By: Aaron Ramsey
The 2014 NBA Draft is one of the most anticipated drafts in years, with as many as eight players projected by ESPN NBA Draft Expert Chad Ford as potential all-star players. The undisputed number one player and projected top overall pick next year is Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins. The Canadian forward, son of former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins, is the most highly coveted NBA draft pick since LeBron James went to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wiggins, who’ ll play for the Kansas Jayhawks this fall, may be the most hyped player in the history of the legendary Kansas basketball program.
So what makes Andrew Wiggins the most highly coveted recruit in a decade? He’ s an immensely skilled and savvy player with truly remarkable athleticism. The 6’ 8” Wiggins has the wingspan of a seven-footer combined with explosive quickness and leaping ability. He has the ability to score from the perimeter and around the basket with a diverse offensive game for a high school player. Wiggins is the rare super-athletic player who’ s been able to build a fundamentally sound offensive game at a young age. What sets Wiggins apart from a number of young super-athletic players over the years is his refined offensive game. He is a strong ball-handler who leverages his powerful frame and explosiveness to easily create his own shot. If Wiggins does draw the double team he has fantastic ball-handling skills and court vision that allow the young star to find the open man and create scoring opportunities for others. True NBA superstars like Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are two-way players capable of dominating a game on both the offensive and defensive end and Wiggins clearly fits into this category. He’ s shown the ability and the desire to be an elite lock-down defensive player.
It’ s extremely difficult to find any weaknesses in Wiggins’ game. The concerns that scouts have had with Wiggins are minimal and revolve around a tendency to sometimes get complacent on the court and demonstrate an inconsistent motor. He has outstanding height and wingspan but is still a bit slender, weighing around two-hundred pounds. He’ ll need to add some mass during his year at Kansas to get ready for the day-in, day-out NBA grind. Ball-handling was once seen as a weakness but Wiggins showed great improvement in his handle over the past year.
Due to the NBA’ s one-year post high school rule Wiggins is off to Kansas for what Jayhawks fans hope will be a national title season. Choosing the Jayhawks was a surprise to many but a compelling choice for Wiggins. In deciding to avoid Kentucky and their remarkable recruiting class Wiggins made a decision that will allow him to play in his own spotlight, but also play for one of the most respected coaches in college hoops in Bill Self. The fact that Wiggins chose Kansas shows that he’ s a player willing to be cog in a greater team. Wiggins will clearly be the
Sports Passion The Magazine | 4 August 2013 | Issue No. 1