Washpun to NBA?

[GonzoCat]

I'm surprised this topic hasn't come up, so I guess I will start it.

UNI has had some damn good players over the years, many of whom more that held their own against future NBA players. But we haven't had any of them make the league. The most common rational used is that even though they were very good in college they just didn't pass the eye test for the NBA.

What about Wes? What are his chances? He did not have the numbers that some of our best players have had, but if he doesn't meet the eye test, we are never going to have a player that does.

I really don't understand the NBA or the eye test for that matter, so I'm looking to some of our experts in that area for an analysis. I know they will draft a seven footer playing in some foreign country that doesn't speak english and moves like a tree.

[panther1]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

Wes' game plus 4" or so and better shooting & ball handling. Morgan comes closer to the 'eye test' than Washpun in my opinion.

[CyCarp]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

I don't think he can shoot well enough for the NBA.

[Panther100]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

Wes has a bright future overseas. He doesn't have the shooting ability to make the NBA. I think he also has a bright future past his playing days as well.

[Big Cats]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

There aren't too many 5'11" guards in the NBA. Even with a 42 inch vertical.

[Trapped in California]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

There aren't too many 5'11" guards in the NBA. Even with a 42 inch vertical.

This guy has a 50" vertical, and made it to the Globetrotters. Wes will likely find some success overseas mostly to his athletic ability and defense.

http://thebiglead.com/2011/03/06/jacob-tucker-is-511-with-a-50-inch-vertical-and-he-wants-to-be-in-the-ncaa-dunk-contest/

[SteinPizza]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

Calling it an eye test isn't accurate. It's more of a skill test. Unless you're a athletic, playmaking freak like Lebron, Kobe, Dwayne Wade, Derek Rose, etc., then you need some complimentary, role player type skill set that really sticks out from the crowd. Kyle Korver is a good example (3 point shooter). Joakim Noah and Tyson Chandler (tough defenders and rebounders) are a couple of others. Steve Nash, etc., etc. All of the role player types do many things well enough, but there is a particular skill or two which really sets them apart and earns their paycheck.

Does Wes have that? Hard to say, and I was wondering the same thing. If he gets a look, my guess it would be due to his insane quickness and ability to penetrate. That's what would set him apart. The guy he'd be compared to in the current draft class would probably be Tyler Ulis from Kentucky, another smallish PG.

[run&blade]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

Can he drive to the hoop effectively with either hand dribbling?

I am thinking he always wants to go left.

with his size he would need to be able to shot darts and go left or right effectively.

[claw]

He would need to get much better at shooting. Look at the Timberwolves for a relatively close example.

Ricky Rubio is a damn good passer. Has a good ATO. Isn't a scoring PG by any means but is a top tier assist man. There is strong pull for the team to dump him because he isn't scoring in double digits and is a poor shooter. He's no threat to shoot so teams do t have to play that part of his game.

Washpun would be about average athletically in the NBA and at 5'10 without the hair and 175 lbs he doesn't have the build teams want.


I'd love for him to get a chance, but I don't see it sadly.

[DWadle1983]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

His outside shooting will keep him out of the NBA.

[SteinPizza]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

I'd love for him to get a chance, but I don't see it sadly.

I'd agree with this. It would be interesting for him to get invited to the NBA combine and scrimmages they hold for prospects, just to see how he fared if nothing else. Adam Koch went, and played OK but just wasn't good enough to advance to that level. Trying to remember, was Egelseder invited too?

If the level of recruit keeps moving upward, sometime in the future we'll have a guy who's a legit prospect. Not coincidentally, that team will also have the best chance of a relatively deep tourney run than any of the previous squads. Jake and staff do a good job of finding/developing very good role players whose skills would be accentuated if they had a legit, high tier talent playing next to them. Bohannon, Wes, Morgan, and Jesperson are great examples off this years' team. Many mid major teams who were expected to make runs had guys like that (Steph Curry, Wally Szkerbiak, Kenyon Martin, etc.). Steve Prohm recruited two guys currently playing in the league while at Murray State, so it can happen.

[BCPanther]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

I'd agree with this. It would be interesting for him to get invited to the NBA combine and scrimmages they hold for prospects, just to see how he fared if nothing else. Adam Koch went, and played OK but just wasn't good enough to advance to that level. Trying to remember, was Egelseder invited too?

Yes, Eglseder went. Was out of shape, measured just barely over 6-10 and got eaten alive by every decent post player he saw.

Ended up in the D-League, got hurt, got cut. Will play for Rima's team in Waterloo this summer.

[Zakelsta]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

Yes, Eglseder went. Was out of shape, measured just barely over 6-10 and got eaten alive by every decent post player he saw.

Ended up in the D-League, got hurt, got cut. Will play for Rima's team in Waterloo this summer.

Egleseder measured 6'10.5" in bare feet. Basically everyone is 1.5-2 inches shorter than their listed height, because an inch or more of that is in shoes. Give him that inch back from shoes, and he's 6'11.5", and I give him total rights to round that up to 7 feet.

[Zakelsta]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

He would need to get much better at shooting. Look at the Timberwolves for a relatively close example.

Ricky Rubio is a damn good passer. Has a good ATO. Isn't a scoring PG by any means but is a top tier assist man. There is strong pull for the team to dump him because he isn't scoring in double digits and is a poor shooter. He's no threat to shoot so teams do t have to play that part of his game.

Washpun would be about average athletically in the NBA and at 5'10 without the hair and 175 lbs he doesn't have the build teams want.


I'd love for him to get a chance, but I don't see it sadly.

I agree with a number of your points. However, I disagree that Wes would be 'average' athletically. He would still be in the top 25% of NBA players in quickness/speed/athleticism. Maybe you meant his athleticism would be average for point guards, that I could maybe see.

Not saying I think he'll be in the NBA, i just think he will probably get a few looks, and hopefully he can surprise some people, just like we did all season.

[OhNewby]

Re: Washpun to NBA?

All the focus in this thread is about offense, but Wes has certainly shown an ability to shut down some pretty solid players. FVV and Monte Morris come to mind. I'd say Wes has a better shot than those two to make it in the NBA