2016 NBA Draft: Best sleepers
1. A.J. Hammons, C, Purdue
A.J. Hammons is a massive individual, standing 7-0 with a 7-3 wingspan and weighing 280 pounds. After four years at Purdue, Hammons is now moving on and will likely be a second round draft pick in this month’s NBA draft. Most mock drafts have him slated anywhere from No. 40-60 in June’s draft.
For his senior season he averaged a robust 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while shooting almost 60 percent from the field. The main reason Hammons will fall to the second round is his age — he will be 24 this August so teams are wary of using a first round pick on a player with little hypothetical upside. Hammons showed quality footwork during his time at Purdue and his size makes him more of a traditional big man. Having said that, he can step out and knock down an 18-footer when needed and is at his best when put in the pick-and-roll on offense.
Defensively, Hammons projects as an elite rim protector and will be able to hold his own against NBA bodies with his sizeable frame. Hammons is older than most of the other big man prospects in the draft, however he possesses the ability to contribute immediately as a center off the bench.
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