Moderators: Moonbeam, DeBlazerRiddem
Pattycakes wrote:DusterBuster wrote:I'm having a hard time really caring who they take at 11 tbh. Kinda just feels like a crapshoot, just hoping for not a bust.
It’s hard to bust at the 11 slot with a really solid drafting/scouting franchise. Relax
Norm2953 wrote:Assuming the team has good scouts, the pick at 11 should yield a solid player
Just look at the players picked at 11 from recent drafts
2017 Malik Monk
2018 SGA
2019 Cameron Johnson
2020 Devin Vassell
2021 James Bouknight
2022 Osmaine Dieng'
2023 Jett Howard
2024 Matas Buzelis
Other than Bouknight, all these guys can play in the league. Hopefully the player they pick at 11 will be another solid
player
tester551 wrote:Norm2953 wrote:Assuming the team has good scouts, the pick at 11 should yield a solid player
Just look at the players picked at 11 from recent drafts
2017 Malik Monk
2018 SGA
2019 Cameron Johnson
2020 Devin Vassell
2021 James Bouknight
2022 Osmaine Dieng'
2023 Jett Howard
2024 Matas Buzelis
Other than Bouknight, all these guys can play in the league. Hopefully the player they pick at 11 will be another solid
player
Neither Dieng nor Howard are looking like they can 'play in the league'.
tester551 wrote:Norm2953 wrote:Assuming the team has good scouts, the pick at 11 should yield a solid player
Just look at the players picked at 11 from recent drafts
2017 Malik Monk
2018 SGA
2019 Cameron Johnson
2020 Devin Vassell
2021 James Bouknight
2022 Osmaine Dieng'
2023 Jett Howard
2024 Matas Buzelis
Other than Bouknight, all these guys can play in the league. Hopefully the player they pick at 11 will be another solid
player
Neither Dieng nor Howard are looking like they can 'play in the league'.
The Trail Blazers have plenty of directions to explore in this draft, and while a long-term big man is certainly on the wishlist, passing on BYU’s Egor Demin at this spot would be tough. At 6’9”, Demin is one of the most intriguing prospects in the class — a supersized point guard with elite vision, fluid playmaking, and rare positional versatility that’s caught the attention of scouts across the league.
His numbers — 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and sub-30% from three — don’t jump off the page, but the upside is undeniable. Demin excels as a smooth initiator in transition and a savvy secondary creator in the halfcourt, with the kind of feel, pace, and selfless approach that screams high basketball IQ. Portland could use a dynamic new face in the backcourt, and Demin might be the perfect long-view swing to complement their young core.
His feel in the pick-and-roll, creative passing, and composed floor presence scream long-term starter. For a Nets team in need of direction, Jakučionis brings the intrigue, intelligence, and flair that could define the next era in Brooklyn.
Richardson brings a strong mix of floor spacing, shot-making, and emerging playmaking, making him a versatile weapon on or off the ball.
At 6'9" with a 6'11" wingspan, he's a smooth, rim-attacking forward who shines in transition and brings a burst of energy on both ends. He’ll need to bulk up to handle the NBA grind, but the upside, skillset, and international polish make him a smart long-term swing for the Spurs.
Cedric Coward might be one of the biggest wild cards in the 2025 NBA Draft...stellar advanced metrics and strong combine showing have sparked legitimate lottery buzz, making him a fascinating swing for a team...At 21, he’s older than some prospects, but his late bloom and untapped upside make him a compelling fit for a contender looking to add another dynamic piece.
He’s a polished, NBA-ready forward who brings immediate two-way value. Averaging 15.4 points on 54.3% shooting, he thrives as a slasher, lob threat, and off-ball finisher. His jumper (29.2% from deep) still needs refining, but his elite athleticism, energy, and defensive upside make him an enticing fit. If he can develop a reliable outside shot, Newell could be a seamless addition to a Wolves core on the rise.
The lanky 6'7" forward out of Arizona has all the tools to become a defensive difference-maker, with the length, athleticism, and instincts to guard across multiple positions. While his ball-handling still needs refining, Carter Bryant’s smooth shooting stroke and savvy off-ball movement make him a strong developmental piece for a rebuilding Wizards squad.
As a freshman, he posted 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, with shooting splits of 31.7% from three and 38.1% overall. While the percentages were a bit underwhelming, they don’t tell the full story. McNeeley has a beautiful stroke, excellent feel, and plays the game with a high IQ. He’s the kind of connector who elevates lineups with unselfish ball movement, smart reads, and clutch shot-making.
