Emmanuel Mudiay's draft stock has been dropping of late, depending on who you listen to.
A consensus top-10 pick, the point guard spent the past year playing in China after changing his mind on an NCAA commitment to SMU.
Opinions on the quality of basketball in the CBA are mixed, but Mudiay played against current NBAer Michael Beasley, as well as former All-Star Stephon Marbury.
"The physicality over there was ridiculous," Mudiay told reporters after working out for the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. "My maturity level improved in learning how to come into the game as a professional."
SMU coach Larry Brown has been a staunch supporter of the Congo-born, Dallas-raised guard, who again explained his reasons for choosing China over college Saturday.
"It was for my mother. She was struggling at the time. So I wanted to help her immediately financially," Mudiay said. "After that, it played a big factor that I was going to be playing against older and more physical men."
The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder, noted for his blazing speed in scouting reports, averaged just under 18 points per game in China. The Lakers, who hold the No. 2 selection in the June 25 draft, may well be leaning away from a much-rumored big man and towards more dynamic potential in the backcourt.
On Saturday, Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com reported that the Lakers may be seriously considering Ohio State point guard D'Angelo Russell with the second pick. Russell is expected to work out for L.A. at some point in the coming weeks.
