NBA Draft 2014 Rumors: Nik Stauskas a lock to go in top 10?
Former Michigan guard Nik Stauskas has been a steady riser on NBA Draft boards and the versatile wing player has impressed so much in the predraft process that he’s viewed as a virtual lock to be taken in the top 10 picks.
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According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, “Nik Stauskas is really helping his draft stock lately. I’ve heard he may go top 10. He’s doing well in workouts, and execs love his game.”
The 6-7 scorer is one of the top jump shooters in the draft and could go as high as No. 8 to the Sacramento Kings where Basketball Insiders’ Steve Kyler has him going in their latest mock draft.
Yannis Koutroupis has Stausakas going to the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 10 while Kennedy and Joel Brigham have the former Wolverine going to the Denver Nuggets with the 11th overall pick.
Stauskas has impressed teams with his versatility on the wing, athleticism and handle that allows him to play some point guard in a pinch, his deep range, quick release on his jumper and his proficiency at the free throw line. He needs to get stronger and isn’t an elite athlete to be a full-time ball-handler but he has shown to be the best shooter in the draft.
He averaged 17.5 points in his final season at Michigan, up from 11 a season ago, had 2.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists per game and a 1.76 assist/turnover ratio while shooting 47 percent from the field, 44.2 percent from three-point range, 82.4 percent from the free throw line.
Look for the Canadien native to garner a lot of chatter in the days leading up to the draft as he could continue to rise and sneak in the bottom half of the top 10.