Will Riley may still be a work in progress, but his upside as a dynamic scoring wing is tough to overlook. The 6'8" Canadian freshman showed real flashes at Illinois, putting up 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His shooting splits—43.2% from the field and 32.6% from three—weren’t lights out, but he caught fire late in the season and quickly became one of the Illini’s go-to guys in crunch time.
Powell doesn’t scream sleeper. In fact, he was originally projected as a lottery pick...with a chiseled 6-foot-5 frame, a 7-foot wingspan and a motor that doesn’t quit, Powell projects as the kind of playoff-viable role player every contender can’t have enough of...opponents shot only 38.1% from 2-point range when defended by Powell, and he was both a switchable perimeter defender and an effective helper at the rim... Powell made 40% of his 90 catch-and-shoot 3s, per Synergy. This is consistent with his numbers in high school, where he made 40.2% of his 3s as an upperclassman...stock dipped in part because of the expectations he’d be more of a primary creator for North Carolina. But he displayed a stiff handle, and his jumper off the dribble is shaky... Last month, Powell worked out for the Bulls, who own the 12th and 45th picks in the draft. Maybe by draft night in late June, he’ll rise up boards enough to be drafted a lot closer to 12th than 45th. And that rise has already begun after a stellar draft combine in which he posted the best athletic measurements of anyone there. And besides: Development is never linear. Powell was projected as a top-10 pick because of the flashes he showed in high school, making 40.4% of his 94 dribble jumpers as a senior.
Nembhard is a classic old-school floor general...He plays with a veteran’s poise, throws bull's-eye passes to shooters and makes smart decisions. He also finishes well for his size, using crafty angles and soft touch off the glass. And he made progress as a shooter during his senior season...Over his first three college years, he made 37.1% of his catch-and-shoot 3s before making a career-high 44.4% as a senior. The issue was his pull-up 3. He made 27.2% of his dribble-jumper 3s through his junior season before making 36.7% as a senior. Finally, his 44.9% stroke on pull-up midrange jumpers began to translate. Though he’s still a low-volume shooter, it’s encouraging to see his numbers tick up; it’s crucial for a player at his size...Like McConnell, Nembhard — the brother of Pacers guard Andrew — might be small, but he has the brain and the floor game to carve out a backup PG role, especially if his shooting proves real.
If a team is looking for a bankable NBA skill, Brea has it with his shooting. He drilled 43.4% of his 3s over five college seasons, and it wasn’t just spot-ups. Brea moves like a pro relocating, sprinting off screens, setting his feet with perfect balance and firing with confidence. He’s got deep range, a lightning-quick release and enough size at 6-6 to get his shot off against contests. That gives him a real floor as a rotation player in today’s spacing-obsessed league...The swing skill is his defense: If he can get stronger and improve his lateral quickness enough to hold his own on defense, he becomes a playoff guy in the mold of a Sam Hauser type.
Martin is an impressive athlete with a chiseled frame, explosive leaping ability and a level of physicality that overwhelms softer players. These NBA playoffs showed how much physicality matters but also how much speed does, too. And Martin never seems to run out of energy despite defending full court, crashing the glass and flying around as a defender and cutter.
At only 6-2, he’s not a primary playmaker and his shot is streaky at 36.4% on 3s across five college seasons, so he doesn’t fit neatly into a traditional backcourt role. But in the right system, Martin’s blend of athleticism, toughness and defensive impact could make him a playoff contributor who earns his way onto the floor.
Lanier is a flamethrower. After four seasons at North Florida, he transferred to Tennessee and instantly became one of the most dangerous movement shooters in college basketball. He hit 39.5% of his 3s this season, and it wasn’t just standstill looks. Lanier sprinted into shots off screens and attacked closeouts with side steps or rhythm pull-ups. He has deep range, lightning-quick mechanics and the confidence to let it fly no matter the spot on the floor and no matter the defense. Lanier has limitations that cap his stock. He’s a small combo guard at 6-4, and only 13% of his shots came at the basket, per Synergy. He’s not a playmaker either, often misfiring when asked to create. But if a team needs a microwave shooter off the bench who can play off stars and space the floor, Lanier can help an offense tomorrow.
