Tag: Mike Schmitz

Schmitz is expected to remain with ESPN …

Schmitz is expected to remain with ESPN through the June 23 NBA Draft, and formally begin his duties with Portland in July. The Blazers have the seventh overall pick in 2022 Draft. Schmitz, 32, has been a draft analyst for ESPN since 2017, and worked previously for DraftExpress and as a video coordinator with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA’s G League in 2012-2013.

ESPN still views Notre Dame star freshman Wesley as 1st Round selection

What will Wesley do?

It wasn’t the way the Irish envisioned their season ending, but the gauntlet of winning three games in five days isn’t ideal for any team. The way Notre Dame finished their season will be remembered fondly, the wins over Rutgers then Alabama were unforgettable.

For star freshman Blake Wesley, he’s got a massive decision to make, to return to South Bend for his sophomore season or move on the the NBA. For the home-town star, it’s not going to be easy as many outlets, including ESPN believe that Wesley is first round material (insider).

As the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament has concluded, Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz still have Wesley getting selected early, 20th overall, despite struggling against Texas Tech. They viewed his as “the best prospect on the floor” during the game against the Crimson Tide.

The knock against Wesley was that “the game still moves too quickly” for him but that doesn’t mean the NBA front offices aren’t high on him. Schmitz believes that “with a strong pre-draft process, it’s not out of the question that Wesley gets looks throughout the teens, especially if he shoots the ball well.”

At this point in time it is still unknown what Wesley’s intentions are, if he returns the Irish are clearly a much stronger team. If it’s the NBA, then we will root him on as he continues his career away from home.

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ESPN projects one Notre Dame player to get selected in NBA Draft

WIll he stay or off to the NBA???

The Irish have been enduring a NBA Draft selection drought since 2016, when Demetrius Jackson was selected in the second round with the 45th overall pick by the Boston Celtics. The last first round selection was a year before with Jerian Grant going 19th overall to the Washington Wizards.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz believe that the drought will end this year. They have Irish guard Blake Wesley going 30th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder in their latest mock NBA Draft (insider).

The Irish freshman has had a very solid season, averaging 14.7 points-per-game while chipping in 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Wesley is shooting 41.1% from the field and oozes with potential.

Wesley will have a big time decision to make at the end of the season, will he return to the Irish and improve on his draft stock or test the NBA waters after just one year in South Bend?

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Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

WATCH: Xavier Tillman watches film with ESPN NBA Draft analyst Mike Schmitz

Tillman talks about his defense and tells some stories from his time at MSU.

Xavier Tillman is a polarizing prospect in this year’s NBA Draft, but anytime he can be seen breaking down film is a good one for him.

Tillman, regarded for his off-ball (and on-ball) defense en route to winning the 2019 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award, joined ESPN NBA Draft analyst Mike Schmitz to break down some aspects of his game and tell some fun stories from his time at MSU. Check it out.

The NBA Draft is scheduled for October 16.

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WATCH: Cassius Winston breaks down film with ESPN basketball analyst Mike Schmitz

Watch former Michigan State basketball Guard Cassius Winston break down film with ESPN basketball analyst Mike Schmitz.

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The 2020 NBA Draft will be held on October 16 and one Spartans declared for the draft is none other than former Michigan State basketball Guard Cassius Winston.

Winston joined ESPN basketball analyst Mike Schmitz for a virtual film session. In this film session, Cassius and Schmitz break down some college film of Winston’s time as a Spartan. Also, they compare Winston’s on-court game to NBA players such as Kyle Lowry.

You can check out the entire virtual film session below:

This is an absolutely great watch in my opinion. For starters, I love Mike Schmitz’s analysis and his approach to discussing the game with soon-to-be NBA players. More importantly, I could legitimately listen to Winston breaking down his decision-making in pick-and-roll situations.

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NBA Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz calls Emoni Bates ‘best NBA prospect in the world’

NBA Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz joined Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter to discuss the recent Emoni Bates commitment to Michigan State.

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Two days ago, high school basketball prodigy Emoni Bates shocked the world by committing to Michigan State basketball on ESPN’s flagship show, Sportscenter. Now, basketball experts from all over the industry are commenting on this huge commitment and what it means for Michigan State.

Just last night, ESPN NBA Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz joined Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter to discuss the commitment of Bates during the “1 Big Thing” segment.

Check out this clip below:

Scott Van Pelt introduced Emoni Bates as a generational talent. Mike Schmitz went on to say Bates is the best NBA prospect that he has ever evaluated and a “franchise-changing player”.

Scott Van Pelt also made a point about Bates’ commitment and the impact it has on Michigan State’s recruiting efforts going forward. After all, establishing a connection with a player like Emoni Bates is no small feat.

What an amazing week for Michigan State basketball fans.

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