2016 NBA Draft: Who Shined on Day 3 of NCAA Tournament?

Wayne Selden Jr., Kansas Jayhawks

Opponent: Connecticut Huskies (9)

Result: 73-61, W

Stat Line: 35 minutes, 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 offensive rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 8/15 FG, 2/5 3PT, 4/6 FT

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 21 (9/30/1994)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5″, 229 pounds, 6’10”

Analysis

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it 100 times again: Wayne Selden Jr. is the J.R. Smith of the 2016 NBA Draft. His upside is limitless, his ability to shoot his team out of games is uncanny, and his combination of streaky shooting and top-shelf explosiveness is too tantalizing to not at least consider him as a roster addition.

If a coach can help harness Selden’s energy and channel it to playing with a more efficient mindset, he could be the steal of the draft.

Selden’s Round of 32 performance against the Connecticut Huskies was one that highlighted both the positive and negative aspects of his game. He scored 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and a 2-of-5 mark from beyond the arc, but allowed his adrenaline to force him into missing two of six free throws.

It’s simply too difficult to focus on any negative when a player is doing things like this:

Selden has the physical profile—6’5″ and 229 pounds with a 6’10” wingspan and elite athleticism—to be an elite shooting guard at the next level. He has the shooting touch and tenacity do so, as well, but his ability to go from hot to cold without a moment’s notice is holding him back.

If he continues to play like this the rest of the way, don’t be shocked to see Selden earn a Round 1 grade.

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