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2016 NBA Draft: Players with Most to Gain in NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) signs autographs during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men
Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) signs autographs during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men /
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Mar 16, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) speaks to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men
Mar 16, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) speaks to the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men /

A.J. Hammons, Purdue Boilermakers

Prospect Rank: No. 25

Position: Center

Age: 23 (8/27/1992)

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

Slash Line: .595/.545/.706

Season Averages: 24.2 MPG, 14.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 2.4 BPG

A.J. Hammons is your proverbial late-bloomer. After three seasons of having more upside than established ability, Hammons has broken out for Matt Painter’s Purdue Boilermakers as both a defensive anchor and quietly skilled offensive asset.

Purdue’s bracket is brutal as a No. 5 seed, but if Hammons is able to lead the Boilermakers to a deep run, he can prove himself to be worthy of a first-round pick.

Hammons’ age is likely to scare a vast majority of teams away in the Top 20, and that may extend to the Top 25. Even if he were to slip to the second round, a stellar showing in the NCAA Tournament would create a necessary measure of confidence in his abilities.

The NBA is aware of Hammons’ talent, but it needs to see him play at a star-caliber level throughout this tournament in order to take a leap of faith.

Hammons will turn 24 years old before the start of the 2016-17 NBA regular season, and that makes his immediate value the primary point of emphasis. He can block shots, control the glass, and has even developed an outside shot, but general managers will be asking for dominance.

Anything short of it would likely send Hammons back to the second round.

Next: Can He Secure No. 1?