Sam Vecenie Athletic Mock Draft

[ClifSpliffy]

Somehow I typed at bay and my phone got “hornets” out of it

my phone got “hornets” out of it
ur still carrying around one of these?

i can't think of any other large enough to have room for a hornets nest.
u really are cheap. one of those 'moths flying out of the wallet' types?
you're like some kind of walking nat geo insect documentary.

 

[JohnFSilver]

Agree on Hawkins. You can see the work he did with Rip, he comes off screens like a comet and immediately elevates. You can't stop him from getting that off, and if you try (as we've seen) you'll foul him. He still has to get stronger so he can go to the rim with more authority and guard guys like Jaylen Brown, but they can project that.

Disagree on Sanogo. Honestly, he's not slow, and he can dribble much better than he's been allowed to show. His strength will allow him to guard bigger guys, especially in the NBA where it's just different. I think he can become a Grant Williams type, with a bit more size and a better game in the paint, and not as good on the perimeter.

Jackson. I don't know how it happens unless he figures some things out. UConn struggles to work him in due to his offensive deficiencies, that would be magnified in the NBA. I didn't anticipate that anybody who is that athletic would be unable to score the ball.

Grant Williams was a terrific college player, and is a terrific passer and mobile defender at the 4.

Sanogo doesn’t have Williams’ ability to pass and see the game, or shooting. Sanogo is a smaller 5, while Williams is a small 4.

 

[PAHusky]

I'd say "much worse finisher," but that's probably arguing semantics. Bouk was ridiculously talented finishing at the rim.

Agreed but Bouk wasn’t just a better finisher but was miles better at creating his own shot too.

Hawkins is obviously a much better shooter but he really can’t just break his man down off the dribble or have everyone clear out for him and let him go to work. Sort of the opposite of Bouk there. Curious to see how that’s valued compared so his shooting ability

 

[boiwerebad]

I see Hawkins as a guy who will stick in the NBA for a while. His shooting alone is more than NBA ready.

However, don't see much from anyone else on the team having a real NBA future. I am not trying to hate or be negative, just realistic.

Sanogo is not athletic enough to play anything but the 5, and he is undersized there. His closest comp is Isaiah Stewart for the Pistons, and even he is more athletic and a better shooter. An undersized, back to the basket big who can't protect the rim is not the makings of an NBA player. I saw someone say Grant Williams and that is beyond comical of a comparison.

For AJax, his lack of offense is way too much to overcome. In college they are daring him to shoot, the NBA will gladly do the same. His closest comparisons are guys like Justise Winslow or Ben Simmons, guys who can handle the ball, good defensive skills, but cannot shoot. As bad as Simmons has been, he was miles ahead of a playmaker compared to AJax, and is also 6'10 250lb who can guard basically anyone. Winslow may be a closer comparison, but even then Winslow has a much better jumper.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Grant Williams was a terrific college player, and is a terrific passer and mobile defender at the 4.

Sanogo doesn’t have Williams’ ability to pass and see the game, or shooting. Sanogo is a smaller 5, while Williams is a small 4.

I think we will find he is much better at that than he's been allowed to show as a back to the basket 5, and that he's actually a right sized 4, who can cover some 5s. It's just my prediction. Since Hurley switched him to a mostly face up game 4-5 games ago he has looked like a different player.

Saw another mock draft at the Athletic today that had Hawkins going at 18. So that's excellent news.
"It’s hard to overemphasize the heater Hawkins has been on over the last month. He’s averaging 21 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3 and 92 percent from the line despite every team that plays Connecticut working as hard as possible to stop him from getting any clean looks from 3 off movement. He’s still generating seven of them per game but has also made a few strides attacking closeouts too, and he’s becoming more versatile in how he attacks defenses. Hawkins is also considered a high-level competitor, and he’s defended at a solid level this season on the ball. Hawkins still has a ways to go as a decision-maker and passer when he gets crowded, but his ability to shoot and create 3s off high-difficulty actions will endear him to NBA teams immediately."

 

[Huskybass]

Hawk: 1st round
Sanogo: 2nd round, makes an NBA roster
Andre: Europe
Karaban: NBA after Junior season

 

[Umami Zen]

Hawk: 1st round
Sanogo: 2nd round, makes an NBA roster
Andre: Europe
Karaban: NBA after Junior season

No optimism for Donovan??

 

[husky429]

I think we will find he is much better at that than he's been allowed to show as a back to the basket 5, and that he's actually a right sized 4, who can cover some 5s. It's just my prediction. Since Hurley switched him to a mostly face up game 4-5 games ago he has looked like a different player.

