Do you think Big Z will be a lottery pick
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He will be great in the NBA. Maybe better than anyone else on the team.
No, not at this point. He's still very raw. He has a very high ceiling though. We'll see if he's closer to Porzingis or Dragan Bender.
This year as of now? No.
If he put on 20 lbs and came back next year he could be #1. His ceiling is Joker/Holmgren hybrid and that is what teams draft on.
If he put on 20 lbs and came back next year he could be #1. His ceiling is Joker/Holmgren hybrid and that is what teams draft on.
With Nil money I could see where he might come back for one more year to improve his draft stock as he certainly has top 5 pick potential but just not there yet. Probably an early 20’s at best right now for the right team. Difference between 5th and early 20’s is around 4 million/year. Certainly worth coming back for another year to earn that kind of money as that equates to 12 million dollars difference over 3 year period.
Not if Cal has anything to do with it. If he makes it, it will be in spite of Cal. He was just an afterthought. Who has more potential, upside, he or Edwards?
If he was eligible and played correctly at the beginning of the season, he’d go top 10, maybe top 5. But as it stands, someone will take him in the 1st round, and within 3-5 years, he along with Dillingham, will be NBA All-Stars, and Cal will brag how he developed two bench players into what they are then.
Really depends upon how the season plays out and how many minutes he gets on the court to showcase his skillset.
I think Z is Uber talented (which we have seen in small doses), but he needs as much time on the court for it to all come together.
In order to get that time, I would take minutes away from Mitchell (when he is healthy) and play Z primarily at the 4 alongside Ugo/ Bradshaw.
I think Z is Uber talented (which we have seen in small doses), but he needs as much time on the court for it to all come together.
In order to get that time, I would take minutes away from Mitchell (when he is healthy) and play Z primarily at the 4 alongside Ugo/ Bradshaw.
The NBA loves tall guys with skills that aren't built like a twig and they're always looking at top end potential rather than how good they are in college right now. So yes, I think he'll be a lottery pick.
I haven't see enough to say. Lots of bigs shoot 3s these days. He isn't a particularly efficient passer. But that can be improved as his familiarity with the program grows. He's a limited rebounder.
If I weren't a Kentucky fan, I couldn't distinguish him -- outside of his glorious debut -- from many of the 20 or so other bigs we've opposed this year.
If I weren't a Kentucky fan, I couldn't distinguish him -- outside of his glorious debut -- from many of the 20 or so other bigs we've opposed this year.
The question for the NBA with Z is not what most are talking about above. It is his currently physical strength. If you think the SEC is physical the NBA is way more. Right now Z has been easily pushed, gets out of position so can foul, and with the way Cal has played him so far doesn't seem to have stamina for the long game. He will be drafted and be a G. league project.
Not close to lottery pick yet, has to pick his activity level up about two notches to match his skill level then he's got something. Right now a little too Lopey and slow reacting to play in the League. Its a quick twitch league. Skills are feel for the game are real though and better than a lot already in the league.
He is the perfect prospect for a lot of NBA teams. It would not surprise me at all to see him go in the lottery. It's sad that we won't get to see his full potential here at Kentucky.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
If Cal gets his head out of his ass and actually plays Z 20 minutes a game going forward and the SEC refs stop screwing him, yes he will be a lottery pick.
Some of you guys don't get it, he's really that good. He needs a LITTLE work. But mostly he needs minutes.
I said the same thing about Herro before the season started and everybody dragged him. And I was right.
Some of you guys don't get it, he's really that good. He needs a LITTLE work. But mostly he needs minutes.
I said the same thing about Herro before the season started and everybody dragged him. And I was right.
Top 10 pick if he comes back.
Right now, late 20s. Maybe he wants the higher initial paycheck. Maybe he is okay with a better team drafting him and stashing him. That worked out with Keldon Johnson, but not so much with Goodwin, Skal, Orton, and Teague.
It's better to be selected by a lottery team because they'll give you a longer leash. Just look at Kevin Knox, WCS, and others who went in the lottery.
Right now, late 20s. Maybe he wants the higher initial paycheck. Maybe he is okay with a better team drafting him and stashing him. That worked out with Keldon Johnson, but not so much with Goodwin, Skal, Orton, and Teague.
