NBA Combine 2015: Prospects Who Boosted Their Stocks on Day 1
Former LSU Tigers star Jordan Mickey is an undersized power forward. However, on Day 1 of the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, he was one of the prospects who stood out the most. While he measured at only 6'8 ¼" in shoes, his 7'3 ¼" wingspan was tied for the seventh widest among the prospects who were measured at the combine.
During the five-on-five scrimmages, Mickey proved that his 3.6 blocked shots per game in 2014-15 were no fluke. Mickey recorded eight blocks in 29 minutes, 14 seconds of gameplay against a team that featured former Kentucky Wildcats guard Andrew Harrison and Eastern Washington Eagles scorer Tyler Harvey.
Mickey's ability to protect the rim and move his feet on defense was apparent. He looks like a mixture between Tristan Thompson and Joel Anthony. Mickey would be a great fit with the Cleveland Cavaliers if they are unable to retain Thompson's services. The latter will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Mickey was just one of the players who stood out in Chicago. Here's a look at two more:
J.P. Tokoto
After failing to establish himself as more than a high-flyer and defensive presence with the North Carolina Tar Heels, J.P. Tokoto seemed to be jumping the gun by declaring as an early entrant into the NBA draft.
After Thursday, Tokoto's decision is beginning to make more sense. Not only did he measure at a solid 6'6 ¼" for the shooting guard position, but he also showed off some improved accuracy on his jump shot.
Tokoto was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, which included a three-point basket. He had three steals and two dunks. Here's what Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress had to say about Tokoto's performance in Chicago:
"Tokoto did exactly what he needed to do, playing strong defense, finishing emphatically with his tremendous athleticism, and showing some improvement as an outside shooter, which is a very positive development considering how much he struggled with this part of his game at UNC. Tokoto clearly has been working hard on his mechanics and consistency since electing to enter the draft, and the fact that he was able to step into his shot so confidently and knock down jumpers is a good sign for his future, even if it's obviously a very small sample size.
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Athletically, Tokoto is as elite as they come. If he can make shots from the perimeter, he has a chance to sneak into the first round.
Andrew Harrison
The key to Harrison's effectiveness in the NBA will be his ability to play the point guard position. He lacks the explosiveness to consistently beat NBA 2-guards off the dribble, but as a 6'5 ½" lead guard, he could potentially play at his own pace.
That's what he did Thursday. Harrison looked great, scoring 17 points, grabbing three rebounds and dishing out five assists.
Harrison's ability to function in the pick-and-roll, use his size and knock down shots should serve him well in the NBA. This performance may have convinced NBA teams that he is worthy of a first-round selection.
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