New standard could be set for NBA draft prospects
Usually, the Bulls' college scouts don't bother going to the Final Four. They feel by this point in the season, they have a good handle on all the draft candidates and are ready for individual interviews and workouts to begin.
The Bulls are on pace to choose 21st in this year's draft, but teams with more lottery chances likely were paying close attention.
This year's Final Four might set a modern record for most players selected in the ensuing NBA draft. Based on current mock drafts, Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns and Duke's Jahlil Okafor are expected to be the top two picks.
Kentucky center Willie Cauley-Stein and Duke forward Justise Winslow are candidates to go in the top five. Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker, along with Kentucky's Trey Lyles and Devin Booker, are listed in the top 15 in some mock drafts. Duke point guard Tyus Jones also could move up after a strong championship-game performance against Wisconsin.
Since 1979, the year of the famous Magic Johnson-Larry Bird championship game, there has never been seven Final Four participants chosen among the top 15 picks in the next NBA draft.
The best year for Final Four draft prospects in the last 35 was 2007, when six players went in the top nine: Greg Oden, Al Horford, Mike Conley, Jeff Green, Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah.
Last year one player who made it to the Final Four went in the top 15: Kentucky forward Julius Randle.
At the other end of the spectrum are the guys who declare for the draft without making much of an impact in the college game. Chicago native Cliff Alexander announced Tuesday he plans to enter the draft, following in the footsteps of fellow Kansas freshman Kelly Oubre.
Here's the disclaimer: Oubre and Alexander were the fourth- and fifth-leading scorers for the Jayhawks this season. The 6-foot-8 Alexander averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds before being suspended for the final eight games because of an NCAA investigation.
In his final three college games, Alexander scored a combined 2 points. How will that translate into NBA success?
Jayhawks coach Bill Self made it sound as though he didn't try to talk Alexander out of turning pro.
"This should come as no surprise to anybody," Self said Tuesday, according to the Kansas City Star. "Cliff had a very interesting and educational year. He was a major contributor to our team from the beginning of the season."
There are more examples of players turning pro before mastering the college game. Texas' 6-11 center Myles Turner is hoping to be the next LaMarcus Aldridge, but he averaged just 10.1 points as a freshman. During the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments, Turner's high game was 5 points. He scored 2 in a first-round NCAA loss to Butler.
Another projected first-round pick is UCLA freshman forward Kevon Looney. He averaged 7.0 points and 7.4 rebounds in the Bruins' five-game run through the Pac 12 and NCAA Tournaments.
Needless to say, NBA scouts have their work cut out. Sometimes these unimpressive college freshmen turn into decent NBA players. They often don't.
The new draft procedure plays into the hands of teams like the Bulls, who should have just as good a chance of coming up with a good player at No. 21 as they would at No. 10.
In 2011, the Bulls started with picks No. 28, 30 and 43 and came away with Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic. Looking back today, it's like they won the lottery.
Rose gets upgrade:
The Bulls released an injury report Tuesday listing Derrick Rose as questionable for Wednesday's game at Orlando. Kirk Hinrich also is listed as questionable.
Rose has missed 20 games while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He last played on Feb. 23 but has been practicing since March 30. It seems likely he will return in one of the two upcoming games in Florida. The Bulls face Miami on Thursday.
Hinrich has missed the past two games with a hyperextended left knee and returned to practice Monday.
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