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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 27, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Diamond Stone (33) defended by Marshall Thundering Herd forward Ryan Taylor (25) in the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Diamond Stone (33) defended by Marshall Thundering Herd forward Ryan Taylor (25) in the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Diamond Stone, Maryland Terrapins

Position: Center

Age: 18

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 255 pounds, 7’3.5″

Slash Line: .595/.763

Season Averages: 20.0 MPG, 13.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.6 ORPG, 1.3 BPG

New Year’s Resolution: Improve Physical Conditioning

A player with Diamond Stone’s game and upside would’ve been a lottery pick in a different era. In the modern NBA, where range seems to appeal more than the ability to collapse a defense, Stone’s draft stock suffers.

That doesn’t change the fact that he’s a Top 20 prospect.

Stone’s 39-point eruption against the Penn State Nittany Lions brought him into the spotlight. Including and beyond that tremendous performance, Stone is a physically dominant player who gains position with his massive frame and moves well off-ball.

He has soft hands, which enable him to catch passes in traffic, and works relentlessly to clean up the offensive glass. He won’t shy away from contact, has flashed potential as a shot-blocker, and runs the floor very well for a player of his size and build.

In order to move up draft boards, Stone must improve his individual offense, the consistency of his motor, and his conditioning.

Next: Physically Overwhelming or Physically Overwhelmed?