RealGM

He's a talented 7 footer with a 7-4 wingspan, yet he was booted from the Fresno State program after his freshman year and from the Washington program in January by Lorenzo Romar. Does anyone know why, specifically? Obviously this is the first question that any team interested in drafting him will ask.

There was another thread on him but got buried. I don't think it really answered your questions though. speculation was cocaine, but who knows.

could be a good 2nd round pick up

brackdan70 wrote:There was another thread on him but got buried. I don't think it really answered your questions though. speculation was cocaine, but who knows.

Yeah, I see that he spent time in John Lucas' program and "failed multiple drug tests." If it was marijuana, no big deal, but cocaine is not so good. No one wants to draft William Bedford II, not even in the second round.

he will end up in the D-league and will become hassan whiteside 3.0 with a cocaine addiction that can block shots for the Cavs

Hassan Whiteside maybe? http://nbadraftaddict.tumblr.com/post/1 ... ert-upshaw

MCtripDub wrote:Hassan Whiteside maybe? http://nbadraftaddict.tumblr.com/post/1 ... ert-upshaw

Draft and stash overseas would probably be a good idea for whoever drafts him and for Upshaw, imo. He can grow up and learn fundamentals for a couple years, then go to the NBA with maturity and better skills.

It really all depends on what drug he was using. Like someone else said, I would take him if it was weed, but cocaine...keep him far away from my Wolves.

Mattya wrote:It really all depends on what drug he was using. Like someone else said, I would take him if it was weed, but cocaine...keep him far away from my Wolves.

Yeah, we don't need another Lamar Odom. But if he turns out to be Birdman, we could be okay. The bad thing about NBA players doing harder drugs is that it can get around the locker room (meaning other players can get ahold of it). Although I'm sure being famous and rich already puts that stuff around you.

doordoor123 wrote:

Mattya wrote:It really all depends on what drug he was using. Like someone else said, I would take him if it was weed, but cocaine...keep him far away from my Wolves.

Yeah, we don't need another Lamar Odom. But if he turns out to be Birdman, we could be okay. The bad thing about NBA players doing harder drugs is that it can get around the locker room (meaning other players can get ahold of it). Although I'm sure being famous and rich already puts that stuff around you.

Yeah, but if this guy is already on the harder stuff (IF), can you imagine how that will go if he gets even a minimum NBA salary.

We had a similar thing here in Australia with an AFL team. Some journeyman from another team was signed and brought a hugely negative drug culture to the team. Turned a dynasty team into a 7 year rebuilding project that's only now getting better having cleaned house multiple times to purge the taint.

Mind you, it is a big IF, and I'm sure teams will take a good long hard look at his background first.

If he ends up going undrafted come draft night, we'll know it was likely the harder stuff...

Big Jaffa wrote:If he ends up going undrafted come draft night, we'll know it was likely the harder stuff...

I cant fathom him going undrafted. He is worth a 2nd round pick regardless of what problems he is bringing to the table. You would be hard pressed to find a better prospect that late. Might as well take the risk on a drug problem rather than take the risk of taking a much less talented player. He is easily a first round talent.

Ignoring the drug use what are his pros and cons as a player.

Pros-
Legit C size and length
Real good mobility for a guy that size
Shot blocking instinct
Solid Rebounder
Excellent finisher

Cons -
Free throwing as good as Drummonds
Raw in terms of BBIQ, which can lead to usual big man troubles (fouls, struggling to pick up schemes)
Not much offensive game beyond his arms, but his mobility helps out

One thing he does well on offense is pick n roll scoring. He's obviously not a pick n pop guy at this point.

He's been criticized for low BBIQ, but actually his foul rate and turnover rate were just fine.

Robert Upshaw with a 7'.7.5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach.

DickGrayson wrote:


Robert Upshaw with a 7'.7.5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach.

Geez, lock in the 1st now.

kennydorglas wrote:

DickGrayson wrote:


Robert Upshaw with a 7'.7.5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach.

Geez, lock in the 1st now.

I doubt it. We all knew he was big and has talent, everything about where he is drafted will depend on his background check and interviews.

Whoever gives him guaranteed 1st round money might not even get a few productive minutes.
And ESPNU made a small mistake with his wingspan as NBADraft first reported correct 7'5.5" (look closely at the picture)

Mattya wrote:

kennydorglas wrote:

DickGrayson wrote:


Robert Upshaw with a 7'.7.5" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach.

Geez, lock in the 1st now.

I doubt it. We all knew he was big and has talent, everything about where he is drafted will depend on his background check and interviews.

yeah, his background is really bad but I had him with a 7'4 wingspan. 7'7 is another level of 'BIG'.
at very least, he'll be drafted in the late 1st IMO

kennydorglas wrote:

Mattya wrote:

kennydorglas wrote:
Geez, lock in the 1st now.

I doubt it. We all knew he was big and has talent, everything about where he is drafted will depend on his background check and interviews.

yeah, his background is really bad but I had him with a 7'4 wingspan. 7'7 is another level of 'BIG'.
at very least, he'll be drafted in the late 1st IMO

Gobert was drafted in the very late first with better measurements, and significantly less off the court question marks.