Saw another mock draft at the Athletic today that had Hawkins going at 18. So that's excellent news.
"It’s hard to overemphasize the heater Hawkins has been on over the last month. He’s averaging 21 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3 and 92 percent from the line despite every team that plays Connecticut working as hard as possible to stop him from getting any clean looks from 3 off movement. He’s still generating seven of them per game but has also made a few strides attacking closeouts too, and he’s becoming more versatile in how he attacks defenses. Hawkins is also considered a high-level competitor, and he’s defended at a solid level this season on the ball. Hawkins still has a ways to go as a decision-maker and passer when he gets crowded, but his ability to shoot and create 3s off high-difficulty actions will endear him to NBA teams immediately."

The mock draft you're referring to is the one this entire thread is based on, lol.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Agree with most that Hawkins needs to go after this year and get his bag. The NBA is going to love his stroke. He’ll have to keep working on his handle and finishing but that’s what the NBA is good for. Just hope he lands on a team with the right veterans unlike Bouknight.

As far as Sanogo and Grant, Sanogo is a 4/5 tweener, Grant is a 3/4 tweener. Don’t think their games are very comparable. It’s hard to see Sanogo making the NBA because of his size and he doesn’t make up for it by being an elite defender. You see young centers all the time being on rosters and even starting for their athleticism and size without having a single post move or offensive game. Sanogo is basically the opposite of that.

Look at Claxton, Jarrett Allen, shoot Hornets are starting Mark Williams who literally can’t get a basket outside of 5’. The NBA just has no use for Sanogo’s types. They’re going to love DC as a prospect though, especially if he can show off a 3 point shot next year. Think he can be a top 5 pick.

Jackson is coming back at this point and not working to get drafted high, but just on developing the skills he’ll need to stick in the NBA. Hard to see a senior get drafted in the 1st round.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The mock draft you're referring to is the one this entire thread is based on, lol.

I've seen a bunch of them. Hawk is mostly in those mid-high teens and that feels about right.

 

[CTBasketball]

I think Hawkins will have a hard time scoring at the next level. Not saying he should come back, if you’re projected first round you need to go. But he has trouble creating for himself.

 

[auror]

I think Hawkins will have a hard time scoring at the next level. Not saying he should come back, if you’re projected first round you need to go. But he has trouble creating for himself.

On the contrary, he's not going to be asked to create for himself. Bouknight's main attribute was scoring via self creation, but he wasn't good enough to do it at a level to earn minutes in the NBA, so then he had to take an off ball roll, which was not in his skill set (and he didn't improve his shot enough).

However, Hawkins is a perfect offball player. He doesn't have the upside of an on-ball player, which is why he's not going to go in the top 10 and probably not even the lottery. But he'll probably end up sticking better than Bouknight.

 

[boiwerebad]

Look at Claxton, Jarrett Allen, shoot Hornets are starting Mark Williams who literally can’t get a basket outside of 5’. The NBA just has no use for Sanogo’s types. They’re going to love DC as a prospect though, especially if he can show off a 3 point shot next year. Think he can be a top 5 pick.

Donovan top 5 pick lol. Even if he becomes a knockdown 3 point shooter, nearly impossible for a Sophomore to be a top 5 pick, and that is including extreme development. He only has a chance to be a real lottery piece if he plays big minutes, UConn goes deep in tourney and he gets more eyes on him, or he really develops. Just because you are tall doesn't guarantee you NBA minutes. His touch is fairly bad for someone that large. I still think he has first round potential, but not top 5.

I think we will find he is much better at that than he's been allowed to show as a back to the basket 5, and that he's actually a right sized 4, who can cover some 5s. It's just my prediction. Since Hurley switched him to a mostly face up game 4-5 games ago he has looked like a different player.

This is what the NBA was 20 years ago, not today. At the absolute best, he has Trendon Watford's mobility and athleticism, as he is a bench big for a mediocre Portland team. Even then, Watford is younger and has shown more offensive skills then post hooks. Plus Sanogo is a pretty poor defender outside a 1on1 in the post where his strength shines. He will be great overseas or maybe G League, but he has too limited of a game, with limited athleticism and height to get NBA minutes.

 

[husky429]

On the contrary, he's not going to be asked to create for himself. Bouknight's main attribute was scoring via self creation, but he wasn't good enough to do it at a level to earn minutes in the NBA, so then he had to take an off ball roll, which was not in his skill set (and he didn't improve his shot enough).

However, Hawkins is a perfect offball player. He doesn't have the upside of an on-ball player, which is why he's not going to go in the top 10 and probably not even the lottery. But he'll probably end up sticking better than Bouknight.

He'll have a 10+ year career as a bench shooter and pocket 80 million.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Agree with most that Hawkins needs to go after this year and get his bag. The NBA is going to love his stroke. He’ll have to keep working on his handle and finishing but that’s what the NBA is good for. Just hope he lands on a team with the right veterans unlike Bouknight.

