Unexpectedly, very few players of the vaunted 2014 NBA draft class will be in action this week as the annual US college basketball tournament resumes on Thursday.
Andrew Wiggins and Kansas are out. Jabari Parker’s Duke and Marcus Smart’s Oklahoma State were first-round casualties of the tournament, now down to a final 16. Joel Embiid, out with an injury, and the Australian teenager Dante Exum were never involved.
So who does that leave for prospect-watchers?
The most prominent is Kentucky’s Julius Randle. The 6ft 9ins forward displays potential inside and a remarkably effective shot, and is expected to be chosen in the June draft in the second half of the top 10.
Also still playing is the Michigan State guard Gary Harris, who at 6ft 4ins and 210 pounds, has the strength, size and quickness to remind some of Victor Oladipo, last year’s No 2 pick.
He doesn’t have the same leaping ability as does Oladipo, but his jump shot is more refined.
Be on the lookout for two UCLA players. Kyle Anderson is an uncommonly tall (6ft 9ins) point guard who could become a must-see player in the NBA, and Jordan Adams may be playing his way into the first round of the draft, leading UCLA in scoring in their two tournament victories.
The star power is not what it was when the college tournament began with 68 teams last week, but some future NBA standouts are still in the running for the NCAA championship.
jraymond@thenational.ae
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