UK players’ NBA Draft decisions draw mixed reaction from ESPN analyst
Regarding this year’s NBA Draft, one Kentucky player made a “curious decision.” Another made the logical one.
Another seems likely to be a top-10 pick. Another had an uneven season, which should remind us that college players, no matter how talented, are still early in the developmental curve.
Another set the stage to become a “terrific” NBA player. Another must answer a pointed question.
That is how ESPN analyst Jay Bilas assessed the six Kentucky players who’ve entered the draft.
Let’s go down the list
▪ EJ Montgomery’s entry into the NBA Draft puzzled Bilas.
“Curious decision from my seat …,” the ESPN analyst said. “I don’t remember the last player that averaged six points a game and five rebounds that I thought was making a good decision.”
Montgomery averaged 6.1 points and 5.4 rebounds this past season as a sophomore.
“He’s got some skills,” Bilas said. “He’s got length. And he’s a good athlete. But, I wonder what he has to offer to an NBA team right now. And I think the answer is not very much.”
Montgomery can become an NBA player, said Bilas, before adding, “He will absolutely be spending time in the G League.”
▪ Nick Richards, a relative graybeard as a junior (he turns 23 on Nov. 29), blossomed this past season. In Bilas’ mind, Richards defined himself as an NBA prospect.
“It’s time for him to go because he is what he’s going to be as a college player,” Bilas said, “and it may not serve that much of a purpose to come back for another year.”
Bilas saluted how Richards erased doubts created by poor performances against Utah and Ohio State in Las Vegas (seven points and four rebounds in 38 total minutes). He had six double-doubles and 17 double-digit scoring games in UK’s remaining 20 games.
“Is he a (NBA) starter?” Bilas said. “I don’t think so. At least not early on. But he could certainly work his way into a rotation where he could help somebody.”
▪ Bilas agreed with many mock drafts that have Tyrese Maxey as a lottery pick.
“I think he’s a top-10 pick,” the ESPN analyst said, “and is going to be a very good NBA player.”
Maxey, who made only 29.2 percent of his three-point shots (six of 27 in UK’s last seven games), needs to work on his shooting mechanics, said Bilas, adding that Maxey needs to hold the ball higher as he shoots.
“But, that can be fixed in no time,” Bilas said.
▪ Bilas all but described Ashton Hagans as multiple players in one package. Hagans’ ability as a defender is well-documented and decorated. He was the Southeastern Conference’s co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2018-19 and made the league’s All-Defensive Team this past season. This led Bilas to conclude, “I think he’s going to be valued on the NBA level.”
Then, Bilas added, “I think he still has to improve his offensive game and his shooting consistency.”
Hagans actually shot less accurately as a sophomore (40.4 percent overall, 25.8 percent from three-point range) than as a freshman (46.7 percent overall, 27.5 percent from three). Bilas attributed this to Hagans taking more shots and UK’s increased reliance on his scoring in the sophomore season.
“And he needs to reduce his error rate,” Bilas said in reference to Hagans’ turnovers (15 in his last four games, and an average of 3.6 turnovers after December).
“I think he’s got to improve his decision-making,” Bilas said. “But, he’s a good prospect. There’s a lot of players that go into the league as young players. As they mature, they become more efficient and really learn how to play better.”
Hagans turns 21 on July 8.
▪ Like Richards, Immanuel Quickley blossomed in 2019-20. He led Kentucky in scoring.
“Quickley’s got a very good opportunity to be a terrific NBA player because he can shoot it,” Bilas said. “He’s good in transition and he can put it on the deck. I think he really showed that he has — at least on the college level — star potential that he could build upon.
“So, I’m a believer.”
Yes, Bilas said, the NBA noticed Quickley’s ability to come through in the clutch. Quickley ranked third nationally in free-throw accuracy (92.3 percent). He shot free throws even more accurately with the game on the line. He made 38 of 39 in the final four minutes of second halves and overtimes in games against Power Five conference teams, plus Evansville.
“That’s a factor that will work out in his favor,” Bilas said. “He’s not afraid of the moment.”
▪ Freshman Kahlil Whitney played about half a season before leaving the UK team.
“He’s going to have to satisfy people that are going to ask him, ‘why did you quit?’” Bilas said. “Because there’s no other way to term it. He quit.”
The same question will be asked of James Wiseman, who left the Memphis team, Bilas said.
“There’s no nice way to say it,” Bilas said. “Both of them quit. Basketball at the NBA level is not a game of quit. And so I think (Whitney) will be asked that question. And I’d be curious about the answer myself.”
Bilas described Whitney as “a fine athlete. A physical specimen who doesn’t know how to play. … He can certainly do that through the G League.”
Coffee with Clinton
Former President Bill Clinton will be the guest on the second episode of “Coffee with Cal.” UK Coach John Calipari’s Facebook Live show is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. EDT on Monday.
The series supports No Kid Hungry, World Central Kitchen, Blessings in a Backpack, Feeding America, and other child-focused COVID-19 relief initiatives administered by The Calipari Foundation.
Episodes stream live on the John Calipari Basketball Fantasy Experience Facebook page.
‘A role player’
A webinar sponsored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches on Tuesday had ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla lecture on offensive strategies.
One clip came from a Creighton game a few seasons ago. When he saw guard Davion Mintz, Fraschilla said, “Mintz is going to Kentucky next year to be a backup, a role player.”
In three seasons for Creighton, Mintz averaged 6.6 points. He shot consistently from three-point distance: 36 percent in 2016-17, 35.2 percent in 2017-18 and 34.7 percent in 2018-19.
Although he did not play last season because of a high ankle sprain, Mintz will bring plenty of experience to the UK team. He started 67 of 68 games in the previous two seasons.
The latest addition, transfer Jacob Toppin, started three games last season as a freshman for Rhode Island.
Incidentally, Matt Haarms started 40 games for Purdue in the past three seasons. As a graduate transfer, he has Kentucky among 10 schools on his list.
Before the transfers, sophomore-to-be Keion Brooks was the only other Kentucky player for next season who had started a college game. He started six games this past season.
When it comes to inexperience during John Calipari’s time as UK coach, the 2012-13 team holds an unbreakable record. No player had started a single college game going into that season.
‘Chicago mentality’
Mike Irvin, who coached Kahlil Whitney on the AAU circuit, spoke confidently about his former player’s NBA Draft stock.
“He should definitely be a top-20 pick,” Irvin said. “You’ve got to look at the body of work he’s done. Last year at this time, he was one of the best players in the country. That hasn’t changed.”
Whitney was designated as a five-star prospect and played in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
Whitney entered this year’s NBA Draft even though he averaged only 3.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 12.8 minutes in a half season for Kentucky.
“He’s got that Chicago mentality … where you see he doesn’t mind making a move to the league,” Irvin said. “He figures, ‘I’m better than everybody out there.’”
Happy birthday
To Dwane Casey. He turned 63 on Friday. … To Derrick Millar. He turned 52 on Saturday. … To Doug Flynn. The former UK and Cincinnati Reds baseball player turned 69 on Saturday. … To Nate Knight. He turned 42 on Saturday. … To Michael Bradley. He turned 41 on Saturday. … To Scott Padgett. He turns 44 on Sunday (today). … To Ashley Judd. She turns 52 on Sunday (today). … To Ryan Harrow. He turns 29 on Wednesday. … To Matt Haarms. The 7-3 graduate transfer from Purdue who has drawn interest from Kentucky turns 23 on Wednesday.
