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2016 NBA Draft: Skal Labissiere Player Breakdown

By Maxwell Ogden

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 02: Skal Labissiere #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates after dunking the ball against the Mississippi Rebels at Rupp Arena on January 2, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 02: Skal Labissiere #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates after dunking the ball against the Mississippi Rebels at Rupp Arena on January 2, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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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 /

Draft Projection: Lottery

Despite his lackluster production as a freshman with the Kentucky Wildcats, Skal Labissiere remains a projected lottery pick. His upside is far too extreme to ignore, and he has a skill that’s translatable to the next level.

The question is, in which range of the lottery is Labissiere most likely to come off the board?

The possibility remains that a general manager will gamble on Labissiere in the Top 5, but that’s far less likely than it once was. The more likely outcome is that he’ll be drafted towards the back end of the Top 10, or in the 11-to-14 range.

The general expectation is that, for as polarizing as he may be, Labissiere will not fall out of the Top 14.

The options for Labissiere begin with the Denver Nuggets at No. 7—a team in need of a shot-blocker. The Toronto Raptors at No. 9, Milwaukee Bucks at No. 10, Orlando Magic at No. 11, Phoenix Suns at No. 13, and Chicago Bulls at No. 14 will all be in play, as well.

It’s certainly possible that he could fall out of the lottery, but Labissiere is still believed to have one of the highest ceilings of any player in this draft class.

Next: Key Strengths

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