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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 22, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) walks from the tunnel to the court for the start of the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Vanderbilt 68-55. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) walks from the tunnel to the court for the start of the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Vanderbilt 68-55. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

26. A.J. Hammons, Purdue Boilermakers

Position: Center

Age: 23

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 261 pounds, 7’3″

Slash Line: .630/1.000/.757

Season Averages: 22.1 MPG, 13.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 2.7 BPG

New Year’s Resolution: Don’t Look Back

A.J. Hammons has been on the NBA Draft bubble since his freshman season. Throughout his four-year career, however, the 23-year-old has been unable to break through and solidify his desired NBA Draft stock.

Nevertheless, it’s tough to look at Hammons as anything but an intriguing prospect.

He’s older than most executives prefer a first-round selection to be, but this ranking isn’t based in where he’ll come off the board. Instead, it’s acknowledging the fact that Hammons is one of the Top 30 prospects in this draft class.

The Purdue Boilermakers star is a dominant shot blocker and productive rebounder with improved fundamentals as an offensive asset. He dominated Damian Jones head-to-head, and has done an excellent job of expanding his offensive game and cutting weight to improve his stamina and mobility.

It’s an ambitious upside comparison—and that’s all it is: an upside comparison—but Hammons’ late-blooming dominance is reminiscent of Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside.

Hammons can’t change what could’ve been in previous seasons; all he can do is push through 2016 with a full head of steam and work his way up draft boards.

Next: Following His Own Path