Mar 26, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins forward
Kevon Looneyduring practice the day before the semifinals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Kevon Looney, UCLA Bruins
Position: Power Forward
Age: 19
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.25″, 222 pounds, 7’3.5″
Slash Line: .470/.415/.626
Season Averages: 30.9 MPG, 11.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.4 ORPG, 1.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 0.6 3PM
From 2005 to 2011, Lamar Odom and Phil Jackson complemented one another perfectly for the Los Angeles Lakers. Odom had it all as a player, making him the perfect hybrid playmaker in Jackson’s Triangle Offense.
Kevon Looney is a risky prospect, but at his best, he could provide a similar impact to Odom’s.
Looney is an outstanding rebounder whose size, length and mobility have been compared to Kevin Durant. He’s nowhere near Durant’s level as a scorer, but Looney’s upside is without limit.
The Knicks will get a closer look at Looney at the 2015 NBA Draft Combine.
UCLA's Kevon Looney, Norman Powell to attend NBA combine http://t.co/3VAy6bm2Gd
— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) May 8, 2015
The question is, is Looney worth the risk?
Looney could end up being an Odom type of player, and that would be invaluable in the Triangle Offense. He could also struggle in the NBA given the state of his handles, which are solid, but not enough so to consistently create his own offense.
This is a project pick, but it’s one that could pay off.
Next: Boom or Bust, Part I