He isn't mentioned in most NBA mock drafts, not even in the 2nd round. He's got a great motor, is willing to mix it up and seems to have a good attitude, Granted he doesn't have a great outside shot and being 22 some may view him as not having the upside of an unproven 17 yr old just coming out of HS but come on - the NBA is full of guys that have made great careers just being role players (remember Nazr Mohammed). I just don't get it.
Why is Oscar's draft stock so low?
- Thread starter rememberkapp
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Size for his position..neither a post or perimeter player. He’ll need to develop an outside shot to move up in the rankings but won’t make it into the first round regardless. He’ll latch onto some teams and be an energy guy off the bench. Some kids are just great college players.
Plenty of second rounders work their asses off and stick around to have long and productive careers. Oscar seems like he has what it takes to make it as one of those guys. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t stick.
Also doesn't help when he goes up to dunk and gets hung on the rim. People tend to expect that won't be a problem at 6'9" . I agree that he makes a roster and hangs out for a decade al a Popeye Jones
Yep. That to me seems his biggest issue. Trouble finishing in traffic at the rim.
The guy would make life changing money here at UK if immigration laws weren’t binding him. I wish UK would find a way to help him get paid big money while wearing a UK uniform.
Cal will work his *** off to get him a spot somewhere, it just won't be a spot at UK, which baffles me.
Cal will work his *** off to get him a spot somewhere, it just won't be a spot at UK, which baffles me.
I don’t bet against him, but ultimately he isn’t fluid in how he moves and is robotic offensively.
This shouldn’t be a surprise if you follow draft patterns.
This is not an indictment on Big O, I LOVE the kid and hope he’ll stay at Kentucky forever. He is a genuine human and has a motor unlike anything we’ve had in a while.
This shouldn’t be a surprise if you follow draft patterns.
This is not an indictment on Big O, I LOVE the kid and hope he’ll stay at Kentucky forever. He is a genuine human and has a motor unlike anything we’ve had in a while.
See Chuck Hayes. Played what…..9 years in the NBA playing solid D and grabbing rebounds. Hayes was maybe 6-5. Oscar definitely can play in the league.
A simple "I think" in front of a sentence goes a long way. There isn't much Cal can do about a student visa law. The University said they are looking into it but also trying to be cautious because they don't want to mess up a visa that allows him to be here in the first place. Saying things as if they are absolute truth when we aren't sure of the actual truth doesn't come off well.
Don't you think Cal would love it if Oscar could make NIL money? It would help everyone involved.
Once Oscar leaves UK, is it permissible if Cal personally sponsors him for a year and throws a few million his way?
I love the guy, but he’s too short for his position and he’s nailed to the floor. His offensive game is also very weak!
I’m assuming since he can’t share in the NIL revenue with the rest of the team he will receive his due after he declares.
Yep, but it’s worth noting that Hayes went undrafted and had to work his way up through the G-league first. Guys like that can make the league …and often do …but they have to earn their spot the hard way.
But I still believe Oscar will be drafted, even if only in the second round. I know what the current mocks say, but I just refuse to believe the best rebounder college basketball has seen in years will be shunned on draft day.
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Like most have said, he will not get much attention in the draft but will latch on to a team that is a culture fit for him. Miami is one place he could have a long career like Udonis Haslem.
Been discussed 487 times and you make another thread about it. Congratulations on not paying attention to a damn thing.
The problem with this is that Oscar ain’t young by prospect standards (he’ll be 23 when next season begins). Pro scouts begin to assume “not yet” means “not ever” once a player gets past his early 20s.
Oscar doesn’t have the same “potential” leeway as the teenaged prospects, he’s pretty much at his ”now or never” point.
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So you have a possible player of the year and all American and some think he won't get drafted. Six foot nine 250 pounds with the heart of a lion and runs the floor better than most smaller guys. Oscar will get drafted and play in the NBA.
The only difference is Oscar seems to be a machine. His work ethic is above most guys going to the draft. That may be his savings grace in getting paid some day.
