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My counterpoint would be that he should be able to improve more with access to an NBA coaching staff and facilities, with no academic obligations or limits on coaching time. Plus, it’s a weak draft at the top.
In a historically weak draft, he has one definite skill that separates him. He is a lockdown defender. Patrick Williams got drafted 4th because of that. Steph is farther along offensively than he was. Steph is one of the high floor, relatively high ceiling guys NBA loves.
Castle is a lottery pick. He just turned 19 in November and he is already 6'6" and 215 lbs. He can defend, get to the rim, and he appears to be a good shooter, but needs more reps. The NBA drafts on potential and when you look at Castle, you can just see the upside.
The NBA drafts potential not production. Embiid didnt look ready for the NBA when he was at KU and look at him now. Just one example among many that can be made.
It doesn't matter how many times this fact is mentioned, people choose to ignore it when arguing "x" player should stay because they "aren't ready". The Lakers drafted Ater Majok after he averaged 2.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
Castle deserves player of the game but I feel like Clingan should get a piece of that too. He had 19 points, 11 boards, 5 blocks, 2 assists, 0 turnovers in 23 minutes and we were + a zillion points with him on the floor.
The game is so different when Clingan is on the floor compared to when he isn't. It's been said for a while, but he's a complete game changer both offensively and defensively.
What may be the best thing about this team is that from all appearances, nobody is concerned with individual accolades. They view them as wrapping paper, that may give the present a better appearance, but will eventually get ripped up and tossed to get to the actual prize.
100% agree. Could have gone either way.
He was referring to Jeremy Woo of ESPN, there was an ESPN article this week of UConn's NBA prospects
If you’re referring to the linked article, that’s not what they said. They said he’s not a “standout vertical leaper”, which is 100% true. Remember, this is all in the context of and comparison to NBA athletes, not college. They specifically say that his athleticism will help him earn minutes at the next level.
Then im not sure what standout means, he rises quickly and rises high, he’s not Derrick Jones Jr, but he can get up.
I think the ESPN article made it seem like he was some sort of Kyle Anderson like prospect who can barely get off the ground. I feel like a lot of these dudes only grade athleticism on a who can jump the highest standard rather than the body awareness and proprioception athleticism that it takes to master body control around the rim like Steph does. In that sense he grades out an A for me and his natural vertical athleticism is above average especially with a full head of steam.
His willingness to be a lockdown defender from day 1 and his basketball IQ separate him from other 5 star freshmen. He seems like a stoic 28 year old out there. He's a special player.
He definitely jumps well. I don’t know how that started. He’s an excellent overall athlete as you mentioned.
