NBA Scout Says Austin Rivers Is a Top 15 Pick

BOSTON — Austin Rivers figures to be a Top 15 pick in the NBA Draft, according to one veteran NBA scout.

“I think he’s going in the Top 15,” the scout told SNY.tv Friday. “He’s had a good year. He got better as the year went on. He slowed down and got himself more under control and figured it out.

“He has a great upside. He has a bright future.”

A second NBA scout disagreed, saying Rivers won’t be a lottery pick: “Rivers is a scorer who can get to the basket. He needs to work on his perimeter shooting and defense. First round but not lottery.”

DraftExpress.com has Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, projected at No. 18 in its mock draft.

CBSSports.com reported that the 6-4 Rivers will turn pro after a freshman season in which he averaged 15.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

He scored 19 points when Duke was upset by Lehigh in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.