The all-time Big East NBA mock draft
Steven Adams
C, Pittsburgh
2012-13 Pittsburgh stats (freshman): 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks per game (lost in 2nd round to Wichita State)
Adams just barely snuck in, as his lone college year was Pitt’s last season in the Big East. Adams basically has the same profile he did coming out of school (outside of his face, which, as seen above, does not remotely look like the same person). He projected as an elite offensive rebounder, with a great athleticism/size intersection and a strong motor to boot. That athleticism would allow him to defend on the perimeter, and his college rim protection metrics were strong, although technique wasn’t there. That’s largely been who he is as an NBA player for the Thunder — a guy who can anchor a good team with his mistake-free play on both ends, but doesn’t provide much more if you have to ask him to.
The 24-year old New Zealander had a high floor, which made him a safe bet in the chaotic landscape of the 2013 NBA Draft. He doesn’t have the flash or sizzle of some of the players ahead of him, but it’s easy to project him at least to the level of NBA rotation player, so he’s an obvious fit here.