2016 NBA Draft
Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga
21 points, 9-20 FG, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 5 fouls
Sabonis was the most dominant player in this game and looked the part of a first round pick. He worked for everything that he got, with Seton Hall making things difficult. Angel Delgado was strong and didn't let him have his post spots easy, along with the double teams the Pirates sent his way. Sabonis just kept attacking relentlessly and even though things didn't happen for him at first, he just kept working and eventually ended up having a great game. Everything he does comes from his work ethic, which gives him a shot to be an everyday rotation player at the next level.
Sabonis' feel for the game continues to impress me every time I watch him. He knows when to screen, when to post, when to shot fake, and where to be. Even with how sub par the Gonzaga perimeter players are, Sabonis still manages to look good moving around on offense. Despite his stubbornness at times, he still moves the ball and makes great passes out of the post and on the run rolling to the rim. He knows how to read the floor. Once again, he dominated the glass, like he does most games, and even did well walling up and contesting shots on the defensive end. He was still rotating back in some pick and roll coverages, which led to Seton Hall baskets, and the foul problems continued in this game where he fouled out. Even with his weaknesses, Sabonis will be able to carve out a niche as a backup center in the league for a while.
Kyle Wiltjer, PF, Gonzaga
13 points, 5-14 FG, 2-4 3FG, 7 rebounds
Wiltjer largely disappointed in this game. He can shoot the ball, but it takes him forever to get his shot off and he isn't fast enough to attack closeouts and make a play. He also isn't strong, which showed in multiple ways. He couldn't get post position on any of Seton Hall's bigs and got buried underneath the basket when getting boxed out on rebounds, even if he had position. His handle isn't good either, which just shows that his ceiling as an offensive player is limited to open spot up threes, and those players are frequent now at his position.
He doesn't rebound out of his area and gets exploited countless times on defense. Seton Hall could've just ran every pick and roll at him if they wanted and probably had success. Even though Wiltjer has had a solid track record and career in college, it doesn't look like he will be able to do that in the NBA. Before the season, he got buzz as a late second round pick. Now, I don't see him getting drafted or even staying in the states. He is the perfect big man to make money overseas.
2017 NBA Draft
Isaiah Whitehead, SG, Seton Hall
10 points, 4-24 FG, 0-10 3FG, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals
This was definitely a game to forget for Whitehead, who shot ice cold from the floor. He could create whatever shot he wanted but couldn't get anything to fall. Several of his shots came at in opportune times that would mess up the rhythm of the team. His stroke is very nice, setting his feet quick and showing off a smooth release. The shots just weren't falling. He can create in the pick and roll and his 8 assists show that he isn't just in it to make plays for himself. He was a tad late on his reads sometimes but for the most part, you trust his feel and playmaking off the dribble and in the pick and roll.
Defensively, when he locks in, he is tough to deal with. He slumped his shoulders a bit and pouted at times, probably because of his shooting woes. There were times where he would wow you with his length and speed. He fights over screens and can recover fast with his length and he trailed screens well. He jet into the passing lanes and created a few steals and even had a nice block in transition. He has the tools to be an undersized NBA two guard, probably most suited for being a combo guard off the bench. He declared for the draft this year already, and my guess is his stock would be around high to mid second round. There is a possibility that if he came back next year, he would be the best player in the Big East, win some awards, lead Seton Hall to a deep run in the tournament, and improve his draft stock to somewhere in the first round. He has that type of potential, and he might be someone we see get feedback that he doesn't like and come back to school
Keep an eye on…
Angel Delgado, C, Seton Hall
7 points, 2-5 FG, 3-8 FT, 6 rebounds, 5 fouls
Delgado is strong as all get out for an undersized big man. He doesn't jump out at you, but he works hard. 5 of his 6 rebounds came on the offensive glass, which is impressive given that he was getting those rebounds in between Sabonis and Wiltjer. His strength helped him hold his ground well against Sabonis in the post and on the glass. He was too aggressive at times, which is why he ended up fouling out, but he played like he belonged against an NBA caliber frontline. The jumper isn't there and his passing is ugly, but there may be something there if he continues to improve over his career.
Khadeen Carrington, PG, Seton Hall
8 points, 3-8 FG, 2-5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 steals
Carrington has some tools that could help him get a shot at the league. He has a smooth, lefty jumper that looked good coming out of his hands. As a point guard, you couldn't really get a sense of his playmaking with Whitehead constantly having the ball in his hands. Carrington would force it at times but for the most part, he didn't do much to make you think he shouldn't belong. Defensively he was awesome, pestering guards and making things uncomfortable. He is pretty fearless on both ends, which is something teams like in little guards. His best bet is probably to get on a D-League team and try that route.
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