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