The “We Grow Basketball Here” slogan is most closely associated with the Indiana Pacers, but based on the NBA Draft prospects from in-state universities? The phrase takes on a literal interpretation.
Wednesday’s opening round of the NBA Draft will feature two massive prospects from the state’s Big Ten schools — Purdue’s 7-foot-4 Zach Edey and Indiana’s 7-foot Kel’El Ware.
Their size is their asset — as well as a demerit in the minds of some analysts.
Edey is the two-time National Player of the Year, but the traits that made him so dominant with the national runner-up Boilermakers are some of the things that have fallen out of fashion in the analytically-minded NBA.
Traditional paint-dominant centers are considered to be out of fashion in the modern game. Edey did nearly all of his damage for Purdue in the paint as college opponents had no answer for his sheer size as well as the excellent touch he had on his hook shot and post attempts.
It was one reason why Edey returned to Purdue for the 2023-24 season after there was tepid interest in his services in the run-up to the 2023 NBA Draft.
However, interest in Edey is higher this time. NBA scouts seemed to have recognized Edey’s obvious rim protection strengths, his dominant rebounding potential and have warmed to his scoring traits too. After all, analytics rewards high-percentage shots and Edey converted at a 63.1% conversion rate with the Boilermakers.
There is also cautious optimism that Edey can diversify his offensive repertoire. During pre-draft workouts, Edey made pains to demonstrate an outside shooting touch, something he never got the chance to demonstrate at Purdue. Edey opened eyes with a 14 of 25 3-point shooting performance at the NBA Combine in May.
With all of that taken into account, Edey is projected anywhere from the back end of the NBA lottery to the back end of the first round. The most pessimistic predictions put Edey in the early second round, but the vast majority of NBA mock drafts have Edey in a range from 12-25.
It’s the same range Ware finds himself in, even though his skill set as a center is different from Edey’s. The lanky Ware stands in contrast to the beefy Edey, but that frame has its advantages — as Big Ten opponents found out in 2023.
Ware is mobile as a center. That, combined with uncommon reach — Ware’s wingspan is measured at 9-foot, 4 inches — makes Ware lethal as a shot-blocker. He averaged 1.9 blocks in his lone season with the Hoosiers.
Ware is dependable as a scorer in the paint, he can run the floor well, and can stretch the floor to reliably shoot from range as well. More so than Edey, Ware fits the definition of a modern NBA center that NBA teams look for.
At the college level, Ware largely silenced critics who questioned his motivation after an underwhelming freshman season at Oregon, but he still has skeptics at the pro level.
“Questions remain regarding his determination and focus. Is he truly dedicated to being the best version of himself, or does he not have the drive to become a great player?” opined NBAdraft.net.
Both Edey and Ware could benefit from NBA teams seeking a need. Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Orlando, Portland, Sacramento, Toronto and Washington are all teams that might draft with size as a priority.
There are no other draft prospects expected from Indiana-based schools.
Among Big Ten schools, Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr., recently found not guilty in a Kansas rape case, could be chosen in the first round. Minnesota guard Cam Christie is a possible late first-round or second-round choice.
