INDIANAPOLIS — With their strong play in recent weeks and a run to Monday’s NCAA championship game, Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker have helped improve their NBA Draft stock.
The 7-foot Kaminsky is currently projected as the No. 10 pick by DraftExpress.com. He has remained relatively constant around that number in the past few months but was projected at No. 20 last November.
“Lottery pick, I’m a huge fan,” one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv. “I think he’s going to be terrific. I think he’s a center that’s going to play away from the basket. He’s going to be a face-the-basket, plays at the elbow. I think he’s gonna be any good for any team that he goes with.
“He may not be a starter , he may not start. But I think he’s a really good player. [He won] Player of the Year and he deserves it.”
Kaminsky has already locked up the Naismith Award, the Oscar Robertson Trophy and AP Player of the Year honors. He is averaging 18.7 points and 8.1 rebounds on the season and 20 points in the NCAA Tournament. He went for 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks in Saturday’s victory over previously unbeaten Kentucky.
The 6-9 Dekker meantime is projected as the No. 13 pick by DraftExpress.com after showing up at No. 22 in mid-March.
“Dekker and Kaminsky have helped themselves the most with their draft stock,” the scout said.
Dekker is averaging 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds and came up huge against Kentucky in the final minutes, finishing with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting and 3 rebounds.
What about Nigel Hayes?
The 6-7 sophomore who has stumped stenographers throughout the NCAA Tournament is projected as the No. 16 pick in the 2016 Draft.
“Nigel Hayes needs to stay in school another year,” the scout said.
Photo: USA Today Sports
