Scout: Cal Prospect Ivan Rabb ‘Has the Chance to Be like a LaMarcus Aldridge’

Sixteen Division I freshmen left school early last year to declare for the 2016 NBA draft. Ivan Rabb wasn’t one of them despite having flashed traditional one-and-done talent. Instead, he’ll take another season at California to continue building up his value—like a rebellious blackjack player risking a strong hand for a potential better one.

Rabb ignored the unwritten rules that advise projected lottery prospects to cash in. He’s now in position to prove the book wrong and benefit—both developmentally and financially—from more college basketball.

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Kris Dunn just successfully pulled the same stunt. A perceived first-round lock in 2015, Dunn passed on the draft and returned to bolster his stock even further at Providence, soaring to No. 5 overall last June.

Rabb will be looking to mirror Dunn’s rise, and though he’s expected to have a more competitive field to battle through in 2017, he’s the type of prospect who could have afforded to gamble.

The chance of injury represents obvious risk, but it’s the only one worth worrying about. Physical tools (6’9 ¾”, 215 lbs, 7’2″ wingspan), athleticism, feel for the game and motor help anchor Rabb’s stock inside first-round territory.

His floor is high.

Even if scouts see the same player they saw a year ago, teams should still covet Rabb’s finishing ability (80.2 percent at the rim, per Hoop-Math.com), rebounding presence (11.9 boards per 40 minutes, per Sports-Reference.com) and competitiveness, which aren’t going anywhere and seem likely to carry over.

In June, Rabb told Sports illustrated’s Brian Hamilton that he wanted to be the best player he could before he turned pro: “If I’m the guy I’m supposed to be, I should be there next year as well. I should be even better, even more comfortable on the floor, have a better mentality.

“There are some improvements on the floor I …

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