He is a slippery, poised scorer who scores from midrange with advanced body control and has a passing feel. That last point is important, since he measured at only 6-4 without shoes, so he might need to lean into some of his point skills at the next level...He’s been very streaky from 3-point range, but his touch from midrange and from the line (near 80%) are positive indicators that he’ll figure out his catch-and-shoot 3-point jumper. If the shot comes around, he could become a solid secondary creator who contributes on both ends.
Yang has a chance to stick in the pros as a throwback big with a massive 7-1 frame...old-school style with polished footwork, touch and craft around the basket, and some slick passing skills. Yang consistently makes quick reads out of the post and on handoffs, so he can do some of the things you’d see from an Alperen Şengün or Isaiah Hartenstein type of big. And much like them, he flashes a shooting touch that might translate...Defensively, he’s a strong positional rebounder and space-eater in the paint who uses his size to wall off drivers and clean the glass. But Yang hasn’t shown the foot speed to defend in space or comfortably switch, even against Chinese competition. If anything holds him back from carving out an NBA career, it’ll be his defense.
Isn't it wild that your statement is very believable in this current day.Norm2953 wrote:It will be interesting to monitor the draft status of Maluach for the Trump administration revoked
the student visas for all South Sudan passport holders.
Presumably there are exceptions for athletes but one has to wonder if his stock will drop to a team
like Houston or SA which have two red state senators who have some pull with the Trump administration.
We don't need a secondary creator with Deni playing alongside Scoot.Walton1one wrote:New SI mock draft v5
https://www.si.com/onsi/fantasy/nba/2025-nba-mock-draft-vj-edgecombe-ace-bailey
Have POR selecting: EGOR DEMINThe Trail Blazers have plenty of directions to explore in this draft, and while a long-term big man is certainly on the wishlist, passing on BYU’s Egor Demin at this spot would be tough. At 6’9”, Demin is one of the most intriguing prospects in the class — a supersized point guard with elite vision, fluid playmaking, and rare positional versatility that’s caught the attention of scouts across the league.
His numbers — 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and sub-30% from three — don’t jump off the page, but the upside is undeniable. Demin excels as a smooth initiator in transition and a savvy secondary creator in the halfcourt, with the kind of feel, pace, and selfless approach that screams high basketball IQ. Portland could use a dynamic new face in the backcourt, and Demin might be the perfect long-view swing to complement their young core.
Edegcombe @ #3 to PHI is interesting
Bailey @ #4
Tre Johnson @ #5
Fears @ #6
Knueppel @ #7 to NO, a lot of mocks with Kon to NO, it makes me wonder if they just don't know where to place him if he doesn't go to UTA @ #5 or WAS @ #6. I wonder if he could slip a little on draft day
Jakucionis to BRK @ #8His feel in the pick-and-roll, creative passing, and composed floor presence scream long-term starter. For a Nets team in need of direction, Jakučionis brings the intrigue, intelligence, and flair that could define the next era in Brooklyn.
Maluach to TOR @ #9
CMB to HOU @ #10, another player fits here, player should be in this range that many mocks have right now. I wonder if this pick will be moved and I would not count out it being BRK to snag Demin (my guess) or another player.
Queen @ #12 to CHI
Jase Richardson @ #13 to ATL, higher than most mocks have himRichardson brings a strong mix of floor spacing, shot-making, and emerging playmaking, making him a versatile weapon on or off the ball.
Essengue @ #14 to SAAt 6'9" with a 6'11" wingspan, he's a smooth, rim-attacking forward who shines in transition and brings a burst of energy on both ends. He’ll need to bulk up to handle the NBA grind, but the upside, skillset, and international polish make him a smart long-term swing for the Spurs.
Coward @ #15 to OKCCedric Coward might be one of the biggest wild cards in the 2025 NBA Draft...stellar advanced metrics and strong combine showing have sparked legitimate lottery buzz, making him a fascinating swing for a team...At 21, he’s older than some prospects, but his late bloom and untapped upside make him a compelling fit for a contender looking to add another dynamic piece.
Clifford @ #16 to ORL
Newell @ #17He’s a polished, NBA-ready forward who brings immediate two-way value. Averaging 15.4 points on 54.3% shooting, he thrives as a slasher, lob threat, and off-ball finisher. His jumper (29.2% from deep) still needs refining, but his elite athleticism, energy, and defensive upside make him an enticing fit. If he can develop a reliable outside shot, Newell could be a seamless addition to a Wolves core on the rise.