As far as Sanogo and Grant, Sanogo is a 4/5 tweener, Grant is a 3/4 tweener. Don’t think their games are very comparable. It’s hard to see Sanogo making the NBA because of his size and he doesn’t make up for it by being an elite defender. You see young centers all the time being on rosters and even starting for their athleticism and size without having a single post move or offensive game. Sanogo is basically the opposite of that.

Look at Claxton, Jarrett Allen, shoot Hornets are starting Mark Williams who literally can’t get a basket outside of 5’. The NBA just has no use for Sanogo’s types. They’re going to love DC as a prospect though, especially if he can show off a 3 point shot next year. Think he can be a top 5 pick.

Jackson is coming back at this point and not working to get drafted high, but just on developing the skills he’ll need to stick in the NBA. Hard to see a senior get drafted in the 1st round.

Zach Edey is projected to go late 2nd round.

 

[Scrutineer]

Lolz, what are you talking about?

Sanogo conserves energy to stay on the court because he had no backup? He has the best backup in the entire country this season, if your theory is true and he's conserving energy so he won't be benched that's about the most selfish thing he could possibly do and Hurley is ridiculous for not pulling him.

How is DC getting NBA attention? Because he's a 7'2 behemoth who controls the paint and has great instincts.

Some could argue Dan Hurley is conserving DC's energy lately........... makes me wonder if he's showcasing AS, or hiding DC.

 

[ManFromOZ]

Has Bouk now fallen out of favor with The Swarm? 11 minutes seems odd

The dude is working his way out of the Association. He is not only out of favor, he's no longer the flavor for the Hornets. He has had two years of chances. A lottery pick that flames out - not the first and certainly not the last.

 

[ManFromOZ]

Jackson is coming back. He has 0 chance of getting drafted at this point. He needs to do nothing over the summer except attack the rim. He needs to become a slasher type player on offense. He has to learn to beat his defender off the dribble. The ability is there.

Jackson needs to totally rebuild his shot. Bad mechanics and form is way off. Sort of a push shot. Will kill it overseas. That's the ceiling.

 

[Scrutineer]

I find them mostly enjoyable.

don't say that, cuz it may make stinky red down thumbs pour on you, and then i'll feel bad.

it seems that recently across the land, not everyone is as big a fan of 'free speechin' as many of us are. let the chips fall where they may, an all that.

No, no, no, you're wrong on people not "likin' free speechin'".

You have to understand that we are simply being protected, for our own good, by the process of "content moderation".

 

[Deleted at users request]

Donovan top 5 pick lol. Even if he becomes a knockdown 3 point shooter, nearly impossible for a Sophomore to be a top 5 pick, and that is including extreme development. He only has a chance to be a real lottery piece if he plays big minutes, UConn goes deep in tourney and he gets more eyes on him, or he really develops. Just because you are tall doesn't guarantee you NBA minutes. His touch is fairly bad for someone that large. I still think he has first round potential, but not top 5.

Ja went top 5 as a sophomore. Jaden Ivey last year too. It’s possible and DC has the tools to get there with a good enough summer.

Zach Edey is projected to go late 2nd round.

DC moves a lot better than Edey. Tbh I haven’t watched enough of him to know a lot else. He doesn’t shoot at all from 3 I see.

7’2 shooters that move like him with his hands are not common. With big minutes next year to put up some video game numbers he’s bound to do and a 3 point shot, scouts are going to be salivating. That’s not even going into his passing ability.

 

[boiwerebad]

Ja went top 5 as a sophomore. Jaden Ivey last year too. It’s possible and DC has the tools to get there with a good enough summer.


DC moves a lot better than Edey. Tbh I haven’t watched enough of him to know a lot else. He doesn’t shoot at all from 3 I see.

7’2 shooters that move like him with his hands are not common. With big minutes next year to put up some video game numbers he’s bound to do and a 3 point shot, scouts are going to be salivating. That’s not even going into his passing ability.

The difference are those guys are guards in a guard-dominated league. I also don't know what you are talking about as Clingan being a shooter. He shoots 51% from the line and its not like he is shooting mid rangers. His touch is fairly bad even though his actual shot looks fine. Expecting a guy to go from a literal non-factor outside of 3 feet to a knockdown shooter is comical. Walker Kessler transferred to Auburn because he thought he could become a shooter and shot 20%. This idea that a guy will magically jump his stock or completely reinvent his game is comical.

 

[boiwerebad]

The dude is working his way out of the Association. He is not only out of favor, he's no longer the flavor for the Hornets. He has had two years of chances. A lottery pick that flames out - not the first and certainly not the last.

Charlotte must have something in the water, feels like half the team is actively trying to leave the NBA.

