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How High Can Kentucky’s Malik Monk Fly Up 2017 NBA Draft Boards?
- Updated: October 26, 2016
Athleticism and offense propelled Malik Monk up recruiting ranks straight toward the spotlight at Kentucky. Will they help him soar up 2017 NBA draft boards?
Production and eye-test results won’t be issues for one of the most talented freshmen in the country. He’ll put up numbers and turn heads with superhero-like leaping ability.
Monk is expected to replace Jamal Murray at off-guard and emerge as the Wildcats’ No. 1 option. Head coach John Calipari believes he will “probably take the most shots on the team,” according to KSTV.
But he’ll have questions to answer about his eventual transition to the pros, with the first concerning questionable physical tools for his projected NBA position (shooting guard).
Based on his skill set, Monk’s NBA calling card will be scoring. But since 2000, the only non-point guards 6’3″ or shorter to average 15 points in a season were Ben Gordon, Monta Ellis, Lou Williams, Avery Bradley and Leandro Barbosa, per Basketball-Reference.com. Can Monk efficiently score against 2-guards who’ll be bigger and longer?
“It will depend on how well he shoots it,” one NBA scout told Bleacher Report.
Monk compensates for limited size and length with jaw-dropping explosiveness and bounce. Those skills translate to easy buckets off fast breaks and drives through open lanes.
The question is whether they’ll result in draft buzz or high-level NBA success.
Strengths
Monk will make the most waves with flashy dunks and finishes, but his perimeter game fuels his scoring potential. He can score in bunches with the ability to shoot off the dribble in transition, isolation or ball-screen situations. He can also separate from defenders with abrupt pull-ups and sneaky step-backs.
He’s additionally developed the shot-making ability to connect off balance, under pressure or from deep.
Monk gets good elevation when rising to fire, a noteworthy detail considering the size disadvantage he’ll face against starting NBA …