Bryant @ #18 - shocked if he went this lowThe lanky 6'7" forward out of Arizona has all the tools to become a defensive difference-maker, with the length, athleticism, and instincts to guard across multiple positions. While his ball-handling still needs refining, Carter Bryant’s smooth shooting stroke and savvy off-ball movement make him a strong developmental piece for a rebuilding Wizards squad.
Traore @ #19 to BRK (multiple PG?)
Fleming @ 320
McNeeley @ #26As a freshman, he posted 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, with shooting splits of 31.7% from three and 38.1% overall. While the percentages were a bit underwhelming, they don’t tell the full story. McNeeley has a beautiful stroke, excellent feel, and plays the game with a high IQ. He’s the kind of connector who elevates lineups with unselfish ball movement, smart reads, and clutch shot-making.
Riley @ #27Will Riley may still be a work in progress, but his upside as a dynamic scoring wing is tough to overlook. The 6'8" Canadian freshman showed real flashes at Illinois, putting up 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His shooting splits—43.2% from the field and 32.6% from three—weren’t lights out, but he caught fire late in the season and quickly became one of the Illini’s go-to guys in crunch time.
With the backcourt locked in, Portland turns its attention to building a more dynamic and balanced frontcourt. After selecting Donovan Clingan 8th overall in 2024, the Blazers may now look to pair him with a different kind of interior presence in Derik Queen. While Clingan offers size, rim protection, and defensive upside, Queen brings advanced footwork, soft touch, and the ability to facilitate offense from the elbows and mid-post. His high basketball IQ and scoring instincts give Portland an interior hub who can ease pressure on the guards and open up creative half-court options. A Queen-Clingan pairing would offer intriguing “twin tower” potential — with Queen operating as the offensive engine and Clingan anchoring the defense. Together, they could form a complementary duo, providing the Blazers with frontcourt versatility and long-term upside. This may feel like a slight reach for Queen, whose athletic limitations raise questions, but there appears to be a talent drop-off around this point in the draft. Adding to the context: Portland may be looking to move on from Deandre Ayton, who is entering the final year of his $35 million contract. With his future uncertain, investing in a skilled offensive big like Queen gives the Blazers a chance to retool the frontcourt around younger, more cost-controlled talent.
NBA Comparison: Brad Miller
VJ Edgecombe gives the Sixers a versatile backcourt option who can play alongside both Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, with the ability to handle either guard spot depending on matchups. His explosive athleticism, defensive intensity, and high-motor style bring traits that complement Philadelphia’s young core and give them flexibility as they evaluate the future of their roster.
While they’ve been pleased with what they’ve seen from Isaiah Collier, Jeremiah Fears offers a potential upgrade with more upside as a long-term lead guard...He can play with pace, orchestrate an offense, and score from all three levels, giving Utah a guard who can both run the show and finish plays. The Jazz also value shooting, maturity, and toughness — all strengths in Fears’ profile.
NBA Comparison: John Wall
Traoré offers the kind of long-term value the Wizards are eager to invest in. His international background and French roots align well with Washington’s growing core — including Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr...Traoré brings a pace-pushing, pass-first style the team has lacked, and his ability to grow alongside Washington’s young talent could give them a sustainable backcourt solution
NBA Comparison: Tony Parker
The Toronto Raptors continue to build around length, versatility, and international upside, making Noa Essengue a natural fit at this stage of the draft... In some ways, he shares similar attributes with Scottie Barnes — length, feel, and multi-positional impact — though he’s earlier in his development. Both players’ versatility would likely allow them to coexist at either forward spot, but Essengue will need to improve his shooting consistency to space the floor effectively alongside Barnes. Ideally, the Raptors would have preferred a lead guard like Nolan Traoré to fall here and may explore trade-up scenarios...Essengue’s international background, defensive upside, and alignment with Toronto’s developmental philosophy make him a strong candidate to become a long-term contributor.
NBA Comparison: Donyell Marshall
At 6’9”, the Russian guard brings elite positional size and a high-level feel as a playmaker, thriving as a secondary ball-handler who sees the floor with advanced vision and patience. Demin isn’t a high-volume scorer and lacks the edge or intensity some coaches might prefer, but his unselfishness, poise, and ability to manipulate defenses with passing give Houston something it currently lacks: a true offensive connector. With a roster full of athletes and shot-creators — from Jalen Green and Amen Thompson to Jabari Smith Jr. and Cam Whitmore — Demin’s ability to pass, organize, and operate within the flow could elevate everyone around him. Though his shooting remains a work in progress, he’s a smart team defender with size and switchability. For a Rockets team in search of complementary glue pieces to tie its talent together, Demin offers long-term upside as a jumbo initiator with one of the most unique skill sets in the class.
