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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Pro Comparisons for Top 30 Prospects

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 16, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) celebrate a basket in their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Grayson Allen (3) celebrate a basket in their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Marc Loving (2) looks to shoot over Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) during the second half at Barclays Center. Ohio State Buckeyes won 74-67. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Marc Loving (2) looks to shoot over Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) during the second half at Barclays Center. Ohio State Buckeyes won 74-67. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky Wildcats

Ultimate Upside Comparison: Anthony Davis

Safe Upside Comparison: Serge Ibaka

Position: Power Forward/Center

Age: 19 (3/18/1996)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 216 pounds, 7’1.5″

Slash Line: .508/.000/.706

Season Averages: 16.8 MPG, 7.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.1 ORPG, 1.7 BPG

Entering the 2015-16 college basketball season, a vast majority of analysts had Skal Labissiere listed as either the No. 1 or No. 2 prospect in the 2016 NBA Draft. It didn’t take long for that ranking to suffer, as Labissiere consistently underwhelmed in his appearances.

Not much has improved as the season has progressed, but it’s impossible to ignore how much upside the Kentucky Wildcats big man possesses.

Labissiere is as promising as any player in this draft class. He’s a dominant shot-blocker whose size, length, and athleticism breed elite defensive potential, and a midrange game that’s garnered comparisons to LaMarcus Aldridge’s.

True as that may be, there’s a very fine line between Labisierre’s elite upside and his bust potential.

Labissiere could be a rising star of Anthony Davis’ caliber, although Serge Ibaka is looking like a more realistic upside comparison. Like Ibaka, Labissiere is a dominant shot-blocker who can shoot from anywhere, but lacks the ideal presence on the glass.

If Labissiere doesn’t bulk up and readily welcome contact, he will not make it in the NBA. That’d be a true shame given his unreal potential.

Next: The New Notre Dame Star

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