Tag: Sam Vecenie

NBA draft analyst says he has Jase Richardson projected as a first round draft pick

NBA draft specialist Sam Vecenie says he has Jase Richardson projected as a first round draft pick

This might lead to some mixed reactions from Michigan State basketball fans but after MSU’s win over Colorado in the Maui Invitational, NBA draft analyst Sam Vecenie was asked about his thoughts on Jase Richardson.

Vecenie said that in his most recent top-100 player rankings, he has Jase Richardson ‘quite high, and in the first round’.

Richardson led MSU in scoring in the win over Colorado with a career-high 13 points. He has been the breakout star of this season so far for the Spartans and is probably getting close to earning a starting spot if he keeps playing like this.

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Danny Leroux thinks Richaun Holmes would be a great frontcourt fit with Chet Holmgren for the Thunder

“Richaun Holmes is exactly the right level of player who can help Oklahoma City but not fundamentally change their future.”

Dunc’d On’s Danny Leroux recently went on the “Game Theory” podcast with The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie to discuss offseason previews for NBA teams in the southwest and northwest divisions. When talking about the Oklahoma City Thunder, Leroux threw out the idea of the team potentially acquiring Richaun Holmes to be a short-term frontcourt partner with Chet Holmgren.

“Richaun Holmes is exactly the right level of player who can help Oklahoma City but not fundamentally change their future. He makes you better, he gives you pieces to evaluate. Let’s say if they end up with Chet (Holmgren), then you can play Chet at either spot it’s gonna work out in. There isn’t a center for me personally on OKC’s team right now that I love. I could see something like that with Holmgren if he ends up being the pick. Bridging the gap, Holmes isn’t making so much money and there are a bunch of Richaun Holmes level players all around the league on teams that could use a little more flexibility or don’t need that player in particular.”

Holmes averaged 10.4 points and seven rebounds on 66 percent shooting and 40 percent three-point shooting in 45 games with the Sacramento Kings last season.

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Speculation surrounding the Thunder potentially promising former Michigan forward Caleb Houstan a draft selection

Caleb Houstan, who was once considered a top-10 prospect, could potentially go 30th overall by the Thunder in 2022 NBA draft.

In their article that dropped on Monday discussing the 2022 NBA draft combine, The Athletic’s John Hollinger and Sam Vecenie talked about the possibility of the Oklahoma City Thunder once again promising a draft prospect they will select them in the draft.

Michigan forward Caleb Houstan did not participate during the combine, leaving many league insiders to believe that he has gained a draft promise from an NBA team.

“Finally, Oklahoma City’s pick at No. 30 was the topic of other speculation. Michigan forward Caleb Houstan was notably absent from the week’s proceedings, with many league insiders suspecting he had a promise from a team in return for shutting down his draft process. Suspicion immediately went to the Thunder, given their surplus of picks and long history of making their draft pick in April. Houstan wouldn’t even be the first Michigan guy they did this with. (Hello, Mitch McGary!)”

Like the article mentioned, the Thunder have a history of making promises to draft picks with Aleksej Pokusevski being the most recent notable example of this. With that said, this does not mean Houstan is a lock to go to Oklahoma City; plenty of other teams make draft promises too, it’s just that the Thunder are one of the more widely known teams to do so.

For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony also had Houstan mocked to the Thunder for similar reasons in his post-lottery mock draft article.

“The Thunder have precious few roster spots at their disposal and four draft picks (three first-rounders), meaning there is a decent chance they won’t be making this selection ultimately. One of the big mysteries surrounding the 2022 NBA draft will be where Caleb Houstan, a onetime projected top-10 pick, ends up. Houstan declined his invite to the NBA combine, indicating there might be something to the rumors of a first-round promise, or that Houstan has a landing spot he’s comfortable with. Houstan’s positional size, defensive awareness and perimeter shooting gives him a high floor as a prospect, despite his disappointing freshman season at Michigan.”

If the Thunder are to select Houstan, it will likely be with one of their latter picks at 30th overall or 34th overall.

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Aaron Henry slotted as late first round pick in latest mock draft from The Athletic

Aaron Henry is averaging 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season.

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Aaron Henry has been incredible for the Spartans down the stretch and is the primary reason why Michigan State is in the NCAA Tournament. That great play has been noticed by Sam Vecenie of The Athletic in his latest mock draft.

Vecenie released his latest mock draft ahead of the NCAA Tournament starting this week, and he has Henry going in the first round of this year’s upcoming NBA Draft. Vecenie currently projects Henry to be selected No. 28 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Henry is averaging 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season. He has especially been impressive in the final month and half for the Spartans, scoring just under 18 points per game during the final eight games that saved Michigan State’s season.

Henry is a junior and of course could return to East Lansing for his senior season in 2021-22, however, there’s no chance of that happening should he potentially get drafted in the first round. A nice NCAA Tournament run could potentially secure that for Henry.

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Cassius Winston tells story of picking Michigan State over Michigan in his recruitment

Michigan State PG Cassius Winston discussed the process of picking the Spartans over interstate rival Michigan. Listen to this clip here.

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Cassius Winston is currently gearing up for the 2020 NBA Draft which is slated for October 16. In the meantime and in-between time, Winston has spoken in interviews discussing the Draft process and more.

Recently, Cassius sat down with Sam Vecenie of The Athletic for a conversation on The Game Theory Podcast. In this convo, Winston talked about his recruiting process and specifically picking Michigan State over interstate rival Michigan.

Check out the clip below courtesy of Sam Vecenie’s Twitter:

First and foremost, I laughed out loud when Cassius Winston called Michigan “soft”. Furthermore, it’s incredibly interesting that Winston appreciated Michigan State’s challenge to prove himself rather than being accepted or cherished right away. Especially when you think about how Winston eventually developed into one of the most beloved MSU basketball players of all time.

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