NBA Mock Draft as NCAA Season Suddenly Ends
By Dallin Duffy
Picks 21-25:
Tre Jones’ two year career with Duke ended prematurely, and he could have became a fringe Lottery pick with a good Tournament showing. The 6’2 point guard is a fantastic perimeter defender, a good fit behind Jamal Murray in Denver.
Nesmith was one of the nation’s best scorers before a injury ended his season early. He averaged 23 points per game on 51 percent shooting, shooting 52 percent from three. If even just some of that production comes to the NBA, he’ll be a nice pick for Philly who need more offensive options.
With Goran Dragic headed to free agency, the Heat take a chance on a young point guard who had a great end to his college career. In his final 16 games for ‘Bama, he averaged 20.6 points, 5.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 49 percent from the field. He can be a dynamic shot-creator in South Beach.
With a 7’2.5 wingspan, Achiuwa is a wiry forward who had a great defensive season for Memphis. A potential pairing with two-time defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert should have Jazz fans and defense-heads drooling.
The Greece big man will likely rise or fall on NBA mock draft boards based on the combine and pre-draft workouts, as he rarely played for Olympiacos B this year. In nine games he showed shot-blocking potential, as well as a floor-spacing three on the other end. Did I mention he’s 7-foot tall?