2016 Draft Prospect Skal Labissiere Models Game After Kobe, Duncan, Dirk, Brow

Kentucky-bound big man Skal Labissiere has already started generating No. 1 overall buzz for the 2016 NBA draft.

He's coming off an eye-opening showing in Portland at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he put up 21 points, six rebounds and six blocks in a win over Team USA. Next up for Labissiere is the Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn Friday night, another opportunity for him to continue building his case and selling scouts on his towering ceiling. 

Labissiere's story is one of the more remarkable ones you'll hear. A survivor of the horrific 2010 earthquake that shook Haiti, Labissiere would soon make his way to the United States thanks to a charity that granted him the opportunity. 

Since arriving as a 6'7" forward, he's grown into a 7'0" shot-blocker. Labissiere started his career in the U.S. at Memphis' Evangelical Christian High School before moving to Lausanne Collegiate School in 2014. However, he was ruled ineligible to play basketball for Lausanne his senior season. 

Instead, Labissiere ended up playing for Reach Your Dream Prep, a Memphis-based team (started by Labissiere's guardian) that wasn't even recognized by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. 

But by that time, college coaches had already seen enough. In November 2014, Labissiere would commit to John Calipari and the Wildcats.

Labissiere is ultimately loaded with upside fueled by a developing inside-out offensive game and terrific defensive instincts in rim protection. 

Bleacher Report caught up with Labissiere just before this year's Jordan Brand Classic to talk about his development and potential NBA future. 

Bleacher Report: From your time in Haiti to your time in the United States, at what point did you realize you can play for a school like Kentucky and eventually be a high draft pick? 

Skal Labissiere: After Fab Frosh camp, going into my freshman year. It was one of the biggest camps here in the country. So I went down there and won MVP, and that's when people started to notice me. 

B/R: What were you able to show scouts at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland?

SL: My effort on the court, how hard I played. How I went about every drill down there. And just showing my skill set.

B/R: Any NBA players you model your game after?

SL: Actually, there are many, I take a little bit from everybody. I watch Anthony Davis, the way he runs the floor and blocks shots. Tim Duncan in the low post. Kobe's my favorite player, his footwork, his face-up game. Carmelo and his face-up game. I watch Dirk Nowitzki, the way he gets his shot off.

B/R: I've heard you say you like to the play the 4, power forward. How is your jumper looking these days?

SL: It's got a lot better. Jump shot got more consistent than it used to be. I'm still working on it to get it more consistent and deadly. 

B/R: What do you feel you need to improve most?

SL: Getting bigger—bigger and stronger. That's why I'm really looking forward to going to Kentucky this summer, get in the weight room and start working.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

B/R: Playing for Kentucky, you're going to be in the spotlight with coach John Calipari, and the expectations are going to be there. Is that something you're looking forward to?

SL: I'm really looking forward to it. That's what I signed up for. That's what comes with it, and I'm just going to have to take it in, embrace it and enjoy it.

B/R: What was your reaction when your heard Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Trey Lyles, Dakari Johnson were all leaving for the pros?

SL: It didn't really surprise me, to be honest. I didn't decide to go to Kentucky expecting all of them to leave. Whether they stayed or not, I would have been fine with it because to me it's just about getting better. That's why I chose Kentucky. I wish them the best; I hope they do well in the NBA. We just have to focus on the guys we have coming in and to try and make a run for next year.

B/R: I know it's a while a way, but if the opportunity presents itself one year from now, what are your thoughts on one-and-done—going to college for a year and then going to the pros?

SL: Definitely. I'm going to work for it. I'm going to work my butt off for it. That's my dream, so if it's there, I'm going to take it. 

B/R: When you leave Kentucky, what do want everyone to remember you by?

SL: Somebody who gave his best to the program on and off the court. Someone who represented the program really well off the court, and on the court, someone who gave his everything.

B/R: It's just buzz and speculation at this point, but have you always dreamed about being the No. 1 pick?

SL: Not the No. 1 pick, but being in the NBA—that's always been my dream. Over the past four years, I've just worked really hard in trying to showcase my talent to the scouts. It just so happens that it's a blessing from God that anyone projected me to be the No. 1 pick.

B/R: For someone who hasn't seen you play before at Kentucky, what are you bringing them? What type of big man are you going to be?

SL: I'm a really skilled big man, but it's just my heart and work ethic that separates me from other guys. I'm just going to run the floor real well, block shots and rebound.

B/R: How good can you be defensively? 

SL: I don't even know. I have so much room to grow.

Follow B/R's Lead NBA Draft Writer Jonathan Wasserman on Twitter @NBADraftWass