Arizona Basketball: NBA Draft Wildcat Preview

The 2017 NBA Draft is on June 22 and there are four former Arizona Wildcat players looking to get their name called.

There are currently 12 former Arizona Wildcat players that are in the NBA, plus three coaches and six of them are in the NBA Finals: Steve Kerr, Bruce Fraser, Andre Iguodala, Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson and Derrick Williams.

Among NCAA Division 1 schools, Arizona ranks No. 6 among having the most players in the NBA. The Wildcats are looking to add to that number in the NBA Draft later this month.

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The four players eligible for the NBA draft are Lauri Markkanen, Kadeem Allen, Kobi Simmons and Chance Comanche. Each player has the overall talent to play on the next level. Let’s take a closer look at each:

Lauri Markkanen

Lauri Markkanen has the potential to be an immediate impact player in the NBA. At 7’0 and 230lbs, Markkanen can put the ball on the floor as well as shoot the ball from the outside.

He has put in a lot of work into strength and conditioning and on the practice court since the season for the Cats ended. Markkanen is determined to be at his best for the 2017-18 NBA season, for whichever team chooses him.

In a lot of different pre-NBA Draft projections, Markkanen is predicted to go into the top 10. It seems as if every team is interested in the 7-foot Finland star. Those are good problems to have.

Here are his stats from this past season with the Wildcats:

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/3/2017.

In addition to his skill level on the court, off the court, Markkanen has a very likable personality. Watch for yourself in this “Road to the Draft” Youtube series on Markkanen’s channel. Below is episode one:

Kadeem Allen

Former Wildcat and fifth-year senior Kadeem Allen is looking to take his talents to the next level as well. Like Markkanen, Allen has put in a lot of effort to impress NBA scouts. Here he was getting some shot reps in before the NBA Combine:

At 6-foot-3 and 205 lbs, Allen has excellent ball handling skills and can play either the one or two. Plus, he has a great inside and outside shot. What makes him stand out, even more, is his ability to play in-your-face defense. Allen was named to the 2016-17 All-Pac-12 Defensive team. Case in point!

In his two seasons with the Wildcats (freshman year he played junior college basketball and his sophomore year he redshirted), Allen averaged nine points, three assists and one steal per game:

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/3/2017.

After working out for the Lakers, Allen had this to say when asked about how the workout process was for different NBA teams:

"“It’s just a grind, everyone wants to get to the NBA, so something we have to sacrifice”"

At the time of this interview, he had worked out for seven different teams. That’s putting in work!

Kobi Simmons

After one year as a Wildcat, Kobi Simmons decided to declare himself eligible for the NBA Draft and hire an agent. While at Arizona, he mainly played the No. 2 position, but during the NBA Combine he showed off his capabilities while playing the point guard position:

Also, he showed off his ball handling and creativity skills to attack the basket:

https://twitter.com/BBallSociety_/status/863117737371029508

Simmons had limited played time during his freshman season at Arizona but took advantage of the minutes he got. Simmons has the talent, size and flexibility of playing multiple positions, all he needs is a team to give him that chance.

As a Wildcat, Simmons averaged nine points and two assists per game:

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/4/2017.

He recently worked out for the Suns, and NBA Draft projections have him possibly going in the late second round. There is also the possibility that he may not get drafted – but life is all about taking chances and either being rewarded or not. If he does not get drafted in the NBA, Simmons can take his talent overseas.

During the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout, Simmons was asked why he decided to leave school:

"“I felt like I was ready, with my mindset, now was the time.”"

Chance Comanche

After two years with the Wildcats, Chance “The Chief” Comanche decided to take that next step in his basketball career and declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft (with an agent).

At 6-11, 215lbs Comanche’s confidence level at the center position had grown from his freshman to his sophomore season. He established himself as a strong rebounder and finisher around the basket. Also, he was able to improve his outside jump shot and moves around in the paint.

Comanche averaged six points, four rebounds and 18 minutes per game in his second season. The stats below show his improvement from year one to year two:

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/4/2017.

Most NBA Draft projections have Comanche going in the late second round or not being drafted. He did not receive an invite to the NBA Combine but did recently have a workout with the Lakers. Comanche’s wing span, athleticism around the basket and desire to become a better player, would make a good selection for the Lakers at the No.28 spot or maybe even a G-League two-way contract.

Also, Comanche had the opportunity to impress NBA executives:

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As the 2017 NBA Draft fast approaches, Zona Zealots looks forward to the results. Whatever may happen, we would like to thank each player for the great memories. Good luck in the next chapter of your basketball careers. Bear Down for life!