Andre Drummond will go in the first five picks in the June 28 NBA Draft, one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv following the news that Drummond is headed to the pros.
“Andre Drummond’s going 2 to 5,” the scout said. “That’s all based on potential because physically he’s probably the best physical specimen in the draft. He’s probably the most gifted guy in the draft physically, run, jump, strength, size, quickness. He’s other-worldly.”
Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis is the presumptive No. 1 pick and as I wrote in this column from the Final Four, whoever gets the No. 2 pick will be disappointed.
Still, after Davis the choices include Drummond, Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (who has yet to declare), North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, Kansas’s Thomas Robinson and Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, among others.
After enrolling at UConn last August in a surprising late development, the 6-foot-10 Drummond was named the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year.
He showed flashes of his potential but averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds and lost out to St. John’s Moe Harkless for Big East Rookie of the Year honors.
Still, as the Connecticut Post points out, in three games against Syracuse (all losses), Drummond averaged 14.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks.
He made just 26 of 88 foul shots and has a limited offensive game.
“His skill level is way behind,” the NBA scout said. “A lot of people feel he doesn’t know how to play but he’s a good kid and he’s a tremendous physical specimen. And you’re getting him a year or two early, and you have to work with him and teach him how to play.”
Drummond is the third key player to leave UConn — which is banned from the postseason next year — following Jeremy Lamb (NBA) and Alex Oriakhi (transfer).
That leaves the Huskies with a frontcourt of Tyler Olander, Roscoe Smith, Michael Bradley and Enosch Wolf
Photo: Getty Images
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