NBA Draft 2016: Unheralded Prospects with Pro Potential

A.J. Hammons, Purdue Boilermakers

Position: Center

Age: 23 (8/27/1992)

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

Slash Line: .628/.800/.686

Season Averages: 22.8 MPG, 13.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 2.6 BPG

A.J. Hammons isn’t as much unheralded as he is a victim of missed opportunities. He was regarded as a potential first-round draft pick after each of his previous three seasons, but concerns about his weight hindered his NBA potential.

With improved conditioning and an expanded offensive attack, Hammons is a fair chance away from being this year’s Hassan Whiteside.

Hammons is 23 years old, and that’s going to discourage a number of teams from taking him at the 2016 NBA Draft. Hammons’ vast improvement simply cannot be ignored, as he’s gone from a fringe prospect to a legitimate pro-level player.

An elite shot-blocker, productive rebounder, and now versatile offensive player, Hammons deserves a first-round grade.

It’s entirely fair to argue that a player who will turn 24 in August has less upside than one who will be 19 or 20 as a rookie. What’s clear about Hammons, however, is that he has a game that should translate well to the Association.

Hammons has the potential to be a dominant shot-blocker who can shoot with reasonable range and box opponents out for teammates to crash the defensive and offensive glass.

Next: The Value of the 3-Ball