How Isaiah Abraham has impressed Dan Hurley

[HooperScooper]

The AK projection is an interesting one - not sure why he’d project higher next year unless he shows a significant leap this year, as this past draft was much weaker. I’m certainly hoping for it but the delta on his projections feels wide to me. The draft is about projecting and potential, so if someone thought he was going to make a drastic leap they may have just pulled the trigger early this past draft.

13 Alex Karaban (UConn) The chance to three-peat at UConn was in part why Karaban pulled out of the draft for a second consecutive year and likely declined the chance to be a first-round pick. This might be the year he chooses to capitalize, though, after keying back-to-back title runs. He's a smooth operator with a great shooting stroke, big frame and versatile on defense that makes him a high-floor projection.

Way-too-early 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Duke's Cooper Flagg a solid top pick, Baylor's V.J. Edgecombe goes No. 2

Duke and Rutgers have two top-10 prospects in Kyle Boone's first mock draft of the 2025 cycle

www.cbssports.com

 

[aceboon]

The AK projection is an interesting one - not sure why he’d project higher next year unless he shows a significant leap this year, as this past draft was much weaker. I’m certainly hoping for it but the delta on his projections feels wide to me. The draft is about projecting and potential, so if someone thought he was going to make a drastic leap they may have just pulled the trigger early this past draft.

Strength/weakness of a draft references the very top, say picks 1-7, that doesn't have any affect on AK since he's not being picked there.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Who are are surefire NBA players on this year's roster? Last year we had Castle and Clingan. This year maybe Liam has the highest ceiling?

I cannot tell you how much I detest that line of thinking. By that logic, Kentucky, NC and Dook should have 20 titles each, right?

 

[Fan1978]

I cannot tell you how much I detest that line of thinking. By that logic, Kentucky, NC and Dook should have 20 titles each, right?

Winning a title and guys getting drafted are not mutually exclusive. Bigger question is when abrahans cousin commits after prepping at duke for a year.

 

[HooperScooper]

The AK projection is an interesting one - not sure why he’d project higher next year unless he shows a significant leap this year, as this past draft was much weaker. I’m certainly hoping for it but the delta on his projections feels wide to me. The draft is about projecting and potential, so if someone thought he was going to make a drastic leap they may have just pulled the trigger early this past draft.

Here are a few more mock drafts where he's projected in the back end of the first round. 13th from CBSSports.com that I posted above is the highest I've seen him projected. Right before he pulled out of the 2024 draft wasn't he generally projected in the 2nd round? We'll see how it plays out in 2025 but it looks like most people expect him to be picked higher than he would have in the 2024 draft if he had stayed in.

#21: 2025 NBA Mock Draft - NBA Draft Room

#23: Early 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Cooper Flagg carries Zion-like hype, but he faces big battle to go No. 1 overall

#29: 2025 NBA Mock Draft with Lottery Simulator | Tankathon

#30: https://www.bleacherreport.com/arti...raft-round-1-predictions-after-paris-olympics

#28: 2025 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: A way-too-early look at the top prospects

 

[dennismenace]

I can see this year more than any other Hurley year, him using the lineup that is best suited against matchups of the opposing team. Defense will be a big part of that.

Last year you had a core 6. Samson was really more of a breather than a matchup advantage as outside of a team like StJ, we were always better with Cling on the floor. This year I can see how mixing and matching to the strengths/weaknesses of the opponent could be a year long strategy.

Have to agree with this. Hurley more open now than any coach to innovation. Has an array of weapons for both offense and defense and combinations thereof. Mentioned his appreciation for football coaches utilization of multiple options to exploit opposition and play to strengths by finding mismatches. And it's not just DH. He is open-minded to the staff's input making unity a hallmark of both the staff and the team into one welded iron fist (or orchestra if you prefer a milder metaphor).
What a year to anticipate. I expect surprises (good ones!).

 

[RuffRuff]

Here are a few more mock drafts where he's projected in the back end of the first round. 13th from CBSSports.com that I posted above is the highest I've seen him projected. Right before he pulled out of the 2024 draft wasn't he generally projected in the 2nd round? We'll see how it plays out in 2025 but it looks like most people expect him to be picked higher than he would have in the 2024 draft if he had stayed in.

#21: 2025 NBA Mock Draft - NBA Draft Room

#23: Early 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Cooper Flagg carries Zion-like hype, but he faces big battle to go No. 1 overall

#29: 2025 NBA Mock Draft with Lottery Simulator | Tankathon

#30: https://www.bleacherreport.com/arti...raft-round-1-predictions-after-paris-olympics

#28: 2025 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: A way-too-early look at the top prospects

I’ve seen all the mocks and I get why he’s there, but I still don’t see why he would be drafted higher this year (older, stronger draft) unless he makes a material leap in his game. That’s the expectation. If it was skill and projection he would have gone higher last draft. Take a kid like Sarr, whose draft status was almost entirely based on future projection. If scouts saw AK projecting out based on attributes he would have gone first. He’s going to have to develop parts of his game we haven’t seen yet to assume first round this upcoming draft.

 

[Zonepress]

I’ve seen all the mocks and I get why he’s there, but I still don’t see why he would be drafted higher this year (older, stronger draft) unless he makes a material leap in his game. That’s the expectation. If it was skill and projection he would have gone higher last draft. Take a kid like Sarr, whose draft status was almost entirely based on future projection. If scouts saw AK projecting out based on attributes he would have gone first. He’s going to have to develop parts of his game we haven’t seen yet to assume first round this upcoming draft.

