In a camp full of disappointments, the one player that everyone in attendance can agree had a standout week is Hartford power forward
Kenny Adeleke. Adeleke doesnt have experience at a big time college program on his resume, but that hasnt stopped him from being effective everywhere he has played this past year. That includes a senior season in which he challenged
Paul Millsap for the right to be called the nations top rebounder, and a very impressive Portsmouth showing at which he was named to DraftExpress All-Tournament Third Team. Therefore, maybe it shouldnt have surprised anybody that Adeleke ended playing the best basketball out of any player in Orlando.
Adeleke certainly doesnt stick out from the crowd at first glance. With a round body and awkward open-floor gait, he almost appears out of shape. However, conditioning wasnt a factor when he started banging bodies in the paint. Adeleke has an impressive natural understanding of how to operate in the post, almost always appearing to be a step ahead of the competition mentally. He knows what he wants to do in the paint offensively before the ball arrives, and has already completed his move by the time any sort of help can get to him. He can rely on an assortment of hooks and scoop shots to convert around the rim. Adeleke has a relentless, physical nature to his game, relishing contact and never giving up on the glass. Despite seeming to be limited athletically, Adeleke gets off the ground remarkably well around the basket. He was a terror on the offensive glass here, and does an outstanding job of anticipating where a missed shot is headed. Simply put, there was no prospect at the camp capable of containing Adeleke around the basket.
So where does this leave Adeleke in terms of draft stock? After two impressive pre-draft camp performances in a row, it is hard to see him not getting drafted somewhere in the second round. However, there is some question as to how Adelekes game will translate into the NBA. He was able to dominate this camp with his physicality, but it must be emphasized that there probably werent very many NBA big men in attendance. It remains to be seen how effective the 68 Adeleke will be at operating amongst the trees he will find at the next level. Adeleke has significant work to do on his body, but he also looks like a player that will put the work in to improve that area. A toned up Adeleke can certainly carve out a niche for himself in the NBA, in a
Reggie Evans-style role.
Comments