Tag: Isaac Okoro

Given how fluid this draft is, the …

Given how fluid this draft is, the Warriors could draft the same player at No. 5 that they’d eye with the No. 2 pick. According to league sources, Israeli small forward Deni Avdija, Iowa State point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Florida State shooting guard Devin Vassell and Auburn small forward Isaac Okoro are among the players Golden State would consider in that range.

Rookie Wire has Isaac Okoro at No. 15 in latest NBA Draft Board

The former Auburn star broke out as a freshman and finished second on the Tigers in both points and rebounds.

When the 2020 NBA Draft finally happens, Isaac Okoro won’t have to wait long to hear his name called.

In the latest Rookie Wire mock draft, the former Auburn star is slated to go at No. 15 to the Orlando Magic, joining fellow former Tigers star Chuma Okeke.

Per the Rookie Wire:

Isaac Okoro, who is an incredible athlete, shot 67.8% at the rim as a freshman and the majority of those attempts were unassisted. He has been more than capable of creating his own offense on post-up attempts, isolation looks, ball handling in transition and putbacks. But the biggest concern with Okoro is that fewer than 20% of his field goals were from beyond five feet of the basket.

Okoro finished second on the Tigers with 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds as a freshman.

WATCH: Isaac Okoro pens a heartwarming letter to Auburn

The star freshman finished second in both points and rebounds for Auburn last season.

This might require some tissues to cry into.

On Monday, Auburn basketball’s Twitter account released a video of Isaac Okoro penning a letter to Auburn and its fans as he announced that he is staying in the NBA draft.

The one-and-done star finished second on the Tigers with 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds while serving as a defensive force for Bruce Pearl.

Okoro is expected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

Warriors likely taking Anthony Edwards if they land first pick

Sources have indicated to The Chronicle that, if the Warriors land the No. 1 pick and decide not to trade down, they’ll likely take Georgia’s Anthony Edwards. If Golden State lands anywhere between No. 2 and No. 5, it’ll strongly consider Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton, Auburn’s Isaac Okoro and Israel’s Deni Avdija, among others.

Avdija ranks somewhere behind Edwards, …

Avdija ranks somewhere behind Edwards, Wiseman and Ball, mixed in with Obi Toppin, Isaac Okoro, Killian Hayes, Tyrese Haliburton and possibly Onyeka Okongwu. Still, according to a source, this draft is “all over the place” and teams are using this extra time to dig even more into one of the most uncertain classes since 2013.

Isaac Okoro staying in draft

“I’ll be officially in the draft,” Isaac Okoro said. “I haven’t posted it on social media, but I feel like it will be the best move for me. It’s always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to have a chance to make it to the NBA. It feels so surreal right now, but I also know once draft day comes, I’m just gonna be ready for the moment.”

NBA Draft: Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey is a name to watch for the Golden State Warriors

If the Warriors decide to trade back in the draft, Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey is an intriguing prospect to watch.

With the college basketball season over, and no-live NBA action until further notice, eyes have shifted to the draft ahead of schedule. Their league-worst record has set the Golden State Warriors for a chance to land a top-caliber prospect for the first time in years.

Names like Anthony Edwards, Obi Toppin and Onyeka Okongwu have become popular at the start of mock projections for the Warriors, but what if the team decides to move back in June’s draft? In an interview with Tim Kawakami of The Athletic, owner Joe Lacob mentioned the Warriors are looking into “all scenarios” for their selection — including the possibility of a trade down.

Depending on where Golden State lands in the draft order, Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey is an intriguing prospect that could be available beyond the top five picks.

The SEC All-Freshman Team selection averaged 14 points on 42.7% shooting with 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in his first season in Lexington. Maxey burst onto the scene quickly, dropping 26 points against the top-ranked Michigan State Spartans in the opening contest of the season. The Texas product continued his success against top-rated teams, scoring his season-best 27 points against the third-ranked rival Louisville Cardinals.

At 6-foot-2, Maxey can navigate through defenses to get to the cup. The 19-year-old isn’t afraid to throw his body around in the lane to finish off an acrobatic layup around bigger defenders. One of Maxey’s favorite weapon’s in his toolbox is his silky floater — reminiscent of a guard from Golden State.

The former McDonald’s All-American is a creative scorer that isn’t afraid to let it fly from beyond the arc. Although he only shot 29.2% from 3-point range, Maxey has a quick release that can heat up. The Kentucky freshman nailed multiple long-range jumpers in nine games for John Calipari, but he did go without a 3-pointer in 13 games.

Maxey is a willing defender that understands spacing on the floor. The stout guard relies on his strength to help with physical attackers on offense — something that will help at the next level on defense.

The young Wildcat will have to tighten his shot selection and consistency when he gets to the NBA. However, Maxey could be the next player to come from Calipari’s program to excel at the professional level, like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Bam Adebayo and PJ Washington.

Maxey could immediately fit in Steve Kerr’s rotation behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The Kentucky guard would give Golden State’s a formidable young trio off the bench with Eric Paschall and Jordan Poole. If the trade down rumors heat up as the clock ticks down during draft season, Maxey is a name to keep an eye on for the Golden State Warriors.

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