Jeff Greer 3:43 p.m. EDT August 25, 2015
The University of Louisville just started classes this week, but that doesn't mean it's too early for another NBA mock draft projecting next summer's selections.
And, for the second time this summer, Louisville basketball's Chinanu Onuaku is projected as a first-round pick.
Released Tuesday, ESPN's Mock Draft 1.0, its first of the 2016 NBA draft cycle, lists the 6-foot-10 Onuaku as the 27th selection in next year's draft. The reasoning behind Onuaku's placement, ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford writes, is that "advanced analytics loved him" over the 2014-15 season, and his strong play for Team USA toward the end of its gold-medal-winning run through the FIBA U19 World Championships "won him even more fans."
"Onuaku was a bit of surprise for Louisville last summer," Ford wrote. "His numbers won't wow you, but the advanced analytics loved him and his play for Team USA in the U19s this summer won him even more fans. He's very limited offensively, but defensively there is a lot to love as an athletic, high-energy big man coming off the bench."
Ford isn't alone with his projection. DraftExpress.com, another widely respected draft site, projected Onuaku as the 26th pick in the 2016 draft in its latest mock.
THE COURIER-JOURNAL
Louisville's Chinanu Onuaku making strides
All that may surprise Louisville fans, who saw Mangok Mathiang surpass Onuaku in the starting lineup late last season -- and take up most of his minutes. But it speaks to the vast improvement Onuaku has made this summer, even impressing U of L coach Rick Pitino.
At the U19 World Championships, Onuaku started six games and averaged 4.6 points, five rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 16 minutes a game. He shot 65 percent from the field and had 10 steals.
In Puerto Rico, his progress showed again. He was U of L's most effective big man and most improved player, averaging 9.8 points, seven rebounds, 2.5 steals and two assists in four games.
The University of Louisville just started classes this week, but that doesn't mean it's too early for another NBA mock draft projecting next summer's selections.
And, for the second time this summer, Louisville basketball's Chinanu Onuaku is projected as a first-round pick.
Released Tuesday, ESPN's Mock Draft 1.0, its first of the 2016 NBA draft cycle, lists the 6-foot-10 Onuaku as the 27th selection in next year's draft. The reasoning behind Onuaku's placement, ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford writes, is that "advanced analytics loved him" over the 2014-15 season, and his strong play for Team USA toward the end of its gold-medal-winning run through the FIBA U19 World Championships "won him even more fans."
"Onuaku was a bit of surprise for Louisville last summer," Ford wrote. "His numbers won't wow you, but the advanced analytics loved him and his play for Team USA in the U19s this summer won him even more fans. He's very limited offensively, but defensively there is a lot to love as an athletic, high-energy big man coming off the bench."
Ford isn't alone with his projection. DraftExpress.com, another widely respected draft site, projected Onuaku as the 26th pick in the 2016 draft in its latest mock.
THE COURIER-JOURNAL
Louisville's Chinanu Onuaku making strides
All that may surprise Louisville fans, who saw Mangok Mathiang surpass Onuaku in the starting lineup late last season -- and take up most of his minutes. But it speaks to the vast improvement Onuaku has made this summer, even impressing U of L coach Rick Pitino.
At the U19 World Championships, Onuaku started six games and averaged 4.6 points, five rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 16 minutes a game. He shot 65 percent from the field and had 10 steals.
In Puerto Rico, his progress showed again. He was U of L's most effective big man and most improved player, averaging 9.8 points, seven rebounds, 2.5 steals and two assists in four games.
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