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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Impact of the NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 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 /

11. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Forward/Center

Age: 20 (3/18/1996)

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

Slash Line: .516/.000/.661

Season Averages: 15.8 MPG, 6.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.0 ORPG, 1.6 BPG

Key Strengths

  • Elite shot-blocker. Can maintain employment with that skill.
  • Dangerous midrange shooter when given space.
  • Size and length to play the 4 or the 5 at the next level.
  • Effortlessly elevates off of two feet.
  • Moves well. Athleticism and length to disrupt the pick-and-roll.

Key Weaknesses

  • Severely struggled as a freshman.
  • Thin frame and absence of ideal core strength limits production on both ends.
  • Struggles to create offense against stronger defenders. Almost all NBA defenders will be stronger in 2016-17.
  • Baby hook is solid, but overall, his post game is very limited.

Analysis

Skal Labissiere averaged 1.6 blocks per game and 4.2 blocks per 40 minutes for the Kentucky Wildcats. He struggled to provide much of anything else, but with his size, length, shot-blocking ability, athleticism, and midrange game, this raw and skinny big man has enough upside to fill Rupp Arena.

Despite his lackluster showing as a freshman, Labissiere has declared for the 2016 NBA Draft.

That isn’t especially surprising.

Despite failing to show much of anything besides an uncanny ability to redirect shots, Labissiere has remained in the lottery range throughout 2015-16. It’s entirely plausible that he’ll slip down draft boards, but it’d be an absolute shock for him to fall out of the first round.

Labissiere is essentially this year’s Myles Turner: superstar upside with strong bust potential and a singular skill that should keep him employed. Love it or hate it, he’s likely to be a lottery pick.

Next: The Intangibles

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