The NBA Draft is the night where many basketball players watch their child hood dreams come to life. For some this has been a moment they’ve waited for since the day they first picked up a basketball. For Isaiah Austin it was a dream that he was denied. This past Sunday he announced that he had been diagnosed with Marfan’s Syndrome, thus bringing his career as a professional basketball player to an abrupt end. The Baylor University star would never be
Mid-October is not synonymous with the NBA draft. Basketball fans are usually starting to notice the NBA preseason and getting ready for the start of college ball. But unlike past years, there has been a greater focus on the 2014 NBA draft and the overwhelming star power it has. That is why “Tankapalooza” is already part of basketball lexicon. For a long time, this next draft has been called the Andrew Wiggins Lottery, and one year prior to the 2014 draft, the
NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association announced today that 77 players, including 46 players from U.S. colleges and 31 international players, have filed as early entry candidates for the 2013 NBA Draft. Players wishing to enter the 2013 NBA Draft were required to submit a letter to the NBA to be received no later than Sunday, April 28. Players who have applied for early entry have the right to withdraw their names by notifying the NBA of their decision in writing
The deadline to enter the 2013 NBA Draft was Sunday, and we now know this much — the 2013 draft will be OK at best. The 2014 draft? It’ll be one for the ages. [Read more…]
March Madness is right around the corner, so it’s time to circle the wagons and look ahead to the NBA draft after breaking down each position the past five Saturdays. Since the last Big Board, draft stocks have soared or tanked based on performances, injuries, and inconsistencies. As the NCAA Tournament approaches, the lives of NBA scouts will be consumed by the names on this list as they dissect every wrinkle or wart of each prospect. [Read more…]
Just four days ago, the 2013 NBA draft was turned upside down when Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel suffered a devastating knee injury. Over the past month, Noel has separated himself from the pack to be projected as the top pick in June’s draft. Instantly, Twitter blew up with reaction from fans and journalists ranging from the injury to the gruesome images to his draft stock. In the days following it was revealed that Noel suffered a torn ACL and is expected to have
The NBA draft is all about projections and potential. A generation ago, most NBA executives’ strategy was to compare prospects based on their collegiate careers. Then the Fab Five arrived at Michigan, and suddenly the process was flipped upside down. Underclassmen were scrutinized, analyzed and scouted thoroughly by NBA clubs who wanted to get the next big-time prospect. While prospects with high upside are intriguing, they come with more risk than upperclassmen. The lottery is annually dominated by underclassmen, primarily freshmen. [Read
It’s officially fall, and with that comes the kickoff of the NBA and NCAA basketball seasons. While Midnight Madness is just around the corner and NBA training camps will officially launch over the next few days, much of the behind-the-scenes focus among front office folks will be logging frequent flier miles to travel the country and the world to see the best and most promising prospects that may enter the 2013 NBA Draft. While the 2011 NBA Draft was international-heavy in Round