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.
It's all in the hips.
Despite having a profile that's generally befitting a top prospect, 19-year-old Kevon Looney has watched his draft stock slide after leading all freshman in double-doubles this year. Concerns over his conditioning and a general lack of offensive polish make him one of the most volatile commodities ahead of June 25, and possibly one of the most undervalued players on the board. Looney admitted recently that a preseason hip injury limited his ability to practice and get in peak shape at UCLA, an issue his camp is working to correct, and some public analytic models see Looney as a top-five prospect.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PF | 20 | 19 | 6' 9.25" | 222 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 3.5" | 9' 2" | N/A | 9.5 | 11.9% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | BPG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 11.6 | 9.2 | 0.9 | 47.0% | 41.5% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Looney was asked to play in the frontcourt for the first time at UCLA, and while there was some concern he may be a tweener, he measured out well for either forward spot. He's more valuable as a power forward, where his terrific rebounding will play, his shooting ability will help teams space the floor, and the passing he honed as a point guard in high school could give him the newly vaunted "playmaking four" label. While his offensive game isn't yet refined, it has the makings of a versatile inside-outside one if he further develops his post game. Defensively, he has the potential to be above-average, with length for days, a strong steal rate for a big man, and an impressive performance manning the top of UCLA's zone, a task that required him to cover a lot of ground.
Weaknesses: Teams would be forgiven for wanting to get a closer look at Looney's hip and general medicals given how often he was winded as a freshman. Conditioning can be improved with time, and it could come as Looney works to improve his strength, particularly in his lower half. Those physical concerns, combined with an overall lack of polish at both ends, make him more of a long-term prospect than some other post players going in the top-20, and teams will need to preach patience.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
On potential alone, Looney should be far closer to a top-10 proposition than a top-20 one. But the issue with a player who requires development time is that once they slide past a certain point in the draft, teams with immediate needs and the goal of contending begin picking, and Looney may not fit some of their plans. With some teams said to be very high on him, it's conceivable he goes as high as No. 7, with his admittedly wide range probably ending at No. 20.