Not all 5 guys on the court have to be shooters or even scorers. If you can do something important (like rebound) better than anyone else, a good (playoff) team will want you. That is how guys like Rodman, and Oakley, and more got into the league. Energy is great, but you also have to do something productive with that energy, which Oscar does. He rebounds the ball better than anyone I've seen since probably Rodman and Oakley. And he's better offensively than those 2. Not as athletic as Rodman. A playoff team would love to have a guy like him getting their shooters 4-5 extra (3pt) shots a game just with his offensive rebounds.
I'm just glad the guy is a beast of a college player. Let's keep it that way.
Julius Randle didn’t have an outside shot and was the #5 pick in the draft. So much of this is set in stone when these kids are coming out of high school. I can’t remember Randle doing anything in his one year that even approaches what Oscar has done this year at UK. And they are the same size. But Randle was considered a surefire NBA guy when he was 16.
Oh Dear Lord. I see why people make fun of our fanbase. Above is a prime example. Can't tell Julius Randle from Oscar, hahahahahahahahahaha
With all due respect ... this is so far off base. Julius Randle showed the ability to handle the ball and an assortment of offensive moves that are far beyond anything we have seen Oscar do. Julius actually showed the ability to be a point forward in his year at UK, he could handle it and pass it on the perimeter as well as take his man down low with all kinds of moves around the basket. This is what the NBA is looking for. Plus he was 3-4 years younger.
Love, love, love Oscar. Don't even try to take this any other way than I'm a huge Oscar fan. But you just can't possibly look at these two players and see the same guy.
He'll be fine. Two prominent bigs that come to mind: Carlos Boozer was on a NC team but still went 2nd round. Udonis Haslem wasn't even drafted but wound up on NBA championship teams and had a long career.
Rodman made it pretty well in the league with rebounding, defense.
Oscar will get his but I have no problem if he wants to stay at UK for his senior season...none at all
Oscar is 15 years too late for his skill set as an NBA center. A friend of mine ( who happens to be an NBA scout) said the league wants 6'10" + bigs who can shoot the 3. But that doesn't mean some team won't pick him up for his rebounding and general high motor. Maybe a 5-10 minute guy who might play many years. And of course there's overseas (he can speak 6 languages!).
I'd love to have him here but kinda unfair for a kid like Sharpe to be given a Porsche and share in the NIL wealth while redshirting while Oscar carries the team on his back, plus sets UK records, but can only get revenue through Cameo.
That’s not all bad for BBN. Maybe he’ll come back next year to improve it.
I disagree, he is not robotic, he has excellent bounce, flow, foundation and footwork and moves like a man not a boy. Players like Collins and the way Toppin almost twisted his own ankle show how awkward boyish players move. I also think he will be a long career NBA guy like Hayes.
I just hope the projections, or lack thereof, are enough to keep him at Kentucky for 1 more season.
Could he make an NBA roster? Of course. There are players who carve out a niche and have careers there. He also seems to have the drive to try and get there and fight for it at least. You can make up for some deficiencies in most things if you are willing to bust your *** to achieve your goals.
Could he make an NBA roster? Of course. There are players who carve out a niche and have careers there. He also seems to have the drive to try and get there and fight for it at least. You can make up for some deficiencies in most things if you are willing to bust your *** to achieve your goals.
Right? I can't figure out why people are upset about this. Aren't we happy enough that he's a beast of a college player?
People should also remember that people from places outside the US don't exactly value the same things as people do here. Obviously, everyone needs money. That isn't the only driving force for everyone though. Could be that getting a degree is just as important to Oscar as being an NBA player. His drive seems to be for an entire family and not just his own motives. Who knows. Certainly not me or anyone else on this board.
Because I think many of us understand his backstory and want him to be very rich so he can achieve his higher goals. That is more important than BBN wins and losses. And with his inability to make money of the NIL....he really needs to be drafted high. If playing another year here makes that happen then fine.