2012 NBA Draft Grade: Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond is one of the freshmen entering this year’s draft that is generating very little buzz, which is ironic because he is just under seven feet tall. Drummond remains the second best center in this entire draft class, behind only Kentucky sensation, Anthony Davis . Drummond led the Huskies’ front-court in just his first season in college and his 2.7 blocks really showcased his ability to become an elite defender in a couple years. Below is my full draft report of the UConn center:
2011-12 College Average: 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 2.7 blocks, 1.5 turnovers
Scoring: C Drummond did not mature as a reliable scorer down low, something most of the UConn faithful expected of him in his first year. He is very capable of hitting hook shots around the hoop and dunking the ball, but he needs to work drastically on his mid-range jumper. More and more NBA big men are extending their jump shots to around 15-18 feet, so Drummond will have to perfect his to keep up with the rest of the league.
Rebounding: B+ Most scouts would have liked to have seen Drummond average closer to 9 rebounds a game, as opposed to the 7.7 he posted in 2011, but it was still promising to see him take on that much defensive reasonability. The UConn center caught on as the year wore on, and he recorded an impressive 10 or more rebounds in four of his last eight contests.
Size: A+ Drummond tips the scales at a massive 260 pounds and it is scary that this 18-year old is six-foot-ten and has still not finished growing. He has the frame to grow to the size of six–time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, but he will just need to hit the gym hard in order to gain a little more muscle in his upper body.
Athleticism: A Drummond moves on the court like an 18-year old. He never gives up on a rebound and is relentless around the basketball. Drummond is one of the best projects in this entire draft class, but is still likely a year away from being an everyday contributor because of his raw skills.
Projection: Top Fifteen Pick
NBA Comparison: Houston Rocket’s Marcus Camby
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