NBA Draft 2016: Round 2 Prospects With Round 1 Talent

A.J. Hammons, Purdue Boilermakers

Position: Center
Age: 23 (8/27/1992)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 250 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

Few prospects eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft are as physically imposing as Purdue Boilermakers star A.J. Hammons. Standing at 7’0″ and a listed 250 pounds—he’s somewhere in between 250 and 270—with a 7’3″ wingspan, Hammons is a goliath of a human being.

An outstanding shot-blocker with expanding range on his jump shot, Hammons has the tools to be an impact player at the next level.

Hammons is a dominant shot-blocker, as evidenced by his averages of 2.5 blocks per game and 4.1 per 40 minutes. He was one of the Top 20 players in the country in block percentage in 2015-16, and was an outstanding defensive rebounder.

Those are some of the perks of being a massive human being; they’re also the result of Hammons’ improved fundamentals as a defensive player.

Offensively, Hammons is a capable post scorer who can pound opponents inside and finish at or above the rim. He’s also improving his range as a shooter, with six 3-point field goals made in 2015-16 and a respectable proficiency from midrange.

Hammons’ upside is somewhere in between Roy Hibbert and Hassan Whiteside.

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