drafting power forward DJ Wilson from out of Michigan University. A late bloomer for the courageous and inspiring Michigan squad who had to deal with a lot of off court turmoil towards the end of the season, Wilson had an amazing showing during the NCAA tournament which helped him become an lottery pick. Averaging 11 points per game, Wilson is an excellent cutter, possess great soft hands and developed to become an dangerous pick and pop threat. With the Greek Freak running the show for Jason Kidd, don’t be surprise his assist numbers go up as Kidd may have Wilson knocking down threes whenever the defense collapse on #34.
The Indiana Pacers decided to draft TJ Leaf from out of UCLA with the 18th pick. Leaf was an first team-All Pac 12 selection his freshman year as he averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds for the Bruins. Leaf is an versatile offensive player who shows the ability to play both inside and out of the paint. His two biggest strength are his high basketball IQ and motor as he is able to not give up on possession easily, something the Pacers is going to need in order to make an deeper run into the next year.
With the 19th pick, the Atlanta Hawks made up with the lost of Dwight Howard by drafting big man John Collins from out of Wake Forest University. Collins averaged 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds for the Demon Deacons. His 6″10 presence and explosiveness will be an major help for the Hawks as they will need to fill an void since Dwight’s departure will be missed. Maybe it will not be missed that much if Collins brings the energy and will, the Hawks was looking for in “Superman”.
The 20th pick was owned by the Portland Trailblazers but was later sent to the Sacramento Kings they made for their pick in Zach Collins. So Portland decided to draft front court player Harry Giles from out of Duke University. Giles who came into Duke as the #1 overall prospect and early favorite to be this year’s first overall pick, turned a lot of NBA prospects off due to an serious knee injury. But during the 26 games he appeared in, Giles displayed explosiveness and toughness with already NBA body. Kings fans are hoping that his injury-prone days are over as Giles has the potential to have a solid career in Sac-town.
