10 players (including Lauri Markkanen) who could light up Las Vegas this week
- Updated
The conference has plenty of star power. Here are the 10 stars to watch this week during the Pac-12 Tournament.
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
If there ever was a city that could handle high-powered star wattage, it’s Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the World.
When the Pac-12, in a moment of ingenuity for commissioner Larry Scott, moved the conference tournament from the emptiness of Staples Center in Los Angeles to the MGM Grand Arena in Vegas, the conference wasn’t exactly top-heavy with stars.
That year, just three players from the Conference of Champions were NBA first-round picks, and only one (UCLA’s Shabazz Muhammad) was a lottery pick. Even so, the event was a huge draw, powered by Arizona fans turning MGM into the Las Vegas McKale Center, and continued to grow each year.
The event became big enough that, this year, it has moved to the much-larger T-Mobile Arena, now located across the street by the New York New York hotel.
The bigger arena is fit for a Pac-12 Conference in 2017 filled with star power, the most in the Vegas Tournament’s five-year history.
The latest mock draft on DraftExpress includes 10 projected draft picks in 2017, five of them first-rounders and three as top-10 picks. Beyond that, DraftExpress also projects eight additional current players as draft picks in 2018.
Although, unfortunately, the biggest draw might not even play — Washington’s Markelle Fultz, the presumptive No. 1 draft pick, is expected to sit out to avoid further injury problems.
Even without Fultz, there will be no shortage of stars this week in Las Vegas. Here’s a look at the 10 of the best:
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Point guard
Year: Freshman
DraftExpress projection: No. 2
Season stats: 14.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 7.8 apg, 2.0 spg, 2.3 3-pointers
Why him? Ball, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, has been compared to Jason Kidd by scouts and Stephen Curry …by his father. He almost single-handedly turned the fortunes of the Bruins around and with his court vision and scoring ability, he might be the most exciting player not just in the conference, but in the country.
They said it: “I have not ever seen a point guard who is as dominant as he is. He is amazing. There’s some things that happen in a game that you just don’t see, how fast he is and his relentless style.” — Sean Miller
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Wing
Year: Junior
Draft projection: No. 32
Season stats: 16.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.6 3-pointers
Why him? The Pac-12 Player of the Year is the most important player for arguably the conference’s most talented team. Brooks is a dangerous scorer who can make shots from everywhere on the court. He’s also clutch — Brooks has converted a couple game-winning shots throughout his Ducks career.
They said it: “Dillon Brooks is incredible. He’s the heart of their team, with an incredible motor and defense that makes them go. They really try to take advantage of playing him at the four and he’s a matchup nightmare there.” — Arizona assistant Joe Pasternack
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward
Year: Freshman
Draft projection: No. 7
Season stats: 15.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.9 3-pointers
Why him? Though he’s cooled off recently, the Finnish star can shoot the lights out, with range beyond the 3-point line, making him, especially at 7-feet tall, a match-up nightmare. Markkanen is also a solid rebounder and recently has shown flashes of ability in the low post, both offensively and defensively.
They said it: “We’re going to bet on him 100 times in a row because of what we see everyday, and if you look at his percentage after 31 games … any coach would sign up for that.” — Miller
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward
Year: Sophomore
Draft projection: No. 21
Season stats: 14.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 50.2% shooting
Why him? Rabb surprised many when he decided to return for his sophomore season despite a projection pegging him as a 2016 lottery pick. There’s no doubting his talent — he’s still one of the best big men in the country — but California hasn’t exactly worked things out around him. Rabb will need to carry the Golden Bears to a couple wins to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.
They said it: “With his return to the Pac-12, and his return to Cal, we have one of the great forwards in college basketball in our conference. He’s a terrific player.” — Miller
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Forward
Year: Freshman
Draft projection: 26
Season stats: 16.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.2 bpg, 63% shooting
Why him? The former Arizona commit has flown somewhat under-the-radar as Ball has taken the spotlight, but Leaf is a stretch four who can do pretty much everything, and his talent should carry him into the NBA.
They said it: “T.J. Leaf, we have a lot of respect for. He can shoot threes, he rebounds, crashes to glass and he’s a good driver. He’s really a complete player.” — Pasternack
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward
Year: Junior
Draft projection: No. 39 (2018)
Season stats: 16 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.6 apg
Why him? Kuzma is a double-double machine and the primary reason the Utes managed to become the No. 4 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament despite a mass exodus of players from last season.