Very accurate take

 

[Hunt for 7]

I read AK is setting a goal of shooting 45% from three this year. If he does that and they are all not just catch and shoot or trailing threes and he figures out a way to create space off the dribble and make a few….then I can see the move into the first round.

The nba will always have a place for a 6’6” or 6’7” player who is a great shooter.

Alex is not the greatest athlete but he has enough athleticism to play at the next level.

A great shooter with the initials AK matching the name of the greatest rifle ever made in a different time and place could have a marketing angle.

 

[RuffRuff]

I read AK is setting a goal of shooting 45% from three this year. If he does that and they are all not just catch and shoot or trailing threes and he figures out a way to create space off the dribble and make a few….then I can see the move into the first round.

The nba will always have a place for a 6’6” or 6’7” player who is a great shooter.

Alex is not the greatest athlete but he has enough athleticism to play at the next level.

A great shooter with the initials AK matching the name of the greatest rifle ever made in a different time and place could have a marketing angle.

He’s going to have to show more, in some facets of his game.

He didn’t do much off the dribble last year, and when he did it was very heads down tunnel vision. That needs to improve. And yes, he needs to be able to make space non-reliant of an offensive set, have better foot work (ala Cam) to find space. I’m less concerned with the defensive end because it’s unlikely he’ll go up against thick bodied 4s in the NBA, which was his general weak spot this past year. The 45% is a nice goal to have and I’m sure reps will help, but I’m wondering what his new approach will be to get there. He generally got a lot of open looks in the offense last year given the balance of the team, in a lower volume scenario. This year it may not be as easy. I didn’t see any adjustments in his form during open practice. Gonna be fun to watch how much of a focus he becomes on this team.

 

[HooperScooper]

I’ve seen all the mocks and I get why he’s there, but I still don’t see why he would be drafted higher this year (older, stronger draft) unless he makes a material leap in his game. That’s the expectation. If it was skill and projection he would have gone higher last draft. Take a kid like Sarr, whose draft status was almost entirely based on future projection. If scouts saw AK projecting out based on attributes he would have gone first. He’s going to have to develop parts of his game we haven’t seen yet to assume first round this upcoming draft.

Yes, of course. That's what people are expecting when they mock him in the first round. He entered the draft to go through the process and get feedback from NBA people on what he needed to do to get drafted higher. He's obviously not getting any taller, longer, or more athletic. He needs to refine his skills, get better, and impact the games more. And from what we've seen from Karaban over 2 season it's not hard to see him taking the suggestions and expanding his game and getting better. Obviously if he doesn't do that then he won't go in the first round.

Don't all the college players who don't get drafted after their freshmen years and then go first round after their sophomore or junior years improve and make more of an impact on the games? What did Jordan Hawkins do between his freshman year and then sophomore year to be a lottery pick? Why wasn't he a lottery pick after his freshman year? Didn't he show skills and athleticism that could be projected from his freshman year?

I'm not even sure where we disagree. This is all so obvious.

 

[ctbro1999]

Who are are surefire NBA players on this year's roster? Last year we had Castle and Clingan. This year maybe Liam has the highest ceiling?

Solo Ball gonna break out this year and play his way into the 1st round in next year's draft. You heard it here (not sure about first)!

 

[ctbro1999]

Here are a few more mock drafts where he's projected in the back end of the first round. 13th from CBSSports.com that I posted above is the highest I've seen him projected. Right before he pulled out of the 2024 draft wasn't he generally projected in the 2nd round? We'll see how it plays out in 2025 but it looks like most people expect him to be picked higher than he would have in the 2024 draft if he had stayed in.

#21: 2025 NBA Mock Draft - NBA Draft Room

#23: Early 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Cooper Flagg carries Zion-like hype, but he faces big battle to go No. 1 overall

#29: 2025 NBA Mock Draft with Lottery Simulator | Tankathon

#30: https://www.bleacherreport.com/arti...raft-round-1-predictions-after-paris-olympics

#28: 2025 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: A way-too-early look at the top prospects

If Karaban continues to show improvement on the defensive end while expanding his offensive game (elevate his shooting efficiencies of course) and maybe showing he can operate as a point forward/center at times (especially if UConn plays a small lineup with Karaban at C). General improvement across the board should get Karaban into potential late lottery range. But definitely 1st round material.

 

[RuffRuff]

If Karaban continues to show improvement on the defensive end while expanding his offensive game (elevate his shooting efficiencies of course) and maybe showing he can operate as a point forward/center at times (especially if UConn plays a small lineup with Karaban at C). General improvement across the board should get Karaban into potential late lottery range. But definitely 1st round material.

I’m not sure the 5 is where he exhibits his transitional value to the NBA. He’s going to have to show that he can shoot and create in space. We know he’s exceptional at running off screens on the catch and shoot. What we don’t know is that if that window isn’t open immediately, can he maneuver off the dribble, whether it be 1 or 10 dribbles. What we’ve seen him do a lot of when he does put it on the floor is a very heads down telegraphed dribble drive, which isn’t that effective. He loses all sight of the possible pass opportunity and seems to lock himself up near the rim, sometimes it works but it’s not very fluid. Would like to see him develop some of the Cam stuff: stop and go, mini step back, up and under.

It’s gonna be interesting to see if Hurley gives him regular chances to showcase this kinda iso stuff as it’s not really part of the system unless late in the shot clock. I’m guessing this year they may go to AK more often in those situations ala Newts role much of last year. Kinda feel like there may be some payback for him coming back in that way, and because he’s a senior statesmen and an emblem of this amazing run.