https://youtu.be/7gw29HLSnjE
22. Charlotte Hornets : Diamond Stone (C-Maryland)
[graphiq id=”8namZKvkZyB” title=”Diamond Stone – Maryland Terrapins” width=”600″ height=”593″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/8namZKvkZyB” link=”http://ncaa-basketball-players.pointafter.com/l/6166/Diamond-Stone” link_text=”Diamond Stone – Maryland Terrapins | PointAfter” ]Diamond Stone was a McDonald’s All-American and 5th in ESPN’s top 100 high school recruits before committing to one season at Maryland. He was supposed to be a lottery pick.
Instead, Stone has fallen out of favor with NBA types. He’s been criticized for his effort on defense and on the glass. For that and other reasons, Stone’s draft stock is falling. His future is much less certain and now a playoff team will be able to take a risk on him.
The Hornets are going to be looking for another center if they let Al Jefferson go. They can take that risk.
23. Boston Celtics : Ante Zizic (C-Croatia)
[graphiq id=”fVAwUH0whdr” title=”Ante Zizic – KK Cibona” width=”600″ height=”451″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/fVAwUH0whdr” link=”http://ncaa-basketball-players.pointafter.com/l/103847/Ante-Zizic” link_text=”Ante Zizic – KK Cibona | PointAfter” ]The Celtics may end up trading this pick, but if they do hold onto it they’ll use it on a player to stash for a year.
Ante Zizic led the Adriatic League in rebounding and he can run the floor and block shots. At just 19-years-old, Zizic has time to develop a mid-range shot.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (via Heat) : DeAndre Bembry (SF-St. Joseph’s)
[graphiq id=”eyq8z4bL8mV” title=”DeAndre’ Bembry – Saint Joseph’s (PA) Hawks” width=”600″ height=”593″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/eyq8z4bL8mV” link=”http://ncaa-basketball-players.pointafter.com/l/714/DeAndre-Bembry” link_text=”DeAndre’ Bembry – Saint Joseph’s (PA) Hawks | PointAfter” ]Nobody improved their stock more at the combine than DeAndre Bembry.
Bembry finished in the top ten in assists per game in the Atlantic 10 for the last two seasons and projects as a point forward in the NBA.
The Sixers likely never would’ve made this pick under Sam Hinkie but the Colangelo’s would be setting a tone. They want guys who can help them win right away.
It won’t hurt that Bembry can get local college kids to go to the games. The Sixers finished 28th in attendance in 2015-16.
