Overlooked NBA Draft Prospects
Every single year outstanding multi-year collegiate studs are glossed over in favor of the trendy "one-and-dones" with seemingly limitless potential. Malcolm Brogdon was neglected in last year's draft, despite the fact that was named the ACC Player of the Year, simply because he was 23 years-old. I am sure NBA executives are regretting passing on Brogdon given that he is right in the discussion for NBA Rookie of the Year, as he has become a reliable playmaker for the Milwaukee Bucks. The most notable example in recent memory is Draymond Green. Green, a four-year player at Michigan State, was the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2012, as well as a consensus First Team All-American. Despite the accolades, and collegiate success, he was not taken until the Warriors used the 35th overall selection on him. That worked out quite well, didn't it?
Brogdon and Draymond are two glaring examples of NBA Executives out-thinking themselves. If a 22-year-old is considerably better than a 19 year-old, is that really worth rolling the dice on the possibility that the 19 year-old hits his "ceiling"? Often times it is, but in a bevy cases it is not. Here is a list of 5 players who will be overlooked come June's Draft, but will be key contributors at the next level.
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Luke Kennard, Duke- The 6-foot-5 sophomore is a walking bucket. Averaging 20 points per game for Coach K and the Blue Devils, the dazzling lefty should be in the discussion for ACC Player of the Year. Despite improving tremendously from last season, NBA scouts will be luke-warm on Kennard due to a perceived lack of athleticism. True or not, he will be a solid contributor at the next level.
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Melo Trimble, Maryland- He has been the man at Maryland for three seasons, guiding the Terrapins to the NCAA Tournament each year. He is essentially a coach on the floor as he is one of the best floor generals in the nation. Melo should be a solid backup point guard in the NBA.
Alec Peters, Valparaiso- Peters is the most dominant collegiate player since Doug McDermott. Bold, I know, but the 6'9" forward was averaging 23 points and 10 boards before last week being ruled out for the remainder of the season with a leg injury. If college basketball was its own entity and all that mattered was the here and now, Peters could possibly be the number one overall pick. His skill-set for a forward of his size is unmatched in the nation. He will have a lengthy NBA career.
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Frank Mason, Kansas- My favorite for National Player of the Year, Mason, has guided the number 1 ranked Jayhawks to a 13th consecutive Big-12 Championship. Averaging 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, Mason is a stat-sheet-stuffer. From the same mold as Brogdon last year - an alpha dog on a superior team - look for Mason to be drafted in the second round and play his way into an NBA rotation.
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Allonzo Trier, Arizona- Had he left last season, Trier would likely have been a lottery pick. In his sophomore season Trier has done nothing but put the ball in the basket, averaging nearly 17 points per game to pace the 7th ranked Wildcats. He is offensively as gifted of a scorer as there is in the country. He can attack the basket, stop on a dime and pulp, or launch from deep. Trier is uber talented and will be instant offense for come NBA team.
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