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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 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) looks to pass the ball in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) looks to pass the ball in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Skal Labissiere, Kentucky Wildcats

Prospect Rank: No. 11

Position: Center

Age: 19 (3/18/1996)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 216 pounds, 7’2″

Slash Line: .517/.000/.661

Season Averages: 15.6 MPG, 6.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.0 ORPG, 1.6 BPG,

Forgive the cliche, but Skal Labissiere’s freshman season has been the very definition of a rollercoaster ride. He entered the 2015-16 college basketball campaign with the hype of potentially going No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft, and proceeded to look as though he didn’t belong.

There have been brief flashes of brilliance, but unless Labissiere comes out and torches the competition in the NCAA Tournament, he may not be a lottery pick.

The physical gifts that Labissiere would provide a team with are nothing short of remarkable. He’s 7’0″ with a 7’2″ wingspan that seems longer than it’s listed, which is a major reason for his proficiency as a shot-blocker.

He’s disappointed in virtually all other areas, but Labissiere is currently averaging 1.6 blocks per game and 4.0 blocks per 40 minutes.

Strictly talking skill set, Labissiere’s ability to space the floor with a lethal jump shot will appeal to executives playing the upside game. Beyond what’s on paper, however, is what’s told through the box score: he simply hasn’t shown up this season.

A string of big NCAA Tournament performances would help the skeptics forget all about what happened in the months prior—whether fair or foul.

Next: Under the Radar