Is it just me or very average players are putting their names in for the draft when even at NBL level they are mid tier role players at best.

I guess its all about "player potential" and not actual performance and skill.

These guys are all under 22 and not finished products.

Likely : Toohey, Proctor, Condon

Possible but ... : Lewis, Almansa, Olbrich

No way : Henshall, Zikarsky


Zikarsky's best bet would be getting in via Europe, and even then I doubt if he could edge out their better-skilled 7-footers unless he started with a very low program.

I hate to be negative on Rocco but to me I just don't actually see much potential there now after two seasons with the Bullets. He just seems too weak like no core strength and easy to body out of position a bit like Kai Sotto who showed more in the NBL yet went undrafted.

When Rocco first signed with the Bullets he played in a pre-season game against a touring college (Cal Baptist?), might've even been his very first game and as a kid he dominated these young men. I think he had something like 22p 8r 6b in about 20 mins off the bench. I was blown away and thought okay now I understand the world is his oyster but he's just done virtually nothing in the two years since.

Even though his stock wouldn't be high right now he might as well jump in and see what happens. There are always stupid NBA teams who convince themselves they can see something even if no one else can and draft busts so bet on that and who knows he might get lucky. Thon Maker did as did Dante Exum.

Rocco is still only 18. Bigs take ages to put it together. He's basically the age that most american kids will be going to college. He'll be fine

I can see toohey falling right out of the draft.

Smaller 'alrounders' that don't have specific and clear strengths don't fear well through the work out process, even if they've got a high basketball IQ. Much like rubstavicius last year.

Tooheys shooting isn't at a particularly high level either

Rocco is 18 yrs old (19 in July). He has two years at a terrible program in Brisbane. He needs to move on from there to get better. Shouldn't get drafted but he has plenty of time.

Why go for a draft at 18 versus trying to get better and then nominating few years later ? Unless you are oozing talent, not sure what the angle is.

I'm fairly bullish on Olbrich, Toohey, Condon. Size, skills and carry the reputation of Australian 'teamsmanship'.

The angle is the smoke & mirrors aspect of drafting. None of these teams really know what they're going to end up with in player x, the older a player gets the less potential to improve and they become a known commodity.

That's why the Thon's and Dante's did what they did partially hiding themselves, restricting access from NBA teams to build mystery and let those teams convince themselves if they don't draft the player they might be missing out on something big.

That's why it's in Rocco's best interests to declare now rather than later because in a few years time he will be looked at as a known commodity and thus a smaller ceiling for his potential. Go now whilst there is still some mystery to how high his ceiling might be.

As Zodiac alludes to, its a strategy. Its can be better to go undrafted than get picked up late second round and stashed. If drafted the team holds your rights and it can be slightly harder to get a look in later with other teams if you are on the cusp.

I think many of these guys are getting their draft nomination out the way in the hope they do not get drafted and can then get a look in at a 2 way contract in a couple years as a free agent.

Thanks for the insights Baller & Zodiac. That explains it.

Also by declaring for the draft Rocco may get invited to do pre draft workouts with various NBA teams which will provide him with invaluable experience and feedback.

He then still has the option to withdraw from the June 26 draft and come back better prepared next year.

Interesting that Alex T and Lachy have the same agent Daniel Moldovan as Josh Giddy and Dyson D. I don't see them withdrawing and I would not be surprised to see either of them popping up on the socials with Josh and/or Dyson in a couple of weeks at their 'summer’ LA training base.

Let's face it, Moldovan is good at getting his guys drafted. Toohey and Olbrich will both get picked up, higher (perhaps much higher) than expected

I think unless you're planning to go to (or stay in) college, there's no downside to declaring for the draft. Sure a lottery pick means guaranteed money, but if you're unlikely to be a lottery or first rounder anyways, getting your draft done gives you far more opportunity to land a random deal that comes up

Rocco's welcome to spend a year or two in Melbourne and I reckon he'd be a lock to get into the NBA eventually

Hopefully Dean's made the call.

I really can't see what his strengths are apart from his height. Can't shoot, no post moves, terrible motor and will be monstered by physical players and unable to play defence out of the key. Doesn't seem to have a big basketball IQ, just had a few flashes that would get the crowd excited that normally comes with supporting a young player.
Don't want to get the Filipinos excited, but Sotto was a million times better in the NBL. Doesn't even have a decent college career like Schensher to give him credibility.
Hindsight now but was a bad move playing NBL, would have been better developing in a college system.

Like Tacko Fall, Phantom?

I see Rocco's flaws, but I also see a team using a mid-low second round pick on him on the off chance he can develop his body and game. There are just not many 7’3 humans that are reasonably good at playing basketball.