ESPN analyst Jay Bilas (ESPN Photo)
Mock drafts have various expectations for Louisville’s Jordan Nwora, including many in the second round but ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas thinks he could go higher in Wednesday’s NBA draft.
“I think he’s worthy of a first round selection, because he’s got size. He’s strong and a good athlete and he can really shoot the ball,” Bilas said.
“I think the question marks about Jordan have been sort of on a toughness, competitiveness level. I’m not saying they’re not fair because they are. His own coaching staff questioned that, but he’s very, very talented and he’s still a young player.”
Bilas said time has changed the perception of how college players are viewed.
“When I was coming out of college, people talked about 22 year olds that graduated from college being young rookies that had a lot of maturing to do. And now all of a sudden, you got a 20 year-old and we act like they’re finished products and they’re not,” Bilas said.
“But he’s got a lot of tools and I think his ability to shoot it like he shoots it with ease from deep, with ease. I think (Louisville coach) Chris Mack would have preferred if he rebounded at a higher level, and was tougher defensively. But he’s got the tools to be an outstanding NBA player.”
Bilas reiterated that he thought Nwora’s talent was good enough for him to be a first-round selection but even if he goes at the top of the second round there is not that much difference.
“We can we talk to a bunch of guys that have gotten the second round that have had all-star careers and so I wouldn’t put that past him,” Bilas said.
