Name: Jeff Withey
Age: 23
Height: 7-foot
Position: Center
School/Country: Kansas
Latest Stats: 13.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.9 bpg, 0.9 apg
Heading into the 2012-13 season, Kansas senior center Jeff Withey had plenty of preseason hype under his belt. In fact, most media outlets were even projecting him to be an All-American this past year. Withey wasn’t overly dominant this past season, but the 7-foot center had a solid season, averaging 13.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. With his collegiate career in the books, Withey is now heading to the NBA, a feat that represents quite the accomplishment considering just two seasons ago he totaled a per game average of just 2.3 points.
Withey’s NBA hype continues to build up thanks to his size and ability to produce on both ends of the court. While Withey’s offensive numbers this past season represented career-highs, his biggest asset to an NBA franchise is his defensive and shot-blocking potential. Withey averaged 3.9 blocks per game this season and can be a real intimidator around the rim.
Withey will likely be selected around the late first, early second round.
Strengths: Withey is a legitimate 7-footer with great size. He has the ability to score and rebound the basketball, but his greatest strength is that defensive toughness. Withey can anchor the paint and blocks shots, an asset that you simply can’t ever have enough of at the NBA level.
Weaknesses: Withey did not become a productive college basketball player until his junior season and it took him until this past year to actually became a viable NBA prospect. Withey is 23 years old, so the time for him to settle in and prove his upside is not very long. Withey needs come right in and contribute, both offensively and defensively, for whichever organization selects him.
Draft Projection: Late First, Early Second Round
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