NBA Comparison: Josh Giddey
Dame Lizard wrote:Isn't it wild that your statement is very believable in this current day.Norm2953 wrote:It will be interesting to monitor the draft status of Maluach for the Trump administration revoked
the student visas for all South Sudan passport holders.
Presumably there are exceptions for athletes but one has to wonder if his stock will drop to a team
like Houston or SA which have two red state senators who have some pull with the Trump administration.
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-draft-lottery-preview-portland?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=536361&post_id=165229196&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1f5gb9&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Now, they have the 11th pick and are in a great position going forward. They have starter-caliber players at every position and one of the youngest rosters in the league; Jerami Grant is the only player on the roster over 30, and he very well might be on the move before next season starts. Maybe even before this pick is made.
Portland has a ton of depth, so they might be in a good position to take the prospect they think has the highest upside, regardless of position. On the other hand, they fell just short of the play-in last season and are clearly on an upward trajectory that a bust could torpedo. That could make them more willing to try to just get on base instead of swinging for the fences. Which players would you be looking at if you were in the Portland front office?
The Trail Blazers have invested heavily in versatile defenders who can cover multiple positions and help fill gaps in certain coverages...offense is still as important in today’s game as ever. It’s crucial to have multiple perimeter ball-handlers who can put the ball in the bucket and convert on three-point shots. A player who can spend time on the wing, shoot, and not compromise much of the team’s defensive/transition-oriented identity would be a preferred selection in the late lottery... if that player also has massive upside down the road in tandem with the short-term value that only adds to what the Trail Blazers are looking to accomplish over the next two seasons, that’s icing on the cake.
I would expect the hype-machine trio of Noa Essengue, Carter Bryant, and Cedric Coward to all be in play for Portland, depending on who is available at the pick. In Essengue’s case, he’s the type of long-term swing that could pay dividends down the road if his jump shot comes around...Bryant’s positioning inside the lottery is a bit more theoretical than I care to project as high as this point in the draft cycle. Still, his combination of physical tools, defensive ability, and spot-up shooting could be too much for a team to pass on as high as 6th overall...Coward intrigues me a great deal in this spot, given his size, length, and shooting ability. There are plenty of concerns about Coward, similar to Bryant, in that he hasn’t spent a ton of time on the ball himself, but there are some moments on tape where he makes slick reads off the bounce and doesn’t let the ball stick in his hands for too long.
Essengue’s mix of tools and transition play gives him a pretty solid baseline, but he would be the pick if the Trail Blazers were looking for a real upside play. Coward would be closer to the “getting on base” notion that I mentioned above, instead of being a swing for the fences. He might not have as high of a ceiling as Essengue, but I believe that Coward’s ceiling (particularly in terms of his on-ball equity) is much higher than some people might think. Bryant might be a middle-path option between Essengue and Coward; he’s also the most likely of the three to be off the board by the time the 11th pick comes around.
I am curious about the fact that both of our first instincts were versatile forwards instead of help in the guard room. Given the Donovan Clingan/DeAndre Ayton/Robert Williams III of it all, I’m not surprised at all that neither of us brought up any pure bigs–especially since Khaman Maluach and Derik Queen are all but guaranteed to go before the 11th pick.
...there is one guard who I want to bring up as a possibility for the Trail Blazers. You gave me three names, so I’ll give you three in return. Let’s start with the other wing/forward types I’d be considering if I were looking at this draft from Portland’s perspective...I’m going with Nique Clifford as an option here. He’s closer to being a wing than a forward, but the leap he took on the offensive end this year pairs very well with his elite defense...his all-around skill set makes him a good bet to scale up to NBA play, and his sensational rebounding helps offset the size part of the forward equation for him.
I would also seriously consider Liam McNeeley for Portland...I really like what that context would look like for him in Portland. With McNeeley creating second-side offense, playing a role in a defensive scheme but not being leaned on, and having more space to take threes on a team that loves shooting (top half of the league in three-point attempts) but doesn’t always hit them (Portland ranked 26th in three-point percentage last year), McNeeley will have his weaknesses covered for while being given room to shine.