They said it: “My versatility and my rebounding ability, I think, is pretty special. I can get rebounds and push it down the break and crash the offensive boards. That just comes with the motor that I have.” — Kuzma to Basketball Insiders
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward/center
Year: Sophomore
Draft projection: No. 16 (2018)
Season stats: 14.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 54.7% shooting
Why him? The Pac-12’s Most Improved Player has been USC’s most consistent player, and his athleticism has helped him to become a talented, and exciting, player on both offense and defense. He’s scored in double figures in all but two games and has had multiple blocks in 16 games.
They said it: “The intrigue for Metu starts with his physical profile, standing 6’10” in shoes, with quickness, both laterally and off his feet, which gives him a considerable amount of potential on the defensive side of the court.” — DraftExpress
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Wing
Year: Sophomore
Draft projection: No. 35 (2018)
Season stats: 16.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.8 3-pointers
Why him? Arizona managed to win without him as he dealt with his 19-game suspension to open the season, but he’s made a quick impact since returning in January. There aren’t many more talented players in the Pac-12 when it comes to scoring.
They said it: “I think every game allows me to be more comfortable. When you think about it, this late in the season, you’re starting to hit your peak and play your best basketball and I’m still a little early compared to everybody else.” — Trier
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward
Year: Junior
Draft projection: N/A
Season stats: 17.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 57% shooting
Why him? Travis had his own case for the Pac-12 Most Improved Player award, and the big man is among the most consistent producers in the conference, averaging nearly a double-double.
They said it: ““Reid Travis is a no-brainer all conference player. What Ivan Rabb means to Cal and how good he is, Reid Travis is that type of player for Stanford. He causes a lot of problems. I can’t believe how many free throws he shoots a game.” — Miller
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Guard
Year: Senior
Draft projection: N/A
Season stats: 17.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.5 bpg, 1.3 spg, 1.5 3-pointers
Why him? The senior guard can do it all, both on offense and defense, as he’s shown an ability to both shoot and pass the ball, along with force turnovers on defense, even blocking shots as a guard.
They said it: “Derrick White is as good as anyone in the league … He’s won games for them all by himself.” — UA assistant Mark Phelps
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
• Kadeem Allen (Arizona)
• Josh Hawkinson (Washington State)
• Jordan Bell (Oregon)
• Bryce Alford (UCLA)
• Torian Graham (ASU)
• Drew Eubanks (Oregon State)
• Chris Boucher (Oregon)
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
If there ever was a city that could handle high-powered star wattage, it’s Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the World.
When the Pac-12, in a moment of ingenuity for commissioner Larry Scott, moved the conference tournament from the emptiness of Staples Center in Los Angeles to the MGM Grand Arena in Vegas, the conference wasn’t exactly top-heavy with stars.
That year, just three players from the Conference of Champions were NBA first-round picks, and only one (UCLA’s Shabazz Muhammad) was a lottery pick. Even so, the event was a huge draw, powered by Arizona fans turning MGM into the Las Vegas McKale Center, and continued to grow each year.
The event became big enough that, this year, it has moved to the much-larger T-Mobile Arena, now located across the street by the New York New York hotel.
The bigger arena is fit for a Pac-12 Conference in 2017 filled with star power, the most in the Vegas Tournament’s five-year history.
The latest mock draft on DraftExpress includes 10 projected draft picks in 2017, five of them first-rounders and three as top-10 picks. Beyond that, DraftExpress also projects eight additional current players as draft picks in 2018.
Although, unfortunately, the biggest draw might not even play — Washington’s Markelle Fultz, the presumptive No. 1 draft pick, is expected to sit out to avoid further injury problems.
Even without Fultz, there will be no shortage of stars this week in Las Vegas. Here’s a look at the 10 of the best:
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Point guard
Year: Freshman
DraftExpress projection: No. 2
Season stats: 14.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 7.8 apg, 2.0 spg, 2.3 3-pointers
Why him? Ball, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, has been compared to Jason Kidd by scouts and Stephen Curry …by his father. He almost single-handedly turned the fortunes of the Bruins around and with his court vision and scoring ability, he might be the most exciting player not just in the conference, but in the country.
They said it: “I have not ever seen a point guard who is as dominant as he is. He is amazing. There’s some things that happen in a game that you just don’t see, how fast he is and his relentless style.” — Sean Miller
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Wing
Year: Junior
Draft projection: No. 32
Season stats: 16.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.6 3-pointers
Why him? The Pac-12 Player of the Year is the most important player for arguably the conference’s most talented team. Brooks is a dangerous scorer who can make shots from everywhere on the court. He’s also clutch — Brooks has converted a couple game-winning shots throughout his Ducks career.
