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NBA Mock Draft 2016: New Year’s Resolutions

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) celebrates with teammates after a play during the second half against Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Gym. Vanderbilt Commodores won 86-61. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) celebrates with teammates after a play during the second half against Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Gym. Vanderbilt Commodores won 86-61. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt Commodores

Position: Point Guard

Age: 19

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3″, 194 pounds, 6’10”

Slash Line: .500/.476/.841

Season Averages: 28.6 MPG, 14.8 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 3PM

New Year’s Resolution: Finish Against Length

Wade Baldwin IV has a chance to be one of the top playmakers to emerge from the 2016 NBA Draft. He has the size, court vision, length, defensive potential, and shooting stroke to make an immediate impact, and the upside to be a star.

Teammate Damian Jones may be stealing NBA Draft headlines, but it’s Baldwin who should be on everyone’s radar.

Baldwin is a 6’3″ point guard with an absurd 6’10” wingspan and one of the sweetest shots in all of college basketball. He can shoot from well beyond the 3-point line, makes his free throws, sees the floor well, and takes opponents out of games when focused on defense.

Baldwin can get his feet stuck in mud when working off-ball, and even as a point guard, that’s an area needs to improve in the modern NBA. More importantly, he’s a below-the-rim threat scorer who doesn’t properly utilize his length when finishing in the paint.

Baldwin’s rare combination of size, length, and court vision will put him on the radar, and his elite shooting touch will get him drafted. There’s All-Star potential here.

Next: Approaching Stardom