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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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Feb 16, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) smiles after a foul in the second half of the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Mackey Arena. Purdue won 71-61. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) smiles after a foul in the second half of the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Mackey Arena. Purdue won 71-61. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

28. A.J. Hammons, Purdue Boilermakers

Position: Center

Age: 23 (8/27/1992)

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

Slash Line: .592/.545/.709

Season Averages: 24.6 MPG, 15.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 2.5 BPG

Key Strengths

  • Massive individual. Height and length are prototypical for a center.
  • Powerful body overwhelms opponents on the low block.
  • Rim protection. Can block and alter shots without leaving his feet.
  • Expanding offensive game. Capable of hitting the occasional jump shot. Made six 3-point field goals in 2015-16.
  • Offensive rebounding.

Key Weaknesses

  • Age. Hammons will turn 24 on August 27.
  • Conditioning. Weight has been a consistent issue. Can he play big minutes?
  • Lacks ideal athleticism.
  • Pick-and-roll defense. Fouls when he can’t keep up with quicker scorers.

Analysis

Purdue Boilermakers big man A.J. Hammons is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft. He’s a late-blooming center who can control the paint on both ends of the floor, and has vastly expanded his offensive game.

I wholeheartedly understand why so many are low on Hammons—he’ll be 24 in August—but he wouldn’t be the first late-bloomer to experience success in the NBA.

Hammons’ physical profile, strengths, and weaknesses are quite similar to those of Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside admittedly has a significantly longer wingspan, but Hammons has the size, strength, and length to make an impact at any level.

Hammons may not become a star in the NBA, but at the very worst, he can be Roy Hibbert with a more versatile offensive game.

Next: International Stretch 4

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