They said it: “Dillon Brooks is incredible. He’s the heart of their team, with an incredible motor and defense that makes them go. They really try to take advantage of playing him at the four and he’s a matchup nightmare there.” — Arizona assistant Joe Pasternack
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward
Year: Freshman
Draft projection: No. 7
Season stats: 15.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.9 3-pointers
Why him? Though he’s cooled off recently, the Finnish star can shoot the lights out, with range beyond the 3-point line, making him, especially at 7-feet tall, a match-up nightmare. Markkanen is also a solid rebounder and recently has shown flashes of ability in the low post, both offensively and defensively.
They said it: “We’re going to bet on him 100 times in a row because of what we see everyday, and if you look at his percentage after 31 games … any coach would sign up for that.” — Miller
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward
Year: Sophomore
Draft projection: No. 21
Season stats: 14.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 50.2% shooting
Why him? Rabb surprised many when he decided to return for his sophomore season despite a projection pegging him as a 2016 lottery pick. There’s no doubting his talent — he’s still one of the best big men in the country — but California hasn’t exactly worked things out around him. Rabb will need to carry the Golden Bears to a couple wins to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.
They said it: “With his return to the Pac-12, and his return to Cal, we have one of the great forwards in college basketball in our conference. He’s a terrific player.” — Miller
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Forward
Year: Freshman
Draft projection: 26
Season stats: 16.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.2 bpg, 63% shooting
Why him? The former Arizona commit has flown somewhat under-the-radar as Ball has taken the spotlight, but Leaf is a stretch four who can do pretty much everything, and his talent should carry him into the NBA.
They said it: “T.J. Leaf, we have a lot of respect for. He can shoot threes, he rebounds, crashes to glass and he’s a good driver. He’s really a complete player.” — Pasternack
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward
Year: Junior
Draft projection: No. 39 (2018)
Season stats: 16 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.6 apg
Why him? Kuzma is a double-double machine and the primary reason the Utes managed to become the No. 4 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament despite a mass exodus of players from last season.
They said it: “My versatility and my rebounding ability, I think, is pretty special. I can get rebounds and push it down the break and crash the offensive boards. That just comes with the motor that I have.” — Kuzma to Basketball Insiders
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward/center
Year: Sophomore
Draft projection: No. 16 (2018)
Season stats: 14.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 54.7% shooting
Why him? The Pac-12’s Most Improved Player has been USC’s most consistent player, and his athleticism has helped him to become a talented, and exciting, player on both offense and defense. He’s scored in double figures in all but two games and has had multiple blocks in 16 games.
They said it: “The intrigue for Metu starts with his physical profile, standing 6’10” in shoes, with quickness, both laterally and off his feet, which gives him a considerable amount of potential on the defensive side of the court.” — DraftExpress
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Wing
Year: Sophomore
Draft projection: No. 35 (2018)
Season stats: 16.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.8 3-pointers
Why him? Arizona managed to win without him as he dealt with his 19-game suspension to open the season, but he’s made a quick impact since returning in January. There aren’t many more talented players in the Pac-12 when it comes to scoring.
They said it: “I think every game allows me to be more comfortable. When you think about it, this late in the season, you’re starting to hit your peak and play your best basketball and I’m still a little early compared to everybody else.” — Trier
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Power forward
Year: Junior
Draft projection: N/A
Season stats: 17.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 57% shooting
Why him? Travis had his own case for the Pac-12 Most Improved Player award, and the big man is among the most consistent producers in the conference, averaging nearly a double-double.
They said it: ““Reid Travis is a no-brainer all conference player. What Ivan Rabb means to Cal and how good he is, Reid Travis is that type of player for Stanford. He causes a lot of problems. I can’t believe how many free throws he shoots a game.” — Miller
- Zack Rosenblatt Arizona Daily Star
Position: Guard
Year: Senior
Draft projection: N/A
Season stats: 17.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.5 bpg, 1.3 spg, 1.5 3-pointers
Why him? The senior guard can do it all, both on offense and defense, as he’s shown an ability to both shoot and pass the ball, along with force turnovers on defense, even blocking shots as a guard.
They said it: “Derrick White is as good as anyone in the league … He’s won games for them all by himself.” — UA assistant Mark Phelps
Tags
- Sweeps
- Arizona Basketball
- Arizona Wildcats Basketball
- Ua Basketball
- Ua Wildcats Basketball
- University Of Arizona Basketball
- University Of Arizona Wildcats Basketball
- U Of A Basketball
- U Of A Wildcats Basketball
- Lonzo Ball
- Lauri Markkanen
- Allonzo Trier
- Dillon Brooks
- Ivan Rabb
- T.j. Leaf
- Kyle Kuzma
- Chimezie Metu
- Reid Travis
- Derrick White
- Pac-12 Tournament
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