Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
With Kentucky holding its second annual NBA Combine Sunday and Monday, all 30 NBA teams are on hand to watch the 2015-16 version of the Wildcats.
A veteran NBA scout broke down their top prospects for SNY.tv, saying he considered freshmen Skal Labissiere, Jamal Murray and Isaac Humphries the team’s three best pro prospects..
Skal Labissiere, 6-11 Fr. C (Draft Express, No. 1, 2016)
“Skill is an athletic big that can make open shots. He needs to develop a low-post game and learn to play through contact.”
Jamal Murray, 6-4 Fr. G (Draft Express, No. 6, 2016)
“Murray will be an elite scorer at the college level, but he has to commit to the defensive end of the floor.”
Isaac Humphries, 7-0 Fr. C (Not eligible until 2017 Draft)
“The 17-year-old center who will see minutes this year because he knows how to play, is big and can make open shots even out to the college 3-point line.”
Isaiah Briscoe, 6-3 Fr. G (Draft Express, No. 18, 2016)
“He needs to stay in school. His perimeter shooting must improve. He is strong and will be able to use that to his advantage to be successful in college.”
Charles Matthews, 6-6 Fr. G
“A really good athlete that is the team’s best perimeter defender. He has to become a more consistent perimeter shooter but he has a chance to be a pro in 3 years if he continues to improve on his perimeter shooting and become a better ball-handler as a wing player.”
Tyler Ulis, 5-9 So. G (Draft Express, No. 38 2017)“He has to have a great year, then maybe he could be a 3rd guard on an NBA roster. He needs to stay all 4 years at Kentucky.”
Alex Poythress, 6-8 Sr. F (Draft Express, No. 58, 2016)
“Poythress is not completely healthy. Still going to be a great athlete but his game has not really developed up to this point. Still an inconsistent perimeter shooter who is not a confident ball handler or passer. If healthy, could be a second round pick.
Marcus Lee, 6-9, Jr. F (Draft Express, No. 28, 2016)
“Lee is their best athletic big man. He can run and catch lobs. Still needs to work on becoming a threat facing the basket from 15 feet. He has added some weight but still struggles to defend strength in the low post. Needs to stay in school. A 2nd-rounder at best after 4 years. ”
Screen Shot: Chip Miller
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.
With Kentucky holding its second annual NBA Combine Sunday and Monday, all 30 NBA teams are on hand to watch the 2015-16 version of the Wildcats.
A veteran NBA scout broke down their top prospects for SNY.tv, saying he considered freshmen Skal Labissiere, Jamal Murray and Isaac Humphries the team’s three best pro prospects..
Skal Labissiere, 6-11 Fr. C (Draft Express, No. 1, 2016)
“Skill is an athletic big that can make open shots. He needs to develop a low-post game and learn to play through contact.”
Jamal Murray, 6-4 Fr. G (Draft Express, No. 6, 2016)
“Murray will be an elite scorer at the college level, but he has to commit to the defensive end of the floor.”
Isaac Humphries, 7-0 Fr. C (Not eligible until 2017 Draft)
“The 17-year-old center who will see minutes this year because he knows how to play, is big and can make open shots even out to the college 3-point line.”
Isaiah Briscoe, 6-3 Fr. G (Draft Express, No. 18, 2016)
“He needs to stay in school. His perimeter shooting must improve. He is strong and will be able to use that to his advantage to be successful in college.”
Charles Matthews, 6-6 Fr. G
“A really good athlete that is the team’s best perimeter defender. He has to become a more consistent perimeter shooter but he has a chance to be a pro in 3 years if he continues to improve on his perimeter shooting and become a better ball-handler as a wing player.”
Tyler Ulis, 5-9 So. G (Draft Express, No. 38 2017)
“He has to have a great year, then maybe he could be a 3rd guard on an NBA roster. He needs to stay all 4 years at Kentucky.”
Alex Poythress, 6-8 Sr. F (Draft Express, No. 58, 2016)
“Poythress is not completely healthy. Still going to be a great athlete but his game has not really developed up to this point. Still an inconsistent perimeter shooter who is not a confident ball handler or passer. If healthy, could be a second round pick.
Marcus Lee, 6-9, Jr. F (Draft Express, No. 28, 2016)
“Lee is their best athletic big man. He can run and catch lobs. Still needs to work on becoming a threat facing the basket from 15 feet. He has added some weight but still struggles to defend strength in the low post. Needs to stay in school. A 2nd-rounder at best after 4 years. ”
Screen Shot: Chip Miller
