Brad Cesmat
This and that on NBA Draft night…
Alex Len was the last player the Suns selected out of Maryland. I have a feeling that the first-round pick of Terps forward Jalen Smith will work out much better. Smith averaged a double-double in points and rebounds last season. Not easy to do in the rugged Big Ten. He had 21 a night with at least 10 points and 10 boards in a game.
Sean Miller should feel good about placing two first-round draft picks with Josh Green (Dallas) and Zeke Nnaji (Denver). A year ago, Nico Mannion was a projected lottery pick. Didn’t happen on draft night.
But Steve Kerr, in my opinion, made a terrific pick (48th) by drafting the former Pinnacle star from his alma mater. Remember when TJ McConnell was passed over? Are you really going to doubt Kerr? If so, bad on you.
Welcome to #DubNation, @niccolomannion 💥#DubsDraft || @Chase pic.twitter.com/KDl6a6PSkd
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 19, 2020
Former Corona Del Sol guard Saben Lee was also taken by Utah, then reportedly shipped to the Detroit Pistons. Lee averaged 20.6 points per game, four assists, and 7.2 rebounds as a senior with the Aztecs, helping lead them to a 6A runner-up finish. In college at Vanderbilt, Lee had four games with 30 points or more and led the Commodores in scoring with 19 PPG.
Marquette guard and former Perry High School product Markus Howard went undrafted but reportedly agreed to a two-way deal with the Nuggets.
