What should we watch for in tonight's UK NBA pro combine?

by:Jack Pilgrim10/09/16
Though football talk has dominated KSR over the past few weeks, it's time to talk a little basketball. Tonight from 7-9 PM on ESPNU, we get our first chance to check out the 2016-17 roster, where they will participate in UK's annual Pro Day. Over 90 NBA scouts will be in attendance to take notes on the Wildcats, so let's take a look at some of the things they'll keep close tabs on throughout the event. Isaac Humphries' development Last season at this event, NBA scouts listed Humphries as the third best prospect on the 2015-16 Wildcat roster. At the time, many of us had our doubts, but he proved to be a reliable rebounder with nice touch around the rim in his time on the floor throughout the season. According to nearly all accounts, Humphries has been the surprise of the summer, and is ready to take a major step up in his sophomore season for the Wildcats. He's reportedly cut fat, bulked up with muscle, and has gotten a lot quicker on the floor, looking like a "brand new player.' He had an impressive mid-range jumper last year, but needs to be a little more consistent in that department. On the block, he got pushed out of position a good bit last year, and needs to show off his development there, as well. Other than that, maybe some discipline on spiked balls. I'm expecting big things out of the Aussie tonight. Impressive shooting from Isaiah Briscoe and De'Aaron Fox Briscoe's evaluation is obvious, as this is the first chance for all of us to see his much-needed improvement in the shooting department. De'Aaron Fox was known as an inconsistent shooter in high school, so these two need to put on a good showing tonight in front of scouts. Briscoe seems to have everything else already, rebounding, ball-handling, passing, defensive ability, etc., and improved shooting would easily make him a first round pick next summer. De'Aaron Fox has reportedly been as fast as advertised, fantastic on-ball defense, and impressive passing the ball. If Briscoe and Fox can prove to shoot the ball half a lick, UK is going to have a scary season, and these two could find themselves in the lottery next summer. Bam Adebayo's physical presence on the floor We all know he looks the part, but this is the first time we'll be able to see Bam's physicality in action. He's reportedly been better than advertised in practice, so it will be a great opportunity for him to show out in front of roughly 90 NBA scouts. He'll likely be going heads up against some of the bigger guys on the team in Issac Humphries and Sacha Killeya-Jones, so scouts will be able to see him against other NBA talent with size. We've also heard he has an impressive face up game, with a jumper extending out to 15-17 feet. Last season it was Skal impressing scouts on mid-range shots, this year it may be Bam. Malik Monk living up to the hype When we got a chance to watch Monk practice a few weeks ago, he was absolutely the best player on the floor. Shooting ability, athletic freak, etc., he does it all. Seth Greenberg recently compared him to Russell Westbrook when he came to visit UK's practice last week, and gave similar praise to the 6'4 freshman out of Arkansas. If Monk continues to live up to the hype being placed on his shoulders, I definitely believe scouts will be writing him in as a top five draft pick next summer. Derek Willis, Wenyen Gabriel, and Sacha Killeya-Jones will be other guys getting major attention from NBA scouts, with each having potential to do big things this season to solidify their spots on the draft boards.   Get hyped. Basketball season is almost here.

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