NBA Draft 2016: 5 reasons Brandon Ingram won't be No. 1 pick

NBA Draft 2016: 5 reasons Brandon Ingram won’t be No. 1 pick

PROVIDENCE, RI - MARCH 17: Brandon Ingram (L) of the Duke Blue Devils talks with referee David Hall during the game against the North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Dunkin' Donuts Center on March 17, 2016 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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DURHAM, NC – DECEMBER 15: Brandon Ingram /

4. Lack of Defensive Presence Right Now

Admittedly, this weakness and reason that Brandon Ingram won’t be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft are quite closely related to the first. However, it’s not a great look for the Duke forward’s draft stock leading up to June 23 that he hadn’t shown a great deal on the defensive end with his one year with the Blue Devils and his slight frame didn’t help matters.

While it’s not so much a problem when he’s playing at the three, Ingram looks to translate as a bit of a hybrid that can play small-ball four at the NBA because of his length and ability to rebound while also stretching the floor. When that’s the case, though, NBA power forwards are absolutely going to annihilate him. Imagine the boulder also known as Draymond Green bodying him up on the block in the NBA? That would end incredibly poorly for Ingram.

Subsequently, Ingram’s shortcomings as a defender and the fact that he’s still raw in that area of his game regardless of his strength are a bit of a concern for teams and that’s at least somewhat of a reason for him to not be in that No. 1 spot come Thursday.

Next: No. 3 Passing

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