I imagine that Charlotte is kind of over his antics, and he has not been good enough to warrant a spot. I cannot find the article but do believe he has had ~3 DWIs in the span of a few months. Also, I heard that the crash/suspension back in 2019 at UConn was him taking the blame for a former Husky who was visiting, while trying to make a pro career, but who knows with what has been happening Why did James Bouknight get suspended for 3 games by UConn in 2019? All you need to know.

Also crazy that outside that 40 pt game against Creighton, he never hit 25 points in a game.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Ja went top 5 as a sophomore. Jaden Ivey last year too. It’s possible and DC has the tools to get there with a good enough summer.


DC moves a lot better than Edey. Tbh I haven’t watched enough of him to know a lot else. He doesn’t shoot at all from 3 I see.

7’2 shooters that move like him with his hands are not common. With big minutes next year to put up some video game numbers he’s bound to do and a 3 point shot, scouts are going to be salivating. That’s not even going into his passing ability.

DC isn't athletic and doesn't move very well at all. He's a lot less athletic than Drummond was. I wonder if people confuse footwork with quickness and footspeed. Shooter? In what way? If he can become a knock down 3 point shooter, then I can see him getting some real interest in the league as a Brook Lopez type. That would set him apart from guys like Edey.

 

[Scrutineer]

Somehow I typed at bay and my phone got “hornets” out of it

Sounds like you may have used ChatGPT..........

 

[Deleted at users request]

@boiwerebad @HuskyHawk

I know DC hasn’t shown a 3 point shot but we saw Sanogo develop one over the summer. From some of the posters here they say he looks good shooting them in warm ups. Maybe after a summer working on it and more of a green light next year he can showcase it? If he shows potential scouts will hop on it.

No one is athletic as Drummond but he does move well. He doesn’t lumber up and down the floor, he’s really good rim to rim. He has a great skillset overall to work with at 7’2. It’s rare. A lot of it is just potential, but that’s what the NBA loves. Lol

 

[ClifSpliffy]

james is on many nba teams radar for trade for one simple reason -money.
he's locked in at 5m for a couple years, and in that business, possible ceilings on an inexpensive player is a very big deal.
last time i checked, since he was sent to the g this month, he was something like 17/4/2.
flyer-city, as in 'taking a flyer on.'

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

james is on many nba teams radar for trade for one simple reason -money.
he's locked in at 5m for a couple years, and in that business, possible ceilings on an inexpensive player is a very big deal.
last time i checked, since he was sent to the g this month, he was something like 17/4/2.
flyer-city, as in 'taking a flyer on.'

Needs to go to a team where the veteran leader is someone other than 21 yr old Lamelo Ball

 

[boiwerebad]

@boiwerebad @HuskyHawk

I know DC hasn’t shown a 3 point shot but we saw Sanogo develop one over the summer. From some of the posters here they say he looks good shooting them in warm ups. Maybe after a summer working on it and more of a green light next year he can showcase it? If he shows potential scouts will hop on it.

No one is athletic as Drummond but he does move well. He doesn’t lumber up and down the floor, he’s really good rim to rim. He has a great skillset overall to work with at 7’2. It’s rare. A lot of it is just potential, but that’s what the NBA loves. Lol

Sanogo can shoot a wide open three, and this is a good development piece, even though it is a very limited jumper. That doesn't mean everyone will become a shooter. Jackson has been at UConn just as long and has arguably became a worse shooter. Also Clingan needs to focus mainly on his conditioning and touch around the rim/patience. Thinking he will all of a sudden turn to a pure shooter feels like investing in the wrong things

 

[ClifSpliffy]

Sanogo can shoot a wide open three, and this is a good development piece, even though it is a very limited jumper. That doesn't mean everyone will become a shooter. Jackson has been at UConn just as long and has arguably became a worse shooter. Also Clingan needs to focus mainly on his conditioning and touch around the rim/patience. Thinking he will all of a sudden turn to a pure shooter feels like investing in the wrong things

2/17/23.
7.5 and 6 boards per 13 minutes a game.
68% shooting percentage. 2nd in the league. 8th o boards, 15th total boards, 4th in blocks. 13 mpg.
the only thing 'bad' aboot his shooting percentage is that he often sends an opponents shot into the seats, bad for them.

 

[PAHusky]

I think some of you who are really high on DC are confused about what NBA teams are looking for in a player these days. He has size and great hands and finishing, but outside of Jokic every other center in the league is way ahead of him athletically and almost all of them can shoot from deep too. Wenbayama (spelling?) is a freak and not the best example but he’s a lock for the number one pick and he’s taller than DC and just miles ahead of him as a player.

There’s almost no way he’s a lottery pick, let alone a top 5 pick. I think he’ll be amazing for UConn and probably an all american, but his game doesn’t translate well to the modern NBA and that caps his draft ceiling.