5 College Basketball Stars And Potential Future Sixers
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- For the third straight year, there I was.
Sitting there on my couch, fired up for ESPN's annual College Hoops Tip-Off double-header, but not only for all the obvious reasons. I was glued to the TV---not simply because it was the start of another college basketball season, and certainly not because I cared who won between Duke-Kentucky and Kansas-Michigan State---but predominantly because it was my first opportunity to scout future stars of the Philadelphia 76ers.
In November of 2013, it the night was highlighted by Jabari Parker vs. Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins was my guy. Of course, the Sixers ended up with the third overall pick, Joel Embiid, and his bad foot.
Last year, it was Duke's Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow at 7:00 p.m., Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein at 9:00 p.m. Towns went first overall in the following draft, but the Sixers were able to snag Okafor with pick No. 3, this year's favorite for NBA rookie of the year.
Last night, it was 6'9", skinny-as-heck Brandon Ingram of Duke vs. 6'4" smooth-as-heck Jamal Murray of Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. Sure, the 7-foot center Skal Labissiere was playing in the game as well, but I wasn't paying much attention to Skal.
No more big men for Philly. Let's finally go get the wing-player we need.
So that got me thinking, studying, and doing some research. Who do I want the Sixers to draft in June?
Reminder: The Sixers could have four potential first-round picks (their own pick, LAL top-3 protected, MIA top-10 protected, and OKC top-15 protected). And don't forget, the Sixers can swap picks with SAC if needed, giving them increased odds for that No. 1 overall pick.
Best case scenario: Picks No. 1, 4, 11, 16
5. Jaylen Brown, 6-7, 225 SF - California
Brown turned 19 years old on October 24th. He's a crazy talented wing-guard with all the physical gifts you dream of. He needs to work on his jump shot, something we hear often with these kind of players.
Brown is No. 5 on ESPN.com Chad Ford's big board.
4. Kris Dunn, 6-4, 205 PG - Providence
While Dunn isn't quite a consensus lottery pick, he very well might be --- and probably should be --- by the summer.
Dunn is a 6-4, 205 pound point guard with tremendous size and athleticism for his position. He's virtually un-guardable in iso situations. He does come with an injury history, however.
3. Brandon Ingram, 6-9, 195 SF - Duke
Ingram is long and lanky. How lanky? Despite adding 30 pounds in between high-school and college, he's still under 200-pounds. But he's a wing-player with a 7'3" wingspan, who can shoot and finish at the rim.
He obviously needs to hit the weight room and improve on the defensive end and he did struggle on Tuesday night against Kentucky, making just one of six shots while committing four turnovers.
2. Ben Simmons, 6-10, 240-pounds SF/PF - LSU
Simmons is No. 1 on most big boards and deservedly so. Insane body, very explosive, smooth as silk, an above-average passer, tenacious work-ethic, and plays under control. He doesn't really have a weakness.
He's not No. 1 for me and the Sixers, simply because he probably translates best into an NBA power forward and I just don't want to get rid of Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor right now. I know, I know: "BEST AVAILABLE and we'll figure it out later!"
I'll admit, I may be singing a different tune next summer.
1. Jamal Murray, 6-4, 205-pound combo guard - Kentucky
https://vine.co/v/iuKXPjin3Q5
I fell in love with Murray last night, and you can see why. 16 points, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2-3 from three in his first big-time college hoops game.
While his athleticism isn't necessarily off-the-charts, he is as fluid, intelligent, and savvy on the basketball court as an 18-year-old kid can get. He meditates after every practice!
Here's Ford: "Not only is Murray the top point guard prospect in the draft, he might be the best player in college basketball."
Here's Coach John Calipari via Bleacher Report: "He's a positionless player. We can use him anywhere on the court."