I can’t shake the feeling that Egor Demin would be an awesome fit for the Portland Trail Blazers. While his shooting numbers at BYU were pretty poor, his form and the degree of difficulty on his attempts make me more optimistic about his shot than the numbers would indicate. Demin’s playmaking is truly special, and his size alone makes it easier to fit him in alongside other guards. He could work wonders as the primary playmaker in lineups with Simons and Shaedon Sharpe to get them involved, and he could also work as a second-side playmaker and off-ball cutter with Scoot Henderson running the show. While Portland’s shooting woes and Demin’s potential issues there aren’t the best mix, I think that Portland’s defensive context would get the best out of Demin on that side of the ball, and they could draw up some fascinating plays with the ball in Demin’s hands and a bunch of do-everything wings and forwards around him.
Egor Demin is a fascinating suggestion...I do think that, in a number of ways, his fit could make sense in terms of connecting the dots between the other scorers on the Trail Blazers. He’s a player who projects more as a supporting wing rather than a do-it-all guard, which can make some sense because Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe are predominantly on the ball. Deni Avdija also soaked up more usage last season as a point forward, especially in transition...everything I’ve heard and read about him suggests he’s a smart kid who understands what he needs to work on to get where he wants to go. That type of player projects to be coachable, and the Trail Blazers took meaningful steps forward this season with Chauncey Billups getting the most out of his guys once it felt like they all bought into the team’s identity.
Demin doesn’t quite feel like he is the exact type of player the team would look for to continue building out that identity. I could be entirely wrong (wouldn’t be the first time), but the staff may want to inject another young talent who offers a change-of-speed pitch, if you will, off the bench. Demin can play in several lineup constructions; as he fills out his body, there’s some low-hanging fruit on the defensive side of the ball that could come to light as he develops chemistry with his new teammates...Demin as a wildcard for Portland. He’s generated very real lottery buzz...could even be off the board by the time the Trail Blazers make a selection.
I do want to mention the possibility of the Trail Blazers exploring any option on the table that could lead to a trade-down scenario, if it meant shuffling some of the team’s current payroll off the books...if there were any way to move off a larger deal like Jerami Grant in exchange for trading down from the 11th pick, I’m sure the Blazers front office would have to listen...DeAndre Ayton will be on an expiring contract, so maybe that’s all Portland looks to deal with outside of a potential Anfernee Simons scenario. However, it wouldn’t entirely shock me if we saw the Trail Blazers move out of the lottery to seek value and other financial relief if the right opportunity presents itself.
BYU assistant coach Tim Fanning was the assistant at Maccabi Tel-Aviv from 2016-21 when Avdija played for the Israeli pro team. Kevin Reynolds of the Salt Lake Tribune mentioned how Fanning reminded Demin of Avdija as a versatile 6-foot-9 player with an improving shot.
"Like, dude, you're a great finisher at the rim. You've got great vision. You're a complete player, while in the background, you are working your a-- off on your shot," said Fanning.
Walton1one wrote:Interesting comparison from Givony a few weeks back...BYU assistant coach Tim Fanning was the assistant at Maccabi Tel-Aviv from 2016-21 when Avdija played for the Israeli pro team. Kevin Reynolds of the Salt Lake Tribune mentioned how Fanning reminded Demin of Avdija as a versatile 6-foot-9 player with an improving shot.
"Like, dude, you're a great finisher at the rim. You've got great vision. You're a complete player, while in the background, you are working your a-- off on your shot," said Fanning.
Yep, this is what I said yesterday. If our plan is to keep Deni, then the value that Demin could provide decreases.tester551 wrote:Walton1one wrote:Interesting comparison from Givony a few weeks back...BYU assistant coach Tim Fanning was the assistant at Maccabi Tel-Aviv from 2016-21 when Avdija played for the Israeli pro team. Kevin Reynolds of the Salt Lake Tribune mentioned how Fanning reminded Demin of Avdija as a versatile 6-foot-9 player with an improving shot.
"Like, dude, you're a great finisher at the rim. You've got great vision. You're a complete player, while in the background, you are working your a-- off on your shot," said Fanning.
I love having Avdija on the team. He's one of my favorite players at this point.
Having said that, I'm not sure having 2 "Deni's" on the roster would be good.
I think Demin is more a 'poor man's' Deni. I'd rather have the better original version & diversify the talent/skills and pick someone else with #11.
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