The NBA Draft Combine is underway, and one of the names sinking on draft boards is lightning rod Shabazz Muhammad out of UCLA. Muhammad was once regarded as a potential No. 1 overall pick right alongside Nerlens Noel out of Kentucky, but some unfavorable measurements are hurting his stock.
Muhammad measured short at the combine; he was widely believed to be in the six feet, six inch range but instead measured six feet, four inches in socks and six feet, six inches in shoes. With tall, rangy wings dominating the league these days, NBA front offices may wonder if he's worth such a lofty pick at his height.
"It's a problem. If you're on the fence about him, this could push you off," one general manager said. "As a shot-creator, size matters. Especially with the length of the new wave of small forwards like Paul George." Muhammad did measure in with a six feet, 11 inch wingspan, however, which the GM said could be his saving grace. "His wingspan helps, but only if he plays defense. And he doesn't."
One prospect who has been helped tremendously by the combine process is French prospect Rudy Gobert, who measured seven feet in socks and seven feet, two inches in shoes. According to ESPN.com Gobert has a seven feet, eight and a half inch wingspan and nine feet, seven inch standing reach.
Jonathan Givnoy of DraftExpress.com tweeted during Gobert's workouts, "No one can score on Rudy Gobert inside the paint. Block, deflections, steals. Changing everything around the rim."
Other prospects who have had measurements questioned are Noel and Kansas guard Ben McLemore. Noel's height was in line with his position; he measured six feet, 11 inches in shoes, an inch taller than last year's top pick out of Kentucky Anthony Davis. Noel weighed just 206 lbs., however, leading one GM to say, "His size is fine for the 4 or 5. But I'm deeply concerned about his weight. There's no way he can play the 5 or 4 in the NBA at 206 pounds.
McLemore's height was listed as six feet, four and three quarters inches in shoes. As a comparison, the ESPN.com report said Bradley Beal, the top two-guard in last year's draft, was six feet, five inches in shoes.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.