It's better to be selected by a lottery team because they'll give you a longer leash. Just look at Kevin Knox, WCS, and others who went in the lottery.
No, best case end of first round if he has quality workouts and great measurables. Worst case undrafted and G league or back overseas. If he stays for another year he could definitely go in the Lotto.
If he can get in the rest of the games and produce like the 2 of his better games, yes it is possible. Producing those numbers every 4 or 5 games, No. I guess what I am saying is this, it depends on how much he shows the rest of the year. he has to quit fouling, committing the silly turnovers and get minutes and do what he is capable of doing.
+ great passer
+ can knock down a 3
+ understands game, when he makes a mistake he'll literally pause for a moment on the court and mull it over
- slow
- NEEDS to put on weight
- foul prone, complains A LOT about the calls
I wouldn't be shocked if it gets drafted in the first round, but in no way, shape or form do I think he deserves to be drafted. Nor do I think he would be able to contribute for awhile. The league would eat him up with its size.
+ can knock down a 3
+ understands game, when he makes a mistake he'll literally pause for a moment on the court and mull it over
- slow
- NEEDS to put on weight
- foul prone, complains A LOT about the calls
I wouldn't be shocked if it gets drafted in the first round, but in no way, shape or form do I think he deserves to be drafted. Nor do I think he would be able to contribute for awhile. The league would eat him up with its size.
This thread is why I HATE the Calipari era of UK Basketball. It's Feb 9 and here's another thread about another player leaving after a single year.
I can see him being very similar to Holmgren. He needs to return and be a star first!
It sucks for sure but it’s life here in Kentucky basketball.
I know, but I'm bored with it. This board and the others are fun because of the varius topics discussed and the people on them but Calipari has become really stale.
Hard to play a lot of minutes with his propensity to foul. Missing the summer and fall set him back. He missed the easy games where he could have developed a ton. His shot will be special at next level. Beautiful stroke. He also has good instincts passing the ball. Lost on D. I think he would benefit from another year in college and playing 35 more games. Not likely to happen. It will be interesting to see what kind of feedback he gets from NBA
Not sure what the number of the pick would be, but I bet some NBA team would take a chance on a 7 footer who has his touch from outside since a lot of the NBA is that pick and roll out top.
I think early 2nd round and they stash him back in his home country. I do think he could make a good amount of money with NIL
Depends if he gets the minutes, I think he needs to show a little more consistency, but not a ton.
The NBA always has a few guys in the first round that make you go "who?! What did he do in college?"
Just look at some of the names from the 1st round in the 2023 draft. Oliver-Maxence Prosper. Averaged just 12ppg. But his scouting report showed he had great shooting ability, can defend, has nba length, and can actually put the ball on the floor well for a forward (I read this, I'm not going to pretend to know this guy's scouting report lol).
The NBA knows how to spot talent, for the most part. Not every guy that gets drafted is the conferences' or team's top player. Sometimes the lesser used player proves to be a better MBA prospect in the long run.
The NBA scouts are just waiting to see if BigZs game can translate to the college/NBA game. He has all the other measurables.
The NBA always has a few guys in the first round that make you go "who?! What did he do in college?"
Just look at some of the names from the 1st round in the 2023 draft. Oliver-Maxence Prosper. Averaged just 12ppg. But his scouting report showed he had great shooting ability, can defend, has nba length, and can actually put the ball on the floor well for a forward (I read this, I'm not going to pretend to know this guy's scouting report lol).
The NBA knows how to spot talent, for the most part. Not every guy that gets drafted is the conferences' or team's top player. Sometimes the lesser used player proves to be a better MBA prospect in the long run.
The NBA scouts are just waiting to see if BigZs game can translate to the college/NBA game. He has all the other measurables.
The NBA drafts on potential. He is a first round pick on potential.
The NBA also wants to get guys away from the college environment and officials and to learn the pro game.
They love the one and done rule because it protects them from the Kwame Brown Randolph Morris types.
They want to train them themselves.
Z is NBA bound.
The NBA also wants to get guys away from the college environment and officials and to learn the pro game.
They love the one and done rule because it protects them from the Kwame Brown Randolph Morris types.
They want to train them themselves.
Z is NBA bound.
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