Tap here to get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NBA draft, which takes place on June 25 in Brooklyn.
The difference between the first-year salary for the No. 2 and 6 picks in the 2015 NBA Draft will be roughly $1.7 million.
Emmanuel Mudiay opted to forgo an NCAA freshman season this year, instead signing a $1.2-million deal with Guangdong of the Chinese Basketball Association and later an endorsement deal with Under Armour. Once thought to be a top-two prospect in the class, his season abroad dropped him all the way to being a top-four prospect, one who could slide as far as sixth on draft night. Considering the benefit it had for his family and for his NBA-readiness, the decision seems to have been a worthwhile trade-off.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG | 4 | 4 | 6'5" | 200 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| China Stats | PPG | RPG | BPG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 18.0 | 6.3 | 5.9 | 47.8% | 34.2% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: While there aren't official combine measurements - his wingpsan is said to be 6-foot-10 - the excitement over Mudiay begins with his body. He's enormous, to the extent that he could play either guard position if he further develops an outside shot, and he's incredibly athletic. Few show the potential to be a game-changing attacker off the bounce the way the quick, strong, explosive Mudiay does. He's the most NBA-ready of the draft's guard prospects in a physical sense. Offensively, his open-court and off-dribble games will be his primary assets right away, and the havoc he causes opposing defenders should create ample opportunity for him to distribute. His current limitations are ones that should be improvable thanks to what's said to be an incredible work ethic.
Weaknesses: Mudiay will need the ball in his hands to be effective early on, as his jumper needs work and he won't be much of a threat spotting up. His poor free-throw shooting - he hit just 57.4 percent in China - suggests he's not a natural shooter, and his release needs to be sped up. Mudiay's a bit turnover prone, an entirely expected outcome for a 19-year-old who drives as aggressively as he does and isn't quite a natural point guard instinctively. Defensively, the tools are all there, but it's difficult to judge his current ability based on limited Chinese game tape.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Mudiay's decision to play overseas limited his exposure to NBA scouts, likely frustrating decision-makers. His decision to skip the NBA Draft Combine maintained the air of mystery around him, making it tough to get a feel for just how high teams are on him. But he entered the season highly regarded, is said to have performed well in China, and has most of the physical tools teams look for in a franchise guard. If Karl-Anthony Towns is taken first, Mudiay could go as high as second, and it seems a relative impossibility that the Sacramento Kings would pass him over at No. 6.
